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 15
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The Mayoralty fight in 1902 was specially spirited between two spe- cially active men, Dr. Edward F. Brush, who had been the city's first Mayor and was exceedingly popular, and Mr. Fiske, whose running quali- ties had before been tested. The result was a personal triumph for Mr. Fiske, he being the only nominee on the Democratic ticket elected. This goes to prove what has here been said, even men belonging to the "Republican Organization" who were his friends in the earlier days, never desert Mr. Fiske when he is a candidate for office. Leaders of the said "organization" admit the sit- uation, though they may deplore it.
In 1909 Mr. Fiske was again the Democratic candidate for Mayor. This proved to be a peculiar elec- tion; there was, beside the Repub- lican candidate, an independent Democratic candidate for the office. The Republicans calculated that the "Popular Fiske" would meet his Waterloo this time sure; that the Independent Democrat would draw off enough Democratic votes to elect the Republican; the Independent did do remarkably in the way of vote getting, but he received most of his votes from the Republicans; as us- ual, Mr. Fiske was re-elected by a big majority. In 1911 the Republi- can party brought forth its strong- est giant to combat the opposing enemy; Mr. Fiske's opponent was ex-Alderman Taylor of the Fifth Ward, a most excellent man and one justly popular. The Republicans worked as they never had worked
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before, but it was of no use, Mr. Fiske was again re-elected by a ma- jority fully as large as before.
At this writing it is quite appar- ent that the people of Mount Ver- non, irrespective of politics, want Mr. Fiske for Mayor, as long as he is willing to serve them in that ca- pacity.
A bill which passed the State Leg- islature in 1911 gave the Mayor of Mount Vernon authority to appoint officials under him without consent or confirmation of the Aldermen. True to this confidence placed in him, Mayor Fiske has selected men for the several city official positions who have given greatest satisfaction to citizens generally. To the May- or's credit it ought to be mentioned that at no time in the eleven years he has held the office of Mayor has there ever been a public scandal connected with his administration, or even the suspicion of one; a most gratifying record to him and his friends, surely.
Mayor Fiske is a life member Mason, Knight Templar, Mecca Shrine, B. P. O. Elks No. 1, N. Y. City; he is also affiliated with the Siwanoy Country Club of Mount Vernon, and the City Club of Yon- kers. He has always taken an in- terest in the National Guards, S. N. Y., in which organization he has been an officer for eleven years and since 1905 has been Quartermaster, with the rank of Captain in the 10th Regiment.
He was one of the organizers of Steamer Engine Company No. 3 of the Mount Vernon Fire Department, became its foreman, and served as such until 1893 when he was elected Chief Engineer of the Department. To him largely is due the present efficiency of the Department.
Mayor Fiske was married June 7, 1892, to Miss Annie E. Smith, daughter of Henry C. and Annie Smith, of Mount Vernon. Or this union there are four children, two boys and two girls.
JOSEPH S. WOOD.
Joseph Simeon Wood, instructor, a leading lawyer of the County, former public official, and one of the most prominent citizens of the city of Mount Vernon, was born in the city
of New York, on June 13, 1843, a son of Joseph and Mary (Broad- meadow) Wood.
For several generations, his an- cestors lived on Staten Island. His grandmother on his father's side was Gertrude Mersereau. She was a daughter of Paul Mersereau, who, with his four brothers, Joshua, Jacob, John and Cornelius, did yeo- man service for the cause of Liberty in the American Revolution. There is no record of any other family which furnished five brothers to the patriot cause. These brothers were the grandchildren of Joshua Merse- reau, who was one of a company of French Huguenots, who fled from France about 1688, shortly after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, and settled on Staten Island.
Mr. Wood's grandfather, on his mother's side, was Simeon Broad- meadow, an eminent civil and mechanical engineer, who came to this country from England in 1828, and was naturalized by a special act of the Congress of the United States, in the same year.
Mr. Wood was educated in the public schools of the city of New York, and graduated from the New York Free Academy, now the College of the City of New York, in 1861, with high honors.
For a short time, he was tutor of the higher mathematics in the Cooper Union of New York city; and in December, 1862, when only nineteen years of age, became the superintendent of that famous insti- tution. That position he resigned on January 1st, 1865, to become the superintendent of the public schools of Mount Vernon.
With this beautiful and prosperous suburb of the city of New York, he has ever since been identified.
In 1869, he purchased the Chroni- cle, a newspaper published in Mount Vernon, and for twenty-four years, was its editor and proprietor.
Through its advocacy of reforms and improvements, and its exposure of corruption and rascality in pub- lic office, this newspaper exerted a very wide influence, and became a great power for good government throughout Westchester County.
Under Mr. Wood's superintend- ence, the public schools of Mount Vernon became noted for their ex-
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cellence, and many of their graduates took high honors in the colleges to which they were admitted.
In 1882, Mr. Wood and Mr. John Mullaly, who was one of the editors of the New York Herald, organized the movement for the creation of the magnificent system of parks in the Borough of Bronx. For several years the struggle for the creation of these great parks was maintained, even against the bitter opposition of such men as Mayor Grace and ex- Mayor Hewitt.
Mr. Wood was most of all, inter- ested in Pelham Bay Park, which would not have been made a part of the system but for his insistence and grim determination.
The other members of the com- mittee who drew up the original bill, which was submitted to the legisla- ture, were afraid that an attempt to create a great park outside the limits of the city of New York would cause the defeat of the whole project, es- pecially as that park would be al- most as large as the Bronx and Van Courtlandt parks combined.
They were, however, induced through Mr. Wood's persistence and persuasion, to include it in the bill, and it is now an established fact.
As it is twice as large as the Cen- tral Park, and has over twelve miles f water front on Long Island Sound, Pelham Bay and the Hutchin- son River, it bids fair to become not only the grandest park of New York city, but of the world.
In 1876 Mr. Wood resigned the superintendency of the public schools of Mount Vernon, and was gradu- ated from the Columbia Law School.
One of his fellow graduates was the Hon. Isaac N. Mills, with whom he immediately formed a co-partner- ship for the practice of law in West- chester County, their office being in Mount Vernon.
This co-partnership lasted for six years, and shortly thereafter, Mr. Mills became the County Judge of Westchester County, and is now a Justice of the Supreme Court.
In 1878 Mr. Wood was elected School Commissioner of the First School Commissioner District of Westchester County and held that office for three years.
In 1893, he sold the Chronicle,
and has since devoted himself to his law practice.
In 1879, he was married to Miss Susy E. Mixsell, who, during the years 1909, 1910 and 1911, was the Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, for the State of New York.
Four children were the issue of this marriage, two sons and two daughters, of whom one son, Fletcher H. Wood, and one daughter, Josephine Wood, are living.
His eldest son, Sydney M. Wood, graduated from Yale University in 1900 with high honors, and from the New York Law School in 1903. He at once entered into partnership with his father in the practice of law, and bade fair to become one of the most distinguished lawyers of Westchester County. After a severe and prolonged attack of pneumonia, he was seized with tuberculosis, and died at Ashville, North Carolina, on the first day of February 1909 in the twenty-ninth year of his age. This son Sydney married, in 1905, Miss Clara Barton Jacobs, who sur- vives him, as does a son, Joseph Broadmeadow Wood, aged five years.
Mr. Wood senior was the Presi- dent of the Westchester County Bar Association for two terms. He was also the President of the Board of Education of the city of Mount Vernon for four years. During his administration many marked im- provements in the school system were established, especially the creation of a Commercial High School. A Trades High School, which he also advocated, has since been created.
Mr. Wood has also been the presi- dent of the City College Club and the Board of Trade of the city of Mount Vernon.
He is a member of the New York Athlethic Club, the Manhattan Chess Club, the Transportation Club, the City College Club, the City Club of Mount Vernon, the Westchester County Chamber of Commerce, the Mount Vernon Chamber of Com- merce, the Civic League of West- chester County and a number of other social and civic organizations.
Mr. Wood has laid out and de- veloped three beautiful sections of the city of Mount Vernon, to wit:
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Villa Park, Vernon Wood and Dar- wood.
He has always taken an active part in public affairs, believing it to be his duty as a good citizen to do so, and has given a considerable por- tion of his time to securing addi- tional and better transportation facilities between Mount Vernon and New York city, realizing that the prosperity of the former rested primarily on this essential.
MRS. SUSY E. WOOD.
Mrs. Susy E. Wood (Mrs. J. S. Wood), was born in the city of New York on the 23d day of July, 1858.
Her father, Aaron Mixsell, was a piano manufacturer. Her mother, Cynthia J. Mixsell, was a daughter of Aaron Burr Jackson, whose father, Joseph Jackson, Jr., was a brave soldier in the American Army during the Revolution.
His father, Joseph Jackson, was one of the few men who signed the Association List directly following the Battle of Lexington. These sign- ers pledged their property and lives for their country. His wife was Sarah Burr, daughter of John Burr and Mary Ward-Mary Ward was the daughter of Andrew Ward, one of the founders of the city of Hart- ford, Conn.
In 1866 her father moved from New York city to Mount Vernon in Westchester County. Mrs. Wood has never changed her place of residence since that date.
June 11, 1879, she was married to Mr. Joseph S. Wood, who was then, and is now, one of the most distin- guished citizens of Mount Vernon.
Her brother, Dr. Aaron J. Mixsell, was, for many years, one of the most prominent physicians in the eastern part of Westchester County.
She has had four children, Sydney M. Wood, Gertrude Wood, Fletcher H. Wood and Josephine Wood.
Her son, Sydney, died February 1, 1909, and her daughter, Gertrude, November 12, 1891.
Sydney graduated from Yale Uni- versity in 1900 with high honors, when he was nineteen years old. He was admitted to the Bar in New York State in 1903, and bade fair to
become one of the most eminent members of the legal profession in Westchester County.
Mrs. Wood has always taken a deep interest in every movement in the city of Mount Vernon for the advancement of the welfare of its people. She has always regarded the public schools as of the highest im- portance, and has frequently been a welcome visitor therein.
No cause is to her more sacred than that of Patriotism; and she never fails, when the opportunity pre- sents itself, of arousing in the breasts of both young and old the Love of our country, and of picturing the Blessings of Liberty.
For three years she was the Re- gent of the Bronx Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion in Mount Vernon, and from 1909 to 1912 was honored for three suc- cessive terms as the New York State Regent of that body of distinguished women. During that period she did splendid work in adding new chap- ters to the organization and in mak- ing the Spirit of Patriotism a great power for good.
Mrs. Wood has been the vice-presi- dent of the Women's Club of Mount Vernon, one of the most influential bodies of women in Westchester County.
She has been for many years, and is now, a member of the Rubinstein Club and the Saint Cecilia Club in New York city.
She is a member of the Holland Dames, and the Daughters of the Empire State.
Mrs. Wood is one of the leaders of society in the City of Mount Ver- non, and is a most charming hostess.
Her home is a center of culture, where lovers of art, music and litera- ture delight to assemble.
Mrs. Wood is also an active mem- ber and a worker in Trinity Parish of the Episcopal Church in the city of Mount Vernon, particularly in those branches of religious work which bring her in touch with the young women of the Church.
She is a member of the National Committee of the Anti-Suffragists of which Mrs. Arthur M. Dodge is Presi- dent, believing thoroughly in the rights of women but not in getting those rights through the Ballot.
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FRANCIS A. STRATTON.
Francis Augustus Stratton, is a conspicuous representative of the business men in this county, and, we might add, of the men of affairs who take an interest in politics of the day without desire to hold public office, men who do not shirk the responsibilities of good citizenship.
This book which endeavors to present the life stories, in condensed form, of many of the citizens of this county who are now, or have been, at the front of its activities, and whose achievements are matters of current interest, relates to such men as Mr. Stratton.
He was born at Little Valley, Cattaraugue County, N. Y., a son of Lorenzo and Sophia J. (Hill) Stratton.
His family is of English origin, he being a direct descendant of Resolve White who came to Ameri- ca in the Mayflower. His ancestors took part in the Revolutionary War, and were, most of them, noted as prominent and patriotic citizens. His father was also a native of New York State, while his mother was a daughter of Henry Hill, American Consul to Brazil during President Madison's term of office, and her grandfather Samuel Russel, was the first postmaster of Buffalo, N. Y.
The subject of this sketch became a resident of Westchester County in the year 1899, taking up his abode in Mount Vernon, where he yet resides.
He soon became prominent in activities for the development and success of the county. One of his most notable achievements was the placing upon a sound commercial, economical and satisfactory basis the lighting business of the entire county of Westchester. His cor- porations supply this County and a part of New York City with gas and electricity. He has built and is now engaged in building electric rail- roads through the County. He has also been a successful real estate operator; and, recently, was instru- mental in forming land companies in the northern part of the County, with a view to forwarding the development of this section.
Through a tract of 200 acres of land, owned by him in the city of
New Rochelle, he gave a right of way to the New York, Westchester and Boston Railroad. It was on this property that the railroad company has established the station of " Quaker Ridge," which is destined to become a flourishing settlement. In the development of this promis- ing residential section Mr. Stratton has associated with him many of the best known real estate experts in the State.
Mr. Stratton is now president and a director of the Westchester Light- ing Company, of the Northern West- chester Lighting Company, and the Peekskill Lighting and Railroad Company. He is also a director of the Putnam and Westchester Trac- tion Company, of the Mount Ver- non Trust Company, of the Quaker Ridge Improvement Company, of the Craigdale Realty Company, etc.
He finds his recreation in yachting and other out-of-door sports. Is a member of the New Rochelle Yacht Club; the Wykagyl Country Club, of the Lotos, the Lawyers' and the Transportation Clubs of New York City.
In politics he is a staunch Republi- can; he is a member of the Republi- can Club of New York City, is a member of the Republican City Com- mittee, of Mount Vernon, and is a member of the Westchester County Republican Committee. In March, 1912, he was elected unanimously as chairman of the Mount Vernon Re- publican City Committee, to succeed County Clerk Frank M. Buck, who urged Mr. Stratton's selection. The new chairman's Republican fellow townsmen are anticipating that "' something will be doing, sure," if the " new Leader " takes hold of his new job with the same active spirit invoked when he tackles pri- vate business propositions.
In part recognition of valuable services rendered in all localities, a dinner was given him in 1903. Prominent men of the County, repre- senting all branches of commerce and professions, were there to do him honor. The mayors of the three cities accompanied by other munici- pal officers of towns and villages vied with each other in bearing testimony as to how their localities had been well served by the guest of the evening. During the banquet Mr.
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Stratton was the recipient of an ap- propriate gift that would ever re- mind him of the sincere regard in which he is held.
One of his pleasing reflections is that he is an honorary member of the "Fourth Estate." Is associ- ated with the Press Club of New York City and with the " Journal- istic Combine " in Westchester County. Even Democratic editors are willing to overlook his " politi- cal weakness,"' on the ground that he is "an all-round goodfellow," and say, " despite your politics, we love you still." Annually he gave an outing to members of the press, which always, to the hard-worked quill-driver, proved a dispensation of mercy, with a considerable mixture of a " bully-good time thrown in." With him the Westchester news- paper men explored the subway tun- nell before its opening to the public; with him, and at his expense, the County, journalists, in company with municipal officers and other promi- nent men of the County, were en- abled to witness the International Yacht Race in 1903; to satisfy the vanity of the newspaper men, and because it was his custom, Mr. Strat- ton on this occasion gave to each guest a handsome piece of jewelry as a souvenir of the occasion. In return for this new evidence of generosity, the guests unanimously nominated and elected Mr. Stratton an " Admiral," because he knew just what to do when out at sea.
Affable and pleasing in address, unpretentious and unostentatious in his demeanor, yet with a quiet dig- nity and force of character that never fail to win the place his merits claim, Mr. Stratton is generally and deservedly popular. The important trusts which have been committed to his charge, and the eminent position which he now holds justifies the statement made at the beginning of this sketch.
Mr. Stratton was married in 1883, to Miss Annie Wilder, daughter of General John T. Wilder, a Federal Officer in the Civil War, then a resi- dent of Chattanooga, Tenn. Gen. Wilder is alive at this writing, aged 82 years.
There is one son, Wilder Lorenzo Stratton, aged 26 years.
JOHN H. CORDES.
John Henry Cordes, Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon, former Supervisor, former City As- sessor, former City Fire Commis- sioner, etc., was born on June 30, 1861, in Morrisania, in this county, of German parentage, a son of Christopher and Elizabeth Cordes.
His parents became residents of Mount Vernon in 1872, when he was eleven years of age.
He was educated in public schools of Morrisania and Mount Vernon.
As a real estate and insurance broker he has a long established business, as remunerative as it is extensive.
He has for years been an active figure in public affairs, performing the duties associated with good citi- zenship.
Shortly after reaching his ma- jority he took interest in politics, becoming a member of the Demo- cratic party.
In 1892 he was made a City As- sessor, and held this office until he was elected a Supervisor to repre- sent the Fourth Ward. The office of Supervisor he held from 1904 to 1912, having been elected in 1911 as City Comptroller to serve until November 20, 1913.
In 1909 he was appointed a City Fire Commissioner, and served the full term.
In 1907 Mr. Cordes was the Demo- cratic nominee for Mayor, his popu- Iarity forcing his nomination. It proved to be not a Democratic year, and although he polled a surpris- ingly large vote, under great disad- vantages, he failed of election. In 1909 he received a citizens' nomina- tion for the same office; again his vote was large but not enough to elect. In 1911 he was the Demo- cratic nominee for City Comptroller, and was successful.
He has filled the office of City Comptroller so acceptably that a re- election can be had for the asking. His friends, however, contend that he should be Mayor.
He was never defeated for the office of Supervisor.
He is a member of the Firemen's Benevolent Fund Association, organ- ized in 1891, was a charter member
JOSEPH S. WOOD
SUSY E. WOOD (Mrs. Joseph S. Wood)
FRANCIS A. STRATTON
JOHN H. CORDES
WILLIAM C. CLARK
ROBERT MASON
JOSEPH HENRY ESSER
J. ALBERT ZIMMERMANN
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and its president twelve years; of the Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 195, I. O. O. F .; of the Guiding Star Encampment, No. 83, I. O. O. F .; of Washington Engine Co. No. 1, now Chemical Engine Co., serving in all offices and as foreman four years; of Exempt Firemen's Asso- ciation of Mount Vernon; of Mount Vernon Lodge No. 842, P. B. O. E .; charter member of Mount Vernon Turn Verein; of Mount Vernon Quartette Club; of Mount Vernon Council No. 2019, Royal Arcanum; charter member of local council Woodmen of the World, and mem- ber of other fraternal and social organizations.
Mr. Cordes was married on Octo- ber 4, 1887, to Miss Clara A. O'Mal- ley, daughter of D. O'Malley of Pelham. Of this union there are three children, Amy B., John H., Jr., and Arthur V. Several years following the death of his wife, Mr. Cordes was again married, on Octo- ber 6, 1903, to Miss Caroline M. Rampert, daughter of Albert Ram- pert of Mount Vernon. Of the sec- ond marriage there are two children, Herbert A. and Edgar W.
WILLIAM ARCHER.
William Archer, former Alderman of the City of Mount Vernon, treas- urer of the Republican County Com- mittee, etc., was born in Ireland and came to this country about forty-five years ago, when a young man, pos- sessed of little money, but well equipped with energy, perseverance and a determination to succeed.
He landed in New York in com- pany with a young friend, also from Ireland, John Dawson. Between these men friendship has been pure and everlasting. In early days they entered into a partnership that ex- ists even unto this day. Both Archer and Dawson worked as laborers in New York city, and when, after a few years, they had saved a little money, they started the partnership which created a large contracting business.
They both became residents of Mount Vernon about thirty years ago, became interested in public affairs and contributed largely to Mount Vernon's development as a "City of Homes."
Mr. Archer was elected an Alder-
man to represent the Fifth Ward and subsequently was unanimously chosen as Alderman from the same ward to fill a vacancy; he was twice the unsuccessful nominee of the Re- publican party for Mayor. He has been treasurer of the Republican County Committee for nearly fifteen years.
In 1911 the Republican State Convention nominated Mr. Archer for State Treasurer. This year proved to be an unprofitable one for Republican nominees, as that particu- lar political party suffered from loss of blood owing to the cutting off and running away of a large num- ber of former Republican faithfuls who joined the recently created Bull Moose political party. Like others worthy on the State ticket, Mr. Archer was defeated, though he lea all candidates in the voting in his own county.
The subject of this sketch does not make politics a business; he con- siders it as a diversion, a relaxation from business.
His business is construction of large buildings. His firm has its offices in New York city. The firm built the Criminal Court Building, the Park Row Buildings, the Hol- land House, the Tower Building, and several churches, in New York city, and other equally large buildings in other sections.
Mr. Archer invested largely in Mount Vernon real estate, and de- veloped Corcoran Manor, where he resides.
He is a director in the First Na- tional Bank of Mount Vernon and is interested in other financial insti- tutions, is a trustee of the Chester Hill Methodist Church, and is a member of several societies, frater- nal and social.
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