USA > New York > Encyclopedia of biography of New York, a life record of men and women whose sterling character and energy and industry have made them preeminent in their own and many other states, Vol. 2 > Part 18
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HETHERTON, Edward S., Public Official, Civil War Veteran.
Major Edward S. Hetherton, very widely known in Grand Army circles, as well as in political matters, died at his home on Argyle Road, Flatbush, October 12, 1914. Major Hetherton was of the type of men who always inspire confi- dence and who are ever ready when duty calls. It is such men who, when the nation was in danger through secession and other baneful influences, prevented its destruction. When the integrity of the nation was threatened he was among the first to respond to the call for defenders, and his course throughout the Civil War reflected credit upon himself and encouraged those about him to fulfill to the utmost their dangerous duties. In civil life he was equally efficient and capable, and was identified with some of the leading enterprises of his native city. Always just and fair, he was placed in positions of responsibility where judg- ment was required and prompt action
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brought results. He was trusted by the highest in authority, and never in any manner betrayed the confidence reposed in him. He was energetic and efficient to the end, and continued about his duties despite the inroads of a fatal disease, until exhausted nature could no longer fulfil its functions, and then laid down his responsibilities and met his end with the fortitude and high courage which had characterized his entire career.
Major Hetherton was born December 25, 1843, in New York City, the son of Irish parents, who met and were married in New York City, where all their chil- dren were born. At the outbreak of the Civil War, soon after the completion of his seventeenth year, he enlisted as a drummer in the Second Regiment of the United States Artillery. Subsequently he became principal musician in the Second Regiment, United States Volun- teers, and was discharged on March 4, 1866. When only twelve years of age he enlisted as a musician in the regular army, and received instruction on the fife and drum on Governor's Island, in New York Harbor. He ran away from home to enlist, was enrolled October I, 1856, and discharged September 30, 1861, at Fort Pickens, Florida. He reënlisted May 21, 1862, at Fort Independence, in Boston Harbor, and soon after received order to report for duty to General Daniel Ullman at No. 200 Broadway, New York City. After April 6, 1863, he joined the Eleventh United States Infan- try. His term expired in March, 1865, but he continued in the service until the following year, as above noted. He served under Generals Arnold and Mc- Clellan, and was in the Nineteenth Army Corps. During the last ten years of his life he resided in the Flatbush sec- tion of Brooklyn, was a member of St. Rose de Lima Church of Parkville, and
was a member of the Holy Name Society, auxiliary of that body. His remains were laid to rest in Mount Olivet Cemetery. In politics Major Hetherton was an Inde- pendent. He was long in the public service as mayor's messenger, beginning with Mayor Abram S. Hewitt and con- tinuing under all his successors to the present time, a period of twenty-seven years. He thus became acquainted with many of New York's most famous men, and was a carrier of numerous important messages to men in high official life. At the time of his death he was commander of Phil Kearny Post, No. 8, Grand Army of the Republic, and at many times rep- resented this post in grand encampments. In the early days of the Fifth Avenue Stage line he was its first starter. He was a member of the Grand Army Mem- orial Committee and the Nineteenth Army Corps Veteran Association. Major Hetherton was a man of excellent qual- ities, of sound judgment, warm sym- pathies and generous heart, and was high- ly esteemed wherever known. He was very faithful to every duty which de- volved upon him, and will long be mourned by all who knew him.
He was married on Thanksgiving Day, 1875, to Sarah A. Burnop, daughter of Philip and Margaret Burnop, natives of England. Major and Mrs. Hetherton were the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living: Ella ; Joseph Burnop, married Susan Dolan, and has children: Mary, Margaret, Virginia and Edward; William Howard ; Edna, wife of George Kimpel, one son, George Edward Kimpel.
GARDNER, John H., Medical Investigator.
Among the many distinguished families of Albany, eminent in various fields of life, perhaps none have contributed more
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to the advancement and general enlight- enment of the community than the old Gardner family of this place, which has boasted among its members several who have been men of science, and broad in their views and sympathies.
One of the best known scions of this family was the late Mr. John H. Gardner who, though by the accident of birth was a native of New York City, made Albany in his after life the scene of his worldly activities and the beneficiary of his dis- tinguished attributes. Mr. Gardner was born at the old Bowery Hotel in New York, on October 24, 1840, this hotel being famous for its ownership by John Jacob Astor, and for many years one of the best known landmarks of the great metropolis.
Mr. Gardner's father, John H. Gardner, was a very noted man in his time, promi- nent along many lines, but identified more especially with the "Scientific American," of which he was editor for many years. His son inherited the scientific bent of mind which distinguished the older man par excellence, and himself in later days contributed abundantly to the world's storehouse of knowledge. After he had acquired the rudiments of his education, Mr. Gardner, then a resident of Brooklyn, attended the Brooklyn Polytechnic Insti- tute; he was also a pupil for some time of a private academy at White Plains, New York. He was quite young at the outbreak of the war between the States, but hastened to join the colors, and enlisted in the service of the Union as a regimental commissary, of the Third New York Cavalry. He served his country loyally and well, and became a commis- sioned officer; in later years, after the close of the long and bloody hostilities that devastated the country, he was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion.
Mr. Gardner devoted many years of his life to travel, going abroad several times and making extensive tours of the Con- tinent. He made a trip around the world in company with the late Thomas Dickson, president of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. But his most important expedition to foreign lands was for the purpose of making a scientific investigation of the properties of sulphur water for medicinal purposes. Prior to this time he had established, in connec- tion with his father and brothers, all interested as he was in science and the properties of matter, a hotel at Sharon Springs where he had opportunity to pursue his investigations in regard to mineral waters. Here he passed the greater part of the time in which he was not occupied in travel, engaged in scien- tific pursuits and experimenting in mineral waters. This hotel, founded in 1861, was conducted continuously at Sharon Springs for many years, and proved of almost unlimited benefit to all those who flocked to the place on account of the healing qualities of the water thereabouts. Mr. Gardner himself was its manager, and devoted himself to its upkeep with all the enthusiasm which marked his character; remaining there all of the time in which he was not engaged in foreign travel.
On November 25, 1873, Mr. Gardner was married to Susan E. McClure, a daughter of Archibald McClure, whose parents came to this country from Scot- land and settled in New Scotland, Albany county, New York, where he was born, founding the family of that name, some of whose members have since become famous in the history of the country. Mr. McClure was a pioneer drug man in Albany, settling there when the city was considerably less populated than it is at the present time. Mrs. Gardner's mother was Susan Tracy (Rice) Gardner, daugh-
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ter of Colonel Rice, who distinguished himself in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were the parents of two children, Susan and Julia Jacques. The last named daughter is the wife of Her- bert T. Whitlock, mineralogist for the State of New York.
Mr. Gardner died December 16, 1891, at the age of fifty-one years, and was buried in the Rural Cemetery at Albany. He was a member of the Union League Club of New York City for more than twenty years, and had an extensive acquaintance in that city as well as throughout the entire country and in foreign lands. The development and advancement of this part of the State owed much to his energy and enlightened perceptions, and to the scientific mentality of a man who delighted in research and the knowledge of nature. He made many and important discoveries along the lines in which he was most interested, of which those who have come after him have enjoyed the benefit.
BROWN, Alexander John, Representative Citizen.
In sporting circles in Brooklyn for the past three decades or so there has appear- ed no name that will be longer remem- bered than that of Alexander John Brown whose death at his home at No. 356 St. Mark's avenue, on October 3. 1915, removed from the community one of its most picturesque figures and a citizen of public spirit and energy.
Born in Brooklyn, December II, 1855, Mr. Brown was a lifelong resident of that city and had become most closely iden- tified with its life. He was educated in the parochial school in connection with St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and at an early age began to take a very practical interest in politics. He was a strong supporter of the principles and policies
of the Democratic party, allied himself actively with the local organization there- of, and soon became an important factor in the situation in that part of the city. In time he grew to be the leader in his ward, and for many years played a promi- nent part in Democratic campaigns in Brooklyn. But it was in connection with the sporting activities of the community that he was most active and best known, both as a promoter and an active par- ticipant in athletic games, especially base- ball. As a young man he joined the famous old Fulton Market Baseball Nine and made a reputation in the national game that extended far beyond the limits of his home city. Both at this time and later he received many offers from the managers of professional teams to join their ranks but, although some of these were tempting enough, he refused to abandon his amateur status which he valued highly. A little later he became a member of the equally celebrated Reso- lutes, one of the best teams in the Brook- lyn Amateur League, and there continued the splendid game which had brought him into prominence. In the year 1892 he became associated with Tom O'Rourke and with him took up the management of the Coney Island Athletic Club, an enterprise that was highly successful and under the auspices of which a number of the greatest ring encounters of the time were held. Among these should be men- tioned the much-talked-of, long-heralded Jeffries-Sharkey fight and others of equal celebrity. Mr. Brown took an active per- sonal part in the arrangement of these bouts and himself acted as referee in many minor battles. Mr. Brown was a man of strong religious beliefs and was all his life associated with the church, in the parochial school of which he studied as a boy, St. Joseph's, and was a liberal supporter of the work of the parish.
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On January 22, 1904, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Margaret E. Gil- martin, a native of Brooklyn, and a daugh- ter of Thomas and Margaret (Kenny) Gilmartin, who came from Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown three children were born, one of whom, a charming little daughter, Florence Mamie Brown, sur- vives her father and now dwells with her mother at the residence at No. 356 St. Mark's avenue.
Mr. Brown's devotion to athletic games and sports was remarkable, nor did it diminish, as is so often the case, with the departure of youth. Up to within a very few years of his death he was to be seen every afternoon taking part in the daily games held in the Parade Ground at Prospect Park, an occupation of which he never tired. He was especially noted as a pitcher and his home contains many trophies, prizes and tributes won by his skill in this particular realm. Besides this fondness, however, his tastes were of a kind that led him rather away from than into very extended social relations. He was devoted to his home and family and sought his recreation there and in that intercourse rather than in clubs or organizations of a kindred nature. He was a man of broad and democratic views and instincts and was extremely popular among other men, possessing hosts of friends whose sorrow for his loss is a very real one. None of the many who came in contact with him failed to be attracted to him and his name will live in the mem- ories of more than it is the lot of the aver- age man to do.
SAMMIS, William Augustus, Public Official.
One of the representative men of White Plains was removed from the scenes in which he had long been a con- spicuous figure when the late William A.
Sammis passed away. For many years Mr. Sammis had been the proprietor of the celebrated Sound View Stock Farm, and during the long period of his resi- dence in the town had filled with credit the offices of tax collector and justice of the peace.
William A. Sammis was born June 9, 1843, in Flushing, New York, where he received his education and passed the years of his early manhood. To what occupations these years were devoted we are not precisely informed, but they were evidently such as to fit him for the respon- sible part in life which he afterward played. While still a young man Mr. Sammis became a resident of White Plains, in the course of time becoming one of its best known and most highly re- spected citizens. As proprietor of the Sound View Stock Farm he exhibited rare administrative abilities and held a com- manding and influential position in the community. From the beginning of his residence in the town Mr. Sammis took a most lively interest in public affairs, identifying himself with the Republicans. His personal popularity, together with the confidence felt in his ability and integrity, caused him to be frequently requested to become a candidate for office, but to all such appeals he remained for some time unresponsive. The affairs of the Sound View Stock Farm, which ad- joined the Gedney Farm and also the large estate of Paul G. Thebaud, absorbed his entire attention. At length, however, in 1899, he accepted the nomination for justice of the peace, filling the office so greatly to the satisfaction of his fellow- citizens that he was chosen for a second term, serving in all until 1903. In 1907 he was elected town tax collector and made a record collection. The secret of his popularity was always to be found in the implicit trust inspired by his sterling qualities.
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The personality of Mr. Sammis was extremely attractive and we can hardly be accused of exaggeration in saying that every man, woman and child in White Plains was his friend. He was affection- ately addressed as "Uncle Billy," and so universal was the use of the title that few knew him by any other name. He was a very familiar figure upon the streets of White Plains, driving into town every day for the purchase of supplies and always sure of meeting hosts of friends. His discernment was of the kind which sees the best in every one and the kindli- ness of his nature led him to speak well of all. How greatly he is missed none but those who knew and loved him could tell. His face, so expressive of the char- acter and disposition which endeared him to all who were ever brought into contact with him, is vividly present in their remembrance.
Mr. Sammis married Elizabeth W. Wilkins, daughter of the well known proprietor of the Wilkins Stage Coach Line in New York City which had its starting-point near the site of the present Park Avenue Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Sam- mis were the parents of four daughters: Emma, now the wife of John L. Coles, of Mamaroneck; Jessie, now the wife of William S. Verplanck, of White Plains; Annie, now the wife of Marvin N. Horl- vin, of Mamaroneck avenue; and Mary, who resides with her widowed mother. Of what Mr. Sammis was in his family circle it is impossible for a stranger to speak. Only those near and dear to him could do justice to his qualities in the relations of husband and father.
On July 14, 1912, his town and county were rendered poorer by the death of this estimable man and model citizen. Dur- ing the thirty-seven years of his residence in White Plains, William A. Sammis pre- sented in the blameless conduct and even
tenor of his daily life an example of public and private virtue, of the essential qual- ities which go to build up a prosperous community, to maintain high ideals, to strengthen popular faith in them and to aid in their realization. To many the personal loss was irreparable, as may be imagined even from our imperfect effort to delineate those features of his char- acter which made him so profoundly respected and sincerely loved. It is but a few years since the bodily presence of this good man and useful citizen was withdrawn from our sight, but his work lives after him and he has left a record which is an encouragement and an inspi- ration not only to his contemporaries but also to those who shall come after him.
COSGRIFF, Andrew,
Civil War Veteran, Mining Expert.
No man can be called truly successful whose success is not the result of his own efforts. Regardless of what advantages in the way of education, inborn talent or genius, or pecuniary resources may or may not have been laid open to him, what a man has made of himself, per se, is in the world's reckoning of his status, his success or failure. Therein is manifested the spirit of independence upon which our nation is founded, for which our fathers fought, and counting it dearer than life, went to their deaths to preserve unto us, a spirit fostered and developed in no other way than in actual struggle with life. Not the man who has fallen heir to an established fortune, but the man whose only fortune has been his God-given strength and brain, whose only tools his indomitable courage and indefatigable perseverance, is the ultimate success. Success and self go hand-in-hand, and from this fact has logically been evolved the colloquial "Americanism," of which
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COSGRIFF
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we may be duly proud, self-made. Truly the late Captain Andrew Cosgriff, who was president and one of the owners of the Haverstraw Electric Light, Heat & Power Company until it was sold to the Rockland Light & Power Company, about 1903, was a conspicuous example of this high and honorable type of American citizenship. He was a representative and prominent member of the community, and in every way identified himself with its best interests and efforts. The Cosgriff coat-of-arms is as follows: Or. A chevron between three garbs gules. Crest: A tiger's head erased, affrontee proper.
Captain Cosgriff was a native of New York City, born May 29, 1831, died Janu- ary 29, 1916, son of Philip and Annie (Martin) Cosgriff. Captain Cosgriff was in every sense of the word a self-made man, and a man whose success was all the more to be wondered at because of the serious disadvantages under which he was obliged to labor at the very outset of his life. At the early age of six years he was left an orphan. Having no relatives in New York City. he went to Cattarau- gus county, New York, where he spent his early life, remaining until nineteen years of age with his adopted parents, Judge Benjamin Chamberlain and wife, the former named having been the county judge of Cattaraugus county, New York. Andrew Cosgriff assisted in the office, and also acquired a very good education, attending the public schools and also hav- ing private teaching, Dr. Saunders, the family physician, having been his teacher. Later he had charge of considerable of Judge Chamberlain's property. Andrew Cosgriff later took up the study of the science of practical engineering in Cat- taraugus. Upon attaining his majority he returned to the metropolis and fol- lowed his trade with the Hudson River railroad for twelve years. Upon the
expiration of this time, he assumed the responsible and important position of superintendent of engineers on the Har- lem railroad, which post he held for four years.
During the Civil War he enlisted in the engineering department of the United States navy, and for four and a half years saw active service as master machinist in the brilliant campaigns of Admiral Far- ragut in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. For the greater part of his time he was in charge of the Ship Island repair shop and afterwards of the Navy Yard at Pensacola, Florida. Upon the close of the war he left the service of the United States government and took up mining. His advance in this field was very rapid, though he had never had the college or so-called technical training, and he soon became an expert, his first experience being gained in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. Later he was employed in a mechanical capacity and sent to Cali- fornia, when the mining fever was at its height. He subsequently went to the gold and silver fields of Nevada, and from mechanical expert he gradually broadened the scope of his abilities in such a way that he became general mining expert. In 1868 he was engaged to go to South Carolina to assume charge of a gold mining venture there and he also engaged in the same business in Virginia. In the same year he accepted a position as super- intendent of the famous Tilly Foster Iron Mine in Putnam county, New York, and continued in that capacity for twenty-one years, or until 1889, when in consequence of a slight accident he decided to give up mining.
A man whose life has been one of ceaseless and successful activity finds it hard to reconcile his restless and eager spirit to the inactivity of retirement. Captain Cosgriff was no exception to this
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rule, and finding a life of leisure unsuited to his tastes and inclinations, he again decided to engage in some pursuit, and accordingly entered into partnership with Messrs. Conklin and Foss, in the Rock- land Lake Trap Rock Company, which was conducting an extensive and profit- able business at that time. Four years later this partnership was dissolved and the Cosgriff Trap Rock Company, of which Captain Cosgriff was vice-presi- dent and general manager, was formed. After the death of Messrs. Hedges and Smith this was sold to the Clinton Point Stone Company in order to close up the estate of the aforenamed men. In 1894 Captain Cosgriff, in conjunction with General I. M. Hedges, became an owner of the Haverstraw Electric Light, Heat & Power Company, which was sold to the Rockland Light & Power Company, the former named having been the president and the later named the secretary and treasurer. This company conducted a suc- cessful business and gave employment to a large number of employees, thus being an important and potential factor in the development and upbuilding of the com- munity.
Captain Cosgriff, although upholding all the responsibilities which fall upon the shoulders of an important member of any community, kept entirely out of politics during his life, although during his residence in Tilly Foster, incident to his management of the mine, he served in the capacity of postmaster, discharging his duties in an efficient and capable man- ner. During his extensive travels in early life he met men of all classes in life, and through democratic contact with them he became thoroughly versed in the ways and means of men and things, was a close student of human nature, and a man of broad and fair views, was an interesting companion and excellent conversation-
alist. He was a man of public spirit and enterprise, active in promoting the wel- fare of his community and in bettering the conditions of those in his employ, and thus ranked among the representative men of Haverstraw, men whom it is an honor and delight to record.
On August 22, 1858, Captain Cosgriff married Jane Lewis, daughter of Abram and Catherine Morris, and widow of Henry Lewis. Her parents were resi- dents of Hudson, Columbia county, New York. She was born May 4, 1824, died January 24, 1902. The Morris coat-of- arms is as follows: Gules, a lion rampant or, charged on the breast with a plate. Crest : A demi lion rampant or, holding between the paws a plate. Captain and Mrs. Cosgriff were the parents of two daughters: 1. Annie C., married John M. Sloane, deceased, and they had three daughters: Sarah H., died April 22, 1914; Margaret M., and Esther M. 2. Lucy J. Both daughters reside at the family home on Hudson avenue, Haver- straw.
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