USA > New York > Noted living Albanians and state officials. A series of biographical sketches > Part 24
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353
HARMON P. READ.
Very few Albanians, young or old, have seen as much of the old world and its noble treasures of the fine arts as Major Read. He has stood on the very spot at Athens, under the deep blue skies of that classic land, where Demos- thenes once thundered forth his orations against Philip of Macedon, as well as upon the ground at Rome where Cicero hurled his invectives against Catiline. He has beheld the. beauty and sublimity of the Alps, and the loveliness of Switzerland's lakes, as well as those in the "bonnie " land of Burns. He has traveled into the less refined and civilized countries of Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, and sailed up the majestic Tagus to the ancient city of Lisbon, beautiful and striking in the appearance of its groves and gardens and sunny towers. He has gazed upon the beauty of the Bay of Naples, and stood in silent awe before Mount Vesuvius. He has stepped upon the shores of Asia Minor and visited the Ionian isles, celebrated in classical history and song. He has visited the domains of the sultan, and walked through the streets of Constantinople. He has seen many of the finest specimens of sculpture and painting that are to be found in the galleries of the old world ; and he has looked upon all these natural and artistic objects with the culti- vated tastes of a student and the ardent admiration of a true lover of nature.
He is unreserved in his manner, companionable in his na- ture, sunny in his disposition and benevolent in his actions. ยท His circle of acquaintances is large, including many well-known society people, and with all classes he is highly popular.
On August 24, 1889, Major Read married Mademoiselle Marguerite de Carron, the accomplished daughter of the late Monsieur Frederick de Carron, descended from an ancient Huguenot family.
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WILLIAM P. RUDD.
I N THE field of professional, educational and political labor, and as possessing the genuine qualities of a true manhood, no young man amongst us is entitled to a higher place in the estimation of his fellow-citizens than William P. Rudd, member of the law firm of Messrs. Harris and Rudd.
Born in Albany on the 9th of June, 1851, he has always continued to reside here, manifesting a strong love for his native city and its cherished institutions, whose welfare he has ever at heart. His father, William T. Rudd, a man well acquainted with business matters and of strict integrity, was for more than forty years employed as bank messenger and passenger conductor on the New York Central railroad, and since he severed his connection with the company in 1881, he has been held in the highest esteem by its officers.
The subject of our sketch received his early education in the public schools of this city and a special preparation for col- lege at a private school here. In the fall of 1869 he entered the freshman class, classical course, of Union college. His student life was marked by devotion to his studies, and while carrying or. his regular and steady work he gave much time to affairs outside the prescribed course. For two years he was on the editorial staff of the Union college magazine, and afterward became the senior editor in charge of the pub- lication. Chiefly by his literary taste, tact, ability and care- ful attention this magazine became the largest college
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monthly published in the United States. It was highly prized by a large class of readers, and many a well-deserved tribute was paid to its young, scholarly editor. Fully be- lieving in the combination of physical and intellectual labor in the maintenance of the health of both body and mind Mr. Rudd was active in advancing the interests of Union college in athletic sports, particularly in boating. He was also chair- man of the committee of students to raise money for the building of the college gymnasium, the corner stone of which was laid on the day the class of which he was a number grad- uated, and which has since been completed, supplying a long needed want to an old and honorable institution of learning.
In July, 1873, in the twenty-second year of his age, Mr. Rudd graduated from Union college with class honors, taking the Clark essay prize, and was one of the speakers on the com- mencement stage. He was an active and earnest member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Thus auspiciously leaving the halls of learning with the promise of the future bright before him, he was about ready to decide upon some useful profession in which he should engage in a lifework. At the commence- ment in June, 1876, Union college conferred the degree of A. M. upon him. During and previous to his college course, he had devoted some little time to the preliminary study of medicine, and had even attended a course of
lectures at the Albany Medical college. But he finally decided upon the study of the law, and in the fall of 1873 he was entered as a law student in the office of Messrs. Rey- nolds and Harris of. this city. The individual members of this noted law firm were John H. Reynolds, Hamilton Har- ris and Charles W. Reynolds. Here Mr. Rudd continued his studies until the death of Judge Reynolds and Charles
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W. Reynolds, when he became managing clerk in the office of their successors, Messrs. Harris and Miller. Under the teachings of such able instructors and advocates, Mr. Rudd rapidly advanced in his knowledge of the great principles of legal science, until in May, 1875, he was admitted to the bar by the general term of the supreme court then sitting in Albany. He had also taken the degree of L. B., at the Albany Law school, and was now soon to begin his long connection with a well-known firm of this city. In June, 1877, when the firm of Harris and Miller was dissolved, a part- nership was formed consisting of Hamilton Harris, William P. Rudd and Frederick Harris, which, as the firm of Harris and Rudd, continues to this time, and for many years has en- joyed a lucrative and successful practice to a marked degree. This partnership has, we believe, existed longer than that of any other law firm now practicing in Albany, and in that sense the firm of Harris and Rudd may be said to be the oldest in this city in the practice of law.
As a lawyer Mr. Rudd has been successful, and is intrusted with matters of importance calling for the exercise of good faith, honest effort and sound judgment -qualities which are among the brightest ornaments to any member of the legal profession.
While a student at law Mr. Rudd indulged in some news- paper work as a correspondent for the New York Herald and Tribune, and represented the former paper at Saratoga during the famous inter-collegiate regatta in 1877. Follow- ing an inclination for athletics, after he left college, he con- nected himself with the Olympic Boat club, of this city, and for several years, when the club became famous for its oft- repeated victories in many of the greatest regattas held, he was its captain and rowed in its racing crews.
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In politics Mr. Rudd's career deserves more than a passing notice. In the affairs of the republican party, of which he is an active and intelligent member, he has taken a somewhat conspicuous part. For three years he was a member of its general committee from the strongest repub- lican ward in Albany, and in May, 1887, he was unanimously elected chairman of the county committee upon a harmo- nious organization of the party, as one upon whom all fac- tions could agree. Under his leadership that year the work of the party was strong, earnest and effective. A county convention was held in which all factions participated, and which was harmonious and enthusiastic - a ticket nominated and elected. The campaign of that year, resulting in the election of a county treasurer and senator, was said by mem- bers of the state committee to have been one of the most thorough and effective of any in the state.
The counsel and advice of Mr. Rudd are frequently sought in matters political ; and it may be said that if others would resort to his methods many of the unpleasant and disorgan- izing conditions might be readily avoided. Thus has Mr. Rudd already shown his tact, sagacity and boldness in the arena of politics, in "a broad, statesman-like and masterly way." Upon the organization of the league of republican clubs he was elected a member of the state executive com- mittee, representing Albany county, and at the conven- tion held at Saratoga Springs he was made a mem- ber of the New York state delegation to the national con- vention, held at Baltimore. He is one of the staff officers of the Capital City club and a member of the executive committee of the Unconditional club.
But there is another department in which his cultured mind has taken a deep and abiding interest, and that is in
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the cause of education. On the resignation of E. A. Durant, Jr., from the board of public instruction, June, 1886, Mr. Rudd was elected to fill the vacancy; in the spring of 1887 he was elected for the full term, and in 1890 re-elected for three years. Immediately upon familiarizing him- self with the duties and requirements of the office, he became active aud earnest in all matters pertaining to the best interests of the school system. Made a member of the most important committees he has always given earnest thought and honest effort to the work of education as con- ducted by our city. Recognizing his worth as a commis- sioner after two years' service his associates elected him president of the board, in which capacity he served with credit to himself and for the best interests of the school system.
The work of this non-partisan board is now entirely har- monious, and in the opinion of citizens generally is honest and showing good results. After the course of study and methods of teaching, particular attention is at present being given to the condition of the school buildings; and the year during which Mr. Rudd presided showed as great, if not greater advancement, in the condition of buildings and school accommodations and facilities than ever before.
In the Young Men's association, believing it a part of the educational system of the city, Mr. Rudd has taken more than an active part in the management of its affairs. Elected recording secretary on the ticket headed by Dr. Jacob S. Mosher in 1878, the next year he was elected treasurer of the board, and the year following, after an unusually severe con- test, was chosen president. Under his administration the association made commendable progress. A very successful course of lectures was conducted, a catalogue of the library
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was printed, and the general tone of the institution strength- ened. Upon the death of Robert H. Pruyn, Mr. Rudd was elected to the board of life trustees of the Y. M. A., and shortly afterward was chosen secretary and treasurer of the board. For several years he was interested in securing to the Y. M. A. the benefit of the Bleecker trust, and it is un- derstood that he was freely consulted by Judge Parker in the matter of its disposition. He served as chairman of the committee to devise means for the acceptance of the propo- sition made by Judge Parker, and drew the report under which the gift was finally accepted and subscriptions solicited from the public. He was also a member of the building committee for the construction of Harmanus Bleecker hall, and as treasurer disbursed the funds in pay- ment for the work done. When the subject of erecting a public library building was agitated he was made a member of the committee to formulate the plan, and was active in advancing the project. He is also a trustee of the Albany County Savings bank, and a member of the Fort Orange club.
In October, 1883, Mr. Rudd was married to Aimee P. Allen, daughter of the late Henry A. Allen, for many years teller of the New York State bank. They have one son, Tracey Allen Rudd.
The work which Mr. Rudd has already accomplished in the various fields in which he has been employed has reflected no little credit upon himself, and caused his name to be widely and favorably known among all classes of good citizens, irrespective of party. His career thus far, marked by calmness, dignity and firmness without ostenta- tion or noisy display, is more like a stream moving along through plains diversified by beautiful scenery, gradually gathering strength and volume in its course.
WILLIAM B. RUGGLES.
W ILLIAM Benjamin Ruggles was born at Bath, Steuben county, N. Y., on the 14th of May, 1827. He is the son of William and Mary Ruggles. At the age of thirteen he was in a Bath printing office, trying to work his way up from the printer's case, with the determination of be- coming some day an educated man. At the same period he attended a part of the time the public school of Bath, with a view of preparing himself for a collegiate course. " We remember him," writes one, " when a boy, as a studious youth, and call to mind the hours when we found him stretched out evenings on the old 'bank' of the printing office studying his books by the aid of a tallow dip, fitting himself for entrance to Hamilton college." In 1846 he had the great satisfaction of entering Hamilton college, in the sophomore class, though still obliged during vacation to set type in order to secure the necessary funds to carry him through college. He went through, graduating in 1849, with the highest honors of his class. And we venture to say that no graduate ever left the halls of that excellent institu- tion of learning with more scholarly pride and satisfaction than did young Ruggles with his diploma in hand. While he had experienced the truth that there is " no royal road to learning," he had also found that his industry and perse-
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verance had overcome all obstacles in the way; and he stepped out into the world ready for its more active and stirring duties - an educated man.
Soon after leaving college in 1849 he went to Atlanta, Ga., and took charge as editor and publisher of the Atlanta Intelligencer, a leading democratic organ at that time. In 1854-5 he was elected an alderman of the city of Atlanta, and from this date his public official career fully commenced - a career which has thus far been rendered conspicuous by a display of fine judicial acumen and high literary tastes.
Selling out his paper and leaving the "Sunny South " four years before the storm of civil war burst over the coun- try he came to Clinton, N. Y. Here he commenced the study of the law under Prof. Theodore W. Dwight of Ham- ilton college, in the autumn of 1857, and was admitted to practice at Utica in the following summer. But after his admission to the bar he continued his legal studies for a year or two in the office of the late Hon. Charles H. Doolittle, of Utica, one of the judges of the supreme court. Retiring to his native village - the scene of his earliest struggles and triumphs - he there opened a law office, and soon rose to distinction as an able and successful counselor. In 1875 he was chosen a trustee of Bath. This was but a stepping stone to higher preferment. His abilities becoming more widely known and more highly appreciated, he was elected in the fall of 1875 as a democratic member of the state legis- lature from the county of Steuben, and in the following year was re-elected to the same office.
We may remark here that Mr. Ruggles has always been a firm believer in the democratic principles of Jefferson, Jack- son and Tilden.
In the legislature, during the sessions of 1876 and 1877,
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NOTED LIVING ALBANIANS.
he served with distinguished ability on the judiciary com- mittee and contributed largely to the perfecting and pas- sage of the Code of Civil Procedure, a measure of legal re- form which he warmly favored and zealously promoted by legal arguments on the floor of the assembly.
He also took a leading part in the discussion of all edu- cational matters, and was especially prominent in the several animated debates which took place in the assembly, in the year 1877, in relation to the normal school system of the state. Mr. Ruggles took decided ground against this system as an expensive luxury to the state and a great burden to the tax payers. He defended his position by able argu- ments and well-chosen words. No man favored the inter- ests of higher education more than did Mr. Ruggles. It was the mode of conducting that education in the best and most practical manner and with the least expense to the state that called forth his ablest and most eloquent efforts in the legislature.
On the 30th of January, 1877, he delivered a stirring speech on the floor of the assembly in favor of the abolition of the normal schools of the state of New York, on account of their enormous cost and little use to the people. In closing his address he summarized the points which his arguments were intended to establish, in the following words :
" Finally, by way of summary, it appears to me that the following conclusions are justified :
" I. That these normal schools have become substantially, merely ' large graded schools, with teachers' classes,' with methods of gradation and courses of instruction not mater- ially different from those prevailing in our numerous acade- mies and union free schools having academic departments
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and teachers' classes, which are now distributed generally over the various sections of the state.
"2. Our normal schools have become essentially local schools, filled up almost exclusively with pupils from the particular localities where they are situated, and do not af- ford that general benefit to the whole state which was originally contemplated, and the expectation of which con- stituted the reason for their creation.
" 3. They have failed to accomplish the special purpose, which was the consideration for their establishment and maintenance by the state, namely, the supply of a considera- ble proportion of the teachers employed in our common schools.
"4. The implied contract to teach in the common schools, as a return for the liberal bounty from the state, has been very generally disregarded by the pupils who have received this expensive special course of instruction, a large majority of them never teaching at all, and probably not in- tending to, when they declared their intention to teach, upon entering the normal schools.
" 5. There is no longer any necessity for the normal schools as state institutions, since the state has provided other am- ple and adequate means for supplying competent teachers for the common schools, by the establishment of teachers' classes in the academies and academic departments of the union free schools.
"6. By abandoning these eight normal schools to the several localities immediately interested in them, and which are receiving about the whole benefit derived from them, a saving will be effected of about $150,000 annually, with- out detriment to the general educational interests of the state."
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NOTED LIVING ALBANIANS.
This speech, so searching and thorough in its review and criticism of the whole normal school system, attracted wide attention. It was very generally copied, and brought out a wide range of discussion and controversy in the newspaper press of the state, on the subject of the normal school system. While this system is still continued, it is conceded that the effect of this speech and the attraction of public attention thereby to the subject, has been to introduce into the state normal school system various improvements calcu- lated to meet defects pointed out by Mr. Ruggles, whereby the system has been placed upon a sounder and more prac- ticable basis.
In 1878 Mr. Ruggles was appointed first deputy attorney general of the state of New York, under Mr. Schoonmaker, and was retained in the same office under the administra- tion of the republican attorney-general, Hamilton Ward. This important position came to Mr. Ruggles by his high judicial qualities, which were now widely recognized by the citizens of the state.
In 1882 his term of office as deputy attorney-general hav- ing expired, he was, on the 14th of March of the following year, by joint ballot of the senate and assembly, chosen as state superintendent of public instruction for the term of three years. Of his election the Troy Times, a leading re- publican paper, remarked : "Mr. Ruggles is admirably fitted for the position by natural gifts, training and prev-
ious official experience. * * While a life-long demo-
crat, Mr. Ruggles is a broad and liberal thinker, and no im- proper political bias may be looked for in his exercise of the important educational functions devolving upon him."
On the Ist of January, 1886, Mr. Ruggles resigned his office as superintendent of public instruction to assume that
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WILLIAM B. RUGGLES.
of deputy superintendent and legal counselor of the New York state insurance department, a position which he now fills with marked ability.
Mr. Ruggles has published official reports to the legisla- ture, opinions under the school laws, and addresses delivered before various educational institutions throughout the country.
He was ex-officio regent of the university of the state of New York, a trustee of Cornell and Syracuse universities, and chairman of the executive committee of the state nor- mal school at Albany. In 1876 Mr. Ruggles was a delegate from the twenty ninth congressional district of New York to the democratic national convention, which met at St. Louis, and was an ardent advocate and supporter of Samuel J. Tilden for the presidency.
A true man in the highest sense of the word, with a warm and generous heart, a lover of good books in all depart- ments of literature and science, a thoughtful student and an accomplished scholar, well-versed in all the intricacies of his chosen profession, William B. Ruggles stands before the country with a brilliant record, with clean hands and a pure heart, a typical American citizen, who has risen by his own unassisted efforts from the humbler walks of life to places of prominence, responsibility and great usefulness in the ad- ministration of public affairs, meriting the commendation of the great masses of his fellow citizens, and feeling the con- sciousness of having performed his official duties on the side of truth, justice and humanity. He is now in the full vigor of manhood, and in the complicated duties of his office, one of the hardest-working men in Albany.
HENRY RUSSELL.
I N THE line of mercantile industries, Albany has its fair share of notable, solid men. And in a special depart- ment of trade none of our citizens enjoys a higher distinction than the subject of the present sketch, Hon. Henry Russell, whose career furnishes another remarkable example of what may be accomplished by those whose aims in life are high and honorable and over whose daily walk industry and per- severance have had a controlling influence.
Born on the 7th of December, 1835, in the town of Broome, Schoharie county, N. Y., his life opened in the midst of "rural sights and rural scenes," so conducive to health, virtue and happiness. His father, John Russell, was a substantial farmer of Schoharie county, and a man of high character, who drew around him many true, admiring friends. His grandfather was of New England origin, and lived in Salem, Mass., till, stirred by the enterprising spirit of eastern men, he came, nearly a hundred years ago, as a pioneer to this state, and settled amidst the wilds of old Schoharie county, where, by the sturdy blows of his axe and the sweat of his brow, he cleared up the wilderness around him till the sunlight beamed upon his rustic habitation and his newly cultivated fields rejoiced with corn, wheat, rye and other grains, while his garden bloomed with fruits and flowers.
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HENRY RUSSELL.
Like the children of other Schoharie farmers, Henry Rus- sell was sent at a very early age to the district school, where he acquired a good education in the elementary branches. But he was not to have a continuous course of study ending with a college curriculum. As he grew older and was able to perform manual labor his services were required on his father's farm ; and there, like a dutiful son, he worked hard through spring, summer and autumn, attending the district school in the winter till he had reached the age of fourteen. At that time his father, who also owned a small store in the vicinity of Franklinton, concluded to take Henry from the farm, give him a new employment, and the opportunity of qualifying himself for some commercial business. Accord- ingly he started out on a market wagon. His route lay be- tween the villages of Franklinton and Coxsackie, a distance of about thirty-three miles. And there almost daily for a period of twelve years the slender, growing figure of young Henry Russell might have been seen seated upon his mar- ket wagon behind his trusty horses, traveling over the roads in all kinds of weather, taking orders, delivering goods, and carefully keeping account of all his sales. He was thus laying the foundation of his extensive knowledge of business - forming those tastes and habits which have since been so carefully cultivated by him. So faithfully, economically and persistently did he follow this branch of business that at the end of six years he had made a little capital, and with his brother Calvin commenced store-keeping in 1856. While Calvin attended to the store Henry continued the delivery business on the road, with which he was so well ac- quainted, about six years longer. He was a genial, oblig- ing, popular young man, and many were the sincere wishes for his future success by his neighbors and acquaintances.
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