History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3. Группа авторов
of New York by a plurality of sixty-three hundred and fifty, over James Irving Burns, the Republican nominee. During the two preceding terms the district had been represented by a Republican, and his immediate predecessor, William L. Ward, had been elected in 1896 by a plurality of seventy-two hundred, a fact which shows that he increased the Democratic vote about fourteen thousand. He was the only candidate on the Democratic ticket elected in Westchester county, in the fall of 1898, and' it will thus be seen that he wields a mighty influence in political affairs in the county, and, indeed, throughout the entire congressional district.
In 1872 Mr. Underbill wedded Miss Minnie B. Price, of Sag Harbor, Long Island, daughter of James H. Price. They now have a daughter, Anna. B., an accomplished young lady and a graduate of the woman's law class of the University Law School, of New York city. They have a pleasant home, in the midst of attractive surroundings, and in social circles their position is enviable. Mr. Underhill is a member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M. His cordiality and general worth make him a favorite among his friends, while his strong mentality and marked executive ability have gained him leadership in business circles and in public life.
SEYMOUR, STEPHEN G.
No man in Westchester county is probably more worthy of representation in a work of this kind than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He has been identified with its business interests for many years, as a dealer in general merchandise, flour and feed at Lewisboro, has served as postmaster at that place since first appointed by President Andrew Johnson, and for the long period of twenty-seven years has also filled the office of justice of the peace.
Mr. Seymour was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, September 14, 1835, and on the paternal side is of English descent. His grandfather, Samuel Seymour, was a farmer by occupation, and his father, Rufus S. Seymour, was engaged in shoemaking and later was a farmer. The latter married Miss Sally Keeler, the daughter of Thaddeus Keeler, who died in Potter county, Pennsylvania, and both are now deceased, the father having died at the age of seventy-six years. They were faithful members of the Methodist church, and in his political views Mr. Seymour was a pronounced Democrat.
Stephen Seymour is indebted to the public schools for his education, and when a young man he successfully engaged in teaching school for some time. In 1860 was celebrated his marriage to Miss Frances D. Lockwood, who was born, reared and educated in this county, and is one of the four children born to Rufus and Sally (Raymond) Lockwood, the others being John, Samuel and Joseph W., of Lewisboro township. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour have two children: Urban G., who married Miss Cora Crawford; and Ada Frances, a resident of Lewisboro, but attended school in New Jersey. The wife and mother is an earnest member of the Methodist church, and is held in high esteem for her many excellencies of character.
For many years Mr. Seymour has been unwavering in his support of the Democratic party and takes a lively interest in political issues, on which he is well informed. Over his life record there falls no shadow of wrong, his public services has been most exemplary, and his private life has been marked by the utmost fidelity to duty. He therefore merits and receives the respect and confidence of the entire community.
PEELER, LEON E., M. D.
Leon E. Peeler, M. D., a prominent young physician and surgeon of Harrison, Westchester county, was born January 7, 1871, in Sodus Center, Wayne county. New York, and is a representative of a well-known family of that part of the state. His parents being George U. and Augusta (Ireland) Peeler, he is a descendant on the maternal side of Martha Biddle and Lorenzo Ireland, his great-grandparents, Martha Biddle having been a sister of the well-known Nicholas Biddle, who was president of the United States Bank at Philadelphia until it was dissolved, during President Jackson's administration.
The Doctor received his preliminary education at the high school at Sodus, New York, and commenced the study of medicine in 1889, under the direction of Dr. H. F. Seaman, one of the oldest practicing physicians of Wayne county. In the autumn of 1892 he entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York, where he was graduated in the class of 1895 with honor, winning by competitive examination after graduation a position as interne to Bellevue Hospital. In July of the same year he located at Harrison, where he soon succeeded in establishing a good practice, which he still enjoys.
In September, 1896, Dr. Peeler married Miss Katherine Seaman, a daughter of Benjamin B. Seaman and a niece of our subject's former preceptor. As a family they are actively identified with the interests of Harrison, and are regarded as prominent residents by the members of that growing town.
ABBOTT, CHARLES H.
For a score of years this sterling old citizen of Westchester county has held the office of justice of the peace in Pound Ridge township. He comes from one of the pioneer families of this locality, and was born on the old homestead, which he now owns and carries on. On the paternal side he is of English descent, as his name implies, and his ancestors were numbered among the early settlers of Connecticut. His grandfather, Ebenezer Abbott, was a native of the town of Wilton, Connecticut, and both he and his wife, whose girlhood name was Molly Adams, lived for some years in Lewisboro township, this county, and there passed to their last reward. Their son, Moses A., the father of the subject of this review, was born in Wilton, Connecticut, in 1795, and died, when in his ninety-seventh year, in 1891. His boyhood and youth were spent in this county, and for many years, when he was in his prime, he was one of the most influential citizens of his home neighborhood. He chose for his wife: Miss Phoebe Lynes, a native of Lewisboro township, a daughter of Holly Lynes, who was of French extraction. She died at the age of seventy-four years, a faithful member of the Methodist church, to which her husband also belonged. He was a Whig and Republican in his political views, and enjoyed the high regard of all who knew him.
Charles H. Abbott, whose birth occurred June 3, 1839, is one of nine children, five of whom are deceased, namely: William, Elizabeth, Ebenezer, Ebenezer (the second) and Betsey J. Those of the family who survive are Cordelia, widow of Thomas L. Downs, of Montour, Tama county, Iowa; Emily, wife of Aaron Schofield, of Pound Ridge township; Julia, wife of Enoch Ambler, of Garwin, Tama county, Iowa; and Charles H.
In his youth Charles H. Abbott received an excellent education in the common schools of this county, and by special study and " burning of the midnight oil " prepared himself for the work of teaching. Having successfully passed the required examinations he was granted a teacher's certificate and for the following decade gave his attention to educational work. Since the expiration of that period he has devoted himself exclusively to agriculture and has cultivated the old homestead of seventy acres. The place is well improved with substantial buildings, a good orchard and fences, and is one of the best in the township. The year 1864 Mr. Abbott spent in Tama county, Iowa, where he had some idea of permanently locating, but he changed his plans and ultimately returned to the place made dear to him by the associations of childhood. In 1893 he went on an extended visit to Tama county, and, though for some reasons he believes it might have been better for him to have remained in the west after the close of the civil war, he does not regret his decision to live and die in the home of his father.
In 1883 Mr. Abbott married Miss Louisa Newman, a daughter of David Newman, of Brooklyn, New York. Both Mr. and Mrs. Abbott are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an intelligent interest in all movements calculated to accrue to the lasting benefit of their fellow-citizens. They give their earnest support to various benevolent and religious enterprises, and are always to be safely relied upon to use their influence and means in the upholding of righteous law and good government. In his political affiliations Mr. Abbott is a Republican.
BROWN, FRANCIS D.
This honored and highly esteemed citizen of North Salem township, Westchester county, was born July 12, 1822, on the farm where he still continues to reside. His great-grandfather, Samuel Brown, was born in 1734, in Stamford, England, and later emigrated to America, locating in Stamford, Connecticut. In 1772 he came to Delancy township, now known as North, Salem, in Westchester county. New York, where his death occurred, in 1815. His wife Susan, who was born March 28, 1737, lived to the extreme old age of