USA > New York > Westchester County > Manual of Westchester county.Past and present. Civil list to date 1898 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
74
MANUAL AND CIVIL LIST.
JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE, M. D., doubtless one of the best known of American poets, was born in the town of West- chester, on August 7, 1795, and died September 20, 1820. His remains lie buried in the little cemetery at Hunt's Point, in that town. He wrote the justly popular poem titled, "The Culprit Fay," in three days. He is the author also of many other poems dear to the hearts of his countrymen, but none more than that patriotic inspiration titled "The American Flag."
When PETER FANUEIL, in the year 1720, at the age of eighteen years, left his native town of New Rochelle, to "better his condition" in the city of Boston, he doubtless had no idea of the prominent place he would occupy in history, that an act planned solely to convenience his fellow citizens would, for ever, stamp his name upon the memory of every patriotic American. When young Fanueil reached Boston he found em- ployment with his uncle, Andrew Fanueil, a leading merchant of that city. In 1737 the uncle died leaving his wealth to the nephew. In 1740 the people of Boston divided on a proposition to build a central Market-house, and quite bitter were the dis- putes arising. At this juncture Peter Fanueil came forward and offered to erect the proposed building at his own expense and present it, when completed, to the city. The tender was accepted, and Mr. Fanueil did better than his offer, he added a commodious hall over the market, sufficiently large to seat one thousand persons. Thus Boston was put in possession of Fanueil Hall, "The Cradle of American Liberty," which has from the earliest days of the American Revolution been famous, owing to the acts of patriotic men assembled within its walls. As an evidence of Boston's appreciation of the gift, may be mentioned the fact that when the building had to be restored after its almost utter destruction by fire, in 1761, no other name for it than that of Fanueil Hall would be considered. Citizens of Boston were determined that the building should remain as a memorial of the New Rochelle boy and of Hugue- not munificence, to inspire in the future similar manifestations of public spirit and good citizenship.
Mr. Fanueil, the founder and donor, did not live long after the completion of the building, in fact he died the same year, and just five years after the death of his uncle, in the year 1742.
DAVID GLASCOE FARRAGUT, Admiral of the United ยท States Navy, born July 5, 1801, and who died on August 14, 1870, the most famous of famed naval officers produced by the late
75
MANUAL AND CIVIL LIST.
Civil War, was at the opening of the unpleasantness, a respected resident of Hastings-on-the-Hudson, in this county. Here he spent his "leave" days with his family, and many neighbors learned to love the "unpretentious and kind hearted gentleman," as they termed him, judging from his manner and bearing while among them. He was at the time connected with the home squadron, with the rank of Captain. In January, 1862, he left Hastings, having been appointed to the command of a naval ex- pedition to act against the Confederates in the Gulf of Mexico; on the 28th of that month he received the surrender of New Or- leans; was made Vice-Admiral in 1863; assisted at the taking 01 Vicksburg, July 4,1863. In 1866, he attained the rank of Admiral, and at the conclusion of the war he was presented by merchants of New York, with $50,000, as an evidence of their appreciation of services rendered. At the end of the war Admiral Farragut spent many happy days at his old home in Hastings.
JOHN CHARLES FREMONT, the eminent traveler and ex- plorer, who spent his latter years on his magnificent estate, on the banks of the Hudson, in North Tarrytown, in the town of Mount Pleasant, was one of the most widely known men of his time. He was born at Savannah, Ga., January 21, 1813. Was graduated from Charleston College. President Van Buren ap- pointed him, in 1840, a lieutenant in the Corps of Topographical Engineers. Was married in 1841. His successful attempts to penetrate the Rocky Mountains, his establishment of the feasi- bility of an overland communication between the two sides of the Continent and his discovery of the route to California, in the years 1841-42-43, made him famous at home and abroad. He took part in the war with Mexico. In 1849 he settled in Cali- fornia and was elected a Senator for that State. In 1856 he was nominated as the Republican candidate for President, against James Buchanan, Democrat, who was elected. In 1861, in the war of the Rebellion, he was appointed a Major- General and obtained command of the western district; on August 31, 1861, he ordered the emancipation of the slaves of those who, in his district, were in arms against the United States; but the President revoked the order as unauthorized and premature. In this Fremont anticipated by only thirteen months the President's own proclamation; but he was never- theless relieved from command. In a few months he was rein- stated and in 1862, after the battle of Cross Keys, on June 2, he resigned, because he would not serve under Gen. Pope, whom he ranked. In 1864 he was named for the Presidency but withdrew in favor of Mr. Lincoln. Subsequently and up to
76
MANUAL AND CIVIL LIST.
the time of his death, July 13, 1890, he was engaged in various railroad enterprises.
JOHN THOMPSON HOFFMAN, the twenty-third and twen- ty-fourth Governor of the State of New York, was born at Sing Sing, in this county, on January 10, 1828, a son of Dr. A. K. Hoffman. He was graduated from Union College in 1846; in 1849, when twenty-one years of age, he was admitted to the bar. In 1860 he was elected Recorder of the City of New York. Was elected Mayor of that city in 1865. In 1866 he was defeated by Reuben E. Fenton, Republican, for Governor, but in 1868 he was more successful, being elected by a majority of 28,046 over John .A. Griswold, the Republican nominee. He was re-elected Governor in 1870. During his administration, the terms of office of Justice of the Supreme Court were in- creased to fourteen years. He was, on retirement from the office of Governor, urged by his friends for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
JAMES WILLIAM HUSTED, the subject of this sketch, was doubtless one of the cleverest, most genial and remarkable political personages ever produced in the history of the Empire State. He, it is said, knew more men by name than any other man in the State, and every public man was proud to say that he had met, at some time, Gen. James W. Husted, whom to meet once, was to remember always. His quick wit, ready action in time of need, his many resources employed in aid of friends, that characteristic knowing wink of the eye, and the jolly word spoken in season, made him famous, and also made him an army of friends, and helped baffle all attempts of his opponents to relegate him to the rear, politically speaking.
Mr. Husted was born at Bedford, in this county, on October 31, 1833. His parents were Americans, who were descendants of English and French imigrants. His early educational train- ing was secured in the Bedford Academy, where he had for schoolmates several, who in after years, shared with him the leadership of the Republican party in this county. Mr. Husted delighted in relating how, as a boy, he was introduced to "Bill" Robertson by his cousin "Ki"; " 'Bil,' on being intro- duced," said Mr. Husted, "immediately put out his hand to shake, following the shake with a love pat on the back; a cus- tom then strongly with him and which, as his friends will re- call, grew with the years. That genial greeting made me his friend from that hour."
Mr. Husted was graduated from Yale College in 1854; one
Same and know)
MANUAL AND CIVIL LIST.
of his fellow students being Chauncey M. Depew, of Peekskill; Husted and Depew were chums then and always remained so, politically, socially and otherwise. He taught school for a time and then turned to the study of law. After studying with Edward Wells, of Peekskill, he was admitted to practice law in 1857. Though he engaged actively in the practice of his profession, he became best known as a man of affairs, as a prominent figure in the politics of the State. Like most men, he had a hobby, and that hobby was up-to-date politics; he enjoyed it as labor and as recreation alike, in season and out of season, and none excelled him in cleverness at the pastime. His first experience as an office holder was when he was ap- pointed to the position of School Superintendent of his native town in 1859. In 1859 he became the first School Commissioner of the Third District of this county by election; in 1860 he was appointed as Deputy State Superintendent of the Insurance Department; in 1862, Governor Morgan appointed him a Har- bor Master, and then followed his appointment as Deputy Cap- tain of the Port of New York; he was appointed a Commissioner of Emigration in 1870, in place of Chauncey M. Depew, who had declined the office. He was first elected a Member of As- sembly in the year 1869, to represent the Third Assembly Dis- trict of this county, and he continued being elected and re- elected to the latter office up to and including the year of his death; serving from 1869 to 1878 from this county, 1879-80 from Rockland County, and again in 1881 and 1883 to 1892 from this county. He was Speaker of the Assembly in the years 1874-76-78-86-87-90. He had a longer legislative experience than any man in the history of the State-twenty-two years; he also had the distinction of having been Speaker more times than any other man, serving one time more than his nearest competitors, Dewitt C. Littlejohn and Alexander Sheldon, who each served as Speaker five times. Mr. Husted was defeated for the Assembly in 1882, by John Hoag, Democrat, of Sing Sing, much to his surprise; he attributed this defeat to over- confidence on his part, and determined henceforth not to under- estimate the popularity of his opponents, even if assured that they were named by professing friends in order to aid his can- vass and insure his election. The next year he defeated Mr. Hoag. In 1881 he received the Republican nomination for State Treasurer, but was defeated by Robert A. Maxwell, Democrat. His going into Rockland County and standing there as a can- didate for the Assembly in 1878, was to prove, first, that his popularity was not confined to the Third Assembly District Gf Westchester County, and, secondly, out of consideration for
:78
MANUAL AND CIVIL LIST.
the feelings of certain of his ambitious Republican friends who conceived the idea that he was selfishly monopolizing the field and preventing others, as worthy, from posing as legislative representatives from the Third Assembly District. Previous to Mr. Husted's invasion, Rockland County could be counted upon, at any time, for from 400 to 600 Democratic majority; a Democratic stronghold always figuring in the Democratic column. Since then the election of a Republican Assemblyman in that county has been more the custom than the exception.
For over thirty years Mr. Husted was in active political life. He became a member of the Republican party in 1859 and at- tended its national convention as a delegate in 1876, 1880, 1884 and 1888. He always took an active interest in the National Guard, of which he was a member; serving as Judge Advocate of the Seventh Brigade and as Major General of the Fifth Di- vision. He also was an influential and distinguished member of the Masonic fraternity, once having held the position of Grand Master of that body. He wore the jewel of the thirty- third degree. His death occurred at his home in Peekskill, on September 25, 1892.
WASHINGTON IRVING, who for many years occupied "Sunnyside," his romantic home on the banks of the Hudson, in the village of Tarrytown, was one of the most respected of the distinguished residents of this county. It was at this home he died suddenly, of heart disease, on November 28, 1859, aged 76 years. Mr. Irving was born in the city of New York, April 3, 1783, the eleventh and youngest child of William Irving and Sarah, his wife. He was named in honor of General Wash- ington. He was very fond of study as a boy and took advant- age of all opportunities to acquire knowledge. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. Ill health at first and a love of literature afterward, prevented him from practicing the pro- fession of law. He was one of the half dozen lawyers engaged to defend Aaron Burr, in Richmond, against the charge of treason.
In 1802, in connection with his brother, Dr. Peter Irving, he served as a journalist on a New York daily paper. He began his literary career by contributing a series of satirical essays. After the war of 1812, Washington Irving joined one of his brothers who was established as a merchant in Liverpool, and there occurred the fortunate calamity which drove him to adopt literature as a profession. The brothers failed in business and lost all they had in the world. Shortly after this Washington Irving began the publication of the Sketch Book, and other
79
MANUAL AND CIVIL LIST.
works of interest and profit. He was appointed a Regent of the State University in 1835, and was appointed by President Tyler as United States Minister to Spain in 1842.
He never married. As stated, he spent the last years of his life at "Sunnyside," with his nieces, who after his death, con- tinued to reside on the estate; the chamber occupied by Mr. Irving was always kept as it was in his life time. The prop- erty recently came into the possession of a gentleman, also a relative of Mr. Irving, who has caused some alteration to be made to the dwelling and about the place. On April 3, 1883, took place the Centennial Celebration of Washington Irving's birth, held under the auspices of the "Irving Association." All that remains of the mortal Irving now lies buried in the old Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, in North Tarrytown. An unpreten- tious and the plainest marble slab in the cemetery marks his last resting place. No towering monument, marble urn, nor bronze, are placed to remind the visitor that here lies the re- mains of one of God's noblest creations. The plot is enclosed with only hedge and fern, and display of any kind is avoided in conformity with one of his last requests. The original slab had to be replaced, because relic hunters saw fit to chip off a piece of the stone, here and there, until little or nothing was left of the simple headstone.
JOHN JAY, though born in New York city, was closely identified with this county, where, as a boy and man, he spent many years of his life, especially those years that close an eventful and most honorable career.
He was born December 15, 1745, the descendant of a Huguenot family; was graduated from Kings College, now Columbia College, New York city, on May 15, 1764; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1768. He appears in history at the very head of all early movements originated to benefit his countrymen in their struggles against British tyranny. Was chosen a member of the Provisional War Committee, or Committee of Resistance, which convened immediately after the battle of Lexington, in 1775; the address sent to England, giving notice that New York had, "Resolved to stand or fall with liberty of the continent," was first signed by Mr. Jay. He was an active member of the Continental Congresses; he drafted the first State Constitution in 1777, and was made the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court under that Constitution; in 1777 he assisted in devising a State seal; was Speaker of Congress in 1778; United States Minister to Spain in 1779; in 1782, was one of the four Peace Commissioners sent to Europe to arrange
80
MANUAL AND CIVIL LIST.
peace with Great Britian; on his return to this country, in 1782, he was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs in President Washington's cabinet; in 1784 he served as a Boundary Com- missioner and was chosen a Regent of the State University; was a member of the 1788 Constitutional Convention; Presi- dent Washington, in 1789, appointed him as first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States; in 1794 he was made Minister to England; was elected the second Governor of the State of New York in April, 1795, and re-elected for a second term; on his leaving the Governorship, President Wash- ington again tendered him an appointment to the position of Chief Justice of the United States, which he declined, owing to his desire to retire to private life; in 1787 Mr. Jay was elected a Vice-Chancellor of the State, and in 1796 was elected a Chancellor of the State.
His years of retirement were spent on his estate at Bedford, in this county, greatly respected and reverenced by all his neighbors and acquaintances, and where his death occurred in 1829, in the 84th year of his age.
PETER A. JAY, of Bedford, son of Judge John Jay, headed the delegation elected from this county to the State Constitu- tional Convention of 1821. According to the convention's records, he was one of the prominent leaders and foremost in debate. In support of his motion to strike the word "white" from the Constitution, and to permit the colored population to vote at elections, he delivered a most eloquent and impressive speech, said to have been the best address delivered during the sessions of the convention.
WILLIAM JAY, who served as County Judge of this county from 1820 to 1823, was the second son of Hon. John Jay. He was born in New York city, June 16, 1789. He graduated from Yale College in 1808, and shortly after was admitted to the bar and suc- ceeded in establishing an extensive law practice. He was appointed County Judge by Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins. He died on October 14, 1858. In recognition of his ability and of the great services he rendered in various ways, prominent residents of the county caused to be hung over the bench in the court room of the County Court House in White Plains, a painted portrait of Judge William Jay.
J. HOWARD KITCHING, Colonel of the Sixth New York Heavy Artillery, was born in New York city on July 16, 1838; at the commencement of the war he was a resident of Peekskill.
81
MANUAL AND CIVIL LIST.
The regiment was composed mostly of men from Westchester county. When advanced to the position of Colonel, April 11, 1863, to succeed Col. William H. Morris, promoted, he was but twenty-five years of age. His popularity with his men was remarkable. He died in Yonkers, January 16, 1865, from the effects of wounds received at the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864. A Grand Army Post at Yonkers is named in his honor.
WILLIAM LEGGETT, who was born in 1802 and died in New Rochelle, May 29, 1839, was one of the most forcible politi- cal writers of his day. He was well known as an author up to 1829, and took little or no interest in politics. In the latter year he became editor of the Evening Post, New York city, and soon developed into a strong expounder of political doctrines bearing upon prevailing issues. He early attracted attention by the force of his writings, and while many condemned his utterances, about an equal number coincided with his views, which favored Free Trade and the abolition of slavery. He and William Cullen Bryant were inseparable friends.
THOMAS PAINE, an author famous for his connection with American and French Revolutions, and for his advocacy of in- fidel opinions, was born January 29, 1737, at Thetford, in the county of Norfolk, England. He came to America in 1774. In 1776 he published a pamphlet titled "Common Sense," in which he maintained the cause of the Colonies against the mother country ; this publication secured for him the friendship of Gen. Washington and other patriotic leaders. His appointment by Congress, as Secretary of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, followed. In 1791 he published "The Rights of Men." During a term of imprisonment, in France, 1793, for expressed politi- cal opinions, he wrote his book titled "The Age of Reason." At the end of the American Revolution the Government pre- sented to Paine a large landed estate of 300 acres, in Upper New Rochelle, formerly belonging to Frederic Deveau, a Tory, and which had been confiscated. When Paine returned to this country, in 1802, he went to reside upon this estate, to which he gave the name of "Mount Paine Place." He died in New York city on the 8th of June, 1809. His body was taken to his home in New Rochelle, and was buried on his farm in the cor- ner of a field at the entrance of a lane leading up to his dwell- ing, and a few feet to the south, outside the wall of his pres- ent monument. Sometime in 1821 the remains were disin- terred, stealthily in the night, and carried off, it is said to
82
MANUAL AND CIVIL LIST.
England, by agents of one William Corbett. The present rest- ing place of Paine's remains is not certainly known. An Eng- lish journal, some years ago, published a statement to the ef- fect that the executors of William Corbett, in making an in- ventory of the last named gentleman's effects, found stowed away in a garrett, a chest containing human bones, which were supposed to be the bones of Paine; the chest was sunk in the river Thames.
HEZEKIAH D. ROBERTSON, who represented this Sena- torial District in the Legislature from 1860 to 1864, was born in the town of Bedford, on December 15, 1828, of Scotch and German extraction. He was a cousin of ex-Senator William H. Robertson who had previously represented the district. He received an academical education in his own town in hopes of entering college and subsequently becoming a lawyer, but the sudden death of both his parents changed all his arrangements, and he was induced to turn his attention to agricultural pur- suits. He commenced life a farmer in the town of Poundridge. At the age of twenty-one years he was chosen Superintendent of Schools, and at the close of his official term, was elected Su- pervisor of that town. He removed to Bedford, in 1853; im- mediately upon his removal he was chosen Superintendent of Schools of the town of Bedford, and subsequently, and for some years, was elected Supervisor of that town. As a citi- zen of the 9th Congressional District, he advocated and secured, from the American party, the re-nomination and election of John B. Haskins to his seat in the Thirty-sixth Congress. He attempted to be elected to the Assembly in 1856 in the First District, but was defeated by Arnell F. Dickinson. He was married December 16, 1861, to Miss Sarah C. Butler, daughter of Rev. Charles F. Butler, of Syracuse.
GENERAL HENRY STORMS, who died at his residence in North Tarrytown, on April 11, 1874, was born in New York city, on June 4, 1795. He was Captain of the First Horse Artillery, of that city. In 1824, when General Lafayette visited this coun- try, he, at the head of his company, had the honor of escort- ing that friend of America on his way from New York to Boston. Mr. Storms was elected and served as Assistant Alderman of the 12th Ward of New York city in 1826; he was appointed by Gov. Bouck as Commissary-General of the State, and served in that office from 1842 to 1848; was elected an Inspector of State Prisons in 1851 and served a full term, until 1854.
83
MANUAL AND CIVIL LIST.
SAMUEL J. TILDEN, the twenty-sixth Governor of the State, was, for several years, and at the time of his death in 1883, a resident of the city of Yonkers, in this county, occupy- ing in retirement his princely home, "Greystone," on the banks of the Hudson River. He was born at New Lebanon, Columbia County, New York, in 1814. Was educated in Yale College, and graduated from the University of New York. He adopted the legal profession. In 1844, he established "The New York Daily News," in New York city. Was elected a Member of Assembly and also a Member of the Constitutional Convention in 1846. In 1867 he was selected as Chairman of the Demo- cratic State Committee, in which position he continued several years. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1867. In 1871 he was again elected an Assemblyman. In 1874 he was elected Governor over John A. Dix, Republi- can, by 50,000 majority. In 1876 he was the Democratic nomi- nee for President of the United States, and received a ma- jority of the popular vote, but the Electoral College awarded the office to Rutherford B. Hayes, the Republican candidate. In 1880, Mr. Tilden declined, in a letter to the Convention, to permit his name to be again used in connection with a re-nomi- nation for the Presidency.
DANIEL D. TOMPKINS, the fourth Governor of this State, was to the Manor born. He first saw the light of day within our borders, having been born at Scarsdale, on June 21, 1774, a descendant of a family, then, as since, recognized as one of the most prominent in the county annals. He was graduated from Columbia College, adopted the legal profession and be- came a resident of New York. From that city he was chosen a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1801. In 1804 he was elected a representative to the 9th Congress, but did not qualify, preferring to accept instead the offered position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, appointed by Gov- ernor Lewis and Senate. The latter office he held until June 9, 1807, when he retired to accept the Governorship to which he had been elected, and when he was only thirty-three years of age. He was re-elected three times and served as Governor until February 24, 1817, when he was elected Vice-President of the United States. On January 27, 1817, Governor Tomp- kins sent a message to the Legislature recommending the abol- ition of slavery in the State. The Legislature, acting on his recommendation, decided almost immediately that slavery be abolished in the State within ten years. It was declared abol- ished on July 4, 1827. Vice-President Tompkins was re-elected
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.