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 26
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Has a paid fire department, comprised of 13 fire companies, auto fire engines, motor fire apparatus, 120 men, and 10 fire houses.
Its public schools are of the best; in the Department of Public Education there are 21 schools and 370 teachers; nearly 16,000 pupils are enrolled. The parochial schools have an enrollment of more than 4,000.
Has one of the handsomest City Halls in the State, just com- pleted, at a cost of $500,000.
The Hospitals, six in number, are most modernly equipped.
The local Post Office gives employment to 75 letter-carriers and 21 clerks.
Churches, of all denominations, to the number of 61.
Has five public parks and playgrounds. Has three public baths. Has one hundred fraternal societies.
Large Library building contains thousands of volumes of useful knowledge.
As a manufacturing city it is widely known. Has the largest carpet works in the world; the largest elevator works in the world; the largest hat factory in the world; the largest sugar refineries, with a daily output of eleven thousand barrels; a large cooperage plant and extensive wire works, and many other manufactories.
One of the most prominent of many historic landmarks in this County is the building in the city of Yonkers known as Manor Hall, formerly known, in the early period, as the Philipse Manor House," and occupied during the American Revolution
* It has been claimed that this building was erected in the year 1682, but members of the Yonkers Historical Society dispute this, and say it was erected at a later date, in 1729; that it was constructed by English, not Dutch; that the charter bestowing land ownership was not obtained until after the earlier date.
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by Mr. Frederick Philipse (owner of the manor) and family, and where General Washington was ever a welcome guest. The association of Washington with this place adds materially to general interest, influencing patriotic citizens in these later years to inaugurate a movement having for its purpose the purchase and maintenance of building and grounds as a reminder of the historic past. The Manor House was occupied as a private resi- dence until the year 1868, when it was purchased by the village of Yonkers (from James C. Bell, at the instigation of Village Trustee Thomas Smith) and converted into a Village Hall, for the housing of the different local officials.
At the time of proposed purchase by the village of the old Manor House, much opposition developed; it being claimed that the expense was unnecessary, as there was no need for such a large building for village purposes. Public spirited citizens insisted and the purchase was made. Time gave approval of this action.
During necessary alterations to fit it for purposes intended, hidden closets in the building and underground passage-ways, from the house to the Hudson River, were discovered. In the period when occupants of dwellings lived in fear of attack from roving bands of Indians it was deemed necessary to construct underground passage-ways as a means of escape to the river, in case of attack. The hidden closets were receptacles of valu- ables put out of the way of those inclined to periodical inva- sions and depredations.
Since Yonkers became a city the Manor House continued to be used as a municipal building. In 1908 the city authori- ties yielded to the petitions of the Historical Society and agreed to sell the property that it might pass into the custody of the State for preservation as an historical relic. The new City Hall was not a fact until 1911. The restoration of Manor Hall to its former genuine Colonial style will be completed as soon as possible, and when all is done the building, exterior and interior, is expected to look as it did when it was first built.
The price which the city agreed to accept for the property was $50,000, much less than its real value, as was admitted; the reduction being charged to worthy patriotism.
The $50,000 necessary to secure forever the preservation of Manor Hall was given as a free gift by Mrs. Eva Smith Cochran, in 1908. The donor never lived to see the Manor House formally taken possession of by those to whom she presented it. Mrs.
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Cochran, who was known as Yonkers' great benefactress, owing to her many charities and philanthropic works, ever reserved and unostentatious, died February 3, 1909.
The principal city officials in 1911-12-13 were James T. Len- non, Mayor; Thomas F. Curran, Corporation Counsel; Max Co- hen, Deputy ; Joseph F. O'Brien, City Clerk, John T. Geary and Emil J. Craft, Deputies; Joseph H. Beall, City Judge; Joseph Miller, Comptroller, James D. McIntyre, Deputy; Gideon H. Peck, City Treasurer, Ethelbert B. Embree, Deputy ; James J. Fleming, Commissioner of Public Safety, Deputy, George C. Kearns; John A. Brady, Commissioner of Public Works; Samuel L. Cooper,* City Engineer; Tax Receiver, Charles E. Hartshorn, Jr .; Health Officer, Dr. William S. Coons; Super- intendent of Water Works, Edward L. Peene; Board of Assessors, Robert H. Neville, John J. Loehr, Daniel W. Car- roll and Frederick D. Breithack, William H. Fisher, Clerk; Daniel Wolff, Chief of Police, William H. Lent, Hugh D. Brady and George Cooley, Captains; James J. Mulcahey, Chief of Fire Department; Alfred Fox, Commissioner of Charities; William H. Rubien, President Civil Service Commission ; J. Sims Bartley, Building Inspector; William R. Stuart, Bernard E. Reardon, Oswald W. Potter and Jacob Wolff, Justices of the Peace.
The public school system of Yonkers is one of the best in the State. In the city there are twenty-one school buildings, built according to advanced ideas of school-house construction; and property valued at more than $2,000,000. Completed in 1911, is a Trades School, the gift of the late Ervin Saunders who was educated in the Yonkers public schools and who realized considerable wealth as a Yonkers manufacturer. The school is a memorial to his father, the late David Saunders.
John Hobbs, who later became a Superintendent of Schools and a member of the Yonkers Board of School Trustees, was the first known teacher of public school in Yonkers. In 1832 he taught in the little school house, a one-story building, on the east side of Broadway, just north of the corner of Ashburton Avenue. Mr. Hobbs lived many years at the corner of Ash- burton and Palisades Avenue, where he died.
The school house on the Mile Square Road is where the chil- dren of the early fifties were in the habit of attending. Among
* Commissioner Cooper died in 1913.
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its pupils were the late Mayor John G. Peene and many others who later became prominent citizens.
The school over which Mr. Hobbs presided thirteen years was removed to a street, nearer the center of the village, which was given the name of School Street for its principal building; this school house grew to fair proportions and for years was the village's educational mainstay. The boys of long ago will recall Moses B. Patterson, commonly called "Billy," who was the principal of this school many years, and his worthy wife, who was in charge of the girls' department. The writer's memory goes back to those days when he had " the time of his life," but he did not know it then. How apt in our youth we are to neglect the opportunities before us. This school came to be known later as No. 2.
In 1862 was opened a new public school house on Ashburton Avenue, between Warburton Avenue and Broadway, and for a time there was considerable rivalry between the pupils of No. 2 and No. 6 as the new school was called. The latter school later became known as the John W. Mason school, named in honor of the first president of the Board of Education Dis- trict No. 6. Thomas Smith, editor and proprietor of the Yonkers Herald, was at the head of the Board of Education in District No. 2.
At that period the town was divided into six school districts, each having a school house. It lost one district when the southern section was annexed to New York.
In 1881 the schools were consolidated and came under the direction of one Board of Education, of which Duncan Smith was elected president. John A. Nichols was first Superin- tendent of schools, serving one year; Andrew J. Rickoff came next and served little over a year; Charles E. Gorton was appointed to the position on November 1, 1883, and still con- tinues as Superintendent, giving entire satisfaction. In 1912-13 Charles Philip Easton is President of the Board of Education, and John F. Brennan Vice-President; positions held by them continuously several years.
Miss Helen Ring, a teacher in Public School No. 6 left Yon- kers in 1893 and went to Colorado for the benefit of her health. Later she married and her name became Mrs. Helen Ring Rob- inson. In June, 1913, she visited Yonkers, when she was a State Senator of Colorado, the only woman Senator in this country.
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The Palisade Boat Club, the Yonkers Yacht Club, the Yonkers Canoe Club and the Yonkers Corinthian Yacht Club have homes along the water front in this city.
Social and club life is at all times active; many organizations in the city contributing their share toward " driving dull care away," as there are also many societies devoted to more serious pursuits.
How many remember, when Manor Hall grounds extended to the Hudson River? When the first steam railroad train stopped at Yonkers? When Nepperhan Creek was a majestic river, and heavy freighted sloops sailed along the same, the railroad drawbridge opening to let them in? When the popular meeting place of residents Sunday afternoons was the steam- boat dock, foot of Main Street, and remember "Billy" Oakley who rang the bell? When a freshet, like a flood, carried away the Broadway bridge and the Factory Street bridge, which spanned the Nepperhan River? When Radford Hall was con- sidered a theatre, the only one in town, and Mr. Darby, "the candy man" (we won't say "Darby's ghost"), ran regular negro minstrel shows there? When the local militia company "went to war" (30 days), in 1861, and was given duty in Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, Md .? When Lillinthal's tobacco fac- tory building, at junction of Dock and Nepperhan Streets, was used as a barracks for out-of-town soldiers in 1860? When in the same period troops were lodged on "Chicken Island ?" When the bedstead factory building foot of Vark Street, was also a soldiers' barracks? When the present Waring's Hat Manufactory building, on Vark Street, was the "Star Armory," in which was manufactured guns, etc., for the U. S. Army dur- ing the Civil War? When "Bob" Buckley was the first man- ager of the Getty House? When the "Lyceum," on Mechanic Street, was the only public hall for society functions? When the Town Pump in Getty Square was the public water supply ? When Captain Garrison, Sr., ran sloops between Yonkers and New York city? When the local police force consisted of one Chief and a patrolman? When "Valentine's Lane" was "way out of town?" When the Yonkers Debating Society developed local orators? When North Broadway ran along on the shore of the Nepperhan River, before the building of Wheeler's row, and a mountain of solid rock lined the east side of that street? When, in the year 1856, the date of the organization of the Republican party, and John C. Fremont ran for President, the
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only election polling place in town was in the Franklin House, on lower Dock Street? When the village hall was on Factory Street (now Palisade Avenue), in building now used as a fire engine house ?
When the Reformed Church was started in the second story of a frame building on south corner of Broadway and Main Street? When the St. John's Episcopal Church, the pioneer church edifice, was a small, modest structure, when Rev. Dr. A. B. Carter was rector? When St. Mary's Church, an unas- suming edifice on St. Mary's Street, had Rev. Father Lynch for pastor ? It was then the only Catholic Church in the town ?
When an opportunity was had to use Dr. DeWitt C. Kel- linger's liniment, good for all ailments, made right in the town ? When Dr. Kellinger ran a stage line between New York and Albany ?
When the hotels in town were the Getty House, the Franklin House, the Denslow House, opposite the railroad station, the Mansion House on South Broadway, and the Broadway House, on Broadway near Main Street, and later, when the Sherman House was at No. 8 Main Street? When the post-office was in Post's store, corner of Broadway and Main Street, and later was on South Broadway in the "Nesbitt Row," and then was at No. 8 Main Street? When the office of the Yonkers Herald, the first newspaper in town, was at No. 2 North Broadway, near corner of Main Street, and later at No. 3 Main Street, in the first brick building erected on that street? When the first police headquarters was established on Main Street? (Dr. D. C. Kel- linger's " Mansion House," erected in 1833, was torn down in first part of April, 1912.)
When the annual masquerade ball of Lady Washington En- gine Company was the prominent local society function ?
When Devoe's saw-mill was located where Peene's wharf now is, at the foot of Dock street? When, in 1852, people passed to and fro across the Hudson River on the ice, with teams and afoot? When the only semblance to a dock was near what is now Glenwood, and at foot of Valentine's Lane.
Residents of Yonkers had financial interest in the first ele- vated railroad built in New York city, an endless-chain road, run- ning between Vestry and Watt streets. A venture that failed, and proved disastrous to investors.
The Mozart Regiment of New York city, which was quartered in the Lillinthal tobacco factory building, between Dock and
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Nepperhan streets, used as a soldiers' barracks, left Yonkers for the seat of war on July 4, 1861.
The old "Mansion House," later known as "Arlington Inn," on South Broadway, was torn down in April, 1912. The build- ing was erected by Dr. DeWitt C. Kellenger, manufacturer of a well known liniment that bore his name. At the time the Doctor was the owner of a stage line running between New York and Albany, and the Mansion House was the first stopping place on the northward journey. The stages were discontinued in 1840. For many years the hotel was continued up to the time of the Doctor's death. At one period the Doctor conducted the first theatre in Yonkers, established in an annex of the hotel on the south side. After the Doctor's death the property passed into the hands of R. N. Judson, of Bridgeport, Conn., whose heirs owned it recently.
The property in South Yonkers, now known as Van Cort- landt Park and adjacent property, had been held by the Van Cortlandt family since 1669. Acquired by a colonial grant received by the Van Cortlandts from the English crown.
The Yonkers Fire Department was organized in 1853, a calam- itous fire in May of that year, which destroyed property to a large amount, having shown the necessity of such an organization.
Of the churches existing in 1860, St. John's Episcopal was organized in 1753; the Methodist Episcopal, in 1828; the Re- formed in 1842; St. Mary's Catholic, in 1848; the Mount Olivet (later Warburton Avenue) Baptist, in 1849; the Presbyterian, in 1852; the Unitarian, in 1853; the Westminster Presbyterian, in 1858; the St. Paul Episcopal, in 1858; the Methodist Con- gregational, in 1858.
District-Attorney Francis A. Winslow was elected chairman of the Yonkers Republican City Committee on March 11, 1913.
President Wilson, on June 21, 1913, nominated to the Senate Thomas E. Ewing, Jr., of Yonkers, to be Commissioner of Patents, and latter was sworn into office on August 15, following.
This city has a strong company of New York State National Guards.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
THOMAS SMITH.
Thomas Smith was Editor, Judge, President of Board of Education, Deputy Collector of Port of New York, Village Trustee, President of Board of Health, Police Commis- sioner, President Fire Department Association and held various other public positions.
Became a resident of Yonkers in 1852, and immediately started the first newspaper there, the Yonkers Herald. He also published the first Directory of the town, in 1860, and the first daily newspaper in 1864.
Through his newspaper he urged the incorporation of Yonkers as a village, and was one of the com- mittee appointed to arrange for in- corporation effected in 1855.
On the establishment of the Union Free School District, he was chosen one of the first Trustees, and later became president of the Board of Education.
To secure for the town a proper fire department the Firemen's Asso- ciation was organized in 1855, when Mr. Smith was elected the Associa- tion's first president.
In 1857 he was appointed Deputy Collector of the Port of New York, under Collector Augustus Schell, and held that office until 1861, when his political party went out of power.
In 1860 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, held at Charleston, S. C. For nearly twenty years he was a regular at- tendant as delegate to local and State Conventions.
At the Democratic State Conven- tion, held in Syracuse, in 1862, he declined the nomination for Lieuten- ant-Governor, saying that he held enough offices in his own County to take up all the time he could spare from his newspaper business and other interests.
While a Village Trustee, and through the influence of his news- paper he advocated the purchase of Manor Hall, to preserve it for its historic value and for use as a Vil- lage Hall. The building was then occupied as a private residence by Judge William W. Woodworth and family. Many persons were opposed to the purchase, claiming that it was an unnecessary extravagance. Fin-
ally the purchase was agreed upon, and Mr. Smith was appointed a com- mittee to complete negotiations. Time has proven how judicious this purchase was.
He held the office of Justice of the Peace and Police Justice for sixteen years, the two offices being com- bined.
Also served as president of the Town Health Board, as a Police Commissioner, and in several other public official positions.
He was closely identified with local and county public affairs; a recognized power, owing to his abil- ity as an editor and an orator, from 1852 to time of his death.
(See biography in volume one, page 262.)
He was born in 1816, a son of James and Mary Smith, in New York City; of Scotch descent. Married Miss Amanda Smith, a daughter of Caleb L. Smith, M. D., and not re- lated; of this union there were thir- teen children, of whom six survive: James H., Henry T., Augustine, Amelia, Belle, and Lillie. Emma A., who followed Henry T., died January 1, 1913, aged 58 years.
Mr. Smith died in August, 1874.
JOHN BRENNAN.
John Brennan, former Alderman of Yonkers, etc., was born in Ireland, in September, 1823, and came to this country in 1852; for a time he resided in New York city, and later went to Boston to reside, coming to Yonkers in March, 1868.
He had not resided long in Yonkers before his ability as a conservative business man was recognized. He gained the confidence and respect of his neighbors not by outward show or by proclaiming his good qualities from the house-tops, for he was a silent man; the minding of his own business well, attracted attention to him.
When Yonkers became a city, in 1872, Mr. Brennan was elected one of the first Aldermen, from the First Ward, and was one of only two Democratic Aldermen elected in the city, though the Mayor elected was a Democrat.
Mr. Brennan later held an impor- tant position in the Department of
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Public Works in the city of Yonkers.
He was a member of several socie- ties and fraternal organizations.
He died at his home on Riverdale avenue, Yonkers, on April 25, 1903.
Two children survive him, John F. Brennan, lawyer, and Emma M. Brennan, teacher in public schools; both reside in Yonkers. Another daughter, Mary L., who married Joseph F. Daly, the well known law- yer of Yonkers, died in 1902, hus- band and wife dying on the same day, within a few minutes of each other.
Joseph Russell Daly, a grandson, aged 25 years, died December 4, 1911.
JAMES T. LENNON.
James Thomas Lennon, Mayor of Yonkers, former Receiver of Taxes, City Comptroller, etc., was born in Yonkers on April 6, 1869, a son of John and Ellen (Kiely) Lennon.
He was educated in the public schools of his native city, and re- ceived more particularly a business training. On leaving school he se- cured employment in a local drug es- tablishment; here he was soon able to master the science of drugs suffi- ciently to be considered a safe com- pounder. He graduated from the School of Pharmacy and later be- came the proprietor of one of the principal drug stores in the city.
Like many other bright men, Mr. Lennon took kindly to politics when he was quite young; but not in a way to get prescriptions mixed; he considered business first and enjoyed the game of politics as a relaxation in off hours. It is quite singular that the three young men who to- gether served their apprenticeship in that particular drug establish- ment, all later became prominent in politics-two were Coroners of the county and Mr. Lennon went from one grade to another in city offices until he reached the high rung as Mayor of his native city.
He has been several times a can- didate for office before the people, and he has the distinction of never having been defeated for an elective office. He never ran for office out- side of his home city; he prefers to remain where he is known best, con- fident that creditable public service
will be duly appreciated and amply rewarded by his neighbors, of all parties.
Mayor Lennon has always stood high with the Democratic party, of which he has been an active and in- fluential member, ever since he was a voter as may be inferred by the expressions of confidence he has re- ceived in the way of nominations for important positions. For many years he has been chairman of the Democratic General Committee of Yonkers.
Mr. Lennon served as Receiver of Taxes in 1902-3, and again in 1906- 7.
In 1907 he was the only Demo- cratic nominee on the city general ticket elected, when he was chosen by a decisive majority as City Comp- troller; he served in this position during the years 1908-9. As Comp- troller he introduced many needed reforms and became known as "the watch-dog of city monies.''
His faithful services in latter of- fice suggested his nomination and election as Mayor in 1909. He served through the years 1910 and 1911.
He is always found promptly at his post in the discharge of his offi- cial duties, and is singularly efficient in the dispatch of public business. He is not a public speaker, but he is an ideal" listener, preferring others to do the talking while he thinks. friends compare his dis- position to that of the late Presi- dent Grant-though he does not have the smoking habit so pronounced. He never puts on any airs of as- sumed dignity, but is sociable, pleas- sant, setting all who approach him at the most perfect ease.
In the prompt, intelligent and sat- isfactory discharge of the duties of Mayor, he has displayed his marked executive talent. Under his adminis- tration numerous reforms and im- provements have been inaugurated until the business matters of the city have been reduced to the same thorough system which ever char- acterizes the prudent management of private affairs.
In 1911 Mayor Lennon was a can- didate for re-election against the strongest candidate the opposition could put up. Lennon won.
In April, 1912, he was chosen by
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the Democratic State Convention as a delegate to the Democratic Nation- al Convention, to be held in Balti- more, Md.
Mayor Lennon is a member of various fraternal and social organiza- tions: the City Club, the Elks, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Benevolent Legion, Foresters, Royal Arcanum, Red Men, Loyal Order of Moose.
Mayor Lennon was married on September 28, 1893, to Miss Wini- fred E. Butler, daughter of Edward Butler of Yonkers. To them was born nine children; all are living; viz .: Helen, 17 years old; James, 15 years; Winifred, 13 years; Marion, 10 years; Agnes, eight years; Frances, six years; Albert, five years; Irene, three years, and Ed- mund, aged 14 months.
The Mayor is ever referring with just pride to his large brood of youngsters, and remarks that they all turn out to help him when he runs for office. President Roosevelt congratulated the Mayor upon his fine showing, remarking that it might come to pass that "the family vote" would secure him any office, without making appeal to outsiders.
In 1909 Mr. Lennon's opponent for Mayoralty was a bachelor; is it strange that Mr. Lennon won? In 1911 his opponent could not show so large a family following; again Lennon won.
JOHN F. BRENNAN.
John Francis Brennan, lawyer, Vice-President State Bar Associa- tion, former President Westchester County Bar Association, Vice-Presi- dent of Board of Education, Com- missioner, Bar Examiner, etc., was born in the city of New York, on December 3, 1853, a son of John and Margaret (Russell) Brennan. When he was but an infant Mr. Brennan's parents removed to Yonkers, whre he has continued to reside. His father was ever active in the early develop- ment of Yonkers, and when it be- came a city he was one of the first elected Alderman, representing the first ward. Like the father, the son was destined to become a useful citi- zen.
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