Biographical (part 2)

ROBERT O. HUNT, manager of the Westtown plant of the Borden Condensed Milk Company, was born in the town of Minisink in 1866. He is a son of Robert and Catura (Osborn) Hunt. He attended the district schools, and after farming for a time went to Middletown and learned the machinists' trade. He has been associated with the Borden industries since 1892, and was appointed to his present position in 1904. He is a member of Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, F. and A. M., and of the I. O. O. F. In 1907 he was elected a member of the board of assessors of the town of Minisink.

Mr. Hunt married Miss Lydia Winters, and they are the parents of two sons and four daughters.

WILLIAM HUGH HYNDMAN, attorney and recorder of Newburgh, N. Y., was born in Newburgh, October 13, 1861, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Gibb) Hyndman. He prepared for college at Newburgh Academy with the late Professor Hugh S. Banks, and graduated from Yale University in 1884 with the degree of A. B. Mr. Hyndman studied law in the office of Messrs. Scott and Hirschberg, and was admitted to the bar May 16, 1889. He was elected recorder of the city of Newburgh in 1865 on the republican ticket, and has been successively re-elected four times.

Recorder Hyndman married Miss Betsey Leighton Marden, of Newburgh.

The late Robert Hyndman was one of Newburgh's successful merchants, conducting a grocery store on Broadway for forty years.

JOHN E. ISEMAN was born in Württemburg, Germany, in 1835. He came to America in the spring of 1853, locating in New York City, where he operated a bakery. He removed to Chester, N. Y., and engaged in business for a period of four years. In 1861 he located in Middletown, where he has since remained, conducting a bakery business at the same location since that period. He married Josephine Stoddard, daughter of Ira L. and Mary Jane Stoddard. Their five children are: Charles Wesley, engaged in business in New York; George H., of Middletown; Catherine, wife of W. D. McQueen, superintendent of the Scranton division of the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad; Christine, residing at home, a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, of Boston, who taught two years at Holland, Va.; John E., a graduate of Annapolis Naval Academy, who has been assigned to the battleship Montana. In politics Mr. Iseman is a republican. He served as one of the first trustees of the village for four years and was Middletown's first mayor. He served continuously since 1891 as a member of the board of supervisors. He is a director of the Merchants' National Bank, trustee of the Middletown Savings Bank, vice-president of the Hillside Cemetery Association, and ex-president of the Phoenix Fire Company. He is a member and president of the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Middletown.

EZRA T. JACKSON was born August 23, 1843, at Chester, Orange County, N. Y., and was instructed at the Chester Academy. At the age of twenty-one he succeeded his father in the store at Chester, and on June 15, 1881, married Margaret Douglas Davidson, of Blooming Grove. Their only son, William Lewis, graduated from Lafayette College, at Easton, Pa., in the class of 1908, and is a member of the Fraternity Alpha Chi Rho. The subject of this sketch is a member of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, became a member of Goshen Lodge, No. 365, F. and A. M., in 1868, and a charter member of Standard Lodge, No. 711, F. and A. M., of Monroe, in 1871. He is also a member of the Orange County Chapter, Sons of the Revolution, and was commissioned first lieutenant in the Nineteenth New York Infantry, March 25, 1866. He was supervisor of the town of Chester in 1882, and served on the board of education from 1902 to 1908. The store in Chester has been in the Jackson family for sixty-one years. His father's name was Thomas Jefferson Jackson. Ezra T. is a grandson of Captain John Jackson of the Revolutionary Army. He was commissioned February 28, 1776, and re-appointed February 26, 1778. In the proceedings of the provincial congress, April 25, 1776, in the report on the state of the companies of the New York regiments, Captain Jackson reported with a full company at the fortifications of the Highlands, and on April 27, 1776, he was appointed to Colonel Clinton's regiment. A return of the officers and men in garrison at Fort Montgomery, January 18, 1777, shows that Captain Jackson's Second New York regiment reported with twenty-nine men. Captain Jackson was with his regiment at the battles of Harlem Heights and White Plains. He resigned from the army March 12, 1783.

FRANK AIKENS JACOBSON, M. D.. born Hackensack, N. J., 1864: educated at Hackensack Academy and scientific department Columbia College; graduated New York Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, 1888; one year at Homeopathic Dispensary and Hospital, Brooklyn. He has practiced in Newburgh, N. Y., since 1890; is a member American Institute of Homeopathy, New York State Homeopathic Society, ex-member Newburgh board of health, Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Shriners.

GEORGE W. JAMISON, publisher of the Pine Bush Herald, is a native of the town of Crawford, and attended the schools here and at Montgomery Academy. He was engaged for a number of years as a school teacher and was for a time in the insurance business in Walden. The Herald, in 1904, became the successor of the Pine Bush News, established in 1899. The paper is a clean, lively sheet of eight pages, independent in politics and devoted to local affairs. Mr. Jamison, the publisher, is also engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business.

Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a charter member of Walden Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He married Miss Julia N. Crist, of Montgomery, and they are the parents of one child, Hilda.

JOHN JAQUES, who founded what is now known as the Brotherhood Wine Company, at Washingtonville, came from New Jersey with his mother when a boy, locating in Washingtonville in 1812. He established the first grape vineyard in Orange County in 1839, and began the manufacture of pure wines. In 1858 his three sons, John, Orin and Charles, purchased the business from their father and continued it as partners until 1865, when John died. The two remaining brothers, conducted it until 1885, when Orin died, and a year later Charles disposed of it to Mr. Emerson, the present proprietor. Charles has since lived in retirement on the old homestead in the center of the village, and although in his eighty-fourth year, is actively interested in the affairs of the village. He has been an elder of the Presbyterian Church since 1878.

GEORGE FREDERICK JAYNE was born on the Jayne homestead, near Florida, called the "View Farm," February 23, 1854. His parents were Charles Marcus and Anna Eliza (Thompson) Jayne, and their children were Anna M., born July 25, 1843, wife of Charles R. Baird, of Warwick; Sarah Augusta, born July 10, 1848, wife of J. A. Seward, of Florida; Mary Caroline, who died December 25, 1875, was the wife of Nathaniel Seeley, of Hamburg, N. J., and Wells Thompson, born in January, 1852, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

George Frederick Jayne obtained his education in Washington Academy, S. S. Seward Institute and one term in Yorkville, Ill. He returned from school to the farm and assumed its management when only fifteen years old. It is a dairy farm of 180 acres, which has been in the Jayne family since 1730. Mr. Jayne is a democrat, and attends the Presbyterian Church in Florida. He married Julia E. Seward of Florida, February 14, 1877. They have six children: Fred Seward, born November 10, 1877; Belle Clayton, born December 2, 1878, wife of John K. Roe, of Florida; Lewis Marcus, born September 17, 1880, married Nellie Waite Smith, of Montgomery, December 18, 1907, and resides at Gardiner, Ulster County; Anna Mary, born December 3, 1883; Carrie Louise, born February 17, 1886, and George Vanderoef, born March 19, 1890.

CHARLES L. JESSUP was born May 25, 1843, on the homestead farm, two miles from Florida, and was educated in the district school at Union Corners and the S. S. Seward Institute. He was one of thirteen children. He worked on his father's farm, and at the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in the Ninety-first Regiment, Company H. After his army experience he resumed farming. He has two hundred and sixteen acres of land, a large dairy and peach orchard, and is a breeder of Holstein cattle. He has been town assessor and is an elder and active member of the Florida Presbyterian Church. His parents were Samuel and Martha Jessup. His wife was Sarah Jane Duryea, of Craigsville, Orange County, a daughter of Alfred and Mary Duryea. They were married October 18, 1865, and have four children living. Alpheus, born August 26, 1886; Julia B., born March 12, 1868; Charles W., born June 10, 1871, and Helen, born February 14, 1886. Charles married Elizabeth Wheeler, of Florida; Julia married Alton J. Vail, of Middletown, and Alpheus married Sadie Durland, of Chester.

SENECA JESSUP was born June 11, 1817, in the town of Warwick, Orange County, and obtained his education in the Seward Institute, Florida. His parents were Samuel and Hannah (Steinmetz) Jessup. The Jessups, of Orange County, are descended from John Jessup, who emigrated from Broomhall, Yorkshire County, England, in 1630. He lived for a time in Boston, and afterward removed to Hartford, and from there to Southampton, Long Island, in 1640, helping to plant the first English settlement in the state of New York. The Jessup family in Orange County came from Long Island in 1784, and located at Florida, town of Warwick. Seneca Jessup married Jennie A. McCain in 1868. She was born July 27, 1850, and was a daughter of John Edsall and Abigail (McCamly) McCain, both being from pioneer families, prominent in Colonial and Revolutionary times. Mrs. Jessup's parents removed to Goshen in 1853 and purchased the farm where she now resides. She received her education in the young ladies' school in Goshen. Mr. and Mrs. Jessup are the parents of four children, only one of whom, John Seward Jessup, survives and he resided with them. Mrs. Seneca Jessup is descended from William McCain, a soldier in the Revolution, who came from the north of Ireland in 1728 and located in the town of Warwick.

WALTER WARE JOHONNOTT, D. O., born Burlington, Vermont, 1882; son of Fred and Harriet (Glover) Johonnott; Huguenot ancestry; classical education at University of Vermont and Amherst College. He graduated from the American School of Osteopathy, Kirksville, Mo., 1904; took post-graduate course Massachusetts College of Osteopathy, and engaged in practice in Newburgh, N. Y., 1905. Member of the American and New York State Osteopathic Societies, Newburgh City Club, Powelton Club and Church of Our Father (Unitarian).

L. A. JOHNSON, who conducts a general mercantile business at Sparrowbush, N. Y., also dealing extensively in mining supplies and lumber, is a native of Tompkins County, N. Y. He enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education and was graduated from Cornell University in 1890 with the degree of A. B.

Mr. Johnson married Lillian A., daughter of the late Henry F. West, of Sparrowbush, and they are the parents of three sons. Mr. West was for many years a prominent business man in this community. He built the store now occupied by Mr. Johnson and also carried on an extensive business in lumber, owning some twenty-eight hundred acres of timber land in Delaware County. In 1873 Mr. West married Miss Mary Stanton, of Forestburgh, N. Y.

ROBERT JOHNSTON, county treasurer, was born in Newburgh, Orange County, N. Y. He is the son of William C. Johnston, one of Newburgh's oldest business men. The subject of our sketch has climbed the ladder of business success, rising from a position as bookkeeper in the hardware store of the late Mayor Charles J. Lawson to the presidency of a new corporation, the Johnston Hardware and Iron Co., successor of Charles H. Daughty. Mr. Johnston's business attainments strongly commend him for the responsibilities of the county treasurership. He is forty years of age, and an enthusiastic worker for the republican party. For six years he served as a member of the board of public works.

WILLIAM C. JOHNSTON, who is numbered among the prominent merchants of Newburgh, has conducted a high-class harness and leather store in Water street for over half a century. Mr. Johnston was born and educated in Newburgh and learned the harness maker's trade with John R. Woolsey. He established his store January 1, 1857, at its present location. He married Miss Margaret L. Campbell, and they became the parents of ten children. Three sons are in business in Newburgh: Robert, the present county treasurer, is a hardware merchant; W. Charles, who has a carriage repository on Broadway, and Renwick, who is engaged in the livery business. In religious affiliations Mr. Johnston is a member of the Westminster Reformed Church.

EVAN E. JONES was born at Turin, Lewis County, N. Y., June 10, 1856. He attended the Union school at Turin, after which he engaged in farming, and continued until June, 1902, when he came to Orange County and conducted the Johnston Hotel at Newburgh. In April, 1906, he removed to Hamptonburgh, where he is now engaged in the hotel business.

He married Emma M. Peck, of Turin, N. Y., January 12, 1886. They have no children. In politics Mr. Jones is a republican.

ANDREW V. JOVA, M.D., Newburgh, N. Y., was born at Santa Clara, Cuba, March 23, 1859. He came to the United States in 1870, and entered St. John's College, New York, graduating in 1880 with the degree of A.B. In 1883 he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, which was supplemented by a two years' hospital course in Paris, one year in Berlin and eight months at the clinics in Vienna. He then returned to America and was for eighteen months on the staff of the French Hospital, New York City. In 1891 he located in Newburgh, where he has built up an extensive practice. Dr. Jova is attending physician to St. Luke's Hospital, has been chairman of the medical board and is now a member of the board of managers of the same institution. He is a member of the various state and national medical societies.

ISAAC KELLS, who was one of the most successful farmers in the town of Montgomery, Orange County, was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was born in the North of Ireland in 1833 and died at his home, October 1, 1907. He resided in Montgomery for nearly thirty-five years, cultivating a valuable farm of one hundred and fifty acres. Mr. Kells was actively identified with the Goodwill church, in which he was an officer. He was twice married; by his first wife, who was Miss Elizabeth Ferguson, two daughters were born, Mrs. William Whigam and Mrs. Ella Hyndman, both residents of Montgomery. His second wife was Miss Delia Boyd, who died in 1905. Industrious and energetic the success of Mr. Kells was due entirely to his own efforts and he enjoyed in a high degree the esteem of his fellow-citizens.

GEORGE W. KERR, who for more than half a century was an officer of one of Orange County's strongest financial institutions, was born in Warren County, N. J., February 15, 1810. His ancestors were originally from Scotland, but Mr. Kerr's father was born at Freehold, N. J. His parents removed to Ithaca, N. Y., where he obtained a position in the branch of the Bank of Newburgh. In 1830, when the branch was withdrawn, and the Bank of Ithaca established, Mr. Kerr entered the new bank and remained there until October, 1831, when a position was offered him in the Bank of Newburgh, with the officials of which he had become acquainted through his connection with the branch bank.

In 1836 Mr. Kerr was promoted to the position of cashier, and in 1854 he was elected president to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John Chambers. In 1864, when the old Bank of Newburgh was closed and the National Bank of Newburgh organized, Mr. Kerr was again honored with the presidency. He continued in that position till his death, having been cashier of the bank for eighteen years, and president for thirty-seven years. He died June 3, 1890.

Mr. Kerr was a trustee and vice-president of the village in 1856, and a member of the board of education in 1852-1854. For forty-seven years he was a vestryman of St. George's Protestant Episcopal church, and for thirty-one years treasurer of the board.

Upon his death the directors of the bank adopted the following minute: "His sound judgment, perfect integrity and eminent ability have been long recognized in financial circles, and his excellence in all the relations of life will long be remembered in this community. By us his immediate associates, and by all in any capacity attached to this bank, his memory will always be cherished. He has left to his family and this community, where he has spent so many years of a long and useful life, a legacy better than earthly riches—a good name."

The vestry of St. George's church adopted resolutions recording "their very high esteem for his character and his lifelong devotion to the church and her interests. It is with grateful feeling that we remember the steady consistency of his Christian walk, his uprightness as a business man, his value as a citizen, his zeal as a churchman. We owe him no slight debt for his faithful service as our treasurer for thirty-one years, during which time his unflagging attention to the affairs of the parish has contributed essentially and in a large degree to its stability and prosperity."

Mr. Kerr was twice married. His first wife was Emeline Ross, his second, Margaret T. L., daughter of the Rev. John Brown, D.D.

CHARLES KETCHAM, merchant and postmaster for many years at Mountainville, and representative citizen of the town of Cornwall, Orange County, is a son of Benjamin S. and Mercy (Brown) Ketcham, and was born on the homestead farm in 1847. He established his present store in 1871. Mr. Ketcham has for many years been prominently identified with the public affairs of Cornwall. He has served fourteen terms as supervisor, including a chairmanship of the board. He also held the office of justice of the peace twelve years. Mr. Ketcham was the opposing candidate of Judge Dickey, as a delegate to the constitutional convention. He was also the nominee of the democratic party for county clerk. He married Miss Ida, daughter of Captain Jacob Smith, of Cornwall. They are the parents of two sons and six daughters.

The Ketcham family is one of the oldest in the town of Cornwall. Long previous to the Revolution, Samuel Ketcham, the great-great-grandfather of Charles, located here and was engaged in farming and the operation of a grist mill. His descendants through several generations settled around him, and the place was known as Ketchamtown, until the opening of the railroad, when the post-office was changed to Mountainville.

THE KETCHAM FAMILY of the town of Mount Hope had for their progenitor the pioneer farmer and mechanic, John Ketcham, born at Huntington, L. I., January 24, 1716. A lineal descendant of Edward Ketcham, the progenitor, in America, of all bearing the name Ketcham or Ketchum—who settled at Ipswich, Mass., in 1635; Southold, L. I., in 1653. Edward died at Stratford, Conn., in 1655, leaving in all seven children. John Ketcham (sixth generation in America) married Miss Sarah Matthews, of Morristown, N. J., came to Orange County, N. Y., and settled for a time in Hamptonburgh and Goshen, respectively, removed in 1774 to the present town of Mount Hope. He was the founder of Ketcham's Mills, near Mount Hope village. Here John Ketcham died April 21, 1794, and Sarah, his widow, departed this life in 1802. The homestead passing to the son Joseph, has continuously (1774-1907) been occupied by a Ketcham, present occupant, Isaac Emmett Ketcham, being a great grandson of Joseph. Last surviving grandson of said Joseph, bearing the family name, was the late John L. Ketcham, son of Joseph, Jr. (farmer, mechanic and inventor), and like his ancestors also a mechanic of ability and prominence. Born February 22, 1820, he married November 14, 1844, Miss Harriette Writer, also of the town of Mount Hope. She died August 30, 1870. John L. died June 10, 1898, is survived by their only child, Electa J. Ketcham-Penney, at present residing near Finchville.

Less than a dozen families representative of this once large and widely influential family, are now living within their native town, Mount Hope.

JOHN EGBERT KIDD, a retired farmer residing near Walden, N. Y., is a descendant of an old Orange County family. Going back over a century and a half, it is ascertained that three brothers, Alexander, Robert and Andrew Kidd, came from the North of Ireland in 1736, and secured a large tract of land in the vicinity of the present village of Walden. Alexander, the direct ancestor of our subject, married Jane Calderwood. Robert, their eldest son, married Mary McGowan, and their son Andrew in 1802 married a Miss Margaret Kidd and became the parents of six children, of whom John, the eldest, was born October 26, 1803, at the parental homestead. He followed the occupation of a farmer and was prominent in public affairs of the town. He was highway commissioner a great many years, was a director of the Walden National Bank and held the office of railroad commissioner.

In 1826 he married Miss Cornelia, daughter of Charles Haines, of Montgomery. Six children were born, Andrew, Mirza, John, Egbert, David L., Margaret A. and Victor. During the Civil War, John Egbert Kidd enlisted with the "Orange Blossoms," the famous 124th Regiment, a review of which appears in the Military History in this volume.

John E. Kidd was twice married. His first wife was Alice Decker, and the following children were born: Cornelia (now the wife of George Wait), and one son John. Mr. Kidd's second wife was Maria Adeline Decker.

BENJAMIN B. KINNE, M.D., is a native of Kirkville, Onondaga County, N. Y., where he was born March 28, 1877. He was educated in the public schools of the state, including the high school at East Syracuse. He was a teacher in the county for four years, and studied for his profession in the American Medical Missionary College of Battle Creek, Mich., and Chicago. For nearly a year he was on the medical staff of the Pennsylvania Sanitarium at Philadelphia.

Dr. Kinne came to Middletown in 1905, and took the management of the Battle Creek Sanitarium Treatment Rooms on East Main street. Later these were removed to the Middletown Sanitarium on Benton avenue, where better facilities are offered for the accommodation of patients. The present building is large and pleasant, having all of the modern improvements, and is fully equipped with all the facilities for baths of various kinds, massage, electricity, x-ray, Swedish movements, and the care of surgical cases.

GEORGE A. KIPP was born July 31, 1871, at Goshen, Orange County, N. Y., and attended the public school at that place. At the age of fifteen he learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and has always continued the business. He was united in marriage to Clara Baker, of Middletown, N. Y., April 26, 1899. Four children were born to this union; two died in infancy. The living are Allerton, born June 9, 1905, and Dorothy, born August 27, 1907. In politics Mr. Kipp is a democrat. His parents were Richard A., born March 3, 1838, and Mary Ann (Dailey) Kipp. They had six children, one dying in infancy. Richard was also engaged in contracting and carpenter business in Goshen, and conducted a milk business in New York previous to the Civil War. About 1862 he returned to Goshen, taking up his trade. He erected many of the best residences in and around Goshen, and died July 26, 1897.

CHARLES ALBERT KNAPP occupies a farm of two hundred and seventy acres in the town of Goshen, which was first settled by William Knapp in 1749. Mr. Knapp's ancestry in this country is traced to Nicholas Knapp, who with his brothers, William and Roger, emigrated to America from Sussex, England, in 1630. His ancestors were prominent in military affairs during the colonial period. One, Isaac Knapp, was in the expedition to Canada under Sir William Phips in 1690. John Knapp, born 1664, died 1749 of Stamford, Conn., was captain of the train band in 1716. Nathaniel Knapp, of Newburgh, was in the second Louisburg expedition, 1758-1759. Samuel Knapp, born 1695, died 1751, had a son Samuel, born 1722, and his son William and wife Margaret came to Goshen, N. Y., in 1749. They had nine children, of whom James and Samuel were killed in the Battle of Minisink, July 22, 1779. James was forty-three years old and left a widow, whose maiden name was Hester Drake, and nine children, born between the years 1761-1779. Of these John Knapp (born August 24, 1765, died 1854), married Eunice Smith, of Goshen, and of their eleven children Virgil, the youngest, was the father of Charles Albert, who married Emma Linderman, and are the parents of three children, Jesse, Louis and Mabel. Jesse married Addie Crawford and Louis married Catherine Bull. The two sons are engaged in business in New York City.

JAMES W. KNAPP was born at Pine Island, Orange County, December 22, 1831, and died at the age of seventy-six. His wife was a daughter of Peter N. Ryerson, of Glenwood, N. J., and they were married October 21, 1855. Their six children are Mary, wife of F. E. Tither, of Florida, N. Y.; Nicholas, of Belmont, N. Y.; Charles, of Goshen, N. Y.; William, of Pine Island; J. Arthur, of Florida, N. Y., and Elizabeth, wife of Walter S. Seeley, of Middletown, N. Y.

Mr. Knapp's father, William Knapp, died at the age of eighty-five. Peter N. Ryerson was born at New Vernon, N. J., September 9, 1814. His grandfather, Nicholas Ryerson, emigrated from Amsterdam, Holland, in 1801, and settled on Long Island. Mr. Knapp was a member of the Presbyterian church of Amity, and for six years served as town assessor.

SAMUEL L. KNIFFIN, of Goshen, N. Y., was born at Chester in 1843. In 1863 he came to Goshen with his parents, and learned the tinsmith trade under the tuition of his father, who for many years had charge of the tinning department for J. W. Corwin & Co. Mr. Kniffin has remained in the same store, now owned by Kniffin & Hopkins, and for many years has served as foreman of the tin shop. He married Sarah, daughter of Gabriel Bennett, of Goshen, and they have a daughter Carrie, who married Charles B. Coleman, of Goshen. Mr. Kniffin is a democrat and has served as town clerk of Goshen and for many years has been village trustee.

WILLIAM KNIFFIN, hardware merchant, of Goshen, N. Y., was born in Chester, Orange County, in 1855. In 1863 his parents removed to Goshen, and his father, Samuel M., was tinner for J. W. Corwin & Co., there for many years. William secured employment in the same store in 1871, and in 1892 purchased a half interest in the business, the firm being known as Corwin & Kniffin. In 1902 Edward A. Hopkins purchased Mr. Corwin's interest and since that time the firm name has been Kniffin & Hopkins. In politics Mr. Kniffin is a democrat, and has served the town of Goshen as collector one term.

CHARLES T. KNIGHT, a prominent citizen of Monroe, was born here in 1847. He is a son of Chauncey B. and Mary (Thompson) Knight; the latter a daughter of Rev. J. J. Thompson, died in 1908. As a young man Mr. Knight engaged with his father in the feed, coal and lumber business, and was a member of the firm of C. B. Knight & Co., organized in 1868, continuing until 1877, when he was associated for two years with the provision house of James A. Townsend at Newburgh. In 1879 the firm of Knight & Conklin was formed and continued the flour and feed business until 1899. Mr. Knight is now engaged in the business alone. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster of the village which was then a fourth-class office. He was reappointed in 1900, when the office was placed in the third class, and was reappointed to the position in 1904 and 1908. Mr. Knight served one term as supervisor of the old town of Monroe and two terms of the new town.

GEORGE KOHL, son of Valentine and Mary Ann (Zeigler) Kohl, natives of Germany, was born at Middlehope in 1876. After finishing his studies at the Newburgh schools he entered the general store established in 1869 by his father at Middlehope. In 1898 he engaged in his present mercantile business and a year later was appointed postmaster of the village, holding the position continuously to the present time. Mr. Kohl was collector of the town of Newburgh in 1902 and 1903 and collector of the school district for seven years. He is accounted not only a thoroughly trustworthy official, but one of the best citizens of Middlehope. Socially he is identified with the Newburgh Wheelmen.

HENRY KOHL, corporation counsel of the city of Newburgh and member of the law firm of McClung & Kohl, was born in Middlehope in 1871, a son of Valentine and Mary A. (Ziegler) Kohl. After finishing his preliminary studies he read law in the office of Judge Seeger and was admitted to the bar in 1894. Mr. Kohl has built up a large clientage and has acquired especial success and prominence in criminal cases.

Politically Mr. Kohl is a democrat and an ardent worker for the success of his party, which has honored him with the nomination for state and county offices.

VALENTINE J. KOHL who is engaged in fruit farming at Middlehope, was born in the town of Newburgh in 1868, and was educated at the district schools. In 1897 he purchased his present farm of twenty acres, all of which is under cultivation, in connection with which he operates a cider mill, turning out 50,000 gallons annually. Mr. Kohl held the office of town clerk four years and also served as school trustee. He is a member of the Grange and the Masonic Lodge No. 309, Newburgh, and I. O. O. F. He married Charlotte P. Clauson and two children have been born to them. Valentine Kohl, father of our subject, was a prosperous merchant and farmer of Middlehope. He died in 1890.

VALENTINE KOHL, for many years a prosperous merchant of Middle Hope, N. Y., was born at St. Martens-on-the-Rhine, Germany, where he received his schooling and learned the shoemaker's trade. Shortly after his marriage he sailed for America; here he plied his trade for a few years, and then became interested in the mercantile business at Middlehope, remaining thus engaged until his death, which occurred in 1890, while he was serving as postmaster. He was appointed to this office by President Arthur and reappointed by President Harrison, his term of service in this capacity extending from 1883 until 1890. He was accounted not only a thoroughly trustworthy official, but one of the best citizens of Middlehope.

Mr. Kohl was reared in the Catholic faith, but in mature life became convinced of the truth of protestantism and inclined toward the Methodist Episcopal tenets, being a regular attendant at the services of this church. His wife, who was Miss Mary A. Ziegler, was also a native of Germany. They became the parents of seven children, of whom four sons are prominent citizens of Orange County, whose personal sketches are recorded in this history.

WILLIAM J. KOHL, president of the Newburgh city council and former alderman, of the Third ward, Newburgh, was born in Middlehope, Orange County, N. Y., May 17, 1874. He attended the public schools and graduated from the Spencerian Business College, Newburgh. He was employed for a time in the wholesale provision house of Coles, Marshall & Co., of that city, and in 1903 established his grocery store in South street, where he has met with much success. Mr. Kohl is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Maccabees, Ringgold Hose Company, a member of the Newburgh Wheelmen and the Mannerchor. He has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the democratic party.

WILLIAM ALBERT KORTRIGHT was born at Phillipsburgh, Orange County, March 4, 1866, and educated at the Port Jervis and Campbell Hall schools. He left his father's farm and began learning the blacksmith trade in 1881, engaging in that business at Centerville in 1886, where he continued one year, and then started at Slate Hill, which he operated three years. In 1890 he started business in Florida, where he has since resided. He is a member of Wawayanda Lodge No. 34, I. O. O. F., the Florida Grange, and of the Methodist church.

Mr. Kortright married Alice Halstead, of South Centerville, and they have one child, Wardell, who is eighteen years of age.

W. FRANK LAIN—In the annals of the town of Minisink the name of Lain is a familiar one, as the various generations of this family have borne an honorable part in the town's development. The first member to locate in Orange County was William Lain, who came from Long Island in 1770 and settled in the town of Minisink. His wife was Keziah, daughter of Increase Mather. Among their children was David, born in 1791. He spent his entire life on the home farm and died in his seventy-ninth year.

Gideon Lain, father of W. Frank Lain, died in 1906. He married Mary Dunning and three sons and one daughter were born to them. W. F. Lain, who continues the homestead farm of one hundred and seventy acres near Westtown, was born here in 1859; he finished his studies at the high school in Cincinnati. He is a member of the Grange, the Masonic fraternity and republican committeeman from the town of Minisink.

ROBERT LAWRENCE was born in the city of Birmingham, England, in 1849, and he acquired his education at the public schools in Birmingham. His parents came to America in 1864 and settled in Middletown, Orange County. He was married to Amelia Thornton, of Spring Glenn, Ulster County, in 1872. They have three children living, Howard R., Cora B. and Ethel A. Mr. Lawrence has served the city in an efficient manner as alderman for several years and was president of the common council during the same period. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.; was elected mayor in November, 1906, and is still occupying that office. Mr. Lawrence is a member of St. Paul's church and was superintendent of the Sunday-school fourteen years.

WILLIAM S. LAYTON was born in Amity, Orange County, January 18, 1871. After completing his education he assisted on the farm, and has remained a farmer. His father was one of the first peach growers, for shipping in the town of Warwick, and his son William now has on his dairy and fruit farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres, peach orchards containing four thousand trees of the best varieties. He is a republican, a school trustee, a member of Amity Grange No. 1001, of Warwick, Lodge No. 544, F. and A. M.. and Wawayanda Lodge No. 34, I. O. O. F. He married Gertrude H., daughter of James H. and Catherine Miller, of Florida. February 3, 1892. Their five children, all at home, are Lawrence, born June 6, 1893; Edgar, born January 3, 1895; Lillian, born October 3, 1896; Helen, born December 8, 1898; and William Gerald, born September 12, 1901. The father had one sister, Nettie E., wife of James A. Sammis, of Glenwood, N. J. She died in 1892.

WILBUR C. LAZEAR was born in 1854 on his father's farm three miles from Warwick, near New Milford. His father was Cornelius Jones Lazear, and his mother's maiden name was Elmira Ferrier. In 1867 his father removed to Warwick and became a partner of Walter Knapp, with the firm name of Knapp & Lazear, in the undertaking and furniture business. In 1872 he purchased Mr. Knapp's interest, and when his son Wilbur's schooling was finished, made him his partner. The father died January 10, 1892, and Wilbur has continued the business since. He married Miss Jennie Smith November 5, 1884. Their children are Cornelius S., Belle, and Ida May. Mr. Lazear is a member of Warwick Lodge No. 554, F. and A. M., and the Odd Fellows. Mrs. Lazear died February 11, 1906.

MARTIN E. LEE, a retired farmer, and leading citizen of Westtown, was born in the town of Minisink in 1846. He is a son of Lewis and Experience (Teasdale) Lee. His mother was a daughter of ex-Judge Teasdale, of Sussex, N. J. Of his paternal ancestors his grandfather, Daniel Lee, participated in the War of 1812, and his great grandfather, Paul Lee, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Lee's life was devoted to the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and forty acres, which he now rents. He has always taken an active part in public affairs and is a member of the republican committee of the town of Minisink. He married Miss Alice, daughter of Dr. A. A. Seymour. One daughter, Rose, was born to them. She is now the wife of Philip H. Du Bois, of New Paltz.

ANDREW WRIGHT LENT, attorney of Newburgh and Highland, N. Y., is a junior member of the law firm of A. D. and A. W. Lent. He is a native of Highland, N. Y., and was educated at Union College, from which he graduated in 1904 with the degree of Ph.B. He read law in the office of his father, Abraham D. Lent and at Albany Law School, was admitted to the bar in 1906, and has since practiced in Newburgh.

Abraham D. Lent was born at Clinton, Dutchess County in 1850, attended the Albany Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. Mr. Lent practices at Highland, Ulster County, and has conducted a law office in Newburgh since 1903.

NELSON BURTON LENT, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Westchester County, N. Y., author and publisher of the "History of the Lent Family in the United States, from 1638 to 1902," was born in the town of Courtlandt, Westchester County, N. Y., May 1, 1856, and educated in the public schools of his native town. His father was Nathaniel D. Lent, and his mother's maiden name was Rachel Lent.

Among the families of Westchester County there is none stronger or more widely distributed than the old Dutch family of Lents. Abraham De Ryck, who emigrated to the United States from Amsterdam, Holland, to the Island of Manhattan, in the year 1638, was the father of Ryck Abrahamson, who took the name of Van Lent. The name is supposed to have originated from a place called "Lent" in Holland.

Mr. N. B. Lent learned the trade of a compositor with the Highland Democrat in Peekskill, N. Y. He left Peekskill in 1880, and associated with his cousin, William C. Tunstall, established and edited The Providence Register, a weekly newspaper at Scranton, Pa. He later sold out his interest to Mr. Tunstall, and returned to Peekskill. He was soon afterward called by the life-long printer and historian, E. M. Ruttenber, Esq., to Newburgh, N. Y., and was employed by him in his job printing office. Since 1884 he has been connected with The Newburgh Journal.

Mr. Lent was instrumental in instituting the first Patriotic Order of the Sons of America in Newburgh, N. Y. He represented the order in the state and national conventions. He was a member of Acme Lodge of Odd Fellows of Newburgh, and its representative in the Grand Lodge in 1888. He was one of fourteen to organize Canton Woodward No. 32, Patriarchs Militant, and held the office of clerk, and was commissioned an aide-de-camp on the staff of General Otis Woodward, of the Division of Niagara, with rank of captain. He held all the offices of his lodge to district deputy grand master; has been for the past twenty-one years a member of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. and A. M.; the Historical Society of the Newburgh Bay and the Highlands; the Empire State Society, Sons of the American Revolution; and the American Institute of Civics.

Mr. Lent in politics is a republican. He was one of the United States Census Enumerators for the city of Newburgh in 1900, and clerk to the engrossing committee in the State Assembly at Albany, in 1901-1902.

He married Miss Viola Frances, daughter of Herman and Mary Stone, of Danbury, Conn., December 23, 1881. They have six children, Bertram Nelson, Winfred Foss, Roland Depew, Hobart Townsend, Sebring Round and Mildred Stone, all born at Newburgh, N. Y. Mr. Lent in religion is a Methodist, and a member of Trinity M. E. Church, Newburgh.

CHAUNCEY M. LEONARD was born in Newburgh in the year 1825, and in a house that occupied the site of the Bigler building at the corner of Third and Smith streets. He resided here until sixteen years of age, receiving his education at the Newburgh Academy. In early manhood he became a member of the old volunteer fire department of New York while learning his trade of painter. He was elected assistant foreman of the engine company. At the age of nineteen he married Miss Rebecca Smith, of New York City, who died two years afterward, leaving a daughter, who married Thomas K. Rheutan. In 1848 he married Miss Hope Smith, a sister of his first wife, and had several children.

In 1850 he returned to his native city and continued to reside here till his death. He was employed as a painter by E. T. Comstock, and on Mr. Comstock's death in 1859, the firm of Ward & Leonard (Peter Ward and Chauncey M. Leonard) was formed. James J. Logan afterward being received into the partnership, the firm became Ward, Leonard & Co.

Mr. Leonard joined Ringgold Hose Company, No. 1, in 1853. He was elected assistant foreman, but his ability and experience as a fireman were such that he was called to fill a position of greater prominence. In 1861 he was elected chief engineer of the Newburgh fire department, and at each successive election thereafter was re-elected to the same office, till March, 1874, when he was called to take the higher position of mayor of the city.

In 1873 he was a delegate to the democratic state convention, and was an honorary member of the National Association of Chief Engineers. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and well advanced in the degrees of the order. He died at his residence, 82 Ann street, Thursday, December 3, 1874.

JAMES J. LEONARD, son of the late Chauncey M. Leonard, was born in Newburgh, N. Y., October 16, 1872. After graduating from the academy he entered the office of the Newburgh Register as bookkeeper, and from 1888 to 1907 was connected with the wholesale grocery house of Stephen M. Bull, when he formed a partnership with W. E. Doyle, and under the firm name of Doyle & Leonard is engaged in the wholesale grocery trade, continuing the business of Mailler & Doyle. Mr. Leonard has always manifested an active interest in politics and in 1903 was elected to the office of county clerk, serving until 1906. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity, president and director of the Wheelmen's Club, member of the City Club and the Ringgold Hose and Veteran Association and Newburgh Volunteer Association. He married Mary T. McQuillan, of Newburgh. They have two children, Chauncey M. and Marion H.

EDWARD G. LITTELL was born in Elmira, N. Y., July 5, 1851. From his birthplace he went to Rahway, N. J., remained there several years, and then came to Greycourt, Orange County. He was a fireman on the Erie Railroad eleven years, had charge of the steam pumps twelve years, and later operated a sawmill and general store. His great grandfather was Captain Pratt Littell and he was in the first skirmish against the British in the War of the Revolution. He lived in New Jersey at a place called Short Hills.

Edward G. married Ida Bronk Hyte, of Greycourt. Their children are Elizabeth A., Edward D., of Los Angeles, Cal., William J., Harry M., Andrew H., Hattie L., Ida M. and Alfred K. The father is a member of Standard Lodge No. 711, F. and A. M.; K. of P. Lodge No. 363, of Chester, and the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Mr. Littell has held the office of postmaster at Greycourt for nine years. He is a member of the Chester Horse Thief Association, and has served twice on the republican town board.

WILLIAM T. LODGE, who has conducted the Empire House at Montgomery, N. Y., for thirty-seven years, is one of the representative and highly respected citizens of Orange County. Mr. Lodge was born in Ireland, March 26, 1836, and came to America when a lad of fifteen. He was engaged in farming from 1849 to 1871, when he purchased his present hotel property. In politics Mr. Lodge is a democrat, and has for years exerted a great influence in the promotion of its interests.

Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, and is a director in the First National Bank of Montgomery. He was one of the organizers and is a supporter of the Episcopal Chapel, organized about six years ago in Montgomery. This chapel is a branch of the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Walden.

Mr. Lodge married Miss Catherine Doyle in 1863, and three sons and three daughters have been born to them—William T. Jr., manager of the Empire House; Martin D. conducts a gents' furnishing store, and James A., proprietor of a sales stable for horses and cattle, all residing in Montgomery.

WILLIAM LOEVEN was born at Honesdale, Pa., September 8, 1861. His early education was acquired at the public school. He removed to Orange County in March, 1891, and located at Middletown.

He engaged in business on Fulton street, after which he removed to Otisville, in January, 1906, and purchased the hotel known as the Writer Hotel, which he still continues. He married Frances Gehrer, of Honesdale, Pa., October 16, 1889. Their four children are William, Jr., Robert, Edward and Elizabeth, all residing at home. In politics Mr. Loeven is a democrat, and is a member of the F. O. E. Mr. and Mrs. Loeven are members of the Church of the Holy Name, of Otisville.

CHARLES W. LOOMIS was born at Otisville, Orange County, N. Y. He is a son of Ephraim Smith Loomis, who was born May 22, 1801, and died February 27, 1869. His mother died November 19, 1891. Charles W. attended the district school and assisted his father on the farm, which has been the Loomis homestead for over a century. He married Miss Phoebe A. Dunlap, daughter of Riley and Sarah E. Dunlap, November 28, 1886. Five children were born to this union, Iva Pamela, born February 17, 1887, died May 19, 1904; Antoinette Evelyn, born April 17, 1888; Ephraim Smith, born November 9, 1890; Frank Kaufmann, born October 2, 1894; and Sarah Irene, born February 14, 1898.

In politics Mr. Loomis is a republican. He has held several local offices, being supervisor of the town fourteen years and justice of the peace ten years. He is a member of the Otisville Presbyterian Church and active in religious duties. He is identified with Hoffman Lodge No. 412, of Middletown, as a member. Mr. Loomis has a good dairy farm and makes a specialty of truck gardening.

EPHRAIM BEEMER LOTT was born August 25, 1862, at Sussex, N. J. He attended the district school, after which he worked on a farm until 1887. He then identified himself with the Warwick Valley Milk Association, where he remained for sixteen years. He is now foreman of the Warwick branch of the Mutual Milk and Cream Co. He married Miss Emma Barrett, of Warwick, October 31, 1888. Two children were born by this union, Mary Lavina, living at home, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Lott is a member of Wawayanda Lodge No. 34, Odd Fellows, Independent Order of Red Men, Tuxedo Tribe, No. 322, and Orange Council No. 112, Jr. O. U. A. M. He is a member of the Methodist Church of Warwick. In politics he is a democrat. His father, John Hathorn Lott, died August 11, 1906, at the age of one hundred years eleven months and five days. There were ten children in his family by the first wife and nine by his second wife. He was a cooper by trade, and a great hunter of wild game.

IRVING K. LOUGHRAN, attorney of Walden, N. Y., has for many years been prominently identified with commercial and public affairs of Orange County. He is a native of New York and read law with Henry H. Hustis, of Fishkill-on-Hudson. Since his admission to the bar in 1882 he has practiced law continuously in Walden. Mr. Loughran has held all the judicial offices in the town of Montgomery and for fourteen years was justice of the peace. He served for twelve years on the board of supervisors and two terms as chairman of the board. He is secretary and director of the Wallkill Valley Electric Co., secretary of the Wallkill Valley Cemetery Association, secretary and director of the Schrade Cutlery Co. of Walden, and a member of the New York Bar Association. He has taken the various chairs in Masonry, including the Mystic Shrine, and is a member of the Newburgh Lodge of Elks and Walden Lodge, K. of P.

JAMES B. LOVE, who in 1906 purchased the Dr. Ormsbee farm on the State road midway between Newburgh and the village of Montgomery, was born in New York City, and engaged in business there for many years. He married Miss Maggie Urey and they have two sons, James B., Jr., born January, 1905, and John Robert, born March, 1908. Mr. Love and his family, like many retired New Yorkers, enjoy the freedom of rural life in Orange County.

HENRY C. LOVELAND was born October 13, 1853, at Chester, Pa. His father was William W. and mother, Lucinda M. (Atkins) Loveland. Twelve children were born to this union, nine boys and three girls. He obtained his early education at the district school at Chester, and later attended the public school at Napanoch. After his schooling he was employed in the rolling mills and in 1872 came to Middletown, learning the machinist trade. In 1878 he associated himself with the Wheeler, Madden and Clemson Mfg. Co., of Middletown, remaining with this firm until 1890, then with Clemson Bros. for a period of seventeen years, after which he has been connected with the National Saw Co. He was married to Josephine Decker, March 29, 1877. They have two children.

Stephen D., who married Nellie Clark, of Middletown, have two children, one son and one daughter, and Hattie, wife of George C. Brundage. Mr. Loveland is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. and A. M.; Wallkill Council No. 92, Jr. O. U. A. M., and Olympia Council No. 14, D. of A. In politics he is a republican, and has served the city faithfully as councilman. The Loveland family are of English descent and dates back to 1635 in America.

WARREN LOWELL was born in Troy, N. Y., and educated in Albany and New York City. He was engaged in the milk business for a time and was later employed by the Union Pacific Railroad. About 1876 he returned to New York City and associated himself with the Orange County Milk Co., of which he is now a director, and holds the offices of secretary and superintendent. The plant at Goshen has facilities for handling four hundred cans of milk daily. The various creameries owned by this company have up-to-date machinery for the condensing of cream. This company was organized in 1860. Mr. Lowell is a member of Pyramid Lodge No. 490, F. and A. M.; Union Chapter No. 180, York Commandery No. 55, and the Consistory, all of New York City. Politically he is a republican. He married Matilda D. Senior, of New York, September 16, 1885.

OLIVER LOZIER, who is engaged in farming near Savilton, Orange County, was born in the town of Newburgh in 1837. He attended district school and the Newburgh Academy and engaged in farming until 1857, when he accepted a position as captain on the Newburgh ferry. In 1868 he removed to Savilton and purchased his farm of seventy-five acres. He has served as collector of the town one year and as supervisor six years. He married Elizabeth Hanmore and five children were born to them. His son, Frank E., is engaged in the management of the farm with his father. He married Miss May Palmer, of Ulster County; they have two children, one son, Elmore, and a daughter.

HARRY ROSS LYDECKER, attorney of Newburgh and Brooklyn, was born in Yonkers, N. Y., March 4, 1869. Son of Albert and Martha B. (Morrison) Lydecker; graduated 1887 from Mount St. Mary's Academy; read law in the office of Colonel William Dickey (now justice of the supreme court); admitted to the bar in 1893. He has served as counsel of the Newburgh Electric Railway Co.; corporation counsel of the town of New Windsor; town counsel of the town of Blooming Grove.

In 1906 Mr. Lydecker opened a law office in Brooklyn, N. Y. In January, 1907, the law firm of Lydecker and Smith was formed with offices in Newburgh. Mr. Lydecker is a member of the commandery and chapter, F. and A. M.; member of the Tenth Separate Company, the Canoe and Boating Association, the Royal Arcanum, Ringgold Hose and the Y. M. C. A. In 1891 he married Miss Minnie A. Brown, of Newburgh. Five children have been born to them.

JOHN McCARTY was born of Irish parentage in Westchester County, N. Y., and moved to Brooklyn when eighteen years of age. His early desires were for mercantile pursuits, but he eventually entered the service of the city of Brooklyn in the municipal board of health. He later became a clerk to Justice Walsh, which position he retained for some years, relinquishing this eventually to become alderman, serving on important committees while remaining in the board, and becoming also its presiding officer. He has dealt largely in Brooklyn real estate. He was nominated in 1891 to succeed John C. Jacobs, and was elected by over 16,000 plurality. Mr. McCarty was also a member of the committee on railroads, committee on insurance, manufactures, and was chairman of the committee on state prisons, and of the committee on public buildings. In politics he was a staunch democrat and represented the second senatorial district. He was a great admirer and owner of many fine horses, among them being Joe Patchen, which he purchased in 1889, since which time that noted horse has been kept at his stables at Goshen, N. Y. John McCarty was a son of Hugh McCarty, born in 1815 at County Down, Ireland, where he received a common school education. He came to America in February, 1834, and learned the mason trade at an early age. Returning to his native country he married Sarah Rogers, also of County Down, Ireland. He at once returned to America, settling in Westchester County, N. Y. He was largely identified with the building of High Bridge connecting New York and Harlem. Mr. McCarty was contractor for the masonry and personally laid the corner stone of the bridge. The trowel used in laying the cornerstone is now in possession of his daughter. Mr. McCarty owned his own quarries and the stone used in the High Bridge was transported on his own sloops for this as well as the Brooklyn navy yard and other contracts. He was a philanthropic man and gave large contributions to St. Mary's-on-the-Hudson at Cold Spring. There were five children born to the union, Ellen, John, Mary, Thomas and Sarah A. The latter now resides at their summer home in Goshen and in Brooklyn during the winter months. He married Marguerite I. Murphy, of New York City, and died October 20, 1905.

HON. BENJAMIN McCLUNG, mayor of the city of Newburgh, N. Y., and a prominent member of the Orange County Bar, was born in the town of New Windsor in 1867, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Upright) McClung. After finishing his preliminary education at the Newburgh Academy and Siglar's Preparatory School, he entered the law department of the University of New York, graduating in 1891 with the degree of LL.B. Mr. McClung practiced law in New York City for a short time, and in the same year, 1891, opened an office in Newburgh. He was for a time associated in practice with Hon. Russell Headley and in 1906 the law firm of McClung & Kohl was formed.

For many years Mr. McClung has been prominently identified with the affairs of the democratic party, which nominated him for member of assembly. In 1907 he was selected to head the democratic ticket in Newburgh, and November 5 was elected mayor by the substantial majority of 574 votes. Mayor McClung was inaugurated March, 1908, the first democrat to occupy that office in a period of eighteen years.

Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Elks, Foresters and the City Club.

JOHN D. McCOACH, chief of police of the city of Middletown, was born in Bethel, Sullivan County, N. Y., in 1876 and educated at the public schools in Bethel, where he graduated. He came to Middletown in June, 1896, in his twenty-first year, and after serving six years as driver of a mail wagon, which duty he faithfully performed, he was appointed patrolman on the Middletown police force. In 1907 he was appointed chief of the Middletown police, which position he now holds. Politically he is a republican. Socially he is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. and A. M., and Midland Chapter No. 240, R. A. M. He married Miss Lucy Barber, of Monticello, Sullivan County, and of this union two children have been born, Elmer E., born June 21, 1904, and Mildred O., born October 10, 1905. As befits one in his position Mr. McCoach is a man of varied learning and accomplishments, and withal a man of affairs, of keen perception and fair-minded. He is particularly well informed in local and Masonic matters.

ROBERT WORKMAN McCREADY, a prominent contractor at Tuxedo Park, is a resident of Sloatsburg, Rockland County. Mr. McCready was born at Belfast, in the North of Ireland, in 1862, a son of James and Mary (McIlveen) McCready, of Scotch descent. He attended the schools of Belfast and in 1882 received his certificate from the Government School of Art. He then spent a year with Harland & Wolf, shipbuilders, obtaining his certificate as joiner. In 1884 he came to Fall River, Mass., where he was employed as a carpenter one year. After a visit to his native place he again came to America in 1886 and was employed by Mead & Taft at Tuxedo. Two years later he formed a co-partnership with William M. Finch to conduct a general contracting and building business under the firm name of McCready & Finch. Their business developed rapidly and employment given to from three to four hundred men, erecting many of the most substantial buildings in Tuxedo Park, including the homes of Ambrose Monell, W. B. Densmore, W. B. Garrison, J. Henry Smith, a private school in the Park costing $35,000, and the $30,000 school in the village. He also rebuilt the Episcopal church. In 1905 Mr. McCready purchased Mr. Finch's interest in the business and is now conducting it alone. Mr. McCready has now under contract to erect in Tuxedo Park a residence for C. W. Clinton, of the firm of Clinton & Russell, architects, of Nassau street, New York; a Methodist church at Sloatsburg, an extension to William M. V. Hoffman's house, and alterations to A. D. Julliard's house, Tuxedo Park.

Mr. McCready is a member of numerous fraternal organizations, including Scottish Rite Masons and the Mystic Shrine. In 1889 he married Mary, daughter of John Finch, of Sloatsburg. They have two children—Olive and Robert Halsey.

JOHN W. McCULLOUGH, who for many years was engaged in the tobacco business in Water street, was born in Newburgh in 1819 and died in 1892. After finishing his studies at the high school he learned the tobacconist trade and engaged in the wholesale and retail business for himself at 93 Front street, in 1845, where he continued until 1873, when he purchased the premises at 68 and 70 Water street, where the business was continued by his son, John R. McCullough, up to the time of his death, July 31, 1907. Mr. McCullough was for many years an elder in the First Reformed Presbyterian Church, and also performed the duties of treasurer. In his long business career in his native place Mr. McCullough's name was a synonym for integrity and honorable dealings. John R. McCullough was born July 15, 1846. He was engaged in the drug business for a few years on Broadway, previous to engaging in the tobacco business with his father. He was a director of Quassaick National Bank, and Woodlawn Cemetery Association. He was treasurer of Union Church, and president of the board of water commissioners. He married Miss Marion Muir, who died September 18, 1900. Four children were born to them. John W., Jr., died November 6, 1888. Frederick R. continues the tobacco business in Water street.

FRED S. McDOWELL, supervisor of the town of Newburgh, was born in Newburgh in 1865; a son of James and Agnes (Frew) McDowell. As a young man he was engaged in the butchering business with his father and then entered the employ of Armour & Co. for two years as salesman, following which he conducted a meat market on Broadway three years. Since 1893 he has been one of the proprietors of the Newburgh Rendering Co.

Mr. McDowell is prominent in fraternal organizations. He is past master of Newburgh Lodge, F. and A. M., a member of Highland Chapter, Hudson River Commandery and the Mecca Temple. He is also past grand of Acme Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in 1907 was chosen district deputy of Orange District No. 1 of the Odd Fellows. He married Miss Jennie Whitaker, of New Windsor.

RALPH L. McGEOCH, M.D., a successful physician, residing and practicing in Goshen, N. Y., was born at Shushan, Washington County, N. Y., December 1, 1867. He was educated at Cambridge Washington Academy and Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. He entered the New York Homeopathic College in 1891 and graduated May 3, 1894, after which he came to Goshen, where he has since practiced. Dr. McGeoch is a member of the New York State Homeopathic Medical Society, the Tri-County Homeopathic Medical Society, the Orange County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Association, and the New York Homeopathic Alumni Association. On June 9, 1897, he was joined in marriage with Sarah W. Coleman.

JAMES D. McGIFFERT, clerk of Orange County, N. Y., was born and educated in Newburgh. As a young man he was employed by the Oakley Soap Co., in Washington street. Since he became a voter he has manifested an active interest in politics, the first office to which he was elected being that of assessor from the First Ward. He served as city collector of Newburgh from 1897 to 1906. In his dealings with the public in this capacity he was uniformly courteous and considerate. He was for two years master of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. and A. M., and its secretary ten years. He is excellent high priest of Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.; also a member of Hudson River Commandery No. 35, Knights Templar. He is prominently identified with the Odd Fellows and firemanic circles. He was elected to the office of county clerk November, 1906, running over a thousand votes ahead of his ticket.

HENRY JAMES McKINNEY, was born at the family homestead in the town of Crawford, Orange County, April 10, 1854, and died at his residence in Pine Bush, N. Y., September 24, 1907. He was the third son of Luther and Maria (Morrison) McKinney. Following the death of his father he bought the homestead and continued thereon until 1892, when he removed to Pine Bush. In 1895 he engaged in the lumber, feed and coal business, which he conducted with much success for nearly twelve years, his business career being marked by courtesy and sterling honesty. On September 7, 1892, he married Miss Kate Woodworth Kapelye, who with three daughters survive him.

Mr. McKinney always manifested an active interest in the moral and intellectual advancement of his community. His death entailed the loss of a public-spirited citizen and Christian gentleman.

JOHN L. McKINNEY, postmaster at Pine Bush, was born on the homestead farm in the town of Crawford, Orange County, March 6, 1856; a son of Luther and Maria (Morrison) McKinney. He attended the schools of his native town and two terms at Professor Bank's private school in Newburgh. He has been engaged in business at Pine Bush since 1886. His first venture there was in conducting the flour mill, in which he continued five years. In 1891 he became a member of the firm of Armstrong & McKinney, dealers in general merchandise and drugs, where he remained about eight years. He then formed a partnership with Mr. J. E. Ward in the conduct of a hardware store. In 1904 he purchased Mr. Ward's interest and continues the business alone. Mr. McKinney, who is prominent in republican politics, received the appointment of postmaster under President McKinley, June 28, 1897. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as elder for many years.

WILLIAM L. McKINNEY, a respected citizen of Montgomery, N. Y., has been identified with the affairs of that village for nearly half a century. He was born in the town of Montgomery in 1825, a son of Benjamin W. and Hannah (Hunt) McKinney. He has resided in the village since 1845 and in 1854 married Eliza Tindall, a member of one of Orange County's old families. One child, who died in infancy, was born to them. In 1860 Mr. McKinney was elected trustee of the village and in 1862 was appointed president of the corporation, holding that office three years, when he was appointed clerk of the village, which position he faithfully occupied for thirty-six years, resigning in 1901, since which time he has lived in retirement. His counsel is frequently sought in matters pertaining to the village. Mr. McKinney has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1867.

ROBERT J. McVOY, deceased, was one of the prominent agriculturists of Orange County. He was of Irish parentage. His father Hugh and mother Martha (Glascow) McVoy came from Ireland at an early period. Robert was born July 12, 1847, at Jackson's Corners, what was then Goshen. He attended the district and public school at Goshen, and assisted his father on the farm until the age of eighteen years. He rented farms at Bullville, Stony Ford, and Hamptonburgh successively for twenty-one years. He then purchased the late Theodore Jackson's farm, remaining there until his death, which occurred April 26, 1895. Mr. McVoy was united in marriage to Miss Alnetta Pierson Gillespie, of Montgomery, June 10, 1885. Two children were born by this union, Charles Felter, born August 21, 1886, and Sarah Maretta, born September 14, 1888, both residing at home. Mr. McVoy was a member of Wallkill Lodge, F. and A. M., and Court Wallkill, Foresters of America. He was a democrat and served as town collector several terms.

EDWARD MAIDMENT, of Warwick, was born at Shropshire, England, in 1840, and came to America with his parents when six years of age. The family located in Albany, where his father, Edward, established a bakery and confectionery business. He built up a large business and during the Civil War supplied the government with his goods.

Edward graduated from the Seward Institute as a civil engineer and for many years was in the engineering department of the N. Y. C. R. R. He later became manager for the Raritan Woolen Mills Co. and resided in Chicago. Since 1904 he has lived in retirement on his farm, the old Galloway homestead, in Warwick. He married Louisa Galloway and has three children, Alexander H. G., a lawyer of Hackensack, N. J.; Edward P., manager for Krause Milling Co., Milwaukee, Wis., for eastern New York and northern New Jersey, who resides at the homestead and also conducts a dairy business.

Alexander H. Galloway, Mrs. Maidment's father, was for many years one of Warwick's most important and progressive citizens, and promoted many financial institutions. He established the first creamery in Warwick, known as the Warwick Valley Milk Association. He was also interested in all social and religious projects. He died in 1884, survived by his wife, Hannah Louisa, who died March 9, 1907, aged ninety years.

W. H. MAILLER, senior member of the firm of W. H. & G. B. Mailler, was born in Cornwall in 1861. His father, Charles C. Mailler, was engaged in farming at Mountainville. After W. H. finished his schooling he spent two years in Brooklyn, and for a like period was in the employ of Samuel Ramsay. On April 1, 1886, he established his present meat market and in 1888 his brother George B. became a partner. Mr. W. H. Mailler married Miss Sophia J. Preston and three sons have been born to them. He has served as trustee of the village and school boards; also of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Order of American Mechanics. For twenty years he has been trustee of the local fire company. George B. Mailler is also actively identified with affairs of Cornwall village, and is a director of the Cornwall Savings Bank.

CHARLES E. MANCE, member of assembly from this district, was born in Ulster County, November 28, 1852, the place of his birth being then called Mance Settlement and now Cragsmoor. He came to Middletown with his parents when fourteen years of age, and has since that time made that city his home. After his district school education he attended the Middletown Public School. He served an apprenticeship in sign and ornamental painting, and later became a partner of H. J. Randall, with the firm name of Randall & Mance, which ended in 1878, when he was made assistant foreman in the painting department of the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad, and in June, 1883, was appointed master painter. His public service began with his election on the republican ticket as alderman from Middletown's Second ward in 1892. He was chosen president of the common council, and as such became acting mayor, after the death of Mayor Berry in 1897, for one year and four months. In 1900 he was elected mayor and served two terms. In 1906 the republicans elected him member of assembly and Speaker Wadsworth appointed him on the committees of agriculture, federal relations and fish and game. He is a member of Lancelot Lodge No. 169, K. of P., the Old Orchard Club, and an honorary member of Eagle Chemical Engine Co., of which he was foreman four years, and was first assistant chief of the Middletown Fire Department two years. He married Miss Augusta, daughter of Angus and Maria Taylor, May 28, 1874. They have two children, Frank A., who married Miss Belle Forrester, of Providence, R. I., and Mabel, wife of D. H. Ackerman, of Passaic, N. J. Charles E. is the only living of the seven children of John S. and Margaret Wilkinson Mance.

HIRAM G. MANN was born in 1839, July 11, at Florida, Orange County. His father was Hiram, and mother, Phoebe Cherry. They had eleven children. When Mr. Mann was ten years old his parents moved to Bellvale, Orange County, locating on a farm. Mr. Mann, in connection with farming, does pruning and rustic work, and his work may be seen at many of the finest places in Warwick and vicinity. He married Anna Royce, of Bellvale in 1863, March 18. Seven children have been born to this union and only one is living, Charles Mann, residing in New York, who follows civil engineering as a profession.

Mr. Mann takes an active part in local affairs and has been an ardent worker in politics. He is a republican, but never aspired to office. He served his country in the Civil War from September 10, 1861, to December 9, 1865. He is a member of the G. A. R.

ALBERT MANNING was born in the town of Greenville, Orange County, February 2, 1864. He attended the district school and graduated from the Port Jervis Academy in 1883. He taught school for three years, after which he was engaged in New York City for a period of six years in the manufacturing of bank and office fixtures. In 1897 he returned to the homestead, and assumed the management of the farm. Mr. Manning married Miss Hattie E. Green, daughter of Osmer B. Green and Harriet A. Thorn, of Otisville, N. Y., September 20, 1888. To this union one son, Frank LeRoy, was born, March 4, 1898.

Socially Mr. Manning is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. and A. M., of Middletown, Concordia Council, Royal Arcanum and Modern Woodmen of America. He is master of Pomona Grange of Orange County. His father, Ephraim Manning, was born in the town of Greenville, this county, December 11, 1839, on the old homestead, which was purchased by Benjamin Manning, his grandfather, who was of English descent. After completing his studies in the common school Ephraim attended the academy at Mount Rose, Pa.

He married Miss Caroline A. Rundle, of Greenville, November 21, 1861. To this union were born two children, Albert and Eva K., wife of Abraham Wyekoff, residing in New Jersey.

HULET MANNING, a successful agriculturist residing in the town of Greenville, was born in that town August 2, 1843. He is a son of John and Mary Ann (Smith) Manning, and has always resided on the farm formerly owned by his father. Mr. Manning is a member of Shawangunk Grange of Greenville, and a director of the Patrons of Husbandry, Fire Relief Association of Orange and Ulster Counties. In politics he is a republican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He married Elizabeth M., daughter of Alexander Remey, of Greenville, on December 23, 1864. Four children were born to this union, Hattie A., married Clement Van Etten, a farmer in Greenville; J. Edgar married Elsie Roberts, of Montclair, N. J., and is in business in New York; Mary A. married Bartow W. Bull, a farmer at Stony Ford, N. Y., and Clara D. married Theron Shute, a farmer in Greenville.

CHARLES WILLIS MANY, M.D., born May 10, 1868, at Goshen, Orange County, N. Y., is the son of Charles Matthews Many and Eliza Anna Francisco; grandson of John Vicary Many and Jane Howell Johnson, great grandson of Peter Johnson and Bethia Horton, and great-great-grandson of Thomas Horton and Susana Conklin. Thomas Horton acted as captain in Lieutenant-Colonel Marvin's regiment. Mr. Many is also great grandson of Barnabas Many and Mary Vicary and great-great-grandson of Annie Everet and Barnabas Many; the latter was a private soldier in the Revolutionary War. He assisted in signing articles of association in 1775 and served on the committee of safety and observation. When Mr. Many was one year old his family moved to Brooklyn, where he received his early training in the public schools and in Stafford private school. His mother died when he was sixteen, after which time he traveled extensively with his father. He began to read medicine very early in life and after leaving Brooklyn attended school at Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass. He also attended the Long Island College Hospital, from which he graduated in the year 1894. On his graduation from the medical college he received a special diploma in physical diagnosis. He began practice immediately. In 1888 he married Miss Wilhelmina Martin, of Liberty, N. Y., whose ancestors were among the first to settle in Sullivan County. They soon afterward took up their residence in Florida, N. Y., where they have since remained. His three children are Lillian Grace, Clinton Alpheus and Myrtle June Many. Dr. Many has become medical examiner for the leading life insurance companies and in 1905 was appointed town physician. He is a member of the State Medical Association and the Orange County Medical Society. He is also a member of the Empire State Society of the Sons of American Revolution. In 1889 Dr. Many joined the Warwick Masonic Lodge, serving as senior deacon in 1900, senior warden in 1901, master in 1902-1903, assistant grand lecturer in 1904, and district deputy grand master in 1905-1906. It was during the last-named period that initiative steps were taken for the establishment of Lorillard Lodge at Tuxedo Park, a matter in which he was greatly interested and for which he labored diligently. In 1903 he was admitted to membership in Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M., Newburgh, N. Y.

A. W. MAPES, secretary of the Coldwell Lawn Mower Co., of Newburgh, was born in the town of Blooming Grove, his father, the late Edward Mapes, removing to Newburgh in 1854. Mr. Mapes is a graduate of the Newburgh Academy, class of 1857. His business education was acquired in the Highland Bank of Newburgh. While so employed he married Sarah E., daughter of the late John Parsons. This was at the beginning of the Rebellion, and soon after marriage he entered the United States Navy as paymaster's clerk. His war record runs from March 10, 1862, until September 30, 1866. A portion of this time was spent at the Brooklyn Navy yard, to which he was detailed because of his thorough knowledge of accounts.

During the later years of the war, and for over a year after its close he was attached to the United States frigate "Susquehanna." Upon resigning from the Navy he engaged in the mercantile business in New York City until 1883, when he returned to Newburgh as a member of the firm of Barnes & Mapes, provision dealers, at 62 and 64 Water street.

Mr. Mapes's health having become impaired, this partnership was dissolved in December, 1890. After a year's rest, Mr. Mapes again entered business life by assisting in the organization of the Coldwell Lawn Mower Co., of Newburgh. From the beginning of this business he has been a director and has taken an active part in building up a large trade. He attends especially to the New England and foreign branches of the business, spending the autumn months traveling throughout the eastern states and about four months each winter and spring in Europe.

ELMER L. MAPES was born on the homestead farm near Middletown, October 27, 1885. He attended the public school at Middletown, after which he worked at the glass cutting trade for two years. In connection with A. M. Horton he purchased the retail cigar and tobacco business of G. W. Bross. This partnership continued until November, 1907, when Mr. Mapes purchased Mr. Horton's interest and has since conducted the business. He married Miss Grace M. Wells, of Elmira, N. Y., June 27, 1907. Their one child, Erdean Harriett, was born June 13, 1908. Mr. Mapes is a member of Wallkill Council No. 92, Jr. O. U. A. M., and the Wallkill River Grange. In politics he is independent.

NELSON B. MAPES, who for the past fifty years has held the position of station agent for the Erie Railroad at Howells, Orange County, was born in the town of Wallkill, March 19, 1829. His father was John V. and mother Mary (Reeves) Mapes. Of their children Jeannette married Stephen Mapes, of Mount Hope, N. Y.; Albert Mapes living in Middletown, N. Y.; Nelson B. married Lucinda Mapes in 1853. Mr. Mapes served as justice of the peace in District No. 2 in the town of Wallkill for thirty years. With the Congregational Church our subject holds membership and has been an active member of the Howells Church for sixty years. Mr. Mapes was born on the farm and owned a farm previous to entering the employ of the Erie Railroad.

His father was an agriculturist and belonged to the Whig party. During the Civil War Mr. Mapes read the papers and dispatches to the crowd that always congregated at the depot to receive news from the front.

ROBERT D. MAPES was born at Howells Depot, Orange County, N. Y., September 14, 1862. He was reared on the home farm where he remained until 1886. In 1877 he engaged in the milk business in Middletown with his father, which partnership continued until 1886. He then purchased the interest of his father and continued the business alone until 1901. He is now in the livery business which he established in 1900. He married Miss Margaret Isabella Axford, of Howells, in 1886. She died March 24, 1901. He was again married June 15, 1902, to Hannah Eleanor Thompson, of Akron, Ohio. In politics he is a republican and takes an interest in matters pertaining to the town. He has served at different times as inspector of election.

SAMUEL MAPES, SR., on the 14th day of February, 1735, came to this town and settled on a portion of a tract of land of six hundred and forty acres, a portion of which the railroad station at Howells is now located on. He descended from a family originally immigrants from Wales, and since his settlement here the different generations have been noted for the great longevity of the members of the various families. It was nothing unusual to hear that many of them lived beyond eighty years, and frequently beyond ninety, and Selah R. Corwin, of Middletown, whose mother was Priscilla Mapes, was born December 29, 1809, and is now active and can be seen upon the streets almost any clear day at this time.

The name carried with it the characteristics of sturdiness, honesty and piety, and not inclined to seek public office.

At one time the family was so numerous that a portion of the town of Mount Hope was called Mapestown, but that name long since disappeared; however, there are many of their descendants yet living in this vicinity, although a large number are engaged in business in various other states.

JESSE DURLAND MARS, a successful medical practitioner, and one of the youngest in this profession in the county, was born September 7, 1880, at Bellvale, Orange County, N. Y. His parents, when the boy was still at an early age, removed to Florida, N. Y., where they reside at the present time. He first attended school at the Florida Academy, later entering the S. S. Seward Institute, from which he graduated in 1898. The two years immediately following were spent in teaching in order to prepare himself financially for college. In the fall of 1900 the young man entered the medical department of the University of Michigan. He always maintained a high average in his medical course and at his graduation in June, 1904, stood among the first in a class of one hundred. He successfully competed for an internship in the University Hospital at Ann Arbor, Mich., and spent the year 1904-1905 in that capacity. In order to further round cut his medical knowledge and experience a six-months' course in the Metropolitan Hospital in New York City was entered upon. Later on he was resident physician in the Jamaica Hospital, at Jamaica, Long Island.

At the beginning of the year 1906 Dr. Mars returned to Florida, where he had spent his youth, and began the practice of his chosen profession. He soon identified himself with the Orange County Medical Society, the New York Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, in all of which he is actively interested.

His father, Stephen Mars, was born in Germany in 1843. When twenty-two years of age he came to America, located in Orange County, and engaged in farming. In 1872 he married Annie Mary DeGraw, a native of Orange County. Eight children were born to this couple, Jesse D., the subject of this sketch, being the fifth.

On December 10, 1907, Dr. Mars married Estelle Otis, the second youngest daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth W. Otis. The Otis family is among the earliest residents of Orange County, the ancestors of Mrs. Mars having come over in the Mayflower. Dr. and Mrs. Mars now occupy the property of the late James A. Boyd.

JAMES G. MARTIN, of Middletown, was born of Irish parentage in Dublin, Ireland, February 1, 1852. He is a son of John and Ann Martin. His father and also his grandfather were architects and builders in the old country. His father died in Australia about 1880. The subject of this sketch was educated at Clongeswood College in Dublin, Ireland. He came to America in 1869, settling in Middletown, Orange County. He identified himself with Howell Hinchman & Co., remaining there a brief period, and then worked as journeyman at the moulder's trade for four years. In 1891 he formed a partnership with Thomas H. Butler and under the firm name of Butler & Martin built the present commodious shops. After a year Mr. Martin purchased his partner's interest and has since continued the business alone. In November, 1871, he married Miss Mary A. Cunningham, of Middletown; her death occurred in October, 1886. Five children were born by this union. He chose for his second wife Mrs. Annie (Houston) Kilbride, of Middletown, and they are the parents of two children. In local politics Mr. Martin takes an active part. He is a democrat and has served as supervisor. He is a member of the Port Jervis B. P. O. E. No. 645, the Knights of Columbus, and is an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Middletown.

CAPTAIN THOMAS S. MARVEL, head of the iron shipbuilding and engineering works which bears his name, was born in New York City, May 16, 1834. His father, who was a shipbuilder, came to Newburgh in 1836 and established a ship yard. Thomas S. was apprenticed to the trade of ship carpentry and at the age of twenty-one began business for himself. When the Civil War was declared he quited his business and raised a company which was mustered in October 28, 1861, as Company A, 56th New York Volunteers, with Captain Marvel in command. After serving fifteen months he resumed business in Newburgh, and with the exception of a few years spent in Staten Island has continued to make that city his home. In 1877 he engaged with Ward, Stanton & Co., to superintend the construction of their vessels. After the failure of this firm, Captain Marvel formed a partnership with John Delany to operate a ship yard. The business developed rapidly and has for years been one of the most important industries in Newburgh, giving employment to about two hundred and fifty men. The present officers of the company are: Thomas S. Marvel, president; Harry A. Marvel, vice-president and treasurer, and T. S. Marvel, Jr., secretary. The capital of the concern is $300,000.

Captain Marvel in 1861 married Hattie, daughter of John Burns, of Monroe, N. Y. They became the parents of two sons and two daughters.

HARRY A. MARVEL, superintendent of the T. S. Marvel Shipbuilding Co., a sketch of which appears elsewhere, was born in 1865 at Staten Island, and is a son of Captain Thomas S. and Hattie (Burns) Marvel. Since finishing his studies at the Newburgh Academy Harry has been associated with his father in the important industry of steel shipbuilding. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity of Newburgh. He married Miss Katherine Vought, of Cornwall, and two children have been born to them.

F. N. MASON, a prominent business man of Port Jervis, N. Y., has resided there since 1860. After finishing his studies at the public schools he engaged with Mr. George Lea in the drug business and in 1875 entered the New York College of Pharmacy. He was subsequently in the employ of Mr. Lea, until 1888, when he became his partner, and in 1891 bought Mr. Lea's interest and continued the business alone until 1902, when his son became his partner.

Mr. Mason is a director of the National Bank of Port Jervis; president of the Port Jervis Telephone Co., and director of the Port Jervis Real Estate and Loan Association. He served two terms as trustee of the village and is now alderman of the city. In fraternal circles he is identified with the Masons, Elks and Odd Fellows. Mr. Mason married Miss Phoebe C. Everett and their son Mariner H. is the only child.

MICHAEL MAYER, manufacturer of cut glass in Port Jervis, N. Y., was born in the French province of Alsace-Lorraine in 1849 and came to America in 1866, locating in Brooklyn, N. Y. He operated a cut glass factory in that city until 1895, when he moved his plant to Port Jervis, N. Y., in the building formerly occupied by the Orange County Flint Glass Works. This concern is now one of the most important industries in the county. In 1871 Mr. Mayer was joined in marriage with Madeline Miller, a native of the same province as himself. The ceremony was performed in Brooklyn. Mrs. Mayer died in 1900. He chose for his second wife Mrs. Eva Krell in 1904, who died in 1906. By his first wife Mr. Mayer had four children: George, of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Edward, associated with his father as manager of the factory; Madeline, wife of John W. Kelley, of Port Jervis, and Josephine, wife of Wm. P. Gregg, of Port Jervis. In politics Mr. Mayer is a republican and holds the office of supervisor of the First Ward. He is a member of Port Jervis Lodge No. 645, B. P. O. E., and a director of the Port Jervis B. & L. Association No. 1. The family attends the Church of the Sacred Heart of Port Jervis.

CHARLES L. MEAD, LL.B., was born August 27, 1851, in the town of Wawayanda, Orange County, N. Y. His father, William H. Mead, was also a native of the town. The subject of this sketch, the eldest of the family, remained at home until fourteen years of age, when he became a student at the Wallkill Academy. He took a course at Claverack College, Columbia County, N. Y., from which he graduated in 1873. He then entered Princeton with the class of '77, where he was a student for two years. He entered Columbia Law School in New York in 1875, graduating in 1877 with the degree of LL.B., after which he opened a law office at Goshen, N. Y. In 1892 he was elected county treasurer.

Mr. Mead married Miss Fannie Tuthill, of Middletown, N. Y., June 5, 1878. He is a member of the Sons of the Revolution and a republican. He has represented his party in various conventions and was councilman for several years.

WALTER J. MEAD, president of the Montgomery & Erie Railroad, was born in Montgomery, February 16, 1824, a son of Walter and Elsie (Monell) Mead. As a young man he engaged in the grist mill business with his father and continued in that industry for forty or fifty years. Mr. Mead has been closely identified with the Montgomery and Erie Railroad, holding the office of superintendent, secretary, vice-president and president. He has also been very active in promoting educational matters in the village and served many years as trustee of the village school board, and president of the village board of trustees. Mr. Mead has been twice married; by his first wife, who was Laura C. Benedict, he had three children. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Ketura M. Miller, daughter of Henry W. Thompson, a prominent citizen of Goshen.

ALEXANDER MERRITT, a well-known undertaker and embalmer of Middletown, was born in the town of Blooming Grove, June 30, 1847. When fourteen years of age he came to Middletown and learned the carpenters' trade, which he followed seven years. In 1874 he engaged with his father-in-law, W. H. Knapp, as an assistant in his undertaking establishment, remaining with him until 1881, when he embarked in the cabinet manufacturing business. On March 1, 1891, he entered into partnership with W. Nelson Knapp in the establishment of an undertaking business, and eleven years from that time purchased Mr. Knapp's interest, and has since conducted the business alone. He is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M.; Middletown Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F.; Concord Council No. 1077; Royal Arcanum and Launcelot Lodge No. 169, K. O. P.

Mr. Merritt married Miss May A. Knapp, September 3, 1873, and they have three children: Clarence N., married Ella Groo, and resides in Paterson, N. J.; Lulu May, married Robert Terhune, resides at East Orange, N. J., and Walter K., who married Frances H. Darbee, of Middletown. Walter assists his father in the management of the undertaking business.

THEODORE MERRITT represents the fifth generation of George Merritt and Glorianna Purday, who located in the town of Newburgh, 1747. Homestead at Middlehope, purchased by Humphry Merritt, 1758, now in possession of Daniel H. Merritt. Theodore in 1853 entered employ of John R. Gorham as druggist's clerk. In 1859 he purchased the business of John F. Van Nort and became his successor. In 1866 he purchased the property at 40 Water street, where the wholesale and retail drug business has since been conducted. In 1898 Mr. Merritt retired from active management and the firm of Theodore Merritt & Sons continued, composed of George H., Hiram and Theodore A. Merritt.

On July 17, 1907, George H. and Hiram purchased the interest of Theodore A. in the business, and now conduct it under the name of Theodore Merritt's Sons.

CHARLES S. MILES was born July 19, 1870, near Lake Station, Orange County. His father was William J., and his mother Elizabeth (Doty) Miles. Four children were born to this union: George E., born 1862; Edward D., born 1867; Charles S., and Mary E., born 1874, the wife of James Fintze, of Newark, Ohio. Mr. Miles acquired his education at the Warwick public school, after which he learned the printers' trade. He was identified with the county newspapers, also papers in New York and Brooklyn. He has been connected with the O. & W. Motive Power Department and the Road Department. He was married December 7, 1892, to Miss Minnie E. Shove, of Middletown, daughter of George and Julia Shove. Two children have blessed this union: Victor Edward, died at the age of thirteen months, and George W., born September 17, 1895. Socially he belongs to the O. & W. Shop Employees' Relief and Benefit Association, and is recording secretary of the Jr. O. U. A. M., Wallkill Council No. 92. He is a member and usher of the Methodist Church of Middletown. Mr. Miles was elected city treasurer in 1907.

Dr. JAMES J. MILLS is a native of Orange County, N. Y., and one of its leading professional men. He was born at Mount Hope, May 9, 1851. He is a son of Hon. Andrew J. Mills and Maria (Green) Mills and a descendant of Timothy Mills, an early settler of Long Island, whose son Ebenezer, born in 1757, was probably the first of the family to settle in Orange County. He is of Revolutionary ancestry. His maternal grandfather was related to Nathaniel Green, and his maternal grandmother was related to Nathan Hale, the patriot who was executed by the British as a spy, and whose statue adorns the City Hall Park, New York. At an early age Dr. Mills clerked in New York City for Alex. Hudnut, and in the Astor House drug store. He afterwards turned his attention to dentistry, and since April 8, 1878, has followed his profession in Port Jervis, N. Y. The doctor has been influential in promoting public improvements and establishing business enterprises. He was a member of the Board of Education, Board of Health, village trustee, town assessor, and held various other offices. In 1902-1904 he received the democratic nomination for member of assembly. Dr. Mills is a member of the New York State Dental Society, the Dental Society of the Ninth Assembly District, No. 328 F. and A. M. of Port Jervis, Chapter No. 86 and the Mecca Temple, Knights of Pythias, B. P. O. E., Minisink Valley Historical Society as an officer; served in Delaware Hose Company No. 2 of the Port Jervis fire department twenty years.

NATHAN D. MILLS, a manufacturer of Middletown, N. Y., was born at Circleville. Orange County, November 3, 1867. He acquired his education at the district school and Middletown Academy. During one year he was in New York City with Crawford & Valentine, contractors, who constructed the Brooklyn waterworks. After returning to Orange County he managed a farm for three years, and in 1895 purchased the wholesale and retail cigar business of Robert Sayer. In two years' time the volume of business was such that Mr. Mills found it necessary to erect a large factory building, 36 x 60 feet. The concern now gives employment to forty-five men. Mr. Mills was twice nominated for sheriff by the democrats of Orange County. In his first candidacy he carried Middletown by 861 majority and in his second by 415 majority. It was not expected that he would overcome the continuous republican majority in the county. He was master of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M., two years; is a member of Midland Chapter No. 240, Cypress Commandery No. 67, Mecca Temple of New York, Jr. O. U. A. M., and B. P. O. E. of Port Jervis. He is an honorary member of the Middletown Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, worthy president of the Eagles of Middletown, and is identified with the Middletown Athletic Association, Old Orchard Club, Middletown Club, Newburgh City Club and Orange County Golf Club. He was married to Miss Mary Beakes, of Fair Oaks, N. Y., daughter of Howell and Anna J. Beakes, March 2, 1892. Their one child, Maurice, died when two and one-half years old. Mr. Mills' parents were Nathan J. and Julia Elizabeth Mills, and they had seven children, two of whom died in infancy and one at fourteen years of age. Those living are Anna M., wife of Charles E. Haight, of New York City; Lizzie J., wife of Virgil K. Carpenter, of Fair Oaks, N. Y., and Frank P. a resident of Bullville, Orange County. Mr. Mills is a descendant of an honored family and has achieved a success which ranks him with the solid financial men of his city and county.

SAMUEL CRAWFORD MILLS, for many years one of the leading business men of Newburgh, was born in Bloomingburg, Sullivan County, N. Y., March 9, 1839. He died at his home in Newburgh in 1904. Mr. Mills came to this city in 1857 and entered the dry-goods house of Stephen Hayt & Co. as a salesman, continuing with this house for nearly six years. In 1863 Mr. Mills formed a partnership with John Schoonmaker and A. Y. Weller to conduct a dry-goods establishment. The enterprise proved very successful, and Mr. Mills retired from the firm in 1885. For many years he was a director of the Quassaick National Bank and a trustee of the Newburgh Savings Bank.

Mr. Mills was twice married. His first wife, Miss Elizabeth Vail, died in 1868. For his second wife he chose Sarah, daughter of Hon. Stephen McDonald, of Elmira. Two children were born, Stephen McDonald and Mary Duryea. The latter is the only surviving member of this family. She is a member of Quassaick Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In 1908 Miss Mills married Mr. Luther Winthrop Faulkner, of Lowell, Mass., where she now resides.

SAMUEL WICKHAM MILLS, D.D., was a native of Orange County, born in the town of Wallkill, April 5, 1820. The Mills family came to America from England. At the age of fifteen he entered Rutgers College at New Brunswick, N. J., where he graduated at the age of eighteen. In 1842 he graduated from the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick.

At Bloomingburg, Sullivan County, Dr. Mills began his pastoral work in 1843. At the end of fifteen years he located at Port Jervis, where he was engaged in preaching for fourteen years. He was married January 17, 1844, to Miss Amelia J. Bailey, daughter of Nathaniel Bailey, of Middletown, N. Y. She was born February 28, 1822, and died March 12, 1867. By this union there were six children. On the 29th of November, 1870, Rev. Dr. Mills was again married to Miss Amira St. John, of Port Jervis. He died November 27, 1902.

STOTT MILLS, postmaster at Warwick, N. Y., was born at Paterson, N. J., June 26, 1840. His parents were John and Sarah (Briarly) Mills, and both were of English extraction. The subject of this sketch acquired his education at the public school at Paterson. He was identified with the Rogers Locomotive Works for a period of four years. He enlisted in May, 1861, in Company A, Second Regiment, N. J. Vols., and was honorably discharged. He participated in all the important engagements in which his regiment was engaged, and became first lieutenant. After the close of the war he removed to Port Jervis, N. Y., and was connected with the Erie Railroad as foreman in the shops for a period of fourteen years. He went west for three years, after which he removed to Warwick, N. Y., and filled the position of master mechanic of the Lehigh and Hudson Railroad for sixteen years. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster at Warwick, which position he still holds. He was united in marriage to Melvina Jackson, of Amity, Orange County, May 17, 1865. To this union five children were born—Sarah, Anna, Isabel, John and Charles. In politics Mr. Mills is a republican. He is a member of Lincoln Post, G. A. R., of Newark, N. J., and attends the Episcopal Church of Warwick.

DR. THEODORE DENTON MILLS was born June 9, 1852, in Bloomingburgh, Sullivan County, N. Y., and is the son of Dr. Samuel Wickham and Almeda Jane (Bailey) Mills. The former, who was a clergyman, was descended in a direct line from George Mills, who was born about 1605, came from Yorkshire, England, in 1665, and died in Jamaica, Long Island, in 1694, at the age of eighty-nine. His son, Samuel, was born in 1631, and died in Jamaica, L. I., in 1726, at the age of ninety-five; he was the father of Jonathan, who was born in Jamaica, L. I., and had four sons, Timothy, Samuel, Isaac and Jonathan. Timothy, who was born at Jamaica in 1677, left that place and settled at Mills Pond, L. I., in 1693; he died March 30, 1751, aged seventy-four. His son Jonathan, who was born in 1710, at Mills Pond, L. I., and died in 1798, at the age of eighty-eight, was the father of Jacob, who was born in 1746 at Mills Pond, L. I. (near St. James); he moved to New Windsor, Orange County, N. Y., in 1768 or 1770, and soon after to the town of Wallkill, Orange County; he died in 1841, aged ninety-five years. His son Samuel, who was born in 1776 and died in 1860, at the age of eighty-four, was the father of the Rev. Samuel Wickham, mentioned above, who was born in 1820 and died in 1902, aged eighty-two. The maternal ancestors of Dr. Mills were old residents of Orange County, New York, his grandfather, Nathaniel Bailey, having been the son of Captain Daniel Bailey, a soldier in the Revolutionary army.

Dr. Mills was prepared for college at the private school of Professor A. B. Wilbur, of Port Jervis, N. Y., and in 1874 graduated as bachelor of arts from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J., being junior orator and commencement orator, and receiving, in 1877, from the same institution, the degree of master of arts. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternities. He studied medicine with Dr. Henry R. Baldwin, of New Brunswick, N. J., and Dr. Henry Hardenbergh, of Port Jervis, N. Y. In 1876 he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University with the degree of doctor of Medicine, and from April of that year to October, 1877, was house surgeon in the first surgical division of Bellevue Hospital. He practiced medicine at Port Jervis, N. Y., from October, 1877, to January, 1881, when he removed to Middletown, N. Y., where he has been located since. He is attending surgeon to the Thrall Hospital and surgeon to the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad Company. He has been a trustee of the Middletown Savings Bank and of the Orange County Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and was for six years president of the Orange County Telephone Company and is a director of the Stivers Printing Company. He is a member of the County and State Medical Societies, the American Medical Association, the New York and New England Association of Railroad Surgeons and the International Association of Railroad Surgeons. He is a member of the Middletown Club and in politics independent. He is also a member of the Sons of the Revolution.

Dr. Mills married Christina, daughter of Hon. M. D. Stivers, of Middletown, October 20, 1867. They are the parents of the following children: Theodore Denton, Jr., born November 10, 1888, died January 14, 1889; Samuel Wickham, born January 4, 1892, and Elizabeth Stivers, born August 29, 1893.

GEORGE HENRY MILLSPAUGH was born in Goshen, Orange County, October 9, 1872. He received his education at the public school at Goshen, where he has since resided. He engaged in the laundry business in 1897 and now has the only steam laundry in Goshen, it being fully equipped with every modern convenience. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of Goshen Lodge No. 365, F. & A. M.; Goshen Social and Athletic Association, Cataract Hose Company and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Millspaugh is active in all matters relating to the highest interest of the town in which he lives.

HECTOR W. MILLSPAUGH was born January 29, 1866, at Wallkill, Ulster County, N. Y. He was a son of Henry and Mary E. Millspaugh, there being five children in his parents' family. He received his early education at the district school. At an early age he identified himself with the New York Knife Co., of Walden, N. Y., learning the business in detail. He worked diligently for the interest of the company, remaining there twenty-five years. He married Miss Rosina Stickles, of Walden, daughter of Steven and Hanna Stickles, March 11, 1886. Two children were born to this union: Charles, born September 21, 1892; Etta, born April 4, 1888, both at home. In politics Mr. Millspaugh is a republican. He is at present supervisor of the town of Montgomery. Socially a member of No. 170 I. O. O. F., Freeman Lodge No. 310, Mohonk Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, Henry Gowdy Council, American Mechanics of Walden, Court Orange No. 8, Foresters of America. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church of Walden.

THERON L. MILLSPAUGH, who has been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business for fifty years, is an honored citizen of Walden, N. Y. His ancestry in America dates back to Philip Millspaugh, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Theron L. was born in 1838, a son of Gilbert S. and Jane (Clineman) Millspaugh. At the age of seventeen he began his apprenticeship as cabinetmaker and in 1858 purchased the business from the widow of his former employer. His floor space at present covers over 10,000 square feet and is one of the finest furniture houses in Orange County. In 1862 he married Miss Eleanor D., daughter of Hon. David H. Smith, of the town of Montgomery. Two children have been born to them, Hattie C., now the wife of Dr. J. E. Sadlier, of Poughkeepsie, and Gilbert S., in business with his father. Mr. Millspaugh has served as deacon and elder of the Reformed Church, also on the Board of Village Trustees.

JOHN CLINTON MINTURN, of Bellvale, was born in the town of Warwick in 1853. In 1876 he opened a general store at Bellvale, which he is still conducting as well as one at Greenwood Lake, which he established several years ago. On January 11, 1877, he married Mary Ellen Hunter, of Greenwood Lake, and three children have been born to them, two of whom are living, John C. and Mamie E. John C. is assistant in his father's store. Mr. Minturn has served as school trustee several years. His father, James Minturn, was a farmer and mason and a descendant of Captain John Minturn, of Revolutionary fame.

EDGAR O. MITCHELL, M.D., Newburgh, N. Y., was born in New York City in 1864. When five years of age his parents removed to Newburgh. He was educated at Siglar's Preparatory School, Phillips (Exeter) Academy and Harvard University. He graduated from Harvard Medical College in 1892 and has since practiced in Newburgh. He is a member of the City and Powelton Clubs. Dr. Mitchell is a son of John James Mitchell, M.D., who has been one of Newburgh's foremost physicians for nearly forty years, and ex-president of the Homeopathic Medical Society of New York State. The family is of Puritan ancestry and direct descendants of Thomas Mitchell, who settled in Block Island, R. I., and bought one-fourteenth of the original share of the Island in 1677.

GEORGE R. MITCHELL, of Newburgh, who carries on an extensive business as a plumber and tinsmith and dealer in stoves and tinware, was born in Islip, L. I., in 1859. He came to Newburgh in 1871 and learned his trade with J. D. Mabie. He started in business for himself in 1886, opening a shop in Smith street. His present commodious quarters are located at 73 Second street. Mr. Mitchell married Miss Anna E. Campbell, of Newburgh, and has one son. He is trustee of the Associate Reformed Church and a member of Hudson River Lodge, F. & A. M.

BENJAMIN MOFFATT was born in the town of Blooming Grove, Orange County, N. Y., a son of Nathaniel and grandson of Samuel Moffatt, the first of the name who came from County of Antrim, Ireland, and settled in Blagg's Clove, Orange County, where he died May, 1787, in his eighty-second year.

Benjamin Moffatt, who inherited the strong, sterling characteristics of his Scotch-Irish ancestors, moved in 1840 to the then far West, Milwaukee, Wis., accompanied by his wife, who was Elizabeth Hulse, and their two infant daughters. Later the family moved to Illinois, where they resided many years and where the bright, beneficent influence of Mr. Moffatt reflected on all around him. He was an upright, honest, conscientious man, and every act of his life manifested the religious teachings of his younger days. In his hospitable home were entertained many travelers passing through the then frontier line of our country.

Mr. Moffatt was a charter member of the First Congregational Church of Milwaukee, Wis., and of the Second Congregational Church of Rockford, Ill. He was influential in the establishment of Beloit College, Beloit, Wis., and Rockford College, Rockford, Ill. He died June 9, 1857, in his sixty-sixth year, leaving his wife and three children, Melissa, Josephine and Gilbert, and the memory of a life which had a moulding influence for good in the home of his adoption.

GEORGE E. MORAN, SR., superintendent of the paper mills owned by the Diamond Mills Paper Company, located at New Hampton, N. Y., has been engaged for fifty years in the manufacture of paper. The Diamond Mills occupy the site of an industrial landmark in this section and is the property of Col. G. W. Thompson, of New York City, who bought it from E. Rosencrans in 1875. The plant has been greatly improved and additions made from time to time, including a one-hundred-foot addition across the creek in 1900. Employment is given to thirty persons, and the product averages two tons of finished tissue paper daily. An artesian well is on the premises and the plant is equipped with large and modern machinery.

Mr. Moran, who is an expert in the manufacture of fine paper, entered the employ of Col. Thompson some forty years ago and by energy and industry acquired his present responsible position. He is assisted by his son, George E., in the management of the business.

ARTHUR S. MOORE was born in Bay City, Mich., March 7, 1879. He attended the public schools and graduated in that city, afterward graduating from the Medical Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1901. He was surgical intern at Ann Arbor Hospital one year, following which he was assistant at the Criminal Insane Asylum at Ionia, Mich., removing to Middletown in October, 1903. He is now connected with the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital. Dr. Moore was married to Martha McCartney, of Bay City, Mich. He is a member of Knights of Pythias of Ionia, Mich., and of Ann Arbor Lodge, F. & A. M.

JONATHAN OWEN MOORE, son of Alexander and Hannah (Owen) Moore, was born in Washingtonville, Christmas Day, 1833, at the Moore homestead. As a young man he accepted a position in the Bank of Albany, where he remained until his enlistment as a soldier in the Civil War. He had the distinction of being the first man from New York State to receive an army commission. He was promoted from time to time and at the close of the war returned as captain of his regiment, known as the Wide-Awakes. He then married Miss Helen, daughter of Van Rensselaer Wilbur, of Albany. Returning to Washingtonville, he engaged in the furniture business for a number of years, and was also elected to the office of justice of the peace. Mr. Moore, familiarly known as "Owenie" Moore, has been a life-long staunch republican, working enthusiastically for the election of party candidates. In later years he lived in retirement in New York City, devoting his time to the settlement of estates. His daughter, Bertha, now Mrs. O. B. Stillman, of New York, has her country place at what is known as the Goldsmith homestead, near Washingtonville. Mr. Moore died in New York City in 1908.

JOHN W. MORLEY, son of James and Anna (Vought) Morley, was born at Cornwall, Orange County, N. Y., in 1867. After finishing his studies at the schools of Newburgh, he learned the hatter's trade, in which he was engaged for twenty years. In 1904 he established a grocery store at Gardnertown, which he is conducting with much success. Mr. Morley takes an active interest in politics and in 1905 was elected commissioner of the City and Town Home.

Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Junior Order of American Mechanics and the International Hatters' Association. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Van Buren.

DAVID A. MORRISON, secretary of the Orange County Agricultural Society, 1858-1908, belongs to one of the old representative families of Orange County, where his entire life has been passed. He is of Scotch-Irish and Dutch ancestry. His paternal ancestors emigrated from Scotland to the north of Ireland during the seventeenth century. His great-great-grandfather, John Morrison, was born near Belfast, Ireland, in the year 1700, and came to this country prior to the Revolution. His son John, the founder of the family in America, had preceded him several years and settled on what is now known as the Morrison Homestead, in the town of Montgomery. He married Elizabeth Scott. They had nine children, one of whom was Hamilton, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who inherited the home farm. He married Lydia Beemer, who was of Dutch descent, whose ancestors came from Beemersville, N. J., who lived to the advanced age of one hundred and three years. They had eight children, of whom Hamilton, the father of our subject, was the youngest but one.

Hamilton Morrison, the father of David A., was born August 24, 1804, at the Old Homestead which he inherited, and which has descended from father to son for five generations, or nearly one hundred and fifty years. He was one of the founders of the Orange County Agricultural Society, and continued to be one of its most devoted friends until his death in 1881. He filled at different times every office in the society except treasurer. He was elected a member of its executive committee eight times, was corresponding secretary from 1851 to 1857 inclusive, was vice-president twenty years, and president twice. He married Maria Mould, daughter of Jonathan Mould, of the town of Montgomery, and a lineal descendant of Christoffel Mould, one of the earliest Dutch settlers of the Wallkill Valley.

David A. Morrison is the second in a family of seven children. Jonathan M., of Montgomery, who was widely known and highly esteemed and who died in 1898; David A., George H. and John G., prominent and intelligent farmers who reside on the Homestead Farm, which contains nearly three hundred acres, and is now one of the best improved estates in the town of Montgomery; William H. H., a well-known, progressive and successful farmer on an adjoining farm; Mary J., who married Elijah C. Thayer, of Hamptonburgh, and died in February, 1901; and Elizabeth M., wife of William C. Hart, of Walden, N. Y.

Mr. Morrison was educated in public schools and the Montgomery Academy, and at the age of seventeen years became a teacher. He taught district schools in the towns of Montgomery, Hamptonburgh and Blooming Grove, and was principal of graded schools in the villages of Walden and Montgomery—in all about thirty terms.

In 1867 he was elected school commissioner for the First District of Orange County, serving until 1894—in all five terms, or fifteen years, a record that has never been paralleled in the State.

He has been secretary of the Orange County Agricultural Society for fifty years, and has attended every fair held by it since its organization in 1841. He is one of the mainstays of the society, and a man of education and ability.

In 1880 Mr. Morrison married Mary R. Lipsett, a daughter of the late Robert and Mary A. (Morrison) Lipsett, of the town of Montgomery, and granddaughter of Col. William Faulkner of Revolutionary fame.

In 1893 he removed to Newburgh, where he now resides.

He was nominated for Congress, against his earnest protests, in 1896, and, although running far ahead of his ticket, he shared the fate of his party, and was defeated by Benjamin B. Odell, Jr., since Governor of the State.

Mr. Morrison was county correspondent of the U. S. Department of Agriculture and Statistical Bureau of the Patent Office for forty years. He was one of the incorporators of the Columbus Trust Company of Newburgh, N. Y., and has been one of its directors and a member of its executive committee since its organization, and is now its vice-president.

He is president of the Board of Trustees of Union Presbyterian Church, Newburgh, N. Y.; vice-president of the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands; a trustee of Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh, N. Y.; a member of the Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and president of Newburgh Chapter, S. A. R.; and a life member of the New York State Agricultural Society.

HAMILTON MORRISON was born August 24, 1804, at the old homestead, which is now occupied by his sons, George H. and John G. This property has been handed down from father to son since long before the Revolution. It contains two hundred and sixty acres of land and is one of the best improved estates in the town of Montgomery.

His paternal family included eight children, of whom our subject was the youngest but one. His parents were Hamilton and Lydia (Beemer) Morrison. The former, a native of Ireland, crossed the Atlantic and landed on the American shore when a mere lad, accompanied by his father, John. The latter took up the land which is still in the Morrison family. Hamilton married January 10, 1827, Maria, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Mould; she died March 26, 1868. To our subject and his wife the following children were born: Jonathan M., married Margaret Windfield; David A., married Mary R. Lipsett; George H., unmarried; Mary J., married Elijah Carpenter Thayer; John G., unmarried; William H. H., married Agnes Horton.

Hamilton Morrison passed his entire life on this farm in the town of Montgomery. When a young man he taught school and after marriage gave his attention to cultivating his broad acres.

He was very successful in his undertakings. He was foremost in founding the Orange County Agricultural Society, of which he was president for many years. He died October 25, 1881.

The family is progressive and one of the most influential in the county. In politics it is democratic, as was also their father.

His son, George H. Morrison, has recently published a complete genealogical chart of the family in America.

GEORGE MOSHIER, retired contractor, was born in Newburgh, N. Y., April 19, 1838. He learned the carpenters' trade and from 1866 to 1907 was engaged in the contracting and building business, having erected many of the most substantial buildings in Newburgh and vicinity.

He was a member of the Board of Water Commissioners from 1884 to 1889. In 1899 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, and has been successively re-elected for five terms, serving two terms as chairman. He is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity and president of the Masonic Veterans' Association; member of the Newburgh Historical Society and an active member in Trinity Church.

In 1862 he married Miss Caroline Tilton. Their children are Anna, George, Jr., and Mabel. Mr. Moshier's ancestors resided in or near Newburgh many years previous to the Revolution. Two of them were soldiers in the Continental Army, serving with distinction.

EDWARD M. MURTFELDT, born Newburgh, 1853; entered employ of Peck & Van Dalfsen's furniture house in 1869. In 1879 he purchased Joseph H. Powell's undertaking and furniture establishment, which he conducted on the same site until 1895. At present engaged as funeral director at 77 Second street, Newburgh. In 1894 he assisted in organization and became president of the Highland Furniture Mfg. Co.; served a number of years as alderman and president of council and has served as acting mayor; also was a member of the Board of Public Works. He has taken all the chairs in Masonry and has been an officer in Highland Chapter No. 52 and commander of H. R. Commandery No. 35. Mr. Murtfeldt is of German descent; a son of Henry W. and Mary Frances (Worden) Murtfeldt. In 1872 he married Miss Anna A. McCord; six children have been born to them. He is at present the president of the Masonic Veterans' Association, of Newburgh, N. Y., and has held office in the Grand Commandery, State of New York. He is at present the district deputy of the Thirteenth District of the Grand Lodge, a Thirty-second Degree Mason and grand marshal of the Consistory of New York City. He has been regent of Newburgh Council of the Royal Arcanum and its treasurer for a number of years. Member of the City Club.

FRANK D. MYERS, M.D., of Slate Hill, N. Y., is a descendant of one of Orange County's oldest families. He was born in the town of Greenville, N. Y.. where he attended public school. This was supplemented by a course of private tutoring near Newburgh, after which he taught school two years in the town of Minisink. Dr. Myers graduated in medicine from the University of Michigan in 1887, and has since been engaged in practice at Slate Hill. He is a member of the County and State Medical Societies, and the American Medical Association.

He married Miss Margaret Hall, of Ridgebury, and a son, Frank D., was born to them in 1908.

Dr. Myers is a son of Samuel S. and Mary Elizabeth (Elston) Myers. His grandfather was Daniel C. Myers, his great-grandfather Daniel Van Auken Myers, and his great-great-grandfather Daniel, the first of that name in this locality, who participated in the battle of Minisink. The flint lock musket he carried is in the possession of Dr. Myers. The homestead upon which this man settled has remained in the possession of the family and is now owned and occupied by Floyd E. Myers, a brother of the doctor.

GEN. ALFRED NEAFIE—Alfred Neafie was born in Walden, Orange County, N. Y., January 8, 1832, being the son of Cornelius Neafie, a member of one of the old Knickerbocker families, who came to New York in 1637.

Cornelius Neafie built the first cotton mill in Orange County and the second in the State. As a boy Alfred Neafie, fond of hunting and fishing and of an adventurous turn of mind, it is not strange that he should at the age of nineteen, start for the newly discovered gold fields of California.

It was in 1851 that he left in a sailing vessel, the Grecian, for the six months' voyage "'round the Horn."

His first vote was cast in the canyons of the North Yuba in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. During his successful career in California he was a member of the celebrated Vigilance Committee and was one of those who helped to apprehend the famous outlaw "Yankee Sullivan," and was present at the trial and hanging of Juaquin Murat and "Three-Fingered Jack."

Returning home at the death of his father and starting in business in Ellenville, N. Y., yet at the outbreak of the war Mr. Neafie put aside personal interests and went to the front. He was offered the captaincy of the Walden Company of the 124th Regiment, but declined it, as he had already raised nearly two companies of what became the 156th Infantry.

His military record is to be found in brief in the Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, Vol. 1, page 741, as follows:

"Neafie, Alfred, N. Y., N. Y. Capt. 156th N. Y. Inf., 13th Sept., 1862; Lt.-Col., 9th Jan., 1864; Lt.-Col. Vols., 13th March, 1865, for gal. and meritorious services at Battle of Winchester and Fisher Hill, Va., and Brig.-Gen. Vols., 13th March, 1865, for conspicuous gallantry at Winchester, Va., 19th Sept., 1864. Mustered out 23d Oct., 1865."

During the war Gen. Neafie was provost marshal of Alexandria, La., and Baton Rouge.

While at Savannah he held the offices of supervisor of trade, collector of military taxes, relief commissioner and assisted in the repatriation of the South, as by virtue of seniority of rank he was chief of staff of the department.

A few of the brilliant and picturesque events of his military career were:

After the capture at Washington, Ga., of the archives of the Confederacy, which included records of Generals Beauregard, Polk, Joseph E. Johnston and Albert Sidney Johnston, $300,000,000 of cotton bonds, $760,000 in gold and silver and thirty wagon loads of valuable jewelry and personal articles, General Neafie, with two federal officers and two treasury agents, inventoried and sent to their proper owners, scattered all through the Southern States, all private property, while all public property was turned over to the United States Government. This was done in about two months.

As General Grover's chief of staff, General Neafie received Jefferson Davis when he was captured and delivered him to Lieutenant-Commander (now admiral, retired) Luce, in command of the double-ender Pontiac, in Savannah River.

Jefferson Davis, Jr., a most lovable boy about ten years old, was a guest in the house in Savannah where General Neafie lived, they drove together daily and a great affection sprang up between the two.

His early death of yellow fever in Memphis was a sorrowful event for all who knew him.

General Neafie with General Grover was present at the solemn and thrilling raising of the flag at Fort Sumter, four years to a day from the time it was lowered by Sergeant Hart.

It was taken from the sealed mail bag, where it had been placed by Sergeant Hart, who now released it from its leathern prison, and once more raised to its place of honor.

When this was done it was seen that the flag was pierced by at least thirty shell fragments, and was ragged and torn; not a star had been shot away.

When that fact was disclosed to the men who had been fighting four years to keep the stars of our Union together, the emotion was too great for expression.

But from outside came the noisy welcome from the battered and indented ironclads and monitors, who had been circling around waiting to give tongue with their cannon throats.

Since the close of the war, General Neafie has led a business life of wide and varied interests, with homes in Ellenville and Goshen, N. Y.

MOSES F. NELSON, notary public, real estate and insurance broker of the town of Highlands, Orange County, N. Y., was born at Highland Falls in 1867, and for the past seventeen years has been identified with public affairs of his native place, serving as tax collector, clerk and member of the Board of Education and justice of the peace. He is a son of the late Cornelius Nelson, who for thirty years was postmaster at Highland Falls and who was also engaged in the fire insurance and real estate business, which was conducted under the firm name of Cornelius Nelson & Son, and to which he succeeded.

Socially Mr. Nelson is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He married Miss Mary Adolph in 1893; they have three daughters.

THE NICOLL FAMILY—Within the corporate limits of Washingtonville, N. Y., lies a farm of one hundred and forty-five acres which bears evidence of the supervision of an energetic and capable family. This place is known as the Nicoll homestead, and was occupied for over a quarter of a century by John Nicoll, who died in 1874. As the name indicates he was of Scotch descent. The progenitor of this family in America was Dr. John Nicoll, who emigrated to this country in 1711 and settled in New York. He became one of the leading men of the colony and acquired the ownership of a large amount of property, having among his possessions fourteen thousand, five hundred acres of land in the Minisink Patent. He died in 1743 at the age of sixty-four.

John Nicoll was born in Hackensack, N. J., in 1799, and in early life was engaged in the mercantile business in New York City, whence he removed to Orange County in 1844. By his first marriage to Juliana Thompson, one son, William, was born, who died at the age of twenty-six. The second wife of Mr. Nicoll bore the maiden name of Elizabeth H. White and was born in Blagg's Cove in 1808. She died in 1855. To this union eight children were born, of whom Charles and Elizabeth White (now the wife of Andrew S. Glover) reside in Washingtonville. Another son, Isaac, met death while leading his company in the battle of Gettysburg in 1863. On the soldiers' monument at Salisbury Mills is this inscription: "To the memory of Captain Isaac Nicoll, Company G, 124th N. Y. S. V., and the men of Blooming Grove who fought in the war for the unity of the Republic, 1861-1865."

REV. STANISLAUS J. NOWAK, rector of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Florida, N. Y. In the year 1893 our Polish neighbors at Florida, N. Y., after mature deliberation and consultation, concluded to have their own church, and the necessary steps were taken to secure the approval of the church authorities for their project. Having demonstrated the feasibility of the idea, and the necessary approval having been obtained, Messrs. John and Anton Dulski, Joseph Andryszak, Joseph Wozniak, Ignatius Brink and John Majorowski were appointed as collectors, and succeeded so well that within two years over two thousand dollars were subscribed.

On July 2, 1895, Rev. Stanislaus J. Nowak was appointed and entered on his work as rector of the new church. Father Nowak is a native of Posen—Germany-Poland—studied at Germany and at Rome and came to this country at the express wish of Archbishop M. A. Corrigan, and finished his theological studies and was ordained priest at the Provincial Seminary at Troy, N. Y., by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Tierney, of Hartford. After spending a short while at Shokan, Ulster County, Father Nowak was appointed as assistant to the Very Rev. Dean Sweeny, of St. Joseph's Church, Kingston, N. Y., and while there Father Nowak received his appointment as rector of the Polish Church. Since coming to Florida, N. Y., Father Nowak has been a successful as well as an indefatigable worker, and under his supervision the church was ready for the dedication in November.

With all the pomp and ceremonial of the Catholic ritual, the new church of the Polish congregation at Florida was dedicated on Sunday, November 10, 1895, by Archbishop Corrigan, to the service of God under the patronage of St. Joseph. The solemn high mass on that date was celebrated by the Very Rev. E. M. Sweeny, of Kingston, N. Y. (with whom Father Nowak lived as assistant before coming to Florida). Father McCorry, of Goshen, acted as deacon, and Father Nowak as sub-deacon, and Father Connolly, the archbishop's secretary, acted as master of ceremonies.

After the gospel had been chanted by the deacon, his grace, the archbishop ascended the steps of the altar and after a few very well chosen words of congratulation to the pastor and people on the happy culmination of their work in offering a church free of debt for the purposes of divine worship, preached an able and scholarly sermon on the holiness of the church, and during his remarks he was listened to with rapt attention, showing that his words had made a very deep impression. The Polish sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. M. Barabasz, of Baltimore, Md.

The rectory was built the same year and occupied in December. St. Joseph's congregation owns its own cemetery, which was blessed in October, 1896, and is located at Union Corner.

In July, 1892, Father Nowak was transferred to New York City, where he organized a new Polish congregation, and established St. Joseph's Home for the Polish Immigrants on Broad street.

Father Michael Slupek was in charge of St. Joseph's Church at Florida for nearly two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Kloss, who was pastor of St. Joseph's until October, 1902. At that time Father Nowak returned to St. Joseph's, and under his management the church is freed from debt again.

The church will be enlarged this year, as it is too small for the congregation. There are thirteen hundred Polish people in Florida and vicinity. The Poles of Florida are showing a desire and aptness to develop into a most industrious and desirable class of citizens.

ARTHUR E. O'CONNOR was born March 10, 1867, at Brooklyn, N. Y. He is a son of John S. and Hanna (Marrett) O'Connor. To this union seven children, one son and six daughters, were born. There are five living: Anna, wife of Timothy O'Connell, of Honesdale, Pa.; Mary, wife of Thomas Cusick, of Goshen, N. Y., and two daughters residing at home and two are dead. The subject of our sketch attended the public school at White Mills, Pa. His father was identified with C. Dorfinger for twenty-five years at White Mills, Pa., and operated a cut glass factory at Hawley, Pa. Arthur started the cut glass factory at Goshen in 1900, which has enjoyed a prosperous business since. Mr. O'Connor's father was the oldest practical cut glass man in the world, and was sergeant in the 69th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and his grandfather, Neal O'Connor, was a captain of the New Orleans Rangers in the Mexican War. Arthur married Catherine Langan, of Hawley, Pa., February 20, 1888, and to this union were born three sons and one daughter, Mary, who holds the position of bookkeeper at the Goshen factory. John graduated in 1907 at Hawley, Pa., and is now foreman at the Goshen factory. William and Arthur are attending school at Goshen. Mr. O'Connor employs forty men at his factory.

HON. BENJAMIN B. ODELL—In reviewing the life of this venerable and distinguished citizen of Newburgh, a few words regarding his ancestry will not be amiss. The family is of French and English descent, but has been represented in America for many generations. His grandfather, William Odell, was born in New York City, and there for some years he was proprietor of the Bull's Head Tavern. In 1835 he moved to Orleans County, N. Y., where he bought a tract of land and with the assistance of his two sons improved a valuable farm. His death occurred there at the age of more than ninety years.

Isaac Odell, the father of our subject, was born in Tarrytown, Westchester County, N. Y., and reared in New York City, whence, about 1820, he came to Orange County, settling on the DeWitt Clinton farm at Little Britain, where he remained until 1830, when he removed to Newburgh and was employed in the freighting business with the firm of Powell, Wardrop & Johnson, with whom he remained until his retirement from business. He died at the age of sixty-five. His wife, Mary A., was also a native of Westchester County. She died in New York City in her eighty-first year. Their family consisted of two sons and two daughters, of whom Benjamin B. was the second in order of birth. He was born in the Governor Clinton homestead, New Windsor town, September 10, 1825, and reared in Newburgh, where he attended the public schools. In 1843 he entered the employ of B. W. Van Nort, in the restaurant and hotel business where he remained until 1847, when he embarked in business for himself, opening a restaurant in Third street. Twenty years later he sold and abandoned the business permanently.

Mr. Odell foresaw a promising field in the ice business, and in 1863 purchased from James R. Dixon the ice property now known as Muchattoes Lake, and conducted the business personally until 1886, when he organized the Muchattoes Lake Ice Company, of which he has since remained president.

Mr. Odell was one of the organizers of the Columbus Trust Company in 1892, and was the first president, but resigned after one year in office. He is president of the Central-Hudson Steamboat Company and a director in the Orange County Traction Company.

For over sixty years Mr. Odell has been prominently identified with the administration of public affairs of Newburgh and Orange County. In 1863 he was trustee of the village; 1865, alderman from the Third ward; 1879, supervisor of the town of New Windsor; 1880 to 1883, sheriff of Orange County. In 1884 he was elected mayor of Newburgh, continuing in that office until 1890, when he refused to be a candidate for another term. In 1894, however, he was again nominated and reelected mayor, serving until 1900. During the twelve years of his administration the city witnessed the creation of many public improvements and an era of great progress and increase in population.

Amid the multiplicity of his public and private affairs, Mr. Odell has never allowed his religious duties to be neglected, in the American Reformed Church he has been an official, serving at different times as elder and deacon. In 1850 he married Miss Ophelia, daughter of Hiram Bookstaver, of the town of Montgomery. Eleven children were born to them, of whom four are living: Benjamin B., Jr., Governor of New York State (1900 to 1904); Hiram B., postmaster of Newburgh; Clara, who resides with her father, and George C. D., professor in Columbia University, New York City.

By his energy and resolute character, coupled with a genial disposition, Mr. Odell has not only advanced his own success, but has given an impetus to the growth and prosperity of Newburgh by his progressive spirit and enterprise.

HIRAM B. ODELL, postmaster, Newburgh, N. Y., is the son of Hon. Benjamin B. and Ophelia (Bookstaver) Odell, and was born August 21, 1856. After finishing his studies he engaged with his father in the conduct of a large ice business. In 1886 he was elected a director and superintendent of the Muchattoes Lake Ice Co. In 1891 he was appointed superintendent of the Newburgh Electric Light, Heat and Power Co. From 1880 to 1882 he was under sheriff of the county, in charge of the Goshen court-house, his father then being sheriff. He received his present appointment March 1, 1900, and was reappointed by President Roosevelt in 1904 and again in 1908. Mr. Odell married Miss Edith Booth, of Kingston.

JAMES ALSOP OGDEN, only son of William L. and Louise Baker Ogden, was born in the town of Mount Hope May 28, 1861. His entire home life has been in Warwick, to which his father moved when the boy was only nine months old. He died December 5, 1905.

Mr. Ogden was educated in Warwick Institute and at Hartwell's Private School in Unionville. He married Miss Virginia R. Geraghty, of Warwick, in 1889, and is survived by her and one daughter, Mary, who is a graduate of the Warwick high school; also by two sisters, Alveretta, wife of Maurice Pelton, and Mary, wife of Dr. S. E. Holly. In 1889 he and his brother-in-law, Mr. Pelton, succeeded his father in the hardware business with the firm name of Ogden & Pelton. His father died in 1902. James Ogden was a member of the Warwick band for many years. He was one of the founders of the Warwick Athletic Association, and a member of the Warwick Club, in which last he served as trustee and treasurer. He was one of the charter members of the Warwick Gun Club, and a director in the First National Bank.

JOSHUA OLDROYD was born in Yorkshire, England, January 29, 1838. His early education was acquired while working in the woolen mills of that place, attending school one-half day and working the other half. He also attended night school for several years. His trade was that of a hand loom weaver. When eighteen years of age he came to America, and was employed in the woolen mills at Mechanicstown, Orange County, from 1856 to 1858. The following four years he was in charge of the woolen mills at Millow, Wawayanda township. He was later employed in mills at Newtown, Connecticut, and afterward owned woolen mills at East Granby, Conn. In 1875 he removed to Newburgh and took charge of a horse blanket printing machine manufactory, remaining there only a few months, when he returned to Mechanicstown, and operated woolen mills there for five years. He then conducted a felt boot manufactory at Howells for a period of twenty-one years. He sold his business at Howells, and went to Philadelphia and took the management of the Watkinson Felt Boot Factory Co., remaining there two years. He was obliged to remove back to Middletown owing to ill health, where he has since resided in retirement. He married Miss Hanna Newsome, daughter of James Newsome, of Mechanicstown, March 6, 1861. One child was born to this union, who died in infancy. In the fall of 1905 his townsmen of the Third ward nominated him for alderman. He was victorious and has since held the office. He was a delegate to the Republican state convention eight years. He attends the Episcopal Church and is a member of Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, F. and A. M., of Middletown, N. Y.

WILLIAM H. O'NEAL was born at Goshen, Orange County, N. Y., March 3, 1836. He acquired his education at various district schools in the county. At the age of sixteen years Mr. O'Neal began learning the painting and decorating trade. He married Sarah E. Stone, of Denton, N. Y., December 31, 1855. They had three children, Sarah Louise, Henry Lincoln and Charles Francis. His wife died February 9, 1881. He afterward married Lydia F. Hall of Goshen, N. Y., July 27, 1882. She died March 1, 1892.

Mr. O'Neal worked at his trade in New York City twenty years, going there in 1856. He worked at the navy yard for eleven years. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Goshen Lodge, No. 365, F. and A. M., and served as master of lodge two years. At the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. O'Neal enlisted in the 84th Regiment, entering as private and later being promoted to captain. He served in the defense of Washington and was honorably discharged. In 1863 he re-enlisted and served for some time in the Shenandoah Valley.

HON. JOHN ORR, former assemblyman from the first district of Orange County, was born in Cornwall, N. Y., March 5, 1859. He is a son of William and Margaret (Elliott) Orr, and is engaged in the flour and coal business at Orr's Mills, which is now one of the industrial landmarks of the town of Cornwall. Mr. Orr was educated at public and private schools, finishing with a three-year course at Leipsic, Germany. On his return home he became a member of the firm of William Orr & Sons, dealers in flour, feed and coal.

Politically Mr. Orr is a Republican, and has taken an active part in promoting the welfare of his party, not only in his native town but throughout the county. In addition to representing this district in the state legislature for four years, he was elected a member of the board of supervisors, where he served nine years. He has held public office in the town of Cornwall for a period of twenty years. Mr. Orr is particularly well posted on questions of taxation and parliamentary usage, and in close touch with the farming community, recognizing their needs and desires. He enjoys the reputation of being a pleasant after-dinner speaker.

Mr. Orr is prominently identified with various fraternal organizations, including Free Masonry. In August, 1900, he was elected great sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men, state of New York, and has also held the office of president of the Association of Tribes of the Hudson Valley.

In 1888 Mr. Orr was united in marriage with Miss Angelique Veith, of New York City. They are the parents of two children, Alice and Walter.

HERMAN OTTO was born in Saxon, Germany, February 22, 1848. He came to America in 1869 and married Emma Wolf, of New Britain, Conn. Nine children were born to this union: One daughter died at the age of seventeen years; Emma, wife of Ira Smith, of Monroe, N. Y.; Herman, who resides in New York City; Frank, of Windham, Ohio; Charles, of Monroe, N. Y.; Annie Mae, of New York City; Arlyne Elsie, Harry and Paul, residing at home.

Mr. Otto is a member of Luther Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Middletown, and of the Cigar Makers' Union of Middletown. His estate, comprising one hundred and eighteen acres, is under substantial improvement. Mr. Otto does not depend entirely on the products of his farm, for he has a well established cigar manufacturing business, which he has carried on successfully for many years. In politics he is a Republican and takes an active interest in local affairs.

GEORGE A. OWEN, dealer in general merchandise at Washingtonville, N. Y., was born in that village in 1842, a son of Hon. Albert G. and Phoebe M. (Breed) Owen. His father was also a merchant here, and actively identified with public affairs in Orange County. He was one of a committee of three to organize the famous 124th Regiment. He served several terms as supervisor of the town of Blooming Grove, and was elected a member of the state assembly in 1849-1850. In 1890 Mr. George Owen succeeded to a business that was established in 1812 by Samuel Moffatt. The firm name was subsequently known as Samuel Moffatt & Son, and David H. Moffatt, who disposed of it in 1832. Various merchants conducted the store previous to Mr. Owen, who has enlarged the original building and erected the adjoining post office. In 1905 his son, Walter D., became a partner. Mr. Owen is a trustee of the Moffatt Library and Presbyterian Church. He is also a charter member of the fire company. In 1876 he married Miss Isabelle Board and six children have been born to them.

OSCAR E. OWEN was born February 28, 1845, at Ridgebury, N. Y. His early education was acquired at the old Wallkill Academy. After finishing school he learned the monumental work and he was identified in that business until 1902, when he retired. He married Emily F. Mapledoram, of Monticello, Sullivan County, N. Y., July 28, 1868. One son was born of this union, Clifford A., born June 7, 1872. He is teller in the First National Bank of Middletown. Mr. Owen is a Republican and has served the city two terms as alderman. He is a member of the Universalist Church. His father, John C. Owen, was born in the town of Minisink, Orange County, N. Y. He was born July 16, 1806, and died at his daughter's home, Mrs. W. W. Hartford, in Middletown. He was a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Owen, and was brought up on the farm. At the age of twenty-one he entered the mercantile business at Huguenot, removing to Smith's Corners after two years. He married Adeline, daughter of Moses Durland, February 16, 1833. In 1837 he moved to Ridgebury and ran a general store. In 1847 he moved to his farm left him by his uncle, Jesse Parshall, Remaining on the farm a few years, he removed to Ridgebury, where he started a marble yard, and he continued in that business until 1866 in Ridgebury and Middletown. Then he engaged in the grocery business in Middletown, which he continued for some years, finally selling out to his son-in-law, W. W. Hartford. He afterward purchased a residence at 177 North street and retired from active business, remaining in the home until the death of his wife, February 16, 1892, the fifty-ninth anniversary of their marriage. He took an active interest in church work and was a Republican in politics.

ZAEL PADDLEFORD, merchant, of Monroe, N. Y., was born in Broome County, N. Y., in 1866. He came to Monroe in 1891 as foreman of the creamery, occupying that position about four years. In 1894 he established his present store, and a year later formed a partnership with George R. Conklin, under the firm name of Paddleford & Company. Mr. Paddleford has served six years as supervisor of the town and is now president of the village. He is secretary of the Orange and Rockland Electric Company. Socially Mr. Paddleford is identified with the Masonic fraternity. He married Miss Isabella S. Kinney, of Iowa, and their son, Bruce K., is attending school in New York City.

THE PALATINE HOTEL, H. N. and F. N. Bain, proprietors. The appointments, accommodations and interior aspect of the Palatine are ideal. It is the largest hotel in Orange County and conveniently located in the heart of the city of Newburgh. The house contains one hundred and sixteen rooms, about one-half of which are so arranged that they may be used separately or en suite for families. The house, was established in 1893 and is under the personal supervision of Mr. F. N. Bain, who conducts it in accordance with the most modern methods.

WILLIAM A. PARSHALL is a scion of an old and distinguished Orange County family. Jonathan Parshall, his great great grandfather, moved to Little Britain in the town of New Windsor, from Long Island, in 1737. His son David fought for American freedom in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Parshall's father, Caleb Parshall, was born on the old homestead, but when he reached man's estate he moved to the farm in Walden, where William A. was born, December 9, 1865.

In 1870 the family moved to Port Jervis, and the boy was sent to the public schools, graduating from the high school in the class of 1883. The following year he entered Yale and was graduated in 1888. During his senior year he was awarded the medal by the Cohden Club of London, England, for work in political economy. Mr. Parshall went to the Albany Law School and completed the course in 1889. Returning to Port Jervis, he entered the law office of Hon. Lewis E. Carr and in May, 1890, was admitted to the bar. The following October, he entered into partnership with Hon. O. P. Howell and R. Ed. Schofield, and the firm was known as Howell, Parshall & Schofield. On September 1, 1893, he withdrew from the firm and has since been successfully engaged in the practice of law in an office of his own. He has been a director of the National Bank for fourteen years, is a director of the Port Jervis Telephone Company, the Co-Operative Loan and Savings Society, Orange County Building and Loan Association, No. 2, and is an auditor of Port Jervis Building and Loan Association. He has also taken an active interest in politics, and when a young lawyer served the town of Deer Park in the office of town clerk. At present he is the attorney for the city of Port Jervis, and for twelve terms was corporation counsel for the village of Port Jervis. In 1903 Mr. Parshall was elected a member of the board of education and since 1904 has been its president. For the past seventeen years he was a trustee of the Presbyterian Church. On June 1, 1903, Mr. Parshall was united in marriage with Miss Christine Senger, daughter of Lewis C. and Florence Corwin Senger. They have three children.

ARTHUR PATCHETT, who for over twenty years was prominently identified with business and social affairs of Orange County, was born in England in 1847 and died at Montgomery, N. Y.. November 30, 1901. Mr. Patchett came to America in 1872, locating at Philadelphia, where he followed the business of worsted manufacturer. In 1880 he removed to Montgomery and with the late William Crabtree established the yarn plant which soon became one of the important industries of the county. Mr. Patchett was a member of the board of water works commissioners and exerted a wide influence in the affairs of his adopted village. He was a member of Walden Lodge, F. and A. M., Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar and Mecca Shrine. In 1874 he married Miss Alice M. Hayes, of Philadelphia. Two sons and a daughter were born to them: Emma M., who resides in Montgomery; Joseph E. and Arthur Allan are engaged in business at Kaiser, W. Va.

FRANK PATTERSON, supervisor of the town of Deer Park, who, with his brother, George H., conducts a farm of one hundred acres and a commodious summer boarding house known as "Eddy Farm," at Sparrowbush, was born there in 1865, a son of J. R. and Mary E. (Doty) Patterson. Since finishing his studies at the public schools he has been engaged in the cultivation of the homestead farm. Politically Mr. Patterson is a democrat and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his party. He has served as highway commissioner and in 1907 was elected a member of the board of supervisors.

Mr. Patterson married Miss Sarah Chambers and they are the parents of three sons and two daughters: Ruth E., John R., Edward, Dudley and Frances.

WILLIAM M. PATTON (deceased) was born in the town of New Windsor, Orange County, N. Y., May 30, 1834. He was for many years engaged as a farmer and cattle dealer, in which he was very successful. In 1895 he took up his residence in Newburgh, the details of his cattle business being attended to by his only son, John R. Patton, who resides on the Patton homestead, near Washington Lake. Mr. Patten was for years a member of the board of directors of the Columbus Trust Co., and a member of its finance committee. He was a careful man in financial affairs and to him as one of its officers is due much of the prosperity of the company.

Mr. Patton's first wife was Miss Robinson; she was the mother of John R. Patton, who died many years ago. His second wife was formerly Miss Anna F. Johnston, a daughter of the late Beverly K. Johnston, a prominent business man of East Coldenham.

Mr. Patton died April 16, 1907, and is buried in the Wallkill Valley cemetery, Walden, N. Y.

ALBERT S. PEIRCE, manufacturer, Newburgh. Born Orange County, March, 1860. Graduated from Newburgh Academy and was then engaged in mercantile business in New York City for four years. In 1885 he returned to Newburgh and became associated with Coldwell, Wilcox & Co., iron founders and machinists. May, 1890, the firm was incorporated as Coldwell-Wilcox & Co., of which Mr. Peirce has since been treasurer. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the City Club. In 1885 he married Edith, daughter of the late Dr. Heard, ex-president of the board of health. The Peirce ancestry dates back to the Commander of the Mayflower.

HENRY PELTON came to Warwick from Darien, Conn., in 1805. He was a small boy at the time, and settled with his father on a farm just west of the village. He was always looked upon as one of the most public spirited citizens, foremost in every movement for the good of the community, and for the support of his church. Many writings of local historical interest, left by him, show him to have been possessed of a mind capable of clear thinking, and the ability to express himself in good English. He is remembered as having been one of the pioneers in the temperance movement in the middle of the last century. He died in 1873, at the age of eighty-two.

SAMUEL PELTON, son of Henry Pelton, spent his life as a farmer, residing for over fifty years on the farm now owned by his son, and dying in 1906, nearly eighty-eight years of age. Of quiet, gentle disposition, he never aspired to public prominence, yet was ever ready to help in any public-spirited undertaking. He served a term as president of Warwick Institute and was one of the founders and for many years a trustee of the Warwick Savings Bank.

HENRY PELTON, son of Samuel Pelton, resides on the farm formerly owned by his father. He devotes most of his time to land surveying and local engineering work. He succeeded the late G. W. Sayer as president of the Warwick Valley Farmers' Milk Association, and held that office until the sale and dissolution of the company in 1907. He is also one of the trustees of the Warwick Savings Bank and a director of the Warwick Building Association.

WILLIAM W. PELTON was born December 15, 1837, and died November 26, 1907, at his home near Warwick, N. Y. His early education was acquired at the district school, and the Warwick Institute, when it was a private school. He afterward became a teacher. He was a member of the board of education when the Warwick Institute was made a free school in 1867. He was engaged in business in Warwick and New York City for a time. In December, 1867, he married Almeda Knapp, daughter of the late John Knapp, of Sugar Loaf, Orange County, who survives him. To this union were born four children, John, Grace, wife of Frank Holbert of New York; Almeda, and Geraldine, wife of Selah Durland; also two grandsons and two granddaughters. Mr. Pelton was the last of his father's family. His brother, James, died in 1856, and Richard in 1898.

EDGAR PENNEY, vice-president and general manager of the Newburgh Ice Machine and Engine Co., is a native of Orange County, and has been identified with this company since 1895. Before purchasing the Newburgh plant he was for twelve years managing director and mechanical engineer for the Frick Company, Waynesboro, Pa., which built his ice machine, known as the "Frick"' or "Eclipse." Mr. Penney invented this machine and retains full privilege of manufacture and sale under his patents. Among the products of the present concern are the Corliss steam engines, steam boilers, iron and brass castings, etc. A force of two hundred and fifty men are employed. The main buildings are 200 by 400 feet in dimensions and were built in 1883. In 1907 a large addition was erected.

WILLIAM J. PENOYER began life in Columbia County, N. Y., and after leaving the district school at the age of fifteen, he entered a general store and remained there for ten years. When twenty-six years of age he went to Albany, N. Y., and engaged in the grain business, which he continued until appointed harbor master by Governor Hoffman. He was supervisor several years and a director of two banks. He was a leading spirit in many improvements in his native county. In politics he was a Democrat.

Mr. Penoyer in 1883 married Anna M. Roe, of Chester, Orange County, and they had one daughter, Fannie, born 1886. He died in January, 1904.

MILLS PEPPER, son of Elijah and Catura (Crowell) Pepper, is a prosperous farmer in the town of Montgomery. The farm, which comprises one hundred and forty acres, was purchased by his father, who conducted it over sixty years. Mills Pepper, who resides at the homestead with his sister, has conducted it ten years. He is a member of Little Britain Grange and takes an active interest in public affairs of this locality.

GEORGE W. PETERS (deceased), a prominent business man of Newburgh, was born in Poughkeepsie in 1826, a son of Charles and Phoebe (Dean) Peters. At the age of sixteen he engaged with his father in the meat business in New York City, and in 1847 became a member of the firm of Charles Peters & Son, which continued until 1863, when he sold the business and moved to Newburgh, where he engaged in farming for two and a half years. In 1869 he opened a meat market at 113 Water street, which he conducted with his sons until 1882, when he retired.

Mr. Peters was actively identified with public affairs in Newburgh. Under Mayor Doyle he was superintendent of streets for two terms. For many years he was president of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; also president of the Horse Thief Protective Society. He joined the Masonic fraternity in 1852, and was a member of the board of trustees of the Unitarian Church. He died in 1907.

ALBERT H. F. PHILLIPS was born at Oswego, N. Y., in 1866. His education was acquired at Oswego and the old Middletown Academy, graduating from the latter in 1880. His parents were John G. and Mary (Fisher) Phillips. Mr. Phillips has been identified with the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad as foreman for a period of fourteen years. In 1904 he assumed the position of master painter of the O. & W. shops, which position he still holds. He was married to Elizabeth Anna Heckroth, of Delaware County, N. Y., October 18, 1888. Their one child, Clara, was born April 8, 1893. In politics Mr. Phillips is a Republican. He has served as inspector of elections at various times and has been a delegate to assembly and city conventions. Socially he is a member of Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, F. and A. M., Lancelot Lodge, K. of P., and Wallkill Council, Jr. O. U. A. M., of Middletown. He is a member of the North Congregational Church and served as deacon and treasurer for the past seventeen years.

JOHN EVERTSON PHILLIPS, of Goshen, N. Y., son of William and Sarah E. Phillips, was born in Phillipsburgh, March 20, 1805. Graduated from Williams College in 1825. He studied law with Henry G. Wilner and after his admission to the bar in 1828 was associated with him in his profession until his death, December 17, 1841. He was married March 1, 1832, to Elizabeth T. Wisner, daughter of his partner, Henry G. Wisner. There were three daughters born of this union. Miss Harriet H. is still residing at the home which has been, occupied by the family since 1836.

JOHN F. PIERCE, supervisor of the town of Highlands, was born at Fishkill Landing, N. Y., March 7, 1844. He attended school at Wappingers Falls, and during the Civil War served on the schooner Norma, carrying ammunition to the various ports. He was subsequently at West Point eight years in the butcher business, and removed to Highland Falls in 1873, where he continued his meat market and in later years engaged in the livery business.

Politically Mr. Pierce is a Republican and has long been identified with public affairs of the town and village. In 1889 he was elected assessor, serving continuously until the fall of 1907, when he resigned to fill the office of supervisor. Mr. Pierce has also served about twelve years as school trustee.

GEORGE PIERSON, who has resided on his present estate for about sixty years, in the town of Hamptonburgh, is well known in Orange County. He came from one of the oldest and most respected families of the state. His great-grandfather, Silas Pierson, who came to this county from Long Island about 1750, and settled on the old Pierson farm in Hamptonburgh, was the great-grandson of John Pierson, who emigrated from England about 1650 and settled at South Hampton, Long Island, where he died in 1669.

George Pierson was born January 1, 1824, and is the son of Henry Pierson, also a native of the same place. His mother was Miss Mary Shaw, a native of Orange County, and four of her eight children grew to manhood and womanhood. Of these George was the eldest. Mr. Pierson's father died in 1866 and his mother in 1853. George Pierson obtained his early education at the district school and afterward became a student of the Amherst Academy, at Amherst, Mass. He married Miss Mary E. Thompson, daughter of Oliver Thompson, December 20, 1848. Their union resulted in the birth of four children. In 1849 Mr. Pierson moved to his present farm where he has resided over fifty years. He is interested in all public affairs and has held the office of justice of the peace since 1869, having served continuously with the exception of two years. He served as assessor from 1884 to 1899. He is a member of Goshen Lodge, No. 365, F. and A. M. He was a trustee of the Hamptonburgh Presbyterian Church for thirty-nine years. At the time of Henry Clay's nomination for president, in 1844, Mr. Pierson was not quite of age, but he attended the next town meeting and has been in attendance ever since with one exception, in 1888. which was the only time he failed, and has attended every general election since he was of age. He was a member of the old Campbell Hall Grange, now out of existence. Mr. Pierson has a well stocked dairy farm and is new retired.

JOHN PIERSON, of the town of Mount Hope, was born on the homestead farm, near Otisville, Orange County, N. Y., in 1834. His father was Silas G. and mother Salome B. (Cook) Pierson. Four children were born of this union. Two died in infancy. Harriet N., wife of Alsop W. Dodge, of Otisville, died July 20, 1897. John Pierson acquired his early education at the district school in his locality and at the public school at Middletown. He has resided on his present farm for a period of over seventy years. He is a Republican in politics and takes an active part in local affairs. He has been assessor for twenty years, has served as inspector of election for the town of Mount Hope about fifteen years, is a member of the Otisville Presbyterian Church and the Otisville Grange. His children are Silas G. and John M., of Denver, Colo.; Frank and Cora, at home; Helen G., wife of Ebenezer Bull; Saloma C., of Philadelphia, and Susan C, a teacher at Amityville, Long Island.

GEORGE A. POST, a successful contractor and builder, of Port Jervis, N. Y., was born at Saugerties, Ulster County, N. Y., and there learned his trade of carpenter. In 1889 he engaged in the contracting business at Port Jervis, and since that time has erected many of that city's prominent business blocks and residences. Mr. Post is a member of the Elks, and Confidence Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., of Saugerties. He has served as trustee of the village and was one of the first aldermen when Port Jervis became a city. He married Hannah J. Bross, of Ten Mile River, Sullivan County, and they have four children: Fannie E., who married Charles Clark; George H., a mail carrier, married Tillie Headley; Minnie, residing at home, and Lillie, a school teacher at Westbrookville, this county.

A. E. POWERS, manager of the Port Jervis plant of Swift & Co., is a native of Charleston, N. H., and has occupied this responsible position for a period of eleven years. Mr. Powers is prominent in business and social circles and is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Elks and Odd Fellows.

JAMES J. PROCTOR was born September 1, 1878, at Greycourt, Orange County, N. Y. He acquired his early education in the schools of Orange County and at an early age he became associated with his father, John R. Proctor, in the management of the hotel at Greycourt. His father was a charter member of the Walton Hose Company, of Chester, N. Y., and a respected and energetic business man. James was married June 12, 1906, to Mary Gardner, of Highland Falls, N. Y. Mr. Proctor has been first assistant foreman of the Walton Hose Company, of Chester, for over four years, and has been a member ten years. His brother, Henry J., was born May 27, 1875, and is identified with him in the hotel business at Greycourt. Their father died January 29, 1904.

CHARLES PURDY was born March 15, 1842, in Sullivan County, near New Vernon, N. Y. His parents were Ebenezer and Hettie (Warner) Purdy. There were nine children in the parents' family, of whom six are still living. Charles attended the district schools in Sullivan County, after which he worked at farming until 1864. He then engaged with the Erie Railroad as brakeman and later had charge of a construction and switch engine for some time.

He married Jessie A. Wardrop, of Goshen, N. Y., October 18, 1876. Mr. Purdy is now baggage master at the Erie and has served since 1883. His wife, who died December 22, 1905, was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown.

JOHN H. QUAID, who conducts a wholesale and retail grocery store in Water street, Newburgh, succeeded to the business that was established in 1834 by his father, John Quaid, a native of Limerick County, Ireland, who came to Newburgh when a young man and began business in Oldtown at the junction of what is now Liberty street and Gidney avenue, where he remained until 1850, when he removed to the present location, 136 Water street. In 1857 his eldest son, William, became a partner and the firm was changed to John Quaid & Son. In 1871 John H. purchased his father's interest and the firm of William Quaid & Brother was formed, continuing until 1881, when William retired and John H. has since continued the business. Mr. Quaid has acquired much valuable real estate in Newburgh.

The parents of their mother, whose maiden name was McGathern, settled on a farm m the town of Blooming Grove in 1807. It is said of their grandmother that she was awarded the first premium for butter making for many years by the Agricultural Society.

Mr. John H. Quaid married Margaret Lord Fancher, daughter of Lewis Fancher, of Cornwall. She was a Daughter of the Revolution and at the time of her death in 1896 was president of St. Luke's Hospital, of which her husband was a trustee. Mr. Quaid is a member of the City Club, Newburgh Historical Society, and with his brother, William, a vestryman of St. Paul's Church.

WILLIAM B. RAMAGE was born in Branchville, Sussex County, N. J., January 16, 1858, and was educated in the Branchville and Morristown schools and the S. S. Seward Institute, of Florida, Orange County. In 1866 he learned the trade of carriage painting with Abraham Watts, of Florida, worked for him three years, and in 1871 engaged in business for himself in Florida, where he has continued during the thirty-six years intervening. Being a zealous Republican and an active political worker, he has held office for the past twelve years, and is now overseer of the poor and constable. He is a member of Wawayanda Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F., and of Warwick Lodge, No. 544, F. and A. M. He married May Jane Givens, of Florida, June 3, 1870. They have had ten children, only four of whom are living. Hattie, wife of Charles Hall, of Paterson, N. J.; Frank P., at home; Jessie, wife of M. Barry, of Florida, and Leon, at home. The mother is an earnest and active Methodist.

Mr. Ramage's father came to this country from England when he was ten years of age, went to Sussex County, N. J., and has resided there since. His wife's name was Elizabeth and they were the parents of fourteen children.

HOMER RAMSDELL, for a century the foremost citizen of Newburgh, N. Y., was born at Warren, Mass., August 12. 1810. His father was Joseph Ramsdell, the fourth of that name in descent from Joseph and Martha (Bowker) Ramsdell, who emigrated from England to Plymouth, Mass. in 1643. His mother was Ruth Stockbridge, of Hanover, Mass., a descendant of John Stockbridge, who came from England in 1638. They were married at Hanover February 3, 1800, and moved to Warren, where the following children were born: Joseph, Mary and Homer. In 1829 Homer went to New York City, where he was employed in dry goods houses. Three years later he began business there under the firm name of Ramsdell & Brown, dealers in silks and fancy white goods. He continued this mercantile career until 1840, when he took up his permanent residence in Newburgh, superintending the various interests of Mr. Thomas Powell, who was engaged in shipping and banking business here. In 1844 Mr. Ramsdell became a member of the firm of Thomas Powell & Co., and thenceforth until Mr. Powell's death in 1856 he was largely the administrator of Mr. Powell's affairs. By purchase and consolidation Mr. Ramsdell added other forwarding lines to his enterprises and soon stood at the head of the transportation business on the Hudson. Details of Mr. Ramsdell's connection with the Erie Railroad appear elsewhere. In 1845 he was elected a member of the board of directors of this corporation and in 1853 was chosen president of the company, resigning the office in July, 1857. He was intimately identified with the various local institutions of Newburgh and a prompt contributor to all progressive and elevating movements of his day.

Mr. Ramsdell was married June 16, 1835, to Frances E. L., daughter of Thomas Powell, of Newburgh, and the following children survive: Frances J., widow of Major George W. Rains; James A. P., H. Powell and Homer Stockbridge.

WILLIAM CHESTER RAMSDELL, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Greenville, Greene County, N. Y., December 29, 1858. His father was Luman S. Ramsdell, a nephew of Luman Ramsdell, of Norton Hill, who was connected with the State Agricultural Society and has had much to do with the agricultural interests of the state and also with the co-operative or mutual insurance companies, he having established practically the first mutual insurance company in the state of New York.

The mother of William C. Ramsdell was Laura Ann Gedney before her marriage, and a direct descendant from an officer of the Revolutionary army.

When about seven years old the parents of William C. Ramsdell moved to Albany County, where his life was spent upon a farm until after he was of age. He attended the country schools and the academy which was established at South Westerlo. Later he attended Starkey Seminary and after teaching in the country schools for a few years he took the three-year normal course at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, the institution made famous by Horace Mann, who was its first president. After teaching a year or two in the public schools a course was taken with the Albany Business College and a year spent as teacher of commercial subjects in the high school at Attica, Indiana, after which Mr. Ramsdell entered the regular business college work with the Goldev College at Wilmington, Delaware.

At the close of the year's work the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Van Trump, of Wilmington, Delaware. The next four years were spent with the Drake Business School at Jersey City, N. J.

In 1895 Mr. Ramsdell opened the Ramsdell School in Middletown, N. Y., and for the last twelve years has conducted the school on North street. The school has continued to grow and has attained an excellent reputation in Orange County and vicinity for thorough and efficient work.

JAMES RAZEY, who resides near Florida, Orange County, is one of the representative agriculturists of that section. He was born on a farm near Harnell, Chemung County, N. Y., February 16, 1851. His education was acquired at the district school and Alfred University. He removed to Elmira, where he was engaged in art work for a period of ten years. From Elmira he removed to Chester, N. Y., and purchased the "Broadview" farm, which he successfully conducted for ten years. He built the unique Razey cottage at Chester, which is one of the artistic houses in the county. His father died August 6, 1864, of yellow fever. His mother's name was Abigail Withey. There were four children in his parents' family. Our subject married Susan, daughter of David R. and Anna Feagles. Their three children are Ethel Denton, aged twenty-three years; Danforth, aged twenty years, and James Lester, aged seventeen years. Mr. Razey married for his second wife Mrs. Phoebe J. Smith, of Florida, October 16, 1906. He occupies a dairy farm of one hundred and sixty acres.

Mr. Razey is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Chester and in politics is a republican.

CHARLES IRA REDFIELD, M. D., was born in the town of Wallkill, Orange County, January 31, 1873. He is a son of Foster C., died February 6, 1875, and Sarah Louise (Fanning) Redfield, still living. The subject of this sketch attained his early education at the Wallkill Academy and graduated in 1891. He also attended the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania of 1891-4, graduating June 7, 1894. In the fall of 1894 he attended the Presbyterian Hospital outpatient department of Philadelphia, Pa., until February, 1895. In the spring of 1895 he opened an office in Middletown. He is now visiting physician of the Thrall Hospital. He has served as secretary of the New York State Medical Association 1904-5. Secretary Orange County Medical Association 1901-4, and was president Orange County Medical Society during 1905. He is a charter member of the B. C. Hirst Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia, Pa. He is a member of Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, F. and A. M.; Midland Chapter, R. A. M., No. 240, and Cypress Commandery, No. 67. He was one of the organizers of the physicians' club of Middletown; a member of Middletown University Club, National Geographic Society, American Society of Sanitary and Moral Prophylaxis, and a member of the board of education. He was health officer in 1898 and is a member and a trustee of the Second Presbyterian Church. Dr. Redfield married Miss Ira Anna Louise Barker, of Roxbury, Mass., October 20, 1897.

GEORGE W. REED was born July, 1842, at South Centreville, in what was then the town of Minisink, but now in the town of Wawayanda, Orange County. Born of Scotch parentage he was reared on the homestead farm and received a common school education. At the opening of the war he enlisted in the Union Army, October, 1861, as a member of Company C, First New York Mounted Rifles. He was sent with his company to Virginia, participating in the battle of Petersburg and other engagements of the war. He was mustered out at Albany as corporal in December, 1865, having served more than four years. After the war he returned to Middletown and worked at the carpenter's trade, and has been identified with building and contracting business there for many years. He is a charter member of Captain William A. Jackson Post, No. 301, G. A. R., and is its commander. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Middletown, N. Y. He is a republican and has filled many local offices and is at present a member of the board of education.

HENRY WILSON REED was born at Middletown, Orange County, N. Y., November 3, 1875. His education was acquired at the old Wallkill Academy. After his schooling he became identified with Fort Wayne Electric Light Co. for a period of seven years. From 1889 to 1891 he was vice-president of the Enterprise Electric Co., of Middletown, N. Y. In 1896 he engaged in the electrical construction business, which business he still carries on. He has done the electrical work in the best homes and public buildings in Orange County, and is endorsed by the State Underwriters' Association. He married Helen K. Biddlebrook, only daughter of William H. Wood, of Chester, N. Y., April 9, 1901.

In politics Mr. Reed is a republican. He is a member of the Wallkill Engine Co. of Middletown and the National Electrical Contractors' Association of America. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Middletown, N. Y.

MARK REEKS, president and treasurer of the John G. Wilkinson Company, Newburgh, N. Y., wholesale and retail dealers in carriages, harness, etc., was born in London in 1869. Came to America in 1888, and entered the employ of John G. Wilkinson as bookkeeper. Following the death of Mr. Wilkinson in 1905 Mr. Reeks became executor and manager of the estate and in 1906 purchased the Wilkinson interest and the present company was organized. The business of which Mr. Reeks is now the head was established in 1867 and the trade extends throughout New England, New Jersey and New York.

JOHN REILLY, assessor of the town of Highlands, Orange County, N. Y., has ably filled that office for the past twenty years. He is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and sailed for America in 1863 on the old ship France. He was employed for a time at Poughkeepsie and Newburgh, and in 1870 came to West Point and joined the United States Cavalry, in which he served five years, including one year and a half in the ordnance department. In 1875 Mr. Reilly established his hotel and livery, which he has conducted with much success. He has always taken an active interest in politics and is a member of the Republican county committee. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Honor and the A. O. H. He married Miss Jane Cook, daughter of ex-Supervisor Cook. He was appointed postmaster of Highland Falls under President McKinley's administration, but declined the office.

A. SMITH RING, for many years prominent in financial and public affairs of Newburgh, was born in that city in 1838, a son of Thomas C. and Catherine (Speir) Ring. After graduating from the academy, he was employed by the Powell Bank until 1858, when he became connected with the Newburgh Savings Bank, of which his father was treasurer. The latter part of Mr. Ring's life was spent in retirement from active business pursuits, devoting his attention to the management of his large property interests.

A firm believer in the principles of the democratic party, he was elected city treasurer in 1875. He was appointed one of the trustees of Washington's headquarters and treasurer of the board. He was a member of the board of managers of the Associated Charities and took a deep and active interest in philanthropic work.

October 5, 1881, Mr. Ring was united in marriage with Miss Frances Ludlow, daughter of the late George W. Kerr. One child, Thomas Ludlow, was born to them.

In the death of Mr. Ring, which occurred July 8, 1893, Newburgh lost a citizen of more than ordinary ability, who occupied a high place in the regard of his associates.

SAMUEL D. ROBERSON, of Bullville, Orange County, N. Y., was born in the town of Crawford in 1849, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Martin) Roberson. His father was a native of Westchester County, and for many years was proprietor of the Bullville Hotel. Our subject was educated at the public schools and for three years managed the Bullville Hotel. He then built a creamery and was also engaged in a general mercantile business.

As a leader in democratic politics Mr. Roberson is widely known to the voters of Orange County. He was chosen chairman of the democratic county committee in 1896, and for twelve years was elected to the office of supervisor in Crawford town.

In 1870 Mr. Roberson married Miss Hannah Powles of Newburgh. Seven children were born to them, of whom four sons and one daughter are living.

HON. CHARLES DWIGHT ROBINSON was born in Auburn, Cayuga County, N. Y., February 6, 1860. He was educated in the public schools of his native city.

Mr. Robinson is a descendant of George Robinson, who settled in Rehoboth, in the State of Massachusetts, in 1645. His ancestry on both sides was very active in the trying times of the American Revolution. His father, William Philip Robinson, located in Auburn in 1844; his mother was Louise E., daughter of William Clark Smith and Amer Lewis. Mr. Smith was a grandson of Anning Smith, of Milton, Ulster County, N. Y.. an officer in the Revolutionary War. On the paternal side of Mr. Robinson, his ancestors, Zephaniah Robinson and Philip Robinson, served in Massachusetts regiments, Philip being a sergeant. William Robinson, a cousin of Philip, served in a Connecticut regiment, in the Revolution.

Mr. Robinson, since leaving school, has been active in many lines of usefulness, which he was well adapted for. Prior to 1883 he was cashier for the Chicago branch of D. M. Osborne & Co., of Auburn. He removed to Newburgh, N. Y., in November, 1883, and entered the firm of John Dales & Co., real estate and insurance, where he has since continued.

Mr. Robinson in politics is a republican. He has been identified with municipal affairs of Newburgh since 1894, first serving as alderman from his (Fourth) ward in 1894 and 1895; president of the common council from March, 1895, to March, 1900, and from March, 1904, to March, 1906. He became well informed as to the city's conditions and needs, and being a thorough, economical business man, he was chosen as its mayor in 1906-1907. He has been trustee of Washington's headquarters since 1893, having been appointed by Governor Roswell P. Flower, and reappointed by Governors Black, Odell and Hughes.

Mr. Robinson is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, the Historical Society of the Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, Hudson River Lodge, No. 52; Hudson River Commandery, No. 35, Knight Templar; the Robinson Genealogical Society, and the Newburgh City Club. He has been married twice. His first marriage was to Mary B. Dales, February 16, 1882. They had one daughter, Julia. Mrs. Robinson died January 14, 1900. His second marriage was to Anna B. Colwell, January 30, 1902. They have one son, Charles D., Jr.

JAMES ROBERTSON was born December 6, 1846, at Liberty, Sullivan County, N. Y. His parents were Bronson and Abigail (Stoddard) Robertson. Our subject acquired his education at the public school. At an early age he learned the carpenters' trade, which he followed for some years. He joined the navy in 1864 and was assigned the position as ship carpenter on the Sweet Briar, one of the boats that made up the South Atlantic blockading squadron. He served until 1866 and received an honorable discharge. After the war he resided in Chicago for three years, after which he returned to Monticello, Sullivan County, and followed his trade for a time. He was identified with the Erie R. R. at Port Jervis for ten years as foreman of the carpenters' department of the Delaware division. In 1902 he was appointed manager of the bottling department of the Deer Park Brewery, and in 1906 was made general manager, which position he still holds. Mr. Robertson married Mary E. Kinne, of Monticello, N. Y., March 2, 1871. Socially he is a member of the Port Jervis Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.

FREDERICK O. ROCKAFELLOW, one of the leading funeral directors and embalmers of Middletown, N. Y., was born in that city May 14, 1864. After graduating from the Middletown High School and Wallkill Academy, he entered the undertaking establishment of his father, John D. Rockafellow, and acquainted himself with every detail of the business. Upon the death of his father, Frederick came into possession of the business, which he has since conducted successfully. This business was established by his father in 1861, and is the oldest establishment of the kind in Middletown. John D. Rockafellow was one of Middletown's most progressive and public spirited citizens, he was chief of the fire department for many years and always took a deep interest and lent ready aid in the furtherance of projects benefiting the community. Frederick O. Rockafellow married Marguerite R. Oliver, of Chicago, Ill., and to them have been born two sons: Frederick O., Jr., and John D. Mr. Rockafellow is a member of Lancelot Lodge, No. 169, K. of P.; an honorary member of the Excelsior hook and ladder company and a member of the Middletown Club. The family attend Westminster Church.

LEWIS N. L. ROCKWELL was born at Narrowsburg, Sullivan County, N. Y., May 12, 1875. He attained his education at the public school. He also attended the Albany business college. In 1896 he accepted a position as bookkeeper in New York City in a wholesale house. November 6, 1905, he removed to Otisville and purchased the general store of Joel Northrop, where he has since continued the business. He married Miss Irene Bloomberg, of Narrowsburg, January 10, 1900. In politics he is a democrat. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. There were thirteen children in his parents' family and there are still living four sons and two daughters. His brother, George W., has served two terms as county clerk of Sullivan County.

ALFRED B. ROE, of Chester, N. Y., was born at that place June 9, 1880. He graduated from Chester Academy and later attended Lafayette College, at Easton, Pa. Following his schooling he assisted his father on the home farm. He married Frances A. Decker, of Chester, April 3, 1902, and they have one son, Alfred Russell, born January 30, 1905.

Mr. Roe's parents were Alfred Booth and Martha (Durland) Roe. The homestead farm has been in the possession of the family for about one hundred and seventy-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Roe are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Chester.

D. HOWELL ROE, of Florida, Orange County, was born October 25, 1838. After he finished his district school education, at the age of eighteen, he became clerk in William Vail's grocery store and worked there several years, when he engaged in the livery business at Chester, near the Erie Railroad station. He sold out a few years later and opened a grocery and feed store in Chester, which he conducted until his death, November 29, 1880. He was town clerk and supervisor many years, holding the latter office until poor health obliged him to decline a re-nomination by the democratic party, to which he belonged. He went South, remained there a year, and afterward spent two winters there for his health. He was a member of the Standard Lodge of Chester and of the Methodist Church. He married Elizabeth Rysdyk, of Chester, June 7, 1854. Their two children died in infancy.

FRED ROGERS, manufacturer, of Middletown, N. Y., was born at Brewster, Putnam County, N. Y., July 12, 1859. His parents were both of English extraction, his father, Joseph, having been born near Oxford, and his mother, Penelope Wilkin, near Bristol, England. Joseph Rogers settled at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and engaged in the manufacture of drums and banjo heads, afterward removing to Bloomingburgh, Sullivan County, N. Y., where he learned his trade. Fred obtained his education at the district school at Bloomingburg and Snooks Academy at Monticello, N. Y. After leaving school he entered the drum head manufactory of his father at Bloomingburg, and continued with him until the death of the latter in 1901, when he succeeded to the business. His mother died in 1896. Mr. Rogers married Harriet Pellet Moore, of Middletown, N. Y., November 28, 1888, and four children were born to them: Penelope, Ruth Bradner, died November 25, 1907; Helen Hyde and Clara Elizabeth. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Pythias. His brother, Joseph, now conducts the factory established by his father at Bloomingburg. Mr. Rogers opened his present factory at Mechanicstown, near Middletown, in 1897.

WILLIAM H. ROGERS was born December 29, 1845, in Sullivan County, N. Y. He is a son of James and Elizabeth Rogers. In 1859 he moved to Middletown, where he acquired his education, attending the old Orchard street school and Wallkill Academy. He engaged in the drug business in 1868, and is at present senior member of the drug firm of McMonagle & Rogers, of Middletown. He married Miss Amelia Chattle, of Middletown, May 19, 1869. To this union three children were born: Fred S., Thomas C, district attorney of Orange County, and Elizabeth, wife of Wickham Wisner Young, of Middletown. Mr. Rogers supports the republican party. He is ex-president of the board of education, ex-member of the board of water commissioners, and president of the board of managers of Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital and ex-president of the New York State Pharmaceutical Association, charter member Monhagen hose company, member Royal Arcanum, Concordia Council, No. 1077, and Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, F. and A. M., of Middletown.

CHARLES W. ROSE was born September 9, 1836, at Canajoharie, N. Y. He attended the district school at Amsterdam. At an early age he learned the milling business, and has been identified with that for many years. He worked at the Tivoli Railroad Mills, at Albany, which was built previous to the Revolutionary War. In 1850 he operated the Garden City Mill, at Chicago, for two years. He was an engineer on the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad between Albany and Syracuse. He returned to Albany and ran the engine in the same mill for a period of four years after it was operated by steam. In 1863 he went to New York City, taking charge of the William Tildert & Nephew Varnish Works, which position he held for twelve years, after which he spent two years abroad. Mr. Rose then came to Burnside, Orange County, and purchased the saw and grist mill, which he operated for eight years in connection with a general store. He has been postmaster of Burnside for several years. In politics he is a republican and served one term as supervisor, and as justice of the peace several years.

He married Sophia Schweishelm, of Hanover, Germany. Three children were born to this union. One died, by accident, aged twenty-one years; Harry, with the Mead Morrison Manufacturing Company, of New York, and Frieda Dorothy, residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rose are members of the Presbyterian Church at Campbell Hall.

HENRY ELKANAH ROSE is one of nine children of Silas and Elmira Rose, and was born at Sugar Loaf, Orange County, February 15, 1850. He attended the district school and the Seward Institute at Florida, after which he assisted his father on the farm until he was eighteen, when he learned the wheelwright trade and, later, blacksmithing, and has since been an industrious man in these occupations and farming. He is a member of the Sugar Loaf Methodist Church and politically is a democrat. September 23, 1878, he married Mary Fitzgerald of Warwick, and they have three children: Nellie E., born April 11, 1880, wife of Henry Ames, of Stamford, N. Y.; Edith S., born March 10, 1883, wife of Fletcher A. Herrod, of Miami, Florida, and Floyd William Dudley, born September 2, 1884, living in Maxwell, Neb. The grandmother of Mrs. Rose was Mary Booth, a granddaughter of Sarah Wells, reputed to be the first white woman who came to Orange County.

JOSEPH H. ROSE, retired brick manufacturer, Newburgh N. Y.; born at Hamburg, N. Y., 1865; son of John C. and Phoebe (Myers) Rose; removed with his parents to Haverstraw, N. Y., where he attended the academy; has resided in Newburgh since 1883, when the Rose Brick Company was established at Roseton, Orange County, N. Y., with which Joseph H. was connected until 1902, when he retired from active business.

ELMER E. ROOSA, attorney, of Newburgh, N. Y., was born in New Paltz, Ulster County, N. Y., in 1861. He is of Holland ancestry and came to Newburgh with his parents in 1870. After graduating from the academy, he read law in the office of Messrs. Scott & Hirschberg, and was admitted to the bar in 1882. He continued in the office of his preceptors, and when Mr. Hirschberg was advanced to a judicial position, Mr. Roosa took up the extensive practice attending the office. Mr. Roosa is vice-president of the Newburgh Planing Mill and interested in various local enterprises. He is a member of the Hudson River Lodge, F. and A. M.; Highland Chapter and Hudson River Commandery.

EDWARD C. ROSS, treasurer of the Coldwell Lawn Mower Company, has been identified with this important industry since its incorporation. He is a native of Newburgh, a son of Henry and Jane (Cleland) Ross. After graduating from the Newburgh Academy and Eastman Business College he formed a partnership with his brother George H., to continue the flour and grist mill established by their father. He disposed of his interest in 1903 to devote his entire attention to the manufacture of lawn mowers. For two years he represented the company abroad, with headquarters in London, England. Mr. Ross was for many years a member of the Newburgh board of education. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and a member of the City Club. He married Miss Jennie M. Coldwell, and two sons and a daughter have been born to them.

SEWARD U. ROUND, attorney, of Newburgh, was born in Florida, Orange County, N. Y., in 1856. He was educated at Seward Institute, attended Albany Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. Formed partnership with Eugene A. Brewster, Jr., which was continued two years, when the firm of Round & Chatterton was organized and continued until the death of Mr. Chatterton.

Mr. Round is a member of the Chapter and Commandery in the Masonic order, and is affiliated with Trinity M. E. Church.

John Wesley Round, the father of Seward U. Round, was born July 22, 1822, at Richfield, Otsego County, N. Y., and died at Florida, N. Y., January 5, 1862, aged thirty-nine years.

John W. Round graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in the class of 1843, and after teaching at various points assumed the principalship of S. S. Seward Institute at Florida, N. Y., where he remained from 1851 to 1862, the date of his death. He was called to other higher institutions of learning, but at the request and desire of Wm. H. Seward, who was closely identified with the institute, he was prevailed upon to remain and conduct the Seward Institute, which was in a flourishing condition at his death. John W. Round was a linguist, mastering no less than seven languages and also a natural-born musician, playing several instruments skilfully. Socially the whole community and those who knew him will give constant testimony of his great success and attainments, and his scholastic ability can be attested by many men now in prominent public life.

JOSEPH W. ROWLAND, general superintendent of the New York Knife Company, mention of which appears elsewhere in this work, was born in Connecticut in 1849. He came with his father, Joseph Rowland, to Walden, in 1856, and learned the cutlery trade. In 1884, upon the death of his father, he was made general superintendent and ultimately succeeded him as vice-president of the company, continuing in that office until the reorganization of the company. Mr. Rowland is a director of the Walden Savings Bank and trustee of the Wallkill Valley Cemetery Association.

HENRY RUDOLPH, former supervisor of the Fifth ward, Newburgh, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 1853, a son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Helfinch) Rudolph, who were natives of the same province. At the age of fifteen Mr. Rudolph was apprenticed to learn the baker's trade. In 1870 he sailed for New York, where he worked at his trade. He was for a time in business in Matteawan, N. Y., and in 1880 came to Newburgh, where he has built up an extensive wholesale and retail bakery business.

Politically Mr. Rudolph is a republican and has always taken an active part to advance the interests of his party. He has represented his ward in the common council, and in 1902 was elected a member of the board of supervisors and continuously re-elected to serve until December 31, 1907.

ARCHIBALD E. RUGGLES was born at Windsor, Vt. His parents were Edgar M. and Emma S. Ruggles. He acquired his early education at the public school in his home town. At an early age Mr. Ruggles identified himself with a clothing firm in Claremont, N. H., and was there seven years, after going to New Berlin, N. Y., where he took the management of a store. In April, 1902, he purchased the John E. Adams store in Middletown, which he still operates. He was married to Miss Minnie L. Ainsworth, of Claremont, N. H., October 18, 1899. In politics Mr. Ruggles is a republican. Socially he is a member of Phoebus Lodge, No. 82, F. and A. M., of New Berlin, N. Y., and of Concordia Council, No. 1077, Royal Arcanum, of Middletown. He was elected exalted ruler of the Elks' Lodge, No. 1097, of Middletown, N. Y., at the institution of the lodge, December 31, 1907.

GEORGE M. SANFORD was the third son of the late Deacon Ezra Sanford, and was born in the town of Warwick on November 5, 1821. His mother was the late Adeline Terry. His brothers were Pierson Ezra (and only survivor), Uriah Terry and William More. His sisters were Hester Ann Price, Mary Elizabeth, Julia A. Morehouse, Abigail Gabriel and Emily S. Tuttle. The two last named are still living. He married Frances Amelia, a daughter of the late Captain Nathaniel Wheeler Baird. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1897. Mr. Sanford died on January 6, 1900, and left surviving his widow and the following children: Lansing Haight (who died the same year), Ferdinand Van Derveer, George Alden, Mary Elizabeth, John Wheeler and Francis Baird. Lansing Haight left one child, Mrs. Edward W. Everitt, of Newark, N. J.

Mr. Sanford was one of Warwick's most un-ostentatious and sterling citizens. He was for many years prominent in business and associated with the substantial and conservative institutions of the valley. He was one of the organizers and directors of the First National Bank, a promoter and director of the Warwick Valley Railroad Company, succeeded by the present Lehigh and Hudson River Railway.

He was the first and continuous president of the Warwick Cemetery Association, a model for success and careful methods. He was a successful farmer and financier.

He was an ardent republican in politics and rarely missed voting. Without being an office seeker he was at one time the supervisor of the town. Being an ardent patriot and unable in the early sixties to qualify as a soldier and go to the front, he aided by recruiting between fifty and sixty men for service under his country's flag.

He had a most equable disposition; kindly and charitable. He took a great interest in young men and loved to help them, and not a few in the town owe much of success to the wise counsel and start in life he gave them.

A quiet vein of humor was always ready to manifest itself when that part of his nature was appealed to. He was also noted for his hospitable traits, and many, far and near, will testify to sharing the comforts and pleasantries of his attractive home.

JAMES EVERETT SANFORD was born at Sandfordville, near Warwick, January 21, 1859. His education was obtained at the public school at Warwick. After his schooling he was connected with the Demarest creamery near Warwick for nearly two years. He then clerked for A. J. Burt at Bellvale for two years, after which he took the management of the home farm. During the summer of 1887 Mr. Sanford traveled in Europe. In 1889 he became identified with R. C. Williams & Co., wholesale grocers, of New York, and continued with this firm nearly twelve years as traveling salesman. In the fall of 1901 he was elected county treasurer and served the county in an efficient manner for six years. Socially he is a member of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. and A. M., Warwick Club and Sons of the Revolution. In politics he is a republican. He is treasurer and director of the Warwick Knife Co. and attends the Baptist Church of Warwick.

JOHN W. SANFORD. Among the leading business men of Warwick, none have done more for the up building and advancement of the town than the gentleman whose name heads this review. He was born May 13, 1864, at Warwick, Orange County, N. Y. His parents were George W. and Frances A. (Baird) Sanford. He obtained his early education at the public school, graduating in 1883, after which he took an agricultural course at Cornell. In 1889 he started in the insurance, real estate and brokerage business at Warwick. Mr. Sanford gives his personal attention to two farms, which are stocked with one hundred head of the finest cattle.

He married Miss Bertha M. Furman, of Warwick, October 6, 1897. They have two children: Frances Isabel, born February 11, 1900, and Bertha Elizabeth, born January 29, 1905. In politics he is a republican, and is identified with the Old Dutch Reformed Church of Warwick. He is a director of the First National Bank, president of Warwick Cemetery Association, director of Warwick Valley Telephone Company, director and treasurer Warwick Inn. Company, director and treasurer Unionville Water Works Company, director of the Florida Water Works Company and trustee Warwick Savings Bank.

WILLIAM MOORE SANFORD was born August 17, 1827. His parents were Ezra and Adaline (Terry) Sanford. He attended the district school in his locality, after which he attended a private school at Poultney, Vt., and college at Ann Arbor Mich. The subject of this sketch and his father were identified at Sandfordville, Orange County, in the tanning business until 1880, when William M. continued the business from that period until his death, which occurred August 17, 1887. He was reared on the Sanford homestead, about two miles from Warwick. He married Sarah Burt in October, 1856. They had seven children: Charles, engaged in business in Warwick; William, of New York; Everett, residing at home; Ezra, of New York; Mary, wife of Frank Durland, of Chester, N. Y.; Addie, wife of William R. Welling, of Warwick, and Emily, wife of A. M. Reynolds, of Newark, N. J. Mr. Sanford is survived by one brother and two sisters. In politics he was a republican and served as superintendent of the poor at the time of his death.

BENJAMIN B. SAYER was born March 11, 1859, on the homestead farm, near Warwick, N. Y., which has been in the family since 1768, and was purchased by Daniel Sayer, his great-grandfather, of Henry Wisner, who lived in the town of Goshen. He obtained his early education at the Warwick Institute and has always been identified with farming. He also operates a distillery on the farm, which was established in 1812. He married Miss Annie Wagoner, of Glenburnie, Ontario, Canada, March 15, 1893. Three children were born to this union: Helen Bennett, born December 18, 1893; Mary Eraser, born June 2, 1895, and Benjamin Wagoner, born December 9, 1896. In politics Mr. Sayer is independent. He is a member of Warwick Lodge, No. 544, F. and A. M., and the Warwick grange. The farm on which Mr. Sayer resides was the place first settled on by the Warwick pioneers.

GEORGE S. SAYER, for many years a leading business man and farmer of Westtown, N. Y., was born in 1812, and died in 1884. As a young man he taught school a few years, and in 1836 went to Indiana, where he remained ten years. In 1852 he resumed farming, near Westtown, and in 1872 built a store and home in the village. He married Emeline C. Evans and six children were born, Jonathan Sayer, now the postmaster at Westtown, being the second child. After finishing his schooling he assisted his father on the farm.

He married Miss Sarah Owen and two sons were born: George O., a lawyer in New York, and Robert E., who resides at Westtown. In 1902 Mr. Sayer was appointed postmaster, and the management of the farm, passed to his son, Robert E., who was born in 1876, and educated at the schools of Hackettstown. He chose for his wife Miss Frances Horton.

WILLIAM BENJAMIN SAYER. The Sayer family is of English extraction and is mentioned as living at Poddington, England, in 1309. This is the line from which the Thomas Sayer descended, who came from Bedfordshire, England, to Lynn, Mass., and from whom the Sayers in this country are descended. He built the old Sayer single house in 1648 at Southampton, Long Island, New York, said to be the oldest English house standing in New York State.

The Sayers came to Orange County in 1750. William Benjamin Sayer, a descendant of the above mentioned Sayers, now owns and occupies the stone house situated on Main street, Warwick, N. Y., which was built by Francis Baird in 1766. It was called the Stone Tavern and was used as one until 1830. The mechanics who built this house came from New York City, and when completed it was considered the model house in this section. The most of the timbers are hewed oak with wide pine plank floors. This house has been in the Sayer family since 1858. Among the distinguished persons who stopped at the house are General George Washington and wife, and the room on the northwest corner on the second story is said to have been the room where they slept. Here are kept a number of old time relics to show to friends. The present owner, W. B. Sayer, was born in this room, March 14, 1866, and has always lived in the house with his sister, Miss M. Eva Sayer.

Rev. James Manning, a Baptist minister, and his wife, from Providence, R. I., took dinner here Sunday, September 12, 1779. He said in his diary: "We had an elegant dinner and were treated very hospitably by Francis Baird."

Marquis De Chastelliux, major-general in the French army serving under Count Rochambeau, stayed all night here with his aides, December 6, 1781. He says: "I lodged at Warwick, at a very good inn kept by Mr. Smith, who rented of Francis Baird, and had every reason to be content with this establishment."

Henry Pelton, a prominent local historian and grandfather of our surveyor of that name, when he first came here, in 1805, stayed his first night in Warwick in this house. A picture of this house will be found in this volume.

THE SCHRADE CUTLERY COMPANY, of Walden, N. Y., is the youngest of the industries that have made that village the Sheffield of America. Established in a modest way April 19, 1904, by George and J. Louis Schrade, its growth has been very rapid and the value of their product now exceeds $100,000 worth annually. The plant which the company erected is a substantial frame structure, thirty by eighty-five feet, three stories in height, equipped with modern machinery and up-to-date methods of manufacture, employing about one hundred hands. One hundred different styles of pen and pocket knives are produced and the goods find a ready market all over the United States. The Schrade brothers are natives of Williamsport, Pa. George, the president of the company, has resided in Walden since 1894, and is the inventor, patentee and for ten years the sole manufacturer of the press button knife in connection with the Walden Knife Works. Mr. J. Louis Schrade came to Walden in 1904. He had previously been engaged in the manufacture of self-playing pianos in New York, Boston, London and Paris. Both brothers are members of the Masonic fraternity.

CHRISTIAN H. SCHARFF was born at Amsterdam, Holland, February 26, 1834. He came to America with his father, and the family settled in Newark, N. J. He was graduated from Princeton College in 1853, and studied law with Joseph P. Bradley (justice of supreme court). With James Buchanan, Henry formed the law partnership of Henry & Scharff, at No. 14 Wall street, New York City. Frances A. (Seward) Scharff was born at Florida, N. Y., April 16, 1836. She attended the Seward Institution at Florida and later the Grove Hall Seminary for young ladies at New Haven, Conn. She was united in marriage to Christian H. Scharff, January 27, 1859.

R. ED. SCHOFIELD was born at Port Jervis, N. Y., December 10, 1853. His parents were James H. and Marguerite Cole (Elston) Schofield. His early education was obtained at the public school and Port Jervis Academy. After his schooling he read law in the office of Judge O. P. Howell, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. October, 1890, he entered into partnership with Judge O. P. Howell and Mr. Parshall, the firm being Howell, Parshall & Schofield, which continued until September, 1893, when Mr. Parshall withdrew from the firm. Mr. Schofield continued with Judge Howell until January, 1896, and since that time has continued alone. He married Miss Mary J. Finn, of Port Jervis, N. Y., January 28, 1885. Their two children are James H. and Anna C., residing at home. In politics Mr. Schofield is a republican and has served the town in various offices. He has been clerk of the board of education for twenty-five years and is now president of the Co-Operative Loan and Savings Society. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

D. DEWITT SCHOONMAKER was born at Middletown, Orange County, N. Y. His early education was acquired at the Wallkill Academy, where he graduated in 1878. For two years he was engaged as traveling salesman, and one year in the merchandise business in Goshen, N. Y. Mr. Schoonmaker has not sought prominence in life, but has devoted himself entirely to his business. In 1882 he associated himself with the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co., holding the position of bookkeeper for three years and assistant superintendent for seventeen years. He has been identified with the Borden Condensed Milk Co. since 1902, and for the past three years has held the position of superintendent. April 21, 1897, he married Miss Mary J. McNish, of Middletown, N. Y. He is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. and A. M., and served as foreman of Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company for three years.

JOHN SCHOONMAKER, for nearly half a century the foremost dry goods merchant in Orange County, was born in the town of Gardiner, Ulster County, N. Y., January 25, 1830, and died at his home in Newburgh, N. Y., January 1, 1904.

The Schoonmaker family is one of the oldest in this section of New York State. The progenitor of the family in America was Hendrick Jochemsen Schoonmaker, who came to America in 1654, in the military service of the Dutch West India Company. The records show he loaned money to Governor Stuyvesant "in time of need," and was active in the military duties made necessary by the troublous times. His grandson, Captain Frederick Schoonmaker, was one of the patriots and soldiers of the Revolution, who gave himself and his property to his country in its struggle for freedom from the British yoke.

John A. Schoonmaker, father of the subject of this sketch, was a son of Major Abraham Schoonmaker of Revolutionary fame (Fourth Regiment, Ulster County Militia). He married Rachel, eldest daughter of Gustavis and Maria (Terwilliger) Sammons. Ten children were born to them, of whom John was the tenth in order of birth. He was educated at Amenia Seminary, Dutchess County. He began work upon his father's farm and continued until he was twenty-two, teaching school at Gardiner for the last winter that he remained at home. In March, 1852, with his brother Jacob, he opened a general store at Tuttletown. Soon afterward his brother lost his life in the Henry Clay disaster on the Hudson, and in a short time the Tuttletown store was sold, Mr. Schoonmaker moving to Newburgh in the fall of 1853. His first employment was with Stephen Hayt, on Water street, for his board. In three months he took a clerkship with Isaac Wood, Jr., for three years, after which he had a position for a year with Mr. Parmalee, and again returned to the store of Isaac Wood, Jr., where, under Mr. Wood's guidance, he received and acquired experience that was invaluable to him in later years.

In 1863 Mr. Schoonmaker, with Samuel C. Mills and A. Y. Weiler, purchased the dry goods business of Colonel Wood, at the northeast corner of Water and Third streets. They conducted business under the firm name of Schoonmaker, Mills & Weiler. Half a dozen lines of boats between New York and Newburgh and market wagons from the surrounding country made Newburgh an active business center, where stores were open as early as five o'clock in the morning and frequently as late as eleven o'clock at night. In 1878 the firm occupied its newly completed building at Nos. 94 and 96 Water street. This was considered a notable improvement and the firm even then had the largest dry goods store in the city. Although at first only part of the building was occupied, in a few years increased business made it necessary to occupy the whole. Mr. Mills retired in 1885 and Mr. Weiler January 1, 1898. Mr. Schoonmaker's son, Samuel V., purchased Mr. Weller's interest and the firm became John Schoonmaker & Son.

Now the firm purchased the adjoining building on the north, still further increasing its capacity for business. Mr. Schoonmaker took an active interest in the affairs of the firm until his sudden illness in the latter part of 1902, and after a protracted period of hope and fear he died on January 1, 1904, at his home, 135 Grand street. He had thus been for many years the head of Newburgh's dry goods trade. His business acquaintance was very extensive and few men enjoyed such a reputation for honor, integrity and probity, his friends and acquaintances placing implicit confidence in him, which, throughout his career, was never violated. He was a public spirited citizen, always interested in the welfare and progress of Newburgh and contributed generously to projects which promised well for its advancement, yet he never sought public office or cared to appear prominently in public. His increasing business prevented him from entering politics, although he was a member of the board of health from 1885 to 1888, in which he rendered conscientious service. He was one of the organizers of the old Newburgh board of trade, and of its successor, the Newburgh Business Men's Association, of which his son was president. He earnestly aided by counsel and purse in the building of the Palatine Hotel. For thirty-seven years he was a trustee of the Newburgh Savings Bank and for a number of years its second vice-president. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, in which he was active and efficient, serving for many terms as trustee and elder. He was also deeply interested in Bethel Mission and chapel, serving as superintendent of the chapel while health permitted. He was a member of the Holland Society of New York from 1890 until the time of his death. He was married July 2, 1862, to Mary A. Vail. The children of this marriage, Samuel V. Schoonmaker, Mrs. W. Clement Scott and Miss Elizabeth M. Schoonmaker, are all residents of Newburgh.

THEODORE D. SCHOONMAKER was born in the town of Crawford, in the County of Orange, on the 28th day of December, 1836. He was the only son of Levi Schoonmaker and Julia Ann, his wife. Levi was a son of Edward Schoonmaker and Leah Rose, his wife, both of the town of Shawangunk, Ulster County, N. Y. Julia Ann was the daughter of Samuel Butler and Sarah, his wife, both of the town of Goshen, Orange County, N. Y.

The subject of this sketch received a common school and academic education, taught school in the counties of Chemung, Ulster and Orange for several years, was brought up a farmer, which occupation he followed till January 1, 1868, when he was appointed by the then surrogate, Honorable Gilbert O. Hulse, his brother-in-law, clerk of the surrogate's court of the county of Orange, which position he has occupied ever since continuously, being appointed by the successive surrogates to that office. He was stenographer to the surrogate's court from 1870 till the year 1903, and was also for several years assistant stenographer for the second judicial district of this state, and also served as county court stenographer under County Judges Honorables Stephen W. Fullerton and Charles F. Brown, and also stenographer to the Dutchess County court under Honorables Henry M. Taylor and B. Platt Carpenter. In 1889 he was elected one of the trustees of the village of Goshen, after a bitter and arduous campaign, to which office he has been reelected for six terms of two years each, without any opposition, and is now one of such trustees.

He has four children living, two having died in infancy: Anna Frances, wife of Thomas Mould, of the firm of Thompson & Mould; Theodore F., of Hartford, Conn., traveling salesman; Mary Adele, at home, and Charles B., civil and construction engineer.

ANDREW SCHRIVER, residing on a farm near Chester, N. Y., was born December 16, 1840, at Lagrange, Dutchess County, N. Y. His early education was obtained at the Unionville Seminary. He joined Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volunteers, and served in the Civil War for three years, after which he joined the New York conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and actively followed the ministry for thirty-seven years, and for six years was presiding elder of the Newburgh district. Mr. Schriver is now retired and resides on the Oak Lane farm of one hundred and forty acres, near Chester, N. Y. He makes a specialty of breeding and exhibiting Hampshire sheep, Guernsey cattle and fancy poultry. He married Alida Wiltsie, of Albany County, April 24, 1877. Their five children are: Hiram W., Newman E., Paul R., Charlotte and Frank. Mr. Schriver is a republican and takes an active interest in politics. He is one of the managers of the Orange County Agricultural Society.

FRANK A. SCOTT, architect and builder, of Newburgh, was born here July 18, 1830, a son of John and Jane (Gedney) Scott. The Gedney family is of French-Huguenot origin. David Gedney came from France and located in Newburgh in 1754. Mr. Scott attended the old Glebe School, of which some years ago he made a very accurate drawing from memory. At the age of seventeen he went to New York City to learn the builders' trade and study architecture. In 1863 Mr. Scott went west and was engaged in business in Montana, Colorado and Missouri. Since 1872 he has made his home in his native city and has erected many buildings in the Hudson Valley. In 1852 he married Miss Mary Banks, of Ulster County. They have two daughters: Elsie Banks and Anna Gedney. In 1894 Mr. Scott received from Mayor Odell the appointment of excise commissioner and served as president of the board. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and trustee of the Unitarian Church.

W. CLEMENT SCOTT, secretary and treasurer of the Newburgh Planing Mill, was born in Newburgh in 1869, and is a son of the late Hon. David A. Scott. His education was obtained at Newburgh Academy and Yale College, from which he graduated with the degree of A.B. in 1893. He has been connected with the above firm since 1899 and is identified with local social organizations. In 1897 he married Miss Mary L., daughter of John Schoonmaker. Two children have been born to them: Elizabeth M. and William C., Jr.

FRANK H. SCUDDER, treasurer of Middletown, was born November 19, 1871, in Otisville, Orange County, and graduated from the Otisville public school. He learned telegraphy and was operator for the Erie Railroad from 1888 to 1892, and for the Ontario & Western Railroad from the last date to 1900. He was then transferred to the traffic department of the Ontario & Western as assistant to the traveling freight agent, which position he still holds. He was elected city treasurer of Middletown in 1904, and his third term in this office expired January 1, 1908. He is a member of the Concordia Council, Royal Arcanum, and also of the Monhagen Hose Company. Politically he is a republican. He married Miss Elizabeth E. Scott, of Jersey City, N. J., October 12, 1904, and both are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown.

HENRY SEACORD, republican, who represents the first assembly district of Orange County in the assembly, was born September 19, 1829, at Lincolndale (formerly known as St. David's Corners, or Decker's Mills), and has resided there since. The Seacord family are direct descendants of the French Huguenots that fled from Rochel, France, in the year 1684, went to England, and from there to America in 1684, and Amroise Sicard, a French Protestant refugee, of La Rochelle, France, who fled to England in 1682, and from there came to America in 1684, locating at New Rochelle, Westchester County, and in the year 1692, on February 9, bought from William La Count land on which is now the city of New Rochelle. Mr. Seacord's father represented Orange County in the assembly in 1846, as a free soil democrat, but when the republican party was organized he came out as a republican and was made chairman of the mass meeting and appointed the committee which organized the party in the county.

At an early age Mr. Seacord entered his father's blacksmith shop, to learn the trade, which he followed until the year 1891, when he left the forge and engaged in the real estate and insurance business, which he still follows.

He was present and took part in the organization of the republican party in Orange County in the year 1855, and has taken an active part in its councils ever since. He has attended many of the state, county and district conventions, and was acquainted with Horace Greeley, Roscoe Conkling, President Arthur and many others of their time.

He was elected to represent his town in the board of supervisors in 1876, being the first republican supervisor elected from the town of Hamptonburgh. In the fall of 1876 the town gave a democratic majority of sixty-seven out of a total vote of two hundred and ninety-five.

He was elected to the assembly in 1907, receiving 5,625 votes, while his democratic opponent received 4,871.

Speaker Wadsworth, in 1908, appointed Mr. Seacord a member of the assembly committees on insurance and agriculture.

WILLIAM H. SEACORD was born at Lincolndale, Orange County. N. Y., formerly known as Decker's, July 17, 1860. After leaving the district school he learned blacksmithing, and when twenty-one years old engaged in business for himself.

He married Charlotte E. Crans, May 31, 1883. Their children are: Barbara A., Andrew W., H. Stanley, Charlotte C. and Ralph P. Barbara is a teacher in the Lincolndale school, and Andrew is taking a course in mechanical engineering at Cornell University. Mr. Seacord, besides his general blacksmithing business, conducts a carriage repository. He is a member of Hamptonburgh Grange No. 950.

BENJAMIN CHANDLER SEARS was born in Montgomery, February, 1836, where his father, Marcus Sears, M. D., then resided. His grandfather, Benjamin Sears, was appointed sheriff of Ulster County by Governor George Clinton, February, 1793. His mother was a daughter of Richard Caldwell, captain of the Twenty-fifth United States Infantry, who, on the march to the Canadian frontier, died from exposure, and was buried at Champlain, N. Y., in 1812. Dr. Sears soon removed to Blooming Grove, and Benjamin C. attended the public school there, Chester Academy and Montgomery Academy, under Joseph M. Wilkin. He entered the junior class of Rutgers College and graduated in 1857 with the Suydam prize for English composition, and the degree of A. B., receiving later the degree of A. M.; was a charter member of the Zeta Psi Club of New York and trustee of the chapter house of the Sigma Psi fraternity at Rutgers.

On graduating he came to the farm upon which he now resides, which was purchased by his great-grandfather, John Chandler, in 1793, containing about forty acres, which, by purchase, he has increased to four hundred acres. In carrying on the farm, he is associated with James B. Howell and his son, Marcus Caldwell Sears, who graduated from Rutgers in the class of '91 with first honor, taking also a special course in agriculture. The firm kept a dairy of one hundred or more cows, the milk from which is largely bottled on the farm, and until March, 1906, was delivered directly to consumers from the Blooming Grove Ayrshire Dairy, 445 West Nineteenth street, New York City, but now is distributed by others.

In 1866 he married Phoebe E., daughter of Edmund S. Howell, of Blooming Grove. In 1878 he was democratic candidate for state senator. A year later he was appointed on the commission to appraise damages to property in building the West Shore and Ontario & Western Railroads. For five years he was superintendent of the farm attached to Rutgers, the State Agricultural College of New Jersey, and associate lecturer on farming. For several years he was vice-president of the Ayrshire Breeders' Association. He was director of the Orange County Agricultural Society from 1877 to 1899, and vice-president from 1889 to 1901. He was an elder in the Second Presbyterian Church of Washingtonville, until it was dissolved, and since then has been deacon in the Blooming Grove Congregational Church.

HON. ALBERT H. F. SEEGER, county judge of Orange County, N. Y., was born in the city of Stuttgart, Württemberg, Germany, in 1859. His parents came to America in 1861, settling in Goshen, N. Y. In 1867 the family moved to Newburgh, and it was here the subject of this sketch obtained his education and has since resided. After graduating from the academy in 1875, he read law in the office of Judge Dickey, and was admitted to the bar in 1880.

Judge Seeger is a tireless worker and has built up a very extensive and lucrative practice. For a number of years he was assistant district attorney, and in 1903 was elected district attorney. In 1906 he was elected to the office of county judge.

GEORGE SEELY was born March 27, 1837. His parents were Edward and Julia Ann (Satterly) Seely. Mr. Seely attained his education at the district school and Old Chester Academy. He now occupies the homestead in which his grandfather and great-grandfather lived. The house is now over one hundred and fifty years old. George Seely was united in marriage to Miss Helen M. Butler, of Rochester, N. Y., September 17, 1868. Their one child, Gaylord B., was born March 3, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Seely are members of the Chester Presbyterian Church and Mr. Seely is a member of the Chester Grange No. 984. In politics he is a republican and has served the town in various offices. His wife is a member of the board of managers of the Home for Aged Women of Middletown, N. Y.

HOWARD DAVIS SEELY, who resides near Chester, was born January 27, 1878. He received his early education at the Chester Academy, afterward attending for two years the Military Academy at Cornwall-on-Hudson, graduating in 1898. His father, Fred B. Seely, died in July, 1891. He was a man of sterling worth in the community. Howard assumed control of the farm after his father's death, which is located about two miles from Chester. He is a large breeder of Holstein-Freisian cattle, has exhibited his stock on several occasions at the Orange County Fair at Middletown, and secured first premium. The foundation of this stock was purchased of H. D. Roe, of Augusta, N. J. Mr. Roe has raised more world's champion stock than any one breeder in this part of the country. Mr. Seely married Miss Carrie A. Mills, daughter of George Mills, of Goshen, N. Y. They have one child, Pauline Augusta. He is a member of the Chester Grange, a republican and takes a lively interest in all questions of the day.

JOHN LANSING SERVIN—Mr. Servin, who spent the last years of his life in Warwick, was born in Spring Valley, Rockland County, on September 6, 1835. After a course of study at Rutgers College, he was graduated from the University of the City of New York in 1858. He then commenced the study of law, and after obtaining his degree at the Albany Law School, and being connected for a time with the law firm of Hill, Cagger and Porter in Albany, removed to New York City, where he practiced his profession until 1865. He married Miss Sallie Ann Forshee, of Warwick, in 1864, and in 1865 removed to Warwick, where he purchased the Warwick Advertiser, which he conducted for some years, when ill health forced him to give up all active pursuits.

He was one of the founders of the Y. M. C. A. at Warwick and superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Reformed Dutch Church, and withal a liberal, well-educated and public-spirited citizen.

He died at Warwick, on October 8, 1881, and is survived by three children: Abraham Forshee, who is a practicing lawyer of Middletown, N. Y.; Sara, wife of Dr. Stephen W. Perry, of Belchertown, Mass.; and John Magie, of Warwick. A younger child, Walter Tinkey, died at an early age. His widow still resides at Warwick in the family home.

FREDERICK W. SEWARD, M.D., a worthy member of a greatly honored family, was born in Goshen, August 22, 1845. He prepared for college in the Seward Institute, founded and endowed by his grandfather, Judge S. S. Seward. He graduated at Union College, and studied medicine in Bellevue Medical College and the New York Homeopathic Medical College. He then settled in Middletown, where he had an extensive practice, but on account of failing health went to New Mexico in 1876. Returning in 1882, he made Goshen his home and engaged in general practice until 1899, when he became a specialist in nervous and mental diseases, and opened "Interpines," a sanatorium for the cure of these diseases. He has long been president of the Orange County Homeopathic Society, and is a member of the New York State Homeopathic Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy; also the Orange County and New York State Medical Societies and of the National Medical Association. He is president of the Goshen Board of Trade and for years was president of the Goshen Board of Education. He is also a Mason. He was married to Ella Armstrong, of Florida, Orange County, December 27, 1866. She died three years later, leaving two children. Dr. Seward again married in 1875, his second wife being Matie Corey, of Plainfield, N. J., by whom he has three children. His three daughters, Ella, Matie and Bertha, are at home. His eldest son, Edwin P., is a ranch man in New Mexico, and Frederick W., Jr., a graduate of the New York Medical College, is associated with his father at the "Interpines." Dr. Seward's father was Edwin Pollodore Seward, of Florida, and his uncle was William H. Seward, Lincoln's secretary of state, and before the war United States senator. Dr. Seward's great-great-grandfather was John Seward, a colonel in the New Jersey militia during the Revolutionary war.

JOHN L. SEYBOLT, of the town of Mt. Hope, was born July 28, 1854, on the homestead farm, about one-half mile from Otisville. He was reared on the home farm and acquired his early education at the district school, afterward attending the Otisville school. His principal business is dairying, having one hundred and seventy-one acres of land. His parents were Paul Lee, born August 18, 1830, died July 8, 1905, and Antoinette, born July 4, 1831, still living. To this union four children were born: John, the subject of this sketch; Horace G., of New York City, engaged in the milk business; Alva, a prominent attorney at Oneonta, Otsego County, N. Y., and Emma, wife of J. C. Jordon, of Middletown, N. Y. Mr. Seybolt married Miss Alice W. Riter, of Otisville, N. Y., December 18, 1878. She was born June 13, 1858. Two children were born to this union: Violet, wife of George Kaufman, of Middletown, and Falter Lee, attending school at Middletown. In politics Mr. Seybolt is a democrat and has served six years as road commissioner. As a farmer he is very successful and for many years has been a member of the Otisville Grange.

REV. JESSE F. SHAFER, an old and honored resident of Newburgh, was born at Montgomery, Orange County, October 12, 1828. He graduated from Montgomery Academy in 1848, read law with Hon. Hugh B. Bull and attended the State and National Law School at Ballston Spa, N. Y. He was admitted to the bar in 1852, and practiced in Goshen and Newburgh until 1857, when he formed a partnership with his brother, Joseph D., district attorney of Ulster County, with offices in Kingston. In 1861 he enlisted in the 56th New York Volunteer Infantry, was promoted to first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster, resigning in 1864. From 1869 to 1873 Mr. Shafer owned and operated the Youngblood farm. In 1874 he decided to prepare for the ministry, and was ordained in 1877. He was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Audenried, Pa., five years. The failure of his voice caused his retirement. Mr. Shafer is chaplain of Ellis Post No. 52, G. A. R.; also of the 56th Regiment Veteran Association. In 1869 he married Miss Ann H. Crawford, of Thompson's Ridge, Orange County. She died June 10, 1891, leaving one daughter, Susie C., the wife of Walter Carvey.

WILLIAM H. SHANNON, prominent in business and public affairs at Newburgh, N. Y., was born in Richmond, North Hampton County, Penn., April 22, 1840. His parents, Charles Shannon, a carpenter, and Magdalen Gruver Shannon, were also natives of Richmond. He is a descendant from Nathaniel Shannon, who was born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1655 of Scottish ancestry. Nathaniel came to America in 1687 as naval officer of the port of Boston, where he was a member of the historic Old South Church. He served as naval officer of the port for twenty-two years. From him sprang the various branches of the family. Some of his descendants became pioneers in the South; one accompanied the Lewis and Clarke Expedition. William H. Shannon's grandfather, Langdon Shannon, was a major in the War of 1812.

Mr. Shannon received his education in the little log schoolhouse of Richmond; that is, as much education as a lad can acquire up to the early age of thirteen, when he went to work. He came to Newburgh in 1862 to take charge of the slating of Vassar College for the late John Gait. He started in business the same year and in 1877 became associated with Mr. Gait, who was interested in the firm of Shannon & Co., until his death. Mr. Shannon then took his son, William H., Jr., into partnership. To the originally modest slate-roofing business new branches were added from time to time until to-day an extensive business is carried on—slate, tile and metal roofing mantels, fireplaces marble and tiling.

Mr. Shannon is a member of the Masonic Veterans' Association, having been raised in 1866. He is also a charter member of the Washington Heights Chemical Engine Co. He has been a painstaking and efficient member of the Water Board for fifteen years, three of which he served as president.

THE SHAW FAMILY—The Shaw family was among the early settlers in the northeastern part of the town, and until within a few years the original tract Of land settled upon them was in the name of some of the family. About 1750 William Shaw moved to the town and was agent for a large tract of land owned by New York parties, with instructions to take what he wanted, sell what he could and give some away. The descendants of some of his friends to whom he gave farms are living in Orange County. Soon after he came from Ireland and had made a clearing, he sent for his intended wife (Mary Waldron). She came from New York to New Windsor on a sloop and was met by him and taken to his home on horseback, for at that time it was the only way he could travel between the two points. They had children and many of their descendants are still in that vicinity, among them being Wickham T. Shaw, a great-grandson, practicing law at Middletown, N. Y. William Shaw, who married Rachel Schoonover, son of William and Mary W. Shaw, inherited the homestead and died there. Two of his sons, Aaron and Howard, became quite distinguished. The former was state attorney, judge of the Supreme Court and twice elected to Congress in Illinois. The latter (Howard), who married Abby M. Tryon, was a noted auctioneer, and Wickham T. Shaw, his son, who married Clara A. Mapes, is the last male descendant in that line living. He has three sons, Howard, Charles and H. James Aaron, and one daughter, Florence.

HARRY E. SHAW, of Newburgh, member of the Board of Supervisors, was born in this city in 1869. His father, the late Captain George W. Shaw, was for years a leading business man of Newburgh, a member of the widely known firm of Thomas Shaw's Sons. Harry E. was educated at the Newburgh Academy and Siglar's Preparatory School, after which he entered the planing mill business of his father. He subsequently engaged in the feed business, being senior member of the firm of Shaw Brothers.

Politically Mr. Shaw is a democrat and in 1907 was elected supervisor of the Second Ward. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Elks, Ringgold Hose Company and the City Club.

SAMUEL E. SHIPP, son of Colonel Samuel Shipp, was born in 1850 at Pleasant Ridge, Princess Ann County, Virginia. He was educated at Columbian College, Washington, D. C. Mr. Shipp was deputy state treasurer of Virginia several years, and for ten years connected with the post-office in Richmond and Norfolk. He came to Newburgh and organized the present real estate and insurance firm of Shipp & Osborn in 1888, associating himself with Mr. David A. Osborn. This business had been established in 1873 by E. S. Turner. Mr. Shipp is also president of the Shipp & Osborn Realty Company. In 1900 he was appointed by the governor of New York State a member of the Board of Managers of the Middletown State Hospital and served four years as president of the board. He was elected in 1898 a member of the Board of Education of Newburgh and has been president of the board six years. Mr. Shipp is prominent in club, social and business circles. He is a member of Hudson River Lodge, a Knight Templar and was one of the organizers of the Wilbur H. Weston Shriner Association and has been its vice-president and president. He is a charter member and director of the Newburgh City Club and for many years a member of the Powelton (Country) Club. Mr. Shipp has always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the growth and prosperity of his home city.

HON. MORGAN SHUIT, who for more than a quarter of a century was a prominent figure in political and business affairs of Orange County, was born in Richfield, Conn., 1812, and died at Central Valley, July 29, 1884. Mr. Shuit was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1864, when he purchased large tracts of land and devoted his time to the management of his farms. He was a leader in republican politics and for thirty-one years represented the old town of Monroe in the Board of Supervisors. He also filled the office of justice of the peace for thirty-three years. In 1879 he was elected a member of the state legislature and reelected in 1880. He was chosen executor for many estates because of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. In 1846 Mr. Shuit married Mary A. Titus and seven children were born to them. Mrs. Shuit died and in 1870 he chose her sister, Phebe B. Titus, for his second wife.

CHARLES N. SKINNER, M.D., of Port Jervis, was born in that city, March 9, 1866. He obtained his education in the schools of that place and Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa. When twenty-two years of age he took up the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. L. Cuddeback and completed his medical studies by a course of lectures at Bellevue, New York, from which he was graduated in 1892. He at once began the practice of medicine in Port Jervis. He is a member of the Orange County Medical Society. Dr. Skinner married Mary B. Hiller, of Tunkhannock, Pa., June 9, 1892, and both he and Mrs. Skinner are consistent members of the Reformed Church of Port Jervis.

FRANK SLAUGHTER was born near Pine Island, N. Y., February 23, 1854, attended college at Elmira N. Y., and assisted his grandfather on the farm until he was thirty-two years old. He has since been a dairy farmer and an extensive fruit grower. He has a farm of eighty acres, and apart from this is engaged with the Empire Steel Company of Catasauqua, Penn., in the limestone business. He married Annie Louise Wilson, of Brooklyn, N. Y., December 16, 1885. Their six children are Charles B., born September 20, 1886; Clara Van Sickle, born April 6, 1888, wife of Grant Cooper, of Pine Island; Fannie Louise, born April 5, 1891, wife of Russell S. Ferguson, of New Milford; Jerry, born April 20, 1893; Lu Wilcox, born December 28, 1898, and Audrey Wilson, born January 1, 1902. Mr. Slaughter attends the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a republican.

NORMAN C. SLY was a New York City policeman more than twenty years, being appointed on the force May 8, 1882, and serving until September 16, 1902. He is now a practical farmer and good citizen who interests himself in the public welfare as well as his private interests. He was born June 22, 1858, and was one of the four children of Ross W. and Marguerite E. Wilcox Sly. His early education was in the district school.

CLARENCE J. SLOCUM, M.D., resident physician of Falkirk Sanitarium, near Central Valley, graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1897. The following three years he was connected with the City Hospital at Poughkeepsie and from 1900 to 1902 with the Utica State Hospital. His services were then secured by Dr. Carlos MacDonald as resident physician of his sanitarium, then located at Pleasantville. In 1906 the institution was removed to Orange County. Dr. Slocum is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Dutchess County Medical Society.

CHARLES H. SMITH was born at Howells, Orange County, N. Y., in 1861. After graduating from the Wallkill Academy he took up civil engineering and spent two years in practical work under Chief Engineer O. Chanute, of the Erie R. R. He then entered Lehigh University, and for two years was a student in the department of civil engineering. Later he was engineer on the Erie R. R. Mr. Smith married Miss Minnie A. Holland, of Hornell, N. Y., in 1890. In 1889 he was appointed assistant chief engineer of the New York, Ontario and Western R. R., with headquarters at Middletown, which position he filled for three years. He resigned in 1893 and devoted his attention entirely to civil engineering. The following year he opened an office in Middletown and was appointed city engineer, in which capacity he served ten years, at which time he was appointed county engineer, which position he is now holding. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and an honorary member of the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co.

ELWOOD C. SMITH, attorney, of Newburgh, was born in Monroe, N. Y., February 12, 1882. He graduated from the Newburgh Academy in 1900 and from Columbia University in 1904 with the degree of LL.B. He practiced his profession three years in New York City, and in January, 1907, began the practice of law in Orange County, with offices in Newburgh and Monroe. Mr. Smith was elected justice of the peace of the latter town in 1906. He is a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity; Greenwood Council No. 140, Junior Order American Mechanics; Standard Lodge No. 711, F. & A. M.; Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.; Hudson River Commandery No. 35, K. T., and Mecca Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.

GEORGE SMITH, one of the enterprising citizens of Otisville, was born in the town of Mt. Hope, February 8, 1835, being sixth in order of birth in his parents' family. He remained at home until he was sixteen, when he learned the carpenters' trade. He clerked in a general store at Otisville for a period of two years, when he embarked in business for himself, forming a partnership with Mr. Dunning. The firm was afterward Reed & Smith. Later Mr. Smith purchased his partner's interest and continued alone for five years, when he again sold to Mr. Reed a half interest. Mr. Smith is now living retired. He married Miss Cynthia Green, of Otisville. In politics he is a democrat and has served the town as supervisor for seventeen years and as town clerk eight years.

NATHAN S. SMITH—Among the old business landmarks in Water street, Newburgh, is the book and stationery store of Mr. Smith, which was established in 1830. It is the oldest bookstore in the Hudson Valley and was purchased by Mr. Daniel Smith in 1840. He was a native of Connecticut, and after locating in Newburgh was engaged for a time in the shoe business. Mr. N. S. Smith has been proprietor of this store since 1882. Mr. Smith was born in Newburgh and for many years has been prominent in the commercial and social circles of his native city.

WILLIAM J. SMITH, who is engaged in general farming and dairying on a historic tract of land in the town of Hamptonburgh, was born January 21, 1851, on the homestead farm about one mile from Neelytown. His father was Foster and his mother Sarah W. (Waite) Smith. He was married to Miss Lizzie Burns, of Newburgh, December 7, 1876. Two children were born by this union: Frank W., who married the daughter of John Maryhue, of Ulster County, N. Y., and Nellie, who resides at home. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of Montgomery. In politics he is a democrat. The home in which Mr. Smith resides is historic from the fact that Washington stopped here on one occasion in crossing from the Delaware River to his headquarters at Newburgh. Recently it was necessary to make repairs in the old chimney and a brick with the date 1777 was taken from the fireplace.

JACOB B. STANABACK—His birthplace was Sparta, Sussex County, N. J., where he began life November 10, 1861, and attended the district school. He worked awhile in a creamery in Stanford, Delaware County, N. Y., and then was a clerk in Sparta and Ogdensburgh. All this was before he was of age. When he was twenty-one he went to Newfoundland, Morris County, N. J., and was there clerk in a general store. His next move was to Florida, Orange County, where he worked for H. B. Seeley, and his next to Newark, N. J., where in 1888 he went into business for himself. In 1897 he went to New Milford, Orange County, and worked for his cousin, Benjamin Scott, until he was burned out on March 22, 1900. Then Mr. Stanaback erected a store on the location of the old store and renewed business.

He was appointed postmaster in 1900 and still holds the office. He is now erecting a brick building for store and residence to have steam heat and other latest improvements. In connection with his general mercantile business he sells the Osborn farm implements. He belongs to Wawayanda Lodge No. 34, I. O. O. F., at Warwick and Encampment of Mt. Olive Lodge No. 65, of Newburgh, N. Y.

JOSEPH F. STEVENS, the efficient postmaster of Highland Falls, N. Y., received this appointment in 1901. He was born in this village in 1864, and educated at schools in Pennsylvania and Manhattan College, N. Y. Previous to his present office he was engaged in the hotel business at Highland Falls, which was established by his father, George Stephens, who built the hotel in 1864. He has held the office of school trustee six years.

Mr. Stevens married Miss Lucetta Faurot, daughter of Captain Theodore Faurot, a descendant of one of the oldest families in the town of Highland.

L. S. STERRIT, son of Thomas and Jane Sterrit, was of Scotch-English extraction. His parents emigrated to this country shortly after their marriage and established a home beside the old Presbyterian Church at Coldenham, where the subject of this sketch was born February 17, 1852.

His general education was gained at the Newburgh Academy and the Collegiate Institute at Newton, N. J. He commenced his legal studies at Newburgh in the office of George H. Clark, leaving this office to enter that of Judge James W. Taylor, April 3, 1873. He was admitted to the bar in 1876, and continued to occupy the position of managing clerk for Judge Taylor, and upon the latter's death in 1883 succeeded to his practice. At the time of his death, which occurred April 4, 1907, he had occupied the same suite of offices in the Savings Bank Building for a period of thirty-five consecutive years.

Mr. Sterrit's practice was almost exclusively confined to equity and probate work, in which he was an acknowledged expert. He conducted some of the most important equity cases of recent years, and was employed in the settlement of many large estates. His practice of his profession was marked by untiring industry and strict integrity. He was an eloquent speaker and a graceful writer, the productions of his pen relating chiefly to local historical subjects, on which he was an acknowledged authority.

Mr. Sterrit was past master of Hudson River Lodge, F. & A. M., and delivered the oration at the celebration of its twenty-fifth anniversary. For fifteen years he served as trustee and secretary of the Glebe, and was a trustee of the Woodlawn Cemetery Association for the same length of time. As a safe and trusted counselor he was honored by his fellow practitioners at the bar; as a generous, public spirited citizen he was held in high regard by those among whom he lived, but as a noble-hearted friend, void of selfishness and without guile, he was loved by those who knew him best. This, in his life, served to bring him his most cherished reward, and, in his death, will prove his most enduring monument.

DANIEL JACKSON STEWARD was the great-grandson of John Steward 1st, who settled in Goshen in 1744, and the son of John Steward 3rd, who, born in Goshen, subsequently moved to New York, where he was for forty years engaged in the business of a wholesale dry goods merchant, acquiring a fortune and distinguished by a reputation for unswerving integrity and uprightness of character.

Daniel Jackson Steward, the subject of this sketch, was the second son of John Steward 3rd, of Goshen, and was born in 1816. He was descended, through his maternal ancestor, Isaac Townsend, of Oyster Bay, L. I., from Capt. John Underbill, the famous fighter of Indians. Though born in New York, Mr. Steward always felt himself to be by inheritance and affection a son of Orange County.

He was a graduate of Princeton and a man of great mental powers and wide learning, equally interested in science and art, a combination of tastes rarely found in the same individual. He was never engaged in active business, but devoted the greater part of his life to scholarly pursuits. A fellow of the National Academy of Design, he was himself an artist of merit, and delighted in his sketches and paintings, to depict the scenery characteristic of Orange County, in his estimation, of unsurpassed beauty. Its graceful elms, giant oaks and chestnuts were his special study and admiration, and the reckless destruction of the county's forests and groves, which during his lifetime he was obliged to witness, occasioned him the deepest regret for economic and climatic reasons, even more than from the standpoint of the artist.

Mr. Steward was one of the incorporators and a patron of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, also of the American Museum of Natural History, being first vice-president of the latter for many years. To this museum he presented many fine fossils and Indian remains, some of which were found in Orange County, and also his collection of shells, he being a noted conchologist. This collection, though not the largest, was said to contain rarer and more beautiful specimens than any other private collection of shells in the world, and it can now be seen intact in the museum.

Mr. Steward was widely interested in philanthropic and charitable enterprises. It may be mentioned that he was instrumental in sending to Japan in 1858, and personally supported there for five years, the famous missionary, Dr. Verbeck, to whose influence with the emperor is largely attributed the awakening of Japan, hitherto closed to the world, and its opening to western civilization.

EDWIN F. STILL was born in Catskill, Greene County, N. Y., August 30, 1878, and educated in the public school. As a member of Company E, 2nd N. Y. V., he accompanied the regiment to Port Tampa, Fla., and remained in the service about seven months in the war with Spain. He came to Warwick in November, 1901, worked in Arnold's Photographic Studio, and purchased the business the next year. He is first assistant engineer of the Warwick Fire Department and is serving a second term as police justice. He was elected November, 1907, to the office of town clerk of Warwick. He is a member of the Christ Episcopal Church. He married Miss Matilda Carson, daughter of Thomas Carson, of Warwick.

MOSES A. STIVERS, M.D., was born in Middletown, Orange County, N. Y., November 14, 1872. He received his education at the Middletown High School and attended Columbia College, New York City. Dr. Stivers has been connected with the house staff of the New York Hospital and the New York Cancer Hospital. He served as master of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, is a member of the National Guard and holds the position of assistant surgeon at the present time. He was married to Lillian C. Hummell, of Port Jervis, and they have one child, Mary Van Etten. Dr. Stivers is at present attending physician at the Thrall Hospital, vice-president of the Orange County Medical Society, and secretary and treasurer of the Stivers Printing Co., of Middletown, N. Y.

GEORGE H. STRONG was born at Blooming Grove in August, 1867, was educated in the district school and Monroe Academy, and at the age of sixteen became associated in business with Knight & Conklin, and remained with them eight years. October 1, 1891, Conklin & Strong purchased the feed and grain business of H. K. Wood, of Warwick, and in 1897, the business of W. S. Board & Co., of Vernon, N. J. In 1898 they built a store in New Milford and in 1906 bought the lumber and coal business of B. S. Galloway, of Warwick. Mr. Strong is president of the Warwick Telephone Company, a director of the Building and Loan Association and Warwick Building Company, and a trustee of the village. He is also a member of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. & A. M. He married Miss Emma, daughter of Henry Mapes, October 10, 1888. Stella, Harry and Julia are the names of their three children.

SELAH E. STRONG, ex-sheriff of Orange County, was born at the Strong homestead, "Maple Hurst," in the town of Blooming Grove in 1843, and it was here his death occurred, July, 1905. The ancestry of the Strongs in America dates back to John Strong, who came from England in 1629 and settled in eastern Massachusetts. Major Nathaniel Strong, who figured prominently in the early history of Orange County, was shot October 6, 1778, by Claudius Smith at the homestead door in Blooming Grove. He was the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Strong was educated at the schools of his native place and engaged in farming as an occupation. At the age of twenty-one he was elected highway commissioner, occupying that position twelve years. In 1876 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors, holding the office six years. From 1878 to 1884 he was postmaster, receiving the appointment from President Hayes. In 1897 the people of Orange County, in recognition of his worth and ability, elected him to the office of sheriff, where he administered his duties in such a business-like and careful manner as to win hearty commendation from the citizens of Orange County. In 1873 Mr. Strong was united in marriage to Miss Stella K. Hetzel, of Florida, a descendant of an old Revolutionary family. Two children were born to them, H. Sherwood, who is engaged in business in New York City, and Edith, now Mrs. A. J. Norton, of Saugerties, N. Y. Mrs. Strong continues to reside at the homestead, which has sheltered seven generations of this sterling family.

INGHAM STUBLEY, clerk of the Board of Supervisors, was born in England in 1853, and has resided in Newburgh since 1868. For twelve years he was bookkeeper for the firm of Haigh & Mellor, woolen manufacturers. In 1880 he and his father, William Stubley, established the rag, iron and metal business at its present location, 129 Broadway. Mr. Stubley has been continuously elected clerk of the Board of Supervisors since 1892. He has been a member of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M., for thirty-four years and for ten years has served as its secretary. He has also passed through all the chairs in Acme Lodge No. 469, I. O. O. F.; is a member of Mount Olive Encampment No. 65 and Highland Chapter, R. A. M., of Newburgh. He married Nancy J. Dickerson, of Orange County, in 1875, and has two sons, William and Charles G., who are associated with him in business.

GEORGE C. STULL was born June 7, 1864, at Belvedere, N. J. His parents were Henry J. and Mary (Fine) Stull. Mr. Stull received his early education at Belvedere, N. J. When he was fifteen years of age he started in the milk business and continued for elven years, he removed to Goshen, Orange County, N. Y., in 1890, and engaged in the wholesale and retail candy and ice cream business, which business he now conducts. In politics he is a republican. He attends the Presbyterian Church of Goshen, N. Y. He is a member of the Cataract Hose Company of Goshen, and an ex-member of I. O. O. F. of New York City.

GEORGE W. STURR, of Florida, was born in Kerney, Hudson County, N. J., October 26, 1845. His parents, Daniel R. and Sarah Sturr, had five children, and George was the third son. When he was seven years old he left home and went to Brooklyn, where he lived until he was twenty-one, and was educated in the Brooklyn public schools. He then became a clerk for about three years in Danbury, Conn., when he embarked in business for himself and has been identified with several business enterprises. In 1881 he became associated for several years with the Metropolitan Manufacturing Company, of New York City. In 1894 he purchased a home in Florida, where he still resides.

Mr. Sturr married Mary Louise Gregory, of Ulster County, N. Y., in 1867, and they have had four children, two sons and two daughters. Both sons are dead. The daughters are Alberta L. and Ada Cressie. The wife and mother died April 25, 1906.

ALEXANDER C. SUTHERLAND, superintendent of the poor for Orange County, was born at Central Valley, N. Y., June 9, 1855. His education was obtained in the public school of that place, supplemented by a short course in the Mount Vernon Institute, New York City. Mr. Sutherland spent his early days on his father's farm and has since made farming his occupation. He has held the office of superintendent of the poor since January 1, 1896, and has during that time inaugurated many important improvements in the county's establishment. Previous to his election to that office he resided for a number of years on his farm near Turners, and for years was president of the Board of Education of that village, and also served as town assessor.

Socially he is affiliated with Standard Lodge No. 711, F. & A. M., of Monroe, of which he is past master; Midland Chapter, R. A. M., of Middletown; Cyprus Commandery No. 67, K. T.; Mecca Temple, Mystic Shrine of New York, and the Consistory. He has passed all chairs in Knights of Pythias Lodge, and is a member of the Goshen Club and the Old Orchard Club of Middletown.

He was joined in marriage on January 17, 1883, with Miss Elizabeth Cooper, of Central Valley, and their family consists of four children living: Harriet C., Martha C., Clara E. and Annie M.

Mr. Sutherland is one of the representative men of Orange County and makes an efficient and thorough county officer.

MORRIS SWACKHAMMER was born April 15, 1877, at Mount Rose, Susquehanna County, Pa. He has been identified with the Borden Creameries five years and with the New Milford Branch two years, where he is now the manager. This creamery has the best modern appliances for the hygienic handling and care of milk, of which it receives about 5,000 gallons annually. Mr. Swackhammer is a member of Mount Rose Chapter No. 151, I. O. O. F. His wife's maiden name was Miss Lottie Jones, of Mount Rose, Pa. Their only child is Roy, born January 16, 1904.

HENRY B. SWARTWOUT, M.D., of Port Jervis, is a member of one of the oldest families in America. He was born in Port Jervis, February 4, 1861, on the farm which is a part of the original tract of land settled by the Swartwouts in 1690. His parents are Peter P. and Hannah (Cuddeback) Swartwout. The family originated in Holland and were among the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam.

Dr. Swartwout is the youngest of a family of nine children, five of whom are living. He obtained his education at Port Jervis Academy, supplemented by a two-year course at Cornell University. He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. L. Cuddeback, and later entered Bellevue Medical College of New York, from which he graduated in 1885. He remained one year, as intern, in the New York Chambers Street Hospital.

His marriage with Miss Carrie B. Peck, daughter of George V. Peck, of Port Jervis, occurred March 10, 1886, after which they spent six months abroad, during the time taking a post-graduate course in the Vienna Hospital. Upon his return home he took up the practice of medicine, and in 1892, with Dr. W. L. Cuddeback, purchased the Hunt Memorial Hospital, which they have since conducted.

Dr. Swartwout is a member of the Orange County, the State and the American Medical Associations, and the Erie Railway Surgeons' Association. He is also a member of the Deer Park Club and at the present time is mayor of Port Jervis.

To Doctor and Mrs. Swartwout have been born four children. Henry Lewis died at the age of one year. Those living are Florence, Charlotte and Herbert B.

CLAYTON E. SWEET, of the firm of Sweet, Orr & Co., was born at Wappingers Falls, N. Y., June 16, 1834, and after a large business experience in that town he moved to Newburgh in 1887, to which city the business offices of the company were changed that year. His father was for many years a merchant and manufacturer in Wappingers Falls, and for a period postmaster of the village. Mr. Sweet was educated at the public schools of his native place and at the Dutchess County Academy at Poughkeepsie. Then for three years he was in the employ of Levi Cook & Co., merchants on Broadway, New York. He returned to Wappingers Falls to enter his father's store, and ere long was made a partner.

For many years Mr. Sweet was one of the leading business men of the place and of great usefulness to the community. He was one of the first trustees of the Wappingers Savings Bank, and acted as its secretary and treasurer until it obtained a substantial footing; he was afterwards elected vice-president of the institution. For seven years he was postmaster of the village under President Grant. He was also a director of the Fallkill National Bank of Poughkeepsie, and a vestryman of the Zion Episcopal Church of Wappingers Falls. Since 1876 Mr. Sweet, as head of the firm of Sweet, Orr & Co., has given his whole attention to the manufacture of overalls. This firm are the pioneers in this business and their product the largest in the country. Mr. Sweet has served as a trustee of the Newburgh Savings Bank and vestryman of St. George's Episcopal Church. He is president of the Newburgh City Club and a director of the Newburgh National Bank. He married in 1860, Chattie Louise, daughter of Hon. James Manning, of Bethany, Pa., and a lineal descendant of Captain Bazaliel Tyler, a soldier of the Revolution, who was killed when leading the advance guard at the battle of Minisink.

LYMAN H. TAFT, editor and proprietor of the Montgomery Standard and Reporter, has resided in Orange County since 1888. Previously he made his home in Warren, Pa.

October 23, 1888, Mr. Taft bought the Montgomery Reporter, a four-page sheet, founded May 30, 1887, by George H. Young. January 1, 1899, Mr. Taft purchased the Montgomery Standard from the Winfield family, who had owned the paper since 1868. He consolidated it with the Reporter under the above title. It is a four-page blanket paper, republican in politics. Mr. Taft, the popular editor, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and the Foresters.

CAPTAIN THOMAS TAFT, senior member of the Taft-Howell Company, successor to the firm of Mead & Taft, contractors, builders and manufacturers, at Cornwall Landing, N. Y., is a lineal descendant of the colonist, Robert Taft, who came from England to Massachusetts in 1677. He is the oldest son of Daniel Taft, the sixth in line of descent from the colonist Robert and his wife Emeline Smith, descendant of a family of Pennsylvania Quakers who, escaping the massacre at Wyoming, settled near Woodbury Falls in Orange County.

Captain Taft was born in the town of Cornwall, September 28, 1840; was educated in the A. C. Roe Collegiate School at Cornwall, and at the outbreak of the Civil War was engaged in the building business with his father and brother-in-law, C. H. Mead. In response to Lincoln's appeal for three hundred thousand additional volunteers, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 124th Regiment, New York Volunteers, and in recognition of ability, fortitude and bravery displayed in camp, on the march and in battle, was promoted from grade to grade to the captaincy of his company.

In the desperate charge of the 124th at Devil's Den on the field of Gettysburg, in which Colonel Ellis, Major Cromwell and so many of his brave comrades were killed, he was disabled by wounds received at the most advanced point readied, and was captured by the enemy. Four months later he had been exchanged and was again on duty with his regiment. With the exception of these and the battle of Boydton Road, he was never absent from the 124th when it was under fire.

In 1866, the year after the close of the war, Captain Taft engaged in the building business with his brother-in-law, Charles H. Mead, under the firm name of Mead & Taft, employing from eighteen to twenty hands. In 1906 the company had in its employ over five hundred men, a majority of whom were skilled mechanics. Its plant at Cornwall Landing, on the west bank of the Hudson, is one of the most complete and extensive of its kind in the State. The building operations of the firm have extended from Northern New Hampshire to San Antonio, Texas. Since 1866 it has erected some eight hundred or nine hundred buildings, nearly all of which have been expensive structures. In the building up and successful management of this extensive business Captain Taft has been the leading factor.

In 1883 a movement looking to the incorporation of the village of Cornwall was defeated. Two years later the proposition was again brought before the people and carried, and Captain Taft was elected the first president of the newly incorporated village, and was retained in office until 1889. Immediately on assuming office he put in operation a system of road improvement which in less than two years gave to Cornwall the reputation of having the best streets of any village in the county. Under a changed administration the taxpayers soon became dissatisfied, Captain Taft was petitioned to again stand for president, and in 1891 was elected without opposition, serving until 1895.

Realizing that the natural beauties of the Highlands of the Hudson were at last awakening public interest, Captain Taft began several years ago, as opportunity offered, the purchase of lands in the Storm King region, where he now owns several rather extensive tracts, which it is believed will at no distant day be so improved as to enhance the attractiveness of his native town.

He was married in 1881 to Mary G., eldest daughter of Dr. James E. Knapp, of Marlborough, Ulster County, N. Y. They have two sons, Thomas Knapp Taft and Royal M. Taft.

WILLIAM G. TAGGART, for many years county clerk of Orange County, was born in Newburgh, N. Y., November 20, 1856. After graduating from the academy he engaged with his father, Archibald Taggart, in the meat business. In 1891 he resigned the postmastership of Newburgh to accept the office of clerk of Orange County, to which he had been elected, and was re-elected in 1894, 1897 and 1900. He is a member of several secret societies, including Newburgh Lodge, F. and A. M.; Highland Chapter, R. A. M., and Hudson River Commandery, K. T.

Mr. Taggart is secretary of the Orange County Traction Company.

H. R. TAYLOR, of Pine Bush, N. Y., who conducts an extensive trade in lumber, building materials, etc., established this business in 1895. His father, Archibald R. Taylor, was a native of Ulster County, and in 1849 located in Pine Bush, where he purchased a large tract of land, and began the erection of buildings. He was largely identified with the prosperity of this village and associated with its business interests. In 1856 he married Miss Mary, daughter of John Colwell Rainey, of Crawford. The following children were born: Archibald, Hamilton R., Emily, Anne and John C, now state senator.

GEORGE W. TEN EYCK was born in Rockland County, N. Y., May 8, 1824. His mother, Mary Youmans Ten Eyck, died December 4, 1884, in the ninetieth year of her age. David Ten Eyck, his father, was a cooper by trade, and a descendant of the early settlers by that name, who came from Holland, locating in Rockland County, some of them serving in the Revolutionary struggle. When George was a mere lad his father died, and the boy was bound out to service until he was twenty-one years old to a farmer near Sugar Loaf. He served his apprenticeship and in the course of a few years the thrifty young farmer had accumulated a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres. It was on this farm (known as Maple Grove farm for years) that he reared his family, remaining there during the remainder of his life, nearly half a century, his demise occurring December 13, 1900. Mr. Ten Eyck was a self-made man, he secured an ordinary education, was noted for his integrity and just dealing, was engaged in various enterprises outside of his farm, and much of his means he lost by helping others, endorsing notes, etc. He was endowed with great muscular strength, having performed many lifting feats in his earlier life. He was always a staunch republican, working hard for the cause. He married Christien Peterson, of Warwick, January 11, 1850, a most estimable woman, who passed away on her seventieth birthday, February 7, 1897. Five children were the result of this union, Coe H., who owns the Valley House, Greenwood Lake; Hutson G., deceased at thirty-eight, was a noted architect for several years previous to his death at Newark, N. J.; George W., a carpenter and builder at Elizabeth, N. J.; Mary L., wife of Francis G. Knapp, and Andrew, both residing at their home, "The Anchorage," at Middletown.

FLOYD E. TETHER was born February 22, 1872, on a farm between Amity and Edenville, Orange County. He attended the Warwick Academy after leaving the district school, and then took a course in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie. Soon afterward he became identified with the Clyde Steamship Company of New York City, with which he remained one year, and then clerked in a general store in Edenville two years. He entered into a mercantile partnership in 1894 with G. S. Everett at Florida, Orange County, where they conducted a general store. In the fall of 1896 C. M. Knapp, of Goshen, purchased Mr. Everett's interest and the firm became Tether & Knapp. This partnership continued until March, 1900, when Mr. Tether became the sole proprietor. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. and A. M. Mr. Tether was married to Mary A. Knapp, of Pine Island, Orange County, February 4, 1896. They have four children, James E., Clifford F., Russell K. and Beatrice M. Mr. Tether's parents were Edward J. and Sarah A. Tether. Their children are Floyd E., Eva J., who married Louis B. Williams, of Florida, and Harry L., who is a farmer on the homestead. A daughter, Hannah, died in her sixteenth year. The father died July 17, 1907. The mother is still living. They resided on the homestead over forty years.

REV. JOHN TETREAU is pastor of the Church of St. Mary, Washingtonville, N. Y. Previous to 1872 this parish was under the direction of Newburgh pastors, but in that year a small chapel was built and Father Keogh paid monthly visits. He was followed by Father Mackin, and then came Rev. William Ward, who was the real founder of the congregation and continued until 1887, when Rev. Henry J. Gordon, of Cornwall, was given charge of the mission until 1892. Fathers Carr, Hannigan and Ward, of Chester, were the next pastors until 1898. The parish was then re-annexed to Cornwall, and Father Currie given charge until May, 1901, to be followed by Father Fenton until October 4, 1902, when Rev. John Tetreau became resident pastor, and it is due to his energy and management that the parishioners now have a beautiful place of worship. During his first year he enlarged the home from one room to a commodious rectory. This was followed by the erection of modern sheds with accommodations for forty carriages. August 5, 1906, the cornerstone was laid by Father Sally, of Newburgh, for the enlargement of the church from 40 by 23 feet to 76 by 41 feet—the dedication ceremonies occurring July 16, 1907. This church is equipped with a fine pipe organ, comfortable pews and heated by steam. Father Tetreau was born and educated in Canada. Since 1889 his pastorates have been in the United States. For twelve years he was connected with St. Jean Baptiste Church in New York. He is much beloved by his parishioners, for whom he has accomplished such extensive improvements. He also has charge of the Maybrook mission.

WILLIAM THAYER was one of Newburgh's oldest and most successful merchants. He came there from Brooklyn, Conn., in 1809. His ancestors came from England in 1636 and settled in Massachusetts, where their descendants have been among the most prominent men of that State. As recorded in history this family dates back in England many centuries, and were people of wealth and influence, holding offices of trust, and having towns named in their honor.

John Thayer, William's brother, came with him to Newburgh. John never married. William married in 1812 Elizabeth Carpenter, daughter of Leonard and Bridget (Belknap) Carpenter, and grand-daughter of Captain Isaac Belknap. Their children were William L., unmarried; John S., married Catharine Stearns; Elijah Carpenter married Mary J. Morrison, daughter of Hamilton Morrison, of Montgomery, N. Y.; Charles F. married Anna F. Miller; Anna B. married Henry Dolson; Elizabeth C. married O. L. Sypher; George A. and Caroline M., unmarried.

In 1826 William Thayer built a house on the corner of Montgomery and Second streets, where he lived until 1837, when he retired from active business life and removed to his large estate of three hundred acres on the heights of Balmville. There he built a large stone mansion, one of the finest and most substantial homes in that section of the county; as it stood on a bluff it commanded a magnificent river view for miles. There he lived until his death in 1855.

John Thayer died in 1861. Both of these men, having been very fortunate in business, accumulated fortunes. They were progressive and very influential in their time and place, and were held in the highest esteem by all who knew them.

The descendants of William Thayer are his daughter, Mrs. O. L. Sypher, the only member of the family now living; his grandchildren are the children of John S., living in Los Angeles, Cal.; the children of Charles F., living in Washington, D. C.; the Thayer family at Burnside and Mrs. Elmer Tibbetts, of Newburgh; children of Elijah C. and Mrs. Marsh, daughter of Mrs. Sypher, of East Orange, N. J.

ALEXANDER THOMPSON, a prominent farmer in the town of Crawford, Orange County, was a son of Augustus and Catherine (Hunter) Thompson, was born on the homestead near Thompson Ridge in 1850, and died January 17, 1908. He was afforded the opportunity to secure a good education and in 1871 graduated from Williams College with the degree of A.B.

Mr. Thompson married Miss Abbie Beattie and they are the parents of seven children. He was for fifteen years an elder in the Hopewell Presbyterian Church. The family resides on the ancestral acres. Augustus Thompson, the father of our subject, was for many years identified with public affairs in Orange County. He filled the offices both of bank and railroad director and was one of the bonding commissioners of the town of Crawford, until his death in 1874. In 1849 and 1850 he was supervisor and in 1865 was elected justice of the peace.

CHARLES HUDSON THOMPSON was born November 11, 1877. His parents are Horace Decker and Sarah (Millspaugh) Thompson. He received his early education at a private school at Goshen, known as the Goshen Institute of Professor William Galdthwaite, the Middletown High School, and the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from the dental department of the latter institution in 1900. After graduating he returned to Goshen and was associated with Dr. Parker for three years. In 1903 he was interested in business in Brooklyn, N. Y., and returning to Goshen in 1904 opened a dental office. He is a member of Goshen Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 365; Midland Chapter No. 240; Cypress Commandery No. 67; and Ajamoore Chapter, Order Eastern Star. For three years he has been a member of the board of governors of Goshen Social Athletic Association, and is assistant foreman of the Cataract Fire Company; member of Second District Dental Society; also a charter member of the Ninth Judicial Dental Society. In politics Dr. Thompson is a republican.

JAMES RENWICK THOMPSON, JR., attorney of Newburgh, N. Y., was born in Newburgh, 1874. He is a graduate of the academy, and the law department of Cornell University, with the degree of LL.B., in 1896, and was admitted to the bar in 1897.

Mr. Thompson married Miss Julia, daughter of James Dickey, in 1906. He is a son of Rev. J. R. and Mary F. (Lawson) Thompson. Rev. Dr. Thompson has been pastor of Westminster Church, Newburgh, N. Y., since 1856.

WILLIAM M. THOMPSON was born in Hamptonburgh, September 20, 1865, on what was known as the Charles M. Thompson farm. He married Mary H. Corwin, daughter of W. S. and Cornelia Corwin, of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had four children, one of whom died at the age of four. Those living are: Ruth, aged fourteen; William M., Jr., and Roland Harlon. Mr. Thompson is a democrat, and has been elected town collector three times. He is a member of Grange No. 950 of Hamptonburgh, trustee and clerk of the Presbyterian Church at Campbell Hall, and trustee, secretary and treasurer of the Hamptonburgh Cemetery Association. For ten years he has been energetic and useful in local and church work.

JOHN W. THORN was born in Mount Hope, February 17, 1864. After his education in the district and a private school, he engaged in the feed and coal trade, and in 1894 started a creamery near Middletown, which he recently sold, and is now conducting a creamery at Westtown, N. Y. He is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. and A. M.; Midland Chapter No. 420, R. A. M.; Cypress Commandery No. 67, K. T.; and of the Commercial Travelers' Middletown Council. His father is A. D. Thorn, a Mount Hope farmer, and his mother's maiden name was Lucinda Moore.

HON. HOWARD THORNTON, attorney of Newburgh, N. Y., was born on Governors' Island, New York Harbor, on February 25, 1849, where his father, General William A. Thornton, was stationed at the time.

Mr. Thornton comes of old Revolutionary stock. His paternal grandfather was Major John Thornton, of the Continental and Revolutionary Army, and his paternal grandmother was a daughter of Colonel Samuel Clyde, of Cherry Valley. Matthew Thornton, one of the signers, was an uncle of his grandfather. On his mother's side his ancestors run back to the De Witts, who were prominent in the Revolutionary period in the Hudson Valley.

Mr. Thornton attended the public schools of New York City, and the College of the City of New York. Later he entered Union College, from which he graduated in 1872. He entered the office of Eugene A. Brewster, of Newburgh, as a law student in the year of his graduation, and subsequently the Albany Law School, from which he graduated in 1874. Returning to the office of Mr. Brewster he remained there until 1883, when he opened his present office.

A staunch republican, Mr. Thornton has long been identified with its affairs in this city. In 1891 he was elected a member of assembly from the first assembly district of Orange County, and re-elected in 1892 and 1893. During his third term he was chairman of the judiciary committee of the assembly.

He has been prominently connected with the Masonic organizations of Newburgh; is president of the board of trustees of Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh; a member of the board of education of that city, and vice-president of the National Bank of Newburgh.

SAMUEL V. TIDD was born February 1, 1842. His parents were John and Hulda Tidd. Five children were born to this union. Samuel acquired his education at the district school and in after years became a mechanic. He enlisted in the 124th Regiment, the famous "Orange Blossoms," September 2, 1862, and was engaged in many important battles. He was taken prisoner in 1864 and confined in the Andersonville prison for eleven months. He married Harriet Reeves, of Howells, N. Y., March 6, 1866; five children were born to this union, Addie L., born February 25, 1867; Harriet E., born August 26, 1868; Nettie W., born March 17, 1870; Elizabeth, born February 10, 1872; John S., born October 23, 1873. Nettie is the wife of Harry Miller, of Middletown, N. Y., and John married Julia McWhinnie, of New York City. Mr. Tidd is a republican, has been collector of the school district four terms and constable one term. He is a member of Lyon Post, G. A. R., No. 266, of Middletown, N. Y.

CHARLES E. TOWER, postmaster at Maybrook and member of the firm of Tower Brothers, general merchants, is a native of Oneida County, N. Y., where his brother Fred. W. was also born. Their father, Albert Tower, moved to Orange County in 1870, locating at Campbell Hall, where he was engaged in the milk business for twenty-five years. He established the store at Maybrook in 1889, where he served as postmaster fourteen years. He also held the office of justice of the peace for three years. His death occurred in 1904. Inheriting the industry and enterprise of their father the Tower brothers are numbered among the progressive business men of Orange County. They are members of the Order of United American Mechanics.

THOMAS POWELL TOWNSEND, son of Jacob P. and Mary Ann (Barrett) Townsend, was born at Milton, Ulster County, N. Y., November 26, 1836. His father was a prosperous merchant of Milton, and young Thomas remained in his employ acquiring the requisite training for a successful business career until 1860, when he located in Newburgh and engaged in wholesale merchandise and general freighting business until 1876, when with the exception of a period in 1881, in which he was interested in the wholesale grocery house of James A. Townsend & Co., he has lived in comparative retirement. Mr. Townsend has steadfastly declined to hold public office, directorships, membership in clubs and fraternal organizations, preferring to enjoy the seclusion and privacy of his home. He married Mary Augusta, daughter of Hon. George Clark. They have one daughter, now Mrs. Florence C., wife of Charles T. McKenzie, married October 22, 1890.

FRANK T. AND A. G. TRIPP, publishers of The News of the Highlands at Highland Falls, N. Y., established this bright weekly eight-page newspaper, March, 1891. A valuable feature of the paper is the chronicling of the news of West Point. A modern job printing plant is also conducted, and it has a large advertising patronage in Newburgh.

Messrs. Tripp are from the State of Ohio, and their progressive western spirit is apparent in the management of the enterprise in their adopted village.

JOHN TURL'S SONS—This company occupies the buildings in South Water street, Newburgh, formerly known as the Washington Iron Works. The business consists chiefly of general machine and boiler shop work. The company deals extensively in sugar machinery, railroad tracks, rails and industrial cars. They employ a force of one hundred men. The industry was founded in New York City in 1845 by John Turl and the works removed to Newburgh in 1905. The officers of the company are Joseph H. Turl, president; Charles H. Pratt, secretary; Harry C. Turl, treasurer.

HIRAM TUTHILL, born November 30, 1837, in Elmira, Chemung County, N. Y., attended school there until sixteen years old, when he moved to Chester, Orange County, and became clerk for Charles S. and J. B. Tuthill. This was in February, 1854, and in May, 1855, he changed to clerk in the Chester Bank, and remained there as bookkeeper and teller thirteen years. He then went to his birthplace, Elmira, and was in the dry goods business there a year, when he returned to Chester and purchased the dry goods and grocery business of Tuthill & Jackson, which he carried on from 1869 to 1900. In August of the latter year he was elected president of the Chester Bank, and still holds the responsible position. He married Miss Pauline W. Conklin, of Elmira, February 24, 1869, and their only son, Leddra W. C. Tuthill, is engaged in an advertising business in New York City. There was another son, who died in December, 1879, at the age of ten. Mrs. Tuthill died March 15, 1903. Mr. Tuthill has been active and energetic in local public affairs as well as his more private mercantile and banking pursuits.

HARRY TWEDDLE, son of John and Phoebe (Comfort) Tweddle, was born in the town of Montgomery, Orange County, N. Y., in 1868. He obtained his education at the schools of Montgomery, and is now engaged in the cultivation of a farm of two hundred acres.

Mr. Tweddle is master of the Montgomery Grange, and a director of the Patrons of Husbandry Fire Insurance Company of Ulster and Orange Counties. Mr. Tweddle married Miss Mary E. Burch and they are the parents of two children, John P. and Robert K.

GARRETT H. TYMESON, postmaster at Otisville, N. Y., was born February 22, 1847, at Wayne County, Pa. His parents were Truman and Elsie Tymeson. His father was one of the pioneer lumbermen locating in Pennsylvania when the lumber interests were at their best. He was identified many years with this business, retiring in 1866. Garrett attended the district school in his locality, after which he attended the academy at Monticello. His early life was spent in the lumber business, after which he entered the mercantile business. He was married May 2, 1871, to Miss Mary Carey, of Middletown, N. Y. Four children were born to this union, one still living. Howard, born September 6, 1872, married Miss Mary Dempsey, and now resides in Paterson, N. J.

Mr. Tymeson went west in the spring of 1877, settling at Frederick, Kans., remaining there twenty years. He served eight years as justice of the peace at that place. In 1897 he returned to New York State, locating at Otisville, Orange County, was appointed postmaster July 11, 1899, and still holds that position. In 1907 the Otisville post-office was made a third-class office. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of the Otisville Presbyterian Church. Socially, he is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. and A. M., of Middletown, N. Y. His son Harry died in infancy; Arthur married Helen Clark, of Middletown, and died March 31, 1905; and Elsie, wife of Dr. L. A. Summers, of Wheaton, Kans., died August 2, 1902. Their one son Waller resides with Mr. Tymeson.

BENJAMIN F. VAIL, supervisor of the town of Warwick, N. Y., was born October 23, 1843, at Chester, Orange County. His early education was obtained at the district school and the Seward Institute at Florida, N. Y. He moved to Honesdale, Pa., where he remained for three years, engaging in the dry goods business. In 1868 he removed to Warwick, entering the grocery business, and later engaging in general merchandise. He was postmaster at Warwick during the Cleveland administration. In 1890 he purchased the business of R. and R. J. Wisner, dealers in lumber, paints, etc. This concern was established in 1884. Mr. Vail was married to Miss Jane C. Cline, December 31, 1868, of Warwick. Two children were born to this union, Cora C. and Pauline F. Mr. Vail takes an active interest in matters pertaining to Warwick. He is a member of Warwick Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 544.

HARRY VAIL was born at New Milford, Orange County, N. Y. He attended the district school there and at Amity, and then engaged in the meat business at Amity. He continued this two years, and bought a small farm of thirty-five acres at New Milford, and leased the Sutton farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he purchased in 1903. He is one of the most extensive peach growers in Orange County, having 9,000 trees. June 15, 1899, he married Miss Celia Utter, daughter of J. W. Utter, of Amity. Their children's names are Harry, Jr., Roy and Emily. Mr. Vail, in his specialty of fruit growing, has been successful, and therefore prosperous. He is secretary of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. and A. M.

JOHN CARPENTER VAIL was born in Chester, Orange County, May 13, 1846, and educated in the Chester district school and academy. He was clerk for Dr. C. P. Smith about a year, and then at D. H. Roe's grocery two years. Next he was in the commission business in New York City two years, when he returned to Orange County, and in Warwick engaged in the occupation of breeding high-class hunting dogs, for which, he obtained a somewhat exclusive trade in the metropolis and elsewhere, his specialty being English setters.

Some of his dogs are shipped to Cuba, Halifax, California, Florida and other parts of the United States. He married Mary Reed Van Duzer, of Warwick, April 6, 1864. Their three children are Hazel Clark, Christine Reed and Robert Cornell.

WILLETT VAIL, of Florida, N. Y., was born at Hughsonville, Dutchess County, now known as Fishkill-on-Hudson, July 11, 1848. He obtained his early education at the district school, later attending a private school at Hughsonville. He learned the mason trade at Poughkeepsie, and later worked on the State Hospital at Middletown, N. Y. From Middletown he came to Florida, where he has since resided and for twenty years conducted his business. He married Georgiana Eliza Thompson, of Florida, when twenty-seven years of age. Four children have been born by this union; two died in infancy. Those surviving are: Hattie E., wife of LeRoy Davis, of New York City, and Ira V. K., now of New York City. Mr. Vail is a member of the American Society of Equity and was commissioner of highways of Warwick township one year. He erected the Vail opera house at Florida in 1895, and this, the only amusement place in Florida, enjoys a good business. Both his father and mother died of old age, each being nearly eighty years of age at their death. There are eight children in his parents' family still living. Mr. Vail has taken an active interest in matters pertaining to the welfare and betterment of the village of Florida.

AYMAR VAN BUREN, who has been a resident of New Windsor, Orange County, since 1851, was born in New York City, January 10, 1837. Mr. Van Buren, as his name indicates, is of Holland descent. His great-grandfather, his grandfather and his father, Colonel John D. Van Buren, were all natives of the American metropolis.

He was educated at public and private schools, and began business life in 1862, by purchasing a portion of the farm property of Edmund Morton, of the town of New Windsor. In 1863 he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Mr. Morton. They resided on this farm of ninety acres until 1882, when Mr. Van Buren sold out and became a resident of the old Morton homestead.

He is a firm believer in the principles of the Democratic party, and although not an office-seeker, he has for years been very active in the public affairs of the town. He has been trustee of School District No. 1 since 1871; has served as a member of the board of health, and for many years was road master. In religious matters he is a member of the Episcopal Church, serving as warden, vestryman and treasurer.

JOSEPH VAN CLEFT, merchant and banker, Newburgh, N. Y., was born in the town of New Windsor, Orange County, 1836. The Van Cleft family were early settlers in Minisink Valley. His mother was a member of the Cooper family of Blooming Grove. From 1855 to 1860 he was employed in the hardware trade in New York City, and for two years following pursued the same business in Kansas City, Mo. In 1863 he returned to Newburgh and established his present hardware and agricultural implement business. Upon the organization of the Columbus Trust Company in 1892 he was chosen vice-president, and since 1896 has served as president of that institution. He was one of the original members of the board of trade and for a number of years was member of the consistory of the American Reformed Church. In 1869 he married Edwina Storey Smith, grand-daughter of Judge Storey. She died April, 1891.

ISAAC VAN DUSER, the Pioneer of the Ramapo Pass, by Elizabeth Crissey Van Duzer—The beautiful country along the Ramapo River between Sloatsburg and Suffern, is well known to Orange County people. It is wild and beautiful still, though the mills have been running there more than a century, and the Erie trains through the valley for sixty-six years.

Nearly two hundred years, with their attendant changes, have passed over that region since Isaac Van Duser—the first white man to settle in the Ramapo Pass—came from Tappan and located with his family in the "Throat of the Cloff," as that narrow part of the valley was then called.

He bought four hundred acres that John Van Blarcum had recently purchased of the Indians, and there built his homestead. East and west rose the mountains densely wooded, and the narrow valley was filled with the music of the little river. Here, he lived in the midst of the forest, the Indians his only neighbors, and began his work of opening up the Pass, which proved to be the natural entrance to the Orange County of to-day.

His son, Isaac, Jr., and his wife, were living there in 1724. Isaac, Jr., afterward purchased the Van Gelder tract which joined the Van Duser land, and extended northward. When he came in possession of his father's land, he became owner of the whole valley from the Romopock line below Ramapo to Stony Brook, north of Sloatsburg.

He was living there with a large family just at the time the present Orange County was being settled, principally by people from Southern Orange County—now Rockland. As the young settlers came up through the Pass, Isaac Van Duser was able to supply each one with a wife until his ten daughters were all married. They were the maternal ancestors of many old Orange County families.

Wieberch married Benjamin Demarest. Agnes married Samuel Sidman, to whom Isaac Van Duzer deeded the original homestead—the Van Blarcum tract. The valley was called "Sidman's Pass" during the Revolution, and the fortifications there—"The Post at Sidman's."

Marietje married Steven Sloat, to whom Isaac transferred the Van Colder tract, upon which they founded Sloatsburg. Their son John was killed in the Revolution. His son, John Drake Sloat, was Rear Admiral of the United States Navy. He took possession of the territory now called California for the United States at the beginning of the Mexican War. His monument stands at Monterey.

Leah married a Galloway and located further up the Pass. Autie married Major Zachariah DuBois (Woodhull's Regiment). Mary was the wife of Lieutenant William Roe (same regiment). Martha married Mr. Rose; Elizabeth, a LaRoy; Catherine an exiled Polish nobleman named Zobrisky; and Jane married Mr. Williams.

Before 1748 Isaac Van Duser bought the Andrew Nicolls patent at Cornwall, and afterward moved there with his three sons, Isaac, Jr., Tjerck and Christopher. In 1772 he divided this land equally among the three. The whole family appear to have been living on the patent during the Revolution. Erskine's map, made for General Washington's use, shows the location of Van Duzer's house at Cornwall. His son, Isaac, Jr., had sons, Isaac 3rd, Adolphus and Benjamin. Alexander Van Duser, of Gardiner, N. Y., is a descendant of Isaac 3rd, and Letitia Mills. Adolphus moved to Sullivan County. Benjamin has descendants near Cornwall.