USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume I > Part 21
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called upon to administer estates as executive, to which position he was appointed by the courts.
In his home life Mr. Hendrix fully exemplified the traditions of his forefathers; he loved his home and family, he was gener- ous to a fault. and was everywhere recognized as a good and worthy citizen. He was a loving husband and an indulgent father, and at his death, which ocenrred September 19, 1898, his loss was mourned by many who knew him best.
Isaac Hendrix married, JJanuary 21, 1841, Sarah M. Stans- bury, born Angust 4. 1818, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Thorp) Stansbury, of Rahway, New Jersey. Of this marriage were born three children: Emma and Sarah F. (twins) born AApril 17, 1847; the latter died December, 1848. Walter, born February 2. 1860, married Ina M. Moore, by whom he had one son. Walter G. Hendrix, born April 18, 1883. Walter Hendrix died July 26, 1889. Sarah M. Hendrix died February 19, 1892: she was an estimable lady of the old school type and possessed of mrmy excellencies of character which endeared her to many who knew her in life.
DIXON FAMILY.
The following interesting details of the ancestors of William and Robert Wright Dixon are taken from researches of the late Anne Ontting, who was the wife of Charles Cutting, deceased, who was brother of Alfred Cutting. The ancestors of the Dixon family were originally Scotch, having come to England in the reign of James I, when that Scotch king became king of England through the union of Scotland and England by grace of Queen Elizabeth. The forebears of George Dixon, father of William Dixon, were of the Dicksons of Belcherter and Buhtrig branch of the Clan Dixon, who were lineal descendants of Hervey de Keth, Earl Marshall of Scotland, who died 1249. The Earl Marshall
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William Dixon Emma C. Dixon
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married Margaret, daughter of William 3rd, Lord Douglas, and their son Richard was the ancestor of Clan Dixon. The Arms of the Dicksons of Belcherter and Buhtrig are: Azure three Mul- lets, Argent. on a Chief Or, as Many Pallets gu. Crest : A dexter hand holding a sword in bond proper. Motto: Fortes fortuna jnrat. The ancestors of Emma ('ntting, sister to Alfred and Charles Cutting. were of the gentry of Northumberland, and were very large landowners in that Earldom. She had the seal of the arms of the Cutting family, which is now in the possession of some member of the family.
George Dixon, a native of England, married Eleanor Harris, also a native of England, who hore him two children: William, seo forward: Elizabeth, who was twice married and spent her entire life in Yorkshire.
William Dixon, a venerable and eminently respected citizen of Pleasant Plains, town of Westfield, borongh of Richmond, where he has resided for nearly fifty years, was born in the vil- lage of Beall. Yorkshire. England, August 22. 1815. He received his educational training in the schools of his native county. In 1830 he came to the United States with his uncle, John Harris, who settled in New York City, where he was for many years en- gaged in the importation of woolen fabrics. He remained in the employ of his uncle, and took charge of his books for a period of ten years, when he engaged in business on his own account in the produce and commission trade. He finally opened a store at 142 West street, New York City, where he conducted the business some time. Mr. Dixon soon won the trust and confidence of a wide community of business men, and became known for his straightforwardness in transacting his business affairs. During the many years of his active business pursuits, he received con- sienments of produce from all parts of New Jersey and Dela- ware. where his name was regarded by his clients as being syn- Vol. I-22
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onymous with honorable and straightforward business methods. In 1868 he purchased a farm in the town of Westfield from John Woglom, where he took up his residence, residing there for a number of years. In 1885 he retired from active business pur- suits and at present resides with his daughter, Mrs. Arthur Paseo, at Pleasant Plains.
William Dixon was married at St. John's Episcopal Church. Brooklyn, by Rev. E. Johnson, October 20, 1836, to Emma C. Cutting, born October 12, 1818, a native of Suffolk county, Eng- land. She came to the United States at the age of seven with her parents, who took up their abode on Long Island, where they en- gaged at farming. Of this marriage Mr. Dixon had born to him a family of ten children: 1. George Harris, born January 15, 1838, married Jane Western, of Little Washington, New Jersey, and had ten children, namely: Charles, William, Ida, Bella. Isaac. Georgianna. Richard, George, Emma, and Frank. George Harris Dixon, father of these children, died JJune 10, 1880. 2. Emily Cutting, born January 25, 1840, married George O'Brien, of New Brunswick. New Jersey, and has three children: Will- iam. Walter and John O'Brien. 3. Frank Thomas, born March 12. 1843, married Louisa Kissam, and has nine children : Eu- gene, Annie, Ella. Oliver, Walter, Lilie, Frank, George and one who died in infancy. 4. Robert Wright, see forward. 5. Will- iam Reynolds, born July 21, 1849, married Alice Simonson, no issne. After her death he married (second) Lucinda Simonson, and has one child. Emily Dixen. 6. Alice Smith, born March 21, 1852, married Arthur Pasco, of Pleasant Plains, borough of Richmond. and has one daughter, Lavinia, who married Edward Ellis, and has three children: Arthur, Charles, and Alice Ellis. 7. Isaac Fisher, born June 30, 1854, died December 20, 1861. 8. Morris Bradford, born January 29, 1857. married Eva Saur, and has nine children: Morris, Eva. Leroy, and Fannie, who
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are yet surviving. The other five died in early life. 9. Amelia Elizabeth, born July 6, 1860, married Nevada Magill, of Farm- ingdale. New Jersey, no issue. 10. Charles Edward, born March 6, 1863. died February 16, 1888. The mother of the afore- mentioned children. Emma C. (Cutting) Dixon, died July 12. 1900. She was a most estimable lady of the old school type, and was possessed of many excellent qualities of mind and heart. Her death was deeply lamented not only by her immediate fam- ily, but also by many neighbors and friends.
Robert Wright Dixon, fourth child of William and Emma C. (Cutting) Dixon, born July 11. 1845, was educated and reared to manhood years under the parental roof, and upon taking up the practical duties of life became engaged in the produce and commission business under the tuition of his father, and since his father's retirement from the business has continued the same up to the present time. Mr. Dixon has in every way proved himself a worthy scion of a worthy sire, and not unlike his fath- er the name of Robert Wright Dixon is everywhere regarded in commercial cireles as being synonymous with honesty and straightforward business methods. He resides on the home- stead near Rossville.
Robert Wright Dixon married Emma Nicer, born March 16. 1849, daughter of John and Sophia (Karst) Nicer. both natives of Germany; they came to the United States in 1845 and settled in the city of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon had three children : 1. Robert Nicer, see forward. 2. Magenta. born May 30, 1870, a graduate of the New York Conservatory of Music, was the organist of St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church, Rossville, for fifteen years, and at present is the organ- ist of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Woodrow. 3. Amelia S., born June 26, 1872, married William Wardlaw, son of Rev. Wardlaw. of Rossville, borough of Richmond. Of this marriage
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there is no issue. 4. Violet, born November 20, 1875, died No- vember 20, 1875. 5. Warren Freeman, born Angust 4, 1881, died April 21, 1883. 6. Olga, born February 6, 1884, died Octo- ber 3, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Woodrow.
Robert Nieer Dixon, eldest child of Robert Wright and Emma (Nieer) Dixon, born January 10, 1868, received his educational training under private tuition, and while in his fourteenth year entered his father's office, where he was trained to the routine details of the produce com- mission business, remaining thus engaged until his twenty- first year, when he entered into partnership with his father under the firm name of R. W. Dixon & Son, and the ar- rangement has been successfully continued up to the present time (1906), and the firm name of R. W. Dixon & Son is every- where regarded in commercial eireles as being synonymous with honest business methods.
In addition to his commercial interests, Mrs. Robert N. Dixon is actively identified with athletic, yachting, military and fraternal organizations. He is a member of the New York Athletic Club, New York Yacht Club, Atlantic Yacht Club, Squadron A, National Guard, State of New York, New York Zoological Society, Amateur Fencers Leagne of America, Ameri- can Motor Boat Association, League of American Sportsmen and American Art Society. He is a member of Chancellor Walworth Lodge, No. 271, F. and A. M., and has attained to the thirty-second degree of the craft in the Scottish Rites. viz: Lodge of Perfection "4 to 14," the Council Princes of Jerusalem "15 to 16," Chapter of Rose Croix "17 to 18," and the Con- sistory of New York "19 to 32." In the York Rites: Triune Chapter, No. 241, R. A. M .; Adelphie Council, No. 7, R. and S. M .; Palestine Commandery, No. 18, Knights Templar; also
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a member of the Masonic Historical Society of New York, Mason- ie Club of New York, and Mecca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He married Fannie Spafford Bogardus, no issue. They have an adopted daughter, Maude Dixon, born February 7, 1891.
JOHN MCKEON.
John MeKeon, for many years a worthy and highly respect- ed citizen of the borough of Manhattan, city of New York, of which he was a native, was a representative in the second genera- tion of his family in America, he tracing his descent to the north of Ireland.
James McKeon, father of John McKeon, and the founder of the family in America 1799, was born in the north of Ireland and came to the United States when he was but fifteen years of age. His sister Anne also came to this country and joined her brother. She married Francis MeFarland, and settled in one of the villages west of Albany, presumably Schenectady or Utica. Ann (MeKeon) MeFarland had by her marriage a large family of sons and daughters. Two of her sons-William and Alexander-graduated from college and took up the medical profession. They settled in Ohio, where they became prominent. and their descendants have become numerous and are numbered among the leading citizens of the "Buckeye State." Francis McFarland, another son, studied for the priesthood, was or- dained, and later became Bishop of Providence, Rhode Island. Ile died at Hartford, Connecticut, and his mother, Ann (MeKeon) MeFarland, died at Providence, where she was buried in the old Catholic cemetery.
James MeKeon took up his residence in the city of New York, and after working for others for some years, established himself in the grocery business. The habits of thrift and in-
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dustry which he had brought with him from his native land were carefully cultivated by him, and in addition he adopted the practical business methods in vogue in his new home. The result could not fail of being a most successful one. He amassed a fortune which he invested judiciously, partly in an estate at Twenty-third street and Lexington avenue, New York City. where he made his home. During all the time of his residence in this county, Mr. MeKeon was a faithful attendant at and com- municant of the old St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, on Barclay street. He died in his seventy-ninth year, at the home of his nephew, Patrick MeKeon, in Woodrow, Staten Island. James MeKeon married Ann Byrne, who died quite young, leaving him with a family of four small children: 1. John, the subject of this sketch. 2. James, who married Susan Johnson, and resided in New York City. 3. Hugh, who married Jane Elizabeth Stothof, of Long Island, and resided in New York City. 4. Felix, who married Ellen Furlong, of New York City.
John McKeon, eldest son of James and Ann (Byrne) Me- Keon, was born on his father's homestead at Twenty-third street and Lexington avenue, New York City, June 14, 1822. He was educated in the public schools of this city, and his studious, careful work achieved results which were alike gratify- ing and creditable. Upon leaving school he entered the store of his father and assisted him until he had attained his majority. He then established himself in the business of trucking and expressing. He was energetic and determined in his business affairs, ready to do the utmost to satisfy the demand of his customers, and while progressive and ready to adopt any method which would tend to the increase of business, was not forgetful of the old fashioned virtues of honesty, punctuality and straight- forwardness. Under such management it was a natural result, and not a surprising one, that Mr. MeKeon saw his worldly pos-
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sessions increase to a very satisfactory extent. In 1882 Mr. MeKeon bought the old Corey homestead, at Rossville. Staten Island, where he resided for some time. He also owned a beautiful home in New York City, where his death occurred on November 25, 1885. Mr. Mckeon was inventive and enter- prising as a business man, and while alive to the demands of his own business affairs, was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in need of assistance. This he did in the practical manner of helping them to help themselves, and thus the as- sistance he rendered was a benefit to the community in general. He gave freely of his time and money for charitable and re- ligious purposes, and was a devont communicant of the old Saint Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Barclay street, and was for many years a member of the board of trustees. He was an npright, publie-spirited citizen, a loving husband, and an indulgent father. His kindness and generosity had won for him a large circle of friends, and his death left a gap which it was hard to fill.
He married, November 14, 1846, Margaret Quin, born Jan- uary 7, 1826, daughter of Michael and Sarah (MeSherry) Quin, both natives of the county of Armagh, Ireland, the latter of the city of Belfast. Mr. and Mrs. Quin, upon coming to the United States, located in Richmond county, now the borough of Rich- mond, Staten Island, where they resided until their death. Mr. and Mrs. MeKeon had four children: 1. Mary Amelia, born November, 1850, died in infancy. 2. Sarah, February 7, 1856, married John Gleason, and has three children: Edwin S., born September 6, 1875; Irene, September 13, 1879, married James Kemmy, and has one child: Margaret Claire Kemmy, born May 5, 1905; and Sarah F., February 7, 1883. 3. Jolm F., born Au- gust 21, 1858. 4. Joseph I., of whom sketch is snhjoined.
Joseph I. MeKeon, second son and youngest child of Jolm
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and Margaret (Quin) MeKeon, was born in the city of New York. January 4, 1862. His early education was obtained in St. Peter's Parochial School, under the instruction of the Christian Broth- ers, and he then entered the Manhattan College, from which he graduated with the degree of A. B. and also obtained the degree of A. M. He entered the Law School of Columbia College, grad- uating with honor, with the degree of LL. B., May 28, 1884. He was from the very beginning a student of more than usual ear- nestness and ambition; eager to grasp all knowledge, and was gifted with a remarkable memory. This, combined with extraor- dinary oratorical powers, led to an immediate and wonderful success when he commenced his practice of the law. Upon his graduation he was at once admitted to practice in the courts of the city of New York and in the Supreme Court of the State. His ability and brillianey were immediately recognized, and in a very short time he was master of an exceedingly lucrative practice. Mr. MeKeon took an active interest in the political conditions of his city and country. He became a member of Tammany Hall. In 1889 he was nominated by the County Democracy for the office of Civil Justice, but was defeated by the regular Tammany can- didate. In 1890, he was offered the nomination for Member of Congress, from the First District of New York, but declined this at the convention, which thereupon nominated the Hon. John R. Fellows. In 1893, Mr. Keon was appointed counsel to the City Building Commission, and discharged the duties of that position with great credit and ability. He was an active supporter of the principles of Democracy in its truest and purest sense, and dur- ing the latter years of his life was a member of the Tannany Hall General Committee. He was a member of the Royal Ar- camum. of the Catholic Club, and of a great number of social or- ganizations. His death occurred July 16, 1895, at the home of his parents at Rossville, Staten Island. Although young in
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years, Mr. MeKeon, with an energy and force of character that it would be hard to duplicate, had accomplished an amount of work that many a man of twice his years would not be ashamed to look back upon. His mind was ever at work, and the ideas which emanated from it were of such practical utility to the com- munity that the results were far-reaching and beneficial. He was one of those busy men who, in spite of the immense amount of labor devolving on them, always have time to spare when it is a question of helping those not so well equipped to help them- selves. His early death was deeply regretted by a large and do- voted circle of friends.
JAMES KENYON.
James Kenyon, deceased, for many years actively identified with mercantile affairs in the city of New York, and a man of lofty character, was born August 20, 1791, at the family mansion in Beekman street, New York City, a son of William and Abigail (Bowne) Kenyon.
He was educated in a private school at Dover Plains, Dutch- ess county, New York, and entered upon an active career in the city of New York, where he engaged in a mercantile business which he condneted for some years with marked success. He then removed to Clinton, Oneida county, New York, with his par- ents, and there resided for some time. He subsequently re- moved to New Brunswick, Middlesex county, New Jersey, where he was for some years engaged in farming. In 1836 he removed to Harlem, New York City. where he passed the remaining years of his life in pleasant retirement. He married Margaret Sickles Adriance, born October 18, 1790, at Harlem, a daughter of John and Mary (Bussing) Adriance. and a descendant of one of the pioneer families who were among the Harlem patentees, as re- lated on other pages of this work. Mr. Kenyon died December
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10, 1852, having survived his wife, who died in 1842. They were most estimable Christian people, exemplary members of the Dutch Reformed church, and well known for their abundant charities and genial hospitalities. Their children were: 1. John, born December 20, 1813, married Harriet Moore, of New York City; no issue. 2. Maria, born June 28, 1815; did not marry. 3. James, born April 20, 1817, died in Michigan; he married Anna - -. 4. Charles, born March 19, 1819, died in early life. 5. Elizabeth Barnes, born January 31, 1821. 6. Abigail Bowne, born April 20, 1823, married Charles Clarke; no issue. 7. Isaac Adriance, born March 22, 1825, married Mary Edmund. 8. 9. Charles and Caroline (twins), born March 11, 1827. Charles died in infancy. Caroline married Erastus Fitch Brown, born 1830, a son of Professor Erastus Fitch Brown, of New Haven, Connecticut. Their children were: Margaret Em- eline. born November 24, 1854, married Rev. Jabez Baekus; Ed- gar Ketcham, born September 8, 1858, married Emily Cowper- thwaite, and they have one son, Mortimer C., born November 5, 1887.
William Barnes Kenyon, deceased, brother of the late James Kenyon, was during a long and active career prominently identified with the merchant marine and shipping interests of the metropolis, and was held in honor for his business ability and integrity, and his personal worth. He was born August 4, 1784, at the family mansion in Beekman street, New York City, a son of William and Abigail ( Bowne) Kenyon. The father, son of William Kenyon, was a native of the city of Liverpool, Eng- land.
William B. Kenyon received an excellent practical educa- tion in the schools of his native city and of Burlington, New Jer- sey. Upon attaining to man's estate he engaged in the marine shipping trade in New York City, which he successfully prose-
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ented until 1825, when he removed with his family to Clinton, Oneida county, New York, where he resided until 1836. In that year he removed to Tarrytown, New York, remaining there until 1850, when he resumed his residence in New York City, and there passed the remaining years of his life. As a business man he made for himself a high reputation, and his personal life was such as marks the ideal christian gentleman. With his family he was a member of the old Dutch Reformed church. He died May 27, 1866. He married Letitia Ida Adriance, born in 1788, daughter of John and Mary (Sickles) Adriance, her father being for many years a school teacher of high renute in Harlem, New York. She survived her husband about twelve years, dying Sep- tember 26, 1878. Their children were: 1. Samnel B., married Elizabeth C. Wood, of Harlem, New York. 2. Mary A. 3. John A., who was twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Mildeberger, and his second wife Maria Green, a widow. 4. Ed- ward. who died in childhood. 5. Edward Barnes, who went to California in 1849, and died there in 1876, unmarried. 6. Mar- garet E. Kenyon.
Mrs. William B. Kenyon was descended from the noted Bussing family, one of the oldest and most honored Holland families in Harlem, through the following line of descent: Arent Harmans, who was one of the original patentees of Harlem, took the name of Bussing. He was an extensive land owner, and his house, which stood on the site of the present One Hundred and Nineteenth street, near Third avenue, was standing until recent years. He died in 1718, leaving among other children a son, Pe- ter Bussing, who was the father of Aaron Bussing, who died in 1784. His daughter Maria married John S. Sickles. They were the parents of one child, Mary, who married John Adriance, and their danghter, Letitia Ida, became the wife of William B. Ken- yon. Another daughter. Margaret Adriance, married James
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Kenyon, brother of William Bowne Kenyon. She died in 1845. Mrs. Letitia Ida Kenyon, wife of William Bowne Kenyon, died in 1878, at the advanced age of ninety-one years.
JOHN H. LOOS.
John H. Loos, for many years past a trusted and honored employee in the courts of New York City, and at present occupy- ing the responisble position of court clerk of the naturaliza- tion office, is a native of the state and was born in Rochester, October 30, 1847. His parents were Christopher and Elizabeth Theresa (Pfeifer) Loos, both of whom were residents of Roches- ter, New York, in 1844. Their children were: John H., to be further written of hereinafter; Nicholas J., of Rochester, New York; George, who is engaged in the real estate busi- ness in the same city; Libbie, who resides with her brother; Livina, wife of Andrew Costieh, of Irondequoit; Christopher, who resides at the parental home in Rochester, New York. The mother of these children died January 25, 1875, survived by her husband, who passed away June 11, 1886.
John H. Loos, eldest child of Christopher and Elizabeth Theresa (Pfeifer) Loos, received his education in the public schools of Rochester, New York, where he resided until 1873. In that year he located in New York City, where he established himself in the livery business, becoming widely and favorably known, and achieving success to a gratifying degree. A man of excellent business qualifications. his abilities caused his ap- pointment as assistant clerk in the court of common pleas, since which time he has been continuously oeenpied with clerical duties in various offices of the city courts. In 1874 he was appointed to his present position, that of clerk of the naturalization office, one of the most important departments of the public service. Through his duties he has become acquainted with many of the
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prinicipal men of affairs in the metropolis, particularly those connected with municipal affairs in an official capacity. and is held in high esteem for his efficiency as an officer and his worth as a man. May 3, 1873, Mr. Loos was married to Miss Julia L. Meyer, born October 22, 1843, daughter of Peter and Mar- garet (Bussing) Meyer, of New York.
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