USA > New York > The men of New York: a collection of biographies and portraits of citizens of the Empire state prominent in business, professional, social, and political life during the last decade of the nineteenth century, Vol. II > Part 11
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by natural inclination and ability to take advantage of the opportunities thus afforded him. After secur- ing an elementary education in the district schools, he studied for a year under the Rev. Ira Hohes, and then entered Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. For several years thereafter he divided his time between study and teaching, finally be- coming principal of the high school at Northville, Fulton county, where he re- mained for two years and a half. He met with decided success in this work, and made the school one of the best of its kind in the state. He possessed a remarkably good memory, and both the will and the ability to work hard ; and he ultimately secured an excellent edu- cation.
During much of this time, also, Judge Anibal had devoted his leisure to read- ing law, both by himself and in the office of Judge Wait of Fort Edward ; and he had therefore considerable knowledge of the science when he went to Albany in March, 1870, and became a student in the office of Carrol & Fraser of that city. So far had he advanced, indeed, that in February, 1871, he was admitted to prac- tice ; though he remained in the Albany office for several months thereafter in order to profit by the valuable experi- ence to be gained there. In May, 1872, however, he began professional work at Northville, which had been the scene of his successful labors as a teacher. Being already well and favorably known in the place, Judge Anibal had no difficulty in securing a professional foothold there : and it soon became evident that he was to be as successful as a lawyer as he had been as an instructor. His services were more and more in demand, and in a short time he built up a lucrative practice. By the year 1886 his clientage had become so extensive throughout Fulton county that he determined to move to Johnstown, the county seat ; and that city has since been his home.
Judge Anibal has now practiced at the Fulton- county bar for a quarter of a century, and has estab- lished an enviable reputation there. For many years many of the most important cases in that part of the state have been intrusted to him, and have been conducted by him with much success. His fellow-citizens have confidence in his thorough knowledge of the law, and in his painstaking and zealous care for the interests of his clients ; and the
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result has proved that this confidence has not been misplaced.
Judge Anibal has always been an ardent Demo- crat, and a firm believer in the principles of that party. Within a year of his admission to the bar he was elected judge of Fulton county, and for six years presided over the county court with admirable dig- nity and impartiality. Since then he has not aspired to public office, preferring to devote himself to his professional work. His time and talents are freely at the service of his party, however, and he is well known to the voters of Fulton and adjoining coun- ties as an eloquent public speaker and a clear and convincing reasoner.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Robert Philip Anibal was born at Benson, N. Y., February 22, 1845 ; was educated at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute ; taught schoot, studied, and read law, and was admitted to the bar in Feb- ruary, 1871; married Frances E. Pan Arnam of Northvitte, N. Y., Aprit 24, 1872 ; was county judge of Fulton county, 1872-77 ; practiced law at Northville, 1872-86 ; has practiced law at Johnstown, N. Y., since 1886.
henry D. jGorst, one of the lead- ing lawyers of the Mohawk valley, was born in Schoharie county forty-four years ago. He was obliged from an early age to support himself ; and after attending the district schools and union free school in his native town of Cobleskill, he spent two years in teaching. During this time, also, he began to read law, unde- terred by the difficulties that beset the path of the student who attempts, with- out sufficient means, to prepare himself for a professional career. Having ac- cumulated a little capital by his expe- rience as a pedagogne, he took a course at the Brockport Normal School ; and in 1874 entered Cornell University, where he remained two years. Thus having acquired an excellent general education, he went to Albany and took up again his legal studies. Attending the sessions of the Albany Law School, and at the same time studying in the office of James E. Dewey, he was able in an unusually short time to take the bar examinations ; and in May, 1877, he was duly admitted to practice. He was but twenty-four years old at this time ; and as he had paid his own way through school and college,.
the fact that he had completed his professional prep- aration in so short a time was a most creditable achievement.
On January 1, 1878, Judge Borst began the active practice of his profession at Fort Plain, N. Y., form- ing a partnership with De Witt C. Shults that lasted until his removal to the other end of the county ten years later. Judge Borst was successful in his pro- fession from the first, and soon had a large and Incra- tive practice. By the year 1883 he had attained such prominence in Montgomery county that he was chosen as the Democratic candidate for district attor- ney, and was duly elected. After completing his term of three years in this position he devoted a few months to his private practice ; but on January 1, 1888, he was appointed county judge, and moved to Amsterdam, where he formed a partnership with
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ROBERT P. ANIB. IL
Z. S. Westbrook that lasted until November, 1894. Since that time he has practiced alone, and has met with marked success. Ilis has been essentially a fighting practice ; and he is notoriously a good
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fighter, never willing to acknowledge himself de- feated until every resource has failed. Much of his time has been devoted to criminal law, and he has prosecuted and defended several celebrated murder cases. His practice extends throughout the Mohawk
HENRY U. BORST
valley, and probably no lawyer in that section of the state has a larger clientage than he.
Judge Borst has been for many years an active worker in behalf of the Democratic party, attending conventions and making speeches in favor of its candidates. In the fall of 1895 he was nominated for state senator in the 27th district, comprising the counties of Montgomery, Fulton, Hamilton, and Schoharie. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, and has served as Chan- cellor Commander of the latter organization. He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 1897 was chosen Grand Warden of the order in New York state.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Henry V. Borst was born at Cobleskill, N. Y., July 6, 18533 ;
was educated at Brockport Normal School and Cornell University ; taught school and studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1877 ; married Mattie Barner of Mineral Springs, N. Y., in June, 1878, and Alida Verdon of Fort Plain, N. Y., in May, 1882; prac- ticed late at Fort Plain, 1878-87 ; was district attorney of Montgomery county, 1884-86, and county judge, 1888-80 : has practiced law at Amsterdam, N. Y., since 1888.
Charles IR. Bulger, one of the most successful attorneys at the Oswego- county bar, and a prominent member of the Democratic party in central New York, was born in the town of Volney, N. Y., forty-five years ago. His father, Dr. W. J. Bulger, was mayor of Oswego in 1893, and his family has been other- wise distinguished in the past. Appre- ciating the advantages of a liberal educa- tion, Dr. Bulger encouraged his son to study for a profession. Attending first the district schools of his native town, and afterward a school at Gilbert's Mills, Charles next entered Falley Seminary in Fulton, N. Y. This institution had considerable prestige in its day, and many distinguished men of the Empire State have studied there. Having re- mained at Falley until 1870, Mr. Bulger postponed his legal studies, already in view, for one year of school teaching in Granby, Oswego county.
After that interval he began the study of the law at Fulton, in the office of Stephen & Pardee. Eight months later he resolved to carry out his original intention of getting a thorough classical education, concluding with unusual sagacity that the time thus taken from the law would be more than made up later in life. Taking a preparatory course of one year at St. John's College, Fordham, New York city, he then covered the regular classical course of four years in the same institution, graduating with high standing in June, 1875. Taking up his resi- dence in Oswego, he resumed the study of law in the office of Albertus Perry, one of the leading attorneys of central New York at that time. Mr. Bulger has continued to live in Oswego ever since this date; and it is an interesting fact that his present law offices in the Grant block are the same that were formerly occupied by his preceptor Mr. Perry.
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With maturer mind and wider knowledge, Mr. Bulger read law much more intelligently than before, and acquired a firmer grasp of the great principles underlying legal science. He was therefore finely equipped for all branches of practice when admitted to the bar in June, 1879. His advancement from that time was rapid, both in his profession and in public life. Soon after returning from college he began to take an active interest in political matters, allying himself with the Democratic party. His earliest public office was that of school commissioner of the first district of Oswego. In March, 1882, he was appointed attorney for the city of Oswego, and in the fall of the same year, while still eity attorney, he was elected recorder of Oswego for a term of four years. His administration of this office was so satisfactory that he was re-elected in 1886, again in 1890, and yet again in 1894. He is still recorder of the city, therefore, hav- ing held the office continuously since 1883. He was sent to Chicago in 1892 as a delegate to the Democratic national convention.
Mr. Bulger's success at the bar and in public life has been facilitated by his talent as an orator. Naturally gifted in that direction, he has strengthened his native powers by the constant practice derived from his political speaking, and his addresses before court and jury. His speeches are scholarly in style, logical in arrangement, convincing in delivery, effective in results.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Charles N. Bulger was born at Volney, Oswego county, N. Y., August 19, 1851 ; graduated from St. John's College, Ford- ham, New York, in 1875 ; studied . lawe', and was admitted to the bar in 1879; was city attorney of Oswego, N. Y., in 1882 ; married Caroline A. Dunn of Oswego June 5, 1883; has been recorder of the city of Oswego since January 1, 1883; has practiced law in Oswego since 1879.
David D. Cassidy, one of the most highly regarded citizens of Amster- dam, N. Y., is a son of Christopher Cas- sidy, a prominent citizen of Montgomery county, and his wife, Catharine Wemple. He was born in Montgomery county seventy years ago, and has always lived there. His boyhood was spent in his native town, where he attended the dis- trict schools, afterward taking a short course at the
Poughkeepsie Collegiate School. His father died when David was only four years old, and as he grew up the lad experienced some difficulty in acquiring even a fair general education on account of limited means.
Leaving school at the age of seventeen, he became a clerk in a dry-goods store in Amsterdam, where he remained for the next four years. In this, his first business employment, Mr. Cassidy displayed the same industry and zeal that have always charac- terized his conduct of affairs. He gained there a large amount of valuable knowledge of business prin- ciples, and a considerable insight into business meth- ods ; and in many ways helped to fit himself for his future successful career.
It was not as a merchant, however, that this suc- cess was to be gained. At the age of twenty-two
CHARLES N. BULGER
Mr. Cassidy became a clerk in the Farmers' Bank of Amsterdam, now known as the Farmers' National Bank .. The change proved a most fortunate one, for he soon discovered that the work was peculiarly
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congenial. He made up his mind to devote himself to banking, and to attain as soon as possible a re- sponsible position in the institution with which he was connected. With this end in view he applied him- self diligently to his duties, and soon made himself valuable to the officials of the bank. In course of
DAVID D. CASSIDY
time he became successively bookkeeper, teller, and assistant cashier and director ; and finally, in 1859, only ten years from the time he first entered the bank, he became its cashier. For the next thirty years he held this position, resigning in 1889 in order to enjoy a well earned rest.
Under Mi. Cassidy's watchful care and wise and prudent management the Farmers' National Bank of Amsterdam attained a marked degree of prosperity. It came to occupy a position very different from that of the ordinary bank of a small city, and was widely known as one of the most solid financial institutions of that part of the state. Its stock, which had been held at par when Mr. Cassidy assumed the manage- ment of its affairs, sold for 250 when he retired : 'and
regular annual dividends of from ten to fifteen per cent were paid during all that time. The bank building, erected under his immediate supervision. is one of the finest structures in the city. On its completion he received from the directors a most flattering set of resolutions, and a check for $1000 as a substantial expression of their appre- ciation of his labors. Mr. Cassidy's re- markable success in the management of the institution was due not less to his constant and tireless supervision of all its affairs than to native ability and sound judgment in financial matters. During his long service he was always at his post, never allowing himself more than a few days at infrequent intervals for recreation. It is interesting to note in connection with his banking carcer that from the time he first became connected with the institution no bond was ever required of him as security for the faith - ful performance of his duties. This un- usual circumstance attests the perfect confidence reposed in him by the board of directors- a confidence that the event amply justified. When Mr. Cassidy re- tired from the bank the directors adopted a resolution to have his portrait painted in oil by a competent artist. The work was executed in admirable style by the well-known English painter, John J. Shannon, and now hangs in the direc- tors' room of the institution.
Since retiring from active business life Mr. Cassidy has occupied himself chiefly with the care of his property. The Cas- sidy block on East Main street was built by him, and is an ornament to the city. He has been a director and treasurer of the Chuctanunda Gas Light Co. since 1878, and is one of the trustees of the Amsterdam Academy. Al- thoughi so closely occupied for many years with busi- ness affairs, he never allowed himself to be wholly absorbed by them. He has been an extensive reader on general subjects, and has given particular attention to matters of finance and political economy. He is a man of genial temperament and attractive social qualities. He is straightforward and frank in his speech, an interesting conversationalist, and has a cultivated and discriminating taste in literature and art. Amid the refined surroundings of his home he is enjoying the quiet and peace to which, in his later years, every man is entitled who has been suc- cessful in the battle of life.
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PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- David Demarest Cassidy was born in the town of Florida, Montgomery county, N. Y., April 6, 1827 ; was educated at Poughkeepsie Collegiate School; was clerk in a dry-goods store at Amsterdam, N. Y., 1844-49; married Mrs. Catharine MI. Efner of Rochester, N. Y., April 17, 1866 ; began his connection with the Farmers' National Bank of Amsterdam in 1849, and was its cashier, 1859 -89 ; since 1889 has occupied himself with various business interests in Amsterdam.
William Alexander Duncan is known in two hemispheres for his devotion to the cause of education and of Sunday-school work, to which he has given practically his whole life. His father, William Duncan, a native of Lumphanen, Aberdech- shire, Scotland, and a descendant of a well-known old Scottish family, emigrated to the United States, and became one of the first settlers of the city of Syracuse. He was an architect and builder, and much of the excellence of the early buildings of that city is due to his influence.
William A. Duncan was born in Os- wego, N. Y., sixty years ago. His in- terest in secular and religious education began early in life : and on leaving school he became a teacher and after- ward principal of an academy at Oneida, N. Y. He has done good work for the public-school system of Syracuse, acting as a member of the board of education for fourteen years, and as its president for two years. This was the longest term of service ever given by a citizen of Syracuse on the educational board. He inherited his father's ability as an architect ; and he designed and erected the Seymour school, which attracted much attention as a model building for its purpose, and has been widely copied in other cities. He was also connected for many years with the Young Men's Christian Association of Syracuse, acting as a member of its executive committee, and later as its president ; and the hand- some and well appointed building of the association was planned by him, and erected during his presidency.
Mr. Duncan has long been connected with the work of the Chautauqua Assembly, and has been for fifteen years its secretary and superintend- ent ; and, with the exception of its chancellor, Bishop Vincent, and its president, Lewis Miller,'
perhaps no man is more closely identified with the organization than he. He founded the Georgia Chautauqua Assembly at Albany, Ga., and has had a most important part in its successful establishment. This institution has prospered markedly ; and, owing to the peculiar educational conditions of the South, has been productive of great good. It has also been most helpful in promoting harmony be- tween the intelligent and religious people of the North and the South, since able representatives of the two sections meet constantly on its lecture platform and in the general work of the assembly, and such intercourse necessarily produces a truer estimate of each other's needs and limitations.
But the work that is nearest Dr. Duncan's heart is that of the Sunday school, and it is this field in which he has won his widest reputation. He organized
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WILLIAM ALEXANDER DUNCAN
the Syracuse Sunday School Association, and was its first president ; and he was president for three years of the Onondaga County Sunday School Association. For twenty-five years he was the
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superintendent of the Plymouth Sunday School of Syracuse, and its branch schools, the Good Will and the Pilgrim. For seventeen years he has represented New York state on the executive committee of the International Sunday School Association of the United States and Canada ; and he has been for an
LEONARD F. FISII
equal period chairman of the New York State Sun- day School Executive Committee. He has been connected with the Congregational Sunday School and Publication Society of Boston, as district and field secretary, for fifteen years. In 1881 he founded the New York State Women's Sunday School Mis- sionary Aid Association ; and in the same year origi- nated the " Home Class" work, for the purpose of furnishing an opportunity for systematic home study of the Sunday-school lessons in connection with the regular Sunday school. This is the most important, permanent, and far-reaching work of his life, and through this authorship will he be longest and best re- membered ; for from this beginning has grown what is known as the Home Class, or Home Department
of the Sunday school. This department now com- prises more than 100,000 students in the Sunday schools of the United States, Canada, and Europe, and has nearly 35,000 in New York state alone : and Dr. Duncan estimates that in the near future 1,000,000 students will be connected with the organization. He has presented this work in all the international and world's Sunday-school conventions since 1881, and in thousands of state, county, and local conventions. In 1891 he went to Europe in the interests of this work, and of the World's Columbian Sunday School Convention, which was held in St. Louis. Mo., in 1893. He delivered addresses, and conferred with Sunday-school work- ers in all the principal European capi- tals ; and at London, in conjunction with Bishop Vincent, he was offered a public reception by the Sunday-school workers.
Dr. Duncan's degree of Ph. D. was conferred upon him in 1888 by Mount Union (Ohio) College, in recognition of his indefatigable services for the in- tellectual and moral well-being of his fellow-men.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - William Alexander Duncan was born at Oswego, N. Y., November 1, 1837 ; was educated in Syracuse ; married Julia B. Coleman of Seneca Falls, N. Y., May 21, 1863; has made his home in Syracuse since 1840, and has devoted his life to Sun- day-school and general educational work.
Leonard if. ffisb of Fultonville, N. Y., was born in that village thirty years ago ; and is the youngest son of the late Judge Frothingham Fish of the Supreme Court. He was educated in the common schools of his native village, and at Clinton Liberal Insti- tute, Fort Plain, N. Y.
Having a hereditary predilection for the legal profession, Mr. Fish, after completing his general education, prepared himself for the bar ; and in the fall of 1890 was admitted to practice in the courts of New York state. During the following winter he opened an office in Fultonville, where he has since remained. Although he has been in practice but a few years, he has already gained a reputation as a successful attorney, particularly in trials before a jury. This success is largely due to his invariable habit of following zealously to the end all cases
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entrusted to him, and never acknowledging himself defeated while a chance of success remains.
Mr. Fish's progress in his profession has been considerably facilitated by his service as district attorney, by which he has become generally and favorably known throughout Montgomery county. Hle was elected to this office in the fall of 1892, when only twenty-five years old, and was re-elected in 1895. During this period, besides other impor- tant criminal work, he has conducted successfully for the prosecution six trials for murder. In the Youngs and Iconardi trials he secured in each instance, without the aid of assistant counsel, a conviction in the first degree.
Mr. Fish is a partner in a large and successful manufacturing concern located in Fultonville. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, and the Royal Arcanum ; and has recently joined the Masonic order. He attends the Reformed church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Leonard F. Fish was born at Fultonville, N. Y., March 25, 1867; was educated at Clinton Liberal Institute : studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1890; has been district attorney of Montgomery county since 1893; has practiced lare at Fullonville since 1891.
G. Tarren feath, sheriff of Montgomery county, is a son of S. Pul- ver Heath and Esther Groat of Amster- dam, N. Y. He was born in that city thirty-seven years ago, and made his home there until January, 1895. After attending the public schools for several years, he took a four years' course at the- Amsterdam Academy, where he obtained a thorough business education and passed the Regents' examination of the state of New York with high honor. At the age of eighteen he went to work in the car- pet mills of S. Sanford & Sons. This is the most important industry in Amster- dam, and Mr. Heath remained there continuously for seventeen years. Hle was employed all that time in the de- signing department ; and, as he possessed decided talent in this line, his services be- came increasingly valuable to the firm, and he finally reached a position of importance and responsibility.
Mr. Heath has long been interested in political affairs, and of late years has been one of the most
prominent members of the Republican party in Montgomery county. In 1894 he was elected sheriff by 1101 plurality over Major William N. Johnston, the strongest candidate that the Democrats could place in the field against him ; and he is still serving in that capacity. On assuming the duties of the office he moved to Fonda, the county seat, where he has since resided. He served for four years as secretary of the Republican city committee of Amsterdam, and has been chairman of the Repub- lican county committee since 1893. His first public office was that of treasurer of the city of Amsterdam, which he held in 1891-92. He gave such general satisfaction in this position that he was unanimously renominated for a second term ; but he declined to accept the office on account of the important posi- tion which he held with S. Sanford & Sons.
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