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 27
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John, Jr., received his preparatory
education in the public schools of Yonkers, and graduated with special honors from Manhattan College.
As a lad John was ambitious; this fact being recognized, his father, a plain man possessed of uncommon good sense, agreed that the boy be allowed to follow his own incima- tions relative to choosing a trade or a profession; accordingly John de- cided to become a lawyer. He dili- gently devoted his time to study, to the accumulation of general knowl- edge, and particularly that pertain- ing to law. A good student fre- quently makes a good lawyer, it has been said. In this particular in- stance the saying has proven true, the good student has made good as a lawyer, as people who know John will agree.
Mr. Brennan was admitted to prac- tice at the bar in May, 1877, before Justice Barnard, sitting in Pough- keepsie, and almost immediately took a prominent rank in his profession.
Politically speaking, Mr. Brennan is a Democrat, and he is proud of it. His extensive law practice, occupy- ing his time fully, prevents his ac- tive participation in politics, other than as an advisor. As evidence of his readiness to assist his party in times of emergency, instances may be referred to; two are here recalled. In a year when sure defeat looked the party in the face, Mr. Brennan's name was put upon the Democratic ticket as the candidate for District- Attorney. Though defeated his run- ning had the good effect of adver- tising his good qualities, admitted to surpass the bad, and of proving to him that he is popular with the people, as he ran in advance of his ticket generally. Again, his good nature was imposed upon, when in 1907 he was made to accept the Democratic nomination for Justice of the Supreme Court in the recently created Ninth Judicial District, which, it was generally estimated at the time, would give a normal Re- publican majority of about 15,000. Though defeated, after running ahead of his ticket, the election justly afforded Mr. Brennan con- siderable satisfaction, especially as he had the opportunity of learning what his immediate neighbors think of him as a man and as a citizen; in his home city of Yonkers, which
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gave majorities to other Republican candidates, Mr. Brennan, Democrat, received a majority of several thou- sand, and the largest majority ever given a candidate for public office in that city.
In 1892 Mr. Brennan was ap- pointed by the Supreme Court as a Bar Examiner, which responsible po- sition he held several years.
He was appointed a member of the Board of Education, city of Yon- kers, in 1892, and at this time con- tinues to hold this office, finishing his nineteenth year as a Supervisor of Public Instruction. He is Vice- President of the Board.
He served as President of the Westchester County Bar Association in the years 1905 and 1906; two years, the full time any member can serve, according to " the unwritten law."'
Is one of the original trustees of the County Law Library, appointed by Governor Hughes.
He was elected Vice-President of the New York State Bar Association in 1910.
He has served for some time and is now the President of the Yonkers Public Library.
He has acted frequently as Com- missioner or Referee, in important matters, by appointment of the Su- preme Court.
Is senior member of the law firm of Brennan & Curran of Yonkers.
Is a member of several organiza- tions, fraternal and social; as many as can be properly attended by a very busy man. For recreation he makes yearly trips to Europe, where he spends about two months during the summer vacation season, between Court terms.
Mr. Brennan was married on April 24, 1889, to Miss Madge Tiernan, daughter of Hugh Tiernan, of Dobbs Ferry, N. Y. There are no children.
JAMES M. HUNT.
James Monroe Hunt, former Corporation Counsel of Yonkers, for- mer Counsel to the Board of Super- visors, former Counsel to the Bronx Valley Sewer Commission, etc., was born in Clarence, Erie County, N. Y., on April 6, 1858, a son of Rev.
Harrison P. and Caroline (Holmes) Hunt. (See biography, page 260, vol. 1.)
Mr. Hunt's legal practice has been extensive and varied, and, in some way, in recent years he has been con- nected with much of the important litigation in the County.
In 1896 he was counsel for Emmet in the contest before the Courts, be- tween Emmet and Ennis, for the Re- publican nomination for Member of Assembly, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. His energetic work in conducting the several proceedings, getting a decision from a Supreme Court Justice, two decisions from the Appellate Division and one from the Court of Appeals, all in one week, led Supreme Court Justice Keogh to later remark to him, " Mr. Hunt, if you hear people boast about speed in legal procedure, you can fold your arms, and say, I beat that, for your record in that case (the Emmet-En- nis), can never be equalled."
When the City of Yonkers became a city of the second class, and the then City Administration decided that, under the law governing, each Ward was entitled to but one Alder- man, and one of the two from each Ward then serving must retire from office, Mr. Hunt was retained on be- half of the Aldermen that were to be ousted. The contest was carried up to the Court of Appeals, and re- sulted in a victory for Mr. Hunt.
In 1907 Mr. Hunt was attorney for the plaintiff in the case of Duell against the Comptroller of the State of New York; this case grew out of the attempt of State Comptroller Martin J. Glynn to appoint John J. Sullivan, of Yonkers, as Transfer Tax Clerk in the office of the Surro- gate in this County, without first re- ceiving a recommendation of the Sur- rogate, as it was contended the law required. Surrogate Millard had recommended to the Comptroller the appointment of William C. Duell, of Tarrytown, as such Clerk; this re- commendation was ignored; then Mr. Hunt, as attorney, was called in. The case was carried to the Court of Appeals, and that Court decided, in accordance with Mr. Hunt's conten- tion, that the State Comptroller must appoint such Clerk only on recommendation of the Surrogate of Westchester County. Mr. Sullivan
THOMAS SMITH
JOHN BRENNAN
JAMES T. LENNON
JOHN F. BRENNAN
JAMES M. HUNT
THOMAS F. CURRAN
TERM
GIDEON H. PECK
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retired, and Mr. Duell is the present Transfer Tax Clerk.
In the year 1910, when the City Administration of Yonkers decided that Chief of Police Daniel Wolff was holding his office illegally, rela- tive to the manner of his appoint- ment, and the Chief in accordance with such decision, retired from of- fice, Mr. Hunt was retained to se- cure his reinstatement. After a hard fought battle, through the Courts, Mr. Hunt won, and the present Chief of Police in that city is Mr. Wolff.
Mr. Hunt was Counsel for former Mayor Leslie Sutherland, who had just retired from the office of County Clerk, in the proceedings brought by the Comptroller of the State to recover from Mr. Suther- land the sum of $60,000 claimed to be over charges collected by Suther- land while he was County Clerk; a sum it was claimed Sutherland was not entitled to, and which the State Comptroller was endeavoring to re- cover. The case is still being con- sidered by the Courts.
Mr. Hunt was especially honored in being selected to take the lead- ing part, on the opposing side in the famous debate, which took place in the Yonkers armory in May, 1911, on the question of annexing Yonkers to New York city; a bill was then pending in the State Legislature to effect this annexation. Mr. Hunt had for his opponent the well known New York city lawyer, Samuel Un- termyer, who was also a prominent resident of Yonkers. Both lawyers justly renowned for their brilliancy in oratory, were at their best, and the debate proved a great treat for those present in the crowded assem- bly hall. Former Mayor J. Harvey Bell presided.
In 1905 Mr. Hunt received the un- solicited appointment as Counsel to the Bronx Valley Sewer Commission, to which he gave his undivided at- tention, to the expense of other legal practice. His task as such Counsel was no easy one; the act creating the Bronx Valley Sewer Commission was bitterly contested upon the ground that it was unconstitutional and in view of the fact that no sewer had ever been constructed in the State of New York through dif- ferent municipalities, the questions raised in regard to the constitution-
ality of the act were not only im- portant but presented new questions of law never before passed upon by the Courts of this State.
Upon Mr. Hunt fell the burden of the contest in supporting the consti- tutionality of the original act. He succeeded in obtaining from Judge Keogh a decision that the act was constitutional and obtained a unani- mous decision of the Appellate Di- vision affirming Judge Keogh's de- cision and finally secured the unan- imous decision of the Court of Ap- peals sustaining the constitutionality of the act.
Mr. Hunt is a member of the State Bar Association, of the New York City Bar Association and of the Westchester County Bar Associa- tion; a member of the St. Andrews Golf Club, the oldest golf club in America; a member of the New York Republican Ulub; a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Club; of the Bear Lake Fish and Game Club of Can- ada, with which club he has gone hunting every season for the past twelve years; is a member of the Finance Committee of the Board of American Baptist Home Mission So- ciety, and a Trustee of the Warbur- ton Avenue Baptist Church of Yon- kers.
THOMAS F. CURRAN.
Thomas Francis Curran, lawyer, Corporation Attorney of Yonkers, Commissioner, etc., was born on No- vember 24, 1876, in Yonkers, a son of Patrick and Margaret (McGrath) Curran.
Mr. Curran, though yet a young man, holds a most responsible posi- tion in the public service. That he has held it several years is testi- mony sufficient that he has proven an efficient public servant. When he was first appointed as legal counsel of Yonkers, with its 70,000 inhabi- tants, he had just passed his twenty- ninth birthday, and had the distinc- tion of being one of the youngest (and he was claimed to be the youngest) men ever holding such po- sition in this State.
Mr. Curran may truly be termed a self-made man, having, by his own energy and perseverance, worked his way to the present prominent posi- tion he occupies in the legal frater- nity, without the advantage of a col-
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legiate education, which many of our public men have had. He had a good common school education, and though "he went to work early," he did not forget that education was an important essential to a person's success. He has by close application and untiring energy fitted himself for the duties that present them- selves, far better than most men upon whom a small fortune has been spent in academical training. Few men ever started to fight life's bat- tles at an earlier age, and few have achieved the same success within such a short period.
He began the study of law with John F. Brennan, in Yonkers, the able lawyer, with whom he is now as- sociated in partnership, under the firm name of Brennan & Curran.
Mr. Curran was in 1895 admitted to practice. He found plenty of clients awaiting him in his native town. As his business increased he found numbered in his list clients representing all sections of the County, and even from the greater city adjoining.
Few men are more popular than " Tom " Curran; in the profession or out of it, he is ever the plain, everyday citizen; " plain as Dick's hat-band, with no frills."
Mr. Curran is a good general de- bater, and though not gifted with that plethora of language which characterizes many of our public men, yet he is possessed of those more essential qualities of a prac- tical and successful lawyer-a clear and attractive manner of presenting a question, concise and logical method of exposition, quickness of perception, both as to his own po- sition and opportunities, as well as those of his opponents.
Soon after he became of age Mr. Curren commenced taking an active part in politics, more as an adviser than as an office-seeker; his legal business not permitting of indulg- ence in side issues such as political office-holding. He affiliated, then as now, with the Democratic party, and from the beginning has been a leader of the young Democracy. His congenial nature and firmness in friendship makes him a favorite with all, the old as well as the young, of all political creeds.
It was not until 1906 that he
could be prevailed upon to accept public office, and then only he con- sented because the position was with- in his chosen profession; in the year named, Mayor Coyne took office, and requested his intimate friend to aid his administration by serving as City Attorney; this important office was held by Mr. Curran two years, until a successor of Mayor Coyne was elected. In 1910, when Mayor Lennon was elected the city's chief magistrate, he announced immedi- ately that he had not decided upon whom he should name as members of his cabinet, excepting that Mr. Curran had agreed to again serve the city as its Corporation Counsel. It, apparently has come to be an ac- cepted fact in Yonkers, no matter who is elected by the Democrats for Mayor, " Tom " Curran has to be the city's law officer, if he will ac- cept the job. He is a safe advisor ; probably that accounts for it.
On the re-election of Mayor Len- non, which took place on November 7, 1911, Mr. Curran was continued as Corporation Attorney, to serve until 1914.
Mr. Curran has declined his party's nomination for Mayor, say- ing that such would take him outside his " line of trade."
Mr. Curran has served on numer- ous Commissions appointed by the Supreme Court Justices and has acted as referee by Court appoint- ment times too numerous to men- tion.
His practice includes both civil and commercial cases.
While City Attorney he defended, on behalf of the City, a noted case involving the dredging in front of the private property along the Hudson River in front of the city. In this case Mr. Curran was success- ful through all the Courts, saving Yonkers City millions of dollars.
He is a member of the local lodge of Elks, of the Hibernians and of the Red Men.
Mr. Curran on August 5, 1904, married Miss Elizabeth Lavelle of Yonkers. There are no children. The family residence is in Yonkers.
GIDEON H. PECK.
Gideon Hopkins Peck, City Treas- urer of Yonkers, former Fire Com- missioner, etc., was born in Yonkers,
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on November 7, 1861, a son of Sid- ney Starr and Anna (Hopkins) Peck.
He was educated in the excellent graded public schools of his native town.
His father was for many years a leading citizen and merchant in Yonkers, and the son, succeeding to his father's business, today holds a place equally prominent. From the time young Peck assumed charge as proprietor, the business has stead- ily increased and kept in pace with the growth of the prosperous manu- facturing city. Mr. Peck, the subject of this sketch, has won by his cour- tesy and fair dealing the confidence of his townsmen, who esteem him for his personal worth and capabilities. Throughout his life he has adhered strictly to the principles of honor and comity that mark the true gen- tleman, and has aimed to live for the good of those about him rather than for self-aggrandizement. His genial warmth has won for him many friends, and has made him popular outside of his own political party. His neighbors and friends have borne frequent witness to the ster- ling probity of his character by sev- eral elections to the all important position of financial officer of a large city. In nominating him for City Treasurer, in electing him to be a watchdog over the City's monies, was an exhibition of public confi- dence in that old Roman integrity and the rugged far-seeing intellect of the successful business man.
Mr. Peck was elected City Treas- urer in 1907, and served his first
term during the years 1908-9; re- elected in 1909, he is serving a term ending December 31, 1911, with a fair prospect of retaining the office as long as he is so inclined. He is a business man, rather than a poli- tician, in the general understanding of the word. As the position of financial agent of the city is not a political one, the elector in selecting a man to fill the office of City Treas- urer is not always influenced by poli- tical considerations; an honest man may be a politician, and many are, but at all times the man who is en- trusted with charge of the people's money must be a man of well estab- lished integrity, whose politics are a matter of minor consideration with the thoughtful men who vote.
Mr. Peck was re-elected City Treas- urer in November, 1911, to serve during the years 1912-13.
The only other public office held by Mr. Peck was that of Fire Com- missioner of the city of Yonkers, to which postuon he was appointed by Mayor Millward, in 1890, and in which he served two and a half years, when he resigned.
Mr. Peck is a Mason, a member of Nepperhan Lodge, F. and A. M., of Yonkers, is a member of the local Council of the Royal Arcanum, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Yonkers.
He was married on October 22, 1884, to Miss Ella J. Percival, daughter of William and Sarah (Kniffin) Percival, of Yonkers. Of this union there are two children, Percival Starr Peck, age 26, and Gladys Anna Peck, age 19.
For biographical sketches of other residents see elsewhere in this book, and in volumes one and two.
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TOWN OF YORKTOWN.
(Continued from page 265, Vol. 1.)
This town, like others, originally was a part of the Manor of Cortlandt, purchased from the Indians by Stephanus Van Cortlandt, in 1683.
The town first possessed the Mohegan name of "Appamagh- pogh."
The Indians known to have been the early dwellers in this and adjoining towns were the Kitchewonks, of the Mohegan tribe, that gave to the nearby beautiful lakes its name. The Lakes Mohegan, most charming streams of water, and sur- rounding enchanting scenery, are most attractive.
During the Revolutionary War period this town was the center of warlike activity, and is frequently mentioned in the narrative relating to the capture of Major André published in this volume. Its people were ever patriotic, and in "the times that tried men's souls" they rendered every assistance possible to aid the American cause.
The several localities in the town are, Yorktown, Yorktown Heights, Pine Bridge, Jefferson Valley, Mohegan, Kitchanan, Huntersville, Shrub Oak, Croton Dam, Mohansic Lake, Osceola Lake, Mohegan Lake; a part of Croton Reservoir lies in this town.
The town is the largest as to acreage in the County, having 23,620 acres.
Its high hills add to the natural beauty of scenery. Bald Mountain is 688 feet high.
The great dam of the old Croton Aqueduct is situated in the southeast corner of the town.
The last census enumeration, that of 1910, credits the town with a population of 3,020. At one period this town possessed a population in advance of many towns in the County. In 1820, its population exceeded that of Yonkers by 436-Yonkers to-day has a population of 79,803. The census of 1820 credits this town with five slaves.
In 1830 the town's population was 2,141; in 1835, 2,212; in 1840, 2,819; in 1845, 2,278; in 1850, 2,273; in 1855, 2,346; in 1860, 2,231; in 1865, 2,559; in 1870, 2,625; in 1875, 2,610; in 1880, 2,481; in 1890, 2,378; in 1892, 2,241; in 1900, 2,421; in 1905, 2,294; in 1910, 3,020.
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The beautiful country land in this section is being rapidly acquired for use as gentlemen's country seats, and already many charming villas have been laid out upon the sightly hills here- abouts.
Pierre Van Cortlandt, who was most active on the patriot side during the Revolution, was first Supervisor and served fifteen years; Elijah Lee, who was Supervisor from 1789 to 1792, and 1804-5 was an Assemblyman and County Judge; Ebenezer White, Jr., was Supervisor, Assemblyman and Surrogate; Henry White was Surrogate from 1815 to 1819; Robert P. Lee, of this town, was the first District-Attorney chosen for the County; Joseph Lee was County Clerk from 1684 to 1688, and 1691 to 1698; David D. Webbers, Sheriff, from 1829 to 1832; Benjamin D. Miller was Supervisor in 1848-49, 1858-59-60-63, and Sheriff from: 1850 to 1853; Samuel Tompkins was a Justice of Sessions in 1858-59, Walter H. Jones held this office in 1892 and Edward B. Kear in 1895-96; Thomas Tompkins was Supervisor in 1814 to 1822 and 1823 to 1826, and was chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 1820, 1823-4-5; William James Horton was Su- pervisor six years; Edward B. Kear held the office of Supervisor from 1896 to 1907, when he resigned on being elected County Register.
The town suffered a serious loss when its former Supervisor Edward B. Kear died, August 31, 1911. He had held the office of Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace, Justice of Sessions, Super- visor and County Register. He was a worthy citizen, of the kind whose place it is difficult to fill.
Mr. Kear held the office of Supervisor thirteen years, one of the longest periods any Supervisor held it. While he was in office the town was classified as a Republican town, after his retirement Democrats were able to elect the Supervisor, and a Democrat is now in that position at the head of town affairs.
The town has no indebtedness, which is evidence that its affairs are conducted properly and businesslike.
A list of Supervisors who served the town from time to time will be found commenced in volume 1 and continued elsewhere in this volume.
In this town is located a State Training School for boys, and the Mohansic State Hospital; both on Yorktown Heights.
For biographical sketches of other residents see elsewhere in this book, and in volumes one and two.
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COLONY BOUNDARY LINE IN 1664.
Report of the Commissioners concerning the boundary between New York (in Westchester County) and Connecticut.
" By virtue of his Majesties Commission wee have heard the Differences aboutt the bounds of the Pattents granted to his Royall highnesse the Ducke off Yorke and his Majesties Collony off Conetticot and having deliberatlly considered all the reasons alledged by Mr. Allyn Serr Mr Gold Mr Richards and Cap't Winthrop appointed by the assembly held at hartfort the 13th day off Octob'r 1664, to accompany John Winthrop Esq'r (the governor of his Majesties Collony off Conneticot) to New Yorke and by Mr. Howell and Cap't Young off Long Island, why the s'd Long Island should be under the government off Connecticot which one to Long here to be recited.
" Wee doe declare and order that the Southern bounds off his Maj'ies Collony off Connecticot is the sea and that Long Island is to be under the government of his Royall highnesse the Ducke of Yorke as is Exprest by plain words in the s'd pattents respectively And also by virtue of his Maj'ies Com- mission and the Consent of both Govern'rs and the Gen't above named wee also order and declare that the Creeke or River called Mamarownack w'h is Reported to be about twelve miles to the East of Westchester. And a line Drawn from the East point or side when the fresh water falls into the salt at high water marke. North north wes to the Line of the Machatuchets, Be the westerne bounds off the said Colony of Conecticot and all plantations Lying westward off that Creeke and Line soe Drawne to be under his Royall highnesse governm't and all Plantations Lying Eastward off that Creeke and Line to be under the governm't of Conecticot."
When inaugurated as President of the United States, Wood- row Wilson kissed the same Bible used when he was inaugu- rated as Governor of the State of New Jersey, when taking the oath of office. He kissed the sacred volume on a page, turned to at random, his lips touching upon the 119th Psalm, 41st and 48th verses, inclusive.
SUPERVISORS OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS AND CITIES.
(Continued from page 62, Volume 1.)
The Supervisor, except in cities, is required by law to receive and pay out all moneys raised for defraying town charges, except what is raised for the support of highways and bridges, which is under the control of Highway Commissioners, and he is required to prepare and file with the Town Clerk annually a full and complete statement of the financial affairs of the town. He must keep a just and true account of his receipts and expenditures and account for all moneys so received by him. Supervisors representing Towns and Supervisors rep- resenting City Wards are required to attend all meetings of the County Board, of which they are members.
The original Town law provided that Supervisors and other Town officers shall be elected annually. The laws of 1893, chapter 344, amended the original law by providing that Super- visors and Town Clerks shall hold office for two years. By laws of 1897, chapter 481, Boards of Supervisors were empowered to pass laws in their respective counties providing for biennial town meetings. Laws of 1898, chapter 363, provides that Supervisors, Town Clerks, Assessors, Commissioners of High- ways, Collectors, Overseers of the Poor, Constables and Inspec- tors of Elections, when elected shall hold their respective offices for two years, and authorizes the Board of Supervisors of each county to provide for the holding of town meetings at the time of the general elections. Laws of 1899, chapter 145, pro- vides that Towns may change date of holding town meetings, and fixes two years as term of town officers. Laws of 1900, chapter 688, provides that the act of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester, in fixing the time for holding the next biennial town meetings in said county on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the year 1901, and every alternate year thereafter, is hereby legalized, ratified and confirmed, and the town meetings to be held in the year 1901 shall be held only on that day.
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