The Holland Society of New York - Yearbook (New York, NY)

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265 which made it a fail . gistic reference to tliere, and closed with a eulo- u ri ht ,th memfllfy Of one of the mggt Sliljipg, men at evel' g1'HCed Minnesota citizen- PETER QUICK ECKERSON A - elected memb f was one of the earliest ers o the Holla d S 5.3 ' been a member since June 2 5, 235, O i1?2Viagg11ig in Clarkstown, New York, November I9 I8 . and a1WaYS -Spent his summers in the old horgigi itead Qt SPT1118 Valley. He made his permaneiiit ome in New York City, where he died january IO, IQO4. He was a direct descendant from Thomas Ec- kerson, one of the original settlers of Rockland C-5011111357 S h1S'g1'efELt-grandfather was Major John Smith, a major in the Revolutionary War, 'who was granted his commission by Governor Clinton, After graduation from Hamilton College in 186 3, Mr. Eckerson began the study of law in the office of A. AP. Lanning, of Buffalo, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1865, continuing in active practice until his death. He met with marked success in his profession, and his sterling qualities made him beloved and respected by both personal and business associates. He was the attorney for many prominent firms and estates and was the oldest tenant in the Bennett Building. He was also an enthusiastic student of genealogical and historical works relating to New Amsterdam. He was first married in 1866 and in 1868 his son, Frank L. Eckerson, was born. In 1877, after the death of his Hrst wife, Mr. ECkC1'S01'l maflfled Pauline A. Smith. Four children were born.to them. His widow and two children, Paullfle Mae and William De Wint, survive him. d Mr. Eckerson was a member of the Secrcfii Collegiate Reformed Church of Harlem. e - ' 'dence funeral services were held at his late resi , 117 West 12341 Street, and also at ug? iefofmed Dutch church at spring Valley, New Of

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264 St. Paul. At the first municipal election. in 1854 he was elected an alderman, which position he held for two years, after which he was elected Mayor. In 1857 he was a delegate from Ramsey County to the famous Constitutional Convention, going with the Democratic wing on the division. In October, before the state was formally admitted, he was elected a member of Congress with two others, since it was supposed that the state would be entitled to three members. The determination being that the state should have but two repre- sentatives, Gen. Becker drew the blank. In 18 59 he was nominated for governor by the Demo- crats, but was defeated, although he made a not- able canvass. In 1860 he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Charleston, S. C., and supported the Breckenridge ticket. In 1867 he was elected to the state senate, and re-elected in 1869, his service being of distinguished ability. In I872 he was nominated for Congress, but was unsuccessful. In March, 1885, he was appointed upon the State Board of Railway and Warehouse Commissioners, being re-appointed by three following administrations and serving until IQOI. In 1894 he was again the Demo- cratic candidate for governor. In 1873 he was president of the Old Settlers' Association and the following year president of the State His- torical Society. I-Ie was twice married, his first wife living but a few months, his second wife being Susanna Ismond, whom he married in 1855. He left four sons, Edwin, Charles, George, and William. . 9 . The funeral was held at the family residence, -601. Summit Avenue, St. Paul, the services being conducted by Rev. W. C. Pope, of the Church of the Good Shepherd, the interment being at Oak- land Cemetery. In an editorial ofthe St. Paul Despatch, attention is called to his candidacy for governor and the self-denial which induced him to make the run, as well as the party treachery

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266 Hon. JAMES LANSING, one of Troyis most fa- mous lawyers and citizens, was elected to mem- bership june 8, 1899, and died January 91, IQQ4. He was a counsellor of high standing, in active practice for nearly forty years, including a term of six years as Surrogate of Rensselaer County. He was born in Decatur, May 9, 18 34. just before reaching twenty-one he went to North Mount Pleasant, Miss., and soon afterward began teaching school at Macon, Tenn., continuing for eight years. About this time he married Miss Sarah A. Richardson, of Poultney, Vt. While teaching, he prepared for his legal career, taking up his law books at the close of school hours. When his teaching came to an end, he went to the Albany Law School, graduating in 1864. After graduation he came to Troy and began to ,practise in the law office of Warren Sz Banker, soon afterwards being appointed clerk in the Sur- rogate's office. In 1867 he formed a partnership with the late Robert McClellan, which lasted for fourteen years. He then practised alone for a number of years until he formed a partnership with William P. Cantwell, jr., which continued until Mr. Cantwell's death. Thereupon Mr. Lan- sing went into a partnership with John B. Holmes, which was but recently dissolved. He was a Democrat and ready to do everything for the suc- cess of his party. In 1889 was his successful candidacy for the Surrogate's office, but he was defeated for a re-election in 189 5. He was always accurate and took great care in the preparation ofhis cases, which may well account for his success and his large practice. He was a member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, of which he had been trustee for twenty-two years and president of the trustees for sixteen years. He was active in. church work and 'liberal in his contributions. His earliest ancestor in this country was Gerrit Lansing from Hassel, near Zwolle, in Overyssel, 1675, his father being a native of Schodackand