Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 161

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

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ISAAC P. CONKLIN, one of the wealthy

farmers of the town of Washington, Dutch- ess county, was born in Chestnut Ridge in that town, April 1, 1820. The Conklin family is of Scotch descent, and many of its members are old residents of Dutchess county.

Charles Conklin, great-grandfather of Isaac P., was a Quaker preacher and lived in West- chester county, where his son Timothy was born. The latter married Mary Tamer, a na- tive of the same county, and settled in Wash- ington town, Dutchess county, where thirteen children were born, of whom the following record is given: David was a miller in Little Rest, town of Washington; Hiram was a sea- faring man; Timothy was a farmer in West- chester county; Tristam (deceased) farmed for

a while in the town of Washington, but later went to New York City, finally to Westches- ter county; James was a farmer in Westchester county; Merritt was a physician in Washington town; Nathaniel was father of subject; Charles died in infancy; Hannah married a Mr. Titus, and they removed to New York City and after- ward to Ohio, where they died; Ruth and Sarah died unmarried; two others died in childhood.

Nathaniel Conklin was born in the town of Washington, and there spent his entire life. He was a Republican in his political views, and served as a justice of the peace and in other local official positions. He died in 1887. He married Susan Edmunds, a native of the town of Dover, daughter of Canada Edmunds, a farmer, whose family were of old Holland stock. The young couple located on Chestnut Ridge, where they carried on farming and reared a family of nine children. These were: Benjamin is a farmer in Washington town; Tamer married George Sullivan, a farmer also of that town; Timothy was a farmer in the town of Washington; Phoebe married Mosher Sherman, a miller in Little Rest; Isaac P .; El- mira married Uriah Simmons, a farmer in Stanford; Nathaniel went to Dakota and car- ried on farming there; Hannah is unmarried; Sarah is the wife of Andrew P. Hammond, a farmer in Washington town.

Isaac P. Conklin worked at Denning for several years after arriving at manhood, and then began buying and selling farm and other property, in which business he has made good profits and has become a wealthy man. He is full of enterprise, possesses keen judgment and great sagacity, and has carved his own way to success. Although arrived at an age when most men give over active life, he shows no signs of relaxing his efforts, and keeps abreast of the times with a vigor and interest which a younger man might envy. He is genial in his nature, a good conversationalist and very com- panionable, drawing about him a large circle of friends who appreciate his many good qual- ities.

In February, 1860, Mr. Conklin was united in marriage with Fannie J., daughter of David Winans, and a native of the town of Stanford. Five children have been born to them, of whom. George and Nathan, the eldest two, died in childhood; the others are: Susan, who mar- ried Virgil Winans; Augusta (deceased) and Jennie. Mr. Conklin owns a fine farm of 336

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acres in the town of Amenia, Dutchess county. In politics he is a Republican, but he has never been an office-seeker.

E DWARD COUSE. One of the active, prominent and enterprising citizens of the town of Red Hook. is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, who is at present engaged in general farming and fruit raising. He made his first appearance upon the stage of life beneath the roof of his par- ents, Jacob and Susan (Robison) Couse, in the town of Milan, Dutchess county.

His paternal grandfather, Henry J. Couse, was a prominent farmer in the town of Milan, and there married Miss Sarah Lynn, by whom he had seven children, namely: Hannah, who became the wife of a Mr. Wolcott; Betsy, who married Peter Stickle; Mary; Jacob, the father of our subject; Henry, who wedded Kittie Near; John, who married Miss Kilmer, and Ed- ward. To the parents of our subject were born six children: Sarena first became the wife of John Teator, and after his death married Charles Miller; Henry wedded Rachel Hood; Elizabeth married John Haines ; Charles; Sarah was united in marriage with Emery Coon: and Edward completes the family.

Upon his father's farm our subject was reared and early taught those habits of industry which have had such an important bearing upon his entire life. He obtained his educa- tion in the district school, in the meantime as- sisting his father in such work as his age and strength would permit. He became interested in agricultural pursuits, and now operates a fine farm of 123 acres of land, which he pur- chased in 1889, it being then known as the Benner farm. He makes a specialty of fruit raising, and has been quite successful. He has made good use of his opportunities, has pros- pered from year to year, has conducted aff business matters carefully and capably, and in all his acts displays an aptitude for success- ful management.

Mr. Couse was united in marriage with Miss Kittie Feller, daughter of Henry A. and Catherine (Snyder) Feller, who were farming people of the town of Milan, and the parents of the following children: Alice, wife of Wriget Kilmer; Mary, wife of Charles Palse; Sylvester, who inarried Grace Levenworth; Seward: Hattie, wife of Henry Burns; Kittie;

Henry, who married Annie Bathrick; and

Annie, wife of John Smith. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Couse, Philip Snyder, was the only child of Isaac and Catherine Snyder. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Christina Near, of the town of Red Hook, and they be- came the parents of two daughters-Catherine, the mother of Mrs. Couse; and Elizabeth, who married Isaac Fulton.

OSEPH BATES, a general farmer and ex- stock-dealer, was born in the town of

Washington, Dutchess county, July II, 1822. His father, Joseph Bates, was born in Nantucket, R. I., and moved to Dutchess county, where he married Miss Lydia Dicker- son, who was a native of North Salem. Mass. They settled on a farm in the town of Wash- ington, and reared a family of twelve children, five of whom died in infancy. The others were: Joseph, our subject; George, a farmer in Missouri; John, a farmer of this town at one time, is deceased; Stephen died in 1894; Henry was a farmer in Saginaw, Mich., where he died; Mary married William Lovelace, a farmer in the town of Dover; Ruth became the wife of Isaac Lovelace, a mason by trade. Mr. Bates farmed alf his life, and died about 1863. Politically he was a Democrat. His wife died about 1879.

John Bates, grandfather of our subject, was born in Rhode Island. He married a Miss Hill, and they reared a family of twelve chil- dren.

Joseph Bates, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in the town of Washington, worked by the day for various farmers, saved his money and gradually invested it in land, until to-day he has one of the largest farms in the town. In 1844 he married Miss Sarah Smith, a native of the town of Washington, and a daughter of Joseph Smith, who was a farmer of that town. He married Miss Susan Marshall. In 1852 Mr. Bates bought his pres- ent farm, on which they have reared their two children: Charles, who married Louise Ruger, and lives with his parents; Josephine, who be- came the wife of Townsend Coles, a farmer in Lagrange, where she died in April, 1881. Mr. Bates has a farge farm of 300 or 400 acres, which is planted principally in potatoes, he be- ing the largest producer of that vegetable in Dutchess county. He also formerly bought

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and sold stock. He is a Democrat, and a self- made man, and has acquired his money by hard work and good management. He enjoys the esteem of all who know him.

J TUDSON A. DENTON, a representative farmer of the town of Beekinan, Dutchess county, is actively engaged in his profitable occupation on his homestead, where he has re- sided since the spring of 1888, and where his energetic labors have met with due reward. His childhood was also spent upon the same farm, his birth taking place at his present resi- dence February 8, 1853. His grandfather, Solomon Denton, was the founder of the fam- ily in this country, and for many years followed agricultural pursuits in the town of Pawling, Dutchess county. His wife lived to the ad- vanced age of ninety-three years.

Amos Denton, the father of our subject, was born in Pawling town, October 13, 1SOS, and there spent his boyhood days attending the district schools. He remained upon the home farm until thirty years of age, when he wedded Mary Seaman, daughter of Sutton Seaman, and then removed to the town of East Fishkill, where he conducted a general store for two years. On selling out, he went west to hunt up a location, but finally decided to remain in his native county, purchasing the old Benjamin Smith farm in Beekman town, upon which he made his home up to the time of his death, which occurred November 13, 1887. His wife departed this life in the spring of 1885. Seven children were born to them: Edgar, who is superintendent of a division of the stock yards of Chicago; Emily F., who is the widow of Leonard Townsend, and is now a resident of Unionvale town; Amelia, deceased wife of Jonathan Spencer; Judson Amos, of this sketch; Frederick S .. of Staten Island; Weston Eugene, of New York City; and Sarah M., who died in infancy. In political sentiment the father was first a Whig, and later a supporter of the Republican party, while religously he was a devout member of the Baptist Church at Beekman, for many years serving as a deacon. He was a highly respected citizen, and for over twenty years he efficiently filled the office of justice of the peace.

The education of our subject was such as the district schools of the town of Beekman afforded, and at the age of thirteen years he be- gan working as a farm hand for neighbors,

being employed in this way for four seasons. When seventeen years of age he was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Wiley, daughter of George Wiley, and they became the parents of four children: George W., who died in in- fancy; Gertrude L .; Eliza A., who married Austin Bierce, Jr. ; and George Weston. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on August 24, 1880. In ISS2, Mr. Denton was married in the town of Unionvale, the lady of his choice being Miss Ella F. Bierce, daughter of Austin Bierce, and to them was born a daughter-Louie J., who died in in- fancy.

After his first marriage, Mir. Denton oper- ated a farm on shares, and also engaged in teaming for the furnace company. For five or six years he engaged in butchering, and for the same length of time lived upon a farm in Unionvale town; but in the spring of 1888 he purchased his present fine farm in Beekman town, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his attention. In the fall of 1895 he also engaged in the coal business in the same town. He is a stalwart Republican in politics, and since the spring of 1889 has acceptably served as justice of the peace. He is an honorable, upright citizen, who gains and retains the confidence and es- teem of those with whom he comes in contact.

T OHN C. BARRINGER, a leading agricult- urist of the town of Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, is a direct descendant of the pio- neer who, according to tradition, suggested the name for that town.

Our subject's great-grandfather Barringer came to that vicinity from Germany in com- pany with Col. Beekman, and the story goes that as they were talking about naming the town Mr. Barringer said: "Colonel, you name it; or, since we both came from the Rhine and your name is Beekman, call it Rhinebeekman, or Rhinebeck." George Barringer, our sub- ject's grandfather, was a lifelong resident of the town. He married Miss Ackert, and had two children-Julia, who married Stephen Champlain, of Kingston, and Ephraim, our subject's father. By a second wife he had four children : Catherine, Maria, Elizabeth, and Elias, who married Miss Shoemaker and set- tled on a farm near the village of Rhinebeck. They had three children: Jeremiah, Mary and Elizabeth.

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Ephraim Barringer grew to manhood at the old homestead, and married Alice F. Cham- plain, who was born in Hudson, N. Y., Sep- tember 21, 1821, but came here with her par- ents when only one year old. Her father, Joseph Champlain, was a native of Connecti- cut. After his marriage Ephraim Barringer bought the family estate, which he farmed during the remainder of his life. Five children were born to him and his wife: Florence, who married Rev. Keyser, a Methodist minister in Westchester county; Catherine; Frances; John C., our subject; and Martha P., who died February 3. 1872. The mother of this family is dead, and of the father's death we take the following account from the Eagle, under date of January 20, 1892: "Ephraim Barringer died at his home in Rhinebeck on Saturday, January 2, 1892. He was born there October 12, 1811, on a place obtained by his grand- father from the English King. Mr. Barringer belonged to one of the oldest families in Rhine- beck, his grandfather and Col. Beekman hav- ing named the town."

John C. Barringer was born September I, 1856, and has always lived upon the old farm. Under a survey made in 1834 the portion now in his possession contained eighty-eight and a half acres, but it is certain that it contains more than that. He is a general farmer, and is considered one of the most progressive and successful managers in the neighborhood.

On March 18, 1882, he married Miss Rosa De Wint, a daughter of George De Wint, a well-known resident of Rhinebeck. They have no children. The Barringers have always been Lutherans, but our subject and his wife now contribute to the M. E. Church. In politics he is a Republican, as was his father also in later years, and although he is no office-seeker, there are few among the younger men in the vicinity who have more influence than John C. Barringer.

R OBERT HURD. Among the enterpris- ing and prosperous young business men of the town of Pawling, Dutchess county, the well-known commission merchant and cattle dealer whose name introduces this sketch may well be regarded as a leader. His shrewd judgment and untiring energy have already won him wide recognition in business circles.

He was born October 5, 1869, on the Hurd homestead, formerly the Campbell homestead,

in Pawling town, and is related to several of the oldest families. On the paternal side, his great-grandfather Hurd came from Scotland at an early period to settle in the town of Pawling, where he followed agriculture, as did also his son, Benjamin D. Hurd, our subject's grandfather, who was born in that town. Hurd's Corners was named in honor of the family, and Benjamin Hurd was a prominent man of that locality, a leading supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Whig party. He was not, however, an office- seeker, although he was justice of the peace for many years. Both he and his wife, Mary Campbell, are dead. She was a daughter of Jeremiah Campbell, who was prominent in his time in religious and civil affairs in Dutchess county, and her grandfather Campbell was an officer in charge of the British forces at the battle of White Plains, where he met his death. Of the seven children of this marriage all lived to adult age: Harriet married Leon- ard Hall, of Po'quag; William T. was a mer- chant for many years at Hurd's Corners, and died there; Archibald never engaged in busi- ness, as he was not strong, and his death occurred in Cuba; Edgar I. is mentioned below; Mary, deceased, married Thomas Brill, of Po'quag; Stacia married Groe Dodge, of Pawl- ing; and Julia G. married James Longhead, of the same place.

Edgar I. Hurd, our subject's father, was born at Hurd's Corners, and in early manhood engaged in mercantile business in Pawling. Later he purchased the old Campbell home- stead and settled here at farming, establishing at the same time a commission business in all kinds of country produce, which he has con- ducted successfully for forty years. His goods are shipped to New York City, and he has sold large quantities on the present site of the Grand Central Depot and Madison Garden. He is accounted a shrewd business man, and his property has been accumulated through his own good management. He and his family are Episcopalians in religion, and, politically, he is a Democrat, but has not been very active in party work, although he has held most of the minor offices in the town and has served as supervisor and highway commissioner. He married Caroline A. Howard, a descendant of one of the old families of the county, and a daughter of James Howard, of Pawling. Five children were born of this union-James; William, deceased; Jay; Robert; and Lucy,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who married Dr. Arthur Degaris, a leading dentist of Millbrook, N. Y. The three surviv- ing sons are all at home and engaged in busi- ness with their father, a partnership having been formed in 1889.

Robert Hurd was educated in the district school near his home and in the select schools of Dover and Pawling. His remarkable busi- ness abilities were displayed at an early age, and at fifteen he went into partnership with Mr. Smith in the cattle business, and going to western New York they bought 225 head, which they drove east, selling along the route and closing out the lot at Pawling. This busi- ness he has continued ever since, buying in Buffalo to supply the demand in his vicinity for milch cows. In addition to his work in this line he is active in the business of the firm. His success in his various enterprises may be attributed to a rare combination of conservatism in judgment and energy in action. These characteristics are shown also in public affairs, making him a valued worker in the Democratic party. He has been a delegate to many State, county and district conventions, and in 1896 he was elected commissioner of highways, being the only successful candidate on his ticket that year. That his excellent business judgment is appreciated may be still farther seen by his appointment, by Judge Bar- nard in 1895, as receiver for the Akindole es- tate, and his friends may well feel justified in their high hopes for his future.

P ATRICK WHALEN, a prominent resident of Dover Plains, Dutchess county, has been for many years a successful stock dealer, but is now enjoying a well-earned leisure at his beautiful home in the mountains. It is situ- ated in a picturesque ravine on the spot known as the Stone Church, from its resemblance to a church door, a point greatly admired by tour- ists and often visited by picnic parties from the surrounding country.

Mr. Whalen isof Irish birth, and his family has long held a leading place in County Lim- erick, Ireland. Hisgrandfather, John Whalen, was a well-educated man, and a farmer by oc- cupation. He married Catherine Burk, and had seven children: Jeremiah, our subject's father; Johanna, the wife of Edward Quinn; Patrick, who married Mary O'Donnel; Cather- ine, the wife of Dennis O'Brien: John, who never married; Bridget, Mrs. William Shee-

han; and Maggie, who died at the age of nine- teen.

Jeremiah Whalen was born in 1792, and re- ceived an excellent education in his youth. He became a well-known agitator for the lib- eration of his native land from the British yoke, being a valued co-worker with Daniel O'Con- nell, and serving two terms as a member of Parliament. For some years he was engaged in farming in Ireland, and also took contracts for the working of the highways, subletting them and keeping a number of men constantly employed. He married Miss Catherine Heffer- aman, daughter of John Hefferaman, a farmer in County Limerick, and had twelve children: Catherine died at the age of three; Mary; John, born in 1827, married Mary Manixe; Patrick, subject of this sketch; Jeremiah D. married Bridget Grace; Dennis married (first) Hanora Morone, and (second) Delia Hogan; Michael died at the age of twelve; William married Ellen McCoid; James married Johanna Morris- see; Thomas died at five years of age, and Stephen and David died in early childhood. All of these children were born at the old homestead in County Limerick, and in 1847 the family came to America, settling first in New York City, and later upon a farm in Dutch- ess county, near Dover Plains.

Our subject was born in 1830, and was given the best educational opportunities that his native parish afforded. On his arrival in this country he found employment upon the Harlem railroad, which had then been recently surveyed, receiving five shillings per day for his work, and paying three shillings per day for board. He remembers well the first train which passed over the road. After a year and a half at this work he engaged in farm labor with a farmer in Dover, and later became a stock dealer. In this business he was very successful, his trade extending over several States, and he bought and sold some of the finest cattle ever shipped from Dover. At one time he owned a farmi of 235 acres in that town, but he disposed of it, and his present farm contains only seventy-five acres. He has taken an active interest in politics, has been assessor for five years, and has held other town offices including that of road commis- sioner. As a devout Catholic he did much to establish that Church in Dover Plains, and in 1858 subscribed $50.00 toward the building of their edifice. He was married in 1857 to Miss Selina Deviney, and has had four children, of

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD

whom two are living: (1) Catherine A., born in 1862, is at home. (2) William D., born in 1863, died in infancy. (3) Thomas, born in 1864, married Miss Mamic Doyle, and has one child-Selina, born June 16, 1893. (4) Jere- miah, born in 1866, died in infancy. Mrs. Whalen is a native of Walworth, County Lon- donderry, Ireland, and was born in 1835. She received her education at her native place, and in 1851 came to Dover Plains. where she met and married our subject. Her grandfa- ther, Thomas Deviney, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was for many years a well- known machinist. He married Miss Jennic Livingston, by whom he had five children: Jennie, who married John Berrisford, Mar- garet, Sarah, Thomas, who married Ann Craig, and William, Mrs. Whalen's father, who was born in County Londonderry, Ireland. He was a cattle buyer by occupation, and was quite prominent in Masonic circles, being a Master Mason. His first wife was Miss Mary Malia, daughter of John and Mollie Malia, of Walworth, Ireland, and his second was Miss Hannah McCornica. Seven children were born of the first marriage: Jennie, Eliza and Isa- bella, whose husbands' names are not known; Mary, who married (first) David Begley, and (second) William Bleekley; Selina, Mrs. Whalen; William, who married Elizabeth Mc- Golrich; and David, who married Martha Scott. There were two children by the second marriage: Thomas, who married Martha Shaw, and Margaret, the wife of Mr. McNari- land.

0 SBORN ROBINSON, a general farmer and dealer in dairy products, was born in Putnam county, N. Y., December 3, 1820. He grew up in the town of Stanford, Dutchess county, where in 1848, he was married to Miss Wealthy Mott, who, too, was born in the town of Stanford. Her father, Jonathan Mott, was also a native of Stanford, and married Miss Ar- menia Walters, whose birth took place in the town of Milan. These children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mott: Benjamin, Nelson, Sarah, Betsy A., and Armenia.

Mr. Robinson worked on various farms in Washington town, and in 1871 bought the farm on which he now resides. The following children were born to our subject and his wife: Martha, who married Milo Dickerman, a milk dealer of Chicago; Stephen is on the home

place; George married Miss Kitty Reynoldson and lives in Chicago; Phæbe is at home; John works on the farm; Carrie became the wife of Edward D). Smith. Our subject has a farm of 320 acres, and owns forty-six head of cattle, fifty-one sheep and nine horses. He deals extensively in milk and has a model dairy, with all the modern improvements. He is a Republican and has held, among other offices of the town, that of postmaster. He is a well-known farmer in the community, and is respected by all with whom he comes in con- tact.

Stephen Robinson, father of our subject, was a native of Putnam county, where he grew to manhood. He married Miss Hattie Kelley, who was born in Putnam county, and who was a daughter of Seth Kelley. Mr. Robinson and his wife located on a farm in Putnam county, and the following children were born to them: Chapel, a farmer in Stan- ford; Kelley, a retired citizen of Stanford; Osborn is our subject ; Ennis, who was a farmer of Stanford, died about the year 1870; Jarvis, a farmer; Robert, a farmer in the town of Poughkeepsie; William, following the same occupation in Stanford; Nathaniel, deceased; Emily married Walter Winans, a farmer in Amenia, and is deceased; Zilla became the wife of Charles Barrett, who is deceased; Ada married Henry Thompson, who was a farmer in the town of Stanford; Priscilla (unmarried); Catherine, the wife of Isaac Sincerbox, a farmer of Sharon, Conn. Mr. Robinson was a Whig and later a Republican. He was a member of the Baptist Church. His death occurred in 1870.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 161

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