Freemasons of New York State in the Civil War

SABINS, HINON.— Age, 18 years. Enlisted at Victory, to serve three years, and mustered in as private, Co. K, 13 Feb 1864; tfr to Co. C (Veteran Battalion), 19 Nov 1864; mustered out with company, 31 Aug 1865, at Savannah, Ga.; also borne as Aaron Sabins.

PENELOPE CLARK (dau. of Kenaz and Abigail Clark) b. Oct. 10, 1805, m. Oct. 16, 1832, William Fletcher Sage b. Oct. 5, 1809 (son of Elias Sage and Elizabeth Norton, of Denmark, N. Y.) : in the boot and shoe trade, in Dundee, N. Y.

Sammis, Nath. S., x, Jephtha, 494

Sanderson, Charles, (Musician) 79th Highlanders, Scotia, 634
Santee, Rev. Joseph В., 3d Penn. Cavalry, Whitney's Point, 795

http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/1pa/bios/chaffee/santee-joseph-b.txt

Santee, Joseph B., was born on December 30, 1842, in Fairmount township, Luzerne County, Pa. He attended the school near his home, and was one year at New Columbus Academy. He was converted in November, 1858, at Grads appointment, on the Bloomingdale Circuit, in Baltimore Conference, and joined the Church in November, 1858. He was licensed to exhort in September, 1866, and received local preacher's license in October, 1867. He joined the Conference in 1870, received deacon's orders in 1872 and elder's orders in 1875.

On February 6, 1869, he married Miss Celestia E. Compton, of Falls, Wyoming County, Pa.

He served Campville as supply one year before joining Conference. His pastorates have been as follows: 1870-71, Hornbrook; 1872, Barton; 1873-74, Vestal; 1875, Lehman; 1876-78, North Abington; 1879, Preston; 1880-81, South New Berlin; 1882, Edmeston; 1883-84, Springville; 1885-86, Northmoreland; 1887-89, Wyalusing; 1890-91, Meshoppen; 1892, sd.; 1893, Le Raysville; 1894, Whitney's Point; 1895-1903.
Savage, Edward, 10th NY Artillery, Brownville, 53

SAVAGE, EDWARD.— Age, 19 years. Enlisted, August 7, 1862, at Hounsfield; mustered in as private, Co. A, Third Battalion. Black River Artillery (later Co. H, Tenth Artillery), September 12, 1862, to serve three years; mustered out with company, June 23, 1865, at Petersburg, Va.

He married ca 1867 Emma Mary Dureeaux, b. 25 Dec 1847, Alsace Loraine, France, d. 28 Sep 1927, Hounsfield, Jefferson, NY.

Ed was a cook on a boat. His brother John inherited the Watertown farm and gave it to Ed, who lived there & straightened out.

Children:

 1. Robert Savage,   b. Abt 1868

 2. Edward G Savage,   b. 1882; d. 1959, Brownville

 3. George W Savage,   b. Abt 1886

 4. Emma M Savage,   b. Abt 1888

 5. May Daisy Savage,   b. Abt 1889

 6. Mary Savage,   b. Abt 1890

 7. Eva Belle Savage,   b. 13 Jan 1892, Hounsfield, Jefferson, NY, d. 18 Apr 1972, Ridgewood, Bergen, NJ

 8. Arthur J Savage,   b. Abt 1894

b. May 26, 1843, Brownville, Jefferson, NY; d. Feb. 6, 1928; bur. Brownville Cemetery.

Mr. Savage was born May 26, 1843 in the town of Brownville where he lived until he was two years of age. He then moved into the town of Hounsfield with his parents. He remained there for the remainder of his life with the exception of three years spent in the army during the Civil war. He was a member of Company H, 10th New York Artiliery,. He lived for seven years in Jersey City, N.J.

Surviving are the following children: May D. Savage and Edward G. Savage who lived home, John Savage of Muscalong, Mrs. Grace J. Wallace of Brownville, George W. Savage of Minneapolis, Minn., Mrs. Emma M. Brooks of East Rodman, Mrs. Eva B. Ellison [Allison] of Limmerick, Arthur E. Savage of Rochester and nine grandchildren. His wife, Emma Mary Savage, died on Sept 28, 1927. We wish to thank the Sons of Veterans, Masons, The Watertown Grange, also our friends and neighbors for their kind expressions of sympathy and floral offerings, especially the use of cars in the sad loss of our beloved father, Edward Savage.

John Savage, Edward G. Savage, George W. Savage, Arthur E. Savage
Grace J. Wallace, Emma Brooks, May D., Ferguson, Eva B. Allison
Hounsfield, NY Feb 16, 1928

Savage, Phil., 22d Vols, Corinth, 6«3

Assemblyman

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An address was delivered by Hоn. JOHN E. SAVERY. In part he said:

"Nearly two years ago fire came to us, leaving but little aside from our building site and charter. For awhile we were stunned by the blow, hut soon the spirit that animated the founders of the Lodge asserted itself among the present members and rebuilding was commenced. It was a great undertaking, hut success crowned our efforts and we have this new Masonic Temple, larger, better, more beautiful and somewhat more fireproof."
Note: 2008. This building still stands at the corner, looking quite the same as in the above picture (except the road is now paved); the Lodge has moved about a mile to the south (right) into the American Legion building.
Sawyer, С., 118th Vols, Au Sable River, 149

Saxe, Julius C., x, Constitution, 241

“Select Organizations in the United States,” edited by William Van Rensselaer Miller, 1896. page 167.

(Lieutenan t-Governor of New York)

He was admitted to the bar in 1867. In 1891 he was Honorary Chancellor of Union University at Schenectady, delivering the address to the graduating class and receiving the degree of LL.D. from that venerable institution. He was elected to the Assembly in the fall of 1886 serving during the session of 1887 upon the Judiciary and other committees. That winter he made an argument in the Assembly which attracted wide attention, in opposition to the constitutional objections urged by Governor Hill to the Crosby High License Bill. He was elected to the Assembly of 1888, serving as Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and member of the committees on Public Education, Excise and Rules, and of the special committee to devise improved methods of legislation. During the session of 1888 he identified his name with the Ballot Reform Bill which passed both houses but was vetoed by Gov. Hill. He was elected to the Assembly of 1889, and served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Public Education and Rules. The Ballot Reform Bill was again introduced by him and after passing the legislature was again vetoed. He was chosen to the Senate in the fall of 1889 by a plurality of 4, 154, serving as Chairman of Banks and Poor Laws and member of Finance, Judiciary and Railroads. He again introduced his Ballot Reform Bill in the session of 1890. Again the bill passed both houses and was vetoed by the Governor. Then he introduced as a compromise measure the ballot bill which became a law but differs in essential particulars from the measure advocated by him. He also introduced in 1890 a bill framed by him which became a law and is known as the "Corrupt Practices Act."

SAYER, DANIEL.— Age, 43 years. Enrolled, August 16, 1862, at Goshen, to serve three years ; mustered in as first lieutenant, Co. D, September 5, 1862; wounded in action, May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.; mustered in as captain, Co. E, January 1, 1864 ; mustered out with company, June 3, 1865, near Washington, DC. Commissioned first lieutenant, September 10, 1862, with rank

"Looking down the road, I discovered that it was filled with moving artillery, and through the woods could be seen their advance line of infantry. At this juncture my weak line of skirmishers opened fire, but its only perceptible effect was to hasten the approach of the enemy who...hastened forward... On came the solid lines of the foe, who...were not forty yards away...the men of my two little companies came together in battle line, in front of them. Then for the first time I had visions of rebel prisons. There we stood, on the open ground, one hundred facing ten thousand. A single volley would have swept us out of existence... (I) whispered the order, 'Every man for his life.'... A moment later Sickles' artillery opened in a most furious manner, and the shells were screeching past us and crashing into the woods beyond... We were caught between the lines, and the terrible Sunday morning's battle of Chancellorsville burst over us. Turn right or left, grim death stared at us. The heavens above seemed filled with hot-breathed, shrieking demons. Behind us was an advancing sheet of flame... The knoll beneath us shook like a thing of life. The air was deadened by the continuous booming of guns, which covered the high ground all about us, and ceased not to eject the huge doses of powder and iron which begrimed cannoneers continually rammed down their black, gaping throats. Thick, stifling clouds of smoke rolled back over us, filled with fragments of bursting shells which tore up the ground all around and among us, mangling the bodies of the gallant men of the old Third corps who almost covered it, and whose dying groans mingled in horrid discord with the piteous whinnyings of wounded beasts and the shrill shouts of those who were conducting the fight. Soon whistling bullets from the desperate foe added new horrors to the scene... I heard amid the tumult, in the familiar words and voice of Ellis, the order, "Forward, my tulips," and saw moving away through the smoke, our regimental colors."

Several times during that battle the regimental flag of the Orange Blossoms was the last to be seen at the fore, rallying and holding, with Confederate troops in front and on either side, until they were forced to fall back. At dusk the battle for the Union under Hooker was nearly done, as the 124th passed another sleepless night as pickets for the fresh troops resting in the woods at their rear. Monday night they were permitted to sleep for a few hours. During the last parts of this conflict, the "Warwick Boys" had become so used to the battlefield that whether one lived or died seemed of no consequence:

Schaefer, August, 5th NY, Fessler, 576

Schaefer, Geo., 7th Regt. (Steuben), Fessler, 576

Schaeffer, George A., 1st Regt, Continental, 287

Scheider, Jacob, (Sergt.), Dirigo, 30

Schenck, A. D., x, Croton, 496

Seheper, John G., x, Mizpah, 738
Schermerhorn, E. Nott, (1st Lieut.) 18th Vols, St. George's, 6

http://books.google.com/books?id=eWThMMumH2QC&pg=PA86&dq=%22E.+Nott+schermerhorn%22 page 86.

a descendant of one of the oldest families, though a lawyer of ability, has been principally connected with other pursuits. He was Collector of Internal Revenue from 1864 to 1882, and was appointed receiver of the Jones Car Works, February 4, 1884. He also conducts an extensive real estate and insurance business.

Eliphalet Nott Schermerhorn (December 22, 1838 - November 21, 1905)

E. Nott Schermerhorn was born on 2 Dec1838, in Schenectady, NY. He attended Union College with the class of 1860. E. Nott enlisted in the 18th New York Infantry on 2 May 1861, at Schenectady. He was mustered into Company E, 17 May 1861, at the rank of 1st Sergeant. E. Nott then began a chain of promotions starting with Sergeant Major on 14 Nov 1861, 2nd Lieutenant on 2 Dec 1862, 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant on 2 Aug 1862. On 9 Mar 1863, at Fairfax Court House, E. Nott was with General E.H. Stoughton, one of the youngest Generals in the US Army. Both were captured by Mosby’s Rangers but E. Nott escaped that same night.
General Hooker expressed his appreciation of his services in General Order No. 50. E. Nott had a brother, Jonathan Crane, who served in the Civil War, but for the Confederates. J. Crane Schermerhorn was 1st Lieutenant, Co. D, 8th Alabama Regt. Both Schermerhorn brothers were present at the battle of Malvern Hill, on opposite sides, but they never met. Eliphalet served two years and was mustered out with the Regiment on 28 May 1863, at Albany, NY. Both brothers survived the war.

After the war, Eliphalet returned to Schenectady and became Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue for the 18th Congressional District, which office he held for 18 years. He married Gertrude A. Ward on 20 Jun 1864. Eliphalet studied law at the Albany Law School and graduated in 1877, being admitted to the Bar in the same year. In 1879 he was admitted as attorney and counselor at Albany, and began active practice. The firm of Schermerhorn & Co. was formed in 1885, in which he was senior partner. He had four children with his wife. James Ward (b.1866), Bartholomew (b.1870), Linwood Gale (b.1876), and Charles Ellis (b.1883). E. Nott was a member of the Loyal Legion in Schenectady, and President of the Board of Education for a number of years. He was also President of the Board of Water Commissioners of Schenectady and was a director of the Schenectady City Bank. In 1884, he was Receiver for the Jones Car Company. He was a life-long member of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, holding the office of Deacon in 1872 and 1873, and was a member of the Consistory in 1880. E. Notts first son, J. Ward, graduated from his father’s alma mater, Union College, class of 1887. Eliphalet Nott Schermerhorn died on 8 Aug 1908 (21 Nov 1905?), and is buried in Vale Cemetery in Schenectady, along side his wife. Buried in Vale Cemetery, Schenectady, NY, in Section G.

Member of New York state assembly from Albany County 1st District, 1874

attended the public schools of Albany and first started in life as a farmer, bit abandoned this pursuit.
SCHIEFERDECKER, FRIEDRICH.— Age, 25 years. Enrolled at New York city, to serve three years, and mustered in as private, Co. B, August 5, 1861; promoted sergeant, Co. I, prior to October 31, 1861; second lieutenant, Co. C, March 20, 1862; first lieutenant, June 21, 1862; captain, Co. K, October 31, 1862, and mustered in, March 24, 1863; mustered out, September 29, 1864; commissioned second lieutenant, April 9, 1862, with rank from March 7, 1862, vice L. Hennighausen, promoted; first lieutenant, July 18, 1862, with rank from June 21, 1862, vice G. Hoeskerich, promoted; captain, March 24, 1863, with rank from October 18, 1862, vice C. Seldeneck, resigned.
http://books.google.com/books?id=iYsDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA283&dq=%22Schifferdecker%22&lr= page 283.

Mr. SCHIFFERDECKER, of the first Albany district, is perhaps as good a specimen of the Teutonic element in American civilization, as we would be apt to meet with anywhere. He is a thorough German, but he is Americanized to that extent that he is devotedly attached to the institutions of the new world, and he would resent as an insult any intimation that he is other than a truly loyal citizen of the republic. No one who knows him, however, would venture to make such an intimation, inasmuch as he has proved his loyalty and right to citizenship upon more than a score of hard-fought battlefields, and still bears the scars of honorable service in the army of the Republic. He was born in Baden, Germany, on 2 Feb 1836, and came to this country when only eleven years of age. His grandfather, HENRY SCHIFFERDECKER, was, during a term of seven years, a member of the First Napoleon's body guard, and was a splendid specimen of physical manhood, being over six feet in height.

HENRY SCHIFFERDECKER, father of the present Assemblyman, ran away from Baden, when the revolution broke out in 1848. He came to this country with his family, leaving behind him extensive property, he being a man of considerable means.

Shortly after the commencement of hostilities, he recruited a company for the 46th New York Volunteers, and was elected its First Lieutenant, but failed to get his commission. He went to the front, however, as a private, was soon advanced to the grade of sergeant, and on the 1st of March, 1862, was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and detailed to the quartermaster's department. The regiment was then under Gen. TERRY in South Carolina. In the June following, after the battle of James Island, he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and detailed to duty on the staff of Gen. TERRY.

The war over, Mr. SCHIFFERDECKER gladly returned to the domestic hearth and peaceful pursuits. He resumed his old business of butchering and meat-selling, which he still continues, and he is now comfortably well off. From an early age he has been active in politics. First, strange as it may seem, he was a "Know Nothing." He soon, however, became identified with the Republican party, and has ever since been an active worker in the ranks of that organization. He has not held many political offices. At different times he has been an inspector of meat and cattle, and clerk of the Albany market, and was a rinderpest commissioner in the town of Bethlehem. He was also a member of the Albany Board of Supervisors in the years 1870 and 1871.

These, we believe, sum up the public positions he has held; but in all of them he showed ability, and he has always been a hard worker in the ranks of the party, and very popular among the Republicans of Albany. His Assembly district is a close one, and sometimes sends a Democrat to the Legislature. He carried it, however, against a very popular Democrat, BARENT S. WINNE. As a member of the Committees on Two-thirds and Three-fifth Bills, Expenditures of the Executive Department, and Expenditures of the House, he has proved to be an active and efficient member. To outside view Mr. SCHIFFERDECKER appears somewhat rough and unpolished, but the roughness is more apparent than real, as he is generous to a fault, courteous and kindly to all, and overflowing with genial good nature.

Schmidt, Wm., (Capt.), Concordia, 143

Schmitt, F., 15th Artillery, Germania, 182

Schmucker, John, (Corpl.), Jephtha, 494

Artificial Flower Maker; b. 20 Jun 1846, Colmar, Alsace, Germany (France); d. 15 Feb 1908; Raised 4 Aug 1875; Mbr. No. 422

SCHOEFFEL, FRANCIS A. Age, 26 years (b. ca 1835). Enrolled, April 23, 1861, at Rochester; mustered in as captain, Co. E, May 1, 1861, to serve two years; as major, January 9, 1862; as lieutenant-colonel, July 13, 1862; mustered out with regiment, May 14, 1863, at Rochester, N. Y.; commissioned captain, July 4, 1861, with rank from May 1, 1861, original; major, January 13, 1862, with rank from January 9, 1862, vice O. L. Terry, resigned; lieutenant-colonel, August 4, 1862, with rank from July 13, 1862, vice Carl Stephan, resigned. Died 1908. 25th NY Inf. Regt.

Francis A. Schoeffel married Sarah Cawthra in 1860. Sarah later would tell a story about how she went up in a balloon with president Lincoln. Francis served with the NY Volunteers. There were 5 children of this marriage:

i. George Schoeffel b. 5 April 1864

ii. Francis H. Schoeffel b. 30 Nov 1867

iii. John Bernard Schoeffel

b. 14 March 1874

iv. Susan B. Schoeffel b.22 Dec 1876

v. Margaret E. Schoeffel b 25 August 1878
Schoonmaker, Jonathan B., (1st Lieut.) Fifth Vols, Crystal Wave, 638
Schouten, Charles A., (Lieut.) 39th Vols, Constitution, 241

SCHOUTEN, CHARLES A. Sergeant, Fifty-fifth Infantry; transferred to Co. K, this (38th Inf.) regiment, December 23, 1862, and to Fortieth Infantry, June 3, 1863. Master, 1874 and 1875, of Constitution Lodge No. 241.

Lodge History, page 170, NY Grand Lodge Proceedings. 1907. Otto owned a music store on Genesee Street.

1880 Census Buffalo, Erie, New York

Otto C. SCHUGENS Self   M   69   BAVARIA  Musician    BAVARIA  BAVARIA  c. bef 1907

Marie SCHUGENS Wife   M   47   ALSACE  Keeping House  ALSACE  ALSACE  d. aft 1907

Otto SCHUGENS Son   S   24   NY    Musician    BAVARIA  ALSACE 

Edward SCHUGENS Son   S   20   NY    Musician    BAVARIA  ALSACE 

Charlotte SCHUGENS Dau   S   8   NY    At Home  BAVARIA  ALSACE 

M. Elisabeth SCHUGENS Dau  S   15   NY       BAVARIA  ALSACE  d. 25 Dec 1907

Amalia SCHUGENS Dau   S   13   NY       BAVARIA  ALSACE 

Louis SCHUGENS Son   S   11   NY       BAVARIA  ALSACE 

Gertrud SCHUGENS Dau   S    2   NY       BAVARIA  ALSACE 

Marie FISCHER MotherL W  73  ALSACE   At Home    ALSACE  ALSACE 

Theo. NOLLENBERGER Other   S   21   SAXONY   Works In Tannery   SAXONY   SAXONY 

William ORR Other   M   22   CAN    Jeweler    CAN    CAN 

Sarah ORR Other   M   19   CT       PRUSSIA  NY 
Schumacher, Fritz, 6th N. G, Germania, 182

Schwarzkopf, Robert, x, Klopstock, 760

Scofield, D. B., x, Savona, 755
Scott, Chester, Jr., (Musician), Allegany, 225

http://mountford.net/cgi-bin/genweb/igmget.cgi/n=Mountford?I6039

b. Mar 1830, Friendship, Allegany, NY; d. 1910, son of Chester Scott, Sr. & Abigail Hackett; bur. Maple Grove Cemetery, Friendship, NY. m. 8 Dec 1849 Eliza A. Higgins, b. 1 Apr 1832 in Allegany County, NY.

Children:

Hugh Scott, b. 1851 in Allegany, NY

Maybell Scott, b. ABT JAN 1865 in Friendship, Allegany, NY

Llewellyn C. (Wella) Scott, b. 1866 in Friendship, Allegany, NY; m2. 1 Dec 1892 Mary A. Van Velzor, , b. 8 JAN 1839 in NY

.Scott, Leonard, (Capt.), Allegany, 225

.Scott, L. B., (1st Lieut.), Allegany, 225
Scott, Warren, (Musician), Allegany, 225

possibly: http://mountford.net/cgi-bin/genweb/igmget.cgi/n=Mountford?I5989

(Warren L. Scott, b. 1834)
Scott, Wm., 9th Regt. S. M. 83d Vols, York, 197
Scudder, Ambrose Salibury, 64th NY Inf Vols Co. F, Randolph,159

http://www.e-familytree.net/F240/F240838.htm

Saloon Keeper; b. 7 Sep 1841; d. 18 Nov 1899; bur. Randolph Rural Cemetery; son of Spencer & Caroline Salisbury Scudder

Age 21, enlisted at Randolph, 9 Dec 1861, Pvt/Sgt, discharged for disability 27 Nov 1862.

Brother of Ogden H. Scudder, below.

b. 23 Nov 1838 at Randolph, Chautauqua Co, NY; d. there d: 9 May 1910

Ogden H. Scudder, son of Spencer, was born in Randolph, Nov. 23, 1838, attended the common schools and Randolph Academy, and in 1859 went to Illinois. In Aug., 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 89th IL. Vols. He participated in the battles of Chickamaugua, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, and Resaca, was captured at New Hope Church, May 27, 1864, and sent to Andersonville prison, to Charleston, and to Florence, and was paroled at City Point, March 2, 1865. He was discharged June 2, 1865. On his return he was a conductor on the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad until 1876 and on the Bradford & Eldred railroad from 1876 until 1800. Since then he has been a farmer and breeder of registered Holstein cattle. Aug. 20, 1868, he married Antoinette, daughter of Dr. O. Guernsey, and has a son, and a daughter. He was the brother of Ambrose Salisbury Scudder, above.

b. May 27, l832

Mr. Vine Seagers - On the 11th instant, at the residence of his son, V. M. Seagers, in Westfield, after a painful illness, Vine Seagers, aged 84 years. One of our most valued, charitable, and kind hearted citizens, and an early pioneer of Tioga county, has passed away. The announcement of his death will cause inexpressible pain and regret to all those numerous friends and acquaintances to whom he had become endeared by his many kind acts and his honorable and upright life. Mr. Seagers was born in Massachusetts, 5 Dec 1788, where he grew up, married, and had one child. He served as teamster in the war of 1812. In 1815 he came into this country, making the journey with his family, in the then usual manner, with ox team and wagon; and settled in Charleston, near Wellsboro, which then contained only two houses. For some time he was compelled to go to Tioga to do his milling over a road almost impassable even for oxen. He raised 10 children who lived to marry and become heads of families, nine of whom are now living, and being a man of great energy, industry and robust constitution, he labored faithfully, and cheerfully endured the hardships and privations of a pioneer life. In 1844 he removed to the town of Westfield, and has, since losing his wife in 1859, resided with his son, Vine M. Seares. He was much pleased by a ride over the new railroad last Autumn, while on a visit to one of his daughters living in Charleston, also visiting one of his great grand daughters who is married. A member of the Baptist church, he was a zealous and conscientious Christian, and loved, venerated, and full of years as he was, he has passed from the places of his love to the home of his hope. (Tuesday, 31 Dec 1872, The Tioga County Agitator, Wellsboro, Tioga Co, Pa.)

Seaman, L. E., x, Clyde, 341

SEAMAN, TUNIS D. Age, 26 years. Enlisted. August 14, 1862, at New York city, to serve three years; mustered in as sergeant, Co. B, September 8, 1862; promoted, first sergeant. November 1, 1864; wounded in action. December 9. 1864. at Deveaux Neck, S. C.; discharged, May 9, 1865, at New York city.

SEAMAN, WARREN W. Age, 24 years. Enlisted, August 6, 1862, at Westmoreland, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. C, August 11, 1862; transferred to Invalid Corps, October 19, 1863; also borne as Seamen.

Alfred Francis SEARS (Maj), BIRTH: 10 NOV 1826, Boston, MA; DEATH: AFT 1910

Father: Zebina SEARS, Mother: Elizabeth Lloyd DEXTER

Augusta BASSETT, m. 29 JAN 1850, Bridgewater, MA

Children:

Augusta Francis SEARS

Alfred Francis Jr SEARS

Mary Lizzie SEARS

MAJOR ALFRED F. SEARS.

To a great majority business activity indicates the concentration of effort in a single place. The profession to which Major Alfred F. Sears turned his attention, however, called him to various sections not only of the United States but also of Mexico and various South American countries. As a civil engineer his labors were of inestimable value in promoting railway and business projects that have been of the utmost worth in developing the different sections in which he has labored. He has come to an honored old age, for he has traveled life's journey for eighty-four years — years in which mental development has been a continuous force in his life, the precious prize of keen intellect remaining his to the present day. Advanced scientific attainments have gained him prominence in his chosen field of labor, and with a mind receptive and retentive, he has also gleaned in his travels knowledge of far-reaching purport and interest concerning the lands he has visited and the peoples among whom he has lived.
He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, November 10, 1826, and is descended from Pilgrim Revolutionary stock. His great-grandfather, Zachariah Sears, of Yarmouth, Cape Cod, was a lieutenant of militia in 1776, although then seventy-two years of age. His grandfather, Joseph Henry Sears, when but fourteen years of age, joined the regiment commanded by Colonel Nat Freeman, of Yarmouth, and served with the American troops in Rhode Island. His father, Zebina Sears, inherited the family passion for liberty and in 1816 commanded the brigantine Neptune, a cruiser in the service of the states of La Plata, then engaged in their war for independence from Spain. He made three successful voyages between New Orleans and Buenos Aires with men, arms and ammunition for the patriots, but was finally captured by a Spanish frigate which he fought until his own ship was sunk. He was taken to Spain for trial and sent for life to the penal colony of Melilla, on the coast of Morocco, from which he at length made his escape by aid of brother Masons, and eventually reached Boston.
Major Alfred F. Sears, the fourth in a family of seven children, pursued his education in the public schools of his native city, where he won a Franklin medal for scholarship on graduation from the Winthrop school in 1841. He then entered the English High school and was graduated with the class of 1844. The following year was spent in a mercantile counting house, and another year in an

architect's office, but preferring outdoor life he took up civil engineering, for which he was well adapted. He had pursued a special course in mathematics from Master Sherwin, of the high school, and this proved a good foundation for further preparation for his chosen profession.

At the outbreak of the Civil war Major Sears was acting as surveyor of Newark, New Jersey. He resigned in June of that year to raise a company which was afterward enrolled as Company E, First New York Volunteer Engineers, and in October was sent to Hilton Head, in the expeditionary corps for the capture of Forts Beauregard and Walker. After about a year Captain Sears was stationed with his company at Hilton Head in hard service and also in the initial work of investing Fort Pulaski. In that connection he located and built the battery in the rear of Pulaski on Jones Island in the Savannah river, known as Fort Vulcan, thereby cutting off all communication by steamer between the fort and the city of Savannah. He also destroyed three-quarters of a mile of telegraph line between these points. He was next sent to Florida on important service and following his return rejoined his company. After the battle of James island on the 16th of June, 1862, he was ordered to Fort Clinch, Florida, to prepare the fort for defense against land attacks. Shortly afterward he came north to confer with General Totten, the chief engineer of the army, and during the visit, in October, 1862, through special dispensation of the grand lodge he was made a Mason in Kane Lodge of New York city. A week later he returned to Florida where he remained until December, 1865 — six months after the muster-out of his regiment— when he returned to Newark, New Jersey, having in the meantime been promoted to the rank of major. He was the only volunteer officer of engineers who was permitted to report directly to the chief engineer of the army at Washington.

As his son had settled in Portland, Major Sears, came to Oregon in 1879. Upon his arrival here he was appointed umpire engineer of the Oregonian railway which was then being constructed for a Scotch company of Dundee. Because of his familiarity with the Spanish language, however, he was soon invited to Mexico to become assistant general manager of the Mexican Central Railroad Company, from which position he was called a year later by the Mexican government to take charge as general manager of the Tehuantepec Inter-oceanic Railway. After three months' work, finding the government bankrupt and having received only one month's pay, he became disgusted and returned to Portland, where he has since resided, although frequently visiting the east, Europe and South America.

the house of Barring Brothers, due to the repudiation by Argentina of her bonds held in England. He then recovered his concession from the English company and tried to organize a company in New York. He had just succeeded when, in August, 1894, the revolution broke out in Peru and the project was abandoned. At the request of eastern capitalists he again secured the concession in 1898 for a party who agreed to put up the necessary guarantee bond but who failed of execution. In the meantime he had expended all of his means in his devotion to an idea, suffering heavy losses in his confidence in unworthy men.