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1233359
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
1833 01105 6261
Encyclopedia of Biography
OF
NEW YORK
A Life Record of Men and Women Whose Sterling Character and Energy and
Industry Have Made Them Preeminent in Their Own
and Many Other States
^
CHARLES ELLIOTT FTTCH. L. H. D.
Lawyer, Journalist, Educator; Editor and Contributor to Many Newspapers
and Magazines; ex-Regent New York University; Supervisor
Federal Census (N. Y.) 1880; Secretary New
York Constitutional Convention, 1894
ILLUSTRATED
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
INCORPORATED
BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO
1925
ADVISORY
§ ANDREW D. WHITE. LL. D., D. C. L...
President Cornell University, 1867-85; United States Ambassador to Germany, 1897-1902; United States Minister to Russia, 1892-94: Re- gent Smithsonian; President American Histori- cal Association, 1884-85, etc., etc.; author many historical works.
5 J. BLOAT FASSETT. LL. D.,
President. 1887-90-91 J; Chairman Republican National Convention, 18S8-92; Representative Congress, 1905-11; Proprietor Elmira "Daily
Advertiser," 1879-96.
SHERMAN WILLIAMS, Ph. D.,
Chief School Library Division, New York State Education Department; President New York State Historical Association; author many State historical works.
EDWIN A. MERRITT,
Quartermaster-General of New York, 1865-69; Delegate New York Constitutional Convention, 1867; Collector Port of New York. 1867; United States Consul, London. 1881-85; President Board of Trustees St. Lawrence University; Trustee Potsdam State Normal School.
CHARLES
SYMONDS,
ALBERT VANDER VEER, M. D., LL. D.,
Member of the Board of Regents of the Univer- sity of the State of New York, 1895 ; Vice
Chancellor, 1915-21: Chancellor. 1921 ; Pro-
Consulting Surgeon, Albany Hospital; St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, 1873-1903; President Ameri- can Surgical Association, 1906; President Ameri- can Medical Association, 1916: Author "Surgery and Military Surgery," Encyclopedia Americana. 1920. and other contributions on medical and surgical subjects.
DE ALVA S. ALEXANDER, LL. D.,
Buffalo; Editor "Daily Gazette," Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1871-74; Auditor United States Treas- ury, 1887; United States District Attorney, Northern District of New York. 1889-93; Repre- sentative in Congress, 1897-1911; author of "Political History of the State of New York," 3 vols.
CHARLES R. SKINNER. LL. D.,
Representative in Congress, 1881-85; State Su- perintendent of Public Instruction, 1895-1904; President National Educational Association, 1897; Editor "Brightside."
Member of New York Genealogical and Bio- graphical Society, Long Island Historical So- ciety, and New England Historic-Genealogical
A. JUDD NORTHRUP, LL. D..
United States Commissioner; Judge Onondaga County, 1892-94; Commissioner to Revise the Statutes and Code of New York, 1895-1901; President Onondaga Historical Association; Author "The Judiciary of New York" in "Polit- ical History of New York from Cleveland to Hughes," 1911; author various literary and his- torical addresses.
5 REV. WALTON WESLEY BATTERSHALL , D. D., Rector Emeritus St. Peter's Protestant Episco- pal Church of Albany, N. Y.
i WILLIAM H. SAMSON.
Managing Editor Rochester "Post-Express," 1896-1911; President Rochester Historical So- ciety, 1904-06: Vice-President Anderson Art Galleries; Editor "Private Journal of Aaron Burr," etc.; author many historical monographs.
5 HON. WILLIAM E. WERNER,
Rochester; County Judge of Monroe County, 1894; Justice Supreme Court of New York, 1895- 1900; Associate Judge Court of Appeals of New York (terms) 1900-18.
§ CHARLES ANDREWS. LL. D.,
Mayor of Syracuse, 1861-62-68; Delegate-at- Large New York Constitutional Convention, 1867; Judge New York Court of Appeals, 1870- 1897; Chief Judge, 1881-84, 1893-97.
5 ELLIS H. ROBERTS, LL. D.,
Editor Utlca "Herald"; Representative in Con- gress; Treasurer United States; Author "The Planting and Growth of the Empire State. " 2 vols., in "American Commonwealth" series; also various historical and financial addresses.
WILLIAM H. MACE, Ph. D.,
Professor of History and Political Science, Syra- cuse University: University Extension Lecturer on American History; Member American His- torical Association; Author of "Heroic Leaders in American History"; etc., etc.
§ CHARLES ELLIOTT FITCH, L. H. D..
Editor-in-Chief Syracuse "Daily Standard," 1866-73; Rochester "Democrat and Chronicle." 1873-90; State Lecturer New York Department of Education. 1895-1904: Chief of Division of School Libraries, 1906-12.
HENRY W. HILL, LL. D.,
Assemblyman, State Senator, New York; Dele- gate Constitutional Convention of New York, 1894; Chairman Champlain Commission; au- thor of many authoritative contributions on the canal history of the State.
5 JAMES A. HOLDEN, B. A.,
State Historian; Member American Historical Association: Trustee New York State Historical Association: author of various monographs on historical subjects.
DAVID JAYNE HILL, LL. D.,
Educator, Diplomat, Historian; ex-President University of Rochester; First Assistant Secre- tary of State, United States, 1898-1903; Ambas- sador to Germany, 1908-11; Delegate to The Hague Peace Conference, 1907; author of many works of Biography, History and Diplomacy.
!i WII^LIAM S. PELLETREAU. A. M.,
Member of New York Historical Society and Suffolk County Historical Society; Author of "History of Long Island," "Old New York Houses." "Early Long Island Wills," etc.
SDied Dnrinc: Publication
1233359
BIOGRAPHICAL.
^."^u^^^
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
U
HUGHES, Charles Evans,
Secretary of State.
The American Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Charles Evans Hughes, who is regardeii by competent judges, irrespective of party or national- ity, not only as a great American but as one of the world's greatest statesmen, is a native of New York State, the son of a clergyman, and as far as origin goes em- bodies in his personality the best strains of American descent, being of mixed Welsh, Scotch-Irish and Dutch extrac- tion.
He commenced his education in the public schools of New York City, and was fitted for college by his father. At the age of eleven he entered the Madison (now Colgate) University, transferring two years later to Brown University, from which he was graduated in 1881, receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree with honors — winning the prize in Eng- lish literature and that of general attain- ment during his course, and delivering the class oration; in 1884 he received from his alma mater the Master of Arts degree. During 1881-82 he taught Greek and mathematics in the Delaware Academy, at Delhi, New York, and in the latter years entered the Columbia Law School, also studying in the offices of the United States District Attorney in New York, and in those of Chamberlain, Carter & Hornblower. He received his diploma frcir, the law school in 1884, and was ad- mitt.d at once- to the bar. From 1884 until 1887 he held a prize fellowship at Columbia University.
On being admitted to the bar he be-
came a clerk in the office of his former preceptors, Chamberlain, Carter & Horn- blower, remaining as such until 1888, when he became a member of the lirm of Carter, Hughes, Cravath, afterwards. Carter, Hughes & Dwight. He served Cornell University as professor of law in 1891-93, and as special lecturer on gen- eral assignments and bankruptcy. 1893- 1900. In 1905-06 he was counsel for tlie Armstrong Insurance Commission of the New York Legislature, and special assist- ant to the United States Attorney Genera! in the coal investigations.
The public career of the Secretary of State may be dated from 1905, when he received the Republican nomination for the mayoralty of New York City, but which he declined. In 1906 he was elected Governor of the State of New York, and was re-elected in 1908, resigning in Sep- tember, 1910, to take his seatas associate justice of the United States Supreme Court xinder appointment of President Taft. As Governor he steadfastly ad- hered to "the highest administrative standards" and efifccted many salutary changes in relation to railroads, street railways, gas and electrical companies. He made strenuous efforts to procure legislation providing for a system of direct nominations for elective offices, in which he was several times defeated. He siicceeded, however, in securing the pas- sage of an act for the enforcement of the constitutional prohibition of race track gambling, but only after long delay and in the face of bitter opposition. In this last appeal to the Legislature, at the session in which the measure was passed.
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
HUGHES. Charles Evans,
Secretary of State.
The American Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Charles Evans Hughes, who is regarded by competent judges, irrespective of party or national- ity, not only as a great American but as one of the world's greatest statesmen, is a native of New York State, the son of a clergyman, and as far as origin goes em- bodies in his personality the best strains of American descent, being of mixed Welsh, Scotch-Irish and Dutch extrac- tion.
He commenced his education in the public schools of New York City, and was fitted for college by his father. At the age of eleven he entered the Madison (now Colgate) University, transferring two years later to Brown University, from which he was graduated in 1881, receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree with honors — winning the prize in Eng- lish literature and that of general attain- ment during his course, and delivering the class oration; in 1884 he received from his alma mater the Master of Arts degree. During 1881-82 he taught Greek and mathematics in the Delaware Academy, at Delhi, New York, and in the latter years entered the Columbia Law School, also studying in the offices of the United States District Attorney in New York, and in those of Chamberlain, Carter & Hornblower. He received his diploma from the law school in 1884, and was ad- mitted at once to the bar. From 1884 until 1887 he held a prize fellowship at Columbia University.
On being admitted to the bar he be-
came a clerk in the office of his former preceptors. Chamberlain, Carter & Horn- blower, remaining as such until 1888, when he became a member of the firm of Carter, Hughes, Cravath, afterwards. Carter, Hughes & Dwight. He served Cornell University as professor of law in 1891-93, and as special lecturer on gen- eral assignments and bankruptcy, 1893- 1900. In 1905-06 he was counsel for the Armstrong Insurance Commission of the New York Legislature, and special assist- ant to the United States Attorney General in the coal investigations.
The public career of the Secretary of State may be dated from 1905, when he received the Republican nomination for the mayoralty of New York City, but which he declined. In 1906 he was elected Governor of the State of New York, and was re-elected in 1908, resigning in Sep- tember, 1910, to take his seat as associate justice of the United States Supreme Court under appointment of President Taft. As Governor he steadfastly ad- hered to "the highest administrative standards" and effected many salutary changes in relation to railroads, street railways, gas and electrical companies. He made strenuous efforts to procure legislation providing for a system of direct nominations for elective offices, in which he was several times defeated. He succeeded, however, in securing the pas- sage of an act for the enforcement of the constitutional prohibition of race track gambling, but only after long delay and in the face of bitter opposition. In this last appeal to the Legislature, at the session in which the measure was passed,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
he said: "The issue has been clearly- presented whether the interests of those who wish to maintain gambling privileges at race tracks shall be considered para- mount to the Constitution of the State. It is an issue which has been clearly de- fined and is fully appreciated by the people. It cannot be obscured by discus- sion of the propensities of human nature. Race track gambling exists, not because it is hidden or elusive but as an organized business shielded by legislative dis- crimination. The law which professes to prohibit it, in fact protects it."
Early in his administration he under- stood certain reforms in the management and affairs of the Insurance Department, and in which he persisted until he left his high office. He brought about the creation of a State Commission to which was specially committed the construction and maintenance of public roads and which took this labor away from the State Engineer who was over-employed in the engineering operations on the great barge canal, and he subsequently secured the establishment of a Department of Highways. He also took a persistent and determined interest in the preservation of forest domain, which included a one thousand acre tract given by Hon. William P. Letchworth in Wyoming and Living- ston counties ; a twenty-five acre tract at Crown Point, containing the ruins of Fort Frederic and Fort Amherst, from Whiterbee, Sherman & Company; and a ten thousand acre tract in Orange and Rockland counties, given by Mary W. Harriman, in accordance with the wishes of her deceased husband, Edward H. Harriman. Until he left his chair. Gover- nor Hughes industriously and persistent- ly followed up a policy of improvement and retrenchment; also steadily insisting upon honesty and efficiency in all of the
various departments of the State govern- ment.
Early in 1916 it became evident that a very large element in the Republican Party looked upon him as its most desir- able candidate for the presidential nomi- ation. Seated, as he was, upon the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, his position was most delicate. He maintained a dignified silence, and even the close friends who presented his name in the convention, could give no assurance that he would accept, and he only broke his silence when his nomination was actually made, when he at once forwarded to President Woodrow Wilson his resig- nation as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and which was instantly accepted. He received two hundred and fifty-four electoral votes for the Presi- dency, November 7, 1916, as against two hundred and seventy-seven for Woodrow Wilson, Democrat.
From 1917 to 1921 he was a member of the law firm, Hughes, Rounds, Schurman & Dwight, New York City. Since March 4, 1921, he was Secretary of State in the Cabinet of President Warren G. Harding. He acted as commissioner plenipotentiary for the United States in the International Conference on the Limitation of Arma- ments, which met at Washington, on November 12, 1921, and served as chair- man of the same.
Hon. Charles E. Hughes is Secretary of State in the Cabinet of President Cal- vin E. Coolidge and enjoys an interna- tional prestige in all countries of the world such as only the greatest American statesman could lay claim to. He is not only one of the greatest moral assets in the public life of his country, but by mil- lions of people outside of America, especi- ally in Great Britain and her colonies, is regarded as a tower of strength and one
P,.,L.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGI^PHY
of the greatest forces among contempo- rary leaders for sound, safe and steady progress in a world full of contention, strife, race and class hatred, and sub- verse, revolutionary and destructive tend- encies. He is a Fellow of Brown Uni- versity, and a trustee of the University of Chicago. From 1917 to 1918 he acted as chairman of the Draft Appeals Board of New York City ; special assistant to the Attorney General in charge of air- craft inquiry, lOiS: president of the New York State Bar Association, 1917 to 1918; the Legal Aid Society of New York, 1917 to IQ19 ; St. David's Society, New York. 1917 to 1918; Italy American Society, .918 to 1919; New York County Lawyers' Association, 1919: Fellow of the Ameri- can Academy of Arts and Sciences, etc. His clubs are the University; the Union League, of which he was president from 1917 to 1919 ; Century ; Lawyer's ; Brown ; Delta Upsilon; and Nassau Country.
LOW, Seth,
Former President of Columbia Collego, Practical Reformer.
Seth Low, ninth president of Columbia College, and a former mayor of New York City, was born in Brooklyn, New York, January 18, 1850, son of Abiel Abbott and Klien Almira (Dow) Low; the father was a prominent merchant in New York City.
Seth Low attended the Brooklyn Poly- technic Institute, and in his sixteenth year entered Columbia College and was ;'raduated four years later at the head of his class. During the last year in college he attended lectures in the Columbia Law Sciiool, but did not complete the course, leaving to become a clerk in his father's tert importing house. In 1875 he was admitted to partnership in the firm, and when. his father retired in 1879, he was among the partners who succeeded
to the business, which was finally liquid- ated in 1888. Meantime he had become a member of the Chamber of Commerce, in which he soon became useful, frequent- ly serving upon important committees, and at times delivering addresses which commanded attention.
During this period, he had become in- terested in social and economic subjects. In 1876 he became a volunteer visitor to the poor, in a movement which reformed and subsequently abolished the out-door relief system in Kings County, and which two years later led to the establishment of t.he Bureau of Charities, of which he was^ the first president. In 1880 he was president of the Republican Campaign Club organized to promote the election of Garfield and Arthur, and the conspicuous succes.s of that body in swelling the party vote brought its president into public view as a leader of men. As a result, in 1881 he was elected mayor of Brooklyn on a reform ticket by a most decided majority; and as the result of a highly successful administration, marked by various salutary reform measures, among which was that of competitive examina- tion for appointment to municipal posi- tions, he was re-elected in 1883, leaving the office in 1886 with a national reputa- tion as a practical reformer and exponent of honest municipal administration.
After a visit to Europe, he again en- gaged in business, in which he continued until i8c>o. when he was called to the presidency of Columbia College (of which he had been a trustee), in succession to Dr. F. A. P. Barnard, and which position he occupied with distinguished useful- ness until 1901, when he left it to become mayor of the City of Greater New York. Immediately upon taking up his duties as president of Columbia College, he be- gan to infuse new life into that venerable
%
! LOW.Seth,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of the greatest forces among contempo- rary leaders for sound, safe and steady progress in a world full of contention, strife, race and class hatred, and sub- verse, revolutionary and destructive tend- encies. He is a Fellow of Brown Uni- versity, and a trustee of the University of Chicago. From 1917 to 1918 he acted as chairman of the Draft Appeals Board of New York City; special assistant to the Attorney General in charge of air- craft inquiry, 1918; president of the New York State Bar Association, 1917 to 1918 ; the Legal Aid Society of New York, 1917 to 1919; St. David's Society, New York,
1917 to 1918; Italy American Society,
1918 to 1919; New York County Lawyers' Association, 1919; Fellow of the Ameri- can Academy of Arts and Sciences, etc. His clubs are the University ; the Union League, of which he was president from 1917 to 1919 ; Century ; Lawyer's ; Brown ; Delta Upsilon ; and Nassau Country.
LOW, Seth,
Former President of Columbia College, Practical Reformer.
Seth Low, ninth president of Columbia College, and a former mayor of New York City, was born in Brooklyn, New York, January 18, 1850, son of Abiel Abbott and Ellen Almira (Dow) Low; the father was a prominent merchant in New York City.
Seth Low attended the Brooklyn Poly- technic Institute, and in his sixteenth year entered Columbia College and was graduated four years later at the head of his class. During the last year in college he attended lectures in the Columbia Law School, but did not complete the course, leaving to become a clerk in his father's tea importing house. In 1875 he was admitted to partnership in the firm, and when his father retired in 1879, he was among the partners who succeeded
to the business, which was finally liquid- ated in 1888. Meantime he had become a member of the Chamber of Commerce, in which he soon became useful, frequent- ly serving upon important committees, and at times delivering addresses which commanded attention.
During this period, he had become in- terested in social and economic subjects. In 1876 he became a volunteer visitor to the poor, in a movement which reformed and subsequently abolished the out-door relief system in Kings County, and which two years later led to the establishment of the Bureau of Charities, of which he was the first president. In 1880 he was president of the Republican Campaign Club organized to promote the election of Garfield and Arthur, and the conspicuous success of that body in swelling the party vote brought its president into public view as a leader of men. As a result, in 1881 he was elected mayor of Brooklyn on a reform ticket by a most decided majority ; and as the result of a highly successful administration, marked by various salutary reform measures, among which was that of competitive examina- tion for appointment to municipal posi- tions, he was re-elected in 1883, leaving the office in 1886 with a national reputa- tion as a practical reformer and exponent of honest municipal administration.
After a visit to Europe, he again en- gaged in business, in which he continued until 1890, when he was called to the presidency of Columbia College (of which he had been a trustee), in succession to Dr. F. A. P. Barnard, and which position he occupied with distinguished useful- ness until 1901, when he left it to become mayor of the City of Greater New York. Immediately upon taking up his duties as president of Columbia College, he be- gan to infuse new life into that venerable
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
institution, and his entire management was marked by most wise judgment. In 1890, his first year, the several instruc- tional departments, which had been maintained independently of each other, were organically united and brought under the control of a university council created for that specific purpose. In the following year the old historic College of Physicians and Surgeons was brought within the university corporation, and the School of Mines was broadened into the Schools of Applied Science. By the year 1892 the university had been so expanded that the old buildings had become inade- quate, and a change of location was de- termined upon. A committee recom- mended the site of the old Bloomingdale Asylum for the Insane, on Morningside Park Heights, valued at more than $2,- 000,000., which amount was paid by the year 1894 — a result in large measure due to the persistent interest of President Low — and $7,500,000 were expended in the erection of the new buildings. The efficiency of the university was further enhanced by the establishment of the Columbia Union Press, for the publica- tion of historic and scientific documents, after the manner of the Oxford Clarendon Press of England. President Low's bene- factions during this period were most princely. In 1894 he gave to the uni- versity the sum of $10,000 for the endow- ment of a classical chair in honor of his former teacher, Professor Henry Drisler. In 1895 he gave $1,000,000 for the erection of the new university library ; and in recognition of his munificence the trustees established twelve university scholar- ships for Brooklyn boys, and twelve in Barnard College for Brooklyn girls, be- sides establishing eight annual university scholarships. In 1896 President Low gave $10,000 to Barnard College, and $5,000
to the New York Kindergarten Associa- tion.
He was meantime busied with various benevolent and charitable labors. In 1893, during the cholera epidemic, he rendered useful service as chairman of a committee appointed by the New York Chamber of Commerce to aid the authorities in pre- cautionary measures, and the quarantine camp established at Sandy Hook by the National Government was named Camp Low in his honor. With his brother, Abbott Augustus Low, in 1894, he built and presented to the mission station of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Wu Chang, China, a completely equipped hospital for the use of the mission, and named in memory of their father.
Mr. Low resigned the presidency of Columbia University in 1901, to enter upon the duties of mayor of the City of Greater New York, which position he held for two years, fully sustaining his reputation as an executive, governed by the highest possible standards. Since his retirement from that high office he has been busied with personal aflfairs, giving a large share of his attention to the benevolent and charitable causes which have always commanded his interest. As a master spirit in the field of social and economic science, he has frequently been an arbitrator of labor disputes. In 1900 he succeeded Charles P. Daly, deceased, as president of the American Geographi- cal Society ; and has also served as presi- dent of the Archaeological Institution of America; as vice-president of the New York Academy of Sciences ; as president of the American Asiatic Society; and is president of the National Civic Federa- tion ; trustee of the Carnegie Institute, Washington City ; and is a member of the American Philosophical Society, the New York Academy of Political Science, and
^-^t^jL^ ^Cau? ^C^-cT-^T^^-^^^^^'
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the Arncricati Academy o( T'olitica! and Social Science. He received ti'c degree of Doctor of Laws from Amlv • • ' > « in 1889; from the University of New York, from Harvarr! from the University of Peiiii ^ from Trinity College in Princetoti University in i8cK'; University in 1901 ; and ft. ii versity of Edinburgh, Scot!?: '
Mr. Low married, Dccei-i Annie Curtis, daughter of i.
'Ttis, of Boston, Ma8sachuc.^i., -
ROOSEVELT, Theodore,
Twenty-sizth President of the He- State*.
It is not an easy task to write truth fully, intelligently and frankly of Theo- dore Roosevelt, there being much in hj» character and record difficult to analyze or explain. Then again it is hard to obtain a true perspective, the nearness of the events in which he figured so promi- nently not allowing partisanship to abate, and calm, cool judgment to reign. No man had warmer, truer friends nor more bitter, implacable enemies, his positive controversial nature both attractin':; repelling. He was equally prono. : in his own likes and dislikes. rewM and punishing without stint. Hi- the soul of controversy, )'^et men him who rarely agreed with him, a .most obvious faults seemed rather 1 crease his popularity with the in, The inconsistencies and quarrels in he was involved were largely t'. mental. He did not always r^a ■ ' but often jumped at conclusios: entered the fray, never doubtiii.i; ; rectness of, the opinions thi- iiddly arrived at. TChis was also ttrcj/ersTUfnt. his being th^t ty^ oi n)^dr:»4ji,ch eayiy
He was a powerful advocate for any cause
to which he lent his voice and influence,
and his declared position on any public
question, whether for or against, at once
crystalized sentiment, and men were for
or against that measure or course of
action who hitherto had been apathetic.
He was a born leader of men and led with
a rough, un.sparing hand. He spoke
Viclv his own opinion, •■<.' ^.-st .;Uii the
■nn with which tin if
untry discussed !v ■.-:.
■ .> man in An- ' 0
- much to :
'.;vi" him, ' ■ ; .■
I ighly enjoyed iite and r trivial worries. He ■ public and pri- i areer covering . >... ,. -..: ■ •vi'Viont taint
.■ deeply .: )'^ essed a lit. wa^ fond of fi-reatlj' , exic-;l!ed, ■: sport, although handicapped by ■ jjve for the open (i.in boyhood and t..> that ■institution wa.« <hu' "As ' I.e was a }»^A><i i^'vident
ilo and enjoy'';"t ^very jij ^c and was popular with Ihe natural sciences, history and ;al economy were the studies that. ted him most; he had honorable >n in natural history, had a com- ; ment part and was a member of Phi Kappa, ,He was intense in every- ; .■ he did, hi« occupation for the :..oratnt was to the exclusion of every- thing else. His power of concentration, a great gift, was one which contributed largely to his ability to accomplish so
never
; jin of dishui . ., 'thetic nativ
5v sense of huav. ■ ' Mcs but
.7 ,y beinr '- •h;.t he ;- ;. near . . .i passion cr hi.s stror.p
much in so many fi^a^f activity," He
perfp^ne(^c^~yaatJamo^^.o^iterary labor
believes that vfhich it wants to believe.^ between the years of 1882 1919, his first
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the American Academy of Political and Social Science. He received the degree of Doctor of Laws from Amherst College in 1889; from the University of the State of New York, from Harvard University, from the University of Pennsylvania and from Trinity College in 1890; from Princeton University in 1896; from Yale University in 1901 ; and from the Uni- versity of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1910.
Mr. Low married, December 9, 1880, Annie Curtis, daughter of Benjamin R. Curtis, of Boston, Massachusetts.
ROOSEVELT, Theodore,
Twenty-sixth President of the United States.
It is not an easy task to write truth- fully, intelligently and frankly of Theo- dore Roosevelt, there being much in his character and record difificult to analyze or explain. Then again it is hard to obtain a true perspective, the nearness of the events in which he figured so promi- nently not allowing partisanship to abate, and calm, cool judgment to reign. No man had warmer, truer friends nor more bitter, implacable enemies, his positive controversial nature both attracting and repelling. He was equally pronounced in his own likes and dislikes, rewarding and punishing without stint. His was the soul of controversy, yet men loved him who rarely agreed with him, and his most obvious faults seemed rather to in- crease his popularity with the masses. The inconsistencies and quarrels in which he was involved were largely temper- mental. He did not always reason closely but often jumped at conclusions and then entered the fray, never doubting the cor- rectness of the opinions thus hastily arrived at. This was also temperament, his being that type of mind which easily believes that which it wants to believe.
He was a powerful advocate for any cause to which he lent his voice and influence, and his declared position on any public question, whether for or against, at once crystalized sentiment, and men were for or against that measure or course of action who hitherto had been apathetic. He was a born leader of men and led with a rough, unsparing hand. He spoke freely his own opinion, yet resented the freedom with which the newspapers of the country discussed his official doings, although no man in American public life ever owed so much to the publicity the newspapers gave him. His tastes were domestic, he thoroughly enjoyed life and wasted no time over trivial worries. He held the highest ideals of public and pri- vate honor, and a public career covering thirty-seven years left him without taint or stain of dishonor. His was a deeply sympathetic nature and he possessed a lively sense of humor. He was fond of athletics but never greatly excelled, boxing being his favorite sport, although in that he was greatly handicapped by being near sighted. His love for the open was a passion from boyhood and to that love his strong constitution was due. "As a boy in college he was a good student but he entered into and enjoyed every phase of college life and was popular with all. The natural sciences, history and political economy were the studies that interested him most; he had honorable mention in natural history, had a com- mencement part and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He was intense in every- thing he did, his occupation for the moment was to the exclusion of every- thing else. His power of concentration, a great gift, was one which contributed largely to his ability to accomplish so much in so many fields of activity." He performed a vast amount of literary labor between the years of 1882-1919, his first
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
book "The Naval War of 1812" appearing in the first named year. During his term as governor of New York he pubHshed "The Rough Riders," "The Strenuous Life," and the "Life of Oliver Cromwell." His versatility was amazing and his repu- tation might safely rest upon either his literary performance, his public career or his contributions to the cause of educa- tion through his exploring and hunting trips.
From an old and important family of Holland sprang Claes Martinzen Van Roosevelt, who in 1654 came to New Amsterdam, the first of the name to set- tle in the New World. By wife Jannetje he had a son from whom descended Theo- dore Roosevelt, twenty-sixth president of the United States, whose sudden death, January 6, 1919, plunged a nation in grief. The family early obtained large real estate holdings in New York City, their lands lying between Pearl, Roose- velt and Catherine streets, extending from Chatham Street to the East River, the tract known originally as Rugers farm. Descendants of Claes and Jannetje Roose- velt, intermarried with the Schuyler, Bogaert, Provost, Van Schaick, DePey- ster, Latrobe, Barclay, Van Courtland, Lispenard and other equally well known Dutch and English families of New York, and through these marriages and the com- mercial achievement the Roosevelts came into great social and business prominence. In every generation they represented their localities in Colonial and State affairs, and Roosevelt is a name as well known in the United States as that of Washington. In Holland the family bore arms :
Arms — Argent on a mount vert a rose bush with three roses proper.
Crest — Three ostrich feathers per pale gules and argent.
Mollo — Qui plantoTit curabit.
From Claes Martinzen Van Roosevelt, the line of descent to Theodore Roosevelt is through the former's fourth child, Nicholas Roosevelt, an alderman of New York City 1698-1701, and his wife Heytje Jans ; their son, Johannes Roosevelt, assistant alderman of New York City 1717-1727, alderman 1730-1733, and his wife Heltje Sjverts (also spelled Hyla Suerts) ; their son Jacobus Roosevelt and his second wife Elenora Thompson ; their son Jacobus (2) Roosevelt, who, as James L. Roosevelt, served as commis- sary during the War of the Revolution, and his wife, Mary Van Schaick ; their youngest son Cornelius Van Schaick Roosevelt, and his wife Margaret Barn- hill, a granddaughter of Thomas Potts of Pennsylvania, member of the Continental Congress; their son Theodore (i) Roose- velt and his wife Martha Bullock, of Ros- well, Georgia; their son, Theodore (2) Roosevelt, to whose memory this review is dedicated.
Cornelius Van Schaick Roosevelt, grandfather of Theodore (2), inherited a large fortune from his father and grand- father, and to this he made substantial additions. For many years he was engaged in the importation of hardware and plate glass ; was one of the founders of the Chemical Bank of New York City, and one of New York's wealthiest men. He established a summer home at Oyster Bay, Long Island, called "Tranquility" and there his son Theodore (i) Roosevelt spent the summer months all through his life, the old home also being the home of Theodore (2) Roosevelt during his early childhood.
Theodore (i) Roosevelt was born in New York City, September 29, 1831, and died there February 9, 1878. He became a member of the glass importing firm, Roosevelt & Company, No. 2 Maiden
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Theodore (i) Roosevelt was born New York City. September 29, 1831, ami died there February 9, 1878. He became a member of the glass importing firm, Roosevelt & Company, No. 2 Maiden
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Lane, there continuing in business until 1876, when he established in the banking business with his son at No. 32 Pine Street, New York. He was a State com- missioner of public charities, vice-presi- dent of the Union League, and was appointed collector of the port of New York by President Hayes, but failed of confirmation, the senate objecting to him on account of his former affiliation with an importing business, which some be- lieved he retained an interest in. He was a most charitable man, abounding in good works, but particularly interested in the Orthopaedic Hospital in 59th Street, New York, the Newsboys' Lodging House and the Young Men's Christian Association. Theodore (i) Roosevelt married Martha Bullock, daughter of James and Martha (Oswald) Bullock of Roswell, Georgia, and granddaughter of Archibald Bullock, first Revolutionary governor of Georgia, and Mary de Vaux, of Huguenot blood, and a maternal grand- daughter of Edward Bellinger, one of the Carolina landgraves. Governor Archi- bald Bullock was a son of James Bullock, who came from Scotland about 1715, a blood relation of the Douglass Barton and other famed families. He settled in Geor- gia, was a member of the Provincial Con- gress and held many important positions of honor and trust. Martha (Bullock) Roosevelt died February 15, 1884, leaving four children : Anna, married Capt. W. S. Cowles of the United States Navy ; Theo- dore (2) of further mention ; Elliott ; Corinne, married Douglass (2) Robinson. The Roosevelt home was on West 57th Street, New York, the summer home "Tranquility," Oyster Bay, Long Island. Theodore (2) Roosevelt, eldest son of Theodore and Martha (Bullock) Roose- velt, was born in New York, October 27, 1858, died suddenly at his home "Saga-
more Hill," Oyster Bay, Long Island, January 6, 1919. His early life was largely spent amid the healthful surroundings of "Tranquility," once owned by his grand- father, and there from a weakly child he developed into a wiry, earnest, fearless lad, who rode, swam, climbed, rowed and jumped, toughening every limb and muscle and laying the foundation for the great strength which enabled him to lead the strenuous life for which destiny was preparing him. He was graduated A. B., Harvard, class of 1880, and shortly after- ward purchased 100 acres of mostly wood land at Oyster Bay, which he named "Sagamore Hill," a name which had then no special significance, but which later became the mecca to which all eyes turned and where the greatest men of his party met to counsel with their greatest leader.
In 1882 Theodore Roosevelt made his first appearance in public life as a member of the New York Legislature, represent- ing the 2ist Assembly district of New York. His party was in the minority but he displayed strong qualities of leadership and was returned in 1883. During that session he espoused the cause of State civil service reform, and was again returned to the Legislature in 1884. As chairman of the committee on cities, he reported and urged to passage a bill abol- ishing fees in the office of the county clerk and register, curtailing abuses in the surrogate's and sheriff's offices, and secured the passage of