Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 106

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354

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Henry Baker, the grandfather of our subject, was born at the old homestead, and became the owner of a farm of about 100 acres, ad- mirably adapted to the dairy business, which land is still in the possession of the family. He was a successful man, and was regarded as a representative citizen of his town. He was married, and reared a family of eight children. The five sons, James, Warren, John, Henry and Joshua, all followed agricultural pursuits. The three daughters were Ann, who married Harry Peck; Betsey, the wife of Luman White; and Hulda. All lived to the age of nearly sixty years or more, but have now joined the silent majority.

Harry Baker, our subject's father, was born on the old homestead in 1818, and succeeded to it after the death of his father, buying out the claims of the other heirs. Hisentire life was passed there, and he added to the acreage from time to time. Possessing the usual native abil- ity, he was even more influential in public life than his father, for many years taking active part in the support of Republican principles. He served as assessor from eight to ten years, also held other important offices of the town at different times, and was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Reynolds- ville. His death occurred in February, 1883, and his wife, Rebecca Jane Denton, followed him May, 1893. She was a native of Reynolds- ville, a daughter of Josiah Denton. Our sub- ject was one of the family of seven children. as follows: Josiah was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in 1862, but only lived four weeks thereafter, dying of smallpox. George II .. the eldest living, and a farmer in Putnam county, married Ann Kent, but has no children.

James H., a resident of Pawling, was twice married, first to Anna Gage, and after her death he wedded her sister, Sarah; by his first wife he had two children: William and Anna. Charles Emery, our subject, comes next. Amos D). is deceased. John Wesley, who resides at the homestead, married Ida Ballard, and they have two children, the elder, Harry, being now deceased, the younger, Stanley, yet living. David L., the youngest brother of our subject, a resident of Matteawan, married Emma Laduc, and has two children: Edith M. and Ralph.

Charles E. Baker, our subject, was born at Reynoldsville, April 27, 1849. and his edu- cational opportunities were restricted to an at- tendance at the district schools of that village until the age of twenty, the last four years being limited to the winter term. Study was a pleasure to him, and he became especially proficient in mathematics, while a wide course. of reading in later years has kept him well abreast with the topics of the time. At twenty- one he left home to engage in farming, and after his marriage, in 1872, to Miss Juliette Mead, daughter of Robert Mead, of Farmers Mills, Putnam county, he spent one year on the Mead homestead. On April 1, 1873, he settled on his present farm in the town of Pawling. The place was known as the Hiller home- stead, and was owned by Alfred Hiller; but, after nine years, Mr. Baker purchased the prop- erty, which contains 255 acres, and is consid- ered one of the best farms in the town. As Mr. Baker had only $300 when he moved to this farm, he may well be proud of the success which his industry and good management have brought him. He is interested largely in dairying, keep- ing about sixty cows. In politics he has always been a Republican and an active one, having attended many conventions. In 1891 and 1892 he held the office of commissioner of highways. He and his wife attend the Methodist Episco- pal Church of Pawling. Socially, he is a mem- ber of Dover Lodge No. 666, F. & A. M., of Dover Plains.

Of their three children. Charles H. is a graduate of the military school at Claverack, in Columbia county, while Edith V. is attend- ing school at Chappaqua, Westchester county, and Frances L., the youngest, is at home.

Mrs. Baker, wife of our subject, was born January 14, 1850, near Farmers Mills, in Put- nam county, a daughter of Robert and Abbie M. (Smith) Mead, who were the parents of three

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children: Naomi J., who married James W. Tompkins, a farmer of East Fishkill, and has two children: Nellie and William D. ; Juliette (Mrs. Baker) comes next; and Robert R., who married Addie O. Thomas, and resides at Mat- teawan, where he is engaged at horse dealing. The father of these was born in Putnam county in 1822, and died in 1858. By occupation he was a farmer and drover, and also conducted a store. He was a Democrat. The mother was born in Putnam county in 1819, and died in January, 1894.

C LEMENT HAIGHT, who has ever been closely identified with the agricultural in- terests of the town of Washington, Dutchess county, was born August 27, 1814, on the farm where he still makes his home. His an- cestors came from England to America, the founder of the family in this country, Simon Ilaight, landing in 1628. He had a son, Nich- olas (1), who married Susanna Joyce, and had a son, Samuel; Samuel married, and became the father of Nicholas (2), who married Pa- tience Titus, and had a son, Jacob (1); Jacob (1) by his marriage with Sarah Hicks became the father of Jacob (2), the grandfather of our subject. Jacob (2) married Phobe Haviland, and to them were born seven children, as fol- lows: Jacob (3), who in early life engaged in farming in the town of Washington, Dutchess county, but later removed to Virginia, where he owned a tract of land; John, who operated a farm and engaged in cider-making at Mill- brook, N. Y .; Isaac, father of our subject ; Elizabeth, who wedded Philip Allen, a farti- er, tanner and currier; Patience, who died un- married; Sarah, who became the wife of Abner Wing, a resident of Washington town, but whose death occurred in Ohio; and Charity, who married Obediah Thorne, an agriculturist of Washington town. The grandfather always followed the pursuit to which he was reared, and died in the faith of the Society of Friends.

On the old family homestead Isaac Haight, the father of our subject, was born November 25, 1784. He married Johanna Clement, a native of Long Island, whose father was a shoemaker by trade. To them were born five children: Clement; Phoebe is the widow of Daniel B. Haight, who carried on farming in Washington town; Jacob C., who was also an agriculturist, is now deceased; Mary T .; and one deceased in infancy. The father's entire

life was devoted to farm labor, and on the old home farm both he and his wife passed away, the former in 1856 and the latter in 1855. They belonged to the Society of Friends, and in politics Mr. Haight was an Old-line Whig.

Clement Haight grew to manhood under the parental roof, receiving the usual educa- tional advantages afforded by the schools of that day, and was active, industrious and ca- pable in the discharge of the farm duties fall- ing upon him. He was united in marriage with Maria C. Almy, a native of Otsego coun- ty, N. Y., and a daughter of Clark Almy, an agriculturist of that county. Their entire mar- ried life was spent upon the Haight home- stead, which he operated, with the exception of three years he was engaged in merchandis- ing at Little Rest, Dutchess county. Three children came to brighten their home: Clark A., a farmer of the town of Washington; Mar- ian and Isaac. Mrs. Haight was called from this earth in 1893, leaving many friends to mourn her departure from their midst.

Our subject is numbered among the sub- stantial and thrifty farmers of his township, where he owns a valuable farm of 150 acres, which for the care and labor bestowed upon it yields a golden tribute in rich and bountiful harvests. His ballot is generally cast with the Republican party, but he is also a strong Pro- hibitionist. He believes that precept should be accompanied by practice, and his exemplary life has won the confidence and respect of all.

G EORGE BROWN, a wealthy agriculturist residing near Fishkill Plains, Dutchess county, is one of the most progressive and sci- entific workers in that ancient calling to be found in this region, his extensive estate being managed in a model manner.

He is the son of the late David H. Brown, who was born in London, England, April 20, 1806, and crossed the Atlantic at the early age of twelve years, in the care of a friend of the family. After a short stay in Quebec, Canada, he ran away and joined a party of Indian traders, with whom he remained about five years at the head of the Mississippi. On leav- ing them he went to Nantucket and learned the ship-carpenter's trade, which he followed throughout his active business life, principally in New York City, but to some extent in Geor- gia and New Orleans, La. In politics he was in his later years a Republican. He married

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Miss Maria Van Slyck, a lady of Holland-Dutch descent, whose ancestors were among the earli- est settlers in Columbia county, where her father, Barant Van Slyck, was a prominent farmer. For some years after his marriage Mr. Brown made his home in New York City; but in 1867 he bought the farm now owned by our subject, and resided there a few years. His wife died December 12, 1869, and in 1872 he purchased another farm on the banks of the Hudson river, where he passed his declining years in retirement. He departed this life September 19, 1889.

George Brown, whose name opens this sketch, was born in New York City, February 13, 1841, and was the eldest of three children. Henry, the second son, is now a patient in the Hudson River State Hospital; he succeeded to the farm lying on the IIudson. Catherine, the youngest child, died in infancy. After ac- quiring an education in the schools of the metropolis, our subject engaged in the retail grocery business; but since 1867 he has lived upon his farm, which contains 235 acres, and lies upon the line between Wappinger and East Fishkill. He raises a variety of crops, and devotes much of his time to the care of his estate. So far, he has not donned the matri- monial yoke. Intelligent and progressive in his ideas, he stands high in his locality. Hc votes the Republican ticket, and is a member of the F. & A. M., Hopewell Lodge No. 596.

G EORGE HUGHES. Among the leading merchants of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, is found this gentleman, who is pro- prietor of the largest furniture establishment on the Hudson river.

Mr. Hughes was born in County AArmagh, Ireland, February 8, 1843, and is a son of Francis and Rose ( Ward: Hughes, the former of whom was born in County Armagh, in ISO8. The family is of Welsh-Briton ancestry, but Inost of its members have been residents of Ireland for centuries past, and the old home- stead in the county mentioned is still in the hands of relatives of our subject. For many wears the men of this family have been build- ers and contractors, and were the leaders in this line of business in their locality; also had contracts in England, Scotland and on the continent. Charles Hughes, an uncle of our subject, built the cathedral in the city of Armagh, the church and school in Middle-

town, and the church and parochial school in Keady; he was also a great railroad bridge builder in the British Isles. His son Charles succeeded him in business, and owns the old homestead yet. Bernard Hughes, a cousin of Francis, is the largest baker in the world, his bread finding its way to the continent, and to England and Scotland; he grinds his own flour, and ships car-loads of bread every morning, employment being given to four hun- dred men in his establishments. His popular- ity is great, and he has served as mayor of Belfast, the chief city in the North of Ireland. The Right-Rev. John Hughes, formerly Arch- bishop of New York, was of this family, and many other Catholic prelates originated from same.

Owen Hughes, the grandfather of our sub- ject, and who was a farmer and builder, mar- ried Miss Phoebe Thornton, a native, like him- self, of County Armagh, and a member of one of the oldest families of that section, of an- cient Briton ancestors who settled in Ireland after the Conquest of Britain by the Romans. This family also had many extensive contract- ors and builders in New York City, William, Bernard, John, Peter and Hugh Thornton be- ing of the number. Seven children were born to Owen Hughes and his wife, as follows: Bernard, who was a large land owner. George (whom our subject is named after), who died when a young man; he was noted for his great strength and athletic powers. Charles, who remained in Ireland. Francis, who came to America. Mathew, who lived in Ireland. Phoebe, who married a Mr. Hagan, of Middle- town, County Armagh. Bridget, who never married, and remained in Ireland.

Francis Hughes, the father of our subject, received a liberal education, for his time, in the schools of Middletown and city of Armagh, and learned the cooper's trade. Prior to coming to America he also followed farming and cooperage, dealing in cattle in conjunction with his trade. In 1840 he built a fine stone house on his farm at Carriclanc. On first ar- riving in this country he lived for a time in Rochester, N. Y., where Francis L. Hughes and Edward Denney (a relative) lived. He afterward went to New York City, and was engaged with the Thornton Brothers in build- ing and contracting in that city and in Brook- lyn for a number of years. In partnership with George Clark, he erected several blocks of buildings in those cities, and about 1854

Ho. Hughes

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took a contract from Matthew Vassar to build Vassar Row on Main street, and for the large carriage factory of J. W. Fredericks, in Pough- keepsie. In all of these contracts they did all the work, masonry, carpentering, etc., com- pleting each job in full, and turning the keys over to the owners.

On May 1, 1854, George Clark and Mr. Hughes brought a boatload of building tools and material, twenty-five workmen and their families, their own families and house-furnish- ing goods, and Mr. Hughes took up his resi- dence in Poughkeepsie, where he carried on business the remainder of his life. During his later years he became a great friend of Mat- thew Vassar, acting as a sort of manager and confidential adviser. Mr. Hughes was a man of strong will and great energy, and was success- ful in his enterprises, becoming quite wealthy before his death. In 1842 he was married to Miss Rose Ward, daughter of Bryan Ward, of County Monaghan, Ireland, the same county from which Gen. John A. Logan came. The Wards were an influential family in Ireland, and of old Irish stock going back before the time of St. Patrick, and were largely engaged in farming and stock-raising, while Bryan Ward was a great horse-breeder, jobber and dealer. Col. James Kelly, who succeeded Col. Corcoran, 69th Regiment, after the battle of Bull Run, was of this family. Two children were born to Francis Hughes and his wife: George, the subject of this sketch, and Sarah Ann, who became the wife of Patrick Camp- bell of Brooklyn, but is now deceased. Mr. Campbell has just retired from the Brooklyn police force, in which he made a fine record of over twenty years' service. Francis Hughes died February 5, 1882, and his wife on April 29, 1873.

George Hughes obtained his early education in the schools of Middletown, County Armagh, Ireland, where he was under the instruction of Prof. Afinew, a member of the family of which the celebrated Dr. Agnew, of New York, is one. After coming to America he attended St. Paul's school, in Brooklyn, of which Prof. Bridges was in charge, and finished his school- ing in Poughkeepsie. He has been a great reader all his life, has a most retentive mem- ory and is especially well-versed in history. He is a man of broad and progressive ideas, well-informed on a variety of subjects, and keeps abreast of the times.

After leaving school Mr. Hughes learned 37

the trade of a carriage painter and finisher with David Olmstead, with whom he was employed until 1860. He then took charge of a carriage shop at Libertyville, Ulster county, for two years, and the following year worked for the Brewsters, in New York City, at his trade. In 1864 he moved to Peekskill, and took charge of a carriage shop for Golding & Lent. On October 1, following same, he came back to Poughkeepsie and went into business for him- self on Grand street, where he worked at car- riage manufacturing, painting and trimming un- til 1867. He then went into the Red Mill building, his business having largely increased, he doing the painting and trimming work for the small wagon and carriage makers for from thirty to forty miles around Poughkeepsie, and making a financial success of a then new business enterprise.

In February, 1870, Mr. Hughes bought out Charles H. Wygant, a carriage manufac- turer in Newburgh, Orange Co., N. Y., and who had just been elected sheriff, and carried on the business very successfully until 1873. The lease being broken, however, by the sale of the property by John P. Embler's creditors, Mr. Hughes was obliged to give up the prop- erty, so in 1873 he returned to Poughkeepsie, and on April 29, of the same year, purchased the large building comprising Nos. 406, 408 and 410 Main street. Of this he retained No. 406 for his own establishment, as carriage re- pository, same year building a three-story brick structure in the rear of Nos. 406, 408 and 410, for his carriage and sleigh manufactory, and fit- ted up the remainder for the furniture store and warerooms of Coe & Deyo. In 1875 he sold out the carriage manufacturing business and leased the building to Schoonmaker & Bailey for a term of ten years, for a time retiring from active business; but his energetic nature would not allow him to long remain idle, and in the fall of the same year he took up the auction and commission business, which he carried on until ISSo. In 1887 Mr. Hughes purchased the old George Carson property, known as Nos. 398, 400, 402 and 404 Main street, and Nos. 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 South Hamilton street, in- cluding the corner of those two streets. The buildings on South Hamilton street had been old frame landmarks, which Mr. Hughes caused to be torn down, in their place erecting the present substantial and commodious stores. The South Hamilton street property consisted of a solid rock, towering some twenty-five or

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thirty feet above the level of the street, a prop- erty that real-estate dealers were afraid to spec- ulate in. Undoubtedly the site was valuable. and at one time the former owner had refused as much as $40,000 for it! Four years were spent by Mr. Hughes in blasting and hauling away this massive rock before it was brought to a proper level, and the cellar floor for the block of buildings about to be erected there is solid rock. The foundation and inside masonry of the new Christ Church building in Poughkeep- sie is of rock hauled from this . quarry, while the foundations for hundreds of houses were made of it. and thousands of loads of ' chips " and broken stone were sold and de- livered to the city at ten cents a load, for street improvement purposes, which was about one-tenth of their value. On the corner of Main and South Hamilton streets there now stands a fine brick building, which Mr. Hughes concluded to put up after doing some blasting in the blue-stone rock foundation, hewing a fine cellar out of the solid rock. He owns the large stores fronting on Main street, three stories in height, equipped with the largest plate-glass front in the city, and occupying a very prominent location. In the meantime Mr. Hughes had been gradually working into the furniture trade, and in ISSo he opened up a furniture establishment which has constantly increased in size, and volume of business, and to which he has added the manufacture of some of the best of his goods, the carriage factory having been converted into a furniture factory and store house. Twice each year Mr. Hughes takes a business trip to the prin- cipal furniture markets in the country-Grand Rapids. New York City. Chicago, Detroit. Cincinnati, etc., buying from manufacturers in car-load lots, securing, also, exclusive agency, and choice of manufactured goods. something unusual for places outside of large cities. In 1885 Mr. Hughes admitted his son, Charles F., into partnership, and the concern has since so continued, the volume of business steadily increasing each year.

Mr. Hughes' traveling has not always been on matters of business, for he has made some most pleasant and interesting journeys "on pleasure bent." On July 8. 1891, he set out for a six-months' tour across the Atlantic, the voy- age being made in the . City of New York." on which were Prince George of Greece 'with whom Mr. Hughes became personally ac- quainted and retinue. In Ireland, our sub-

ject visited his old home and birth-place. saw, conversed and visited with hundreds of friends and relatives, and made a tour of the island from Cape Clear to the Giant's Causeway: in Scotland he saw, among many other interest- ing sights, the celebrated bridge over the Firth of Forth; then toured through England where he saw all the principal points of interest in London and vicinity . Wales, France and part of Germany. In the summer of 1896 he took an ocean tour along the Eastern seaboard, in- cluding that of the Canadian Maritime prov- inces, visiting St. John (New Brunswick), and sailing up the St. John river to Fredericton. thence proceeding to Halifax (Nova Scotia . and from there homeward, via Boston and New York.

On September 20, 1863, Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Bridget Carroll, of Ohioville. U'lster Co., N. Y., and member of the family of "Charles Carroll of Carrollton," one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- ence, and John Carroll, first Catholic Bishop of Baltimore and all America, and a native of Waterford, Ireland. Six children were born of this union: Charles Francis, who will be spoken of more fully presently: Mary Bridget, at home: George Dennis, employed in the De- partment of Public Printing at Washington, D. C .: William Carroll, employed in his fa- ther's business: Rose Agnes deceased , and Loretta Anna, at home. Charles F. was born June 29, 1864, in Peekskill, N. Y., received a liberal education, and graduated from Pough- keepsie High School, of the Alumni Associa- tion, of which institution he was first secre- tary. On November 19, 1890, he was mar- ried, in Poughkeepsie, to Miss Mary Skelly. daughter of John Skelly, and two children are hving, viz .: George Francis and Charles Will- iam. In 1885 Charles F. Hughes became as- sociated in his father's business, as above re- lated. For the past five or six years he has been inspector of elections.

In 1892. George Hughes, our subject. pur- chased his residence property, No. 51 N. Clin- ton street. fronting on the Mansion Square Park. and in the following year he remodeled and enlarged the building, making it into a large suitable family residence, where his mar- ried son also resides. In addition to his many real-estate investments. he owns eight cleared building lots on " The Heights " at Newburgh, and it may be here mentioned, as another il- lustration of his shrewdness and business sa-

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gacity, that in 1866 he built the residence No. 185 Union street, a very substantial structure, and in 1873 sold it and an adjoining building lot for $10,000. He has been remarkably suc- cessful in his various enterprises, a fact due to his untiring perseverance, good judgment and reliable business methods, which have given him a deservedly high standing with the pub- lic; his word is as good as his note; he has always paid one hundred cents to the dollar. He is progressive in his ideas, liberal in his aid of all worthy objects, and has done much to- ward the growth and prosperity of his city. In politics he is a Republican, and is a strong Pro- tectionist from principle : has made a study of the question, and has taken an active part in calling the attention of the people to its beneficial results. He served as chairman of the first Republican convention held during the Harri- son campaign, of 1880. Although giving much time and attention to political matters. he has never been an office seeker. He and his family attend the services of St. Peter's Church, Poughkeepsie, and take an interest in all Church work. He is broad and open in his religious views, claiming that any religion is better than none. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Hughes was captain of Com- pany C, 21st N. Y. V. I., which regiment was organized in Dutchess county. In 1870 he took an active part in the Fenian raid on Can- ada, being District Center, at the time. of Dutchess, Columbia, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties. He was captain of an Irish volunteer military company, and for- warded over a hundred men to Ogdensburg and northern New York, transportation and equipage being largely paid out of his own pocket.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 106

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1354

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354