History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I, Part 152

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, ed
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1354

USA > New York > Westchester County > History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I > Part 152

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Dr. Scribner's professional silence grew out of his hatred for shaus of all kinds. His profession was to cure, not to amuse, and he never sought to win suc- cess by any means outside of his skillful treatment of cases. Operations of a complicated nature and re- quiring the highest skill were performed by him; but his modesty kept him from reporting the cases, and they remain unknown to all except the ones who were directly benefited by his art.

It is ueedless to say that his moral and professional worth were alike appreciated by the eutire comnu- nity. For several ycars he was elected president of the village, held the highest offices in the Westches- ter County Medical Society, and was a delegate to the National Medical Association in 1871. He was also a member of the New York State Medical So- ciety and of the American Medical Association, and an honorary member of the California State Medical Society. For several terms he was chosen presideut and director of the Westchester County Agricultural Society, and was an able and efficient member of the Board of Education of Tarrytown.

He married Margaret E. Miller, and left two daughters,-Josie and Ella. By his death, which occurred January 28, 1880, the community suffered an irreparable loss; all classes mourned him as a friend, and it was with feelings of no common vener- ation that his friends and neighbors bore to their fiual home the remains of one who had beeu in all the relations of life a useful and honored man.

SAMUEL SWIFT.

Samuel Swift, M.D., is descended from an old English family who came to New England at an early date. His immediate ancestors were residents of Dorchester, Mass. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., August 5, 1849, his father, Samuel Swift, being then a prosperous merchant in New York. His mother was Mary, daughter of Samuel Phelps, of West Hampton, Mass., of a family well known in the history of that portion of the country. Dr. Swift re- sided in Brooklyn till 1858, when he went to Massa- chusetts and entered Williston Seminary. In 1865 he entered Yale College, and graduated in 1868 with the degree of Ph.B. In the fall of 1869 he joined the Medical Department of Cambridge University, where he remained one year. He then entered the Medical Department of Columbia College, and was also a private pupil of Dr. T. M. Markoe. In 1872 he graduated and received the diploma of M.D., and was the valedictorian of his class. After completing his studies he made a short tour to Europe, where he spent six months, principally in Germany. Previous to his trip he had been appointed resident physician at the "Nursery and Child's Hospital," in New York, obtaining this position by a successful competitive examination ; after completing his services there he was for a time connected with the Northeastern Dispensary.

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HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

In the fall of 1873 he came to Yonkers, where he has since resided. Here he entered into a business partnership with Dr. J. Foster Jenkins, a physician of great skill and reputation, and this connection con- tinued till the death of Dr. Jenkins, in 1882. In his profession Dr. Swift has attained an enviable and well-merited reputation. He is a member of the Medical Society of the State of New York, of the New York Academy of Medicine, of the Westchester Medical Society, the Jenkins Medical Society of Yonkers and the Boylston Medical Society of Boston, Mass. He has always been identified with the Demo; cratic party, and in 1882 was elected mayor of the city of Yonkers. He has also been president of the Board of Education, and is justly recognized as a prominent and nseful citizen and a skillful medical practi- tioner.

He married Lncy, daughter of Hon. Henry E. Davis, late judge of the Court of Appeals of New York, and has one child, Martha. He is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where he has served as vestryman since 1877, and is at present junior warden of the church.

AUGUSTUS VAN CORTLANDT.

Dr. Augustus Van Cortlandt was born August 31, 1826, and died December 24, 1884. He was the son of Frederick Augustus Van Cortlandt and Harriet, daughter of Peter Jay Munro, of Mamaroneck. His paternal grandfather was James Morris, of Morrisania, and his grandmother Helen Van Cortlandt. His father took the name of Van Cortlandt to inherit an estate at Lower Yonkers, now called King's Bridge. The house in which Dr. Van Cortlandt was born was afterwards purchased, with a small portion of the property, by Hon. Waldo Hutchings.

Dr. Van Cortlandt was sent at an early age to a school at White Plains. He had a wonderful memory and learned very rapidly. When the California fever broke out he went to California, aud upon his return to New York began the study of medicine. When the war opened he joined the Ninth New York Regi- ment and went to Washington. With a number of others, heshortly left the Ninth and joined the Twelfth. On the return of his regiment he went out with the Seventh. On returning home he was sent to David's Island as physician. Subsequently he commenced the practice of medicine in New Rochelle, which he continued until his death.

His practice was never very remunerative, being principally among the poor, by whom he seemed to be innch beloved.

PIERRE CORTLANDT VAN WYCK.

Pierre Cortlandt Van Wyck, M.D., was born at the old Van Cortlandt Manor-house, on the banks of the Croton River, September 24, 1824.

His father, Philip Gilbert Van Wyck, was the nephew and adopted son of General Philip Van Cort- landt, who died a bachlor and left his large estate, including the Van Cortlandt Manor, to be divided between his two nephews, Pierre Van Cortlandt and Philip G. Van Wyck.

Dr. Van Wyck's mother was Mary Smith Gardiner, daughter of Colonel Abraham Gardiner, who was one of the lineal descendants of Lion Gardiner, of Gardi- ner's Island.

Coming of a race of those who had from the earliest history of the country been foremost in patriotism, generosity and the development of all the nobler traits of human nature, descended from the Van Cortlandts, Van Rensselaers, Gardiners and Van Wycks, whose names are so intimately interwoven with the early history of our own country, he never forgot the traditions of his ancestry, but was always the genial, high-toned, honorable gentleman.

Beginning life under these favorable auspices, he entered Princeton College and gradnated with the class of 1845.

He began the study of medicine under the care of Dr. Adrian K. Hoffman. He was afterwards a student at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, where he enjoyed the benefit of the instruc- tions of the celebrated Dr. Willard Parker.

He graduated in 1849, aud was afterwards appoint- ed by President Taylor, United States inspector of drugs, at the port of New York.

While holding this position he became interested in the firm of Radway & Co., in which he still held an interest at the time of his death.

In 1862 he was appointed by President Lincoln assessor of internal revenue for the Fourth District of New York.

He organized the district and continned to admin - ister it ably and efficiently until it was consolidated in 1871. In January, 1882, President Arthur ap- pointed him superintendent of the United States Assay Office in New York, to succeed Mr. Thomas C. Acton, who was made Assistant Treasurer of the United States.

In politics he was a Whig until 1856, when he joined the Republican party during the Fremont cam- paign. He had always been promineut in the coun- cils of his party and was many times sent as a dele- gate to State and National Conventions, and was one of the famous three hundred and six who voted so persistently for General Grant at Chicago in 1880.

When the nomination of General Garfield was announced, Governor Dennison of Ohio, came to the New York delegation and said that any candidate they named for Vice-President would be nominated. Dr. Van Wyck proposed the name of Chester A. Arthur, which was unanimously indorsed.

Dr. Van Wyck had been the personal friend of President Arthur for twenty years, and was with him on that memorable night of September 19, 1881,

Pierre CVan Wick

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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

when the sad news came that President Garfield had passed away, and he was one of the nine persons present when the oath of office was administered by Judge Brady to the new President during the silence and solemnity of the midnight hour.

Dr. Van Wyck had a brilliant mind, cultivated by deep study and extensive foreign travel, combined with refined and artistic tastes. He lived and died a bachelor. He was a man of domestic habits, and de- voted himself to the care and comfort of his sisters, Miss Joanna L. Van Wyck and Mrs. Annie V. R. Wells, who resided with him at the Van Wyck man- sion, Grove Hill, in the village of Sing Sing. This had always been the seat of generous and refined hos- pitality, and it was at this home that he died sud- denly, of pneumonia, on the 23d day of April, 1883.

The funeral was largely attended, not only by his associates and friends in his own circle of life, but by all his numerous ten- antry and the poor of the surrounding country, who found him always a friend and brother to each and all, irrespective of race or creed.

Of him it may well be said : " Write me as one that loves his fellow- men."

The interment took place in the family burial ground at Croton, where . repose the remains of those sterling Revolution- ary patriots, Lieutenant Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt and his sons, General Philip and General Pierre, and of his grandsons, General Philip G. Van Wyck and Recorder Pierre C. Van Wyck and numerous other members of the Van Cortlandt and Van Wyck families.

Of the ancestry of Dr. Van Wyck a few words may be added.

Cornelius Barentse Van Wyck came to America in 1660, from Wyck, a town on the river Teck in Hol- land. He married Anna Polhemus ; their son Theo- dorus who was born September 17, 1668, and died December 4, 1753, married Margaretta Brinckehoff, February 3, 1685. They were the parents of eight children, one of whom, Abraham, who was born No- vember 7, 1695, married Catherine Provost in 1717. Of their nine children, the eldest, Theodorus, born

H. K. Huntington RD

November 30, 1718, married Helena Sanford, August 2, 1740, and they were the parents of twelve children ; one of their sons, Abraham, was born in 1748, and married Catherine, daughter of Lieut. Gov. Pierre Van Cortlandt, January 7, 1776. Their children were Theodorus, Pierre Cortlandt, Van Wyck (who was for many years Recorder for the City of New York) and Philip Gilbert Van Wyck, who was born Jnne +, 1786, and married Mary Smith, daughter of Col Abra- ham Gardiner, and granddaughter of David Gardiner, fourth proprietor of Gardiner's Island. Their chil- dren were Joanna Livingston Van Wyck, now resid- ing at Sing Sing; Catherine, wife of Stephen H. Bat- tin ; Philip Van Cortlandt, who died unmarried, Jan- uary 12, 1842; Eliza, wife of William Van Ness Liv- ingston, who died Decem- ber 9, 1865; Gardiner, who died unmarried, April 7, 1860 ; Annie Van Rens- selaer, who married the late Hon. Alexander Wells, of the Supreme Bench of California, and whose only child, Ger- trude Van Cortlandt, mar- ried Schuyler Hamilton, Jr., great-grandson ot

Alexander Hamilton ; David Gardiner, who died unmarried, December 16, 1848, and Dr. Pierre Cort- landt Van Wyck, the subject of this article.

The Van Wycks of Holland, are an aristo- cratic and wealthy fami- ly, and continue to bear the same coat of arms as those brought by the Van Wycks to this country upwards of two centuries ago.

HENRY K. HUNTINGTON.

The first known ancestor of Henry K. Huntington, M. D., in America, was one to whom tradition _has assigned the name of Simon. He was an English- man, and in 1633 started with his wife and family for this country. His death occurred during the voyage, and his son Christopher, who succeeded to the pater- nal cares, brought the family first to Norwich, Conn., and finally to Windham, in the same State, where a permanent settlement was effected. The branch of the family from which Dr. Huntington is descended has apparently remained within a short distance of the original homestead, for we find by an examina-

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HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

tion of the records that Samuel Howard Huntington, his father, who was born December 14, 1793, was married in Hartford October 19, 1835, the lady being his second wife. Her name was Sarah Blair Watkin- son, and she was a daughter of Robert Watkinson, a merchant residing in Hartford.

Henry K., their son, was born at Hartford March 27, 1845. He remained in his native town till 1862, in which year, having meanwhile graduated from the Hartford public school, he entered Trinity College. In 1867, after graduating there, he made a first at- tempt at self-support. Proceeding as far west as Racine, Wis., he engaged as a tutor in the college there. A year's experience as an instructor, how- ever, convinced him that teaching was not his forte, and at the end of the first term he resigned his posi- tion at Racine, with the intention of studying medicine.

Retracing his steps, he came eastward, and in 1868 entered the Univer- sity (medical college) of the city of New York, from which he graduated in 1871. The success which has attended him as a physician, has con- vinced him, as well as his many friends, that he made no mistake in his second choice of a pro- fession. Immediately fol- lowing his graduation, he devoted sixteen months to service in the Charity Hospital on Black- well's Island. As a reward for the profi- ciency with which he had performed his du- ties there, he was commissioned in 1872 with the re-organization of the Convalescent Hospital on Hart's Island, and to him is due the credit of originating what is now known as the Hart's Island Hospital.

On the 23d of September, 1873, he removed to New Rochelle, where he still resides. By careful attention to the needs of liis patients and faithfulness in the per- formance of his professional duties, lie has won for himself not only a large and extended practice, but also the esteem of his fellow-townsmen

He is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, was formerly a trustee of the public schools and is con- nected with the County and State Medical Associa- tions. He is at present physician to the Board of Health of the town of New Rochelle.

Chaximilian . Seinfelds

Dr. Huntington married Sept. 23, 1873, Miss Moruca Frances De Figaniere, and has no children. He is one of the most successful physicians in the county.

MAXIMILIAN JOSEPH REINFELDER.

Maximilian Joseph Reinfelder, M.D., was born in Munich, Kingdom of Bavaria, March 4, 1821. His father, Ferdinand Reinfelder, was a surgeon in the military academy of that capital, where he was in active service thirty-three years. From his four- teenth year Dr. Reinfelder paid great attention to the study of the natural sciences, especially chemis- try, in which he graduated from the University of Munich in 1844. From 1847 to 1850 he pursued his medical studies there.

Attracted by the large field of usefulness which America affords to scien- tific men as medical prac- titioners, as well as by his natural and unconquer- able predilection for this country almost from his childhood, he came to the United States in 1854.

Notwithstanding the thoroughness of his Euro- pean medical education, he matriculated at the University Medical Col- lege, in New York City. His object in doing this was to familiarize him- selt with American medi- cal authorities, and iden- tify himself with Ameri- can interests ; also to ob- serve and study the great changes which took place during twenty years in all branches of medical science. Having fin- ished the courses pre- scribed in the school of medicine, he was graduated in 1869, receiving, be- side his regular diploma, a certificate of honor, as an evidence of having pursued a fuller course of medical instruction than that usually followed by students. He continued the practice of medicine in Yonkers, where he has been located for the last thirty-one years. He is a man of acknowledged reputation in the pro- fession, and is at present consulting physician to St. John's Riverside Hospital. He is a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, and also a mem- ber of the Westchester Medical Society.

He was married, in 1854, to Miss A. Merz, of Lin- dau, Lake Constance, Bavaria, and has one daughter, Armina J., who resides with him at the present time.

He is now a gentleman of advanced years. By

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caretul attention to the wants of his patients, and strict economy in the management of his private af- fairs, he has accumulated for himself an extensive practice and a moderate fortune. He is greatly re- spected in the city of liis adoption both as a private citizen and an influential physician.

RALPH BARNARD GRISWOLD.

The family of Ralph Barnard Griswold, M.D., was originally English. The first ancestor in this coun- try was Roger Griswold, who came to New London, Coun., before the Revolution, and it is supposed that Fort Griswold, near that city, was named after some of the members of the family.

Ralph Barnard Gris- wold, M.D., son of Lucius and Julia Elizabeth (Bar- nard) Griswold, was born at Colebrook, Litchfield County, Conn., January 18, 1835. His parents moved to the thriving vil- lage of Winsted in 1848, where he attended the district school, after which he became a pupil of St. James' School, taught by Revs. Jonathan and James R. Coe. He taught school in the academy at Winchester Centre and also nine months at Stroudsburg, Pa. His success was so great there that he was urged to tarry longer. For years, however, it had been his desire to become a physician, and while yet en- gaged as a teacher in Stroudsburg, he fully de- cided to exe- cute this purpose. He read medicine with H. B. Steele, ' M.D., of Winsted, Conn., and attended his first course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and a full course at the Eclectic Medical Insti- tute of Cincinnati, O., where he graduated in Feb 1857.

It had been his father's wish that he should spend some time in Europe to further advance his medical education, but being of an ambitious turn of mind, and having confidence in his own ability, he decided not to accept the kind offer thus made. In April, 1857, he came to Northi Castle, where he immediately began the practice of medicine and has succeeded in building up a business second to none in this part of the county. He is now called to Stanwich, Round

Hill, Armonk, Bedford, New Castle and Long Ridge, and is the leading physician in North Castle, his post-office address being Banksville, Fairfield County, Conn. He is town physician and is also healthi officer of the Board of Health.

He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at Winsted, Conn., in his seventeenth year, and in 1857 brouglit liis letter from this church to the Middle Patent Methodist Church, where he has been an acceptable member for twenty-eight years, hold- ing the offices of trustee, steward and chorister from the time of his arrival to the present. He has been since his earliest recollection connected with Sabbath- schools, either as a pupil, superintendent or teach- er. For fifteen years Dr. Griswold has managed the financial matters of the church of which he is a member, and has rendered valuable service in the collection of funds neces- sary for its support.

May 1, 1858, lie married Mary Jane Early. Four children were born to them, of whom William L. Griswold, Ph.B., M.D., now practicing medicine in Greenwich, Conn., and Julia Alice Griswold are still living. Hehas held the office of commissioner of highways of his town for five consecutive terms of three years each, and still holds the position. He has also been tendered the nomination for su- pervisor, but owing to pressure of professional business, has been obliged to decline the honor. He

Ralph B. GriswoldM. S.

has always been a temperance man, and became espec- ially active in that work in 1870, when he assisted in organizing the Middle Patent Division of the Sons of Temperance. He was made its first Worthy Patriarch, and some three years afterward was elected Grand Worthy Patriarch of the Grand Division "Sons of Tem- perance " of Eastern New York, embracing in its juris- diction some thirteen counties of the State. He is also an ex-officio member of the National Division of the same association. He has always been a consistent Republican, not having missed either a town or State election in over twenty-eight years. He has identified himself, irrespective of party, church or state, with any and every cause which he thought was for the

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HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

benefit of the community, being always ready to lend a helping hand. He has often, after a day of toil or a thirty or forty-mnile ride, driven away again some five miles to drill or take charge of a company of singers in giving a concert or entertainment for some weak society. His liberal tendencies, together with his cordial disposition and the valuable services which he has in times past and still cou- tines to render the community in which lie lives, have endeared him to its people and made his name an honor to the county of his adoption.

WALTON JAY CARPENTER.

Walton Jay Carpenter, M.D., is descended from an English family who came to New England during the seventeenth century. From thence a branch re- moved to the town of Pur- chase, in Westchester Couuty, where they took up land and engaged in farming. Charles B. Car- penter, father of Walton Jay, was of this line. He married Rachel White, and of their five children, Dr. Carpenter was the oldest. He was born in Duanesburgh, Schenec- tady County, N. Y., Sep- tember 11, 1852, and re- moved with his family when but four years of age to Illinois. After a stay of two years in the West the family returned to Duanesburgh where the youth attended the public school, leav- ing at the age of fifteen for the Delaware Literary In- stitute, where he passed two winters. A period of three years, divided between teaching and study followed ; then a two years' course of select studies at Union College and a term of medical preparation under the celebrated professor, Dr. Alfred Loomis, of New York. In the fall of 1875 he entered the medical department of the Univer- sity of the City of New York, and finally fin- ished his course in the spring of 1877, when lie graduated.

My Computer

He first settled at Round Hill, Connecticut, where he practiced for a few months, in connection with his uncle, J. C. White, M.D. ; but this town not offering the advantages which he craved, he returned to New York City and entered upou a post-graduate course

at the University, after completing which in 1878 he removed to Katonah, where he still resides.

He has by care and industry succeeded in building up for himself an extensive practice, and has during his residence in Katonah effected many cures which will render his reputation permanent and his presence in the place a continual agency for good. He is a member of the Methodist Church of Katonah, and also a member of the following Masonic organiza- tions : Kisco Lodge, No. 708; Croton Chapter, No. 202; and Crusade Commandery, No. 56.

He married April 30, 1884, Miss Anna L. Green, daughter of Alsoph Green, of Katonah.

Dr. Carpenter is connected with the Westchester Medical Society, among the members of which he is widely known and as widely respected.

CHAPTER XIII.

LITERATURE AND LITERA- RY MEN, OF WESTCHES- TER COUNTY.

J. THOS. SCHARF, A.M., LL.D

WESTCHESTER COUNTY has good reason to pride herself on her contribu- tions to the literature of the country. Few, if any, counties in the Union, can show an equally brilliant record. She has given birth to many noted wri- ters and has nurtured many more. The great- est literary genius, proba- bly, that our country has produced, the weird, uncan- ny Poe, found inspiration within hier borders, on the banks of the lordly Hudson, and that sunny, facile intellect which dwelt in the pure and lofty brow of Washington Irving found equal delight in exploring the mystic nooks and windings of its "Sleepy Hollows." Feni- more Cooper, the great pioneer of American fiction, roamed over its rugged hills and through its pleasant meadows, and treading close upon his heels came James Kirke Paulding, Irving's friend and collabora- teur, whose strong Americanism was quite as pure and unadulterated as was that of the patriotic Cooper. Among political writers, Westchester pre- seuts the great names of Hamilton, Tom Paine, Sea- bury, Wilkins, the Jays, Gouverneur Morris, Daniel

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LITERATURE AND LITERARY MEN.

D. Tompkins, John Bigelow, Horace Greeley, James Watson Webb, besides a host of lesser celebrities.

George Washington, though not, properly speaking, a literary character, deserves to be included among those who have transmitted noble thoughits as well as noble deeds to his countrymen. His association with the people of Westchester County during the Revolution- ary era is fully set forth elsewhere in this work. Among his writings arc to be found vivid bits of description of Westchester localities, with which he became familiarized in passing through the county. The Sparks collection of Washington's writings fills twelve large octavo volumes. His first appearance as an author was in the publication, in 1754, at Williams- burg, Va., and in London, of his journal of his pro- ceedings "To and from the French of the Ohio," a brief tract written hastily from the rough notes taken on his expedition. His State papers, correspondence and " Farewell Address" are too well known to need description here. Major John Andre, whose mournful fate is indissolubly linked with the glorious deeds of Washington, spent the closing days of his career in Westchester. He was a poet as well as a soldier and an accomplished man of letters.

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History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I, Part 152

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, ed Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co. Number of Pages: 1354

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, ed
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1354