Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 151

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

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William Dawson, our subject's father, was born June 24, 1817, near Camden, Delaware, and became one of the most successful agri- culturists in that region, accumulating a hand- some competence. He possessed unusual force of character, and was a leader in local affairs, and in the Whig party. On December 29, 1840, he married Elizabeth G. Britting- ham, whose father, a prosperous farmer, came from England about 1815, and settled in Kent county, Delaware. William Dawson estab- lished his home near Smyrna, Delaware, where he died, September 30, 1854, but his widow still resides there. Of their eight chil- dren our subject was the youngest. Ann M. and Sarah dicd in infancy; Thomas G. is a dentist in California; Mary J. married Dr. John M. Smith, of Cheswold, Del .; Margarette married John M. Bishop, a farmer of the same locality; William II. is an agriculturist in

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Maryland, and Ezekiel is a manufacturer of butter, at Newark, Delaware.

With this introduction we may the better trace the history of our subject, who is a worthy representative of an ancestry noted for ability and high character. During his boy- hood Dr. Dawson lived at the old farm near Smyrna, Del., attending the local schools, with one year in the Classical Academy at Smyrna. In 1872 he entered the State Normal School at Millersville, Penn., and on completing his course in 1875, he engaged in teaching in the country districts. Deciding upon the medical profession as a lifework, he began his preparation in 1877, at Smyrna, and in the following year he was enrolled as a student in the Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1880. Locating at Milford, Del., he practiced successfully until 1892, when, realizing the necessity for change and rest, he went to New York City for a time. In February, 1892, he settled at Matteawan, where he speedily won a high place in the esteem of the people, both as a citizen and a practitioner. He has never joined the ranks of the happy Benedicts. In all public questions he takes an intelligence ; interest, and he is active in local affairs. Po- litically he is a Republican, and he is now serving as health officer of the town of Fish- kill. For some time past he has been a mem- ber of the Masonic order, and he is also an active worker in the American Institute of Homeopathy.

A LSON OSTRANDER, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, is a repre- sentative of a family which has long been prominent in this region.

The ancestors of our subject who first represented this branch of the family in Amer- ica was Pieter Pieterson Ostrander, who left Amsterdam, Holland. on the ship " Spotted Cow," April 16, 1660. Landing in June fol- lowing, he settled at Kingston, N. Y., where, on January 19, 1679, he was married to Re- becca Traphagen. Their son, Arend, who was baptized at Hurley, N. Y., October 5. 1684, married Gertrude Massen Van Bloomen- dahl, daughter of Maas Van Bloomendahl. Maas Ostrander, a son of Arend, was baptized at Albany, N. Y., April 11, 1714, married Jennetje Swartwout, and their son Cornelius,

who became the grandfather of our subject, was born July 22, 1742; he married, April 25. 1764, Mary Luyster Brinkerhoff. Their son Cornelius, our subject's father, was born at Fishkill, May 22, 1775, and was reared at the old farm, attending school in the neighborhood during boyhood. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and followed it for some years, going from one farm to another in winter and making shoes. His later years were spent upon his farm; he died January 17, 1853. He married Mary Way, and had eight children, of whom only two are now living: Alson, the subject of this sketch; and Melinda, who married James E. Smith, of Fishkill.

Alson Ostrander was born at Fishkill March 9, 1818, and spent his boyhood there attend- ing the public schools near his home. At the age of fifteen he went to New York City, and found employment as a clerk in the grocery store of N. D. Hurder. In 1838 he returned home, and remained with his father (who then lived near Freedom Plains) until 1840, when he went to Genesee county, making the jour- ney with a horse and wagon. There he worked on his brother's farmn for three years, and October 1, 1844, he came to Pough- keepsie, where he has since resided. Until 1847 he was with Slocum, Jilson & Co., in their pin factory, the ruins of which still stand on Bayeau street. Mr. Ostrander left this employment to become assistant postmaster at Poughkeepsie for Egbert B. Kelley, with whom he remained three years, and so well and faithfully did he discharge his duties that the two succeeding postmasters found him in- dispensable. He was next employed in the county clerk's office during the term of George H. Tompkins, and in 1860 he became con- nected with the firm of William W. and James Reynolds, Jr. (now Reynolds & Cramer), with whom he remained twenty-eight years, when he retired from active business. He is a man of quiet tastes and reserved manners; but while he has never sought prominence, he has more than once taken an influential part in advancing measures which he believed to be beneficial to the public. He is an ardent friend to the temperance cause; has voted the Prohibition ticket ever since the organization of the party, and is now the senior resident member of the Sons of Temperance. His connection with that body dates back to 1846 when he became a member of Howard Divi- sion No. 45, and when that society gave up its

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charter, Mr. Ostrander, with William Schrum, Judson 1). Case, Richard Brittain, Lazarus V. Brinck, Thomas Platt, John M. Cable, Isaac Butler, Dennis C. Clemishire, and James Brower, took their cards and joined Pough- keepsie Division No. 9, which was instituted August 4, 1843.

On June 3, 1841, Mr. Ostrander was mar- ried in Genesee county to Miss Harriet Arnold, who died leaving one son, Alson B., born February 2, 1846, at Poughkeepsie, who was a soldier in the Civil war and is now a resident of New York City. He was married at Ber- gen, N. Y., to Hettie Gifford. Mr. Alsou Ostrander was again married, this time at Leon, N. Y., February 7, 1854, to Miss Frances E. Evarts, who was born February 14, 1825, a daughter of Rev. Renaldo M. and Eliza (Morley) Evarts. Two sons (twins) were born of this union at Poughkeepsie, Feb- ruary 7, 1863-James Henry and Charles Melville, both of whom are successfully estab- lished in life, the latter being now in the in- surance business at Omaha, Nebraska.

JAMES HENRY OSTRANDER has chosen to remain in his native city, where he now con- ducts an extensive undertaking and embalm- ing business. His early education was ob- tained in the public schools of Poughkeepsie, and on leaving the high school he entered the telegraph office as messenger, and later was employed as salesman for a New York firm, and then began to learn the undertaking busi- ness with Stephen Merritts, with whom he worked three years. In 1888 he returned to Poughkeepsie where he had already won a high standing in business circles. He was married there June 5, 1888, to Miss Lavinia S. Cluett (born November 28, 1864), daughter of George W. and Lavinia Cluett, and has one son, Cornelius, born January 11, 1892. He is a member of Poughkeepsie Lodge No. 268, Chapter No. 172, King Solomon Council No. 31, Commandery No. 43, Mecca Temple A. A. O. N. M. S.

cannot now be ascertained. The coat of arms found in the possession of some of his descend- ants is the same as that of the Kilmarnock Boyd, and without doubt if the record had been kept all could trace their lineage to the same source in Scotland. The name of this ancestor is not known, but his family, as far as can be learned, consisted of five children: Samuel, Robert, James, Nathaniel and Mary.

Samuel Boyd came to New York City early in the eighteenth century, and finding this country a haven of rest from the hardships and religious wars of the Old World, he assisted his brothers and sisters to comc. They re- mained but a short time in New York City, and most of them made their permanent home at New Windsor, Orange Co., N. Y. With the exception of Samuel the brothers were all married and had large families, which shows that they were well advanced in years. Na- thaniel Boyd was born in County Down, Ire- land. He married (first) Margaret Beck, (sec- ond) Martha Monsel, but whether the last marriage took place in Ireland or America there is now no means of knowing, and (third) Jane Johnston. He settled in Little Britain, Orange county, where he passed the remainder of his days. There were seven children by the first marriage, and nine by the second.

John Boyd, his first son by the first mar- riage, was born in County Down, March 24, 1746, and came to America with his parents at the age of eight years, and removed to Amenia, Dutchess county, from his home in Orange county, about 1769. On August 10, 1769, he married Elizabeth Winager, who was born April 3, 1754, and was a daughter of Conrad Winager, an extensive landholder of Dutchess county, and made his home at Amenia where he followed the tailor's trade. As he is said to have owned a large tract of land there at the time of his death, on August 29, 1817, he probably received a portion of his father-in- law's estate. His wife died October 5, 1820. He was known as Capt. John Boyd, and his name appears among 300 others on the . Roll of Honor" during the Revolutionary war. The records of the State of New York show him first as a lieutenant in Capt. Colby Cham- berlain's company in the 6th Dutchess County Regiment, March 20, 1778, and later as a captain in the 5th Dutchess County Regiment under Col. William Humphrey. Capt. Boyd's name is on the records of the old Presbyterian

B OYD FAMILY, THE, which has been prominent in this section for several gen- erations, originated in Scotland, and the head of this branch was among the " Scotch Seced- ers " who went to the North of Ireland about the year 1700 to avoid the religious persecu- tions of the time in his native land. He set- tled in County Down, but the exact locality . Church at Amenia, and he was connected with

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the Society during the building of the church edifice in 1796. He was a man highly es- teemed and trusted by his fellow-citizens. In his time people did not know the meaning of bills, checks and drafts, and they learned by sad experience the worthlessness of Conti- nental bills. Capt. Reed at one time when making a large purchase of wheat requested his neighbor, Lieut. John Boyd, to bring Irom Poughkeepsie a certain bag of silver money. Mr. Boyd brought it on horseback on the pommel of his saddle, and when he rode up to the store an attendant lifted it down, not with- out some exertion, and carried it in. His family consisted of eleven children, most of whom died in early life. The two who sur- vived and settled in Amenia were Samuel, who married Sarah, daughter of Judge Ephraim Payne, and Gilbert, who married Abigail Chamberlain; none of their descendants are now living in Dutchess county. The youngest son, David Boyd, for forty-six years known as a prominent tanner, was born in Amnenia, N. Y., May 21, 1795, and remained in his native place, with the exception of a few years of his childhood passed in Little Britain, until he was seventeen years of age. He had the usual advantages offered by the common schools of the day, of which he was a regular at- tendant until he reached the age of seventeen. He left home in the year 1812 determined to acquaint himself with some branch of industry in which he might become self-supporting. His brother James was already engaged in the tanning business in Brooklyn, N. Y., and thither David directed his steps and apprenticed him- self to learn the trade. The custom of drinking which was then so common in all classes of so- ciety, especially in the cities, was new to young Boyd, and being surrounded with temptation it was not long before he determined to return to his quiet country home. His parents, having a just appreciation of his motives, ap- proved of his resolution to look in another di- rection for a chance to fit himself for the tan- ner's trade. While visiting some relatives in Poughkeepsie, he was introduced to Mr. John Gary, a practical tanner of that place, who had a tan-yard on Washington street, near the corner of Main, in what is now the center of the city. No vestige of it remains to-day. With Mr. Gary he resumed his labors, ac- quiring a thorough knowledge of the trade, and remained with him several years until after Mr. Gary removed his business to Troy,

N. Y. During this time his home was with his employer's family, where he met Mr. Gary's sister-in-law, Rhoba Pettis, who was born June 1, 1792, at Foster, R. I., and died February 12, 1836. They were married in Troy, April 27, 1817, and having now a family to provide for, Mr. Boyd was desirous to commence business for himself, and he re- turned to Poughkeepsie to run the same yard where he had learned the trade a few years previous. In 1821 he opened a leather store on Main street, in the building now owned by John J. Bahret, the clothier, and lately occupied by him. Here he retailed all kinds of leather, employing his leisure in finish- ing such stock as he could purchase in the rough from country tanners. He soon deter- mined to make a more permanent arrange- ment for carrying on business, and for that pur- pose built himself a store and tannery, at No. 360 Main street, where he tanned most of the hides, calf and sheep skins, bought by him in the Poughkeepsie mar- ket, besides finishing calf and kipskins, picked up in New York while purchasing his stock of sole leather. He followed this busi- ness during the remainder of his life, his indus- try and integrity being rewarded by the acqui- sition of a considerable property. He lived during the most of this time where South- wick's place of business now stands; later he removed to the corner of Cannon and Hamil- ton streets, where he died May 10, 1851.

A just appreciation of the probable growth of the city induced him to purchase at differ- ent times several acres of land in the suburbs of the town which he disposed of at such times as he found opportunities for making profitable sales, and he realized from these investments all and even more than he had at first antici- pated. He built a more extensive tannery, at the place known as the Red Mills. Years of trial followed those of prosperity, and the financial crisis of '36 and '37 was a season of heavy losses for him, but it was always a mat- ter of honest satisfaction to Mr. Boyd that he had been able to meet his indebtedness paying one hundred cents on the dollar in every case. It was his maxim during life to live hon- estly, and deal justly with all men. He continued in active business until the years of his death, enjoying the regular routine of a busy life and the intercourses of those with whom he had so long been associated. He was a director in the Bank of Poughkeepsie for

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many years. In religion he was a Presbyte- rian, and he aided in the building of the church, and was one of the substantial members and trustees. He was a member of " Old Protec- tion No. 1" Fire Engine Company in the year 1821.

By his first wife he had three children, Mary Eliza, who married Abram Wiltsie; John Gary, and Julia who married Alson Ward. His second wife was Clarissa Lewis, who died April 11, 1856, leaving no children. Accord- ing to his desire he was succeeded in business by his son and son-in-law, under the firm name of Boyd & Wiltsie, his plans for the future being well-known to them.

John G. Boyd, the only son of David Boyd, was born February 12, 1825, at the place now known as No. 16 Washington street, Pough- keepsie. As a young man he became engaged with his father in business, beginning as an ap- prentice. He had good advantages in youth, and was given a fine business education. At eleven years of age he was sent to Dover to study with Mr. Jeliffe, and later he attended Fay's school at New Paltz. After leaving school he went into the tannery with a view of becoming acquainted with the trade, his time being divided between store and tan- nery. He succeeded to a share in the bus- iness in his twenty-eighth year, at his fa- ther's death. In the same year he married Phebe E. Trowbridge, daughter of Stephen B. Trowbridge and Eliza Conklin. The firm of Boyd & Wiltsie continued in business twen- ty-five years, and the real-estate interest was continued even after that time. The old en- terprise is still carried on by Messrs. Dick & Dobb, Mr. Dick having been an employe for many years. Previous to May, 1853, he was a member of Howard Hose Company, No. 2. For twenty-nine years Mr. Boyd was trustee of the Presbyterian Church, and was always ready to do his duty. He was connected with the Poughkeepsie National Bank for twen- ty-two years, having held the office of vice- president for some time, and that of president for two years, until compelled by failing health to decline a re-election. He was a member of the Water board, and trustee of Pough- keepsie Rural Cemetery for many years pre- vious to his death, which occurred April 6, 1886. There are not many to be found through the conflicts of an active business life who have gained and retained to the last the friendship and respect of all with whom they

have come in contact. Mr. Boyd, from his natural benevolence of disposition, accom- plished this in a remarkable degree without effort. A born gentleman, it was easy for him to make and retain friendship. His kindly nature was free from restraint in all his inter- course with men, and he left upon all the impression of inherent modesty and true affection, excellent purpose, broad views and sound judgment. He sought to cul- tivate the good feeling of others. He loved the bright and beautiful side of life and would fain have others share his joyous disposition. Enemies he had none, for his gentle ways for- bade their creation. He had three children- Nathan T., Henry S., who died in infancy, and Frederick J.

NATHAN T. BOYD was born April 17, 1856, in his grandfather's house on Mill street. He was educated in Poughkeepsie, his first teacher being Mrs. Herrick, and later he attended the old Quaker School, Riverview Academy, and Bishop's Select School. In 1875 he went into the First National Bank as bookkeeper, under Zebulon Rudd as cashier. After two and a half years there, he took a position as book- keeper in the store of Trowbridge & Co., re- mained about three years, when he took an interest with George Dick in the old leather store. Later he sold out his share to Mr. Dobbs, and went to Illinois where he was in- terested in the Illinois Central R. R. for two and a-half years. He came back, practically at the request of Trowbridge & Co., and took his former place in that firm, continuing as clerk until the partnership was dissolved Feb- ruary 1, 1888. The firm then became Kirby, Du Bois & Boyd. and continued until February 1, 1895, when Mr. Boyd retired. Since that time he has been engaged in business in New York City. In 1884 he became a member of Phoenix Hose Company No. 1, and continued until October 21, 1889, serving as treasurer for the full term of five years. He was married on October 24, 1889, to Miss Anice M. White, only daughter of Charles D. White and Mary A. Haynes, of Brinckerhoff, New York.

Frederick J. Boyd was born March IS, 1868, and was educated at Bisbee's Military School, and at the Eastman Business College. In 1888 he took a position as clerk in the office of Adriance Platt & Co., remaining about three years, and then went to New York City with the Consolidated Kansas City Smelting & Re- fining Company. He was with them for some

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time, and then was sent to St. Louis as its man- ager. He is now the agent and manager of the International Metal Company, at St. Louis. In 1889 he joined the 15th Separate Company under Capt. B. Myers, and received his dis- charge from the State of New York November 3, 1894, having filled the office of sergeant be- fore resigning.

M RS. HANNAH DOUGHTY (deceased), late a resident of Webatuck, town of Dover, Dutchess county, was a scion of an ex- cellent old family who have wisely preserved their record through several generations. They became residents of Dartmouth, Mass., in 1632.

Philip Sherman (son of Samuel, a son of Henry, whose father Henry is the first we have of this name, and is mentioned as a clothier of Dedham, England), was born February 10, 1610, at Dedham, England. He came to this country about the year 1632, and became the first Secretary of the State of Rhode Island. He was one of the leading men of his day. Many of his descendants settled in Dartmouth, Mass., one, whose name was Michael, was born there in 1719; he married Deborah Briggs July 29, 1740, and they settled in Dutchess county, N. Y., in the spring of 1742. They had several children, among whom was Jere- miah, born March 29, 1743, and died March 4, 1812. He married Elizabeth Mosher, by whom he had nine children, Among them was John, the father of the subject of this sketch. Most of the ancestors of Mrs. Hannah Doughty were members of the Society of Friends.

John Sherman, her father, was born May 17, 1783, and acquired a good common-school education in the town of Washington, where he also learned the trade of saddle and harness making, which he continued to follow through the greater part of his life. He was one of the prominent Democrats of the locality, and for a number of years held town offices, giving the best of satisfaction.

On February 23, 1806, John Sherman was married to Mary Briggs, daughter of Edward and Anna Briggs, prosperous farming people of the town of Pawling, Dutchess county. Eight children came to this union: (1) Eliza- beth, born April 3, 1807, never married. (2) Almaron, born September 28, 1808, was a tan- ner by trade, and in 1828 married Jane A. Donley, of Newburgh, N. Y., by whom he had

six children-Evelyn, Mary, John, Andrew, Eliza A. and Albert. (3) Adaline, born Sep- tember 30, 1810, never married. (4) De- borah, born December 17, 1811, also remained single. (5) Catharine, born December 13, 1813, was married, in 1833, to Ichabod Pros- ser, and now lives at Hampton, Neb. (6) Phobe, born November 30, 1815, became the wife of Damon Whaley, a wagon maker of Pawling, Dutchess county, and to them were born four children-Sherman, who remained single; George, who married Jane Ross; Fran- ces, who married William Shaw, and after his death wedded Henry Lenney; and Franklin. (7) Albert, born July 3, 1817, was a tanner by trade, and was married September 23, 1837, to Miss Phobe Rider, by whom he had five children-John, a tanner, who wedded Mary Smith: Mary, who became the wife of Rev. Henry Hayter; Albert; Addie, who married Frank Finger; and William, who never mar- ried. (8) Hannah was the youngest of the family.

Mrs. Doughty was born in the town of Dover, January 27, 1826, and died June 30, 1896; she received her primary education in the public schools, supplementing same with a course in the Friends School of Washington town, where she graduated at the age of six- teen years. Four years later she was united in marriage with Daniel Doughty, a mechanic of the town of Washington, who died in 1852. He was a son of Stephen and Mary (Ellis) Doughty, the former of whom was a native of Washington town, and a wagon maker by trade. In their family were five children: Ira, who married Zillah Doughty; Maria; Mrs. Sarah Smedes; Daniel; and George. For over forty years Mrs. Doughty was successfully en- gaged in teaching. She merited and received the esteem of the whole community, and was much beloved by every one with whom she came in contact.

D AVID C. DRISLANE, one of the ener- getic and influential citizens of Pough- keepsie, Dutchess county, is now engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery and liquor business, in which he is meeting with a well- deserved success, and owns the substantial brick block which he occupies. He was born June 7, 1857, at Tarrytown, Westchester county, New York.

Cornelius Drislane, father of our subject,

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is a native of County Cork, Ireland, where his childhood and youth were passed, nd he there learned the business of florist. When a young man he came to America, making his first location at Manhattan, N. Y., where he followed his occupation and married Catherine Cummings, who was also born in County Cork. After remaining at Manhattan a short time, they removed to Tarrytown, N. Y., where for a time he continued his calling, and on leaving that place he became gardener for John Jacob Astor, in Ulster county, N. Y., near West Park, by whom he was employed somne fifteen years. He then purchased a farm in Orange county, N. Y., which he operated for ten years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Tarrytown, where he still makes his home. He is a stalwart Democrat in politics, and for the past ten years has been trustee of Tarrytown; in religious faith he is a Roman Catholic. His wife, who held mem- bership with the same denomination, died in 1892. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, namely: William E. is a groceryman of Albany, N. Y .; Lena (deceased) was the wife of Robert Ludford, who conducted a gro- cery store at Sing Sing, N. Y .; Lizzie married James Quinn, of Tarrytown; David C. is next in order of birth; Kate is the wife of William Fallon, of Tarrytown; Frank died while young; Mary is the wife of George Yerks, an under- taker of Tarrytown; John died in infancy; and Cornelius is a groceryman of Tarrytown.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 151

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