USA > New York > Staten Island > History of Richmond County (Staten Island), New York : from its discovery to the present time > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
It was a noteworthy event in the history of American journal-, ism when, in December of 1863. Mr. Curtis became the political editor of "Harper's Weekly " He had been conducting a de- partment called "The Lounger," begun in the autumn of 1857, which consisted at first of essays in the lighter vein on social and literary topics, very much in the manner of the "Easy Chair." After the beginning of the war Mr. Curtis frequently introduced subjects of a national and political character in this department, but his field was comparatively restricted. From the moment, however, that he took his seat in the editorial chair, his discussions assumed a wider scope, embracing all the great issues before the country. Thoroughly equipped for his new position by mental training and political experience, and in full sympathy with his audience, he made " Harper's Weekly" a power in the republican party. He was hampered by no office restrictions. The publishers knew the secret of real responsibility, and, giving him their confidence, gave it unre- servedly. There was, of course, entire harmony of principle and purpose between Mr. Curtis and his publishers ; and while there was also, of course, occasional differences of judgment as to men and measures, there was never any interference with the course pursued by Mr. Curtis, nor any attempt to dictate the tone of the paper. This unrestricted independence gave Mr. Curtis a commanding influence in republican councils and over his readers. He won and has kept the enthusiastic personal sup- port and admiration of his audience, as no other editor has snc- ceeded in doing, with the single exception of Horace Greely. The relations between Mr. Curtis and his readers are, in fact, almost personal in their nature, and he has never seriously entertained proposals, however brilliant and tempting, that would interrupt those relations. Thus, although he could serve as a regent of the university, and a non-resident professor at Cornell Univer- sity for fonr years, he declined in 1869, upon the death of Henry J. Raymond, who had previously asked him to become assistant
462
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
editor, an invitation to the chief editorship of the New York "Times."
No other man has done more to create and maintain a healthy popular sentiment on the subject of civil service reform. In " Harper's Weekly," and in his public addresses, he has expounded and advocated this important measure with a per- sistency which has drawn upon him the wrath and ridicule of those who are pleased to style themselves "practical " politi- cians. "Sentimentalist" and " Visionary" are among the mildest names applied to him by his political opponents ; and he has been accused frequently of treachery to party allegiance, because of the outspoken manner in which he has exposed and denounced obnoxious measures within the party. But Mr. Curtis acknowledges no party allegiance, in the sense that "machine" politicians understand the term ; his only allegiance is to right, to high principle, to honor. He has the loftiest con- ceptions of the duty of the citizen. He holds that it should be the aim of every man, not only to keep himself pure, but to assist in the purification and elevation of politics ; that it is the duty of every respectable citizen to take part in civil affairs and to keep them out of the control of the baser elements of society. Between "sentimental" politics like this, and "practical" politics, which implies pandering to those baser elements, there can be no room for choice. As Charles Sumner once said, in his imperious way, to one who asked him to consider the other side of the slavery question : "Sir, in a matter of this sort there is no other side."
That the views which Mr. Curtis holds will win in the end admits of no doubt. Many a failure may yet be in store for their advocates, but, unless free institutions are destined to go under, civil service reform must ultimately triumph. Mr. Cur- tis was not discouraged by its failure under President Grant's administration. He accepted the chairmanship of the civil service commission, in 1871, with sanguine hopes of success. The president was sincere and earnest in his desire to thus sig. nalize his administration : but, in 1873, becoming convinced that, yielding to the pressure of "practical" politicians, Gen- eral Grant had changed his views, Mr. Curtis resigned, and the next year the president formally abandoned the project. It had been well for the president, and for the republican party, had he listened to wiser councils. Even those who have always
463
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
sneered at "Sunday school " politics begin now to discern the signs of the times ; and the president's recent recommendations in his annual message; and the various bills hurriedly intro- duced in congress, favoring reform in the civil service, show that the views which Mr. Curtis advocates have taken a strong- er hold on the public than was dreamed of by his opponents.
Mr. Curtis has never accepted a political office, although often pressed to do so. By Mr. Seward he was offered the consnl- generalship to Egypt ; President Hayes urged him to accept the post of minister to England, and afterward that of minister to Germany ; but he could not be tempted away from his edito- rial position. Once he accepted the nomination for representa- tive to congress, knowing that his district was hopelessly democratic, and that there was no prospect of his election. In 1867, he served in the state constitutional convention in which he was chairman of the committee on education. He frequently took part in the debates, and made a speech in favor of the ex- tension of the franchise to women -- a measure of which he has been for years a consistent advocate.
Mr. Curtis was married in 1857, to a danghter of Mr. Robert G. Shaw, the eminent philanthropist, recently deceased. For many years he has resided in West New Brighton, Staten Island, except during the summer months, when he seeks rest and relaxation in a pleasant, old-fashioned country home in the village of Ashfield, Mass.
His devotion to journalism and political affairs has prevented Mr. Curtis from pursuing anthorship as a profession if we are to regard authorship as the writing of books; but although he has put forth no volume since the publication of "Trumps," the readers of the "Easy Chair" in "Harper's Magazine," and of " Manners Upon the Road" in "Harper's Bazaar," will recognize in him the most charming essayist of the day. The delicate, graceful humor of these papers, the purity of style, the wide range of culture and observation which they in- dicate, but which is never obtrusive, give them a distinctive character of their own. The "Easy Chair" is the first part of the magazine to which the reader turns. The anthor of "Trumps," "The Potiphar Papers," and "Prue and I," could hardly have failed as a novelist, had he chosen to pursue that path of literature ; but we will not regret his choice, for while we have many novelists, where shall we look for another name like his in the field of American journalism ?
464
IHISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
JOHN ADAMS APPLETON, One of the members of the firm of D. Appleton & Co., publishers and importers of books in New York city, and for many years one of Staten Island's most prominent and respected residents, was born in Boston, Mass., January 9, 1817. As a young man he entered the business with his father and brothers, and in the prosecution of that business upon sonnd and manly principles he met with gratifying snc- cess. He acquired a large fortune which he wisely used, not only for the benefit of his immediate family and friends, but also for the good of the community in which he lived, and especially for the cause of the church to which he was devotedly attached.
There were several points in Mr. Appleton's character which deserve to be noted. He was first of all, a devont, consistent Christian; one who was neither ashamed nor afraid to acknowl- edge his faith in his Saviour, and one who strove to remember always that he was a steward of God placed in charge of large means and opportunities for promoting the spread of the Gospel and the happiness of his fellow-men. Through life he con- tinued steadfast in his faith, and when the summons came he laid down the burden of life with firm, unwavering confidence in the mercy of our Heavenly Father in and through Christ Jesns our Lord. He was for many years senior warden of St. Jolin's Church, Clifton, and was one of its largest benefactors. It may, indeed, be called his monument. A mural tablet has been erected in the church of his affections, commemorating his quiet life of faith and service as a Christian. It was done by the members of the church, his friends, and the employees in his business.
In admirable keeping with this inner life of faith, Mr. Ap- pleton always proved himself to be a gentleman of the truest type. He was uniformly courteous and considerate toward others, never wonnding the feelings of any one, however ob- senre or lowly his lot, and always ready with a pleasant word and kindly act. Though of a rather nervous temperament, and disliking everything of the nature of parade or show, he was fond of congenial society, and took delight in dispeusing cordial and unostentatious hospitality at his beautiful residence on Staten Island.
As a business man Mr. Appleton was deservedly esteemed, an honor to the name. He took his full share in upholding the
C
Ichneteappleton
465
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
reputation which the house of D. Appleton & Co. has always sustained for integrity and fairness in their vast busi- ness transactions. He was jealous for the good name of the house, and desirous, by every effort on his part, to extend its honorable infinence. A few years previons to his death he was severely injured by being thrown from his carriage, and he never fully recovered from the shock which was thus given to his system. His last illness was aggravated by a complication of disorders, and lie sank rapidly under the attack, passing away in the early morning of Wednesday, July 13, 1881, in the sixty- fifth year of his age.
He was endeared to all with whom he was bronght into close business relations, as touching evidence of which may be ad- duced the spontaneous gathering of the employees of the house, the day after his death, and the resolutions unanimonsly adopted at the meeting. Especially was he respected and esteemed npon Staten Island, where his liberality and charity won for him a host of admiring and constant friends. Perhaps no private citizen ever received a more universal eulogium from the press at the time of his death than did Mr. Appleton.
THE SMITH FAMILY .- Richard Penn Smith, better known on Staten Island as Col. Penn Smith, is a descendant of the Smith family of Philadelphia so many members of which have made themselves famous by their literary and artistic abilities. The great-grandfather of Mr. Smith was the Rev. Dr. Smith, first provost of Philadelphia College in the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. He was a man of great talent and one who had enjoyed a highly finished European education. For twenty-five years Doctor Smith stood foremost among the eminent persons of his time. He was a profound and varied scholar, a vigorous thinker and a writer of great beauty and energy, many of his literary productions being compared by British reviewers to those of Massillon and Bossuet. Doctor Smith was prominent in all the aggressive movements of lis day, and was among the first to recognize and assist Benjamin West toward the eminence which he afterward achieved. His writings have been collected into several volumes which have passed through various editions, meeting always with marked approbation.
The eldest son of Rev. Dr. Smith, William Moore Smith, was also a man of note. He inherited from his father a love of
30
466
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
study, especially of the classics. Early in life he published a volume of poems, characterized by brilliancy of fancy, ease of versification, justness of sentiment and chaste and nervous diction. The poems were reprinted in England, where they were made the subject of ninch commendation, a fact at that time of such unfrequent occurrence that it deserves to be re- membered. Mr. Smith enlarged his views by extensive foreign travel, after returning from which he became a barrister in Philadelphia. Here he rapidly rose to eminence in his pro- fession, from which, however, he retired at an early age, spending his after years in the family mansion on the Schuylkill.
Richard Penn Smith, son of the preceding and father of the subject of this sketch, was a man of distinguished ability both as a literateur and as a dramatist. He followed in the foot- steps of his literary predecessors, and is remembered among the best magazine writers of his day. He was for five years proprietor of the " Aurora," a well known Philadelphia paper and, though its editor, found leisure at the same time to con- tribute many articles to the periodical literature of the time, besides producing several dramatic pieces, some of which were not only cordially received at their first representation, but still continue to maintain their place on the stage. Among his earliest plays were the " Disowned, or the Prodigal" and "Deformed, or Woman's Trial." These plays were performed at the Chestnut street theater, Philadelphia, after which they were taken to London where they created a most favorable im- pression. Besides these dramas Mr. Smith wrote tragedy and numerous petite comedies and farces. He composed, at the request of Edwin Forrest, the tragedy of "Caius Marius," which was performed by that actor at the Arch street theater. Philadelphia. While quite young Mr. Smith composed a novel in two volumes, entitled the " Forsaken." In 1836 he published two volumes, under the title of "The Actress of Padna and Other Tales," which had an extensive sale. In the same year he gave to the public " Colonel Crockett's Tour in Texas," a pseudo autobiography which purported to have been written by the gallant Tennesseean prior to the field of the Alamo. In the course of a single year upward of ten thousand copies were sold in the United States besides an extensive sale which the work received in England. This book was the most popular of all the
En
FIR
FÜG
it
BEECHLAWN
RESIDENCE OF COL. R PENN SMITH
ARTOTYPE, E ustB. TAOT, N V
467
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
writings of Mr. Smith, who died at Philadelphia in August, 1854.
His son, Colonel R. Penn Smith, of whom we write, was born in the city of Philadelphia, May 9, 1837. He received his edu- cation at West Chester college, Pa., after leaving which, in 1857, he journeyed westward, becoming one of the early settlers of Kansas. Here he engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which his talent for business soon won him remarkable success, thoughi the territory at the time was overrun by a rough class of immi- grants, some of whom were in search of homes but the majority were adventurers. To add to the difficulties of the situation Kansas at that time was engaged in the bloody Border Ruffian wars. Mr. Smith became one of ten selected to march across the prairie to Frazier's river and the extreme northwestern por- tion of the republic in search of gold. In 1859 he crossed to Denver city, then a rude hamlet, built mostly of adobe houses, there being but six frame structures in the town. From Den- ver, with a party, he started into the wild interior of the Rockies, but was finally obliged to abandon the search, by hostile Indians.
In 1860 he returned to his home in Philadelphia on a visit, and while there became greatly interested in the political out- look. Soon afterward Fort Sumter was fired on, and he im mediately concluded to enlist. Accordingly, on the 28th of May, 1861, he was mnstered into the service of the United States government as first lientenant of Company F, Seventy-first Pennsylvania, better known as Baker's California regiment. Mr. Smith's army career is well known to the American public. His promotion was rapid, and he soon assumed command of the regiment, Baker being killed at Balls Bluff. Colonel Smith was recognized as the youngest colonel in either army, being a regimental and brigade commander. He participated in many of the most important engagements of the war, among which were the following : Falls Church reconnoissance and action at Lewinsville, advance on Munson's hill, action at Balls BInff, relief of Banks, Savage station, White Oak swamp, Charles City Cross roads, Malvern Hill, Siege of Yorktown, Fair Oaks or Seven Pines, action at Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, covered re- treat at second Bull Run, Hyattstown, South Mountain, Antie- tam, Dunker church, Fredericksburg, Banks Ford, Thorough- fare Gap, Gettysburg, Auburn Mills, Bristoe station, action Bull
468
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Run, Mine Run, Robertson's Tavern, Morton's Ford and Cold Harbor.
At Fair Oaks, as lieutenant, he led the regiment into action, a maneuver which was witnessed by General Sedgwick, who recommended him as a field officer. At Antietam he was wounded at the cannon's mouth, and his services at the battle of Gettysburg won for him the highest enconiums of military men, historians and private citizens throughout the country, it having been stated by more than one witness of the affair that the action of Colonel Smith and his men on the eventful 3d of July was the means of turning the tide of victory. The po- sition occupied by him at this battle is known as the bloody angle where Picket made his charge, and where the backbone of the rebellion was broken. Colonel Smith succeeded in bring- ing into use the dead guns recovered from the field of action on the 2d of July, and with these he ponred into the advancing columns of Picket an enfilading fire, which effectually checked his advance. On July 3, 1864, he was mustered out of the ser- vice, with his regiment, and at once engaged in the mannfactnr- ing business with General McCandless, of Pennsylvania Reserve fame. At length, however, he gave up his partnership with McCandless and came to New York city, taking up his resi- dence on Staten Island. Almost immediately he interested him- self in the wholesale coal business, in which he rapidly ac- cumulated a fortune. After a survey of the prominent points in the trade, he saw that immense quantities of small coal, amonnting to millions of tons, capable of use in the making of steam, were being thrown away and wasted. He succeeded in surmounting many prejudices against its introduction as a fuel, and at last obtained the consent of the railroads to carry it, since which he has devoted himself entirely to its sale. Through the influence of Colonel Smith the small coal has become the fnel of the age for steam :.
Ten years ago Colonel Smith purchased seventeen acres of ground on the Clove road, at West Brighton, on which he erected the handsome residence at present occupied by him. Essentially a domestic man, he spends much of his time at his home, and he is widely known and highly esteemed in social circles both on Staten Island and in New York city. Mr. Smith married Miss Lucy P. Woods, of Pittsburg. He has four child- ren: R. Penn. Smith, Jr., Mary F., Morton W. and Edward G., all of whom reside with their parents.
-
3
FAG
TOWER HILL HOUSE OF L. W. FABER Port Richmond, N. Y
-
FMG
TOWER HILL HOUSE OF MRS. JENNY FABER
Port Richmond. N Y
ARTOTY
CHAPTER X.
THE PROFESSIONS OF LAW AND MEDICINE.
The Bench and Bar .*- Henry B. Metcalfe. - Alvin C. Bradley .- Tompkins Wester- velt .- Lot C. Clark .- Robert Christie .- John and William H. Anthon .-- Theodore C. Vermilye .- List of Practising Attorneys .- Augustus Prentice .- Richmond County Medical Society .- I. K. Ambrose .- Herman Beyer .- Alfred L. Carroll .- Ephraim Clark .- Alva D. Decker .- Henry S. Earl .- Joseph Feeny .- John L. Feeny .- R. Henry Golder .- Edwin A. Hervey .- George C. Hubbard .- Robert M. Ames .- F. E. Martindale .- James J. O'Dea .- S. A. Robinson .- Robert Rogerson .- Henry W. Sawtelle .- Samuel Russell Smith .- Walker Washington, Jr .- J. Walter Wood .- Notes of Quarantine Superin- tendence, etc.
R ICHMOND county, owing to its being, as a matter of fact, simply one of the many places of habitation for the business men of the city of New York, whose business is done in the city and by city lawyers and before city courts, has not in the past become the residence of any great number of the most eminent members of the bar.
In the distribution of judicial districts and departments Richmond county is attached to the Second judicial district and department, and in the selections of judges for the higher state courts "little Richmond," by which appellation the county is known, has never been honored. Although lawyers have never been wanting competent and willing to fill the position of county judge and surrogate, such was the universal respect for and confidence in Judge Metcalfe that he held the position from the adoption of the constitution of 1846 until his age precluded him from further service. Judge Tompkins Westervelt and Judge Stephen D. Stephens, his successors, are noticed in sketches subjoined. The writer is unable to recall any litiga- tions of great public importance in the county, excepting the quarantine riot investigation (1859) and the murder trial of Polly Bodine (1844). The county has not, however, been lack ing in litigations of more than ordinary interest, such as *By Sidney F. Rawson.
470
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
the will case of Mrs. Gardiner (the mother-in-law of President Tyler), the Segnine will case, the ferry litigations between Cor- nelius Vanderbilt and George Law, John H. Starin and Erastus Wiman, and the late William T. Garner and the North Shore Ferry Company.
We append sketches of the lives of some of the more promi- nent of the legal fraternity.
Hon. Henry B. Metcalfe was born January 20, 1805, at Johns- town, then Montgomery, now Fulton county, N. Y., and died at his residence in the town of Southfield, Richmond county, February 7, 1881, and was consequently in his 77th year at the time of his death. Judge Metcalfe was one of the seven chil- dren of George Metcalfe, who was at one time a man of consid- erable prominence in this state, having been appointed in 1796 assistant attorney-general under Governor Jay, and having held the office of district attorney in this county-of which he be- came a resident in 1816, when his son Henry was 11 years old. The Metcalfes were of English extraction, the progenitor of the family having come to this country from England in 1765. The family in England was one of some note. Henry Bleeker Met- calfe studied Jaw with his father, and at his arrival at majority. in 1826, was admitted to the bar, a special examination having been accorded to him by the chancellor, in order that he might be admitted as an attorney, so as to become eligible to hold the office of district attorney, made vacant by his father's death. He was also appointed a master in the court of chancery, which latter office he hield until the abolition of that conrt in 1846. He held the office of district attorney until 1833-between that time and 1830 he was employed by the Staten Island Ferry Com- pany. In 1840 he was appointed county judge and in the same year he became a United States boarding officer at quaran- tine, which latter place he held until 1843. In 1847 he was elected (that being the first election to that office under the constitution of 1846) county judge and surrogate of this county, which office he held continuously till 1875, at which time he re- signed to take his seat as a member of congress for the first congressional district of New York, in the forty-fourth congress, to which he had been elected.
Judge Metcalfe was also a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and for many years was the active manager (in his office of secretary) of the Richmond County Mutual Insur-
471
HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
ance Company. The above is a brief record of Judge Metcalfe's official career. His life was an exceptional one, having held almost uninterruptedly, for a period of almost fifty-three years, some public office, and for all his adult life some place of trust. He was more favorably known to the people as surrogate than in any other capacity. His unvarying kindness to all who came in contact with him, his readiness at all times to render aid, give advice and otherwise help those who in sorrow and adversity sought his counsel, made him probably the most popular man in this county, and secured his election from time to time, sometimes without any, always without substantial, opposition. With one exception Judge Metcalfe held the of- fice of county judge and surrogate longer than any other officer in this state. As county judge he was more noted for his good sense and endeavors to get at the right of such matters, civil and criminal, as came before him, than he was for his knowl- edge of abstruse and intricate legal questions. He was the pre- siding judge of the court of sessions when, in 1856, several pub- lic officers of this county were indicted and convicted, as he was in 1872 when similar results were obtained. In their prosecu- tion Judge Metcalfe held the scales evenly balanced-neither popular prejudice nor personal friendship being allowed to inter- fere with the due course of the law-and when at the time of the quarantine riots several parties were brought before him on the serious charge of arson, Judge Metcalfe discharged the prison- ers, and took strong ground against the right of the city of New York to cast her infected dead and dying upon the shores of the island. In congress his most notable vote was perhaps that given for the creation of the electoral commission, for which he was somewhat criticised by his party friends, but his judgment was that the danger of anarchy and civil war which threatened were far greater than any harm that could come from a peace- able solution of the then pending question.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.