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 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
..
frederic Rene Coudert, one of the most distinguished members of the New York bar, was born in New York city in 1832. His father, Charles Coudert, had come to America eight years carlier, after an adventurous career in the armies of Napoleon 1., and subsequently in the service of the Bonapartes. Frederic. Condert obtained his early education at his father's school in New York city, afterward entering Columbia College. and graduating thence with high honors at the age of eighteen. He then devoted himself for three years to newspaper work, transla- tions, teaching, and the study of law.
Admitted to the bar in 1853, Mr. Coudert soon formed a partnership with two brothers for the prac- tice of law. The firm of Coudert Brothers has con- tinued ever since, and has long been one of the strongest legal associations in the state. Its clients include important individual litigants, large mercan- tile corporations, and several European governments. Mr. Coudert's surpassing powers as a lawyer are due to a combination of qualities, any one of which would secure a fair measure of success, and all of which together explain his brilliant career. His native intellectual talents have been reinforced by education and long training in the law. He is a convincing advocate before a jury, an entertaining after-dinner speaker, and a powerful orator on more important occasions. He has delivered many notable addresses, and has contributed articles to the leading journals on subjects of public interest.
Mr. Coudert has repeatedly declined to enter public life ; but he has long been prominent in political affairs, and has been for many years one of the leaders of the Democratic party. He strongly supported Governor Tilden, Mayor Grace, Grover Cleveland, and Governor Robinson. He was espe- cially active in the Tilden-Hayes election of 1876, when he was sent to New Orleans to secure a fair count of the Louisiana vote. Again in 1884 he took a prominent part in the presidential election, making many speeches in behalf of the Democratic candi- date. He was at one time president of the Young Men's Democratic Club of New York city.
Mr. Coudert has held numerous positions of trust and responsibility. He was president of the French Benevolent Society for ten years, of the Columbia College Alumni Association for a long time, of
MEN OF NEW YORK -MANHATTAN SECTION
the United States Catholic Historical Society for several terms, of the New York Bar Association, and of the Democratic and Manhattan clubs. For three years he was one of the government directors of the Union Pacific railroad. He has been a trustee of Seton Hall College, New Jersey, and of Columbia and Barnard colleges. He has been a director in many social and charitable organizations. The degree of LL. D. has been given to him twice; and that of J. U. D. (Doctor of Both Laws) was awarded to him by Columbia in 1887, when he was selected to deliver the ora- . tion commemorating the hundredth anni- versary of the college foundation. Mr. Coudert has received the Cross of the Legion of Honor from the French gov- ernment, and similar honors from the governments of Italy and Bolivia.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Frederic Rene Coudert was born at New York city March 1, 1832 ; graduated from Columbia College in 1850; was admitted to the bar in 1853; married Miss Mc- Credy of New York city February 19, 1862 ; has been a member of the law firm of Coudert Brothers, New York city, since its formation about 1853.
George h. Daniels, one of the best-known and most efficient railroad officials in the world, was born in Kane county, Illinois, fifty-odd years ago. At the early age of fifteen he began his long career in the transportation industry by becoming a rodman in the engineering corps of the North Missouri railroad. From this humble beginning Mr. Daniels advanced rapidly in his calling until he had gained a place among the foremost railroad managers of the West. In 1872, when only thirty years old, he was made general freight and passen- ger agent of the Chicago & Pacific railroad. His success in this position was marked, and he contin- ted for eight years to serve the company in the capacity mentioned. From 1880 until 1882 he was general ticket agent of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific railway.
Entering a somewhat different department of rail- road work at the end of his service with the Wabash system, Mr. Daniels acted as commissioner of the lowa Trunk Line Association for the first ten months of 1882. In November, 1882, he was elected com- missioner of the Colorado Traffic Association, and
occupied the position until 1886. During this time he organized the Utah Traffic Association, and sev- eral local associations of the railroads terminating in Colorado and Utah, of which he was also elected commissioner. He resigned these positions in 1886 to accept the commissionership of the Central
FREDERIC RENÉ COUDERT
Passenger Committee, which was soon succeeded by the Central Traffic Association, of which he was elected vice chairman, and also chairman of the Chicago East-Bound Passenger Committee. This was his important place in the railroad world in March, 1889, when he was appointed general pas- senger agent of the New York Central & Hudson River railroad.
Mr. Daniels's railroad training had been unusually broad, and much of his experience was especially useful in discharging the duties of his new position. The passenger agent of a great cast-and-west trunk line must have an immense fund of knowledge, at once minute and comprehensive, of the traffic con- ditions of the whole country. Ile must know
66
MEN OF NEW YORK-MANHATTAN SECTION
thoroughly not only all the legitimate methods adopted by reputable officials for securing business, but as well all the nnderhand devices sometimes used by unscrupulous or insolvent companies for obtaining traffic. He must be a broad-minded man, quick to recognize and meet the just demands of the
GEORGE H. DANIELS
traveling public, loyal in the last degree to the interests of his company, but judiciously liberal in his treatment of questions affecting in contrary ways his company and the public. In these close-com- peting days, moreover, a passenger agent must be an advertising expert of the first rank.
All these requirements and many more not speci- fied, Mr. Daniels satisfies abundantly. It goes without saying that he possesses great executive ability : but he has in addition a capacity for work that seems at times unlimited. The multifarious and unceasing duties of his position never overwhelm him, and he gives to everything whatever attention may be needed for the proper and final disposition of the matter. " America's Greatest Railroad" owes a
large part of its fame to the skillful and persistent advertising conceived and carried out by Mr. Dan- iels. The various publications emanating from the passenger department of the New York Central are models of their class, and have undoubtedly been very effective in giving to the system the splendid prestige that it now enjoys. During the eight years that have come and gone since Mr. Daniels assumed the duties of his present position the passenger ser- vice of the New York Central has shown remarkable progress. To ascribe this improvement exclusively to the general passenger agent would be unjust to other officials : but the statement may safely be made that Mr. Daniels is largely responsible for the unsurpassed service now offered to the traveling public by this great company.
On the personal side Mr. Daniels is widely respected and liked. He is cor- dial in manner, and is otherwise distin- guished for agreeable social qualities. He is a member of the Lotos Club, and for the past five years has been president of the Quaint Club. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Transportation Club, and is now on the board of managers.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- George Henry Daniels was born at Hamp- shire, Ill., December 1, 1842; entered the railway service in 1857 as a rodman ; was general freight and passenger agent of the Chicago & Pacific railroad, 1872- 80, and general ticket agent of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific railway, 1880-82 : was commissioner of various traffic asso- ciations, 1882-89 ; has been general pas- senger agent of the New York Central & Hudson River railroad since April 1, 1889.
Bobn Good, by whom the great cordage indus- try was completely revolutionized, is still in the prime of life, having been born in Ireland somewhat more than fifty years ago. Brought to this country in boyhood by his mother, he was forced to go to work as soon as his strength permitted. His first employment was obtained in an old-fashioned rope- walk in Brooklyn, where he learned in the course of his apprenticeship all that was to be learned about , the old methods of rope making. This was not a great task, since the process consisted chiefly of laborious hand operations, and had not essentially
MEN OF NEW YORK-MANHATTAN SECTION
changed in the two hundred years during which the industry had been carried on in this country.
Having completed his term of service in the rope- walk, Mr. Good became a machinist. He developed great ability in this calling ; and on resuming work in the ropewalk, this time in the capacity of fore- man, he naturally turned his attention to the inven- tion of machinery useful in rope making. The full story of his remarkable triumphs in this department of industrial activity would make an interesting volume in the history of practical mechanics. It must suffice here to say that his inventions covered the whole process from beginning to end, and that he virtually created a new industry, as little resembling the old as Fulton's " Cleremont " resembled a mod- ern ocean liner. The old-fashioned sheds --- low, stretching out hundreds of feet, and filled with operatives, often women, toil- ing laboriously at tasks beyond their strength - have given way to handsome factories equipped with wonderfully effi- cient machinery and labor-saving devices of every kind.
Up to 1885 Mr. Good devoted himself exclusively to the invention and manu- facture of cordage machinery. Under the conditions described, his business was naturally highly prosperous. All the rope makers of the world were forced to use his machinery or go out of business, and orders came to him from every quarter. His Brooklyn works were repeatedly enlarged, and furnish employ- ment to hundreds of skillful machinists. Having decided to engage in rope mak- ing himself, Mr. Good built a large fac- tory in 1886 at Ravenswood, a suburb of Brooklyn, having a capacity equal to one third of the total cordage production of the country. In 1887 he began oper- ations. In the same year the National Cordage Association, more commonly called the Cordage Trust, was organized. For several years Mr. Good conducted his plant in harmony with the trust : but the arrangement was more or less irk- some to him, and in 1892 he cut loose entirely from the combination. He now operates large cordage factories in Eng- land in addition to the works at Ravenswood, and contemplates the erection of similar plants in several continental countries.
At the time of his Jubilee in 1857 the Pope of Rome determined to honor a number of men of his
church who had rendered conspicuous service to the generai cause of humanity, and he bestowed upon Mr. Good ( the only American so honored ) the title of "Count of the Holy Roman Empire." Mr. Good belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and to the Catholic Club of New York city.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY --- John Good was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1844; came to the United States in carly boyhood ; Icarned the business of rope making in Brooklyn in his youth, und afterward the machinist's trade ; became foreman of a ropewalk in Brooklyn in 1865, and devoted his attention to inventing rope-making machinery ; has car- ried on the manufacture of such machinery since 1869, and the manufacture of cordage ( in this country and in England ) since 1887.
JOHN GOOD
Abram S. hewitt, prominent in business and in public life, was born seventy-five years ago in a log house still standing in Rockland county, New York. His father came to this country in 1790, and helped to build the first steam engine in America.
MEN OF NEW YORK-MANHATTAN SECTION
After spending his boyhood on a farm, Mr. Hewitt went to Columbia College, and graduated from that institution at the head of his class. He had a scholarship there, thus saving fees for tuition ; but it is worthy of note that he afterward reimbursed the college for this expense. Becoming acting professor
ABRAM S. HEWITT
of mathematics at Columbia after his graduation thence, he soon gave up that calling, in consequence of impaired eyesight, and went to Europe in 1844 with his classmate and friend, Edward Cooper, a son of Peter Cooper. The Mobile packet " Alabamian," in which they returned, foundered at sea, and they narrowly escaped death.
After his admission to the bar in 1845, Mr. Hew. itt formed a partnership with Edward Cooper in the business of iron manufacturing. The venture was well conceived, and Messrs. Cooper and Hewitt may be regarded as among the most successful iron man- facturers in the United States. They were the first to manufacture iron girders and supports for fire- proof buildings. Taking a trip to England in 1862
for the purpose of studying the process of making iron for gun barrels, Mr. Hewitt was able to supply the government with this material during the Civil War. Many government contractors accumulated fortunes during the war, but his firm furnished this material to the government at the cost of manufac- ture. For a number of years in the decade 1870-80 the works were con- ducted at an annual loss ; but since then the business has been profitable and suc- cessful for the most part. The policy of the firm has always been especially favor- able to the workmen, and as a rule the plant has been kept in operation in order to provide steady employment. The firm conducts immense plants at Tren- ton, N. J., and elsewhere ; and produces large quantities of pig iron, structural iron, and wire.
Though the management of this great enterprise has been largely in Mr. Hew- itt's hands, and the success of the under- taking has resulted in great part from his ability as a business man, we must forego further consideration of this part of his career. For the last thirty years Mr. Hewitt has figured prominently in public affairs, and most people know him chiefly in connection with such ser- vices. Appointed in 1867 by the Presi- dent of the United States one of ten commissioners to visit the Paris Exposi- tion and report on the subject of iron and stcel, Mr. Hewitt submitted his re- port in a book that was translated into nearly all the European languages. He next came into national prominence in 1874, when he was elected to the house of representatives. His wide business experience and intellectual strength quickly brought him to the front in that body ; and he continued to have membership there, with the exception of a single term, until 1887. His work in congress was of value not only to his constituents, but to the country at large ; and he acquired national fame as an effective speaker and wise legislator on eco- nomic and financial subjects. The bent of his mind disposed him to favor the Democratic point of view on great questions ; but throughout his political career the matter of party affiliation has weighed lit- tle with him in comparison with intrinsic conditions of right and justice. He is noted for his liberal views on the tariff question, and believes in the ulti- mate success of the free-trade policy for this country.
119
MEN OF NEW YORK-MANHATTAN SECTION
He rendered effective service in congress to the cause of sound finance, and his speeches regarding the coinage of silver dollars were strikingly prophetic of later financial history. He was the author of the legislation creating the National Geological Sur- vey. In the presidential controversy of 1876-77 he advocated, and from his position as chairman of . Cross.
the Democratic national committee largely brought about, the creation of the electoral commission, and the completion of the counts which gave the presiden- tial office to Hayes. Mr. Hewitt never doubted that Tilden had a majority of the electoral votes.
In the fall of 1886 the labor organizations of New York city united on Henry George as their candi- date for the office of chief magistrate. Theodore Roosevelt was nominated by the Republicans, and Mr. Hewitt became the candidate of the Democrats and the Independents. Mr. Roosevelt received 60,000 votes, Mr. George 68,000, and Mr. Hewitt 90,000. As mayor, Mr. Hewitt added to his laurels as a statesman. As might have been expected, his administration was honest, vigorous, and businesslike.
Since the organization of the Cooper Union Mr. Hewitt has been secretary of the board of trustees, and has virtually controlled the management of the insti- tution. In 1883 he was elected presi- dent of the Columbia College Alumni Association, and in 1887 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. In addition to his iron busi- ness he has had an interest in many industrial corporations, and has served as director in several important com- panies. He has been an active member in a number of the leading clubs, includ- ing the Union, Century, Metropolitan, and Players.'
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Abram Stevens Hewitt was born at Har- erstraw, N. Y., July 31, 1822 ; grad- uated from Columbia College in 1842; was admitted to the bar in 1845: was a member of the national house of rep- resentatives, 1875-19 and 1881-87 : was mayor of New York city, 1887-88 ; mar- ried Sarah Amelia Cooper, the only daugh- ter of Peter Cooper, in 1855; has en- graged in the business of iron manufacture since 1845.
Theodore Toebler is known in the business world as an accountant of unusual ability, and in
public life as state senator from the Queens-county district in the sessions of 1896-97. He was born in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, about forty years ago, of excellent family ; his grandfather having been knighted by Frederick VII., King of Denmark, and his father decorated with the Iron
Mr. Koehler was educated in his native land, and at the age of fifteen began business life in one of the largest commercial houses in the city of Lübeck. He spent four years in this establishment, and ob- tained thus a thorough training in business methods and management. Although this experience was largely in the line of his subsequent successful career, it did not satisfy the restless ambition of the boy of nineteen : and accordingly he enlisted as a sharp- shooter in the German army, with the idea of devoting
5
THEODORE KOEHLER
himself to a military life. This plan was not to be carried out, however. A friend and classmate who had left his fatherland several years before for the new world, wrote back glowing accounts of the
MEN OF NEW YORK-MANHATTAN SECTION
happiness and prosperity to be found there ; and Mr. Koehler was seized with a desire to try his fortunes in America. It was not so easy a matter to secure a discharge from the army ; but as the times happened to be peaceful this was accomplished, and in 1876, at the age of twenty, he landed in Philadelphia.
On his arrival Mr. Koehler was greeted by the news of the unexpected death of the friend on whose advice and assistance he had relied in securing a foothold in a strange land ; and he was therefore obliged to make a start for himself as best he could. After several years spent in various occupations, he went to South America in 1883 in the service of an English firm, and there joined an exploring expedi- tion and encountered many hardships and perils. The next year he represented the same firm at the New Orleans Cotton Exhibition. Returning then to New York city, he spent a short time as manager of a wholesale establishment, and in 1885 became head bookkeeper and auditor of one of the largest industrial firms in Long Island City and New York, with whom he remained for the next ten years.
The subject of accounts and of general commer- cial law had always interested Mr. Kochler deeply. In his younger days he had devoted considerable time to teaching these subjects, and he now returned to the work with satisfaction. His services were often in requisition by business firms whose accounts had become involved ; and he soon became recog- nixed as'an authority in such matters, and gained a wide reputation as an expert accountant.
Mr. Koehler first became known in public life through his appointment by the officials of Long Island City to examine and report upon the condi- tion of the books in the various departments of the city government, which were in a most unsatisfactory condition. The world of politics interested him, and he began to take an active part in political affairs. In 1892 he was elected to represent Long Island City on the Queens-county board of super- visors, and was re-elected the next year by a large majority. He interested himself especially in the construction of the tunnel under Newtown creek, and in the matter of securing good roads throughout the county. In 1895 Mr. Kochler's popularity was evidenced by his nomination on the Democratic ticket for the office of state senator. He was duly elected, and was the first senator ever chosen from Long Island City. As might have been expected, he gave special attention in the legislature to bills relating to commercial affairs. Hle distinguished himself by his open opposition to all forms of stock- watering, and was particularly active in effecting the passage of the Certified Accountants act. He served
as a member of the important committees on finance, insurance, and agriculture.
Senator Kochler is one of the oldest members of the Institute of Accounts of the City of New York, and belongs to the Society of Certified Public Accountants of the State of New York and the National Society of Public Accountants.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Theodore Kochler was born in Schleswig-holstein, Germany, July 30, 1856 : was educated in German schools ; was employed in a business house in Lübeck. 1871-76 ; came to the United States in 1876, and has engaged in various business enterprises ; was supervisor from Long Island City. 1893-94; was elected to the state senate in 1895.
Thomas fleteber Oakes, widely known in the Northwest as a railicad manager, was born in Boston fifty-four years ago. He is descended from excellent English stock, traceable in this country from about the year 1700 ; his grandfather, Daniel Oakes, having served in the armies of the Revolu- tion. After obtaining a good education at the Eliot School in Boston, Mr. Oakes engaged at once in the business with which he has always been identified - the great transportation industry.
Taking up his residence in St. Louis in June, 1863, when less than twenty years old, as the pur- chasing agent of the Kansas Pacific railroad, he made rapid progress in his chosen calling. He became successively assistant treasurer of the company, gen- eral freight agent, and finally general superintendent. In each of these positions he had an excellent oppor- tunity to familiarize himself thoroughly with the best methods of railroad management ; and his various changes of work in the way of promotion ultimately equipped him with an uncommonly comprehensive knowledge of the transportation business. His abil- ity, moreover, began to be recognized outside the limits of his own company ; and in April, 1879, he was made superintendent of the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf, and of the Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern railroads. This appointment was followed by another advance in March, 1880, when he was made vice president and general manager of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Co. Before this he had lived for the most part in St. Louis and Kansas City, but his headquarters in the new position were at Portland, Ore.
The Oregon Railway & Navigation Co. had close relations with the Northern Pacific railroad, and in 1881 Mr. Oakes began his long service with the latter corporation by assuming the duties of vice president. In November, 1883, he became general
- 1
MEN OF NEW YORK-MANHATTAN SECTION
manager of the company, also ; and in 1888 he became president. He discharged efficiently the duties of that most responsible office until October, 1893, when he became one of the receivers of the corporation. He performed the duties of that office until October, 1896, when, after nearly thirty- three years of continuous railroad work, he retired from the service. The Court, in accepting his resignation, awarded him a handsome sum as extra compensa- tion for the faithful discharge of the trust reposed in him.
Mr. Oakes makes his home at Mama- roneck, but he is virtually a New Yorker. He is a life member of the American Geographical Society ; and also belongs to several prominent clubs of New York, including the Union League, Metropoli- tan, New York Yacht, and Riding. He is also a member of clubs in St. Paul and on the Pacific coast.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.