Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 52

In connection with the boat-building industry the name of Thomas Fearon is known throughout the country, and in rowing circles it is no less familiar, for his ability as an oarsman has gained him national fame. Almost his entire life has been passed in southeastern New York, where by his own unaided efforts he has risen from a humble position to one of prominence in the business world, his successful career standing as an exemplification of the possibilities that are open to young men of ambition, courage, enterprise and energy in this fair land.

Born in New York city. May 15, 1842, he is a son of Daniel and Mary (Strang) Fearon. His father was a native of Ireland, and on coming to America located in New York city, where he spent his remaining days. The mother died during the early boyhood of her son, who was then reared by strangers. He made his home with farmers in Westchester county, and secured his education in the district schools, pursuing his studies through the winter months, while in the summer he assisted in the cultivation of the fields. He was also for a time in school No. 2 at Yonkers, and in the little yellow school-house at Tuckahoe. In the spring of 1857 his employer, Mr. Westfield, removed to Chicago, Illinois, where he secured a farm, upon which Mr. Fearon worked until Mr. Westfield returned to the east. Our subject then secured a position as ship carpenter and followed that trade until the election of President Lincoln, when he was promoted to the position of draftsman in the navy yard at Brooklyn, where he remained until 1864.

In that year Mr. Fearon came to Yonkers and purchased the boat-building business of John Ackerman, whose establishment was located on the present site of the rubber factory. There he carried on operations until 1867, when he established his present plant at the foot of Gold street. He has conducted a successful business since that time and his reputation as a boatbuilder has extended throughout the entire country. He has been particularly famous for his racing shell-boats, which are regarded as the best produced in America. These are of the finest workmanship, and in their construction the most care and exactness is required, so that they shall be absolutely perfect. He builds the boats in use by various colleges, and since the decline of rowing as a sport he has made a specialty of steam launches and other small craft. He has a large factory, one hundred and fifty by thirty-three feet, supplied with all modern machinery and appliances necessary for the production of the finest boats known to the trade. In his business Mr. Fearon has met with most gratifying success, his sales having reached extensive proportions, as his products have found favor with the public owing to their excellence and superiority over many others that are produced. He has invested considerable capital in real estate, and now has some valuable realty holdings in Yonkers. His sound judgment in business matters, his thorough understanding of the industry, his reliability and resolution in carrying out his carefully formed plans, all insure him success, and at the same time have won him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has had dealings.

Mr. Fearon 's skill as an oarsman has also gained him a national reputation, and he is particularly well known as the amateur champion single sculler of America. He was prominent in the organization of the Vesper Rowing Association of Yonkers, which was formed August 12, 1867, other charter members being Thomas Franklin, R. C. Elliott, Benjamin Mason, William McFarlane, James T. Howland, William Hull and George Watt. They erected a club house at a cost of five thousand dollars, and the club became very prominent by reason of the victories won by its noted crew, composed of Thomas Fearon, bow; Owen Van Winkle, No. 2; William McFarlane, No. 3; and John H. Keeler, stroke. This crew participated in many contests with crews of the Hudson River Amateur Rowing Association, composed of clubs on the Hudson between New York and Albany, and never met defeat in a single race. They achieved a national reputation, and in all the regattas, scull and barge races carried off the honors over skilled competitors. The first notable race which they won was held at the Elysian Fields, Hoboken, New Jersey, gaining two races in one day and carrying off the silver-service medal. The first race was an eight-oared-barge race, and the second was a four-oared-shell race, in which five crews Were entered. One of the most exciting races in which they participated was held at Bergen Point, August 29, 1871, their opponents being the Argonautas. Thousands of people witnessed the race, the greatest excitement prevailed, and large wagers were staked on the result. They made a mile and a half in seven minutes and ten seconds. After that race the members of the crew were the undisputed amateur champions of the country. In 1876 they won a victory in a regatta at Philadelphia, open .to all. In 1868 Mr. Fearon won the single-scull championship medal from the Hudson River Amateur Rowing Association, consisting of the flag and diamond medal. The flag had to be won for three successive years in order to hold it, and accordingly he won it in 1869 and 1870. This was a medal sought more than any other offered by the association, and the association entered their best man, Edward Smith, a nephew of the celebrated Josh Ward, who defeated the English champion. Mr. Fearon defeated Smith in three miles single by one-eighth of a mile, up to which time Smith had never met defeat. The race took place at Yonkers in 1882. In 1874, at Saratoga, in the intercollegiate single-scull races, Mr. Fearon's boats, which he had built himself, won all the races. Boat-racing was then one of the most popular sports of the time, and these events were frequently attended by twenty thousand people. Mr. Fearon, in all the many contests in which he has taken part, has never been defeated but twice — once by George Lee, a professional oarsman, now rowing in England, and the second time by Kennedy, of Bob Cook's crew, who rowed at the Centennial, in Philadelphia, in 1876. He has won about sixty medals in racing, and for many years hardly had an equal in the entire country.

In May, 1864, Mr. Fearon was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth H. Dingee, a daughter of Henry A. Dingee, of New York city. He was a native of Yonkers, and spent his last days here. His father was once the owner of Chicken island. Henry Dingee became the owner of extensive real-estate holdings in Yonkers, much of which is still in possession of his daughter, Mrs. Fearon. He was a very enterprising and successful business man and amassed a comfortable fortune. He died in New York city, at the age of sixty-eight years. To Mr. and Mrs. Fearon have been born five children: Mary Dingee, wife of Edward T. Howard, a resident of Yonkers; Jane A.; Henry, deceased; and two who died in infancy. The Fearon household is noted for its bountiful hospitality, which is enjoyed by the most prominent people of Yonkers. Mr. and Mrs. Fearon occupy a very enviable position in cultured society circles, and have the warm regard of a very extensive circle of friends. In Yonkers not to know the subject of this review is to argue one's self unknown. In all his social and business relations he is popular, and in private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from kindness and geniality, deference for the opinions of others and true nobility of character.