Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 149

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

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A LEXANDER BISHOP, JR., a prominent agriculturist of the town of Wappinger, Dutchess county, residing near New Hacken- sack, is one of the most highly respected citi- zens of that locality, a long life of quiet, unob- trusive usefulness having gained him the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

His family is among the oldest in Dutchess county. His great-grandfather, an English- man by birth, was a pioneer farmer in the town of Fishkill, where Caleb Bishop, our subject's father, was born. By occupation he was a farmer and lime burner. He married Hannah Phillips, and settled on a farm in the town of Poughkeepsie, where they reared a family of nine children.

Gabriel Bishop, their fourth child, grew to manhood at the old homestead and engaged in the business of boating for some years. Polit- ically he was a Democrat. He married Hester Yates, a native of the same town, and daugh- ter of John Yates, a well-known hotel-keeper. Her grandfather came to Dutchess county from Ireland. After his marriage Gabriel Bishop settled in his native town, and of his nine chil- dren the majority located upon farms in Dutch- ess county. The eldest, William, was a boat- man on the Hudson; Jackson was a farmer in his native town; John, Alexander, Samuel and Caleb all engaged in farming; Mary Ann mar- ried Joseph Randolph, a jeweler; Catherine married Charles Deering, a farmer; and Hester never married. The family has always been identified with the Reformed Dutch Church, and various members have taken an active part in local affairs.

Alexander Bishop was born February 4, 1820, and lived at the old farm until he was . twenty-four years of age, when he married Miss Jane Kirklan, the daughter of a farmer of Greene county, N. Y., who died when she was a mere infant. She was adopted and reared by the Rev. Van Cleef. The young couple made their first home upon a farm in the town of Lagrange, but in 1876 they moved to their present property, a fine farm of 110 acres de- voted to mixed crops. Mrs. Bishop died in 1886, leaving a family of four children: Alex- ander, Jr., assists his father in the manage- ment of the farm, and is one of the influential young men of that vicinity, holding the office of commissioner of highways; Cornelius Van- Cleef is an undertaker in Wappinger Falls; Gertrude and Nellie are at home. Mr. Bishop has always been an interested student of public questions, and in politics is a Democrat.

C HARLES S. HEANEY, the enterprising proprietor of the "Oak Hotel and Café" at Fishkill Landing, and of another popular café on Main street, Fishkill, was born Septem-

ber 8, 1867, in Bucks county, Penn., where his parents, who were both natives of that lo- cality, now reside.

William Heaney, his father, has been en- gaged in agriculture, and in boating on the canal for many years, and is well known in that section. In politics he is a Democrat, and he and his wife. Emily (Buck), are devout members of the Roman Catholic Church. They had five children: Henry, a canal man in Pennsylvania; Isaac, a blacksmith and butcher by trade; John, who met his death at the age of twenty-seven in a street-car fire at Tren- tôn, N. J .; Charles S., our subject; and Anna, wife of George Mich, a boatman, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania.

Charles S. Heaney spent the first sixteen years of his life at home, and then began work upon the canal, contributing his wages, until he was twenty-one, toward the support of the family. On attaining his majority he went to New York City, and for some time ran a barge for the Montrose Brick Co., but since Decein- ber, 1891, he has been engaged in the hotel business at Fishkill Landing, and has also been interested in the wholesale beer trade as agent for Quinn & Nolan, of Albany, N. Y. On July 29, 1896, he added to these lines of enterprise a café in the Opera House block at Fishkill, his business sagacity being supported by an apparently limitless energy.

On January 4, 1892, he was married to Miss Mary Quirk, daughter of Michael Quirk, a well-known resident of Fishkill Landing, who is of Irish descent. Two children, Lil- lian and Ellen, bless this union. In his political views Mr. Heaney is not hampered by 1 partisan ties, and his vote is cast according to the requirements of the times. He is a promi- nent member of the Church of St. John The Evangelist (Roman Catholic), at Fishkill Landing, and is identified with the Catholic Benevolent League and Catholic Order of Foresters.

0 LIVER KEES SMITH. This gentleman is generally known as one of the substan- tial farmers of the town of Stanford, Dutchess county, but he now leases his land, and de- votes his time and attention to the fire-insur- ance business, having represented the Conti- nental Company for about ten years. He was eminently successful as a tiller of the soil, and is a man of keen intellect, sound judgment

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and business ability. His early home was at Bear Market, in the town of Stanford, Dutch- ess county, where his birth took place July 1, 1 834.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Stephen R. Smith, was born about 1768, in Rhode Island, where he married Miss Rhoda Harris. On leaving his native State he came to Dutchess county on horseback, his wife and three children accompanying him, locating first in the town of Stanford, where he followed the occupation of a farmer, later becoming a resident of the town of Clinton. He held membership with the Society of Friends. In his family of nine children, Rufus Smith, the father of our subject, was next to the young- est, and was born in the town of Stanford, June 8, 1805. In the schools of that town- ship and at Clinton Corners he received his education, and he continued to remain on the old homestead farm for two years after his marriage. On December 3, 1828, in the town of Washington, Dutchess county, Mr. Smith married Elizabeth Thorne, who was born De- cember 19, 1808, and they became the parents of three children, namely: (1) Cynthia T., who married Thomas I. Wing, and they have two daughters-Annie and Carrie. (2) Caro- line, who married Welcome Johnson, of Min- neapolis, Minn., and they have three children -Frank (who is married, and has two daugh- ters, Marie and Elizabeth); Elizabeth and George S. (3) Oliver K., subject of this sketch. The entire business career of the father was spent in farming in the town of Stanford, where he served as supervisor about 1847, and there his death occurred January 8, 1881. He was a member of the Friends Church. The mother of our subject is a daugh- ter of Stephen and Sarah (Thorn) Thorne, while her paternal and maternal grandfathers bore the name of Joseph Thorne and Joseph Thorn, respectively, although the former was of French and the latter was of English ori- gin. Joseph Thorne was born in 1745, and married Sarah Kees; Joseph Thorn was born in 1749. The entire life of Stephen Thorne was passed in the town of Washington, where he was married, and where were born to him five children: Anne K., Cynthia, Elizabeth, Hannah and Joseph.

Oliver K. Smith, the subject proper of these lines, acquired his education in part at a school at New Milford, Conn., in part at the Nine Part- ners Boarding School, in the town of Washing-

ton, and became familiar with the various phases of farm life under the capable instruc- tion of his father. He remained under the pa -* rental roof until his marriage, when he re- moved to his present residence in the town of Stanford. On September 24, 1863, in the town of Pleasant Valley, Mr. Smith was mar- ried to Miss Hannah P. Halstead, a daughter of Joseph G. Halstead, of Clinton town, and to them were born three children: Lizzie, wife of Harry Decker, of New York City, by whom she has one child-Elaine; and Thorne and Florence, both deceased.

Mr. Smith is a progressive man, pre-emni- nently public-spirited, and all that pertains to the public welfare receives his hearty endorse- ment. For three terms he served as assessor of his township, being elected on the Repub- lican ticket, and by the Democratic party was elected supervisor, filling that position for one term. He is emphatically a man of enter- prise, positive character, indomitable energy, strict integrity and liberal views, thoroughly identified with the prosperity and welfare of his town and county. He is a stanch and loyal friend, fond of good fellowship, and de- voted to those who have his confidence.

A LBERT R. BRYANT, a prominent young business man of Matteawan, Dutchess county, is a descendant of an old English fam- ily long established at Bristol, England, where many of his ancestors were connected with the business of hat manufacturing.

His great-grandfather, Richard Bryant, and grandfather, Jonathan Bryant, were thus en- gaged throughout their manhood, and his father, the late George Bryant, who was born in Bris- tol, learned the same trade there, and on coming to America, at the age of eighteen, continued it for many years. He located first at Newark, N. J., where he met and married Miss Eliza- beth Simmonds, a native of England, whose father, John Simmonds, brought his family to the United States during her youth and settled at Bloomfield, N. J. The early years of their wedded life were spent in Newark, but later they removed to Yonkers, N. Y., and finally to Matteawan, where Mr. George Bryant fol- lowed the hotel business for about seventeen years. He was a man who took a generous interest in everything that pertained to the welfare of his adopted country, and in politics was a stanch Republican. He and his wife

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were members of the M. E. Church. She passed to the unseen life in 1871, and his death occurred March 11, 1888. They had five children: George H., who is now in the Ma- rine Hospital at Stapleton, L. 1 .; John Ed- ward, a hatter by occupation; Lucy, now Mrs. Newton Quick, of Yonkers; Albert, our subject, and Robert, who died at the age of five years.

Albert R. Bryant was born at Yonkers, N. Y., July 7, 1862, and was about five years old when his parents removed to Matteawan. He attended school at that place for a time, and then entered a private school in New York City, where he remained about twelve years. On completing his course he returned to Mat- teawan and learned the hatter's trade, which may be said to be hereditary in his family, preferring the hotel business, in which he was engaged for nine years at the corner of Water and Fountain streets. In March, 1888, he opened a saloon at the same site, and has ever since conducted it. He has gained the friend- ship of many people, and is also successful financially, owning a large amount of valuable real estate at Matteawan, including the "Com- mercial House."

In 1881, Mr. Bryant was united in mar- riage with Miss Margaret Forsyth, a native of Orange county, N. Y., and a daughter of Joseph Forsyth, a well-known resident of that locality. Two children were born of this union: Edna E. and George A. Mr. Bryant is an ardent advocate of Republican principles, and socially is connected with various organi- zations, being an active member of the B. P. O. E., the Foresters of America, and the Beacon Hose Co., of which he was foreman for three years and is now chief engineer.

J TAMES B. TRIPP, the able manager of an extensive stock farm at Dover Plains, Dutchess county, is considered an author- ity upon all questions relating to the training and care of that noble animal, the horse. His experience as foreman of large stock farms at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and Danbury, Conn., has admirably fitted him for his present re- sponsible position with H. N. Bain, of Dover Plains.

Mr. Tripp is a descendant of one of our old families, his grandfather, John Tripp, having been a native of Dutchess county. He became a farmer by occupation and for many years lived at Ancram, Columbia county. His wife

was Cynthia Adzit, of Bangall, Dutchess coun- ty, and they reared a family of nine children: Daniel I. married (first) Dameris Myers, and (second) Mrs. Adaline Sharp; David K. ; Elisha married Miss West; Benjamin, Miss Shultz; Mariette, Henry Keefer; Anthony, Rebecca Keefer; Rachel, Myron Hamblin; Loretta, Henry Dayton; and James, our subject's fa- ther, chose for his life partner Emma Card, daughter of Esson and Lottie (Wetherill) Card, of Ancram. He was engaged in farming in that vicinity all his life, and died there January 14. 1896. Of his six children our subject is the eldest. The others are: Cynthia, Mrs. James R. Paine; Mary K., Mrs. George Mitch- ell; Emma L., Mrs. Marks Senigo; Sarah, Mrs. Howard Thompson; and Myra, Mrs. Harry Dewsnap.

The subject of our sketch was born in An- cram in 1854, and for some time after leaving school was engaged in farming, but in early manhood acquired a high reputation in his present calling. He has always been a Dem- ocrat in politics, and takes an intelligent in- terest in public affairs. On November 3, 1886, he was married to Miss Ella Van Steen- bergh, a lady of fine mental ability and cult- ure, who previous to her marriage was a suc- cessful teacher at Millerton and in Columbia county. She was born in Amenia in 1867. and was educated by her father, George Steen- burgh, a well-known resident of that place. Her ancestors were among the early settlers in that vicinity, and her grandfather, Henry Van Steenbergh, was born and reared there, and became a prominent farmer. He married Miss Anna Blass, of the same town, and had eight children, whose names, with those of their partners in matrimony, are as follows: Philip, Sarah Hunt; Ezra, Nellie Berrian; John, Harriet Green: George, Mary Rowe; Hampton, Hattie Melloy; Gernsey, Mary Drake; Emmett, Phoebe Odell; and Coralie, Henry Pitcher. George Van Steenbergh grew to manhood at the old farm, and was gradu- ated from the Amenia Seminary. He learned the carpenter's trade, but, finding teaching more to his liking, he followed that calling nineteen years. In politics he was a steadfast Democrat, and never lacked the courage to express his convictions upon any subject. Mrs. Tripp is the only living child, two sons having died, Walter in infancy, and Hubert at the age of nineteen. Her mother, Mrs. Mary | Rowe, was a direct descendant of the Moravian

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missionaries of that name who came to this country to instruct the Indians in the Christian faith. Orville Rowe, one of Mary Rowe's an- cestors, was a prominent farmer of White Plains, Dutchess county, and his wife was Miss Elizabeth Pitcher, of Johnson's Corners.

C HARLES E. BOYCE, a prominent resi- dent of the town of Dover, Dutchess county, at present holding the office of consta- ble, is the proprietor of a popular meat market in Dover Plains. He is a native of the town of Stanford. Dutchess county, where several generations of his family have made their home. His grandfather, Jacob Boyce, was born and educated there, and spent his life in agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Holmes, and reared a family of nine children: Marga- ret, Mrs. Henry Van Dewater; Sarah A., Mrs. Alfred Van Dewater; Olive, Mrs. Levi Ambler; Eliza and Nargette, who never inarried; Amy, Mrs. Drury; Edwin, our subject's father; Isaac, who married Miss Allen; and Levi, who mar- ried Catherine Ambler.

Edwin Boyce was born at the old home- stead in the town of Stanford, September 19, 1812, and died May 13, 1861. He was edu- cated in the district schools of that locality, and afterward engaged in farming. He was married to Miss Sabrina Betts, who was born in 1820, and of this union four children were born: James H., Henrietta, Charles E. and Mary F.

The subject of our sketch enjoyed the usual educational privileges of a farmer's boy, later learned the butcher's trade, and also worked at carpentering for some time. Since his re- moval to Dover Plains he has conducted a meat market with gratifying success, and has taken an active part in local affairs. His part- ner in life's journey is Kate Titus, daughter of Alexander Titus, and they have had three chil- dren: Ethel May, born January 1, 1882; Alice Titus, born April 8, 1888, and Eugene Holmes, born May 15, 1890.

The Titus family has been prominent in the town of Washington, Dutchess county, for many years, and Mrs. Boyce's grandfather, Jackson Titus, was born and educated there, and later became a prosperous miller. He and his wife, Hannah Conklin, reared a family of four children: Alexander, Mrs. Boyce's fa- ther; Stephen, who married (first) Harriet Bur-

lingame, and (second) Mary Burlingame; Mott, who never married; and Ruth Amelia, Mrs. Jo- seph Titus. Alexander Titus was born in 1821, and received his early education in the district schools of Washington town. He en- gaged in the milling business for a time, but the greater part of his life was spent in farm- ing. He married Letitia Strang, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Adriance) Strang, and had six children: Kate, Mrs. Boyce; Edward, who married Josephine Stansbury; Anna, Mrs. Charles Rich; Eleanor, the wife of Charles Gilbert: Stephen, who married Estella Out- house; and Lillian, the wife of Charles Lewis. Mr. Titus was a prominent Republican, and held all the important offices in his town at different times, from supervisor down. He was also an active member of the order of Odd Fellows.

J OHN B. WALDO is the owner of one of the finest fruit farms in East Fishkill town, Dutchess county. Around his handsome residence the grounds are beautifully laid out, and altogether it presents a most attractive picture. He was born upon this place at Johnsville, on June 2, 1846. It comprises 175 acres of rich land, and was the last farm to be parted with or left by the Indians, and was used by them also as a burying ground. A part of an old Indian orchard, which at one time was four miles long, is still standing, and when the father of our subject was a boy a party of Indians returned here from the West and camped on the farm near the mountains for the purpose of viewing their former home.

Charles Waldo, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Windham, Conn., and after his marriage with Elizabeth Besley located in the town of East Fishkill, Dutchess county, but the latter part of his life was passed in the West, where his death occurred. By profession he was a physician and surgeon.

William B. Waldo, the father of our sub- ject, was an only child, and was born at Brinckerhoff, in Fishkill town, May 5, 1805. He grew to manhood on the farm now owned by our subject, and was a graduate of Union College, at Newburg, N. Y. He studied law, was admitted to the bar at Poughkeepsie, and began practice at Brooklyn, but owing to ill health he gave up his profession, returning to the farm in the spring of 1838, where he con- tinued to reside up to the time of his death, on

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June 14, 1867. He took an active interest in the success and welfare of the Whig party, which he always supported by his ballot, and was a most influential and prominent citizen of the community.

The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Jane Ann Bruce, is a native of New York City, and is still living. Her father, John M. Bruce, was a prominent mer- chant of that place, and was among the first to import tin and sheet iron in Dutchess coun- ty. The Bruce family principally were mem- bers of the Baptist Church, while the Waldos were Presbyterians. Only two children were born to the parents of our subject, his sister being Elizabeth, who married Rev. G. T. Woodhull, now professor of languages in Lin- coln University, Pennsylvania.

The boyhood of John B. Waldo was spent upon his present farm, and, after attending the local schools, he became a student in an academy at Newburgh, N. Y. On the death of his father, however, he returned home, and has since had charge of the farmn, where he now devotes special attention to fruit culture, raising grapes, apples, peaches, etc., with most gratifying results, which fact shows that he thoroughly understands his business.

On January 14, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Waldo and Miss Helen Brett, whose birth occurred at Johnsville. Her father, James Brett, and her grandfather, Robert Rombout Brett, were also natives of the town of East Fishkill, and farmers by oc- cupation. They were descended from the old patentee, Madam Brett. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Waldo: Jane Ann, who was born October 30, 1873. and died Decem- ber 14 following; an infant, who died un- named; William B., who was born November 23. 1874, and has been an engineer on the Long Island railroad since sixteen years of age; Lewis H., who was born March 5, 1877, and is at this writing at home; James B., who was born April 21, 1878, and died May 30, 1893; John M., who was born May 3, 1879, and has just graduated from the Albany Busi- ness College; Oliver W., born May 20, ISSo; Elizabeth W., born January 1, 1882, and Helen A., born January 27, 1883. The wife and mother was called to her final rest Octo- ber 11, 1890. Politically, Mr. Waldo is a Republican, and does all in his power to pro- mote the welfare and prosperity of his native town and county.

W TILLIAM W. BAKER, a prominent agri-

culturist and business man of Clinton Hollow, Dutchess county, and a veteran of the Civil war, was born September 25. 1843, in Poughkeepsie, New York.

His family has long been well known in the county. His grandfather, Jesse Baker, was born in the town of Beekman, N. Y., in 1778, and died in Lagrange, N. Y., January 22, 1849, having passed his life in agricultural pursuits. He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church of Freedom Plains, and held an influ- ential position in the community. He married Sarah Morgan, and reared a family of six children, all now deceased, giving to all of them good educations. Their names are: Thomas D., Abram, Susan, Maria, Catherine and John M.

The youngest son, our subject's father, was born in the town of Beekman, November 16. 1815. His boyhood was spent in the town of Lagrange, where he attended schools, and in early manhood he engaged in the grocery business in Poughkeepsie, at the corner of Main and South Hamilton streets. Later he followed the carpenter's trade in the town of Lagrange. He was married July 17, 1839. at No. 97 Orchard street, New York, by Rev. S. Benedict, to Eunice M. Wolvern, and by this union there were two sons: Jesse I. and William W. Of these, Jesse I., born March 20, 1841, attended the schools of Lagrange in early life, and learned the blacksmith's trade. On August 19, 1862, he enlisted in Company 1, 128th N. Y. V. I., and died February 4, 1863. at Camp Chalmette, Louisiana.

William W. Baker, our subject, grew to manhood in Lagrange, enjoying the ordinary life of the country boy, and making the most of the advantages offered by the district schools. At the age of eighteen he enlisted on the same day with his brother, and in the same company, the regiment being assigned first to the Department of the Gulf, and later to the forces in the Shenandoah Valley. He served throughout the war, fortunately escaping his brother's sad fate, and after being mustered out, June 7, 1865, he returned home. He worked at the painter's trade for two years in Lagrange, also for four years in the town of Clinton, later engaging in agriculture near Clinton Hollow, buying a farm after working it on shares for two years. His progressive ideas and energetic management have brought him marked success, and he now owns two

Carrie & Baker

Prilliam Ir Baller Late of to ! 128th MASN

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good farms in that vicinity. In 1875 he en- gaged in pork packing in a small way, and has increased the business until he now enjoys an extensive trade.

On September 12, 1865, Mr. Baker was married at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., by Rev. Sum- ner Mandeville, to Miss Carrie S. Baker, who was born September 26, 1846, a daughter of Thomas D. Baker, our subject's uncle. Two children came of this union: Jesse A., born in 1866, married Miss Ida Wooley, and has three children - George W., William and Viola; and Orrie J., born in 1868, now a farmer, mar- ried Vernie J. Cookingham, and has two chil- dren - Carrie E. and Olive J. In politics Mr. Baker is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church at Schultz- ville, New York.

L EWIS H. CHASE, an enterprising busi- ness man of Matteawan, Dutchess coun- ty, is the proprietor of a popular meat market, and is also successfully engaged in the ice trade, his custom extending through Mattea- wan, Fishkill, Fishkill Landing and Fishkill Village. He was born March 1, 1854, in Westchester county, N. Y., and is of English descent in both paternal and maternal lines. His paternal grandparents settled in Putnam county shortly after their marriage, and reared eight children: John and Wright are farmers in Kansas: James is a laborer in Ulster county, N. Y. ; Robert is mentioned more fully below; Fred, deceased, was a laborer; Adella is mar- ried to Philip Van Buren, a livery man at Waldon, Orange Co., N. Y .; William is a farmer in Ulster county; and Elijah went West, and nothing is now known of him.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 149

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