History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2. Группа авторов
in 1660, from Wyck, a town on the river Teck in Holland. He married Anna Polhemus; their son Theodorus, who was born September 17, 1668, and died December 4, 1753, married Margaretta Brinckhoff, February 3, 1685. They were the parents of eight children, one of whom, Abraham, who was born November 7, 1695, married Catharine Provost in 1717. Of their nine children, the eldest, Theodorus, born November 30, 1718, married Helena Sanford, August 2, ,1740, and they were the parents of twelve children; one of their sons, Abraham, was born in 1748, and married Catharine, daughter of Lieutenant-Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt, January 7, 1776. Their children were Theodorus, Pierre Cortlandt, Van Wyck (who was for many years recorder for the city of New York), and Philip Gilbert Van Wyck, who was born June 4, 1786, and married Mary Smith, daughter of Colonel Abraham Gardiner, and granddaughter of David Gardiner, fourth proprietor of Gardiner's island. Their children were Joanna Livingston Van Wyck, now residing at Sing Sing; Catharine, wife of Stephen H. Battin; Philip Van Cortlandt, who died unmarried, January 12, 1842; Eliza, wife of William Van Ness Livingston, who died December 9, 1865; Gardiner, who died unmarried, April 7, 1860; Annie Van Rensselaer, who married the late Hon. Alexander Wells, of the supreme bench of California, and whose only child, Gertrude Van Cortlandt, married Schuyler Hamilton, Jr., great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton; David Gardiner, who died unmarried, December 16, 1848; and Dr. Pierre Cortlandt Van Wyck, the subject of this article.
The Van Wycks of Holland are an aristocratic and wealthy family, and continue to bear the same coat of arms as those brought by the Van Wycks to this country upward of two centuries ago.
UNDERHILL, GEORGE W. L..
Thomas Jefferson is credited with saying, " Let the farmer forevermore be honored in his calling; for though he labor in the earth he is one of the chosen people of God." Agriculture has been the chief business of Mr. Underbill during life; and, having by his industry, economy and perseverance accumulated a competence, he is now enjoying in the evening of life the rest which he has so faithfully earned, making his home in the quiet and moral village of New Rochelle.
George Washington La Fayette Underbill was born in the town of Mamaroneck, Westchester county, New York, April 22, 1824, a son of the late John B. Underbill, who also was born in this county, in the town of Yonkers, April 8, 1791, the son of Colonel Peter Underbill, who was a native of the same county and was a member of the militia known as the Light Horse Cavalry. The father of the last mentioned was Nathan, whose father. Captain John Underbill, emigrated from England about the year 1600.
Our subject spent his boyhood on the farm, the source of the best physical development and of the highest and noblest aspirations, until he was seventeen years of age, meanwhile attending a private school as opportunity offered. Then he was variously engaged until sometime in his twenty-third year, when he embarked in commercial business on his own account, conducting a general store in New Rochelle and then East Chester successfully for several years. Selling out his interest here, he moved to his farm on North street, about two and a half miles from the village of New Rochelle, where he carried on general farming. This farm comprised about one hundred and thirty-five acres, well improved, upon which he' erected good buildings; and he continued to reside here until 1893, when he sold the place and removed into the village, retiring from active work, except to look after a number of interests which he still has in charge. His fine residence, on Prospect street, he built in 1895, with all the modern improvements and finished with the .latest architectural designs. Besides this, he possesses considerable other property and investments, all of which are desirable. He is now in his seventy- fifth year, and is active in mind and body, hale and hearty. He is a director of the Westchester Fire Insurance Company, an old and reliable institution. Politically he is a stanch Democrat.
In 1847 he was united in matrimony with Miss Julia A. Barker, who was born in White Plains, New York, a daughter of Isaac Barker, who was of an old and prominent family of Westchester county. Mr. and Mrs. Underhill have three children, viz. : John Quincy, George B. and Eugene. In February, 1897, the parents celebrated their golden wedding, which was a' most enjoyable occasion, — one hundred and sixty guests being present.
OGDEN, JOHN R.
John R. Ogden, one of Westchester county's honored and highly respected citizens, occupies the beautiful home on Pelham road, known as Oak Shade. It is located in a most lovely and picturesque spot overlooking Long Island sound, and is surrounded by tall elms, their majestic branches affording a most pleasant and agreeable shade during the summer months. The house was built in 1808 by a Mr. Lugdam, and thus for almost a century it has looked forth upon the surrounding district and the wonderful changes which have occurred in that long period.
Its present owner, John R. Ogden, is a native of Mississippi, his birth having occurred in Natchez-on-the-Hill, January 8, 1837, his parents beings Dr. Charles arid Ann S. (Routh) Ogden. The paternal grandfather, Nathan Ogden, was a native of New Jersey and belonged to an old and prominent English family. The father was born in Morristown, New Jersey, where he was reared to manhood, and then went to Natchez, Mississippi, where he successfully engaged in the practice of medicine for several years, securing a large patronage which brought to him excellent financial returns. As a citizen he was also held in high esteem and became widely and favorably known throughout his section of the state. He married Miss Ann S. Routh, a daughter of John Routh, a prominent citizen and extensive cotton-planter. Dr. Ogden died in Natchez, in 1848, but his wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1873.
John R. Ogden spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native city and acquired his preliminary education in a private school there, after which he went to Scotland and entered the University of Edinburg, in which, institution he pursued his studies for six years. Thus, by superior educational advantages, he was well fitted for the practical and responsible duties of life. Returning to the sunny south, Mr. Ogden located upon his plantation and turned his attention to planting cotton, employing five hundred slaves in the care of his extensive crops. He continued to successfully engage in that business until 1860, but at the outbreak of the civil war he entered the Confederate army, being true to his loved southland and the institutions amid which he was reared. He was commissioned a captain on General W. W. Loring's staff, and served in that capacity until hostilities ceased in 1865, being a most brave and fearless officer and manifesting marked loyalty to the cause he espoused. He was always found at his post of duty, faithfully following the flag under which he enlisted, and was thus true to his honest convictions.
At the close of the war Mr. Ogden returned to his southern home and resumed the management of his cotton plantation, his time being thus occupied until 1877, when with his family he came north and took up his abode in Westchester county. New York, at Oak Shade, which has since been his place of residence. He still, however, conducts his large cotton plantation, which is not far from the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and is now under the immediate supervision of his manager. This yields to him an excellent income, and is a very valuable realty interest.
In 1863 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ogden and Miss Josephine Marshall, of Natchez, a daughter of Colonel L. R. Marshall, who was a distant relative of Chief Justice John Marshall. To Mr. and Mrs. Ogden have been born five children, one son and four daughters, namely: John R. , who is engaged in business in New York city; Charlotte S., wife of Edward N. Dickerson, a prominent attorney of New York city; Sarah D., Mary M. and Josephine E. , all at home. The family is one of prominence in the community, holding an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Ogden's genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular among his acquaintances in Westchester county, where he is also recognized as a valued and public-spirited citizen, who takes an active interest in the general progress and lends his support and cooperation to every movement for the public good.
CRISFIELD, GEORGE H.
One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful business men of Yonkers is George H. Crisfield. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in this enterprising city, than he. In business circles he has long been an important factor, and his popularity is well deserved, for in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and an industry that never flags. He is public spirited, has taken an active part in local political affairs, is a supporter of