Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 58

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

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He has been twice married, first, in 1866, to Miss Mary Ann Delaney, who died, leaving three children: William, Catherine and Ellen. Mr. Corcoran's present wife was Miss Mary Oldfield, a daughter of Michael and Ellen Old- field. Eight children were born of this inar- riage: John (deceased), Clarice, Frances, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, James L. and Edward. The family are leading members of St. Peter's Catholic Church, and Mr. Corcoran is promi- nent in the work of the Catholic Benevolent Society. In fact, he has taken an active part in many enterprises - civil, religious and polit- ical, as well as those which have pertained to finance alone. He has been president of the Retail Merchants Association for two terms; vice-president of the Board of Trade for two terms, and a member of that body for many years. While he is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, he does not seek political office. About 1886 he was appointed alderman from the First ward, and was elected to the position about 1887, but resigned before the expiration of his term. About 1890 he was appointed member of the

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board of water commissioners, by Mayor Ells- worth, and he has given to the discharge of the duties of each place the ability and energy and fidelity which have distinguished his business career.

F REDERICK WORMSLEY, a successful and enterprising grocer of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, was born in Prussia, Ger- many, November 30, 1842, and is the son of Jacob and Catherine (Otto) Wormsley, the former of whom held the office of tax collector under the German government. Both the parents died in Germany.

Our subject spent his early days in Prussia, and at the age of fourteen came to Poughkeep- sie with his sister, making his home first at East Poughkeepsie. He worked for his board, taking care of fourteen horses, milking five cows, and going to school in the winter. Later he clerked for Mr. Baker in a grocery store, on Main street, and then for James Husted, on Market street, for several years. In 1869 he started a grocery store where Wallman's bakery now is, and then conducted a store where Mr. Bloomer's place now stands. This he ran from 1882 to 1887, when he sold out and lived a retired life until September 21, 1895, when he again went into business on Main street.

Mr. Wormsley was married May 10, 1868, to Annie, a daughter of John Munsell. She was born in Germany, but has been a resident of Poughkeepsie since she was six months old. They have no children. Our subject was con- firmed in the Lutheran Church before leaving Germany. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men; a Veteran Fireman, life member of Steamer Company No. 2; and a member of Freigangrath Lodge No. 549, D. O. Haragari. He has been a lifelong Democrat, but has never sought public office. He began life as a poor boy, and has succeeded in ac- cumulating a comfortable property. Mr. Wormsley is a straightforward business man, and is highly respected by his neighbors and associates.

E DWARD HUNTTING BEDFORD (de- ceased). The Bedford family has been prominent in the vicinity of Glenham, Dutch- ess county, for many years, and by intermar- riage it is related to several other distinguished

families of this section. The subject of this brief memoir was a worthy descendant of such an ancestry, and although his life was passed in the quiet calling of agriculture he displayed, on all occasions, characteristics which would have adorned any sphere of life.

He was born at Glenham, July 14, 1835, the son of John and Sarah H. (Waldron ) Bed- ford, and grandson of John Bedford, a jeweler and watchmaker at Fishkill. His father was born May 16, 1791, and died February 24, 1845. after spending his later years as a farmer at Glenham. His wife, whom he married February 20, 1828, was born April 28, 1800, survived him many years, dying January 15, 1882. She was a daughter of Peter Waldron (who was born April 23, 1754, and died May IO, 1827) and his wife, Edea Swartwout born October 9, 1764, died January 1, 1847). Their marriage took place February 21, 1796.

Edward H. Bedford was one of two sons, his brother Andrew, who was born March 15. 1830, being the elder. Our subject attended the district schools at Glenham, and the acad- emy at Fishkill, then conducted by Rev. Dr. Pingree, and later entered Yale College, but was obliged to leave on account of ill health before his course was finished. Returning home, he assumed the management of the farm, which he continued until his death, which oc- curred January 20, 1872. He was prominent in the varied activities of his locality, being one of the leading officials of the Fishkill Savings Bank, and an earnest supporter of the Repub- lican party. In the Reformed Dutch Church at Glenham he was an active worker, holding the offices of deacon, treasurer and superin- tendent of the Sunday-school.

On October 13, 1859, he was married to Miss Anna Bevier, daughter of Rev. John H. and Margaret (Van Wyck) Bevier. Her father was at that time the pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Glenham, and he performed the ceremony in the parsonage there. On the maternal side her grandparents were Cornelius C. and Letitia (Adriance) Van Wyck, of Fish- kill. To Mr. and Mrs. Bedford eight children were born, as follows: Edward Huntting, Jr., December 25. 1860, died August 11, 1864; John Bevier, February 27, 1862 (of whom further mention is made); Andrew Wortman, August 11, 1863, died December 30, 1882; Wilhelmus, January 24, 1865, died January 3. 1894; Sarah Van Wyck, May 21, 1866; Anna Huntting, July 12, 1868, was married at " Glen-

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villa," Glenham, May 23, 1894, to the Rev. Peter Stryker Beekman, by the Rev. Benjamin E. Dickhant; Charles Van Wyck, March 14. 1871. is a minister of the Reformed Dutch Church; and Edwin Rapelje, August 19, 1872, is a physician at Brooklyn, New York.

JOHN BEVIER BEDFORD was educated in the public schools of Glenham and Matteawan, also in a private school at Fishkill Landing and a boarding school at Poughkeepsie. After leaving school he settled on the old home- stead, where he has ever since resided. In 1888 and '89 he passed a year in the West and Southwest, spending part of the time at Omaha, Neb., and Wichita, Kans. After his return home he was appointed postmaster at Glen- ham, beginning with the administration of President Benjamin Harrison, and which posi- tion he held for five consecutive years. He is now clerk of the school board, having held the office for nearly three years. In politics he is a Republican.

Genealogy of the Bevier Family-First Generation: Louis Bevier and Maria Lablane emigrated from France between the years 1672 and 1675. Children of Second Generation: Maria, born July 9, 1674; John, January 2, 1676; Abram, January 20, 1678; Samuel, Janu- ary 21, 1680; Andries, July 12, 1682; Louis, November 6, 1684: Ester, 1686; Solomon, July 12, 1689. Third Generation: Abram Bevier was married to Rachel Vernooy, 1707. Their son Samuel was baptized in 1715, and they had nine other children beside him. Fourth Generation: Samuel Bevier, Jr., was married to Sarah Le Fever. They had three sons and four daughters; Andries, their eldest son, was born April 4, 1742. Fifth Genera- tion: Andries Bevier married Jecomyntie Du Bois, June 2, 1764. She was the daugh- ter of Cornelius Du Bois and Margaret Hough- taling. They had the following children: Sarah, born August 18, 1765; Samuel, October 25, 1766; Cornelius, April 27, 1769; Wilhel- mus, May 10, 1771; Lewis, born December 5, 1773; Abraham, July 28, 1776; Janatie, No- vember 30, 1781, died in infancy; Margaret, baptized May 30. 1779; Josiah, baptized Feb- ruary 7. 1783; Rachel, baptized March 13, 1791. Sixth Generation: Wilhelmus Bevier was married January 11, 1801, to Anna Hoorn- beck, born May 29, 1771, and died June 3, 1850. They had the following children: (1) Jemimah, born November 24, 1801, died October 19, 1885; (2) Catherine, born Sep-

tember 14, 1803, died March 8, 1864; (3) John H., born July 21, 1805, died August 14, 1880; (4) Maria, born August 29, 1867, died June 1, 1885; (5) William, born August 29, 1809, died June 14, 1834; (6) Benjamin H., born March 1, 1812, died September 7, 1880; (7) Sarah, born June 24, 1814, died March 20, 1863. John H. Bevier married Margaret Van- Wyck and had the following children: Corne- lius Van Wyck, born April 19, 1833, died Sep- tember 28, 1889; Anna, born March 24, 1835 (widow of Edward H. Bedford), resides at "Glenvilla," Glenhamn; Wilhelmus, born April 23, 1840, died January 26, 1844: and Laetitia Van Wyck, born April 19, 1842, resides at " Glenvilla."

Genealogy of the Van Wyck Family: Cor- nelius C. Van Wyck, born April 25, 1763, died December 9. 1832. Letitia Adriance, his wife, born February 5, 1766, died May 22, 1858. They were married May 3, 1786. To them were born the following children: Isaac, born January 31, 1787. died April 16, 1858; Letty, born October 26, 1788, died June 9, 1835; Peter Schenck, born January 19, 1790, died September 28, 1875; Susan, born July 30, 1791, died July 2, 1878; John C., born March 24, 1793, died June 2, 1867; Sally, born February 5, 1795, died February IS, 1860; Maria, born December 15. 1796, died March 18, 1879; Ida Eliza, born May 16, 1799, died September 2, 1800; Charles, born April 7, 1801, died March 28, ISSo; Albert, born February 25, 1803, died November 23, 1806; Caroline, born January 22, 1805, died August 16, 1875; Margaret, born July 3, 1810, died November 20, 1868 (she was the wife of the Rev. John H. Bevier).

J OHN SUTCLIFFE, one of the best known and most successful business men of Pough- keepsie, Dutchess county, was born in Stain- land, near Halifax, Yorkshire, England, July 29, 1837, a son of Eli and Mary (Lumb) Sut- cliffe. His grandfather John, and great-grand- father Eli Sutcliffe, were natives of the same locality, the former of whom carried on a woolen business, the latter conducting a pa- per-mill.

Eli Sutcliffe, the father of our subject, was born April 7, 1815, also in Stainland, near Halifax, England, grew to manhood in his na- tive country, and there married Miss Mary Lumb, who was born in Barkisland, near Hali-

John Sutehoffe

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fax, England, September 23, 1815. Her fa- ther, John Lumb, a weaver of woolen goods, was also born in that part of the country. About four years after their marriage the young couple came to the United States, and in 1840 settled in Poughkeepsie, where Mr. Sutcliffe at first worked in a woolen-factory, afterward en- gaging in teaming. In 1851 he opened a gro- cery store at the corner of Union and Clover streets, which he carried on some eighteen years. In 1855, in partnership with David Scott, he went into the manufacture of soap and candles, later, however, disposing of this business, also, in 1867, of his interest in the grocery store to his son William H., after which he retired from active business. In poli- tics he was originally a Whig, and for many years since has been an active member of the Republican party; he has served as assessor for the city of Poughkeepsie. In religious faith he is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife, who departed this life September 10, 1894. Five children were born to this worthy couple, as follows: John, the subject of this sketch; Sarah E., who married Benjamin F. Brinker- hoff; William H., a grocer in Poughkeepsie; Eli D., an Episcopalian minister in Oregon : and George T., who died in infancy.

John Sutcliffe, our subject, was three years old when his parents came to this country, and was reared in Poughkeepsie, where he at- tended the public schools, and also the Dutch- ess County Academy. His business career he began as clerk in his father's store, and in. 1861 went to Peekskill, where he became as- sistant manager of the Peeksville Blast Fur- nace, a position he filled for two years. He then drew the plans for a new furnace to be established at Coldspring, Putnam Co., N. Y., known as the Phillips Iron Works, and which he also built and started. After getting this well under way, owing to some disagreement with the management, he resigned his position and went to England in order to post himself more thoroughly in the details of the iron busi- ness. In the fall of 1864 he returned to the United States, and began the building of new iron works at Verplanck's Point, N. Y .; but owing to the financial panic in 1865 they were not completed. In the latter year he erected the building on the corner of Union and Clover streets, Poughkeepsie, for his father, and be- came interested in a woolen business with an uncle. In the following spring he went to Hyde-

ville, Vt., to take charge of the works of the Eagle Slate Co., and remained with that com- pany for four years, managing the business with great success, and making many improve- ments in the establishment. In 1868 he went to Wales and England, where he made a study of the manufacture of slate, and on his return built the machinery for working up refuse stock into billiard tables, mantels and other slate work. He also built the mill which he successfully operated until 1870, when he left the company on account of a difference of opinion. In the summer of 1870 he remodeled a slate mill at the Chapman slate quarries in Pennsylvania, and in the winter of 1870-71 re- turned to Poughkeepsie to build the filter beds, docks, etc., for the city water works, and spent the year 1871 in constructing the same. The filter beds were the only successful ones of the kind in the United States at that time, and are still in operation.

Mr. Sutcliffe spent a portion of the follow- ing year traveling through the South and West, studying and looking up the large iron fields, etc. In the fall of 1872 he again returned to Pough- keepsie and built the Hudson River Iron Works, and the docks now known as the Phoenix Horse Shoe Works. In 1873 he took con- tracts to build sewers and lay water pipes in the city of Poughkeepsie; but before the con- tracts were finished, owing to the stringency in the money market, in the fall of 1873, the city could not raise sufficient money to meet its obligations, and requested Mr. Sutcliffe to sus- pend work. However, he obtained the neces- sary funds from private sources, and finished the work. He also managed the Franklin Iron Works near Utica, N. Y., which had two blast furnaces, and in addition to his other en- terprises built a row of brick buildings in Poughkeepsie.

In the spring of 1874 he was called to Penn- sylvania to settle up the business of the Pond- Eddy Blue Stone Company, which was located on the Erie railroad, in Pike county, in which affair he displayed much ability, and matters were satisfactorily arranged. He was next employed by the Vallecillo Silver Mining Co., to look up their mines in Mexico, and if he thought they could be run with profit, to take the management of them, and if not, to return and receive one year's pay for his services. His investigation proved so satisfactory that he took charge of the mines and operated them for ten years, during which time he succeeded

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in placing them on a good paying basis with- out any cost to the company. In the fall of 1884 he returned home and took a year's rest after his arduous labors, at the end of which time he was engaged by the receiver of the Steel Company of Canada, Nova Scotia, to take charge of its affairs as general manager, and owing to the success attending his man- agement a new company was organized under the title of the Londonderry Iron Company, Limited, in which he took an interest, and of which he became general manager. In the fall of 1889 he resigned his position as mana- ger, consenting, however, to act as consulting engineer, with his residence at Poughkeepsic instead of Nova Scotia. Since that time he has made his home in Poughkeepsic, and has been engaged in various contracts, and acting as consulting engineer.

On July 26, 1876, Mr. Sutcliffe was mar- ried to Miss Sarah E. Swart. Her father, William Beekman Swart, was of Dutch de- scent, a descendant of Anneke Jans, and an old settler of Dutchess county, whose father, Maj. Thomas Swart, served in the Revolution- ary war, and was an officer in the war of 1812. Three children have been born of this union, Paul, Allen and John W.

Mr. Sutcliffe is a strong Republican, and served as police commissioner for two terms. In religious matters he is not a sectarian, but has a kindly feeling for all denominations. He was formerly an Odd Fellow, and is now a member of the Masonic fraternity; is a mem- ber of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Institute of Mining Engineers, also of the Engineers Club of New York City. In the various responsible positions that he has filled he has earned the reputation of a man of integrity, good judgment and keen business ability, and is everywhere respected and esteemed for his many sterling qualities.

W ILLARD C. VAIL, of Poughkeepsie, was born in Verbank, Dutchess coun- ty, May 17, 1856, and is a descendant of Hol- land ancestors. He spent his boyhood on the old farm, and attended the district schools, from which he went to the Oswego Institute, and spent one year at the Poughkeepsie Mili- tary Institute. Later he entered the hard- ware store of Valentine & Coleman, in Pough- keepsic, holding the position of clerk and book- keeper. Next he commenced the study of

law in the law office of Tristram Coffin, with whom he remained two years, and then en- tered the Albany Law School, graduating with the class of '76. Returning to the old home- stead, he has here been engaged in farming ever since.

On January 14, 1885, Mr. Vail was mar- ried to Miss Gertrude B. Flagler, who was born at Overlook in the town of Lagrange, a daughter of Philip D. Flagler, a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Vail have two children: Elias C. and Lavina C. In 1895 our subject purchased a house on the corner of South Hamilton and Barclay streets, Poughkeepsie, which is one of the finest residences in Poughkeepsie. He is a Republican, and one of the foremost citizens of the place.

Elias D. Vail, the father of our subject, was also born at Verbank, as was also Isaac, the grandfather, and Elias, the great-grand- father of our subject. Isaac, the grandfather, was the father of thirteen children, of whom Elias D. was the youngest. The latter grew to manhood on the farm, and married Miss Lavina Cornell, who was born in the town of Beekman, a daughter of George Cornell, a farmer. The Cornell family was also of Hol- land stock. To Elias D. and his wife chil- dren as follows were born: Willard C .; George E. and Edwin G. (twins), the former of whom died at the age of sixteen years, while the latter is a farmer on the old home- stead. The mother died October 22, 1861; the father lives on the old homestead; he is a Republican in his political preferences.

JOHN VINCENT HUMPHREY. Among the prominent business men of Poughkeep- sie few names are better known than that of the subject of this sketch, who, since 1874, has successfully conducted a drug business there. He is a native of Dutchess county, born in the village of Beekman, October 20, 1853, and is a son of John Humphrey, whose birth also occurred at that place, in 1818. There the father engaged in farming until he was called from this earth, when our subject was only a few days old. At Stormville he was united in marriage with Catherine E. Storm, a daughter of Abram Storm, and to them were born four children: Helen R .; Latitia C., deceased wife of William M. Quin- tard; Abram and John V. The paternal grand- father, who bore the name of Abram Hum-

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phrey, also engaged in agricultural pursuits at Beekman.

The boyhood days of our subject were passed in Poughkeepsie, where he attended, and completed his literary education in, the Dutchess County Academy. He began his business career as a partner in the drug store of his brother, Abram S. Humphrey, who was then conducting the drug business, and in 1882 purchased his brother's interest, since which time he has been connected with the drug trade in Poughkeepsie. His first place of business was at No. 384 Main street, where he remained two years, and then removed to No. 386, there carrying on operations for five years. He then purchased his present store at No. 388 Main street, where he carries a full and complete line of drugs, patent medicines, etc. As a business man he is enterprising, en- ergetic, always abreast with the times, and has been rewarded with a well-deserved success.

Mr. Humphrey was married at Poughkeep- sie, October 3, 1877, to Miss Sarah Millard, daughter of John P. Millard, and four children grace their union: John Huson Millard, born November 29, 1878; Abram Storm, born April 16, 1880; Ogden Hoffman, born July 16, 1883, and Olive, born January 28, 1897. Mr. Hum- phrey is a man of generous impulses, giving liberally of his time and money to all worthy causes, and in everything he does he tries to make the world brighter and better. He holds membership with the Second Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie.

J AMES EDGAR SADLIER, M. D. Among the young followers of ÆEsculapius who have won their way unaided and attained promi- nence in their profession, is James Edgar Sad- lier, of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county. He was born at Walden, Orange Co., N. Y., March 28, 1865, of French ancestry.

James Sadlier, Jr., the father of our sub- ject, was a native of France, the son of James Sadlier, Sr., also a native of France, who, at the time of his son's birth, was visiting with other members of his family in England. When James Sadlier, Jr., was five years old, his parents removed to the United States, and located in New York. His education was re- ceived at the public schools of that city, and on leaving school he at once entered the busi- ness world. He established himself in the to- bacco business at the corner of Broadway and

Maiden Lane, where he remained until 1873. In Orange county, N. Y., he was married to Miss Ann Jeannette Woodruff, daughter of Richard and Charlotte Woodruff, prominent residents of that county. Six children were the result of this union, three of whom died in infancy; the others are: Charles Whittemore, secretary and treasurer of the Walden Savings Bank, and teller of the Walden National Bank: James Edgar; and Augustus, who is at the old home in Walden, N. Y. The father of this family passed to his final rest January 4, 1876, at the age of fifty-one years. He was a man highly estecmed for his many sterling qualities, and well liked by all who knew him for his genial nature, a characteristic of the French nation.

James Edgar Sadlier, the subject proper of this review, received an unusually good educa- tion, first attending the public schools of his native town, later attending an academy at Montgomery, Orange Co., N. Y., and also one at New Paltz, Ulster Co., N. Y. He decided to enter the medical profession, and accord- ingly went to Pine Bush, Orange county, and began the study of medicine under the careful tuition of his uncle, Dr. William H. Woodruff; after studying with him for some time our sub- ject, in 1884, was enrolled as a student in the Medical Department of Union College at Al- bany, N. Y., completing his course in 1887. His advantages had well disciplined his mind, and his careful attention to detail had given him a reputation before leaving the class room that years of practice often fail to acquire. On leaving school he was appointed on the staff of the Albany City Hospital for the period from October, 1887, to April 1, 1889. After his term at the hospital had expired he came to Poughkeepsie, and began the regular prac- tice of his profession. His untiring and un- ceasing labor, coupled with his skill, soon won recognition, and he, by his own exertions, had, in a short time, built up a large and lucrative practice. In July, 1891, he was appointed one of the attending physicians of Vassar Brothers Hospital, which position he is still holding. He is also physician for the pension department of this district.

On June 18, 1891, Dr. Sadlier was united in marriage with Miss Hattie C. Millspaugh, daughter of Theron L. Millspaugh, of Walden, N. Y. No children have been born to them: Socially the Doctor is a member of Armor Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and in the social

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life of the city he and his charming wife are well-known and important factors. He served as secretary of the Dutchess County Medical Society from January, 1891, to January, 1897, when the society elected him delegate to the New York State Medical Society for the ensu- ing three years, which necessitated his resig- nation as secretary.

S HERMAN NICHOLAS HAIGHT. The

subject of this sketch is a representative of the ninth generation of the Haight family in America. Simon Haight, the founder of the family on this side of the Atlantic, came from England to Massachusetts in 1628. His son Nicholas (1) married Susanna Joyce, and had a son, Samuel, whose son Nicholas (2) married Patience Titus, and, purchasing land from the Nine Partners, came to Dutchess Co. from Long Island. Jacob ( 1), son of Nicholas (2), was born on Long Island and married Sarah Hicks; they came from Poughkeepsie in an ox-cart, and settled on the farm where Clem- ent Haight now lives. The place was then a wilderness, and wolves were numerous; they built a log cabin, the door of which was bark. To this pioneer couple were born the following children: Elizabeth, Jolin, Stephen, Nicho- las (3). Jacob (2), Patience, Sarah, Samuel (2), and Phæbe. Nicholas (3) married Miss Mar- garet Vincent, and in their family of several children was Nicholas (4), who married Phoebe Skidmore, and followed the occupation of a farmer exclusively. Both he and his wife were Quakers, and they reared the following: Andrew, the father of our subject; Sally, who died unmarried; Elias, who married Lavina Vail, and was a farmer in the town of Wash- ington: James, who married Eliza Smith, and was a farmer on Chestnnt Ridge; and Louisa, who died unmarried.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 58

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