USA > New York > Westchester County > Manual of Westchester county.Past and present. Civil list to date 1898 > Part 16
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the villages of Tarrytown and Irv- ington. Mr. Andrews is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Sons of the Revolution, Royal Arcanum, League of American Wheelmen, City Club of Yonkers and other so- cieties. He was married in 1884 to Miss Julia Biers, daughter of Charles and Charity Biers, of Tar- rytown, and has three children, Florence B., George Clinton, Jr., and Charles B.
FRANCIS M. CARPENTER.
Francis Marshall Carpenter, Coun- ty Treasurer, was born on July 10, 1834, at Mount Kisco, in the town of New Castle, a son of Zepher and Phebe (Marshall) Carpenter. He was educated in the district schools of his native town and at the Union Academy at Bedford. He engaged in mercantile pursuits when but nineteen years of age, and became a partner in a general store at Mount Kisco a year later. In 1862 he disposed of his business and be- came engaged in farming, purchas- ing the farm on which his child- hood days had been spent. 1874 he embarked in the retail coal trade in New York city. In 1863 Mr. Car- penter was elected Supervisor of the town of New Castle, and, with the exception of the years 1869 and 1870, was continued in the office by choice of the electors of his town up to 1897. He had been elected to serve until 1898, but his election as County Treasurer required his re- signing the Supervisorship and leaving a little over one year un- filled by him. He has the distinc- tion of having been elected Super- visor for more years than any other man in the State of New York. He was chosen chairman of the Board of Supervisors in the years 1872, 1873, 1894 and 1895. Of the Supervisors who were his col- leagues in the Board of Supervisors during Mr. Carpenter's first year, three survive-A. G. Reynolds, of Sing Sing; James Wood, of Mount Kisco, and William Cauldwell, of Morrisania. Mr. Carpenter had long been closely identified with the moneyed institutions of the county in an official capacity, and was recognized as a man of correct
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business methods and sterling in- tegrity, when his party, in the fall of 1896, decided to make him the Republican nominee for County Treasurer. His election was con- vincing evidence of his popularity, inasmuch as it was gained over one of the strongest men in the oppos- ing party, one who had already filled the office two terms most ac- ceptably. Mr. Carpenter has been vice-president of the Mount Kisco National Bank, at Mount Kisco, since its organization, in 1895, and has been chosen first vice-president of the recently organized Westches- ter Trust Company, at Yonkers. He has for many years been a member of the Bedford Farmers' Club. He is the owner of consid- erable real estate in different sec- tions of the county. Mr. Carpenter was married November 24, 1859, to Miss Mary B. Miller, daughter of John A. Miller, of Bedford. His wife died in January, 1885. He was again married on March 3, 1887, to Mrs. Catherine A. Moger, daughter of Hezekiah Raymond, of Mount Kisco.
LEVERETT F. CRUMB.
Leverett Finch Crumb, County Clerk, is a resident of Peekskill and was born on November 28, 1859, in Matawan, Monmouth County, N. J., a son of John W. and Roba (Finch) Crumb. When he was six years of age his parents removed to Peeks- kill, where he has since resided. His education was secured in the public schools of Peekskill, the Peekskill Military Academy and the Westchester County Institute. He early in life decided to become a lawyer, but wisely determined first to get a few dollars ahead for use, if needed, while he was studying. At the age of fifteen years he be- came a clerk in the Peekskill Post Office, and incidentally entered upon what has proven to be a most successful political career. Like many bright young men of Peeks- kill, he began the study of law in the office of the late Edward Wells; this was in 1878, and in May, 1883, he was admitted to practice at the bar. He became identified with the Republican party and was soon rec-
ognized as a party leader and prin- cipal lieutenant of the late Gen. James W. Huested. In April, 1883, Mr. Crumb was elected to the posi- tion of clerk of the village of Peekskill and a year later was also chosen Corporation Counsel of the village. These two offices he has held ever since, having been re- elected annually for fifteen years. Even political opponents, who rec- ognized his special qualifications as an executive officer, did not at- tempt to remove him from these responsible positions when they had the power to do so. After a committee of citizens had examined his accounts and complimented him recently, Mr. Crumb tendered his resignation of both positions, his political opponents, then a majority in the Board of Village Trustees, unanimously asked him to with- draw the same and continue to serve until his term of office would expire. He was instrumental in or- ganizing the Board of Trade of Peekskill in 1890, and was chosen its first secretary, a position which he still holds. Unlike many an as- pirant, his first attempt to secure a nomination for a county office met with success, and at a time when his competitors were backed by nu- merous following, and in a position to make an exciting canvass. This was in 1895, when he became his party's candidate for County Clerk. He was elected by a large majority and became the first Republican elected to that office in Westchester County. His administration of the office has been characterized by close application to duties and
great conscientiousness. In 1896 the County Clerk's office was the center of a most bitter and persist- ent partisan struggle to prevent his printing of the official ballots. In the course of this contest thirty- two stays, mandamuses and injunc- tions were served upon him; but he successfully carried out his official duty, without violating any of the orders of the court, and placed the ballots in the hands of the electors for the whole county, without error, on election morning. Mr. Crumb is a member of Courtlandt Lodge, No. 34, F. and A. M .; Mohe- gan Chapter, No. 221, R. A. M., and of Westchester Commandery, No.
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42, Knights Templar, of Sing Sing; a member of Cryptic Lodge, No. 75, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; a member of Bald Eagle Tribe, No. 264, I. O. R. M .; a member of Har- mony Lodge, No. 138, Knights of Pythias, and a member of the City Club, of Yonkers. He is a trustee in the First Baptist Church of Peekskill and assistant superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. On April 26, 1888, Mr. Crumb was mar- ried to Miss Nellie M. Starr, young- est daughter of George S. and Eme- line A. Starr, of Peekskill.
THOMAS R. HODGE.
Thomas R. Hodge, Republican, County Register of Deeds, was born on May 25, 1843, in England, a son of John and Mary (Robinson) Hodge. When quite young he re- moved with his parents to Canada. Twenty-eight years ago he decided upon becoming a citizen of the United States, then he was a resi- dent of Eastchester, in this county, and engaged in mercantile busi- ness. His excellent habits, sterling integrity and other evidences of firmness of character, soon made him popular with his fellow-citi- zens, and singled him out as a per- son well adapted to hold positions of public trust. The first public office to which he was elected was that of Treasurer of School District No. 1, from 1879 to 1882; he was School Trustee and secretary of the Board of Education from 1882 to 1891; was Deputy County Treasurer from 1880 to 1891; served as Treas- urer of School District No. 4, in 1891-92; was elected an Alderman of the city of Mount Vernon, serv- ing from 1893 to 1895; on January 1, 1896, he entered upon the duties of his present office, his term ex- piring January 1, 1899. In this of- fice, as in all other positions held by him, Mr. Hodge has been most faithful, ever at his post of duty. No official has ever given the coun- ty better service. During his ad- administration many needed re- forms were effected in the office; among them is the new system, in- troduced by him, of indexing rec- ords filed in the Register's office, which greatly simplifies the work
of searchers and saves time to the amount of fifty per cent., consider- ing the former mode of procedure. Mr. Hodge is a Director of the Peo- ple's Bank of Mount Vernon, a trustee of the Eastchester Savings Bank, treasurer and vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, is a past master of Hiawatha Lodge, No. 434, F. and A. M .; is a member and former high priest of Mount Vernon Chapter, No. 228, R. A. M .; is a member of Bethlehem Com- mandery, K. T., No. 53, a member of Nepperhan Council, R. and S. M., No. 70, and a member of the Mecca Temple. He is also one of the orig- inal active members of Steamer Engine Company, No. 3, of Mount Vernon. Mr. Hodge is unmarried.
WILLIAM V. MOLLOY.
William V. Molloy, Sheriff, was born in Fleetwood, town of East- chester, on November 6, 1856, a son of John F. and Sarah (Murray) Molloy. His parents, who were born in Ireland, came to this coun- try in 1850 and on May 2, of that year, they removed to New Ro- chelle. It was during a temporary residence in Fleetwood that Mr. Molloy, the subject of this sketch, was born. He was educated in the public schools of Mamaroneck and New Rochelle, the latter village be- ing then as now his place of resi- dence. For many years he has been a contractor, successfully em- ployed in the construction of rail- roads, highways, etc. In politics he is a Republican and considered one of the county leaders of his party. He has served his town as an Ex- cise Commissioner, as an Assessor and for several terms as Supervisor. In 1883 he was appointed by Presi- dent Harrison as postmaster at New Rochelle, in 1897 he was re- appointed by President Mckinley; he resigned the latter office when entering upon his duties as Sheriff January 1, 1898. Sheriff Molloy is a member of Siwanoy Tribe, No. 335, I. O. R .; a member of Court Ivanhoe, No. 191, F. of A .; a mem- ber of La Rabida Council, No. 166, K. of C .; a member of Division No. 5, A. O. H .; he is an exempt mem- ber of Huguenot Fire Engine Com-
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pany of New Rochelle; a charter member of the New Rochelle Yacht Club and was a member of the Ad- visory Council of the World's Agri- cultural Congress in 1893, at the World's Fair.
JOHN SELLS.
John Sells, Commissioner of Ju- rors, was born in the city of Phil- adelphia, Pa., on May 21, 1860, a son of John W. and Cathrine (Har- vey) Sells. He was educated in the public schools of his native city. In 1884 he removed to Yonkers, his present place of residence, and en- tered the employ of the Fernbrook Carpet Company, continuing with them many years and until he re- signed his position to accept his present office. On May 28, 1888, Mr. Sells was married to Miss Lizzie McCrone, daughter of Hugh and Rachel McCrone, of Philadelphia. He has always been a Republican and has never before held an elec- tive political office, though he has received many honors at the hands of his party friends. He was elect- ed and served as president of the Young Men's Republican Club, of Yonkers, from 1896 to September, 1898, and has repeatedly been chosen to serve as a delegate to the several conventions of his party. Long Island.
From a long list of candidates for the position he took possession of his present office, on April 7, 1897, and was prominent in the reorgani- zation, on the district plan, of the party in the city; for eight years was a member of the Republican General Committee.
CHARLES E. BIRCH, M. D.
Charles Edward Birch, M. D., Coroner, is a Republican, and was born in the city of New York on February 8, 1863. He is a son of John and Mary (Wygnant) Birch. When he was six years of age his parents removed to White Plains, where he has since continued to re- side. He attended
the public schools preparatory to his gradu- ation from a State Normal School. Graduating from the Normal School he taught district school one year,
at Greenville, while preparing to enter the New York Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital. While attending college he had the distinction of being president of his class every year during the four he was in attendance. He gradu- ated from college with special hon- ors. Dr. Birch's first introduction as an office holder took place in 1881, when he was chosen, while still a youth, as page of the County Board of Supervisors. He was the first elected County Librarian, in 1881, and served in that position three years. In 1894 he was ap- pointed Health officer of the village of White Plains and served two years; in 1898 he was again ap- pointed. He was chosen Physician to the County Jail in 1894, and con- tinues in that office up to date. He was elected Coroner in 1894 and re- elected by an increased majority in 1897. At the time he was first chosen Coroner he was the young- est man ever elected to that office in the county, as he is certainly one of the most active in giving at- tention to the duties of his office. He has been identified with the Re- publican party since becoming of age. On November 10, 1892, Dr. Birch was married to Miss Marion Bentley, daughter of Abram and Marion Bentley, of Port Jefferson,
JACOB G. MILLER.
Jacob G. Miller, School Commis- sioner for the Second School Com- missioner District, was born in Boston, Mass., on September 11, 1852, a son of Peter and Margarette Miller. He was educated in the schools of his native city. He re- moved to Sing Sing, his present place of residence, in 1884, where he is engaged in mercantile busi- ness. On April 6, 1881, he was married to Miss M. Louise Morton, daughter of William and Eliza J. Morton, of Croton-on-the-Hudson. For many years Mr. Miller has been an active Republican, but never held a political office until elected to his present position, in 1896. He is prominent in the Masonic Order, being a member of Kisco Lodge, No. 708, F. and A. M .; a member of'
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Buckingham Chapter, No. 174, R. A. M .; a member of Peekskill Council, No. 55, R. and S. M .; a past eminent commander of the Westchester Commandery, K. T., No. 42; a member of the Mystic Shrine, Mecca Temple, New York city; is also a member of Sunny- side Lodge, No. 289, I. O. O. F., and a member of Liberty Council, No. 40, J. O. U. A. M.
SAMUEL C. MILLER.
Samuel C. Miller, Deputy County Treasurer and President of the vil- lage of White Plains, was born Au- gust 1, 1848, in the city of Cincin- nati, Ohio, and like many other na- tives of Ohio, has the qualities that are essential in the make-up of a good president. He is of American parentage, a son of John G. and Sarah H. (Corwine) Miller. He re- moved to White Plains, with his parents, in 1862, and has resided in that town continuously thirty-six years; was married in April, 1876, to Miss Marie B. Antrim, daughter of John S. and Hannah Antrim, of North Castle. Mr. Miller was post- master of White Plains from 1878 to 1886; was elected a Trustee and subsequently was the first elected President of the village of White Plains, from 1896 to 1898, and re- elected in 1898 for two years; was appointed Deputy County Register in 1896 and Deputy County Treas- urer in 1897, which latter office he now holds. He, in connection with the County Treasurer's office, has proven a valued assistant to the able County Treasurer; his polite attention to visitors having busi- ness with the office and his correct business methods go far as recom- mendations to popular favor. Mr. Miller is a prominent Free Mason, has served as master and in the several offices of the White Plains Lodge, No. 473, F. & A. M., and last year was appointed district deputy Grand Master for the district com- posed of Westchester and Putnam Counties. He is an ardent Repub- lican and at present secretary of the Republican County Committee, and is credited with being one of the best executive officers ever in the service of the committee.
CHARLES J. F. DECKER.
Charles J. F. Decker, Deputy County Clerk and Court Clerk, was born in New York city December 24, 1873. He was educated in the public schools of his native city. He removed to Croton Falls, this county, with his parents, in 1890, where he now resides. His parents are Charles and Magdeline (Jung) Decker. He is unmarried. Mr. Decker is in politics a Republican and is recognized as a popular leader among the younger element of the party that is forcing recog- nition. He is now serving in his first political position. He entered the County Clerk's office February 24, 1896, and became Deputy County Clerk on February 5, 1897, to suc- ceed Deputy M. James Mooney, who died February 4, 1897. Mr. Decker is also a member of the Croton Falls Baptist Church, a member of the Kisco Council, R. A., No. 1562; a member of Croton Lodge, No. 368, F. and A. M .; of Croton Chapter, No. 202, R. A. M .; of Crusaders' Commandery, No. 56, K. T .; secre- tary of Titticus Cycle Club at Purdy Station, and a member of the Cro- ton Falls Fire Department, Engine Company No. 1.
HARVEY HUSTED.
Harvey Husted, Stenographer of the Special Term of the Supreme Court, was born at North Tarry- town, town of Mount Pleasant, Westchester County, N. Y., on July 12, 1854, and is a descendant of one of the oldest families in the county. His parents were Nathaniel W. and Armenia (Palmer) Husted, his mother being the daughter of the late Harvey Palmer, of Pleasant- ville. Mr. Husted attended the public school of his native town and afterward the Irving Institute, and finished his education at the Academy at North Greenwich, Conn. While acting as bookkeeper in his father's office he took up the study of stenography and mastered the art without the aid of a teacher. He held for many years the posi- tion of Official Stenographer to the County and Surrogate's Courts of Westchester County, and has held
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continuously for the past twenty- two years the official position of Stenographer to the Special Term of the Supreme Court. Mr. Husted has resided in White Plains, his present place of residence, for fif- teen years. He was chosen Presi- dent of the village of White Plains for two years-1892-93-and is a member of the Board of Education, having held that position for more than ten years. In politics Mr. Husted is a Democrat, because, as he says, he cannot help it-he was born that way. His modest, genial nature is also pleasing to people of other political affiliations and he is, therefore, popular with every- body.
ISAAC H. SMITH.
Isaac H. Smith, Stenographer of the Westchester County Court, was born in Phillipstown, Putnam County, N. Y., January 13, 1866, of American parentage. When he was quite young he removed with his parents to Peekskill, where his home has continued to be. He re- ceived his educational training in the Peekskill public schools and in the Peekskill Military Academy. At an early age he exhibited special skill in his chosen vocation and his talents were soon recognized by prominent persons who were more than willing to profit by his clever- ness. In 1883 he was appointed Strenographer to the County and Surrogate's Courts
of Putnam County, which position he still re- tains. In 1889 he accepted the po- sition of Stenographer and Clerk to the Ways and Means Committee of the State Assembly. In 1890 he was chosen official Stenographer of the Assembly. In 1891-92 he acted as private secretary to Assemblyman General James W. Husted. In 1894- 95 he was Clerk to the Canal Com- mittee and Assistant Stenographer to the State Senate. In 1896 he was appointed by County Judge Smith Lent as Stenographer of the West- chester County Court, and by Sur- rogate Theodore H. Silkman as Stenographer of the Westchester County Surrogate's Court, which latter positions he now holds. Re- cently he was appointed official
Stenographer of the County Court of Orange County; he is able to fill all positions creditably. Mr. Smith is a son of Marvin R. and Sarah E. (Smith) Smith. He was married on December 19, 1889, to Miss Lulu E. Williams, daughter of Washington and Mary J. Williams. of Peekskill.
B. FRANK PALMER.
B. Frank Palmer, a former Dep uty County Register, was born in Mamaroneck on December 13, 1850. He was educated in the public schools of his native town. He en- tered a business life by accepting a clerkship in a general store. In 1870 he was appointed station agent of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad at Mamaroneck and remained in that position ten years, until 1880. He was appoint- ed Deputy County Register of Deeds by Register J. O. Miller, in 1881, and continued as such until 1890, when the Republicans secured control of the office. In 1893 he was reappointed to the same position by Register W. J. Graney and served until 1896. Owing to his familiar- ity with the work of the Register's office his services have been in de- mand since the year he first entered the office, and he has been retained, in some capacity, under different administrations, for seventeen years. In 1885 he received from President Cleveland appointment as postmaster at Larchmont and served four years. He was again appointed to this office by Presi- dent Cleveland in 1893 for four years, and still holds the position. Mr. Palmer served as a member of the Mamaroneck School District Board of Education twelve years, as secretary of the board six years and as president of the same body six years. He is a prominent Ma- son, a member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 46, F. and A. M .; a past master and past district deputy grand mas- ter. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum order. He was married in February, 1877, to Miss Margaret L. Hopkins, daughter of John C. and Jeanette P. Hopkins, of New Rochelle.
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ARMAND R. STAINACH.
Armand R. Stainach, Court In- terpreter and Special Deputy Coun- ty Clerk, was born in Castle Kreut- berg, Corinthia, Austria, on June 7, 1817, a son of Henry Count de Stai- nach and Countess Thurn Valles- assina. He was educated at the Imperial Austrian Military Acad- emy, at Vienna, and subsequently became a civil engineer and sur- veyor. He came to the United States in 1850, arriving on May 6, and became a resident of Brooklyn. He spent most of his time between the year of arrival and the year 1852, when he removed to White Plains, in travel, visiting all por- tions of America, to get acquainted with the country and to study its
people. He remained in White Plains until 1856, when he accepted a position as civil engineer under the Brazilian government, in which position he remained until 1860. In the latter year he returned to White Plains and soon after was appoint- ed Index Clerk in the office of the County Register of Deeds, serving in that position many years, and until he accepted the position of Special Deputy County Clerk and Court Interpreter, which latter po- sition he has held since the office was created. In politics Mr. Stain- ach is a Democrat. He was mar- ried November 6, 1860, to Miss Em- ilie C. de Bender, daughter of Wil- liam and Christina de Bender, of New York city.
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LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS.
WILLIAM L. WARD.
William Lukens Ward, member of Congress, was born in Green- wich, Conn., on September 2, 1856, and is a son of William E. and Louise (Lukens) Ward. He was educated at the Friends' Seminary, New York city, and at Columbia College. After graduating he em- barked in the manufacturing busi- ness, in connection with the firm of Russell, Burdsall & Ward, the most extensive bolt manufacturers in the United States, if not in the world, and of which firm the father of the subject of this sketch is one of the principal members. In 1882 Mr. Ward, associated with others, succeeded in establishing at Port Chester, in this county, a similar manufacturing business, that has grown steadily until now it is near- ly of as much importance as the parent concern, of which it is inde- pendent. The business done at the new establishment has reached such a magnitude that the constant presence of Mr. Ward is actually necessary about the works; for that reason the time devoted to his Con- gressional duties at Washington is a great personal sacrifice made on the altar of duty, as required by good citizenship. While a zealous Republican and for many years representing the town of Rye in the Republican County Committee, Mr. Ward never thought he had the time to spare from his business to devote to office holding. It was not until 1886 that he yielded to his friends and consented to become the party's candidate for Presiden- tial Elector. In that same year he was, most unexpectedly to himself, nominated to represent his county in Congress. His double nomina- tion presented the unusual spectacle of having one man's name appear twice upon the same ballot as can- didate for two important national offices. He was elected to both po- sitions. In Congress Mr. Ward was
particularly favored, considering his inexperience as a new member. He was given a place on many of the most important committees and recognized as one of the most val- ued working members of that pop- ular branch of the nation's legisla- ture. That he had the confidence of President Mckinley also contrib- uted to his popularity. Mr. Ward was married September 15, 1880, to Miss Madge Leland, daughter of Warren Leland, of Long Branch.
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