USA > New York > Tompkins County > Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University > Part 74
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
"'True, we have had this department of ethics several years, we have had the chapel and its preachership cightcen years, but these have been carried with very little expenditure from the funds of the university. We have done much, very much, for the foundations in science, in technical work, in agriculture, the classies and mod- ern languages, in history and economic studies, in ornamentation of our campus and noble buildings for all purposes. But for the top work of man's structure and devel- opment, the crown of his character and achievement through his moral and religious nature little, very little !
"'Our function here is to educate men, and, through education, to provide the foundations of character based on moral principles which shall underlie the whole man and give impulse, tone and color to all the work of his life. We cannot do that without facilities for cultivating and developing every side of his nature. 'Increase of knowledge, addressed solely to the intellect, does not produce fully rounded men. Quite too often it makes stronger and more dangerous animals, leaving moral qual- ities dormant and the whole power of cultivated intellect the servant of man's selfish. and animal nature.
"' No education can be complete which does not carry forward with the acquisition of knowledge for its intellectual side and physical wants a broad and thorough cul- tivation of his moral and religious side. Developing Christian virtues, veneration, benevolence, conscience, a sense of duty to God and man, purity and right living in the largest sense. In short, wise and broad education should and will ally man's in- tellect to his moral and religious character more completely than to his animal na- ture, and from this alliance results all the real dignity there is in mankind, making moral and intellectual qualities regnant, all others subject !
"'I am so fully impressed with the vital importance of this subject and the purpose of the proposed gift that as a trustee of Cornell University (with greater love for its policies and functions than I can express) I think you can afford to accept this gift with its attendant liabilities and that you cannot afford to decline it.
" ' It is my free and voluntary offering for a purpose the highest, the noblest and best ever promoted by this noble university.'
"This generous proposition was accepted by the trustees without a dissenting vote.
" The above recital of some of Mr. Sage's characteristic acts indicates the generos- ity of his nature. Below appears a list of his chief gifts to the university which has so large a share of his affections:
Sage College for Women with endowment fund, 1873 $266,000
Sage Chapel, 1873. 30,000
Contribution toward extinguishment of a floating indebtedness in 1881 30,000
House of Sage professor of philosophy, 1886
11,000
Susan E. Linn Sage chair of philosophy, 1886 50,000
Susan E. Linn School of Philosophy, 1891 1
200,000
University Library building, 1891 1 I
260,000
University Library endowment, 1891 300,000 I
Casts for Archaeological Museum, 1891 8,000
I I
I 1
1
$1,155,000
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LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.
" Besides these gifts to Cornell University Mr. Sage has presented West Bay City, Mich., with a library which cost $50,000.
" Mr. Sage's munificent donations, it will be observed by reading this list of bene- factions, is in the line of aids to the education of the moral side of men and women. Mr. Sage regards these acts with the utmost satisfaction as effective agencies in car- rying out the dearest wish of his heart-the promotion of the moral improvement of mankind.
" All this has been heartwork with Mr. Sage and expressed the predominating tendencies of his nature. It had much of its inspiration no doubt in the sweet com- panionship and tender memories of his lamented wife, Susan E. Linn Sage. She was of a most lovely Christian character, whose influence for good was felt and rec- ognized by every one who knew her intimately. A lovely and lovable woman, stead- fast in friendship, devoted to the right, her life filled with deeds of true charity, she won the unbounded affection and esteem of all privileged to enter the circle of her acquaintance. When some years ago she lost her life in a runaway accident, the ca- lamity brought a shock to all her friends, and a deep sense of personal bereavement that generated for Mr. Sage a sympathy so genuine and profound that all his ac- quaintances might be said to have shared his great sorrow.
" Mr. Sage in a recent conversation declared there would always be a tender feel- ing in his heart for the university chapel to which he could not give expression. It was the original design, though this is not generally known, to have a small chapel ' in one of the wings of Sage College. One evening Mrs. Sage, after looking over the plans for the proposed college, an enterprise close to her heart and thoughts at that time, remarked to her husband, 'Henry, is that small chapel to be the only place provided for the worship of God for the young men and women of Cornell Univer- sity?' This question dwelt in the mind of Mr. Sage after he had retired; and the next morning after breakfast he announced to his wife that he was determined to provide other and better facilities for religious worship. Soon afterward at Ithaca he called upon Prdsident White and offered to give $30,000 toward the erection of a university chapel. Within half an hour the site was decided upon and later his son, Dean Sage of Albany, endowed the chapel in the sum of $30,000 to provide for the cost of bringing the best theological talent of all denominations to preach there. ' Heart history,' remarked Mr. Sage, ' can be clearly seen in all that I have ever done for Cornell University,' and the facts we have enumerated amply substantiate the declaration.
"Two short extracts from the address of Mr. Sage at the laying of the corner-stone of Sage College, May 15, 1873, will make an appropriate conclusion to this sketch of his work for education. They voice the noblest sentiments and are a key to the character of the man who uttered them:
"'It has been wisely said that "who educates a woman educates a generation ;" and the structure which is to be erected over this corner-stone will be especially de- voted to the education of women, and will carry with it a pledge of all the power and resources of Cornell University to " provide for and forever maintain facilities for the education of women as broadly as for men." This may be truly said to mark a new era in the history of education; for, although the education of women with men has been heretofore practically conducted, notably at Oberlin, Ohio, for many years, and at Ann Arbor, Mich., for three years past, this is the first university in this country, if
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
not in the world, which has at the same time bodily recognized the rights of woman as well as man to all the education she will ask, and pledged itself to the policy and duty of maintaining equal facilities for both. It is, then, no small matter of con- gratulation that this university, a State institution, endowed by our general govern- ment with a princely gift of lands and by Ezra Cornell, its founder, with his own fortune, and, more than that, with his own great, earnest heart and zealous love for man, is fairly committed to the education and elevation of woman, and that hence- forth the structures now standing here, and those which shall hereafter be added to them, are to be used forever for the education of woman with man, to whom God gave her as a helpmeet, and as the mother and chief educator of his race. * *%
"' Brief reference to some of the ideas and motives which underlie this offering of a university education to the women of America is enough for the hour. When this structure shall be completed and ready for its uses, let us look upward and forward for results. And if woman be true to herself, if man be true to woman, and both be true to God, there ought to be from the work inaugurated here this day an outflow which shall bless and elevate all mankind !'
" The corner-stone was then laid by Mrs. Sage with the following words: "' I lay this corner-stone, in faith That structure fair and good Shall from it rise and thenceforth come True Christian womanhood. '
" And the history of the university, having recently celebrated its ' silver anniver- sary,' proves how well was laid the foundation and how wisely its managers, with Henry W. Sage chief among them, have built the superstructure."
DOUGLASS BOARDMAN.
DOUGLASS BOARDMAN Was born in the town of Covert, county of Seneca, on the 31st day of October, 1822. He was the youngest of twelve children, of whom his brother, the Hon. Truman Boardman who represented his district in the State Senate of 1858, and two sisters, Mrs. Lucy B. Smith and Miss Emily Boardman, alone survive. The youngest son of this large family early sought an education which might fit him for a professional life. In a private school of his native town and afterwards in the academy at Ovid he prepared for a collegiate course, and, after three years of study in Hobart College at Geneva, he entered the senior class at Yale and graduated from that institution in 1842. He immediately began the study of law and was admitted to the bar after the usual period of preparation. He was married in 1846 to the wife who now survives. He held the office of district attorney of the county of Tomp- kins from 1848 to 1851, and of county judge and surrogate from 1852 to 1856. In both positions he displayed unusual ability, and met his duties and responsibilities with an unflagging industry and a promptness and accuracy which characterized his whole life. At the close of his term as county judge he formed a partnership with Judge Francis M. Finch, which lasted for ten years, and until Judge Boardman B
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LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.
was called to the bench of the Supreme Court. Those were years of hard study and severe labor, which alone could enable the young practitioners to cope with an exist- ing bar of unusual strength and ability. Whatever of success they attained was largely due to the clear and discriminating judgment, and the wise and prudent dis- cretion of the older member of the firm. And it is a source of satisfaction to the sur- vivor to remember that the connection was never marred or disturbed by the slight- est disagreement, the least misunderstanding, or even one worried or hasty word.
In 1865 Judge Boardman was elected a justice of the Supreme Court for the Sixth District to serve for a term of eight years. In the convention which nominated him there were numerous candidates, each having his own zealous and earnest friends, and when the result was reached after a long struggle it was largely due to a con- viction on the part of the delegates that Judge Boardman possessed in unusual degree the character and habit of mind, the firmness and decision of purpose, the patience and strict integrity which should attend the judicial office. The result outran even the expectation of partial friends. The new judge found in his work the field and the arena best suited for his development and success. Pleasant but firm, cheerful but in earnest, patient but determined, prompt but careful and prudent, and always thoroughly impartial and striving only for exact justice, he so won the confidence of the bar and of the people that at the close of his term he was re-elected for a new term of fourteen years without an antagonist and practically by an unanimous vote. His judicial ability was at that time so well understood and appreciated that he was at once assigned to the General Term of the Third Department, and so passed from the trial courts to an appellate tribunal, presided over at first by Judge Miller, who later passed to the bench of the court of last resort, and afterwards by Judge Learned, who still presides at a General Term. Undoubtedly Judge Boardman preferred the variety and mental excitement of the Circuit where point and decision follow each other with swift velocity, to the slower and more studious labors of the appellate court, but he soon demonstrated that there also he was in his proper place, and fully equipped for his new duties and responsibilities. His opinions were almost without exception terse and brief, with no waste of words and little elaboration of argument, but marked always by the strong good sense and sound judgment which were his chief characteristics. He easily won the respect and the friendship of his associates. and came to be universally regarded as a prudent and careful and able judge. And so his life and his work ran on until 1887 when his term expired. He might have been again chosen for the five years remaining before reaching the age of seventy, but resolutely declined, saying that he needed rest, and was entitled to it after twenty- six years of judicial labor.
But rest, with him, meant only change of occupation; to duties less exacting and laborious, but still requiring the exercise of all his ability and discretion.
He possessed in an unusual degree the qualities of a thorough business man. In the management of his own affairs he was systematic, thrifty and prudent; averse to anything like waste or extravagance, and inclined to a plain and simple life. His finan- cial prudence and ability found a wide field and a severe test in the management of two large estates committed to his care as executor. The first came to his hands heavily burdened with debts accumulated by the owner in a determined struggle to hold his assets against the sacrifice of a falling market. To Judge Boardman, who seldom approved of a debt and dreaded its risks, the situation was peculiarly disquieting, but
ES, Esty
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
he met the emergency both with skill and courage and saved the large fortune entrusted to his care from loss or sacrifice, and transmitted it unharmed to the daughter who was substantially the sole legatee. Naturally he became the executor of her will, and was compelled to hold the estate through a long and severely contested litigation which ended in the diversion to private and personal use of a large residue which the testatrix had devoted to a worthy public purpose, and the educational benefit of the youth of the land.
Judge Boardman was a director of the First National Bank of Ithaca from its organi- zation, in 1864, to the time of his death, and became its president, succeeding in that office the Hon. J. B. Williams in 1884. He became a trustee of the Cornell University by vote of the alumni in 1815 and was re-elected by the trustees in 1885. Upon the or- ganization of the Law School of the University he was appointed its dean and became active and efficient in promoting its success.
In all these positions his business sagacity and prudence were of great value to the interests which he served. In the investment and management of the large endow- ment of the university and the appropriation and administration of its income, in the care of the bank and a watchful oversight of its finances, in the control of the estates committed to his trust, he found heavy burdens and large responsibilities which were borne with far more than the usual ability. To these duties it was a pleasure to him to add his governing aid to the law school and his advice in its management, always thoughtful and wise. And so in these labors his days were usefully spent after the close of his judicial career.
EDWARD S. ESTY.
THE genealogy of the Esty family is traced back to the early settlement of Massa- chusetts. In the year 1796 the family of Elijah Esty started from Roxbury, Mass., for what is now the State of New York. Their journey was made with an ox team and a single horse. Reaching Westmoreland, now in Oneida county, N. Y., they established a primitive home. The wife of Elijah Esty, who was his companion in the wilderness, was, prior to marriage, Sally Winslow Williams, a direct descendant of the Puritans who came over in the Mayflower in 1642. After two years spent in the arduous work of clearing up a forest, Elijah Esty, who was a practical tanner, decided to engage in that business, and for that purpose removed to what is now the city of Auburn, then called "Hardenburgh's Corners." There he established a small tannery and carried on the business until his death in 1812.
While the family of Elijah Esty were living in Westmoreland, Joseph Esty, father of Edward S. Esty, was born, June 20, 1798. At the death of his father the cstate was badly involved and the family were thrown upon their own resources. Joseph, then fourteen years old, took up the business of his father and was apprenticed to Ezekiel Williams, of New Hartford, N. Y. He subsequently returned to Albany, where R. & J. Patty built a tannery under Mr. Esty's supervision. In 1822 Mr. Esty removed to Ithaca, where he purchased a small tannery of Comfort Butler, borrow- ing a thousand dollars for the purpose. This he operated successfully, and a few- years later purchased land on the corner of Tioga and Green streets and there built
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LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.
a larger tannery, which he conducted until 1852. He was then succeeded by Ed- ward S. Esty, his son, and the subject of this sketch. Joseph Esty was a man of marked characteristics. Nurtured through his personal experience in a school of rigid economy; possessed of excellent business judgment; of undoubted integrity, he so conducted his business and his investments that he acquired a well-earned for- tune. He was a trustee of the village in 1829, and in the same year served as over- seer of the poor for the town; in 1836 he was elected supervisor. He was chosen a director in the old Ithaca Bank, and was finally one of the trustees selected to close up its affairs. He was an original stockholder in the First National Bank, was made a director in the first board and so continued until his death. He was also made one of the trustees of the Ithaca Savings Bank when it was chartered in 1868. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, and without his previous knowledge was chosen for the offices of deacon and elder, being an office bearer in the church for fifty-five years. He died in the year 1881 at the advanced age of eighty-three, in the enjoyment of the utmost respect of the community. His wife was Mary Selover, daughter of Isaac Selover, of Auburn.
Edward S. Esty was one of three sons of Joseph Esty, and he survived both of his brothers. He was born in Ithaca, July 17, 1824, and died in Boston, Mass., Octo- ber 2, 1890. His education was obtained in the public schools and the Academy of Ithaca. As before stated, the large tanning business established by his father came into his control in 1852; but he had many years before that date begun an as- sociation with his father. After the business came into his possession he greatly ex- tended it, establishing tanneries at other points, and became one of the largest and most successful producers of leather in this section of the State.
Mr. Esty was a Republican in politics, and was chosen to fill some of the higher State offices. In 1858 he represented Tompkins county in the Legislature, where his sturdy honesty and courageous resistance of wrongs made him quite obnoxious to unscrupulous political leaders. In 1884-85 he represented his Senatorial District in the State Senate with distinguished ability and manly courage.
The confidence of his fellow citizens in his business ability was evidenced in their association with him in the organization of the First National Bank, of which he was a director until his death, and vice-president after 1883.
But it was, perhaps, in his liberality towards, and his solicitude for, the cause of education that Mr. Esty left the deepest and most beneficent impression upon the community. He early showed a devoted interest in Cornell University, and one of its largest legacies may be traced directly to Mr. Esty's influence. He was many years a trustee and vice-president of the Cornell Library Association. In later years he was made trustee of the academy and its treasurer, and the prosperity of that institution was largely due to his prudence and business sagacity. When the acad- emy ceased to exist and the present school system was established, Mr. Esty was made one of the commissioners and was president of the board from its organization until his death. To the duties of this office he gave unsparingly of his time, energy, business wisdom, and enthusiasm; and it is not too much to say that to him more than to any other one person is due the present excellence of the Ithaca schools and school buildings.
In 1873-4 Mr. Esty passed nearly a year in traveling in Europe, whence he wrote a series of interesting letters to his home paper. He gave $10,000 for the organiza-
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
tion of the "Children's Home," an institution which has conferred great benefits up- on the community. Indeed, in all benevolent and charitable undertakings, or other enterprises for the publie good, Mr. Esty was found in the front rank of supporters. Mr. Esty left a devoted wife, Amelia Wilgus, to whom he was married May 12, 1846, and three children: Albert H. Esty, Amelia W., wife of Calvin D. Stowell, of Ithaca, and Clarence H. His sons, who were since their majority associated with him in business, continued the same until about a year ago, when it was merged into the United States Leather Company.
A proper estimate of Mr. Esty's character, the respect in which he was held both at home and abroad, the friendship of his associates, can be gained from extracts from various publications at the time or soon after his death. The Board of Direc- tors of the First National Bank adopted the following memorial:
"In the death of Edward S. Esty this board has lost a valued and most efficient member.
"He was one of the organizers of the bank in 1863, and its vice-president for the past seven years. From the beginning of the bank's existence until the time of his death, as a director, his counsel and services have been held in the highest esteem by his associates.
" The same business capacity and wisdom with which he conducted his own affairs and those of his family, were always at the service of the bank, and to whatever busi- ness success it may have attained, his ability contributed in no small degrce. His extended knowledge of commercial affairs, his broad and enlightened views, his wide acquaintance with men in all spheres of life, and his just appreciation of character, are well known in this community. Here, as in every other position of trust oecu- pied by him, he managed the interests confided to his eare with an eye single to their safety and welfare, and with no other thought than of devoting to them the best of his talent and abilities.
"While enterprising and progressive in the management of his affairs, his judg- ment was always guided by prudence. By his sagacity and scrupulous integrity he commanded the respect of his fellow directors, and his kindly nature, evidenced by a never failing courtesy, won their affection.
"As vice-president of the bank he has discharged his duties with tact and discre- tion, and with entire satisfaction to his associates.
"But not alone nor chiefly for his financial ability and rare business capacity will he be remembered. To these qualities were united in his well rounded character a sympathetic nature; an enthusiasm for all that is noblest and best, as well in small and restricted eircles, as in the more ambitious fields of State and National concerns; a personal interest in individual worth; a contempt for all forms of baseness, tem- pered by a charitable recognition of the infirmities of human nature; a readiness to assist in the development of all that tends to the uplifting of mankind.
"A leader and benefactor in the community, he was in every relation of life a true man. Such a life is in itself an educational influence of inestimable worth, and must be an encouragement to all who are striving for the realization of high ideals of pub- lic and private conduct.
"It is the desire of his former associates to place upon record an expression of their appreciation of the great service Mr. Esty has rendered to the bank, and of
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LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.
their feeling of profound sorrow at his sudden death, and to this end it is directed that this paper be entered in full on the minutes of the Board."
The Board of Education of the city of Ithaca, at their meeting held October ?, unanimously adopted the following as a tribute of respect to their deceased president, Hon. E. S. Esty :
"The death of Hon. E. S. Esty is a source of sincere sorrow to his associate mem- bers of the Board of Education. His long business career in our community, char- acterized by unswerving integrity and a prompt response to every call af duty, had won for him the confidence, respect and esteem of all our citizens. Often called to serve in places of trust and honor, his public duties were discharged with the same conscientious fidelity that has made his business life a success. As president of this board for more than sixteen years since its organization, April 14, 1874, his most earnest efforts were freely given to build up a system of public school education that would be worthy of his native city, and with great satisfaction he saw that system develop from year to year. Our well equipped school buildings, erected through his persevering efforts, will long stand as enduring monuments to his wisdom and sagac- ity. A cultivated Christian gentleman of refined tastes, a faithful and devoted friend, a judicious and trustworthy counselor, a generous benefactor of the needy and distressed, a capable, far-sighted leader among men, an earnest worker for the prosperity of his city, Mr. Esty's death is an irreparable loss. May we revere his memory and strive to imitate his virtues.
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