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 27
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reference to persons of color in the qualifications of voters, thus making the New York constitution con- sistent with that of the United States in this regard.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- George Beckwith Bradley was born at Greene, Chenango county, N. Y., February 5, 1825; was educated in
WILL. R. COMPTON
common schools and Ithaca ( N. Y.) Academy : was admitted to the bar in 1848 ; married Hannah E. Lattimer of Woodhull, N. Y., July 11, 1850 ; moved to Corning, N. Y., in 1852 : was nominated for con- gress in 1858, and for judge of the Court of Appeals in 1878 : was elected state senator in 1813 and in 1875 ; was elected justice of the Supreme Court in 1883 ; was judge of the second division of the Court of Appeals; 1880-92.
Will RR. Compton is one of the rising poli- ticians and business men of the Southern Tier. He has been chairman of the executive committee of the Chemung-county Republican committee for eight years. He is a frequent delegate to state, senatorial,
and congressional conventions. He has been for six years a member of the executive committee of the state leagne of Republican clubs. He is an orator of no mean ability, and has been in great demand as a stump speaker in every campaign of recent years. He has also delivered numerous orations at observances of Fourth of July, Decoration Day, and similar occasions. His services to his party in the presidential campaign of 1888, and his high qualifications for the place, led to his appointment, soon after the inauguration of President Har- rison, as chief examiner in the office of the auditor of the treasury for the post- office department at Washington. lle performed the duties of this office with energy and ability for two years, and then resigned to enter the real-estate business at Elmira, N. Y. For this pur- pose he formed a partnership with Charles F. Hurlbut. The venture met with the success that has attended all of Mr. Compton's undertakings, and the firm of Compton & Hurlbut is now well and favorably known throughout the Southern Tier. In 1892 Mr. Compton was pre- sented by the Chemung-county delegates, at a convention held in Corning, as their candidate for representative in congress for the 29th district. He was ably sup- ported, but the nomination went to Charles W. Gillett of Addison. Mr. Compton, however, is still young, full of ambition, and possessed of great popular- ity ; and his prospects for the future are all the brighter for that candidacy, even though it was unsuccessful.
Mr. Compton is a self-made man. He attended the common schools until he was ten years old. By that time his-services at home had become too valuable to admit of his going to school except in the winter. At thirteen he entered the Spencer Academy at Spencer, Tioga county, N. Y., which he attended two terms. That was the extent of his schooling. He continued to study by himself, however, after his daily work was finished : and he is now a well-read, cultured man, taking special pride in the collection and possession of a good library.
Until he was sixteen years old Mr. Compton worked on a farm. Then he was made a clerk in the Watkins ( N. Y. ) post office, where he remained 'two years. He left that place to attend a business college at Meadville, Penn. After completing the
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course there he was made a clerk in the Meadville post office, holding the position two years. He then went West, and worked on a farm in Illinois during the summer of 1880. Returning to the East, he secured a position with the United States Express Co. at Meadville, but soon gave up this work to en- page in the manufacture of cigars, in partnership with his brother at Sullivanville. The business proved distasteful, and he became a traveling sales- man, continuing this occupation until his appoint- nient as chief examiner in the postal service.
Mr. Compton is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of the Southern Light Lodge of Master Masons, and of the order of Elks. He has written more or less for the newspapers, acting as regular correspondent of the Cedar Rapids ( Iowa) Daily Republican while in Washington, and writing letters of travel for that paper and for the Elmira Advertiser. About four years ago Mr. Compton built for himself a beautiful suburban home in Elmira.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- William R. Compton was born at Sullivan- ville, Chemung county, N. Y., April 8, 1860 ; was educated in the district school and Spencer ( N. Y.) Academy ; married Alice Forshee of Watkins, N. Y., June 8, 1881 ; engaged in the manufacture of cigars at Sullivanville in 1881; was appointed chief examiner in the post office department at Washington in 1889; has comlucted a real-estate business in Elmira, N. Y., since 1891.
Seymour Derter has achieved an honorable reputation as a lawyer, a judge, and a financier. His career has been that of the American boy favored with few opportunities, but endowed with a resolute will and noble aspirations. From a country lad he has become one of Elmira's conspicuous citizens, foremost in its business, social, and religious life.
Mr. Dexter is a native of the Empire State, and traces his ancestry to the Rev. Gregory Dexter, who came over to the Providence Plantation with Roger Wil- liams. After attending district schools, young Dexter entered Alfred Academy, and was there fitted to enter Alfred Uni- versity. He was a student in the latter institution at the time of the firing on Fort Sumter. That event stirred his youthful patriotism, and he laid aside his books, to enlist as a private in company K, ;
23d New York volunteers. He gave two full years to the service of his country, and after he was mustered out, resumed his college work and graduated in 1864.
His residence in Elmira began in the fall of that year, when he entered the law office of James L. Wood, pursuing his legal studies there till admitted to the bar. After spending a year as managing clerk in a law office, he formed a partnership with Robert T. Turner, to which E. C. Van Duzer was sub- sequently admitted. The firm of Turner, Dexter & Van Duzer soon commanded a lucrative practice, and won a high reputation in legal circles. The popularity and ability of Mr. Dexter led to his ap- pointment, in the spring of 1872, as city attorney. In the fall of the same year he was elected a member of the assembly by the Republican party, with which he has always been affiliated. He was the only
SEYMOUR DEXTER
Republican elected from Chemung county during a period of sixteen years. Mr. Dexter had now gained both the esteem of the bar and the confidence of the people, as was further evidenced by his
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election as county judge, for two terms of six years each. He performed the duties of this position to the satisfaction of all, winning new fame for his dili- gence, learning, and uprightness. In 1889, before the expiration of his second term, Judge Dexter re- signed from the bench to become president and active manager of the Second National Bank, Elmira, a position of trust and responsibility that he still oc- cupies. His retirement from the bench was made the occasion of a banquet in his honor by his profes- sional brethren, at which resolutions were passed testifying to his standing as a lawyer and a judge.
In the field of banking and finance Mr. Dexter has also distinguished himself. IIis management of the affairs of the Second National Bank has been marked by prudence and firmness. This was not, however, his first experience in the management of financial institutions, for he had been president of the Chemung Valley Mutual Loan Association since its organization in 1875. In the administration of that institution he developed a deep interest in the theory and practice of this form of co-operation, and the results of his studies were given to the public in a volume on co-operative savings and loan associations published by the Appletons in 1889. This book has had great influence in the spread of these associations on a sound basis throughout the United States. On the formation of the New York State League of Co- operative Savings and Building Loan Associations, Judge Dexter was chosen a vice president : and he was elected president in 1890 and 1891. He was the leading spirit in the organization of the United States League of Local Building and Loan Associations, and was president for two years. He had the further distinction of proposing the motto of the League : " The American Home the Safeguard of American Liberties.'
Judge Dexter is a thorough student of political and social science, and has read papers before the American Economic Association and the American Social Science Association. His address before the latter society on "Compulsory Arbitration " re- ceived the hearty approval of men competent to judge the value of its arguments. To extensive learning and deep thinking he adds an eloquent and forcible style, and carries conviction by his logic and sincerity.
Mr. Dexter is a member of the Park Church in Elmira and an active worker in its Sunday school. He is a charter member of Baldwin Post, G. A. R., has been judge advocate of the state department. and is still prominent in the organization.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Seymour Dexter was born at Independence, N. Y., March 20, 184,1 : served in the Union army, 1861-633 ; graduated
at Alfred University in 1863 ; studied law at Elmira, and was admitted to the bar in 1866 : married Elenor E. Weaver of Leonardsville, N. Y., June 17, 1868 ; was city attorney of Elmira in 1872, mem- ber of state assembly in 1873, and judge of the County Court of Chemung county, 1878-89: has been pres- ident of the Second National Bank of Elmira since 1889.
3. 5. ffassett needs no introduction to readers of contemporary New York history. His name is inseparably associated with most of the leading events in the legislation and politics of the Empire State for a score of years. At an unusually early age he became an influential factor in the Republican party, and through it has been an active force in both state and national politics. In all these years Mr. Fassett has been a party leader ; not a " boss," however, nor anybody's " man." He has been a partisan, but only because of his profound convic- tion of the virtue and mission of his party. He is classed with the Republican leaders of the state who stand highest in the esteem of all reputable citizens, New York city in particular, and the state in general, owe Mr. Fassett a debt of gratitude for his fearless and patriotic exposure of Tammany corruption in 1889 and afterward. His efforts did not result immedi- ately in reform - the times were not then ripe for that - but they paved the way for the later investi- gation and consequent purification of municipal government in New York.
Mr. Fassett was born in Elmira, N. Y., where his father was a leading member of the bar. He had all the advantages and opportunities that comfortable means and a cultured home could give, and he made full and proper use of them. Ile was not spoiled by his surroundings, as are many young men born in the midst of plenty : but he was strengthened in mind and character by the circumstances and environment in which he grew to manhood.
At five years of age his school days began. He was sent to a private school for a year, and then wisely transferred to the public schools. He passed through the various grades, and in time entered the famous Elmira Free Academy, from which he gradu- ated in 1871. Ile then matriculated at the Univer- sity of Rochester, took the full classical course, and received the degree of A. B. in his twenty-second year. He next took up the study of law in the office of Smith, Robertson & Fassett, his father's firm. After three years' study he was admitted to the bar as an attorney, and became a counselor the year fol- lowing, the courts in those days making a distinction between the two.
MEN OF NEW YORK- CHEMUNG SECTION
Mr. Fassett's rise at the bar was rapid, as his success was brilliant and substantial. To natural abilities had been added careful educational train- ing such as few young men receive. He was studious in his habits, careful and thorough in his preparation of cases, clear and forceful in their presentation before courts and juries. He was ap- pointed district attorney by Governor Robinson, and performed the duties of that office during his first year of practice. His brilliant political career began with his election to the state senate in 1883, when he was thirty years of age. He represented the old 27th district, com- posed of Allegany, Chemung, and Steuben counties, for four successive terms. As a senator Mr. Fassett made one of the most enviable records in that body in recent years. He was the leader of his party on the floor, and proved himself an able de- bater, a skillful parliamentarian, and a statesmanlike legislator.
At the close of his term in the senate Mr. Fassett was appointed by President Harrison collector of the port of New York. He had discharged the duties of that responsible position only a month when the Republican state convention met, and he was enthusiastically nomi- nated for governor. Seeing his duty clearly, Mr. Fassett resigned the lucrative · office of collector to become the standard bearer of his party. His ready sacrifice and unflinching loyalty won the admira- tion of all men, and though the party inet defeat at the polls, the campaign will ever be remembered, so far as Mr. Fassett is concerned, as one of the most magnif- icent in the history of the Republican party. His reputation spread beyond the borders of the state, and in the Republican national conven- tion of 1892, held in Minneapolis, Mr. Fassett was chosen temporary chairman. Of late years he has been prominent in journalism, owning and managing the Elmira Daily Advertiser.
Mr. Fassett's activity has been marked in many directions. He has been vice president of the Second National Bank of Elmira for five years. He is interested in the development of various enter- prises in New Mexico, and is president of the Bank of Deming, and of the Old & New Mexico Ranch & Cattle Co., situated in that territory. He is a trus- tee of the Rochester University, Elmira College, and Cook Academy at Havana, N. Y. He is a
member of numerous chibs and associations, incluid- ing the Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Delta Phi, the University Club of New York, and the Union League. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Elmira, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
J. S. FASSETT
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Jacob Sloat Fassett was born at Elmira, N. Y., November 13, 1853 ; was educated in public schools and Elmira Free Academy, and graduated from the University of Roch- ester in 1875 ; was admitted to the bar in 1878 : married Jennie Louise Crocker of Sacramento, Cal .. February 13, 1879: was district attorney, 1879-80, state senator, 1884-91, and collector of the port of New York in 1891 ; was Republican candidate for governor of New York state in 1891, and temporary chairman of the Republican national convention, held in Minneapolis in 1892.
tb. AD. hibbard had the immense advantage of birth and bringing up in a college town. This
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is not saying that he would have filled a smaller place in the world if he had not happened to live in such a town ; but his residence there gave him opportunities for education which many another young man would sacrifice much to obtain, and which Mr. Hibbard had the capacity to improve to
H. M. HIBBARD
the utmost. Born in Ithaca forty-odd years ago, he completed his preparatory education two years after Cornell University was first opened to students. He was able, therefore, to enter the university in one of the earliest classes, and had the special advantage of living at home while pursuing his studies. The Cornell of that day was not the great institution that it has since become; but it was in the hands of the men who have made it a great institution, and some of the most notable edu- cators ever connected with it were then giving to the college an amount of energy and time that would not now be thought necessary from any of the officers. Moreover, the small number of students made it possible for the professors to give to each a
degree of personal attention that would not have been possible in any of the older and more firmly established colleges. In accordance with the ideas of its founder, Cornell at that time was a technical as well as a classical college. The excellent course in civil engineering, which has brought so much fame to the institution, was then established ; and Mr. Hibbard entered upon this course when somewhat less than seventeen years old. The youngest age at which any stu- dent is allowed to enter is sixteen. Mr. Hibbard graduated with honors, and at once began the practice of the profession that he had thus mastered. For six years he was engaged in railroad work. After that he became treasurer of the Autophone Company for the manufacture of musical instruments, and still holds that position.
Mr. Hibbard's talents as an engineer have been turned to excellent account by his fellow-citizens, and have been freely employed in the improvement of his native city. He was elected city super- visor in 1888, and in that position was able to accomplish much in the way of public improvements. Later he became secretary and treasurer of the board of sewer commissioners. Ithaca is located on low ground on the shores of a lake with a scarcely perceptible current and with hills on all sides, and the sewerage of the city has always presented a very difficult problem. The final and success- ful accomplishment of the task reflects no little credit on the men who had a hand in it. Mr. Hibbard was also a member of the commission that framed the initial city charter of Ithaca.
Socially Mr. Hibbard fills an important place in the cultured life happily characteristic of a small college town. He is a member of both the Ithaca and the City clubs, and of the Town and Gown Club, an organization that aims to draw to- gether the society of the campus and of the city. He belongs, also, to the Protective Police, and to the order of the Knights of Pythias.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Horace Mack Hibbard was born at Ithaca, N. Y., November 29. 18533 : was educated in private schools, Ithaca Academy. and Cornell University, graduating from the latter institution in 1874 : followed the profession of civil engineer from 1874 to 1880 ; was city supervisor in 1888 ; has been treasurer of the Autophone Company. Ithaca, since 1880.
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henry B. hinckley has had a notable career as a citizen and a business man. He gave his coun- try the highest service that a man can render -the offer of his life, at a time when the life of the nation could be saved only by the sacrifice of her best and noblest citizens. The fact that fate spared him was due to no hesitation on his part in meeting the dangers that fall to the lot of a soldier. Since the war the greater part of his time has been spent in the banking business, and he has gradually won his way to a high place among the bankers of central New York.
Mr. Hinckley was a Massachusetts boy, born in the famous Berkshire region, which has been the home, permanent or temporary, of so many men of high repute, and the beauty of which is celebrated throughout the world. His education was obtained at Williams Academy, one of the well- known New England preparatory schools that draw students from all parts of the country. At the age of seventeen he entered business life as a clerk in a store at Stockbridge, Mass., afterward moving to Fulton, N. Y., where he was employed in the same capacity when the war broke out.
Of the volunteer soldiers of that day, there were some who rushed off at the first call, burning with patriotism but sharing the idea then prevalent, even in high government circles, that the whole · trouble would be over in a few months, and that they were really going on a little pleasure trip. Many of these lost heart when they saw the seriousness of the work they had to do, and returned home at the expiration of their first enlist? ment. A larger number, perhaps, grew more determined as the difficulties in- creased, and stayed to see the war through - or to die. They were gallant men all. But there was another class of volunteers, who, clinging to the charms of peaceful business life so long as the idea prevailed that the war would be short, went to the aid of their country only after it had become apparent that the struggle was for the very existence of the nation, and that no man could prophesy the end. Mr. Hinckley was one of these latter. He enlisted in August, 1862. Note the significance of the date. It was just after the Peninsular campaign had ended in disaster and failure, just when the rebel army was sweeping up
toward Washington to encounter Pope in the second battle of Bull Run. It was the darkest hour that the nation had yet seen. With all due appreciation of the earlier and of the later volunteers, it may be said that the men who enlisted in August, 1862, showed the very highest type of patriotism. Nor was Mr. Hinckley attracted by the promise of rank, since he entered the service as a private. He was mustered out, after having obtained the rank of captain, in February, 1866, and every grade that he won was a reward for duty well performed. He was connected most of the time with the 19th army corps, serving in the Department of the Gulf.
On returning to civil life Mr. Hinckley engaged in business as a railroad contractor. After a number of years, he entered the bank of Henry D. Barto & Co. of Trumansburgh, N. Y., as cashier, and afterward
HENRY L. HINCKLEY
attained the position of president. The success that he achieved here won for him, in a few years, a call to a larger field : as he was appointed, in 1881. cashier of the Tompkins County National Bank at Ithaca, N. Y.
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He has held this position ever since, discharging its trying duties with signal success. Mr. Hinckley is a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and of the Masonic fraternity.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- Henry Lester Hinckley was born at Stockbridge, Mass., February
CHARLES H. KNIPP
10, 1841 ; was educated at Williams Academy, Stock- bridge : enlisted in the Union army in August, 1862, and served until the end of the war ; engaged in rail- road contracting, 1866-74 ; was bank cashier and president at Trumansburgh, N. Y., 1874-81 ; married Helen Mary Noble of Trumansburgh December 12. 1883; has been cashier of the Tompkins County National Bank, Ithaca, N. Y., since 1881.
Charles f. IRnipp is now serving his second consecutive terin as district attorney of Chemung county. This fact becomes profoundly suggestive of his popularity and ability when it is remero- bered that he is an ardent Republican, and that Chemung is naturally a strong Democratie county.
At his first election he received the narrow plurality of 197, thus becoming the first Republican to hold the office in that county in fifteen years. During his term there fell to his charge a large amount of important work, which was performed with a skill and thoroughness that won the commendation of political foes as well as friends. He dis- posed of 118 cases, and secured 107 con- victions. The most important case falling to him was the trial of Martin V. Strait for the murder of his wife. This case attracted general attention throughout the state, and resulted in the conviction of the accused. Mr. Knipp had the special honor of receiving the thanks by resolution of a grand jury for his fairness and courtesy in conducting cases brought before them, the jury declaring : "His conception of the duties of his office is not based on the idea of securing a prose- cution or an indictment at any hazard, but rather of obtaining justice towards possible innocent parties, and of protect- / ing the people from useless and costly trials." Mr. Knipp's record received so hearty approval from the voters that when he was renominated, although he was opposed by Erastus F. Babcock, acknowl- edged to be one of the best lawyers in the county, he was re-elected by a plurality of 585.
Mr. Knipp's rise in life has been achieved by his own unaided efforts. His parents were German immigrants, who settled first at Syracuse and after- ward at Corning, where Mr. Knipp was born. As a boy he lived on a farm in the town of Caton, Steuben county, and at- tended the country schools. When he became old enough, he entered the Corning Free Academy, and afterward took a course in a business college in Elmira. He had determined, however, to make law his profession, and he followed the occupation of a bookkeeper only as a means of carning money with which to complete his studies. When twenty-two years old he entered the law office of E. B. Youmans of Elmira, where he remained two years. He then entered the Albany Law School, from which he obtained his degree. He was ad- mitted to practice at once, and was taken into part- nership with E. B. Youmans and R. R. Moss, a connection that lasted eight years. Then he formed a partnership with H. M. Clarke, which continued till Mr. Knipp was elected district attorney. Meanwhile
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