Sculptor; born near
New Brunswick,
N. J., May 3, 1832; received a common school education; and first secured employment in a marble-yard in New York City, where he developed much aptitude for both designing and chiselling.
In 1854 he entered the studio of
Henry K. Brown, the sculptor, who, perceiving his talent, carefully instructed him in the manipulation of clay.
He remained with
Mr. Brown till 1863, when he settled in
Rochester, N. Y. He founded the first school in that city for instruction in modelling and drawing from the antique and from life.
His work was handicapped by imperfect eyesight, which gradually grew worse until in 1883 his left eye became entirely useless, and a cataract on the right one dimmed his little remaining sight.
After twenty years spent in
Rochester, he went to
Tarrytown, where he made his most important statues.
He there gave his services free to the
Grand Army veterans, and in two years executed for them a statue, which was cast in bronze, representing a vidette in the volunteer service of the
Union army.
It has been said that this is the most spirited and graceful military figure in the
United States.
He next modelled his heroic statue of
Washington Irving, the crowning effort of his life.
He died in
Tarrytown, N. Y., Aug. 16. 1897.
