USA > New York > Cortland County > Pioneer history; or, Cortland County and the border wars of New York, from the earliest period to the present time > Part 26
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In the spring of 1848 he was elected Supervisor of Cincinnatus. In 1849 he declined a re-nomination ; but contrary to his wishes he was elected to the office of Town Clerk. At the November election of the same year, he was elected to the New York Assembly ; and in 1851 he was chosen County Judge and Surrogate. In January, 1856, be removed to. Norwich, Chenango co., and formed a partnership with Benjamin F. Rexford, with whom he still remains.
Judge Kingsley possesses a sound judgment, dis- criminating mind, frank and manly urbanity, a warm heart, and a generous and self-sacrificing spirit. His habits of life have ever been active and enterprising. As a citizen, he has been held in high respect. As a politician, his opinions have always been the result of his own judgment and reflections ; and when once
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formed, he has been open and free in their expression,- never swerving for expediency or party considerations.
As a lawyer, he has ever exhibited a high opinion of the dignity of the profession, possessing the true esprit du corps :- invariably accurate in his preparation of causes, and energetic and persevering in their prosecu- tion.
As Judge and Surrogate, he discharged the duties with fidelity, ability, and to general acceptance.
And in all the varied relations of life, Judge Kings- ley has adorned and dignified his position.
REV. E. G. HOLLAND, a gentleman of enlarged, liberal views, and of great intelligence, was born in the town of Solon, Cortland co., N. Y., April 14, 1817. His edu- cational advantages, up to fourteen years of age, were such as the public schools of his native town afforded. His father, however, was a man of enlarged reading and of excellent education. He had also given much atten- tion to the subject of teaching; and was therefore pre- pared to impart to his son the advantages of home tui- tion. He was early instructed in the various branches of good husbandry. His inclinations, however, induced him to turn his attention from that of the republican farmer to the more agreeable literary pursuit ; hence he adopted the sentiment of the immortal bard, and resolved to
" Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring."
Modest and unpretending in his manners, with the purest rectitude of principle, prompt and energetic, with warm social habits and gentlemanly demeanor, he was alike respected and cherished in the circle in which
Loans truly Ols Holland
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he moved. He early exhibited a strong attachment to his books, and the scintillations emitted from his well- developed brain attracted to his side the intelligent and refined, by whom he was regarded with peculiar interest ; for they saw in him the embodiment of a young immortal genius just bursting into the full fruition of glorious manhood.
{ His progress in study surprised even his most inti- mate friends. No question was so abstruse but he mastered it. No lesson too difficult for him to accom- plish. His aspirations led from the dull, prosaic paths of life, and he sought for pleasure amid the flowery dales and classic fields through which the pure bright streams of knowledge flowed.
At the age of fourteen he entered the academy in Ho- mer, where he studied the classics, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The Grammar of the English language had been his favorite study, from the age of ten years ; and when he commenced the classics, five different systems of the English grammar were familiar to him. At the age of twenty he was fully prepared for college ; but was dissuaded from taking the college routine, partly from the conviction that it often sacrifices individuality, and partly from the opportunity offered to pursue his studies in private. Therefore the college course, which offers so many real honors to others, presents none to him. It has been a fundamen- tal idea of his life, that man's education is never com- pleted ; that Nature, Experience, Consciousness, and the Great Masters, are the Four Faculties in the Uni- versity which is world-wide, and wiser than all Profes- sional Chairs. In this he has sought to study ; entered years since, but has not as yet graduated.
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The profession of the Rev. Mr. Holland is Literature and the Christian Ministry. Holding the religious sen- timent to be universal in humanity, and believing that in Christianity it has found its highest and noblest ex- pression, it has not been the sectarian form of faith to which he has been attached. It is Christianity radiating from its Divine Centre, the Christ,-as agreeing with the laws of the human spirit, its wants, weaknesses, and aspirations,-as harmonizing with all the truths of the external universe. It is in this form that he has repre- sented the faith of Christianity. Sects he has regarded as being valuable, as fragments of Truth,-the catho- licity so much desired being an attainment of the Future, not of the Present. We do not therefore regard him as being represented by any particular sect. He confides in the Church of the Future, in which all sectarian paths shall finally end.
Mr. Holland has contributed several exceedingly val- uable volumes to American literature,-one, the leading subjects of which are the Life and Teachings of Confu- cius, the Chinese moral philosopher ; the Moral Genius and Literature of William Ellery Channing ; a Review of William Kinkade on Natural Theology, with essays on the Nature and Characteristics of Genius ; the Elements and Laws of Beauty ; the Infinite Harmony which per- vades Nature and reveals in the Ages of History; the Immortal Life, as evinced by Analogies of Nature and the Facts of Consciousness ; and Human Rights as based in Human Nature. The essay on Channing was in 1856 translated into the German language, and was published by Bernard Shultze, a publisher at Leipsic. It was favorably received by the German press ; and, in
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connection with Channing's works, and separately, was sent over the States of Germany.
In 1855 Mr. Holland visited Europe ; he sailed from New York, June 10th, in the Germania, destined for Hamburg, one of the wealthy free towns of Germany, pleasantly situated on both sides of the Elbe. While here he visited the tomb of the German poet, Klopstock, at Ottensen ; his house and studio in Hamburg-remi- niscences of the harbinger of the modern German poetic literature. His stay here was brief ; he did not, how- ever, leave without seeing German civilization in its most attractive phases. He spent two months in Berlin studying German literature, and German manners and life as reflected in that metropolis ; studying the works of art there so numerously accumulated ; making the acquaintance of Alexander Von Humboldt ; Prof. Rauch, the famed sculptor ; Dr. Karl Ritter, and other German celebrities, by whom he was most generously treated.
In September he visited Dresden, its picture galleries, its varied objects of interest, as also its neighboring scenery.
From Dresden he went to Leipsic, the chief book mart of the nation ; Weimar, famed as the residence of Goethe, Schiller, Wieland and Herder. He was greatly interested with the reminiscences of the old "German Athens ;" went to Frankfort-on-the-Main ; Heidelberg, one of the old University towns of Baden, renowned for its sufferings in past wars, for its grand old ruins whose interest is never exhausted, for its University, and it may be added, for the exceeding beauty of the region about it. Here he remained one year, and during his studies in German literature he gave two courses of
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lectures on American literature to the citizens of Hei- delberg-the first consisting of five, and the second of seven lectures, in which the romance writers, the poets, historians, orators and eminent thinkers of the country were represented. The most eminent men of the city were conspicuous in securing these valuable lectures. In Bonn he gave a course of nine lectures on American literature, landscape and institutions. The press, with- out distinction, referred to his lectures in the most fa- vorable terms. The Badishe Landeszeitung, of April 3d, 1856, said : " We have been much pleased with the lectures of Mr. Holland, from America, which he gave here on American literature. These lectures prove how much the Americans have advanced in the poetic art, and in philosophy, and that the saying of an important author is true, viz .: that the American literature, though a youth in years, is a giant in form and vigor." The Bonner Zeitung, of September, 1856, said, "The writings of Mr. Holland are highly important and instructive. In style it is not too much to say that they may be compared favorably to those of Von Humboldt. His present course of lectures furnishes a rare opportu- nity to those who can appreciate a discourse in Eng- lish."
He also visited Cologne, Belgium and France, remain- ing some months in Paris ; the Isle of Wight ; England, in her chief towns ; spent one year and a half in Lon- don, a part of the time being engaged in study at the British Museum, and in giving lectures on American themes. Passing to Scotland, he visited Glasgow, Ayr- shire, the Highlands, and the scenery of the Clyde ; as also Edinboro' and its attractive scenes ; and finally
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completed his journey with making a tour through Erin- gobragh.
His lectures in London were highly lauded by the English press. The London Chronicle, the Morning Advertiser, The Illustrated News, The Star, and the Journal of Arts and Sciences, were prominent among the papers which thus favorably noticed him.
While in Great Britain he made the acquaintance of Thomas Carlyle, by whom he was kindly received ; of poet Mackay, Geo. Combe, as also various personages of the English nobility.
In July, 1858, Mr. Holland returned to New York in the steamer Indian Empire, after a three years' resi- dence in Europe.
He remembers with reverential pride his native State, native county, and especially his native town. He pos- sesses a richly-endowed mind, is a bold, vigorous and original writer, and always takes pleasure in dealing with practical themes. Indeed, he is regarded as one of the most remarkable men of the age,-"one of the few that were not born to die."
Mr. Holland is at present settled at Irvington, New Jersey, though his address is 151 Tenth street, New York.
STEPHEN W. CLARK, A. M., the present Principal of Cortland Academy, third son of Joseph and Mary Clark, and younger brother of Myron H. Clark, ex-governor of New York, was born in Naples, N. Y., April 24th, 1810. After having spent his earlier years in agricultural pur- suits in his native town, and in the capacity of a mer- cantile clerk in Canandaigua, he completed his prepara- tory studies in Franklin Academy, Prattsburgh, N. Y.,
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and entered Amherst College in 1833. Here, under the care and instruction of the celebrated Dr. Hitchcock, he became specially devoted to the study of the Natural Sciences.
Having graduated with the usual honors in 1837, he immediately entered upon the duties of his chosen pro- fession, which he has pursued without intermission to the present time, as Principal successively of Groton Academy, Monroe Collegiate Institute, East Bloomfield Academy, and Cortland Academy-a period of twenty- two years. He has been from his youth a member of the Congregational Church.
In addition to Prof. Clark's labors as instructor, he has written several popular and exceedingly valuable school books, among which are "Analysis of the English Language," "Etymological Chart" and "A Practical Grammar, in which words, phrases and sentences are classified according to their offices, and their various relations to one another ; illustrated by a complete sys- tem of Diagrams."
These works, published by one of the most enterpris- ing and successful houses in New York, have already reached a wide circulation, and have become deservedly popular throughout the Union.
His " English Grammar" has already reached a cir- culation of 30,000 per annum. In accordance with the recommendations of Superintendents of Public Instruc- tion of various States, it has been adopted as the text book on Grammar, and it is rapidly finding its way into every State in the American Republic. "This original production will doubtless become an indispensable aux- iliary to restore the English Language to its appropri-
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ate rank in our system of education. Indeed, we are tempted to assert that it foretells the dawn of a brighter age to our mother tongue."*
Successful as Professor Clark has been as an author, still he regards his chosen profession as a Teacher as his greatest business in life. To this he devotes his un- divided attention and untiring energies ; and the suc- cess which attends his efforts gives evidence of his efficiency as a faithful Principal, and of his talents as an instructor. Cortland Academy stands second to no other sub-collegiate institution in the State of New York.
Professor Clark possesses a sound judgment, discrim- inating mind, frank and manly urbanity of deportment, high moral and social virtues, and a large-hearted gen- erosity which endears him to the students, creating emotions which are always favorable to a healthful prog- ress in study. His mode of government is calm and conciliatory, and may with propriety be embodied in a single word, that of kindness, which in influencing, con- trolling or directing the young aspiring mind is of more valuable importance than all the tyrant exactions of pseudo pedagogues, and may prove of a more lasting benefit to the country than all the golden sands of the Pacific coast. Happily would it be for our country were the various academic and collegiate institutes favored with as justly popular and courteous a principal as Pro- fessor Clark.
DE WITT CLINTON GLOVER, the eldest son of Daniel and Rhoda Gage Glover, was born in De Ruyter, Madison county, N. Y., in the year 1817.+
* Southern Literary Gazette. + Communicated by a lady.
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His early advantages were such as the common schools of his native place afforded ; but while he loved the pursuits of literature, as tending to ennoble and purify the mind, he was not, strictly speaking, a student. Other aims possessed his soul; hopes, visions, and as- pirations, such as haunt the pillow of Genius alone, were his daily visitants. A quiet, sensitive and shrink- ing boy, he shunned the boisterous sports and the noisy haunts of his comrades, and walked alone, and adored as one who has
"Longings, yearnings, strivings For the good he comprehends not."
A love of the beautiful in all its forms was a marked element of his nature, and sometimes the bright visions that thronged his brain, took form and sem- blance upon paper. Well do I remember, when a child, he took me to his studio, and (himself but little else than a child) showed to me, in his boyish confidence, some of the sketches he had made. He had a room in his father's house where he sat hour by hour (when the green fields and sunshine tempted other boys abroad) at work upon some cherished task. Reared amid the seclusion and comparative isolation of a country village, (for it will be remembered that the march of improve- ments did not then keep pace with steam,) he was denied those outward helps which are now offered to the stu- dent in every career in our republic ; and by the force of his own genius alone he leaped over obstacles and accomplished results which many have vainly striven to attain, though surrounded by abundant aid and powerful patronage. He not only showed himself an artist in his
ART HOMY .SO.
your friend,
-
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delineations upon paper, but even in boyhood, alone and unassisted, he commenced engraving upon wood and steel. Engraving for a pastime finally became a pas- sion, and by the advice of some judges who pronounced upon his work, he adopted it as a profession. He exe- cuted orders for a time at home, but feeling himself in too contracted a sphere, he went to New York and en- tered the studio of J. W. Casilear, the eminent designer and engraver, where he made rapid progress.
That he excelled in the department of art he chose for himself, the works he left behind him, as well as the unqualified praise of his employers, abundantly testify.
In the midst of this career of hope and promise his health failed him, and he was forced to return to his native valley, in the hope that rest might restore his shattered frame to its early vigor ; but alas ! neither yearning love, fervent prayers, nor gentle ministrations could stay the footsteps of the Destroying Angel, and on the 3d of January, 1836, he sank beneath his fatal and insidious malady, trusting, as he said, "that he had made his peace with God." Let us hope that the noble talents which were here but expanding into flower, hav- ing been transplanted to the celestial gardens, may have ripened, and borne rich fruit to the glory of the Great Husbandman.
FRANCIS B. CARPENTER was born in Homer, Cortland county, New York, August 6th, 1830. His father, Asaph H. Carpenter, made his advent into Homer in 1800. His general characteristics are strictly Puritan, and they exhibit in a striking manner the self-reliant energy of the pilgrim spirit.
The educational advantages of Francis were limited
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to the common school, and one term at the academy. He early manifested a desire to become an artist, and hence exhibited an aversion to farm labor,-not that he regarded it as a disreputable employment, but be- cause he wished to become master of the limner's art. His father objected to his pursuing it as a profession, presuming that the success of his son in life would be better promoted by felling trees and in cultivating the soil. But the genius which shone in young Carpenter's face pictured a brighter future than this. He regarded agriculture as Tallyrand did the princess of Courlande, and would have made the same remark, 'You have but one fault, you are perfectly unendurable." He pre- ferred to delineate character with the pencil and brush, or chalk ideal landscapes upon the fences and farm build- ings. William Tell, in the act of shooting the apple from his son's head, and the capture of Major Andre, were among the first subjects which our young artist delineated in the vivid colors of chalk, brick dust, white lead and lampblack. The father little thought that in opposing the natural desire of his son he was for a time smothering that genius which has since made him famous, and crowned his aspirations with a victory of more value than the achievements of the laureled war- rior. And the triumph is the more gratifying because achieved while unaided by fortune or family distinction. Indeed, it is doubtful whether there is another artist in America who, through his self-reliant energy, has so successfully conquered parental opposition, overleaped the barriers of poverty and prejudice, and in so brief a period carved his way to Fame's temple.
His mother, "ever sympathizing and appreciative,"
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sat for his first bold effort at portrait painting. And it is worthy of remark, that the likeness, though wanting the artistic finish of the experienced limner, was yet so striking, that the father was reluctantly compelled to acknowledge its truthfulness ; he was never afterward heard to utter his oft-repeated expression concerning "the boy's nonsense," and was himself the next sitter for a picture.
Soon after the completion of the portrait of his father, he entered the studio of Sandford Thayer, of Syracuse, with whom he remained about five months, making rapid progress, and acquiring a still more exalted opin- ion of the profession.
During Mr. Carpenter's stay in Syracuse, Mr. Elliott, the distinguished artist, made a professional visit there. He perceived the genius of the beardless boy, and kindly imparted to him all the knowledge within his power ; especially with reference to his mode of col- oring.
In 1846, Mr. Carpenter, having returned to Homer, before he reached his sixteenth birthday opened a studio in the village. Relying upon his own exertions, independent of parental aid, he bravely launched his little bark upon the great sea of life. The citizens were suspicious of his ability, and hence gave him but slight employment ; and it was long before he could see a clear sky in the ideal world he had fancifully created. The current of prejudice, however, soon turned in his favor. The first ten dollars which he received from any one source, was presented to him by Hon. Henry S. Ran- dall, as a partial remuneration for preparing some drawings, with which he designed to "illustrate his
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valuable work on sheep husbandry." Mr. Randall sub- sequently sat for his portrait.
From this time forward, he rose rapidly in his profes- sion, and previous to his locating in the city of New York, in the autumn of 1850, he painted, among other portraits, those of the nine surviving original trustees of the Cortland Academy. They were remarkably cor- rect, and were consequently regarded with much favor. He subsequently executed and sent to the American Art Union several ideal pictures, all of which were purchased at appreciative prices. The first of these was one of twelve which were selected from four hun- dred pictures, and purchased by the managers of the Association.
Mr. Carpenter's success in the city has been com- mensurate with his talents and genius. He has been at various times commissioned to paint the portraits of some of our most distinguished men ; among these we may mention those of Ex-Presidents Tyler, Fillmore, and Franklin Pierce ; William L. Marcy, Lewis Cass, William H. Seward, Sam. Houston, Salmon P. Chase, and Caleb Cushing. The press of the country have given these pictures a wide notoriety. His crowning effort, however, is the recent admirable portrait of Henry Ward Beecher.
" The portraits by this artist are remarkable chiefly for their subtle mentality; for their faithful rendering of the inward life and disposition. His studio is hung around with statesmen and men of power, whose characters can be read as if the men themselves, in their most expressive moods, stood before you ; and among them all this face of BEECHER shines like an opal among
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dull and hueless stones ; like a passion-flower among bloomless shrubs."*
Mr. Carpenter enjoys in an eminent degree the confi- dence and esteem of his early friends, and of all who know him. He is a man of delicate sensibility, of a lively and poetic fancy, and of unsullied purity of char- acter. He possesses a noble, impulsive, and generous heart, which is ever alive to the good of those with whom he is associated. Lloyd Glover, of whom men- tion is made in this work, was one of his earliest and most sympathizing friends. Their acquaintance began about the time young Carpenter commenced painting, and very soon ripened into the warmest friendship. Mr. Glover's generous sympathy and proffers of pecuniary aid, though his own means were limited, were especially grateful at this period, to the young artist. He found also in Elliot Reed, another engraver, a kindred spirit ; and the intimacy between the trio was remarkable. They were felicitously termed the "Three Graces"- Poetry, Painting, and Sculpture.
Mr. Carpenter was married, in August, 1851, to Miss Augusta H. Prentiss, only daughter of Mrs. Frances Rollo Prentiss, formerly of Cortlandville.
LLOYD GLOVER .- Among those who have gone out from Homer, and who do honor to their native place, no one is more cheerfully mentioned than the subject of this notice. He was born in the village of Re Ruyter, in July, 1826. His father, Mr. Daniel Glover, appreciat- ing the educational advantages of Homer, removed there the year following, and has since been numbered among its worthy and respected citizens. He pursued
* N. Y. Evening Post.
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for several years the occupation of an amateur agricult- uralist ; his sons devoting their time to study. Lloyd, the youngest, was christened De Lloyd Gage Glover, but after he became an engraver, the similarity of the ini- tials with that of an elder brother, who was also an en- graver, induced him to obtain-while yet a minor-his father's consent to change his name to its present form. His academic course extended through several years, and he left the venerated halls of that valued institution, an able scholar, with the highest written encomiums of Prof. Woolworth, who, in public as well as private circles, has ever delighted to mention his pupil with honor As a youth, he was ingenuous and generous-the friend and defender of the weak-quick to resent and punish an affront, yet magnanimous and upright. He was full of hilarity and boyish exuberance of feeling, and evinced much shrewdness in planning roguery for his mates ; which, however, was harmlessly humorous. Like his father, he possessed remarkable physical strength and courage; and his excessive vitality prompted him to give frequent demonstrations of the same ; but the nat- ural 'goodness of his disposition restrained him from anything like quarrelsomeness. His strength was fre- quently displayed in the novel method of friendly bat- tles, at the odds of the best two against himself ; and he often challenged the school en masse, to "throw" him by united effort ; and in such contests his back was never known to touch the sod. His pranks with his most intimate friend and companion, ELLIOT, son of Judge Reed, who was ever ready to join him in any undertaking, however hazardous, will not be soon for- gotten. On horseback they would roam fields, leap
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