Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 82

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

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Abner G. Hungerford, the father of Mrs. Ross, was also born in the town of New Mil- ford, Litchfield Co., Conn., February 21, 1805, and in the district school near his home ac- quired his education. Learning the harness maker's trade, he followed that occupation during early life, but later turned his attention to farming. As early as 1830 he removed from Quaker Hill, Dutchess county, to a farm which he had purchased in the town of Dover. On May 7, 1828, he was joined in marriage

with Miss Maria Sabin, born June 10, 1803, daughter of Jeptha and Anna Sabin. Her fa- ther was a harness maker of Brookfield, Conn. Jeptha Sabin was born January 5, 1770, and on March 17. 1794, married Anna Starr, who was born April 23, 1773; his death occurred June 26, 1838, and that of his wife January 24, 1860. The death of Abner G. Hungerford occurred October 4, 1892, and that of his wife, December 9, . 1888.

Mrs. Ross, the only child of her parents, was born in the town of Dover, July 20, 1833. During her girlhood she attended the public schools of the locality, where she acquired a good education. She was united in marriage with Duncan Ross, whose birth occurred in the same township, March 8, 1827. In his native county he always followed farming and butch- ering, but at one time, for seven years, had charge of stables at the Union Stock yards, at Chicago. He departed this life September 23, 1883. In politics he was a Republican.

A LFRED E. HALL, one of the most valued and reliable citizens of the town of Amenia, Dutchess county, purchased the Jacob Rundall farm, between Amenia and Was- saic, in 1889, a most beautiful place, where he has since resided, and during the summer months he keeps boarders, easily accommo- dating twenty. Mr. Hall was born in Berk- shire county, Mass., near Monterey, Novem- ber 21, 1854, and for several generations the family have made their homes in that State. Luke Hall, his great-grandfather, emigrated from England to New London, Conn .. but later became a resident of Marlboro, Mass. The grandfather, George Hall, was born at New Marlboro, and for a companion and helpmeet on life's journey chose Miss Cynthia Fargo.

Their third son, William A. Hall, is the father of our subject, and is still living at Monterey, Mass. His educational privileges were such as the common schools afforded, and as a young man he worked at the carpenter's trade. However, he later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and also speculated in timber. He is a devoted member of the Congregational Church, and in politics is a stalwart Republican, always supporting the candidates offered by that party. He was united in marriage with Miss Fannie E. Clark, of Sheffield, Mass., and they became the par-

DUNCAN ROSS

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ents of three sons-Alfred E., William B. and Frank-and one daughter-Georgia A.

Until eighteen years of age Alfred E. Hall remained at home, attending the common schools of Monterey, and then became a stu- dent in the Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield, Conn., taking a three-years' course. The following two years he passed at home, and was then for the same length of time fore- man of a farm at Great Barrington, Mass. Subsequently he worked on a farm on shares at Kent, Conn., for two years, whence he came to Dutchess county, and operated the farm of George W. Ketcham, at Dover Plains, for six years, since which time he has resided on his present place. In connection with the cultivation and improvement of his land, he also handles agricultural implements for D. M. Osborne & Co., in which he has built up a good trade.

At Monterey, in 1881, Mr. Hall was mar- ried to Miss Minnie V. Langdon, daughter of Chauncey D. Langdon, and they now have four children: Mary, Laura, Chauncey and William. On April 15, 1895, Mr. Hall re- ceived the appointment of county deputy of the Patrons of Husbandry, and during the winter of 1895-6 he organized five granges in the county. Although his residence here is of comparatively short duration, he takes an ac- tive interest in the public affairs of the locality, and to all improvements of a substantial na- ture he gives a generous aid. Like his father, he also supports the Republican party, and in religious belief is a Presbyterian, holding mem- bership in the Church at Amenia, of which he is an elder, and one of the trustees.

J N. BULLIS. No country has afforded greater opportunities for the poor man than our own; it is, indeed, the poor man's country. Here, an industrious, frugal man has a chance to accumulate wealth. Many fail to do so, but the best of our population lay by some of their earnings, and soon find them- selves in the possession of a handsome prop- erty; among them is the gentleman whose name introduces this article. He is a native of the town of Stanford, Dutchess county, and now makes his home at Bangall.

His father, David Bullis, was the only child of Thomas Bullis, and always resided in the town of Stanford, where he engaged in farm- ing. There his death occurred in 1845, at

the age of fifty years. Politically he was identified with the Whig party. By his mar- riage with Deborah Reed he became the fa- ther of the following children: Thomas has now passed away; Jane, deceased, was the wife of Robert Hoffman; Peter, deceased, married Permelia Carroll; Julia is the wife of Edward Walters, of Mcintyre, Dutchess coun- ty; John N. is next in order of birth; and George W., deceased, married Emma Den- ozell.

During his boyhood John N. Bullis attended the district schools of the town of Stanford, and as his parents both died when he was quite small, he was early thrown upon his own re- sources, being compelled to seek his own live- lihood while still quite young. He worked by the month for various farmers, his first em- ployer being Stephen G. Guernsey, Sr., and was thus engaged until seventeen years of age, when he began clerking in the store of Moses Denney, at Hull's Mills. At the end of eight months, however, he went to Stissing, where he conducted a store on shares for two years, and for the following seven years clerked for N. Halsted and G. G. Sharpenstein, at Bangall. Going to Poughkeepsie, he was there engaged in the spring-bed business with E. L. Bushnell for two years, and for the same length of time he was in the employ of Arnold Con- stable & Co., of New York City. Purchasing a store at Bangall, he conducted the same for seven years with good success, but at the end of that time sold out the stock and has since rented the building. He also purchased his present residence there.

On December 6, 1858, Mr. Bullis was mar- ried to Mary Husted, daughter of Henry D. Husted, of Washington Hollow, Dutchess county. Three children were born to them: Henry D., who died at the age of nine and a half years; May, who died at the age of four months; and John N. Mr. Bullis has now retired from the active labors of life, and is spending his later days in the case and com- fort to which he is justly entitled. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.

A LBERT L. RIDER, the efficient and popular postmaster at Rhinebeck, Dutch- ess county, and one of the most prominent citizens of that locality. was born July 11, 1842, at Westkill, Greene county.

The American branch of this family origi-

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nated with three brothers who came from Holland and located in Connecticut, from whence some of their descendants came to New York State. Our subject's father, Lewis Rider, was a native of Schoharie county, born March 16, 1808. He married Celia La Ment, a lady of French descent, but a native of Westkill, where Mr. Rider engaged in the tan- ning business. In 1844 he moved to Poland, Herkimer county, and a few years later went to Florence, Oneida county, continuing the same business, which he followed in all forty- five years. In 1871 he and his wife came to Rhinebeck, and for some years he was engaged in contracting in partnership with a son-in-law, John O'Brien, and contracted the R. & C. R. R., and many miles of the D. & H. canal, but he afterward retired from active business and died November 15, 1896, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. He held a prominent place in every community in which he was known, and represented the town of Florence in the board of supervisors of Oneida county for many years, and in 1851 he was elected from Florence (Third Assembly District), to the Assembly on the Democratic ticket. Of six children only two are now living. George has been for some years employed in developing his father's mining interests in California, but is now at home; Adelbert died at the age of four years; Albert L. is the subject of our sketch; Sarah married John O'Brien, men- tioned above, and died in 1886; John, Lucy and Elijah died in infancy.

Albert L. Rider received his early educa- tion in the academy at Mexico, Otsego county, and the Walworth Commercial College, at Rome, N. Y., and then entered the tanning business with his father, carrying it on until 1875; in 1867-1868 was supervisor from Flor- ence, Oneida county, when he came to Rhine- beck. After a short time he went to Kingston as agent of the American Express Co .; but he soon became interested in organizing a com- pany to build the " Grand Hotel " in the Cats- kill Mountains, and was engaged for two years in its construction. He then began to contract for different important enterprises, among which may be noted especially the Catskill to Burden Iron Mine railroad, Utica & Bing- hampton and several others; the dredging of a part of the D. & H. canal, the building of one and one-half miles of aqueduct at Yonkers, and the Sodam dam at Brewsters, which was the largest of its kind in the country at the time.

In 1895 he returned to Rhinebeck to reside, and he has since identified himself with the best interests of the town. He was married February 9, 1864, to Cynthia Comstock, a daughter of Abner Comstock, a leading farmer of Williamstown, Oswego county, Her family is of English origin, the first of the American line settling in Connecticut, and among their descendants are some of the most prominent residents of New York City, Two children were born of this union: Sarah Mosella and Celia Alberta, both at home.

Mr. Rider is an influential counsellor in the Democratic party in his vicinity, and is active in all local affairs lending his aid to any bene- ficial measure. In 1867-68 he was supervisor from Florence, Oneida county. On May 1, 1894, he was installed as postmaster of his town, and has since discharged the duties of the office with signal success.

C HARLES C. GARDNER, now one of the inost progressive, energetic and successful farmers of the town of Dover, Dutchess coun- ty, is a native of Connecticut, where the fam- ily was founded at an early day. Thomas Gardner, his grandfather, was born in New Fairfield, Fairfield Co., Conn., and after fin- ishing his literary course in the common schools of that locality, he learned the tanner's trade, which he followed throughout life. He mar- ried Miss Johanna Pepper, and to them were born eight children: Seth, who married Polly Bullard; Michael, who married Anna Davis; Humphrey, who married Ruth Morris; Thomas, who married Jane Morris; Lois, who married Allen Joyce: Zuba, who married Francis Sturges; Ann, who married Benjamin Well- man; and Hannah, who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Thomas Gardner wedded Hannah Chase, daughter of Gideon Chase, and they had three children: Gideon, who died when young; Franklin, who married Christina Eggleston; and Mary, who married Milan Steddel.

Michael Gardner (the father of our subject), who passed away May 16, 1884, at the age of seventy years, was born in the town of New Fairfield, Fairfield Co., Conn., where he at- tended the common schools and was reared to farm life. The first land which he owned was in the town of Sherman, that county, where he made his home for twenty-five years, and

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then purchased a farm in South Dover, Dutch- ess county. During the old training day's he served as a drummer in the militia.

On October 15, 1837, he married Miss Anna Davis, whose grandfather, Stephen Davis, was a native of England, whence at an early day he came to New Fairfield, Conn., where he engaged in farming. He married Miss Hannah Leach, and to them were born eight children: William, who married Sallie Quimby; Daniel, the father of Mrs. Gardner; Paul, who married Miss Morehouse; Lucy, who married Holman Marsh; Rilla, who mar- ried Eli Brush; and three who died when young. Daniel Davis was born May 6, 1797, in New Fairfield, was there educated and en- gaged in farming. His death occurred Febru- ary 5, 1835. He had married Miss Mermelia Hodge, who was born January 16, 1797, and died October 23, 1887, when over ninety years of age. To them were born four children, Mrs. Gardner being the eldest. The others are as follows: Miner, who was born in Con- necticut, engaged in farming, and married Miss Mary Osborn, by whom he had three sons -Stephen, who died at the age of fourteen years; Charles and Marshall. Julia, also born in Connecticut, married Daniel Whaley, and had three children-Daniel and Leander, who died in infancy; and Gertrude, who married Theodore Carter. Flora, born in Connecticut, married George Abbot, and had six children --- Permelia, who died in infancy; Emeline, who married Thomas Hoyt; Henry, who married Laura De Camp; Julia, who married John Gallop; Hannah, who married Myron Knapp; and Stephen, who married Cora Roberts.

To the parents of our subject were born five children: (1) Edward D., born in 1842, was educated in the public schools, and learned the trade of tinsmith, at which he worked during the greater part of his life. Socially, he was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He married Miss Electa Brewer, and, as they had no children of their own, adopted two sons, Howard and Taylor Gardner. He died very suddenly on the 21st of November, 1893. (2) George K. was born in 1845, at Sherman, Conn., where he acquired his education, and is now follow- ing farming in the West. He wedded Miss Mary Wilbur, of Schenectady, N. Y., and they had two children-Eliza, who was born May 1, 1879, and died at the age of five years; and Nellie C., born November 14, 1885. (3)

Charles C., subject of this review, is next in order of birth. (4) Martha, born at Sherman, Conn., in 1840, married William F. Wildman, a farmer of Brookfield, Conn., and had two children-Carrie Bell, who was born June 8. 1868, and married Charles Jackson, but died at the age of twenty years; and Ray Clifford. born March 23, 1882. (5) Lydia, born in 1843, married Stephen A. Barnum, a carriage trimmer of New Fairfield, Conn., and they had eleven children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows-Effie Arminta, March 4, 1862; Charles E., November 21, 1863; Anna E., November 14, 1865; Emma P., April 1, 1868; Mary J., February 5, 1870: Julia G., March 5, 1872; Lottie M., May 17, 1874; Hattie E., February 5, 1876; Stephen D., September 18, 1879; Grace L., May 1, 1882; and Kittie M., September 21, 1883.

Charles C. Gardner was born in the town of Sherman, Fairfield Co., Conn., in 1847. and during his boyhood and youth he pursued his studies in the common schools of his native place. As a life work he chose the occupation of farming, which he has always followed very successfully. He has served as collector of the town and on the board of excise of the town of Dover, and has held other minor offices. His political support is always given the Republican party, and, socially, he holds membership with Dover Plains Lodge No. 666, F. & A. M. He has made many friends since coming to the county, and has the high- est regard of all who know him. He was united in marriage with Miss Kate Dennis, and they have one son, Chester C., born Septem- ber 3, 1883.

Robert Dennis, the grandfather of Mrs. Gardner, was a native of the town of Union Vale, Dutchess county, where on reaching maturity he followed farming and married a Miss Rozell. Mrs. Gardner's father. Lewis Dennis, was born in the same township, in 1837, was there educated and also engaged in farming. He wedded Miss Mary Stillwell, of Union Vale, and they became the parents of five children: George married Ida Sweet, by whom he has two children-Mary and Sarah; Royal married Kate Oliver; Phoebe married Isaac Vermilyea, by whom she has three chil- dren-Irving, Grace and Arthur; Nathaniel married Angeline Van Scay, by whom he has five children-George, Mary, Emma, Lewis . and Edna; and Kate, the wife of our subject, completes the family.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

M ISS MARGARET B. MONAHAN. It is said that in the Hebrew language there is no word which corresponds to our word "charity", but that a term is used instead which signifies justice. In this distinction, with its deep lessons, the philosopher may see one reason, if not the reason, for the close union and general prosperity of that wonder- ful race. With such an idea of helpfulness, a Hebrew who sees another in need says to him- self, "There is something wrong that this my brother, my sister, should be in want in this beautiful world. It is my duty to right this in- justice as far as I can, and so help to establish that order of things which will make such a deplorable evil no longer possible." And so he does not carelessly deal out a few dimes or dollars in self-righteous satisfaction, and dis- miss the matter from his mind; but he inter- ests himself in the case as if it were his own, devoting his wisdom, his experience, and influ- ence to the task, and gives that friendly, prac- tical assistance which he would wish for were he in the same plight.

What a different world this would be if such a conception of our duties to each other were to prevail! Here and there we see in- stances of it, and their quiet but effective work contrasts nobly with that of some of our loudly- advertised charities although their beneficent influences may attract little or no attention.

Miss Margaret B. Monahan, whose mind, prompted by the kindly impulses of her char- itable nature, originated the plan of giving a cultured rest to the weary working-girl, was born in New York City, the daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Beers) Monahan, both of whom were natives of the same city. She was educated at a private school.

John Monahan, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born at Banbridge, in the linen dis- trict of Ireland, and was there married to Miss Mary Campbell, also a native of that place, and they carly came to this country. He had received a good education in the "Emerald Isle," and on arriving in New York taught school for a time. Several years later he moved to English Neighborhood, N. J., now called Fairview, where he engaged in farming, and where, also, his death occurred. To him and his wife were born the following children: Arthur, Hugh, Thomas, all three deceased; William (retired), now living in Brooklyn; Catherine, deceased, unmarried; and John, a retired merchant of New York, never married.

Thomas Monahan was born in New York City August 27, 1813. When he was fifteen years of age he began to fight the battle of life alone, by entering the employ of Cyreneus Beers, a commission merchant of New York City. In this place he remained ten years, or until 1838, when he started out in the same business for himself. On March 15, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Beers, one of the thirteen children of his former employer. On her mother's side she was a de- scendant of an old Dutch family, Van Ant- werp, well known in the early days of the Dutch colonies. Her father was a native of Newtown, Conn., coming to New York when quite young, and by industry laying the found- ation of the fortune that made him one of the foremost business men of his day in New York.

Thomas Monahan continued in the com- mission business until 1858, when his natural abilities as a financier were publicly recognized by his election to the presidency of the Fulton National Bank, New York City, which posi- tion he held until his death, May 13, 1886, followed November 28, 1890, by his faithful and devoted wife. The union of this worthy couple was graced by two children-one of whom died in infancy, and Margaret B. Mr. Monahan was the architect of his own fortune, accumulating his property by slow and con- servative methods rather than by speculation. He was a man of quiet, retiring disposition, but ever ready to aid in anything for the general good of the community. In early days he was a member of the old Volunteer Fire Depart- ment, of New York, and was one of those who fought the great fire of 1835. He united with no Church, but his wife belonged to the Duane Street Presbyterian Church, now Dr. John Hall's.

After Mr. Monahan's death, his wife and daughter continued to be residents of New York City until 1890. At that time they purchased a farm at Quaker Hill, Dutchess county, intending to make it their summer home, but after Mrs. Monahan's death, in the following November, her daughter decided to live there permanently.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Monahan were much interested in the life of working girls in New York, and were in cordial sympathy with their daughter's work among them; so, when, in June, 1893, Miss Monahan rented a quaint, little, century-old cottage near her own place,

That Monahan

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Broadfields, and opened it to a small party of working girls from New York, it was but the carrying out of long-talked-of, and much-cher- ished, plans. The invigorating air, the charm- ing views of hill and valley and open skies, the drives and picnics, the refinements of that delightful home, and, above all, the cordial friendship of their hostess, were a revelation to these over-worked and under-paid girls whose lives were clouded by the experiences of the dreary tenement houses and noisy workshop. Heroic in spirit these girls are, working un- complainingly year in and year out, many of them supporting some helpless relative, and who can estimate the benefit that this bright experience gave them ? The good work thus begun could not be abandoned by one who had the heart to begin it at all. The house rented was the summer residence of Mrs. E. M. Scott, a well-known New York artist, who was then abroad ; but, as she intended to occupy it on her return, other quarters had to be provided. A house was, therefore, built for the exclusive use of the girls ; and every summer "Hill Hope ", as it is called, holds group after group who come to stay two weeks or more and then return to their weary routine. The invitations have thus far been extended through the New York City Mission ; but all the expenses con- nected with the outing are met by the hostess, except the railroad fares, which are paid by the Tribune Fresh Air Fund at the City Mission. The guests at Hill Hope write their names in a visitors' book, with their occupations - a strange and motley list, including the making of fishing tackle, hat frames, rubber coats, perfumes, casket lining, dresses and under- wear, and embroidery, polishing jewelry, filling salt bags, washing ( by a girl of fourteen ), bar- ring button-holes, ten thousand a day. One girl stirs, constantly, a steaming cauldron at a wholesale chemist's, watching lest it boil up and explode. "It did twice last year," said the girl, " and hurt a lot of people, but that." she added, " was before I came."

There is no matron at Hill Hope; the " house mother," as the girls love to call her, is an experienced trained nurse, and associated with her is some younger lady, who, being free from household responsibilities, has leisure to devote herself to the girls, and her constant though unobtrusive presence among them does away with the most objectionable feature of the ordinary vacation home. The King's Daughters, of Quaker Hill, are more than

kind to their sisters, taking them into their hearts as well as their Circle.

About eighty girls are usually entertained, in all, and many more such homes could be filled with those who are equally needy. Miss Monahan has plans, or rather hopes, for the enlargement of the work, in time, to include industrial training. Perhaps a better idea can- not be given of the present scope of the enter- prise than by some extracts from a report made in 1893:

Beautiful for situation is Hill Hope. Eight hundred feet above the Harlem Valley, and 1,500 feet above sea level, it stands facing the sunset, with the beauty of the Shawangunk Mountains before it and the lovely fertile valley at its feet. A good garden supplies fresh vegeta- bles and berries, while the Jersey milk, eggs, butter and home-cured hams come from Broadfields, the farm of which Hill Hope is an offshoot.

Over the ninety acres of this farm, including a bit of woodland divided by a pebbly brook, the girls have free range to come and go as they please. During haying sea- son the fields are alive with girls; they run after the mower, toss the hay, ride the ropes, and come home on the loads of fragrant hay, driving the horses and chatter- ing to "Chris" in his native German.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 82

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