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 4
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known as an authority on that interesting subject. He was, when young, the author of a "Manual of Law," which was of great service to business men; but he never lived to see the publication of his chief literary undertaking, "A History of Civilization," which consisted of seven large volumes of about six hundred pages each, printed by Joel Munsell in 1868. His "Philosophy of Human Life" was published by Marsh, Capen, Lyon & Webb, of Boston, in 1839, and "Dean's Lectures on Phrenology," by the same house in 1835. He spoke frequently before public gatherings on occasions other than his lectures, delivering the annual address before the Albany Insti- tute in 1833, the annual address before the Senate of Union College, and a eulogy upon the death of Jesse Buel before the State Agricultural Society. His indus- trious research and native ability were abundant reason to attract attention to whatever he undertook. For his virtues in private life that eminent journalist, Thurlow Weed, spoke in warmly glowing terms on his demise, saying: "Herein, if possible, his character was higher and nobler than in any other walk of life. To the qualities which we have described, he united a pleasing address, a quiet de- meanor, a generosity of sentiment and an absence of guile that endeared him strongly to the circle of his companion- ship."
WILLIAMS, Chauncey P., Financier.
Chauncey Pratt Williams, son of Josiah and Charity (Shailer) Williams, was born at Upper Middletown (Cromwell), Con- necticut, March 5, 1817, died May 30, 1894, at Jerseyfield Lake, Hamilton county, New York.
Mr. Williams spent the last sixty-nine years of his life in Albany, and became
through his own activities identified with every progressive public movement in that city. He was proud of the rugged character of his ancestor immigrant from whom, he declared, had sprung a race of hardy, industrious farmers of the Revo- lutionary period, reflecting advantage- ously in himself. That they were of robust constitutions and lived longer than the average life is evidenced by the fact that the combined lives of the first five generations in America covered a period of nearly two and a half centuries. Al- though none had become very wealthy, by their industry and frugality they were able to live well and none of them knew want. It is known that they were greatly respected as business men of integrity. There are no records which do not reflect credit upon the successive generations. Invariably the earlier branches of this family reared large families, and their children were always well trained.
When Mr. Williams was but sixteen years old he had made such excellent use of the advantages within his reach that he was fitted to take a clerkship in the em- ploy of T. S. Williams & Brothers, who were carrying on an extensive commer- cial business in Ithaca. He was transferred to the Albany branch of this firm in 1835, where they conducted a large lumber business in Albany's famous "Lumber District," when it was in its greatest business glory, and four years later suc- ceeded to the business with Henry W. Sage as a partner.
It was in banking circles that Mr. Williams made his life record and achieved a standing as the Nestor of Albany bankers. He took charge of the Albany Exchange Bank in 1861, when the outlook was disastrous in financial circles, the capital of the institution largely impaired, and the duty of upbuild- ing looked insurmountable. Instead of continuing to dissolution, as was con-
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templated, he extricated the bank and placed it in the front rank. He suc- ceeded in making it a loan agent of the United States Treasury, and throughout the Civil War made his bank a center of distribution for the government loans issned to carry on gigantic military oper- ations necessary to save the country. In fact, his bank was regarded as a rallying point of cheer in the darkest hours of the Republic. He practiced the principles of sound finance so successfully that when in 1865 the bank terminated its existence as a State institution to reorganize under the national banking law, it returned not alone all its capital, but upwards of fifty- four per cent. in surplus earnings, besides paying its regular dividends from the be- ginning of 1863. Under his wise manage- ment it repaid to its stockholders in dividends more than one and a half times the amount of its capital beyond accumu- lating a reserve amounting to about seventy-five per cent. of the capital. As the president of this bank, his reputation became so widely known that he was frequently called upon to address gather- ings, and his advice on large matters was often sought. He withdrew from this institution in 1887; but continued as president of the Albany Exchange Sav- ings Bank up to the time of his death.
Mr. Williams exerted his great influence against the greenback theory of an un- limited paper issue which threatened to demoralize the currency and degrade the country's credit, speaking on the plat- form and through the medium of his pen, so that his influence was widely spread to good effect. He gained a reputation by his successful resistance of the illegal taxation of the shareholders of national banks, believing that they were taxed at a greater rate than other monied capital in the hands of citizens. Not desiring to involve his bank in this matter, he took up the fight individually, and bringing the
issue to a test in 1874, by refusing to pay the tax on the shares which he owned, so that his household effects were levied upon and sold by the authorities; but at the end of seven years of litigation the United States Supreme Court sustained his position.
He was a strong opponent of slavery, and as the treasurer of the Kansas Aid Society founded in Albany in 1854, sent out to Kansas one of the first invoices of Sharpe's rifles with which to arm settlers. Although exempt by age, he sent a sub- stitute who fought in the Civil War. He had also a political career, broadly inter- ested as he was in affairs of his city, and was elected alderman in 1849. From 1842 to 1857 he was repeatedly the candi- date of the Liberal party for Congress. He was a founder of the Congregational church of Albany, and every good cause found in him a staunch friend. One of the reasons for the success attained by Mr Williams was his wonderful thor- oughness and his determination to stand by his principles. He had a fine con- stitution which enabled him to accom- plish a great amount of work without tiring. His love for study as a means of gathering more knowledge kept him ever young and concerned in public mercan- tile affairs.
Chauncey Pratt Williams married at Whitesboro, New York, September 13, 1842, Martha Andrews, born in Bristol, Connecticut, daughter of Reuben and Ruth (Parmelee) Hough.
FARRELL, John H., Journalist.
John Henry Farrell, son of James and Winifred (McGoewey) Farrell, was born on the Abbey farm on the west bank of the Hudson, just south of the city of Albany, in Bethlehem township, Septem- ber 1, 1839.
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He received his education in a private school, and later went to St. Charles Col- lege, Baltimore, Maryland. He was hardly more than a lad, however, when he commenced his association with news- papers, which career was to be so won- derfully successful, even if the result were the outcome of much worriment and requiring great acumen when embarking for himself. In 1855 he entered the em- ploy of the late Luther Tucker, who was both proprietor and editor of "The Culti- vator and Country Gentleman," remain- ing associated with that publication for fifteen years. During this period he fre- quently contributed to the columns of "The Argus," "Express" and the "Albany Evening Journal," and also at the same time editing the telegraphic matter com- ing from the front, for in 1863 he had accepted the appointment of editor of telegraph for the Associated Press, which supplied reports to all the Albany papers. Throughout the Civil War he found this work much to his liking, and it inciden- tally broadened his mind. On January I, 1870, he became city editor of "The Argus," succeeding Hon. Daniel Shaw. About this time he considered forming the "Sunday Press" in conjunction with the publication of "The Knickerbocker." On May 1, 1870, the first issue of the "Sunday Press" appeared, published by Myron H. Rooker, James Macfarlane, E. H. Gregory, John T. Maguire and James H. Mulligan, who were severally city editors of local dailies ; but in September the last three sold their interests to Mr. Farrell. On June 1, 1871, he retired from "The Argus" to devote himself to the "Sunday Press," and to secure the free- dom to publish a daily in connection therewith. When Messrs. Farrell, Rooker and Macfarlane failed to secure "The Knickerbocker," they organized the "Daily Press," and its first issue appeared February 26, 1877. Mr. Farrell, however,
was able on August II, 1877, to purchase "The Knickerbocker" and consolidated it with the "Daily Press." In March, 1891, after twenty-one years of partnership, Mr. Farrell sold his half interest in the papers to his partners for $50,000, and he forth- with purchased the "Evening Union," as also, that same summer, "The Evening Times," and the "Albany Daily Sun," combining all three under the title "The Times-Union," perceiving a great oppor- tunity and field for a penny evening news- paper which could present the best news in more attractive style than before, deal- ing with interests of all classes impar- tially, and conducted on independent lines in politics. His plant at the starting was on the south side of Beaver street, about midway between Broadway and Green street ; but the quarters were exceedingly cramped even for a paper beginning its career, and leaving no room for expansion. His paper commenced growing in popu- larity from the very first, for unquestion- ably he published the most satisfactory newspaper in the city and section, and shortly he acquired the property at the southwest corner of Green and Beaver streets, formerly used by the "Albany Morning Express," at that time secured by the "Albany Evening Journal" and once occupied as lodge rooms.
Mr. Farrell's ability as an editor who perceived what the public wanted and understood just how to present it in most modern, attractive dress without lowering the standard, was only surpassed as a proprietor who could so plan his campaign in all its details as to bring as well as merit success, was indicated more and more as each year passed, by its rapidly increasing circulation. His success was all acquired, not given to him by inheri- tance, by dint of close, persistent applica- tion to practical principles which he was capable of evolving. He was known to give as much attention to all the details,
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whether a matter concerning the press or engine room, with the compositors, or affecting the editing of news, taking a hand in the work of almost every depart- ment daily. Thus he knew his tools, which were his men, most thoroughly, which was accomplishing its full intent. For twenty years his name appeared in the legislative red book as the Senate reporter for the New York Associated Press, back in the days of the Old Capitol (removed in 1883), and during all that period he never missed doing his duty, except when sickness prevented attend- ance.
He was one of the founders of the United Press, and for many years its vice- president. During its first year of exist- ence he and Mr. Jenkins, of the "Syracuse Herald," managed its affairs. He was elected president of the New York State Press Association at its annual conven- tion held at Lake George in 1895, by the unanimous vote of over three hundred editors. He was a Democrat, ever anxious to see his party win, and both his sup- port and counsel were matters much to be desired. Mayor Swinburne appointed him a park commissioner, at the time when its affairs were controlled by a board of citizens instead of by a city department. In financial circles he was an active associate on a number of boards, as director of the Albany City National Bank, vice-president of the Home Savings Bank and director of the Commerce Insurance Company. He was a trustee of St. Agnes' Cemetery Asso- ciation, and invaluable as such, taking the work of its larger affairs upon his shoul- ders and bringing about an increase in its size, value and beauty. As a trustee of the Albany Hospital for Incurables he rendered service never to be forgotten, and served also as trustee of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He was a charter member of the Fort Orange Club,
and a life member of the Catholic Sum- mer School at Cliff Haven, on the shore of Lake Champlain, an institution whose interests he advanced materially on its inauguration. He was a trustee of St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum of Albany and of the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society, and member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Albany Institute and of the Eastern New York Fish and Game Protective Association. St. John's Col- lege, Fordham, conferred on him the de- gree of A. M., in 1891.
He was a man of unbounded energy, resourceful and progressive in spirit. No man was more companionable, and per- sons found him ready to discuss topics of the day with rare perspicuity and acumen, especially as concerned great policies. He was kind to a fault in others who were weak, zealous in safeguarding interests committed to his care. As he was beloved and held as an idol by his immediate family, it is little wonder that others spoke well of him. His acts of charity were conducted unostentatiously, with frequency and humane kindliness, by a hand which never seemed closed to the worthy in distress. It is a fact to be recalled by those who knew him. best, that he frequently made it a point in his daily life to seek ways in which to bring joy to those in need of cheer, regardless of whether such appealed or not, and in this way he is remembered by many of the hundreds who worked under him. His success was abundant, and due to con- sistency of method and steadfastness of purpose which he ever kept in view. If he was ever guilty of the natural indis- cretion of losing his temper or being ruffled by unpleasant contact with any- one, he concealed the fact with a self- control which never prevented him from continuing the work in hand under low pressure and avoiding all hindrance by friction. Naturally warm-hearted and
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polished in his manner, his suavity and kindly word counted much in preserving each acquaintance as a friend.
About a month before his death, a sud- den and not entirely unexpected sickness occurring at his office obliged him to abandon attending to business at his establishment, and alarmed by the serious nature of his illness, for several weeks his family had the best physicians constantly in attendance ; but on the evening of Feb- ruary 2, 1901, the long and fruitful life was ended. He was buried from his resi- dence, No. 598 Madison avenue, with a public service held in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and laid to rest in St. Agnes' Cemetery.
John Henry Farrell married Mary Veronica Gibbons, at Fordham, New York, June 3, 1869. She was born in New York City, November 10, 1840. Her father was John Gibbons, born in Ireland, a prominent contractor in New York City, concerned in the erection of the old reservoir on Forty-second street and Fifth avenue, and died in that city. Her mother was Mary McLoughlin, born in Ireland, died at Fordham, New York.
SHEARMAN, Thomas G., Lawyer, Author.
ances, and withal intensely earnest, sel- dom failing to carry conviction except to the most prejudiced minds. At the weekly prayer-meeting his voice was always heard, and his sayings as well as Mr. Beecher's were quoted by the press and echoed and re-echoed from one end of the country to the other.
Thomas Gaskill Shearman, who might be termed one of the "Old Guard" of Plymouth Church, was born in Birming- ham, England, November 25, 1834. He came to New York at the age of nine years with his father, who was a phy- sician, his mother coming later. Early overtaken by misfortune through his father's invalidism, he was thrown on his own resources, and was self-educated and self-made; his intellect was hammered out upon the anvil of adversity. At the age of twelve he was out in the world for himself, his school days ended forever. At fourteen he entered an office where he received one dollar per week for the first year, and two dollars for the second. Out of his little store of wealth he allowed himself three cents each day for luncheon ; but when he heard of Macaulay's "His- tory of England" he reduced his allow- ance to two cents, and after two months bought the first volume.
The city of Brooklyn is known through- out the world as the "City of Churches," not so much because of the number of its religious institutions as because of their influence on the community. That Ply- mouth Church has been the most potent factor in the accomplishment of these wonderful results goes without saying. Next to Mr. Beecher, the man who exercised the greatest influence and probably did more than any other man to shape its policy, was Thomas G. Shearman. He was a man of broad and liberal views, of cool judgment, calm, deliberate and dispassionate in his utter- partnership. This was regarded as a high
In 1857 he removed from New York to Brooklyn, and two years later he was admitted to the bar. The ensuing seven years were spent in writing law books, editing journals, and in other work of this character. He earned for himself even at that early period a reputation for accur- acy and thoroughness, and was known to the members of the profession as a pains- taking student. His work attracted the attention of that eminent jurist, David Dudley Field, and in 1860 Mr. Field employed him as secretary to the Code Commission. In 1868 Mr. Field and his son Dudley took Mr. Shearman into co-
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honor for so young a professional man, Mr. Shearman being then only thirty-four years of age. Five years later in 1873, the firm of Field & Shearman dissolved, and Messrs. Shearman and Sterling (John W. Sterling), both members of the firm of Field & Shearman, entered into close professional relations under the name of Shearman & Sterling.
It was about this time that Mr. Shear- man figured largely in proceedings in which the Erie Railroad Company was made a conspicuous litigant. Injunctions were the order of the day, and Mr. Shear- man earned even from those who opposed him the name of being one of the ablest legal strategists as well as one of the best informed railroad lawyers in the country. His originality in devising new and more effective methods in litigation subjected him to much criticism, but these methods were literally copied by his opponents and critics. His practice of serving injunc- tions by telegraph, which was the most severely criticised at the time, has since been sanctioned by the highest courts in England, as well as by some of the most prominent American judges. After the close of the Henry Ward Beecher trial, resulting in the acquittal of Mr. Beecher, mainly through the efforts of Mr. Shear- man, Shearman & Sterling were retained in numerous litigations arising out of the famous gold speculations of 1869, in all of which they were successful. They were also largely employed in the foreclosure of railway companies, the organization and administration of various corpora- tions, etc.
Mr. Shearman always took an active interest in public questions. From his youth up an advocate of the total aboli- tion of slavery, he worked vigorously with the Republican party from 1856 to 1868, but was never a candidate for office. In respect to tariff, prior to 1860, he was a "protectionist," but he then became a
convert to free trade. From 1880 during the remainder of his life he devoted much time to the promotion of absolute free trade and the abolition of all indirect taxation. He made numerous addresses and published several pamphlets upon these subjects, which awakened much interest in different parts of the country. Mr. Shearman was probably as well known as a public economist as for his great legal attainments. Among his most important works, all of which are recognized as standard publications, are "Tillinghast & Shearman's Practice" (1861-1865) ; "Shearman & Redfield on Negligence" (1869-88) ; "Talks on Free Trade" (1881); "Pauper Labor of Eu- rope" (1885) ; "Distribution of Wealth" (1887); "Owners of the United States" (1889) ; "The Coming Billionaire" (1890) ; and "Crooked Taxation" (1891).
Mr. Shearman married, January 29, 1859, Miss Elmira Partridge, a daughter of James Partridge, of Brooklyn. He died September 30, 1900.
FITZPATRICK, James C., Civil War Correspondent.
James Charles Fitzpatrick, son of John Fitzpatrick, a dry goods merchant of Eighth avenue, New York City, and his wife, Johanna Tracy, was born November 14, 1841, in New York City. He was educated in the public schools of that city, and in 1859 was graduated from the College of the City of New York, receiv- ing the degree of A. B., attaining high honors and standing at the head of his class in both Latin and Greek. The fol- lowing year he received the degree of A. M. from the same institution. He was a member of the Greek letter fraternity Theta Delta Chi, and was one of the most popular.
Mr. Fitzpatrick began his professional career as a writer of short stories, the
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major part of his earlier efforts being con- tributions which he sold to the "New York Ledger." In 1861 he became one of the staff of the "New York Herald," which was a line which suited his inclina- tion since the time he received his earliest training, and in which he in time was well known as he advanced. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War he was assigned to field duty as a war corre- spondent, and during most of that serious conflict was attached to the Ninth Army Corps. For a time he was an aide-de- camp, with the rank of captain, to General Burnside, who commanded the Ninth Corps. He reported, among other campaigns, the sieges of Vicksburg and Knoxville, the battle of Fredericksburg, both attacks on Fort Fisher, and the en- gagements in the Wilderness. In the latter campaign he was for a short time a prisoner in the hands of the Confeder- ates. During the war he also contributed drawings of incidents in the field to "Leslie's Weekly," which made a specialty of illustrating the entire conflict as thoroughly as possible, and these draw- ings by him have recently been repro- duced in a set of two large volumes be- cause of their great historical value to students of the Civil War. He was thus, it may easily be seen, one of the most versatile and useful of those who recorded the incidents of the war, and practically were making history.
In 1867 he was sent to Albany to report the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of that year, held in the State Capitol. He likewise represented "The Herald" in the Legislatures of 1867-68. In 1870 he was made financial editor and subsequently city editor, manager of the newly founded New York "Evening Tele- gram," and correspondent in charge of the "Herald" Bureau in the city of Wash- ington. In 1881 ill health caused him to resign from the "Herald" staff, and
although for two short periods he was financial editor of the "New York Star" and of the "Brooklyn Citizen," the greater part of his writings in later life consisted of contributions of a miscellaneous nature to many periodicals and newspapers. In politics he was a Republican. He died in Brooklyn, New York, July 18, 1901.
Mr. Fitzpatrick married, at Albany, August 4, 1869, Marion Aurelia Mattoon. Children: I. Mary Ransom, born in Brooklyn, New York, May 1, 1870 ; gradu- ated at Cornell University ; in 1910, principal of public school No. 34, Brook- lyn. 2. David Mattoon, born at Brook- lyn, New York, July 6, 1874; by act of Legislature changed name to David Mat- toon ; married, at Albany, December 22, 1906, Jennie E. Beckford. 3. John Tracy, born at Washington, D. C., January 6, 1878; graduated from Cornell Univer- sity ; admitted to bar of New York State, 1903 ; assistant legislative reference libra- rian at State Capitol, Albany. 4. James Stoddard, born at Washington, D. C., April 4, 1879; married, at Albany, June 25, 1900, Laura P. Hefferman. 5. Jesse Arnette, born at Brooklyn, New York, August 5, 1881 ; married, January 1, 1901, Florence Broderick; civil engineer. 6. Marion Aurelia, born at Brooklyn, New York, December 28, 1884; graduate of Cornell University, 1907; teacher in high school, Hornell, New York. 7. Sarah Hungerford, born at Brooklyn, New York, September 7, 1887.
MORTON, Henry,
Scientist, Educator.
Henry Morton was born in New York City, December II, 1836, son of the Rev. Henry Jackson and Helen (McFarlan) Morton, and grandson of General Jacob and Catherine (Ludlow) Morton. He at- tended the Episcopal Academy at Phila- delphia, and was graduated from the
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