Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 170

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

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E DGAR VINCENT, formerly the popu- lar proprietor of the "Vincent House," Madalin, belongs to one of the very oldest families of Dutchess county. He was born in the town of Washington, April 19, 1832, and there the birth of his father, Moriorty Vincent, also occurred. The latter married Phæbe Fowler, of Columbia county, N. Y., after which they located upon a farm in Washing- ton town, where their entire married life was passed. Their household included ten chil- dren: Ruth, wife of Dr. Holden; Israel, a re- tired farmer living at Morse, Ill .; Washington, George and Franklin, all now deceased; Theo- dore, a school teacher, of New Jersey; Edgar, of this sketch: Moriorty, deceased; Philo, a carriage manufacturer, of Danbury, Conn. ; and Benjamin, who died while young. The father, who was an ardent Republican in politics, served as supervisor of the town of Washing- ton, and was one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of the locality.

The childhood and youth of our subject was passed in the usual manner of farmer lads, and he remained upon the home farm until thirty-eight years of age. In 1870 he removed to Annandale, Dutchess county, where for two years he carried on a grocery store and hotel. For nine years he then kept a saloon at Barry-

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town, after which he went to Tivoli, there pur- chasing the " Farmers Hotel," which he con- ducted for ten years and which he still owns. On the expiration of that time, however, he bought the hotel at Madalin, which is now known as the "Vincent House," which he has since sold. The interests and comforts of his guests were always carefully looked after, and he is one of the best-known business men in the northern part of the county.

In 1875 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Vincent and Miss Estella Sagendorf, who was born in the town of Red Hook, where her father, Robert Sagendorf, engaged in farming, and they now have three children: Lula, George and Hazel. Although Mr. Vincent is a strong Republican in politics, he prefers to vote independently at local elections, support- ing the man whom he thinks best able to fill the position. His personal integrity, both in public and private life, is of the highest order, and he has the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.

E DMUND DE WITT MULFORD, a prom- inent resident of Hopewell Junction, and one of Dutchess county's most intelligent and progressive citizens, is descended from a fam- ily which has long been identified with the development of this section.

He is a great-great-grandson of Capt. David Mulford, who came from Long Island in 1776, and purchased a tract of land at Staatsburg. He left a large family. One son, Job, re- mained on the farm, and died and was buried there with his father. He left one son, David, and one daughter, Margaret, who married Dr. Hunting Sherrill. David married Margaret Van Hoevenberg, and left ten children His eldest son, David Henry, remained on part of the original farm purchased by Capt. David Mulford, and died there, and was buried in Poughkeepsie cemetery. He was the founder of Staatsburg, and when the Hudson River railroad was built he gave the land for the sta- tion, and built the first store and hotel. He opened the road and built the docks and st re- houses at both Staatsburg and Hyde Park, and was among the first to build ice-houses, and gather ice from the river.

Possessing an unusually able and active intellect, he was influential in varied lines of effort, and was several times elected supervisor of the town of Hyde Park, and twice to the

Assembly. His first wife, Caroline Balding (Van Wagner), died leaving two sons, Edmund De Witt and Francis Henry. He afterward married Cynthia Van Benschoten, by whom he had one daughter. Harriet Vanderbilt.

S AMUEL K. RUPLEY, the well-known su- perintendent of the Western Union Tele- graph Co., and Hudson River Co., at Pough- keepsie, Dutchess county, was born in the city of Lancaster, Penn., July 17, 1843.

After going through the public schools of Lancaster, our subject learned telegraphy in the office of the National Ohio Telegraph Co. At the age of fifteen years he came to Pough- keepsie and was employed as operator at the depot of the Hudson River Co., and remained with same until 1862, when he joined Co. F. 150th N. Y. S. V. I., and was appointed Col. Ketcham's orderly. In 1863 he was detailed as operator in the United States military serv- ice, where he remained until July, 1865, when he was mustered out. He was connected with the Second Army Corps, headquarters with the Army of the Potomac. After the war Mr. Rupley returned to Poughkeepsie and was ap- pointed manager of the Hudson River R. R. Telegraph Co., and also took charge of the Western Union Telegraph office in the city of Poughkeepsie. In 1890 he was made superin- tendent of the New York Central and Hudson River Telegraph offices, whose wires run from New York City to Buffalo. He also has charge of the Western Union interests of the P. R. & N. E., Newburgh, Dutchess & Co- lumbia, and Poughkeepsie & Eastern railways. In 1882 the Poughkeepsie Telephone Co. was organized by Mr. Platt, H. Innis. N. Taylor, Henry Frost and Mr. Rupley. It was finally merged into the Hudson River Telephone Co., and our subject is manager of its interests in Poughkeepsie.

Mr. Rupley was married in that city Au- gust 30, 1865, to Miss Jane E. Shurter, a daughter of Isaac II. Shurter, and the follow- ing children were born: Harry Mortimer mar- ried Jennie Clifford, and they have one child- Clifford; Mary C. married Albert E. Schwartz, and they have one child-John R. ; Grace died in the spring of 1895; and Howard R. Mr. Rupley is a Republican, and was commissioner of the city alms house for twelve years. He is a member of the Poughkeepsie Commandery of

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the Masonic order, and of the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the Church of the Holy Comforter, in which he is a trustee.

The father of our subject, Samuel Rupley, was born in Lancaster, Penn., where he at- tended school. He was one of the early engi- neers of the Pennsylvania Central R. R. His wife was a Miss Mary Martha Kendig, who died in June, 1892. He died in 1856. Two of their seven children besides our subject are now living. Rev. E. E. Rupley, of Esprey, Penn., and Nellie M. Rupley, of Lancaster. Penn. The grandfather of our subject was also born in Lancaster, and was of English and German ancestry.

W ILLIAM E. TRAVER, the genial and popular proprietor of the " Traver House," at New Hamburg. Dutchess county, was born in the town of Hyde Park, March 31, 1864.

The family, originally from Holland, is one of the oldest in Dutchess county. William Traver, our subject's grandfather, was born in this country, probably in the town of Union- vale, and became an influential and prosperous citizen. He was a farmer, and was also en- gaged in speculating, and took an active and generous interest in the Methodist Church of his locality. His son, James L. Traver, our subject's father, was born in the town of Pleas- ant Valley in 1834, and still resides upon his farm in Hyde Park. He married Miss Phoebe Jane Laird, a lady of Scotch descent, and daughter of John and Sarah (Leak) Laird. Her father was at one time a teamster in Pleasant Valley, and, later, a farmer in Hyde Park. The Lairds and the Travers are all Democrats in politics, and are among the most progressive and public-spirited members of the community.

William E. Traver is the elder of two chil- dren, his brother Irving being still at home. After a boyhood spent upon the farm, Mr. Tra- ver, at the age of twenty-one, was appointed jailer under C. W. Belding, and served in that capacity for three years. In 1889 he engaged in the laundry business at No. 14 Washington street, Poughkeepsie, and after nearly two years there he purchased the "Perrine House," at New Hamburg, which he has since con- ducted as the " Traver House, " his active and business-like management bringing him a grati- lying degree of success.

On June 17, 1890, he was married to Miss

Evadna Robinan, a native of New York City, and a daughter of Thomson Robman. This family is of English origin. Mr. Traver is a Democrat in political faith, but has never sought official preferment. He is a member of the B. P. O. Elks, Poughkeepsie Lodge No. 275.

T HOMAS W. JAYCOX (deceased,. The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, De- cember 17, 1826, and was the son of Chris- topher Jaycox.

Our subject was reared upon the farm of his father, and on December 17, 1850, he was married to Miss Sarah M. Rose, who was born in Hyde Park. She is the daughter of Abram Rose, and lived in Hyde Park until sixteen years old, when her parents bought a farm in the town of Clinton, where she resided until her marriage. Mr. Rose was born in Ulster county. September 12, 1802, and married Miss Eliza Van Wagener, who was born in the same county, February 20. 1805. a daughter of Minard Van Wagener, also a native of U'l- ster county. They reared the following chil- dren: Lewis H., a school teacher, who was a colonel in the Civil war, and died in Louisi- ana in 1865; John M. was a moulder by trade; during the gold fever he went to Cali- fornia, and nothing more was heard of him: William G., and George H., twins (the former died in infancy, George lives in Waterbury, Conn. ); Sarah M., Mrs. Jaycox; Daniel V. W. died young; Innis E. lives in Oregon. The grandfather of Mrs. Jaycox was named John. and was of Holland descent.

Mr. and Mrs. Jaycox settled on the old homestead after their marriage, where they lived until 1859, when he bought the present farm, and resided there until his death, which took place December 21. 1887. Five chil- dren were born to our subject and his wife. namely: Thomas W. is a civil engineer in Leadville, Colo .; Mary R. died April 30, 1860; Clinton is on the home farm; Anna E. mar- ried I. T. N. Harcourt, a grocer in Wapping- ers Falls; Cora I. became the wife of Elmore L. Pryor, an engraver at Wappingers Falls. Mr. Jaycox had 100 acres, on which he did general farming. He was a Republican and a prominent man in politics, and held the offices of Internal Revenue collector, and supervisor for two terms. He was a progressive citizen

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and took an active part in public affairs, hold- ing at one time the office of president and treasurer of the Dutchess County Agricultural Society.

Christopher Jaycox was born in Pough- keepsie, where he married Miss Antoinette Van Dyne and settled on a farm in Poughkeepsie town, where the following children were born: James W. is a farmer and boatman; Hannah J. married William Luckey, a hotel keeper in Wappingers Falls; Thomas W. is our subject; Eliphalet is living retired at Sandwich, Ill .; Mary G. died young.

Thomas W. Jaycox, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Holland. He was one of three brothers who came to America and settled in Dutchess county. One of the boys died, and another disappeared.

J A. PERKINS, of the well-known firm of Perkins & Co., jewelers and opticians, Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, was born in that county, November 4, 1841, a son of Alexander W. and Rebecca M. (Akerley) Per- kins.

His early life was passed on a farm with the usual advantages in the way of schools and work. He acquired his education in the com- mon schools of his native town, and supple- mented the knowledge there obtained by at- tendance at the Dutchess County Academy, in Poughkeepsie. After leaving school he en- tered the arena of business by accepting a po- sition as clerk in a store. For five years he was connected with the freight depot of the New York Central railroad, and, later, he en- tered the employ of the Poughkeepsie & East- ern railroad, with which he remained two years as general passenger agent, after which he was made superintendent and general man- ager. In this capacity, through all the changes and vicissitudes of the road, he served for eighteen years, his long term of service being the best of all testimonials for the faithful dis- charge of his duties. In 1891 he resigned, and for a short time engaged in the ice busi- ness with his brother, Stephen A., in which he was very successful; but he now entered a co- partnership with his brother, Charles II. Per- kins, in the general jewelry business, and the manufacturing of optical supplies. They have met with success far beyond all ex- pectations, and have rapidly advanced to the front rank. The pleasant reception given their

customers at their modern store at No. 322 Main street, Poughkeepsie, has secured them an extensive and lucrative trade among the wealthiest citizens along the Hudson river. Careful attention to the filling of orders, and the superior work given, has brought its reward in the satisfaction to and the good will of the public.

In 1865 Mr. Perkins was united in mar- riage with Anna A. Morey, a daughter of George and Rachel Morey, of Poughkeepsie. They have become the parents of two children: Fred V., of Chicago, and Grace T., wife of Edward Quintard, of Poughkeepsie. Socially. our subject and his wife occupy an enviable position, and in their charming home their friends ever find a hospitable welcome. Mr. Perkins is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of Triune Lodge, Poughkeepsie. As a pub- lic-spirited, progressive citizen, he is the peer of any man in the county.

R OBERT SANDERS. The subject of this sketch is a native of Poughkeepsie. Dutchess county, born April 3. 1847. He went to the city schools, and later attended the Dutchess County Academy.

On July 22, 1862, at the age of fifteen years, Mr. Sanders enlisted in Company D, 128th N. Y. V. 1., with which he remained all through the war. He was wounded while serving in the Shenandoah Valley. In 1865 he was honorably discharged and returned to Poughkeepsie and finished his education, after which he went into the trucking business, in which he continued twenty-one years. In con- nection with this occupation he also for a time engaged in scalping railroad tickets. He re- tained in business until rheumatism com- pelled him to give it up, and, since 1887, he has lived retired from active life.

In 1867 the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Amelia Elsworth, who was born in the town of Pawling, Dutchess county. Her parents were Buhl and Sarah Elsworth, farmers, who came of Holland an- cestors. One daughter, Sarah ES., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanders, and died at the age of two years. In politics Mr. Sanders is a Republican, and he is a member of the G. A. R. and of the K. of P. He and his wife at- tend the Baptist Church to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. Mr. Sand- ers owns considerable real estate, having five

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houses and lots on Washington street, and store property on Main street in Poughkeepsie, and also 140 acres of land in Florida, on which there is a well-cultivated orange grove. He is a self-made man, and has achieved suc- cess by hard work and perseverance.

Simon Sanders, the father of our subject, was born in Ireland, where he learned the stone mason's trade, which he followed after coming to America. He married, in Canada, Miss Mary Marian, also a native of Ireland, and they came to Poughkeepsie where Mr. Sanders followed his trade. The following children were born to them: James, a machin- ist, who was an engineer for the Standard Oil Company in New Orleans, where he died; John, who was captain of the police in New York City, where he died in 1889; Robert, our subject; and Simon, who is a blacksmith in New Jersey. The father of these died about 1852, and the mother departed this life in 1885.

J OHN M. DORLAND is one of the ablest lawyers practicing at the Poughkeepsie bar, being possessed of a mind which enables him to at once discover. the points in a case. A man of sound judgment, he manages his cases with masterly skill and tact. He is a logical reasoner, and has a ready command of the English language. He claims Matteawan, Dutchess county, as his native city, the date of his birth being June 30, 1846.

Mr. Dorland remained in Matteawan, at- tending school until twelve years of age, at which time he accompanied his parents to Poughkeepsie, where he pursued his studies in the high school and the Dutchess County Academy, completing his education at the Eastman Business College, where he graduat- ed in the class of '66. He was then employed for two years in the surrogate's office, after which he was engaged in the livery business until 1870, when he entered the law office of Dorland & Williams, with whom ne remained for about two years. On the expiration of . worship.

that time he again held a position in the sur- rogate's office, where he was employed until January 1, 1877. In September, 1878, he was admitted to the bar, and has since successfully practiced law in Poughkeepsie.

On September 5, 1875, Mr. Dorland was married to Miss Phoebe J. Robinson, a native of Fishkill, and a daughter of John H. and Jane

Robinson, the former of whom was of Irish extraction, and by occupation a general farmer. In religious belief our subject and his wife are Methodists and are identified with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Dor- land votes the straight Republican ticket. His powers as an advocate have been demonstrated by his success on many occasions; he is an able lawyer of large and varied experience in all the courts. Thoroughness characterizes all his efforts, and he conducts his business with a strict regard to a high standard of professional ethics.

W ILLIAM HENRY WHITE. The fam- ily to which the subject of this sketch belongs is one of the oldest in the town of Pawling, Dutchess county, his great-great- grandfather, Joseph White, having settled in the southwestern part of the town before the Revolutionary war, upon a tract of land which he cleared and cultivated. This land has ever since been in the possession of the descend- ants, and is now owned by Warren White. Joshua, son of Joseph White, was a prominent resident of Pawling, town, holding various offices, including that of supervisor, and he for many years was a justice of the peace. Sewell, another son of Joseph White, and our subject's great-grandfather, was born there in 1781, and, as did his father, he followed agri- culture throughout his life. He died in 1859, and his remains are buried at Ludingtonville. He married Sallie Lounsbury, and had seven children, of whom John B., the grandfather of our subject, was the eldest. (2) Eli lived and died in the town of Pawling; (3) Joseph R. moved to Pennsylvania, where he made his permanent home; (4) Amzy lived at Bluffton, Wells Co., Ind .; (5) Warren occupies the old homestead; and (6) Lucy died at the age of twelve years. In politics the male members of the family have always been Whigs and Re- publicans; and in their religious views they have inclined toward the Methodist form of

John B. White was born at the old farm in 1809, and although his educational advantages were not of the best, his fine natural ability made up for that to a great extent, and his judgment, in business affairs and other matters, was much sought by his associates. His farm was not large, but he was regarded as an ex- cellent manager. Political office had no charms

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for him, although his high standing in the com- munity would have insured his success as a candidate. He married Mary P. Worden, a daughter of Dr. Stephen Worden, a leading physician of his day in that locality. Of their eight children our subject's father, Sewell White, was the eldest. (2) Stephen died in 1886; (3) Sarah Ann married Timothy Flan- nelly; (4) Elizabeth married Russell Ballard; (5) Joshua left home, and his present location is not known (he probably died in Anderson- ville prison during the Civil war ; (6) Abigail married William Peck; (7, Maria married George Ballard; and (8) Esther became the wife of Samuel Humphrey. The father died in 1888, in his eightieth year, the mother sur- viving him only two years.

Sewell White was born September 2, 1834. at the old home farm, and he was given fair educational advantages in the district schools at Reynoldsville, although, with his mental gifts, he could have done justice to better opportu- nities. His later reading has been extensive and thorough, thus making good many early limitations. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to C. H. DeGraff, of Patterson, N. Y., to learn the blacksmith's trade, and after three years there, he worked two and a half years for Matthew Worden, of Dover Plains. He then entered the service of the Harlem Railroad Co., spending twelve years in the repair shops at Dover Plains, with the exception of two years as conductor of a freight train. After severing his connection with the railroad he engaged in blacksmithing on his own account, opening a shop in Pawling about 1870, and he followed the trade at dif- ferent locations in the town until 1888, when the firm of White & Ragan was formed, and their present successful business as wagon makers and blacksmiths was established. Their new shop, which was built in 1892, is one of the largest in that part of the county, and their trade extends through a large territory. Mr. White is a member of the M. E. Church. and has always shown much public spirit. He takes an active interest in the success of the Democratic party, and has been town sealer, town clerk, road commissioner and justice of the peace. As a self-made man, his reputa- tion in the business world is an enviable one, while his able discharge of every duty as a public official has been no less creditable to him. He married Miss Nancy Amy, daughter of Gilbert Amy, a leading citizen of Union-

vale, and had three children: 1) Wilham Henry; (2) Sarah, who married George T. Chapman, of Pawling, and has four children -- Mary, Cordelia, Grace and George; and (3, Cora, who is at home.

William Henry White, one of the success- ful business men of Pawling, holds the respon- sible position of assistant purchasing agent for the N. Y. & N. H. R. R. He was born at Dover Plains, N. Y., September 20, 1855; educated at the private school of George N. Perry, and at the public schools. He learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, and after serving his time he took up the business of telegraphing; was in the employ of the Housa- tonic Railroad Co. at New Milford, for a period of eight years as agent and telegrapher, be- coming during this time a shorthand writer and machine operator. In 1885 he was appointed trainmaster of the Housatonic railroad, which position he resigned in 1887 to accept his pres- ent one.

Our subject married Mary Augusta Senior, daughter of Joseph D. Senior and Adelia E. Wright, and their children are: Grace Dale, Clifford Sewell, Daisy Edith, Jessie Bishop and Ruth Marion. Joseph Dale Senior was born in Danbury in 1830, son of William Senior, who came from Dorsetshire, England, in 1830. The family of Adelia E. Wright (Mrs. White's mother) is connected with the early history of New England, originating (to present knowledge) with John Shaw and his wife Martha (Knowles), 1744, different mem- bers having been of the towns of Washington, Kent, Hartford, Haddam, New Milford, and Danbury, Conn. The family is connected with the old Beecher and Ward families of Litch- field county, Connecticut.

J AMES B. HAIGHT, a prominent agricult- urist and miller of Bangall, Dutchess coun- ty, was born July 23, 1837, in the town of Stanford. Ilis family has for many years held a leading place in that vicinity. His ancestral history is given in the biography of James Ilaight.

The late Leonard Haight, our subject's fa- ther, passed his life in the town of Stanford, attending its schools in youth, and, later, en- gaging in farming, He was a Democrat in politics, but was not active in party work. llc married Miss Phoebe Griffin, and had six chil- dren, of whom our subject is the youngest.

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Of the others Margaret, George, Hannah, John and William-the only survivor is Han- nah, who is now Mrs. Simon Losee.

James B. Hlaight was reared upon a farin, enjoying the educational advantages of the neighboring schools. At the age of thirty-five he left the farm to engage in milling at Ban- gall, where he has since resided. He owns and operates grist, saw and cider mills, and also manages the old homestead. Possessing unusual business ability and energy, which will push to a successful termination any undertak- ing, he stands high in the esteem of his asso- ciates. He married Miss Susan Hart, a daugh- ter of R. Hart, one of Stanford's leading resi- dents, and has two children-William J., and Pbabe, now the wife of Charles Hicks. In politics Mr. Haight is a Democrat.

F REDERICK C. WHITE, a well-known citizen of Pawling, Dutchess county, now in the employ of the Harlem Railroad Co., is one of those men whose quiet and constant at- tention to the " duty which lies nearest " makes their lives pass without extraordinary incident. For some years he followed the carpenter's trade in Canaan, Columbia Co., N. Y., pre- vious to entering upon his present business. He married Miss Cornelia Brusie Traver, who was born and reared in the town of Northeast, Dutchess county, receiving her education in the common schools there. Of their two chil- dren, the elder, Wilbur White, was born in 1858, at Sharon. Conn., and, after securing his education in the schools of that town, learned the business of painting and paper hanging. He and his wife, formerly Miss Kate Northrup, have one child, Raymond, born in 1881. Estella White, our subject's younger child, was born in 1863, in Millerton, N. Y., where she attended school. She married Fred Fletcher, a painter at Patterson, N. Y., and has three children: Harold, born in 1886; Clarence, born in 1889; and Leon, born in 1896.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 170

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