Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 147

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

USA > New York > Dutchess County > Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York > Part 147

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The early home of Mr. Case was in the town of Milan, Dutchess county, where he was born September 12, 1829, to Ephraim and Mary (Haviland) Case, who were farming peo- ple of that township, where the birth of the father also occurred. The paternal grand- father, Nathan Case, who was a minister in the Society of Friends, married a Miss Hicks. The boyhood days of our subject were spent in the place of his nativity, where he also re- ceived his educational advantages in the dis- trict schools.

At the age of twenty-six years Mr. Case was united in marriage with Phoebe Collins, widow of Mr. Ackerman, of the town of Union- vale, Dutchess county, and to them were born two children: Oscar J., and Olive Augusta, wife of George N. Bowman. For his second wife he wedded Hannah M. Wiley, and their wedding was celebrated in the town of Clin- ton, January 23, 1867. One son graced this union: Homer, who married Florence E. Vail, daughter of Israel Vail, of the town of Union- vale. Mrs. Case is the fifth in the family of eight children born to John and Sarah (Allen) Wiley, the former a native of the town of Clinton, the latter of the town of Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county. In order of birth the children are as follows: Ensign (deceased); Allen; Reuben, who was killed at the battle of Petersburg during the Civil war; Mary J., wife of Burtis Hicks; Hannah M .; Martin W. ; and William A. and Adeline (both deceased ). The father always carried on farming in the town of Clinton, where he died at the age of forty-six years; he was also a grain and cattle dealer. His parents were Reuben and Drusilla (Covill) Wiley, who always made their home in the same township.

By birthright Mr. Case was a member of the Society of Friends. He was a man uni- versally respected, one whose word was con- sidered as good as his bond, and on his death the county lost one of its most honored and useful citizens. Mrs. Case proved herself full

worthy as the companion and helpmeet of this excellent man, and is a lady greatly esteemed in the community in which she lives.

T IMOTHY GARRICK KELLY. Accord- ing to tradition, the Kelly family had its origin in Spain, and emigrated to Ireland at a very early period, the branch of which our sub- ject is a descendant making its home for many generations in County Galway.

His grandfather, Patrick Kelly, and father, Michael Kelly, were both natives of that county. The latter was born in 1803, received a good practical education in the schools of his neigh- borhood, and after his marriage to his first wife, a Miss Egan, came to America. For some time he lived in Brooklyn, and then went to Albany, but about 1835 he settled in Pough- keepsie. He had learned the carpenter's trade, but never followed it, being engaged in the gro- cery business both in Albany and Poughkeep- sie, where he located first at the corner of Jef- ferson and Church streets, and later at the corner of Church and South Bridge streets. He was a man of fine natural ability, a great reader, and a good judge of men and affairs, and was associated in his time with the best men in the city. Aside from his mercantile business he was interested in banking and in real estate, of which he owned a large amount in the Second ward. He gave the land for the opening of Church street. In politics he was always a strong Democrat, and, although he was never an office-holder, he was quite influ- ential in party affairs. He was one of the original promoters of St. Peter's Catholic Church, the first meeting of the congregation being held at his house. To the end of his life he was regarded as a leader and counselor by the men of his faith. Thoroughly loyal to his adopted city, he was the means of bringing many of his people here. On the death of his first wife, who left four children, namely: John, born in 1830, was educated at Fordham Col- lege, New York, was ordained a priest, and at the time of his death, in 1891, was Dean and Vicar General of the Trenton Diocese; Barnard; Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Kuhn, of New York City; and Annie, who died at the age of eighteen. Mr. Kelly's second wife was Miss Mary Gar- rick, a native of Ireland and a daughter of Timothy Garrick, who was a resident of New York City in later years. Of the three chil- dren of the second marriage, Timothy G., our

798

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

subject, is the eldest; Catherine died in 1881 at the age of twenty-six; and Eliza Regina is still living, The father died in 1861, and the mother survived him twenty-seven years, dying in 1888.

Timothy G. Kelly was born February 16, 1852, in Poughkeepsie, and attended Dutchess County Academy in boyhood, until Prof. Mc- George left that institution. He then spent one year at Riverview Seminary. As he was naturally a good student he made fine progress, but at sixteen his school days ended. He was only nine years old when his father died, and as the clerk, upon whom entire reliance had been placed, was stricken with paralysis not long afterward, he was obliged to make him- self useful in the store. As he grew older he assumed the management of the business, to which he finally succeeded, and he has displayed the characteristic business faculty of the family in his successful career. The store is of the old-fashioned sort, with a bar in the rear.

In September, 1874, he married Miss Mary Cunningham, daughter of Patrick and Cath- erine Cunningham, formerly of Beekman, and they have four children: Mary, John, Frank and Paul. Mr. Kelly has always been a Democrat, and in 1873 and '74, although hav- ing only just attained his majority, served as alderman. He takes great interest in the success of his party and in public affairs gen- erally. He belongs to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of which he is a trustee, and he is also a member of the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks.

H OWARD C. MILLARD, a prominent business man of New Hamburg, Dutch- ess county, and a member of the well-known firm of Millard Lumber Co., was born in that town December 17, 1846.

His family is of French descent, and his ancestors were early settlers at Cornwall, Conn., where his grandfather, Charles Millard, was born in 1763. The latter settled in Marl- boro, U'lster county, where he was engaged in the lumber business until 1824, when he moved to New Hamburg and opened a lumber yard. He manufactured his lumber from the raw material, and had an extensive trade for that early day, the distance from our own times being more easily realized when the fact is recalled that he witnessed the trial of Robert . Fulton's steamer on the Hudson in 1807. He

was prominent in local affairs, and a leading member of the Presbyterian Church. On June 17, 1816, his first wife, Lydia Pride, a native of Poughkeepsie, died leaving seven children, and October 22, 1818, he married Sarah Miller, by whom he had two children. His own death occurred April 30, 1827. Of the first family the eldest son (1), John, born May 21, 1789, became a merchant and specu- lator in Brooklyn. (2) Charles, born in 1792, located in New Orleans, where he acquired a large fortune; he was a man of unusual energy and business ability, and took a prominent part in affairs in his adopted city. (3) James, born in 1795, was a wholesale dealer in lumber and coal at Catskill. (4) Cornelia, born in 1797, married Hezekiah Purdy, of Marlboro. (5) William, born in 1800, settled in Galena, Ill., and became a leading business man there, . holding the office of postmaster at one time; his later years were spent in traveling in Europe and America, and he died while in Jacksonville, Fla. (6) Walter, our subject's father, is mentioned below. (7) Catherine, born in 1803, married Elem Dunbar, then of Poughkeepsie and later of Cortland county. The children of the second family were Mar- garet G. and Franklin.

Walter Millard was born in Marlboro in 1802, and remained there until the removal of the family to New Hamburg. Until 1834 he was engaged in the lumber business exclusively; but at that time he became interested in freight- ing, and built the barge "Lexington," which ran between New York and New Hamburg. In 1844 he purchased the steamboat " Splen- did," which carried freight from New Ham- burg to Marlboro. About 1855 he disposed of this line of business to give attention to dealing in lumber and coal, which he contin- ued until his death, August 20, 1880, building up an immense trade with large contractors. He was a man of remarkable business acumen, and possessed the energy and enterprise to carry his projects to completion. A strict Presbyterian in religious faith, his life was marked by integrity and fair dealing. In pol- itics, he was in early years a Whig, and later a Democrat. He was married November 14, 1834, to Martha Hyer Bull, a native of New York City, who died June 14, 1896. Her fa- ther, William Bull, who was of English birth, was a well-known saddle and harness dealer in New York, and was the first to import collars from England. To Walter Millard and his

799

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

wife were born children as follows: Sarah, William B., Walter P .. Edward J., Fenwick T., Howard C. and Charles.

Howard C. Millard, the subject proper of this review, was educated in the schools of Poughkeepsie and Fairfield, N. Y., and on re- turning home he began his business career as a dealer in cement pipe. He followed this until the death of his father, in 1880, when he ac- quired an interest in the lumber and coal busi- ness. The Millard Lumber Co. is one of the most substantial firms of this region, manu- facturing and dealing both at wholesale and retail, and commanding an immense trade. The brothers are prominently identified with the leading interests of their locality, and How- ard C. Millard has taken generous pride in as- sisting every movement tending to promote the public welfare.

On September 20, 1870, Mr. Millard mar- ried Miss Catherine Jane LeRoy, daughter of Jacob and Angeline LeRoy, of New Hamburg. The LeRoys are of French Huguenot descent, and are among the oldest and most highly-re- spected families of Dutchess county. Two children were born of this union: Jacob L. and Katie, both at home. Mr. Millard and his wife are leading members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee. In politics he is known as a Democrat, but he is a believer in Protection. He has taken great interest in the work of the Masonic order, and he and his son Jacob are both members of the Wappinger Falls Lodge No. 671.

J OSEPH I. VAIL, a leading mason and con- tractor, of Poughkeepsie, is a native of Dutchess county, born in the town of Fish- kill, September 20, 1835. His father, Joseph Vail, Sr., was also born in that township, July 27, 1803, and was a son of Isaac and De- borah Vail, farming people of that locality, where they reared their family of seven chil- dren- four sons and three daughters. The sons were: Abram, who engaged in agricult- ural pursuits in the town of Fishkill; Joseph, the father of our subject; William, a farmer, who is still living at the age of ninety years; and Platt, who followed the same occupation. The grandfather, whose ancestors were from Holland, was a native of Dutchess county, and died upon the old homestead farm in the town of Fishkill, where his wife also departed this

life. They were earnest and sincere members of the Presbyterian Church.

On that farin the father of our subject grew to manhood, and married Mrs. Sarah N. (Simmons) Waterhouse, a native of Coxsackie, Greene Co., N. Y., whose father, Isaac Sim- mons, was born in 1786, of English lineage, and was a boatman by occupation. After their marriage the parents located upon a farm in the town of Fishkill, where their ten chil- dren were born: Stephen S., born October 27, 1830, operates the old homestead farm; Elizabeth A., born July 29, 1832, wedded William Abel, a farmer of Illinois; Isaac S., born September 20, 1835, is a commercial traveler; Joseph I., the subject of this review, is the twin brother of Isaac; Sarah J., born May 6, 1838, is the wife of George Cornell, a farmer of Virginia; Mary L., born July 29, 1840, is the wife of Walter Van Namberg, a farmer of the town of Poughkeepsie; Harriet M., born June 25, 1842, married George Sprague, a farmer of Ohio; Deborah, born March 1, 1844, is the wife of Nicholas Chati- ton, an agriculturist; Malissa, born March 23, 1846, is the wife of Ira Van Kleeck, a farmer of Orange county, N. Y .; and Willett, born July 11, 1848, is engaged in merchandising at Florida, Orange county. The father carried on farming up to his death, which occurred September 20, 1877; the mother passed away March 1, 1882. They held membership with the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he was an ardent Republican.

Joseph I. Vail passed his early life upon the farm, aiding in its cultivation as soon as old enough, and acquired his education in the district schools. At the age of eighteen he came to Poughkeepsie, where he served an ap- prenticeship to the mason's trade with Isaac Broas, and about 1860 began contracting in that line for himself, since which time he has erected almost half of the buildings put up in the city. From a mere hamlet he has watched the growth of Poughkeepsie, and during his long residence here has been one of the im- portant factors in its progress and upbuilding.

On January 11. 1866, Mr. Vail was united in marriage with Miss Susan A. Sloane, a na- tive of Poughkeepsie. Her father, James Sloane, was born in Ireland, and wedded Han- nah Davidson. also of Irish extraction. To them were born seven children: Thomas D. (1) and William J., who died while young; Thomas D. (2), who became a merchant of

800

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

New York City; William J., who died in child- hood: Mary J., who wedded Archie Hawloe, a sea captain on the Pacific coast; Susan A., the honored wife of our subject; and Margaret D., who married James E. Kirk, a railroad man.

Mr. Vail is a Republican in his political convictions, and is one of the broad-minded business men of the city, whose prosperity can- not be attributed to a combination of lucky circumstances, but who has risen from energy, enterprise, integrity and intellectual effort well directed. His business has ever been con- ducted on the strictest principles of honesty. He and his wife hold a high position in the es- teem of their fellow citizens, and they give their support to the Second Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie.

M ORRIS BAKER, for many years a well- known citizen of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, was born in Bamberg, Bavaria, Ger- many, in 1842, and came to America with his parents in 1844.

Heyman Baker, the father of our subject, was a native of Exin, Germany, born in the year 1815. He was a merchant tailor by oc- cupation, and after coming to this country first located in New York City, later coming to Poughkeepsie. In addition to his custom work, Mr. Baker was interested in manufac- turing goods for the California and Mexico trade, making the fanciful and highly-colored fabrics which the people of the latter country, especially, use so profusely. This was in 1849; some time later he established a factory in Poughkeepsie, which he carried on for about eight years, and after giving up this line of trade he continued in the clothing business until his death, in 1866. Mr. Baker was well known in commercial circles, where he held a high reputation for integrity and straightfor- ward methods of dealing, and was very suc- cessful in his enterprises. He was a worthy citizen, highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was a charter member of the Masonic or- der, and of the Odd Fellows. Mr. Baker was married to Caroline Gillett, a native of Bam- berg, Germany, and two children were born to them, one of whom died when nine months old. The father passed from earth in 1866, and the mother in February, 1891.

Morris Baker had good advantages for an ducation, first attending the primary school held in the old Bond street school house, in

the Sixth ward, New York City. From there he went to a private school taught by Miss Filkins, and then to a grammar school under A. Underhill, finishing his education at the Poughkeepsie Academy. He has always been a reader, and is a well-informed man. After leaving school he went into business with his father, and after the latter's death carried on the establishment until the winter of 1867-68, when he took up the business of an auctioneer, in which he has been engaged until the present time. This occupation carries him all over the county, and he has become not only well known, but is considered one of the best in that line. His sales comprise real estate, chat- tels and other property, and he has been re- markably successful in making large sales of lands and personal property. He is popular with all classes, and is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen. In 1865 Mr. Baker was married to Miss Marie Boyd, of Plainfield, N. J., and seven children have blessed their union, namely: Rebecca, the wife of Walter Todd, of Poughkeepsie; Ettie, at home; Henry, a cigar manufacturer at Wappingers Falls; So- phia, employed in the silk works at Matteawan; Albert, a commercial traveler; and Belle and Pauline, at home.

In politics Mr. Baker believes in the prin- ciples of the Democratic party, but has never taken an active part in public affairs. He is a member of the Jewish Synagogue, and of the Royal Good Fellows.

S AMUEL J. TANNER. Among the active farmers and stock-raisers in the town of Pine Plains, Dutchess county, this gentleman holds prominent place. He belongs to one of the pioneer families of the county, his great- grandfather having been one of the early set- tlers of the town of Dover. He was a native of England, and while serving in the British army he was captured by the Spaniards and would have starved to death had it not been for the Spanish women.

The grandfather of our subject, Samuel Tanner, was born in the town of Dover, but early located on the old Tanner farm, east of the village of Pine Plains, and became a lead- ing and influential man. He wedded Mary Mcintosh, and to them were born fourteen children: William, John, Alex, Reuben, Mor- ris, Anthony, Henry, James, Samuel, Margaret, Eliza, Myra, Clarissa, and Mary Magdalene,

Samuel J. Jammer

801

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

most of whom resided in Columbia county, New York.

Samuel S. Tanner, father of our subject, succeeded to the old homestead in the town of Pine Plains, and by the careful management of his business affairs accumulated a comforta- ble property, having in the neighborhood of 450 acres of land, comprising one of the best farms in the town. He was a man of good natural ability, strong and rugged, of sound judgment and well informed for his time. His fortune was the result of his own diligence and enterprise, and his upright, honorable life won the high regard of all. For his first wife he wedded Fannie Streaver, and after her death was united in marriage with Miss Mary Betsy Lown, by whom he had four children: Will- iam; Fannie, wife of Henry Palmer; Mary, wife of John Head; and Samuel J., subject of this sketch. His third union was with Julia Sheldon, and to them were born three chil- dren: Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Titus; George, of Pine Plains; and Julia. The father voted the Democratic ticket, though never particu- larly active in political matters, and was often urged to take office, but declining the honor he only served as assessor one term. In religious faith his support was given to the Presbyterian Church, which he attended. He was called from this earth February 7, 1891, at the ripe age of eighty-six years.

Our subject was born in 1845, on the old homestead in the town of Pine Plains, and re- ceived a fair education in the district schools of the locality, which education in later years he improved by reading and observation. He always remained upon the old homestead, aid- ing in its operation, and successfully managed the same for several years. After the death of his father he purchased the interest of the other heirs, and his career as a farmer and stock- raiser has been characterized by keen judg- ment, shrewd common sense and good business habits. He raises cattle, sheep and hogs, and is a careful, conservative business man and substantial farmer, owning 450 acres of valu- able and productive land.

On November 28, 1894, Mr. Tanner was united in marriage with Fannie E. Van Aken, who was born April 22, 1860, in Ulster coun- ty, N. Y., daughter of Solomon and Catherine Ann (Atkins) Van Aken, highly respectable farming people of the town of Esopus, Ulster county. The father died in 1879, aged fifty- five years; the mother in 1891, aged sixty-six 52

years. They are the parents of eight children, three of whom are yet living. To the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Tanner has come one child: Charles S., born November 8, 1895. They are also caring for the orphan son of Mrs. Tanner's sister, Aurelia (Mrs. William Swartout), who died September 15, 1890. Our subject is strictly temperate in every sense of the word, thus following in the footsteps of his father, and is a liberal contributor to the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat, but cares nothing for political prefer- ment, desiring rather to devote his time and attention to his business interests.

N ATHANIEL SMITH, a prominent mer- chant of Low Point, Dutchess county, has been for many years the postmaster at that place, and his able administration of the affairs of the office has served to confirm his popular- ity and influence in that locality. He is a na- tive of Dutchess county, born in New Hacken- sack, September 18, 1840. His father, Na- thaniel Stnith, was of English descent, and was born on Long Island in 1777. He mar- ried Eustacia Weeks, a native of Westchester county, and settled in New York City, where he followed the carpenter's trade for some years, the old Trinity church being among the most important structures which he helped to build. In 1832 he moved to New Hacken- sack, and continued his trade until his death in 1850, his wife surviving only six years. Po- litically he was a Democrat, and he and Mrs. Smith were both consistent members of the Reformed Church. Of their five children, some of whom were born in New York City, our subject is the only one now living. Will- iam was a carpenter, and spent most of his life in New York City; Susan married Oliver Van Dyne; Ann married Abram Stoutenburgh, a farmer in western New York, and Maria was the wife of Samuel Van Forte, a shoemaker.

The subject of our sketch spent his school days mainly in Pittsford, N. Y., where he en- joyed the ordinary educational advantages of the time. His first entrance into mercantile life was as a clerk at New Hamburg and Hyde Park, but in 1856 he became station agent at Low Point, then known as Carthage Landing. After four years there he was transferred to Dutchess Junction, and later to Fishkill Land- ing, where he remained until 1871, when he again turned to the mercantile life, opening a

802

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

grocery at Low Point. His success in this venture soon warranted the enlargement of his stock, and he now conducts a general store, with a good trade. In 1868 he was appointed postmaster, and has held the office without interruption since that time, with satisfaction to all concerned. Politically Mr. Smith is a Republican, and, as one of the substantial and progressive citizens of the town, he takes a leading part in local affairs.

In 1864 our subject was united in matri- mony with Miss Maria DeGroot, a lady of French descent, but a native of New Ham- burg. One daughter blessed this union, Es- telle, who married George Terwilliger, of Wappingers Falls.

G EORGE W. DUTCHER. The Dutcher family has held a prominent position in this section for many years, various members taking an influential part in business and po- litical life. The different branches of the fam- ily trace their descent from one or another of six or seven brothers who came from Holland to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century and located on Long Island, where some of them remained. Derrick Dutcher, our subject's grandfather, came from Long Island to Dutchess county, and settled upon a farm in the town of Dover. He married Miss Edith Chapman, daughter of William Chap- man, and reared a family of eight children: Israel, the eldest; Ransom, who never married; Wilbur, who married Mary Hoag; Luther, our subject's father; Amy, who was twice married, her second husband being Daniel White; Esther, Mrs. Ellis Benson; Elizabeth, Mrs. E. B. Som- mers; and Ann, Mrs. Willis Benson. Derrick Dutcher and wife are dead, his wife dying in 1861, aged eighty-three years.

Luther Dutcher was born in the town of Dover in 1806, and received his education in the common schools there. He learned the wheelwright's trade, becoming an expert fin- isher and polisher, and later engaged in the iron business at Dover Furnace, being one of the founders of that industry there. Later he became connected with the Novelty Iron Works, located at the foot of Twelfth strect, in New York City. On retiring from this busi- ness he followed farming for three or four years, and then resumed his former business at Napanoch, Ulster county, remaining two ycars. He then moved to Poughkeepsie,

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 147

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