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(III) Dr. Fred Bain Weaver, son of Norman and Christina (Avery) Weaver, was born in Gallatinville, Columbia County, New York, April 12, 1875. He acquired his early and preparatory train- ing in the public schools, and in Seymour Smith Academy, Pine Plains, graduating from the latter in 1895. He had already begun the study of medicine with Dr. H. C. Wilbur, of Pine Plains, as instructor, and in the fall of 1895 he matriculated in Albany Medical College, which is the medical department of Union University, and there he completed his course with graduation, April 19, 1898, at which time he received the degree of Medical Doctor. Meantime, in 1897, during the vacation period, he had served as interne in the New York Lying-In-Hospital, and after receiving his degree he enlarged his hos- pital experience by serving as house sur- geon in St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. November 9, 1918, Empire Society, sons
When that period of hospital training was completed he began general practice in association with his former preceptor, Dr. Wilbur, of Pine Plains, with whom he remained until September, 1900, at which time he became an interne in the Mothers' and Babies' Hospital in New York City, remaining there until December I, of the same year. His already extended period of hospital experience was further en- larged by a month spent in the New York Polyclinic Hospital, and from January, 1901, to June 12, 1901, he was a member of the surgical staff of Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York. He then located at Hyde Park-on-Hudson, and engaged in gen- eral practice.
In February, 1903, Dr. Weaver was ap- pointed company surgeon at Hyde Park for the Central Hudson Railroad Compa- ny, and so well has he met the responsi- bilities of that important position that since that time he has been annually re- appointed. Dr. Weaver has continued to be a careful student during the entire period of his professional career. In 1922 he took a health officer's course for in- fectious diseases and public health work under Dr. Charles C. Duryea, of the New York State Board of Health, and in 1923 he took a post-graduate course in the School of Medical Inspection under Pro- fessor Haven Emerson, of Columbia Uni- versity. He is a member of the New York and New England Association of Railway Surgeons, Dutchess County Medical Society, Medical Society of the State of New York, Association of New York Central Lines Surgeons, Albany Medical College Alumni Association, New York City Alumni Association of Albany Medical College, Volunteer Medical Service Corporation, authorized by the Council of National Defense,
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of the American Revolution, Hyde Park Ice Yacht Club, Poughkeepsie Yacht Club, and of Eagle Engine Company, No. I, of Hyde Park. He is a member of Stissing Lodge, No. 615, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Poughkeepsie Chapter, No. 172, Royal Arch Masons; King Solo- mon Council, No. 31, Royal and Select Masters; Poughkeepsie Commandery, No. 43, Knights Templar; and Cypress Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of Park Lodge, No. 203, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Poughkeepsie Lodge, No. 275, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which he served as lecturing knight, 1905-06. He is also a member of the Dutchess County Horticultural Soci- ety, of the Courtesy Staff of Vassar Brothers Hospital, and of the Rocke- feller Family Association.
REYNOLDS, Clarence James, Business Man, Scientist.
The late Clarence James Reynolds, of Poughkeepsie, New York, was well known during his long life not only as a business man but as a scientist of ability. Beside his lifelong connection with the old house of Reynolds & Company, his tastes led him into research and study, and in geology, anthropology, horticul- ture and music he had a wide reputation.
Reynolds (1) of Poughkeepsie. From him the line of descent was through: Francis (2), Peter (3), John (4), William (5), James (6), William W. (7), to Clarence J. Reynolds (8).
In the fifth generation, William Rey- nolds, of Wickford, Rhode Island, lived in the period of the War of the Revolu- tion and rendered service with Rhode Island troops.
In the sixth generation, James Rey- nolds removed from Rhode Island to the valley of the Hudson, establishing him- self at Poughkeepsie, where he founded the business which in 1919 celebrated its centennial. James Reynolds settled at Poughkeepsie, about 1800, and quickly entered into the various activities of a commercial sort. First he operated a line of sloops for passengers and freight, out of which grew a storehouse and landing, and grist, plaster and saw mills, which together formed a distributing point for Dutchess County produce. He was suc- ceeded by his sons, William W. and James Reynolds, Jr. Steamboat traffic on the Hudson and the opening of the Erie Canal altered local conditions, and the business of James Reynolds and his sons expanded and shaped itself to meet new factors. With the opening of the New York Central Railroad still other conditions were created and the business was moved from the waterfront to the side of the railroad. The river freighting was eliminated and the wholesale distri- bution of flour and grain became for many years the business of the firm. To that was added in 1887 the wholesale distribu- tion of groceries and food supplies and these two departments are to-day still in operation, the title of the house being William T. Reynolds & Company, Inc. The business founded by James Reynolds
The name Reynolds is an evolution from regen weald, Scandinavian words, meaning "strong ruler," which were car- ried by the Norsemen into France. From France the various forms of the name reached England : Reginald, Reigneaud, Reignold, Reynold, whence Reynolds. James Reynolds, a settler in the Narra- gansett Country, Rhode Island, early in the eighteenth century, was the first American ancestor of Clarence James has borne the following firm names:
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Reynolds & Innis (from about 1811 to 1837), W. W. & J. Reynolds, Jr., 1835- 1865 ; Reynolds & Sons, 1865-1869; W. W. Reynolds & Company, 1869-1874; Rey- nolds & Company, 1874-1889; Reynolds & Cramer, 1890-1899; William T. Rey- nolds & Company, 1900. During a period of over a century this house has deserved a reputation for conservatism, stability and honorable standards.
Clarence James Reynolds, who became associated with Reynolds & Company in 1883, was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, July 25, 1853. He was educated in the city of his birth, and in young man- hood went abroad to study music, enter- ing the Conservatory in Paris. While in Paris he married, October 14, 1878, Mlle. Marguerite Beatrix de Lalande, daughter of Laurence and Marie Louise (Ristelhuber) de Lalande. Returning to the United States he began his long con- nection with the business of his father and grandfather, and at the time of his death, July 31, 1919, he was the secretary of the corporation of William T. Reynolds & Company. Mr. Reynolds was a valued member of several clubs and scientific societies among them being: the Arche- ological Institute of America, the Na- tional Geographic Society, the Navy League, the Dutchess County Horti- cultural Society, Euterpe Glee Club, Am- rita Club, Apokeepsing Boat Club, and Triune Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. His scientific interests led to rather extensive travel, which helped to broaden and diversify his large fund of general information, but his love for study never affected his capacity for friendship and his human contacts were warm and kindly. He and his wife (who died October 8, 1885) were the parents of : Louis W., died April 22, 1923. Marie Louise, wife of Isaac Platt and the mother
of a daughter, Louise de Lalande Platt. Marguerite Beatrix, who married Wilfred H. Sherrill, and died October 12, 1904. Paul Innis.
Paul Innis Reynolds, youngest of the four children of Clarence James and Marguerite Beatrix (de Lanande) Rey- nolds, and a representative of the ninth generation of his family in America, was born in Poughkeepsie, May 1, 1883. He attended private schools in Poughkeepsie, and upon the completion of his course at Riverview Military Academy in 1900 entered the employ of William T. Rey- nolds & Company. His first position was that of clerk in the shipping department, where he remained for five years. He then became buyer and advertising man- ager, and later business manager, and in 1917 treasurer of the corporation, to which office was added that of secretary in 1919 at his father's death. During the early part of America's entry in the World War, Mr. Reynolds' services were asked for by the Italian Commission of the American Red Cross. Answering this call he served over-seas until the close of the war as first lieutenant of the Ameri- can Red Cross having charge of relief work in one of the important districts of the province of Tuscany.
In politics Mr. Reynolds is a Republi- can. He is a member and past vice- president of the Amrita Club, Pough- keepsie ; a member of the Dutchess Golf and Country Club ; a member and several times vice-president of the Poughkeepsie Tennis Club; a member and first presi- dent of the Poughkeepsie Rotary Club; member of the Poughkeepsie Automobile Club; member and present (1924) first vice-president of the Poughkeepsie Cham- ber of Commerce; member and one of the executive committee of the New York State Wholesale Grocers' Association ;
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and trustee and executive committee- member of Vassar Brothers' Hospital. On the hospital board Mr. Reynolds has taken a leading part in the reorganization of the institution in connection with its extensive building program. He is a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Poughkeepsie.
Paul Innis Reynolds was married in Poughkeepsie, February 28, 1922, to Dorothy Titus, daughter of Henry P. and Clara A. (Fesler) Titus. They are the parents of four children: Clarence James, 2d, and Clara Marguerite, twins, born December 10, 1922; Ruth de Lalande and Rosalind May, twins, born October 6, 1924.
OTIS, John C., Physician, Philanthropist.
The useful life of Dr. Otis, of Pough- keepsie, New York, has almost entirely been passed in his native Dutchess County, and since January 1, 1872, Poughkeepsie has been his home and the seat of his medical practice. His success as a physician has been remarkable, not only for the length of his career in that profession, but also for the great number of patients to whom he ministered so de- votedly that many of them looked upon him as their best friend and always as their safest counselor in matters pertain- ing to their bodies, and their domestic and business affairs. His philanthropies were numerous and diversified, testifying to that liberality of mind and generosity of purse for which he has become more than locally esteemed. As president of the Poughkeepsie Board of Health and the Board of Public Works, as well as president of leading medical associations, he has exhibited his spirit of public ser- vice and professional skill that has made him a man much sought after by his col-
leagues and fellow-citizens. Dr. Otis comes of ancient English family, Otes, Otys, that bore arms:
Arms-Azure, a cross engrailed argent between four crosslets fitchée or.
A variation of the above was:
Arms-Argent, a saltire engrailed between four crosses-crosslets fitchee azure.
The arms of Oates of Leeds, York- shire, figured in a variation of H. H. Otis, in genealogical memoir, were not granted until 1815.
"The family of Otis," says Tudor. "has produced some eminent persons, and its several branches are now widely extend- ed." The family name Otis is from the personal name Otes, which "Camden Remains" says is from Otho, rather Oto (Odo), brought into England by the Normans and used in the possessive case. Oto de Bagley flourished about 1300, and Andreas Otes was in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk, 1273 A. D., as was Henry fil Ode in the Hundred Rolls of Yorkshire in the same year.
There was a distinguished patriot, James Otis, of Boston, during Revolu- tionary times, who may have been the ancestor of Dr. John C. Otis in maternal line, but his only son died young. A John Otis seems to have been the com- mon ancestor of many Massachusetts families, he born at Barnstable, Devon- shire, England, in 1581. He came to Hingham, Massachusetts, where he shared in the first division of lands in 1635. He took the freeman's oath, March 13, 1635, and resided at Otis Hill, a beau- tiful slope southwest of the harbor, the hill there being covered with a heavy growth of forest trees. He died at Wey- mouth, Massachusetts, May 31, 1657, aged seventy-six. His first wife Mar- garet, whom he married in England, died in Hingham, Massachusetts, in June,
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1653, according to Deane, but in July, 1652, Tudor says he removed to Wey- mouth and married a second wife, who survived him. He left sons, John (2) and Richard, also four daughters, Mar- garet, Hannah, Ann and Alice.
(I) Henry Otis was born in Massa- chusetts, and became a builder, spending most of his life as a contractor. He mar- ried, and had two sons and seven daugh- ters. He died in 1812.
(II) John H. Otis, son of Henry Otis, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1809, although the family only resided there a short time. At the age of eighteen John H. Otis went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he engaged in business under the firm name, Otis & Roulane. In 1846 he disposed of his interests in the South and came to Dutchess County, New York, where he bought 700 acres in the town of Stanford. He held that property until 1855, then sold and moved to Pough- keepsie, where with E. B. Osborne he was interested in the "Telegraph," later the "News-Press." He was for many years a director of the Merchants' Bank of Poughkeepsie, was an ardent Demo- crat, and a man of strong, upright cha- racter. During the "Nullification" period of 1832 he was a member of a company of Northern volunteers in Charleston, and served in the Seminole War in Flor- ida under Andrew Jackson. When war broke out between the States he raised the first company in Dutchess County, New York, Company E, Thirtieth Regular New York Volunteer Infantry, and later was offered the colonelcy in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment, but de- clined the honor. In 1863 he went to the front as Captain of Company K, One Hundred and Sixty-Fifth Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery, and served with honor. As a citizen he was popular and
influential, serving seven times as super- visor of Dutchess County, also as a mem- ber of the Poughkeepsie Board of Health and of the Board of Education. In 1852 and 1853 he was a member of the New York State Senate. He was an active member of St. Paul's Church, serving as vestryman for a period of twenty years.
Senator John H. Otis married, in 1842, Ann Briggs Buckman, of a prominent Dutchess County family, who died in 1860, leaving two children: Mary Anna, married Dr. W. R. Case, of Poughkeepsie, and Dr. John C. Otis, of further mention. Senator John H. Otis died in July, 1887.
(III) John C. Otis, only son of Senator John H. and Ann Briggs (Buckman) Otis, was born in the town of Stanford, Dutch- ess County, New York, January 4, 1847, and now (1925) holds honored rank among the physicians of his native county. He is also president of the Farm- ers' and Manufacturers' Bank of Pough- keepsie. At an early age Poughkeepsie became the family home, and there he obtained his preparatory education in Dutchess Academy and the John R. Les- lie School. In 1863 and 1864 he served as quartermaster in the Department of Wil- limantic, and later for a time was a stu- dent at the University of Vermont.
In 1865 he began his medical studies with Dr. Case, of Harts Village, Dutchess County, New York, and in March, 1868, was graduated M. D. from New York Homeopathic College, and in June of that year completed a course of medical study at the University of Vermont, having persued courses in both homeopathy and allopathy for some time at these two in- stitutions. He began medical practice at Erie, Pennsylvania, but later moved to Millbrook, Dutchess County, New York : then, two years later, on January 1, 1872. finally located in Poughkeepsie, forming
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a partnership with Dr. A. Hall, an old practitioner. Two years later he estab- lished in practice alone, but in 1878 formed a partnership with Dr. Taylor Lansing, which continued until Dr. Lans- ing's death in 1883. In 1884 Dr. Otis associated with Dr. Case, continuing until 1888, then practiced alone until 1892, when he admitted his son, Dr. John Havi- land Otis, to a partnership, father and son continuing together until the death of the latter on June 30, 1907.
Dr. Otis always commanded a large general practice, but gave special atten- tion to the diseases of children. He was for a number of years president of the Poughkeepsie Board of Health, and is an ex-president of the Dutchess County Homeopathic Society. He is a member of the Dutchess-Putnam Counties Medi- cal Society and the Poughkeepsie Acade- my of Medicine, both of which organiza- tions he has served as presiding officer. He is president of the First District Branch of the Medical Association of New York State. He served the city of Poughkeepsie two terms, six years, as president of the Board of Public Works. He is a trustee of the Poughkeepsie Sav- ings Bank, an institution with which he has been connected with for twenty-five years. For thirty years he has been con- nected with the Farmers' and Manufac- turers' Bank of Poughkeepsie, and in March, 1922, was elected president of that institution, succeeding Edward S. At- water, deceased.
Dr. John C. Otis' contributions to the municipal welfare of the city of Pough- keepsie are beyond compare. He has been the organizer of numerous health and charitable organizations under the aus- pices of the city. He was most active in the reorganization of the Board of Pub- lic Works, which body was placed on an efficient basis, functioning in satisfactory
manner with other related departments of the city government. For years he has been a trustee of the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. He is identified with every movement having as its purpose the pro- gress and enhancement of the good name of the city of Poughkeepsie. He has been a member of the Amrita Club and the Poughkeepsie Tennis Club for many years. He is a warden and vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church.
Dr. John C. Otis married, October 6, 1870, Catherine Haviland, daughter of R. Barclay and Susan (Tredway) Havi- land. Her father was a prominent farmer of Millbrook, then Harts Village, Dutch- ess County; a lifelong Democrat, tak- ing an active interest in all civic affairs. He was one of the original members and officials of the Dutchess County Agri- cultural Society, and a birthright member of the Society of Friends. Dr. and Mrs. Otis were the parents of two children, both deceased, Dr. John Haviland, of whom further, and Annie S. Otis.
(IV) Dr. John Haviland Otis, son of Dr. John C. and Catherine (Haviland) Otis, was born at Harts Village, Dutchess County, New York, July 27, 1871. He was a graduate of the New York Homeo- pathic Medical College, M. D., 1892, and immediately began practice with his father in Poughkeepsie. He became famous in his profession as a specialist in diseases of children, and was always a student, taking a special course in New York almost every year as long as he lived. He was a member of several medi- cal societies, member of the Masonic order, attending physician to the City Home, and at the time of his passing was a member of the Board of Charity Com- mittee. He married, in October, 1894, Louise N. Smith, of Poughkeepsie, who survives him with three children: Anna S., John H. and Catherine H. Otis.
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LOWN, Frank B.,
Lawyer, Banker.
In Hasbrouck's "History of Dutchess County" the chapter devoted to the Bench and Bar of the county is from the pen of Frank B. Lown, a member of that bar since 1871 and yet in practice after more than half a century. With characteristic modesty Mr. Lown made no mention of his own part in the making of the legal histo- ry of his county, but he cannot now claim immunity from the attention of the biog- raphers as he could then, being himself the writer. He said: "Time marches rapidly and the lawyers of one genera- tion, except they be of remarkable ability and achievement, are forgotten by the next. The distinguished and the great need no historians. Their lives and deeds pass from father to son, their names and reputations never suffering in the telling." In his review the record of this eminent member of the Dutchess County Bar, this counsellor and friend of other law- yers, this banker and business man is re- viewed, that his deeds may be perpetu- ated and kept in mind with many others of the strong men of the bar of the State of New York.
When the Dutch dominion in the Val- ley of the Hudson passed to the English, the Lown family came in with other Eng- lish settlers, Rhinebeck becoming their home. Frank B. Lown is a grandson of David Lown, and a son of David (2) Lown, born in Rockland County, New York, who was a cooper by trade, he be- coming a resident of Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1857, where he died in 1875. David (2) Lown married Jane M. Coon, and they were the parents of seven chil- dren : David Mills; Robert B .; Frank B .; of whom further; Clarence; Sarah, wife of Leo E. D. Sutcliff ; Jennie ; Jessie.
Frank B. Lown was born at Red Hook, Dutchess County, New York, January I, 1849, and since 1857 has been a resident of Poughkeepsie. He completed full courses of public school study in the city of his adoption, and then began the study of law. He finished his law preparation in the office of Nelson & Baker, his pre- ceptor the eminent Judge Homer A. Nel- son, born in 1829, died in 1891, County Judge, Secretary of State, State Senator, whom Mr. Lown styles, "The most for- midable jury lawyer of a group of strong Dutchess county lawyers. The junior member of the firm was Orlando D. M. Baker, born in 1842, died in 1890. In all matters concerning practice, concerning the machinery of the law, far and away the ablest man at the bar."
Under such preceptors Mr. Lowe spent the years 1870 and 1871, gaining admis- sion to the New York bar in the latter year. After his admission to the bar he became a law clerk in the offices of Thompson & Weeks, then the oldest firm of legal practitioners in Dutchess County. Of John Thompson, born in 1809, died in 1890, Mr. Lown wrote, "Mr. Thompson was a brilliant advocate and a man of much learning in his profession. He dearly loved the turmoil of a lawsuit and it is not too much to say that he was in practically every important trial from 1845 until his retirement." Of Mr. Weeks he wrote: "Mr. Weeks disliked the com- bative air of the court room and rarely could be induced to take an active part in trials. He was perhaps the best and safest office lawyer and general adviser at the bar, and with his partner to supply the eloquence and pyrotechnics the firm Thompson & Weeks was deservedly pre- eminent in the legal history of Dutchess County."
Such were the men with whom Mr.
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Lown was associated during the first seven years of his legal career, 1871-78. He was then admitted the third member of the firm which continued as Thomp- son, Weeks & Lown until 1887, when Mr. Weeks died, Mr. Thompson passing away in 1890. Mr. Lown continued the busi- ness as the last survivor and is yet in practice, the Nestor of the Dutchess County bar, occupying both as banker and lawyer the peculiar position of counsellor and friend of other lawyers, a fact which in itself reveals the possession of uncom- mon attainments of a high order. His practice has covered a wide range as opposed to the modern idea of specializ- ing in one of the branches of the law. It was perhaps the versatile quality of his mind that led him into banking. His first connection with that business was when retained as counsel by the Farmers' and Manufacturers' National Bank of Poughkeepsie, a financial institution rep- resenting the best traditions in conserva- tive banking. Mr. Lown's sound judg- ment in matters of credit and banking policy soon led to his election to the bank directorate, and to other positions of trust. Finally, in 1922, he was elected president of the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank, an institution standing high upon the list of thrift banks and successful conservers of the savings of the public it serves.
A man of public spirit, Mr. Lown ren- ders present service to his State as presi- dent of the board of directors of The Hudson River Insane Asylum; to his profession-at-large as president of the Dutchess County Bar Association; and socially is identified with the Amrita Club, of which he was one of the founders. His fraternity is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
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