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 23
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About the year 1820, was built the then famous Elephant Hotel at Somers Town Plain, which contains a spacious ball- room, and which during its continuance as a public house down to a recent period, was the scene of annual social events patron- ized by the best people of upper Westchester County. On the village "Green" about the year 1825, a granite monument was erected which is still standing surmounted by a miniature ele- phant commemorating the death of "Old Bet."
Somers Town Plain received its severest blow when, in 1825, it was visited by cholera, and nearly one-half of the people were swept away by its ravages.
One evening in the summer of that year, on the arrival of the stage from Danbury, a passenger was found to be seriously ill. In the course of an hour or two it was discovered that he had Asiatic cholera. He was immediately quarantined in a vacant house in the village, and in a day or two died with this dreaded disease, which at that time assumed the most malignant form.
The bedding on which the man died was burned in the yard back of the house. The smoke from the fire slowly drifted up
GEORGE TURNER
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the main street of the village and entered the open doors and windows of houses. A few, on the smoke's approach, closed their windows and doors, they alone escaped. All the others were taken with the disease and died.
One of the pathetic instances connected with this terrible visi- tation was the fact that a man by the name of Barrett acted as nurse for every stricken person, also as undertaker and grave digger, and the next morning after he had buried the last victim, he called to a neighbor, at four o'clock in the morning, and told him he too was attacked by the disease, and at ten o'clock the same morning he died, alone and unattended.
Localities in this town are Somers, Somers Centre or Lincoln- dale, Mahopac, Baldwin Place, Muscoot Reservoir and West Somers.
The population of the town is given as 1,997 in 1830; in 1835, 1,900; in 1840, 2,082; in 1845, 1,761; in 1850, 1,722; in 1855, 1,744 ; in 1860, 2,012; in 1865, 1,695; in 1870, 1,721; in 1875, 1,631; in 1880, 1,630; in 1890, 1,897; in 1892, 1,743; in 1900, 1,338 ; in 1905, 1,175; in 1910, 1,228.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GEORGE TURNER.
George Turner, Supervisor of the Town of Somers, former Justice of the Peace, etc., was born in the town he now represents in the county Legislature, at Somers Center, on January 10, 1874, a son of Augustus and Julia (Teed) Turner.
He was educated in private schools and in the Chappaqua Mountain In- stitute. He spent many of his best days on his father's farm, and to- day he is proud to say he is a farmer.
His present place of residence is Lincolndale, formerly Somers Centre.
At an early age he began taking an active interest in politics, attach- ing himself to the Democratic party. When only twenty-four years of age he was elected a Justice of the
Peace of his town, and when his term of office had expired he was re- elected, serving from 1898 to 1907. In 1907 he was elected Supervisor, and was re-elected Supervisor in 1909, and again in 1911 to serve until 1914. He is one of the youngest members in the County Board of Supervisors and one of its most use- ful members, always on the alert to serve the best interests of his town.
Mr. Turner is of the most genial nature, which tends to make him popular with his associates. He be- longs to several associations, both fraternal and social, among them being the Peekskill Lodge of Elks, No. 744, the National Democratic Club of New York city, and the Westchester Chamber of Commerce, the Bedford Farmer's Club.
Mr. Turner is unmarried.
For biographical sketches of other residents see elsewhere in this book, and in volumes one and two.
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TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS.
(Continued from page 249, Vol. 1.)
This township was formed in 1725, by act of the General Assembly, when it was known as the White Plains Precinct. The land upon which it is founded was purchased from the Indians, in 1683, over which the Chief Orawaupum ruled. The precinct of White Plains was originally a part of the town of Rye and belonged to the manor of Scarsdale. It was created a town on March 7, 1788.
In 1759, by act of the General Assembly, White Plains was made the "Shire Town" of the County, and it has remained the County-seat ever since.
This town holds a prominent place in the County's history- it was ever in the midst of "a scene of strife" during the Revo- lutionary War period.
In the spring of 1775, when news came of the battles of Lex- ington and Concord, the whole town was aroused, and people took sides, for or against the King. The indignant patriotic citizens assembled at Oakley's tavern, opposite the Court House, for the purpose of giving expression to their feelings. Col. Lewis Morris presided over the meeting. The more conserva- tive citizens, who did not want to appear disloyal, gathered at Capt. Hatfield's tavern, not far distant. At the patriots' meet- ing strong resolutions were adopted denouncing the course Parliament had pursued in opposing the English subjects in America; advocated immediate separation and armed revolu- tion, and appointed deputies to meet the deputies from other counties at New York, to elect delegates to the first Continental Congress, to convene in Philadelphia. The second gathering at Hatfield's tavern adopted a protest against warlike action on part of their neighbors, and adjourned singing, "God Save Great George, our King."
In this way White Plains, in fact the whole County, was com- mitted to the patriotic cause in the Revolution.
Here was established the headquarters of the Committee of Public Safety, over which John Jay and Pierre Van Cortlandt presided.
Battle Hill, or Chatterton Hill, where the Battle of White Plains was fought on October 28, 1776, is in the village of White Plains.
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In this town the State was given birth, after the Declara- tion of Independence had been publicly read and pub- lished broadcast, "with beat of drum at White Plains," as directed by Congress. Members attending the Convention, to assist in the State's formation, came on horseback, led by Pierre Van Cortlandt, of this County, its president. " The members on horseback were called to order and business began."
At the time of Major Andre's capture the command of the traitor Arnold extended to and included this town.
The first Masonic Lodge holding meetings in the town met here in latter part of 1799; when Huguenot Lodge, No. 49, of New Rochelle, was privileged to meet here on stated dates. Meetings were held at the home of Joseph Hatfield. Local Masonic ceremonies were held at the Court House on February 22, 1800, to pay honor to the memory of General Washington, recently President, who had just died.
The Harlem Railroad, running to White Plains, was completed on October 26, 1837, a single track road. In 1903 the road was double tracked as far as Mount Kisco, and in 1905 double tracks were laid from the latter place to Brewsters.
The town's population shows remarkable growth; from one census enumeration to the next, the population had doubled. For statement of population of town prior to 1910, see volume 1, page 249.
The town's population in 1910 was 15,045; the population of White Plains village (including a portion of the town of Green- burgh), 15,949. The latter is claimed to be the largest village in the State, and the town is credited with having some of the finest and most costly private residences.
The first State Road (No. 1) in this County, built from White Plains village to Kensico Lake, in North Castle, and beyond, sixteen miles long, was constructed in 1901.
The estate of the late Whitelaw Reid, United States Ambas- sador to Great Britain, consisting of 750 acres, lies partly in this town and partly in town of Harrison.
White Plains has many newspapers, which is evidence of the intelligence of its people :- The Eastern State Journal, the West- chester News, the Westchester County Reporter (weekly and daily), the Argus (weekly and daily), and the Daily Record- all good, up-to-date journals.
The organization of local Military Company L, of the 10th Regiment (49th Separate Company) was completed in 1907;
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the date it was mustered in being May 28 of that year. The membership then being 64. Ralph M. Glover was captain; Hiram D. Rogers, first lieutenant, and Frederick W. Cobb, second lieutenant.
The village of White Plains contains the Court House and other County buildings, Bloomingdale Asylum, and various well- known incorporated institutions.
The late Supreme Court Justice Jackson O. Dykman, of this town, was the author of special magazine article entitled "The Last Twelve Days of Major André," published in 1889.
Lewis C. Platt Sr., of this town, was the first Surrogate of the County, and served nine years as Supervisor of White Plains, and belonged to a family noted for its loyalty to the American cause in the Revolutionary War period; Jonathan Platt, a relative, was a member of the Committee of Public Safety, other relatives were officers in the patriot army. His sons' relatives, on maternal as well as paternal side, were offi- cers in the American Army, and representatives on both sides were members of the guard placed over Major André just before his execution.
To Supervisor Ffarrington M. Thompson's influence is in a great part due the credit for the County's purchasing the site of the old Court House, on Broadway, the birthplace of the State, that it might be preserved to the State on account of its historic associations. Mr. Thompson was re-elected as Super- visor November 7, 1911, by the unprecedented majority of 507. The town gave nearly 400 majority to Republican candidates other than Supervisor.
The local police force is an efficient one, organized on modern lines.
This township contains but one incorporated village-White Plains, incorporated in 1866, by special act of the State Legis- lature.
In 1909 an unsuccessful attempt was made to secure from the Legislature a city charter for White Plains.
Under original charter, the people elected the Village Presi- dent; later, by amendment, the Board of Village Trustees was empowered to elect a person to act as President of the village, also to elect a Village Assessor, a Village Treasurer, a Collector of Taxes, a Police Justice, a Corporation Counsel, a Village Engineer, a Superintendent of Highways, Police Commissioners, a Building Inspector and a Superintendent of Fire Alarm.
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Under amendments to the village charter, passed by the Legis- lature in 1911 and signed by Gov. Dix July 21, the power to choose certain village officials is taken from the Village Trustees, and bestowed upon the people, who will elect a President, a Treasurer, a Police Justice, an Assessor, a Collector of Taxes and Assessments and one Village Trustee for each ward, to be chosen at a charter election, the first on November 21, 1911. Vil- lage President, so elected, is empowered to name a Corporation Counsel, Police Commissioners, a Village Engineer, a Superin- tendent of Highways, a Building Inspector, and a Superintend- ent of Fire Alarm.
Another amendment to the charter, passed in 1911, takes from the Village Trustees power to appoint Fire Commissioners from among their own number, and requires them to select three Fire Commissioners who are not Village Trustees. On the pass- age of this act so amended, Robert C. Bromm, a former Chief of the Fire Department, Frederick W. Cobb, a former Village Trustee, and George K. Cox, were appointed Fire Commission- ers. They organized August 15, 1911, with Mr. Bromm chair- man; Mr. Cox, secretary and Mr. Cobb, treasurer.
That section of the town of White Plains now known as the village of White Plains, had a population of about 900 in the year 1845.
The youngest brother of Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, George Washington Tompkins, was father of the late Joseph Warren Tompkins, a prominent lawyer of the town.
As early as 1845 residents began an agitation for the or- ganization of a local Fire Department, but nothing further was accomplished than the organization of a " hand-bucket brigade," when necessity demanded; in December, 1851, an especially big fire on what is now known as South Broadway, proved the need of regular fire engines ; the burning of the "Orawaupum House," February 17, 1854, woke the people up, and one fire engine was bought; another large fire, on April 12, 1861, stirred the people to action, and on May 12, 1861, Union Hook and Lad- der Company No. 1, was organized. The organization of Hope Engine Company followed soon after; to-day White Plains has one of the best fire departments in the State, composed of several companies-and in its membership includes its best citizens. Owing to trouble with Village Trustees Hope Com- pany members disbanded July 30, 1874; for some reason Union
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Company disbanded in May, 1876. In October, 1883, the fire department was reorganized.
White Plains has had its share of disastrous fires, destroying thousands of dollars worth of property. The most recent was the one on February 3, 1907, that of the Meade building on Railroad avenue, at which John C. Cromwell, Caleb F. Under- hill and Charles E. Cooley, local firemen, lost their lives while in performance of duties; and later, in 1911, when fire de- stroyed nearly a block of stores and dwellings in the business section on East Side, opposite the Harlem Railroad station, and when several firemen were severely injured.
The White Plains Hospital was established in 1893. In 1909 it was housed in its present handsome new building.
This town has handsomely laid out broad streets, either paved or macadamized.
Ffarrington M. Thompson was re-elected Supervisor on No- vember 7, 1911, for another term, which expires January 1, 1913. He has served in this office since 1902. At the termina- tion of his new term he will have served a longer period in this position than any of his predecessors. That he has been elected for so many terms is an especially high honor.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
FFARRINGTON M. THOMPSON.
Ffarrington M. Thompson, lawyer, Supervisor of the town of White Plains, Former School Commissioner of the Second School Commissioner District, and former Justice of the Peace, was born in Cold Spring, Putnam County, N. Y., on April 14, 1865, a son of Joseph and Selina H. (Glover) Thompson. Two years after his birth his parents removed to White Plains, where he has re- sided ever since.
He is a graduate of the excellent White Plains High School, and ever increasing interest in the public school system of the State led to his selection as a School Commissioner in 1893, and his continuance in this office until 1896. He still maintains his affection for the local district schools, as is manifest by his fre- quent offering of gold medals to in- spire present pupils to higher pro- ficiency.
as Assistant Postmaster of White Plains, entering this position almost immediately after graduating from school; in this office he served seven years. Next we find him occupying the responsible office of Village Clerk of White Plains, serving sev- eral years, and on hisretirement being commended for his efficiency by spec- ial resolutions adopted by the Board of Village Trustees. Following this he became School Commissioner, and then, from 1896 to 1903, he credit- ably filled the office of Justice of the Peace and Police Justice, the latter offices he resigned on being chosen Supervisor, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of William S. Sterling (who died April 14, on Mr. Thompson's birthday, 1903). In the fall of 1903, Mr. Thompson was the nominee of the Democratic party for the office of Supervisor; notwith- standing the fact that the town had proven repeatedly for many years that it was Republican, politically,
Mr. Thompson began his public career when in his youth he served | by a good stiff majority, Mr. Thomp-
Hav manglen M. Thompson
1
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son's popularity carried him to vic- tory, as it has done for each suc- ceeding two years ever since. Of re- cent years White Plains has, at gen- eral elections, given between four and five hundred majority to Repub- lican candidates, but from under this overwhelming majority Mr. Thomp- son, Democrat, has come up with his usual smile, a victor, with a score of at least three hundred, which af- fords ample proof that the people of his town, regardless of political party affiliation want him for their Supervisor, believing him to be safe and sane.
At the Town election held Novem- ber 7, 1911, Mr. Thompson repeated his unprecedented success of being elected Supervisor as a Democrat in a Republican Town, receiving 507 majority, when Republican candi- dates, other than for Supervisor, were elected by about 400 majority. His new term is for 1912-13.
For several years Mr. Thompson was associated with Judge William Popham Platt in the practice of law; in 1902 after Mr. Platt had been elected County Judge, this partner- ship was dissolved, and Mr. Thomp- son established business on his own account in White Plains, where he now has a very extensive and lucra- tive practice. His specialty in the law being probate, real estate and the settling of estates, in which branches of the law and practice he is recognized as an authority.
As Supervisor Mr. Thompson has taken the initiative in the forma- tion of legislation benefiting his Town and the County at large. He strongly advocated the construction of the Bronx Parkway to run through the County connecting with New York city, and destined to add much to the value of real property in the County. The success of the project to secure the property in White Plains, formerly the site of the old Court House, in which was adopted the first Constitution of the State, and hold it in the name of the State and County, was due principally to his efforts, and that there is now erected on this property one of the handsomest armories in the State, housing one of the finest militia companies, is also due to his per- sistent efforts.
Mr. Thompson is a Mason of
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prominence, a member of White Plains Lodge, No. 473, F. and A. M., in which he has held high of- fices, beginning at the lowest; he was made Knight of Bethlehem Commandery of Mount Vernon, No. 53, and member of Irving Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, of Tarry- town, and is now a member of Cru- sader Commandery of White Plains, and of White Plains Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, of White Plains, is a member of the Mason's Veter- an's Association, and is a thirty- second degree Mason of the New York Consistory and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.
Is an Elk, a member of the White Plains Lodge, B. P. O. E., a member of the Westchester County Society for the Prevention of Cru- elty to Children, an honorary mem- ber of the Eastside Hose Company of White Plains, and a member of the National Democratic Club and has long been identified with the Democratic organization of White Plains.
Mr. Thompson is not married.
LEWIS C. PLATT.
Lewis Canfield Platt, had the dis- tinction of being the first President of the Village of White Plains, elected direct by the people in re- cent years; was former President of the Board of Water Commissioners, former Town Clerk, and former Clerk in Surrogate's Court, etc.
He was born on September 20, 1862, in White Plains (where he has always resided), a son of Judge Lewis Canfield and Laura (Sher- brook Popham) Platt. He came of good American revolutionary stock; relatives on both his paternal and maternal sides took important parts aiding the patriots in the struggle for American independence. He is a direct descendant of Jonathan Platt of North Castle, who served his town as Supervisor in 1777, was a member of the Provincial Congress in trying times, in 1776 and 1777, was a member of the Convention held in White Plains which created the State of New York, and was also member of the Committee of Safety, a body of men for whose cap- ture a price had been offered by the British General.
The subject of this sketch was edu-
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cated in public and private schools of his native town. He began the study of law in the office of his father.
His father was the first elected Surrogate of this county, and from the fourth elected Surrogate, Owen T. Coffin, Mr. Platt, Jr., received his first political position, that of re- cord clerk in the Surrogate's Court; this position he held from August 7, 1887, to March 1, 1896, serving the last two months under Surrogate Silkman. Mr. Platt resigned to de- vote his time to the practice of law, having been admitted to the bar on December 11, 1894.
When only twenty-four years of age, in 1886, he was elected Chief Engineer of the White Plains Village Fire Department, serving during the years 1886-87.
At the spring town election in 1898 he was elected Town Clerk, which office he held several years.
He next was elected a Water Com- missioner of the Village of White Plains, in 1902. He was elected president of the Board of . Water Commissioners and continued as such officer until his retirement in 1910. The important part he took in suc- cessful endeavors to supply residents with pure and wholesome water was appreciated by his fellow citizens, as was shown when he was a candi- date for the Village Presidency.
The first election held under the village charter, amended in 1911, permitting the electors of the village to vote direct for village officials, took place on November 21, 1911. This, on account of the large number of officials to be chosen, proved to be a most exciting election. Both po- litical parties made good nomina- tions, and all candidates were will- ing to be judged on their merits. The village had been carried by sev- eral hundred majority for Republican town candidates, excepting the Su- pervisor. Two weeks later the whole Democratic village ticket, headed by Mr. Platt, candidate for President, was elected by good-sized majorities; Mr. Platt won by 301, over John T. Rehill, who had ably served twenty years as a Village Trustee.
As a lawyer Mr. Platt has a large practice, principally pertaining to Surrogates Courts, settlements of es- tates, etc.
Besides being a member of the local Fire Department, he is a member of White Plains Lodge, No. 473, F. and A. M., of White Plains Lodge of Elks, and of other frater- nal and social organizations.
Mr. Platt was married on June 15, 1892, to Miss Fannie A. Arm- bruster, daughter of John and Eliza- beth Armbruster, of White Plains.
President Platt died, after a brief illness, at his home, on February 22, 1913. His unexpected death came as a great shock to citizens gener- ally, who were anticipating his ac- cepting a re-election to the Village Presidency, a position he had filled so acceptably.
JOHN J. BROWN.
John James Brown, former Presi- dent of the village of White Plains, Bronx Valley Sewer Commissioner, etc., was born on October 1, 1854, in the city of Newburgh, N. Y., a son of James and Mary J. (Miller) Brown. He was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native city and at the Newburgh Free Academy.
He became a resident of this County in 1892, when he came to dwell in the village of White Plains.
He was elected a member of the local Board of Education and served two terms. During the same period he served as a Water Commissioner of the village of White Plains, re- signing both official positions to ac- cept the Village Presidency.
Was first elected Village Presi- dent, to succeed Samuel C. Miller, by the Board of Village Trustees in 1900, and has been re-elected con- tinuously, excepting one year, 1909, up to and including 1911.
In 1903 Gov. Odell appointed Mr. Brown as Commissioner of United States Funds, for Westchester County ; this position he still retains.
He was named a member of the Bronx Valley Sewer Commission in the act passed by the State Legis- lature in 1905, authorizing the con- struction of said sewer.
By appointment of Supreme Court Justice Keogh, Mr. Brown was a Commissioner in Ashokan Aque- duct land condemnation proceedings.
He has been for eleven years secre- tary of the Westchester Republican County Committee.
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Notwithstanding the demands of public business, for which he is es- pecially adapted, he takes plenty of time to attend to vast private in- terests which give opportunity to display business ability. He is gen- eral manager for the States of New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island for the Keeley Institute. Was a director of the County Trust Company in White Plains, and is interested in other similar institutions.
Has long been prominent in the Masonic order, is a member of White Plains Lodge, F. and A. M .; a member of the Republican Club of New York city, of the Trans- portation Club of New York city, of the Larchmont Yacht Club, and of the White Plains Club.
Mr. Brown was married on Aug- ust 3, 1905, to Mrs. Ray Russell Rockwell, daughter of the late Jacob Voorhis, Jr., of New York city, for- merly Commodore of the New York Yacht Club.
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