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 22
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Mr. Lyon was a farmer's son ; and as soon as he became old enough he was put to work on the farm in summer, and in winter trudged to the neighbor- ing district school, where he obtained an elementary
MEN OF NEW YORK-EASTERN SECTION
education. He also spent a little time at Masson College, Terrebonne, Canada ; but began to work for his living at fourteen years of age, becoming a clerk in a bookstore in Gloversville, N. Y., where he remained five years. He was ambitious all the time, however, for a more independent position, and one where his abilities could have full scope ; and in 1876 he sought a wider field of enterprise in Albany, where he has since resided.
Mr. Lyon's first business venture in the capital city was a modest one, but it was successful from the start. He began by selling stationery and blank books from office to office, and from store to store. He quickly established a reputation for fair, prompt, and honest dealing ; and business men recognized in him a boy who was bound to get on in the world, and were glad to help him so far as lay in their power. The next year he became the proprietor of an "establishment " con- sisting of himself and a man, and began to make his blank books; thus securing the additional manufacturer's profit, and evincing the business capacity that so signally marked his subsequent career. From that plant, started with no capital and some second-hand machinery, has grown in less than twenty years, one of the largest and best equipped printing and binding establishments in America, capable of handling with accuracy and promptness the vast amount of legislative printing of the state of New York, and of printing and binding thousands of law books annually. Of this great establish - ment Mr. Lyon is the sole proprietor.
Mr. Lyon's official work began in 1888, when he received the contract for the printing for the state ; and for eight. years he held this important position. He is now publisher for the state of the New York Court of Appeals reports, the miscellaneous reports, and the session laws, and the printer of the Appellate Division reports ; and he made possible that boon to the legal profession known as the "Combined Official Series of New York State Reports and Session Laws," issued weekly, and giving prompt and reliable information concerning many matters of moment.
From the beginning of his residence in Albany Mr. Lyon has identified himself with plans for the development of the city along business lines. In 1893 he organized a company with a capital of
$100.000, of which he was the principal subscriber, for the purpose of attracting manufacturing industries to the city. He also built, in connection with his printing establishment, a factory supplied with heat, light, and power ; offering exceptional inducements to outside manufacturers, which resulted in the estab- lishment of several new industries furnishing employ- ment to hundreds of men. It is Mr. Lyon's belief that industry is the road to contentment as well as to wealth ; and that to give employment to labor is the truest charity, and the best means of ensuring the prosperity of a community.
Although many times tempted with offers of political preferment, Mr. Lyon has steadfastly refused to become engulfed in the maelstrom of politics. He is a friend of good government, and devotes much time to the consideration of social
1
JAMES B. LYON
and economic questions. When not attending to business he forgets its cares in the charms of rural hfe at his beautiful home on the banks of the Hudson.
MME OF NEW YORK-EASTERN SECTION
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - James B. Lyon was born at Middle Granville, N. Y., March 25, 1858; was educated in common schools ; was a clerk in a bookstore at Gloversville, N. Y., 1812-76 ; moved to Albany in 1876, and began manufacturing and selling blank books and stationery : was public
ROBERT TOWNSEND MCKEETER
printer for the state of New York, 1888-95 : married Anita Thompson of Albany February 18. 1890 : has been proprietor of a printing and binding establishment at Albany since 1876.
Robert Townsend AIDelkeeper, though little more than thirty years old, has had an active business career extending over the past dozen years ; and has been connected during most of that time with various departments of railroad management in different parts of the West and in eastern New York. He is an excellent type of the modern practical, pro- gressive man of affairs, interested in many enter- prises, and giving to each the attention necessary for its successful conduct.
Wh. Mckeever was born in Putnam county, New York ; and after attending a private school in New York city for several years, he entered St. John's School, Sing Sing, from which he graduated in 1885. He began business life at once as billing and shipping clerk in a New York office, where he remained for about three years. Having obtained there a general insight into business methods, he went to St. Paul, Minn., in 1883 as clerk in the office of the auditor of disbursements of the Northern Pacific railroad, beginning thus his con- nection with the business of transporta- tion. The next year he spent a short time at Yellowstone Park in the employ of the same company, and in the fall of 1889 entered the office of the general manager of the Northern Pacific & Man itoba railway at Winnipeg.
By this time Mr. Mckeever had seen a good deal of life in the West, and had experienced its disadvantages as well as its advantages. He was quite willing, therefore, when opportunity offered, to return to his native state : and in 1891 he accepted the position of assistant to the general manager of the Adirondack & St. Lawrence railway, with headquar- ters at Herkimer, N. Y. The next year he became train master and assistant superintendent of the same road. In April, 1893, he became a director and the general superintendent of the Fon- da, Johnstown & Gloversville railroad, which runs from Fonda on the New York Central road across Fulton county to Northville, and connects the thriving cities of Johnstown and Gloversville with the main line. Mr. Mckeever has made his home in Gloversville since assuming the man- agement of this line ; and, though comparatively a newcomer, he has become closely identified with the transportation interests of that part of the state. Of late years the use of electricity as a motive power has been widely adopted, and has largely altered the traffic conditions in many sections of the country. The Fonda, Johnstown & Glovers- ville road was quick to take advantage of this new development, and organized an electric division which is an important factor in its prosperity. To this division belong the Johnstown, Gloversville &' . Kingsboro Horse Railroad Co., of which Mr. Mckeever is a director : and the Cayadutta Electric Raffroad, of which he is general manager and also a
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director. He is secretary and treasurer and a direc- tor of the Herkimer, Mohawk, llion & Frankfort electric railway, which does an extensive business between the towns mentioned.
Mr. Mckeever's calling has brought him much into public notice in his new home, and he has become generally and deservedly popular for the obliging and efficient manner in which he conducts the affairs of the different corporations under his charge. While not engaging actively in politics, he has taken a proper interest in public matters : and in 1896 he was the candidate of the sound-money Democrats for member of assembly in his district. He is a member of Christ Church, Gloversville : and belongs to various Masonic and other bodies. including Herkimer Lodge, No. 423, F. & A. M. : Iroquois Chapter, R. A. M., llion, N. Y. : Little Falls Commandery, No. 26, K. T. : Ziyara Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Utica, N. Y. ; and Gloversville Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Calumet and Transportation clubs of New York city, and the Eccentric Club of Glov- ersville.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Robert Toronsend Me Keever was born at Lake Mahopac, N. Y., July 20, 1866 : was educated at St. John's School, Sing Sing, N. Y. ; was a clerk in a New York house, 1885-88 ; was connected with various railroads, East and West, 1888- 93 ; married Frances Converse Webb of New York city at Shelburne, Ft., October 7, 1803 ; has been director and general manager of the Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville railroad, with headquarters at Gloversville, N. Y., since 183.
Taillard D. Mckinstry, editor of the Watertown Daily Times. was born in Chautauqua county, New York : and his general education and early news- paper training were received in that part of the state. After attending the dis- trict school and academy of his native town, he took a course at the Fredonia Normal School. Then followed a year's service as clerk in the Fredonia post office, where his father was postmaster, after which he took up what has since been his life-work.
Mr. Mckinstry had already had some little experi- ence in newspaper work in the office of the Fredonia
Censor, and he did not deem it necessary to undergo a further apprenticeship. Accordingly he bought the Dunkirk Journal March 1, 1872, and became its editor and publisher. He conducted this enterprise successfully for ten years on his own account, and then admitted to partnership in the business Henry D. Jarvis. Three years later he sold the paper, and it was afterward consolidated with the Dunkirk Observer ..
llaving thus disposed of his property in Dunkirk, Mr. Mckinstry in 1886 moved to the other end of the state, taking up his residence in Watertown, and becoming connected with the Watertown Daily Times. For six months he acted as news editor, and at the end of that time became associate editor with the late Beman Brockway. On the death of Mr. Brockway in December, 1892. Mr. Mckinstry
WILLARD D. AR KINSTRY
assumed his present position of editor in chief of the paper. He is also president of the Brockway Sons Co., publishers of the Daily Times and of the semi- weekly Times and Reformer.
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Mr. MeKinstry has been connected more or less with public affairs for many years. While publish- ing the Dunkirk Journal he acted as inspector at the Dunkirk customhouse for two years. In 1884 he was clerk of the judicial committee in the state assembly, and in the next session he was clerk of the
DOUGLAS C. MORIARTA
ways and means committee, the chairman in both cases being General Husted. In November, 1892, Governor Flower appointed Mr. Mckinstry the Republican member of the state civil-service com- mission, and he held the position until January 1, 1896. His associates under Governor Flower were E. Prentiss Bailey of Utica and De Forest Van Vleet of Ithaca ; and when these gentlemen retired at the close of Governor Flower's term, Governor Morton appointed Willard A. Cobb of Lockport and Silas W. Burt of New York city as Mr. Mckinstry's co- workers. Mr. Mckinstry devoted much time and thought to his duties as a commissioner, and had a large part in the important work of the commission in rendering the civil-service law effective. The
enforcement of the law had been hindered by the fact that the statute provided no penalty for its viola- tion ; and Mr. Mckinstry and his associates under Governor Fiower secured the passage of an amend- ment which authorized the state comptroller to pay salaries only on a certificate from the commission that the law had been complied with. This amendment greatly facilitated the work of the commission, and under Governor Morton's administration the civil service reform system in the state was brought to a high degree of excel- lence. Mr. Mckinstry takes just pride in the effective part taken by himself and his associates in this work.
Journalism is one of the most exacting professions, and Mr. Mckinstry. who has been an editor since his twenty- second year, has had no time for outside enterprises. He takes an active interest, however, in public affairs in Watertown, and is ready to help forward any worthy movement both professionally and pri- vately. At the present time he is vice president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Watertown. He is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Epis- copal church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Willard D. Mckinstry was born at Fre- donia, N. Y., October 1, 1850 ; attended Fredonia Academy and Fredonia Normal School ; was editor and publisher of the Dunkirk " Journal." 1872-85 ; became news editor of the Watertown (A. Y.) " Daily Times" in 1886, and associate editor in 1887 ; was state civil-service commissioner, 1892-95 : married Mary A. Lawyer of Watertown April 25, 1895 : has been editor in chief of the "Daily Times" since December, 1892.
Douglas C. Moriarta, one of the ablest young physicians in eastern New York, was born in Saratoga Springs less than forty years ago, and has always lived there. He is a son of Peter M. Mori- arta, and a grandson of the Rev. John D. Moriarta. Dr. Moriarta began his education in the district schools at an early age, and continued his attend- ance there for about ten years. At the age of seven- teen he became a clerk in a dry-goods store, and a few months later entered a drug store in a similar capacity. After this he was able to go on with his education, and for that purpose attended the high
MEN OF NEW YORK - EASTERN SECTION
school of his native town for two years. His expe- rience as a drug clerk had developed a natural taste for work in that line ; and he accordingly entered the New York College of Pharmacy, from which he graduated in 1882. The class comprised about two hundred pupils, and he had the distinction of rank- ing second in all that number.
By this time the young man had decided to pur- sue his studies further, and to become a physician. For this purpose he went to Albany, and matricu- lated at the Albany Medical College, graduating in 1885 at the head of his class. Dr. Moriarta made choice of his native place as the field of his profes- sional labor, and for the past dozen years he has practiced at Saratoga Springs with uninterrupted success. . In addition to his general private practice, his services have been largely in demand in various official capacities. He has been the dis- trict or town physician ever since he began practice, and the village health officer since 1894. He has also occupied the post of surgeon at the St. Christina Hospital throughout his medical career, and attending surgeon at the Saratoga Hospital since its organization. In the fall of 1886 he was nominated and . elected coroner of Saratoga county, and held the office for three years.
Dr. Moriarta is a member of the American Medical Association and the New York State Medical Association, as well as the local Medical Society of Saratoga Springs. Throughout his pro- fessional career he has written more or less for medical journals and for the various societies to which he belongs ; but in the main he has devoted himself to active practice, in which he has been unusually successful.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY --- Douglas Calhoun Moriarta was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., July 8, 1859; was educated in public schools ; was a clerk in Saratoga Springs, 1876-TT; graduated from the New York College of Pharmacy in 1882 and from the Albany Medical College in 1885, and took a post- graduate course at the New York Poly- clinic ; has been district physician since 1885, and health officer of Saratoga Springs since 1894 ; was coroner of Saratoga county, 1887-89 ; married Harriet Frances. Merchant of Saratoga Springs September 24, 1890 ; has practiced medicine in Saratoga Springs since 1885.
C. MID. Dathe of Gloversville, N. Y., is a native of Saratoga county, having been born in Clifton Park in 1847. After acquiring all the education that could be gained from the district schools of forty years ago, with their somewhat meager equipment, he went to Hamilton, Madison county, in the fall of 1863, and spent a year in a preparatory school there. He then entered Madison (now Colgate) Univer- sity, from which he graduated in 1868 with the degree of A. B. Three years later the same institu- tion conferred upon him the degree of A. M.
His general education thus completed, Mr. Parke read law for two years with Bullard & Davenport of Troy, N. Y. This firm, consisting of General E. F. Bullard and Nelson Davenport, carried on an exten- sive business ; and with them Mr. Parke had an excellent opportunity to familiarize himself with the
C. M. PARKE
practical work of a busy office, at the same time that he read Kent and Blackstone, and other legal author- ities. Having been admitted to the bar in 1870, he began looking. about for a suitable opening for a
MEN OF NEW YORK-EASTERN SECTION
young lawyer, and finally decided in favor of Gloy- ersville. In the spring of 1871 he commenced practice there in a very small way, sleeping in his office for the first year, and attending to such busi- ness as came to him. The next year he formed a partnership with H. C. MeCartey ; but this lasted only a twelvemonth, and ever since then he has practiced alone.
Although he had not the advantage of a wide acquaintance in the neighborhood, nor yet of impor- tant professional connections, Mr. Parke soon attained a high standing at the Fulton-county bar, and laid the foundations of his present extensive practice. In the twenty-five years of his professional life he has conducted many important cases, and has met with a large measure of success. A legal triumph in which he takes special pride is the argument of a case before the Supreme Court of the United States, in which he was successful against Francis Kernan of Utica, that great lawyer and statesman, then sena- tor. Mr. Parke is a scholarly man, and has given considerable time to literary work connected with his profession, having assisted William Wait in pre- paring his "Annotated Code" and his work on " Practice."
Official life has not claimed any great share of Mr. Parke's attention, though he has held several posi- tions connected with his profession. He was clerk of the village of Gloversville for two years, and afterward village attorney for a time. In the fall of 1880 he was elected district attorney of Fulton county, and was re-elected in 1883, serving for six years in that position. For the last ten years he has devoted himself wholly to the care of his private practice.
Mr. Parke is a member of the l'hi Beta Kappa and Delta Kappa Epsilon college fraternities, but other- wise he has not interested himself in clubs or socie- ties. He belongs to the Baptist church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Clayton More Parke was born at Clifton Park, N. Y., December 2, 1847 ; graduated from Madison University in 1868 ; studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1810 ; married Alice M. Clark of Eaton, N. Y., November 2, 1875 ; was district attorney of Fulton county, 1881-86 ; has practiced law at Gloversville, N. Y., since 1871.
I. D. Samper of Watertown, N. Y., is prom- inent alike in legal, commercial, social, and religious circles in that city, where he has lived for forty years ; and no man in the community is more highly respected than he. His paternal ancestors came from England in 1636, and settled in Massachusetts.
Members of the family took part in the Indian and Colonial wars, and Judge Sawyer's great-grandfather was an officer in the revolutionary army ; while both of his grandfathers served in the American army in the war of 1812.
Judge Sawyer was born at Potsdam, N. Y., a little more than sixty years ago. He prepared for college at Lowville (N. Y. ) Academy ; but his further studies were interrupted by long-continued ill health, and he was finally obliged to complete his education under private tutors. At the age of twenty he began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1857. In July of the same year he went to Watertown, and began his long service at the Jefferson-county bar, forming a partnership with James F. Starbuck. Mr. Starbuck was one of the ablest lawyers in the state ; and the firm of Starbuck & Sawyer, which lasted until the death of its senior member in December, 1880, became widely and favorably known, and gained an important clientage throughout an extensive territory. Since the death of his partner Mr. Sawyer has carried on his prac- tice alone, and has ably maintained the prestige of the old association. Of late years his work has been largely connected with corporation law, a branch of the profession that has rapidly increased in impor- tance with the modern tendency in the business world toward the formation of such organizations.
During the Civil War Judge Sawyer took an active part in public affairs, serving as president of the Union League of Watertown throughout the conflict, and as chairman of the Union and Republican county committees from 1861 to 1867. In the latter year he was nominated by acclamation for county judge of Jefferson county, and was duly elected : and at the expiration of his term in 1871 he was renomina- ted in the same flattering manner, and re-elected. In 1877 he retired from the bench, and has since devoted himself to private practice.
For many years Judge Sawyer's advice and assist- ance have been sought in business circles in Water- town, and he has been conspicuous for his able and untiring advocacy of all measures for the public wel- fare. He has served as a director in various banks, insurance, railroad, and manufacturing corporations ; and is now vice president and general counsel of the Agricultural Insurance Co. of Watertown, one of the foremost institutions of its kind in the country. He was a member of the board of education of Water- town for nine years, and president of the board during part of that time. He is well known in Masonic circles, and has been Master of the Water- town Lodge, and Eminent Commander of Watertown Commandery of Knights Templar, as well as District
MEN OF NEW YORK-EASTERN SECTION
Deputy Grand Master of Masons in New York state. He belongs to the society of Sons of the American Revolution, and to the Founders and Patriots of Ameriea.
In religious belief Judge Sawyer is an Episcopal- ian, and he has long been prominent in the affairs of the diocese of Central New York. For the past fifteen years he has been a member of its standing committee, and is now the chancellor of the diocese. For more than a quarter of a century he has been a warden of Trinity Church, Watertown. Hobart College conferred upon him in 1896 the degree of LL .. D.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Asariah II. Sawyer was born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., June 19, 1834; was educated in public schools and by private tutors ; studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1857 ; married Caroline M. Buckler of Watertorm. N. Y., November 3, 1859, who died in April, 1867 ; married Frances C. Fox of Pulaski, N. Y., December 15, 1869; was county judge of Jefferson county, 1868-78 ; has practiced law at Water- town since 1857.
Frederick Stepban, 3r., promi- nent among the younger members of the legal profession in Kingston, N. Y., is the son of Frederick Stephan, ex-member of assembly of Ulster county, and Mag- dalena, eldest daughter of Major George F. Von Beck. Born in Rondout less than forty years ago, he attended the common schools of the place in child- hood, and afterward graduated from the Ulster Academy there. Having decided
to make the legal profession his life-work, he began his training therefor in the office of William Lawton, then eounty judge, and his partner, Seymour L. Stebbins. Unexpected financial obstacles arose, however, and Mr. Stephan was compelled to aban- don his studies for a time. Moving to Boston he obtained employment as a bookkeeper, and worked thus for about four years.
During this time Mr. Stephan succeeded by the strictest economy in accumulating enough capital to enable him to finish his legal studies. In 1884, accordingly, he entered the law department of Union University at Albany, graduating thence the next year, and opening an office in Kingston in May, 1886. In the decade since elapsed he has firmly
established himself in his profession, building up an extensive and lucrative practice by his untiring en- ergy and tried legal ability. He has always practiced alone, and has followed a general line of law business. ยท Such time as it has been possible to spare from the exacting demands of his profession, Mr. Stephan has
A. H. SAUVER
given to politics for some years past. He was at one time the Republican candidate for the office of city recorder, but was unable to overcome the strong Democratic sentiment in the community. He was counsel for the Ulster-county board of supervisors in 1895 ; and in the same year was elected city judge of the city of Kingston by a large majority, and has filled the position since. Kingston is usually strongly Democratic, and Mr. Stephan's election may be regarded as a personal triumph. Other political offices have been within his reach, notably that of alderman, which he has several times refused ; but he has felt it necessary to devote himself chiefly to the interests of his clients, and has therefore abstained from' taking any very active part in public affairs.
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