USA > New York > Schoharie County > History of Schoharie County, New York : with illusustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 70
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Mr. Ramsey removed to Albany, in 1863, which was rendered necessary in consequence of his railroad duties, but usually spends the summer months at Howe's Cave, in Schoharie, and in several respects prefers to consider that his residence, as well as the County of his birth.
THOMAS LAWYER.
Thomas Lawyer was a grandson of Jacob Frederick Lawyer, of the "Beller place" near Schoharie village, son of Johannes Lawyer, (the third large land-holder.) Of General Lawyer we will copy an article written by one of the younger members of the County bar, after his death which occurred at Lawyersville on the 2 Ist of May, 1868 :---
" The deceased, during the course of the long and honorable life just closed, had occupied so many places of public trust and responsibility, had gained such a hold upon the affections and memories of the present generation, that it is deemed fit and appropriate that something more than a simple mention of his death, is due to his memory.
" It is only regretted, that to one of his pro- fessional and official contemporaries, or to some person more familiar with the public life and services of the deceased and more competent to express in an appropriate manner his many virtues and noble characteristics, has not been confided this delicate, yet pleasant duty. A plain, simple presentation of some of the many good things that could truthfully be said of him, is all that will be attempted, or can be given in this article.
"The subject of this memoir was born in the town of Schoharie, in the County of Schoharie, N. Y., on the 14th day of October, 1785, on the farm now occupied by John G. Geb- hard. His ancestors emigrated to this country from Germany, and were among the early set- tlers of the Schoharie valley. After receiving a liberal education for the period in which his early life was spent, he commenced the study of law in the office of George Tiffany, at Schoharie, who subsequently removed to Canada. At the age of twenty-one years, he was duly licensed to practice as an Attorney, and located at Lawyersville, which bears his name, succeed- ing the late Isaac Hall Tiffany, then a promi- nent lawyer. He was subsequently licensed as Counselor of the Supreme Court, as Counselor and Solicitor in Chancery, and in the U. S. Court for the Northern District of New York.
He. loved the profession he had chosen, was an honorable, accomplished and successful prac- titioner, established and continued a successful and lucrative practice in his profession until the adoption of the "Code" in this State. He then
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
retired to private life, and the quiet enjoyment of the ample fortune he had accumulated, beloved. respected and revered by all who knew him, as "an honest man, the noblest work of God."
" He held the office of Loan Commissioner in this County for several years, and a commis- sion as Brigadier-General in the militia of this State, by which title he was ever after so famil- iarly known. He was twice elected a Member of the Assembly from this County, serving his first term under the First Constitution of this State, in the 39th session of the Legislature in 1816, during the adininistration of Governor Daniel D. Tompkins. The late lamented ex- Governor William C. Bouck, his kinsman and intimate personal and political friend then serv- ing his third term, and Peter A. Hilton then serving his second term in the Assembly, were his colleagues. It has been often remarked of General Lawyer, that he was emphatically "a business meniber of the House"-that he never seemed anxious to establish a reputation by a simple display of powers of oratory, thus often vexing the ear of his associates with ill-timed, tedious and unnecessary debate. He preferred, without ostentation, in his usually quiet and un- obtrusive manner, to so discharge the responsi- ble duties of his position, as to merit the appro- bation of his associates and constituents, as an active, practical, useful legislator. Instead of seeking to fill the public eye by greater display, thus gaining an ephemeral distinction, by win- ning the applause of his listening auditors, or from the editors and readers of the journals of the day, he seemed only ambitious by the exer- cise of a manly firmness, patriotic courage, and integrity of purpose, to serve his country and his party in the enactment of wise and salutary laws. How well he succeeded, and how wisely he acted in choosing the proper and direct path to higher honors, future personal distinction and political preferment, is evidenced by his further triumphant march in his political career.
"At the next general election he was elected a member of the 15th Congress, from the 13th District of this State as organized under the Act of June 10, 1812, composed of the coull- ties of Schenectady and Schoharie. He served from March 4, 1817, to March 3, 1819, dur- ing the first two years of the term of James Monroe as President, and Daniel D. Tompkins as Vice-President of the United States.
"As a Member of Congress he maintained and enhanced the previous enviable reputation he had gained as a Member of the Legislature of his State, always promptly performing his duties with fidelity to his country, and party, thus meriting and receiving the approval, confidence and gratitude of his constituents. Here, as in the lower walks of his legislative life, he mani- fested those qualities that enabled him to ren- der to his country a service if not of the most brilliant kind, at least of no secondary im- portance.
"Under the second Constitution of this State, he was appointed District Attorney of this County, February 4, 1822, holding the office until October 11, 1831, when the late Jacob Houck, Jr., succeeded him.
"During this period occurred the exciting political contest for President of the United States for the tenth Presidential term, in which Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford and Henry Clay were the can- didates. General Lawyer was appointed by the Legislature of this State, November 1I, 1824, the Presidential Elector for the 12th Congressional District of this State, as organized under the Act of April 17, 1822, composed of the counties of Schenectady and Schoharie ; (it will be remembered that no choice was effected by the people, and Mr. Adams was subse- quently chosen by the House of Representa- tives at its next session.) He was again elected as Member of Assembly from this County in the fall of 1845, under the second Constitution, and
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served during the 7oth Session in 1846, with the late Hon. Thomas Smith, as his collcague. At the close of this his last official term, full of honors and ycars of official distinction, so cheerfully awarded him by his neighbors and those who knew, and appreciated him so well, he retired to private life.
" How fitting and appropriate, that his official career should seem to terminate in point of rank and distinction where it first began. General Lawyer never became giddy and vain in the possession of places of high honor and distinc- tion, of great public trust and responsibility. He seemed by nature just fitted and equal to the duties and various positions to which he attained, but never felt himself above them. It can in truth be said of him, that during his entire official life, by his strict adherence to a resolute purpose to pursue the right, the self- imposed restraints of a high regard for personal honor, at the close of each of the several official terms he so well and ably filled, he laid aside his robes unsoiled by a single act that tended to destroy either his own self-respect or the respect of others for him. He seemed to possess a soul that would have sickened under a sense of personal, professional or official dishonor, and to have acted upon the important principle that ' duty and fidelity in a public servant make up an important portion of a nation's wealth.' In public life, in his official intercourse, in his business and social relations, he was firm with- out obstinacy, prompt without undue haste, self-confident without arrogance, influencing others because he had learned to govern him- self, and neither doing nor countenancing an intentional wrong. Of him it may well be said :-
' His life was gentle-and the elements So mixed in him, that nature night stand up And say to all the world-this was a man.'
"But it was not in his official and professional life alone that his virtues were seen and appre-
ciatcd. In his social and business intercourse with those around him, in the home circle, everywhere, those eminent qualities, that uni- form urbanity, that dignity of manner and gentlemanly bearing that ever characterizes the true gentleman at heart, were pre-cminently his own. In brief he was truly possessed
' With all good grace to grace a gentleman.'
" His funeral obsequies were attended at the church at Lawyersville, on Sunday, the 24th inst., by a large circle of mourning friends, rnembers of the Bar, and citizens generally from his own, and adjoining towns. The solemn and impressive services were conducted by Reverend H. A. Raymond, of Cohoes, and Reverend J. Van Woert, of Lawyersville, both of whom bore willing testimony to the Christian virtues, and bright hopes expressed by our deceased friend, in reference to his future state. This clearly shows that in reviewing a long well spent and active life, he has not forgotten that
' The path of glory leads but to the grave, That there all human efforts end.'
" Thus has passed away a good man, one who has witnessed the varied scenes of tranquility and excitement in our history as a nation from its earliest date to the present hour.
"It seems by his death, the last connecting link that bound us to our past history and past generations, has been broken. He had lived to follow to the tomb his wife, and several of his children, who died in the prime of life. He had survived by many years, most of his political and professional contemporaries. He had lived beyond man's common lot, had enjoyed much more than ordinary honors, still the poignant grief caused by his death, will only give place to silent sorrow, as the mind recalls the virtues of General Thomas Lawyer. His memory will live in the grateful recollection of all who knew him, though his noble spirit has passed to the land of shadows.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
' He sat, as sets the morning star, which goes Not down, behind the darkened west, nor hides Obscure amidst the tempest of the sky, But melts away into the light of Heaven.'"
General Lawyer's pastor, Reverend J. Van- Woert, said of him :--
"He was a diligent student of the Bible ; his scrap-books he filled withi religious extracts, and many passages are marked by him in his favored religious books.
"In his public and professional duties, and·in his private life, he seems to have imbibed the truth of a verse he had written in the fly-leaf of his Bible dictionary :-
" Our lives are rivers gliding free To that unfathomed, boundless sea, The silent grave. Thither all earthly pomp and boast, Roll to be swallowed up and lost In one dark wave."
Since the year 1839, the old Lawyer place has been the property of Charles Courter, who for many years was the leading business man of the town.
CHARLES COURTER.
Charles Courter was born in the town of Schoharie of poor, yet respectable parents, on the 4th of June, 1808. His educational advan- tages were only such as the village school pre- sented, but possessing a quick perception he soon fitted himself for general business and en- tered the store of Freeman Stanton of Middle- burgh, in 1823. No better tutor could young Courter have been placed under than Freeman Stanton, as he was a very sagacious business man-yet most honorable in his dealings. Mr. Stanton's trade was very large and consequently brought Mr. Courter in contact with a large circle of the best citizens of the County-among
whom were many of the first business men. Be- ing thus brought before the people, the youth would naturally assume the prerogatives of a business man, and study the general principles of trade. Such was the case, and in after years Peter Osterhout placed him in a store at Law- yersville over which he presided as manager, and gave proof of that business tact that in after years made him so useful and successful. In the course of a few years he formed a co-part- nership with Henry Shutts in the mercantile business at Lawyersville and continued the same to the year 1837 when he removed to Cobles- kill village and engaged in business in the Lambert Lawyer brick house.
In the interim he married Helen Lawyer daughter of General Lawyer, and thus became connected with one of the leading families of the County. The business relations of Mr. Courter and Mr. Shutts were the most pleasing and instituted a friendship that was highly prized by those gentlemen, and guarded with jealous care. In 1839, Mr. Courter purchased the Lawyer mansion and built a store-house upon the ground formerly occupied by the barn and horse sheds connected with the hotel, and continued the business wholly or in part up to the year 1864. He was one of the leading spirits in the conception and construction of the Albany & Susquehanna railroad, as in it he saw the future prosperity of his adopted town and village. He was for many years one of the di- rectors of the road and was the most active in its completion. Gaining that object he turned his attention to the village and aroused an en- thusiasm among the business men for the im- provement of the place and in a few years changed it from a quiet hamlet to an ener- getic mart and business center. The large West brick block, National bank and costly Luth- · eran church-beside many substantial residences, are monuments of his energy and pride, and bespeak the liberality of the man in his ınanner
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of doing business. While Mr. Courter was a staunch Democrat in politics, and possessed the ability to grace any position, yet he held but few places of official trust, from the fact lie did not court position, and was too closely attached to business to enter the political field. However, he represented the town upon the Board of Su- pervisors in 184r and was re-elected the year following, after repeated declinations to run. In 1868, he was placed upon the Democratic Elect- oral ticket which received the largest majority the County ever gave in a Presidential contest.
Mr. Courter became extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber in the State of Florida and connected with other heavy enter- prises elsewhere, which required such active mental and physical labor as but few can ac- complish-but in him, was found those qualities that enabled him to meet every requirement with the greatest promptness.
Upon one of his business journeys he became exposed and in reaching home, he was confined by an attack of pneumonia which closed his active life on the Ist day of January, 1879.
JAMES TANNER.
James Tanner was born at Richmondville, Schoharie County, N. Y., April 4, 1844.
His early life was spent on a farm, where he received the usual privileges of education fur- nished country boys in the district school.
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When the war broke out he was engaged in teaching, and though but a lad, he resigned his position and enlisted in the 87tlı New York Volunteers, Company C, as a private soldier, being at the time but seventeen years and six months of age. Shortly after his enlistment, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, which was but the assurance of further promotion had not his soldier's career been brought suddenly to an end, by the terrible disaster which befell him.
The 87th New York was hurried to the front, and was soon engaged in the conflicts of the ever memorable Peninsular campaign.
Being attached to Kearney's Division, Cor- poral Tanner participated in most of the battles which marked the advance of the Army of the Potomac, including Williamsburgh, Fair Oaks, the siege of Yorktown, the Seven days battle in front of Richmond and Malvern Hill. After leav- ing the Peninsula, the Regiment fought at War- rentown, Bristow Station, and Manassas Junc- tion, in all of which battles Tanner took part.
The next battle was his last with the regiment, for there followed his terrible fight for life.
When his regiment marched to the second battle of Bull Run, he was in his place, ready, as he had ever been, to do the work assigned him. It was in this battle that he received the terrible injuries that resulted in the loss of both his legs. His regiment occupied a position on the extreme right of the line, with Stonewall Jackson's corps lying in front.
While undergoing a terriffic shelling from the enemy, by order of General John C. Robinson, the men were lying down. While in this posi- tion, a piece of a shell struck his limbs, com- pletely severing the right limb at the ankle, and so shattering the left limb as to make amputa- tion necessary.
He was picked up by some of his comrades, and carried to a piece of timber near by, where the surgeons were at work. There, he said he lost consciousness, but when he recovered it, found that both of his limbs were off, having been amputated four inches below the knee.
Meantime the Union lines had been broken, and the army was retreating.
Hurriedly picking him up, Tanner's comrades sought to make good their escape, but were com- pelled to leave him at a farm-house, in order to prevent their own capture.
There he fell into the Rebels hands, and for
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
ten days, lay in the door-yard with six others, who had lost either a leg or an arm.
At the end of the ten days, he was paroled, and taken in an ambulance to Fairfax Seminary Hospital, near Alexandria, Virginia.
After remaining here four weeks, his brother found him, and took him back to his old home in Schoharie County. By the next spring he was able to get about on a pair of artificiallegs, and soon after was appointed to the position of Deputy Doorkeeper in the Assembly.
He was subsequently appointed to various positions under the Legislature, and then went to Washington, as a clerk in the War Depart- ment, under Secretary Stanton.
On the night of President Lincoln's assassin- ation, he was employed to take notes of the first official evidence of the assassination, and at- tempt upon the life of Secretary Seward. He was among the number who stood at the bed- side of Mr. Lincoln when he died.
Resigning the position he held under Secre- tary Stanton, he returned to Richmondville, Schoharie County N. Y. and entered the law office of Judge William C. Lamont in the spring of 1866. He remained in the office of Judge Lamont until admitted to the bar.
In 1866, he married Miss M. L. White, daugh- ter of Alfred C. White, of Jefferson, Schoharie County, N. Y. To them there have been born four beautiful children-two daughters and two sons.
In the spring of 1869, soon after he was ad- mitted to the bar, Mr. Tanner was appointed to a position in the New York Custom House, and immediately took up his residence in the city of Brooklyn.
In the Custom House, he rose on competi- tive examination until he became Deputy Col- lector, in which office he served four years un- der General Chester A. Arthur.
In 1871, he was the Republican nominee for the Assembly in the 4th district of Kings
county, and though it was conceded that he ran far ahead of his ticket, and was really elected, he was deprived of his seat by the enormous frauds of that year, which have be- come part of political history of the city of Brooklyn-frauds which were only possible be- cause of the fact that there was no registry law that year. In 1876, Mr. Tanner was the Repub- lican candidate for Register of Kings county and was defeated by less than 2,000 votes though the Democratic majority that year in the County was 19,000.
In November, 1877, Mr. Tanner was nomi- nated by Mayor Schroeder, and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen, to the responsible position of Collector of Taxes for the city of Brooklyn. Upon the expiration of his first term, although the mayoralty had in the mean- time passed into the hands of the Democracy, he was nominated and confirmed by the entire vote of the Board of Aldermen with one excep- tion. He instituted many reforms in the ad- ministration of the office, extending greater facilities to the tax-payers, and at the same time reduced the expenses of the office one- half. Under his regirne the first day's collec- tions on a new levy has grown from $300,000 to $2,000,000. On the induction into office, January 1, 1882, of Hon. Seth Low as Mayor of Brooklyn, he appointed Mr. 'T'anner as col- lector for the third term, and his action met with the hearty approval of all classes.
While in the office of collector he has not for- gotten the claims of the soldier, for the records of the office show that during his term as col- lector there have been in his office twenty-two veteran soldiers whose aggregate salaries have amounted to $80,000. Thus he is always when opportunities offer, reaching out in a substan- tial manner to the aid of the ex-soldier. This spirit ever manifesting itself has given him great popularity among the soldiers of the State.
For years Corporal Tanner has been a mem-
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ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, seeking in every way possible to advance its interest. Repeatedly his comrades had felt how great was the value of the advice which he gave, and for long had looked upon him as a leader whose judgment was sound and whose heart was true. Consequently in 1876, he was elected to the position of Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of New York. He came in command at a time when the members of the Grand Army were discouraged because of the failure of the attempt to make provisions for the poor and homeless ex-soldiers in the State. It had long been felt that New York had neglected to provide for the wants of many of her maimed and helpless soldiers. Some futile attempts had been made to secure relief but nothing substantial had as yet been done.
When he assumed command of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of New York, there was as yet no home provided for the maimed and homeless soldiers of the State. While other States had provided for their home- less soldiers, New York had failed, as yet, to make any provisions.
Several attempts had been made to erect a home, but each attempt had failed. The out- look was discouraging, it was an herculean task to attempt a work which had repeatedly failed, and around which, because of previous failures there had gathered much of prejudice.
But realizing the fact that the alms-houses of the State were filled with crippled soldiers, and believing that by persistent and untiring effort, and a proper putting of the facts before the people especially the soldier element, a better result could be secured, he resolved to undertake the work. He traversed the State from one end to the other. He made public and private appeals in the interest of the soldiers' home. He fired the hearts of many truly patriotic and benevolent men; and at last poured an ava- lanch of petitions upon the Legislature of the
State. As the result of his never yielding efforts there was erected at Bath, Steuben county, N. Y. at a cost of $80,000 a magnificent building known as " The Soldiers' Home" where the crippled defenders of the country most truly find the comforts and luxuries of a home.
The building is capable of accommodating six hundred men, and throughout the State the soldiers speak of it not only as a soldiers' home, but as Tanner's monument. It was truly a grand and noble work, and it was grandly done. And while through the struggle to accomplish it, many noble-hearted men gathered about the en- terprise, still the buildings in their strength and patriotic philanthropy stand as a testimony to the burning zeal and untiring effort of the crippled soldier, Tanner.
At the present time Mr. Tanner is Collector of taxes of the city of Brooklyn, to which office he has been appointed for the third term, thus voicing the confidence in him of the great city where he lives.
He is a man of marked ability, being a public speaker of unusual eloquence and power; his voice not only being heard upon the political stump, but often upon the lecture platform.
He enjoys the confidence of a large circle of friends, and without doubt has a bright and proniising future before him.
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