USA > New York > Encyclopedia of biography of New York, a life record of men and women whose sterling character and energy and industry have made them pre?minent in their own and many other states. V.6 > Part 18
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Mr. Lown married Augusta Paulding,
of ancient Dutchess County family, daughter of William and Margaret Pauld- ing. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Lown died in infancy.
Such in brief has been the career of Frank B. Lown, a native son of the Em- pire State, and of Dutchess County, who now in his seventy-fifth year has never had a home outside the county of his birth, but in that county has risen to eminence as professional man, banker and citizen, and to a position in public esteem and confidence to a degree few men attain.
SMITH, Scott Lord, Physician.
Scott Lord Smith, M. D., who enjoys a wide reputation in the Hudson River sec- tion, particularly in that region focussing upon Poughkeepsie, New York, the scene of his principal activities as a success- ful practitioner, comes of an ancestry, on the paternal side, dating back to the settlement for the second time of Amenia, Dutchess County, New York. The father of Dr. Scott L. Smith was himself a noted physician, alienist and prominent throughout the East as a specialist in mental diseases; it was therefore but natural that the son should in early life show a bent in the direction of the medi- cal profession. With such a substantial background, supplemented by as com- plete an education as could be desired, it was to be expected that the young doctor would become a permanent fix- ture in the life of the community where he chose to largely confine his practice.
Dr. Smith is a grandson of Everitt Kimball Smith, for many years a manu- facturer in Hanover, New Hampshire, who married Harriet Williston, and they were the parents of Edwin Everett Smith, who was prominently identified with the
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medical profession for nearly a half cen- tury. Dr. Edwin Everett Smith was a native of Hanover, born in 1844. He mar- ried, in New York City, in 1877, Jeanette Lord, who died May 27, 1919, daughter of Judge Scott Lord, former member of Congress, of Geneseo, New York. He received his public school training at Hanover, and persued his studies at Peacham Academy, Peacham, Vermont, graduating in the class of 1863; and Dart- mouth College, graduating in the class of 1868. He took up the actual study of medicine at the Long Island Medical College Hospital of Jamaica, Long Island, graduating in the class of 1871. His first practice was as an interne on Ward's Island, to which hospital he was attached two years; then, deciding to take up the study of mental diseases, followed a course at the New York State Asylum for the Insane, under Dr. Gray, at Utica, New York. Afterward he was appointed assistant physician, under Dr. Batolf, at the New Jersey State Asylum, Morris Plains, New Jersey; in 1882 he was appointed superintendent and physician- in-charge, continuing in that capacity until 1886. In the latter year he resigned and established a private sanitorium for the care of the insane at Norwalk, Con- necticut. This institution he conducted with marked success until 1914, when, because of ill health, he was forced to retire from the supervision and active practice, and settled in Cold Spring, New York, where he died June 19, 1918.
Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Everett Smith were the parents of four children : Everett Kimball, of Cold Spring, New York; Helen Williston, married Dr. Sanger Brown, and died in July, 1896; Frances Jeanette, of Norwalk, Connecticut; and Scott Lord, of this review.
Scott Lord Smith was born October 22, 1878, at Morris Plains, New Jersey. He was educated at Norwalk Military Academy ; Hotchkiss Preparatory School, Lakeville, Connecticut, graduated in the class of 1898; Yale University, graduated Bachelor of Arts, class of 1902; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, graduated Doctor of Medi- cine, class of 1906. A term of two years as interne was spent at Roosevelt Hos- pital, New York City, and later at the Sloan Maternity Hospital, New York City. Dr. Scott Lord Smith located in August, 1909, at Poughkeepsie for the practice of his profession. Upon his arrival on the field of his choice, he was appointed attending physician at the Vassar Brothers Hospital and the appointment still is in force after fifteen years. He devotes his attention wholly to the practice of internal medicine, and enjoys the confidence of a large and select clientele. Dr. Smith is a Fellow of the American Medical Association ; member of New York City Academy of Medicine ; Alumni associations of the Roosevelt and Sloan hospitals; Poughkeepsie Academy of Medicine; and Dutchess and Putnam Counties Medical Society. His clubs are the Yale Club of New York City, Amrita Club of Poughkeepsie, New York, and the Adirondack League Club. He is a member of Christ Episcopal Church of Poughkeepsie.
Dr. Smith married, March 23, 1910, Mildred Gorham, daughter of John and Helen Maud (Neal) Gorham, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, her father having been a successful merchant of that city. They have three children : Gorham, born Janu- ary 10, 1911, and Marion Williston and Scott Lord, Jr., twins, born March II, 1915.
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H. a. Benson
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
BENSON, Harold A.,
Physician, Surgeon.
Descendant of worthy ancestors of English origin, learned in the various branches of medicine, and having shared service in behalf of the United States Government at home and overseas in the World War, Dr. Harold A. Benson is one of the younger successful physicians and surgeons at Poughkeepsie, New York, where he has practiced his pro- fession since late in 1919, following his honorable discharge from the United States Army. Through training and association with the requirements of his vocation, Dr. Benson has acquired that skill in medicine and surgery, as well as that broad humanity, that have made him the able practitioner, wise counsellor and friend, elements that have contributed in no minor measure to securing for him the enduring place he holds in the community of his labors.
Dr. Benson's English and American paternal forefathers, from the time of emigration to America, are traced as fol- lows:
(I) John Benson, of Caversham, in Oxfordshire, England, came from South- ampton, in 1638, at thirty years of age, in the ship "Confidence," with his wife Mary and children, and he had a grant of land at Hingham, Massachusetts, upon his arrival. Children: 1. John, of whom further. 2. Mary, both then under four years of age.
(II) John Benson was born in Eng- land, and came with his parents to America in 1638. He lived at Hingham, Massachusetts, where he was a free- holder.
(III) Isaac Benson lived at Gloucester, Rhode Island, where he owned a farm.
(IV) Job Benson owned a farm in Gloucester, Rhode Island, where he died.
The late Mrs. Martha (Benson) Davis was possessor of his commission "dating as far back as the reign of King George III, signed by Governor Wanton of the Colony of Rhode Island, in the Town of Gloucester, County of Providence, giving Job Benson the office of Ensign, dated the 17th of June, 1769." He married Miriam (Mary?), surname unknown, and their sons were: I. Elihu, of whom fur- ther. 2. Job.
(V) Elihu Benson was born at Glou- cester, Rhode Island, about 1757, and he taught school for awhile at the home of John Inman. He died about 1805, and his will was signed by Barak Benson (grandson of Elihu, son of Daniel), Sarah Benson, (daughter-in-law of Elihu, and second wife of Daniel), and Hannah Ben- son (granddaughter of Elihu, and daugh- ter of Duty Benson) ; and the sole execu- tor was Benedict Arnold. The Arnold family lived in Rhode Island, neighbors to the Bensons in Providence Plantation, of which Gloucester was a part, as did the Allen family. Thence, later, all pushed their way into Vermont, where Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold formed their regiment which was known as the "Green Mountain Boys."
Elihu Benson went from Rhode Island as early as 1778, accompanied on horse- back by his wife Hulda, to settle at Danby, Vermont, as his name appears on the roll of freemen of that year. His permanent residence was not made there until some years afterwards, when he eventually settled on a farm that was owned in 1869 by John and Ira Cook. Elihu Benson and his brother Job both enlisted during the Revolutionary War in the Thirteenth Regiment of the Albany Company of Militia, in 1780, under Colo- nel Cornelius Van Veghten, and they were given honorable discharge at the
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close of service. Elihu Benson married Hulda Brown, daughter of Daniel Brown, the latter having been given a commis- sion as ensign at Fort Rehoboth, Massa- chusetts, in the reign of George III. Members of the family state that there is some evidence, though as yet unproven, that Daniel Brown was a descendant of Peter Brown, one of the "Mayflower" passengers. The children of Elihu and Hulda Benson: I. Allen. 2. Daniel. 3. Solomon. 4. Rufus. 5. Duty. 6. David. 7. Amos, of whom further. 8. Job. 9. Jacob. 10. Elizabeth. II. Chloe. 12. Phebe.
(VI) Amos Benson was born Novem- ber 30, 1798, in Rhode Island, and he re- moved with his parents to Rutland County, Vermont. There he married (first) Ruth Gifford, and removed with his bride to Ellisburg, New York, where his brother resided, and later to Plessis, where he bought a farm and resided al- most to the time of his death in 1884. While there, his wife died, survived by her husband and eight children, two children having died. Amos married (second) Olivia (Lockwood) Hubbard, a widow with seven children, and by whom he had four children.
(VII) Charles Allen Benson was born September 16, 1855, at Alexandria. Bay, New York, and died September 9, 1922, at St. Vincent De Paul Hospital, Brock- ville, Ontario, Canada. He was a farmer and carpenter, and lived at Alexandria Bay, where he was justice of the peace for many years. He was a highly esteemed and prominent citizen of his community ; his fraternal affiliations were those of the Free and Accepted Masons, in the Blue Lodge and the Chapter; and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he was District Deputy. His religious fellowship was with the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. He married Sibyl Ann Robison, of Orleans, New York, and they were the parents of five children: 1. Mabel E., who received her education at the Alexandria Bay High School, where she was graduated with the highest honors; at the Potsdam, New York, State Normal School, where she took the Clarkson Prize for efficiency in English; and at Syracuse University, where she was graduated in the class of 1916, with special honors in English. She married Charles S. Orr, of Erie, Pennsylvania. 2. Walter Scott, medical student in New York City, who died in 19II. 3. Lillian Annette, who died at the age of eleven years. 4. Josie, who died in infancy. 5. Harold A., of whom further.
(VIII) Harold A. Benson was born at Alexandria Bay, New York, October 12, 1891. He received his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools of his birth- place, and graduated at the Alexandria Bay High School. In preparation for his life-work, he took the course at the Uni- versity of Vermont College of Medicine, where he was an honor graduate with the class of 1915. Receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine, Dr. Benson at once entered upon the practice of his profes- sion, later receiving an appointment as pathologist to the Eastern Maine Sana- torium, at Hebron, Maine, where he remained one year. In 1916 he entered the Army Medical School at Washington, District of Columbia, and afterwards was transferred to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, and assigned to the Field Ambu- lance Corps. There he remained for six months, when he was transferred to the Plattsburg Training Camp, Plattsburg, New York, to act as pathologist, continu- ing to serve in that capacity until Janu- ary, 1918, when he was ordered to Camp Pike, also there to act as pathologist. In
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August, 1918, he sailed for France, and was there attached to Base Hospital No. 83, Evacuation Hospital No. 16, and the 21st Infantry, with rank of captain. He returned to the United States, in May, 1919, and was honorably discharged from the service at Camp Dix.
Dr. Benson, immediately upon resump- tion of civil life, reentered upon the duties of his profession, and with a three months' course in Tuberculosis, Its Cause and Prevention, at Bowne Memorial Hospital, Poughkeepsie, he still further perfected himself for his vocation. In September, 1919, with a wealth of train- ing and experience at his command, he began the general practice of internal medicine and surgery at Poughkeepsie, where he has steadily advanced in favor with the community and an increasing practice.
Dr. Benson's fraternal affiliations are those of the National Phi Chi Fraternity, and he is a Fellow of the American Medi- cal Association, and a member of the Dutchess and Putnam Counties Medical Society, and the Poughkeepsie Academy of Medicine. He is a member of Triune Lodge, No. 782, Free and Accepted Masons, the Scottish Rite, Thirty-Second Degree, the Masonic Club, the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Pythias ; and his clubs are the Elks and the Kiwanis, of Pough- keepsie.
Dr. Benson married, September 23, 1921, Helen Irene Cole, daughter of Cal- vin and Emma (Lund) Cole, of Esopus, New York.
V
DuBOIS, James Fletcher, Merchant.
In the course of American business history it has been continuously proven
that no public enterprise has come into closer touch with communities, large or small, or more generally met the needs of the people, than that of the keeper of the general merchandising store, a distinc- tively American institution. A lifelong witness to such a statement, an expert in the calling that he has honored, and that by straightforward dealing he has found lucrative, James Fletcher DuBois, more than a half century a merchant at Pough- keepsie, New York, and during that long period at the one location, has made busi- ness history both for the city and the State.
The story of a career devoted to the ful- fillment of the daily requirements of a progressive population is necessarily filled with the record of the great changes that come to a township, as well as with the current account of events of all degrees of value ; but let it be sufficient to say that Mr. DuBois, whose store has been for so many years a landmark, is himself partaker and custodian of the mercantile chapter of that history in this section. No merchant or store-keeper has a more widely established repute through the length and breadth of the Hudson River Valley, not alone on account of his farsighted business ability that has been the means of bringing him emolu- ment and confort in his age, but through the hard work and the sterling integrity that have been the invariable accompani- ment of native business intuition and capabilities.
His is an old family in the State of New York, and without exception his ancestors have possessed the same pride of industry that is Mr. DuBois' rightful heritage. His grandfather, Joseph Du- Bois, was a native of Ulster County, New York, and Josiah C. DuBois, father of James Fletcher DuBois, was born at his
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father's home that stood midway between the townships of Highland and Marlboro, also in Ulster County. Josiah C. DuBois attended the schools of his neighborhood and early in life he found employment in the general store of Miles J. Fletcher, at Marlboro, which continued for several years; in 1846, he removed to the town of Highland, and there he opened a store, which he conducted until his death, which took place at the age of sixty-five. He was a strictly religious man, upright in all his dealings, an adherent of the Pres- byterian faith, and an official in his church. He married Sarah E. Weygant, a daughter of James and Philena Wey- gant, of Marlboro, and they were the parents of six children: Calvin, Myron, Chandler, Abigail, Jennie, and James Fletcher, of whom further.
name of the concern was changed in 1887 to Trowbridge & Kirby, the former com- pany retiring ; and one year later, in 1888, the firm name became Kirby, DuBois & Boyd. In 1896 the firm name was again changed, Messrs. Kirby and Boyd retir- ing from the partnership, and Mr. DuBois took in his brothers, Calvin and Myron, as partners, the firm becoming known as DuBois Brothers. This association con- tinued for twenty years, to 1916, when James Fletcher DuBois purchased the interests of his brothers, and conducted the business alone, retaining the name DuBois Brothers.
On December 31, 1920, Mr. DuBois retired from active business life, his associations therewith covering a period of fifty-two years, and at the same loca- tion, No. 321 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, New York. For a number of years Mr. DuBois has been a member of the board of directors of the Farmers' and Manu- facturers' Bank.
James Fletcher DuBois was born in Highland, New York, March 11, 1847. He received his preliminary education in the schools of his birthplace, graduating, also, at Highland Academy, one of the Mr. Du Bois married Marianna Kelley, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of three children: I. Jennie, who married Edward J. MacClelland, and whose children are: Helen, who married Harry Reeves, of Eldorado, Arkansas, one daughter, Jean MacClelland DuBois Reeves; M. Gretchen Glenn, of Pough- keepsie, New York; Donald Fletcher ; and Edward J. MacClelland, Jr. 2. Gertrude. 3. Philena, who married D. J. Cronk, of Poughkeepsie. older academical institutions of the State. He thereupon started out upon his mer- cantile career that proved in its results the prudence and wisdom of his choice. His first occupation was that obtained in the store of William H. Howland, in the capacity of clerk, and for his duties he received the sum of $150 a year, and his board. He remained with Mr. How- land one year, and in 1865 he transferred his interests to the general store of C. B. Harrison, at Highland, where he con- tinued in the same line for four years. In 1869 Mr. DuBois removed to Pough- LASHER, Irving, keepsie and there found employment with General Contractor. the firm of Trowbridge & Company, As a member of the firm of Spoor- Lasher Company, Incorporated, Irving Lasher is identified with one of the lead- ing construction and general contracting dealers in general merchandise, and whose store at that time was one of the oldest and best known business land- marks in the Hudson River Valley. The concerns in the Hudson River section of
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the State. Mr. Lasher is well known as an expert in his line, and is prominent in fraternal circles. The Lasher (or Loes- cher) family is of German origin, tracing descent from Sabastian Loescher, of the Province of the Rhine, Germany.
(I) Sabastian Loescher sailed from Germany with a fleet of ten vessels leav- ing December 25, 1709, and arriving in New York City in June, 1710. So great were the hardships of the voyage that of the four thousand on board seventeen hundred died during the passage. Sabas- tian Loescher settled at West Camp, now Kingston, New York, in 1710, and later was at East Camp, Livingston Manor, near Germantown, New York, where in 1724 records show that he was willing to settle if he could secure clear title to his property. He had three sons: Sabastian, Conrad, of whom further, and George.
(II) Conrad Lasher, son of Sabastian Loescher, was born in Germany in 1708, and lived at Athens, Germantown, and Rhinebeck, New York, in which places their children were baptized. He married Angeline Sestis, and they were the parents of six children: Sabastian, of whom further, George, Conrad, Jr., Anna Maria, John, and Gerret.
(III) Sabastian Lasher, son of Conrad and Angeline (Sestis) Lasher, was born in 1729. He married Margaret Schu- macker, at Germantown, New York, April 4, 1748, and had ten children: Conrad, Sabastian, Mark, of whom further, John, Jacob, Philip, George, Christina, Peter, and Adam.
(IV) Mark Lasher, son of Sabastian and Margaret (Schumacker) Lasher, was born in 1752, and died in 1829. He married Christina Best, of Germantown, New York, who was born in 1755, and died in 1835, and they were the parents of six children : John M., of whom further,
Catharin, Jacob G., Christina, Marcus, and Margaret.
(V) John M. Lasher, son of Mark and Christina (Best) Lasher, was born November 29, 1777, and died November 8, 1859. He married, at Rhinebeck, New York, April 23, 1801, Cathrine Clum, born November 1, 1785, and died Novem- ber 1, 1851. Their children were: Philip Lasher, baptized December 24, 1802, married Catharin Harden; Christina, baptized December 24, 1803, married Ste- phen Miller; Eliza, baptized May 25, 1807, married Simeon Flagler; John E., baptized May 24, 1808, married Jane Hammond; Johnas, baptized December 23, 1810, married Elizabeth Smith ; Robert William, of whom further ; Hannah Caro- line, baptized November 21, 1818, married DeWitt C. Harris; Catharin Maria, bap- tized November 22, 1822, married Israel Ward; Jane Maria, baptized September 28, 1823; and Frederick, baptized Sep- tember 2, 1827, married Margaret Wilson.
(VI) Robert William Lasher, son of John M. and Cathrine (Clum) Lasher, was born in Dutchess County, New York, May 21, 1815, and died at Vischer Ferry, Saratoga County, New York, March I, 1902, having removed to Saratoga County in 1825. He married, February 24, 1842, in the town of Malta, Saratoga County, New York, Jane A. Miller, born Septem- ber 16, 1818, and died January 1, 1898, at Vischer Ferry. Mr. and Mrs. Lasher celebrated their golden wedding on February 24, 1892. Their children were: Mary A., born December 5, 1842, married James Van Hyning; William H., born June 28, 1845, married Margaret A. Smith; Augustus, born August 27, 1848, married Rachel Vischer; George J., of whom further; Clark, born May 13, 1854, married Amelia Weldon; Lester, born November 12, 1857; Charles, born May
N.Y .- 8-9
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17, 1859, married Jennie Bell; and Ida and superintendent until the time he Jane, born November 13, 1863.
(VII) George J. Lasher, son of Robert William and Jane A. (Miller) Lasher, was born in Saratoga County, New York, October 5, 1851. He received his edu- cation in the district schools of his native town, and spent his whole life in agri- cultural persuits in that vicinity, where he won in a high degree the esteem of his friends and neighbors. He married Anna Van Denburgh, daughter of Vischer and Emma (Sibley) Van Denburgh, of Sara- toga County, New York, and their chil- dren were: Lettie May, who married Peter Van Vranken Spoor, and has living children, Anna, Everett, and Donald Spoor; Lloyd E., deceased; Dorothy, deceased ; Irving, of whom further ; Ella, who married Lewis L. Fellows and had two sons, Larold, deceased, and Howard, living.
(VIII) Irving Lasher, son of George J. and Anna (Van Denburgh) Lasher, was born at Vischer Ferry, Saratoga County, New York, November 20, 1878. He received his early school training in the district school of his native town, and then made further preparations for a successful career by taking a course in Albany Business College, and by continu- ing his studies in a night school in Schen- ectady, where he studied mechanical engineering. Possessed of considerable mechanical ability and being deeply inter- ested in that line of activity, he decided to find employment where he would also receive the best possible training, and in 1901 he entered the employ of the General Electric Company at Schenectady, with whom he remained for two years, in the machine fitting department. His next connection was with George Van Vran- ken, a general contractor of Schenectady, with whom he was identified as foreman
became associated with the Acme Engin- eering Company, of Schenectady, as car- penter superintendent. Later, he re- turned to the employ of Mr. Van Vran- ken, with whom he remained until 1914, leaving him in order to accept a position with the Raymond Concrete Pile Com- pany, of New York City. In 1919, hav- ing acquired an extended experience in general construction work, he, in associa- tion with L. E. Spoor, organized the firm of Spoor-Lasher Company, Incorporated. and engaged in business as general con- tractors, carrying on a transportation business and including highway con- struction and street paving. The enter- prise met with success and has steadily grown, until at the present time (1924) the firm of Spoor-Lasher Company, Incorporated, is known as one of the leading concerns of its kind in Dutchess and Orange counties, possessing the larg- est business equipment for handling con- crete material and street construction between New York and Albany. Thor- ough technical knowledge and sound business principles have enabled Mr. Lasher to win in a high degree the con- fidence of his patrons and the esteem of his associates.
In addition to his business activity, Mr. Lasher has found time for extensive fraternal affiliations. He is a member and junior warden of Poughkeepsie Lodge, No. 266, Free and Accepted Masons ; Pough- keepsie Chapter, No. 172, Royal Arch Masons; King Solomon Council, Royal and Select Masters; Poughkeepsie Com- mandery, No. 43, Knights Templar; Mecca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and of Tri-Po-Bed Grotto, Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club,
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