History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 118

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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. II > Part 118

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Ezekiel Hawley, the grandson of Rev. Thomas Hawley, was one of the original proprietors of the Oblong. His father was Joseph, the second son of the Rev. Thomas, and suecceded his father in the prc- prietorship in 1753, was also an officer in the Continen- tal service and chairman of the Committee of Public Safety during the Revolutionary War. Ezekiel set- tled on part of the Oblong that came to his father, Joseph, in the southeastern part of the town, near Lewisboro'. He died in 1788, leaving four sons-Eze- kiel, Peter, Joel and David-and five daughters. The estate in North Salem was divided as follows un- der a will dated June 2, 1786 : The half of the real estate to Peter and Joel, and the other half equally among the five daughters. The Hawley homestead is now owned by Joel Hawley, son of Alfred S. and grandson of Joel.

The Baxters were early purchasers on the Oblong, of whom were Thomas, Daniel and Pettit. The lat- ter died in 1807 and left three sons,-David, John and Richard, - and daughters, - Rhoda, Mary (Keeler), Joanna (Close) and Phœbe (Hunt).

The Palmers settled at the south of Lake Pchquen- nakonek, where David died in 1795, leaving his real estate, adjoining Johu Baxter's land, to his sons,- John, Daniel, Sylvanus, David and Elias,-where the family still reside.

The family of Vail were also purchasers on the

508

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

Oblong, southeast of the Palmers, and Thomas Vail was overseer of the poor in 1790. In 1812 Sarah Vail, his widow, devised her real estate to her two sons, William and John. and other property to daughters-Martha (Mrs. Seneca Ferris) and Phobe (Mrs. Edward Brundage). The estate is still in the family.

Ephraim Baker, a Friend, was an early resident and a publie speaker.

Stephen Baker lived at the same place and was a trustee of the town in 1790. The family in the town have descended from him.

The family of Brown, who have been numerous in the town from its beginning, have derived their land from James Brown, who was one of the original pro- prietors of the Oblong. He resided in Lower Salem for several years, and died in Norwalk, Conn., in 1769.

On the line of the highway, running north from Close's Corners, near Salem Centre and near the Epis- eopal Church, is the handsome June homestead, a large, substantial frame dwelling, and a fine traet of farming land. The Junes were of the oldest families, having descended from Zabud June, who was prom- inent in the early history of North Salem. This fam- ily were intimately associated with the show busi- ness, that flourished so largely in this seetion. In connection with another family of the town, whose extensive property and fine residence was located a short distance southeast of the Centre (the Titus fam- ily), they were heavily interested in the organization and ownership of these exhibitions. There were other residents who were more or less intimately associated with them, but the Junes and Tituses were the prin- cipal resident owners. Somers was the birth-place of the business, and Hachaliah Bailey the originator. The town of North Salem followed at once. In those days it required more brains and skill to manage one of these shows than it does in these days of railroad facilities and easy transportation. June, Titus & Angevine's menagerie was one of the largest and most successful of these early exhibitions. The eir- cus business was separately condueted at this time, and Aaron Turner, of North Salem, was the origin- ator of this branch. IIe afterwards moved to Dan- bury, Conn., and erected a monument to his memory in the shape of the large brick hotel known as the Turner House. June, Titus & Angevine brought over and exhibited the first hippopotamus ever seen in this country. Lewis June, John J. June, James June, Lewis Titns and Stephen Angevine were the proprietors. The latter gentleman was a descendant of the Angevines of New Rochelle, who came from France. For many years these families were engaged actively in this business and amassed a fortune, whose comforts they enjoyed fully during the deelin- ing years of their lives. They have passed away, but the property remains in the hands of their de- seendants.

Stebbins B. Quiek, born in North Salem, October 19, 1829, is of English descent. His father, Fladins C. Quick, was a well-known showman of the olden time, as was also his unele, whose namesake he was.

In his youth he attended the distriet sehool in North Salem, after leaving which he entered the North Salem Academy, an excellent institution in which he retains a lively interest to this day. Here he remained till his eighteenth year, when he went to New York City and engaged as a elerk in the office of Davis Collamore, who was heavily interested in the manufacture and sale of glass-ware and eroekery.

After five years of faithful service as a elerk he was admitted to the firm as a partner, the house being known as Davis Collamore & Co. He remained with the firm as a partner for a period of twenty years, during which he became widely known throughout the trade and in New York business cireles generally as a safe and desirable customer, and a thoroughly honest and honorable man of affairs. While a mem- ber of this firm Mr. Quiek was also a director in the Bank of New York.

At the elose of his twentieth year of partnership he retired from active life, and returning to North Salem, he purchased as his future residence the old homestead. At a large expense he reconstructed the buildings, and prepared for himself a comfortable home, in which he resides at the present time.

There is no gentleman living in North Salem better known to its people. Born and brought up in the town, he absented himself from it during only such time as was necessary to accumulate the competeney of which every utan feels the need. Returning, he settled down in the home which had been the dwelling-place of his family for many generations, and immediately inter- ested himself in those institutions and in people which had been the familiar companions and friends of his childhood. The district school and the academy, which were partners in his education, are now the ob- jects of his speeial attention, as is also the Methodist Church at North Salem, of which he is seeretary and treasurer, as well as a liberal supporter. He has in- terested himself in local politics, and though he is by no means a politician, he has held, under the Repub- liean party, the office of town auditor.

In 1869 he married Alice A. Read, whose sad death in 1874 was deeply felt throughout the entire eom- munity. He has one child, a daughter, Florence A., who resides with him at North Salem.

Stephen Butler, who owns a valuable residence and property at Purdy's, is now one of the oldest showmen living. He was born July 10, 1801, in Onondaga, N. Y., and distinctly remembers when the city of Syracuse was nothing but a black-ash swamp. He is a hale and well-preserved man, full of activity and vigorous health, notwithstanding his age and the ex- posures of his early life in the exhibition business. HIe entered the business in 1827 with Horace and Eben Crosby, aud afterward united his interests with

、

RESIDENCE OF STEBBINS B. QUICK, NORTH SALEM, N. Y.

509

NORTH SALEM.

Horton, Teed & Company. He retired from the bus- iness in 1835. The Hortons in this firm were Lewis and David Horton, brothers, and sons of Wil- liam Horton, of Somers. Charles Teed, of Somers, was a brother-in-law and partner in the concern. The Horton residence is located near the south line of the town, on the highway leading from Purdy's to Gold- en's Bridge. The old house has been removed, and a large, square, two-story modern residenee erected in its place. Upon the farm is a valuable granite quar- ry which has been worked considerably in later years, but mainly for local purposes. The property is owned by the family of David Horton, one of the sons ; Lewis, and his sister Clarissa, both unmarried, residing on the homestead and conducting the farm. Lewis was one of the engineers of Central Park, New York ; but constant devotion to his profession injured his eyes and he was forced to retire from aetive life to the farm, his home. A little over two miles east of Purdy's, on the North Salem road, is a fine, large inodern residence. It is two stories in height, sur- rounded by wide verandas and ornamented with va- rious devices of the architect. A spacious lawn stretches out from the house in every direction, inter- spersed with drives and walks, while the carriage- house and other out-buildings in the rear carry out in style the general line of the main structure. Lamps are also placed at intervals throughout the grounds, and a handsome basin of ornamental iron-work re- ceives the water from a fountain-pipe in the centre of the front lawn. On the east lawn is an elaborate summer-house with radiating arbors. On the west side a small pond has been raised, the waters flowing over a ent-stone dam and across a circularly fenced inelosure, under a bridge on the highway into the Titicus River, which flows through the meadows ly- ing opposite the dwelling and on the south side of the road. Nearly opposite the residence, and also on the south side of the highway, is an immense barn, in which are all the modern appliances for the feeding of stock, a steamer for steaming the feed, an engine for running the feed-cutters, ete. This property is the summer home and milk-farm of T. W. Decker, a well-known and extensive New York milk dealer. The property embraces parts of several farms, and is admirably situated for the business to which it is de- voted. It was originally owned in early days by Judge Ebenezer Purdy, and was joined on the east by the Delevan farm. The latter property is now owned by Thomas L. Purdy, son of I. H. Purdy, whose handsome residenee overlooks a long reach of rich meadow and valuable undulating farm land to the south and east, comprising a large extent of the central Titicus Valley. Passing on east through the hamlet of Salem Centre and crossing the Titiens at that point, a few rods south, a large, rambling house, with huge chimneys, stands before us. It bears the marks of age, yet suggests old-time prosperity, com- fort and eontentment. It is the home of the Under- | business.

ii .- 45

hill W. Smith family. This place was formerly owned by James Mills, who was a supervisor of the town in 1835. He was the father of the present D. O. Mills, the inillionaire of California and New York. Underhill W. Smith was a native of the town and son of Daniel Smith, whose name is prominently mentioned in con- nection with the early history. He was born in 1797, and purchased this place in 1844. The original Smith homestead is in the southern part of the town, but since its purchase this has been the home. Mr. Smith was an active townsman and a prosperous farm- er. He was one of the academy board for years, and one of its patrons. There are seven living children, some ofthem still residing in the town. Alfred oeen- pies the homestead, Samuel is engaged in mercan- tile business at Purdy's, and owns a fine residence near the village, while Willis is an extensive farmer in Somers.

Families bearing the name of Mills came from the north of England and the Scoteh border before the Revolution, settling in Long Island and on the adja- cent shores of Conneetieut. Before the beginning of the century they had spread to New York. James Mills settled in Dutchess County, and married Han- nah Ogden. Shortly afterwards he removed to North Salem, Westchester County, where he reared a family of six sons and one daughter. Of these, the fifth son, Darius Ogden Mills, was born on September 5, 1825.

James Mills was for many years a leading man in the community, a considerable landholder, postmas- ter, justice of the peace, and engaged in various busi- ness enterprises. He finally bought a hotel and doek property in Sing Sing, and died there in 1841-his widow surviving him nine years. His Sing Sing in- vestment, as well as some others in his later life, did not turn out fortunately ; and thus, at the age of six- teen, D. O. Mills was left without any prospects in life, save what he could make for himself.

He had, however, been carefully educated for a business career by his father, being sent to the best schools then attainable-first to the North Salem Academy, then to the Mount Pleasant Academy, at Sing Sing, which at that time ranked high among the educational institutions of the State. At seventeen he left the academy and set about supporting himself and making his way in the world.

He secured a elerkship in New York. Here and in some work connected with the settlement of his father's small remaining estate he was occupied for the next few years. Finally his cousin, E. J. Town- send, invited him to Buffalo to serve as cashier in the Merchants' Bank of Erie County, with a partnership. In 1847, at the age of twenty-two, he removed to Buffalo under this arrangement. The bank was one of deposit and issue, under a special charter. The new eashier made friends, and the bank had what was for those times a good and increasingly profitable

510

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

In the summer of 1848 gold was discovered in California, and by the autumn the gold fever was visibly affecting the Buffalo community. It struck the members of the Mills family in New York, and two of the brothers, James and Edgar, started in a sailing-vessel around the Horn for California, taking with them quite a stock of goods, with which they proposed beginning business on the Pacific. D. O. Mills was not much impressed, being of a con- servative tendency and satisfied with his present pros- pects. In the early winter, the news from California became still more alluring. Two of his Buffalo friends proposed to go to California with him and start in business together.

Mr. Mills illustrated then the rapidity of decision which afterward became an important element in his business career. He decided at once to go, and said he would be ready to start in ten days. His two asso- ciates found that they should be unable to carry out their plan ; but, having made up his mind, Mr. Mills determined not to abandon the venture, and, in spite of the protests of friends and relatives, he did start within the ten days. His cousin and partner raised no objections, agreed to maintain the same relative interests in auy business Mr. Mills might undertake in California that they had in the bank, and to protect all drafts Mr. Mills might make.

lle started in the last of December, 1848, with a through ticket by way of the Isthins, calling for passage up on the Pacific side on the first trip of the new steamer "California." At Panama he found some three thousand people waiting for steamers, or for any other craft that would take them to San Francisco. The reports were, that every ship enter- ing the Golden Gate was instantly deserted by its crew for the gold-diggings, and that thus vessels found it impossible to get out of the harbor again. Seeing no chance for passage direet to San Francisco, he determined to try a longer route that promised to be shorter in the end; and, enlisting a friend in his scheme, he started for Callao, in the hope of finding either there or at some intervening port suitable ships to charter for San Francisco. A representative of one of the largest houses in Panama had, however, preceded him by about ten days and chartered the available sailing-vessels. At Callao they found the bark " Massachusetts," and, after considerable bar- gaining about the supplies and accommodations, en- gaged lier to take a party of one hundred to San Francisco for ten thousand dollars. After some de- lays and a tedious and uncomfortable voyage of sixty days, they finally arrived off the Heads at San Fran- cisco on June 8, 1849. The ship being delayed, un - usually, as he thought, by the captain, Mr. Mills se- cured a small-boat from the ship, and, with six others, took the chances of rowing into an unknown harbor, from a point some miles outside the Heads. A flood-tide favored them, and so Mr. Mills finally landed on the sandy water-front of San Franciseo,

not from the deck of the new steamer "California," but from a little row-boat.

By the time the ship got up he had found some ac- paintances, heard the latest news from the diggings, looked over the place, abandoned any idea of wash- ing gold, and laid his plans for a trading expedition to Stockton, in the San Joaquin Valley, then the headquarters for the business of the southern mines. He took as partner a fellow-voyager, who was well recommended, bought a sailing craft and stocked it with goods, buying in part for cash and getting the rest on consignments from a ship-owner who had met him on the journey out and was influenced in open- ing such relations with him about equally, as it seemed, by his personal bearing and his credits. At Stockton the cargo of the little craft was sold at prices that should have shown a handsome profit. Not lik- ing his partner's business methods, however, he sold out the vessel on his return and closed the venture at a small loss. He had now found out that Sacramento, as a base of supplies for and trading with the mines, was a more attractive field; and his experience at Stockton had taught him what kinds of goods to take. In connection with two old acquaintances, he laid out every dollar he had left, excepting a trifle for personal expenses, and bought on credit or secured on special consignments enough to furnish nearly the entire cargo for a schooner about to sail for Sacramento. The freight bill was over five thousand dollars. At the time of arrival he had forty dollars left in his pocket. Reaching Sacramento, he ordered his goods discharged and asked the captain to make out his bill. Meantime, he began selling goods at the land- ing, as they were brought off, and before the bill was presented he had taken in gold dust enough to pay it.

This venture proving highly profitable, Mr. Mills at once began a regular business in Sacramento, sell- ing general merchandise, buying gold dust, and deal- ing in exchange on New York. In accordance with the arrangements made with his cousin and partner in Buffalo, he elosed out his Sacramento business in November, 1849, and started back to Buffalo with about forty thousand dollars as the net proceeds of his season's work. He was so pleased with his expe- rience, however, and so satisfied with the country, its resources and prospects, that he was already resolved to make California his home. He reached Buffalo in December, having been absent just about a year, and proceeded to close out his interest in the bank. Ile busied himself during the winter in loading a bark and part of a ship with goods bought for the Saera- mento trade. These were despatched around the Horn as early as possible, and in the spring he started baek ria the Isthmus. Arrived at Sacramento he again began dealing in general merchandise, gokl dust and exchange. By the autumn of 1850 he had disposed of his varions cargoes of merchandise, and had so enlarged the other branches of his business that they required all his attention.

i Tan

MODEL DAIRY FARM, RESIDENCE OF T. W. DECKER, NORTH SALEM, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N. Y.

511

NORTH SALEM.

Thus began the bank of D. O. Mills & Co., which at once became, and to this day, under the same title, remains, the leading bank of Sacramento or the inte- rior of California. It is the oldest bank that has always maintained full eredit in the State. After two years his cousin, Mr. Townsend, retired, Mr. Mills then taking the entire business and condueting it without a partner until 1862. He had, however, a branch bank and agency at Columbia, which his brothers James and Edgar conducted, and in which they were partners with him.

Ile was continuously and largely successful, and became known as the leading banker of the State, and, as the saying went, " the luckiest." "The luek of D. O. Mills" was almost a proverb, but it was accompanied with a reputation for judgment, rapid decision, boldness and absolute integrity. He would have nothing to do with questionable schemes, and his word was universally known to be as good as his bond.

In 1857 his health began to be impaired by over- work, and the physicians advised a trip overland. He accordingly fitted ont a train and drove from Sacramento to the Missouri. This was the year of the Mountain Meadow massacre. When he passed through Salt Lake the temper of the Mormons was already ugly, and farther on the Indians were on the war-path. He eame through, however, without inter- ruption, although it was reported for a time that his party had been among those lost in an outbreak by a hitherto peaceful tribe. He derived great benefit from this overland trip, and the next year he supple- mented it with a three months' journey in Europe. By 1862 he began to think of retiring from business or at least of securing more leisure and re-visiting Europe with his growing family. With this in mind, he re-organized his bank, taking in his brother Edgar and his eashier, Henry Miller, as partners. In 1885 the one and the son of the other were part- ners still.

In San Francisco, where the banking business was still mainly in the hands of private bankers, there had in 1863 begun to be felt the need of a bank with sueh capital and organization as to secure the amplest credit in foreign countries, and particularly in China, Japan and other sources of trade on the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Mills was naturally turned to as the man of the highest standing and credit to take the presidency. He was at first reluctant, but at last the challenge of greater responsibilities affected him, as it is apt to affect men of capacity and purpose, and he agreed to unite in the enterprise. His intention was to serve for only three or four years, when he hoped to retire finally from all business, save the eare of his own property. By July, 1864, the capital of two million dollars was made up, Mr. Mills was elected president and the Bank of California began business.

Under the stimulus of the times and the confidenee

inspired by the management, the business was soon so developed that the capital had to be raised to five million dollars. The bank became one of the best known financial institutions of the country. Its credit was of the highest, alike in London, Yokohama, Canton, Shanghai, Honolulu and throughont South America. It proved of immense service in aiding the development of the country, furnishing facilities for the establishment of manufactures on the coast and for building up the foreign commerce of San Franeiseo. It was an institution in which the eom- munity took a pride, and it rewarded its stockholders well, giving them a one per cent. monthly dividend,- while also accumulating a surplus.

The three or four years Mr. Mills meant to serve when he took the presideney stretched out to nine ; but at last he insisted on carrying out his plan of retiring from active business, and on the 15th of July, 1873, he resigned the presidency of the bank. He left it in splendid condition, with eapital secure, a large surplus, highly profitable business, first-rate organization and unlimited eredit. Two years later he was summoned baek to help rescue it from utter wreek, and found it with liabilities of thirteen mil- lion five hundred thousand dollars above its capital and surplus, with only one hundred thousand dollars cash in its vaults, and with many doubtful assets.

From the establishment of the bank William C. Ralston had been associated with Mr. Mills as cashier, and had displayed business eapacity of an order ap- proaching financial genius. He had previously been engaged in private banking in San Francisco, and Mr. Mills had then loaned him a large part of the eapital employed. This business relation had been entirely satisfactory. Mr. Ralston prospered and ac- quired both reputation as a banker and great personal popularity among business men, whom he was over ready to assist to the verge of prudenee. In the Bank of California he displayed the same traits and added to his popularity, so that on Mr. Mills' resig- nation the cashier had been naturally promoted to the presideney.

Mr. Mills had resigned from the directory also ; but the new president begged him not to insist on this. As Mr. Mills had always attended to the foreign busi- ness and was the one officer of the institution whom foreign bankers knew, there seemed a reason for this, and so he consented that his name should remain on the board until the next regular election. But he was now preparing to go abroad and found his own business so burdensome that he was unwilling to as- sume responsibility for any more, and so insisted per- emptorily that at the next election his name must be dropped. When this election eame around, Mr. Mills was out of the State. On his return he found that Mr. Ralston had again placed him on the board. He at onee remonstrated, but Mr. Ralston pressed the need of still having his name so pertinaciously, that Mr. Mills saw no way of eseape without foreing an

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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. II, Part 118

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286