History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3. Группа авторов
In 1897 Mr. Lawrence erected the Gramatan Inn on the top of Sunset hill near the Bronxville station. It contains one hundred and twenty-five rooms, has wide porches and verandas, making it a most beautiful place in summer and winter for visitors and guests. It is a fine Colonial structure, with all modern improvements, including electric lights and bells, and steam heat, and from its verandas one has a fine view, extending from the Hudson river to the Sound. In the winter these porches are enclosed with glass, forming sun parlors, and the Inn is open all the year round. One of its most desirable features is its close proximity to the city, being only a twenty-six minutes' run on the New York & Harlem Railroad from the Grand Central station, Forty-second street, New York, so that the busy man, who is obliged to remain in the city during the day, can here find cool, bracing country air, where he can enjoy the society of his family and friends in the evening. In the construction of the hotel no convenience has been omitted that would add to the happiness and comfort of the guests.
Mr. Lawrence is a native of New York city, where he was reared and educated, is a cultured and pleasant gentleman and thorough business man. He has not developed Lawrence Park as a money-making scheme, as is usually the case in suburban park affairs, but his methods have been quite original and new, and therefore successful.
SECOR, NORMAN, Jr.
Ad historic old family of Westchester county is the one of which the subject of this sketch is a worthy scion. The Secors were among the French Huguenots who, fleeing from the persecutions with which they were beset in their own loved country, came to the hospitable shores of the New World, where they might have " freedom to worship God " according to the dictates of their hearts. This little band of refugees landed at New Rochelle, Westchester county, in 1681, and here they founded homes and became a thriving, prosperous little colony, respected by all with whom they had dealings.
The great-grandfather of our subject belonged to this brave band, and his son Thomas, the next in the line of descent, was born on a farm in the vicinity of East Chester, this county, where he spent his entire life. His son Norman, the father of our subject, was born in the town of East Chester, September 9, 1818, and after having spent a long, useful life as a tiller of the soil is now enjoying a justly earned rest from labor. He has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, and for one of his years has remarkably good health. In his early manhood he chose for his wife Mary Ann Purtell, whose birth occurred in New Rochelle, in 1830, her parents being James and Anna Purtell, of that locality. Mrs. Mary Secor is also living.
Norman Secor, Jr., was born in the town of Greenburg, Westchester county, January 4, 1852, and from his earliest recollection has been occupied in the varied duties of farm life. Under his father's tutelage he acquired practical knowledge of agriculture, and in the schools of the neighborhood he received a liberal business education. Later he was a student in the Ardsley school for a few months, and by private study and reading he became the well informed man that he is to-day. Having given his father his assistance until he reached his majority the young man then embarked in business on his own account, and from that time until the present has carried on a farm, keeping from eighteen to twenty cows for dairy purposes, and in addition to this he handles annually about five thousand tons of ice. His good business methods and industry have wrought out success for him, and he is now well-to-do and prosperous. He owns considerable property, and from time to time has made profitable investments.
It is in his happy home circle that Mr. Secor finds his chief pleasure in life, and there, surrounded by his family, the cares of the busy world seem far away. It was in 1872 that he was united in wedlock with Mary Ann Lander, eldest daughter of Henry S. and Ann (Williams) Lander. Her father, a native of England, is engaged in farming and is also interested in the manufacture and sale of a fertilizer. Like her husband, Mrs. Secor was born in the town of Greenburg, and from childhood they were friends and companions. Four sons and three daughters blessed their home, namely: Henry R., Alice M., Harriet W. , Mabel B., Arthur W., Ethie J. and Jerome. Henry is married and has three sons, Thomas M., Russell H. and Thornton, and they have nine grand and great-grandparents living ! Alice, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Fred H. Wille, of Ardsley, New York, and they have one son, Kenneth R. , who has eight grand and great -grandparents living. The family is one noted for longevity.
Though he is a stalwart Republican and never neglects his duty as a voter, Mr. Secor has steadfastly refrained from entering politics, refusing to accept public office. His time is given to his family, his friends and his business, and in all life's relations he is accorded and justly merits the high regard of his many friends.
GRENZEBACH, JAMES A.
Westchester county has been the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example to those who come after them but have also been of important service to their town and county through various avenues of usefulness. Among them must be named James A. Grenzebach, who died of heart failure September 2, 1892, after a life of industry, and one which was rich in those rare possessions which only a high character can give.
He was born in New York city, in 1837, and spent his boyhood in Pelham, Westchester county, receiving a good public-school and academic education. His father was a farmer and a worthy citizen of his community. Our subject began his business career as a clerk for Harper Brothers, of New York city, and in 1867 became a member of the firm of Maxfield & Company, dealers in and importers of fruit, doing business at the corner of Washington and Fulton streets. New York. That partnership was dissolved in 1876 and he came to New Rochelle, Westchester county, where the firm of Grenzebach & Carpenter was formed, our subject having purchased the interest of Charles Hoffmeister in the lumber and coal business. The firm soon won an enviable reputation and were wonderfully successful. The January before his death Mr. Grenzebach practically retired from the company, though he was still retained as a special partner, and the name was changed to Carpenter, Todd & Company.
He married Miss Annie E. Carpenter, a sister of his partner, Robert P. Carpenter, and they became the parents of four children, one son and three daughters, who yet survive him. All are unmarried with the exception of Mrs. Harry H. Todd.
Mr. Grenzebach was one of the first members of the Enterprise Hook and Ladder Company; also belonged to the Yacht Club and the Maennerchor; and was an honorary member of the Rowing Club. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, and he was often called upon to fill public positions of honor and trust, being trustee of the village in 1879, 1880, 1881, 1883, 1884, 1888 and 1889. He was also village treasurer in 1889 and again in 1892, being unanimously elected in the spring of the latter year. For fourteen consecutive years he was a member of the board of education, and spent much time and energy as a member of the committee on buildings and grounds. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to any good cause, or to sympathize with and aid those in distress. Although quick to resent an injury, he was always willing to forgive, and was deeply attached to his home and family. The large attendance at his funeral testified to the esteem in which he was held by the entire community, and his remains were laid to rest with honor in the Woodlawn cemetery. Generous and sympathetic, he made friends easily, and he justly deserved the high regard in which he was uniformly held.
FRYER, CHARLES
One of Westchester county's most distinguished and honored citizens, and an author of considerable prominence, is Charles Pryer, who resided upon the old Pryer homestead in the town of New Rochelle, where he was born in 1851. His father, John Pryer, was born in the city of New York, in 1802, and after completing his education in the schools of the metropolis, he began his business career there as a merchant. In 1839 he removed, with his family, to the town of Mamaroneck, Westchester county, where he purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land, but soon afterward disposed of that property. His death occurred April 18, 1875, and his wife, who survived him for some years, departed this life June 9, 1887, at the age of seventy-five. They were the parents of five children who reached years of maturity, but George is now deceased, and William E. died September 24, 1888, in New Rochelle, where he successfully engaged in the practice of medicine from 1867 up to the time of his death, having a large practice; John T. resides in New York city; Adeline C. makes tier home in New Rochelle; and Charles completes the family.