History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2. Группа авторов
was married March 1, 1810, to Sallie Bloom Sands, who died in 1846, at the age of eighty years. Stephen, born July 13, 1791, served as an officer in the custom-house in New York city, and was married January 18, 1815, to Catherine Brevier, who was born September 29, 1789. Jane M., born April 24, 1796, became the wife of William Jewett, April 7, 1817. Silas M. , born June 6, 1800, served as marshal of New York city for many years, was also a prominent member of the state legislature and the author of the Stilwell act, and was associated with Secretary Chase in formulating the present national banking system. Samuel, born March 23, 1798, married Maria Bloom, in April, 1819; and John, the youngest, is the subject of the next paragraph.
John Stilwell, the father of Benjamin W., was born at Flushing, Long Island, October 7, 1802, and during his boyhood secured a clerkship in a store in New York city. Subsequently he engaged in the dry-goods business on his own account there, and later became interested in real estate, in which he was eminently successful. He served for some years as school trustee in New York city, but on account of ill health removed into the country, purchasing a farm at Mile Square in Yonkers. He retired from mercantile life about 1850, but continued to engage in the real-estate business, making extensive purchases, and was uniformly successful, amassing a handsome fortune.
In 1823 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Oakley, who died December 18, 1845, leaving several children. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Stilwell married Miss Cornelia Frances Seymour, and their children are Cornelia, wife of Charles L. Hulbert; Fannie, wife of E. Russell Coles, of Yonkers; and Benjamin W. Mr. Stilwell, although for many years a member of the First Reformed church, had strong Quaker tendencies and took a deep interest in all measures that tended to benefit the community. He served as village treasurer for a time, was one of the incorporators of the Yonkers Savings Bank, and, after a twenty-five years residence on Locust Hill, died, at his home there, in 1879, respected by all who knew him.
We now take up the personal history of Benjamin W. Stilwell, who was born at Yonkers July 19, 1858. Here he was educated in Hooper's private institute, after which he studied civil engineering, gaining practical knowledge with an engineering corps. It was his father's desire that he should study law and he accordingly matriculated in the Columbia Law School, where he was graduated in 1879, with the degree of LL. B. Shortly after his graduation his father died, and being appointed executor of his estate he was forced to devote a great deal of attention to the property interest. But without any special liking for the legal profession, and having for years desired to pursue medical studies, the opportunity presenting itself, he decided to take the course, and after one year at the College of Physicians & Surgeons he entered the Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, and in 1887 obtained the degree of M. D., graduating with the honors of the class. He subsequently spent one year in the New York Ophthalmic Hospital, and later took post-graduate courses at the Policlinic and Northwestern Dispensary, after which he passed a portion of one year in study and travel at various centers of medical learning in Europe. On his return to America he located in Yonkers and interested himself largely in real estate, preferring business to the practice of a profession.
He is a trustee of the Yonkers Savings Bank, and in 1898 became interested in the United Gas Improvement Company, and is now connected .with that company as its business manager.
On the 20th of February, 1880, Dr. Stilwell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Augusta Peene, a daughter of Joseph Peene, of Yonkers, and to them have been born four children, — Alice, Joseph Warren, John and Mary.
Dr. Stilwell is an honorary member of the Palisade Boat Club and the Chiron Club, of New York city. He is also a member of the Alumni Association of the New York Homeopathic Medical College, a member of the Yonkers Board of Trade, and is the president of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Yonkers, but believes in the widest liberality and tolerance in the matter of religious creeds. Intellectual, moral, social and material advancement all find in him an advocate, and his understanding of political questions is shown in the consistent support which he gives the Republican party. He is a man of scholarly attainments and broad general culture, and no resident of Yonkers enjoys a higher regard or is more worthy of the esteem of his fellow men than Dr. Benjamin Watson Stilwell.
CROMWELL, DAVID.
David Cromwell, president of the White Plains Bank, White Plains, New York, is descended from distinguished ancestors and bears a name that has gone down on the pages of history. Several branches of the Cromwell family in America are descended from Colonel John, third son of Richard, and brother of the renowned Protector, Oliver Cromwell. John Cromwell, son of Colonel John, emigrated from Holland to New Netherland, and in 1686 was a resident at Long Neck, in Westchester county, afterward known as Cromwell's Neck. He left two sons, John and James. The latter was born in 1696 and died in 1770, leaving three children, — John, James and William John Cromwell, the oldest son, was a resident of Harrison. He was born December 5, 1737, married Anna Hopkins, of Long Island, and they were the parents of eight children, — James; Daniel; John; Joseph; William; Naomi, wife of Rev. Mr. Halstead; Esther, wife of John Griffin, Jr., of North Castle; and Hannah, wife of William Field, of Cortlandt. John Cromwell, the father of this family, was a patriot soldier in the Revolution. He died at Sin advanced age, in 1805.
James Cromwell, the eldest son in the above named family, was born November 6, 1752, and in early life worked on the farm of General Lewis Morris, at Morrisania. This dwelling was near Cromwell's creek, which derived its name from him, and after remaining here several years he removed to New York, where he conducted a grocery business, and at a later date he purchased a farm in the- town of Monroe, Orange county (then known as Southfield), where he passed the rest of his days, his death occurring December 23, 1828. He married Charlotte, daughter of Aaron Hunt, of Greenwich, Connecticut, and their children were: Hannah, wife of David Griffin; Rebecca, wife of George Fritts; Ann, wife of John Haviland; David; Aaron; William and Mary, twins that died young; William and John.
John, the last named, was born in Monroe, July 26, 1803. He engaged in business in New York city and finally having earned a modest competence, purchased a farm of one hundred acres in New Windsor, Orange county, where he resided during the rest of his life. He was a life-long member of the Society of Friends, known and honored as a useful and worthy citizen and faithful in the performance of all the duties of life. He married Letitia, daughter of Abijah and Patience Haviland, of White Plains, New York, and they were the parents of four children, viz. : Walter, a resident of California; James, of Bedford, Westchester county. New York; Oliver, who died at New Windsor, New York, June' 11, 1885; and David. The mother of this family died in 1861. Subsequently the father was married to Elizabeth Cocks, daughter of Charles and Ann (Conklin) Cocks, of Newburgh.
The immediate subject of this review, David Cromwell, dates his birth, in New York city. May 25, 1838, and at the age of eight years he removed with his parents to New Windsor, New York. He was educated in the Cornwall Collegiate School, where he graduated as a civil engineer and surveyor. After practicing his profession about one year, he went to New York city and embarked in the grain trade. In 1862 he moved to East Chester and established a store, which he conducted until 1879. In the meantime, in 1877, he was elected supervisor of East Chester and re-elected the following year. In the fall of 1878 he was unanimously nominated by the Republican party as their candidate for the responsible office of, county treasurer, and was elected over George W. Davis (Democrat), who had held the office for three years and was running for re-election. The faithfulness and ability exhibited by Mr. Cromwell in the performance of his official duties led to his re-election in 1881, by an increased majority, and in 1884 he was elected for a third term by a majority of about seven hundred, notwithstanding that the county gave a Democratic majority of over thirteen hundred on the electoral ticket. His ability and integrity command the votes of thinking men of all parties. As president of the White Plains Bank, he occupies a position of honor and responsibility and one which he is ably qualified to fill. Mr. Cromwell was married December 3, 1873, to Miss Fannie Deuel, of New York city, daughter of Thomas W. and Julia Deuel. Their children are Fannie May and John Chester. The former, born May 23, 1876, is now the wife of Charles D. Horton: the latter was born July 29,. 1878.
HASBROUCK, JOSEPH, M. D.