The subject of this sketch first attended public schools and later a preparatory school, after which he entered Cornell University in 1892, taking a complete course in law. There the degree of LL.B. was conferred upon him June 21, 1894, and the degree of LL. M. June 20, 1895. In the latter year he opened an office in SingSing, and has since successfully engaged in practice, making a specialty of corporation and real-estate law. He is thoroughly in love with his profession and is eminently gifted with the capabilities of mind which are indispensable at the bar. As a Democrat he takes quite an active and prominent part in political affairs and is an efficient campaign worker in this state. Religiously, he is a member of the Catholic church of SingSing.
HUNT, JAMES F.
The well-known and popular young postmaster of Croton, New York, has spent his entire life at that place, his birth occurring there January 31, 1869. His father, John Hunt, was a native of Kings county, Ireland, and was twice married, having by his first wife one child. In New York city, he wedded Miss Ellen McGuire, the mother of our subject, and in 1866 they removed to Westchester county, where he worked as a laborer until life's labors were over and he was called to his final rest, in 1882. In religious faith he was a Roman Catholic.
The schools of Croton afforded James F. Hunt his educational advantages, and when his school days were over he engaged in various forms of labor. At the age of thirteen years he commenced working at brick-making and while thus employed attended school during the winter months. He made excellent use of his opportunities and passed the required examination at North Tarrytown for the normal course. He early learned that knowledge is the key with which the poor boy anywhere can open the storehouse of the world and cull its choicest fruits, and he has therefore fitted himself to occupy any position in life which may fall to his lot.
Mr. Hunt always gives his political support to the men and measures of the Democracy, and takes a deep interest in local affairs. On the 25th of May, 1895, he was first appointed postmaster of Croton, and when the office was raised to that of the third class he was reappointed, October 1, 1896, and on the expiration of his commission, in February, 1897, was again appointed to the same position, as he had so creditably and satisfactorily discharged his duties. He was also appointed notary public in May, 1897, by ex-Governor Black, and still holds that office.
JACKSON, JAMES H.
True' merit is recognized sooner or later, the exceptions simply proving the rule; and thus it has been in the case of James H. Jackson, a well-known citizen of Yonkers, who has climbed to the very responsible position which he now occupies, solely on account of his genuine business ability and personal worth. His superiors in the great commercial house with which he is connected feel that in him they have one in whom they can place implicit trust and confidence, certain that he will not neglect the least of his duties, and that everything which he agrees to accomplish will be promptly and conscientiously performed. Such employees are the strong foundations on which every successful business is reared, and the great and prosperous merchants =of this decade acknowledge this fact cheerfully and act accordingly.
James H. Jackson comes from sturdy Protestant-Irish stock, than which there is none better nor more loyal to the highest motives which govern citizens of this great republic, once they have come under its mantle of protection. James Jackson, the father of our subject, was a native of the northern part of the Emerald Isle, there growing to manhood. He learned the trade of gardening and found his chief pleasure among the plants and trees, in the pure, open air, for he was a great lover of nature. Coming to the United States when a young man he followed his favorite occupation during his entire active life — for a period in Boston, Massachusetts, and for about a quarter of a century in New York city and Yonkers. His home was in this city for several decades and here he was an active and earnest member of Westminster Presbyterian church. In his political faith he was a zealous Republican. He enjoyed the esteem and genuine regard of all who knew him. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah Matthews.
The birth of James H. Jackson took place in Riverdale, now a part of New York city, April 22, 1858. For some time he was a pupil in Yonkers school No. 6, but when he was a lad of about fourteen he left his studies and commenced working in the hat factory of John T. Waring, being employed there for some three years. In 1885 he became connected with the Alexander Smith Carpet Mills, and was here occupied in the weaving of chenille by hand, and later he secured employment in the dyeing department of the moquette mills for three years. Since 1894 he has held the position of head of this important department, and has under his supervision one hundred and ten men. He is a thorough and practical master of his trade, and takes special pride and interest in the excellence of the work turned out from his branch of the immense establishment, which is one of the largest carpet manufactories m the world. In the matter of politics Mr. Jackson adheres to the creed of his father, and renders his allegiance to the nominees and principles set forth by the Republican party.
The pleasant and thoroughly attractive home of our subject and his recently wedded bride is one in which their numerous friends delight to assemble, for the hospitality of the host and hostess is genuine and free from ostentation. Mrs. Jackson was Miss Mildred J. Bell, a daughter of the late John Bell, a respected citizen of Yonkers, and her marriage to Mr. Jackson was solemnized on the 19th of October, 1898.
BARNES, REUBEN
The honored subject of this memoir was for a long term of years one of the prominent and most respected citizens of Yonkers, with whose upbuilding and material prosperity he was closely identified, while in all that conserves the uplifting of men into the plane of right living he was ever to be found zealous and earnest in doing good to all, ever mindful of the lofty principles expressed in the Golden Rule. He lived to attain the venerable age of eighty-one years, passing to his reward at the close of a well spent life, secure in the lasting esteem and veneration of those who had come within the influence of his pure and unassuming character.
Reuben Barnes was born in Preston, near Norwich, Connecticut, on the 8th of July, 1810, being one of eleven children. When twenty-two years of age he went to Mobile, Alabama, where for about twelve years, as architect. and builder, he was engaged in business with his brother, James Barnes. There also he made the acquaintance of Miss Mary Hodge, of North Adams, Massachusetts, to whom he was married in 1837. In 1884 he returned to the north, locating in Poughkeepsie, New York. While there he erected' many buildings, among the more important of which was the Cannon Street Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was an active and efficient member.
In the year 1852 Mr. Barnes removed to Yonkers, where for nearly forty years he was actively and prominently concerned in manufacturing and building. He was animated by the staunchest integrity in thought, word and deed, and upon his business career as well as his private life there rested no shadow of wrong. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his devoted wife in the spring of 1881. She was born in North Adams, Massachusetts, whence her parents eventually removed to Michigan, becoming pioneers of Jackson county, that state, where all the other children of the family also located, becoming prominent and substantial citizens. Of the large family of brothers and sisters only one is now surviving, Mrs. Sarah A. Baker, widow of Dr. Timothy Baker, of Union City, Michigan. At the time of Mrs. Barnes' death three of her children were surviving, namely: Martha, the wife of James B. Odell, of Yonkers; Hiram Barnes, an architect and builder of Yonkers; and Mary, who is unmarried. Of these Mrs. Odfell died on the 21st of June, 1894.
In the fall of 1882 Mr. Barnes consummated a second marriage, being then united to Miss Nancy Sample, of Norwich, Connecticut, who survives him. In June, 1891, Mr. and Mrs. Barnes visited Norwich and Preston, Connecticut, and while in his native place the subject of this memoir was taken ill and at once returned to his home, 188 Buena Vista avenue, Yonkers, where on July 28, 1891, he was compelled to yield to the inexorable summons of death, passing away in the fullness of years and honors. His mortal remains were interred in St. John's cemetery.
