USA > New York > Westchester County > Manual of Westchester county.Past and present. Civil list to date 1898 > Part 14
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daughter of Peter F. Luckey, of Yonkers, on April 24, 1884. His sec- ond marriage occurred August 27, 1889, to Miss Sophia J. Nehr, daugh- ter of William Nehr.
BENONI PLATT.
Benoni Platt, former Deputy Clerk to the Surrogate's Court and Dep- uty County Clerk, was born in the town of Scarsdale, on August 22, 1857; a son of Judge Lewis Canfield and Laura (Sherbrook Popham) Platt. When he was one year old his parents removed to White Plains, where he has since resided. He is a graduate of the public schools of White Plains. In politics Mr. Platt strongly favors the Dem- ocratic side, and has long been rec- ognized as an influential leader among the young men of his party. The first political position held by him was that of Deputy Clerk of the Surrogate's Court, from 1881 to 1887. In 1887 he was appointed by County Clerk Digney as Deputy County Clerk, and served in this office until 1896. He is at present the managing clerk of the West- chester County Branch of the Law- yers' Title Company of New York. Mr. Platt is a prominent member of the Odd Fellow order, a member of Guiding Star Encampment of Mount Vernon, and of Hebron Lodge, No. 229, of White Plains. He is unmar- ried.
FORMER SUPERVISORS.
EBENEZER LOCKWOOD.
Ebenezer Lockwood was born in Stamford, Conn., March 31, 1737. He was fourth in descent from Robert Lockwood, who came from England in 1630 and settled in Wa- tertown, Mass. At an early age he removed to Poundridge with his father, Joseph, and his grandfather, Joseph, Sr., who were among the early settlers of Poundridge. He married Hannah Smith, of Stam- ford. At the commencement of the revolution the subject of this sketch was a Justice of the Peace under
the Crown of England, and one of the Quorum which was a body com- posed of those Justices of the Peace who were more prominent by rea- son of ability and experience. At the breaking out of hostilities, how- ever, he espoused the cause of the Colonies. He was appointed first major of the Second Regiment, Westchester County Militia, under Colonel Thomas Thomas, receiving his commission October 14, 1775, and throughout the war was ex- ceedingly zealous in the cause. He was a member of the Third, Fourth and Fifth Provincial Congresses,
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and of the Committee of Safety, to which was delegated the power of the Provincial Congress during its recess. . On July 2, 1779, Col. Tarle- ton made a raid upon the village of Poundridge, one of the objects of which was the capture of Major Lockwood, for whose head a reward of forty guineas was offered. On this occasion the British troops burned his house and barn and con- fiscated his cattle. The tradition has descended to the effect that the troopers, upon entering the house, struck the Major's wife with a sword and insolently demanded to know where that d-d Rebel was. To which she coolly replied, "You are the Rebel, for you are rebelling against the King of Kings." Major Lockwood was present at the ses- sion of the Provincial Congress at the Court House in White Plains on the 9th of July, 1776. He was sub- sequently a member of the first Constitutional Convention of the State of New York, and a member of the second Board of Regents of the University, Judge of Westches- ter County, from 1791 to 1794; member of Assembly 1778, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1788, and Super- visor of the town of Poundridge 1772 to 1779, 1782 to 1786, and 1802 to 1806. By Chapter 59, Laws of 1786, passed May 1, 1786, he, with others, as stated elsewhere, was ap- pointed a commissioner to superin- tend and supervise the erection of the first Court House at White Plains. Major Lockwood died at Poundridge July 29, 1821, aged 84 years. His remains lie buried in the old Poundridge graveyard, where his tombstone is still in a good state of preservation. He left a large family, among whom were Lewis, an attorney at law of New York city, who died young; Ezra, who was a Supervisor, a member of Assembly and Surrogate, and Horatio, who was also a Supervisor and a member of Assembly.
EZRA LOCKWOOD.
Ezra Lockwood, son of Major Ebenezer Lockwood, was born at Poundridge June 27, 1777. He was married to Miss Polly Weed, of same place. He died |
May 29, 1853. Was a man of liberal education, and for some years conducted a private school at Poundridge. In politics he was an ardent Whig, and at times, on account of political feeung, would not speak to his brother, Horatio, who resided on the opposite side of the street, because the latter was an equally strong Democrat. He served as Surrogate in 1811 to 1813 and as a member of Assembly in 1806, and Supervisor 1807 to 1820.
HORATIO LOCKWOOD.
Horatio Lockwood was born in Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Conn., September 6, 1779, the son of Major Ebenezer Lockwood and Hannah (Smith) Lockwood. His parents resided in Poundridge, but on July 2, 1779, their residence was burned by British soldiers, during a raid made upon Poundridge, one of the objects of which was the capture of Major Lockwood. The Major's wife fled to Ridgefield and during her temporary stay at that place Ho- ratio was born. The latter was a life-long resident of Poundridge, occupying the old homestead, which became his by purchase. His occu- pation was that of a farmer and dealer in cattle. He was a firm Democrat and attained considerable prominence in his town and county. He represented the town of Pound- ridge in the Board of Supervisors during the years 1820, 1823, 1825, 1839 and 1840, and was also a Mem- ber of Assembly from 1833 to 1837, and in 1841 and 1842. He achieved quite a reputation as a "pettifog- ger" in the days when lawyers were not so plenty as now and when lay- men frequently appeared in Jus- tices' Courts in the role of counsel. He died November 5, 1853, aged seventy-four years.
ISAAC H. PURDY.
Isaac Hart Purdy, a former Su- pervisor of the town of North Sa- lem, was born on June 19, 1813, in the very house in which he always resided and where he died. He is a son of Isaac and Anna Hart Purdy. He received a good com-
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JOHN W LOUNSBURY.
SETH BIRD.
ISAAC H. PURDY.
DANIEL C. HICKEY.
HORATIO LOCKWOOD.
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John J. Mahaney TOWN OF OSSINING
John Besson TOWN OF GREENBURGH
FORMER
COUNTY
SUPERVISORS
OF WESTCHESTER
Theodore F. Tompki TOWN OF YORKTOWN
John Knox TOWN OF BEDFORD
Joshua Many TOWN OF OSSINING:
١
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mon school education, after which
he, like his father, became a farmer. On September 16, 1839, Mr. Purdy was married to Miss
Mary M. Lyon, daughter of Thomas , born in Tarrytown on September Lyon, of Rye, and they lived to- 17, 1814. His parents were Edmund and Sarah (Howes) Bird. He is a descendant of two of the oldest and gether to enjoy the golden anniver- sary of their marriage. One of their sons, Isaac Purdy, is now Super- visor of the town of North Salem. The subject of this sketch began at an early age to take an active in- terest in public affairs. He was an urgent advocate of the building of the Harlem Railroad and donated land for tracks and buildings. Be- sides being quite extensively en- gaged in mercantile business, he served as postmaster at Purdy Sta- tion for fifty years. Notwithstand- ing that Mr. Purdy was an uncom- promising Democrat, he was elected for several terms as Supervisor of the Republican town of North Sa- lem, serving from 1846 to 1850, and from 1857 to 1858. The Purdy home- stead, in which Mr. Purdy was born, lived and died, came in pos- session of the Purdy family in 1767. At the time the construction of the Harlem Railroad was being considered what is now known as Purdy's Station was this old homestead and the mill property,
.
known for generations as Purdy's mill. There was talk of the rail- road going through the town of Somers, but the public-spirited Mr. Purdy realized the benefits his town might derive if the railroad could be built through North Salem, and as inducement he offered to the railroad company all the land needed and also subscribed for a large amount of railroad stock. His first deed of land to the railroad company is dated in 1846. Owing to his having given the land the local railroad station was named
Purdy's Station, in his honor. Much of Mr. Purdy's valuable land has been taken recently for the new Croton Aqueduct. Mr. Purdy died, as stated, in the old homestead on November 8, 1891, and, as a local newspaper remarked at the time, "few men have lived to nearly the four-score mark who were called into the management of as large and varied interests as he, and have closed life with as spotless a record and a name so highly honored."
SETH BIRD.
Seth Bird, a former Supervisor of the town of Greenburgh, was
most prominent families in West- chester County. His grandfather, Edmund Bird, served throughout the revolutionary war and was pro- moted on the field, from a drummer boy to a major, for hereoic conduct. His father took part in the war of 1812. Mr. Bird, when the Hudson River Railroad was being con- structed, gave the ground for a sta- tion at Tarrytown, on condition that the station should be located and always kept thereon. He had charge of the building of a large section of that railroad, from Yon- kers to Croton. Mr. Bird was the successful candidate of the Ameri- can party for Supervisor in 1855 and 1856. His honesty of purpose and ability, displayed in his con- tact with men, soon gave him a prominent place in public affairs. When it was decided to erect the present County Court House at White Plains Mr. Bird, then of con- siderable reputation in that line, was selected as the builder. In his home village he was greatly re- spected and his counsel was sought in all matters of public interest. In politics Mr. Bird was a Republi- can, yet not a politician. The last office he held was that of President of the village of Tarrytown; this position he was urged to accept by citizens irrespective of party pol- itics. He was elected a member of the first Board of Water Commis- sioners of the village of Tarrytown and was president of that board at the time of his death. He was chosen one of the trustees of the Westchester County Savings Bank, in 1864, and was one of the original directors of the Tarrytown Na-
tional Bank. Both positions he held at the time of his death. Many of the costly churches, as well as many of the palatial residences in and about Tarrytown, were erected under the direction and supervision of Mr. Bird. He was married Au- gust 26, 1835, to Miss Rebecca Em- bree, daughter of Stephen and Han-
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nah Embree, of Tarrytown. His wife died June 5, 1893. His death occurred October 20, 1888.
FRANCIS LARKIN.
Francis Larkin, a former Super- visor, Village President, etc., and well and prominently known as the Nestor of the Westchester County Bar, was born in Sing Sing on Au- gust 9, 1820. His father, John Lar- kin, came from the neighborhood of Belfast, Ireland, and after his arrival in this country married Elizabeth Knox, who was also born in Ireland, near Donegal. The early part of Mr. Larkin's life was passed on a farm, upon which he worked till he attained his majority. After teaching school for a while he re- solved to study for the legal profes- sion, and entered the office of Rich- ard R. Voris, Esq., who was a prominent lawyer and District At- torney of the county. In 1847 he was admitted to the bar as attorney and counsellor at law. Immediate- ly after his admission he estab- lished his practice in Sing Sing and has continued it to the present time, and by strict attention to his duties has risen to a position at the very head of his profession in Westches- ter County and commands the con- fidence of a very extended clientage. His fame as a lawyer, earned by practice in both civil and criminal courts, is not confined to this coun- ty alone. He is probably as well known in other portions of the State as he is at home. In public affairs, especially in and about his town, he has been a leader for years and his influence has been far-reaching. Among members of the profession he is greatly re- spected, not only for his learning but his disposition to assist young lawyers, who, from time to time, stand in need of his fatherly ad- vice. His kindly disposition has prompted him to perform many an act that has materially helped his fellow-man, acts that were per- formed in a quiet, unostentatious manner, with no other purpose than to be helpful in the hour of need- acts that cause him to be remem- bered with affection. In politics Mr. Larkin is classified as a Re-
publican. He is not now as active in the political arena as he was twenty-five years ago. He has held the offices of Trustee and President of the village of Sing Sing and Jus- tice of the Peace, and in 1851 he served as' the fifth Supervisor of the town of Ossining. In 1864 he was the Republican party's nomi- nee for Representative in Congress in the Tenth District, composed of the Counties of Westchester, Rock- land and Putnam. He was defeated by Hon. William Radford, Demo- crat. Mr. Larkin was married on April 1, 1852, to Miss Sarah E. Hobby, daughter of Ebenezer Hob- by, of New York city.
JOHN W. LOUNSBURY.
John W. Lounsbury, a former Supervisor and village President, was born in Flushing, L. I., on April 29, 1825, a son of Edward and Nancy (Peck) Lounsbury. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and the only educational ad- vantages he enjoyed were those af- forded by attendance at the district school a few weeks in the winter, when his services were not wanted on the farm. With his parents he removed to Stamford, Conn., where the latter formerly resided. He was not long at this place when he be- came dissatisfied and pined for a broader field and opportunity to make his fortune. At the age of fourteen years he left home and went to New York city, where he obtained a position as clerk in a grocery store, and there remained three years. In 1842 Mr. Lounsbury left New York and settled in Port Chester, determined to accept em- ployment of any nature so long as it was honest. He was given a place in the blacksmith shop of William Stivers, and the sturdy lad started in with all his will to mas- ter the blacksmith trade. That de- termination and industry that has brought characterized him ever success, and at the end of four years he was able to buy out his employer and continue the busi- ness, which he did for five years. Disposing of this business he, on September 1, 1851, in connection with Daniel M. Redfield, founded
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the general grocery business that proved a success from the start. In 1854 Mr. Redfield retired and the business was conducted by Mr. Lounsbury as the sole owner until 1860, when his brother George was admitted as a partner. George Lounsbury died in 1889, then the firm name was changed to J. W. Lounsbury & Sons, as it is at pres- ent. For many years Mr. Louns- bury has been prominent in the politics of the county, a Republican of considerable influence, one of ex- Judge W. H. Robertson's most trusted lieutenants. He was elect- ed Supervisor of the town of Rye, serving in 1861, and since that year has held other town offices. He was elected a Trustee of the village of Port Chester and served in that office three years, and subsequently was elected President of that vil- lage. He is one of the original trustees of the Port Chester Free Library and Reading Room and at present is president of that board. He is a director and the vice-presi- dent of the First National Bank of Port Chester, a director of the Westchester Fire Insurance Com- pany, a director of the People's Bank of Mount Vernon, a director of the White Plains, Tarrytown and Mamaroneck Electric Railway. He is a member of the Masonic Order. Mr. Lounsbury was mar- ried on December 9, 1849, to Miss Jane A. Redfield, daughter of Isaac B. Redfield, of Port Chester. Their children, Daniel M., Herbert S., and Charles E., reside in Port Chester. One son, George R., died in 1888, in the 37th year of his age.
DANIEL C. HICKEY.
Daniel C. Hickey, a former Su- pervisor of the town of Eastchester, and at the time of his death mem- ber of the Democratic State Com- mittee for the Sixteenth Congres- sional District, was, in the true sense of the term, a self-made man, who, by his own labor and perse- verance, arose from the ranks to a high position among men of busi- ness. While he was known as a leader in the Democratic party and ever active to further the interests of his political friends, he was bet-
ter known as one of the most suc- cessful railroad contractors in this country. He engaged in politics as a pastime, a recreation from the cares of business, an enjoyment that cost him large sums of money, as he was not an office seeker for himself nor did he expect other pe- cuniary reward. He favored good men for public office and willingly contributed his time and money to aid their election. The office of Supervisor was forced upon him, but he was able to hold it but a short time, his private business compelling his resignation. In 1889 Mr. Hickey was chosen as Democratic State Committeeman. On the evening of December 9, 1890, the Democracy of Westchester County tendered him a banquet in recognition of services rendered his party. It was of his achievements as a railroad contractor that he was most proud; that he had been able to accomplish much where other contractors had attempted but failed. His success in tunnelling the Palisades, at Fairview, N. J., for the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad, just com- pleted at the time of his death, is worthy of special mention owing to the fact that others had attempt- ed the work and failed with great loss of money. The work of put- ting through the great tunnel of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, in Pennsylvania, from 1883 to 1887, was another success to which he was pleased to refer. He was ever in demand by the large railroad companies, and during his career had been engaged in building sec- tions if not most of all the great lines in the country, and as a re- sult he had accumulated a large fortune up to the time of his death. Mr. Hickey was born in Ireland on February 24, 1840, and when eight years of age he came with his par- ents to America, the family settling in Lawrence, Mass. He was a son of John and Katherine (Crowe) Hickey, his mother being a sister of Archbishop Crowe, of Ireland. He was educated in the public schools of Lawrence; was married in 1865 to Miss Margaret Clark, of Boston; his wife died two years later. In 1868 he removed t Mount Vernon and engaged exten-
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sively in public road building. On August 1, 1874, Mr. Hickey was married to Miss Ellen Elizabeth Bird, daughter of Terrance Bird, of Metuchin, N. J. Mr. Hickey died at Mount Vernon on July 12, 1894.
JOSHUA G. MANY.
Joshua G. Many, a former Super- visor of the town of Ossining, was born in that town, at Sing Sing, on August 13, 1836. His parents are Thorn and Lydia (Griffith) Many. He was educated in the public schools of his native village. He has for years been engaged in the contracting and express business. He was married on June 12, 1856, to Miss Sarah Raymond, daughter of Edward and Margaret Raymond, of Sing Sing. Mr. Many is an ac- tive Republican and a recognized local leader in his party, and being of a genial, happy disposition, is very popular with everybody. He has held the office of Collector of Taxes four years, President of the village of Sing Sing two years, Su- pervisor of his town two years, and a member of the Board of Educa- tion for the last nine years.
JOHN J. MAHANEY.
John Joseph Mahaney, a former Supervisor, now Deputy Commis- sioner of Jurors, was born at An- gelica, N. Y., on August 29, 1842, a son of John and Anna Mahaney. He was educated in the public school of his native town. In 1861 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth New York Volunteer Regi- ment and served in the civil war four years; made a prisoner by the enemy on the battlefield, he was confined in Libbey Prison three months; next remained. eight months as a prisoner in Salisbury, N. C. From the latter place he succeeded in making his escape in 1864, and on safely reaching the Federal lines he was commended by General Warren, of the Fifth Army Corps, and rewarded for bravery displayed by being desig- nated as a lieutenant-colonel and placed in charge of the Corps Com- missary Department. On being discharged in 1865, Colonel Maha-
ney returned to Angelica. He was elected a Supervisor of that town in 1866. In 1867 he was chosen a Town Highway Commissioner and was appointed Under Sheriff of his county in 1868. In 1873 he removed to Sing Sing, having received an appointment as a Keeper in the State Prison at Sing Sing, in which position he served three years, re- signing to enter business as a prison contractor; for nearly thir- teen years he was thus occupied. He was elected a Trustee of the vil- lage of Sing Sing and served in the years 1881-82-83. In 1885 he was elected Supervisor of the town of Ossining. He removed to Tarry- town in 1886, where he now resides. During the sessions of the State Legislature in 1895 and 1896, Col. Mahaney served as Assistant Door- keeper of the Assembly. In 1897 he was appointed Deputy Commis- sioner of Jurors, the position he now holds.
JOHN BESSON.
John Besson, a former Supervisor of the town of Greenburgh, was born in New York city on January 21, 1835, a son of John and Jane L. (Fowler) Besson, and a lineal de- scendant of John Besson, born in 1750, and of Henry Fowler, of East- chester, both of whom won distinc- tion by acts of bravery in the war of the revolution. He was educated in the public schools of New York city. He removed to Dobbs Ferry, his present place of residence, in 1868. He was married on Septem- ber 14, 1864, to Miss Ellen W. Tay- lor, of Dobbs Ferry, daughter of Shadrach Taylor, who was Super- visor of that town in 1861-62-63. Mr. Besson was first elected Super- visor in 1886 and served in that office until 1892. He has acted as Treasurer of the Dobbs Ferry School District several years. He is president of the Board of Health of the village of Dobbs Ferry. In politics Mr. Besson is a Democrat and recognized as a local leader of his party. He is at present engaged in the coal and lumber business and is considered one of the town's most reliable merchants and substantial citizens.
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THEODORE F. TOMPKINS.
Theodore F. Tompkins, a former Supervisor of the town of York- town, was born in that township on December 31, 1854, and was the only son of the late John B. Tomp- kins, who was well-known in this county. He had the advantages of a liberal education, being graduated from the Hudson River Institute, at Claverack, N. Y. He has always resided in the town of his birth. On October 19, 1876, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Emma Fountain, daughter of Dr. Hosea Fountain and Mary H. Fountain, of York- town. Mr. Tompkins is a Repub- lican and as such has been elected to several offices by his townsmen. He served two terms as Town Clerk and two years as Supervisor. Dur- ing sessions of the Board of Super- visors he was considered one of the most attentive and diligent mem- bers, ever on the alert to care for the best interests of his town, which, owing to his popularity, he was well able to serve. Mr. Tomp- kins filled the office of postmaster for four years, under President Harrison. He was again appointed postmaster in June, 1898, by Presi- dent Mckinley. He has been treas- urer of the Yorktown Agricultural Society for five years. He is en- gaged in mercantile business at Yorktown Heights.
JOHN KNOX.
John Knox, a former Supervisor, was born in the town of Bedford on July 25, 1828, a son of Robert K. and Ruth (Smith) Knox. He was educated at Union Academy, in his native town. He chose the oc- cupation of a farmer and has fol- lowed it with considerable success. In 1855 he was married to Miss Sarah E. Beyea, daughter of Wright M. Beyea and Eliza Whitlock, daughter of J. D. Whitlock, of Whitlockville. He has resided in the town of his birth all his days. Besides serving his town as Super- visor he has filled the office of Jus- tice of the Peace for twenty years; he is a member of the Town Board and a member of the town Board of Health. He is an active member of the Republican party and fre- quently attends as a delegate his party's conventions. For thirty- nine years he acted as general agent of the Harlem Railroad at Katonah Station; at the same time he carried on an extensive coal and lumber business, kept the only liv- ery business at the station and managed his farm of three hundred acres. He is one of the original members of the Bedford Farmers' Club.
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Present Sheriff and Deputies.
WILLIAM V. MOLLOY, New Rochelle, Sheriff.
Justus A. B. Cowles, of Rye, Attorney.
John McNally, Sing Sing, Under Sheriff.
William H. Johnson, Port Chester, Deputy Sheriff and Jailer.
Charles H. Flandreau, Mount Vernon, Deputy Sheriff and Clerk.
John R. Breese, White Plains, Deputy Sheriff.
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