Dear Madam: At a meeting of the board of education the following resolution was adopted:
Whereas, Through the painful dispensation of Divine Providence, we have lost our esteemed treasurer, Alexander Masterton, who for more than twenty years has been treasurer of this school district and who has endeared himself to the members of this board by his genial disposition and faithful performance of every trust; therefore.
Resolved, That at the death of Alexander Masterton we have lost a true friend and faithful treasurer, who, by his efforts and sincere devotion to duty, merits the respect of all; and
Resolved, That we extend to the wife and family of our deceased treasurer our sincere sympathy in their sad bereavement, and trust the memory of his many good qualities and loving deeds may in some measure console them in their affliction.
R. E. Bennett, Secretary.
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Bronxville, N. Y., May 10, 1899.
Dear Mrs. Masterton;
I am directed by the board of trustees of the village to send you the following: Whereas, Our esteemed fellow citizen, Mr. Alexander Masterton, has been taken from us by death, and
Whereas, He has faithfully discharged the duties devolving upon him as a citizen and as treasurer of this village.
Resolved, That we, the board of trustees of this village, do hereby express our deep sense of loss; and that we extend to his family our sympathy; and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to his widow; and, further.
Resolved, That the board do now adjourn in respect to his memory.
Yours very respectfully,
David E. Smith, M. D. Village Clerk.
The funeral services were held at the family home on the 6th day of May, 1899, and many friends of the deceased assembled to pay a last sad tribute to the memory of a true and noble man. Among the mourners was J. Ives Plumb, a son of the assassin, James Neale Plumb, the former having been closely associated with his father's victim. The funeral memorials included eulogies by Rev. W. S. C. Webster, D. D., pastor of the Bronxville Dutch Reformed church, and Rev. Alfred E. Myers, D. D., of the Marble Collegiate Reformed church, at Twenty-ninth street and Fifth avenue, New York, who was pastor of the Bronxville church twenty years ago. Interment was made in Woodlawn cemetery, where was laid to rest the mortal tenement of one whose life had been consecrated to all that was good and true and noble. In conclusion we cannot do better than to quote from the timely tribute written by one who had known Mr. Masterton long and intimately. Rev. Isaac L. Kipp:
Upon the mere circumstances of his death it is not the design of this tribute to dwell. Death in any case is only a circumstance. Many of God's dear children have made their passage into life under forms more painful than his of whom we write. He was spared the decay of years. He was exempted from the pains and privations of a long, lingering sickness, and dreadful as the surprise attending such an event may be for family and friends, surprise for him was more the sudden consciousness of entering upon the invisible glory. The loss was not to him, but to those who miss him, and they are many; and for them remains the fact, in all its sadness and surprise, that one so fit to live, so widely endeared and respected, will be seen no more in that material form, and in those places where his presence and greeting have been so familiar. There are circles of hearts that sorrow for his death which vary in extent. Into the sacredness of that grief which shrouds his beautiful home, where it would seem that no condition of earthly enjoyment was lacking, and where ample means and exquisite refinement were pervaded by the tenderest human love and consecrated by the Love Divine, we may not intrude. Something more efficient than human sympathy is needed to lift the darkness which has fallen upon that center of beauty and joy. But to those who knew Mr. Masterton in his home, who were privileged to enjoy his hospitality and enter as guests into that family life, there cannot but be a deep sympathetic sorrow, which would prompt expression in assurance to them and in earnest prayer to God in their behalf. No one really knew Mr. Masterton who did not know him in his home. Beyond the home circle, to those associated with him in business relations, and those without direct relations of this character but accustomed to meet him along the lines of his daily course to and from the varied places whither his official duties took him, there is sorrow for his death. His kindly greeting will be missed by many.
It is a simple tribute of regard we offer to the memory of one so well and so widely known, and so worthy of record and respect. We pen no biographical sketch, but only desire to express appreciation and affection for one whom for near a score of years we have been privileged to know. Alexander Masterton was a man well-endowed with qualities which give a man ranking position among men. His natural abilities were of high order. He was sound in intellect, judicious and discriminating and under strong self-control. Social advantages and opportunities, which he enjoyed to a high degree, exerted their influence upon him and gave a. polish to his bearing which, with his innate and instinctive gentle manliness, made him conspicuous in this respect. He was one of the most urbane men it has ever been our privilege to know ; and yet he was as modest and unassuming in his bearing as anyone could possibly be. With all his gentleness and quietness of speech, Mr. Masterton was a man of clear, strong conviction, and uncompromising in principle. * * * One of the strongest proofs of his established character and reputation for probity was the fact of the frequency with which he had been called upon to act as executor and administrator of estates and guardian of minor heirs. On all such occasions he was indefatigably faithful to the trust reposed in him and discharged the duties of his responsible positions with unswerving rectitude and fearless forwarding of the interests of those committed to his care.
And above all, and through all, Mr. Masterton was a Christian. Pure, devoted, unaffected,— above all else he sought the kingdom of God and his righteousness in as near approach to saintliness of spirit as is often attained in this life. He was both active and devout. Nothing kept him from his post of service, and his life exhaled the fragrance of prayer and praise. "Rare Ben Jonson," was the touching eulogy of friendship over that sweet, pure life; and the same tender epitaph is applicable to him to whose memory this tribute is offered. To that dearly loved wife, who had been so truly, and by him, as well as by all who know her, an appreciated helpmeet in all the long years of their happy wedded life; to children and to children's children,— the tenderest sympathy will be universally accorded. Bereaved church of Bronxville and the wide circle of sorrowing friends in grief for the death, be grateful for the life of this Israelite indeed.
HOAG, HON. JOHN.
Hon. John Hoag, one of Westchester county's prominent citizens, comes of Quaker stock and is descended in lines which have been influential in this part of New York for generations. He is the son of Israel G. and Phebe (Carpenter) Hoag and was born in the town of North Castle, August 3, 1847. John Hoag, his paternal grandfather, was born in Dutchess county. New York, in 1781, and located in Westchester county in early life. He married Parthenia Green, daughter of Oliver Green, a Westchester county farmer well known in his time, and had three children, Israel G. (father of John), Phebe and Anna Maria. The last mentioned married Joshua W. Bowron. John Hoag died October 12, 1850, full of years and honor.
Israel G. Hoag was the second child of John and Parthenia (Green) Hoag and was born in the town of New Castle, Westchester county, October 2, 1815. He was educated in public and private schools. In 1835 he located
