On the other hand, it is undeniable that the peculiar character given the community at the beginning operated continuously to attract to it, in the succeeding years, citizens of the same general spirit, aims, and conditions of life as the original associators -- men chiefly of moderate means, but of providence, thrift, foresight, and energetic traits. For many years few men of large wealth, either inherited or self-acquired, came to live in Mount Vernon; but it could not be otherwise than that substantial and even opulent fortunes should in the course of time be gained by numerous citizens of a community erected on such a basis as that of Mount Vernon. Thus from a settlement of humble home-seekers it steadily grew into a flourishing suburb, with a population representing all degrees of individual prosperity. Yonkers, when last noticed, had just acquired the essentials of serious development by the partition of the Wells estate, which occurred soon after the death of Lemuel AVells in 1842. The village was not incorporated, however, until 1855. During the thirteen years there was a steady improvement of the natural manufacturing facilities afforded by the power of the Nepperhan River, and with the opening of the Hudson River Railroad in 1819 the population began to receive large and valuable accessions from New York City. Some considerable local improvements were introduced. New streets were opened, a tire company, gaslight company, and library association were organized, and new churches and schools were built. In 1851 Mr. Robert P. Getty erected the Getty House at a cost of between |40,000 and f50,000, and other public-spirited citizens were active in promoting the general good. Meantime several new settlements were founded in the Township of Yonkers. In 1852 Elias Johnson, David B. Fox, and Joseph R. Fuller, of Troy, N. Y., purchased land near Spuyten Duyvil inlet and had surveys and plans made for a village, which it was at first intended should be called Fort Independence, but received the name of Spuyten Duyvil.