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 41
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Mr. Humphrey's political record is a long and an honorable one. A Whig so long as that party lasted, he was ever afterwards a zealous Republican. He served his town as supervisor and as postmaster for a number of years. In 1850, when but thirty-three years of age, he was elected to the state assembly, and was re-elected the following year. During bis second term he was chairman of the committee on railroads, and reported the bill for consolidating the Central road. Fourteen years later, having returned to Wyoming county after his sojourn in the West, he was elected to represent the 13th district, consisting of Wyoming, Livings- ton, and Allegany counties, in the state senate, and was re-elected two years later. Though not a speech-making member, Mr. Humphrey was recognized as one of the most able men in the senate. He was chairman of the committee on roads and bridges. and a member of the committees on internal affairs, printing, finances, and banks. For thirty years he was a member of the Wyoming-county Republican committee, and for twenty years its chairman. During the last twenty years of his life he was a delegate to more than half the Republican state conventions ; and he was a delegate to the Repub- lican national conventions in 1876 and 1880. For firmness of purpose, political sagacity, unerring judgment, and strict integrity, Mr. Humphrey had few equals in public life.
.In addition to his business and political cares Mr. Humphrey found many an opportunity to help the needy and the afflicted. The wealth that he had
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accumulated was freely used for the good of others. He was a generous supporter of the Congregational church, of which he was for twenty years a trustee.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Wolcott Julius Humphrey was born at Canton, Conn., November 11, 1817; was educated in common schools ; engaged in mercantile business in Wyoming county, N. Y., and at Bloomington, Ill., 1840-64, and in the tanning business at Warsaw, N. Y., 1864-69; married Amanda B. Martindale of Dorset, Vt., March 30, 1841, and Hannah Adams of Parma, N. Y., july 8, 1874; was president of the Wyoming County National Bank of Warsaw, 1871-90; died at Warsow Jan- vary 19, 1890.
Clark TQ. burd was one of the pioneers of Erie county. The place was a wilderness when he first went to it; but he lived to see the country develop into a thickly settled district, dotted with flourishing farms and inhabited by progressive and wide- awake people. When Mr. Hurd as a young man left his native place in Con- necticut, Buffalo was a mere village, and the surrounding country was largely an unbroken forest. The few inhabitants disputed possession with the Indians and the wild beasts, and the comforts of life as known to-day were wholly lacking. Western New York was then the Far West, and none but the plucky and the hardy thought of leaving their eastern homes to struggle with nature for a livelihood. But Clark W. Hurd had just the qualities essential to success under such conditions.
Mr. Hurd first settled in what is now Town Line station on the Frie railroad, about ten miles east of Buffalo ; but he soon took up his abode at a spot that has since become the pretty village of Elma. There he lived for nearly three quarters of a century, and there he died in the fullness of years, honored and respected by all his neighbors. Of his early struggles in the forest with floods and drifting snows, with Indians and wild beasts, he often told thrilling stories to those who gathered about his hospitable fireside in the later years of his life. They were stories of which neither he nor his hearers ever grew tired. While many settlers in the "Holland Purchase" gave their attention to farming, and cleared away the forest for the purpose of planting crops and making pasturage for their cattle,
Mi. Hurd saw great possibilities in utilizing for busi- ness purposes the timber that everywhere covered the ground. He therefore embarked in the lumber busi- ness, and gave his attention thereto for many years. When the Buffalo Creek Indian reservation was thrown open to settlers, he bought large tracts of land, and proceeded to clear them. In connection with his partner, Joseph B. Briggs, he established a chain of sawmills along Big Buffalo creck, and the firm of Hurd & Briggs soon became known as the leading lumber concern of the section. Both partners were resolute. persistent, and enterprising, and their business grew and prospered accordingly. Their headquarters were established at what is now Elma, but what in early years was known as the Hurd & Briggs settlement. Slowly the forest fell away, settlers came in, build- ings arose, gardens and farms spread out, churches
CLARK W. HURD
and schools were established, and wealth was accu- mulated : and so, in the course of time, the rough settlement of the frontiersmen became the thriving. happy village community of to-day.
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Throughout this evolution Mr. Hurd was a fore- most figure. He took the ntmost delight in the growth of the settlement where he had been almost the first comer, and was ever ready to do all that lay in his power to further its best interests. He was thoroughly alive to the necessity of providing means
DANIEL MCMILLAN
for religious, social, and intellectual progress, and was a liberal contributor to all these objects. The closing years of his life were spent in a comfort that he delighted to share with others, and no more hos- pitable home could be found in the whole of western New York than his.
Mr. Hurd was a strong Whig, and he joined the Republicans on their organization, believing heart and soul in their principles. During the war he was an ardent Union man, and gave one son to the cause of freedom for the slave and unity for the country. Mr. Hurd had a large family, and four of his sons are to-day among the leading business men of Buffalo. They have followed in the footsteps of their father, and are all engaged in the lumber business.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Clark Weed Hurd was born ai Roxbury, Conn., September li, 1806 ; went to western New York in 1821, and en- gaged in the lumber business ; married Dulcena E. Clark of Halifax, Conn., in 1836 ; died at Elma, Erie county, N. Y., January 6, 1894.
Daniel Menbillan suggests in his life and character the prophet's words : " As rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."
Scotland bred his father at a time when Covenanteis and Puritan were made - men of iron consciences hammered out upon the anvil of adversity. The noble characteristics of a sterling ancestry were transmitted and indelibly stamped upon the son. He was a man of deep religious conviction, an exacting conscience, stern probity, and indomitable will. No one could fairly say of him that he ever countenanced or did an unjust act. He loved truth and disdained wrong. The stricken-hearted found in him a friend, and the needy a helping hand. His heart, when moved by sympathy, was as tender as a woman's ; but when duty called him, he was fearless. He had an eye and an iron nerve that few men could withstand, whenever he was moved to action in any matter.
Large-hearted and fearless, he was fore- most among the few men who first openly stood up against the field of opposition to the freedom of the slaves. He organ- ized the anti-slavery reformers in the Genesee valley, in the face of an oppo- sition that burned the buildings in which they met above their heads. Smooth- shaven until Sumter was fired upon, he permitted no razor to touch his face until every slave was free ; and ever after he wore his beard as the white badge of freedom.
His father, John McMillan, came from Perthshire, Scotland, during the latter part of the last century. and settled in the Mohawk valley at Johnstown. He had three sons, Duncan, Hugh, and Daniel : and as the two eldest came to manhood, they chafed within the narrow limits of their first home and longed for the freedom of a wider range. The fame of the valley of the Genesee had reached them, and in 1812 the family moved into their forest home and settled at York, on the western slope of what came to be to them the most beautiful of all the fertile valleys of
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this or any other country. The first journey from Johnstown to this frontier home was made in eleven days. Ten years later the trip was made by carriage over the new state road in five days. The last visit made by Mr. McMillan to his birthplace was during his ninetieth year, when the run was made from Buffalo to Fonda, a distance of 251 miles, by the " Empire State Express " in five hours.
Daniel was the youngest son. He attended school at Caledonia, and at one time planned to take up the study of medicine; but in 1828 he married Margaret, daughter of Malcolm McNaughton, and settled on a portion of the tract taken up by his father. In this same year he associated with others, and founded the Reformed Presbyterian Congrega- tion of York, of which for more than sixty years he was a ruling elder. He was active in the presbyteries, and as late as his nine- tieth year he was a delegate to the synods of the Reformed church.
Born two years after the death of Washington, he lacked less than seven years of spanning the entire century. His first vote was cast for General Jack- son in 1824, and he lived under every President except two. He knew Red Jacket, and sat with him and talked with him about the camp fires seventy years ago, in the forests both cast and west of the Genesee. He was fond of social companionship, and had marked conver- sational powers. He was a sincere lover of nature, and traveled over parts of Europe and much of our own country.
Although his physical strength was depleted, his intellectual vigor continued with him to the end. His life was noble, his death was peaceful : God touched him as he sat with his children and grandchildren, and he passed to rest.
As he sleeps in the quiet old church- yard at York, the beautiful words of his namesake and kinsman seem most appro- priate :
" The wind among the gravestones softly creeping, Breathes in low sighs the grief it fears to tell. The clouds in sable garb bend over him weeping. Sent by the hand of Him he loved so well."
Of his ten children seven lived to maturity, but none survive him save his son, Daniel H. McMillan of Buffalo, and Mrs. John Ackroyd West of Peoria, Ill. His sons, Malcolm M. and Duncan A., died in Boonville, Mo., in 1880; John D. died in early manhood in 1854 :
Anna F., wife of A. F. Mckean of York, died in 1871, and Mary C., wife of John B. Hamilton of Rush, died in 1876.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Daniel Me- Millan was born at Johnstown, A. Y., October 25, 1801 : attended school at Caledonia, N. Y .; marric.l Margaret McNaughton of Caledonia in 1828 ; lived at York:, Livingston county, N. Y., from 1812 until his death March 12, 1895.
Richard D. Marvin had a great and an active career, extending beyond the period usually allotted to human life. Up to the age of nineteen he worked on a farm in Tompkins county, New York, where he acquired strength and inspiration to fit him for the duties and responsibilities that were to fall to his lot
RICHARD P. MARTIN
in succeeding years. After his graduation at the common and select schools, he taught a district school, to obtain money to complete his legal educa- tion. He was for a time a law student in the office
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of Mark H. Sibley, the great advocate before juries ; and we may well believe that many of the graces that clustered around the speech of Mr. Marvin came from his contact with a man who was master of all the powers of oratory. In May, 1829, Mr. Marvin was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court and Court of Chancery of the state of New York ; and ten years later, on the motion of Daniel Webster, he was admitted as an attorney and counselor in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mr. Marvin went to Jamestown, N. Y., to com- mence his professional life in June, 1829, when that settlement numbered but a few hundred people ; but among them were such men as Judge Foote, Judge Hazeltine, Henry Baker, the Prendergasts, and others equally able. Most of the houses were log cabins beneath the shadows of the great pine trees. The region was practically a lumbering camp, and the waters of the outlet of Chautauqua lake had but just begun to turn the wheels for the most primitive man- ufacturing. The community extended to Mr. Marvin a cordial welcome, and from the first he took the lead- ership of this gathering of heroic men and women.
In 1835 Mr. Marvin was elected to the legislature, where he became the chief advocate of the Erie rail- road, foreseeing, with the wisdom of a statesman, the imperative need of such means of communica- tion. In 1836 he was elected a member of congress, holding office for two terms. He was an ardent friend of Henry Clay. He made many able speeches on the different topics that came before congress, and exercised a wide influence over the deliberations of that body. In 1846 he was a delegate to the state constitutional convention, and took an active and a conspicuous part in the change made in the judiciary system. By this change four justices of the Supreme Court were to be chosen in each of the eight judicial districts, and at the judicial con- vention held in Buffalo in 1847, Mr. Marvin was first nominated by a unanimous vote. It may be truly said that he then ranked among the foremost citizens of western New York. That region has sent out governors, cabinet ministers, senators, and presidents, but no more faithful public servant, and no man more worthy of high positions, than Judge Marvin. He held the office of judge for twenty-four years, leaving in his opinions an enduring monument to his purity, learning, and ability. One of his associates on the bench says of him :
". Judge Marvin's public career was most distinguished in his judicial service, for which he possessed natural gifts, and to the discharge of whose arduous duties he industriously and zealously applied the energies and resources of his strong and active mind. His influence has been fel and acknowledged by the bar, and recognized by all who are interested in the faithful and ingpartial
administration of justice, and in the maintenance of the dignity and learning of the bench."
Judge Marvin's private character was above criti- cism. He had a high and an honorable ambition, but no intrigues, no corruption, ever tempted him from the path of honesty. He was as far removed from the new generation of politicians as the east is from the west. The people spontaneously laid judicial and political honors at his feet, because they knew he deserved them. His commanding figure, his strong, kind face, still linger in the memory of thousands. He was ever an enthusiastic and a care- ful student of the history of nations, and of the books that presented the best thought of his day and generation. He took a deep interest in science and in art, and in the inventions that have given power and beauty and hope to humanity in this most won- derful of the centuries. He died at the age of eighty-eight, leaving to his descendants that best of heritages, an honorable and a distinguished name.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Richard Pratt Marvin was born at Fairfield, N. Y., December 28, 1803 ; was educated in public schools and by private tutors ; was admitted to the bar in 1829, and moved to Jamestoron, N. Y. ; married Isabella Newland of Albany, N. Y., September 8, 1834 ; was member of assembly in 1836, and representative in congress, 1837-41; was judge of the 8th judicial district, 1847-71 ; died at Jamestown January 11, 1892.
francis ib. RRoot was an active and a powerful force in Buffalo for more than fifty years, and the city to-day, in its industrial, civic, and social aspects, is not the same as it would have been, if Mr. Root had never lived there. These are profoundly significant words, but even a brief review of Mr. Root's career will show the truth of the statement.
In 1835, when Mr. Root went to Buffalo, there were fewer than 18,000 people there. He was at that time a clerk and bookkeeper for Isaac W. Skin- ner, a manufacturer of plows and castings. So well did he profit by his opportunities to learn the business, that in the following year he and two others began the business on their own account, succeed- ing Mr. Skinner, who had been burned out. After arious changes in the personnel of the firm, Mr. Root in 1843 entered into a partnership with S. S. Jewett that lasted thirty-five years. The business was the manufacture of stoves, which were so taste- fully designed and of such durability that they rapidly pushed their way in the market and reached an ex- tensive sale. In 1878 Mr. Root disposed of his interest in this concern, and engaged in the manu- facture and sale of hemlock sole leather.
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In early life Mr. Root united with the Swan Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Buffalo, and he always maintained an active interest in the general work of that denomination. He was one of the first and most ardent friends of lay delegation in the church ; and was appointed by the Laymen's Con- vention held in Philadelphia in 1852 a representative to the General Conference held in Boston the same year. He was a member of the committee to arrange for the centennial celebration of Amer- ican Methodism in 1866. The bishops appointed him a delegate to the First Ecumenical Conference held in London in 18$1. Many of the churches of Buf- falo have received substantial proofs of his interest, and are largely indebted to his liberal assistance for their present flourishing condition, and indeed for their very existence.
Mr. Root's sympathy with all move- ments tending to the enlightenment of the masses is nowhere better shown than in his support of the Chautauqua Assem- bly. He saw that great good could be accomplished by this unique institution, and as one of the original trustees he did all in his power to further its aims. He was a member of the board of trustees of the State Normal School of Buffalo from its establishment, and for some years was president of the board. Ile was also a trustee of. the Syracuse (Methodist ) University, and for several years before his death was the presiding officer of the board. His connections with financial and industrial enterprises in the city of Buffalo were very numer- ous, and he was prominent as stock- holder, director, and trustee in many banks, railroads, and other corporations.
In politics Mr. Root was always a supporter of the Republican party, but he never stepped aside from the paths of business and of philanthropic labor to accept political office. Widely known from his ex- tensive business operations, which ranked him in that regard among the foremost members of the com- munity in which he lived. he was even better known and respected for his upright and useful life, and his intelligent furtherance of all that ennobles modern civilization. More than six feet in height, of com- manding and dignified presence, he possessed an endurance seldom surpassed. Fatigue he never knew until long after he was seventy years of age.
Vacations were superfluous with him ; work was his recreation. In company he was reserved and often silent ; but with his friends or close acquaintances, he conversed readily and at times fluently. Though possessed of strong and decided convictions, he was always ready to change his opinions when
FRANCIS H. ROOT
convinced by sound reasoning that such a course was necessary.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Francis Hinsdale Root was born at New Berlin. N. Y .. Mar 30, 1815 : attended the district schools of Vero Berlin and of Lodi, N. Y., and studied for one term in the academy at Springville. N. V .: went to Buffalo in January, 1835, and began business for himself in 1836 as a manufacturer of stores; conducted the same business with S. S. Jewett, 1843-G8 ; married Delia M. Spencer of Lodi in 1858 ; sold out his store business in 1878, and engaged in the manufacture and sale of hemlock sole leather ; died at Buffalo September 6. 1892.
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James IR. Scateberd had in an eminent degree the qualities that make the ideal citizen. He was quiet and unobtrusive in manner, but there was yet something about him that showed to everyone his conscientiousness, devotion to duty, and noble strength of character. For years one of Buffalo's
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JAMES N. SCATCHERD
most successful business men, he was at the same time actively interested in its charities, giving prodi- gally of his means, his time, and his counsel in their management. As chairman of the board of water commissioners for four years, he had the satisfaction of showing his fellow-citizens that an important branch of the city government could be conducted on strict busi- ness principles, without becoming the prey of politi- cians. Had he not been firin in his determination so to conduct the water bureau, it is exceedingly doubt- ful that the departinent would have reached the self- sustaining point. This it did before his retirement. Not only was this accomplished, but water rates to. consumers were steadily decreased. He gave to Buf- falo a splendid object lesson in municipal ownership.
Mr. Scatcherd was a Canadian by birth. His father was a vigorous Yorkshire lad, who feared neither hard labor nor the wilderness of a new country, and who, when twenty-one years old, mnde his way into the wilds of Ontario, and bought a tract of land near London. This tract now forms the Scatcherd homestead at Wyton, and is one of the finest farms in Ontario. Here James was born. The Canadian branch of the family has for years been promi- nent in public affairs, and several mem- bers have sat in parliament. As a lad James attended common schools, and worked on the farm. . Lumbering was an important industry of that vicinity, and the young man soon engaged in the business. As an agent of Farmer, de Blaquiere & Deeds, extensive lumber manufacturers and dealers, Mr. Scatcherd went to Buffalo in 1852. His ventures there met with success, and in 1857 he succeeded to the local business of the firm named. For nearly thirty years thereafter James N. Scatcherd stood among the leaders of the lumber business in this center. His business as a dealer in hardwoods extended over a wide area, and under his shrewd and careful man- agement became very profitable. Some years before his death, which occurred January 18, 1885, his son, John N., was admitted to partnership with him : and the business has since been carried on under the firm name of Scatcherd & Son.
While it was known in a general way that Mr. Scatcherd was a liberal contrib- utor to charity. his benefactions were known in detail only to himself. The Buffalo General Hospital profited largely from his benevolence. He took a great interest in all its affairs, and on many occasions proved himself a friend in need. For many years it was his practice to visit the hospital every Sunday afternoon, and his visits were looked forward to with pleasure by attaches and patients alike. These visits, too, were made the occasions of searching inquiries into the condition and needs of the hospital. At the time of his death he was president of the board of trustees.
Mr. Scatcherd was connected with various business enterprises and organizations in Buffalo. He held stock in several banks, and in the fall preceding his death was elected vice president of the Third National Bank. He was active in the Delaware Avenue Methodist Church, was a member of its first
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board of trustees, organized November 22, 1870, and never retired from that body.
The death of few men has been mourned so deeply and generally as that of Mr. Scatcherd. This grief found expression in extended obituaries in the city papers, and in memorials adopted by the common council, the board of water commissioners, the Merchants' Exchange, and other organizations.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-James Version Scuteherd was born at Wyton, Ontario, December 4, 1834 : attended common schools : went to Buffalo in 185.2 as agent for a firm of humber dealers in Canada ; married Annie Bellon of Myton November 1, 18:55 : was chairman of the board of water commissioners of Buffalo, 1880-84 : engaged in the lumber business in Buffalo, 1857-85 ; died at Buffalo January 18. 1885.
indefatigable efforts naturally brought success. In 1549 he became proprietor of the Shepard Iron Works, and thereafter gradually added to his under. takings, until he finally became one of the largest importers of tin plate, manufacturers of stamped- metal ware, and dealers in hardware and tinners' supplies, in the United States.
Mr. Shepard's activity was not confined to his manufacturing interests. Realizing the advantage .. of the electric telegraph, he personally promoted several plonger lines in the West, and became one of the largest stockholders in the Western Union Telegraph Co., of which he was a director until he resigned a few weeks before his death. He was also a director and heavy stockholder in several rail- roads, and was prominently interested in many other
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