USA > New York > Greene County > Dear old Greene County; embracing facts and figures. Portraits and sketches of leading men who will live in her history, those at the front to-day and others who made good in the past > Part 14
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He is a son of Wm. H. Baldwin and Lillie Summers Jones of Philadelphia. His father's people came from England in 1638 and settled in Conneticut, his mother's people came from Wales in 1720 and settled in Pennsylvania, thus his ancestors are those who followed the destiny of the nation from her birth. His great- great grandfather, Col. Jonathan Jones was Captain of the first Penn. Colonial Volunteers.
His father entered the boat business in 1871 and purchased the shipyard from his uncles, J. R. & H. S. Baldwin in 1879 and many of the tugs, barges etc. that are plying the Hudson today are gifts to the river from New Baltimore's sons.
Mr. Baldwin is in business with his father and also carries on the Circle Garage with his brother Harry J., at Albany. His other brother, Wm. H. Jr., is a Civil Engineer in the Govern- ment's employ at Albany.
Mr. Baldwin is prominent in his home town in all social and church matters, he is Master of Social Friendship Lodge F. & A. M. and Superintendent of the Dutch Reformed Sunday School. He was born April 18th, 1888, and is a graduate of the Albany Academy.
He was elected Supervisor in 1913 and his record in the Board is a good one.
JOHN E. HUYCK port.
One of the youngest members of the Greene county Board of Supervisors is John Huyck who represents the town of Durham. He is also the youngest man who ever represented the town in
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such an important position. It was a long step from the venerable Almerin Moore who served the town for many years to the genial and stirring young horticulturist John E. Huyck, who had never taken any prominence in the politics of the town. Pressed to the front by his many friends however he entered what was regarded as a hopeless fight, and he not only emerged with a full sized victory, but he has taken hold of the affairs of Durham and has shown a business acumen that has been remarkable. He has more than made good, and is one of the most brilliant men who have reprerented the historical old town of Durham. It will not be a "long way to Tipperary" for him this fall we judge.
Mr. Huyck was born at Oak Hill, Feb. 3, 1877. His father was Aaron Huyck who was one of the early settlers at Dormansville. He was born at Dormansville 1851, and married Miss Susan Traver.
The subject of this sketch, John Huyck, was married to Lottie W. Wood at Rensselaerville, 1904, and moved to the town of Durham, locating near Eagle Bridge in 1908, where he has a large farm. He was for a number of years in the news business at Catskill, the firm being Howell and Huyck, and then John Huyck.
H. CLAY FERRIS
H. Clay Ferris, who represents the town of Ashland in the Greene county Board of Supervisors, comes of a long generation of the Ferris family who settled in that section of the county long before the town was named. He has well proven his worth to the town in its most exacting position of responsibility. He was elected Supervisor in 1911 and again in 1913, and is one of the most popular men that ever served on the Board. A jolly good fellow, whose nature is brim full of cheerfulness, a vocalist of ability he is always called upon to lead in that department when music is in order after the sessions of the Board.
He was born at Ashland, August 31st, 1885, married Mina
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F. Martin, Feb. 3d, 1909. He has one child, Marjorie R., born June 20, 1911.
He is a member of the Masonic Lodge.
His father was Clinton D. Ferris and his mother, Maggie C. Stewart. His ancestors came to this country in the early days. The first Ferris to come to this county was from Connecticut, four generations ago. His father was a son of Alden Ferris, a prosperous farmer of this town, and his mother was a daughter of Dennis M. Stewart, a farmer and business man of the town of Catskill.
DR. SIDNEY L. FORD
Dr. Sidney L. Ford, Supervisor of the town Windham has represented that town in the Greene County Board of Supervisors since 1906, being honored with the office of chairman of the Board and also of the Board of Canvassers, and also Coroner of county during the years 1899 to 1905 and from 1911 to 1914. He was one of the men to whom Greene county is indebted for the beautiful court house and jail, and who has always stood at the front in the matter of road improvements for the county, and has shown a deep interest in the various matters of import that have come before the Board of Supervisors.
He is not a wire pulling politician, and neither egotistical nor selfish in his political, town, or personal affairs. Ile represents the best class of men and stands only for the best interests of Greene county. That's what has given him a firm hold on the town of Windham and the men of Greene county. As a success- ful physician he practices for humanity's sake, and as a business man he meets every obligation with cheerful readiness to perform well his part. We believe that he will reach the legislative halls.
Dr. Ford was born at Jewett N. Y., Feb. 28, 1865. Graduat- ed at N. Y. University in 1891. He married Miss Grace Brill, of Oceanic, N.J., June 1st, 1893. He has one son, Newton B. Ford, born Oct. 17, 1899.
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He is a member of the M. E. Church, Mountain Lodge 529, F. & A. M .. Greene County Medical Society, Rondout Com- mandery, Kingston, N. Y.
His father and mother were Horace N. Ford and Matilda Haynes Ford. The Fords came from Connecticut some time in 1700, and settled at Jewett.
FLOYD F. JONES
Floyd F. Jones who represents the town of Cairo is another of the young men of Greene county who have come to the front and whose path is marked by the unerring evidence of a strong character and great business ability. He is the youngest man who ever represented his town in the responsible position of Sup- ervisor, and he has shown marked ability to do things for the people he represents. He has not only the highest esteem of his home people, but is regarded as a brilliant man by all who know him. He was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1911 and re-elected in 1913, and Cairo will be well pleased to have him at helm for many more years.
In 1895-8 he represented Greene county as Deputy County Clerk under Henry B. Whitcomb, and his records during that term are specimens of the master penman's art.
He is a member and Past Master of Kedemah Lodge 693, F. & A. M. of Cairo. He is also a member of Greenville Chapter 283, R. A. M. and a member and Past Chancellor of Yondebocker Lodge 289, K. of P. of Cairo N. Y. and attends the Methodist church at Round Top.
He is the owner of a large farm and boarding house near the village of Purling.
His father was Harrison Jones and his mother Eliza Fiero Jones. The Jones and Fieros were among the early settlers of Greene county and have been important factors in building up and promoting the interests of the town of Cairo.
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EARL W. JENKINS
Earl W. Jenkins, Supervisor of the town of Halcott, is one of the young men of the Board of Supervisors, a thorough going business man in every way, and the town is fortunate in having such a capable man to look after its affairs. He is new to the political field, though he has served the town as collector.
He was born on the 11th of November 1873, and was mar- ried to Nora Kelley in 1892. He has two children living, Miss Georgania and Ward B. His father Arthur B. Jenkins was a member of the Board of Supervisors before him, being in the Board of 1873. He was born in 1853 and married Esther M. Earle in 1870. Eli Jenkins, grandfather of Earle W. Jenkins, was one of the early settlers of the town of Halcott, where he moved from Delaware county in 1843. He married Emily Judd in 1844.
Supervisor Jenkins' farm comprises 460 acres of the best land in Halcott, and he has over 40 head of cattle. He is a very successful farmer.
ELMER KREIGER
Elmer Kreiger, chairman of the Greene county Board of Supervisors is to be reckoned among the most prominent men who have represented the Town of Prattsville in an official position. He has been in the board of supervisors since 1883 and was unan- imously elected to the position of chairman in 1900 and again in 1915. He is not only a man of great executive ability, and indomnitable business push, but has always stood for the best interests of Prattsville, and no man in that section has been more highly regarded. He is not only thoroughgoing in matters of business, but no worthy cause eyer appealed to him in vain.
He was born at Ashland in 1861 and was married to Carrie Clark Bouton of Prattsville, N. Y. in 1904. His father was Ed- ward Kreiger of Prattsville and his mother was Mahalia Benjamin of Prattsville, N. Y.
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The Kreigers were among the early settlers of Prattsville and the family originally came from Germany in 1847.
Supervisor Kreiger has for a number of years been connect- ed with the Prattsville Dairy Company, which has made almost as many tons of good butter as Col. Pratt tanned hides in his great tanneries at Prattsville.
He is a member of the Masonic organization.
ABRAM V. RORABACK
Supervisor Abram V Roraback of the town of Lexington comes of historical stock and is one of the honored residents of of that town who has made good.
The first member of the Roraback family who settled in the town of Lexington was John G. who came from Schodack, Rensselaer Co. N. Y., in the year 1840, and bought from Abijah Hard the farm one mile east of Westkill village. His wife was Eunice (or in Dutch Yun) Van Buren, a cousin of Ex-President Martin Van Buren. Thus both came from good Kinderhook Dutch families and until 1829 Dutch was the language commonly spoken in the family.
They were accompanied by their six children, Lida, George Benjamin, Barent, Ann and John H.
Frame houses were few and far between in the Westkill valley, but as John G. and his sons were skilled workmen for those days, a substantial frame house soon took the place of the one of logs. Death early claimed two children, two went back to Albany, and two, George and John H., lived always in their adopted town. George married Elizabeth Hoose, whose ancestors also came from Kinderhook. Their only son, Barent Van Buren Roraback, lived on the farm his father cleared 75 years ago, until 1915.
John H, Roraback married Eliza Allen, and until his death in 1912. was one of the foremost business men in the town. He was proprietor of the Vly Mt. House on Beach Ridge, one of the most popular summer boarding houses in the Catskills. Their
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only child, Abram B. Roraback, is now the well known Supervisor of Greene Co.
Mr. Roraback was born February 11, 1858, and was marri- ed Nov. 21, 1877 to Addie Thompson, daughter of John S. Thomp- son of Lexington.
FRANK NICHOLS
One of the most genial men that we have met is Supervisor Frank Nichols of Athens, who since 1912 has represented that town in the Board of Supervisors of Greene county. He has filled many positions of trust in village and town, and always with credit to himself and profit to the community. Whether in matters of finance, religion or social function he has always made good and it is a pleasure for his native folks to do him honor.
The Nichols family came from England to this country and settled at Athens in 1800.
Frank Nichols was the son of Samuel Nichols and his mother was S. Cornelia Coffin of Athens, N. Y.
The members of the family were Edwin Nichols, John Nichols, Frank Nichols and Minerva Whiting.
Frank Nichols was born in 1853 and married Kittie Fowler. He is a member of the Episcopal church, Masonic and K. of P. lodges, Rescue Hook and Ladder Company.
He was Postmaster six years, president and trustee for the village several years, and is now President of D.R. Evart's Library Board.
John Nichols, great grandfather of Frank Nichols was born at Waterbury, Conn, 1748, died at Athens, N. Y. 1815. Sylvester Nichols, his son, was born at Waterbury, Oct. 11, 1795. He also died at Athens.
In 1664, Sir Richard Nichols was sent by James II to America, and later became the first English Governor of the Colony which was thereafter known as New York. We also find that one Francis Nichols in 1635 came to Stratford, Conn., from Lincolnshire, England.
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ELMORE MACKEY
Among the early settlers of New York state were the Mackey family, and their generations are scattered all over the county of Greene. A long and honored line, and the Mackey generations have spread from coast to coast. They have forged to the front in all the states of the I'nion, filling positions of trust in every field.
The first of the Mackey family to settle in this section was early in 1700, probably at Coxsackie, and William Mackey, father of Sheriff Elmore Mackey, was born on the old Mackey farm at Athens in 1820, and lived to be 80 years of age. His father was born in the town of Coxsackie but we are uncertain as to the date.
Sheriff Elmore Mackey was born at Athens, March 20, 1871 and was three times elected to the office of Supervisor of the town of Athens, each time getting a solid vote. He more than made good in the Board being one of its youngest members, and when it was announced that he had been nominated for Sheriff of Greene county on the Democratie ticket, the Republicans were unable to find a candidate to run against him, and his only opposition was Edward Mink, who ran on the Bull Moose ticket. As Mr. Mink polled but a few hundred votes, Mr. Mackey's majority was around 3000.
Moving to Catskill and taking possession of the office of sheriff, with Mrs Mackey to assist as matron, he has shown the full measure of usefullness and integrity, and the office has been ably taken care of.
Mr. and Mrs. Mackey also allied themselves with the work of the Methodist church and various reform movements in Catskill and have made a host of friends.
He is district deputy of the Greene County Odd Fellows, member of the Knights of Pythias, was chief of the Athens Fire Department for three years, and a member of William;H. Morton Engine Company of Athens, and also a member of the historical Zion Lutheran church of Athens.
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One of Catskill's Model Fire Houses, Home of No. 1 Hose Company. (Courtesy of Catskill Examiner)
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The Great Storm of 1888. (Courtesy of Catskill Recorder. )
Snow Piled in Main Street. Catskill In front of the Jennings & Chase building and Tanners Bank buildings now torn down.
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
ROBERT M. MAC NAUGHT
District Superintendent of Schools, Robert M. MacNaught, of Windham, N. Y., the subject of this sketch, was born in Delaware county, educated in the common schools, at Delaware Academy and at New York University. After finishing his work at New York University, he took up the study of law in the office of Judge John P. Grant, of Stamford, N. Y.
Choosing, however, to follow the teaching profession, he was elected principal of the Jefferson Union school, at the time immediately following its organization into a Union school. Dur- ing his two years of service at Jefferson, he placed the school upon
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a firm foundation, increased the attendance of non-resident pupils and established the first graduating class in the history of the school.
Called to Windham in 1901 to the position of principal of the Windham Union school, and at the time immediately follow- ing a vote taken to change the district from a common to a U'nion system, and when the educational interests of the district were at their lowest ebb, he organized the school, prepared the courses of instruction, secured a large number of non-resident students, and, and in a short time passed it through all the various graduations to the highest recognized standard of the state -a four years' high school, maintaining each year a graduating class of young men and young women who invariably entered some higher institution of learning.
After serving 11 years as principal of the Windham High school, Prof. MacNaught was elected District Superintendent of Schools for the second district of Greene county, having the dis- tinguished honor of being elected district superintendent of one of the districts of Schoharie county on the same day.
Superintendent MacNaught is deeply interested in lodge work. He is a member of St. Andrew's lodge, F. and A. M., Hobart, N. Y., Past High Priest of Mountain Chapter, R. A. M. Windham, N. Y., a member of Rondout Commandery K. T. Kingston, N. Y., Cyprus Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Albany, N. Y., honorary member of Working Lodge F. and A.M. Jefferson, N. Y., and Mountain Lodge F. and A . M., Windham, N. Y., past Patron of Mountain Chapter O. E. S., Windham, N. Y., past Noble Grand of Delaware Valley Lodge, I. O. O. F., Bloom- ville, N. Y.
As President of Windham Village Hose company and as Vice-President of the Greene county Firemen's Association, his interest in firemanic matters is shown, and, as a school man, public speaker, lecturer, the "maker of the Windham High school" Superintendent Mac Naught is widely and favorably known.
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1
William Kortz
Frank Kortz
KORTZS' SINCE 1816
The furniture business was first conducted in Catskill by James Kortz in 1816, in connection with undertaking, and hence for 99 years the Kortz family has been doing business in Catskill and it is not only the oldest place in that line in Greene county but the third established in the State of New York.
James Kortz was one of four brothers who came to this country from Germany and they settled at Buffalo. Later on James Kortz came to Catskill and started the business referred to in 1816. He continued it up to the time of his death in 1860, when his wife, Deborah Kortz, took charge of affairs, up to 1868, when William Kortz son of James Kortz succeeded to the busi- ness. For over 56 years he has been at the old stand of the Chair (35 years a sign.) For the past 27 years, his son, Frank H. Kortz, has been associated with him, and he has had the manage- ment for 15 years.
Recently they took a long lease of the property adjoining
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their store, and remodeled it in order to better accommodate their growing undertaking business. They have a splendid store and equipment up to date, with a larger stock than any two stores in Greene county.
William Kortz was married in 1872 to Ida Spencer, and they have had 4 children. Frank H., James of Milford, Mass., deputy postmaster of that place, Katherine and Ruth, now Mrs. H. D. Van Derlyn of Yonkers.
For 4 years. William Kortz was coroner of Greene county, being first appointed by Governor Cornell, in 1881, and elected in 1883.
Frank Kortz was married in 1898 to Maude Abeel Milling- ton of Catskill and has one child. He is a member of the Reform- ed church.
Frank Kortz is a licensed embalmer and undertaker.
The new undertaking rooms that are being finished will be very fine.
DR. WILBUR F. LAMONT
Dr. Wilbur F.Lamont, one of Catskill's greatest practicion- ers, was born at Richmondville, in 1863, and came to Catskill in 1889. His great practice drove him to an untimely death as he died in the hospital at Albany in August, 1912, at the age of 49 years. On the occasion of his funeral, Catskill business was all stopped and thousands were unable to get into the church. The bearers were Drs. Robert Seldon, Stanley Vincent, Frederick Good- rich, C. E. Willard, George F. Branch and F. C. Clark.
Dr. Lamont was married in 1890, to Miss Grace Johnson of Durham, N. Y., and she survives him, and one son Wilbur J. Lamont, who is in the course of his college studies.
William Lamont of Richmondville, Dr. Lanont's father, a former assemblyman of Schoharie county died in 1908. Stanley Lamont a brother of Dr. Lamont died suddenly at Newark N. J., where he was a professor in Newark Academy in 1914.
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Howard Wilcox
Howard Wilcox, one of Catskill's oldest business men who died suddenly Feb. 11, 1915, commenced working for Mr. Willard in 1853 in the jewelry store in the building in which he was doing business at the time of his death, over 61 years. He came into possession of the business at the time of the death of Mr. Willard in 1885, and starting without a dollar made a great success of it. He was born, March 13, 1835, in Catskill and was 79 years of age, and although he was apparently in excellent health and his death decidedly unthought of, it appears that he had never fully recover. ed from an injury that he received in which his shoulder was fra ctured.
He was a member of St Luke's church Catskill, in which he always took a great interest, and for many years was connected with the choir, first as an alto and later as a tenor. The only social organization with which he was connected was Malaeska lodge, K. of P. In 1861 he joined F. N. Wilson Engine Company and always took much interest it fire matters.
He was one of Catskill's most unassuming men, though he was
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actively interested in every enterprise that meant the betterment of Catskill. Up to the last day of his life he was able to take charge of the most delicate piece of watch repairing or jewelry work, and was daily seen at his repair counter.
His father was the late Judson Wilcox, who came to Cats- kill in 1825, and who was born at Harpersfield, N. Y., December 25, 1794 and who died at ('atskill, June 7, 1879. His mother Laura G. Wilcox was born at Cortright, July 13, 1804, and they were married at that place August 18, 1825, though Mr. Wilcox was then living in ('atskill. She died in Jan. 1900, at the age of 95 years.
Of the members of the family J. Hubbard Wilcox and Mrs. Wheeler Howard are living at Catskill, and Edgar Wilcox at Glen ('liff.
Mrs. Howard Wilcox passed away about 40 years ago. Hiram Wilcox, their son, survives, and has been in the jewelry business with his father many years.
WILLIS A. HAINES
The Haines family were among the early settlers in the town of Cairo, and they were among the Palantines who came to this country from Holland.
Trustee Willis A. Haines of Catskill, was born at Round Top in 1862. His father was Merrit J. Haines, and his mother Hannah C. Emerick, whose antecedents were also Palantines and settled on the Loveridge in the section known as Great Embocght, now a part of the town of Catskill.
He was married in 1886 to Middie D. Holcomb of Cairo, and their children are Pearl Haines, wife of Lester Minkler, Floyd Haines and Willis H. Haines Jr.
Mr. Haines has completed 30 years business at the Church street stand, and has a splendid business. He was first in the shop with George Smith, and for 22 years with Theodore Smith
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later with Fred Bouck, and now has his son Floyd in partnership with him, since April 1913.
He took over the wagon and sleigh business of Mr. Sage, and ice business of Mrs. John Avery, and is a large dealer in hay and straw, and takes care of all kinds of wood and iron work
He has been president of the village of Catskill and is now a trustee, he is also a member and trustee of the Methodist church, a member of the Masons, Eastern Star and Rip Van Winkle ('lub, and a director of the Y. M. C. A.
JOSIAH C. TALLMADGE
Josiah C. Tallmadge, county judge and surrogate of Greene county, was born at New Baltimore, July 15, 1853. He was the son of Thomas D. Tallmadge and Helen (Raymond) Tallmadge. He studied law at Windham, with Eugene Raymond, and was admitted to bar in 1874. He practiced law at Coxsackie and Windham. In 1889 he was elected district attorney of Greene county, and in 1900, county judge. being re-elected in 1906 and 1912, and he has the distinction of having served 14 years without having had a single case reversed. During that time he has been called to take charge of courts in Brooklyn, where hundreds of important cases came before him, in addition to the work of Greene county.
He is vice president of the Greene County Bar Association, member of the State Bar Association, and for three years was president of the National Association of Probate Judges. He is a member of the Academy of Political Science, former president of the Rip Van Winkle Club, director of the Catskill National Bank, vice president of the Catskill Savings and Loan Association, direc- tor of Mutual Co-Operative Fire Insurance Company and of the Commercial Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Served as president of the Catskill Board of Education, trustee of the Catskill Presby- terian Church, and Catskill Y. M. C. A., a member of Mountain Lodge 529, F. & A. M. and Catskill Chapter 525 R. A.M.
He was married June 12, 1878 to Ella M. Stanley, daughter
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of Dr. Peter 1. and Sarah E. Stanley of Windham. Their children are: Leone S., now Mrs. L. T. Beach, and Edna, wife of Dr. E. E. Hinman of Albany.
The Tallmadge family has been one of note, N. P. Tall- madge was state senator in 1830, and James Tallmadge was elected lieutenant governor in 1824.
The Tallmadge family came to this country from England. General Benjamin Tallmadge was sent here by the English govern- ment and his son William H. Tallmadge was a colonel. The Tallmadge: settled in Massachusetts, but the date has not been preserved .
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