USA > New York > Noted living Albanians and state officials. A series of biographical sketches > Part 34
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During the civil war Mr. Williams' bank was made the agent of the treasury in distributing the loans of the govern- ment to the people, in which he took great interest. Through those dark days many men of large financial experience, to whom the public looked up for advice, wavered and were led by their fears to avoid United States securities, and to advise their friends to do likewise. So general became this apprehension that at one time the notes of our state banks commanded a premium of one or two per cent in Wall street, while railroad bonds, like New York Central sixes, which had usually sold at about 90, readily commanded 118; at the same time the gold-bearing sixes of the United States sold at 90. Through these trying days Mr. Williams stood with calm faith before the public, expressing his unwavering con-
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fidence in the ultimate issue. With circulars addressed to the public, and with unhesitating advice to his friends to invest in the bonds of the government as the best means to aid both it and themselves, he urged them to consider what securities would be valuable, if our government were allowed to perish ? These arguments so far prevailed that, after the close of the war, an agent of the government asserted that the community of Albany and its neighborhood were more generally salted with government securities than any other he knew.
The subject of our sketch was exempt by his age from the draft for military service during the war of the slaveholders' rebellion. His interest in the struggle would, however, have led him to volunteer in the service, had he not felt satisfied that he was accomplishing more toward its favorable issue, in the position he occupied of strengthening the financial power of the government, by inducing the people to furnish the " sinews of war," than he could do by active service in the field. At the invitation of the secretary of war, however, he did furnish a representative recruit to serve in his stead in the person of John W. Robe, the present gentlemanly and efficient agent of the Albany News Company, who did effect- ive service as a soldier of the Union in the Shenandoah valley and elsewhere.
Mr. Williams continued as the financial officer of the Na- tional Albany Exchange bank, first as cashier and later as president during its entire corporate existence of twenty years, from 1865 to 1885, when, on closing its affairs, after regular semi-annual dividends, its whole capital with ninety- seven per cent of surplus earnings, was restored to its share- holders. In 1885 the bank was reorganized under the title of the National Exchange bank of Albany, of which Mr.
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Williams was also elected president. But, in 1887, he with- drew from the responsible charge of the bank to secure more of calm and leisure. He still has charge of the business of the Albany Exchange Savings bank, which has been in his hands for twenty-five years, and also of such few interests of the expired National Albany Exchange bank as are still unsettled.
While residing in a city in whose welfare he took so deep an interest, Mr. Williams never sought political preferment, but in 1849-50 he was persuaded to accept the nomination of alderman in his ward. He was elected and served with great credit to himself and his constituents.
The winter of 1875-6 Mr. Williams spent abroad, visiting the most interesting and famous places in England, France and Italy, and storing his mind with a varied knowledge of the scenery, manners and customs, literary and artistic treasures of the old world. He also studied with great care the work- ing of the banking system abroad, the history of commercial and political science, and the mode of transacting every day business of life among foreign nations. He returned home with increased knowledge, but at the same time with a higher appreciation of his native land and the blessings of its frec institutions.
Mr. Williams was always a truc representative of the prin- ciples of universal freedom. From 1842 to 1857 he was the repeated candidate of the old liberty party -- a party very unpopular in those times- for congress from the Albany district. He was an intense hater of human slavery in our country, belonging to that class of abolitionists of which . Gerritt Smith, Alvan Stewart, James G. Birney, Beriah Green, Seth M. Gates, Joshua Leavitt, Arthur and Lewis Tappan, John G. Whittier and Charles Sumner were illustrious repre-
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sentatives. And the heart of no man in our midst was more gladdened than was that of Mr. Williams when, in the year 1863- forever memorable in American history - the hand of Abraham Lincoln penned the immortal emancipation proc- lamation by which the shackles which bound five millions of slaves were burst asunder, never more to be a blot and curse upon this free republic. In his opposition to the cruel system of slavery Mr. Williams was always ready to indorse the sen- timents of the poet Campbell in his address to Nature as having produced man as lord of all :
" Say, was that lordly form inspired by thee, To wear eternal chains and bow the knee ? Was man ordained the slave of man to toil, Yoked with the brutes, and fetter'd to the soil, Weigh'd in a tyrant's balance with his gold ? No!"
In 1868, Mr. Williams published in a pamphlet form of forty-six octavo pages, an able "Review of the Financial Situation of our Country." The financial question was then especially one of absorbing interest to all citizens throughout the land; and in this pamphlet he expressed his mature views of the whole subject, in which the four per cent bond was proposed. And a task like this, he was, by previous study and research, admirably qualified to perform in a most satisfactory manner.
In this pamphlet Mr. Williams opposes as the worst possi- ble economy, the continuance of an inconvertible legal ten- der currency ; and of the suicidal policy of entertaining schemes of partial repudiation, which in seductive form were then rife - the most formidable of which were a proposal of » Gen. John A. Logan in congress to tax the coupons of all United States bonds two per cent of the principal of the
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bonds per annum by deducting the tax from the interest as paid at the treasury - and a proposal offered in the senate to the holders of the United States bonds to accept a bond at a lower rate of interest under the threat that the bonds then held might be paid off in greenbacks. Ile urges the course of keeping the strictest faith with the public creditor, even to the length of construing all questions of doubt against ourselves; as being the true interest of the country, and the easiest policy for the payment of its great debt. The sub- sequent twenty years have most fully justified all his advice then offered.
In 1875 Mr. Williams read a paper before the Albany in- stitute on " Money : True or False." It was full of practical suggestions, and received general attention. In it he showed the folly of making any further advance in the issues of in- convertible paper money, and of the absolute necessity of returning to a sound specie basis. The inflationists were, of course, opposed to his views, which, on the other hand, met with the hearty approval of all broad, far-seeing and thor . oughly-educated financiers.
Mr. Williams contributed a series of papers to the Albany Fournal, in 1878, on "The Greenback Question," in which he arrayed himself boldly against the principles of the green- back, labor or national party. The state of Ohio had at this time exhibited a strong leaning toward the greenback, and a national party favoring the adoption of irredeemable cur- rency as a permanent money policy, with Peter Cooper as its candidate for president, was making progress in gaining the people's approval. Mr. Williams' articles exposed, in irrefutable terms, the absurdity of making a measure of value and medium of exchange, out of a thing which by universal acknowledgment possessed no value.
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In 1886 Mr. Williams, continuing his labors on the sub- ject of the currency, read another valuable paper before the Albany institute, on the subject of "Gold, Silver, and the Coinage of the Silver Dollar." This was afterward issued in a pamphlet form, and very generally commended for the strong arguments and sound financial views presented in it.
The latest great public effort of Mr. Williams is an "Address on the National Banks and State Taxation," delivered before the American Bankers' association at Pittsburg, Pa., on the 13th of October, 1887. In this address, which was published by the Bankers' association, he criticises at considerable length and with great force and comprehensiveness the re- cent adverse decision of the supreme court of the United States in exempting the stocks of other corporations from taxation, when at the same time the shares of the national banks are taxed, notwithstanding the restriction of congress limiting the taxation of such shares to a rate not greater than is imposed upon other moneyed capital. It is an ad- dress, to say nothing of the principles involved, which ex- hibits the most careful, profound and exhaustive research, and establishes the full reputation of its author as an accom- plished writer on the great banking and financial problems of the day.
Mr. Williams has made himself conspicuous in opposing what he regarded as the excessive, unwarrantable and illegal taxation of the shareholders of banks throughout most of the United States, and especially of the state of New York. He has conducted suits on his own individual responsibility, running through more than twenty years, at an expense of more than $15,000 to bring the state laws imposing these excessive taxes to the adjudication of the United States supreme court.
CHAUNCEY P. WILLIAMS.
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In 1842 Mr. Williams married Miss Martha A. Hough, of Whitestown, N. Y. He has one son and two daughters liv- ing. One of his daughters was married some years ago to Robert C. Pruyn, president of the National Commercial bank of Albany, and his son, Capt. C. P. Williams, Jr., recently married Miss Emma McClure, a daughter of the late Arch- ibald McClure, so prominently identified with the drug business, and also with many public and philanthropic mat- ters relating to the welfare of the city of Albany.
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FRANCIS H. WOODS.
N ALBANIAN whom his fellow-citizens delight to honor is Francis H. Woods. He was born forty-five years ago in this city, which has always been his cherished home. His love for the city and his pride in its history have often found eloquent expression in him.
Early in the present century his parents emigrated to this country from Longford county, Ireland - a county which gave Maria Edgeworth and Oliver Goldsmith to the world, and which is also notable for being the birthplace of the progenitors of the Clintons, so illustrious in the history of the state. No wonder then that he glories in his ancestral land or that he is in full sympathy with her struggling patriots.
He received his early education at the school of Capt. Michael O'Sullivan, and subsequently took the English course in the Albany Boys' academy, where he won the prin- cipal's prize for his essay on " Mahomet." His favorite teacher here was Prof. E. P. Waterbury. A beautiful friend- ship existed between teacher and pupil which only the hand of death could break.
He soon began to take an active part in the more public duties of life. His ardent nature loved excitement and while a delegate from the famous engine company No. II, he was, after a contest which is still recalled, elected presi-
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dent of the Albany fire department in 1865, and by his pru- dent management secured the stability of the relief fund - a fund which is to this day accomplishing great good. A quarter of a century ago the fire department had a strange fascination for the young men of the cities. Its perils and dangers and unselfish labors for the saving of life and prop- erty of the citizens made the engine-house the natural ren- dezvous of the spirited young men of the town. It en- shrined the heroic element of our civic life. Frank Woods exemplified this spirit in a high degree.
In the meantime he was preparing himself to enter into other exciting fields of action - those of the law and politics. In 1865 he was admitted to the bar, having made his pre- liminary studies in the office of Mr. Warren S. Kelly, and subsequently going into partnership with ex-Judge James A. Mckown. His popularity so rapidly increased that in 1867 he was elected to the assembly over the Hon. Henry Smith. Mr. Smith had carried the same district the year before by seven hundred majority, but was defeated by Mr. Woods, after an exciting contest, by three hundred votes. Mr. Woods was a useful and active member of the legislature and served with much credit on the committee on judiciary. At the expiration of his term he again devoted himself to his profes- sional work with marked success. But this success was now to meet with a temporary obstruction. In 1871 he was seri- ously injured in a runaway accident, which resulted in a pres- ent slight lameness. After a long and painful confinement, while still an invalid, in 1873, he was persuaded to become a candidate for justice of the justices' court, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dennis B. Gaffney, who, like Mr. Woods himself, had been a favorite spokesman of his party, and was elected by fifteen hundred majority. He was again
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elected for a full term by three thousand majority, and again for a third term without opposition, five thousand republican ballots having been cast for him.
In 1878, on the death of Hon. Terrence J. Quinn, Mr. Woods was induced, against his personal inclinations, to be a candidate for congress. Hon. John M. Bailey was the repub- lican nominee, while Henry Hilton, of Guilderland, was the greenback labor candidate. Mr. Bailey was elected by a plurality of one hundred and ninety-eight ; Mr. Hilton poll- ing five thousand votes, four-fifths of which were concededly democratic. It is a political tradition that certain politicians proposed to count Mr. Woods in at any cost, but that he in- dignantly refused to tolerate any such scheme and denounced it. Regarding this matter the Albany Evening Journal de- clared that Mr. Woods had borne himself through the can- vass and through the subsequent doubt " in an honorable and dignified manner, worthy of the good name he bears and the personal esteem in which he is held ; he comes out of the contest without dishonor." And the Albany Argus remarked that he had proved himself a strong man to the state and a very honorable and excellent one to the county, and that he had made himself eligible to even higher marks of confidence by his party.
After an honorable, painstaking and impartial career, Mr. Woods retired from the justices' court in 1883. On this oc- casion many members of the bar united in presenting him with an elegant cane and a handsomely engrossed testimonial in which they state : "We take pleasure in saying that your influence has been uniformly and constantly exerted to pro- tect litigants from imposition and to secure them their rights, and to prevent them from incurring the pains and expense of hopeless litigation. You have never fostered
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strife or contention, but have always, within the limits pre- scribed by the proprieties of your office, striven to secure an amicable settlement of differences rather than to encourage their determination by course of an action. In your individual administration of justice we have always found you possessed of legal learning well calculated to adorn the higher courts, careful and painstaking in the researches into the law and facts rendered necessary by the exigencies and peculiaritics of the particular action and notably correct in your conclu- sions and just in your decisions, nor should we omit mention of what is a crowning merit in a judicial officer : Patience is a large element of justice, and we acknowledge the uniform exercise on your part toward the members of the bar of patient attention to and careful consideration of their oft- times diverse and conflicting views ; and to this patience you join unvarying courtesy."
In the fall of 1883 Mr. Woods was unanimously nominated · by his party for the office of surrogate, and was elected by a commanding majority. He discharged the duties of that important office for the full term of six years with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. On his retirement every newspaper in the county made him the subject of laudatory editorial notice, commending him for his industry, courtesy, learning and integrity, and showing a remarkable concensus of favorable opinion as to the judicial services of a magistrate, who for an extended term was engaged in ad- justing the most delicate interests and determining the ad- ministrations of hundreds of large estates where a lack of good nature and polite attention and sound judgment is often more annoying and harmful than a want of legal erudition.
The period of Mr. Woods' incumbency as surrogate is the brightest chapter in his career, as it is one of the most hon-
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orable and creditable chapters in the county history. Mr. Woods is now serving as a member of the commission re- cently appointed by Governor Hill, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to propose amendments to the sixth or judiciary article of the state constitution. This com- mission embraces within it some of the most distinguished lawyers of the state -a designation to its membership is a rare distinction.
A good business man who observed his course as surrogate has stated that his quick, sure judgment as to bonds pre- sented in that court was quite remarkable, and so quietly exercised as not to be generally known, but its fruit was the comparatively small loss to estates during his term. His natural characteristics as a peacemaker promoted many set- tlements, healed dissension and warded off expensive litiga- tion. He has had many important cases, among the most noted of which were the contested wills of William Hawley, Weare C. Little, Robert Higgins, Philip Luke, John H. Lasher, Sarah Lansing, John J. Oliver, Mary E. Sterling, John D. Turnbull, Sarah J. Ferry, Isabella Sarauw, Seeley Lockwood, and Eliza Ann Vedder. His decision affirming the will of Eliza Ann Vedder shows a deep study of the law as to the bearing of delusions in the question of testamentary capacity. His probate judg- ments stand unreversed. His decision affirming the con- stitutionality of what is known as the collateral tax law was affirmed by the court of appeals in the estate of Mary Mac- Pherson, and he has since made many notable rulings under this same law, especially those exempting all legacies under $500 from taxation. In court he was attentive to hear, quick to understand and slow to decide. He has executive ability of the first order.
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As a democratic orator, Mr. Woods most notable work was in his friend, Mayor Nolan's campaign; in the various addresses he made while accompanying Mr. Manning and the Democratic Phalanx to the Chicago convention, which nominated Grover Cleveland ; in the rejoicing journey home from there ; at the great Fort Plain meeting with Mr. Apgar, being the first Cleveland mecting in the interior of the state; and in a speech at Franklin Square, at Troy, which is said to have done much to stem the tide that was running tow- ard Blaine and Butler in that city. He displayed great activity, and was at his best in scores of out-door gatherings in the campaign of 1888, and accompanied his friend, John Boyd Thacher, in a part of the novel cruise of the boat Thomas Jefferson down the Erie canal, making speeches of electric power at Schenectady, West Troy and Albany from the bow of the boat. But in the intensest heat of political speech he never forgets that his opponents are his neighbors and fellow-citizens. He wisely seeks to inspire his own ranks with that enthusiasm which is essential to success in political warfare.
It is understood that Mr. Woods devotes much study and care to the preparation of his addresses on ceremonial occa- sions and takes no little pride in them. Among the most notable of these are his oration in the old capitol on the 4th of July, 1877, in which his characterization of the new capitol as, " a dream of beauty frozen in granite," will be remembered ; his welcome to Parnell and Dillon in 1880, which Mr. Parnell pronounced " a speech of magnificent eloquence ;" his address at the bar meeting on the death of Hale Kingsley ; his address for Company B to the New Ha- ven Greys ; his response to the toast " City of Albany," at the semi-centennial of the Burgesses corps ; his address to
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the delegates to the French convention, which was copied into the French papers of Montreal, Quebec and Paris ; and his speech at Faneuil hall to the Ancient and Honorable Artillery company. Among the brightest and wittiest of his efforts was the response to the toast of "The Young Physician " at the State Homoeopathic society's banquet in 1889. His response to the memory of Burns at the banquet celebrating the unveiling of the monument of the poet in our park was glowing, tender and sympathetic and will abide long in the memory of the Scotchmen who heard it. On St. Valentine's eve in 1889, at the famous banquet of the Hol- land society, to the toast "Our Brother Nationalities," he won the rapt attention and then the thundering plaudits of as distinguished a company as ever gathered in Albany on festive occasion, in a speech at once instructive, entertaining, eloquent in phrasing and charming in expression.
Judge Woods is a born orator, and he may justly rank with the really good speakers of the country. His appearance on the platform is indicative of power and ability. His voice is flexible and resonant, and partakes more of the rotund qual- ity than is generally found in voices not trained in the actor's art. His method of speaking is strong and effective, his ar- ticulation clear and distinct, his modulations harmonious, and his transitions well defined. Possessing an abundant vocabulary, he is never at a loss for a word, and there is no hesitancy or tripping in his speech. When deeply moved his words come forth with a dramatic force and intensity which arouses in his hearers the emotions which he himself feels. His gestures, never redundant, are graceful and ap- propriate, and are used with discretion. Hence he commands attention at a point where most speakers grow monotonous, and, therefore, weak and ineffective. The contrast between his
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early campaign speeches and the addresses delivered by him within the past two years- one we particularly recall, and that was the address on the " Life and Labors of Father Matthew," which was not a temperance lecture, but a beau- tiful word painting - shows marks of decided difference in style, and proves the Judge to possess the requisites of an accomplished orator -the power to adapt himself to the subject, the time and the occasion.
He is an intelligent lawyer, a lover of books, a sound ad- viser. His best and most far-sighted friends believe that in his ripened powers and with his special gifts, his field of highest and most congenial work will be as an advocate at the bar, and in the high debate of legislative councils and deliberative assemblies. Simple-mannered and kind-hearted, he has in the love of many friends a support that has been generous and constant.
BENJAMIN W. WOOSTER.
O F THOSE who have worthily represented a useful and indispensable industry in Albany, the specimens of whose skillful workmanship are scattered far and wide through the land, we have a notable example in the career of Mr. B. W. Wooster, the popular furniture manufacturer of Nos. 36-38 North Pearl street, and the efficient president of the Albany County bank.
Born in Albany county, N. Y., on the 24th of March, 1820, he is a son of David Wooster and Polly Woodbury, of New Hampshire. His parents, with a view of improving their financial condition, left the old granite state in 1816, and came to Albany.
Here, with the characteristic enterprise, economy and per- severance of New Englanders they started out to make an honest living by hard work. On account of their limited means their son Benjamin was obliged, early in life, to look out for himself. After receiving a good, common-school education, he found that the best thing for him to do was to learn some useful trade. From a small boy his natural taste was found to be altogether in the line of cabinet making, and even then he would cultivate his budding genius in this re- spect by making various miniature articles of furniture by which his own childish fancy was highly pleased. It was not
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hard even then to predict what occupation he would adopt and follow through life. Without any hesitancy, and of his own accord, he at once became an apprentice in the cabinet- making business, and for four years served in this capacity with all the faithfulness, devotion and enthusiasm of a true student of mechanical art, inspired by the hope that some day his youthful dreams of success might be fully realized. At the close of his apprenticeship he was ready for work on his own account, but with little means to start out in busi- ness. But having an indomitable will, a way was soon opened to him, when every obstacle was removed. In 1843, at the age of twenty-three, he courageously commenced business in a small store on South Pearl street. His remark- able pluck, industry and honorable dealing soon brought him friends who extended to him a helping hand by liberally purchasing his goods and expressing kindly words of encour- agement. He attended closely to his business, studied the wants of the public in his special line, manufactured goods of a superior style in material and in finish, and after eight years, marked by a steady and growing increase in his busi- ness, he found that real prosperity had come to crown his earnest endeavors.
In 1851 he was gratified to find that on account of his large trade, more ample accommodations were necessary for his wares than were to be found in the little two-story, wooden structure on South Pearl street. Accordingly he erected a new building four stories in height, at Nos. 57 and 59 South Pearl street. Here for many years he carried on his cabinet making business with marked success, enlarging the capacity of his store from time to time, when more room seemed to be required.
Mr. Wooster was all this time establishing a wider reputa-
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tion as the manufacturer of a higher class of work. He de- voted his entire energies and his mechanical skill to building up a trade which extended not only through our own, but many of the eastern states. For years his house has been a leading one in the furniture business in northern New York, where his customers are perhaps, most numerous. He has fully gained what he set out for in earlier life, the repu- tation of being a first-class manufacturer of superb house- hold furniture of all descriptions. The fine work which he makes has always been noted for its durability, its highly- polished nature, its elaborate, ornamental and artistic de- signs. Specimens of it are to be seen in many of the leading hotels, banks, offices and private residences in Albany as well as in numerous other places, both near and distant. As a designer and decorator of the interior of public and private buildings Mr. Wooster has won a reputation second to none in the country. This is principally due to his care- ful over-sight of his work, his selection of skilled mechanics, his own love of the beautiful in art, his large experience as a manufacturer of so many different styles of furniture, and his excellent judgment in what is most pleasing to the eye and most appropriate and harmonious in ornamentation.
In July, 1889, Mr. Wooster moved into his new and beau- tiful store, Nos. 36 and 38 North Pearl street, where he has one of the largest and finest assortments of all kinds of fur- niture to be found outside of the metropolis.
In 1878 Mr. Wooster was chosen president of the Albany County bank, a strong and well-managed institution, organ- ized and chartered in 1871, and now located in the new, superb building corner of State and South Pearl streets, on the very site where for over two hundred years stood the historic Staats house as a striking specimen of the old Dutch
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style. This position he still holds, the duties of which he has all along discharged with much care and executive ability. Other offices of trust and responsibility have been offered to him, but declined. He has experienced great pleasure in attending to his own chosen and life-long occu- pation ; and consequently does not aspire to offices of a political or municipal nature, which his fellow-citizens would cheerfully have conferred upon him.
Mr. Wooster possesses all the necessary qualifications of the successful merchant. He is a thorough master of his busi- ness in all its details. He is wide-awake to the wants of the present progressive and refined taste of the age in the furni- ture line. He is agreeable in his manners, prompt in his decision, reliable in his statements, and well-grounded in high moral principle. It is no wonder then that after so many years of toil and earnest efforts in the right direction he now enjoys the respect, confidence and esteem of Alba- nians, as well as of others with whom he comes in daily con- tact in business transactions. As a self-made man, commenc- ing his business career on a small scale and carrying it for- ward to such large dimensions he has reflected great credit upon himself, while he has contributed no little toward pleasing the taste of the most fastidious in the selection of household furniture or in the decoration of buildings.
In the record of such an individual no small encouragement is held out to young men who, in a spirit of self-reliance, faithfulness and unyielding perseverance, ennobled by high character, are engaged in the same calling.
In 1878 Mr. Wooster erected a handsome private residence on the corner of State street and Western avenue, fronting Washington park, which has attracted the admiration of our citizens and visitors. Constructed of brick, two stories in
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height, with a villa roof and standing on spacious grounds, it has a truly inviting appearance. Its interior is furnished and decorated in accordance with the fine, original designs of its owner.
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