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 21
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Here is manufactured and distributed many of the stoves, of all kinds, made in this country.
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad passes through this village; the station of this road now stands where was once the head of Adee Street, and doubtless recalls to resi-
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dents the exciting incident which occurred in 1872, when Stephen A. Marshall was president of the village. The railroad com- pany attempted to close the upper end of Adee Street to elimi- nate street crossing tracks; to do this the company ran heavily freighted cars to that locality and securely blocked the cross- ing. The village authorities, headed by President Marshall, accepted the evident challenge to war and began rallying the people to action against the railroad invasion; the church bells were soon engaged in ringing a fire alarm; people in droves hur- ried to the Adee Street railroad crossing, and on being directed as to the service required gave willing hands to pushing back the freight cars, specially heavy though they were. After this experience the railroad officials did not undertake again to "steal a march" upon "the unsuspecting public," but acquired the property in legal form.
Among the principal industries of the thriving village of Port Chester, the Port Chester Transportation Company holds a conspicuous place. This company has for years run a fleet of vessels carrying freight between the village and New York city; to-day steam freight boats of this line, replacing sailing sloops, make daily communication to and from the big city, and are admitted to be among the finest fast-sailing boats that ply upon Long Island Sound.
The newest of these steamboats is named "Port Chester," in honor of the home port. On occasion of the boat's first trip from New York, direct from the ship-builder's yard, on Sep- tember 28, 1907, the local merchants and tradespeople, as a whole, presented, accompanied by appropriate ceremonies, a "stand of colors and eagle for the pilot house," in the name of the people whose homes and whose interests are centered about Port Chester-people who appreciated as a compliment the giv- ing of the name "Port Chester" to the handsome craft.
In accepting the gift and accompanying resolutions, Captain Edwin F. Studwell, president of the Transportation Company, in part said :
"It will be fifty years this fall since Captain Nelson Stud- well, my uncle, first came to this village, at the request of Cap- tain Thomas Bird, to run the sloop 'James H. Holdane' (in place of the sloop 'Sarah Adee,' which had been wrecked a short time before), until he could find a suitable boat for him to buy to run on the same route. Captain Bird was so well
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pleased with the Holdane' and Capt. Nell, that he never looked for another boat, or at least he never bought one.
"In 1870 Captain Bird died, and I, having shipped on the 'Holdane' March 7, 1860, and having been captain of the boat for several years, succeeded to the business, and have been in charge to the present time.
"Captain Nelson Studwell, David P. Ferris and myself built the first 'Port Chester' in 1879, and during that year we organ- ized a stock company with David P. Ferris as president, Nelson Studwell, vice-president, Edwin F. Studwell, secretary and treasurer, with Andrew Ferris and William H. Ferris, directors.
"In 1886 we built the 'Glenville,' with the intention of run- ning the two boats, but after a trial of two years we found we were ahead of the times, as we could not make the two boats pay; we therefore sold the 'Port Chester,' lengthened the ‘Glen- ville,' and have run but one boat since. The company recently decided that the time had really arrived when we should have another up-to-date steam propelling boat plying between this village and New York city, to give to our patrons the proper ser- vice which is due them, as our village is rapidly growing and we want to keep up with the times; so after much thought we decided to build a boat and this is the result.
"This boat was built under the supervision of my son, Edwin A. Studwell, Superintendent of the Company."
The village has an excellent fire department, equipped with most modern apparatus; the fire houses are fine brick and stone structures well located in different sections.
Former Sheriff James S. Merritt is Chief Engineer of the Fire Department for 1912-13.
Its excellent public graded schools and spacious buildings are numerous and well adapted to the needs of a growing com- munity.
The village of Rye, as well as Port Chester, contains many handsome residential places and the homes of many New York business men.
State Laws of 1907, Chap. 711, and of 1908, Chap. 408, pro- vide for the acquiring of certain lands for a public park in the town of Rye, laying out, constructing and maintaining a public park. These lands include property lying on the shores of Long Island Sound, such as the well-known Rye Beach and adjacent bathing beaches.
EDWIN F. STUDWELL
JOSEPH HAIGHT
JOHN W. LOUNSBURY
CHARLES E. LOUNSBURY
JOHN F. MILLS
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOSEPH HAIGHT.
Joseph Haight, Supervisor of the town of Rye, former Town Clerk, etc., was born just over the county border line, in Greenwich, Conn., on September 16, 1859, a son of Joseph and Adeline (Rich) Haight.
He was educated in the schools of his native town and in the Fort Edward Institute, Fort Edward, N. Y.
He became a resident of Port Chester, in the town of Rye, his pres- ent place of abode, in 1876.
Entering upon a business career he filled the responsible position of Assistant Superintendent of the ex- tensive bolt manufactory of Russell, Birdsall & Ward, which position he retained seven years from 1886. He resigned his place with this company in 1893 to engage in business on his own account, in which he was suc- cessful. At the present writing he is president of the Port Chester Hygeia Ice Company, and is Treas- urer of the Rye Realty Company.
He was elected Clerk of the Town of Rye in 1905, receiving an unpre- cedented majority, and served in this office during the years 1906- 7-8-9.
In the fall of 1909 he was pro- moted to the office of Supervisor, again by a large majority. As Supervisor he served during 1910-11, and was re-elected Supervisor in 1911, for the years 1912-13.
His career as a County legislator has been quiet and unpretending; but the industry, ability and success with which he has discharged his duties to constituents and the county has not failed to establish his reputa- tion as a safe legislator, fully cap- able of successfully filling still higher and more important positions at the hands of his fellow citizens.
He has ever taken a prominent part in the proceedings of the Board of Supervisors, and has exercised much influence in enacting county legislation. He has held prominent place on most important commit- tees; he is now serving his third year as chairman of one of the lead- ing committees, that on Good Roads. Being a man of systematic habits and a believer in what is worth doing is worth doing well, he has
introduced many changes in manage- ment of details that great good has resulted in conducting duties of his committees. For several years he has been also a member of the active committee on Repairs and Supplies.
In addition to his duties as Super- visor he is chairman of the Rye Park Commission, and as such has been influential in perfecting plans to meet the ideas of his fellow towns- men who consider this Long Island Sound front pleasure park as one of the town's greatest accessions. .
Mr. Haight was married on June 5, 1901, to Miss Susan M. Marshall, daughter of Joseph H. Marshall, of Port Chester. Of this union there is one son, Joseph Walton Marshall Haight, aged eight years.
EDWIN F. STUDWELL.
Edwin Francis Studwell, former Supervisor of the town of Rye, former Chief Engineer of the Port Chester Fire Department, etc., was born in Greenwich, Conn. (not far from his present place of abode in Port Chester, this County), on April 8, 1843, a son of George O. and Jo- hanna (Buckhout) Studwell.
He attended school in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., receiving a good, practical education that fitted him for a successful business career.
"Captain Ed," as he is univer- sally known, has a wide acquaintance among the citizens of the County, and among the " river tradesmen " he has been popular, from the day he first trod the deck of his sailing craft, plying between the local port and the big city. He served " be- fore the mast " in all capacities, reaching the position he now holds as president and principal owner of the Port Chester Transportation Company. The title of captain he earned as active commander of " ships of the line."
All rural communities possess one or more men to whom neighbors feel free to go for advice on all kinds of subjects, pains or ailments, real or imaginary troubles. This advice is expected to be given free gratis, for nothing, as a father would give to his children. For years Captain Studwell has held this enviable posi-
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tion, as "adviser for the public good. ''
The Captain is a man of com- manding presence; tall, well propor- tioned and is one who would attract attention in any assembly of men. Of great energy, sagacity and perse- verance, in whose sterling integrity not only his immediate neighbors in the village of Port Chester and the town of Rye, but the people of the County have perfect confidence.
Several years ago Capt. Studwell was chosen chief of the local Fire Department, a position that as rule is entrusted to one of the local- ities most leading citizens. No man was ever better fitted the for " job," in every respect; wherever Chief Studwell went and appeared at the head of Port Chester's most excellent department, he was recog- nized as "the ideal Chief." For four years he held this position, fill- ing it to the improvement of the ser- vice and to general satisfaction.
He relinquished the office of Su- pervisor in November, 1909, after serving the town eight years. In the Board of Supervisors he was one of its most prominent and use- ful members, serving at the head of at least two principal committees, and the County's business was never performed in a more business-like manner. As a legislator he was ever prompt, industrious and watchful of the interests of his constituency. He does not claim to be an orator, but his " talks " to his colleagues in the Board possessed so much good sense and logic that close attention was always given and the accom- panying advice heeded.
He was foremost among those citi- zens who conceived the idea that the attractive water front and popular beach known as Oakland Beach, in the village of Rye, should belong to the town of Rye, and be laid out as a public park. He supported earn- estly the bill before the State Legis- lature providing for such a park. On the bill becoming a law he, as Su- pervisor, with all his might entered into the work of securing the de- sired result, and before he retired from office the beautiful public park was assured. It is with just pleas- ure he can remember the part he had in securing to his town this valuable property.
It is in a great part due to the persistent efforts of Capt Studwell that an appropriation was secured from the United States Government for the improvement of Port Chester Harbor. Thirty years ago the first appropriation was secured. Since that time several appropriations ag- gregating many thousands of dollars each were obtained. Now the chan- nel is 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep.
For number of years Capt. Studwell has been vice-president of the long established Port Chester Savings Bank.
He is a member of the local coun- cil of Royal Arcanum.
Was married on January 29, 1868, to Miss Mary Anna Ferris, daughter of John and Mary (Huested) Ferris. Of this union there are the following children, Nettie, Edwin A., Nelson F., Mabel E., Chester A., and Lester W., all grown.
CHARLES E. LOUNSBURY.
Charles Edwin Lounsbury, Village Trustee and present Member of the Board of Education, former Chief of the Port Chester Fire Depart- ment, and a "man of affairs"' gen- erally, is a native of this County. He was born on October 21, 1860, not far from where he now resides in the village of Port Chester, the fourth and youngest son of one of the lead- ing families of the town, his parents being John William and Jane A. (Redfield) Lounsbury. His educa- tion is one of the good common school sort, built on what his father would designate as "a horse-sense foundation." On expressing a pre- ference for a business career, he en- tered his father's large grocery store as a clerk, where he received that thorough practical education which has proven of so much benefit to him in these later days.
The youthful Lounsbury early gave evidence of the qualities es- sential to the making of a man of affairs, and wise heads predicted that he would prove a creditable suc- cessor of a worthy sire. The care- ful consideration given to matters submitted to him, his conservatism and other characteristic traits be- spoke a coming merchant who would justly earn an enviable posi-
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tion in the mercantile world. His present standing among his asso- ciates justifies this prediction.
It is not only his mercantile posi- tion that commends him; though yet a comparatively young man we find him taking a leading part in the civic life of the community. For six years, beginning with 1900, he ably served as a Trustee of the vil- lage, assisting materially in per- fecting needed public improvements, many of which he suggested. He was again elected a Village Trustee in April, 1911. Since 1901 he has been a member of the local Board of Education, and it is owing greatly to his efforts that Port Chester has at this time some of the best graded schools in the State.
His association with volunteer fire- men, his untiring endeavors to pro- mote the efficiency of the brave " fire-fighters,"' and make the local fire department an ideal one, has earned for him the distinction of having a local fire engine company named in his honor; the " C. E. Lounsbury Hose Company " is one of the most thriving firemanic or- ganizations in the County. He be- gan running with the "machine " when little more than a lad. He en- tered into the discharge of his du- ties here energetically and with a vim usual for him to display in all his undertakings. His popularity advanced him through all grades un- til he reached the command of Re- liance Fire Engine Company; from the foremanship he graduated to Assistant-Chief Engineer, and up 'to Chief Engineer, at the head of the Fire Department in 1908, to be un- animously re-elected Chief in 1910, serving until succeeded by James S. Merritt.
His father was the first Chief En- gineer of the local Fire Department, at its organization; it is but fitting that his son should hold the same position to-day. No one could fill the position better than did the first Chief, and the son is giving satis- faction equal to that given by the father. The late Chief is a mem- ber of the local Firemen's Benevolent Association; a member of the State Volunteer Firemen's Association and a member of the National Fire
Chief's Association.
At an early age Mr. Lounsbury
achieved a reputation as a financier, and a business man of superior qual- ities. At the death of his father he was promptly chosen to take the lat- ter's place as a director of the local First National Bank, and later he took his father's place at the head of a long established and prosperous grocery business in Port Chester, which position he at present holds.
Mr. Lounsbury is prominent in fraternal orders, principally the Ma- sonic; he is a member of Mamaro Lodge, No. 653, F. and A. M., a member of Armor Chapter, a mem- ber of Bethlehem Commandery, Mount Vernon and of other branches of the order; is a member of Lodge No. 863, of the order of Elks. He is chairman of the Repub- lican Town Committee and repre- sents his village on the Republican County Committee, a position long held by his father, a recognized leader of his party in the county.
The subject of this sketch was married on November 12, 1884, to Miss Ida Gertrude Ritch, daughter of William M. and Elizabeth Ritch, of Greenwich, Conn. Of this union there are two children, sturdy sons; Walter Edwin, now aged twenty- three years, and Frederick Norton, aged nineteen years.
JOHN W. LOUNSBURY.
John W. Lounsbury, a former Su- pervisor of the town of Rye, a former President of the village of Port Chester, merchant, financier, etc., was born April 29, 1825, a son of Edward and Nancy (Peck) Lounsbury. His early life was spent on his father's farm in Flushing, L. I., where he was born, and he was only privileged to attend school dur- ing the winter months. His educa- tion was obtained principally in the School of Experience. At the age of fourteen he entered upon his mer- cantile career as a "get-around- quick " boy " in a grocery store in New York city; being a bright lad, endowed with what he termed good horse-sense, he soon acquired much useful knowledge. In 1842 he left the big city and settled in Port Ches- ter, when that place was but a strug- gling hamlet. As " a pioneer,"' with required hustling qualities, young Lounsbury soon proved himself to
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be the right man in the right place. | He took hold with a will and in- spired others to do their best in the development of Port Chester. He was thrifty and saved his money. He became a blacksmith's apprentice and later, after mastering the trade, bought out his employer. Making enough money, he embarked in the general grocery business. His effi- cient business ability, his standing fi- nancially and general popularity soon suggested him for political prefer- ment; he was elected Supervisor of the town of Rye in 1861; held the office of Village Trustee three years and then was elected Village Presi- dent; he was one of the original trustees of the Port Chester Library and Free Reading Room; a director and Vice-President of the Port Ches- ter First National Bank, a trustee of the local Savings Bank, a director of the Mount Vernon Peoples' (now National) Bank, a director of the New Rochelle City Bank, a director of the Westchester Fire Insurance Company, a director of the White Plains, Tarrytown and Mamaroneck Electric Railway, and was connected with other financial institutions. He was at the time of his death, which occurred May 18, 1905, one of the largest individual real estate owners in the town of Rye. A local park was named in his honor re- cently.
In politics he was a power, a poli- tician of the old school, and exer- cised considerable influence in the councils or his party. He was member of the County Republican Executive Committee and an inti- mate and political friend of Judge William H. Robertson. In his town he was the master mind, cool, calcu- lating and resourceful. His busi- ness ability fitted him for leadership among men. The present recognized county leader of the Republican party, William L. Ward, as a young man profited by the teachings of Mr. Lounsbury under whom he was a lieutenant; former Sheriffs Addi- son Johnson and James S. Merritt also started in politics under " Boss " Lounsbury. The latter did not make politics a business, only a pastime, to aid ambitious friends. He was generous and men can re- member the "helping hand " he gave, even outside of politics. He
was well informed on general sub- jects, and amply equipped to occupy the position forced upon him, of ad- viser to his fellow-citizens who needed guidance in matters of every- day life; this advice he gave with- out charge, though "hearings "' on occasions took much of his valuable time.
His death was a great loss to the community. The children surviving him are Daniel M., Herbert S., and Charles E. One son, George R., died in 1888, aged 37 years.
(See page 146, volume 1.)
JOHN F. MILLS.
John Fraser Mills, a former pub- lic official of prominence, filling with distinction many positions of trust in the town of Rye and a business man of more than ordinary abil- ity, was born in Jersey City, N. J., on October 8, 1843, a son of Ben- jamin and Jane (Fraser) Mills and grandson of John Mills, who fought in the Revolutionary War. He was educated in the Andover-Phillips Academy of Andover, Mass.
When quite young Mr. Mills came to Port Chester, in this County, and accepted a position with the Abendroth Brothers Company, a firm then in its infancy. The sterling qualities of the boy, his honest labor and manifest intention of making himself useful to his employers, rap- idly earned advancement for him; step by step he progressed, until he became superintendent of the com- pany's great business and later be- came vice-president and general manager of the concern. At the time of his death, on December 5, 1901, he was president of the com- pany.
The energy displayed by Mr. Mills in dispatching business was once de- scribed by a friend as being of the " one-hundred-horse-power sort." He was capable of doing in one day as much work as three ordinary men, with little friction and surprising smoothness. He certainly was " hustler."" His knowledge of the business, which he had gained by actual service as an apprentice in every department, fitted him to di- rect men and get the best results from systematized labor. To un-
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tiring energy and close application to business on part of Mr. Mills was due greatly the success attained, and yet held, by the Abendroth Brothers Company. In the business world he was highly respected; for his sterling qualities, his upright- ness and his being a stickler for do- ing things " open and above board,"' and because it was right so to do. He was firm for what he considered just, and ever ready to assist where his assistance was needed.
Not only as a successful business man was he known. He believed that good citizenship required some sacrifice of time, though ever so valuable, for the public good. Na- turally he was sought after when his fellow townsmen needed a proper person to fill a specially important position of public trust; he consid- ered every office connected with the public service a public trust. Though he might truly have pleaded, as an excuse, that his every moment was fully occupied, that he had no time to give owing to exacting business demands, yet he consented without unnecessary protest to accept posi- tions of usefulness rather than those to which was connected remunerative salary.
Writing a sketch of Mr. Mills is like writing a history of Port Ches- ter, so closely identified was he with events in the village's history.
He came to Port Chester when aged 19 years, was with Abendroth Brothers; for a time was in real es- tate and insurance business; pub- lished the first local newspaper; in his office in 1865 the first meeting was held to organize the Port Ches- ter Savings Bank, W. P. Abendroth was elected first President and Mr. Mills first cashier; six months later Mr. Mills returned to Abendroth Brothers as Superintendent; in 1881 he was elected Secretary of the Sav- ings Bank, which position he held until elected President of the bank shortly following the death of W. P. Abendroth; was a trustee of the Athletic Association of Port Ches-
ter; was a Mason of high degree; belonged to local Lodge F. and A. M .; was a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar; was one of the organizers of the Firemen's Benevo- lent Fund Association and a trustee at time of death; one of the first trustees of the Port Chester Library and Free Reading Room, or- ganized to manage gift of Hon. Jared V. Peck; was a Royal Ar- canumite; was a member of Harry Howard Hook and Ladder Company thirty years; vice-president of Port Chester Water Company; member of Iron Founders' Association of the U. S .; of Hospital Association; vestry man and senior warden of St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
Mr. Mills was married, on August 4, 1865, to Miss Maria Fraser Aben- droth (who died in 1899), daughter of William P. Abendroth (head of the firm of Abendroth Brothers), and Anna Maria Fraser Abendroth. Of this union there are four stalwart sons, grown to useful manhood, viz .: William A., John F., Benjamin and Frank M. John F. succeeded his father as president of the Aben- droth Brothers corporation now grown to even greater proportions than ever anticipated by the highest hopes of its founders. The last named John F. Jr., died suddenly of pneumonia on April 9, 1912.
John F. Mills, Jr., was born April 28, 1870, in Port Chester, where he ever after resided. He was a worthy son of a noble sire.
Was educated in the Port Chester public schools, graduated from the High School in Class of 1888.
He was a member of the Masonic Order and of its several branches, a member of Sons of the Revolu- tion, etc.
Was married on December 10, 1895, to Miss Lillian Wilcox, daugh- ter of Josiah N. and Henrietta (Lyon) Wilcox, of Port Chester. Of this union there were two chil- dren, John F., 3d, and Josephine Wilcox. Wife and children survive him.
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