USA > New York > Westchester County > Manual of Westchester county.Past and present. Civil list to date 1898 > Part 20
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At Tuckahoe, on the Harlem Railroad, is established the town "seat of government," the town offices being located here. The name Tuckahoe, in the Algonquin, means "The Bread;" Tuckah (bread), the o, oe, or eng, being merely an adjective sign relating to the plant itself.
The present officers of the town are as follows: Herbert D.
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Lent, Supervisor; William J. Fisher, Town Clerk; Nicholas Reid, P. J. White, Benjamin B. Riley and Dennis O'Neill, Justices of the Peace; Joseph Silk, Receiver of Taxes. Post office address, Tuck- ahoe, N. Y.
The assessed value of real estate in the town was, last year, $3,618,169; personal property, $157,495. The tax rate this year is 5.89 on $1,000. Water and light, district No. 1, $7.35 on $1,000. Water and light, district No. 2, $6.82 on $1,000.
Bronxville, situated on the Harlem Railroad, is the only incor- porated village in the town, its incorporation having been effected May 9, 1898. Electors of Bronxville held a special election on April 19, 1898, to decide the question of incorporation. At this election 25 votes were cast in favor of incorporation and 8 votes were cast against the same. A census taken showed the population of the new village to be 391. The village officers are: Francis Bacon, President; W. F. Kraft and W. W. Kent, Trustees; David E. Smith, M. D., Clerk; Charles E. Booth, Tax Collector; Alfred E. Smith, Village Attorney.
TOWN OF GREENBURGH.
This town was formerly a portion of Philipsburgh Manor, the land having been purchased from the Indians by Frederick Philipse at different times, commencing in 1681. Prior to the Dutch dis- covery the site of the town formed part of the Indian territory of Wikagyl. The name of the town is credited to Dutch origin; ac- cording to the Dutch language Grein (Grain) burgh (borough or town) was intended to be known as the Grain town. We are told that in 1692 the town labored under the title of Weekersqueeke. In early deeds it is referred to as "Lawrence's Plantation." The lands remained in the Philipse family until the attainder of Col. Frederick Philipse, in 1779, when they became vested by forfeiture in the people of the State. The titles of land soon passed into the pos- session of many persons, the purchase price being but a trifle in each instance.
The first independent election for town officers, according to the records, was held on April 7, 1778, when Joseph Paulding was chosen Supervisor. The names of the successors of Mr. Paulding, in the office of Supervisor, will be found published on another page.
The town contains the incorporated villages of Tarrytown, Irv- ington, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Hastings and part of White Plains.
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The population of the town since 1830, as given by the several census enumerations, has been as follows: In 1830, 2,195; in 1835, 2,606; in 1840, 3;361; in 1845, 3,205; in 1850, 4,291; in 1855, 6,435; in 1860, 8,929; in 1865, 8,463; in 1870, 10,790; in 1875, 10,943; in 1880, 9,861; in 1890, 11,613. The population of villages, according to census taken in January, 1898, will be found on another page.
The assessed valuation of the town for 1897 was: Real estate, $23,098,850; personal, $6,212,554. The tax rate this year is 3.726 per $1,000 of assessed valuation inside of incorporated villages, and $5.865 per $1,000 of assessed valuation outside of villages. Back taxes are received by the Supervisor. The present town officers are: Supervisor, Alexander McClelland, Dobbs Ferry; Town Clerk, K. H. Purdy, Tarrytown; Justices of the Peace, R. B. Farrington, Has- tings, John Lang, Dobbs Ferry, Adam Busch, Irvington, Charles McCutchen, Tarrytown; Receiver of Taxes, Augustus Travis, Ardsley.
The village of Hastings, in the town of Greenburgh, is situated on the Hudson River, on the line of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, a little over eighteen miles from New York City. It was incorporated as a village in the year 1879. Its popu- lation as shown by last census taken in Jan., 1898, is 1,712. It was formerly a manufacturing center of considerable importance. It still maintains that feature, but to a limited extent. The factories and mills are confined to a locality bordering the water front and adjoining the tracks of the railroad company. The village proper abounds in many handsome residences and is growing yearly as a. resort for New York City business men in search of desirable homes within easy distance from the city. The schools, private and public, are of the best; the streets are well laid out, wide and macadamized, providing most excellent drives; thoroughfares are illuminated with gas and electricity, sidewalks are uniform and flagged. The public water supply is ample for all purposes. The present village officers are: James E. Hogan, President; W. W. Tompkins, W. A. Switzer, Patrick E. Haley and William Ross, Trustees; Peter A. Hayes, Clerk; A. W. Bevers, Collector of Taxes; George T. Sackett, Treasurer.
Dobbs Ferry, in the town of Greenburgh, was incorporated as a village on July 5, 1873. It overlooks the Hudson River and is in many respects one of the most attractive suburban localities within less than one hour's ride from New York City, which is nineteen and a half miles distant. Frequent daily trains on the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad connect the village with the
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city. Steamboats also run between the village and city. The pop- ulation of the village was, at the last census, taken in Jan., 1898, 2,840. The village was originally known as Dobbs Ferry. To the fact that a fisherman named Jeremiah Dobbs, a Swede, living in the locality where the village is now situated, ferried travelers occa- sionally across the Hudson, prior to and during the Revolution, is due the village's title. It was Dobbs Ferry then, it has been Dobbs Ferry ever since, notwithstanding that the residents at one time de- termined in public meeting to give the village a better sounding and more appropriate title. The name of Greenburgh was chosen, and under this title the village labored for a short time, but it was soon found that the people longed for a return to the old-time name. An act of the Legislature permitted the village to resume its old title, and the ancient ferryman promises not soon to be forgotten. It was in this locality that Gen. Washington and Sir Guy Carleton (in command of the British Army) and Gov. Clinton met on May 3, 1783, after the suspension of hostilities, to arrange for a final ter- mination of strife and for the granting of that independence for which the Americans had so nobly fought. Ebenezer Hazard was appointed first postmaster of New York City Oct. 5, 1775, by the Continental Congress, on the recommendation of the New York Provincial Congress. On Aug. 3, 1776, the day after the retreat of the American Army from Long Island, he was ordered by the Com- mittee of Safety to Dobbs Ferry, and in this neighborhood the New York post office remained until after the evacuation of the city by the British Army, in Nov., 1783. The village contains the hand- some villas and country seats of many of New York City's most wealthy merchants and professional men. It maintains most ex- cellent schools, a national bank and a savings bank. ' It has an abundant water supply. Electricity and gas are used for illuminat- ing purposes, in streets and residences; streets are macadamized and sidewalks flagged. The village supports churches of four different denominations, viz .: A Presbyterian, an Episcopalian, a Methodist and a Roman Catholic.
The present officers of the village are: W. P. Brown, Presi- dent; Sylvester L. Storms, James J. Gillespie, John W. Lawrence and Alonzo Ackerman, Trustees; Lewis F. Murray, Clerk; Henry E. Bliss, Treasurer; J. Eugene Baker, Collector.
The village of Ardsley, which lies adjacent to the village of Dobbs Ferry, was incorporated in 1896, and has, according to the census taken in Jan., 1898, a population of 372. It is principally a residence locality, desirably situated and attractively laid out. Is
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easy of access, as both the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad and the Putnam Division of the New York Central Rail- road have stations in the village. The present village officers: W. I. Odell, President; George Q. Johnson, M. D., and S. G. M. Travis, Trustees; William E. Slocum, Clerk; John H. Odell, Treasurer.
The village of Irvington was incorporated in 1872, and at the time of the last census enumeration, in Jan., 1898, had a population of 2,013. The village is charmingly situated on the banks of the Hudson River, and contains the palatial residences of some of the nation's most wealthy men. It is on the line of the New York Cen- tral and Hudson River Railroad, twenty-three miles from New York City. The place was formerly known as "Dearman," named in honor of one of its earliest residents. The present name of the village is derived from Washington Irving, whose former home, "Sunnyside," is located near the northern boundary line of the in- corporation. The village is famous for its broad macadamized streets and the modern public improvements with which it is sup- plied. The present village officers are: Henry H. Cannon, Presi- dent; John Gibbons, Anthony Fallon, William R. Lonergan and John O'Connor, Trustees; T. W. Crisfield, Clerk; John Vaughen, Collector of Taxes; Daniel Gilligan, Treasurer.
Tarrytown, or as it was originally known, Tarwetown, was set- tled by the Dutch shortly after 1680. The latter name was derived from the Dutch word "tarwe," meaning wheat; an overabundance of that particular grain in the locality probably suggested it being called "the wheat town." The present village was incorporated in 1870. The population in 1880 was 3,025, in 1890 it was 3,563, in January, 1898, it was 4,674. The town's location is most delight- ful, commanding one of the finest views up and down the Hudson River. It overlooks the Tappan Zee at the widest point of the river. It is an important station on the Hudson River Railroad, twenty-six miles from New York City. A steam ferry connects this village with the village of Nyack, on the opposite side of the Hudson, dur- ing the summer months. Steamboats make daily trips to and from New York City. This village is said to be one of the wealthiest, if not the wealthiest village, in this country, considering the value of real estate and value of the personal property of its inhabitants.
The Westchester County Savings Bank was incorporated by an act of the Legislature passed July 21, 1853.
The Legislature by an act passed April 9, 1852, gave John C. Bard authority to establish a ferry across the Hudson River from Tarrytown to Nyack.
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A franchise was given David D. Smith and Tunis Smith for & ferry between Tarrytown and Nyack, by an act of the Legislature passed April 21, 1870.
Solomon Lodge, No. 196, F. and A. M., was started in White Plains in 1812, and in 1820 it became established in Tarrytown. Conqueror Hook and Ladder Company was incorporated April 10, 1860; Rescue Fire Engine Company was incorporated April 16, 1860; the Tarrytown Fire Department was incorporated May 5, 1870.
The following are village officers: Charles Gross, President; Edward S. Yocum, Andrew H. Brown, Peter Tidaback, William J. Odell, George D. Minton and Edward Buckhout, Trustees; Warren C. Brown, Clerk; Frederick A. Russell, Treasurer; Thomas Rawcliff, Collector of Taxes. Post office address, Tarrytown, N. Y.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES BIRD.
James Bird, former President of the village of Tarrytown, was born in Tarrytown, on December 24, 1834, a son of Edmund and Sarah (Howes) Bird. He was educated at Newman's Academy, and at an early age entered upon an active business life. He was married in December, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Olmstead, daughter of Silas and Nancy Olmstead, of Tarrytown; his wife died in 1882. He was married August 10, 1888, to Miss Louisa H. Miller, of Tarrytown. Mr. Bird has for years been conspicuous in pub- lic affairs, a leader among his fel- low-citizens. He is a Republican. He was elected as a Trustee of the village of North Tarrytown for two consecutive years; later President of that village three years; Treas- urer of the school district several years, and was chief engineer of the Fire Department. President of the village of Tarrytown, two years member of the National Associa- tion of Chief Engineers of Fire De- partments; prominent official in Solomon's Lodge, F. and A. M .; high priest of R. A. M. several terms; a sir knight of the West- chester Commandery, and a mem- ber of the Mystic Shrine of Mecca
Temple, New York. Is also a mem- ber of the Sons of the Revolution. His grandfather, Edmund Bird, joined the revolutionary army at Boston, when 19 years of age, under Col. Vose, and continued through- out the war, rising from a drummer boy to the position of a major. He took part in many important en- gagements, and was promoted for bravery and at the end received a gold medal from the hands of Gen. Washington. Mr. Bird's father served in the war of 1812.
BARNETT H. ENGELKE.
Barnett Henry Engelke, Water Commissioner, was born August 24, 1839, in Pine Plains, N. Y., a son of Henry and Christine (von Eckel) Engelke. He was educated in the public schools of New York city and at an early age engaged in mercantile pursuits with con- siderable success. He was for a number of years employed in for- eign trade, with the West Indies and South America. When the civil war broke out he was in Ber- muda. He returned to his home and enlisted in July, 1861, as a member of the First New York Mounted Rifles. In 1862 he was ap- pointed adjutant of same regiment.
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In 1864 he was appointed aide-de- camp on the staff of Gen. A. V. Kautz, and as acting ordnance offi- cer of the cavalry division of the Army of the James. Subsequently he served on the staff of Gen. R. S. Mackenzie. He participated in thirty-two engagements, beginning with those on the Peninsula and ending at Appomattox Court House, Va. From 1865 to 1868 he was on special duty in the Department of Missouri, at the headquarters of Gen. W. T. Sherman. In 1868 he engaged in business in St. Louis. On June 23, 1868, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Lovejoy Brant, daughter of Col. Henry B. and Ma- tilda Brant, of St. Louis, Mo. She died May 11, 1898. He became a member of Oriental R. A. Chapter and Ascalon Commandery K. T., No. 16, St. Louis, Mo., and St. Louis Lodge, No. 9, B. P. O. Elks. In 1885 he removed to Tarrytown and engaged in the general grocery bus- iness, which business he still con- tinues. In 1886 he was appointed by the Tarrytown Board of Village Trustees as a member of the Board of Health and was elected president of that body two terms. He was elected in 1897 on the Citizens' ticket as a Water Commissioner of the village and chosen president of the board. In politics Mr. Engelke is a Democrat of the old school. He is a conservative business man and generally respected.
JOHN W. FREE.
John W. Free, of Tarrytown, was born on January 11, 1856, in Beek- mantown (now North Tarrytown), in the town of Mount Pleasant, and is a descendant of one of the oldest Westchester County families, prom- inent even prior to the revolution. He is a son of John H. and Sarah M. (Warner) Free. Was educated in the public schools of his native town. He was married June 11, 1880, to Miss Addie L. Brewer, daughter of Abram and Lavinia Brewer, of Tarrytown. Mr. Free is a man of affairs, a public-spir- ited citizen. In politics he is a Re- publican, at all times interested in the success of his party principles. He is president of the Young Men's
Republican Club, was formerly a member of the Tarrytown Board of Health, and is now the Village San- itary Inspector; has held the office of regent in the Kyk-Uit Council, R. A., for two years, and is a ves- tryman of St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church, of North Tarry- town. His occupation is that of a real estate broker, expert appraiser and general auctioneer.
CHARLES GROSS.
Charles Gross, President of the village of Tarrytown, was born in that village on June 17, 1865, a son of August and Anna Maria (Bing) Gross. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and being industriously inclined, at the age of 22 he entered into partnership with his father and brother John, under the firm of A. F. Gross & Sons. They succeeded Messrs. Biers & Parnell in the meat market business, and at pres- ent it is one of the most reliable and representative establishments of Tarrytown. He was married on February 15, 1887, to Miss Jose- phine Dann, of Tarrytown, who died the following year. His sec- ond marriage took place on October 24, 1894, when Miss Carrie Taylor, of New York city, became his wife. In politics Mr. Gross is a Republi- can, has been chairman for a num- ber of years of his district commit- tee, a member of the County Com- mittee and a delegate to county, district and Assembly conventions. The first political position held by him was that of village Trustee, to which he was elected in 1892. In 1893 he was re-elected for two years, having been nominated on the Republican ticket and endorsed on the Democratic ticket. He de- clined the nomination the following year. In 1896 he was waited on by a committee of citizens to be their candidate for President of the vil- lage, which he also declined. In 1897 he was nominated on the Re- publican ticket for Trustee and en- dorsed on the Democratic ticket, but declined. He was then placed in nomination as President on a Citizens' ticket, to which office he was elected by a large majority
FRANK V. MILLARD.
JAMES BIRD.
GEORGE HOPE MAIRS.
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FRANK R. PIERSON.
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Samuel T. Knapp,
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over a popular opponent. His ad- ministration of the office proved so acceptable to his fellow-citizens that he was forced to again become a candidate for the Presidency in 1898 and again he was elected by an equally large majority. ยท Mr. Gross is an active fireman, was one of the organizers of Jackson Engine Com- pany, No. 1, and was foreman of that company for six years, and three years secretary. He was for- merly a member of Irving Hose Company, in which company he held the office of secretary two years and assistant foreman one year. He is a member of the Pres- byterian Church of Irvington and a member of the Board of Deacons of that church. Mr. Gross enjoys the distinction of being the young- est member ever elected to the Board of Trustees, and also the youngest president.
SAMUEL T. KNAPP.
Samuel T. Knapp, a former Vil- lage Trustee, of Tarrytown, was born in Clarkstown, Rockland County, N. Y., on April 21, 1847, a son of William and Elizabeth (Van Orden) Knapp. He was educated in the public schools of his native town. He is, as he has peen for years, proprietor of livery, sale and exchange stables at Tarrytown. He is considered one of the substantial business men of his home village. He has served his village in the capacity of Village Trustee for five years. As a member of the local Board of Health, he has proved specially useful. He is one of the original members of Hope Hose Company, of Tarrytown, and for many years was at the head of that organization as its foreman; is a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association. In politics Mr. Knapp has always acted with the Demo- cratic party. He was married on October 25, 1882, to Miss Emma Dammann, daughter of Bernard and Caroline Dammann, of Tarry- town.
AUGUSTUS KONRAD.
Augustus Konrad, resident of Tarrytown, was born in Moriches,
Suffolk County, N. Y., on May 28, 1855, a son of Philip and Jane (Lyte) Konrad. He was educated in private schools and in Williston Seminary. He removed to Tarry- town at an early age. In the latter place he has long been closely iden- tified with public affairs; in politics he associates himself with the Re- publican party. He has been elect- ed to the office of Justice of the Peace, was a member of the Town Board of Health, a Special Deputy Sheriff, member of the Village Board of Health, served many years as agent for the American Society for the Prevention of Cru -. elty to Animals, is deputy grand chief templar of the I. O. G. T. of New York State, and is a deacon of the Second Reformed Church. He was married on August 8, 1885, to Miss Christina Glass, daughter of David Glass, of Tarrytown. Mr. Konrad is at present secretary of the Hudson River Gas and Electric Light Company.
ALFRED LAWRENCE.
Alfred Lawrence, former Chief of Police of the village of Tarrytown, was born on June 15, 1809, in the city of New York, a son of John. and Maria (Crane) Lawrence. He was educated in the Duane Street School in his native city. He be- came a resident of Tarrytown in the year 1828, and has resided there continuously. In August, 1841, Mr. Lawrence was married to Miss Emily Minerly, of the town of Mount Pleasant. She died July 22, 1878. He was again married on August 5, 1885, to Miss Emiline Cole, daughter of Jacob and Aletia Cole, of Dutchess County. Through the efforts of Mr. Lawrence a Fire Department was organized in Tar- rytown, in 1860. He was elected its chief engineer. In 1861 Mr. Law- rence induced thirty-five members of the Fire Department to enlist with him for a term of two years, in Company H, of the Thirty-second Regiment, New York State Volun- teers. Mr. Lawrence took part, with his regiment, in all the great battles on the Potomac. He en- listed as a private, but returned as a first lieutenant, having been pro-
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moted for bravery. Besides filling the office of Chies of Police for many years, Mr. Lawrence held for twenty years or more the position of Deputy Sheriff, and also that of Overseer of the Poor and Constable of the town of Greenburgh. He was for a long period one of the best- known auctioneers in the county. In latter years he has been engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Law- rence is a Democrat in politics.
RICHARD LIVINGSTON.
Richard Livingston, of Tarry- town, was born in Ireland, on March 17, 1866, a son of Joseph and Sarah J. (Taggart) Livingston. He was educated in the public schools of Tarrytown, to which place he removed with his parents when he was but six years of age, and where he has since resided. He was early apprenticed to the car- penter trade and now is an employ- ing carpenter and builder, and is also a member of the shoe firm of Aldridge & Co. He is unmarried. He takes an active interest in pub- lic affairs; politically he is classi- fied as a Republican. He has served in several village and school dis- trict offices, in the Republican Town Committee, and has ably rep- resented his locality in political conventions. He is a prominent official in Solomon's Lodge, No. 196, F. and A. M.
GEORGE H. MAIRS.
George Hope Mairs, of Irving- ton, town of Greenburgh, though born in the city of New York, is considered as a native of the said town, owing to the fact that his parents became residents of that place within a few months after Mr. Mairs' birth, which occurred on December 16, 1866, and the fact that as long as the latter can re- member distinctly he has been a resident of Irvington. He is a son of John D. and Mary (St. John) Mairs. His ancestors are entitled to a prominent place in the coun- try's early history and his family connections are of the best in the State. He received his preparatory education in St. Paul's School, Con-
cord, N. H., and afterward entered Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1889. He began busi- ness as a broker as a member of the firm of Thompson & Mairs, with offices in New York city, and this same business co-partnership con- tinues. In politics Mr. Mairs has always been identified with the Re- publican party, but never until 1897 was he a candidate for office, then only after repeated urgings did he consent to accept his party's nom- ination for member of Assembly in the Second Assembly District. Though an active business man, he recognizes that a duty devolving upon good citizenship requires that even men closest employed with their private affairs owe some sac- rifice of time to the public inter- ests. Though defeated in his race for the Assembly, Mr. Mairs, a comparatively unknown man, as- tonished the politicians by over- coming a strong Democratic ma- jority in that portion of the district lying within Westchester County. On August 27, 1898, Mr. Mairs, at White Plains, received the Republi- can nomination for State Senator. He was married on April 26, 1894, to Miss Caroline Elise Jaffray Hurst, daughter, of F. W. J. and Caroline (Jaffray) Hurst, of Irving- ton.
FRANK V. MILLARD.
Frank Vincent Millard, of Tarry- town, was born February 27, 1867, in the village of Tarrytown, a son of James S. and Elizabeth A. (Purdy) Millard. He received his preparatory education in the schools of Tarrytown and gradu- ated with special honor from Yale University in the class of 1888, after which he studied law and was duly admitted to practice on February 13, 1890. His success dates from the very commencement of his ca- reer, and though still a young man he occupies an enviable position near the very head of his profes- sion in the county. He early took an active part and prominent place in politics. In 1896 he was chosen chairman of the Republican County Committee to succeed ex-Judge William H. Robertson, who had held the position for about thirty
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