Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2 - Группа авторов - Страница 30

John R. Ogden, one of Westchester county's honored and highly respected citizens, occupies the beautiful home on Pelham road, known as Oak Shade. It is located in a most lovely and picturesque spot overlooking Long Island sound, and is surrounded by tall elms, their majestic branches affording a most pleasant and agreeable shade during the summer months. The house was built in 1808 by a Mr. Lugdam, and thus for almost a century it has looked forth upon the surrounding district and the wonderful changes which have occurred in that long period.

Its present owner, John R. Ogden, is a native of Mississippi, his birth having occurred in Natchez-on-the-Hill, January 8, 1837, his parents beings Dr. Charles arid Ann S. (Routh) Ogden. The paternal grandfather, Nathan Ogden, was a native of New Jersey and belonged to an old and prominent English family. The father was born in Morristown, New Jersey, where he was reared to manhood, and then went to Natchez, Mississippi, where he successfully engaged in the practice of medicine for several years, securing a large patronage which brought to him excellent financial returns. As a citizen he was also held in high esteem and became widely and favorably known throughout his section of the state. He married Miss Ann S. Routh, a daughter of John Routh, a prominent citizen and extensive cotton-planter. Dr. Ogden died in Natchez, in 1848, but his wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1873.

John R. Ogden spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native city and acquired his preliminary education in a private school there, after which he went to Scotland and entered the University of Edinburg, in which, institution he pursued his studies for six years. Thus, by superior educational advantages, he was well fitted for the practical and responsible duties of life. Returning to the sunny south, Mr. Ogden located upon his plantation and turned his attention to planting cotton, employing five hundred slaves in the care of his extensive crops. He continued to successfully engage in that business until 1860, but at the outbreak of the civil war he entered the Confederate army, being true to his loved southland and the institutions amid which he was reared. He was commissioned a captain on General W. W. Loring's staff, and served in that capacity until hostilities ceased in 1865, being a most brave and fearless officer and manifesting marked loyalty to the cause he espoused. He was always found at his post of duty, faithfully following the flag under which he enlisted, and was thus true to his honest convictions.

At the close of the war Mr. Ogden returned to his southern home and resumed the management of his cotton plantation, his time being thus occupied until 1877, when with his family he came north and took up his abode in Westchester county. New York, at Oak Shade, which has since been his place of residence. He still, however, conducts his large cotton plantation, which is not far from the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and is now under the immediate supervision of his manager. This yields to him an excellent income, and is a very valuable realty interest.

In 1863 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ogden and Miss Josephine Marshall, of Natchez, a daughter of Colonel L. R. Marshall, who was a distant relative of Chief Justice John Marshall. To Mr. and Mrs. Ogden have been born five children, one son and four daughters, namely: John R. , who is engaged in business in New York city; Charlotte S., wife of Edward N. Dickerson, a prominent attorney of New York city; Sarah D., Mary M. and Josephine E. , all at home. The family is one of prominence in the community, holding an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Ogden's genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular among his acquaintances in Westchester county, where he is also recognized as a valued and public-spirited citizen, who takes an active interest in the general progress and lends his support and cooperation to every movement for the public good.