Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 164

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

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Walter Sherman, the next to the youngest in the above named family, was the grand- father of our subject. He was born February 21, 1806, at Dover Plains, and there remained until he was eighteen years of age, when he removed to Amenia Union, where he carried on merchandising for some time, and also en-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

gaged in farming and stock dealing. He was very successful in his undertakings, becoming quite well-to-do, and his property was all the result of his own unaided efforts. He took an active part in political affairs, in early life sup- porting the Whig party, later becoming an ardent Republican, and he served as a member of the General Assembly in 1845 and 1847. lle departed this life March 11, 188o. At Amenia, August 31, 1834, he married Miss Cornelia Allerton, and to them three children were born: Mary, who was born June 8, 1835. and died December 29, 1868; David H., the father of our subject; and Samuel W., born September 20, 1844.

David H. Sherman was born on the old homestead at Amenia Union, June 25, 1837, began his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, and completed his literary training at the old Nine Partners Boarding School, in the town of Washington, Dutchess county. Subsequently he went to Newark, N. Y., where he engaged in clerking for a time, and was there united in marriage with Miss Cecelia Mayer, by whom he has five children: Walter Alfred, whose name opens this sketch, being the fourth in the order of birth. Re- turning to Amenia, the father here engaged in farming, but later removed to Jersey City, N. J., in the interests of the Central Stock Yard and Transit Co., of which he is treasurer and general manager. Like his father, he also supports the Republican party.

Walter A. Sherman spent his boyhood days in Amenia Union, attending the schools of Amenia, later supplementing the knowledge there acquired by a course in a private school in New York City. He has always been con- nected with his father in business, and now has charge of one of the finest farms in his sec- tion of Dutchess county, located in the town of Amenia. At South Amenia, he was married September 27, 1882, to Miss Maria E. Cline, daughter of Albert Cline, and five children grace their union: Agnes C., Walter C., Helen M., May N. and Howland N.

Since casting his first vote, Mr. Sherman has always taken an active interest in political affairs, supporting the principles of the Repub- lican party, and for two terms he has been called upon to service as supervisor of his town- ship. Socially, he is connected with Amenia Lodge No. 672, F. &A. M. He is of a genial disposition and affable manners, and is a keen and sagacious business man.

C LINTON J. ROCKEFELLER. Among

the active farmers and stock dealers of the town of Red Hook, Dutchess county, the gentleman whose name stands at the begin- ning of this sketch holds a prominent place. His birthplace was in the town of German- town, Columbia Co., N. Y., and the date thereof October 1, 1839. He is of Holland lineage, and for many generations the family have resided in Columnbia county, where the grandfather, Philip S. Rockefeller, was born, and in that county the birth of the father, Philip P. Rockefeller, occurred. In his native county the latter grew to manhood and mar- ried Catherine Elmondorf, who was born in Albany county, N. Y., and was a daughter of Jacob Elmondorf, who was also of Holland descent. Mr. Rockefeller took his bride to his home in Columbia county, where they reared their four children: Edmond, who died at Rochester, N. Y. ; Harmond, who held official positions under President Lincoln, and is now a prominent resident of Texas; Clinton J., of this review, and Anna, who is married and makes her home in Columbia county. On his farm there the father died about 1841, and his wife survived him until 1874, when she, too, was called to hier final rest. He affiliated with the Whig party.

The early days of our subject were spent upon the home farm, which he assisted in op- erating, and attended the district schools of the neighborhood. He completed his educa- tion, however, under the direction of General De Peyster, and on laying aside his books worked as a printer for two years in Albany, N. Y. Later he carried on a photograph gal- lery in New York, but in 1861 he came to the town of Red Hook, Dutchess county, and located upon the farm where he has since re- sided. Besides general farming he also turns his attention to buying and selling live stock, which he ships to New York City, and finds this a profitable source of income. He also ships fruit to European markets.

In 1871 Mr. Rockefeller was married, the lady of his choice being Catherine Dederick, of Dutchess county, a daughter of John Dederick, who is engaged in farming. To them were born three children: Carrie; Romer, who is married, and is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Red Hook township, and one child that died at the age of thirteen years.

Mr. Rockefeller is one of the leading and influential Republicans of the town whose

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opinions are invariably held in respect, and in 1888 he was first elected supervisor of Red Hook. With the exception of two years, when he withdrew his name, he has since filled that position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is a man of sound judgment, upright and honor- able in all his dealings, and has the well wishes of all.

W ALTER G. STORM, a farmer of the town of East Fishkill, and one of the representative citizens of Dutchess county, comes from one of its oldest and mnost highly respected families. He first opened his eyes to the light in that town, April 8, 1854, and there his grandfather, Garret Storm, was also born, and upon a farm reared his family of six children, namely: John P., the father of our subject; Isaac, who was an agriculturalist of East Fishkill town; Garret, a coal dealer of Matteawan, Dutchess county; Eliza, who mar- ried John S. Emans; Catherine, who married Edmund Luyster, a farmer and cattle dealer of East Fishkill town, who is now deceased; and Charles T., who was a merchant of Pough- keepsie. Throughout his life the grandfather always followed the occupation of farming.

John P. Storm was born in East Fishkill township, January 1, 1826, there grew to man- hood and married Miss Sarah R. Hasbrouck, a native of the same place, and the daughter of Francis Hasbrouck, who was a merchant of East Fishkill. Upon their marriage they lo- cated upon a farm in their native township, where their two children were born-Walter G., of this sketch; and Jennie E., now the wife of Du Bois Bartow, a farmer of East Fish- kill township. The father is still living, and is engaged in the operation of his land. His po- litical support is ever given the men and meas- ures of the Democratic party.

On the home farm in the town of East Fishkill, Mr. Storm, whose name introduces this review, remained until he reached ma- turity, and in 1887 he was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Bessie C. Cooper, who was born in Putnam county, N. Y., but was reared at Matteawan, Dutchess county. Her father, James Cooper, was a hatter by trade. Two children grace their union-John C. and W. Bartow.

With his bride, Mr. Storm migrated to North Dakota, where for six years they resided

upon a farm; but in 1892 they returned east, and have since been residents of East Fishkill town. Their fine farm of 100 acres is highly cultivated and improved, and to general farm- ing Mr. Storm devotes his time and attention exclusively. They are true Christians, mem- bers of the Reformed Church, and in politics he is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party. An energetic and reliable citizen, he has fully established himself in the confidence and esteem of the people, and is ready to se- spond to calls made upon him to promote the interests of his town and county.

T THOMAS J. CUNNINGHAM. But few young men have as enviable a reputa- tion for enterprise and business acumen as the subject of this biography, a prosperous pro- duce dealer at Matteawan, Dutchess county. He was born October 9, 1866, at Peekskill, Westchester county, N. Y., and is a descend- ant of a Scotch family that located in West- chester county at an early day.

His grandfather Cunningham was a farmer there, and the late Edward H. Cunningham, our subject's father, was born there and passed his life in the same locality, engaged in the business of stove molding. He was an expert in his line, and for many years was superin- tendent of the Peekskill Stove Company. In later life he retired to a farm to end his days in the peaceful occupation of agriculture, his death occurring in 1886. His wife, Miss Phoebe A. Sutton, a member of one of the old pioneer families of Westchester county, died in 1870. She was born in Peekskill, where her father, a gas manufacturer, was a leading citi- zen. Our subject was the youngest in a fam- ily of nine children, the others being: Letitia, deceased; John, a resident of Peekskill; Lonisa, Mrs. Charles H. Hall, of Croton Landing; James, who resides in New York City; Ada, lately deceased, was the wife of Frank Norton, of Croton Landing: Dirlin, the sixth in order of birth; George, a resident of Arkansas City, Kans .; and Fannie, deceased. Both parents were devout and consistent members of the M. E. Church, and were held in high esteem among their associates.

The early life of our subject was spent in his native town, his education being mainly acquired in the local schools. In 1884 he went to Matteawan and after a short course of study in the schools there, engaged in business

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at the corner of Fountain and Leonard streets as a wholesale and retail dealer in flour. feed. grain, baled hay, straw, and similar commod- ities. Starting practically without capital of his own, he has made his way to success, and is recognized as one of the leading business men of the town. His present extensive trade is still on the increase, and he devotes his atten- tion to it, paying but little heed to politics. On June 3. 1896, he was married to Miss Jen- nie McCallin, an attractive young lady, the daughter of F. McCallin, a well-known citizen of Fishkill Landing.

W ILLIAM J. WOOD, a prominent mason of Dover Plains, Dutchess county, whose skillful work in his chosen calling has given him more than a local reputation, is one of the rising young business men of that place.

His family originated in Scotland, where his grandfather, Thomas Wood, was born and educated. He came to America in early man- hood and settled in Dutchess county, and he and his wife, Amy Elliot, reared a family of three children: John, who married (first) Miss Carlo, and (second) Miss Lottie Thomas; Lettie, who married Amos Jenkins: and William, our subject's father, who was born in 1832, and received a common-school education in the town of Dover. He then learned the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed for many year. He was also interested in quarrying in the same town, and as an energetic business man took an influential part in local affairs. His first wife was Miss Helen Birch, daughter of Ethel and Gettie (Knickerbocker) Birch. Of the two children of this marriage our sub- ject was the younger. The elder, Lettie D., born in 1861, died at the age of twenty. Mrs. Wood died in 1869, and our subject's father formed a second matrimonial union, this time with Mrs. Mary Allen, who died in 1890, leaving no children.

William J. Wood was born in 1863, and was educated in the public schools of his native town of Dover. He learned the mason's trade, and has now been successfully engaged in it for seven years, his business extending to all the neighboring towns. Politically he has always favored the Republican party, but he has not been an aspirant for public office. In 1883 he married Miss Emma Brown, and they have had two children: Lettia A., born in 1888, and David B., born in 1891.

Mrs. Wood's father, George H. Brown, was born and reared in Dover Plains, and after- ward became a prominent farmer of that vi- cinity. In 186t he enlisted at Poughkeepsie in the 150th N. Y. V. I., and served through- out the war, taking part in many important battles and gaining a commission. He mar- ried Rachel Ostrander, and had nine children : Maggie, who married Egbert Morey, and has one child -- Mabel; (2) William, who married Martha Vincent, and has two children-Allen and Frank; (3) Emma, Mrs. Wood; (4) Lo- theria, who married William Dennis, and has three children-Hazel, Louis, and one whose name is not given; (5) Elizabeth, who married George Root, and has one child-Nellie. The four remaining children, Charles, George, My- ron and John, are not married. Rachel Ostrander. Mrs. Wood's mother, was born and educated in Amenia. Her father, Jacob Os- trander, was a native of the town of Milan, and received his education there, engaging after- ward in agriculture. He married, and reared a family of children, of whom Mrs. Wood's mother was the youngest. The others are: James; Mary, Mrs. Adam Waldron; Lottie, Mrs. Royal Halleck; Carrie, Mrs. George Murphy; Kittie, and Amy.

T HOMAS G. ALDRIDGE, of the firm of Aldridge & Covert, leading merchants at Dutchess Junction, Dutchess county, is one of the self-made business men, whose ability and enterprise have done so much to build up the trade of their respective communities.

His grandfather. Daniel Aldridge, a man highly esteemed in his day, married Jane Ed- wards, and had four children: (1) Thomas, who married, and had eight children-Benja- min, William H., Thomas, Jr., Aaron E., Theresa J., Alfraetta, George L. and Ger- trude. (2) William, our subject's father. (3) Edward. (4) Ella.

William Aldridge was a native of Orange county; he married Jeannette Simpson, by whom he had seven children: Edward L. (deceased), Lemuel E., Ella A., Jennie (de- ceased), Thomas G., Charles and William S. During the Civil war Mr. Aldridge enlisted in the United States service for three years. Be- fore he left Albany on his way to the front his wife died, leaving the little family bereft of the care of both parents. At the expiration of his first term the father re-enlisted, and served un-

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til the close of the war, when he returned home and resumed his business of brick-mak- ing, in which he was very successful, being a thorough master of all branches of the trade. He died in Kansas City, Mo., in 1878.

Thomas G. Aldridge was born December 12, 1853, at Dutchess Junction, N. Y., and has made his own way in life from the time of his mother's death, when he was only twelve years old. He secured employment upon a schooner which was engaged in the brick car- rying trade between Dutchess Junction and New York City. After three years at this work he made a practical study of steam en- gineering, and at eighteen was put in charge of a brick plant at Dutchess Junction. He held this position until 1892, when he formed his present partnership and engaged in the gro- cery and meat business, of which he has made a success. On December 8, ISSo, he married Miss Alida Covert, daughter of Nathaniel and Catherine (Jones) Covert; their only child died in infancy.

Mr. Aldridge is not a politician in the strict sense of the word, but he takes a patriotic in- terest in public affairs, and is an earnest sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party.

E AVAN BRYANT, of Bryant Bros., proprie- tors of the "Standard House, " Fishkill, Dutchess county, is one of the most enterpris- ing young business men of that vicinity. He is of English descent, the old home of his family being in Gloucestershire, England, where his great-grandfather, Richard Bryant, and his grandfather, Jonathan Bryant, were born and spent their lives in the hatter's busi- ness. His father, Samuel Bryant, was also born in England, and previous to coming to America in 1855, learned the same trade. He is now a resident of Matteawan.

Evan Bryant was born in Brewster, Put- nam county, July 14, 1863, and was but two years old when his parents moved to Matte- awan, where he grew to manhood, attending the public schools. He also acquired a knowl- edge of the hatter's trade, and for fourteen years followed it there and in different places in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Canada. On November 13, 1894, he established his present hotel and saloon business at Fishkill, in partnership with his brother Edward. Neither is married. They take great interest

in public questions, and while they are stead- fast supporters of the Republican party so far as national issues are concerned, Mr. Bryant is not bound by partisan ties in local affairs, voting for men and measures which, in his judgment, will advance the best interests of the community.

G EORGE S. AUCOCK is one of the repre- sentative and prominent merchants of Red Hook, Dutchess county, N. Y., where his birth occurred in 1862. His educational priv- ileges were quite good, he having been able to attend the De Garmo Institute, Rhinebeck, N. Y. In 1889 he established his present general store in the village of Red Hook, which sprang at once into public favor, and he is now at the head of a large and constantly increasing busi- ness. In 1886 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Vosburgh, a daughter of Ward Vos- burgh, one of the leading farmers of the town of Ancram, Columbia county, N. Y., and they have become the parents of one child, Bessie, born in 1888.

Robert Stephenson, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Snaith. Yorkshire, England, where he was educated, and when quite a young man began dealing in live stock. Later, in connection with this, he also en- gaged in the butcher's business at that place. He wedded Miss Watson, of Scotland, and to them were born five children: William, who for his second wife married a Miss Collins; Sarah, Mrs. Anna Oxenforth; Jane; and Eliza, who became the wife of Charles Bean. The second child, Sarah Stephenson, was born in 1804, at Snaith, of which place the other children were also natives, and in the common schools there she received her education. She married William Aucock, a son of Jonathan Aucock, of Snaith. Yorkshire. At that place the son engaged in carpentering most of his life, and was a prominent member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows in his native land. Eleven children were born to William Aucock and his worthy wife, namely, Eliza- beth, who became the wife of Henry Siberan; Christina, who wedded Jeremiah Needham; Jonathan, who married Ann Morgan; John and Robert, who died in infancy: William, the father of our subject; Robert, who married Catherine Martin; Eleanor, who became the wife of Joseph Green; Sarah, who, after the death of her first husband, Thomas Hanpson,

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became the wife of a Mr. Jones; and George and John, who were also married. The mother of these children died in England in 1881.

The father of our subject was born in Snaith in 1831, and after completing his edu- cation in the public schools he learned the art of fancy gardening and plant culture on the es- tates of the Campbells, in Sheffield, England, where he was employed for some time. Like his ancestors, he became a member of the Odd Fellows Society of his native place, and stood quite high in the order. In 1855 he emigrated to the United States, making his first location on Hunters Island, where he remained for about two months, and then went to Toronto, Canada. At the end of ten months, however, he returned to the States, locating this time at Annandale, Dutchess county, where the follow- ing two years were passed. After a year spent at Newark, N. J., he came again to Dutchess county, and has now made his home in the town of Red Hook for thirty-seven years, be- ing employed there on the estate of the Tymp- sons. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Eliza Cooper, daughter of Robert and Anna Cooper, of New York City. They became the parents of four children: Mary, born in 1859; George S., of this sketch; Sarah, born in 1865. and William C., born in 1868. The third child of this family, Sarah, is now the wife of Charles Burnea, son of Charles E. and . Mary Burnea, of Philadelphia, where the son is en- gaged as a decorator and designer. Two children grace this union-Marie Gerard, born in 1891, and William A., born in 1894.

On his mother's side, our subject is also descended from English ancestry, his great- grandfather, Robert Cooper, being born in England, and there married. In his family were the following children : Joseph, James, Robert, Mary, Eliza, Sarah, Betsy and Nancy. Of these, Robert Cooper, Jr., was born in Manchester, England, whence he removed to the North of Ireland, and there engaged in farming. He was married to Miss Anna More- head, a daughter of John Morehead, of En- gland, and to them were born the following children: Mattie, who was three times mar- ried, her first husband being James Lawrence, the second, Claudius Dord, and the third Rob- ert Dunlap: James, who wedded Mary Liddle: Joseph, who married a Miss Cooper; Robert, who remained single; Mary, who became the wife of Pierson Hyde; and Eliza, the mother of our subject.

HARLES REDAVATS, proprietor of a C boarding and training stable at Green Haven, was born in the town of Beekman, March 29, 1833, and is the son of John J. Redavats, a native of Italy, who left home at the age of eighteen years, coming to America, where he enlisted in the United States navy. For a number of years he was on a man-of- war, and after leaving the service came to Beekman town, Dutchess county, locating at Green Haven, where he followed the carpen- ter's trade for the remainder of his life. Here he married Miss Ann Clarkson, a daughter of Charles Clarkson, and to them were born four children: Mary Jane, who wedded Aldest Terwilliger, but both are now deceased; George, deceased; Charles, of this sketch; and Joseph, of Danbury, Conn. The father was first a Whig in politics, but joined the Repub- lican party on its organization, with which he continued to affiliate up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was sixty years of age. His wife departed this life at the age of sixty-five years.

The boyhood days of our subject were passed at Green Haven, he living with W. B. Sheldon for seven years in order to pay for two acres of land on which his father had erected a house, and later worked for George B. Foote for five years. In the town of Beek- man, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Grif- fen, and they became the parents of six chil- dren, as follows: William, who was a con- ductor on a construction train on the New England railroad, was killed by accident; Theodore died at the age of five years; Charles died at the age of two years; Clara is the wife of William E. Williams, by whom she has two children, Charles and Leland; Frank is in the office of the Old Colony Line railroad, at Bos- ton, Mass. ; and Jennie.

For six years after his marriage, Mr. Re- davats made his home near Rahway, N. J., be- ing superintendent of the farm and stable of George F. Fellows, and then returned to Beekman township, where he engaged in the horse business at the stock farm belonging to Merritt & Allerton for four years. After their failure he remained with their successors for one year, and then purchased his present place and went into business for himself. He conducts a good boarding and training stable, and is now at the head of a large and con- stantly increasing business. Like his father was, he is an ardent Republican in politics,

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and takes an active interest in the success of his party. He is numbered among the best citizens of the community, and is a wide- awake, energetic business man and the archi- tect of his own fortune.

C RAWFORD C. MACNEIL, of Matteawan, a leading wholesale and retail dealer in confectionery and ice cream, and proprietor of a popular restaurant on Union street, is a descendant of the famous Scottish Clan Mac- Neil, one of his ancestors in the direct line being Sir John MacNeil.

Crawford C. MacNeil was born at Red Hook, Dutchess county, May 30, 1844, the son of Hector and Jane (Craig) MacNeil. They had nine children: Jane, John, Kate, Agnes, Crawford C., Serena, Hector, Robert and Charles.

Our subject was educated in the public schools near his early home, and on the re- moval of the family to Poughkeepsie in 1850, he entered the employ of Smith Bros., con- fectioners and caterers, remaining until 1873. when he opened a similar establishment of his own. He was burned out during the first year, and in the spring of 1874 he removed to Matteawan and again started in business, this time in a small way. As success rewarded his efforts, he gradually enlarged and improved his establishment until it is now one of the most complete of its kind in the county. Mr. Mac- Neil has an inventive turn of mind, and is the originator of that far-famed drink, ice-cream soda water. He introduced it to the public while he was with the Smith Bros. and the beverage soon became a favorite in all parts of the country. He has also originated a number of new popular styles of candy, in- cluding the American mixed candy, for which there has been a large demand. His present prosperity is well deserved as it is based upon his own industry and judicious management.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 164

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