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. 3 > Part 10
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In political matters Dr. Day gives his support to the Republican party, with the one exception that he is a warm advocate of temperance principles. He has been a frequent contributor to periodical litera- ture on current, economic and religious questions, and is the author of a book,
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"The Raid on Prosperity," which is op- posed to the restrictions and interpreta- tions of the privileges of large business, of commerce, the constitution of our government, the courts, etc. Not many years ago a man of socialistic tendencies pointed to the Carnegie Library, and said to Dr. Day: "Why didn't Carnegie give that money to the poor?" The answer, a prompt one, was as follows: "He did give it to the poor. Every man who has worked on that building, of the hundred employed there, was a poor man, and it will be used forever for the poor. Have you heard of any rich man working in the building? Even the steel and con- crete and stone represent day laborers by the thousands. In no better way could money be given to the poor. You ought to thank God that there is a man of Mr. Carnegie's millions and philanthropy. Of the half-dozen buildings being erected here, everyone was given by a million- aire, and but for these millionaires not a man of you hundreds of workingmen would have had a day's labor on this campus. And you will go and vote for some demagogue who excites the work- ingmen with hatred against the men who make it possible for them to secure in- creasing pay for decreasing hours." This is but one instance of the fearless manner in which Chancellor Day expresses his well considered views for the good of his fellow-men. He has no sympathy with those so ready to make attacks upon men of huge fortunes, and in this connection recently said: "If this mania continues it is not far on to a crash that will carry down all confidence, confuse all property rights, block the wheels of all progress, and wreck not only the millionaire's for- tune but the laborer's cottage."
Chancellor Day married, July 14, 1873, Anna E. Richards, daughter of the Rev. R. R. Richards, of Maine, and they have one child, Mary Emogene, who was
graduated from Syracuse University. Absorbed in the work and problems of his high position, Dr. Day has not allied himself with any fraternal or social or- ganizations. His life has touched every phase of work wherein he has believed that his efforts would prove beneficial to the community in any manner. The world is better for his having lived, and long after his personality shall have faded from the minds of men, as his associates in life one by one pass away, the move- ments which he instituted will remain as a monument to his memory. He posses- ses a most genial manner, cordial spirit and kindly disposition, and his unfailing courtesy and ready adaptability make him popular wherever he is known.
SLATER, Samuel Scott, Lawyer, Legislator.
From sturdy, industrious and enter- prising ancestors, Mr. Slater has inherited qualities which make for success in life. In his veins are mingled English, Scotch and Dutch blood. The Slater family is of English extraction, and had branches located in Ireland. From a neighbor- hood called Slater Hill, Northern Ireland, an immigrant of the name removed to Owen Sound, Canada. He married a daughter of Samuel Maclean, of a Scot- tish family, and when it became neces- sary that she sustain herself, she walked from beyond the St. Lawrence river at Owen Sound to Boston, Massachusetts, taking with her an infant daughter, swim- ming the river, and after her arrival in Massachusetts was born to her a son, whom she named Samuel Maclean Slater. She worked at weaving, and by careful handling of her earnings acquired prop- erty and owned a house. She married for her second husband a man named Bingham, but when he became addicted to drink she forcibly put him out of her
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house, and continued to live alone, and brought up her children to be worthy citizens. Her daughter became an elocu- tionist, and died in her thirtieth year. Samuel Maclean Slater became a manu- facturer in New York. He married Jane Scott, a daughter of Samuel Scott, of a Scottish family. She was born in Ireland and came to this country at the age of three years. Her mother was a Calvert. niece of a prominent builder of the city of New York, three-quarters of a century ago.
Samuel Scott Slater, son of Samuel Maclean and Jane (Scott) Slater, was born in the city of New York, at the homestead established by his Grand- mother Slater, on West Forty-first street between Eighth and Ninth avenues. When his father was a boy living on this home- stead, the Hudson river came up to what is now Tenth avenue, and the nearest house to the Slater or Bingham home- stead was about a quarter of a mile distant. This was a farming section in the days when Fourteenth street was considered the farthest limit uptown. Samuel Scott Slater attended the public schools and the New York University. In 1890 he entered Cornell University, and was graduated B. L. in 1894, receiv- ing the additional degree of LL.B. He was the first man to receive the two degrees from the university. Before the close of the year he engaged in the practice of his profession in New York City, and soon after became a member of the law firm of Baldwin & Slater, for the general prac- tice of law. This firm continued about three years, and during this time and subsequently Mr. Slater was a reporter and writer for the press of New York. He became a member of the law firm of Fitch, Slater & Randall, which continued three years, and since that time has prac- ticed law with great success independ- ently. In recent years his practice has
largely developed in the handling of corporation matters. While in college Mr. Slater worked his way by his own effort, acting as correspondent for vari- ous journals, including the Chicago "Tribune," Philadelphia "Press," New York "World," New York "Recorder" and three college papers. He was com- mencement day orator and took a prize for his law thesis. He is a progressive Republican, and a member of his Repub- lican district club, and has achieved dis- tinction in direction of legislative matters in his native State. He served in the State Assembly in 1898 and 1899, and in the State Senate in 1900 and 1901. In the house he was a member of the committee on cities, and served in the senate on the judiciary and code committees. He was the author of the first employers' liability act in New York State, and thereby be- came the father of the Employers' Liabil- ity Law in New York State. While in the lower house he was in charge of Senator Ford's Franchise Tax Law (1899), which subseqently, at a special session, was amended and passed, and is known as the Roosevelt Franchise Tax Bill. He was the author of a law which stopped the shooting of pigeons for sport, promoted by the Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Animals, and in recognition of this service the society has made him an honorary life member. Mr. Slater is interested in various business enterprises; is a director of the Cold Process Company of New York, the Millington Company, and a director and treasurer of the United Cotton Gin Com- pany. He is a member of the Methodist church, and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity as a member of Harlem Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Sylvan Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member of the New York Bar Associa- tion, the New York County Bar Associa- tion, New York County Lawyers' Asso-
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ciation, and three college fraternities : Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Delta Phi and Alpha Zeta. His clubs include the Republican, Cornell, Harlem Republican and Phi Gamma Delta.
MORSE, Waldo Grant, Lawyer, Publicist.
Waldo Grant Morse, one of the success- ful attorneys of New York City, wields a large influence in moulding the thought of the State and nation. He comes of the best New England stock, inheriting through the Morse and Grant families blood of ancestors who were active in founding the nation and in the develop- ment of its material and moral progress, down to the present day. The Morse family is one of the oldest in America, and has been conspicuous in both English and American annals, traced with toler- able accuracy to the time of William the Conqueror. The name is inseparably connected with the invention of the elec- tric telegraph, and is otherwise distin- guished in relation to the science, liter- ature and all the influences that make for the betterment of the condition of man- kind. Its bearers are to be found in re- motely separated districts of the United States, and they have been noted for the maintenance of the standards set up by their Puritan fathers. The American family has been traced to the Rev. Thomas Morse, who resided at Foxearth, in the county of Essex, England. There were several of the name early estab- lished in Essex county, Massachusetts, including William, Anthony, Samuel and Joseph Morse, all of whom were the an- cestors of a numerous progeny.
(II) Samuel Morse, son of Rev. Thomas Morse, of Foxearth, was born in 1585, and embarked for New England at London in 1635, settling first at Water-
town, Massachusetts, whence he soon re- moved to Dedham. He became one of the original settlers of Medfield, formerly a part of Dedham, where he died April 5, 1664. His wife, Elizabeth, probably sur- vived him one year.
(III) Joseph Morse, third son of Samuel and Elizabeth Morse, was born in 1615, and was approaching his major- ity when he came with his parents to America. For a time his residence was in Dorchester, and meantime he was clearing land and preparing a home in Medfield, whither he did not remove. He died in 1654, prior to the completion of his residence. In 1638 he married Han- nah Philips, who survived him, and mar- ried (second) Thomas Boyden. She died at the home of her daughter in Boston, in 1676.
(IV) Joseph (2) Morse, second son of Joseph (I) and Hannah (Philips) Morse, was born March 25, 1679, and resided in Sherborn, Massachusetts, where he died April 18, 1734. He married, April 14, 1702, Prudence Adams, born April 10, 1683, died 1772, daughter of Henry and Prudence (Frairy ) Adams.
(V) Jacob Morse, fifth son of Joseph (2) and Prudence (Adams) Morse, was born in Sherborn, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 21, 1717. He settled in Douglass, Massachusetts, where he died March 30, 1800. He married, in 1753-54, Mary Merrifield.
(VI) Jacob (2) Morse, eldest child of Jacob (1) and Mary (Merrifield) Morse, was born in Sherborn, Massachusetts, July II, 1755. He lived most of his life in Sutton, Massachusetts, but died in Sherborn, January 5, 1841. He married, June II, 1782, Rebecca Smith.
(VII) Amos Morse, eldest child of Jacob (2) and Rebecca (Smith) Morse, was born in Douglass, Massachusetts, April 8, 1783. He married, January 9,
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1806, Mary Hale. He resided in Doug- lass, Worcester county, Massachusetts, where he died in 1845.
(VIII) Adolphus Morse, eldest child of Amos and Mary (Hale) Morse, was born in 1807. He received an excellent education, was admitted to the bar in Worcester, and there began the practice of his profession. In 1850 he removed to Rochester, New York, where he engaged in business, and died in 1873. He was well known in business and social circles of Western New York, esteemed for his high character as a man. He married (first) Lavinia Robbins, of Worcester, who bore him two children, who survived him, Charles Adolphus and Jennie. He married (second) Mary Elizabeth Grant, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1821, daughter of Abraham Grant, of Cambridge, and his wife, Margaret (Cheever) Grant, of Chelsea, Massachu- setts, daughter of Joshua Cheever, de- scendant of another old Essex county family. She was very highly esteemed in Rochester for her broad charities and many adornments of character. She was among the most active patrons of the Charitable Society and the Old Ladies' Home of Rochester, and was ever distin- guished for her service to others. After a long life of usefulness in giving happi- ness to those about her, she died at Rochester in 1912.
She was descended from Christian Grant, born 1608, in England, who settled early in Watertown, Massachusetts, with his wife Mary, and lived in the north- east corner of the town, near Fresh Pond, where he died September 6, 1685. The inventory of his personal estate amounted to two hundred and ninety-six pounds, ten shillings. His fourth son, Joseph Grant, was born September 27, 1646, in Watertown, where he died February 12, 1722. He married, December 24, 1684, Mary Grafton, who was born in 1664.
Their fifth son and fourteenth child was Christopher Grant, who resided in Water- town, with his wife Mercy, and they were the parents of Christopher Grant, born February 4, 1747, who lived in Water- town with his wife Sarah. Their fourth son, Abraham Grant, was born January 22, 1779, in Watertown, and married in Chelsea, Massachusetts, May 28, 1807, Margaret Cheever, born there 1783, bap- tized July 13 of that year, seventh daugh- ter of Joshua and Abigail (Eustis) Cheever, descended from Ezekiel Chee- ver, a pioneer settler of Boston, Massa- chusetts. Ezekiel Cheever was born January 26, 1615, in London, and in 1637 came to Boston, where he was the famous schoolmaster of the Boston Latin School. He removed, in 1638, to New Haven, afterwards to Ipswich, Massachusetts, where he was living in 1650, to Charles- town in November, 1661, and returned ten years later to Boston, where he died August 21, 1708. He was an interesting figure in the early history of the colonies, and is the subject of a volume recently published by President Eliot of Harvard University. He married (second) No- vember 18, 1652, Ellen, a sister of Captain Thomas Lothrop, of Beverly. She died September 10, 1706. His fifth son and fourth child of his second wife, Ellen (Lothrop) Cheever, was the Rev. Thomas Cheever, who was born August 23, 1658, in Ipswich, graduated from Harvard in 1677, was admitted to the First church at Boston in 1680, and took the freeman's oath there October 13 of that year. He began preaching at Malden in 1679, and was ordained there July 27, 1681, as a colleague of Rev. Michael Wigglesworth. Later he was a teacher, and subsequently pastor of the church at Rumney Marsh (now Chelsea), where he was ordained October 19, 1715, as the first minister, and continued in service until 1747. At his death in November, 1749, he was the
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oldest living graduate of Harvard. He married Sarah, daughter of James Bill, Sr. Their youngest child, Nathan Cheever, born March 16, 1694, in Boston, was constable and selectman of Chelsea, a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston, and died September 30, 1774. He married (second) in Boston, February 17, 1738, Anna, widow of Nathan Fuller, and daughter of Samuel Burrill, of Lynn. She died No- vember 10, 1740. He had a son Nathan by his first marriage, and the only child of the second marriage was Joshua Cheever, born October 10, 1740, in Chel- sea, died January 15, 1813. He is called gentleman in the records, and left a per- sonal estate valued at $5,478.50. He married in Chelsea, May 8, 1765, Abigail Eustis, born 1745-46, died in February, 1809, in Chelsea. Their seventh daugh- ter and ninth child, Margaret, born 1783, as above noted, became the wife of Abra- ham Grant.
(IX) Waldo Grant Morse, son of Adolphus and Mary Elizabeth (Grant) Morse, was born March 13, 1859, in Rochester, New York, where he was educated in its schools and the Univer- sity of Rochester. He was admitted to the bar in 1884. Since 1888 he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in New York City, with office on Wall street. While conducting a large practice, Mr. Morse has always found time to devote to the public interest, and is very earnest in his labors with pen and voice in behalf of American progress. He was appointed by Governor Levi P. Mor- ton, of New York, a member of the Pali- sade Commission, established under legis- lation which he framed, and drew the Pali- sades National Preservation bills which were passed by the Legislatures of New York and New Jersey, and his work has been largely instrumental in preserving the great natural beauties of Hudson river
scenery. Mr. Morse is a member of the committee of the Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, in charge of the preservation of the highlands of the Hud- son. He was the second president, and is now a director of the Morse Society, incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, engaged in the publication of a history of the great Morse family. He is president of the National Editorial Service, Incorporated; vice-president of the State Bank of Seneca Falls, New York; director of and counsel for the Sonora Phonograph Corporation ; coun- sellor and treasurer of the American Academy of Jurisprudence ; life member of Council of National Advisors, and chairman of the Division of American Jurisprudence of the National Highways Association, and member of the follow- ing: American Bar Association, Ameri- can Academy of Politics and Social Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, New York State Bar Association, Association of the Bar of the City of New York, New York County Lawyers' Association, Westches- ter County Bar Association, Society of Colonial Wars, Sons of the Revolution, Society for the Promotion of Training for the Public Service, National Municipal League, Lawyers Club, Bankers Club, Reform. Club, Quill Club, Press Club, Amackkassin Club, Hudson River Coun- try Club, Wykagyl Country Club, Cham- ber of Commerce of the United States, Yonkers Chamber of Commerce, National Municipal League, and National Eco- nomic League.
As a member of the National Editorial Faculty Mr. Morse has written signed editorials dealing with legal and govern- mental questions which have been of great value in moulding public opinion and directing the thought of the Ameri- can people toward the best means of promoting stable government and social
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welfare. These have been widely pub- lished throughout the land. The follow- ing are the closing paragraphs of one upon "Government by Commission :"
Adam, broadly delegated to replenish the earth and subdue it, held the first commission. The earth having become replenished, there- upon Moses, Saul, Solomon and the others, made, adjudicated and executed laws, all with ample sanction and authorization. But the earth as a whole still remained to be and was sub- dued, though as to Who or What has been back of Mencs and Rameses Second, Nebuchadnez- zar, Phillip and Alexander, Caesar and Nero, Genghis Kahn, the Manchus, the Romanoffs, and the rest, we may have our doubts, but still they were commissioners-all true commission- ers-in all things except the name. What is the logical ending of the road upon which we have apparently set our feet? Are we to go forward, allowing our legislatures to add im- possible tasks to their unfulfilled duties and then delegate to commissioners not only their own powers but others, rewarding each failure with greater extension of powers and the authority to lay heavier penalties? Not until the millen- nium can government by commission be one of equity and justice, but then we shall need no rulers.
Mr. Morse married, in Seneca Falls, New York, June 22, 1886, Adelaide P. Cook, daughter of Albert Cook, of that town. His home is in Yonkers, 'and summer residence at Seneca Falls, New York.
WOODLEY, Alvin Clayton, M. D., C. M. Physician, Specialist.
After receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine, C. M., from Trinity College of Medicine, Toronto, Canada, in 1886, Dr. Woodley, after gaining experience under eminent physicians, came to the United States and has since operated as a specialist in the cities of Rochester, Buffalo and Binghamton. He is a phy- sician of the old school and keeps abreast of all medical progress, for he is a tireless worker notwithstanding the demands of
a large practice, and he continues the student and investigator.
Alvin Clayton Woodley was born in Waterford, Province of Ontario, Canada, December 20, 1861, son of George and Marietta (Horne) Woodley. The Wood- leys are an old English family often found as Woodleigh in England, but in Canada where George Woodley the father of Dr. Woodley was born, the latter form of the name is general. George Woodley was a prosperous agriculturist, and a man progressive and public-spirited in his citizenship. He was a deacon of the Baptist church and active in good works for many years, until his death in Cali- fornia in 1901. He had three children, Dr. Alvin C., of Binghamton ; Clara, wife of Safford Kitchen, residing in Blooms- burg, Canada; Martha (Mattie), wife of H. A. Horning, also residing in Canada.
Dr. Alvin C. Woodley began his studies in Grove Union School, continued them in the Canadian Literary Institute (now Woodstock College), completed his studies there, graduating in class of 1881, then entered Trinity University at Toronto, Canada. He there completed a literary course, then entered the medical department of the university whence he was graduated as Doctor of Medicine, C. M. in class of 1886. He had the benefit of association while a student with the best physicians and hospital workers, notably Drs. Emerick, of Waterford, and Hayes, of Sinco, Ontario. After receiving his degree he located in Rochester, New York, practiced there for a time, then after post-graduate courses in New York City institutions he opened offices in Buffalo. In that city he specialized in diseases of the respiratory organs, nervous and blood diseases, also main- taining branch offices in several of the principal cities of New York State. In 1904 he located in Binghamton, where he continues. His practice is very large, his
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clientele of the best standing coming from far and near. He is a hard, con- scientious worker and has given his best to his profession. During the summer of 1915 he gave himself much needed re- laxation and made an extended southern and western tour. His office is at No. 45 Court street, Binghamton, New York ; his residence at No. 245 Vestal avenue. Dr. Woodley has been examining physician for many of the fraternal insurance orders, and is a member of the Western New York Medical Society and the First Baptist Church of Binghamton.
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HONSINGER, Frederick S., M. D., Physician, Public-spirited Citizen,
The medical fraternity of Syracuse has many representatives, yet none who are more devoted to their profession or are more earnest in the discharge of profes- sional duties than Dr. Frederick S. Hon- singer, who was born in Rome, New York, January 9, 1874, son of Abram W. and Welthy B. (Sanford) Honsinger. The family is of Holland Dutch descent in the paternal line, and in the maternal is of English lineage and eligible to mem- bership in the Society of Mayflower Descendants.
Dr. Honsinger began the mastery of those branches of learning which con- stitute the public school education, and later he became a student of the academy in his native city, there pursuing higher branches of study. With the desire to become a member of the medical profes- sion, he matriculated in the Syracuse University and there pursued both scien- tific and medical courses and was gradu- ated with the class of 1898. While pur- suing his collegiate course he became a member of the Phi Delta Theta and the Nu Sigma Nu fraternities. Immediately following his graduation he filled the position of interne in St. Joseph's Hos-
pital, during the years 1898-99, and there added to his theoretical college training the broad and practical experience that comes in hospital work. He then opened an office for the active practice of his profession, and in due course of time was in receipt of an extensive practice which is increasing steadily, and he has gained recognition as one of the able and suc- cessful physicians of Syracuse, and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has justi- fied the respect and confidence reposed in him by the medical fraternity and the public. He keeps in touch with the most advanced methods and thoughts of the day that bear upon his chosen calling by a thorough course of reading. Dr. Hon- singer is a very public-spirited man, dis- playing commendable zeal in the varied interests of the city. His loyal support can be counted upon to further all pro- gressive movements that tend to promote municipal reform or to advance the up- building of Syracuse. He casts his vote for the candidates of the Republican party, the principles of which he loyally upholds. He holds membership in Lodge No. 31, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; in the Citizens' Club, and served in the capacity of president of the Anglers' Association, which is the largest organization of sportsmen in the United States, banded for the protection of forests, fish, game, song and insectivorous birds for the benefit of the public. He takes a deep interest in this organization and through his efforts its membership has been increased from a few hundred to over two thousand.
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