Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 25

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354

USA > New York > Dutchess County > Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York > Part 25

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drove through a blinding snow storm, and at 11:45 P. M. they walked into the commissioners' room at "Orange Hotel." The offer of the other counties had already been made, and Mr. Morgan stepped forward and presented Dutch- ess county's offer, and the location was awarded to Dutchess. For the success of the enter- prise George Morgan never received the full credit to which he was entitled. But for his prompt and energetic action the splendid build- ing would not to-day grace the eminence on the eastern banks of the Hudson just beyond the northerly boundaries of the City of Pough- keepsie.

C HARLES W. ARRAS (deceased) was among the more prominent and enterpris- ing business men of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, who were of alien birth. Like others of his countrymen, he brought to the New World the habits of economy and frugality, which are inherent characteristics of his native land, and the exercise of which, accompanied by industry and good management, brought him success in his business.

Mr. Arras was born at Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, November 9, 1841, and was the eldest in the family of nine children of Peter Arras, a linen weaver in the Fatherland, who came to America and located in New York City. In his native land our subject learned the baker's trade, and on coming to the United States when eleven years of age he followed that trade in New York City until about 1866, at which time he located at Poughkeepsie. For about four years he worked for George Gocp- fert in a bakery, and then bought out his em- ployer, successfully conducting the business until his death, which occurred November 14, 1885.

On October 7, 1866, Mr. Arras was mar- ried to Miss Emma A. Bieber, who was born in New York City, in 1846, and is a daughter of John Bieber, a native of Bavaria, Germany. In his native land her father had learned stone cutting, but after his arrival in New York City he took up the shoemaker's trade, which he followed there until 1851, when he came to Poughkeepsie and carried on the same occupa- tion until he was called from this life, April 29, 1872. He had married Miss Anna Mary Smidt, who was also born in Germany, Sep- tember 8, 1821, and they became the parents of five children, namely: Emma A. (now Mrs.

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Arras); Barbara, wife of John Haupt, a baker doing business on Union street, Poughkeepsie; Eliza, wife of George Bayers, a bookkeeper of the same city; Mary E., wife of John Bayer, a cigar-maker; and Fred S., a saloon-keeper, of Poughkeepsie. Six children were born to our subject and his wife, two of whom died in infancy. Frederick S., William H., Albert C. and Carl W. are still with their mother, who, since her husband's death, has successfully car- ried on the business, and displays tact and en- ergy in the management of her affairs.

In religious matters Mr. Arras belonged to the German Lutheran Church, and socially he was a leading member of the Germania Society. He was one of the representative business men of the city, wide-awake and energetic, who dealt squarely and liberally with his patrons, and merited the confidence of the community.

T.SAAC L. VARIAN, a well-known citizen of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, where he has resided since 1879, is conducting one of the leading meat inarkets of the city. For a period of about ten years he carried on busi- ness at Nos. 9, 11 and 13 Garden street; for three years afterward he was at No. 299 Main street ; thence removing to No 357 on the same street, where he has since been located. He makes weekly trips to New York City in order to take advantage of the markets, and now has one of the largest establishments of the kind in Poughkeepsie, keeping all kinds of meat, as well as fish and game, and he has secured a large and lucrative trade.

Mr. Varian was born in New York, August 14, 1852, of which city his father, James Va- rian, was also a native. Isaac Varian, his pa- ternal grandfather, was born in Holland, and on coming with his two brothers to the New World, located in New York City, where he was married, and reared his family of children, named respectively: Dorcas, Michael, Han- nah, Jane, and James, father of Isaac L. In politics he was an unswerving Democrat, and he was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

James Varian was reared and educated in New York City, where he also learned the butchering business, which he followed all his life. He married Angeline Stephenson, a na- tive of Connecticut, and they became the par- ents of thirteen children, as follows: James; William H., a farmer of Yonkers, N. Y .; Gil-

bert and Jacob (both deceased); Carman, a Inason by trade; Harriet, wife of Frederick W. Denton, who is in the United States service; George, a carpenter of Kingsbridge, N. Y .; Francis L., who is also engaged in carpenter- ing there; Huram B., a painter at Woodlawn, N. Y .; Charles A. (deceased); Isaac L., sub- ject of this sketch; Eugene, a carpenter of Kingsbridge; and Angeline, who married How- ard Carlough, formerly a grocer of Kings- bridge (both now deceased). The father died in Kingsbridge, July 16, 1867; the widowed mother is a consistent member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, to which her husband also belonged, and in politics his support was given the Republican party.

The subject of this narrative remained at home with his parents, who during his boy- hood and youth lived most of the time at Kingsbridge, N. Y., where he attended the city schools, completing his education at In- wood, Queens Co., N. Y. When his school days were over he began learning the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed for three years, and then took up butchering. Shortly after this he entered into a co-partnership with his brother Charles in the butcher business, a con- nection that lasted some four years. He then came to Poughkeepsie, where he has since con- ducted a market with most excellent success, and as a loyal citizen he feels it a duty as well as a privilege to aid in all matters of public interest.

On November S, ISSI, Mr. Varian was married to Miss Clara Marshall, a native of Poughkeepsie, and a daughter of DeWitt C. and Harriet G. Marshall. For several years her father was cashier of the Rhinebeck Na- tional Bank. Four children grace this union: Bessie E., Eleanor F., Harry B. and Ruth B. Mr. and Mrs. Varian attend the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and in social circles they occupy a prominent position. In politics Mr. Varian is a firm supporter of the Republic- an party; he holds membership with the Ma- sonic fraternity and the Royal Arcanum.

J OSEPH H. STORM, a representative and prominent citizen of the town of Beekman, Dutchess county, was born March 25, 1842, in the town of East Fishkill, and sprung from a good old Holland family, which was established on the shores of this country at a very early day in its history. Derick Storm

I. L. Varian

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was the first to set foot on American soil, landing here in 1662 and making a location on Long Island. He wedded Maria Pieters, by whom he had four children: Goris, Peter, David and Maria. The birth of the eldest, Goris Storm, occurred either on Long Island or before the emigration of his parents. He married Engletie Van Lyck, and they located at Brooklyn, where their two sons were born -Derick in 1695, and Thomas in 1697.

Thomas Storm purchased land of Col. Phillips, in the manor of Phillipsburg, Tarry- town, N. Y. He had nine children: Thomas, Jacob, Garret, Goris, Abraham, John, Isaac, Catherine and Engletie. When well advanced in years he came to Dutchess county, where he bought about 406 acres of land on the north side of the Fishkill, 204 acres of which he gave to his son Goris, and the remaining 202 to Abraham. The latter received the land which his father had secured by a second pur- chase, with the exception of ten acres on the south side of the Fishkill. To Isaac he gave his possessions in Tarrytown, where his birth occurred, but he traded these with his brother Abraham, and came to Dutchess county, where he was married and reared a family of several children, among whom was Abraham, the grandfather of our subject.

Abraham Storm was born in the town of East Fishkill, in 1771, and he married Sarah Vincent, of the town of Beekman. They lo- cated upon the homestead, and there reared their five children: Isaac was an attorney in early life, but later turned his attention to the tobacco business, and retired at the age of fifty with a capital of a million and a half; William wasa farmer in the town of Lagrange, Dutchess county; John V. is the father of our subject; Charlotte first wedded D. E. Remson, and, after his death, married Joseph Genung, both of whom were farmers; and Elizabeth be- came the wife of John Humphrey.

John V. Storm was born on the home farm in the town of East Fishkill in 1800, and there passed his boyhood and youth. He married Jeannette E. Woolley, a native of Beekman town, and a daughter of William and Hester (Pell) Woolley, farming people. Her ancestors were English, John Woolley having come from England and located on Long Island. His son Joseph, who was born in 1740, was the grand- father of Mrs. Storm. He engaged in the fur business with the Astors, and at his death left a large estate. After their marriage the parents

of our subject continued to live upon the old Storm homestead, where their seven children were born: Abraham, Joseph, William J., Frances, Elizabeth, Cornelia and Helen. During his active life the father always followed agricultural pursuits, but is at present living retired in the village of Fishkill. His faithful wife passed away June 22, 1886. He is a Democrat in political sentiment, and has been called upon to fill a number of official posi- tions, being supervisor of East Fishkill town- ship several terms, and also justice of the peace. The Storm family have mostly been members of the Reformed Dutch Church, while the Woolleys were Episcopalians.

The early life of Joseph H. Storm, subject of this review, was passed in the usual une- ventful manner of most farmer boys, upon the old homestead where his ancestors had long resided, and in the district schools obtained his early education. Later he attended an academy, after which he took a business course in the Eastman Business College, Poughkeep- sie, and then returned to the farm where he remained until his marriage, September 4, 1867, to Miss Sophia D. Sheldon, daughter of Wilson B. Sheldon, a prominent agriculturist of the town of Beekman, and they began their domestic life upon the farm in the same town- ship which is still their home. To them two children have been born: Wilson B., who is engaged in business with W. J. Storm; and Jeannette, wife of Frederick Ryer, Jr., of Mount Vernon, New York.

Upon his valuable farm of 120 acres Mr. Storm is engaged in general farmning, with good success. Being a popular and influential citi- zen, he has been called upon to serve in sev- eral positions of honor and trust, representing his district in the State Legislature in 1885 and 1886, and holding the office of supervisor of Beekman town in 1879 and 1880. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and by Secretary Rusk was appointed appraiser of the Bureau of Annual Industry, which posi- tion he capably filled for two years. He has been vice-president of the Dutchess County Agricultural Society many years; vice-presi- dent (and also president pro tem) of the New York State Agricultural Society for some time; and at Chicago was elected vice-president of the Farmers National Congress of New York. Socially he affiliates with the Masonic frater- nity. Upright and honorable in all the rela- tions of life, Mr. Storm holds an enviable posi-

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tion in the estimation of his fellow-citizens, no man in Dutchess county being held in higher regard.

D ANIEL WASHBURN. In every agricult- ural community there will fortunately be found men whose progressive management serves to demonstrate the value of the judi- cious application of modern scientific principles to the ancient business of farming, and to this worthy class belongs the subject of this sketch, who is a successful agriculturist of the town of Pawling, Dutchess county.

Mr. Washburn is a native of the county, born in the town of Beekman, November 29, 1850, and his education was obtained in the common schools near his home. At an early age he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has followed ever since with unusually satis- factory results. At present he rents the Slocum farm of 286 acres, also rents the William Lud- dington farm of 176 acres, upon which he em- ploys many assistants. He devotes his time to the raising of general crops, but has made a success of tobacco culture, and is an expert in all its branches, as well as in the more common details of farming. His business cares do not prevent him from taking an active interest in public movements, and although until a few years ago he was an ardent supporter of the principles of the Democratic party he is now one of the leading Prohibitionists of his town. He has held the office of excise commissioner; belongs to Patterson Lodge No. 173, I. O. O. F., Pawling, and is a member of Christ Church, Quaker Hill. His first wife, Miss Sarah E. Roc, was a daughter of Daniel and Maria Roe, prominent among the farmers of the town of Dover. The present Mrs. Washburn was for- merly Miss Edith Ette, who was born in 1856, in New Milford, Conn., and was educated in New Fairfield, Conn. Of the three children of our subject by his first wife, Ella, born Jan- uary 9, 1874, married George Ette, a farmer of Patterson, and has had one daughter, Se- rena; Serena, born February 1, 1876, married Charles Lutz, a farmer of the town of Pawl- ing, and has had one child, Ethel; and Fannie B., born May 18, 1879, is at home.

The Washburn family has been prominent in Putnam county, N. Y., from early times, and Samuel Washburn, our subject's grand- father, was born and reared there, becoming a farmer by occupation. He was a soldier in

the Revolutionary war. lle and his wife, Phebe (Baker), reared a family of six children : Jonathan, who married Naomi Dykeman; Levi, who remained single; Absolom, who died in boyhood; Zebulum, our subject's father; Eliza, who never married; and Mrs. Hannah Rob- inson.

Zebulum Washburn was born in Carmel, Putnam county, in 1804, and his education was acquired there in the district schools. He was a well-known farmer, and was prominent in local affairs as a Democrat; but, although he held a number of minor town offices, he never aspired to political distinction. His death occurred in 1862. He married Miss Serena Luddington, daughter of Joseph Lud- dington (a leading blacksmith of Pawling) and his wife, Susan (Ferris). Our subject was the fourth in a family of seven children. Of the others (1) Susan never married. (2) George H. was born in the town of Beekman in 1840, was educated in the schools there, and in 1860 enlisted in Company E, 19th N. Y. V. I., being the first man from the town of Beekman to respond to the call for troops. He served three years and then re-enlisted, and, his regi- ment having moved on, he was transferred to the 128th N. Y. V. I. He met his death at the battle of Shenandoah. (3) Samuel was born and reared in the town of Beekman, and followed farming there. He married (first) Miss Hattie Gregory, and had three children- William, Walter and Louis; for his second wife he married Miss Carrie Mosier, and has had one daughter-Ella. (5) William S. was born at the old homestead in 1853, and after attending the schools of Beekman engaged in business, and is now foreman for William B. Wheeler, taking charge of the Latta estates. He married Miss Lizzie Lutz, daughter of Henry Lutz, a well-known gardener of the town of Pawling, and has had three children- William, Lco and Fredie. (6) Anna A., born in 1856, married Horace Orton, a farmer of the town of Dover, and has had four children- Sarah, Minnie, George and Herbert; of these, Sarah married William White, also a farmer of Dover, and they have one child, Jennie. (7) Jane died in infancy ;.

L UDWIG PETILLON (deceased) was one of the best known citizens of the county, of later years as a wealthy, retired business man residing on a charming estate two miles

Das , Was hlun

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from the city of Poughkeepsie. He came of German origin, and his grandfather, Isaac Petillon, who was a farmer in Bavaria, was a soldier in the German army during the Napo- leonic wars. He reared a family of children, among whom was a son, Jacob, our subject's father, who was born December 23, 1813, in Bavaria, grew to manhood there, and learned the butcher's trade.

At the age of twenty Jacob Petillon sailed for America, landing in New York July 4, 1833. Coming to Poughkeepsie, he found em- ployment at his trade, and with characteristic enterprise and good management he made his way to success, continuing in the same busi- ness throughout his life. He was a Republic- an in politics, and took a keen interest in the questions of the day. He married Catherine Hey, also a native of Bavaria, born March 28, 1811, and had four children: Caroline C., the wife of Charles Kirchner, a well-known resi- dent of Poughkeepsie; John Jacob, who was born January 16, 1840, and at the time of his death, May 22, 1884, was a successful business man of Poughkeepsie; John, now a resident of that city; and Ludwig, our subject. The fa- ther of this family died July 11, 1861, the mother surviving him until January 7, 1885. Both were devout members of the German Lutheran Church, to which their children also belonged.

Ludwig Petillon was born in Poughkeepsie, September 20, 1845, and was educated in the public schools of that city. He was only fourteen years old when the death of his fa- ther compelled him to become a "bread win- ner," and he and his brother, John Jacob, con- ducted their father's business from that time with marked success. At first they had a wholesale trade, but later they engaged in a retail business with Charles Kirchner, contin- uing until 1889, when Mr. Petillon retired from the active management.

On April 7, 1874, Mr. Petillon was mar- ried to Miss Catherine Steitz, a native of Poughkeepsie, and a daughter of Philip and Catherine Steitz, well-known citizens of Ger- man birth. They had no children. On his retirement from business Mr. Petillon pur- chased from W. S. Johnson a beautiful farm of eighty acres near the city on the electric- car line, which he improved with winding paths and drives, and a residence which com- pares well with those of of the neighboring wealthy New Yorkers. He was an intelligent,

progressive man, highly esteemed among all classes, and was a generous supporter of local improvements. In politics, he was a Repub- lican, and he and his wife were prominent ad- herents of the Lutheran Church, to which they contribute liberally. Mr. Petillon died Feb- ruary 21, 1896.

JOHN HACKETT, of the well and favorably

known law firm of Hackett & Williams, of

the city of Poughkeepsie, which enjoys an enviable reputation throughout the Valley of the Hudson, for the success each member has met with in the handling of the extensive legal business that for years has been entrusted to their care, is a native of Ireland, born on the farm of his father, near Clonmell, June 8, 18.45.

His father, John Hackett, with his family, came to America in 1852, and located in Hyde Park, Dutchess Co., N. Y., where John Hack- ett was reared, and where he was given the benefit of the public schools of the village; he also attended the Eastman Business College, and was graduated therefrom in 1863. Not content with the idea of being an accountant through life, young Hackett determined on a professional career, and began the study of law, pursuing his studies in the office and un- der the direction of Chester Brundage, at Poughkeepsie. He was admitted to the bar in 1866, and at once settled in the practice of his profession in the city of his adoption, and where he was reared and educated. In 1873 he was made assistant district attorney under James L. Williams, and served as such until the close of Mr. Williams' term of office. In 1884 he was the Democratic nominee for the same office, and was elected over George Esselstyn, the Republican candidate; on the expiration of his term of office he was again the nomince for district attorney, and was re- elected over his competitor, W. R. Wooden, by a large majority. He very ably and suc- cessfully performed the duty devolving upon him as a public official, in a position of so much responsibility, and both socially and professionally became widely and favorably known. In 1876 he formed a partnership with James L. Williams (under whom he had served as assistant district attorney), which partnership continues to exist. They have an extensive and lucrative practice, and are men of high standing and position in the community

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in which they have so long resided. The firm is recognized as one of the strongest in that section of the country.

On April 10, 1880, Mr. Hackett was mar- ried to Miss Hattic V. Mulford, daughter of Hon. David H. Mulford, of Hyde Park, who was one of the representatives from Dutchess county in the Legislature in 1870-71, and to their marriage the following children have come: John M. and Henry T., both of whom are now attending the Bisbee Military School, at Poughkeepsie. Mr. Hackett and family reside at Hyde Hark.

J AMES COLLINGWOOD (deceased) was born in Wigan, England, March 19, 1814, and came to America at the time of the first cholera epidemic, being then eighteen years old. He came directly to the city of Newburg, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade for a few years, and then moved to Fish- kill, Dutchess county, where he engaged in the shoe trade, and built several houses. From Fishkill he went to a farm near West Park, Ulster county, and there engaged in farming.

Mr. Collingwood came to Poughkeepsie and started in the lumber business, buying a residence on the river a short distance from the city. He was first married at Newburg to Hannah Frost, who died in Poughkeepsie dur- ing the second year of the cholera scourge in New York, leaving four children: Jennie S., who married G. W. Millard, and is now de- ceased; William A. and James H., both also deceased; and Eugenia Elizabeth, who married E. B. Taylor, and is now deceased. After the death of his first wife, our subject married Miss Mary E. Clark, a daughter of George Clark, who was born in Poughkeepsie. Of this marriage five children were born, namely: (1) Sarah, who married Charles A. Brooks; (2) John G., who married Josepha Chichester, and they have two children-John C. and Fannie M .; (3) George married Mary E. Carey; (4) Fannie married G. W. Millard, and is de- ceased; and (5) Edwin James married Cora L. Schickle, a daughter of John Schickel, of Poughkeepsie.

Our subject's parents were William and Jane Collingwood, the former of whom started out for himself at the age of eighteen years. He was a self-made man, and became one of the largest coal and lumber dealers along the

Hudson river. He was very highly spoken of in Poughkeepsie, and his career was an cxan- ple of thrift and energy to others. He built the opera house and the block in front of it, in Poughkeepsie, as a private enterprise. His death occurred May 16, 1874.

E DWARD CRUMMEY (deccascd). To in- tellectual gifts and training which fitted the subject of this sketch to take rank among the leaders of the legal profession, there was added the ardent heart of a reformer, and a steadfast faith in human nature that made him an inspiration for good in every life that came in contact with his own. His sympathy and help have lifted more than one degraded drunk- ard to renewed self-respect and determination, while his influence among his associates brought to the various temperance organizations large numbers of able and cultured workers who in their turn have carried on the noble work.

Mr. Crummey was born in New York City in August, 1827, and after the early death of his parents, James and Sarah Crummey, he was brought at the age of fifteen to live in the family of Smiten Vincent Tripp, near Clinton Corners, Dutchess Co., N. Y. He attended the district school there for some years, and pursued a higher course of study in the school on College Hill, then conducted by Charles Bartlett, Bisbee and Warring. He taught at Stanford and Schultzville, and then went to California in 1849, and engaged in gold min- ing with the late Hon. A. P. K. Safford, then a prominent resident there, and later on Gov- ernor of Arizona. They were successful, and Mr. Cruinmey returned home with the means to carry out a cherished wish to become a law- yer. He prepared for the bar at Prof. Fow- ler's Law School, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and at Poland, Ohio, in 1856, was admitted to practice, and he at once opened an office in the city of Poughkeepsie, where for nearly forty years he carried on his professional work. In 1857, when a County Board of Excise was ap- pointed under the new law, Mr. Crummey be- came clerk and attorney for that body, serving with marked ability for several years. At the time that the 150th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers was raised in Dutchess county, Mr. Crummey opened a recruiting office in Poughkeepsie, and succeeded in raising an entire company; but as he had no liking for military life he

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 25

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1354

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354