James W. Husted (speaker)
Encyclopedia
James William Husted was an American lawyer and politician
, elected six times as Speaker of the New York State Assembly during his 22 years of service there. During his political career, he became known as the "Bald Eagle of Westchester".
in 1854. Then he studied law with Edward Wells at Peekskill, New York
and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He had become a member of the Know Nothing
party, and in 1855, he was chosen Town Superintendent of Public Schools in Peekskill. In 1858, he was elected School Commissioner of Westchester County on the Know Nothing ticket. After the majority of the Know Nothings amalgamated with the Democratic Party in 1859, Husted published a vigorous protest against this "betrayal of the principles upon which the Know Nothing Party was founded", and joined the Republican Party. Before running for office, Husted served in several political appointee positions, being appointed a Deputy Superintendent of the State Insurance Department in 1860, a Harbormaster of New York in 1862, and later a Deputy Collector of the port.
from Westchester County, serving from 1869 to 1878; and from Rockland County
in 1879 and 1880; and again from Westchester County from 1881 until his death. He was elected six times as Speaker
: in 1874, 1876, 1878, 1886, 1887 and 1890, a record at the time.
In March 1873, Governor John Adams Dix
appointed him Major-General of the Fifth Division of the National Guard. Prior to this appointment, Husted had been Judge Advocate on the staff of the Seventh Brigade of the State Militia. He commanded the division for several years, and after that, was commonly referred to as General Husted.
In 1874, as Junior Grand Warden, Husted performed the Masonic burial rite at the interment of New York City Police Commissioner
Henry Smith in Amsterdam, New York, after Methodist services had taken place. It was a major public funeral, with numerous Masons and members of the New York State legislature. In 1876, he became Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of the State of New York.
His long political career, military service and Masonic and other associations enabled him to build many successful business interests. His resulting wealth enabled him to build a "family mansion" in Peekskill.
In 1881
, Husted ran for New York State Treasurer
but was defeated by Democrat Robert A. Maxwell
; he was the only Republican who was not elected that year.
In June 1892, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Minneapolis. Husted returned from the convention already ill and died on September 25, 1892 of heart disease
and kidney disease. He was buried at the Hillside Cemetery
in Peekskill, New York
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, elected six times as Speaker of the New York State Assembly during his 22 years of service there. During his political career, he became known as the "Bald Eagle of Westchester".
Biography
He was educated at Bedford Academy, and graduated from Yale CollegeYale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
in 1854. Then he studied law with Edward Wells at Peekskill, New York
Peekskill, New York
Peekskill is a city in Westchester County, New York. It is situated on a bay along the east side of the Hudson River, across from Jones Point.This community was known to be an early American industrial center, primarily for its iron plow and stove products...
and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He had become a member of the Know Nothing
Know Nothing
The Know Nothing was a movement by the nativist American political faction of the 1840s and 1850s. It was empowered by popular fears that the country was being overwhelmed by German and Irish Catholic immigrants, who were often regarded as hostile to Anglo-Saxon Protestant values and controlled by...
party, and in 1855, he was chosen Town Superintendent of Public Schools in Peekskill. In 1858, he was elected School Commissioner of Westchester County on the Know Nothing ticket. After the majority of the Know Nothings amalgamated with the Democratic Party in 1859, Husted published a vigorous protest against this "betrayal of the principles upon which the Know Nothing Party was founded", and joined the Republican Party. Before running for office, Husted served in several political appointee positions, being appointed a Deputy Superintendent of the State Insurance Department in 1860, a Harbormaster of New York in 1862, and later a Deputy Collector of the port.
Marriage and family
Husted married and had the following children: Thomas D. Husted, James William Husted, Jr., Helen S. Husted and Hattie Husted. The younger James became a politician like his father, eventually elected to four successive terms as a US Congressman from New York.Electoral office and appointments
Husted was elected a member of the New York State AssemblyNew York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
from Westchester County, serving from 1869 to 1878; and from Rockland County
Rockland County, New York
Rockland County is a suburban county 15 miles to the northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, in the U.S. state of New York. It is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county in New York outside of New York City. The...
in 1879 and 1880; and again from Westchester County from 1881 until his death. He was elected six times as Speaker
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
The Speaker of the New York State Assembly is the highest official in the New York State Assembly, customarily elected from the ranks of the majority party....
: in 1874, 1876, 1878, 1886, 1887 and 1890, a record at the time.
In March 1873, Governor John Adams Dix
John Adams Dix
John Adams Dix was an American politician from New York. He served as Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Senator, and the 24th Governor of New York. He was also a Union major general during the Civil War.-Early life and career:...
appointed him Major-General of the Fifth Division of the National Guard. Prior to this appointment, Husted had been Judge Advocate on the staff of the Seventh Brigade of the State Militia. He commanded the division for several years, and after that, was commonly referred to as General Husted.
In 1874, as Junior Grand Warden, Husted performed the Masonic burial rite at the interment of New York City Police Commissioner
New York City Police Commissioner
The New York City Police Commissioner is the head of the New York City Police Department, appointed by the Mayor of New York City. Governor Theodore Roosevelt, in one of his final acts before becoming Vice President of the United States in March 1901, signed legislation replacing the Police Board...
Henry Smith in Amsterdam, New York, after Methodist services had taken place. It was a major public funeral, with numerous Masons and members of the New York State legislature. In 1876, he became Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of the State of New York.
His long political career, military service and Masonic and other associations enabled him to build many successful business interests. His resulting wealth enabled him to build a "family mansion" in Peekskill.
In 1881
New York state election, 1881
The 1881 New York state election was held on November 8, 1881, to elect the Secretary of State, the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the State Engineer and a judge of the New York Court of Appeals, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly and the New York...
, Husted ran for New York State Treasurer
New York State Treasurer
The New York State Treasurer was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1776 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the new Department of Audit and Control headed by the...
but was defeated by Democrat Robert A. Maxwell
Robert A. Maxwell
Robert A. Maxwell was an American politician-Life:As a Democrat, he was New York State Treasurer from 1882 to 1885, elected in 1881 and 1883. On December 28, 1885, he was appointed State Superintendent of Insurance by Governor David B...
; he was the only Republican who was not elected that year.
In June 1892, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Minneapolis. Husted returned from the convention already ill and died on September 25, 1892 of heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
and kidney disease. He was buried at the Hillside Cemetery
Hillside Cemetery
Hillside Cemetery is a cemetery located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. The cemetery is situated on 125 gently rolling acres. The landscape offers a serene setting ideally suited for cemetery purposes...
in Peekskill, New York
Peekskill, New York
Peekskill is a city in Westchester County, New York. It is situated on a bay along the east side of the Hudson River, across from Jones Point.This community was known to be an early American industrial center, primarily for its iron plow and stove products...
.