Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 95

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

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The father of our subject grew to manhood upon the farm in Red Hook town, where his parents had located soon after their marriage. He married Miss Sarah A. Graves, a native of Columbia county, where her father, Titus Graves, engaged in farming. After their mar- riage they made their home at Tivoli, where the father engaged in merchandising until his death, in 1830. His wife died in 1874. Their family consisted of two sons: John D., a phy- sician and farmer of the town of Northeast, Dutchess county; and James R.

Our subject was but three months old when his father died, and upon a farm he passed his

childhood days, attending the district schools of the locality, finishing his education at the Hudson Academy, after which he returned to the farm. In September, 1854, he married Eliza K. Pitcher, who was born in the town of Red Hook, a daughter of Abrain Pitcher, whose ancestors came from Holland. In 1890 he was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who was a most estimable lady. Six children graced their union: R. D., a farmer of Red Hook town; Abram P., a chemist and druggist of New York City; James E., a painter: Charles G., a physician of New York; John G., an agriculturist of Red Hook town; and Mary E.

On October 1, 1862, Mr. Kerley was ap- pointed Deputy Internal Revenue Collector for his district, which position he held for twenty-one years, during which time he also engaged in the insurance business, and con- tinued the operation of his land. Since that period, however, he has devoted his time ex- clusively to the cultivation of his farm. He is an active, enterprising citizen, taking a lively interest in Church and educational matters, and is one of the stockholders of the academy at Red Hook. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

M ATTHEW J. CASHIN is a prominent and enterprising merchant of Wapping. ers Falls, where he has built up a fine grocery trade by honest dealing, courteous treatment of his customers, and by carrying the best stock that the markets afford. He is a native of Dutchess county, born in the town of Pough- keepsie, December 11, 1859. The birth of his father, James Cashin, occurred in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and when a young man he bade adieu to the friends and scenes of his youth, and sailed for America, locating in the town of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, he here carried on agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death. Here he wedded Cath- erine Harold, also a native of the Emerald Isle, and to them were born six children: Matthew J., Thomas J., John F., William H., Edward C., and a daughter who died in in- fancy. The mother is still living. The father was a devout member of the Catholic Church, and was a stalwart supporter of the Demo- cratic party.

Mr. Cashin, whose name introduces this record, was reared upon the home farm,

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where he was trained to habits of usefulness, and after his education was completed in the district schools, he and his brother Thomas carried on the retail milk business, started in the year 1876 by their father, carrying on that enterprise until April 1, 1886, when our sub- ject sold out to his brother, and established his present grocery store.

On October 31, 1883, Mr. Cashin was united in marriage with Miss Margaret E. Burns, who was born at Wappingers Falls, and is the daughter of Peter Burns, a native of Ireland. A family of four children have been born to this worthy couple: Katie, James, Mary and Joseph. The parents are commu- nicants of the Catholic Church, and are highly respected people. In his political views Mr. Cashin coincides with the principles of the Democratic party, taking an active interest in the local campaigns of that organization, and was trustee of the village for one year, after which he resigned, preferring to give his entire attention to his business interests.

J OHN R. SCHULTZ, a prominent agricult- urist and dairyman of the town of Rhine- beck, Dutchess county, was born April 26, 1849, on a farm which has been in the posses- sion of his family seventy-three years.

His great-grandfather, Peter Schultz, a na- tive of Holland, came to America soon after the Revolutionary war, and located in the town of Rhinebeck. His son Abram, our sub- ject's grandfather, made his home upon this farm throughout his life. He married Miss Shell, and had four children: Margaret, who married Edgar Ratcliff, a butcher at Yonkers; Julia, who married James Schryver, also a butcher at Yonkers; Richard, our subject's father, and one who died in childhood. Rich- ard Schultz was born October 4, 1819, and al- ways lived on the old homestead. He was a leading farmer of the vicinity, a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Reformed Dutch Church. He married Frances Rowe, a daugh- ter of William M. Rowe, a well-known farmer of the town of Milan. She was a member of the M. E. Church from her childhood to her death, which occurred February 13, 1895. her husband surviving her only a few months, dy- ing May 21 of that year. They had five chil- dren, of whom our subject is the eldest. Will- iam M. is a farmer on the old homestead; Edwin

resides in New York City; David E. died in Rhinebeck March 23, 1857, and Julia F. mar- ried Herman Brown, of Dutchess county, a traveling salesman by occupation.

John R. Schultz grew to manhood on the old home, and December 15, 1869, he married Sarah A. Cronk, a lady of Welsh descent, the daughter of Nathaniel T. and Aurilla (Hall) Cronk, both of whom were natives of West- chester county, where Mr. Cronk's father set- tled on his arrival in this country from Wales. Four children were born of this marriage: Car- rie L., the wife of William B. Traver, of Hud- son, N. Y. ; Hattie F., who is at home; Harry R., who died December 12, 1883, and Edwin B., now at home.

In his specialty of dairying Mr. Schultz is among the leaders of his locality, as was his father before him. For eighteen years he has sold milk in Rhinebeck at retail, but previous to that he wholesaled it. His farm of eighty acres is a beautiful one, commanding a fine view of the Hudson. He and his wife are ready sympathizers with all progressive movements in their vicinity, and they contribute to the M. E. Church. Politically he is a Democrat, and an influential one; his intelligence and public- spirit making his judgment valuable, he has been commissioner of the town of Rhinebeck for nine years.

H AMILTON PRAY, who is at the head of one of the important industries of the town of Unionvale, Dutchess county, was there born in 1844, and was educated in the schools of Amenia. On starting out in life for himself, he first engaged in farming, but later turned his attention to blacksmithing. In 1890 he invented and patented an ice plow, which has completely revolutionized the ice trade in this country, and at once sprang into public favor. It is designed for horse power, and he established a factory at North Clove, in the town of Unionvale, which he has run to its utmost capacity. In 1892 he took out other patents on the improvements in the plow, which is one of the most important inventions perfected in Dutchess county, and has lessened the price of ice plows throughout the entire country. Mr. Pray can safely be called the father of the two cutter beams, known as a marker and cutter beam combined. He is justly entitled to a place among the leading

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inventors of the county, and has more than ordinary ability as a business man. He is a wide-awake, progressive citizen, fully abreast with the times in every particular, and his career has been one of honorable activity.

Andrew Pray, the grandfather of Hamilton Pray, was a resident of the town of Dover, and was a member of Asssembly from there. He married Mary Duncan, and had ten chil- dren: (1) Amy, who married Edward Ward, and had nine children, Andrew, Thaddeus, Mary, Frank, Hannah, Louisa, Sarah, Henry and Edward; (2) Hannah, never married; (3) Sarah, who married William Ross, and had six children, John, Mary, Delia, Andrew, Washington and Duncan; (4) David, who married Sarah Stephens, and had two children, Richard and Mary; (5) Mary, who married Josiah Dickerson, and had three children, Will- iam H., Wilhemina and Estella; (6) Martha, who married Isaac Stephens, and had two children, Mary and Henry; (7) Albert, who married Margaret B. Wyman, and had six chil- dren, Hamilton (subject of this sketch), Mary L., Emma P., Blanche, Andrew and Alber- tine; (8) George, who married Nancy Baker, and had five children, Elias, Lavinia, Martha, George and Seward; (9) Andrew, and (10) John, who never married.

David Wyman, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a resident of the town of Clinton, and a mechanic. He married Lorana Lapham, and had nine children, namely: Lor- anda, who married David Donald; Lapham, who married Susan Woolsey, and had eleven children, Lorana, Holmes, Henry, Jane, Lor- anda, Lorenzo, Alice, Frank, Clifford, Nelson and Charles; John, who never married; Tacy, who married Jacob Rider, and had one child, Wyman; David never married; Phebe, who married Albert Bullard; Solon, who married Mary Woolsey, and had two children, Dick and Don; Harris, who married Elizabeth Tompkins, and had one child, George; and Margaret, who married Albert Pray.

Hamilton Pray was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Gregory, who was born in the town of Dover, Dutchess county, and was educated at the Clove, in Unionvale town. Five children were born to them, namely: Albert G., born in 1878; Mary L., born in 1880; William H., born in 1884; Andrew G., who was born in 1885 and died in infancy; and David H., who was born in 1895, and also died in infancy.

Philo Gregory, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Pray, was a native of New London, Conn., and a farmer by occupation. He had two sons, Samuel and Philo. The former was born and educated in the town of Unionvale. Dutchess county, and followed agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Ann Burton, a daughter of Daniel and Naomi Burton, and to them were born six children : Elizabeth, who became the wife of Orville Le Due; Silas, who first married Eliza Sheldon, and after her death wedded Phæbe Emigh; Sarah, who re- Inained single; William, the father of Mrs. Pray; Naomi, who married Charles Brazer; and Charles, who married Lydia Thayer.

William Gregory is a native of the town of Dover, Dutchess county, and throughout life was engaged in farming and mining. Socially he holds membership in the Masonic Lodge at Shekomeko. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Lucy J. Lee, a daughter of Lyman and Harriet (Soule) Lee, farming people of the town of Dover. Five children graced this union, namely: Mary L., born in Dover town, in 1851, wedded Theodore Nickerson, and had two children, Ella and Willie; Sarah E., born in 1853, wife of the subject of this sketch; Harriet A., born in 1855, married Adelbert Terwilliger, and has three children, Leander, Frank and Effie; George L., born in 1866, engaged in farming, and married to Lillie Babcock; Carrie, born in 1869, the wife of John P. Ham, by whom she has one daugh- ter, Mary.

On the maternal side, Mrs. Pray traces her ancestry back to John Lee, a native of Con- necticut. His son, Hezekiah Lee, was born, reared and educated in Connecticut, and was a farmer by occupation. He served his coun- try in the war of 1812. By his marriage with Miss Jane Wilson, he had the following chil- dren-Peter; Reuben; Lyman, the grand- father of Mrs. Pray; Sallie, who married John Chamberlain; Rosanna, who married Isaac Jordan; Betsy, who first married a Mr. Bost- wick, and after his death wedded Jason Cross; Lucy, who married John Benson; Jeannette, who married William Atkins; and Jennic, who married Smith Perry.

Lyman Lee was a native of Kent, Conn., and was also an agriculturist. He married Miss Harriet Soule, a daughter of Henry and Abigail (Benson) Soule, and they became the parents of ten children, as follows: Susan, who married Austin Frink, a farmer, by whom

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she had five children, George, Arthur, Albert, Henrietta and Harriet; Lucy, the mother of Mrs. Pray; Frances, who married Isaac Greg- ory; Hannah, who married Lyman Benson and has three children, John, Hattie and El- mer; Senaca never married; Henry, a rail- road employe, who married Sarah Raymond, and had three children, Edwin, George and Clara; Hezekiah never married; Harriet, who married Peter Sliter, and has three children, Ella, George and Mary; George remained single; Josephine, who married Charles Sher- wood, and has five children, Frankie (who married Earnest Buckley), Fred, Bertha (who married Bert Spencer), Anna, and Maude.

J OHN D. HOWARD, who is now living retired from active life in his pleasant home in Poughkeepsie, was born in the town of Washington, Dutchess county, September 22, 1835.

Edward Howard, the paternal great-grand- father of our subject, was born Decem- ber 24, 1724, and was one of the early set- tlers of the town of Pawling, Dutchess county. He married Phoebe Hart, who was born May 3, 1735, and the names and dates of birth of their children are as follows: Ste- phen, May 26, 1753; Matthew, September -, 1754; Ruth, February 1, 1756; Mary, Novem- ber 8, 1757; Richard, March 13, 1760; Sarah, September 20, 1761; Edward, April 26, 1763; Patience, November 8, 1764; Phœbe, Decem- ber 8, 1767; Thomas, May 14, 1770; Benjamin, June 14, 1773; John, December 21, 1774; William, March 6, 1777. All the members of this family married. The father died October 1, 1801, and the mother on August 4, 1804.

Thomas Howard, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Pawling, and married a Miss Haynes. Their children were as follows: Thomas, Patience, Anna, Lucy, Jane, Laura, Sophia, and James (the father of our subject).

James Howard was born September. 2, 1804, in Pawling. On October 24, 1827, he was married to Ann Dodge, who was born August 24, 1806, also in Pawling. In 1847 they removed to Lagrange, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying October 29, 1890, and the mother about 1879. Their children were: Marie Antoinette, born March 26, 1829, married September 11, 1849, to Reuben S. Haight; Lucy Ann, born July 16,

1830, died January 26, 1863; Frances Helen, born January 1, 1832, was married August 25, 1863, to Dodge P. Blackstone; Caroline Au- gusta, born October 23, 1833, married E. Irving Hurd, April 28, 1859; John Dodge, born September 22, 1835, married Adeline B. Barnes, October 24, 1861; Thomas N., born July 19, 1839, died May 13, 1851 ; Jay, born March 11, 1848, was married in the year 1871, to Ruth A. Halleck; Sarah Jane, born Septem- ber 10, 1841, died December 22, 1858; Laura, born August 7, 1844, died September 10, 1854; Zenobia, born January 7, 1845, died February 8, 1851. One of these sons, Jay, remained upon the farm in Lagrange with his father until the latter's death, they being as- sociated in their work for nearly fifty years. Jay Howard was married in Stamford, N. Y., in 1871, to Miss Ruth A., daughter of Samuel Halleck. She died October 26, 1874, leaving three children: Frank, Kathryn and Ruth A., all of whom are at home with their father.

John D. Howard, the subject of this sketch, received a good common-school education in the schools of Lagrange; and at the Nine Part- ners School, also attending a private school in Washington township. On October 24, 1861, in Lagrange, he was married to Adeline B., daughter of William Barnes. The children born of this union are: Sophia, who married Nicholas Flagler, and has two children-Ethel and Sophie; James, who married Ella Acker- man, and has two children-John and Willard D .; Lucy, who married Charles Stark, and has two children-Howard and James; Annie, who married Henry Taylor; Sally, Mary and Ade- line. Of these, Sally was a professional nurse, and for three years was superintendent of nurses at the Womans Hospital, corner of Forty-ninth street and Fourth avenue, New York; she was married in February, 1897, to Dr. Burch, of the city of Washington, and re- sides there. Sophia, Lucy and Annie were for a time teachers in Dutchess county, the last named being a graduate of Linden Hall, Poughkeepsie.

Mr. Howard has spent the greater portion of his life in agricultural pursuits, but in 1890 left his farm in charge of his son, and went to West Superior, Wis., where he remained two years. Since his return he has made his home in Poughkeepsie, and is not now engaged in any active employment. His wife departed this life June 14, 1886. Mr. Howard has been a Republican ever since the formation of the

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party, and has worked for its interests. He was supervisor of the town of Lagrange for three terms, and has always been an enterpris- ing, public-spirited man.

H ENRY VAN BENSCHOTEN. The sub- ject of this sketch, one of the most prom- inent agriculturists of Dutchess county, was born on the old homestead in the town of Lagrange, June 6, 1822.

Elias T., father of our subject, was also born on the old homestead, December 27, 1783. He married Miss Cynthia Velie, Sep- tember 10, 1807. She was born October 5, 1786. Their children were: John E., born December 5, 1808, died March 6, 1873; Philip, born February 10, 1811, married on February 20, 1840, to Miss Hannah Thorn, and they had one child, Thorn, born February 17, 1841; Sarah, born January 21, 1813, died February 13, 1830; Harriet, born February 23, 1815, became the wife of Aris 1. Vander- bilt October 19, 1841, and died June 13, 1869; Eliza, born March 3, 1818, married J. Harry Pettit, September 4, 1844, and died January 8, 1893; Jemima, born November 29, 1819, married Dr. W. H. Hopkins February 5, 1840; Henry, born June 6, 1822, married Miss Mary Jane Ver Valen December 9, 1857; Cynthia, born May 9, 1824, married David H. Mulford October 22, 1857; Elias, born August 15, 1826, married Cornelia Harris December 9, 1857, and for his second wife Sarah L. Wooster, January 6, 1875; Janc, born in August, 1828, died December 19, 1866.

Mr. Van Benschoten was well known and highly respected. Tall, erect, and remarkably active, physically he was a type of man with whom we associate the stirring events of the early history of the country. He was an ex- cellent citizen and neighbor, and his uniform, genial temperament made his presence always attractive in the social circle. By his industry and business capacity he acquired a handsome competence, and became one of the largest land owners in his section of the country. His entire life was spent on the old home in La- grange, and he was a member of the Presby- terian Church.

Tunis Van Benschoten, the grandfather, was born October 9, 1755, and was married August 23, 1775, to Miss Elizabeth Van Der- burgh, who was born October 13, 1759. He departed this life December 23, 1835, and his

wife December 31, 1819. Their children were as follows: Jemima, born July 13, 1776, became the wife of Oliver Green; Henry, born August 30, 1778, married Miss Mary Jackson, and died September 25, 1832; Elias T: Sarah, born January 8, - -, died September 5, 1803. Tunis was an elder in the Hackensack Church. He owned the first one-horse pleas- ure wagon in Lagrange. He was born upon the old homestead now owned by our subject.

The great-great-grandfather of our subject was Elias Van Banschoten, as the name was first spelled. His son, Elias, Jr., owned the old place, which was deeded to him by his father in 1738. through Gideon Ver Vealin. great- grandfather of Mrs. Van Benschoten. The deed is now held by our subject.

The children of Dr. W. H. and Jemima Hopkins were: Harriet, born May 18, 1841, married Richard Titus; Elias, born September 3, 1843, married Miss Emily Field; John, born July 8, 1845; Elizabeth, born May 16, 1848, died in infancy; William, born February 28, 1850, married Miss Ida Sayles. These chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pettit: Sarah, June 30, 1845, married James O. Conklin; James, October 4, 1846, married Miss Ella Flagler; Cynthia, January 27, 1849; John H., November 10, 1850, married Miss Maria Bab- cock; Janie, January 26, 1862. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Van Benschoten were: Anna, born February 19, 1859, married De- Witt Bergen September 16, 1885; Louise, March 25, 1861, married the Rev. Joseph Paige Davis, who is deceased; Elias, April 19, 1867; John E., July 27, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Mulford had one child, Hattie, who married John Hackett. She was born October 25, 1859.

Henry Van Benschoten spent his boyhood days on the old homestead, and attended the district schools. He has held the offices of town clerk, assessor and supervisor, elected on the Democratic ticket. He was appointed by the Legislature town auditor in 1860.

G EORGE C. PAYNE, a valiant member of the Union army during the Civil war, is now one of the prominent and representative business men of the town of Stanford, where he is successfully engaged as a wholesale and retail butcher. He was born in that township January 7, 1841.

The birth of his father, Samuel Payne, oc-

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curred July 8, 1799, and in Putnam county, N. Y., on September 18, 1822, he married Miss Ann Hager, who was of German ances- try. She was born May 4, 1803, and died May 5, 1879. Seven children were born of this union: (1) Rachel O., born September 10, 1824, became the wife of David L. Thompson. (2) Anthony H., born December 28, 1826, makes his home in Brooklyn, N. Y. (3) War- ren C., born May 31, 1829, resides at Bangall, Dutchess county. (4) John H., born Decem- ber 19, 1831, enlisted in Company B, 128th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, Au- gust 20, 1862, and was discharged November 19, 1864, at Albany, N. Y., on account of dis- ability. He is at present living at Stanford- ville, Dutchess county. (5) Orra S., born August 30, 1836, became a member of Com- pany A, 20th New York State Militia, October 22, 1861, and was discharged March 20, 1863, on account of wounds received at the battle of Chantilly. (6) Jehiel P., born August 30, 1836, died August 17, 1848. (7) George C., subject of this review, completes the family. For several years after his marriage the father remained in Putnam county, N. Y., but later became a resident of Stanford town, Dutchess county, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred November 24, 1865. Politically he was a Democrat, and religiously was a consistent member of the Baptist Church at Bangall.

The education of our subject was obtained in the schools of Stissing, and, after completing his education, he was employed as a farm hand for three seasons. While thus engaged the storm of war broke over our beloved country, and in response to the call for men he enlisted August 20, 1862, in Company B, 128th Regi- ment, New York Volunteers, and served until the South laid down its arms. He participated in the Red River expedition, the siege of Port Hudson, the expedition up the Pearl river, and the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. He was mustered out at Albany, N. Y., July 27, 1865. For some time after his discharge he was in poor health, having become ill while in Savannah, Georgia.

After his return home Mr. Payne engaged in farming for a time, and then opened a gen- eral store at Bangall, which he conducted for a year, after which he clerked a year for C. H. Humphrey, at that place. He then removed to the town of Washington, Dutchess county, where for three years he carried on agricultural

pursuits, after which he returned to Stanford town, and for the past twenty years has been engaged in the meat business.

Mr. Payne was married October 20, 1869, to Miss Emeline C. Mosher, who was born at East Chathanı, Columbia Co., N. Y., January 12, 1850. Her father, David Mosher, was a native of Saratoga county, N. Y., where his father, Benjamin Mosher, was also born. The latter married Jane Bloom, and they became the parents of seven children: Joseph, David, Jane, Mary, Rennselaer, Amy and Esther. The father of this family spent his entire life in farming in Saratoga county. There his son David was educated in the common schools, and on reaching his manhood he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Mosher, by whom he had two children: Edwin B., who became a member of the 21st New York Cavalry during the Civil war, and was shot by a guerilla; and Emeline C., the wife of our subject. Her maternal grandfather, William Mosher, was born March 5, 1786, and wedded Martha A. Mosher, by whom he had ten children. His father, Barnabas Mosher, was born September 2, 1758, and married Ruth Mosher, who was born July 13, 1757. In their family were eight children.

To Mr. and Mrs. Payne were born five children: Edward Van Rensselaer, born on March 24, 1872, is now a civil engineer, lo- cated at Lockport, N. Y .; Alice Gertrude, born September 28, 1874; William Mosher, born February 22, 1882, died April 9, 1885; Rose Cleveland, born February 8, 1886, died February 18, 1895; and Albert Henry, born September 19, 1887, completes the family.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 95

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