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 26
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Mr. Lathrop has been a vestryman of the Episcopal church in Corning ever since he first became a resident of the place nearly forty years ago.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Austin Lathrop was born at Covington, Penn., April 9, 1839; was educated in common schools ; engaged in business at Williamsport, Penn., 1855-57, and at Lawrenceville, Penn., 1857-59; was president of the village of Corning, N. Y., 1866-67, and supervisor of the town of Corning, 1869-18 ; married Mrs. Emma F. Wellington of New York city November 11, 1893 : has been superintendent of state prisons in New York state since 1887 : has engaged in the hardware and lumber business in Corning, and in railroad and public-works contracting, since 1850.
Cyrus J6. Martin of Norwich. N. Y., is known throughout the eastern and central portions of the state, where he has been prominent for forty years in various fields of activity. He was born in Washington county sixty-odd years ago, and received a common-school edu- cation. At the age of fifteen he became an apprentice to the printer's trade in the office of the Glens Falls Clarion. After four years in this position he spent a year as an employee in the same office, and in 1850 became a compositor on the Albany Journal, where he remained for the next five years.
Having thus thoroughly acquainted himself with the mechanical work of a newspaper office, Mr. Martin took a long step upward in the journalistic world. In 1855 he bought an interest in the Che- mango Telegraph of Norwich, N. Y., and became one of the editors and publishers of that paper. - few years in that position served to familiarize him with the general management of such an enterprise. and in the spring of 1861 he sought a more impor- tant field. Having disposed of his interest in the Telegraph he moved to Newburgh, N. Y., where he bought the Highland Chieftain from its proprietor,
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MEN OF NEW YORK-CHEMUNG SECTION
Rufus A. Reed, and assumed the entire management of that paper. Changing its name to the Newburgh Journal, he improved the publication, both typo- graphically and editorially, and pushed the new enterprise vigorously. The next year he began the publication of the Daily Journal, which he conducted for fifteen years with marked ability.
When Mr. Martin first went to Newburgh the Civil War had just begun, and popular feeling ran high on all sides. Always a man of strong convic- tions and fearless in expressing them, he came out boldly and aggressively in behalf of the Union cause ; and throughout the war he continued one of its ablest advocates. By his clear and incisive edi- torials he did much to stimulate and develop the patriotic sentiment of the community, and to instill in others the same loyal spirit with which he was animated. A newspaper editor, by the very nature of his profession, is brought into intimate connection with all local movements, and exercises an important influence upon them. Mr. Martin was always ready to lend his support to any project that commended itself to his judgment ; and the friends of law, of order, and of progress could count on his assistance. He interested himself heartily in the public-school system of Newburgh, and for five years was an active member of the board of education. For the last three years of his residence in Newburgh he was one of the trustees of the Washington Headquarters there.
Mr. Martin's genial manner and many sterling qualities had endeared him to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances : and when, in the spring of 1877, he determined to leave Newburgh and re- tire from the newspaper world, the step caused general regret. As a token of their appreciation of his work:, the lead- ing citizens of Newburgh tendered him a complimentary banquet, which was held at the United States hotel on the evening of April 20, 1877. John J. S. McCroskery, mayor of the city, presided on that occasion, and the most promi- nent men of the community testified by their presence to the high regard in which Mr. Martin was held. Speeches were made by Charles Emory Smith, editor of the Albany Journal, Senator Daniel B. St. John, and others : and complimentary letters were read from personal friends of Mr. Martin, including Roscoe
Conkling, Alonzo B. Cornell, and Ellis H. Roberts, of the Utica Herald.
For the past twenty years Mr. Martin has made his home in Norwich, N. Y., and has devoted him- self to business life there. His principal interest is the David Maydole Hammer Co., one of the largest concerns of the kind in the country, of which he is president. He is also president of the Chenango National Bank, and is engaged in various other busi- ness enterprises.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Cyrus B. Martin was born at Argyle, N. Y., September 6, 1830 ; was educated in common schools and Argyle Academy : learned the printer's trade, and worked at the same in Glens Falts and Albany, 1845-55 ; was one of the editors and publishers of the " Chenango Telegraph" of Norwich, N. Y., 1855-61 ; married
CYRUS B. MARTIN
Ann Vernette Maydole of Norwich June 16, 1858 ; was editor and sole ovmer of the Newburgh .. Daily Journal," 1861-17 : has engaged in manufacturing and other business enterprises in Voroich since 1877.
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MEN OF NEW YORK-CHEMUNG SECTION
Murray DE. Poole is descended from an old English family whose history may be distinctly traced back to the eleventh century, when the pro- genitor of the line came over from the continent with William the Conqueror. The founder of the American branch of the family was Edward Poole,
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MURRAY E. POOLE
who came from Weymouth, England, in 1635, and established the town of the same name in Massachu- setts. One Samuel Poole was a member of the com- mittee of safety and correspondence during the War for Independence ; and his son, Lieutenant Samuel Poole, served in the Continental army. Indeed, no less than five of Mr. Poole's ancestors were soldiers in the revolutionary war.
Mr. Poole is a son of Edward V. Poole, a native of Philadelphia, and a successful business man and banker. Born in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, forty years ago, Mr. Poole prepared for college at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Penn., which his father had attended before him. He then entered Cornell University, and graduated thence in 1880
with the degree of A. B. Having a strong inclina- tion for the legal profession, he decided to make that his life work ; and after studying with several eminent preceptors, he was admitted to the bar at Syracuse in May, 1889, and opened an office in Ithaca. He advanced rapidly in his profession, and scon attained a high rank at the bar of Tompkins county, where he conducts a general law practice. His professional library is unusually fine, and is of value to young students, a number of whom are at all times registered in his office.
Mr. Poole has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the Democratic party, and he has received several nomi- nations for important offices. He was a candidate in 1889 for special county judge of Tompkins county, in 1893 for delegate to the state constitutional con- vention, and in 1894 for district attor- ney. His party services and his ability in the law were both fittingly recognized by an appointment from Governor Hill in 1889 as special county judge.
Mr. Poole has gained considerable reputation as a writer of taste and abil- ity : and his contributions have appeared in some of the leading periodicals of the country, including the Magazine of American History, the Green Bay, the American University Magasine, Harper's Weekly, the Buffalo Illustrated Express, the Utica Saturday Globe, and the De- troit Free Press. He has published also a " History of Edward Poole of Weymouth, Mass., and His Descend- ants."'
Over a hundred historical and learned societies in the United States and foreign countries number Mr. Poole on their list of mem- bers. Among these may be mentioned the follow- ing : the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the American Historical Association, the New York Historical Society, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Sons of the Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Society of Colonial Wars, the Soci- ety of the War of 1812, the Military Order of For- eign Wars of the United States, the Order of Foun- ders and Patriots of America, the Order of the Old Guard, the American Philological Association, the American Anthors' Guild, the Shakespeare Society of New York, and the New England Society of New York city. Mr. Poole is also a 32d degree Mason ;
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MEN OF NEW YORK- CHEMUNG SECTION
and belongs to the Episcopal church, in whose work he takes an active interest. University ; and his general reputation as a lawyer and citizen is attested by his nomination and election to the office of county judge and surrogate, which he now holds. When first nominated for this office in 1890 he was defeated. In 1896, however, he was again the candidate of the Republican party for was special county judge of Tompkins county in 1889: - the office. This time he was successful, and since
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Murray Ed- ward Poole was born at Centremoreland, Penn., July 17, 185% ; graduated from Cornell University in 1880 ; stu-lied lars, and was admitted to the bar in 1889 : married Eva Zelife of Limestone, N. Y., November 4, 1891 : has practiced law at Ithaca, N. Y., since 1889.
Charles IR. Pratt, county judge and surro- gate of Chemung county, New York, was born in Elmira fifty years ago. He received a mental train- ing unusually broad and thorough, and was thus wel! fitted by education, as well as by natural endow- ments, to take an important place in the community. After spending three years at the Elmim Academy and one year at Union School, Schenec- tady, he entered Union College at the age of eighteen. He remained there three years, but at the end of that time deter- mined to finish his course at Amherst. He accordingly went thither in his senior year, and graduated with the class of 1869.
For a man of Judge Pratt's scholarly tastes, a professional career was the only one to be thought of ; and among the different professions the law appealed to him most strongly. He therefore spent three years after his graduation from col- lege in a law office in Elmira. and in 1872 was admitted to the bar. After a further experience of several years as a lawyer's clerk he formed a partnership in April, 1875, with George E. Pratt, under the style of G. E. & C. R. Pratt, that lasted for about four years. Judge l'ratt then gave up for a short time his professional work, becoming cashier of the Second National Bank of Elmira. Ile filled this position for three years beginning in September. 1879; but commercial life proved less congenial to him than legal work, and at the end of that time he took up again the active practice of the law. For this purpose he associated himself with Herman Joerg in the firm of Pratt & Joerg, which continued until 1894. Since then he has practiced alone.
Judge Pratt's legal career outlined above, has been one of marked success. His deep learning in his profession is evident from the fact of his appoint- ment in 1891 as assistant professor of law at Cornell
January 1, 1897, he has presided over the county court with dignity and ability. In 1894 he served as a member of the state constitutional conven- tion.
Judge Pratt has interested himself largely in the vexed social problems of the day, and has given considerable time and thought to their solution ; and he has delivered lectures on political economy and sociology that show the result of careful study and research. He is a member of the Alpha Delta Phi
CHARLES R. PRATT
college fraternity, and attends the Presbyterian church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -Charles Ran- som Pratt was born at Elmira, N. Y., January 24.
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MEN OF NEW YORK-CHEMUNG SECTION
1847 ; graduated from Amherst College in 1869; studied lar, and was admitted to the bar in 1872 ; married Jane E. Carrier of Elmira April 10, 1879; was a bank cashier, 1879-82 ; was a member of the constitutional convention in 1894, and was elected county judge and surrogate of Chemung county in 1896 ;
V
JAMES H. ROBERTS .
has practiced law at Elmira since 1815 with the excep- tion of three years spent in banking.
Games I. RRoberts, recorder of the city of Binghamton, is a native of the Far West, having been born in California considerably less than forty years ago. His education was begun in the common schools of California, but he was brought East in childhood by his family ; and finished his prepara- tory training at the academy at Windsor, N. Y., and at the Cortland Normal School. He then entered upon a course at Hamilton College, in the class of 1886, remaining at that institution two years. In 1897 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of A. B., nane pro tunc.
His general education completed, Mr. Roberts went at once to Binghamton, and became a clerk in the law office of Chapman & Lyon ; and in November, 1887, he was admitted to the bar at a general term of the Supreme Court held at Syracuse. Forming a partnership with Charles F. O'Brien, under the style of Roberts & O' Brien, he began practice at once in Binghamton. His success from the first was marked and continuous, and he quickly became known as a young lawyer of unusual promise. In 1894, find- ing himself largely occupied with public duties, he withdrew from the partnership with Mr. O' Brien ; and since that time he has conducted his private practice alone.
From the beginning of his professional career Mr. Roberts has taken an active interest in public affairs. Shortly after his admission to the bar he was ap- pointed attorney and secretary to the excise board of Binghamton, and held the position for the next three years. In February, 1894, he was elected recorder of the city, taking office January 1, 1895. Since that time his judicial du- ties have occupied a large share of his time, and have been discharged in a most able and acceptable manner.
Mr. Roberts is prominent in business and social circles in Binghamton, as well as in the legal profession. He possesses a certain practical turn of mind that has caused him to interest himself consider- ably of late years in various industrial enterprises. He has given particular at- tention to the recent developments in the use of electricity and in electrical appli- ances. He is at present a director in the Binghamton General Electric Co .; and acts as attorney for that corporation, and for several other commercial organizations.
Mr. Roberts is a devoted member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the 32d degree : belonging to Blue Lodge, Binghamton Chapter, Malta Commandery, and Otseningo Consistory, all of Binghamton. His clubs are the Binghamton and the Craftsman's of Binghamton, and he attends the First Presbyterian Church. He has membership in the Chi Psi college fraternity, to which he was admitted during his course at Hamilton.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - James 11. Roberts was born at Mt. Pleasant, Cal., June 24. 1869 ; entered Hamilton College, Clinton, V. Y., in the class of 1886 : studied lowe, and was admitted to
i.
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MEN OF NEW YORK- CHEMUNG SECTION
the bar in 1887 ; married Jennie K. Rowland of Sher- burne, N. Y., July 1, 1890; was attorney for the excise board of Binghamton, N. Y., 1888-91 ; has practiced law at Binghamton since 1887, and has been recorder of the city since January 1, 1895.
De jforest Van Vleet, prominent at the bar of Tompkins county, and well known in political circles throughout the state of New York, was born in the town of Fenton, Broome county, about forty years ago. He had the benefit of a thorough edu- cational training, attending successively Waverly Institute, Candor Free Academy, and Cornell Uni- versity. After graduating from Cornell in June, 1877, he took up the study of law, and mastered the essential parts of the subject with such dispatch that he was admitted to the bar June 30, 1880. He was the first college graduate of New York state to be admitted under the rule allow- ing such graduates access to the bar after two years' study. Beginning the prac- tice of his profession at Ithaca in 1881, he soon attained high rank among the members of the local bar. He has prac- ticed during most of the time without partnership assistance, but was associated with Edward H. Bostwick from February 1, 1894, until December 31, 1896.
From the very beginning of his profes- sional career Mr. Van Vleet has taken a deep interest in political affairs. For about ten years he was chairman of the Democratic county committee, and at various times was a member of the state executive and advisory committees. In every campaign since 1880, except that of 1896, he has taken an active part both on the stump and in the counsels of the party leaders. He was nominated for the assembly in the fall of 1888, but was not elected. He served as city attorney of Ithaca for four terms, and was the first recorder of the city to receive the office by appointment. He has been an earn- est supporter of the cause of civil-ser- vice reform, and was appropriately ap- pointed by Governor Flower one of the civil-service commissioners of the state of New York.
In the social life of Ithaca and its vicin - ity Mr. Van Vleet has enjoyed a position consistent with his prominence in professional and in public life. He is an Odd Fellow, and also a Mason, having ad- vanced in the order of Masonry as far as the Templar
degree. He is a member of the Chi Psi college fra ternity, and belongs to various social clubs. Ile has membership in the Holland Society of New York city, thereby evincing his interest in the sturdy race from which he is descended.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- De Forest Van Vleet was born at Fenton, N. Y., August 10, 1857 ; graduated from Cornell University in 18TT; was admitted to the bar in 1880 ; married Ada Belle Lacey of Dryden, N. Y., October 19, 1881 ; was city attorney of Ithaca, N. Y., 1882-85 and 1890 -- 91, and recorder of the city, 1888-80 ; was a state civil-service commissioner, 1893-95 ; has practiced late in Ithaco since 1881.
Edward B. Doumans, prominent at the bar of Elmira, where he has practiced for a quarter of a
DE FOREST VAN FLEET
century, and known throughout Chemung and adjoin- ing counties alike in legal and professional circles, was born in Otsego county, New York, about sixty years ago. After attending the district schools. of
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MMEN OF NEW YORK-CHEMUNG SECTION
his native town, at the age of fourteen he became a pupil in the Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin, Delaware county, from which he graduated four years later. He next spent several years as a teacher ; and afterward, having determined to become a law-
EDWARD B. YOUMINS
yer, he entered the office of his brother William at Delhi, N. Y., as a student and clerk.
Admitted to the bar at Binghamton in May, 1865. Mr. Youmans at once formed a partnership with his brother in Delhi, and began the practice of his pro- fession. A few years later he opened an office alone in Otego, his native place, whence he moved on January 1, 1872, to Elmira. The change from a country town of one or two thousand inhabitants to a city like Elmira constitutes an excellent test of a man's real powers. If he has the necessary ability, the enlarged opportunities will bring him increased success ; but many a man who has gained some local reputation in a village is left hopelessly behind in the keener competition of a city. Mr. Youmans, as the event proved, made no mistake in sceking a
wider field of professional activity. Beginning in Elmira alone, he soon made a place for himself there, and acquired an excellent practice. Finding the need of assistance in his professional work, he formed a partnership with Erwin J. Baldwin, who had been a student in his office. Mr. Baldwin re- tired from the firm after a few years, and in 1880 Roswell R. Moss joined Mr. Youmans as a partner in the firm of You- mans & Moss. This association has con- tinued ever since ; and from 1884 to 1891 the firm was still further strength. ened by the addition of Charles II. Knipp, formerly a student in their office, and since 1892 the able district attorney of Chemung county.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Youmans has long been closely identified with his party. Ile stands high in its counsels. and has served as chairman of the Che- mung-county committee. For several years he was chosen by popular election to represent his district on the Elmira board of education, and served as the secretary of the board. Owing, perhaps, to his early experience as a teacher, he has always taken special interest in the cause of education, and has done good work in connection with the public schools of his adopted city. During President Cleveland's first administration Mr. Youmans held the important post of chief clerk of the treasury department at Washington, and made his home in that city from 1885 to 1890.
Mr. Youmans has interested himself in various manufacturing enterprises of late years, and has held office in several such corporations. He is prominent in the social life of Elmira, where he has membership in the City Club and the Century Club. He belongs, also, to the Winnisook Club, whose members have a beauti- ful summer camp in the Catskills ; and to the Army and Navy Club of Washington. He is a Mason, and attends Trinity Episcopal Church, Elmira.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Edward B. Youmans was born at Otego. N. Y., May 15, 1836 : was elucated at Delaware Literary Institute : taught school and studied low, and was admitted to the bar May 11, 1865 : married Louise Torner of Elmira. N. Y., February 25, 1868 : practiced lais at Delhi und Olego, N. Y., 1865-11: was chief clerk of the treasury department at Washington, D. C .. 1885-90 ; has practiced law at Elmira since January 1, 1ST ?.
MEN OF NEW YORK -CHEMUNG SECTION
George JS. Bradley is a justice of the Su- preme Court for the 7th judicial district, having been elected in 1883. For about four years, from January 1, 1889, he was on the bench of the second division of the Court of Appeals, which was created, pursuant to a provision of the constitution, to clear up the retarded and congested business of the regular court. During this long service Judge Bradley has passed on many im- portant legal and constitutional questions. His bearing on the bench is dignified, and he is admired and respected by both lawyers and litigants for his extreme courtesy, fairness, and deep knowledge of the law.
Mr. Bradley was a country boy, having been born in Chenango county some seventy years ago. He attended the country schools, and studied law in country offices. He was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-three, and began to practice immediately at Addison, Steuben county. This did not prove to be a good field, and he soon moved to the neighboring town of Woodhull, re- maining there until 1852, when he settled in Corning. Two years thereafter he formed a partnership with D. F. Brown under the firm name of Bradley & Brown. Later he associated himself with A. S. Kendall ; and the firm of Bradley & Kendall continued until Mr. Bradley's election to the bench.
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Judge Bradley began to take an active interest in politics soon after he moved to Corning. When he had lived there only six years, and was but thirty-three years old, he received. the Democratic nomination for congress in the 28th dis- trict, consisting then of Steuben and Livingston counties. The Republican party was young at that time, but this was old Whig territory, and the Re- publican candidate opposed to Mr. Bradley was naturally elected.
In 1873 Mr. Bradley was elected to the state senate, in which he served two terms, taking high rank among the members and having important com- mittee assignments. Shortly after his retirement from the senate he was placed in nomination by the Democratic party for a judgeship of the Court of Appeals. The Republican candidate, George F. Danforth, was elected, receiving 391,112 votes against 356,451 for Mr. Bradley. From this time (1878) Mr. Bradley continued to practice his
profession at Corning, until he was called to the bench of the Supreme Court in 1883.
Judge Bradley was particularly well fitted for the bench ; for, besides having been in active practice at the bar for thirty-five years, he had taken part in revising the state constitution. The work of the
GEORGE B. BRADLEY
constitutional convention of 1867-68 was not ap- proved by the people, and in 1872 the legislature authorized the appointment of a constitutional com- mission to institute needed reforms in the fundamental law. This commission consisted of thirty-two emi- nent citizens selected equally, four from each judicial district, from the two great political parties. Gov- ernor Hoffman appointed Mr. Bradley one of the commissioners from the 7th district. There were many notable men in the commission, including John D. Van Buren, John J. Townsend, Erastus Brooks, Benjamin D. Silliman, Francis Kernan, David Rum- sey, and Sherman S. Rogers. One of the import- ant changes which Judge Bradley had a hand in framing was that striking from the constitution. all
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