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 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
Musicians: Eugene A. Chilson, Ray Goodfellow.
Artificer: George Osterhoudt; Wagoner: Lyman Huntley.
Privates: Fred Bigelow, Joseph Bigelow, Melvin Baker, James Burns, William R. Burns, Roscoe Barber, Wallace J. Bell, Stephen Beesmer, Edward Coffee, John Cleary, Michael Connolly, Edward Callnan, Bernard Casey, Augustus Cargill, dec'd, Charles H. Carpenter, C. R. Diefendorf, Harry Distin, William E. Dwyer, dec'd, Joseph Ellis, John E. Flynn, James T. Fitzgerald, John B. Fitzgerald, Michael Fitzgerald, John B. Fritzen Jr., William L. Foote, Wesley E. Garrison, dec'd, Albert E. Guthrie, dec'd, Christopher Granger, Dennis E. Hartnett, Robert H. Hathaway, Frank M. Harvey, Charles E. Holbrook, George H. Hood, Frank D. Hughes, William Humphrey, J. O Brien, George W. Ish, J. HI. Judd, Jacob Johnston, Paul Kock, G, W. Long, Fred C. Legg, John W. Losty, H. M. McCarthy, John McCall, Peter Miller, John Maher, Arthur Myers, George Mason, Adam Rutz, Michael Madigan, dec'd, Arthur Palmer, Frank Rowan, Patrick Madigan, James Reardon, John McNary, dec'd, Neil Ross, John Mattice,
334
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
James Sullivan, Geo. A. Morrison, James A. Sonn, dec'd, Thos. Marshall, William Shear, Robert Newman, William Wood, Frank Norton, George C. Wood, Clyde Oringer, Michael T. Welsh, Geo. M. Phillips, Charles E. Wilbur, Thos. J. Phillips, dec'd, John C. Webster, dec'd.
The company comprised 106 men. They went first to Camp Black, July 21, 1898; Camp Meade, Sept. 12, 1898; Camp Conewago, Oct. 1, 1898, where they were isolated on account of fever, and to Greenville, South Carolina, Noy. 1898. They were mustered out March 25, 1899. They had roses at Christmas time, and in February the flaps of their tents froze in zero weather, and stoves were installed in the tents. The men slept in all their clothing and overcoats, and even then they suffered very much from the cold.
Charles A. Vrooman was promoted from 2nd Lieut. of K. to 1st Lieut. Company 3, at Greenville, S. C.
Other Catskill men who saw service in the war were Edgar Johnston, who enlisted in Co. A. Batallion U. S. Engineers, Regular Army, and was stationed at Manila in 1898 and '99.
Edgar K. Williams was with the 71st New York regiment and died in the service, his monument in the Catskill cemetery being the finest in the county.
Paul Whitmarsh was also in the regular army. Also Arthur Freshwater.
Those who served going to Honolulu were in Company M. Kingston. Charles M. Becker corporal, deceased. Leroy Overbaugh, Willis Overbaugh, Van Ness Ploss, Fred Lynes, Harry Hicks, Burton G. Nasholtz, deceased, Fred Brown, Alex King, Lee F. Betts, Harry Lydecker, Lewis Holdridge, Alex Plusch, Clayton Bump deceased, John Hess, John Cook, Harry Fleming, Warren Miller, Oscar Dederick, who later served at Cebu, Fred Keiffer, Abram Brandow, James Barber formerly of Catskill, Albert Thompson, W. J. Potter.
Chauncey Minkler and Oliver Minkler, of the 11th U. S. Vol. were in fights in the Philippines and Chauncey Minkler was
335
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
shot through the arm by a Mauser bullet. Marshall Smith and Harry Smith were at Porto Rico with the regular army. John Bassett, Frank Hannan and Wyckoff Smith were in the Philippines.
Frank Norton was with Co. H. SIst Coast artillery, and so was Tod Shear. Harry Kirchner was at Porto Rico with the 11th U. S.
The men who went to Honolulu were mustered in May 1st. Left Fort Hamilton June 11, in camp at Presidio, C'al. Arrived in Honolulu. Aug 14 Made a trip to the famous volcano. Failed for home Dec. S. Arrived in Kingston Dec. 27.
Lieut. Jomes G. Hanna, formerly of the 16th was shot in leg, at Marong. Philippines, Henry Millington was also shot in the leg at Bayan, Philippines. Frank Thorne Co. K. 17th Inf. was in the fight at Jolo, in the Philippines.
J. H. Finley was with H. U. S. Cavalry. Bert Conklin 19th U. S. Inf. served at Cebu
Charter Members of 16th Separate Company :
Fred W. Werner, Joseph E. Aldrich. Dwight Boughton, W. Myron Allerton, Spencer C. Phillips, Jesse T. Rundell, George R. Olney, Peter Welsh, A. K Hill, Wm. H Owens, Frank P. Hicks, Wallace M. Hunter, William. P. Cowles, Peter J. Regan, Lucius R. Doty, John W. Shufelt, Egbert Palmer, Charles A. Spencer, Marcus K. Halcott, Frank E. Van Gorden, George D. Boughton, Wheeler Howard, Sylvester B. Sage, Chas. Flanigan, John H. Hulbert, James M. Beach, Herbert Niklewicz, Edwin Ashley, Geo. F. Tolley, Joseph Obert, Minis Plank, Granville R. Person, Frederick Clark, Jacob W. Kelley, William Rider, Frank Lynes, Albert Saulpaugh, Wm. H. Minnick, John Wince, Sidney Austin, C. A. Laun, Philip Smith, Emory A. Chase, James Holdridge, James S. Smith, Eugene Wayne, George H. Brandow, Frank H. Burroughs, Wm. L. Mead, Gottleib Fromer, James H. Salisbury, Clarence Van Valkenburgh, R. A. Browere, Carlton E. Coffin, Clarence Bloodgood, G. Howard Jones, Henry T Jones, R. L. Rosselle, W'm. H. Adams, Frederick Seldon jr., Donald Brauleigh, Louis E. Deer, J. S. Bamforth, William P. Mc Claury, Louis W. Richardson, William E. Thorpe, Ira Gay.
336
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Other members shortly after were: Albert Saulpaugh, Herman Behm, W. J. Soper, Harry C. Vedder, Thomas E. Jones, Wmn. A. Pennoyer, J. Frank Boughton, Wm. H. Palmer, Wilson Thomas, Thomas Jackson jr., Albert R. Austin, George Fitchett, Charles E. Butler, Wm. H. Brundage, John F. Callahan, John J. Ladeau, Thomas Carney, George Egnor, William L. Gunther, Anthony Von Pieper, George A. Englert, Joseph Bell, Julius Kircher.
The first captain was Col. Omar V. Sage, who was followed by Arthur M. Murphy, Harry M. C. Vedder, William W. Bennett Albert Saulpaugh, Percy W. Decker, and Daniel Cassidy now at the head of the command. H. W. Cowlbeck and F. R. Searles were in charge for a time, the former taking the company to New York where they participated in the Dewey parade.
Dr. Wm. P. Mc Claury, E. E. Elliott and F. R. Searles served as assistant surgeons.
The lieutenants of the 16th. Arthur Murphy, Emory A. Chase, Irving Osborn, Augustus R. Hill, R. L. Rosselle, Bornt W. Stryker, Robert J. Beach.
The present officers of the company are:
C'apt. -- Daniel J. Cassidy. 1st Lieutenant-Lucius H. Doty. 2d Lieutenant -William Heath.
Sergeants- Wm. J. Scott, M. J. Carl, David E. Cole. Quarter Master Sergeant -Wm. E. Daniels.
Corporals-Percy H. Doty, W. W. Comfort, J. R. Cole.
Roster of Men-Privates -J C. Brooks, H. W. Becker, Wm. E. Clark, Norman Cole. Wm. Delanoy jr., P. G. Doty, D. M. Downes, Louis C. Fiester, Omar Frayer, R. H. Freer, W. H. Graf, R. P. Hallenbeck, E. E. Hallenbeck, John Heath, H. E. Knapp, F. E. Knapp, M. H. McGovern, Raymond R. O'Brien, A. W. Phillips, Antoine Peterson, E. B. Robb, Ernest Saxe, A.A. Scott, A. P. Shield, H. R. Sigwarth, W. J. Shufelt, Ivan Slater, Clarence Smith, Wm. Teetsell, Alger Van Hoesen, O. I. Webber.
337
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Charles A. Vrooman has been armorer for many years assisted by William F. Hock, who was sergeant of the company. William E. Daniels has been clerk.
J. W. WATSON POST 514 G. A. R.
John W. Watson Post No. 514, Department of New York G. A.R. was organized Sept. 23, 1884, at Number 5 engine house, Catskill, with a charter membership of 20, and Joseph F. Joesbury Commander. He died during his second term of office, January, 28, 1886, and George W. Holdridge completed his term. John B. 1. Oakley was commander for 3 years 1887-89, W. R. Vedder 1890, Charles A. Vrooman 1891-2, W. R. Vedder 1893, Theodore B. Beach 1894-5, William II. Adams 1897-8, Benjamin W. Grant 1899, to 1910. He was succeeded by J. Hubbard Wilcox the present head of the organization.
Shortly after organization Odd Fellow's hall was rented and is still used by the post as headquarters.
Of the charter members Wm H. Adams and George W. Holdridge are living.
The present officers of the Post are:
John HI. Wilcox -Post Commander.
William C. Tice-S. V. Commander.
Solomon J. Mott-J. V. Commander.
A. S. Castle -- Adjutant.
Henry G. Myers-Quartermaster.
James B. Rouse - Surgeon.
William H. Hull -Chaplain.
William Caniff - Officer of Day.
George W. Holdridge -- Patriotic Instructor. William J. Reed-Officer of Guard.
Benjamin W. Grant - Quarter Master Sergeant.
Wm. HI. Adams - Sergeant Major.
Trustees John N. King, David D. Ostrander, William C'aniff.
Relief Committee-William W. Hull, John N. King, Win. H. Adams.
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
The muster roll shows the following members:
Wm. H. Adams, James Akeley, John H. Brandow, Chas. C. Beauchamp. Wm. P. Bell, Theo. B. Beach, Nelson R. Benton, Geo. A. Bogardus, Andrew D. Berry, Geo. H. Coons, A. Sidney Castle, William Caniff, Marion Couchman, Fred O. Friar, Benj. W. Grant, Calvin Goodwin, Geo. W. Holdridge. Joseph Hert, Wm. W. Hull, Albert Hansen, John N. King, Albert H. Kelsey, Wm. H. Lee, Joseph H. Lounsbury, Solomon J. Mott, Henry G. Myers, Edmond R. Martin, John Mc Cormack, Maj. Geo. S. Nichols, Peter Overbaugh, David W. Ostrander, James B. Rouse, Mortimer Rockerfeller, Nicholas Russell, Nathaniel F. Roe, Albert E. Rider, Aaron V. S. Rouse, Peter H. Scribner, Geo. D. Spoor, Wm. S. Swart, Robert Snyder, James Stevens, Richard Sisco, Wm. C. Tice, A. Sidney Thomas, Charles Trowbridge, Wm. H. Teal, John W. Van Leuven, Chas. Vroman, Chas. Vedder, John John H. Wilcox, Geo. W. Winans, Wm. R. Weddel, John Young, Charles Wildey, Wm. Brandow, Aaron C. Betts, H. C. Becker, Enoch Walters.
Those who have been mustered out by death are:
Isaac Benton, Samuel Brandow, Geo. N. Brandow, Alfred R. Cole, Jacob Carl, Jeremian Connolly, Martin B. Cross, J. H. Carpenter, Harvey Delamater, Henry Darling, Lucas Decker, Chauncy Dickerson, Cornelius Du Bois, Geo. W. Edwards, M. A. J. Edwards, Thomas Edwards, Stephen Ennist, Joseph Embree, Edgar Elmendorf, Wm.H. Fuller, Columbus Frey, Michael Foley, Aug. Goeller, James Gardner, Jas. Hallenbeck, Albert Hadden, Wellington Howell, Asa Holmes, John M. Hannon, John Hood, Alexander Halicouse, Geo. Halicouse, Simon Hock, John Jones, Joseph Josebury, J. A. Kellerhouse, Wm. H. Losee, Wm. Laverty, John Long, James Lake, Geo. S. Ludington, Andrew Overbaugh, J. Malcolm, James B. Mitchell, Chester S. Morgan, David C. Mower, A. E. Miltimore, Harmon Melius, Patrick Madigan, Geo. Meeker, Chas. P. Myers, Geo. Markel, Wm. P. McLaury, J. H. McChesney, J. B. Oakley, Egbert Post, David S. Preston Wm. A. Pennoyer, Geo. Powell, Walter Parsells, Wm. J. Reed, Robert A. Scott, James W. Sonn, John Spahn, James H. Stewart, George
339
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Saxe, John C. Shear, Wm. Selleck, J. C. Shiller, Abram Spoor, J. Frank Story, Chas. L. Santer, Wm. Sharples, John Sherlock, Frank Swartwout, James Henry Snow, John Secord, John Snyder, J. K. Thompson, C'has. Thornton, Wm. Van Steenburgh, Isaac Van Loan, M. S. Van Loan, Wm. H. Whitcomb, John N. Wilson, W. L. Woodruff, Luther S. Wright, Jonathan B. Webster, Stephen Webster, Alexander Young, Jacob L. Yates, Geo. Sears.
There are now buried in the different cemeteries in Catskill of the Revolutionary, the Civil, and the Spanish- American wars, 250 soldiers. At the entrance of the Catskill Cemetery there is a soldiers' monument and on this plot are buried 26 veterans.
There were also connected with the Post a Woman's Relief Corps and an encampment of Sons of Veterans, but these organi- zations have disbanded.
Watson Post is in good financial condition and has been the means of bringing assistance to many veterans and their needy families.
HOLLISTER POST, COXSACKIE
Hollister Post No. 27, G. A. R. was organized and its first set of officers installed by Lew Benedict Post of Albany.
At the organization of this Post there were 70 members. Now there are only 16 survivors, and Col. Van Wie has been com- mander continuously for 26 years.
The present officers are:
Commander-John B. Van Wie; senior vice commander- Dayid Hoffman; junior vice commander-George Jones; chaplin --- Isaac Nebhenburgh; surgeon-Jacob Wentworth; quartermaster- Chas. E. Van Valkenburgh; officer of the day-Joel B. Cole; officer of the guard-John S. Hiseerd; adjutant-Newton J. Cal- kins; delegate to State encampment-Warren P. Smith; alter- nate-John S. Hiseerd.
340
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
A. N. BALDWIN POST 263. HUNTER
A. N. Baldwin Post 263, Hunter, N. Y. was organized in 1882, by Major J. H. Everett of Pratt Post, Kingston. At one time there were about 60 members, but at the present time there are only about a dozen members. J. H. Wilcox who is inspecting officer found a bare organization on the occasion of his recent visit.
The Army Post at Cairo passed out of existence a number of years ago.
School Directors, Trustees and Teachers of County
First District, Greene County
Directors-Hon. Clarence E. Bloodgood, Catskill, Chair- man; Claude Witing, Athens; David T.Jerome, Andrew P. Freese, Cairo: Thomas C. Perry, dist. supt., Catskill; Dr. E.H. Van Den- burgh, Arthur Powell, Coxsackie; Dr. J. B. Rouse, Leeds.
Trustees of the town of Athens-Daniel W. Saunders, Orin Q. Flint, John J. O'Grady, Rueben B. Quick, O. D. Van Valken- burgh, Athens; Edward Gonnerman, Catskill; Ira B. Kerr, Cats- kill.
Teachers-Charles D. Coutant, prin., Elizabeth Slattery, Isabella Rainey, Marion Lewis, Ruth Harris, Ella Gallup, C. Louise Miller, Fanny Leworthy, Mrs. Helena Wood, M. Blanche Wood, Emily Horn, Margaret Van Woert, Athens; Esther Rowe, Leeds; F. LenaMcCarthy, Mrs. Elsie Mauterstock, Catskill.
Trustees of the town of Cairo-George W. Squires, A. H. Rocker, Cairo, Guy Meddaugh, Acra,. W. Benjamin Roe, Free- hold, Jos. Morison, South Durham, J. W. Fiero, Round Top, Amos Rose, Clarence Arnold, Purling, John Rouse, Charles Bas- sett, South Cairo, Isaac Powell, Leeds.
Teachers-Edward Richmond, Hope L. Farnham, Mary Halloran, Grace Timmerman, S. Edna Story, Melville Bulmer,
341
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Cairo, Willard (. Van Dyck, Ethel Chadderdon, Acra, Orloff Story, Josephine O'Hara, Freehold, Jane Miller, Round Top, Theodore Whitcomb, Purling, Mrs. Elizabeth Jump, Mrs. Alma Clay, Judge R. Haner, Leeds.
Trustees of the town of Catskill-Dr. F. C. Clarke, pres., James Sterritt, Percy Holmes, F. D. Overbagh, Edgar Saxe, S. C. Sutton, Charles Story, Luther Saxe, T. J. William, Clarence Mar- tin, Catskill, B. David Guth, Alsen, John Hinman, Palenville, W. R. Vedder, Leeds, Scharken Stewart, South Cairo, Mrs. S. A. Craft, Cementon.
Teachers-E. C. Hoemer, supt., M. Alice Saxe, Mrs. Anna Molloy, Mrs. Harriet Pflegl, M. Geneva Garling, Mrs. Hattie Maher, Carrie Bogardus, Mrs. Lottie Holmes, Beulah Timmer- man, Catskill, Herbert DeLong, Nellie Lawrence, Annabel Rose, Frances Timmerman, Palenyille, Arthur Lewis, Julia Vedder, Pauline Davis, South Cairo, Edward Keeley, Saugerties, M. Agnes Ellinger, Mary O'Brien, Helen Buckman, Alsen.
Trustees of the town of Coxsackie-L. A. Warren, A. A. Collier, B. G. Townsend, Wm. Youmans, Elmer Van Valken- burg, Coxsackie, Wm. R. Palmer, Charles Lampman, William Townley, Urlton, Charles Martin, Climax.
Teachers -- Henry R. Soper, principal, M. Sophia Fuller , Ella Morgan, Annie Craigie, Mae D. Link, Anna Spoor, Edith Van Denburgh, Eliza Green, Jennie Whitbeck, Amy Smith, Char- lotte Olmsted, Laura Bailey, Grace Van Schaack, Marian Mackey, Harriet Conklin, Coxsackie, Ethel Robbins, Bessie Lezatte, Url- ton, Reginald Van Woert, Louis Lounsbury, Athens, Matie Jones, W. Coxsackie, Grace Cheeseman, Mabel Youmans, Coxsackie, Mary O'Brien, Climax.
Second District, Greene County
Teachers-West Coxsackie-Mabel Vosburgh.
New Baltimore Station-Sarah Robbins, Marion Van Hoe- sen, Grace Looney, Ada Powell.
342
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Ravena-Maomi Vroman.
New Baltimore-Edna Hotaling, Harry Ostrander, Alida Mulder, Alice Sidlake.
West Coxsackie-Evelyn Austin.
Urlton-Gertrude Tryon.
Windham-Alda Miller, Florence Marquit, Clarence Powell, Ada Smalling, Beatrice Steele, Harriet McLean, Christine Wood, Kittie Doolittle, Blanche Miller.
Hensonville-Edith O'Conner, Abner Woodworth.
Norton Hill-Ivan Gifford.
Freehold -- Mrs. Minnie Beers, Hazel Highney. Idson Gib- son, Katherine Beichman.
Greenville -- Annie Coonley, C. L. Cook, Julia Rider, Mrs. A. D. Townsend, Charlotte Story, Julia Hallenbeck, Eva Hoose, Mrs. Edith Abrasis, Hattie ('reen, Clara Minkley.
Surprise-Jessie E. Boyd.
Gayhead-Robert Webber, Edith Losee.
Cornwallville- Florence Beach, Mrs. Anna Smith, Edna Brainerd.
Durham-Maude Stryker, W. D. Hull.
East Durham-Frank Paddock.
Cooksburg - Mrs. Effie Bates.
Oak Hill-Ermon Stewart.
Sunside-Clara Paddock.
Third District, Greene County.
Directors Stewart Tuttle, Haines Falls; C. B. Bronson, Ashland.
Trustees of the town of Ashland -Sternes Clark, John C. Campbell, Ashland, Lambert Cooke, Windham, Dwight Tuttle, Ashland, Lewis Case, Prattsville.
Teachers-Raymond Moseman, John Hayes, Kathryn I. Lynch, Etta Payne, Ashland, Warguerite Van Orden, Winham, Ida France, Prattsville.
Trustees of the town of Halcott-John Ballard, Travis Faulkner, W. K. Crosby, Leo J. Deamer, Halcott Center.
347
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Teachers-Sadie Rose, Martha Whitney, Deborah Morse, Nathanial Bleekman, Halcott Center.
Directors of the town of Hunter-E. V. Ballo, Hunter; E. Darius Lindsley, Platte Clove.
Trustees-F. B. Kerr, James Jackson, F. B. Wilcox, Ar- thur Higgins, Hunter, Harvey Lane, Lanesville, David Showers, J. Frank Lackey, Tannersville, Michael Shield, Elka Park, Uriah Haines, A. Holdridge, Haines Falls, Elmer Kerr, Edgewood, G. W. Byrnes.
Teachers-Elizabeth Fountain, John Kay, H. Margery Felter, Minnie Hunting, Louise Webster, Marion Orr, M. Emily Hayden, Hunter, Mrs. A. Crosby, Lanesville, C. L. Bailey, Anna V. Dempsey, Frances A. Formans, Josephine Swift, Mrs. Jessie Showers, Annie Glennon, Tannersville, Herbert Dimond, Elka Park, Stewart Tuttle, Mary Dowd, Mrs. Anna Tuttle, Haines Falls, Mrs. M. E. Lester, Edgewood, E. Delmar Smith, Platte Clove.
Trustees of the town of Jewett-Martin Garvey, Tanners- ville, E. A. Sweet, E. C. Miles, Frank Carr, Hunter, William Mead Jewett, R. L.'Towner, Andrew Sweet, Jewett, George Bar- num, Frank Woodworth, East Jewett,
Teachers-Raymond Cronk, Orpha Kelley, A. L. Coons, Edith Sweet, East Jewett, Helen Witte, Josephine Park, Renssel- aer Reynolds, Hunter, Nina Lee, Emory Dunham, Wilhelmina Olmsted, Jewett.
School directors of the town of Lexington-Daniel Kirk, Westkill; Ransom Hogaboom, Lexington.
Trustees-Arnold Van Valkenburgh, Spruceton. Harrison Ostrander, E. E. Sharpe, Romaine Van Valkenburgh, Westkill, Frank Beggs, Manley Howard, Arthur Jenkins, Lexington, H.Du Souchet, Bushnellsville, W. Charles Maben, Leland Tompkins, G. D. Rappleyea, Prattsville, George Ennist, Allaben.
Teachers-Mrs. Edith Orlando, Leon Peters, Otis Hender- shot, Weskill, J. M. Osman, Lulu Patterson, Mary Merchant, E. D. Lewis, Lexington. Pearl Cole, Bushnellsyille, Iva Rappleyea,
344
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Mrs. H. K. Huggans, Prattsville, Kathleen Kelly, Allaben.
Directors of the town of Prattsville-James Mc Williams, Perry Newcomb, Prattsville.
Trustees-Andrew Carman, George Peckham, B. G. Morss, J. H. Brandow, John Jenkins, S. R. Cammer, Prattsville.
Teachers-Mrs. E. C. Hummell, Myrtle Myers, Mrs. Grace Huggans, Mrs. Flora Howard, Kittie Layman, Helen Johnson, Mary MucCoubrey, Prattsville.
FRANK C. CLARKE
Dr. Frank C. Clark, of Catskill, is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, a direct descendant of Colonel Randall Spencer, whose granddaughter was Dr. Clarke's paternal grandmother. Colonel Spencer was born at West Greenwich, Rhode Island, but, when a young man, removed with his family to_Berlin, Rensselaer county, where he resided until his death. He fought with distinc- tion with the American forces throughout the Revolution and was esteemed for his devotion to the cause of patriotism. Dr. Clarke who has been engaged in the drug business in Catskill for many years, is president of the Board of Education,' Catskill.
An Early Ashland Saw Mill.
The Beautiful Cemetery at Halcott Center.
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Ashland
It was not until 1848 that the boundaries were set for the town of Ashland and portions of Prattsville and Windham were taken to form the few thousand acres that com- prises the town. The principal vil- lage or hamlet is Ashland and the section is devoted chiefly to dairy- ing, some summer boarders being taken. The earliest settlers to whom reference is made by the old resi- dents comprise the Stimpsons, Mar- tins, Prouts, Ponds, Ferrises, Lees, Tuttles, Disbrows, Dodges, Hitch- cocks, Brandows, Smiths, Suttons, Boughtons, and while in years H. Clay Ferris later many of their representatives have drifted towards the eastern centers of population ad joining the river many of the time honored names are conspicuous. Peo- ple of Ashland have always been remarkable for longevity, and the spirit of religion has always predominated in this section.
In 1799 was built at Old Windham, now Ashland the Presbyterian church which is doubtless the oldest church on the mountains. The first pastor was Henry Stimson who preached for six months, alternating with an appointment at Jewett Heights. The church at Ashland has always been regarded as one of the strong organizations of the county. The society was incorporated in 1801. The record of pastors is incomplete. The present pastor is Samuel Warrender.
The Episcopal church at Pleasant Valley appears to have been organized in the same year, 1799, the articles being filed in Ulster County. The church building was erected in 1814. The first pastor however was the Rev. Philander Case, and the number of men who have served the church has been remarkably small,
347
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Rev. Joseph Berry from 1803 to 1817, the Revs. Samuel Fuller and James Tompkins served from that period to 1831, the Rev. O. F. Holcomb to 1843, Rev. Thomas Judd to 1863. The present pastor is R. R. McDonald Bleeker.
The early industry was the getting of hemlock bark for the many tanneries that flourished along the Batayia kill. Gideon Brainard established a woolen mill, and a man named Bidwell had a carding and fulling works. There was a grist mill at North Settlement and a number of saw mills. Lyman Morse and Jarius Strong conducted tanneries. C'ider mills also flourished.
The first public tavern as they were known was built by Medad Hunt at Batavia, John Tuttle, Jacob Benham, and Jehliel Tuttle also had taverns of the early period. There are many of these old time taverns all in disuse the past 30 years scattered along the roads that reached from the rural sections to Catskill. And these accommodated the drovers and freight wagons that found their way to the river markets.
The town of Ashland has been on a steady decline in popu- lation since 1850, when it had 1290 inhabitants. In 1865 there were 1080, in 1875, 935, in 1880, 899, in 1900, 647, and since that time the population has lost about 40 persons. The entire county has shown a decrease of 4 per cent in population in the past ten years, and a loss from 1850 of about 3000. The popula- tion in 1850 was 33,126. It is now just under 30,000.
The men who have served Ashland as supervisors are:
John Ives, Daniel B. Strong, Joshua Draper, Sylvester B. Hitchcock, William S. Boughton, Lyman Robinson, Isaac Van Schaack, Wm. Myers, Austin Smith, Peter Stanley, Nathaniel O. Ormsbee, Albert Tuttle, Jonas Smith, Albert Steel, Egbert B. Dodge, 1868, Edgar Smith, Joseph Saxe, Archibald Tompkins, Hiram B. Clark, Wilbur F. Lee, now of Catskill, Giles Sutton, Darius B.Prout, Clinton D. Ferris 1885, '88, Wilbur F. Lee 86-87, Daniel W. Hyatt 89-90, Thomas W. Jeralds 91-92, Giles Sutton 93, Frank Finch 94-95, Samuel A. Barlow 96-97-95, Herbert R.
348
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Steele 99-1900, Levi Tompkins 01-02-03, Homer Tompkins 04-07, Francis L. Dodge 08-11, H. Clay Ferris 1912-15.
A remarkable giant willow tree standing on the Prout farm is the production of a willow whip which was stuck into the ground in 1798. In 1913 a ton of cement was used in filling a cavity that had decayed into the tree.
The Methodist church at Ashland was organized in 1841 and meetings were held in the school house. A church was erect- ed in 1843. A. S. Lakin was the first pastor. The Rev H. L. Seaman is the present pastor, and he also supplies the pulpit of the church at North Settlement.
The Catholic church which building is fast falling into decay has not been used for religious services in the past 20 years.
One of the old landmarks that was formerly the Old Ashland House is owned by Christian and Lee and is used as a farm house.
Many years ago one of the first seminaries in this section was located at Ashland in 1853, but was burned in 1861.
There has been no big fires during the past 30 years.
Among the industries of the town the principal one is the big creamery of the Sheffield-Slauson-Decker Co. and practically all of the milk in the town is taken to this creamery.
Another industry is the saw mill and grist mill of D. D. Tompkins.
The business of the town is taken care of by F. L. Dodge, store and postoffice.
A. B. Munson, hardware store, hotel. No license.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.