Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 144

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

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In February, 1871, he arrived in America, and coming to Staatsburgh, Dutchess county, June 8, the same year, was appointed gardener and superintendent of the estate of the late Lawrence Lee, since which time he has filled that position to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is also present owner of the Staatsburgh Greenhouses, and with his son, Samuel Will- iam White, is engaged in the culture of the vio- lets, carnations, etc. The plant consists of four houses, 206x 20; one large connecting house 30 x130; propagating house; and large boiler house fitted with two large cylinder boil- ers. The houses are fitted with hot-water heating, patented by William A. White, who is also inventor of and patentee of the Acme Hot Water Boilers used on the estates of Archibald Rogers and Ogden Mills, Esquires, and a num- ber of other large estates. William A. White is also the inventor of White's Garden Trellis, and a number of other useful appliances; also

i'm a white

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inventor of an automatic hot-water car-heater, burglar-proof letter-box, etc. He has written many able articles for horticultural papers, and thoroughly understands his work in all de- partments.

Mr. White was married in November, 1861, to Hester Millard, daughter of Samuel Millard, of Hutton, near Weston-super-Mare, Somerset- shire, England, and they have two children: Edith Annie, wife of Jacob Anderson, of Frank- lin, La., and Samuel William, who wedded Ada Johnson, granddaughter of the late John Bold, of Vineland, N. J., and is now superin- tending the Staatsburgh Greenhouses with his father.

Politically, Mr. White is an ardent Demo- crat; socially, he is a member of Rhinebeck Lodge No. 432, F. & A. M. He is a man of great perseverance and industry, and has suc- ceeded in accumulating some property in Vine- land, N. J., and at Staatsburgh, N. Y. His family attend the Episcopal Church.

A DAM A. STREVER, proprietor of one of the best farmns of the town of Pine Plains, Dutchess county, comprising 235 acres of im- proved land, is numbered among the honored residents and most substantial agriculturists of Dutchess county. He has been particularly wise in his investments, and possesses excel- lent business capacity, making the most of his opportunities. He is one of the most public- spirited and progressive of men, giving his aid to all worthy enterprises for the benefit of his town and county.

Sylvester Strever, the father of our subject, was born in 1822, in the town of Ancram, Columbia county, N. Y., and was but a boy when brought to the town of Pine Plains, Dutchess county. He has always engaged in farming, operating his father's place until he had reached the age of twenty-eight; but for forty-three years he has made his home upon a farm of 175 acres at Mt. Ross. He has been more prosperous in his undertakings than the majority of his neighbors, and has ac- cumulated a handsome property, owning an- other farm in addition to the one on which he lives. He is a man of the strictest integrity, was a member of the Reformed Dutch Church at Gallatin, Columbia county, and has always been very active in Church matters. Politic- ally he affiliates with the Democratic party.

Mr. Strever was united in marriage with Phæbe Sheldon, and after her death wedded Matilda Sheldon, who died in August, 1895. He became the father of eight children, name- ly: Clarissa, now the widow of the late Dr. C. E. Cole; Adam A .; Samuel J. ; Monroe, a merchant of New York City; Sheldon P., who is located in the southern part of the town of Pine Plains; Lewis, who conducts a store for John Rudd; and Grant and Frank at home.

Our subject received a good education in the district schools at Mt. Ross, and for one year, after laying aside his text-books, aided his father in the labor on the home farm. For four years he then engaged in the cultivation of his grandmother's farm for his father, and for the following two years operated it on his own account. The next year was passed upon his father's farm, after which he went to Illi- nois, where he remained some six months. On his return he purchased the Nancy Smith farm, which he conducted four years, and at the end of that time bought the old Hiserodt homestead, where he has now lived for eleven years. On March 18, ISSo, he married Miss Esther M. Hiserodt. They attend the Pres- byterian Church, and in politics Mr. Strever is identified with the Democratic party. He has capably filled several local offices, includ- ing that of assessor, in which he served six years.

The first of the Hiserodt family to locate in Dutchess county was John Hiserodt. His son, Hendrick Hiserodt, was the father of Henry I. Hiserodt, the grandfather of Mrs. Strever. Henry 1. was one of the leading citi- zens and wealthy farmers of the county, own- ing at one time about Soo acres. He married Miss Esther Steckles, by whom he had four children-three sons and one daughter: Bry- ant H., father of Mrs. Strever; Harmon; Ward, a prominent citizen of New York City; and Esther. After the death of his first wife he wedded Rebecca Schultz, and to them were born the following children: Jane, Caroline, Francis, Christopher, Albert, Sanford and Backus. Bryant H. Hiserodt was born July 13, 1814, in the house in which Mr. and Mrs. Strever now occupy, and with the exception of two years he made his home there during his entire life. He was joined in wedlock with Lavinia C. Hoffman, daughter of Henry Hoffman, and they became the parents of two children: Henry Hoffman, of Millerton, N. Y .; and Esther M., wife of our subject. On June

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1, 1856, the father was called to his final rest, and January 2, 1894, the mother followed him to the unknown land.

W ILLET J. MARSHALL is an enter- prising, wide-awake young business man of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, where, on Garden street, he is successfully conducting a meat market. His birthplace was Middle- town, Orange Co., N. Y., where, on Decem- ber 16, 1871, he first opened his eyes to the light. His father, David Marshall, was a na- tive of Dutchess county, his parents, Hiram and Hannah (Haight) Marshall, there living upon a farm, and was the youngest in their family of seven children, the others being Susan, who married William Finch, an under- taker of Hyde Park, N. Y .; Mary C., wife of John Van Derwater, a farmer of East Park, Dutchess county; Jane, who wedded Jacob De- Groff, an agriculturist of Wappingers Falls, Dutchess county; Ederette, wife of Jerome Myers, a mason of Hyde Park; Willet, a dealer in smoked meats at Newburgh, Orange county, and Henry, a butcher of that place, and the senior member of the firm of Henry Marshall & Sons. The Marshall family is of English ancestry, and Quakers in religious belief. The grandfather continued his farming operations until his death, and was one of the highly-es- · teemed citizens of the county. His wife, who is still living, has now reached the age of eighty-six years.

The early life of David Marshall was passed upon a farm in Dutchess county, and on reaching man's cstate he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary V. Briggs, a native of the same county, and a daughter of William Briggs, also of English descent. To this worthy couple were born two children-Han- nah, deceased wife of J. M. Osborn, and Wil- let J., of this sketch. The parents located at Middletown, N. Y., where the father carried on the butcher's business for some time, and then went to Denver, Colo., where he was similarly employed. Returning to New York, he became owner of three markets in Yonkers, and on disposing of the same bought a farm in Hyde Park township, Dutchess county, to the cultivation of which he has devoted his time for three years. Finally he removed to Poughkeepsie, where he engaged in the butch- ering business until 1895, since which time he has lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his for-

mer toil. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and their circle of friends is only limited by their circle of acquaintances.

Willet J. Marshall was quite small when his parents removed to Denver, and most of his boyhood was passed at Poughkeepsie, where he attended the Warring Military School, and later served six years as bookkeeper and cashier in his father's market. Going to New York City, in 1892, he formed a partnership with W. H. Baker in the commission business at No. 337 Washington street; but at the end of a year he returned to Poughkeepsie, where he has since conducted his present market. An important event in his life was his marriage with Miss Julia A. Rooney, which was cele- brated in 1889. She is a native of England, and a daughter of John Rooney, a cabinet maker. Three children grace this union- David B., Mary C. and John R. Politically, Mr. Marshall affiliates with the Republican party, giving full adherence to the principles and doctrines of its platforms, and is a sup- porter of all interests intended to benefit the city in which he resides.

J OHN SCHWARTZ. Among the prom- inent citizens of German birth in the city of Poughkeepsie, none holds a higher place in the estimation of the community than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He is extensively engaged in the tobacco bus- iness, and has an enviable reputation for integ- rity and fair dealing, as well as for thrift and enterprise.

Mr. Schwartz was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, September 9, 1839. His father, John Schwartz, died when our subject was a small child, and when he was ten years of age he came with his mother to America, landing at New York City, where the mother had a mar- ried sister living, and here they lived for one year. In January, 1850, the entire family came to Poughkeepsie, and he entered school for a short time. He soon became an appren- tice to learn the cigar business with George M. Welker, with whom he remained six or seven years, and on May 1, 1864, went into the tobacco business for himself at No. 315 Main street. He made a success of this enter- prise, and in 1879 he purchased the store at No. 313 Main street, where he has carried on his business ever since. Although having some retail trade, he is principally engaged in

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wholesaling, and ships his goods to all points in New York as well as to many other States. His business is the largest of its kind in the county,

On May 6, 1860, Mr. Schwartz was mar- ried to Miss Matilda W. Bayer, a native of Troy, N. Y., whose father, Joseph Bayer, was born in Germany, but subsequently came to America. Of this union four sons have been born: Frank J., Charles G., Edward T. and Albert E. Frank is a druggist in Poughkeep- sie, and the other sons are in business with their father, having been admitted to partner- ship in February, 1889. All are intelligent, en- terprising young men.

Mr. Schwartz is a Republican, but has never taken an active interest in political affairs, and in local elections supports the best men irrespective of party. He has been very successful financially, the result of his own exertions, as he began life a poor boy and has steadily worked his way up to his present position as one of the leading business men of Poughkeepsie.

C HARLES HOAG SMITH, who was called from this earth in the midst of his useful- ness, was a native of Dutchess county, born in the town of Stanford, April 1, 1816, and is re- membered by the people of this section as one of its most worthy and influential citizens. His grandfather, Stephen Smith, was an early settler of the town of Clinton, Dutchess coun- ty, and by occupation he was a farmer. In his family were six children, namely: Rufus; David; Daniel; Harris; Martin; and Abbie, who became the wife of Solomon Frost.

Harris Smith, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Clinton, but spent the greater portion of his life in the town of Stanford. In 1855 he removed to Washington town, and the following year pur- chased the farm on which his son Henry and daughter Julia A. now reside. As a farmer he was quite successful, and was a prominent and representative citizen. He married Anna Hoag, by whom he had five children: Charles H. and Stephen (twins), Henry Hoag, Jacob and Julia.

Mrs. Smith was the daughter of Charles Hoag. Her paternal grandparents were John and Mercy Hoag, the former born October 5, 1734, and the latter March 16, 1735. They were married February 22, 1759, and became

the parents of nine children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: James H., Jan- uary 10, 1760; Abel H., December 12, 1761; Philip H., December 6, 1764; Lucy, March 17, 1767; Amy H., July 2, 1769; Charles H., December 25, 1771; Ruth HI., April 22, 1775; Tripp H., March 26, 1778; and Mary H., May 23, 1782. The mother of this family died in 1807, at the age of sixty-nine years, and the father October 4, 1811.

On November 21, 1793, Charles Hoag was married to Betsey Denton, who was born April 5, 1772, and to them were born eight children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Anna Hoag, October 2, 1794; John H., Sep- tember 27, 1797; James, February 14, 1799; Henry, May 3, 1801 ; Phæbe, August 13, 1805; Ezra, December 11, 1807; Benjamin, Novem- ber 23, 1810; Deborah H., October 18, 1812; and Mary, February 25, 1815. The father of this family was a highly educated man, and for many years was principal of the Nine Partners Boarding School, in the town of Washington, later moving to the town of Pine Plains, and conducted a private school at Bethel.

Mr. Smith, whose name introduces this sketch, was an agriculturist, and spent most of his life upon a farm in about the center of the town of Stanford. He was a good, substan- tial citizen, who took a warm interest in enter- prises calculated to build up his town, was a man of sound judgment, and his untimely death, at the age of thirty-eight years, was deeply mourned throughout the community. In 1840 he was married to Miss Jane A. Peck, who was born November 6, 1819, and they became the parents of two children: Albert, born in 1841, was a patriotic young man, and was one of the first in the town of Washington, Dutchess county, to enlist in the Union army during the Rebellion, becoming a member of the 44th N. Y. V. I. He died December 6, 1862, of typhoid pneumonia, while in the service; Frances, born in 1843, is at home.

Henry Peck, the father of Mrs. Smith, was born April 2, 1791, and the early part of his life was passed in the town of Milan, but he later became a resident of the town of Stan- ford. By occupation he was both a farmer and merchant. He was the son of Loring Peck, who was born January 19, 1744, and made his home at Bristol, R. 1. He was a zealous patriot and became a colonel in the Continental army in the war of the Revolution.

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For many years he later served as a member of the State Legislature. He was a son of Jonathan Peck, who was born at Bristol, R. I., September 12, 1698, and his father, who also bore the name of Jonathan, was born Novem- ber 5, 1666. The latter was a son of Nicholas Peck, who was born April 9, 1630.

The family of which Mrs. Smith is a mem- ber numbered five children, four of whom grew to adult age, namely: George, born April 8, 1813, was one of the leading and suc- cessful medical practitioners of the town of Stanford; Richard, born May 5, 1815, was a prominent attorney at law of Pine Plains for forty years; Jane A., born November 6, 1819, is the widow of our subject; and Alfred, born January 1, 1822, died in the West.

0 RVILLE L. DAVIS, one of the most suc- cessful agriculturists of the town of Clin- ton, Dutchess county, is also among the best known, his pleasant home near Clinton Hol- low being a favorite resort for summer tourists who wish to enjoy the charms of a genuine country life. He is a native of the town of Washington, where he attended the district school at Shady Dell, and early became familiar with the details of farm work from the thor- ough, but not always pleasant, teachings of experience.

Seth Lawton, our subject's grandfather, was born in Rhode Island, in 1782, and when a lad of ten summers was brought to Dutchess county, where he passed the rest of his life, dying at an advanced age, in 1869. Henry D. Davis, father of Orville L., was born in Kinder- hook, Columbia county, December 25, 1798, and was married, November 27, 1826, to Jane Ann Lawton, daughter of Seth Lawton, of the town of Washington. After engaging in shoe- making and farming in Columbia county he came to Washington town for a time; but, in 1836, he moved to Fort Madison, lowa, where he died, September 22, 1838, when our sub- ject was eight years old. The widowed mother then returned to her old home in the town of Washington, with her family, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Esther, August 25, 1828; Orville L., November 5, 1830; Betsey, February 25, 1833, died August 5. 1838; William, February 10, 1835, died March 6, 1868; and Seth, April 21, 1837, died September 21, 1838. The mother, who was

born May 1, 1809, survived her husband many years, dying May 11, 1886.

Our subject, who has always been a farmer, worked upon his grandfather's estate until after he was of age, and later cultivated his inherit- ance of 116 acres. He served in the army some eighteen months during the Civil war, in Company B, 128th N. Y. V. I. On March 24, 1875, he was married, in the town of Wash- ington, to Maria Eighmey, daughter of James Eighmey, a lifelong resident of the town of Unionvale. He and his wife, Mary Ann Jus- tus, had three daughters: Jane (now Mrs. Jacob Cambran), of Stanford; Maria (Mrs. Davis); and Anna Eliza (Mrs. James Cambran), of Milan. After his marriage Mr. Davis moved into a house which he had built upon his es- tate, where he lived until the spring of 1887, when he sold the property and purchased his present fine farm in the town of Clinton. Here a limited number of summer visitors-about twenty in number-are entertained each year, the attractions of the place always bringing all that can be accommodated.

Mr. Davis is a Democrat in political faith ; in religion he and his wife are prominent mem- bers of the Christian Church at Schultzville, and are interested in all movements tending to the welfare of the community. They have one son, Henry Thorne Davis.

R OBERT LIVINGSTON MASSONNEAU, president of the First National Bank of Red Hook, Dutchess county, is a worthy rep- resentative of an ancestry which has long been prominent in the history of this region. His grandfather, Claudius Germain Massonneau, a native of Angouleme, France, left that country at the outbreak of the Revolution, with his twin brother Pierre, both being then in carly manhood. They went to San Domingo, but upon the insurrection of the negroes of that island, abandoned their plantation and lled to the United States. After a short stay in New York City they settled, in 1790, in Red Hook, engaging in mercantile enterprise. He mar- ried Catherine Gertrude Livingston de Brissac, daughter of Robert Gilbert Livingston, and widow of M. de Brissac. They had three children: Robert Claudius, Edward and

Catherine.

Robert C. Massonneau, the father of our subject, was born May 3, 1797, in Red Hook, and after enjoying such educational advan-

MRS. MARIA DAVIS

ORVILLE L. DAVI.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

tages as the schools of Red Hook then afforded, was sent to the Claverack Academy. At the age of sixteen he began to assist his father in the village store, and soon after had control ol the whole business, his father retiring to his farm, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1846, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Robert C. added to his mercantile work the manufacture of cigars and tobacco, which venture proved highly successful from its inception. He married, in 1824, Miss Elizabeth Waldorf, daughter of John Waldorf, a leading citizen of Red Hook, and reared a family of children whose names are as follows: Robert Livingston (our subject), born October 3, 1825; Catherine Elizabeth (now widow of David Sparks); Peter Neilson; Charles Waldorf; Edward Francis; and Mary Alice (now Mrs. LeGrand B. Curtis).

Robert L. Massonneau attended the schools of his native place, entering while young his father's store as clerk, serving in that capacity a number of years. On October 27, 1859, he married Emma Clark Strobel, who was born December 19, 1859, in New York City. She was a daughter of Rev. William D. Strobel, D. D., at that time paster of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Red Hook. Five chil- dren were born of this union: Robert Living- ston, Jr .; William Strobel; Edward Philip; Eliza Franklin and Emma Engs. In 1852 our subject engaged in the tobacco business, established by his father, continuing therein until 1867, when he sold out his interest. His trained business talent and sound judgment have made him a recognized force in business circles. On the organization of the First National Bank of Red Hook, in 1865, he was chosen director and afterward vice-president. On the death of the president, William Cham- berlain, he was elected to that position, which he has since filled with distinguished ability. In his political preferences he was originally a Democrat, but since the formation of the party has been a Republican.

Mrs. Massonneau, wife of our subject, was born in New York City, where her father at the time was pastor of St. James Lutheran Church. He was born May 17, 1808, at Charleston, S. C., and married Abby Anna Engs, who was born in New York City Sep- tember 17, 1815. They had seven children, four of whom are yet living, Mrs. Massoneau being the third in order of birth. Her father died December 6, 1884, in Rhinebeck, N. Y., 51

and, with his wife and three children, is buried in the cemetery at Red Hook. John Strobel, great-grandfather of Mrs. Massonneau, owned a large tannery in Charleston, S. C., about the middle of the eighteenth century, serving in the war of the Revolution as a captain in the "German Fusileers," the famed regiment of South Carolina. Her great-grandfather, Col. Jonas Beard, served also in the Revolution.

M ERITT HUMESTON, a prominent busi- ness man of Dover Plains, Dutchess county, the senior member of the firm of Humeston & Barrett, belongs to a family which has been engaged in the manufacture of wagons in Dutchess county for three genera- tions. His grandfather, Eli Humeston, was born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1795, and after securing an education in the local schools, be- came a wagonmaker and millwright, and fol- lowed those trades throughout his active life. After his removal to Dover he constructed the first milling plant ever built there. He mar- ried, and had the following children: George E., our subject's father; James, who married (first) Miss Perry, and (second) Miss Lydia Underhill; Joseph, who married Miss Vandu- sen; Hannah, the wife of Jacob Palmer; Harriet, who married George Basset; and Ed- ward, who is mentioned below.

George E. Humeston was born in Dutch- ess county in 1806, and learned the trade of his father during his early years. Later he engaged in it on his own account, and a few years before his death he established a shop at Dover Plains. His wife was Elizabeth Wel- ler, daughter of Jonathan Weller, a prominent citizen of the town of Dover, and they had ten children: Catherine, Mrs. Thomas F. Wat- son; George, who died at the age of twenty- two; John, who married Ann Eliza Stage; William, who married (first ) Elizabeth Vincent. and (second) Harriet Vincent; David L., who married Lavina Howard; Meritt, our subject ; Charles, who married Abbie Dennis; Harriet and Sarah, who died in infancy, and one whose stay upon earth was so brief that no name was bestowed.

Meritt Humeston was born in 1842 in the town of Unionvale, Dutchess county, and was educated in Dover Plains. At the age of fif- teen he began to work at the blacksmith's trade, and continued until 1862, when he en- listed at Hudson, in Company B, 128th N. Y.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

His first battle was at Port Hudson, on the Mississippi, May 27, 1863, and among other important engagements in which he took part were those of Winchester, Va., Fisher's Hill, Va., Cedar Creek and Cane River Bluff. His regiment was mustered out of the United States service at Savannah, July 15, 1865, and ten days later was discharged from the State service at Albany. On returning home Mr. Humeston established himself in business in the town of Beekman, Dutchess county, and later spent four years at his trade in Breenhaven, four in Stormville, and two in Hopewell, and in 1887 he opened the black- smith and wagon shop at Dover Plains, which he has ever since conducted in partnership with John R. Barrett, under the firm name of Humeston & Barrett. With his war record it will readily be inferred that Mr. Humeston is interested in the G. A. R .; he formerly be- longed to Ketcham Post No. 661, and is now a member of C. S. Cowles Post No. 540, of Dover Plains. He has taken an active part in local politics, serving as constable in the town of Beekman, and as overseer of the poor in the town of Dover. On September 16, 1865, he was married to Miss Sarah Lee, a native of Fishkill, born in 1841, and they have had four children: Annie, Mrs. Ellsworth Shultis; Har- riet, who died in infancy; and Charles and George, who are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Shultis have three children: George, born in 1888; Frederick, in 1889, and Maude, in 1892.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 144

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