USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
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"Grief filled the room up of his absent child, Laid in his bed, walked up and down with him ; Put on his well known looks, repeated all his words, Reminded him of all his gracious parts, Stuffed out his vacant garments with his form."
But his sorrow is at an end, the valley and the shadow are past, he sleeps well and peacefully by the side of him whose loss silenced the music of his life. In private life Mr. Smith was a valuable and influential citizen. Kindness was innate in his nature. As he possessed a fund of pleasing anec- dote, set off by lively wit and sparkling repartee he was a favorite in the social circle. "To those who loved him not he was lofty and sour," and to his enemies who crossed his path in hatred he was im-
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placable and agressive in his resentment. In the death of Mr. Smith, Dansville lost one of its best citizens, and the bar of Livingston county one of its most gifted members.
GEORGE HYLAND.
It is always a subject of regret when the lives of prominent and useful men are permitted to end in influence as in duration, at the entrance of the grave. A long career of useful labor is an object of contemplation far too fruitful and suggestive to be suffered to pass quickly out of memory. The restless waves of busy human life soon erase, in spite of us, the most cherished recollections unless gathered up and crystallized into some more per- manent and abiding form. It is for the purpose of arresting, and in a measure preserving, the mem- ory of those whose honorable and virtuous lives demand reverence; whose usefulness, gratitude- and whose faults are forgotten in that excellence which challenges the action of time, that this his- tory of Livingston county is given to the public. That the long, useful and interesting career of George Hyland fully entitles him to honorable mention in these pages, none will deny ; for he was one of those who aided in giving Livingston county the proud name she bears in the history of the Em- pire State.
Mr. Hyland was born in the parish of Droma- hair, county of Leitrim, Ireland, June 21st, 1803. When he was fourteen years old he emigrated with his father's family to America, landing at Quebec ; from thence he went to York-now Toronto- where the family became permanent residents. Two years later Mr. Hyland lost his father, "leav- ing me," he said, "all America to get my living in, with nothing but my hands, my natural love of la- bor and a determination to succeed in the world with which to get that living." With a cheerful submission to the lot which Providence had as- signed him, he entered upon the duties and re- sponsibilities before him. For several years he alternately worked on the farm and attended school. In this way he acquired a good practical edu- cation.
In the year 1820, he commenced learning the trade of a hatter in Toronto. He was there en- gaged until the year 1824, industriously and per- severingly devoting himself to the acquisition of a thorough knowledge of the calling he had adopted for a livelihood.
From Toronto, after going to Prescott, Mr. Hyland went to Ogdensburg. When he arrived there he had only twenty cents in his pocket, but he soon found employment, and with industry and economy he accumulated quite a sum of money. After working some time at Ogdensburg, he went to Bethel, N. Y., where he attended school nearly a year, working at his business morning and even- ing, and in that way earning enough to defray his expenses.
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LITTLE
Photo. bv Betts, Dansville.
Hyland
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GEORGE HYLAND, DR. JAMES FAULKNER.
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In the month of May, 1829, he became a resi- dent of Dansville, N. Y., for the remainder of his life. Here he opened a hat, fur and dry goods store, and commenced business for himself.
As we have said in another place, his prompt, energetic, industrious business habits and his in- tegrity, brought an abundant reward and gave him a high position among the business men of Living- ston county. To his enterprise and public spirit Dansville is largely indebted for its prosperity and beauty. Among the monuments that perpetuate his memory and evince his public spirit is the fine, tasteful and very commodious hotel edifice which bears his name. He was a man of much more than ordinary intellectual strength. His intelli- gence and rapid perceptive powers were proverbi- ally practical and always at his command. Out- spoken, honest, direct, and yet courteous in his in- tercourse with his fellow-citizens, he always had their confidence and esteem, subject, of course, to the criticism which rivalry in business always en- genders, but which ends with the occasion.
In the autumn of 1860 he was elected Member of Assembly from Livingston county. In that dis- tinguished body his large fund of information, his ready and acceptable use of language and tact in debate, his uncompromising honor and sense of right, and his independence of character gave him a high position among his fellow legislators, ren- dering his public services of great value to his con- stituents.
In his political faith he was at first a Whig, and then a Republican. He was a zealous, untiring partisan ; but his zeal was tempered by a moder- ation and sagacity which enlarged his influence and usefulness. The native eloquence which disting- uished him often exhibited itself during active cam- paigns in brief, pointed and stirring addresses from the political rostrum, to which he was often called by his fellow citizens. He was never known to ask for an office. It is true he once held the office of Postmaster for a brief period, but when Andrew Johnson, who was then president, entered upon his policy, Mr. Hyland openly denounced it, though he knew the consequences would be the loss of the office he held. When elected to the Assembly, the position was tendered him by an unexpected and nearly unanimous nomination.
In his dealing with men he was exact, and prompt. Having once lost confidence in a person it required a long probation of good conduct to restore it. He had strong prejudices, but they were balanced by equally strong and generous sym- pathies. This brings us to say that he was a bitter, aggressive enemy, but a warm and liberal friend. There was a sort of humorous method in his likes and dislikes which exhibited the lights and shades of his character just as the angles of a diamond exhibit its brilliancy.
He was not regarded as a close man in pecun- iary matters. We have known repeated instances of Mr. Hyland's lenity to persons indebted to him, amounting nearly to a discharge of the demand.
We are quite sure that there are many who are
indebted to his relieving hand, extended in the hour of dark adversity, for the prosperity and hap- piness which they and their families now enjoy.
Indeed, we know of several in whose eyes moist jewels of gratitude will gather as they read these lines, for his acts of kindness :-
"Which leave upon the silent shore Of memory, images and precious thoughts That shall not die, and cannot be destroyed."
Mr. Hyland often exhibited the generous im- pulses of his nature. There are many who have been recipients of his bounty and yet ignorant of the hand that gave them.
Modest and unassuming himself, he disliked all attempts at display in others. A modest, unpre- tending man in home-spun clothes would gain his respect, while a conceited, meritorious person though in a genteel dress, was sure to meet his contempt.
On August 15th, 1833, Mr. Hyland was united in marriage to Sarah, danghter of Maj. Tom Lemen, the widow of Jacob Sholl. Mrs. Hyland possessed all those amiable traits of character which adorn her sex. In her relations to society she so deported herself as to gain the esteem of all who knew her. As a wife and mother she was affectionate, consid- erate and faithful. She was born February 28th, 1778, and died Sept. Ist, 1866. The death of few persons have been more sincerely lamented than Mrs. Hyland's, few persons have a stronger abiding place in the memory of surviving friends than she. It is therefore needless to add that Mr. Hyland's marriage was the source of much happiness to him. There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hyland. One of these was a daughter who died very young. Col. George Hyland, a gallant officer in the recent war for the Union, and subsequently Sheriff of Livingston county-a leading and dis- tinguished citizen,-and John Hyland, Esq., the present Postmaster of Dansville-a citizen of the highest intelligence, generally esteemed for his high sense of honor, his geniality and enterprise-are sons of Mr. Hyland, who survive him.
DR. JAMES FAULKNER.
James Faulkner is nearly the sole survivor of that adventurous band, who, in the flush and ani- mation of youth penetrated the wilderness of Western New York-a pioneer, who made his home among the red men of the forest, who aided in erecting churches, school houses, stores and facto- ries where he had seen the council fires of the Indians light up the unbroken wilderness. Hence, through him one generation speaks its thoughts, feelings and appeals to another. The reminis- cences of his early days, lighted up by keen observa- tion and perpetuated by a remarkably retentive memory and an intelligent relation-his recollec- tion of the distinguished men who were his cotem- poraries, form a history as instructive as it is enter- taining.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
His paternal grandfather emigrated from Ireland to America before the Revolutionary war and set- tled in New Jersey. In the year 1784 he removed from New Jersey to Cambridge, Washington county, where he purchased a large tract of land and became a leading farmer and business man of that county. He was the father of several sons. His third was Samuel, who was the father of the subject of this sketch. His eldest son was Daniel Faulkner, who, in the year 1796, laid out the village of Dansville and from whom it received its name. His second son was Judge James Faulkner, who re- ceived a liberal education, entered the medical pro- fession, becoming an eminent physician and sur- geon. Immediately after receiving his medical di- ploma he settled at Painted Post, Steuben county, N. V. His fame as a physician and surgeon, his rare and versatile talents, his learning, and knowl- edge of men and the springs of human nature gave him a conspicuous place in public affairs. In January, 1803, he was appointed First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Steuben county, by Gen. George Clinton, then Governor of the state of New York. Though not bred to the bar, be possessed many accomplishments that qualified him for the high judicial position to which he was appointed. He presided over the Steuben county courts until February, 1813,-a period of ten years-when he resigned his office and retired to private life.
Dr. James Faulkner was born at Cambridge, Washington county, January 21, 1790. He is a son of Samuel and Catharine Faulkner. Ilis father was a farmer, a man of intelligence, possess- ing great energy, industry and probity of character. Ile married Catherine Phoenix, the daughter of a highly reputable citizen of Cambridge-a woman greatly beloved by all who knew her-a model wife and mother. When James was six years of age his father removed with his family to Dansville, N. Y. As they were leaving for this, then distant region, at least two hundred miles to the westward-to them the far West -- their friends bade them a tear- ful farewell, under the conviction that so distant was their place of destination, so fatiguing and dangerous their journey -- most of the way through a dense wilderness-that they would never meet them again in life. What a change time has wrought in overcoming distance. Now Dansville is but a few hours' distant from Washington county, and a journey to the most distant parts of the con- tinent can be made in much less time than the jour- ney of a few hundred miles undertaken by the father of Dr. Faulkner in 1796. He was ten days on the road, reaching Dansville, January 8th, 1797. In the year 1801, young Faulkner became a resi- dent-with his father-of Geneseo, N. Y. Here he resided until the year 1805, when the elder Faulkner died.
Judge Faulkner, whom we have described, an unele of James', pleased with his intelligence and promise, immediately adopted him as his son, educated him and prepared him to enter the pro- fession of medicine. In the year 1810, young
Faulkner entered the college of Physicians and Surgeons of the city of New York, from whence he was graduated in March, 1812. Immediately after receiving his medical diploma he returned to Dans- ville and commenced the successful practice of his profession. In June, 1812, he was united by mar- riage to Miss Minerva Hammond, a daughter of Amariah Hammond, a pioneer settler, an eminent, respected and wealthy citizen of Dansville.
In the year 1815 Dr. Faulkner became the pur- chaser of an extensive paper-mill in Dansville, and about the same time, he purchased a large tract of land, a great part of which is now within the limits of the village. The consideration of these pur- chases amounted to a large sum of money, exceed- ing his means by at least $16,000. The prompt manner in which Dr. Faulkner paid off this large indebtedness, is an eloquent tribute to his energy, ability and enterprise. But the details of his large and increasing business made such importunate de- mands upon his time that he was compelled to abandon his profession ; though such was his reputation as a physician and surgeon, that, for many years, he was frequently called to counsel with the physicians in the village and in the sur- rounding country.
The paper-mill to which we have alluded is still standing on the estate of Dr. Faulkner. in the western part of the village, a landmark of the past and a monument of the early enterprise of its owner. For many years it was one of the princi- pal paper manufactories of Western New York. There are many still living who remember the pic- ture of the old mill, which embellished the thous- ands of reams of paper that found their way into most of the wholesale and retail stores of the North- ern States.
This mill was operated by Dr. Faulkner, with great pecuniary success, until the year 1839, when it was converted into a large tannery. Many years ago Dr. Faulkner erected the large flouring-mill, which has been conducted with such success by his son-in-law, John C. Williams, that the flour he has manufactured in it has attained precedence over all other brands in Western New York.
Dr. Faulkner's mental qualities were combined with and regulated by an intelligence so rarely at fault, as to place him at the head of the business men of the county, and enabled him to amass a large fortune. The times and the condition of the country demanded men like him, to develope its resources.
Another remarkable mental feature in Dr. Faulkner is his iron will. This, joined to his sys- tematie mind and well-poised prudence, preserved him from that redundancy of enterprise which so often embarrass and defeat the efforts of the brightest business intellects.
It would be strange, indeed, if a mind consti- tuted like his should remain inactive in politics. By the very make of his nature, and by the "tunes of the times," he was forced into the political arena -- though he was never a place seeker.
As his powers of organization and combination
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DR. JAMES FAULKNER.
were unsurpassed, by common consent he was a field officer in the battle line of politics. He en- tered active life a few years after the great triumph of Jefferson and Democracy over the great aristo- cratic Federal party, and his political faith was founded on the principles of the great apostles of popular rights. In other words, he has always been a Jeffersonian Democrat. In his political career he was the friend and compeer of illustrious men of the past, whose names are embalmed in their country's history. Even now, at his ad- vanced age, his memory of those men and the stir- ring events which marked their career, is clear and distinct, and his description of them is pleasing, suggestive and instructive. Martin Van Buren was his counsel in an important law-suit in which he was interested, and which terminated in that great tribunal of last resort-the Court for the Correc- tion of Errors. Dr. Faulkner's description of Van Buren's person reminds one of Boswell's descrip- tion of Wilberforce when addressing the electors of his district from the hustings. "I saw," said he, "what seemed a mere shrimp mount the platform ; and I wondered what he could say ; but, as 1 lis- tened to him, such was his eloquence, that he grew and grew, until the shrimp became a whale."
In the spring of 1815 James Faulkner was elected Supervisor of the town of Sparta, which then embraced the territory now included in the towns of Dansville, West Sparta and Sparta, all of which then belonged to the county of Steuben. By nearly continuous elections he continued to represent Sparta in the Board of Supervisors of Steuben county until the year 1821, when that town was annexed to Livingston county. After this he represented the town so many years, that to use his own language, " I have almost forgot their number."
In the autumn of 1824 Dr. Faulkner was elected Member of Assembly from Livingston county, taking his seat in that body January 4th, 1825. In the fall of that year he was reelected and com- menced his second Legislative term on the 3d of January, 1826. The celebrated Samuel Young so conspicuous in the history of the State, was speaker of the house. Dr. Faulkner became a favorite and friend of Col. Young. The Doctor's description of him is so characteristic that we can not refrain from giving it a place in our history. " He was to most people like a crab apple, sour, bitter and tough,-as pure as the purest ; his intel- lect was as keen as he was crabbed and pure. To his friends, however, he was as sweet and as gentle as a woman." No description of Col. Young that has ever been written exceeds this in truth.
In the Legislative session of 1825 Faulkner made the acquaintance of the illustrious statesman and orator, Silas Wright, who was then a member of the State Senate from the county of St. Law- rence.
The friendship that there commenced between himself and Mr. Wright was never changed by any vicissitudes of time or of changes in others. In- deed it grew brighter with the lapse of years.
Among the other distinguished men who are enrolled on Dr. Faulkner's list of early friends are Gen. Erastus Root, a historic character in the State and Nation, William L. Marcy, the first of American statesman, John C. Spencer, the illus- trious lawyer, legislator and adviser.
In April, 1826, Dr. Faulkner retired from his legislative duties to private life, and from that time until 1842 he devoted himself exclusively to the details of his business. It is a truthful saying that it requires more real talent, more executive ability, to become a successful business man than it does to become eminent in any of the professions. In his career as a business man, as we have already said, Dr. Faulkner stood preëminent.
With all his assiduous attention to business, Dr. Faulkner continued a moving and controlling power in the political field. Whenever the Demo- cratic forces mustered, obedient to the Slogan cry of their party, Dr. Faulkner was foremost in the marching column, always leading the charge- always confident of victory, and if defeated always ready for another charge.
In the fall of 1842, he was nominated for the office of State Senator from the then Sixth Senato- rial District, which consisted of the counties of Chenango, Chemung, Tioga, Steuben, Livingston and Allegany. After a desperate political contest he was elected and commenced his Senatorial duties January 3d, 1843. He continued in the Senate until April 18th, 1846, when he retired from public life to the duties of business, never again to leave those duties.
We should have stated that in February, 1835, Dr. Faulkner was appointed an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Livingston county, by his early friend William L. Marcy, who was then Governor of the State. William H. Smith, of Caledonia, was the First, or presiding Judge of that Court, and that honored citizen of Livingston county, Dr. David H. Bissell, of Geneseo, was one of Dr. Faulkner's associates on the Bench, he having been appointed to that position by Mr. Marcy. It is no affectation to say, that the Court of Common Pleas presided over by Smith, Faulk- ner and Bissell was a tribunal that gained the respect of the bar and the public to an almost un- precedented degree.
When Dr. Faulkner was elected to the Senate, he resigned his Judicial position.
Though Dr. Faulkner never in any sense aspired to the role of orator, he was one of those who could gain influence and usefulness without much speak- ing, and as a legislator he left upon the records of the Senate and Assembly indubitable evidence of his ability and usefulness.
We have omitted one recognition, James Faulk- ner's ability as a physician and surgeon, that should have a place in these memoirs. In the year 1813, during the war with England he was appointed on the staff of Gen. McClure, and with that officer moved to the seat of war on the northern frontier. His associates on that staff subsequently ranked among the most distinguished men of their times.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Among them was William B. Rochester, John C. Spencer and David Cruger.
Such is the outline history of the more public life of James Faulkner. He has always been a strong, often a bitter partisan. For this we com- mend him; for the man who is not a strong par- tisan is without convictions, or if he has convic- tions, he is false to them and to his friends. Dr. Faulkner never knew how to be hypocritical; nor how to apostatize ; nor how to "keep the word of promise to the ear and break it to the hope," always acting his honest convictions without fear of consequences. He is, however, a systematic hater, and has always tendered his enemies a square battle. With him the contest always went on until defeat or victory terminated it, and he was ever ready to give and receive blows until the last. He was always for a clean victory or clean defeat.
Dr. Faulkner has always been retiring and un- ostentatious in his life and in his manners, and he has never sought that general acquaintance and no- toriety in which persons differently constituted find delight ; but those who do enjoy his confidence and esteem understand that though not demonstra- tive his friendship is strong and enduring, and by such he is beloved.
There is something like coldness and reserve in his exterior ; but those who are best acquainted with him see in this a contempt of meaningless professions, and beneath it a generous nature and a warm heart. Through life he has been the dis- penser of charities, most of them known only to himself and their recipients. In his publie career, though long and prominent, there was nothing that was impure-nothing that detracted from the strict- est morality.
In the fierce battle of life he has been success- ful, and now at a ripe old age, with his work well done, in the sanctity of his domestic relations the sun of his life is descending with pleasing mem- ories and an abiding hope and confidence that when the day of life shall close forever, another will dawn in a world of happy immortality.
In his domestic relations, Dr. Faulkner has every reason to congratulate himself, though death has taken his beloved and affectionate wife and four of his children out of the seven who have been born to him. Seldom has there been a fam- ily of children who have reflected more honor upon parents than those of Dr. and Mrs. Faulkner, as a plain, unvarnished reference to some of them will show.
Endress, born in 1819, after graduating with distinction at Yale College, entered the legal pro- fession, and after winning high distinction at the bar, died at the early age of 33. Samuel Dorr Faulkner, born November 14th, 1835, like his brother Endress, was graduated at Vale College, in the class of 1859. Afterwards he prepared for the bar at the Albany Law School and was admit- ted to practice in January, 1860. He arose rapidly in his profession, and attained high distinction as a legal and political orator, 'Thes_ attainments
gave him a high rank among the leaders of the Democratic party of the State-the party to which he gave an intellectual and abiding allegianee. In the autumn of 1865, he was nominated by his party for Member of Assembly for the Second Assembly district of Livingston county. He was triumphantly elected over his opponent, though supported by a heavy majority. In the fall of 1871 he was nominated by his party for the office of County Judge, and was elected over a Republi- can majority of at least twelve hundred. In the fall of 1877 he was reelected County Judge, but hardly had he closed the first year of his second Judicial term when death terminated his useful and brilliant career.
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