Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 128

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

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family were five children: Zebulon and his twin brother, Lemuel, who was a farmer of Washington town; Bariah, a machinist and in- ventor: Robert, who had large business in- terests at Millbrook, including a sawmill; and Deborah, who died unmarried. The family belonged to the Society of Friends.

Zebulon Swift was only a boy when brought by his parents to this county, where he fol- lowed cabinet making and farming. He was married March 3, 1803, to Sarah Titus, a na- tive of Washington town, and of English de- scent. Her father engaged in blacksmithing and farming as a means of livelihood. By her marriage with Mr. Swift she became the mother of nine children, namely: Deborah, who died unmarried; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Joseph Bartlett, January 1, 1828, and with her husband is now deceased; Will- iam, who was a farmer of Washington town, and has also passed away; Johanna and Phœbe, who both died unmarried; Richard T., subject of this sketch; Sarah, who also died unmarried; and Isaac, who operates a farm in the town of Washington. The father died August 16, 1823, and the mother passed away January 16, 1870.

Richard T. Swift was reared to the life of an agriculturist, which occupation he followed until his retirement, and he early became fa- miliar with the labors on a farm. On Septem- ber 12, 1839, he married Miss Hannah S. Deuel, who was born at Kinderhook, Columbia Co., N. Y., February 23, 1817, and is de- scended from a French Huguenot family, who sought religious freedom in this country at an early day in its history. Her father, Silas Deuel, was a native of the town of Washing- ton, Dutchess county, where he married a Miss Davis, by whom he had only one child: Mrs. Swift. The entire married life of our subject and his wife was passed in the town of Wash- ington with the exception of three years spent on a farm in Dover town, Dutchess county. For the last fifteen years he has given up ac- tive labor, enjoying a well-earned rest.

Three children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Swift. (1) Amelia M., born September 9, 1840, was married December 19, 1866, to Albert Knapp, a farmer of the town of Stan- ford, Dutchess county. (2) James D., born March 20, 1842, married Verna M. Case, Oc- tober 12, 1867, and they had one son, Freder- ick W., now a tinsmith of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., who was born February 6, 1869, and married

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Charlotte Covil. Mrs. Verna M. Swift died February 3, 1873, and March 7, 1877, James D. Swift married Miss Emma E. Carson, of New York City, a daughter of John C. Carson, a native of Grenock, Scotland. They are the parents of four children: Jane Verna, who was born October 30, 1878, and died July 9, 1879; James Richard, born November 11, 1881; Richard Carson, born May 21, 1885; and Minnie Grace, born March 31, 1890. For some time James D. Swift was a merchant of Millbrook, but is now employed at the carpen- ter's trade. (3) Gurdon, born November 4. 1844, is the youngest child of the family, and is engaged in farming in the town of Washing- ton.

On March 24, 1884, Mrs. Swift departed this life, leaving many friends, as well as a lov- ing family, to mourn her loss. The children are members of various Churches, but our sub- ject is an Orthodox Friend in religious belief, and stands high in the regard of his fellow citi- zens. In politics he is a firm supporter of the Republican party.

J AMES L. PINCKNEY. The fertile lands of the town of Pawling, Dutchess county, have always afforded a tempting field for enterprise, and the subject of this sketch is one of the active and progressive men who have engaged successfully in agriculture and dairying in that town. He is a native of Put- nam county, born at Lake Mahopac (or Ger- man Flats) March 1, 1855. He obtained a common-school education there, and at an early age engaged in farming on his own ac- count. In 1889 he married Miss Marie L. Hay, and their union being childless, they adopted a little girl October 1, 1891, giving her the name of Mary Antoinette Pinckney. She was born on Washington's birthday, 1885.

Perry Pinckney, our subject's father, was born at Red Mills, Putnam county (now Ma- hopac Falls), and his early education was lim- ited to the district schools of that time and locality. For a number of years he followed the carpenter's trade, and later purchased a tract of land in the town of East Fishkill, Dutchess county, where he conducted a dairy farm during his remaining days. He married Miss Elizabeth Lockwood, daughter of David Lockwood, a well-known hotel keeper at Car- inel, Putnam county, and had six children, of

whom our subject was the youngest. All were born at the old home in Putnam county, and were educated in the public schools of the vicinity. (1) Lewis became a farmer of the town of Pawling, and has never married. (2) Sarah married Robert J. Lee, a farmer of the town of East Fishkill, and has had eleven chil- dren: Ella, who married Madison J. Horton, and has two daughters, Millie and May; Flor- ence, who married Isaac Horton, and has four children, Madison, Mary L., and two others; Annie; Alice; William; Edith; Burton; Leona, who married, and has three children, Andrew, Hiram, and one whose name is not given; Edward L., who died when about six- teen years of age; and Lula and Maude, the last named living with her aunt, Mrs. Sophia Tompkins, who is bringing her up. (3) Sophia married Walter Tompkins, a farmer of Put- nam county, but they have no children. (4) Irene has never married. (5) Caroline mar- ried John E. Patterson, a farmer, and has three children: Edith, May E., and one whose name is not given.

Mrs. Pinckney was born January 10, 1853, in New York City, and after attending the public schools there, she became an expert seamstress on shirts, vests and dresses, and afterward followed the business of dress-mak- ing for twenty years. Her father, Anthony Hay, was a native of Schwalbach, Germany, where he received his education. He spent some years in Paris, France, as a shoemaker, and he married a French lady, Mlle. Marie Catherine Renaud, daughter of Daniel Renaud. The latter had twelve children-six sons and six daughters: Daniel, Jr., who died in France; Peter, now living in France; Fred- erick (deceased), who had two children- Frederick and Emma-and formerly lived in Brooklyn, N. Y .; Henry, living in California; Eugene (deceased); Louis, who died in France; Marion, who died in France; Louise (de- ceased), formerly of Paterson, N. J .; Cath- erine (deceased), who was Mrs. Lalin, of Green Point, Long Island, N. Y., and had thirteen children; Elizabeth, of France; Susan (now Mrs. Hilbert, of Green Point, N. Y. ) has four children living-Fred, in California ; Louis M., in New York City; Alfred, Jr., in Green Point; and Emily, in Tremont, N. Y. - and Marie Catherine, the mother of Mrs. Pinck- ney. Anthony Hay and wife came to New York City, where their two daughters were born: Mrs. Pinckney, the younger, January 10, 1853,

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and Emma C., the elder, on January 15, 1851. The latter attended the city schools during girlhood, and afterward married Charles Schaefer, a carpenter of the same city. They had one son, Charles, who died when nearly two years old. Anthony Hay died July 5, 1854. His widow is still living.

J OHN H. ORTON, residing near Dover Plains, Dutchess county, is a leading dairy- man and agriculturist of that vicinity. He is a native of the town of Dover, born March 5, 1844, and has passed his life there, attend- ing the public schools in boyhood and engag- ing in farming at an early age. In 1889 he purchased from Alice Wheeler his present farm, containing 125 acres of fine land, and his excellent management has made it one of the best of its kind in the township. Although he is not a politician in the strict sense of the term, he is a strong supporter of Democratic principles. In 1878 he married Miss Lucy J. Thorp, daughter of Bradford Thorp, a well- known resident of Lime Rock, Conn., and they had four children: Willard B. and a daughter (twins), born January 29, 1878, the latter living only three days, while the former who was a bright little boy, lacked but eleven days of being three years old when he, too, died; Oliver L., born February 28, 1883; and Claude M., born April 11, 1888.

Our subject's ancestors were early settlers in Connecticut, and his grandfather, William Orton, was a native of that State, and became a well-to-do farmer. He and his wife, Ruana, reared a family of four children: Sally, the wife of Harry Edmonds; James, who married Lydia Finch, and had five children; Harry, who never married; and Oliver L., our sub- ject's father, who was born in Connecticut, August 15, 1809. After acquiring a common- school education he learned the shoemaker's trade, but did not follow it long. He was a musician and a trooper in the days of the old militia. In politics he was a stanch Demo- crat. He married Miss Ruth B. Burton, and had six children, of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth. The eldest, Mary A., was born February 2, 1834, and married James Orton (a relative), who was engaged in farm- ing near Patterson, Putnam Co., N. Y .; they had one son, Charles, who died in 1888. (2) James W. Orton was born October 27, 1835, in the town of Dover, Dutchess county, and

after leaving school followed farming for some time, but is now engaged in mercantile busi- ness at New Milford, Conn. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Dover. His first wife, Miss Sarah Lee, died August 16, 1865, and he is now married to Miss Maria Sherman. He has no living offspring, the two children of his first marriage, Charles and Ber- tha, having died in infancy. (3) Jetson Orton, who was born in Dover Plains, August 16, 1839, is a farmer by occupation. He married Susan Wheeler, daughter of Alfred and Mary Wheeler, prominent farmers of Dover, and has three children: Lewis J., who mar- ried Sarah Brinck; Mary, the wife of Joseph Titus; and Burton R., who is at home. (4)

Sallie R. Orton, was born in the town of Dover, May 14, 1841, and like the other mem- bers of the family received an education in the public schools near her home. She married Miles C. Bump, a carpenter of Amenia, and has two children-Thomas L. and Nettie M. (6) Martha J. Orton, the youngest of the fam- ily, born October 9, 1846, died of consump- tion at the age of twenty-one years.

Mrs. Orton's grandfather, Hercules Westely Thorpe, was a native of Lime Rock, Conn., the old home of this family. He married Judith Lampson, and had five children: John, Brad- ford, Horace, Hiram, and Esther. Bradford Thorpe, Mrs. Orton's father, has always been a farmer at Lime Rock. He married Frances Winters, and had nineteen children, of whom fifteen are living, as well as both the parents. Edward married Ruth Jones; Mary, -Isaac Dinger ; Minnie-William Dinger; Frank -- Pollie Bishop; Andrew-Sarah Chase; Esther-Homer Brown; Fannie, Julia, and Sabelia never married; Lucy J. is the wife of our subject; William and Charles are not married; Rose is the wife of George Bishop; Estella married William, Bishop; Hattie is not married; Birdie, Caroline, and John and Amelia are deceased.

M ERBERT J. CURTIS, a stalwart and sturdy representative of the noble yeo- manry who make up the agricultural popula- tion of Dutchess county, is a resident of the town of Red Hook, where he was born April II, 1858. His father, John Curtis, was the son of Le Grand Curtis, a member of the firm of Carroll & Curtis, furniture dealers and un- dertakers, of Rhinebeck, Dutchess county. The father wedded Jane C. Beaumont, and to

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them were born eight children: Le Grand B., born November 3. 1841, married Helen An- drews, and after her death wedded Mary Mas- sonneau; Edwin S., born August 28, 1843, was united in marriage with Miss Emma French, daughter of John French, a professor at West Point, N. Y .; L. Irene, born September 2. 1845. is the wife of John A. Fraleigh, son of George Fraleigh; Florence, born in December, 1847, Willis, born in November, 1849, and Grace, born October 2. 1852, all died in in- fancy; Herbert J. is the next in order of birth : and James C., born April 15, 1860, also died in infancy. The father of this family departed this life in August, 1875.

The maternal grandparents of our subject. Abraham and Martha (Carter) Beaumont, came to the United States from Onley, near Hud- dersfield. England, and located at Chester Creek, near Philadelphia, Penn. In their native land two children had come to bless their union: Jane C., mother of our subject. born April 15, 1816; and Martha A., born February 18, 1818; after their location at Chester Creek the family circle was increased by the birth of another daughter, Eliza T .. born June 30, 1831. Being an expert machin- ist, the father soon secured work at Chester Creek, where he remained for four years, and then removed to Trenton, N. Y., where he also found employment at his chosen trade. His wife died in this country in February, 1832. but his death occurred while on a visit to England in 1843.

On reaching a sufficient age Herbert J. Curtis entered the common schools of Red Hook, completing his studies in the De Garmo Institute, Rhinebeck, N. Y., which has since been transferred to Fishkill-on-Hudson. After leaving school he began his business career as a bookkeeper in his father's store, but now turns his attention to agricultural pursuits, conducting a fine farm just outside the village of Red Hook, which might well be termed a model farm, as it is supplied with all modern conveniences, good and substantial buildings, and the fields are under a high state of cultiva- tion. He also gives considerable attention to the raising of fine poultry, and has been quite successful in all his undertakings.

On November 7. 1878, Mr. Curtis was united in marriage with Miss Angie B. Lasher, daughter of Nelson I'. Lasher, who was a teacher in the public schools of Red Hook. Mrs. Curtis began her education in the public

schools of that place, completing same at Clav- erack Institute. Claverack, N. Y., and later engaged in teaching for some time with her father. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children: C. Leland: Minnie G .: Carrol J., who died February 26, 1883; and Raymond J. The parents are widely and favorably known throughout the community. and hold a high position in social circles.

J OHN A. TRAVER, one of the most pro- gressive and intelligent agriculturists of the town of Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, was born January 27. 1834. on the farm upon which he now resides.

It is not known exactly when the first of the American branch of the family crossed the ocean, but his ancestors were undoubtedly among the pioneer farmers of Sullivan county, as three brothers of the name came from there at a very early date, and purchased a large tract of land in the town of Clinton, Dutchess county, and afterward separated.

David Traver, our subject's great-grand- father, had a son, Andrew D. Traver, born in Clinton town, who also followed farming, and about iSis moved to a farm in the town of Rhinebeck now occupied by Mr. Crandall. He was thrifty and successful, highly esteemed in the neighborhood, and was an active mem- ber of the Lutheran Church at Wurtemburg. He died at that place in his eighty-ninth year, and was buried there, as was also his wife, in her seventy-sixth year. They had three chil- dren: Maria (deceased), who married George Snyder; Michael, our subject's father; and Julia, the widow of H. D. Teal, deceased.

Michael Traver was born October 10, ISog, in the town of Clinton, but passed most of his life in Rhinebeck town. He had but limited educational advantages, but he has always kept himself well posted upon general topics, and is a constant and intelligent reader. In 1828 he married Eliza Teal, a descendant of one of the oldest and most prominent fam- ilies of the township, a daughter of John I. Teal. The young couple settled upon the present homestead near Rhinebeck where Mrs. Traver died July 6. 1895. in her eighty-fourth year. Michael Traver always displayed good judgment in business matters, and his success was based upon thrift and industry. In early times he was a Whig, and later a Republican, but in local affairs he always voted independ-

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ently. He was never an office seeker, but at one time was assessor of his township. He united with the Wurtemburg Lutheran Church in his youth, and was one of the builders of the Lutheran church of Rhinebeck village, where for many years he was a leading offi- cial. He led a life of quiet and usefulness, which brought him the well-deserved regard of all who knew him. He passed to his final rest March 18, 1896, in his eighty-seventh year, one of those few who leave

" no memorial, But a world made better by their lives."

John A. Traver, the subject of our sketch, the only son of his parents, received a good English education in boyhood, attending first the district schools of the neighborhood, and later studying for three years in Rhinebeck Academy under Prof. Harper. His reading has been extended far beyond the ordinary limits, his attention being especially devoted to history. He has also read much in the line of his own business, of which he takes a scientific view. After leaving school he be- gan to relieve his father of his cares, and for the last twenty years the entire responsibility of the management of the farm of 130 acres has devolved upon him. His good judgment, integrity and public spirit have made him a leader in local affairs, and he has great in- fluence in town and county politics. He has always been a Republican, but has never sought office, although he has been elected to several positions-having been assessor of the township for many years, and supervisor four terms, 1892-93, in 1894 for two years, and in 1896 for two years; he has also been chair- man of the committee on equalization of the county, and is a trustee of Rhinebeck Savings Bank.

In 1855 Mr. Traver was married to Miss Elizabeth Ten Broeck, daughter of Samuel and Maria (Parks) Ten Broeck, and a descend- ant of one of the old families. They have four children: Eliza, (Mrs. William Wey); Charles, who assists his father upon the farm; Maria (Mrs. Frank Wey); and Jennie, who is at home. The children were educated in Rhinebeck Academy, the same school in which Mr. Traver completed his studies. Charles and Eliza paid especial attention to music, the former being a talented violinist, and the lat- ter a proficient on the piano. The family are leading members of the Lutheran Stone

Church at Rhinebeck, and have always been prominent in the social life of the locality. The homestead of the family has been in their possession for nearly one hundred years. The family is also noted for its longevity; Andrew D. Traver being at the time of his decease, eighty-nine; Leah Traver, his wife, seventy- six; Michael Traver, eighty-seven; and Eliza Traver, eighty-four years.

J AMES E. VAN KLEECK is the owner of a fine farm of sixty acres in the town of

Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, where with progressive and improved methods he carries on agricultural pursuits, while the well- tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute in re- turn for the care and labor he bestows upon them. In the midst of these stand good buildings, substantial and well-kept, and the air of neatness and thrift which pervades the place indicates the careful supervision of the owner, who is justly regarded as one of the leading farmers of the neighborhood.

Mr. Van Kleeck is a native of the town of Lagrange, Dutchess county, born November 19, 1820. His father, Minard Van Kleeck, was born in the city of Poughkeepsie, as was the grandfather, who also bore the name of Minard. The founder of the family in Amer- ica was likewise a Minard Van Kleeck, and was a native of Holland, whence he emigrated to America, living for some years on Long Island. He then took up his residence in Poughkeepsie, where he spent his remaining days. The grandfather of our subject was here reared and married. Through the Rev- olutionary war he served as one of the de- fenders of the colonies, and when the struggle was ended he returned to his home at Pough- keepsie. His family numbered three children: James, who died of yellow fever in New York City, where he was engaged in business as a candlemaker; Rachel, who became the wife of James Talmadge, a farmer of the town of Pleasant Valley; and Minard the father of our subject.

The last named was reared in Poughkeep- sie, and when a young man worked for vari- ous farmers in the neighborhood. He mar- ried Helen Rugar, a native of Lagrange town, and a daughter of John Rugar, a farmer and carpenter, who belonged to an old Holland family. Mr. Van Kleeck removed with his bride to Lagrange town, and continued agri-

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cultural pursuits throughout his life. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat. His death occurred in 1856; that of his wife in 1845. Their children were as follows: Cor- delia, married Peter Youngs, a farmer of Dutchess county, and both are deceased: James E. is the next younger; John removed to the West, where his death occurred; Han- nah E. is the wife of Morris Demers, a coop- er, of Pennsylvania; Mary J. was married and removed to the West, since which time no news has been received of her; Helen became the wife of William Potts, formerly a farmer of Lagrange; Peter followed farming in La- grange town until his death; Minard and Rachel both died in early life.

The subject proper of this review spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads, his time being largely occupied by work on the old homestead, and to the pursuit to which he was reared he has always devoted his energies. He is ever an advocate of advancement, and ready to accept improved methods which his judgment countenances as practical. In his dealings he is strictly honorable, and his well-spent life commends him to the confidence and regard of all.

Mr. Van Kleeck was united in marriage with a daughter of David Rigar, and they re- sided on the old farm in Lagrange until 1869, when he sold his property there and came to his present farm. On July 4, 1895, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was a most estimable lady.

J TULIUS O. ROWE, one of the most promi- nent agriculturists of the town of Milan, Dutchess county, was born September 7. 1830, upon his present estate, which has been in the possession of his family for over 135 years.

Johannes Rowe, great-grandfather of our subject, and a German by birth, came in 1760 with some of his brothers to Dutchess county, where he purchased 911 acres of land from Chancellor Robt. R. Livingston, and much of this land is still in the possession of the Rowe family. For this land he paid £750, on which, in 1766, he built a stone house (still standing), and passed the remaining years of his life in the quiet calling of a farmer. Jo- hannes Rowe died in 1771, and was buried in the family ground across the road from the church which bears the family name. He

was twice married, and by his first wife had six children, two daughters-Mary (Mrs. James Stewart), Catherine (Mrs. William Stew- art); and four sons-John, Sebastian, Philip and Mark; and by his second wife he had one daughter, Lydia-seven children in all. To each of these the father gave a farm in the town of Milan, and the boys all settled there and were prominent in the early history of the town; they built the Methodist church there, and were generous supporters of many local enterprises, from which that neighborhood still derives benefit. Philip had a son William P. Rowe, who served as a soldier in the war of 1812.

Mark Rowe, our subject's grandfather, ınar- ried Catherine Pitcher, and reared a family of four sons: John, a farmer in the town of Mi- lan, left no children; Garrett, a soldier in the war of 1812, was a farmer in Columbia coun- ty, and had six children, whose descendants still live there; William was a farmer in the town of Milan, and left several children; and Leonard Rowe, our subject's father, born at the present farm in 1801, became a farmer by occupation. He was married, in 1827, to Miss Eliza C. Reid, a native of the town of Milan. The Reids are of English origin, and the first American ancestors came at an early date, settling in New England. Peter Reid, Mrs. Rowe's grandfather, inarried Miss Thank- ful Beecher, of New Haven, Conn., and their son Ely was born in Connecticut, in early life coming to Dutchess county, where he met and married Miss Catherine Rowe, a native of the town of Milan (then Northeast). They settled in Rhinebeck-on-Hudson, where Ely Reid was a merchant for a number of years. After the marriage of our subject's parents, they settled at the old homestead, where they reared a family of four children: Julius O.,

Edward, Horatio, and Virginia A.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 128

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