USA > New York > Noted living Albanians and state officials. A series of biographical sketches > Part 17
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FREDERICK G. MATHER.
Mr. Mather is also the author of the following articles in The Civil Service of the State of New York : "Banking and Currency ;" "Insurance," (in part) ; " The Port of New York City ;" " Historical Review." In Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography he wrote the articles on " The Various Branches of the Mather Family of New England ;" and also many other articles. For Appleton's Annual Cyclopaedia he furnished from 1885 to 1889, from ten to fifteen articles each year ; and for the Cyclopaedia Americana (4 vols.) the American supplement to the Cyclopacdia Britannica, he wrote about thirty articles.
Mr. Mather is a member of the following clubs: The Fort Orange, Camera, Mohican Canoe and Ridgefield Ath- letic. In 1889 he was elected a curator of the library of the Young Men's association by the largest majority any candidate had had for many years.
During the bi-centennial celebration in Albany, in 1886, he took a great interest in the loan exhibition, and prepared, with great expenditure of time, the catalogue of the same. Mr. Mather has been twice married. His first wife was Cornelia H. Olcott of New York city ; his present wife was Alice E. Yager of Oneonta, N. Y. He has one daughter. His sister is the widow of Prof. Richard H. Mather of Amherst college.
Beside being engaged in his great magazine labors, Mr. Mather is at present the Albany correspondent for about twenty newspapers, two-thirds of which are published out- side of the state of New York.
Of a tall, slender figure, possessing some of the Scottish traits of character, logical and methodical in his writings, with a thoughtful and studious contenance and no little ur- banity, pursuing the "even tenor of his way," unruffled by
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the tumults of political life, he exhibits in a high degree those marked characteristics which belong to a true literary gentleman, whose heart and hands are fully engaged in his work, and whose sole ambition is still to plan and execute some new undertaking in the world of letters and of science.
ROBERT A. MAXWELL.
HE HON. Robert A. Maxwell, superintendent of the insurance department, was born in Washington county, N. Y., in 1838. He is a son of Alexander Maxwell, of Jackson, a prominent citizen of the town, and an intelli- gent and wealthy farmer. Robert was given the advantages of a liberal education by his father. After receiving a thorough instruction at the common schools in his neighbor- hood, he was sent to the normal school at Albany, where he finished his education at the age of eighteen. His rare qual- ities as an educator were unfolded while attending this ex- cellent institution, and so he soon became principal of the union school at Greenwich, N. Y. Subsequently he taught school at Kenosha, Wisconsin. Determined to relinquish a professional career for mercantile pursuits, he removed to Chicago and engaged in the commission business - buying and selling grain and produce. For seven years he was an active member of the board of trade in that enterprising city. But too close attention to business, and climatic in- fluences combined to impair his health; 'and coming east, he settled at Batavia, N. Y. Soon after his settlement in his new home he invested his ready capital in the malt business, and became a successful and public-spirited merchant, closely identifying himself with all those interests which are con-
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ducive to the welfare and prosperity of his adopted home. His influence in public affairs steadily increasing, political preferments were at length offered to him, but were repeat- edly declined. The New York State Asylum for the Blind was established at Batavia, in 1867. Mr. Maxwell was ap- pointed one of its trustees in 1878 ; and his careful, systematic and business-like methods were at once appreciably felt in the greatly improved management of the institution. He was soon elected treasurer of the asylum ; and a necessarily greater intimacy with the direction of its affairs was followed by much needed reforms, the accomplishment of which won for him the generous, out-spoken approbation of the philan- thropists and economists of the state. Shortly after taking up his residence at Batavia, Mr. Maxwell manifested an ar- dent interest in politics, his affiliation being with the demo- cratic party. His sagacity and wisdom displayed in local issues became so marked and widely known, that in 1880 he was chosen a member of the democratic state committee. Here his counsel was sought on all important questions of expe- diency and candidature, and he gradually rose to conspicu- ous places in the conferences of party magnates. In 1881 he received the nomination for state treasurer. The mem- orable " Waterloo" of the democracy followed a bitter and personal canvass ; and out of the disaster but one survivor remained, and that was Mr. Maxwell. He had not only been elected, but led his ticket by some 30,000, thereby hand- somely defeating his well-known opponent, the Hon. James W. Husted. His official direction of the state treasury was so entirely satisfactory that he was unanimously renomi- nated for a second term, and triumphantly elected over the republican candidate, Mr. Pliny W. Sexton, by over 17,000 majority.
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ROBERT A. MAXWELL.
Residing at the state capital, in accordance with the re- quirements of his official position, Mr. Maxwell became most intimate with influential and prominent men, by whom he has been constantly consulted on all important questions regarding the highest interests of the democratic party, and the public welfare of the country - the administration of a good, sound, honest government.
The state treasury department, under the wise and judi- cious management of Mr. Maxwell, soon came to be recog- nized as a model business institution. This fact was es- pecially emphasized by the Albany bankers who expressed their satisfaction with the improvements inaugurated by the competent treasurer, in a set of complimentary resolutions.
No one has been a more firm adherent of Governor David B. Hill than Mr. Maxwell. He was the first to de- clare himself for the nomination of the governor and was a most zealous and powerful advocate for his election.
The resignation of John A. McCall, Jr., as superintendent of the state insurance department. and the acceptance thereof by the governor, was followed almost immediately, by the appointment, on January 1, 1886, of Mr. Maxwell to fili the vacancy. The news of his selection was received on all sides by marked tokens of approval. His independent integrity, tried ability and high standing as a business man and financier were cordially indorsed by the great insur- ance companies of New York city in their reiterated ap- proval of the choice made for the chief of a department with which their associations and interests are so closely allied. When the nomination was sent to the senate, the confirma- tion of Mr. Maxwell was moved and seconded by republican senators (the senate being republican by a large majority), who dwelt at length in their speeches upon his abilities, fit-
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ness and integrity for so responsible an office. And as a high mark of universal esteem his confirmation was made unani- mous.
Superintendent Maxwell is an example of what can be ac- complished, under a popular form of government, toward self-elevation, and the recognition of capacity and honesty by the public at large. Firm in his convictions, nothing has ever prevented, as far as he was concerned individually, the carrying out in practice whatever he believed in as a prin- ciple. Successful in early manhood as a teacher, his mer- cantile ventures in after years brought him a comfortable competency ; and thus far, in his services as a state official, he has exercised the prudent carefulness which had ever been bestowed upon his individual interests in private life.
In contemplating publications from a non-partisan stand- point, we shall find that the name of Robert A .Maxwell stands in the first rank among those officials who, for honesty integrity of character and nobleness of purpose, have re- flected the brightest lustre upon the empire state.
EDWARD J. MEEGAN.
DISTINGUISHED, representative man of Albany --- an accomplished lawyer and a leader in politics - is Edward J. Meegan. The study of his life is full of interest and profit to the young men of our time, whose chief aim should be to cultivate manly qualities, industrious habits, and whatever tends to make useful and influential citizens. On the 28th of September, 1846, in the city of Albany he first saw the light. His parents were natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to this country in the year 1824. After living some two years in Boston, Mass., they found their way to Albany. Much pleased with the appearence and location of this city they made it their permanent resi- dence, becoming useful, hard-working, and highly-respected citizens. Discovering a strong love of learning in their son Edward, they early sent him to St. Joseph's parish school, where he became a close, diligent and successful student, mastering the elementary principles of a general education. There seems to have been no hesitancy in his choice of a profession - that of a lawyer being early indicated and firmly adhered to But on account of the limited pecuniary means of his parents, young Meegan was obliged to rely greatly on himself for the successful prosecution and completion of his literary and professional studies. He had scarcely reached
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the age of thirteen when he became a law student in the office of Edwards & Sturtevant, then a well-known law firm of this city. He was now in his proper element, beginning to realize the dreams of his youth, and evincing by his tastes and studious application that the law was to be the grand arena in which he was to fight the battle of life. He was indeed a born lawyer. The study of the legal profes- sion was to him no drudgery; he explored its mines of wealth with remarkable quickness and high gratification ; and even the more dry details of the science were for him invested with all the charms that others find in a fascinating romance.
He remained with Edwards & Sturtevant for six or seven years, and also studied under Isaac Edwards, afterward principal of the Albany Law school, a man of eminent legal abilities, and the author of valuable works on " Bills and Notes," " Bailments," etc.
After a careful and thorough legal instruction, Mr. Mee- gan was admitted to the bar in 1867, at the age of twenty- one. It was a proud day in his history when, with his law di- ploma in hand, he stepped out from a student's life, which he had followed so creditably, to practice for himself on the world's broad stage. Opening a law office at No 74 State street, Albany, he entered upon his new and cherished pro- fession with all his native ardor and with a just and laudable ambition to rise to the summit of forensic fame. And it is no wonder that, with the previous training and experience he had received, combined with his inborn love for his pro- fession, he should speedily become a successful and accom- plished advocate. From the first he was retained in nu- merous civil cases, in which he was uniformly victorious and by which his popularity was greatly increased. His services
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in another capacity were soon required by his fellow-citizens, when his career as a political leader and adviser may be said to have commenced. Mr. Meegan is pre-eminently a poli- tician as well as an excellent lawyer, and he has happily combined both of these qualities. From first to last a poli- tician of the democratic order - bold, fearless, skillful and adroit - giving no quarter to his opponents, he is a veritable Achilles who would glory in the annihilation of his Hector. He has already made his mark in the political world, the strength of which has made a strong impression not only in his native city but throughout the state. True to his con- victions of political duty, he has strongly adhered to one of the wings of the democratic party in Albany, while he is vehemently opposed by other factions in the same party - factions which unhappily too often exist both in republican and democratic ranks.
Scarcely had two years elapsed in his general law practice before Mr. Meegan was appointed corporation counsel of Albany. Hon. George H. Thacher was then mayor of the city, and the majority of the common council was demo- cratic. But as a democratic corporation counsel Mr. Meegan's official services were of no little value to the gen- eral welfare of the city, saving it over $500,000. For the executive ability, rare skill and untiring vigilance which he displayed in the management of municipal affairs he re- ceived the thanks of the mayor as well as of the other city authorities. Mr. Meegan acted as corporation counsel from the spring of 1869 till the spring of 1874. During all this time his regular law business was growing, and when he re- linquished the office of corporation counsel his legal practice was one of the largest and most lucrative of any in the city.
He now again devoted himself exclusively to civil and
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criminal cases, and success still more marked attended his many forensic efforts. His career was already a brilliant one for a young lawyer, but like the morning sun it was steadily advancing to meridian splendor. In taking hold of numerous city cases, especially those growing out of actions to vacate assessments for irregularity, etc., he gained no little celebrity while he rendered important services in be- half of the city. In the management of these cases it may be said of him as of some skillful physician, he never lost a case. He has also had a large practice in general corpora- tion law.
Among the many cases in which Mr. Meegan has been engaged, and in which he has won bright laurels we have only space here to enumerate several of the most important and interesting ones.
In 1872 Mr. Meegan was engaged in the defense of the case of People, ex rel. Edmund L. Judson, v. George H. . Thacher, in which the title to the office of mayor of the city of Albany was involved. By a masterly display of legal skill and eloquent pleading he gained the case for his client, but it was afterward taken to the court of appeals where a new trial was ordered. In the meantime Mr. Thacher re- signed his office, having served a year and eight months out of the regular term of two years. Ten years later Mr. Mee- gan was retained for the defense in another contest over the office of mayor of the city of Albany. This time he de- fended the case of People, ex rel. John Swinburne, v. Michael N. Nolan. The litigation was a long, tedious and exciting one, but after holding the office for fifteen months Mr. Nolan resigned, and Dr. Swinburne served the remainder of the term.
In 1883 Mr. Meegan was retained for the defendant in a
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very important case, that of People, ex rel. McEwen, v. Keeler, touching the constitutionality of the act passed by the legislature on the 31st of May, 1882, an act which vir- tually took from Mr. William H. Keeler, the newly elected sheriff, the essential powers of his office -- powers which his predecessors had always possessed. Mr. Keeler fully de- termined to contest the matter in the courts, and for this purpose requested Mr. Meegan to write an opinion as to the validity of the statute. In a very elaborate opinion, contrary to the expressed belief of several leading members of the bar, he came to the conclusion that the law was un- constitutional and void, and it was finally so declared by the courts. Great public interest was manifested in the trial of this case. On this occasion Mr. Meegan displayed the full force of his masculine eloquence and his deep research into the questions of constitutional law. Well do we remember as he stood up to argue this case, the calmness and earnest- ness of his manner, and the vigor and terseness of his sen- tences, as they engaged the closest attention of the court and the whole audience, making an impression that could not be easily effaced. It was a notable legal triumph for the lawyer, and the complete vindication of the rights of a faithful and efficient public servant.
In 1884 Mr. Meegan was retained for the defense in the celebrated case of People v. James M. Dempsey et al., in- volving the constitutionality of chapter 532 of the laws of 1881, amending the Code of Procedure in regard to the method of selecting grand jurors in Albany county. Mr. Dempsey was indicted for the alleged violation of the elec- tion laws under this new act. The case was one of absorb- ing interest to the people of Albany county ; but Mr. Mee- gan, in one of the most masterly efforts of his life, in which
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the most exhaustive legal research was displayed in the presentation of authorities and the application of them to the subject in hand, succeeded in having the indictment de- clared void and of no effect by the court, on the ground of unconstitutionality. An appeal was taken by the district attorney to the supreme court, where Mr. Meegan's motion for a dismissal of this appeal was successful.
In 1884 Mr. Meegan was retained for the defense in the case of People v. Petrea, indicted for grand larceny. In that case he appealed to the court of appeals, which sus- tained the point he made, that the amendment to the code of civil procedure which assumed to regulate the drawing of grand jurors was in conflict with the provisions of the constitution, and therefore void. As in former cases, Mr. Meegan thereby gained another similar and signal tri- umph. In the case of People v. Frank R. Sherwin, Mr. Meegan, who had taken no part in the original trial which had resulted in the conviction and sentence of Sherwin to the penitentiary, was afterward retained as counsel by the defendant, and at length succeeded in procuring stay of the sentence and having Sherwin admitted to bail in the sum of $3,000. Mr. Meegan was also successful in quashing the in- dictment against Devine for mayhem and Gasbeeck for bur- glary. In all the cases which he has conducted, he has, by great labor and close examination of the principles of sound law, brought before judge and jury a vast amount of legal learning - most adroitly and skillfully set forth. In the Russell-Chase senatorial contest in 1887, Mr. Meegan was one of the learned counsel retained by Mr. Russell. In this case, which involved nice distinctions in the election laws of the state, Mr. Meegan displayed great ability and research, and contributed largely to the success of Mr. Russell in se-
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curing his seat in the senate. He was also the leading counsel for Mr. LeRoy in his successful contest for the office of mem- ber of assembly in the fourth Albany district against the sit- ting member, Mr. Gillice. One of his most recent cases was that of O' Brien v. The Home Benefit Society, recently decided by the court of appeals, which was a pioneer case against a benefit society; new and important questions were raised and decided. Mr. Meegan's method of procedure was sustained although he acted contrary to the decisions of the supreme court of the first department.
Mr. Meegan, now in the very prime of life, possesses a fine physique, with broad shoulders, dark hair and eyes, an impressive countenance, an easy and engaging manner. As a forensic orator he stands in the foremost rank among the younger members of the Albany bar. His declamation is calm, earnest, forcible and polished. His memory is tena- cious, and his knowledge of the law in all its various and complicated departments is extensive and profound.
Besides all his accomplishments as a lawyer and a poli- tician, Mr. Meegan is a man of high intellectual culture, a great lover of books in every department of general litera- ture, and the possessor of a well-selected private library, in which he finds much pleasure while disengaged from the onerous and often perplexing duties of his regular profes- sion.
The career of Mr. Meegan affords a useful and suggestive commentary to young men on what may be achieved in law, literature, and politics by early application in the pur- suit of knowledge under pecuniary difficulties, by an untir- ing perseverance in climbing the hill of science, and by a mind, vigorous, capacious, and self-reliant.
CYRUS STRONG MERRILL, M. D.
MONG the noted professional men of Albany no name shines with greater resplendency in a special depart- ment of science than that of Dr. C. S. Merrill, the eminent oculist and aurist. On the 21st of September, 1847, in the town of Bridport, Vermont, he first saw the light. His par- ents were Edward Henry Merrill and Sarah Wilson Strong, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of that state and exerted a marked influence on its affairs before, as well as since the revolution. From his earliest years the natural inclination of his genius was plainly manifested. While a mere boy he delighted in the studies of natural science, especially in anatomy, physiology and chemistry. He was thus, unconsciously, laying the foundation of his future celebrity as a physician ; and while other boys of his age were indulging in the more boisterous sports of the town or field, or wasting their time in idleness, young Merrill was absorbed with books illustrative of the first principles of medical science. His parents, witnessing with pleasure his studious habits, determined to gratify his tastes by giving him a liberal education, and accordingly he was early placed under the care of competent private tutors. He was next sent to the Newton academy, where his acquisition of knowl- edge was very rapid, and where he was carefully prepared
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for college. In 1863, he entered Middlebury college, where he remained for one year and then went to Amherst college, " beautiful for situation," and so noted a seat of learning. It was then under the presidency of the late venerable Dr. Stearns, and in a very flourishing condition. From this in- stitution he graduated with honor in 1867. While at college Dr. Merrill was a most diligent student, and besides attend ing faithfully to his regular studies, took special courses in the natural sciences, thus unconsciously preparing himself for the work of later years. On his graduation from college Dr. Merrill was fully determined on what profession he should select. Of course it was that of medicine. He was now in his true element, studying with the greatest interest all the standard text-books in his chosen profession. With a mind well versed in general literature, and thoroughly trained in the elementary principles of medical science, he was soon fully prepared to enter a first-class medical college.
Selecting one of great reputation he went to New York, and became a student of the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in that city, graduating at this excellent institution in 1871, at the age of twenty-four, having thus early obtained his merited diplomas by close study and untiring persever- ance. He was now ready for the great work of an active practical life ; and he lost no time in undertaking such a work with a brave heart, and with strong, diligent, skillful hands. It was about this time that the singular talents and tastes of the young physician in a special department of medical and surgical knowledge were more openly displayed - a department in which he has gained a most enviable and extended reputation, and successful results in his treatment. Soon after leaving the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Merrill became the resident surgeon of the Brooklyn
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Eye and Ear hospital, where he continued a little over a year, performing many a difficult and delicate operation with the greatest success.
In 1872, having determined to obtain all the knowledge he possibly could of the nature and proper treatment of cases in his specialty, he went to Europe, and there studied with great care the various modes of operation and treatment adopted by the celebrated surgeons and physicians of the old world. Choosing Germany, France and England as the best fields for the most thorough investigations and the latest discoveries, especially in his favorite department, he first studied in the universities of Zurich, Vienna and Hei- delberg, and afterward, following up the same course of study, observation and the latest scientific investigation, he went to Paris and London.
Dr. Merrill remained abroad more than two years, and re- turned to his native land in 1874, with his mind more richly stored with scientific knowledge, more polished and ex- panded by mingling in the society of learned men, and more highly instructed by beholding the beauties of natural scen- ery, the noble works of the fine arts, and the famous old places visited.
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