USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 55
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Mr. Miller was popular with his colleagues. He was capable of every achievement to which he set himself. He was a tireless worker, a close student, a believer in com- mon sense methods, and never shrank from any task which the welfare of his great constituency assigned to him. Mr. Miller was first appointed in 1882 a member of the committee on Commerce, and Post Offices and Post Roads. In 1883 he was made a member of the committee on Education and Labor. In 1884 he was assigned to the committees on Finance. In 1886 he was made chairman of the committee on Agri- culture, which afterward included Forestry. From these committees emanated some of the most important legislation of the period covering Mr. Miller's service. It is im- possible to enumerate at length all the legislation affecting the business and commerce of New York and the country to the enactment of which Mr. Miller successfully de- voted himself. Among the most important was the head-money tax law, by which more than $250,000 a year is saved to the people of New York, and the entire burden of the support of Castle Garden lifted from their shoulders. The tax on our internal marine for the support of marine hospitals was abolished by his efforts. The so-called Dingley bill shows his handiwork in all its parts as a member of the special joint com- mittee on the decline of the American merchant marine. Ile aided in protecting sailors from the extortions of boarding-bouse keepers and of the men engaged in shipping crews. He began the movement and secured the first appropriation for deepening the water over Sandy Hook bar, an improvement which added greatly to the commercial advantages of the metropolis. He also scenred a large number of much needed ap- propriations for the development of our several harbors in the annnal river and harbor bills. He thoroughly believed in the policy of internal improvements, as he believed
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in the ceaseeless prosperity of our country which demanded these improvements, and he could not be driven by threats or criticism from this position, which proved to be the right one, showing his far-seeing good judgment as in many other directions. Mr. Miller was also a member of the special committee of the Senate which investigated the transportation problem, the result of whose labors was the existing law for the regulation of railroads. In the consideration of the Chinese exclusion act, his votes were uniformly cast for the most rigid measures, because he felt that the Mongolian was of necessity an alien in the United States, incapable of assimilation, and because he realized that the American laborer could not compete with him. To that ad- vanced ground the country has since come. He also took a strong position in advo- cating all measures to prevent the evil of contract labor importation, and it was largely through his efforts that the bill prohibiting the importation of contract labor was perfected in the committee on Education and Labor, whence it was reported by him to the Senate, and which passed that body. In this connection he took a posi- tion against the ownership of large farms. The eight-hour law also found an earnest champion in Mr. Miller, again demonstrating his large-hearted sympathy with the laboring classes.
Mr. Miller's first great speech in the Senate was an elaborate explanation and vindi- cation of the principle and the operation of the protective tariff. The free trade lead- ers read carefully prepared arguments which Mr. Miller answered each time in extended extemporaneous speeches, which attracted the close attention of his colleagues and the country, and which were powerful agencies in carrying the tariff bill of 1882-3 to a successful issue. He believed in protection, for the benefit of American labor, he op- posed "free raw materials," he fought successfully for the preservation of the duty on aniline dye colors, and his defence of the duty on salt and the glass industries of the country was earnest and effective. He also led the contest in favor of keeping the duty on cigars. But his greatest struggle in tariff legislation was in fixing the duty on iron ore. He held fast to the principle that the resources of our own country should be developed and brought into use. He contended for a tariff rate of one dollar per ton. The tariff commission had recommended fifty cents, which had been approved by the Senate Committee. The rate was finally fixed at seventy-five cents, and his efforts in this matter were recognized as most powerful.
When the Senate committees were organized, at the beginning of Mr. Miller's sec- ond year, he was given his choiee of chairmanships from a number of vacant commit- tees. To the surprise of all, and against the remonstrances of friends, he chose the committee on Agriculture. The fact that this committee had heretofore done nothing, determined the senator to identify himself with it. The result showed his good judg- ment, for lie made a record for himself and the committee which attracted universal attention. It was in this committer that the measure for the extirpation of pleuro- pneumonia among cattle was perfected, and one of his crowning efforts was his suc- cessful championship of the bill to place a tax on oleomargarine. This bill had passed the House with a proclamation that it must be killed in the Senate. The manufac- furers of the product sent a powerful and determined lobby to Washington to defeat the bill. They sought to have it referred to the Finance Committee where it was
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hoped to smother it, but Mr. Miller's valiant fight sent it to the committee on Agricul- ture, from wlience it was favorably reported. It became a law, and another victory- a victory for honest butter-was placed to Mr. Miller's credit, But the most signifi- cant work in the direction of promoting the interests of agriculture, performed by the senator, was in his successful advocacy of the bill creating a new cabinet office, to be known as the Department of Agriculture. This measure Mr. Miller succeeded in carry- ing through the Senate shortly before the expiration of his term. It will be seen that in some respects the most important work performed by Senator Miller was in con- nection with the general welfare of the agricultural interests of the country. He kept a watchful eye upon all that concerned the farmer and never missed an opportunity to speak in behalf of the great pursuit which lies at the root of our prosperity, and it was well said by that veteran observer of men and events in Washington -- Ben. Perley Poore-that "Warner Miller was the first man to give agriculture a national promi- nence in the Senate."
Taken altogether, Mr. Miller's service as a legislator was of inestimable value to his own State and to the country. His sound judgment, his vigilance, and his devotion to the best interests of the people, place him in the foremost rank among the able states- men of his time. He was a tireless worker and a most faithful public servant, making a proud record for himself, and justifying the most earnest expectations of his friends. He accepted his election to the United States Senate in 1881 without elation, mod- estly setting himself to work to serve his great constituency to the utmost of his ability. He grew with his work and his experience, and reached the stature of a typical states- man. His defeat for re-election in 1887 was accepted without complaint, censure or criticism. His friends believed him justly entitled, by his eminent service to the indorse- ment, which a re-election would imply, labored zealously for him, and will ever believe that his defeat was the forerunner and the cause of the disasters which have overtaken his party in this State since that time.
Mr. Miller's political experiences have been varied and interesting. He has always been a believer in and an advocate of honest politics. For many years he directed the Republican organization in Herkimer county. He became an influential factor in State politics and his opinions always carried weight. He presided over the first Republican. State Convention held after his election as senator in 1881, held in New York. His opening address was a memorable one. The convention was held soon after the death of President Garfield. "We meet under the shadow of a great sorrow," was his well- remembered opening sentence. In 1882 he labored at Saratoga for the renomination of Governor Cornell. Secretary Folger was nominated and defeated by Cleveland, who then began his march as a "man of destiny." At the State Convention held at Richfield Springs in 1883, he was chosen permanent president. In that convention he actively pressed a movement for a larger representation in State Conventions, based on Re- publican vote rather than the fixed plan of three from each assembly district. His plan was adopted very soon after and has since prevailed. In 1884 he favored the nomination of Blaine for president, which was the result of the Chicago Convention. In 1888 he was a delegate at the National Convention and was active in throwing the vote of New York for the nomination of Benjamin Ifarrison, his intimate associate in
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the Senate. It is not generally known that Mr. Miller himself might have received the nomination had he permitted the real situation to be known among his friends. While the contest was going on several State delegations approached him and offered to give him their votes if the New York delegation would present his name. Ile would not broach the subject to any member of his delegation, and continued his efforts for llarrison. When the Republican State Convention met in the September following, Mr. Miller's name was the only one presented for the nomination of governor, and he was unanimously nominated amid great enthusiasm. The campaign which followed was a remarkable one. Mr. Miller at once began a vigorous campaign. He addressed over seventy meetings and visited nearly every county of the State. Ilis speeches and his endurance were the wonder of his friends. He was brave and frank in his utter- ances and won the respect of his opponents. His party had spoken in its platforms for protection to America industry and for high license. He made a square issue. His experience in the Senate enabled him to present the subject of protection in its best forin, and he courageously made a fight for the home against the saloon. The sa- loon interest made a desperate resistance, raised a large fund, and defeated Mr. Mil- ler at the polls. Unreasoning supporters of Prohibition saw high license and temperance legislation killed for a generation. The plurality counted against him was 19,171.
The Prohibition vote was 30,215. But he came out of the conflict a hero. He had made the contest on a national issue as well, carried New York for Harrison, thus making sure of the latter's election. The newly elected president sent a celebrated telegram to Mr. Miller, in which he referred to the great leader who had " fallen outside the breastworks" Thousands of devoted friends hoped and believed that Mr. Har- rison would at least offer Mr. Miller a position in the cabinet, and a great movement was made with that end in view until checked by Mr. Miller himself. The latter was a delegate at the National Convention at Minneapolis in 1892. He favored the nomi- nation of Mr. James G. Blaine, but he came home and took an active part in the cam- paign for Harrison.
Ever since he entered politics he has been active in every political campaign. Ile is a popular speaker. lle talks common sense in a way to carry conviction. His arguments are straightforward, convincing, plain and unvarnished. Especially in agricultural communities is he a favorite speaker, and the vote cast for him for gov- ernor in the country districts testified to his popularity. He never has stooped to deception or intrigue in any of his political experiences. His word has always been sacredly kept, and he has been alike true to friend and opponent.
In 1889 he was elected president of the Nicaragua Canal Construction Company. A few months afterwards he made an extensive tour of observation in Nicaragua in the interest of the company. The trip was eventful from the fact that he and his party were shipwrecked on Roncador Island in the Caribbean Sea. No lives were lost, and there was little inconvenience beyond a vexatious delay. A boat was rowed seventy miles to another island to give information of the disaster and to arrange for relief. It was an exciting if not an enjoyable incident of the trip. Had the sea been less smooth at the time the vessel went on the treacherous rocks in the early morning, this sketch might have been an obituary. He has visited Europe in the interests of the
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Canal and has also bronght the enterprise to the attention of American capitalists in many States. He has faith with many others that this great projected waterway will be an accomplished fact, that the United States government will in good time indorse the undertaking, and that it will, when completed, revolutionize the commerce of the world. Mr. Miller does not allow his labors in this national work to interfere with careful attention to his large private interests. He is still an extensive manufacturer of wood pulp and paper, with plants at Lyons Falls, Herkimer, and Palmer Falls. He is an influential leader in the association of manufacturers, and must take pride in the fact that he has been such a powerful agent in bringing the manufacture of paper to its present wonderful state. He no doubt contrasts his present influential position with the dark days when he was struggling to make the world know the usefulness of the invention.
Personally, Mr. Miller is a type of vigorous manhood. Blessed with good health, abundant strength, a strong intellect, he stands as a worthy illustration of American pluck and energy. He hates hypocrisy and demagogism, is frank and open in his ways and his friendships, steadfast in his opinions which he believes to be right, a true friend and an honorable opponent. In 1865 he married Caroline Churchill, and his family consists now of his devoted and accomplished wife, one daughter, Angusta, and three sons, Max, Burr, and Guy. Miss Miller has been given a com- plete education in this country and has spent two years at institutions in Germany and Italy. Max is engaged in his father's manufactory at Palmer Falls. Burr is an architect in New York city, and Guy is finishing a course at Union University. All his children have been carefully and liberally educated. Mr. Miller's home on his farm at Herkimer is one of the pleasantest residences in the Mohawk valley, overlooking the Mohawk river, two great trunk railroad lines, the Erie Canal and county roadways. A view from his residence is a study in commerce, and may well inspire a sentiment of confidence in the growth and activity of the country. It is here that Herkimer county's most honored citizen spends his summers among his neighbors and his friends, passing the winter months in the metropolis. Mr. Miller keeps up his interest in national and commercial affairs, and he is an honored guest at every gathering which combines social pleasures with the discussion of questions of vital interests to the metropolis, the State or the country. His public addresses on educational questions in his own and other States rank with his political expressions as valuable contributions to the political, economic and educational literature of his time.
Mr. Miller is now in the full strength of his years and can feel the consciousness that he has given his friends, his State, and the republic the best efforts of his nature, and can already look back upon an honorable and useful life as the proudest legacy be can leave to his people.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
BENJAMIN F. GREENE
Was born in the town of Fairfield, read law in Herkimer, and removed to Chautauqua county, N. Y., and was elected justice of the Supreme Court; he served from 1851 to 1861, having at one time been presiding justice. He was a careful painstaking officer.
EDMUND O'CONOR
Was born in Manheim, read law in Herkimer, removed to Binghamton, Broome county, and is now State Senator, with a good record.
PART II.
FAMILY SKETCHES.
FAMILY SKETCHES.
Abbot, Sardis L., Litchfield, one of the representative farmers of Litchfield, owns a dairy and grain farm of 120 acres. He was highway commissioner for three years, was three times justice of the peace, and held that office for ten years ; he also held the office of assessor for five years. He was born in Cobleskill, Schoharie county, February 19, 1810, and settled in this town April 7, 1834. He married Rebecca Bud- long, a native of this town, and born on this farm, where she lived all her life. She was born May 3, 1811, and she died October 3, 1888, leaving one son, Charles F .; she had two children who died: John J., August 21, 1858, and a daughter, Ophelia L. Maltby, who died September 15, 1878, and left three children : Eugene A., Charles W. and Lelia R. Maltby. Charles F., the only son of Sardis L. and Rebecca Abbott, mar- ried Alice E. Vincent, and they have four children: Florence A., Charles W., Gor- don N. and Robert. Sardis L. Abbott is a son of James P., who was a son of Joseph, a native of Hamden county, Mass. Mrs. Rebecca Abbot was a daughter of John Bud- long, a native of this State, and son of Aaron Budlong. The law in early days was that every boy eighteen years old was liable to military duty, consequently Sardis L. Abbott was enrolled, and went into the ranks, from which he rose to the rank of cap- tain, and after serving four or five years he resigned.
Allen, D. E., German Flats, was born in Mohawk, April 12, 1852, and has been in the furniture business since he was eighteen years of age. In 1886 he married Miss Blanche Elwood. Mr. Allen is a Mason and a man of high standing socially in Mo- hawk. His father, Enos Allen, came to Mohawk in 1840 from Connecticut. His grandfather, Delaney Allen, was a native of Connecticut and the family history ex- tends back two hundred years in this country. This well and favorably known furni- ture business was founded nearly half a century ago by E. Allen, father of the pres- ent proprietor. Some twenty years ago Mr. Allen associated with him his son, D. E. Allen, when it was conducted under the firm name of E. Allen & Son, and finally in 1886, at the death of his father, D. E. Allen assumed sole control ; and he has fully maintained the high reputation of the house which it has always borne for handling the most reliable goods at the most reasonable prices. The warerooms are comprised in a four story building 22 x 60 feet in dimensions and having a floorage area of 6,000 square feet. D. E. Allen was born in Mohawk and is a gentleman of excellent busi- ness standing, enjoying the respect and esteem of the entire community. He is a di- rector of the Mohawk Valley National Bank, the Mohawk Valley Knitting Mills, and the Knitting Company of Mohawk, Limited. He is also the possessor of considerable real estate in the village, and although busily engaged in his enterprise, he still finds
a
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
time to interest Imuself in fine Holstein cattle, and has one of the finest dairy farms of 225 acres in this section of the State, with a creamery and cheese factory attached.
Abrial, John Little Falls, the foreman of George & ITolden's mills, known as the Little Falls Paper Company, is a native of Livingston, Columbia County, N. Y. He has worked successfully in many factories, including Bingham Mills, Glencoe Mills, Livingston, and foreman at Linlithgo. He came to his present position four years ago and three years ago was promoted to the position of foreman. His ancestors were residents of this State for upwards of a century. Mr. Abrial is an expert in all departments of the manufacture, and to his skill and intelligence is due much of the credit for the excellence of the products of these mills.
Ashenhurst, W. F., Little Falls, is a native of Philadelphia and has always been in the plumbing business. At fifteen years of age he began his trade in New York City, re- mamning until 1872. He then went to Oswego and after spending seven years in that city, came to Little Falls in October, 1880, and the following March entered into partnership with Mr. McDermot. Mr. Ashenhurst is a thorough business man, of the highest integrity, and to his own abilities and industry he owes the success that he has met with. He is a high degree Mason, being past high priest of the chapter of R. A. M., and also an officer in the Little Falls Commandery of Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, and in pohties he is a Repub- lican.
Abbott, William H., Little Falls, was born in the State of Maine. Ilis earlier years were passed upon a farm, and when about sixteen years of age he learned the photo- graphic business, a business he has since carried on. Hle, after becoming a skilled artist, traveled for some time and located eventually about thirty-three years ago in Little Falls where he now conducts the leading art studio. Ile was appointed deputy sheriff under Valentine Brown in 1884 and served under him for three years and in 1892, January I, he was again appointed deputy sheriff under Sylvester Wilson of IIerkimer. He has also been foreman of one of the local fire companies. He married Miss Nancy E. Dygert of Little Falls, and has three children : Two sons and one daugh- ter. Sheriff Abbott is thoroughly identified with local, social and benevolent institu- tions and has been just at present writing appointed excise commissioner.
Aland, Charles, Frankfort, was born in London, England, in November, 1855. He was one of three children of Henry and Martha Martin Aland. Hle was educated at ITelperton Academy, Wiltshire. He married Annie E. Weaver, of London, and in 1880 came to the United States, locating at Rome, N. Y. Mr. Aland took charge of an iron foundry, where he remained for five years, when he came to Frankfort, and was placed in charge of the brass and iron foundry of the West Shore Railroad shops, where he has since remained.
Acers, Frank B., Warren, was born in Warren August 22, 1854, and is a son of William E. and Caroline (Duell) Acers. His grandfather, George Acers, came from Vermont and settled north of Little Lakes. He raised a large family and died Septem- ber 23, 1830. Willim E. Acers was born in Vermont March 4, 1788, and came to
FAMILY SKETCHES.
Warren with his parents. He was married three times ; first to Attie Scott, who bore him eight children, and died April 4, 1825; and he married second Margaret Scott, who bore him one child. His third wife was Caroline (Duell) Wall, the mother of our subject. Frank B. Acers began life for himself at the age of fourteen, working by the month. In 1876 he located where he now lives on 150 acres. He is a breeder of Ayrshire cattle, the only one thus engaged in this section ; also of Cotswold sheep, of the Dan McDonald flock, for which McDonald received the first premium at the State Fair. He married June 25, 1875, Josephine, danghter of Lewis and Orpha (Waldron) Staring. They have three children, Carrie L., Grace M. and Kenneth G. He is a Re- publican, and both he and his wife are active in the Methodist church.
Abrams, Professor J. K., principal of the Church Street Union school, Little Falls, was born in the town of Charleston, Montgomery county, N. Y. When nine years old he moved with his parents on a farm near Braman's Corners, Schenectady county, at- tended the village school and worked on the farm when there was no school. When the Princeton Academy opened he entered that institution as a student ; afterward the Charlotte Seminary, where he developed as a mathematician. He began teaching early in the fifties, when it was the ambition of farmers' sons to teach school for $14 per month and board 'round. Twenty-five years ago he came to Little Falls to assume his present position, and has filled it with ability and success ever since. He is the oldest teacher in the county in point of actual teaching, which amounts to almost forty years. During all these years of teaching Prof. Abrams has been a close student of professional literature, besides covering a wide field of general reading. Prof. Abrams is a descendant of an old and honorable German family that came to America in the seventeenth century. He is a Mason and a member of the Presbyterian church. His people on his mother's side came from Connecticut in 1795, and his father serred at Plattsburgh during the war of 1812.
Armstrong, George A., Winfield, was born in Otsego county July 14, 1859, a son of Azariah and Hannah Armstrong. He was educated at the Academy of West Winfield. He read with Dr. J. F. Huntley and studied medicine at the University of New York, graduating in 1884. He commenced practice at Elizabeth, N. J .; after that went to Burlington, Otsego county, where he practiced four years ; then came to West Win- field and bought out Dr. J. F. Huntley, and has been here ever since. Ile married Sep- tember 9, 1885, Emma Kate Greene, of Tarrytown, a daughter of Joseph and Hester Greene, and they have three children living, Vera H., and Allan Stone and Kenneth Greene. They have lost one child, Edna Grant, who died September 24, 1891, aged about one year.
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