USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 26
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W. STEBBINS SMITH, attorney and counsellor at law of the Morrisania District of the Bronx, is the son of Chauncey and Hannah Farler Smith, both of whom belonged to old West-
chester County families. He was born at White Plains in the County of Westchester, September 16, 1847, and was educated at a private school, a grammar school and a school of languages. He was also given a practical business education, and graduated from Columbia College Law School. Ile was admitted to the bar June 12, 1871. Mr. Smith has maintained a residence in Morrisania- now a name only, but once an independent settle- ment-for the last fifty years. He is a Republican in politics, but has held public office only once, viz., when he was appointed a School Inspector by Mayor Strong, and re-appointed by Mayor Van Wyck, and was chosen Chairman of the Board. Mr. Smith is a charter member of the Association of the Bar of the Bronx, has been its president in fact from the beginning. He is also a charter member of the North Side Board of Trade, a member of the Alumini of Columbia College Law School, of the Tax- payers' Alliance, and of the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, which last he has served for many years past as president of its Board of Trustees. Mr. Smith was inarried October 24, 1878, to Lillie Jackson and has had three children, two of whom died in infancy; a daughter, Grace E., is now living.
HON. JOHN E. EUSTIS, lawyer, was born at Limerick, Jefferson County, New York, January 17, 1847; his father moved to Hammond, St. Lawrence Co., the same year, where he at- tended the district schools until he was fourteen years of age. During his boyhood days he worked on the farm and in his father's carriage shop, and at the age of seventeen enlisted as a private in Company M, 20th N. Y. Cavalry, in August, 1864. He served in that capacity until the close of the war, and in June, 1865, he returned home where he resumed his duties with his father until he reached the age of twenty-two, completing his trade as a wheelwright. He then entered the academy at Gouverneur, N. Y., which he attended during the fall terms and in the winter season he taught school, working with his father during the spring and fall; this he continued to do for three years in order to prepare for and earn money to defray the expenses of a college education. In the fall of 1871 he entered Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut, where he took a scientific course, graduating in 1874, with honors, re- ceiving the degree of B. S. During his course in that institu- tion he taught school two winters in Cromwell and Middletown, earning enough to pay all his college expenses for those years. He was made captain and stroke of the crew the last two years of his college course, and during the regatta at Spring- field, Mass., in 1873, his crew finished a close second to Yale, beating out Harvard and eight other contestants. In 1874 at Saratoga in a field of eleven boats with an entire new crew, ex- cept himself, his crew was again second, Columbia College crew being first. In the fall of 1874 Mr. Eustis went to New York where he took up his work in surveying. He was appointed to the position of city surveyor. He did not relax his interest in nautical sports; he became a member of the At- lantic Boat Club, leading the amateur crew in New York City, of which he became manager and was made captain and stroke and rowed in all races for several years. In 1875 he won the Four Oar Shell race at Saratoga, and the National Four Oar Association at Troy, N. Y., which was held one week after the Saratoga race. In the fall of 1875 he entered Colum- bin Law School, graduating therefrom in 1877. During his course at Columbia, he was a clerk in the law office of Olin, Rives & Montgomery. In the autumn of 1877 he began the
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
practice of his chosen profession on his own account. In 1881 he formed a co-partnership with Herbert Valentine, which was continued for one year. Mr. Eustis was again alone until 1890, at which time the firm of Eustis, Foster & Coleman was tried for the general practice of law ; the duration of this firm wa. until 1800, when Mr. Coleman withdrew to accept the posi- tion of assistant corporation counsel. The firm is now Eustis & Foster, whose offices are located at No. 80 Broadway. Mr. lystis has been an honored resident of Bronx Borough since
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HON. JOHN E. EUSTIS
INSI In politics, local. he is independent ; in national matters he :- Republican. He is a prominent member of the Citizens' Una, and in 1897 he was its candidate for president of lkowy Borough. He . polled a very satisfactory vote, notwith- Mandag the fact that the borough is a great Democratic strong- i dd. The first position of trust held by Mr. Eustis was that of Stund in pector of the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Wards mi New York City, having been appointed by Mayor Edson in 1X2 In 1883 he was appointed school trustee for the Twenty- (with Wand and served three terms until 1895, when the trust were legislated out of office. He was immediately made schend in pector by Mayor Strong; in 1896 he was appointed a school commissioner, serving until 1899. In 1902 he was ap- ;med park commissioner by Mayor Low, a position he ably tel during that administration. During his incumbency, be : - a.1 to lits credit, he did more for the development of the ich ;. com m the Bronx than was ever done under any prior C'estistration He laid out Melrose Park, the 142d Street and Matth Avenue Park, Mckinley Square. McComb's Dam. :. And Garden in Van Cortlandt Park and Echo Fik, mas constructing a number of new and beauti- it down through Van Cortlandt, Pelham Bay and Pion, ' Path The administration of his office was con-
ducted on a high, dignified basis, and in a manner which would eliminate even partisan criticism. When he turned the department over to his successor at the end of his term the af- fairs of the office were in perfect shape. Mr. Eustis is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church; the Bronx Republican Club; the N. Y. Bar Association; Bronx Bar Association ; the F. & A. M .; Lafayette Post, G. A. R .; is chairman of the local board of United Charities Organization, Bronx; West Side Association ; and is one of the governors of the New York Skin and Cancer Hospital. On September 21, 1881, Mr. Eustis married Miss Minnie Rutty. After a brief illness of four days she died of pneumonia on January 6, 1892. Six children were born to their union, viz .: John R. Eustis, one of the assistant editors of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle; Mary, Sarah E., Helen F., Constance, and Markwick E. On May 31, 1894, he married his present wife, Permelia A. Eustis; one daughter and two sons have been added to his household by this union, Nadine Q., Elmer T. and Clinton R. Eustis.
HON. JOHN P. COHALAN, lawyer, of 277 Broadway, re- siding at 1042 Macy place, has been living here sixteen years. He was born in Brooklyn March 17, 1873, and was educated at Wallkill Academy, Middletown, Orange County, N. Y., and at Manhattan College, New York City. He is a Democrat, a mem- ber of the Schnorer and Longwood Clubs, Catholic Club of New York City, the Knights of Columbus, the Bar Association of the Bronx and the Catholic Church. He is a man of family, hav- ing married October 5, 1898, Miss Margaret J. Kiernan, and has four children; one daughter, Margaret Mary, and three sons Timothy Eugene, Thomas Florence and John Patrick. He was elected Member of the Assembly in November, 1905.
SMITH WILLIAMSON, attorney, of 364 Alexander Ave- nue, Bronx, was born February 16, 1852, at New Castle, near Mount Kisco, Westchester County, New York. He was edu- cated in the public school at New Castle and subsequently took a special course of instruction at the Institute of Rev. Andrew Schiland at that place. He came to Morrisania (now Bronx Borough) in the fall of 1868, and in 1875 graduated from the Law Department of the New York University. He resided in the immediate vicinity of his office from 1868 to 1896; the latter year he moved his family to White Plains, Westchester County, N. Y., where they now reside, and from which place he comes daily to his place of business. As a lawyer Mr. Williamson makes a specialty of the examination of titles and the loaning of money on bond and mortgage. In politics he is a Republican, though he has never held any public office and has no aspirations in that direction. For twenty-five years he was a member of the Willls Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church at Willis Ave- nue and I4Ist Street, and for more than twenty years was one of the officials of that church. lle is now connected with the Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church of White Plains and is an official of that church. Mr. Williamson was married April 16, 1873. to Sarah A., daughter of Frederick Turner, now de- ceased. Two children have been born of that union, Marion M .. now the wife of Francis Underhill Voss, of Summit, N. J., and Lillian M., who resides with her parents at White Plains.
THOMAS CHANNON PRESS .- The subject of this sketch lias had a varied and eventful career, not only in Ireiand, the country of his birth, but in America. Mr. Press was born in Belfast. County Antrim, Ireland, on the 3d of March, 1863. He received his early education at the Belfast Mode! School and at the age of 14 years was indentured at the printing business.
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
Scarcely two years later he determined, as soon as his seven years' apprenticeship was concluded, to enter journalism and thereupon commenced his preparation. His hours as a compositor were from 8 a. m. till 6:45 p. m. daily and any preparatory work would have to be outside these hours. Stenography was abso- lutely necessary, and before long he was an expert and had received a teachers' diploma from Isaac Pitman's Phonetic Insti- tute, Bath, England. He then took up the classical course in the evenings at McTier's Academy and subsequently studied for the Royal University under Mr. Andrew L. Horner, B.A., now King's Counsel at the Irish Bar, in the Assemblies and Queens Colleges, Belfast. He realized his ambition at the close of his seven years' apprenticeship and was one of the charter members of the Irish Journalists' Association, which had among its mem- bers some of the most brilliant men in Ireland. Seeking a wider field, Mr. Press came to the United States in May, 1888, and after doing some press work in the City of New York, went to Denver, Colorado, where lie was a reporter on the "Denver Republican," and afterwards associate editor of "Sports Afield." After an interesting experience in the West Mr. Press returned to New York and became secretary to Mr. John D. Crimmins, and while in that capacity studied law in the evenings at the Metropolis Law School, of which Surrogate Thomas of New York County was then dean. He graduated, was one of the class speakers and received the degree of LL. B. from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. He then entered the office of Mr. Robert Sewell, senior counsel of the Mutual Life and a year later was admitted to the New York Bar, of which he has been a practitioner since. On the 15th day of August, 1894, Mr. Press married Miss Leila Slater, sister of State Sen- ator Samuel S. Slater, and after residing for some time in the Borough of Manhattan, where Mr. Press had taken considerable interest in Democratic politics, they moved to the Borough of the Bronx in the fall of 1899. There are two children by the mar- riage, Thomas Channon Press and Leila Channon Press. Al- though prominent socially and actively interested in Democratic politics, Mr. Press has never held any office. He is an Episco- polian and is an alumnus of the New York University Law School, vice-president of the Longwood Club, vice-president of the Jefferson-Tammany Club, president of the Inter-Club Bowl- ing and Baseball Leagues of the Bronx, member of the Tammany Hall General Committee, member of the Schnorer Club, North Side Board of Trade, Greater New York Irish Athletic Club, Worry Not Club, Square Club, Astor Lodge, No. 603, F. and A. M., and is also a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of New York City, N. M. J., thirty-second degree and of Mecca Temple Mystic Shrine.
ROCELLUS SHERIDAN GUERNSEY, author and lawyer, was born in Westford township, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 10, 1836, son of Richard and Orillia (De Les Dernier) Guernsey, and descendant in the eighth generation of John Guernsie or Garnsey, one of the founders of Milford, Conn., in the New Haven colony in 1639; also of Rev. Jeremiah Peck, of Water- bury, Conn., noted for being a Presbyterian clergyman and an instructor in the New Haven colony. The branch of the Guern- sey family emanating from Dutchess County, N. Y., is a large one, as is evidenced by the statement that Richard Guernsey had ninety cousins on his father's side alone from the fifteen `children of John and Azubah ( Buel) Guernsey (Garnsey). Mr. Guernsey studied law in Cooperstown, N. Y., in 1853-4 and in Rochester in 1855-6, in Buffalo in 1857-8, and came to New York City in November, 1858, where he continued the practical study of the law, and in June, 1859, was admitted to the bar and in
Angust of the same year he began the practice of the law in New York City and continued it until the present time. He also resided in the city all of that time. He has made a specialty of some particular branch of the law from time to time during his practice, and has participated in many noted cases and in many of public importance. He has been a resident of the Bronx since the spring of 1878 and has always taken a lively interest in the welfare of the borough, particularly since the summer of 1894, when he partly withdrew from his former active professional work and applied himself to public matters in various ways. He has never held any public office. In 1883 he built the residence in Bathgate Avenue, where he now resides, near East 174th Street, with his wife and daughter. His office address is 58 Pine Street, Manhattan. He has always reverted to literature and the study of science and history as a means of diversion fron his professional labors and to recuperate from overwork. He always has a "hobby" to work on. He has read many papers before various literary, national and scientific associations and has contributed many articles for journals and magazines upon legal, scientific, historical and literary subjects during the past forty-six years, many of which have been re-printed in pamphlet form, including "Juries and Physicians on Questions of In- sanity," read before the New York Medico-Legal Society in
ROCELLUS SHERIDAN GUERNSEY
November, 1872; "Municipal Law and its Relation to the Con- stitution of Man," 1874; "Medico-Legal Sciences," "The Examina- tion of Titles to Land in England and in the United States," "Law Reform in Pleadings," 1873; "Suicide, History of the Penal Laws Relating to it." "Ecclesiastical Law in Hamlet," read before the New York Shakespeare Society in 1885, of which he was then first vice-president ; "Faxation and Its Relation to Capi- tal and Labor," 1807; "Utilitarian Principles of Taxation and Their Relation to Altruismn," a serial in twelve numbers in the
LOUIS A. VAN DOREN
SMITH WILLIAMSON
T. CHANNON PRESS
HON. JOHN P. COHALAN
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
Sanitarian, 1901-2. The foundation of his manner of considering and treating the subject of taxation is to show how municipal taxation may be directed and extended to effect beneficial reforms. He claims and discusses those questions from the standpoint of a system which has the maxim of "the greatest good to the greatest number," with which term all readers of Bentham and Spencer are familiar. He argues that these utilitarian princi- ples of taxation have the same starting point that all moral and enlightened municipal laws have; that taxation and revenue from it should be to conserve individuals in life, liberty and the pur- suit of wealth, and the enjoyment that arises from it, should be applied, appropriately, to the particular conditions existing, or to which it is aimed. Without some humanitarian end in view in the law imposing taxes, there is no check to the operation of legislation in its efforts to obtain revenue for public uses. The distribution of the greatest amount of happiness may be con- sidered to be for the general welfare and greatest good of a community-permanent good, as distinguished from momentary pleasure. The prime necessaries of life, those of the most com- mon and extensive use, should be taxed at the minimum, and luxuries at the maximum. The tax on land and dwelling places, and on food, water and clothing should be made as little as con- ditions will allow. Public improvements should also be made with the end in view of "the greatest good to the greatest num- ber." The few should not be taxed for the benefit of the niany, nor the many for the benefit of the few. Among the dozen sub- jects then discussed are "Taxation for Protection of Human Life," "Taxation of Water," "Taxation and the Tenement House Problem," and sanitary appliances, generally, in connection with food, light, air, and their effect on health, longevity, and the de- velopment of man. The utilitarian principles of taxation, Mr. Guernsey asserts, can be applied in as complete a system as can the science of government, both of which should be in harmony with the economic needs and social conditions of a community or state, and the system applied to a community with an appro- priate end, in view with a regard to its effects-other than econo- mic; that there is a natural law in the business world as well as in the physical and moral world; that in each case these laws will follow the line of the least resistance, and will be oppressive when not appropriate .. In his essay on Taxation and its Rela- tion to Capital and Labor he says: "Some of the wisest princi- ples and keenest observers have said, the greatest good to the greatest number is the foundation of legislation and of morals. It is as broad as humanity and as deep as justice and as eternal as the heavens-the great commandment of the religion of humanity. The near approach to this in a nation shows the degrees of civili- zation that it has reached. Let our state and national law unite and co-operate in this and the result will be sublime!" He is a member of the American Historical Association and a trustee of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. In 1874 in a paper read before the New York Genealogical and Biographi- cal Society he first suggested that the names of all those that fought for the growth and establishment of the nation should be preserved and commemorated. He said : "Military heroism is not confined to leaders of armies and titled warriors. Of the latter thousands of volumes have been written. They do not need me to advocate their memory. But the names of the alinost unknown braves who have fallen in the ranks in their country's . cause-they 'that have known the cross without the crown of glory' -- are yet to be rescued from oblivion, and their names should be placed in every public library in the United States. The memory of the heroes of the war for our national independence "should properly claim our first attention. They were all heroes that fought in that war, and they were men who knew their duties
and 'their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain.' The 'lives, the fortunes, and the sacred honor' of the signers of the Declaration of Independence would have been of no avail without these brave and patriotic soldiers. What can be a more noble and appro- priate offering and patriotic exhibition at the coming celebration of the centennial anniversary of our national independence than that each state furnish a roll of its men, both rank and file, who fought to establish our National Government? I would also add all those who have since fallen or fought in our country's battles. Nothing can be more noble and appropriate on that occasion than this! I ask your influential co-operation to carry out this de- sign. Every Genealogical and Biographical Society in this land, as well as every Historical Society, should exert its influence and lend its aid in this effort.
"New York has never been behind in furnishing patriotic men to fight our national battles; therefore we should not now hesitate to have placed upon record the names and deeds of her numerous sons."
The subject was discussed in the journals of the day and it was undoubtedly the origin of the Sons of the Revolution, many patriotic societies, and has led to the publication of the rolls of Revolutionary soldiers in many States. Among his historica! writings, the most notable of which is "New York City and Vicinity During the War of 1812-15," in two large volumes, which appeared in 1889 and 1895. For this work the City Com mon Council gave him a vote of thanks in 1896. In 1902 he read a paper before the New York Historical Society on "Religious Liberty in Colonial New York."
Among his publications in book form are "Mechanics' Lien Laws of New York City," (1873) ; and "Key to Story's Equity Jurisprudence," (1875). A bibliography of his writings con- tains more than forty titles, besides his articles that have not been published in book or pamphlet form and others that have not been printed. He was one of the early members of the New York Medico-Legal Society, and has read many papers before it. He was one of the incorporators of the New York Shakespeare Society in 1885. He organized the New York State Taxpayers' Association in 1894, and is now chairman of that body. He has for many years been the chairman of the Committee on Taxa- tion and Assessments of the Taxpayers' Alliance of the Borough of the Bronx, and corresponding secretary of that body, and has made many important reports on matters that have been before it for consideration. He has been since 1894 active in all move. ments to reform national, state and municipal taxation and has written much on those subjects. Was one of the promotors of the New York State Franchise Tax Law of 1899, and ever vigi- lant in efforts to enforce it.
The authority for the franchise tax law, he contends, is founded upon the principle that publie ownership of property gives legislative control of its use, which in most cases of public utilities is preferable to municipal ownership for purposes of revenue for profit over the cost of operation. He still has the fervor and enthusiasm of his youth and his efforts are likely to continue for many years to come and his knowledge of men and public matters and his acquirements will be further available for the public benefit in the lines he has chosen and in which he seems to be particularly adapted.
LOUIS O. VAN DOREN .- The subject of this sketch is the son of the late Charles A. Van Doren and Anna Wood Smith, his wife, and was born in the City of New York on Sep- ternber 21, 1863. Upon his father's side he is descended from the Van Dorens who came from Holland in 1630 and settled on Long Island, where one of them, the Rev. William 11. Van
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
Doren, was the first minister of the gospel on that island. The branch of the family from which our subject is descended early left Long Island and settled in the County of Freehold in the State of New Jersey. They were active patriots in the Revo- lution and were soldiers under Washington. Twelve Van Dorens were in Col. Van Cleef's regiment in the Revolutionary Army at the fierce and important battle of Monmouth. Upon his mother's side Mr. Van Doren is descended from a Quaker family who came over with William Penn and settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and by the same line is a descendant of one of the first Colonial governors of New Jersey. His father, the late Charles A. Van Doren, took up his residence in the Bronx as early as 1853. His father's brother, the late Dr. Mat- thew Dikeman Van Doren, married a daughter of Jordan L. Mott. At that time the Bronx was just beginning its growth. The great estate of Gouverneur Morris was almost intact, and most of the Bronx was divided into large holdings. Jordan L. Mott bought a large parcel of land from Gouverneur Morris running westerly of Third Avenue, then known as Boston Road, and seeing with prophetic vision the future growth of the Bronx, Mr. Mott laid down the foundations of his great iron business at the southern end of his purchase and dividing the balance up into lots was the first man to advertise lots for sale at low prices and by broadside advertisements. This was the begin- ning of Mott Haven and Mr. Mott interested his son-in-law, Dr. Van Doren, in the new community of Mott Haven and through him the late Charles A. Van Doren. Charles A. Van Doren, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a lawyer of learning and ability, a Master of Arts of the University of New York and an accomplished scholar and was for many years Mr. Jordan L. Mott's chief counsel. His residence at 145th Street and Third Avenue was a pretty country villa and from it 145th Street was originally named Villa Place. St. Paul's Dutch Reformed Church at 146th Street and Third Avenue was designed by the Rev. William T. Van Doren, another brother, and constructed upon his designs and with funds raised by him and he was its first pastor. There is a touch of romantic history attached to the old residence of Charles A. Van Doren. He was an Abo- litionist and later and always a Republican, and during the war was assistant quartermaster general in charge of New York City with General, afterward President, Arthur; both being on the staff of Governor Morgan. Before the war there was a con- stant stream of escaping slaves flecing from the South towards New England, Canada and freedom, and as their goings were secret it was in current phrase said that they made their jour- neys by the "Underground Road." There was nothing under ground about their road, strictly speaking. They travelled by night and towards New England and naturally choose the Bos- ton Road or highway to Boston as their way. These escaping slaves were passed from one sympathizer to another, being taken in at the dead of night and refreshed, and if necessary, held over until with the coming of another night, they could safely resume their journey. Charles A. Van Doren did not hesitate to give these escaping slaves the hospitality of his residence and the old house was one of the "stations," so called, of the legendary "Underground Road." At the height of the move- ment of the escaping slaves his residence often contained some of these fugitives and guarded them safely from discovery and pursuit. Mr. Louis O. Van Doren was brought up to the law. After early tuition at home he entered old Grammar School No. 60, then presided over by Jonathan D. Hyatt, and he graduated therefrom in 1878 and entered the College of the City of New York at the age of fifteen years. After a five years' course in that institution Mr. Van Doren was graduated therefrom with
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