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 18
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The Republican party has had no more ardent and effective supporter in Schoharie county for the
last thirty years than Mr. Krum. He has been a delegate to nearly every state convention during that time; and in 1884, 1888, and 1892 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention. lle took part in the constitutional convention of 1867. In 1884 he was his party's candidate for justice of the Supreme Court in the 3d judicial district, and though the usual Democratic majority was about 7000, he came within less than 1000 votes of election. It is said, indeed, that he would have been elected but for dis- honest counting in the cities of Albany and Troy.
In the fall of 1895 the Republican party showed its appreciation of Mr. Krum's loyal service by giving him the senatorial nomination in the 27th district, comprising the counties of Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, and Hamilton. The district was regarded as an extremely doubtful one, but Mr. Krum was elected by a plurality of 2527. In the senate he has been made chairman of the com- mittee on forests, fish, and game : and he has membership in the committees on judiciary, internal affairs of towns and counties, agriculture, taxation and retrenchment, and roads and bridges. He is also a member of the caucus com- mittee.
Naturally, Mr. Krum holds a high place in the regard of his fellow-citizens of Schoharie, who are proud of his at- tainments in professional and public life ; and he in turn takes a deep interest in the welfare of the village that has so long been his home. He is a stockholder and director in the Schoharie County Bank. PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Hobart Krum was born in the town of Fulton, Schoharie county, N. Y., January 12, 1833 ; was educated in district and select schools, and Union Free School, Chicopee Falls, Mass. ; was admitted to the bar in 1855 ; married Frances Amelia Washburn of Fort Edward, N. Y., February 26, 1868 ; was a delegate to the state constitutional convention of 1867, and to the Republican national conventions of 1884, 1888, and 1892 ; was elected state senator in November, 1895 ; has practiced lawo in Schoharie, N. Y., since 1857.
Warner Miller was born in Oswego county. New York, somewhat less than sixty years ago. His ancestors came to America from Germany in
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1680, and the family has ever since been prominent in the Empire State. Mr. Miller's great-grandfather was a colonel in the Continental army during the Revolution ; and one of his uncles represented Westchester county in the state assembly for four- teen successive years.
Having attended common schools and afterward fitted for college, Warner Miller entered Union College at Schenectady, and graduated therefrom with high rank in 1860. He then taught for a while at Fort Edward Institute, but on the outbreak of civil war enlisted as a private soldier in the 5th New York cavalry. He served in Virginia under General Banks and others, becoming sergeant major of his regiment. At the battle of Winchester, in March, 1862, where he was acting lientenant, he was taken prisoner by "Stonewall " Jackson's brigade, but was paroled while in the hospital at Winchester. Soon after this he was honorably discharged, and went abroad.
of his election to the national senate in July, 1881, after the resignation of Roscoe Conkling and Thomas C. Platt. In 1888 Mr. Miller was a prominent member of the convention that nomi- nated General Harrison for the presidency ; and he was the Republican candidate in the same year for the governorship of New York state.
It would be a long story to describe fully Mr. Miller's work as a lawmaker. In the assembly he rendered effective aid to the common schools, site- cessfully advocating the employment of the entire educational fund of the state in their development. In the house of representatives he served on vari- ous important committees, and had a large share in shaping the general policy of his party in the lower branch of congress. In the senate he attained wide popularity by his part in effecting the passage of the
Mr. Miller spent some time in the commercial centers of Europe, and be- came especially interested in the manu- facture of paper. Having thus acquired much valuable knowledge on the subject, he established a plant at Herkimer, N. Y., for the manufacture of paper from wood pulp. He has been identified with this industry ever since, and has long been one of the foremost paper manufacturers of the country. His suc- cess has been dne in great part to his im- provements in paper-making machinery. These inventions enormously lessened the cost of producing paper, and made possible the great metropolitan news- papers of to-day.
Mr. Miller is known throughout the country for his part in public life. His first important political service was in 1874, when he was a member of the state assembly from the Herkimer district. He was re-elected in the year mentioned, and made a distinguished record as a practical, clear-headed, and efficient legislator. His work was so well liked, indeed, that in 1878 he received the Republican nomination to congress from WIRNER MILLER the district comprising Herkimer, Lewis, and Jefferson counties. He was elected by a bill increasing the pensions of disabled veterans. and by his advocacy of the letter carriers' eight- substantial majority ; and two years later was again elected, this time by a greater majority. . hour law. He was also actively concerned in the He did not serve out this term, however, because
enactment of various other important pieces of
£
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legislation. Mr. Miller has always been identified with the best elements in the Republican party, and he is widely respected for his upright methods of political management.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Warner Mil- ler was born at Hannibal, Oswego county, N. Y.,
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J. U. MITCHELL
August 12, 1838 ; graduated from Union College in 1860 ; served in the Union army, 1861-62 ; married Caroline C. Churchill of Gloversville, N. Y., July 133, 1864; was member of assembly, 1875-46; was elected to the house of representatives in ISTS and in 1880 ; served in the United States senate. 1881-ST ; has been engaged in the manufacture of paper at Herkimer, N. Y., and elsewhere since 1865.
possession by Dr. Mitchell of unusual intellectual and personal qualities. His character and record are such as to establish his purity of motive and honesty of purpose ; and his native sagacity and practical bent of mind are likewise factors in his success as mayor of Cohoes.
Dr. Mitchell has hardly yet reached the prime of his powers, since he was born little more than forty years ago, in Delaware county, New York. After grad- uating from Delaware Academy at Delhi in 1877, he entered the Albany Medical College, and received his doctor's degree in 1881. Moving to Cohoes at once, he began general practice as physician and surgeon, and has since followed his calling in that city. He has enjoyed for several years a large and lucrative practice, and is widely known in Cohoes and adjacent places as a wise and skillful physician. He belongs to various medical societies, and has frequently written professional papers to be read before such associations. Especially noteworthy are his articles on " Sebaceous Cysts," " Pneumonia," "Tetanus," and "Traumatic Erysipelas," which were published in the New York Medical Record and the Albany Medical Annals. He was a delegate to the Pan - American Medical Congress in 1893.
Dr. Mitchell's career in public life began soon after he settled in Cohoes, and has been continuous since then. He was police surgeon of the city in 1884-85, coroner's physician for Albany county from 1888 until 1892, and police surgeon again from 1891 to 1895. He was city-hall commissioner in 1895-96. In October, 1895, he received the Repub- lican nomination for the office of mayor, and was elected in November of that year. Regarding his work in the mayor's chair a local paper speaks as follows :
"He has thus far performed the duties with such zealous regard for the good of the people as to win enconiums from all parties. He has acted in his public life with the untiring zeal that won him success in his chosen profession. Although one of the most busy men of the city, he yet finds time to give much attention to his public duties. Dr. Mitchell was chosen mayor, not because he was a politician, for he had no leisure to dabble in polities ; but because the people wanted a man at the head of municipal affairs who was not interested in john. and who would not countenance jobbery. In short, they wanted a man who was not identified with factions, and who would act. for the best good of all, irrespective of party. the city and honor npon himself."
3. 1. Mitchell is a prominent physician of Cohoes, with a large practice ; and he is also the chief magistrate of the city. Such a combination of professional distinction with prominence in pull- . is the right man in the right place, reflecting credit upon the lic life is not often found, and is due to the
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Dr. Mitchell believes in fraternal societies, and belongs to many such. He is a member of Cohoes Lodge, No. 116, F. & A. M., Bloss Council, Apollo Commandery, and the Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows, and the Royal Arcanmmm. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of C'ohoes.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-James Henry Mitchell was born at Meredith, Delaware county, N. Y., October 1, 1856 : graduated from Delaware Academy in 18FF, and from Albany Medical College in 1881 ; married Margaret 11. Rowland of West Kortright, N. Y., November 21, 1882; was coro- ner's physician for Albany county, 1888-02, police surgeon of Cohoes, N. Y., 1884-85 ant 1891-95, and city-hall commissioner, 1895-96 ; has been mayor of Cohoes since April 13, 1896: has practiced medicine in Cohoes since 1881.
Stepben Moffitt, widely known in public life in Clinton and adjacent counties, was born at Clintonville, New York, about sixty years ago. Ile owes the large measure of success that he has attained solely to his own persistent efforts, since he was favored with no special advantages of birth or carly train- ing. Up to the time he was sixteen years old he lived the hardy life of a farmer's boy in the rugged Adirondack region, attending the district school at intervals, and working on the home farm much of the time. After he had secured a fair general education in this way, he was employed for several years on the steamers of the Champlain Transporta- . tion Co.
Then came the Civil War, and with it General Moffitt's first opportunity to distinguish himself. Enlisting as a pri- vate in the 96th regiment, New York volunteers - he was, indeed, the first man to join the regiment -he was elected first lieutenant of company B on its organization. The regiment went at once to the front : and on the death of Captain Parsons in June, 1862, Lieuten- ant Moffitt succeeded him in command of the company. The next year he received his commission as lieutenant colonel of the regiment, the following year he was made colonel, and in February, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier general. He served as provost marshal
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of the subdistrict of the Albemarle, North Caro- lina, on General Wessell's staff, and held a sim- ilar position under General Gibbon during the organization of the 24th army corps ; and was not mustered out of service until February 6, 1866. Such a record of continued promotion indicates un- mistakably the bravery and gallant conduct of the man, and proves how ably he served his country during those trying times. General Moffitt endured his full share of the misfortunes of war, since he was taken prisoner at Plymouth, N. C., April 20, 1864, and lost a leg at the second battle of Fair Oaks, Va., October 27, 1864.
Returning to Plattsburgh early in 1866, General Moffitt began a long career of public service in more peaceful capacities. His first appointment was that of deputy collector of internal revenue for Clinton
STEPHEN MOFFITT
county and a part of Essex county. In the fall of 1867 he was elected county clerk of Clinton county, and was re-elected in 1870, holding the position for six years. At the expiration of this service he was
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appointed warden of Clinton prison. In June, 1876, he was appointed by President Grant collector of customs of the district of Champlain. President Hayes reappointed him in 1880, and he held the office until the change of administration in 1885 brought the Democrats into power. In the fall of 1888 he was elected member of the assembly, and discharged his duties as a legislator with the same ability and faithfulness that has ever been character- istie of him. He introduced in that body the bili providing for the establishment of a State Normal School at Plattsburgh, and was successful in his efforts to secure its passage. In 1889 President Harrison showed his appreciation of General Moffitt's ability as a customs officer by appointing him once more to the collectorship of the district of Cham- plain. General Moffitt was a delegate at large to the Republican national convention at Philadelphia in 1872, when General Grant was renominated. He is the present member of the Republican state com- mittee from the 23d district.
In the social life of Plattsburgh General Moffitt is well known as a public-spirited citizen who can be counted on to work for the best interests of the com- munity ; and as president of the Iron National Bank he occupies an important position in the commercial life of the place.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -Stephen Moffitt was born at Clintonville, Clinton county, N. Y., August 6, 18:37 ; was educated in common schools ; was employed on Lake Champlain steamers, 1853-61; served in the Union armer. 1861-66; was, county clerk of Clinton county, 1868-73, and warden of Clinton prison, 1873-16 ; was collector of customs of the district of Champlain, 1876-85 and 1889-93 ; woas a member of the state assembly in 1889 ; has been president of the Iron National Bank of Plattsburgh, N. Y., since July 1, 1896.
Charles halsey Moore illustrates by his career the value of a long line of honorable ancestry. He is of Scotch-Irish lineage, his great-great-grand- father, William Moore, having emigrated from the north of Ireland in the early part of the eighteenth century, and settled in Stonington, Conn. There he married Mary Palmer, who became a noted Quaker preacher. This remarkable woman contin- ned her active labors until her death at the advanced age of one hundred, making a journey on horseback through the wiklerness to Canada at the age of eighty, and another to Vermont two years later. Samuel Moore, a grandson of William and Mary Moore, moved from Troy to Plattsburgh, N. Y., in' the early part of the present century, and became
one of the first settlers of the place. His son, Charles C'urran Moore, the father of our present sub - ject, went West about 1855, and engaged in busi- ness in Wisconsin until his death. Mr. Moore's grandmother, Elizabeth Pitcher, belonged to a dis- tinguished family, her brother, Nathaniel Pitcher. having served as assemblyman, state senator, con- gressman, member of the state constitutional conven- tion of 1821, lieutenant governor, and governor of New York state. Mr. Moore's mother, Mary Minerva Miller, was a direct descendant of Thomas Halsey, who settled on Long Island about 1630.
Mr. Moore was born in Plattsburgh, and spent his childhood there, receiving his preliminary training in the common schools and in Plattsburgh Academy . When he was nineteen years old he joined his father in Wisconsin, and for the next five years he devoted himself alternately to tetching and studying, attend- ing the University of Wisconsin at Madison and Peloit College as he had opportunity. He then returned to Plattsburgh and began the study of law in the office of his uncle, the late George Moore, a prominent attorney, and secretary of the Northern New York Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Plattsburgh. He continued his studies with Tanner & Potter, was admitted to the bar in 1874, and has practiced con- tinuously in Plattsburgh ever since. He has been especially successful as a commercial lawyer, practic- ing in both the state and United States comts, and caring for the interests of an extensive clientage with conspicuous ability.
In political matters Mr. Moore has always placed the fullest confidence in the Republican party, and has received in return many evidences of their con- fidence in him. He has been president of the Young Men's Republican Club of Plattsburgh, and a member of the executive committee of New York State Republican League, as well as a delegate to national and state conventions. In 1885 he declined a nomination for member of assembly. In 1893 he was elected a delegate to the state constitutional convention, and took a prominent part in the delib- erations of that body. He acted as chairman pro tempore of the committee on legislative powers, and as chairman of other important subcommittees : and presided over the convention on several occasions at the request of its president, Joseph H. Choate. As a presiding officer he displayed unusual tact and thorough parliamentary knowledge ; and his speeches on the floor, especially those relating to canals, suf- frage, and free labor, were able and effective. Mr. Moore has also filled various local offices, such as inspector of customs, tax collector, and member of the town board ; and is now recorder of Plattsburgh.
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Mr. Moore has won deserved repute in the past as an eloquent lecturer and powerful public speaker ; and his talents in this direction are still occasionally at the service of some Grand Army Post or branch of the Young Men's Christian Association. One of his most successful efforts, not less from the happy treat- ment of the subject than from the unique interest of the subject itself, is his lecture on Abraham Lincoln, in which, to use the words of ex-Secretary Bigelow, he has "condensed within an hour's talk the points in President Lincoln's pic- turesque career which are likely longest to survive in the memories of men." As might be expected, Mr. Moore takes a deep interest in the welfare of Platts- burgh, and has been a prime mover in many public improvements there. He is treasurer of the Board of Trade, and a member of the fire department. Ile is also a director of the local Young Men's Christian Association, president of the Philharmonic Society, and a vestry- man of Trinity Episcopal Church. He belongs to Clinton Lodge, F. & A. M. : Chapter No. 39, R. A. M. ; De Soto Commandery, K. T. ; Oriental Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Troy ; and McDonough Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Moore is singularly happy in his home life, which is brightened by the presence of his charming wife and five children. Mrs. Moore is a descendant of the cele- brated Boynton, Burbank, and Hyde families, and of Colonel Johnston of colonial fame, and a niece of the late Chancellor Walworth's wife.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Charles Halsey Moore was born at Platts- burgh, V. Y., July 233, 1844: was educated at the University of Wisconsin ( Madison ) and at Beloit ( Wis.) College ; studied late, and was admitted to the bar in 1874 ; married Rosa M. Averill of Platts- burgh October 21, 1875 ; was a delegate to the con- stitutional convention of 1894 : has practiced low at Plattsburgh since 1874 ; has been recorder of the village of Plattsburgh since June, 1896.
DENgar El. Howell has identified his name with that of Ogdensburg, N. Y., his native place, by his active interest in whatever would increase the prosperity of the city, and build up its manufactur- ing and other industries His life thus far has been filled with busy work and successful achievement.
After completing the course in the Ogdensburg public schools, Mr. Newell finished his education in the academic department of the State Normal School at Potsdam, N. Y. He then took up business life in Ogdensburg, and after several years of prelimi- nary training as an employee, was able, in 1879, to
CHARLES HALSEY MOORE
start out on his own account. Purchasing the busi- ness of H. F. Lawrence, he established the firm of Newell, Smith & Co., wholesale dealers in books, stationery, and notions. Three years later the style was changed to Edgar A. Newell & Co., and the next year Mr. Newell assumed the entire con- trol of the business. In 1890, having been unusu- ally successful, and having built up one of the largest concerns of its kind in northern New York, Mr. Newell incorporated the business under the style of the Edgar A. Newell Co., and admitted several of his former employees to a share in the enter- prise. The house has done a steadily increasing business under the new arrangement, and has justi- fied the wisdom of its founder in the step taken.
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Mr. Newell's business success has been paralleled in his public career, since he has four times been a candidate for mayor of Ogdensburg, and has always been elected. His first term began in 1889, and he was re-elected in 1890. In 1899 the Republican party placed him in nomination once more, this
EDGAR .L. NAWET
time for a two-year term. After an interval of two years, he was unanimously nominated for a fourth term in April, 1897. Ile received the enthusiastic support of his party, and also of many voters who placed the business interests of the city and its con- tinued growth and prosperity ahead of the claims of any individual or of any party, and who appreciated the manifold advantages of a clean, businesslike administration of municipal affairs.
Mr. Newell's public service has not been confined to his duties as mayor. As a private citizen he has taken an active part in all educational and other movements for advancing the best interests of the community. As president of the Board of Trade he has been foremost in attracting to the city new
manufacturing enterprises, and thus adding to the resources of the place, and increasing the prosperity of its citizens. In addition to the offices men- tioned, he fills the positions of president of the Ogdensburg Savings and Loan Association, vice president of the Wholesale Grocery Co., and direc- tor of the National Bank and of the Ogdensburg Street Railroad Co.
In the social life of Ogdensburg Mr. Newell naturally occupies a prominent place. He is a Knight Templar Mason and an Odd Fellow, and a trustee of the Union Mission for religions and chari- table work.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- Edgar Allan Newell was born at Og- densburg, N. Y., May 10, 1853: was educated in the public schools : married Addie B. Priest of Potsdam, N. Y., November 19, 1879 ; was elected mayor of Ogdensburg in 1889, 1890, 1893, and 1897 ; established in 18TO the business now known as the Edgar A. Newell Co. at Ogdensburg.
Denis O'Brien was born near Ogdensburg, N. Y., sixty years ago, his parents. having come to this country a few years earlier from County Clare, Ireland, where the family had lived for many generations. His general echica- tion, begun in the country schools at an early age, was completed at Ogdensburg Academy, and he then read law in an office in that city.
Admitted to the bar at Plattsburgh, N. Y., in the spring of 1861, Judge O' Brien practiced for a few months in Ogdensburg ; but in October of the same year he moved to Watertown, where he de- voted himself to the active practice of his profession for over twenty years, or until compelled by official duties to give up private business. He possessed in abundant measure the qualities that make the ideal lawyer, and his success in his chosen profession was assured from the start. To the quick perception and pleasing address so characteristic of his country- men, he added a cool and cautious nature and a well trained mind ; and he had the additional advantage of a sound physical constitution. His cases were carefully prepared, and ably and dis- creetly handled ; and the prominence that he soon 'attained increased steadily until he became one of the leading lawyers in northern New York.
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A man of Judge O'Brien's ability and peculiar fitness for public life could not long remain indiffer- ent to its claims. His earlier work in this direction was confined to the city of Watertown, which he served as alderman for four years beginning in 1869, and as mayor in 1878-79. In the latter office he particularly distinguished himself, and won the con- fidence of political friends and foes alike. The fol- lowing, from one who knew the man and his work. is significant : " His administration of the mayor's office was noted for the correction of many abuses that had sprung up, and was marked by a careful and persistent policy of retrenchment in all depart- ments of city government. He introduced busi- nesslike methods, and required his subordinates to conform to them. Through various checks and safeguards he protected the taxpayers, and estab- lished and enforced the principle that not one dollar should be paid unless the city had received full value in return. "
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