Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 52

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

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M J. LYNCH, florist, Poughkeepsie, Dutch- ess county, is a native of Ireland, born June 8, 1846, in county Limerick, and is a son of Matthew and Margaret ( Fitzgerald) Lynch. They had a family of five children: John, Patrick, Thomas, Bridget and M. J., all now deceased except the last named. The father, who was a gardener by occupation, died when our subject was but six months old.

In 1847 or '48 the widowed mother came to America, bringing her infant boy (M. J.) with her; but two years later they returned to Ireland, where he remained until he was eight- een years old, attending school up to the age of eleven. At that early time of life he took an engagement with the Earl of Clare, whose estate lay on the river Shannon, to work on the farm and in the garden, at fivepence a day. During his service of seven years on this estate his wages were increased from time to time, and when he left he was in the enjoyment of a pretty fair income for a boy. In 1864, in company with his mother and brother, Thomas,

he set sail for America, his brother Patrick hav- ing preceded him in 1862 (the other brother, John, and sister, Bridget, had both died). On arriving in New York our subject soon became impatient to find work, and it so chanced that one day he met a lady on the street with whom he engaged to go to Staten Island to take charge of her greenhouse.

Without waiting to apprise his mother of his intentions, the lad set out at once and landed on the island with just twenty-five cents in his pocket, which he invested in peaches. His pay to commence with was to be $8 per month, and at the end of a fortnight he asked for a part of his wages, but did not get it then, nor since. However, he succeeded in borrow- ing enough material to enable him to write to his mother to let her know of his whereabouts. He now threw up his somewhat unprofitable situation and engaged with a C. G. Genoux at $14 per month, at Clifton, Staten Island; but a year and a half later we find him in the em- ploy of Timothy Ryan, florist, at Yonkers, N. Y., at $18 per month. Receiving, how- ever, an offer of $20 a month as assistant gar- dener under William Chalmers, Mr. Lilenthal's gardener, Mr. Lynch soon made a change, and with this gentleman remained one year. The next engagement was with W. H. Aspinwall, of Tarrytown, N. Y. (now the Rockefeller place), as foreman of the greenhouse depart- ment; but after twelve months he went to Col. Babbit, of Newton, N. J., laid out his grounds and built extensive greenhouses for him. In 1868 he again made a change, this time ac- cepting the position of head gardener to Will- iam B. Dinsmore, of "The Locusts", on the Hudson, having charge of the greenhouses and ornamental grounds, and here he remained two years. At the expiry of that time he went to Belleville to lay out J. B. Harvey's grounds and one year later came to Poughkeepsie, where he commenced his present business as florist at the corner of Academy street and South avenue, which property he had pre- viously purchased. He began in a small way, having at first only one greenhouse, 12 x 50 feet in dimensions, a modest nucleus to his present mammoth establishment comprising ten greenhouses, ranging from 100 to 160 feet, employment being given to five men all the year 'round. In addition to this he owns val- uable property at No. 256 Main street, where he has his seed and flower store. All seeds sent out by him are tested before shipment,

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and parties desiring plants, bulbs, shrubs or seeds may order as safely by mail as though they were on the grounds to make their own selection.

In 1870 Mr. Lynch was married to Cath- erine, daughter of John and Mary ( Murphy) Powers, of Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, and natives of County Wexford, Ireland, but both now deceased, as is also Mr. Lynch's mother. The children of John and Mary Powers were: Patrick and James, both liverymen of Brook- lyn, N. Y. ; Edward, of Chicago; Thomas, who was a veterinary surgeon, and is now deceased ; John, who was a liquor dealer, and is now de- ceased; and Catherine. The children born to our subject and wife are: Thomas and John, associated with their father in business; Mary; Maggie, a bright, happy girl, who died at the age of sixteen; James and Kate. All the family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Poughkeepsie, and in poli- tics Mr. Lynch is neutral.

A UGUST KOCH. The subject of this sketch is a well-known merchant tailor of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He was born at Leut- nitz, Fuerstenthum Schwarzburgh-Rudolstadt, Germany, March 2, 1834, and is the youngest of nine children, four sons and five daughters, of Nicolaus. Casper Koch and his wife, Anna Barbara, a Miss Fridrich, also of said place, now both deceased.

The early life of A. Koch was spent in his native town. At the age of six years he com- menced his schooling, and was a regular scholar up to the age of fourteen, when he received as good an education as the average children at that time.

At the age of fifteen he left his home, go- ing to Stadt Remda, Sachs Weimer, to learn his trade with Ernest Heinze, one of the best, if not the best, master tailors in that city. At the age of nineteen Mr. Koch came to America, landing in New York May 21, 1853, where he remained, working at his trade, until July, 1854. He then went to Albany, still working at his trade in that city. In November, 1855. he came to Poughkeepsie, and was engaged as cutter by the late Jacob Bahret, then a well- known merchant tailor and clothier.

In 1856 Mr. Koch married his estimable wife, Miss Julia Caroline Bahret, a daughter of his employer; their married life has been a very pleasant one. Four children were born

to them, three sons and one daughter, as fol- lows: Charles Henry, William Edward, Julia and Augustus Wesley. The eldest died when an infant. William is a plumber and tinsmith by trade; he married Miss Sadie S. Karcher, three children being born to them-Ernest Harrison, Ethel J. and Florence C.

In 1866 Mr. Koch formed a co-partnership in the merchant-tailoring business with J. J. Bahret, a brother of his wife, and took full charge of the cutting department. This part- nership continued up to 1883, when poor health made it necessary for him to retire from the business, selling his interest to his partner. No sooner had he gained his health and strength than he again took up the business he always liked so well, and started in merchant tailor- ing at No. 146 Main street, where he still han- dles his tape, square and shears. His son Augustus assists him in the business.

Mr. Koch has been an active member of the German M. E. Church since 1854, and has been a hard worker in the Sunday-school for nearly forty years. He is a self-made man, starting in life with no capital, and what he has accumulated has been through his indi- vidual efforts, energy and perseverance.

S TEPHEN SCOFIELD, one of Pough- keepsie's most prominent, industrious and progressive citizens, who for the past thirty- seven years has been engaged in the business of stair-building, is a native of Wayne county, N. Y., born April 13, 1828.

Lebbens E. Scofield, father of our subject, was born in Dutchess county, in 1801, a son of Ephraim S. Scofield, who in an early day moved from Connecticut to New York State. Lebbens during his lifetime was a resident of three different counties in the Empire State- Dutchess, Wayne and Tompkins-and a por- tion of his earlier manhood was passed in the town of Fishkill, near the village of Glenham. His first occupation was that of a farmer, he afterward serving as a watchman in factories, etc., this change being occasioned by an ac- cident, whereby he lost the fingers of one hand, thus incapacitating him for manual labor. He married Susan Van de Water, who was born, in 1797, in the town of Fishkill, Dutchess county, of Holland-Dutch ancestry, and eight children bless this union, viz .: Abbie, married to Walter C. De Golyier, and living in Danbury, Conn. ; Julia, wife of John Spald-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing, a florist of New London, Conn. ; Stephen, our subject; Edmund, accidentally drowned in a pond at Glenham: Hannah ( widow of Horace Crocker , living at Payne, Ohio; Phoebe, de- ceased wife of Daniel Smith, of Wappingers Falls; Susan, single, a dressmaker, comfort- ably situated at 103 Pine street, Poughkeepsie; and Harmon C., who died in infancy. The father of this family was called from earth in 1848, and the mother in 1886.

Stephen Scofield, the subject of these lines, received a liberal education for the times, first attending the common schools of Tompkins county, later, when a young man, receiving instruction in a night school in Wappingers Falls, while he worked in a cotton factory. He has always been a great reader, especially of ancient history and mechanics, becoming on most topics a well-informed man. His first occupation in life was farming, and in 1841 he removed with his parents from Tompkins county to Dutchess county, where, in the village of Glenham, he secured work in a cotton factory. After three years engaged in that line, he went to Wappingers Falls, and there worked in a cotton factory until 1847, in which year he commenced learning the trade of carpenter with Stephen Armstrong, in Poughkeepsie. Returning to Wappingers Falls, he continued in that line of work as journeyman until IS59, when he took up the specialty of stair-build- ing-his present business-in Poughkeepsie. where he has since resided, meeting with un- qualified success in his occupation, which is a branch of carpentry requiring the highest grade of skill. For many years he was the only exclusive stair-builder in Poughkeepsie-in fact in his section of the country-and his services in buildings have extended from fifty to one hundred miles in all directions. He has done work in Great Barrington, Mass., also in Staten Island, N. Y., in Providence, R. I., and in New York City.

In 1850 Mr. Scofield was united in mar- riage with Miss Letitia Mott, daughter of Abram and Margaret Mott, of Bangall. Dutch- ess county, and two children have been born to them: Isabella, married to J. Frank Clark, of Norwich, Conn., who has charge of Osgood's drug business in that city; and Frank L., a musician, leader of an orchestra and band, who married Miss Florence Eastmead (daugh- ter of Charles and Janet Eastmead), by whom he has four children. Mrs. Florence Scofield died in 1890, and for his second wife Frank L.

married Maud Rounds, daughter of Charles F. Rounds.

Mr. Scofield in his political preferences has been a Republican ever since the formation of that party, prior to which he was a Whig, and has always been most pronounced in his views, as well as an active worker in the party. In religious faith he is a member of the Presbyte- rian Church. Socially, he is a charter member of the K. of P., Armor Lodge No. 107. Pough- keepsie; and of the I. O. O. F., Fallkill Lodge, No. 297, Siloam Encampment No. 36, and Excelsior Rebekah Degree Lodge No. 7, all of Poughkeepsie. He has always taken a zealous interest in fraternal work, and in the K. of P. he is past chancellor, while in the I. O. O. F. he has passed all the chairs and been a dele- gate to the Grand Encampment.

One act in Mr. Scofield's life, for the bet- terment of his fellowmen, is his determined and uncompromising fight against the use of tobacco in any form, contending that it is an incentive to the worse habit of drinking. He, himself, is strictly temperate, a man of bright understanding, and an excellent conversation- alist. A firm and enduring friend, it may also be said of him that he has never been a bitter or vindictive enemy, and he enjoys the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in con- tact.

G EORGE W. KIDDER is a successful coal and lumber dealer of Staatsburg, Dutch- ess county. From researches that have been made it has been ascertained that the Kidder family is one of the ancient families of Eng- land. Some account relating to a transfer of land there dated as early as 1370, in which the name of Kydder is a party, is said to be still extant. Tradition says that they are of the stock of ancient Britons, and existed as a family previous to the incursions of the Saxons, Danes, or Romans, and were not disturbed at the Conquest.

Nelson Kidder, the father of our subject, was born at East Alstead, N. H., August 22, ISO3, was a man of more than ordinary ability. well-informed, and highly successful in his chosen occupation-that of farming. On De- cember 22, 1829, he married Sophia George, daughter of Ezra George, of Acworth, N. H., where she was born July 22, 1803, and they became the parents of five children: Clarissa,

Gro. Midder

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deceased wife of Mr. Roys, of Alstead, N. H .; Miranda (Mrs. Sawyer), deceased; Erastus E., engaged in the lumber business at Alstead; Va- laria, the wife of Andrew Morrison, a large farmer of Alstead; and George Wilder, the subject of this sketch. The father was a strong Democrat, but did not take an active part in political matters, though he was naturally one of the leading men of the community. He was a great Church worker, belonging to the Methodist denomination, and was one of twelve who built the Brook church at East Alstead, where his death occurred December 21, 1871. There his estimable wife also died, May 26, 1883.

At East Alstead, Cheshire Co., N. H., George W. Kidder was born April 10, 1845, and in the common schools of the place ac- quired a good English education. He re- mained upon the home farm until he had reached his majority, when he purchased a half-interest in a machine shop at Alstead, be- ing a member of the firm of Roob & Kidder for two years, selling out in the fall of 1869, and coming to Staatsburg, Dutchess county. Until the following spring he worked as a car- penter for William Densmore, and then began dealing in lumber and building material, as a member of the firm of Herrick & Kidder, which connection was continued for five years, or until after the fire in April, 1875, when the partnership was dissolved. Going to New York City, he was for ten years employed by the Mutual Benefit Ice Co., being weighmaster in the summer and superintendent on the river during the winter season. In 1887 he bought out the coal business of James Roach, at Staatsburg, to which he immediately added a stock of lumber and building material, since when he has carried on business very success- fully, having a large and paying trade.

In December, 1874, Mr. Kidder was mar- ried to Miss Julia Rersley, daughter of William H. Rersley, of Staatsburg, and to them have been born one son and one daughter: Bertha M. and George Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Kidder at- tend the Methodist Church, and in social cir- cles hold an enviable position. Mr. Kidder's sterling integrity and general urbanity of man- ner have won him a large number of friends in his community. In politics he is a stanch and true Democrat, at National or State elections, but on local matters he votes independently. Socially, he is connected with Rhinebeck Lodge No. 432, F. & A. M.

M YRON SMITH, a well-known citizen of Millbrook, town of Washington, Dutch- ess county, and who at this writing is holding the office of superintendent of the poor, was born in Amenia, Dutchess county, May 12, 1851, a son of John H. and Maria (Reed) Smith. His early days were spent in the dis- trict school, which he attended until fifteen years of age, and in assisting his father at wagon-making. His schooling he finished in a private school at Dover, and for the following three years he clerked in stores at Dover and Wassaic. He then was employed as book- keeper for the New York Condensed Milk Co., at Wassaic, for three years.

On February 18, 1875, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Henry and Mary H. (Arnold) Tripp. Mrs. Smith's father was a farmer in the town of Washington, but she was born in Amenia April 5, 1854. Of this marriage three children have been born, as follows: Howard, deceased; Edna L. and Frank. After his marriage Mr. Smith located on a farm in Washington town, which he carried on until January 1, 1889, at which time he was made superintendent of the poor of Dutchess county, and has held that position ever since. In this responsible office he has given general satisfaction by his excel- lent management, and has shown himself to be a man of good business ability, integrity and kindly disposition.

Mr. Smith has always been a stanch Re- publican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant. He takes a leading part in political affairs in his locality, and has served as assessor of the township for two terms, and has also been inspector of elections. He be- longs to the Masonic fraternity and the K. of P., and is a prominent member of the Mill- brook Club, at Millbrook, where his social qualities are highly appreciated. In public matters he has always been on the side of prog- ress, ready to assist in all worthy enterprises, and commands the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.

The Smith family of which our subject is a member is said to have descended from the Rt. Rev. Dr. Smith, who was born in the parish of Prescott, Lancashire, England, about 1460. He was Bishop of Lincoln and Litchfield, and with Sir Richard Sutton, was the founder of Brazenose College, Oxford University. Nele- miah Smith and his brother John came to America about 1638, and located at what is

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now New London. Conn. Fourteen years later he obtained a grant of land for a home- stead on the other side of the river, at what is now known as Poquonock, in the town of Groton. The first house on the land was built by Nehemiah Smith about 1652, on the east side of the road, and was burned down during the Revolutionary war. The second house was built by Nathan Smith, the grandfather of our subject. From Nehemiah Smith the line of descent is as follows: Nehemiah (2); Isaac, born December 29, 1707, married Esther Den- ison; William, born October 26, 1749, was married, in 1772, to Sarah Smith; Nathan, born at North Lyme. Conn., November 12, 1788, married Nancy Waterman, of Salem, in 1810. To this last named couple five children were born, namely: Sarah M., Gilbert B., Nathan W., Nancy L. and John H.

John H. Smith, father of our subject, was born near New London, Conn., June 1, 1821. He spent his boyhood on his father's farm, and when fifteen years of age left home to learn the wagonmaker's trade. He was married on June 1, 1847, to Maria Reed, a daughter of Myron Reed, of Amenia, N. Y. For some time after his marriage Mr. Smith lived at Amenia; but subsequently removed to Wassaic, where he followed his trade until his death, which occurred in October, 1892. The father was a Republican, and a prominent man in his locality, holding various town offices, such as justice of the peace, etc. He and his wife were consistent members of the Baptist Church and were estimable people. Their children were seven in number, of whom the following rec- ord is given: Nathan is a merchant in Amenia Union; Sarah M. married Charles M. Hoyt, a hatter in Danbury, Conn .; Myron is the sub- ject of this sketch; Belinda is a school teacher and has never married; Esther M. married William S. Tripp, a butcher in Millbrook, and is deceased; Edwin D. is a farmer in Pough- keepsie town; and John H. is a wagon maker in Wassaic.

The following short history of the family of our subject's mother will prove of interest. "The Reeds of Amenia were from Norwalk, Conn. In 1759 James Reed was one of a com- pany of Connecticut troops who passed through Amenia on their way to Canada to the aid of Gen. Wolfe in the siege of Quebec. While on their way the company received news of the capture of Quebec, and were ordered to return. Mr. Reed was so pleased with the Oblong Val-

ley through which he leisurely returned, that he induced his father, Daniel Reed, of Nor- walk, to purchase for him some land, fifty-three acres in all. The brothers of James Reed, who removed here a few years later were: Ezra, Elijah and Eliakim. The emigrant ancestor of this family was John Reed, who came from England in 1660. He had been an officer in the army of the Commonwealth, and came away at the time of the Restoration. He died in Norwalk in 1730, aged ninety-seven years. He was a good specimen of a Puritan soldier, who held his 'sword in one hand, and his Bible in the other.'"

E RNEST HOCHSTADTER, one of the Inost prominent contractors in eastern New York, is a notable instance of success in life attained solely by diligence, thrift and judicious management, having risen from a humble position, where hard toil was repaid with but meager wages, to a high rank in the business world.

Mr. Hochstadter was born in Lauenburg, Prussia, Germany, April 11, 1838, the son of Henry Hochstadter, a native of Hohenhorn, born in ISO1, and a successful teacher who oc- cupied a responsible position in the public schools for many years previous to his death in 1839. He married Wilhelmina Turnow, a native of Hagenow, Mechlenburg-Schwerin, and had three sons, of whom our subject was the youngest; August, who was'for some time in business with the latter, died in Poughkeep- sie in 1873, and Henry is a prominent grocer in Brooklyn. The mother came to America in 1865. and in 1882 passed away at the home of her son in Poughkeepsie.

Ernest Hochstadter received an excellent education in the schools of his native village, and being also fond of reading has become un- usually well-informed. He was only one year old when his father died, and as he grew older was obliged to make his own living at such employment as could be obtained, being an errand boy at Lauenburg and in Hamburg for about two years and a half. He then secured a clerkship in Hamburg, where he remained until 1862, at which time he came to this country. Locating in Brooklyn, he bought a horse and cart and engaged in trucking, and ill 1867 he obtained a contract from the city for grading and paving a part of Sixth avenue. quite an achievement, all things considered.

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He then began the business of constructing sewers in partnership with his brother August, and did $200,000 worth of work in Brooklyn alone. In 1871 they came to Poughkeepsie to take contracts on sewerage, and built all thesew- ers in the city except the one in Main street and a few collateral lines. They employed from four hundred to five hundred men for two years, and on the completion of the work in 1873 they went to Hudson and laid all the pipes for the water works there. Returning to Pough- keepsie, they laid all the pipes for the new Gas Company, and then transferred their base of operations to Sandusky, Ohio, where they laid twenty-two miles of water pipe in rock. and constructed three miles of sewer. Other important works were the construction of the Phonica & Hunter railroad in the Catskill Mountains; the work in the Wallkill Valley with a steam shovel, and the work on the West Shore east of Rondout creek, about one and one-half miles; in addition, the building of the tunnel at Rosendale. They also per- formed part of the work on the Poughkeepsie Bridge. Mr. Hochstadter is very systematic in all that he does, and doubtless his success is due largely to his careful attention to detail.

In 1863 Mr. Hochstadter was married to Miss Margaret Grimm, a native of Barmbeck. Germany, and has had five children, all of whom died in infancy. In politics he was a Republican until the attempt to nominate Gen. U. S. Grant for a third term, since which time he has been a Democrat. He was street su- pervisor under Mayor Ellsworth for two years; but has been usually too busy with his own affairs to take an active share in party work, although his influence has often been exerted in a quiet way to further beneficial movements. Among the German-born citizens he is regarded with pride as a worthy representative of their race. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

S AMUEL SLEE was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1854. His father, Robert Slee, was born in Poughkeepsie in 1818, educated at Willets' Academy, at the old Nine Partners, and soon after completing his studies became a successful merchant, retiring from business in 1866 to become vice-president, and, shortly after, president of the First National Bank of Poughkeepsie, of which he had been an incor- porator, remaining president until his death in 1893.

Robert Slee was interested in many public enterprises and in all movements for the ad- vancement of his native place, and was largely instrumental in securing the location in Pough- keepsie of the Hudson River State Hospital for the Insane, the construction of railways and the Hudson River bridge. He was of studious disposition, and read largely, keeping in touch with the progressive thought of the time and cultivating the friendship of men of like spirit; he passed the greater part of his time in the enjoyment of his home and the entertainment of his intimate friends, among whom were many prominent in the profes- sions, especially the ministry. Mr. Slee's pa- ternal grandfather, from whom he was named, was born in Gloucester, England, in 1771; came to America in 1792, bringing his bride, Esther, and household goods. Esther died in 1804, and was buried in Christ churchyard.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 52

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