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 14
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MEN OF NEW YORK- EASTERN SECTION
time took up his residence in the Empire State, which has since been his home. Moving to New York city, he entered the service of the Mutual Life Insurance Co. in the actuary's department, and remained there for the next seven years. He then spent a year as secretary of the Hartford Life
I. S. MANNING
& Annuity Co., but returned to New York at the expiration of that time as the agent of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. His connec- tion with the life insurance business lasted until 1886, when he moved to Albany, and became traveling agent for the Albany Chemical Co., one of the most important and successful establishments of its kind in the country. This position he still holds.
But Mr. Manning is most widely known as a writer and speaker on questions of the day. He has published many articles on the subject of life insurance, and has attained considerable reputation as an expert in this line. Of greater general interest, however, are his writings on questions of political
economy and finance. Many of these have ap- peared in the American Economist, as well as in newspapers throughout the country. They are characterized by clear and forcible reasoning, and display an amount of statistical information that denotes wide and careful research. Mr. Manning is an ardent believer in a high protective tariff ; and two pamphlets published in 1881, entitled respectively " Our Ameri- ean Policy and the Monroe Doctrine" and " The Tariff Issue in the Past and Present," are strong arguments in sup- port of his position, and would do much to convince an opponent of the sound- ness of his views. Naturally, Mr. Man- ning has been an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party for many years, but he has never sought nor held political office. He took a prominent part in the campaign of 1896, when he worked for the nomination of Mckinley, and later for his election, both in the press and on the stump. Under the direction of the Republican national committee he made many speeches in New York state and in the West, main -. taining to the last that the vital issue of the struggle was not the money question, but the question of a protective tariff.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- William Sheppard Manning was born at Baltimore, Md., January 12, 1834; completed his education at St. Mary's College, Baltimore ; was a civil engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, 1851- 56, and superintendent of the Avalon Nail & Iron Works, 1857-59; married Maria Emclia Fahnestock of Baltimore January 12, 1858, who died in November, 1858 ; married Florence Mary Maver of New York city June 10, 1869 ; engaged in the business of life insurance, chiefly in New York city, 1859-86 ; has been travel- ing agent for the Albany Chemical Co. since 1886.
Charles IE. Datterson is a native of the Green Mountain State, where he was born fifty-odd years ago, in Orange county. After attending dis- trict schools, he obtained further education at Castle- ton (Vt. ) Seminary, and at Washingion Academy, Cambridge, N. Y. He then entered Union College, from which he graduated in 1860 with the degree of A. B. The following year he moved to Troy, and began his legal studies in the office of Seymour & Ingalls of that city. lle was admitted to the bar
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MMEN OF NEW YORK - EASTERN SECTION
May 6, 1863, and in 1869 was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mr. Patterson began the active practice of his profession January 1, 1864, in partnership with his former preceptor, David I. Seymour, under the firm name of Seymour & Patterson. This connection lasted until the death of Mr. Seymour in 1867. The next year he associated himself with Moses Warren in the firm of Warren & Patterson. In 1870 he moved to New York city, where he practiced for about three years in the firm of Tremain, Tyler & Patterson. The great metropolis has some obvi- ous advantages over any other city in the country as a field of professional work, and these appeal strongly to a man of talent and ambition ; but Mr. Patterson deemed it advisable to return to the smaller city where he had begun his legal career. He did so, accordingly, in 1874, and has practiced uninterruptedly in Troy ever since. He at once re- sumed his former connection with Moses Warren. Later the firm became War- ren, Patterson & Gambell, and more recently it has been Warren, Patterson & Faulkner ; but at the present time Mr. Patterson is practicing alone. His clientage is large and varied, and he has long been recognized as one of the lead- ing attorneys of the city.
Mr. Patterson's professional efforts .have not been confined to a single special line. He has conducted a vari- ety of office and court work, and has figured in several criminal cases of great local interest, though this branch of the profession has little attraction for him. Perhaps his best work has been done in connection with railroads. As counsel " for a syndicate of bondholders of the Troy & Boston railroad after its consoli- dation with the Fitchburg, he resisted a mortgage foreclosure that would have resulted in considerable loss to the secu- rity owners. His success in this matter led to his employment as counsel by a number of bondholders of the Wabash railroad, for whom he appeared in the United States courts in Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. He secured full payment of the amount of their holdings, success- fully resisting an attempt to force them to take new bonds for their old holdings, at largely reduced interest. Mr. Patterson is a director and one of the counsel of the United States Life Insurance Co. of
New York, and counsel for the Richmond Railway & Electric Co., for which he has appeared in the United States courts in Virginia.
In 1878, soon after his return from New York, Mr. Patterson was nominated on the Democratic ticket for representative in congress, but was de- feated. In 1881 and in 1882 he was a member of the state legislature, and in the latter year he filled the important position of speaker of the assembly. In 1893 he received the honor of a nomination as delegate at large to the constitutional convention.
Mr. Patterson is highly regarded by his fellow- citizens, for his ability as a lawyer and for his many engaging personal qualities. He belongs to no fraternal organizations other than the Delta Kappa Epsilon and the Phi Beta Kappa college societies. He is a vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
CHARLES F. PATTERSON
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- Charles Edward Patterson was born at Corinth, Ft., May 3, 1842 : graduated from Union College in 1860 ; studied lato in Troy, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar in
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MEN OF NEW' YORK- EASTERN SECTION
1863 : married Fanny Maria Seymour of New York city April 25, 1871; was member of assembly from Rensselaer county, 1881-82: has practiced late in Troy since 1863 with the exception of three years spent in New York city.
JAMMES H. PIERCE
Games b. Dieree began his long and event- ful career in Clinton county, New York, in 1826. ITis education was limited, comprehending only the common and select schools of the rural community in which he spent his early years. He began his busi- ness life in the village of Keeseville in northern New York, where he acted as clerk in a general store. This was in 1843. Two years afterward he was sent to Fredericksburg, Va., to manage a similar establishment. After returning to Keeseville in 1846 and resuming his former position, he went to Milwaukee, Wis., the next year, and thence to Neenah, Wis., in 1849.
The Badger State was not then so pleasant a place to live in as it afterward became, and Mr. Pierce decided from a short experience that the rugged
hills of his native county were more attractive than the western plains. Having returned to the Empire State, accordingly, he associated himself with James B. Dickinson, and purchased with him in 1852 the property on which is now located the village of Bloomingdale. There the two men erected mills and forges, and transacted for several years an important business in milling, lumbering, iron making, and general merchandising.
The outbreak of the Civil War found Mr. Pierce entering upon a vigorous manhood, with personal plans well ma- tured and organized for victory. As soon as it became clear that the war must be fought to a long finish, Mr. Pierce abandoned his private interests, and gave himself up unreservedly to the cause of his country. In July, 1862, he raised a company of one hundred men, turning them over to the proper authorities at Plattsburgh, N. Y., with- out cost to the government for organiza- tion or transportation. He enlisted him- self, and was commissioned captain of company C of the 118th regiment, New York volunteers. Serving continuously until May, 1864, he was taken prisoner then and confined in various places, in- cluding Libby prison, but was finally paroled in December, 1864.
Since the war Mr. Pierce has been engaged in farming, for the most part, in northern New York. Public affairs, however, have taken up a good deal of his time. He was supervisor from the town of Franklin four years, and chair- man of the board two years ; and he represented Franklin county in the assembly dui - ing the years 1870-72. Moving back into Essex county in 1877, he continued there to take a promi- nent part in political affairs. He has been super- visor from the town of St. Armand for the last thirteen years, having been chairman of the board for four years. In November, 1896, he was elected to the assembly from Essex county.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - James Il. Pierce was born at New Sweden, N. Y., August 27. 18.26 ; married Olive C. Lennon at Keeseville, N. Y .. August 7, 1856 ; engaged in various branches of busi- ness in New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin, 1843- 50, and in lumbering, manufacturing, and farming in northern New York, 1851-62 ; served in the Union army, 1862-64 ; has been engaged in farming and in
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MEN OF NEW YORK- EASTERN SECTION
public life in Franklin and Essex counties, New York, since 1865.
William 3. Roche, corporation counsel for the city of Troy, was born there forty-odd years ago, and has always lived there. He began schoo! at an early age, and completed his education at St. Mary's Academy ( now La Salle Institute ) in his eighteenth year. Having determined to become a lawyer, he then entered the office of Townsends & Browne as a student. This was one of the foremost law firms in the city, and their business was not only large in extent but varied in character. It furnished an exceptionally good school in which to obtain a comprehensive knowledge of the law in all its branches, and Mr. Roche made full nse of the opportunities presented.
Admitted to the bar in due time, he became managing clerk of the estab- lishment ; and in 1878, on the retire- ment of Irving Browne, Mr. Roche suc- ceeded him as a member of the firm. Three years later Rufus M. Townsend also withdrew, and a new firm was organ- ized consisting of Mr. Roche and Martin 1. Townsend, at that time United States district attorney. This lasted until 1890. when Henry T. Nason was achnitted to partnership ; and since Mr. Nason's elec- tion as county judge in 1896, Mr. Roche has practiced alone. The firm of which he has been a member for nearly twenty vears was one of the most prominent at the bar of Rensselaer county, and has conducted a large amount of important business. Mr. Roche deserves a full share of credit for this success, and it may safely be assumed that the recent severance of his partnership connections will not injure his professional career. He is pre-eminently a trial lawyer, and has won many victories before juries in hotly contested cases.
The people of Troy have not failed to appreciate Mr. Roche's legal ability, and have given him frequent opportunity to use it for the benefit of the city. In 1883 he was nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the common council for the office of city attorney, and held the position for nearly three years. In December, 1886, he was appointed comptroller of the city to. fill an unexpired term, and the following year he was appointed for a full term. He held this position
until October, 1890, when he received an appoint- ment as corporation counsel of Troy. At the expiration of his first term he was reappointed, and still holds this responsible office. The Democrats of his district elected him a delegate to the con- stitutional convention of 1894, where he served on the committee on powers and duties of the legislature, and on the committee on corporations. He also took a leading part in this body in the efforts for canal improvement ; and he favored the abolition of the pension system for judges and the prohibition of all further civil pensions, con- sidering them contrary to the spirit of our demo- cratic institutions. He was the author of the con- stitutional provision by which the county judges and surrogates in counties of a certain population are prohibited from practicing law or acting as referees.
WILLIAM J. ROCHE
Mr. Roche is a thoroughly public-spirited citizen, and has the prosperity of his native city deeply at heart. He originated the movement that resulted in the city's present policy of paying half the
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MEN OF NEW YORK -- EASTERN SECTION
expense of building sewers and laying pavements-a policy that has done much to make Troy a healthful and desirable city, and has given a marked impetus to all other improvements. Through the Citizens' Association, of which he is an active member, he introduced and carried the first resolution calling for
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CHARLES R. SKINNER
the creation of a park commission and the establish- ment of public parks. Mr. Roche is a member of the Robert Emmet Association and of the La Salle Institute Alumni, and attends St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - William J. Roche was born at Trov. N. Y., in 1853; was edu- cated at St. Mary's Academy, Troy : studied lazo, and was admitted to the bar in 1874; married Mary L. Campion of New York city June 15, 1880; was city attorney of Troy, 1883-86, and city comptroller, 1886-00 ; was a delegate to the constitutional con- vention of 1804 : has been corporation counsel of Troy since 1890 ; has practiced law in Troy since 1878.
Charles IR. Skinner was born in Oswego county, New York, in 1844. He came of New England ancestry, his father having been born in New Hampshire and his mother in Connecticut. After attending a district school of the usual type he entered the academy in the village of Mexico, and obtained further instruction at the Clin- ton Liberal Institute. His purpose was to go to college, and he prepared for Hamilton. He was unable, however, to gratify this ambition. His attainment> in future life were such that Hamilton College gave him the degree of Master of Arts in 1889, and Colgate University made him a Doctor of Laws in 1895.
Having abandoned a collegiate for a mercantile career, Mr. Skinner became in 1867 manager of the New York house of the Walter A. Wood Mowing & Reap- ing Machine Co. He was so engaged until 1870, when he purchased a third interest in the Watertown Daily Times, and associated himself with Lotus Ingalls and Beman Brockway in the publication of that paper. Having a wide acquain- tance in Watertown, where he had pre- viously served as assistant postmaster, and where his parents had lived in early years, Mr. Skinner understood well the temper of the people, the traditions of the region, and other local conditions of interest to a newspaper publisher. He acted as business manager and as city editor of the Times, and showed promis- ing journalistic talent from both the busi- ness and the editorial standpoint. In 1874, however, he accepted a favorable offer for his interest in the paper.
Acquiring a taste for political affairs while engaged in journalism, Mr. Skinner gave himself up more and more to public life after he left the Watertown Times. He was elected to the state assembly from the first Jefferson-county district in the fall of 1876, and was returned to the legislature for four successive years there- after. This record is very unusual, and shows unmistakably the satisfaction of his constituents with his service. In 1881 he was elected to the national house of representatives to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Warner Miller. His district comprised Jefferson, Lewis, and Herkimer counties. He was re-elected in 1883, and thus served in the 47th and 48th congresses, or two full legislative terms altogether. In every case his
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MEN OF NEW YORK -- EASTERN SECTION
nomination for office was unanimons. While in congress he introduced a bill for two-cent letter postage. Other bills to the same purpose were pre- sented, and in October, 1883; the postage on ordi- nary letters was reduced to two cents. He also intro- duced and actively advocated a bill providing for " special delivery " of letters ; and in 1885, through his efforts, this measure likewise became hw. The profits to the government from this system last year were $100,000.
Years ago Mr. Skinner became much interested in the cause of education. He served nine years as a member of the board of education in Watertown. In 1877, while in the assembly, he introduced a bill, afterward enacted into law, to prevent frequent changes of text-books in the public schools. In April, 1886, he was appointed deputy state superin- tendent of public instruction, and three years later was reappointed to that posi- tion. In April, 1892, he was made supervisor of teachers' institutes and training classes. In February, 1895, he was elected state superintendent of pub- lie instruction for a term of three years ending April 7, 1898. In all these im- portant offices Mr. Skinner has devoted himself most zealously to the perfection of educational methods and the general improvement of the public schools in the Empire State. The measure of suc- cess attained by him is evident in his constant advancement. In July, 1896, at its meeting in Buffalo, he was elected president of the National Educational Association, the largest body of its kind in the world, having a membership of more than 10,000.
Mr. Skinner has been prominent in social as well as in public life. He is greatly interested in Masonry, and has taken high rank in the order. He is a life member of the New York State Press Association, and has often served as its delegate at meetings of the National Editorial Association. He belongs to the Fort Orange Club of Albany, the Republican Club of New York city, the Union League Club of Brooklyn, and the Thousand Island Club of Alexandria Bay.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Charles Rufus Skinner was born at Union Square, Oswego county, N. Y., August 4, 1844 ; was educated at common schools and academies ant Clinton Liberal Institute ;
engaged in business in New York city, 1867-10 ; was manager and part owner of the Watertown ( N. Y.) " Daily Times," 1870-74 ; married Elisabeth Bald- win of Watertowon October 16, 1873 ; was member of assembly, 1877-81, and representative in congress, 1881-85 ; was deputy state superintendent of public instruction, 1886-92, and supervisor of teachers' institutes and training classes, 1892-96 ; has been state superintendent of public instruction since April?, 1895 ; was elected president of the National Educa- tional Association in July, 1895.
Thomas Martin Aloysius Burke, the son of Dr. Ulic Burke, was born in the west of Ireland in 1840. Coming to America in early boy - hood, he gratified his yearning for a religious life by entering St. Michael's College, Toronto, in
THOMAS MARTIN ALOYSHE'S BURKE
1855. A year later he became a student in St. Charles College, Ellicott City, Md., where he was contemporary with Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop Kain of St. Louis. Bishop Keane, lately of the
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MEN OF NEW YORK- EASTERN SECTION
Catholic University at Washington, and other illus- trious ecclesiastics. Their friendship and esteem have been his from these student days, and have been unspeakably dear to him.
Having completed his classical course at St. Charles, the young student received the unusual honor of an invitation from the faculty to teach in the college. He was so occupied for a year, con- tinning his study of philosophy at the same time. Entering St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, in 1861, he graduated thence in June, 1864. with the degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Theology, cum maxima laude. On June 30, 1864, he was ordained priest by Bishop McFarland of Hartford, and was made assistant to St. John's Church, Albany, N. Y. In April, 1865, he was assigned to St. Joseph's Church by the Rt. Rev. John J. Conroy, becoming the bishop's assistant at the same time. His career as a priest was connected for the most part with St. Joseph's, and his work there was strikingly effi- cient as regards both spiritual and material results. Hle was particularly successful as an educator, and established many flourishing schools, including St. Joseph's Academy. The Young Men's Sodality of St. Joseph's became, under his vigorous manage- ment, a strong agency for good, and an inspiring stimulus to the young men of other churches.
In 1884 Father Burke was appointed theologian by the Most Rev. Apostolic Delegate in the third Plenary Council at Baltimore, where he distinguished himself by his eloquence and learning. In March, 1889, he was created Knight of the Holy Sepulchre : and since his consecration he has been raised to the dignity of Knight of the Grand Cross or of the high- est order. Upon the promotion of the Very Rev. P. A. Ludden to the bishopric of the new diocese of Syracuse, Father Burke was appointed his suc- cessor in the office of vicar-general by Bishop MeNeirny, and discharged the duties of that office for seven years to the satisfaction of bishop and clergy. Upon the demise of Bishop MeNeirny in January, 1894, Father Burke was appointed adminis- trator of the diocese by Archbishop Corrigan of New York. His administration was marked by the same success that distinguished his career as pastor and vicar general.
In January, 1894, Father Burke was nominated to the vacant see by the consultors and irremovable pastors of the diocese. This action was subsequently approved by the bishops of the province, and was confirmed by the reigning pontiff, Leo XIII., who caused to be issued in Rome May 11, 1894, an apostolic brief appointing him fourth bishop of Albany. The ceremony of consecration occurred
Sunday, July 1, 1894, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. His Grace, Archbishop Corrigan of New York, was the consecrator, and the assistant consecrating prelates were Bishop McQuaid of Rochester and Bishop Ludden of Syracuse. There were present several bishops, all the priests of the diocese, and representatives of the reverend clergy from almost every diocese in the country. Since his consecration Bishop Burke has given fresh evidence of his ability as an administrator, and there is no doubt that the spiritual and temporal interests of the diocese will be guarded and promoted effec- tively by his episcopal care.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Thomas Martin Aloysius Burke was born in Ireland in 1840 : graduated from St. Charles College, Ellicott City. Md., and from St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore : was assistant at St. John's Church, Albany, 1864-65, and at St. Joseph's Church, Albany, 1865-94 : was vicar-general of the Roman Catholic diocese of Albany, 1887-94, and has been bishop of the same diocese since 1894.
Helson Davenport, one of the oldest and best-known lawyers at the Rensselaer-county bar, was born at Varna, in Tompkins county, New York. After attending the Troy Conference Academy three years, he went to the National Law School, then located at Ballston, N. Y., two years, and was ad- mitted to practice in the state courts July 1. 1850. In 1860 the same privilege was extended in the case of the United States Circuit Courts for New York state, and in 1890 he was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court. For a few years he was in partnership with General E. F. Bullard. Since 1882 he has practiced with William H. Hol- lister, Jr., under the firm name of Davenport & Hollister. This association has been altogether sur- cessful, and the firm dispatches a large volume of legal business.
True to the traditions of his calling, Mr. Daven- port has taken great interest in political matters, and has frequently appeared before the public eye in connection with important offices. In 1865 he was appointed by Governor Fenton one of the commis- sioners of capital police. This was an important post, as the territory covered included Albany, Watervliet, West Troy, Schenectady, Green Island, Cohoes. Lansingburgh, Troy, North Greenbush, Bath, and Greenbush. Mr. Davenport hell the office four years. In 1873 he received a similar appointment from Governor Dix, becoming thus one of the commissioners of Rensselaer police. He remained in this position until the law under
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