Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 166

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

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David V. Haggerty obtained his education in the Poughkeepsie schools, and then went to

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Washington, Conn., where he studied the florist's business. He left school in 1885 in the last year of his course, and the following year took charge of the property for his mother until he became of age in 1889, when he and his brother John bought the entire property with the exception of his mother's interest, she remaining a member of the firm, which is known as R. V. Haggerty & Sons. Our sub- ject has taken the active management of the business, which has steadily increased. He has become one of the largest producers in the county, and the greenhouses are the largest in the State. He has inherited much of his fa- ther's ability and persistence, and is fully as progressive and interested in his work. He keeps abreast of the times in all discoveries and experiments in his line, and by his fair methods of dealing and courteous manners to all has drawn about him a large number of steady customers as well as inany personal friends. Like his father was, he is a Repub- lican and a Methodist, and is prominent in both these organizations. He is a member of the order of St. John, and for eight or nine years has been a member of the Davy Crockett Hook and Ladder Company, In 1889, he was mar- ried to Miss Isabella, daughter of Frank Rob- son, and three children have been born to them: Gladys, James Donald and John Francis.

A BRAM V. V. HAIGHT, the able secre- tary of the Poughkeepsie Transportation Co., and one of the leading citizens of the county seat (Dutchess county), was born August 24, 1842, in the town of Fishkill, Dutchess county, on an estate which had been in the possession of his family for many years. His ancestors came from Connecticut at an early period. locating in the town of Fishkill, where his grandfather, Joseph Haight, was a prominent farmer. He married Hannah Dudley, a mem- ber of an old and highly esteemed family of that vicinity, and had four children: Eliza- beth, who married Henry Van Voorhis; Min- erva, who married Thomas Burrows; Corne- lius J., our subject's father; and Hannah, the wife of Peter Burchen, who was for some time the principal of Dutchess County Academy.

Cornelius J. Haight was born June 22, 1817, at the old homestead, five miles from the village of Fishkill, and lived there until he was thirty-three years old, when he went to

Buffalo and engaged in the commission busi- ness on the dock, dealing in flour, grain and other commodities, his firm being known as Ward & Haight. In 1857 he returned to Poughkeepsie and engaged in the wholesale four trade, continuing in same line for several years. Later he took charge of the interests of the Manhattan Iron Co., first in Pawling and then at Sharon Station, in which latter place he remained until his retirement from active business in 1883. Since that time he has made his home in Poughkeepsie. He is a well-read man, notwithstanding the cares and distractions of his years of successful business life. He is a leading member of the First Re- formed Church, and is held in high regard among all classes for his sterling character- istics. Politically he is a Democrat, and his active interest in party affairs has caused him to be chosen to public office at different times. He married Elizabeth Van Vorhis, a descend- ant of a pioneer family of the town of Fish- kill, and a daughter of Abram Van Vorhis, a leading resident there. They had five sons: Henry E., who resides at Sharon ; Abram V. V., our subject; Joseph F., assistant cashier of the Pawling Bank; Lewis, who died at the age of two years; and Edward S., the assistant post- master at Poughkeepsie, and who for two years previous to receiving that appointment was city treasurer.

Abram V. V. Haight received his early edu- cation in the schools of his native district, graduating in 1856 from school No. 10. When he was examined for admission to the high school, only twenty-seven out of a class of fifty passed the examination. He possesses fine natural abilities, and has kept well-in- formed upon a wide range of subjects. His first employment was with his father in Pough- keepsie, but at the age of twenty he went to New York City, where for over a year he was clerk in a commission house. In 1863 he en- listed in the U. S. Navy, and served " before the mast " until the close of the war. Return- ing to Poughkeepsie, he was employed as a clerk for seven years by Carpenter & Bro., and for one year was clerk of the . Morgan House." In 1871 he engaged in the freighting business with Doughty, Cornell & Co., at the Upper Dock, but on the consolidation of the Upper and Main street docks in 1874, he took the position of head bookkeeper for the Poughkeepsie Transportation Co. In 1880 he was elected secretary of the company, in which

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he had become a shareholder, and bas dis- charged his duties with energy and judgment, his success winning for him a high standing among the business men of the city.

On December 1, 1875, Mr. Haight married Miss Ida T. Paulding, a daughter of William Cooper, formerly a leading cooper of l'ough- keepsie. Three sons were born of this union: Burton C., who died at eighteen years of age; Harry Lown, and Abraham Van Vorhis, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Haight attend the First Re- formed Church, and contribute to the support of various worthy movements in the commu- nity. On State and National issues Mr. Haight votes the Republican ticket, but in local affairs he gives his influence and his bal- lot to the best man. He served as police commissioner under Mayor Rowley, and has been urged to accept the nomination for mayor on two different occasions. Socially, he be- longs to the Veteran Firemen's Association and to the F. & A. M., Poughkeepsie Lodge No. 266.

S ELWYN A. RUSSELL, M. D. This well-known and popular physician was born in Jay, Essex Co., N. Y., February 12, 1851, and attended the district and private schools of that town. In 1874 he went to Albany and began the study of medicine, graduating with the class of 1877.

After graduating Dr. Russell was ap- pointed resident physician of the Albany Hos- pital, and remained there until 1879, when he accepted a position on the medical staff at the State Hospital at Utica, holding that position until 1883, at which time he resigned and went to Europe for the purpose of completing his medical education. He spent one winter in London and one in Vienna, where he had a great deal of practical experience. He re- mained in Vienna until the spring of 1884, and then returned to Albany and began the prac- tice of medicine there in partnership with Samuel B. Ward, a prominent physician, with whom he practiced until 1888, when our sub- ject, in connection with his medical work, made a tour of the world, sailing from New York in February, around Cape Horn, arriv- ing at San Francisco in June. Thence he went to China and Japan, returning to Albany in 1889.

On April 25, 1889, Dr. Russell was united in marriage with Miss Lucy H. Harris, a dangh-

ter of the Hon. Hamilton Harris, the promi- nent politician and lawyer. After his marriage, the Doctor continued his practice in Albany until 1891, when he accepted a position in the Hudson River State Hospital at Pough- keepsie, where he remained until April, 1894, at which time he resigned on account of ill health, and has since been occupied with a general practice. Previous to his trip around the world Dr. Russell was the attending phy- sician of St. Peter's Hospital, and an in- structor in physical diagnosis in the Albany Medical College. Dr. and Mrs. Russell have two children, Selwyn, born in 1890, and Hamilton H., born in 1893. Fraternally our subject is a Mason.

G. B. Russell, father of our subject, was born in Essex county, January 2, 1822, and grew to manhood on the old home place. He married Miss Charlotte Fisher, whose birth took place in Beekmantown, Clinton Co., N. Y., October 11, 1821. After their mar- riage the couple settled on a farm in Essex county, and the following children were born to them: Marcus, who is a resident of Balti- more and a manufacturer of iron ware; Selwyn, our subject; Lottie became the wife of Frank Bruce, of Jay, who was a painter, and she died in 1880: John is a school teacher at Spar- tanburg, S. C. In early life Mr. Russell was a farmer and later became an iron maker at Jay. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he took an active part. He died in 1883. Mrs. Rus- sell died in 1867.

Sidney Russell, the grandfather, was also born in Essex county, where he grew up and was married. They had a family of eight children. He remained on his farm in Essex county, where his death occurred. Dr. Rus- sell's maternal grandfather was a farmer. Both sides of the family were of English de- scent.

M ORATIO N. BAIN, the well-known and popular hotel proprietor in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, was born in Chatham, Colum- bia Co., N. Y., December 20, 1857, where he lived until he was seven years old. He first went to school at Palmyra, N. Y., then at Brewster, N. Y., later at Dover Plains, Dutch- ess county, and for a time at the Connecticut Literary Institute, Suffiell, Conn., and then to a select school.

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Upon finishing his education Mr. Bain re- mained at home until the death of his parents, after which he continued his father's hotel business until the lease expired of the " Pough- keepsie Hotel." In 1884 he leased the " Nel- son House, " a fine, large, brick building, capa- ble of accommodating about two hundred peo- ple, and considered the best hotel in Pough- keepsie. In connection with the "Nelson House" Mr. Bain has a half-interest in the " Palatine Hotel" at Newburg, N. Y., which is considered the finest hotel on the Hudson, and which will accommodate some two hun- dred and twenty-five guests. His eldest brother, Francis N. Bain, is connected with him at the " Palatine" under the firm name of H. N. Bain & Co. Besides his interest in the two most popular hotels of the Hudson Valley, Mr. Bain is largely engaged in farming and stock raising, having two farms in the eastern part of the county, where he is successfully breeding high-class road and carriage horses, having exhibited his young stock at the Na- tional Horse Show at Madison Square Garden for three years past with marked success.

Mr. Bain was united in marriage July 20, 1882, with Miss Carrie Belding, who is a na- tive of Dover Plains, a daughter of David L. Belding, a farmer and stock dealer, and for several years president of the Dover Plains Bank. Our subject is a Republican, and a public-spirited man. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and of the Amrita Club, of Pough- keepsie.

Milton Bain (the father of our subject), who was born in Columbia county, married Miss Charlotte N. Nash, also a native of Columbia county. After their marriage they located at Chatham, where three children were born to them: Francis N., now one of the proprietors of the " Palatine Hotel," at Newburgh; Hora- tio, our subject; and F. R., a real-estate dealer in Poughkeepsie. Milton Bain was landlord of the "Stanwix Hall Hotel. " at Chatham, for twelve or fourteen years, and sold out to take charge of a hotel in Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. Y., later going to Brewster, N. Y., where he conducted the "Brewster House, " and then to Dover Plains, continuing in the same business, at the "Dover Plains Hotel" for about twelve years. In 1878 Mr. Bain came to Poughkeep- sie and became proprietor of the " Poughkeep- sie Hotel, " which he carried on until his death, in 1880; his wife had passed away one year previously. In politics Mr. Bain was a Repub-

lican, and at one time held the office of assessor of the county, and of deputy sheriff. The Bain family is of Scotch descent.

Alfred Nash, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Columbia county, where he practiced law. His father, Francis Nash, was a farmer in Columbia county.

N ELSON DENTON. The branch of the Denton family of which the subject of this biography is a worthy representative, has been prominent in the vicinity of Whaley Pond, Dutchess county, for several genera- tions. The first of the name to locate there was his great-grandfather, Solomon Denton, who came from Nova Scotia at a very early period. The tract of 365 acres which he ac- quired has never been alienated from the fam- ily, and in its entirety is now in the possession of George F. Denton, a brother of our sub- ject. Solomon Denton's son, Solomon, and grandson, Solomon B., our subject's father, each in turn cultivated this estate, and were among the leading farmers of the locality. The members of this family have never taken a very active part in public affairs, although they have been interested in the questions of their time and have been regular voters, being Whigs in the early days and Republicans since the war issues arose. In their business man- agement they were all thrifty and successful, and they have been active in religious work as members of the Second Baptist Church of Pawling.

Solomon the second, grandfather of our sub- ject, and wife had six children, namely: Sam- uel, Amos, Josiah, Pattie (Mrs. Wright), Abram and Solomon B. Solomon B. Denton died September 20, 1885, at the age of seventy-five years, eight months and nine days. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church for about forty years, and no man in that vicinity was more highly esteemed. His wife was Harriet Lud- dington, a daughter of Frederick Luddington, a leading citizen of Ludingtonville, Putnam Co., N. Y. Six children were born to them, of whom our subject is the eldest. The

others were: Augustus, now deceased ; George, a hatter at Danbury, Conn. ; Cecelia, who mar- ried Theodore Purdy, a carpenter of the same place: Emma, the wife of William F. Purdy, an engineer of East Orange, N. J. ; and Carrie, who died at the age of four years.

Nelson Denton was born at the old home-

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stead near Whaley Pond, May 26, 1845, and was educated in the schools of district No. 9, Pawling town, and in the old Poughkeepsie Academy. After completing his studies he en- gaged in mercantile business at Ludington- ville in 1864, forming a partnership with Joshua Griffith under the firm name of Denton & Griffith. They continued some time, when Mr. Denton sold his interest and bought a feed mill at Londingtonville, which he con- ducted for three years. Disposing of this he followed agricultural pursuits for two years in Putnam county, N. Y., with his father-in-law, James Robinson, but later went to Danbury and was with H. A. Addis & Son for a year and a half. He then purchased a store at Pecksville, Dutchess county, and after three yeais rented another store where he spent two years; but in 1887 he erected his present convenient store building, where he has a trade in general merchandise such as is enjoyed by few country stores in southeastern Dutchess county. As a business man he has been very successful, and is one of the principal property holders in that section.

On August 3, 1871, Mr. Denton was united in marriage with Miss Albertine Robinson, who was born September 2. 1853, the daugh- ter of a prominent farmer of Putnam county. They have had two children-Frederick S , born March 11, 1872; and Grace L., born December 27, 1882, both of whom are at home.

In politics, Mr. Denton is a Republican, but he has not given much attention to party work. He is public-spirited, however, thor- oughly loyal to the best interests of his locality, and he is a leading member of the Baptist Church at Ludingtonville.

M ARTIN LASHER, proprietor of a first- class hotel pleasantly situated at Upper Red Hook, Dutchess county, is a man of much experience and a good knowledge of business, and is conducting his present enterprise with marked success, winning popularity as a host who understands well how to cater to the wants of the public.

Mr. Lasher was born in 1822, at Cler- mont, Columbia Co., N. Y., where the birth of his father, Jonas Lasher, also occurred. There the latter was educated and followed the occupation of farming. He wedded Miss Bar- bara Sagendorph, and to them were born nine

children: George, who married a Miss Bar- ringer; Margaret, wife of Stephen Lasher; Mary, wife of Peter Fraleigh; Henry, who wedded Miss Proper; Helen, wife of Edward Coon; Martin, of this sketch; Augustus; Cath- erine, wife of John Morgan; and John.

In the cominon schools of Clermont, Mar- tin Lasher acquired a practical education, which would fit him for the responsible duties of life, and began his business career as a farmer, following that occupation until 1850, when he opened a hotel at Red Hook, Dutch- ess county, which he continued to carry on until 1873. At that time he came to Upper Red Hook, where he purchased the buildings in which he now conducts a hotel with good success. Hle is a good citizen, an obliging landlord, and has the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.

Mr. Lasher was united in marriage with Miss Mary Proper, daughter of Jonas and Eliza (Ten Broeck) Proper, and four children bless their union: Fannie, Lida, Maggie and Grace. Mrs. Lasher's parents were also natives of Columbia county, where the father followed farming. In their family were seven children, namely: Leonard, who wedded a Miss Hoff- man; Mary, honored wife of our subject; Samuel, Edward, Philip and Walter, all of whom died at an early age; and Sarah, who became the wife of a Mr. Miller.

A NSON A. PLASS, an enterprising and successful business man of Red Hook, Dutchess county, and the proprietor of a well- known meat market there, was born in Cler- mont, Columbia county, in 1850.

Philip H. Plass, his father, was born and reared in the same locality, engaging in farm- ing as he grew to manhood. Later he became the captain of a barge on the Hudson river, and followed boating for many years. He married Miss Catherine Stall, a daughter of William Stall, a prominent resident of Cler- mont, and reared a family of five children: William, Anson, Hermon, Mary E. and Elizabeth.

Our subject received his early education in the schools of his native place, and for a time was a farmer, and then followed his father's example and engaged in boating upon the Hudson. At the age of twenty-six years he learned the butcher's trade with Peter Rifen- burgh, of Madalin, and started in business for

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himself at Clermont. continuing successfully for a number of years. Later he moved to Red Hook, and established a first-class business there, his ability and energy gaining for him the esteem of all classes. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah C. Rifen- burgh, a well-known resident of Clermont. Seven children were born of this union: Mary E., Fannie, Maud, Ina, Wilbur, Homer, and Foster.

E AUGENE FOX is numbered among the prominent and progressive young men of the town of Dover, Dutchess county. He was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Benson, who was born in 1879, and belongs to a family whose identification with the interests of Dutch- ess county dates back several generations. Her great-great-grandfather, Jacob Benson, was born in Amenia, where he was reared and educated, and as a life work followed farming. He married Miss Lydia Thompson, and they had six children: Benjamin, who for his sec- ond wife, married Deborah Mackam; David, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Fox; Jacob, who married Martha Smith; Lydia, who married Daniel Darling : Susan, who married John Benson ; and Hannah, who married Peter Hunt.

David Benson, an agriculturist, was also born at Amenia, and wedded Miss Susan Sprague, of Vermont. To them were born seven children: Jefferson: Joseph; Lansing. who married Rachel Patchin ; William and Jacob, who remained single; David, who mar- ried Julia Cook; and Mary, who wedded Eg- bert Watts. Jefferson, the oldest son, was born, reared and educated in Amenia, Dutch- ess county, and turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. By his marriage with Miss Fannie Glenn, he had five children: Jacob, who married Ruth White; Manassa, who never married; Eliza, who became the wife of Charles Davis; Phoebe, who married Phil Watts; and Sylvia, who remained single.

Joseph Benson, the second son, was the grandfather of Mrs. Fox. He was also a na- tive of Amenia, and after his common-school education was completed followed the pursuit to which he had been reared-that of farm- ing. He married Miss Helen Gillet, daugh- ter of Richard and Mercy Gillet, agricultur- ists of the town of Dover. Five children graced this union. (1) Silas and (2) Charles

never married. (3) Susan, who was born and educated in Amenia, married Albert Watts, a inason of Dover, and they have five children: Frances, who married Frank Silver, and has four children, Walter, Mary, Ethel and Mabel; Ellen, who married Shed Bates, and has three children, Carrie, Ellen and Wealthy; Carrie, who married Platt Reynolds and has two children, Charles and Fred; Annie, who is single; and Charles, who married Miss Ford, and has one child, Mary. (4) Eleanor, who was also born and educated at Amenia, mar- ried Edwin Nightingale, a stone cutter of Mas- sachusetts, and they have three children: John, who married Sadie Bates; Walter; and Helen. (5) Edwin, the father of Mrs. Fox, completes the family.

Edwin Benson was born in Amenia, in 1840, and obtained a common-school educa- tion there. When a young man he entered the employ of the Harlem railroad, with which he has been connected the greater part of his life. He is a prominent citizen, and has held a number of minor offices. He was married to Miss Adaline Powers, and they became the parents of two children: David, who was born in 1862, and married Henrietta Benson, by whom he has one son, Herbert; and Ellen, the wife of Eugene Fox.

John Powers, the grandfather of Mrs. Ed- win Benson, and son of Joseph Powers, was a farmer of the town of Amenia, Dutchess coun- ty. By his marriage with Miss Clara Smith, he had one son, Gaylord, who was born and educated in the town of Amenia, where he also followed farming throughout life. He married Miss Abigail Watts, a daughter of David Watts, also an agriculturist of Amenia town, and seven children were born to them. (1) William, a native of Amenia, learned the machinist's trade. at which he worked for a number of years. He married Miss Delia Gordon. (2, Charles, a farmer, wedded Miss Mary Storms, and they had six children-Gusta, who married Ben- jamin Milton; Irving; Edwin; Flora; William and Arthur. (3) George never married. (4) John married Miss Josephine Vice, and to them was born a daughter-Sylvia. (5) Emma married Edwin Davis, a machinist of Pennsyl- vania, and they had seven children-Edward; Edna, who married Albert Norton, and has two children, Mabel and Sarah; Ella; Carrie; Frank; Lillie and Chester. (6) Mary wedded James Wheeler, a farmer and carpenter, and to them were born three children, who died when

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young- C. Edwin, William and John. (7) Adaline, the mother of Mrs. Fox, completes the family.

J OHN MITCHELL, the well-known black- smith and manufacturer of carriages and wagons, at Fishkill village, Dutchess county, is one of the most respected and in- duential residents of that place, his public spirit and efficiency as a citizen being no less marked than his ability in business. He was born October 29, 1821, in New York City, where he received his education in the public schools. In 1840 he came to Dutchess county and learned the blacksmith's trade, and later opened a shop at Fishkill which he conducted for several years. In 1844 he mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Webb, daughter of Henry Webb, a prominent resident of Fishkill, and established his home there. On the breaking out of the "Gold Fever," in 1849. he went to California to seek his fortune, and made a large amount of money in a short time. At first he worked at his trade for $12 per day, but soon went into business for himself and cleared on the average $50 daily for months. Sickness compelled him to return home in 1851, and he then purchased the property which he has since occupied as a wagon and blacksmith shop.

His high character and reputation for good judgment have given him the confidence of his fellow citizens to a gratifying degree. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and he has held several township offices, including those of commis- sioner, town clerk for eight years, collector for two years, and member of the Board of Excise for eighteen years. He has served on the Board of Education for thirty years. In 1890 Mrs. Mitchell died of pneumonia, after nearly half a century of wedded life. Of their seven children, the first two, Emerett and Mary Frances, are deceased. The survivors are Frederick, Walter, Laura, Bertha and John, Jr. The family has always been identified with the Reformed Dutch Church of Fishkill, and various members have taken active part in helpful movements in the community.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 166

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