USA > New York > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 57
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". His funeral services drew forth all that was best in the American and Roman society. All the Corps Diplomatique at- tended in a body. The Count Gianotti represented the King; the Honorable old Minister Mancini held the cords of his pall, which was borne by the German, Russian, French and English Ambassadors and the Belgian Minister; the noblest members of the Roman aristocracy were present, showing great feeling. Dr. Nevin, his faithful friend, conducted the services. His body was wrapped in the American flag and enclosed in three coffins; a guard of honor was sent by the King; the American Colony, in deep grief and silent tears, followed him to the temporary resting-place in the English cemetery. And so from the most hopeful destiny, from the highest position, in his yonng prime, with all before him to live for, Edward Pierrepont went, nobly escorted, to his early grave. He unconsciously pronounced his own epitaph. In speaking to a lady, who told him that she had written to his parents of his kindness and of his successful social and diplomatic career, he uttered grateful thanks, and with his warm, boyish, cordial smile (which all who have ever seen him will remember), he spoke these modest words: 'I hope that you impressed upon my father that I am trying hard to do my
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
duty.' And there are few monuments in Westminster Abbey that bear a more satisfactory record of the best of all ambitions. "'M. E. W. S.
"'Aix-les-Bains, April 21st, 1885.'
" A very kind letter from Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, Secretary of State, and an extract from the official dispatch which he sends, will end this sketch:
" 'Department of State. ""'Washington, May 11th, 1885.
"' Hon. Edwards Pierrepont, New York City:
" . I have the honor to communicate to you the enclosed of- ficial information of the ceremonies at the American Church of St. Paul's in Rome, on the unusually sad occasion of the final religious services attending the interment of the remains of Edward Pierrepont, late Charge d' Affaires of the United States in Italy, and to express to you not only my personal sympathy with you in this severe bereavement, but the regrets of the De- partment, for the loss of so highly valued an officer.
"'The report of the obsequies which I enclose, evinces the high degree of estimation in which your son was held by the Diplomatic Corps and municipal officers of Rome.
"'I am, Sir, your obedient servant, "'T. F. BAYARD.'
"The official dispatch of Mr. Byers, the Consul General, dated April 19th, 1885, mentioned in the letter of the Secretary of State, after announcing the death, which occurred on the 16th, says:
"' The greatest regret is felt at his death among a large circle of friends in Rome, and his colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps. I need not add how much the regret is shared in by myself and other members of this office, who have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Pierrepont closely and of experiencing daily the fine and kindly traits of his character.
"' The funeral ceremonies took place yesterday, the 18th, at the American Church of St. Paul's, the Rev. Dr. Nevin, Rector of the Church, and the Rev. Jex Blake, Head Master of Rugby College, England, officiating.
""'The whole of the American Colony, with many Italian friends of Mr. Pierrepont, were present. There were also present the entire Diplomatic Corps, his Excellency Signor Mancini,
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Minister of Foreign Affairs, the representatives of the different departments of the government, and of his Majesty the King of Italy, and of the Royal Household.
"'The pall-bearers, as selected by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, his Excellency Baron von Keudell, the German Ambas- sador, were as follows:
"' His Excellency the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
" 'His Excellency the Ambassador of Germany.
". His Excellency the Russian Ambassador.
"'His Excellency the Ambassador of France.
"' His Excellency the Ambassador of England.
"' An Adjutant representing his Majesty the King of Italy.
"'A Delegate representing the Mayor of Rome.
"'The Consul-General of the United States.
"""The floral offerings were many and splendid, noticeably so, an enormous wreath placed on the coffin by the Mayor of Rome.
"'A guard of honor was sent by the King.'
"This humble tribute is dedicated to the memory of a young friend, -
" ' Long loved And lost awhile.'
"Chalet Beauval,
"Vevey, September, 1885.
"R. L. L. BRUNNOW."
HON. DANIEL P. INGRAHAM AND ARTHUR INGRAHAM .- Mr. Arthur Ingraham is a son of the late Hon. Daniel P. Ingraham, whose services as a New York jurist and judge won for him such a distinguished place among the members of his profes- sion and in the community at large.
" A native of the city of New York and a graduate of Colum- bia College in the year 1817, Judge Ingraham commenced the study of his profession in the office of Richard Riker, jr., for many years recorder of the city, and was admitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas in the year 1821, and subse- quently in due course in the other courts of the State. He en- tered upon the practice of his profession, in which he very soon attained eminent success, and early secured the confidence of his fellow citizens by whom he was repeatedly elected to represent them in the Board of Aldermen.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
"While an Alderman Judge Ingraham was frequently called upon to officiate as associate justice in the Court of Oyer and Terminer, and in the other criminal courts of the city. In the year 1838, being at that time thirty-eight years of age, he was appointed by Governor Marcy and then entered upon that ex- tended judicial career which only terminated with his retire- ment from the Bench, on the 31st of December, 1873, when, in consequence of the constitutional prohibition, he was no longer eligible for re-election, having thus remained in uninterrupted judicial service for thirty-five years, a longer period, it is be- lieved, than that of any other judicial officer in the history of the State up to that time.
"Judge Ingraham possessed mental qualities of a high order, and united with these, habits of close study and application which were maintained throughout his long career. The an- nals of our jurisprudence are illustrated by the judgments rendered by him in various causes, which came before him for adjudication, the records of which will be found in the volumes of the reports of the various courts of which he was from time to time a member.
"With a native dignity of manner and judicial temperament of a high order, there was also united in Judge Ingraham a courtesy and a kindness of manner that made his intercourse with the members of the Bar always pleasant and agreeable. His later years of retirement were passed in the enjoyment of a domestic life which was of rare attractiveness and beauty, and in intercourse with his professional and other friends. On the 12th day of December, 1881, at the ripe old age of eighty-one, he passed away from the scene of a long and useful life on earth to enter upon the life immortal in the Heavens1."
Arthur, son of Judge Ingraham, of whom we write, was born in New York city, September 26th, 1849. After a preparatory course of study in the school of the well known Professor Benjamin Dwight, he entered Columbia College from which he graduated in 1870. Soon afterward he entered the office of the famous bankers, J. Cook & Co., remaining with them till their failure in 1873. Since then Mr. Ingraham has lived a retired life, his summers being spent in Philipstown, Putnam county, and his winters in New York city.
"The above is an extract from a Memorial Volume published shortly after Judge, Ingraham's death, by judges and members of the Bar of New York city.
L. P. higrahaces e -
Antine Ingraham.
Engªby 5 B. Hall's Sons NY
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TOWN OF PHILIPSTOWN.
His zeal in behalf of the democratic party led to his nomina- tion in 1883 for Assemblyman from Putnam. He failed of elec- tion. however, being beaten by the republican candidate.
Mr. Ingraham has travelled extensively and is widely known in business and social circles. He is a prominent member of both the Manhattan and St. Nicholas Clubs in New York city, and is greatly esteemed for his liberal spirit and cordial dis- position.
GOUVERNEUR KEMBLE' was born January 25th, 1786, in the city of New York, being the eldest son of Peter Kemble, Esq., then the head of one of the old English families of that city. Its members had for several generations been conspicnons in commercial pursuits, Mr. Peter Kemble being himself a mer- chant in the foreign trade.
Gouverneur Kemble was educated in New York and graduated from Columbia College in 1803. As a young man he was a familiar associate (and, indeed, the intimacy, for the most part, continued during their respective lives) of Washington Irving, Peter Irving, James R. Paulding, Henry Brevoort, Henry Og- den and others, who formed a coterie prominent in the society of that time in New York; and whose frolics at Cockloft Hall (an old family mansion on the Passaic, inherited by Kemble) and elsewhere formed material for many of the whimwhams of Salmagundi.
Early in life he was appointed United States Consul at Cadiz, and during his residence there his attention was attracted to the process of casting cannon as practised by the Spanish government, at that time well advanced in this art as compared with the other European countries.
He acquainted himself with all its details with the view of introducing the art into his own country, and, on his return home, he established, in connection with several other gentle- men, about the year 1814, at Cold Spring, nearly opposite the military post of West Point, a gun foundry, under patronage of the United States Government, the need of such an establish- ment having been demonstrated by the recent war of 1812, a charter having been obtained from the State of New York, under the title of the West Point Foundry Association.
The obstacles to success were many, skilled artisans being 1By J. N. Paulding.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM. COUNTY.
difficult to procure, especially as little aid could be obtained from England, our natural source of supply, by reason of the severe penalties against the emigration of mechanics and artisans then rigidly enforced by the British Government.
Nevertheless the experiment was successful, and in course of time the gun foundry was not only extended and perfected, but the establishment became one of the largest general foundries and machine works in the country.
Mr. Kemble continued to be president of the association until the expiration of its charter.
Mr. Kemble took an active interest in politics, being a strong adherent of the democratic party. He was elected member of Congress for the district comprising Westchester and Putnam counties, and served two terms during the administration of President Van Buren.
He was also elected a delegate to the convention for the re- vising of the constitution of the State of New York in 1846, which perfected the system of government now in force.
Mr. Kemble was a gentleman of cultivated tastes, particularly as regards paintings, of which he collected, during his life, a considerable gallery, containing many choice specimens of the work of various artists, including some of the productions of the great masters of the Italian and Spanish schools.
His hospitality was of the old-fashioned open-house order, and, for many years he kept up the habit of providing, every Saturday, a dinner for a large company in his residence at Cold Spring, to which the professors and principal officers of the Mil- itary Academy of West Point had a standing invitation for themselves and for any persons of note who might be sojourning at the post. At this table many of the most distinguished men of the country of all civil professsions as well as military and naval, and all the political parties during nearly half a century, have taken their places at one time or another, together with many foreigners of note; and, probably, at few other private boards have been present so brilliant assemblies of talent and learning of all kinds, and where the absence of formality and os- tentation put the guests so much at their ease as to give play to their respective characteristics.
Mr. Kemble lived to the advanced age of 89, and died Septem- ber 18th, 1875, greatly regretted by a large circle of friends and
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TOWN OF PHILIPSTOWN.
by the entire community of the neighborhood in which he lived, who regarded him as the father as well as founder of the village.
WILLIAM D. GARRISON, one of the most prominent represen- tatives of the Garrison family, so long identified with the life and growth of Putnam county, and the present well known manager of the "Grand Union Hotel," in New York city, is descended from Gerret Gerretsen, who came to Staten Island in the "Gilded Beaver," in 1660. Of this original settler little is known except that he was an honest and God fearing man. This is clearly shown by a certificate of character, written in the Dutch language, and now in the possession of Mr. Hartman Van Wagenen, South Bergen, N. J., of which the following is a correct translation:
"We Bergomasters, Schehens, and Councillors of city of Wagennin Declare: by these presents, that there appeared be- fore us, Hendrick Glissen and Jordiz Sparers, citizens of this city, at the request of Gerret Gerretsen and Anna Hermansse, his wife. They have testified and certified, as they do by these presents, that they have good knowledge of the above named Gerret Gerretsen and Anna Hermansse, his wife, as to their life and conversation, and that they have always been considered and esteemed as pions and honest people, and that no complaint of any evil or disorderly conduct has ever reached their ears; on the contrary, they have always led quiet, pious and honest lives, as it becomes pious and honest persons. They especially testify that they govern their family well, and bring up their children in the fear of God, and in all modesty and respecta- bility. As the above named persons have resolved to remove and proceed to the New Netherlands in order to find a greater convenience, they give this attestation, grounded on their knowledge of them, having known them intimately, and having been in continual intercourse with them for many years, living in the same neighborhood.
"In testimony of the truth, we, the Bergomasters of the city have caused the secret seal of the city to be imprinted on this paper.
"Done at Wagennin 27th November, 1660.
"By the ordinance of the same.
(Seal)
(Signatures)."
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IHISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
The first member of the family in Putnam county was Harry Garrison, who came to what is now known as "Garrison's" in the year 1786, purchased land there, and engaged as a farmer. He married a daughter of Jacob Nelson, who was also a grand- daughter of Jacob Mandeville, the purchaser of a portion of the Beverly Robinson property, famous as the scene of Arnold's treason. Mr. Mandeville is well known throughont Putnam county as the builder of " Red House," now standing, and recognized as one of the historic buildings of the county. Harry Garrison became in time an important character in Putnam and his name is preserved in many of its documents. He was greatly respected by the people among whom he led an exemplary and straightforward life.
Hon. John Garrison, father of William D. Garrison, and the only son of Harry Garrison who lived to grow up and marry, was also a man of much prominence. He was born at Garrison in 1795, and died there in 1867. He was Judge of Putnam county, and for two terms represented the county in the State Legislature. He also served as surrogate, sheriff and justice of the peace, holding the latter office for forty consecutive years. In 1829, he established the ferry to West Point which eighteen years later, gave his name to the east landing. After the con- struction of the Hudson River Road, a station was placed here and the name was changed from Garrison Landing to Garrison Station, being again altered upon the establishment of the Post Office to Garrison's, by which it is at present known.
Mr. Garrison married Miss Martha Dominick, daughter of James W. Dominick, of New York city. He had nine chil- dren, of whom William D. was the eighth.
William D. was born at Highland Home (so named when the house was built in 1819), Garrison's, September 10th, 1838. Till 1853 he attended the district school, which he left at that time to enter the Greenwich Academy, Conn., then under the direc- tion of Mr. Elisha Howe. After finishing his education at Greenwich Mr. Garrison, in February, 1856, journeyed to Chi- cago, Ill., where he became clerk in a hardware store, remain- ing thus employed till obliged by the breaking down of his health to return east. In November, 1859, together with his brother, he started a country store at Garrison's, the firm be- ing known as G. F. & W. D. Garrison. This partnership continued till November, 1862, when Mr. Garrison sold his share
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of the business, purchasing a farm at Plainfield, N. J., upon which he settled, in 1864, after marrying February 10th, 1863, Mrs. Emma Louise Taylor, widow of Joseph J. Taylor.
In the spring of 1866, he returned again to his birthplace, and in connection with his brother, opened the "Highland House," one of the best known summer resorts on the Hudson, the firm being as before, G. F. & W. D. Garrison. Under the efficient management of these brothers, the hotel reached a degree of success and popularity hitherto unthought of and they soon attained a reputation as hotel managers, which finally resulted in the calling of Mr. William D. Garrison, in 1873, to the man- agement of the then struggling Grand Union Hotel, in New York city. The following, with slight alteration, is from a New York journal, issued in 1880. Speaking in relation to the Grand Union Hotel, it says: "The hotel had been opened, a few years previously-to Mr. Garrison's coming-but had not prospered, and the owner was at a loss to know what to do. From the commencement of Mr. Garrison's administration at the Grand Union, the hotel seemed to take new lease of life and prosper- ity, and the fact that it is to day one of the most popular and successful hotels in the United States is wholly due to his un- tiring efforts and superior executive ability. In some respects, to quote from a recent article in an exchange, Mr. Garrison is a remarkable man.
"Aside from all the duties of his position, he is one of the offi- cers of the Hotel Association, of New York, of which he was the organizer; a member of the Seventh Regiment Veteran Corps; a mason in very high standing; and is connected with a number of mutual benefit organizations, prominent among which are the Hotel Men's Mutual Benefit Association of the United States, of which he is now president; U. S. Benevolent Frater- nity, of which he is also president of a council; Ancient Order of United Workmen; Knights of Honor; Horticultural Society of New York City; and the American Institute also of New York. He is a member of the following Masonic lodges: Kane Lodge, No. 454, F. & A. M .; Jerusalem Chapter, No. 8. R. A. M .; Adelphic Council, No. 7, R. & S. M .; Cœur de Lion Commandery, No. 23, K. T .; Lodge of Perfection, council; Princes Jerusalem; Chapter Rose Croix; Consistory of New York City, and the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdic- tion of the United States of the 33d and last degree. Noted for
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promptness, he never missed a meeting, lodge, or session, and at the same time is ubiquitous at the Grand Union, keeps every- thing up to the highest notch of discipline and order, allowing nothing to escape him, and yet ever seemingly at leisure to pause, shake hands and say a few pleasant words.
" Mr. Garrison, besides being a successful hotel man, is an in- ventor and takes a deep interest in all matters and things scien- tific. His method for testing wines and liquors, milk, oils and other things largely used by hotels are original and have met the approval of the most eminent scientists of the day. Mr. Garrison is well informed on all political, local and social ques- tions of the period and employs his leisure hours in reading and study."
He is yet in possession of his beautiful residence at Garrison's, and is still a member of St. Philips Church in the Highlands there, in the Sabbath School of which he served for many years as superintendent. Harry Garrison was vestryman and warden of this church as was his son, John Garrison. William D., the subject of this sketch, held the same office for many years. There are buried in the churchyard of this church five genera- tions of the Garrison family.
Like his ancestors in Putnam county, he has done much for its welfare, and has, as the generations did that preceeded him, kept the name which he bears free from stain, and an honor in the community.
JAMES H. HALDANE was born in Cold Spring, his present place of residence, October 4th, 1818; his father, Henry Hal- dane, who died in 1862, was one of the earliest inhabitants of that village. After leaving school, Mr. Haldane entered upon a business career in New York, obtaining first a position in a wholesale dry goods house. During the period from 1841 to 1848 he was in the employ of a firm engaged in the importation and manufacture of iron. In the latter year he continued in the same business on his own account, and was soon afterward joined by his brother, John H. Haldane, the business being conducted under the firm nanie of Haldane & Co. They acted as representatives of some of the principal mills in Pennsylvania and in connection with similar representation of English and Scotch manufacturers they became one of the best known houses in this country in the iron trade.
Engaby A. H. Mitchie
James A Haldane.
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Mr. Haldane retired from active business in 1875, and he has since spent a considerable portion of his time abroad. In politics he is prominently identified with the democratic party, serving as presidential elector in 1876, and again in 1884. Although solicited to accept public office he has invariably de- clined.
John H. Haldane, who died in 1874, was a man of retiring disposition and quiet tastes; he was greatly interested in the affairs of his native place and was instrumental in the forma- tion of the Reformed Church at Cold Spring, contributing largely to its support and serving for many years as one of its officers.
ROBERT PARKER PARROTT was born October 4th, 1804, at Lee, N. H., and died December 24th, 1877, at Cold Spring, N. Y. He entered the U. S. Military Academy at West Point July 1st, 1820, and was graduated with honors July 1st, 1824. He was appointed second lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, and remained attached to that regiment till 1834, doing duty at several posts, having been promoted to a first lieutenancy in 1831.
In 1834 he was assigned to ordnance duty and in 1836 was ap- pointed captain of ordnance.
The same year he was assigned to duty as inspector of ord- nance in construction at the West Point Foundry. Mr. Gouver- neur Kemble, then president of the West Point Foundry Association, appreciating the ability of Captain Parrott, in- duced him to resign his commission in the army and assume the position of superintendent of the foundry; and some three years later he became more closely connected with Mr. Kemble by marriage with the latter's sister, Miss Mary Kemble.
He continued to superintend the West Point Foundry during the remainder of the time it was operated by the Association, and afterward, during the period it was carried on by Mr. Kemble under lease from the other associates; and on the re- tirement of Mr. Kemble from business, succeeded him as lessee of the works, carrying on the business until 1867, when he also withdrew from its active prosecution.
While in the army Captain Parrott had applied himself a great deal to the subject of ordnance which had especial attrac-
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
tion for him, and after taking charge of the West Point Foundry he continued to give much time and thought to its development, studying all publications on the subject, including the official records of the practice and experiments of foreign governments, and prosecuting a course of research and experiment of his own which, indeed, was prolonged to the time of his death.
Of the great success of the "Parrott" guns and projectiles it is unnecessary to speak. Many thousands were made for the United States government, and throughout the protracted struggle of the Rebellion they never ceased to speak for them- selves in the most convincing terms.
When the war, so long protracted, came to a close, he had not long before concluded with the Ordnance Department a con- tract for a large number of guns and projectiles. Knowing that the government would now no longer require them, and having no wish to profit by furnishing what would be of no use to it, he made known to the Department that although he was of course ready to fill the contract, if it were desired, yet, if it were considered to the interest of the government to annul it, he was content that it should be done. The contract was ac- cordingly canceled.
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