Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 17

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

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rado. In 1848 he married Thalia M. Miles, of New Milford, Conn., whose ancestors were prominent among the original settlers of that town. Their daughter Emma married Henry R. Hoyt, of Poughkeepsie, New York.

" This brief sketch of the life of this, in many ways remarkable, man, if more extended, might give many an object lesson for the young men of the present day."

A ARON INNIS. Prominent among the business men of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, stands this gentleman, whose entire life has been closely identified with the history of the city, while his name is inseparably con- nected with its financial records. For many years he was president of the city railroads, and president of the City Bank of Pough- keepsie for a number of years. He is pos- sessed of keen discrimination and sound judg- ment, and his executive ability and excellent management brought to these concerns a high degree of success.

Mr. Innis comes of a family that has long been prominent in the affairs of the city of Poughkeepsie. The original ancestor, James Innis, a native of Scotland, was brought to America in 1737, by his mother and sisters, who located at Little Britain, Orange Co., N. Y., where he was educated by George and James Clinton. He married Miss Sybil Ross, of Morristown, N. J., and they became resi- dents of Newburg, Orange county, in 1780. Ten children were born to them: James, who during the Revolutionary war participated in the battle of Monmouth, and died unmarried; Jane, who became the wife of William Irwin, and removed to Ohio; Keziah, who married James Owen; Mrs. Lydia Hanmore; Peter, who died unmarried; Benjamin, who wedded Margaret Denton; Elsie, wife of Thomas Aldrich; Aaron, the grandfather of our subject; Sarah, who became the wife of Anthony Pres- lor; and William, who married Eliza Warring. Grandfather Innis was a native of Orange county, where he followed farming, and by his marriage with Martha Smith, he had a large family of children, among whom was Aaron.

Aaron Innis, the father of our subject, was born in Ulster county, N. Y., and was united in marriage with Miss Martha Smith, daugh- ter of Eliphalet Smith (who was of English extraction), and a leading farmer of Ulster county. After their marriage this worthy

Aaron Demis

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

couple located at Poughkeepsie, where Mr. Innis engaged in the freighting business, run- ning at first a sloop from there to New York City, and later a steamboat named "Em- erald." He continued this business up to the time of his death in 1838. Politically he cast his ballot in support of the Whig party, and in religious faith both he and his wife were faith- ful members of the Reformed Dutch Church.

Aaron Innis, whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Poughkeepsie, January 23, 1834, and he is the youngest in a family of eight children. In the public schools of that city he began his education, and was grad- uated at College Hill, on the completion of the course. He entered upon his business career as general manager of the firm of Gif- ford, Sherman & Co., owners of a large dye- wood factory, and is still connected with that business, which has proved very profitable.

On May 15, 1856, Mr. Innis was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Reynolds, a sister of William T. Reynolds, of Pough- keepsie, and to them were born four children: William R., connected with Studebaker & Co., of New York City, where he makes his home, and also has an interest in the dve- wood business of Poughkeepsie; Catherine, the wife of John F. O'Rourke, a civil engineer, of New York City; Adele, married to Edmund Platt, a son of the Hon. John I. Platt; and Caroline, who died at the age of six years.

The several business concerns which have been under the management of Mr. Innis at- test his eminent and pronounced ability as a financier, and he is equally prominent in so- cial life. Whether in public or private life his integrity is above question, and his honor above reproach. Poughkeepsie owes much to him and numbers him among her valued citi- zens, and he is one of the leading Freemasons in the city. He is an earnest supporter of the Republican party, and has been a member of the board of supervisors; for the past nine years he has been a member of the board of health of the city of Poughkeepsie; became the vice-president under the administration of Mayor Arnold, and reappointed vice-president under Mayor Hull.

G EORGE W. CHASE, the able and popu- lar cashier of the National Bank of Pawl- ing, Dutchess county, has been in continuous service in that institution for thirty-eight years,

a record probably unequalled by any contem- poraneous bank officer in the county. His well-proven ability and integrity, and his untir- ing devotion to any work to which he applies himself, have received the ample recognition of his fellow townsmen who have many times shown their confidence and esteem by choos- ing him for some of the most important posi- tions in their gift, both in business and political life.

The Chase family is of English origin, and the founder of the branch of which our subject is an honored member, was Isaac Chase, who settled at Cape Cod at an early period. His son Obadiah had eleven children, who settled chiefly in New York State, where many of their descendants still live. The eldest son, Isaac, lived in Tompkins county; Alvin in Dutchess county; Elmer and Ezra in Tomp- kins county; John and Jesse in Westchester county; Daniel went to Michigan; Hulday married Edmond Hopkins, and lived in Tomp- kins county; Lydia married Judah Baker, of the same county; Mary married Absalom Col- well, and settled in Rensselaer county; and Catherine married Absalom Caldwell, also of Rensselaer county.

Alvin Chase, our subject's grandfather, was born in 1778, and by his first wife, Ruth Cole, he had twelve children: Cyrus, a merchant at Croton Falls; Naomi, who married a Mr. Beardsley, of Kent, Conn .; Darius, our sub- ject's father; Susan, the wife of Joseph Smith, of Carmel, Putnam county; Lyman, who was a farmer in Iowa, where he reared a large family, of whom some were bankers and some ministers, and all held prominent position in the community; Sarah, the wife of Daniel Brown, of Republic, Ohio; Henry, who lived in Erie county, Ohio, near Castalia; Hiram, who settled in Garden Grove, Iowa, and left descendant there; Cynthia, the wife of Gilbert Knapp, a wealthy and prominent citizen of Erie county, Ohio, residing near Castalia; Mary, the wife of Stephen Hawley, of Con- necticut; Frank, a farmer of Erie county, Ohio; and John, a farmer of Kent, Conn., where his son is a successful merchant. For his second wife Alvin Chase wedded Martha Dingee, by whom he had three children: Alvin, a hotel keeper of Patterson and Brewster, N. Y. ; Han- nah, who married Moses Peck, a farmer of Patterson, N. Y .; and Elmer, a farmer of the town of Pawling.

Darius Chase, the father of our subject,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was born November 1, 1807, and during his early years was a farmer, first in Putnam county, and later in the town of Pawling, Dutchess county, where he settled in 1841. In 1853 he entered the employ of the Harlem Railroad Company, as station agent at Paw- ling, and held the position some twenty-seven years, when he resigned on account of ill health. He is still living, and in spite of his eighty-nine years is in the full possession of his faculties. He has always been one of the substantial citizens of the town, and a success- ful business man, being noted for his good judgment. In politics he has been a steadfast Democrat, and he has held the offices of town clerk, collector of taxes, and commissioner of highways. At one time he was a captain in the State militia, and by this well-earned title he is still addressed by his old friends. In early manhood he was married to Miss Phoebe Smith, who after many years of wedded life passed away in 1892, in her eighty-first year. Her father, Judge Edward Smith, was one of the leading citizens of Putnam county in his day, a judge of the county court, and a mem- ber of the State Assembly. Our subject is one of seven children: Clara, the eldest; Emily, who married Egbert M. Toffey, of Pawling; Ruth; Susan, the wife of Squire R. Barrett, formerly of Sing Sing, later of New York City; Elizabeth, who married Jerry S. Pearce, sheriff of Dutchess county; and Adelaide, who married James S. Pearce.

George W. Chase was born in the town of Kent, Putnam county, July 1, 1840, and re- ceived his education in the district schools of Pawling, Dutchess county, these somewhat limited advantages giving him a foundation for his subsequent reading by which he has ac- quired for himself a wide range of knowledge. At the age of fifteen he engaged in clerking, and spent about three years in this work with Orwin Theall and J. W. Stark. His prompt- ness and close application to business attracted the attention of J. W. Bowdish, then cashier of the National Bank of Pawling, and he se- cured him a position in the bank as messenger, office boy and assistant bookkeeper. At this time the institution, which was organized in 1849, was a State bank, with Albert J. Akin as its president. In 1865 it becanie a National bank, and in the same year Mr. Chase was appointed assistant cashier, his election to the office of cashier following in 1872. He is in- terested in many other enterprises, being

treasurer of the Eastern Building and Loan Association; treasurer of the Harlem Valley Agricultural Association; secretary and treas- urer of the Pawling Cemetery Association; sec- retary, treasurer and director of the Mizzentop Hotel Co .; treasurer of the Akin Hall Library Association; vice-president of the Pawling & Beekman Turnpike Co .; one of the original incorporators of the Pawling Savings Bank; and president of the Society for the Detection of Horse Thieves. He has always been a firm Republican, and has taken much interest in town and county politics. In 1882 he was appointed county treasurer by the board of su- pervisors, in place of Seneca V. Halloway, and in the fall of the saine year was elected to the office, receiving all but fifteen votes in his own town. He was the only Republican can- didate elected that year, and his popularity was again demonstrated by his re-election in 1885. He is a member of Dover Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Baptist Church, of which he is treasurer. In 1885, he was married to Miss Emma M. Chapman, a daughter of Rich- ard Chapman, a prominent resident of Paw- ling, and they have had three children: Cor- nelia T., George W. and Theodore F., the latter of whom died at about the age of seven months.

A LLAN BARRINGER HENDRICKS, the efficient bookkeeper of the First Na- tional Bank of Red Hook, Dutchess county, is a descendant of one of the leading families of this region. Lawrence Hendricks, his great- grandfather, came from Rhinebeck to settle upon a farm in Red Hook, in 1802, bringing with him a family of four children: Samuel H., Jacob L., Johannes and Elizabeth.

Jacob L. Hendricks, our subject's grand- father, was born ,May 13, 1773, and followed farming as an occupation. He married Miss Anna Moore, a native of Red Hook, born May 4, 1770, and reared a family of four children, whose names with dates of birth are as fol- lows: Lawrence Edmund, July 12, 1809; Magdalene, October 19, 1811; Jeremiah, No- vember 2, 1813; and Philip, January 29, 1816. The mother of this family died April 17, 1825, the father on May 24, same year.

Jeremiah Hendricks, our subject's father, attended the district schools of his day, and for a time was employed in a store as clerk. In 1831 he engaged in the manufacture of to-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

bacco in partnership with Albert Near, the firm changing later to Hendricks & Wells, then to J. Hendricks & Co., then to J. & P. Hend- ricks & Co., the members at that time being Jeremiah and Philip Hendricks, and R. L. Massoneau. He was also the owner of a flour- Inill at Red Hook, and was interested in vari- ous other lines of business. He was married July 18, 1837, to Miss Eliza C. Barringer, of Red Hook, by whom he had three children: Allan B., born November 11, 1839; Hattie E., August 24, 1841 ; and Robert J., July 27, 1843. After many years as a successful manufacturer, Jeremiah Hendricks retired to spend his last days in leisure, and died May 30, 1875; his widow is still living.

Allan B. Hendricks availed himself of the educational advantages of his native place, and later attended the Charlotteville Seminary. After leaving school he entered his father's mill as bookkeeper, but left this position in 1861, to engage in the freighting business at Barrytown. Six years later he and his brother Robert took charge of the flouring-mill at Red Hook, the partnership lasting one year, after which he continued in the business alone until 1880. After a short period of leisure Mr. Hendricks was tendered the position of book- keeper in the First National Bank, which he accepted, and has filled same with marked ability, commanding the entire confidence and esteem of the stockholders and the public gen- erally.

On June 1, 1864, Mr. Hendricks married Miss Anna Rodgers, of Albany, and has had four children: (1) Louise Rodgers, born July 3, 1865, was married October 8, 1890, to Frank B. Shook, and has one child Eleanor Varnum Shook, born July 21, 1891. (2) Laurence Hutton, born June 8, 1867, was married September 21, 1889, to Miss Jennie H. Wilson, and has two children: Marian Wil- son Hendricks, born July 19, 1893, and Lau- rence Hutton Hendricks, Jr., March 16, 1897. (3) Anna R. and (4) Allan B. (twins), born January 28, 1874, are still at home. Mr. Hendricks has been superintendent of St. Paul's Lutheran Sabbath-school continuously for thirty years.

N EHEMIAH HALSTED (deceased). As a merchant in Clinton Corners and Stan- fordville, Dutchess county, during nearly a quarter of a century, the subject of this sketch

became well known and highly esteemed throughout that section, and although his later years were spent in retirement, his death, which occurred March 20. 1873, caused sin- cere grief and a keen sense of loss among a wide circle of acquaintances.

He was a native of the town of Clinton, Dutchess county, and his father, Richard Hal- sted, a member of the Society of Friends, and who was born in Dutchess county, of Eng- lish ancestry, followed farming in the town of Clinton all his life. He married Hannah Grif- fin, and reared a family of nine children: Benjamin, Stephen, Richard, Joseph, Jona- than, Nehemiah, Mary, Anna and Hannah.

Mr. Halsted grew to manhood at his fa- ther's farm, and in 1836 was united in mar- riage with Miss Julia Sharpsteen, a native of the town of Washington, and a descendant of an old Dutch family, the name having been originally Von Sharpstein. The early genera- tions of her family were Presbyterians in re- ligion. Her grandfather, Peter Sharpsteen, was a farmer in the town of Washington and was probably born there. Her father, Will- iam Sharpsteen, was born, resided and died in that town. He married Sarah Lawrence, a native of Long Island, whose father, an Englishman, was a descendant of Sir Robert Laurens (now spelled Lawrence), of Lanca- shire, England, who accompanied Richard Cour de Lion in his expedition to Palestine. In the siege of St. Jean d' Acre, in 1191, he was the first to plant the Banner of the Cross on the battlements of the town, for which he received the honor of Knighthood from King Richard; also, at the same time, the coat of arms. In the year 1635 William Lawrence came over in the ship "Planter," under the care of Gov. Clark, appointed, by the Queen, Governor of Long Island. The Lawrences in- termarried with the Washingtons, and the coat of arms may be seen at Mount Vernon.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. William Sharpsteen located in the town of Washing- ton, where he carried on a store for many years; but in later life he retired to a farm in the same town. In politics he was a Repub- lican, for years he was justice of the peace, and town supervisor, and was justly regarded as a representative citizen. He died in 1878, aged ninety-three years. He had six children: Clark Lawrence was a member of the firm of Arold & Constable, in New York City, and lived abroad, in Paris; George G. was a dealer

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

in trotting horses in the town of Washington; James and William H. were in business in the South; Julia, married Mr. Halsted; and Debo- rah married Lonis Hutchens.

Mr. and Mrs. Halsted began their married life at Clinton Corners, where Mr. Halsted conducted a store for about three years, when he moved to Stanfordville and carried on his business some twenty years. He then retired to a small farm in the town of Washington, to pass his remaining days. His wife and seven children survive him. Virginia married Isaac W. Sherrill, a well-known resident of Poughkeepsie; Ella, Ida and Belle are at home; Irving is a farmer in the town of Clinton; Wil- lis is an express agent in New York City: and Frank conducts the "Dutchess Restaurant" at Poughkeepsie. Mr. Halsted always took an ardent interest in the success of the Republican party, and was ready to encourage any worthy enterprise in his locality. In religious faith he was a Quaker, and his quiet, unassuming man- ners and upright life gave a consistent and effective illustration of the doctrines which he cherished.

H' EZEKIAH ROGERS COFFIN, one of the oldest pioneers of Dutchess county, was born in Mechanic, town of Washington, April 23, 1807. He remained on his father's farm (with the exception of one year, which he spent with Samuel Thorne) until his marriage March 22, 1832, to Miss Myra Barlow, who was born in the town of Amenia, October 29, 1811.

In 1833 Mr. and Mrs. Coffin moved to a farm situated where the county house now stands, where they remained one year, and then came to their present farm, sixty-four years ago, and where both are still living, sound in mind and body and capable of enjoy- ing life to the fullest extent. The following children were born to them: Robert, who is engaged in business at Brooklyn; Lucy, who became the wife of Newton B. Holbrook, formerly a merchant of the town of Wash- ington, but now deceased; Cora, who married Homer Fitch, a farmer in Washington town; Magdalene, unmarried; Zaide, who died at the age of seventeen, and Lilian, deceased at the age of eight.

Mr. Coffin has a farm of 135 acres, and still does general farming. He has always been a Democrat, voting in 1828 for Jackson,

and ever since regularly supporting the ticket of his party. He takes an active interest in politics, and has been justice of the peace for thirty years, but resigned the office when he reached the age of seventy years. He has been called to sit on the bench at Poughkeep- sie many times, and has often been appointed foreman of the grand jury. Although past eighty-eight years he talks, acts and thinks like a patriot, and stands like a sturdy oak in the forest of humanity. He well remembers the transportation of the cannon, and the men marching through the town on their way to defend the New York harbor against the Brit- ish in 1812. The younger generation looks up to him with wonder and admiration. Our subject has contributed to the local paper (Mill- brook Round Table, articles on the reminiscen- ces of early days, which were highly appreci- ated. His wife has been a faithful, loving helpmate through many years of joys and sorrows.

Robert Coffin, father of our subject, was born at Little Rest, town of Washington, Oc- tober 2, 1778, and died November 28, 1842. He was apprenticed to James Willitts to learn the tanner's and shoemaker's trade, and after serving his time, he, with his brother-in-law, Peter Kipp, bought out the business, which they continued in partnership for a year, when our subject bought out Peter, and kept at it alone until 1814. He then bought a farm of 180 acres, and lived there until his death. He married Miss Magdaline Bentley, a grand- daughter of Col. James Van Deberg, of Beek- man, with whom Washington and LaFayette often stopped. She was born in the town of Beekman December 26, 1782, and died August 30, 1866. Her father was Taber Bentley, a farmer in the town of Beekman. To our sub- ject's parents were born the following children : Jane Ann, who married Caleb Morgan, a mer- chant of Poughkeepsie; Alexander H. was a farmer and merchant in Unionvale; Hezekiah R. is our subject ; Charles was a farmer in Union- vale; Sarah became the wife of Henry M. Swift, also a farmer of Unionvale; Eliza mar- ried George B. Caldwell, a merchant; Owen T. was surrogate of Westchester county for many years, and now lives in Peekskill; he is a graduate of Union College; George is in the real-estate business in California; Henry was a farmer and a railroad man, and owned much property (he is deceased); Robert G. is a farmer at South Millbrook. Mr. Coffin was a

Henkich R.loffen

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Democrat, and represented the county in the Legislature. He was a prominent man, and settled many estates. Religiously, he was of the Quaker faith.

Abishai Coffin, our subject's grandfather, was born in Nantucket, where he grew up, and later went to sea in a whaler, wintering three seasons in Greenland. He married Sarah Long, a native of Nantucket, in 1774, and shortly after came to Dutchess county and set- tled on a tract of land in the town of Wash- ington. Their children were: Sarah married Peter Kipp, a farmer living near Hudson; Tristram owned a farm of about 300 acres in the town of Washington; Lois died unmarried; Robert was the father of our subject; Jeme- miah married John Rider, a farmer in Ulster county. Mr. Coffin died on his farm in 1819. He was a Hicksite Quaker, and overseer of the poor. His father's name was Tristram. The family is of English extraction.

Thomas Barlow, father of Mrs. Coffin, was born at Cape Cod, and was a son of Moses Barlow, a native of the same place. Thomas married Miss Lucy Alerton, and the following children were born: Sally married a Mr. Crosby, of Massachusetts, and is deceased; Jenett also became the wife of a Mr. Crosby, and is deceased: Thomas is deceased; Aurelia married Barlow Nye, and is still living; Cath- erine married Edward Mills, of Connecticut, and is deceased; Mary became the wife of a Mr. Bartow, of Brooklyn, and is living; B. Frank- lin is a farmer in the town of Amenia. Mr. Barlow died in 1852, and his wife in 1860. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church, and took an active interest in the work.

Elisha Barlow, brother of Thomas, was one of those who helped to frame the consti- tution of the State.

J AMES F. GOODELL, M. D. Among those who devote their time and energies to the practice of medicine, and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the pro- fession is this gentleman, who is located at Rhinebeck, Dutchess county. He is a native of Rockville, Conn., born May 16, 1849, and traces his ancestry back to Robert Goodell, who was one of the Puritans from the east of England who settled at Salem, Mass .. in 1634. From him in direct line to the Doctor is Zach- ariah, Thomas (1), Thomas (2), Titus, Thomas

(3) and Francis. After his marriage to Miss Rhoda Grant, Titus Goodell located in New Hampshire, where he owned property; but when the colonies resolved to throw off the yoke of British rule he took up arms, joining the Continental army, and was killed at the battle of Stillwater. He had left his family with his father-in-law in Ellington, Conn., and as he never came back the farm descend- ed to his children. It became the property of Francis Goodell, father of our subject, and has now been in the family since 1776.

The father was a man of unusual natural ability, and possessed a mind stored with results of wide reading and extensive obser- vation of men and affairs. He married Sophia Louisa Burpee, and to them were born the following children: William, who was a mem- ber of the Union army during the Civil war, and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg; Ellen, wife of Charles Ames; James F., subject of this review; Edwin Burpee, a lawyer of New York City; Thomas Dwight, who studied in Athens and in the East, and is now pro- fessor of Greek in Yale University; and Mary Evelyn, wife of W. H. Trippett, of New Jersey. The father passed away September 16, 1896, at a ripe old age, as he was born May 29, 1813; his wife died March 4, 1897. In early life he voted the Whig ticket, while in later years he was a strong Republican; was public-spirited and enterprising, and one of the prominent citizens of his locality. A faithful member of the Congregational Church, he always took an active part in its work, and at the time of his death was serving as deacon.

In the public schools of Rockville and Ellington, Conn., our subject began his liter- ary education, and for one year was a student in Cornell University. When about twenty years of age he began teaching, being princi- pal of the Union School at Unionville, Conn .. for two years, and was successful in that line of work. In 1877 he matriculated at the New York Homeopathic Medical College, from which he graduated two years later, but has ever kept up his investigations, and is now one of the most able general practitioners in Dutch- ess county. Immediately after graduation he began practice in New York City, remaining there until 1881, when he opened an office in Millbrook. Dutchess county. In 1887, he went to Mont Clair, N. J .. but in February, 1889, returned to Dutchess county, this time

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 17

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