USA > New York > Westchester County > Westchester county in history; manual and civil list, past and present. County history: towns, hamlets, villages and cities, Volume III > Part 14
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Pleasantville is an enterprising village, and is justly proud of its new bank with its large amount of deposits, as well as it is of its many other evidences of progress. Many New York city business men find it a delightful residential place all the
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year around. The population, as given by the last census, is 2,207.
Briar Cliff Manor village is a cluster of charming residences, of New York city men principally. It is famous for automo- bile races held there at stated periods; part of this village lies in the town of Ossining. The census of 1910 gives the total population of the village as 950.
Herein is Sleepy Hollow, made famous by the writings of Washington Irving, whose remains lie in the nearby Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The Sleepy Hollow and adjacent territory favored in legend and history, for every acre of the region roundabouts is freighted with memories of the men and things of long ago. Here are the undulating roads and the vales and valleys over which galloped the "Headless Horseman." Here stood the tulip tree whose leaves, had they tongues, could have told the tragic story of Major André. Looking off from its shores is Tappan Zee, as the ancient navigators-they were Dutch- called that part of the river. It is in the heart of that rich Westchester Colony which has sprung up within the last decade, or since motoring made it possible and pleasant for men doing business in New York city to live in the country without both- ering about train schedules. How Washington Irving would have loved to see them peopling his Sleepy Hollow skies like creatures of the mysteries he loved so well.
Philipse Manor, a revival of an old name at one time belong- ing to the whole section from Yonkers to Ossining, inclusive, was given to a recently formed settlement in this town border- ing upon the Hudson River, which is composed of many costly private residences, homes principally of New York city business men. This Manor's name is similar to that of the family from which Chief Justice John Jay took his wife.
Admiral John Lorimer Worden, U. S. N., who commanded the Monitor in her celebrated victory over the Merrimac in Hampton Roads, during the Civil War, was born in this town (that portion now Ossining) on March 12, 1818, son of an old Westchester County family. He died October 18, 1897.
The population of this town, according to different census enumerations, was, in 1830, 4,932; in 1835, 5,757; in 1840, 7,308 ; in 1845, 2,962; in 1850, 3,323; in 1855, 3,677; in 1860, 4,517; in 1865, 4,389; in 1870, 5,210; in 1875, 5,411; in 1880, 5,450 ; in 1890, 5,844; in 1892, 5,870; in 1900, 8,698; in 1905, 9,728 ; in 1910, 11,863.
CHARLES D. HOYT
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES ..
CHARLES D. HOYT.
Charles DeWitt Hoyt, Deputy County Register, President of the Village of Pleasantville, President of the Board of Education, etc., was born in Pleasantville, town of Mount Pleasant, on November 27, 1872, a son of Charles Henry and Eliza M. (Wild) Hoyt.
He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and on leaving school entered upon a mer- cantile career.
Being a man of affairs, he took part in having his home locality incorporated as a village in the year 1897; two years later he was elected a Trustee of the Village, serving in such position during 1900 and 1901. In 1910 and 1911 he was President of the Village by election at the polls.
In 1905 he was elected a School Trustee of District No. 9, town of Mount Pleasant, and served through the following five years, being most of that time president of the Board of Trustees.
On the election of Edward B. Kear as County Register, in 1908, he was tendered the position of Deputy County Register, which he accepted, holding such office three years, when he was reappointed on reelection of Register Kear. On the death of Register Kear, in 1911,
| his friends strongly urged him for nomination as Register to fill the vacancy, but the nomination did not come to his locality. On Register Isaac H. Smith taking office, Janu- ary 1, 1912, Deputy Hoyt was asked to accept a reappointment to the office he had so ably filled four years.
In the fall of 1911, Mr. Hoyt was the Republican nominee for Super- visor for the town of Mount Pleas- ant. Though he polled more than his party's normal vote he could not overcome the usual Democratic vote cast in that town, and as a conse- quence met defeat anticipated.
He is a member of the Republican Town Committee and of the Republi- can County Committee and a recog- nized party leader in his town. Īs a member of Pleasantville Lodge, No. 886, F. and A. M., and one of the charter members of the Lodge; is a member of Home Lodge, No. 720, I. O. Odd Fellows, and one of the first members of Pioneer Engine Company, No. 1, organized in 1894, being now an exempt fireman. Is a trustee of the Central Methodist Church of Pleasantville.
Mr. Hoyt was married on June 23, 1898, to Miss Lillian I. Willis, daughter of Wilfred S. and Mary Archer (Guion) Willis, of Pleasant- ville. Of this union there are no children.
For biographical sketches of other residents see elsewhere in this book, and in volumes one and two.
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CITY AND TOWN OF MOUNT VERNON.
(Continued from page 215, Vol. 1.)
Mount Vernon, called the " City of Homes," touching New York city on the south and east, Yonkers on the west and the town of Pelham on the north, was formerly, before it was made a city in 1892, a considerable portion of the town of Eastches- ter. In the latter year residents voted on the question, "Shall Mount Vernon, a locality of homes, be annexed to New York city, or shall it be incorporated as a city by itself ?" The vote was overwhelmingly in opposition to the New York city propo- sition, and was by a big majority, about two to one, in favor of Mount Vernon incorporating as a city. Accordingly the city incorporation followed.
Mount Vernon was incorporated as a village in 1853, when the place was credited with a population of 1,370.
The organizers of the village were members of "The Home Industrial Association, No. 1, of New York City," who had, on October 16, 1850, decided to purchase three hundred and seventy-five acres of land in the town of Eastchester, land which was subsequently included within the limits of the village of Mount Vernon. Horace Greeley and John Stevens (later a local Justice of the Peace), were nominated for purchasing agent of the Association; the latter was chosen; the first check in payment for the land, amounting to $3,400, was dated Novem- ber 1, 1850.
"The Home Industrial Association No. 1," was composed of deep-thinking, hard-headed, men of industry; small merchants and mechanics mostly. John Stevens, who became one of the town of Eastchester's most influential citizens, lived in the large family mansion, yet standing, on Fourth street, between South 5th and 6th avenues, Mount Vernon. His death occurred there a few years ago, he living to a ripe old age. At the time of the organization of this association, Mr. Stevens kept a little tailor shop in New York city, on Hudson street, between Morton and Barrow streets.
In this shop it was the custom of the sturdy men of toil, residing in the neighborhood, to assemble nightly and discuss topics of the day. Stevens was a recognized leader and in most things his was the master spirit directing. He has been
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credited with having originated the idea of organizing this association with ultimate purpose of buying land in a nearby country locality and the establishing of homes for families desiring freedom not found in a pentup city. Horace Greeley promptly approved of the idea and made valuable suggestions in the way of formulation and improvement. Even in that early day, Mr. Greeley's opinions were valued highly, and when he endorsed this proposition many outside of the little tailor shop group manifested anxiety to enroll as members of the association.
The plan adopted by the society was, that each member con- tribute one dollar per week, for seventy-six weeks, the total to be expended in purchasing the desired land, in the town of Eastchester, Westchester County; this land, so purchased, to be divided into plots of 100 x 104 feet, and each member of the association who had paid in full the sum of seventy-six dollars was entitled to take part in the distribution and each receive one plot.
As is quite usual among men, and was even in that early day, there was rivalry as to who would be recognized as leader in the association. Horace Greeley and John Stevens had their friends, firm in desire to have their favorite win the leadership. The contest came over the choice of "Purchasing Agent." Stevens by only a few votes won over Greeley.
In recent times old Squire Stevens would recall those first ! days of the association in telling of the strife for controlling influence, friendly but most earnest, between his friends and the friends of Mr. Greeley.
"On one occasion," said Mr. Stevens, "I feared Mr. Greeley would rob me of what popularity I possessed. 'The question as to the plan of laying out the land and distribution was before the association. Mr. Greeley suggested that a part of the land, one or more acres, be set apart as a 'Common,' for the general use and enjoyment of members and their families; that the plots assigned be arranged so as to face the 'Common' on all sides. This idea readily found acceptance with a majority, and it looked to me as if the Greeley plan would be adopted; if so, I knew that I would be discomforted, undermined as it were, and Greeley's star would outshine mine. I determined that quick action on my part was necessary to continue me right with my adherents. Accordingly, after Mr. Greeley had finished elaborating upon his plan, I arose and addressed the
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meeting, and in substance said, 'Gentlemen, I heartily agree with Mr. Greeley's plan, so intelligently set forth before you, the "Common" is a grand idea, but I would go further and provide in detail the use to which the said "Common" should be put. I suggest that the land of the "Common" be cultivated, that wheat, rye, oats, hay, and all kinds of garden truck, espe- cially soup vegetables, be grown there; in the centre of the "Common" let a house be built, and in this house erect a large kettle, holding say two hundred or more gallons, and in this kettle make the best kind of vegetable soup each week; a man to make such soup to be employed continuously; a part of the duty of said man will be to fill up with soup the cans, pails or other vessels brought to him by our good housewives, as fre- quently as desired.' The absurdity of my proposition created general merriment, the defeat of Greeley's plan, and the latter's undoing. There was no 'Common,' there was no soup house. Mr. Greeley, philosopher as he ever was, took it all kindly and was ever a helping member of the association."
To decide upon a name for the new village was found to be a difficult task; various names were suggested, such as Columbia, Fleetwood, Rising Sun, Stevensville, Jefferson, Thousandville, Palestine, New Washington, Monticello, Wash- ington, Lafayette, Little New York, Linden, Olive Branch, New Amsterdam, Enterprise, Homesville, Industria, Youngfield, and Industry. Finally the name Monticello was adopted, on November 1, 1850; this name was shortly after changed to Monticello City. On November 12, 1850, members of the Asso- ciation visited their new purchase, and on that day Horace Greeley delivered an address complimenting them upon the step they had taken and commending the wisdom displayed in choos- ing the site for the proposed settlement. On January 10, 1851, the name of the locality was changed to Mount Vernon, the change being necessary to avoid postal difficulties. The elec- tion to decide for or against village incorporation was held December 3, 1853, the polling place being in a store on the corner of Third Avenue and Third Street. The vote was eighty-two in favor of the proposition to fifty-two against. The first village election was held March 7, 1854. The village trus- tees elected were, Stephen Bogart, John B. Brennan, Joseph S. Gregory, M. D., Thomas Jones and William Saxton. The Board of Trustees elected Dr. Gregory president of the village; after
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serving four months he resigned, when Thomas Jones was elected to succeed him.
The later presidents appointed by the Board of Village Trus- tees were as follows: Cornelius A. Cooper, 1855; Richard Atkinson, 1856-57-60-62; George L. Baxter, 1858; John B. Bren- nan, 1859; John Stevens, 1861. Presidents were elected by the people for a term of one year, commencing 1863, and were as follows: David Quackinbush, 1863-64; William H. Pemberton, 1865-66-67-68; Edward Martin, 1869. An amendment to the village charter, passed in 1870, made the presidential term two years. Under this amended charter the following Presidents were elected: Edward Martin, 1870-72; Azro Fowler, 1873-74; George R. Crawford, 1875-76; David Quackinbush, 1877-78; Henry Huss, 1879-80; John Van Santvoord, 1881-82; William J. Collins, 1883-84; Jared Sandford, 1885-86-87-88-89-90-91-92, Sandford holding over and serving for a time as Mayor.
In 1869 residents of West Mount Vernon and of Central Mount Vernon voted to incorporate as one village; after nine years, in 1878, the electors of this village voted to dissolve as a village and that the locality be consolidated with the village of Mount Vernon.
The City of Mount Vernon was chartered by a special act of the State Legislature, passed March 12, 1892.
The following named persons have served this city as Mayor : Edward F. Brush, M. D., 1892-93 ; Edson Lewis, 1894-95; Edwin W. Fiske, 1896-97-98-99, 1900-1-2-3; Edward F. Brush, M. D., 1904-5; Benjamin Howe, 1908-9; Edwin W. Fiske, 1910-11- 12-13.
The city has a large and most efficient police force; it has an up-to-date fire department, equipped with all modern apparatus; the new and handsome fire houses compare with any in the State; its graded schools and numerous desirable school buildings are a credit to the city; its sewer system is the best; its water supply has not been much to boast of, as it was controlled by private enterprise; now that the city has decided to own its own plant and get all water needed there is hope that future water famines will be averted.
In 1911 a bill was passed in the State Legislature to enable Mount Vernon to provide a public water supply.
An act passed the Legislature, and became a law April 27, 1911, amending the city charter so as to provide for the appoint-
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ment of city officers by the Mayor, without confirmation by the Common Council. This is considered the better way to make appointments to local office, as it places the undivided responsibility of administration directly upon the Mayor, and the people can hold him accountable for the acts of his agents.
The city is in easy access of New York city, by means of three railroads and two trolley car lines, as it is connected by cities and towns in the County by similar modes of transpor- tation.
In Eastchester town's history Mount Vernon figures promi- nently.
Joseph Rodman Drake, M. D., famous poet, was born August 7, 1795, on the Drake farm in Eastchester, now a part of the city of Mount Vernon. His ancestor Samuel Drake, was one of the first ten proprietors who settled the town of Eastchester in 1664. Drake, whose excellent poems are popular even at this day, died at the early age of 25 years, on September 21, 1820. He lies buried at Hunt's Point, near West Farms.
Mount Vernon's postmaster in 1850 was Stephen Bogart, one of the first village trustees. In the early sixties, during the Civil War period, the postmaster of Mount Vernon was James S. Van Court, and he was followed by Jackson Hart, and then came Andrew Bridgeman, who is at present Supervisor of the Third Ward.
A State Militia Company, one of the finest in the State, is long established in this city.
Mount Vernon is known as the " City of Homes."
It is proposed that the city shall soon have a City Hall of its own, in which to house under one roof all city officials. At present the "City Hall" is leased property belonging to a private individual.
It has a public park, the "Hartley Park," named in honor of the man who gave the land to the city.
The Martha Wilson Home for Aged Women was established in this city October 19, 1891, by Martha Wilson and her sister; the twentieth anniversary was celebrated in 1911, at the home.
The population of the city of Mount Vernon, according to the census of 1910, is 30,919; in 1900 it was 21,228, and in 1905 it was 25,006. As a village, the population in 1880 was 4,586; in 1890 it was 10,830, and had more than doubled in ten years.
Prior to 1850 the hamlet, afterward Mount Vernon, had but few settlers, for the official census of 1850 credits the whole
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town of Eastchester with but 1,659; in 1845 the town had 1,369 ; in 1840, 1,502; and in 1835 the town's inhabitants num- bered 1,168.
For the early history of this city and vicinity, see sketch of the historic town of Eastchester, published elsewhere in this volume.
The electors of the city of Mount Vernon have voted in favor of a commission form of government. To accomplish this a bill was introduced in the State Legislature of 1911; this bill pro- vided for a Council of five, and a system of recalling elective officials and a referendum for all members if the voters desire to pass upon them. The bill failed to pass that Legislature.
Mount Vernon has provided two County Judges; two District Attorneys, one assistant District Attorney; one Sheriff; one Register and one Deputy Register; one County Clerk and one Deputy County Clerk; one Deputy County Treasurer; four School Commissioners; two County Superintendents of the Poor, and four Coroners.
The Bronx River, a narrow stream, which is the dividing line between this city and Yonkers, was at one time a river of some importance, and afforded fine water power to several manu- facturing plants constructed along its shores. Yet it was not a river of such magnitude as a high official in England thought it, when he questioned the judgment of British officers in com- mand of the navy at New York in 1776. This official in Eng- land, assisting in directing affairs in America, saw the Bronx River mentioned on a map, and wanted to know why at the Battle of White Plains the British fleet did not sail up that river and assist the land forces. In fact the river was not navigable any distance; to-day it is but a shallow creek.
The old Hunt's bridge over the Bronx River, and across the border line between the two cities had to be removed in the early part of 1911, January and February, to permit the laying of new and elevated tracks for the Harlem Branch of the New York Central Railroad, in compliance with the law, to do away with track on street crossing at the point from which Yonkers Avenue extends westward through Yonkers and Mount Vernon Avenue, eastward across Mount Vernon.
On account of Revolutionary War history associated with this bridge, attempts to remove it were resisted vigorously by resi- dents in the immediate vicinity, and spirited hand to hand
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encounters between citizens and railroad employees were fre- quent. Only the strong arm of the law, appealed to by the railroad officials, and the stealing of a march upon the citizens who were put on guard and who had relaxed their vigilance for one night only, gained the battle for the railroad and brought destruction to the bridge.
Hunt's Bridge, named in honor of a prominent family resid- ing nearby in the early days, was built several years before the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and was one of the con- necting links that joined New York city with the upper part of Westchester County and southern New England, and before the battle of White Plains bore the tattered and discouraged Continental soldiers under General Washington on their way to their winter encampment at White Plains. Over it, also, the British army later marched. All these historical facts were dear to the people, who prized the old bridge for the service it had rendered. But the railroad people, they-anyway, should sentiment get mixed up with business ?
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
EDWIN W. FISKE.
Edwin W. Fiske, now serving his sixth term as Mayor of Mount Ver- non, a longer period than any of his predecessors, was born in Shamokin, Pa., on July 17, 1861, a son of Samuel and Amanda (Stoddart) Fiske. The family is of English descent, the Fiskes having first set- tled in Massachusetts; while on his mother's side, the Stoddarts of Stod- dartsville have lived in Pennsylvania for several generations; further he is a descendant of Revolutionary an- cestry, of men who fought in the patriotic cause. The subject of this sketch, who was born in war times, has likewise fought for the patri- otic cause in more recent periods, and even his friends the enemy ad- mit he is a good fair fighter.
While his ability as a successful political leader is generally recog- nized, his cleverness as a business man is prominently pronounced. His business training was most thorough. He received his education in the public schools of Harrisburg, Pa. At an early age he entered the Pennsylvania Steel Company 's works, at Steelton, Pa., for the pur-
pose of learning the Bessemer pro- cess of steel making. Four years of steady application gave him a thor- ough grasp of the subject. He then joined the Harrisburg Foundry and Machine Works, where he put in three years learning the machinists' trade. This practical experience, gained at first hand, was of great assistance to Mr. Fiske in all his commercial enterprises in which he subsequently engaged.
In 1884 he became a resident of New York city, where he entered the steam and hot water heating busi- ness. Eight years later, in 1892, he established the Fiske Heating & Plumbing Company in Mount Ver- non, with a branch in Yonkers. This concern continued in business until 1902, when Mr. Fiske became inter- ested in real estate. Tackling the subject in its broader aspects he made a specialty of real estate ap- praisement and expert witness on same, and was soon recognized as one of the leading authorities in this line. Since 1905 he has been em- ployed as appraisal commissioner and expert witness on property taken by the City of New York for the Croton and Catskill water supply
Odwin Mieste
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systems. He also appraises property for lawyers and for banks and for and against railroad corporations. As head of the Edwin W. Fiske Realty Company with offices at 14 Depot Place, Mt. Vernon, he has made a record as an able man of affairs.
Mr. Fiske came to Mount Vernon to reside in 1887. Had not long been a resident of this county when we found him a political factor, and the "Young Men in Politics" never had a more energetic representa- tive. His genial ways and good- natured disposition appealed to even opponents. His hustling activities attracted attention and the old party leaders were compelled to sit-up and take notice. He was elected chair- man of the Republican General Com- mittee, to which position he was re- elected several times. Many of the young men who assisted then in his advancement are his friends to-day. whenever he appears as a candidate for office, even though they be Re- publican organization men. This is one reason accounting for his suc- cess at the polls.
In 1889 he was elected a Village Trustee to represent the Second Ward (where he now resides) of Mount Vernon. His removal from the ward in 1890 required him to relinquish this office. In 1890 he was the Republican nominee for President of the Village against Jared Sandford; though defeated, he made a better showing than any previous Republican candidate in that strongly Democratic locality. He thus early demonstrated his abil- ity as a vote getter. It was evident that had his party adherents given him united support he would have been successful, considering that he had a strong Democratic following among young men of the opposing party. His treatment on this occa- sion no doubt influenced him to lis- ten to the urging of friends to "come over" and unite with a po- litical party more in harmony with his political views. Immediately he took in the Democratic party a place almost as prominent as that occu- pied by him in the Republican party. As the Democratic candidate in 1893 he was elected Alderman of the Second Ward to which he had re- turned. In 1894 he was the Demo-
cratic candidate for Mayor against the strongest candidate the Repub- licans could produce; the election was so close that the Courts had to be called upon to decide. After several months' delay the Courts rendered a decision to the effect that Mr. Fiske had been defeated by one vote. The latter remained an Al- derman and was elected President of the Common Council and Acting Mayor. In 1896 he was again the Democratic nominee for Mayor, and was elected by a majority of 505. In the years 1898, 1900 and 1902 he was re-elected to succeed himself. Remarkable from the fact that Mount Vernon is a Republican city on general issues, anywhere from 500 to 1,100.
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