USA > New York > Orange County > History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 115
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469
WALLKILL.
THE SOUTHI MIDDLETOWN CEMETERY ASSOCIA- TION
effected a legal organization Oct. 26, 1848, at a meet- ing in Lyceum Hall, of which Benjamin Bennett was chairman, and Benjamin W. Shaw secretary. The trustees appointed were the following, viz. : Benjamin Bennett, Elijah Smith, William C. McNish, Hiram Kain, John Baily, and Henry E. Horton. The pro- ceedings were verified by the officers of the meeting on the 27th, before William W. Reeve, justice of the peace, and recorded on the 28th. We suppose this established or put under a legal organization the newer part of the cemetery, now opposite the academy grounds.
HILLSIDE CEMETERY OF MIDDLETOWN.
This association was organized Oct. 4, 1860. Israel O. Beattie was chairman of the meeting, and John M. Kellogg secretary. The trustees named were James N. Pronk, Thomas Chattle, Israel O. Beattie, Silas S. King, John N. Kellogg, James Lythe, John M. II. Little, Ashbel C. King, and James Rogers. The an- nual meeting was determined for the first Thursday in October. The proceedings were verified by the officers October 4th, before George B. Cox, justice of the peace, and recorded October 6th.
The property purchased consists of nearly fifty acres in the southwest portion of the village, and now con- stitutes one of the most beautiful cemeteries that can be found in the State. There are two small lakes within the inclosure, and it has over ten miles of macadamized roads and drives, with gracefully curv- ing and winding walks, and enameled lawns beauti- fied by thonsands of evergreens and a profusion of flowers and shrubs. A magnificent evergreen hedge forms an extensive portion of the exterior fence. This cemetery cannot fail to be admired by all who visit it. The grading has been done by skillful workmen, su- perintended by men of enltivated taste.
The cemetery exemplifies the best principles of landscape adornment. Its gentle slopes, its crown- ing summits, its finely-arranged lots, many of them covered with the choicest flowers, all together consti- tute pictures of beauty that linger long in the memory of the visitor.
Costly monuments add the graces of sculpture to the attractions which nature and art have freely lavished upon the grounds. Among the most notable of the memoriał shafts may be mentioned those bearing the family names of Cockayne, Townley, Babcock, Stan- ton, Roberts, Dunning, Charles Horton, Everett, Bar- rett, Crawford, Purdy, Wheeler, Denton, H. E. Horton, Howell, J. M. Horton, Reeve, Matthews, Webb, Hor- ton, Decker, Hinchman, Holding, Roe, Royce, Slau- son, Hughson, Pettit, Moore, Thomas King, IFulse, L. B. Babcock, and Bell. Of noticeable design is the Dill monument, a shaft representing a broken stump resting on a rough bowlder, and leaning against the stump a heavy cross.
The one erected by railroad employés to Mr. Min- shull, who lost his life in the railway service, is an honorable tribute to his worth and the esteem felt for him by his co-employés.
The first interment was that of Theophilus Vail, and the first monument was erected to his memory. Ife died Sept. 19, 1861, and was buried Sept. 20th. Ile had been an active promoter of the new ceme- tery, and though incomplete he expressed a wish be- fore his death to be buried in the grounds chosen. It is evident that the success of the new cemetery, its beauty, its harmonions and artistic arrangement, are very much due to the steady and persistent interest which Mr. John N. Pronk, the president of the associ- ation, has taken in the work, and the personal atten- tion he has given to the execution of the minntest details of roads, walks, lots, shrubbery, and general adornment. His labors are appreciated by the people, one citizen, himself for a long time identified with the interests of Middletown, saying to the writer, " I wish Mr. Pronk had a million of dollars; I am sure it would be largely expended for the public welfare."
With Mr. Pronk has been associated Mr. George' Wait as superintendent, whose skill has aided greatly in the development of the plans. Skillful workmen have been employed, some of the number having been retained from the opening of the grounds.
THIE SCOTCHITOWN CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
was incorporated Nov. 29, 1873. The meeting held to organize appointed Harvey Roe chairman, and A. A. Fonda secretary. The trustees chosen were Abner Mills, W. Augustus Robbins, Harvey Roe, Harvey McMonagle, William D. Hurtin, U. F. P. Bliven.
This organization was made to take charge in a legal manner of the old Scotchtown yard. The first two white stones erected there were to the memory of Mrs. Dr. Arnell and Mrs. Phineas Corwin. The former lay a corpse on the day of the great eclipse of 1806. She was a daughter of James Morrison: Dr. Arnell removed to Goshen and died there.
HOWELL'S CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
This was organized at a meeting held in the Con- gregational church, Sept. 9, 1865. Horton Corwin was chairman of the meeting, and William E. Mapes secretary. The trustees named were Horton Corwin, James H. Corwin, George E. Putney, William W. Shaw, Stephen S. Mapes, Elliot A. Coleman, William E. Mapes, Sanford H. Stubbs, and Robert Cairns. The proceedings were verified by the officers before James H. Corwin, justice of the peace, September 11th, and recorded the 12th.
ST. JOSEPIT'S CEMETERY.
Upon the ample grounds secured for St. Joseph's Church, upon Cottage Street, beyond Wickham Ave- nue, a cemetery of considerable extent is laid out,
470
HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and with sufficient care and expenditure will develop into a burial-place of considerable beauty.
THIE WEBB CEMETERY ASSOCIATION, WALLKILL, was incorporated by a certificate verified June 15, 1867. The trustees named were John Valentine, William A. McCoy, Virgil S. Smith, Anthony J. Bennett, William II. Bennett, Virgil Knapp. John Valentine was chairman of the meeting held to or- ganize, and Floyd 11. Reeves secretary.
IX .- SOCIETIES, LIBRARIES, BANKS, INCOR- PORATIONS, Etc.
HOFFMAN LODGE, No. 300, F. AND A. M ..
was instituted in the town of Wallkill, Sept. 29, 1817, and the following officers installed : John Kirby, W. M .; Stacey Beakes, S. W .; Isaac Otis, J. W .; Isaac Mills, Treas. ; George Hill, Sec .; Charles An- derson, Tyler.
It took its name from Martin Hoffman, Deputy Grand Master of the State of New York .* Dr. Joshua . Hornbeek was the first man that joined the lodge. He was raised to the degree of a Master Mason Oct. 20, 1817. He practiced for a long time in the town of Wallkill, became eminent in his profession, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of the community until his death.
Among the men who first joined the lodge were Joseph Little, Jacob Mills, Dr. Joseph B. MeMunn, Charles Dill, and Henry S. Beakes, names familiar to all the old residents of the town of Wallkill. They all afterwards became honorary members of Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, except Jacob Mills. They are all dead. Joseph Little, having survived the others, died in February, 1874. The last meeting of the lodge of which we have any knowledge was held Sept. 10, 1832.
HOFFMAN LODGE, No. 412, F. AND A. M.,
was instituted in the village of Middletown, June 25, 1856, with ten charter members. Of these nine have either withdrawn or died ; its first Master alone re- mains. The number of members at present is about 200. It occupies the whole of the third floor of Ma- sonic Building, has a large and airy room for its meetings beantifully furnished. Alexander Wilson, its first Master, was honored for four years with the
* In July, 1818, the lodge received the following letter : " NEW YORK, June 23, 1818.
" MR. GEORGE HILL:
" Dear Sir,-I have this day put on board the sloop ' Mechanic,' Capt. Crawford, directed to the care of Benjamin F. Lewis, Newburgh, a case containing a Bible for the use of Hoffman Lodge, which I request you will present to the officers and members of the lodge, with my best wishes for its prosperity, and at the same time assure them that I will always feel an interest in its welfare and respectability.
" I am, sir, " Your obedient servaut,
" MARTIN HOFFMAN."
The same Bible is now in use by Iloffman Lodge, No. 412.
position of District Deputy Grand Master, having for his distriet the first year seven counties. The lodge has again been honored by the appointment of Willis L. Bagley as Distriet Deputy Grand Master for the present year.
The lodge meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7.30 P.M.
The officers of the lodge have been as follows:
1856 .- Alex. Wilson, Master; Silas R. Martine, S. W. ; D. C. Dusenbury, J. W .; C. C. McQnoid, Treas. ; E. B. Graham, Sec.
For subsequent years, in the same order :
1857, Alex. Wilson, Silas R. Martine, D. C. Dusenbury, II. HI. Hunt, E. B. Graham ; 1858, Alex. Wilson, Silas R. Martine, G. HI. Van Cleft, H. H. Hunt. E. B. Graham; 1859, Silas R. Martine, G. II. Vau Cleft, 1. Draper, H. H. Hunt, H. A. Cox ; 1860, J. Draper, J. G. Wilkin, H. H. Hunt, James Lytle, J. L. Vau Cleft ; 1861, J. G. Wilkiu, Isaac Roosa, C. C. McQuoid, Willison Taylor. J. B. Ilulse ; 1862, Alex. Wilson, C. C. MeQuoid, B. V. Wolf, J. G. Crawford, H. A. Cox ; 1863, Alex. Wil- son, C. C. McQuoid, B. V. Wolf, J. G. Crawford, D. W. C. Millspaugh; 1864, Alex. Wilson, C. C. MeQuoid, John I. Bradley, J. G. Crawford, C. H. Van Horn ; 1865, Alex. Wilson, C. J. Sloat, John 1. Bradley, J. G. Crawford, A. HI Corwin; 1866, Alex. Wilson, C. J. Slont, W. T. Barker, S. Sweet, J. D. Kockafellow ; 1867, Alex. Wilson, A. HI. Cor- win, J. F. Smith, S. Sweet, J. D. Rockafellow ; 1868, Alex. Wilson, A. II. Corwin, F. S. Penny, S. Sweet, J. D. Rockafellow ; 1869, A. H. Corwin, M. D, Stivers, M. D. Stewart, L. Armstrong, Ira M. Corwin ; 1870, A. Il. Corwin, J. F. Smith, H. D. Carey, L. Armstrong, C. J. Boyd; 1871, A. H. Corwin, W. L. Bagley, I. D. Carey, N. T. Smith, C. J. Boyd; 1872, M. D. Stivers, W. L. Bagley, M. H. Van Keuren, N. T. Smith, J D. Rockafellow ; 1873, W. L. Bagley, T. T. Terrell. G. Il. Wildman, N. T. Smith, J. D. Rockafellow ; 1874, W. L. Bagley, T. T. Terrill, S. G. Beyea. M. II. Van Keuren, N. T. Smith; 1875, W. L. Bagley, S. G. Beyea, H. McDonald, M. II. Van Keuren, N. T. Smith; 1876, W. L. Bagley, S. G. Beyea, I. D. Van Kleek, D. B. Cole, N. T. Smith ; 1877, M. H. Van Keuren, T. N. Little, C. J. Boyd, D. B. Cole, N. T. Smith ; 1878, M. HI. Van Keuren, T. N. Little, A. D. Seaman, S. A. Sease, N. T. Smith ; 1879, T. N. Little, A. D. Seaman, J. B. Car- son, S. A. Sease, N. T. Smith ; 1880, T. N. Little, C. V. Puff, O. N. Goldsmith, S. A. Sense, N. T. Smith.
MILDAND CHAPTER, No. 240, R. A. M.,
was organized March 17, 1869, with the following officers : Alexander Wilson, H. P .; C. J. Sloat, King; M. D. Stivers, Scribe; J. G. Wilkin, Treas. ; J. L. Bonell, Sec.
The officers for subsequent years, in the same order, have been :
1870-71, Alex. Wilsou, E. P. Wheeler, M. D. Stivers, J. G. Wilkin, A. II. Corwin; 1872, Alex. Wilson, J. M. II. Little, C. R. Smith, J. A. Swezey, G. II. Decker ; 1873, J. M. Il. Little, C. R. Smith, S. A. Sease, J. A. Swezey, G. H. Decker; 1874, J. M. II. Little, C. R. Smith, S. A. Scase, J. A. Swezey, S. S. Decker; 1875, C. R. Smith, J. K. Reed, W. II. Knapp, S. A. Sease, S. S. Decker; 1876, C. R. Smith, W. H. Stod- dard, S. G. Beyea, S. A. Sease, S. S. Decker; 1877, J. R. Reed, T. S. Lane, W. L. Bagley, S. A. Sease, Alex. Wilson ; 1878, W. L. Bagley, S. S. Decker, J. B. Carron, S. A. Sease, Alex. Wilson ; 1879, W. L. Bagley, J. B. Carson, O. N. Goldsmith. S. A. Sease, Alex. Wilson ; 1880, W. L. Bagley, O. N. Goldsmith, Tra L. Case, S. A. Sease, Alex. Wilson.
MIDDLETOWN LODGE, No. 112, I. O. O. F.,
was organized by John Stephens, Wm. H. Stewart, Hiram Shons, Henry B. Shons, and Wm. Warrell as charter members, and was instituted March 7, 1844, in rooms on North Street, in the building now known as the Erie Building, opposite the carpet-bag factory, where they met until Gothic Hall was erected, where they moved April 1, 1852. The rooms were dedicated
471
WALLKILL.
June 9, 1852, with a celebration consisting of a pro- cession and ball in the evening. In these rooms they continued to meet until April 26, 1869, when they took the rooms in Exchange Building formerly occu- pied by the Whig Press, which rooms were duly dedi- cated on the above date, under the direction of John M. Hanford, D.D.G.M. The lodge continued to meet in these rooms until April 1, 1877, when they moved in their present spacious rooms in Adams & Weller's building, North Street, which rooms were duly dedicated April 26, 1877, under the direction of J. R. McCullough, D.D.G.M. The present number of membership is 222. The principal officers during the thirty-six years of its existence are as follows, viz .:
Charter members, installed March 7, 1844: N. G., John Stevens; V. G., Wm. II. Stewart; Sec., Hiram Shous; Treas., Henry B. Shons; O. G., Wm. Warrell.
The presiding officers from July, 1844, to July, 1880, have been as follows, the first named being the Noble Grand, and the second the Vice Grand :
1844, July 5, William II. Stewart, Hiram Shons; Oct. 3, Hiram Shons, | S. R. Martine; 1845, Jan. 9, S. R. Martine, Elisha P'. Wheeler; April 3, Elisha P. Wheeler, George W. Underwood ; July 3, George W. Underwood, Joseph D. Friend; Oct. 2, Joseph D. Friend, An- thony llouston; 1846, Jan. 1, Anthony Houston, J. F. France; April 2, J. F. France, Elisha Judsou ; July 2, Elisha Judson, L. W. Piercy ; Oct. 1, L. W. Piercy, Gabriel N. Swezey ; 1847, Jan. 7, Gabriel N. Swezey, E. M. Madden; July 1, E. M. Madden, Thomas A. Hard- ing; 1848, Jan. 6, Thos. A. Harding, Il. V. King ; July 6, H. V. King, A. G. Edwards; 1849, Jan. 4, A. G. Edwards, George Houston; July 5, George Ilouston, Charles I. Stephenson : 1850, Jan. 3, Chas. I. Ste- phenson, Alexander Wilson; July 11, Alexander Wilson, Moses }]. Vau Kenren ; 1851, Jau. 2, M. H. Van Keuren, N. T. Smith ; July 3, N. T. Smith, James T. King; 1852, Jan. 8, Jas. T. King, Guy C. Wig- gins; July 1, G. C. Wiggins, J. G. Canfield; 1853, Jan. 6, J. G. Can- field, llenry S. Beakes; Joly 14, Heury S. Beakes, James G. Swezey ; 1854, Jan. 5, Jas. G. Swezey, John E. Corwin ; July 6, John E. Corwin, E. B. Graham; 1855, Jan. 4, E. B. Graham, J. L. Van Cleft; July 12, J. L. Vau Cleft, Samnel Pitts ; 1856, Jan. 10, Sanmel Pitts, II. W. Ste- phens; July 10, H. W. Stephens, D. B. Wheat; 1857, Jan. 10, D. B. Wheat, E. R. Dennison ; July 16, E. R. Dennison, J. L. Maefoy ; 1858, Jan., J. L. Maefoy, T. B. Clark ; July 15, Theron B. Clark, Fred. B. Ilnlse; 1859, Jan. 13, F. B. Hulse, John Scott; July 14, John Scott, Wm. F. Brown ; 1860, Jau. 12, Wm. F. Brown, A. A. Swinton ; July 5, A. A. Swinton, M. C. Owen ; 1861, Jan. 24, D. B. Wheat, T. G. Mapes; July 25, T. G. Mapes, John B. Williams ; 1862, Jan. 23, John B. Wil- liams, Jolin Scott ; July 31, John Scott, S. L. Preston ; 1863, Jan. 8, S. L. Preston, M. H. Van Keuren ; July 9, M. II. Van Keuren, D. Newkirk ; 1864, Jan. 7, D. Newkirk, J. M. Hanford; July 7, J. M. Hanford, John M. HI. Little; 1865. Jan. 5, John M. Il. Little, Silas H. Kirby ; July 13, Silas H. Kirby, A. J. Ilardenburgh ; 1866, Jan. 4, A. J. Ilardenburgh, Th. R. Crans; July 5, T R. Crans, Wm. T. Lud- lum ; Oct. 18, Wm. T. Ludlum, John J. Huyler ; 1867, April 4, Johu J. Huyler, D. A. Kiunie ; Oct. 3, D. A. Kinnie, E. B. Hanford ; 1868, April 9, E. B. Hanford, C. A. Reight; Oct. 8, M. C. Owen, John D. Rockafellow ; 1869, April 1, John D. Rockafellow, Isaac Crans; Oct. 7, Isaac Crans, S. C. Shaw ; 1870, April 7, J. D. Friend, J. T. Cockayue; Oct. 13, J. T. Cockayne, J. S. Dunning ; 1871, April 13, J. S. Duuning, C. J. Thayer; Oct. 13, C. J. Thayer, J. E. Herrick ; 1872, April 4, J. E. Herrick, H. C. Waters; Oct. 3, H. C. Waters, Jawies Kelly ; 1873, April 3, James Kelly, George Wright ; 1874, Jan. 1, George Wright, Daniel E. Briuk; July 9, Daniel E. Brink, Albert H. Little; 1875, Jan. 7, A. H. Little, J. W. Greggs; July 1, J. W. Greggs, David Ben- jawin: 1876, Jan. 6, David Benjamin, Benjamin Webster; July 6, Benjamin Webster, John E. Iseman ; 1877, Jan. 6, John E. Iseman, Wright Rhodes; July 5, Wright Rhodes, Frank O. Grover; 1878, Jan. 10, Wright Rhodes, Chas. C. Foss; July 4, Chas. C. Foss, Thos, A. March ; 1879, Jan. 2, Thos. A. March, Levi Schooner; July 3, Levi Schooner, Charles W. Roberts; 1880, Jan. 1, Charles W. Roberts, Samuel W. Roberts.
The present officers (July 1, 1880) are as follows : N. G., Samuel W. Roberts; V. G., O. N. Goldsmith ; Rec. See., Win. A. Preston ; Treas., Levi H. Truex ; Per. Sec., E. B. Hanford. Membership at last report 222.
This information is furnished under the direction of lodge by Wm. A. Preston, Recording Secretary.
LUTHIER LODGE, No. 380, I. O. O. F.,
of Middletown, N. Y., was established Feb. 25, 1874. The object of this lodge is, first, to visit the sick ; second, to bury the dead; third. to relieve the dis- tressed ; fourth, to care for the widows and orphans. The first principal officers installed in the lodge were: N. G., Fred Lowe; V. G., David Wiss; Sec., Henry Behme; Treas., George Storch.
The present presiding officers of the lodge are: N. G., Jacob Young ; V. G., John Altelman ; Sec., Conrad Gerhardt ; Treas., Henry Emde.
ORANGE ENCAMPMENT, No. 93, I. O. O. F.,
was instituted Nov. 23, 1877, by D. D. G. P. Chas. W. Myers, of New York, assisted by members of Wall- kill Valley Encampment, of Walden, this county, with the following charter members : Stephen L. Pres- ton, Levi Schoonover, Leonard Blumenstock, James Kelly, James S. Herrick, Wright Rhodes, C. R. Var- coe, Alex. Wilson, John E. Ireman, Thomas Cross, Saml. W. Roberts, Pincus A. Stransman, Chas. A. Green, Elnathan W. Hoyt, Byram Miller, Fred. H. Bradner.
The following were elected and installed in their respective offices, viz. : C. P., Stephen L. Preston ; H. P., Levi Schoonover; S. W., Leonard Blumen- stock; Scribe, Wright Rhodes; Treas., Chas. A. Green ; J. W., James Kelly.
The officers since that time have been as follows :
July 1, 1878 .- C. P., Levi Schoonover ; H. P., Leonard Blumenstock ; S. W., James Kelly ; Scribe, Samnel W. Roberts; F. S., Stephen L. Preston ; Treas., Charles A. Green ; J. W., Wright Rhodes.
Jan. 1, 1879 .- C. P., Leonard Blumenstock ; II. P., Wright Rhodes; S. W., Byram Miller ; Scribe, Elnathan W. Iloyt; F. S., Stephen L. Preston ; Treas., Charles A. Greeu ; J. W., David Benjamin.
July 1, 1879 .- C. P., Wright Rhodes; II. P., Byram Miller; S. W., Sam- nel W. Roberts; Scribe, Charles C. Foss; F. S., Stephen L. Preston ; Treas., Charles A. Green; J. W., Ira S. Clausou.
Jau. 1, 1880 .- C. P., Byram Miller; ! I. P., Samuel W. Roberts; S. W., Ira S. Clanson; Scribe, Charles W. Roberts ; F. S., Stephen L. I'res- ton ; Treas., Charles A. Green ; J. W., Robert Lawrence.
Present Officers .- C. P., Samuel W. Roberts; 11. P., Ira S. Clauson ; S. W., Wm. C. Borland; Scribe, Robert Lawrence ; F. S., David Benjamin ; Treas., Charles A. Green ; J. W., George II. Kirby.
EXCELSIOR LODGE, No. 829, I. O. G. T.
This is a temperance organization that has been ac- tively in operation for some years.
Its present officers (July, 1880) are: W. C. T., Joshua Briggs; W. V. T., Lydia Wetzel; W. R. S., Robert Lawrence ; W. F. S., W. H. Randall ; W. T., Mary E. Ackerman; W. C., Mrs. D. S. Lowden ; W. M., M. H. Wilson; W. I. G., Emma Wilson ; W. G. G., L. B. Russell ; L. D., S. Near.
472
IIISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
GERMANIA MANNERCHIOR.
The present officers of this vigorous German asso- ciation are Albert Loebs, Pres .; Charles L. Humph- rey, Vice-Pres. ; E. Simons, Sec .; Ilerman Otto, Treas .; W. C. F. Bastian, Musical Director ; Theo- dore Brecht, Librarian.
The society have pleasant and convenient rooms at Bastian's Hotel.
MIDDLETOWN BANK.
In the year 1839 an act of incorporation was ap- plied for under the existing State banking act for a bank to be established in the village of Middletown, Orange Co., N. Y., and to be known and conducted under the title of the Middletown Bank. Appended to the application for a charter were the following names of incorporators and subscribers to the capital stock :
Joshua Mulock, Daniel Greenleaf, Jesse Carpenter, Wm. Graham, Isaac Ketcham, Gilbert IForton, Wm. Arnout, John C. Wilbur, Moses Mapes, Oliver Hulse, George S. McWilliams, John V. Mapes, Dr. John Conkling, Il. E. Horton, Henry Bull, I. P. Roberts, John M. Stitt, I. H. Wickham, Cornelius Van Bus- kirk, Wm. Hoyt, Geo. Horton, Dodge & Thompson, Jesse Smith, David Moore, Isaac Hoyt, John Conk- ling, A. S. Murray, Gilbert Horton, Wm. MI. Gra- | by Henry P. Roberts, Dec. 24, 1846, who in turn was ham, A. Wright, Joseph Davis, Stacey Beakes, Philip succeeded by John G. Wilkin, Feb. 25, 1860. Swartwout.
All the requirements of the law having been com- plied with, the application was granted, and soon thereafter, on July 1, 1839, the incorporators met and elected the following-named board of directors :
Messrs. Joseph Davis, Joshua Mulock, Gilbert Horton, William Graham, John C. Wilbur, George Houston, Stacey Beakes, Israel I. Wickham, David Moore, John Conkling, Samuel Denton, Henry P. Roberts, Henry E. Horton, Samuel W. Brown, and Gabriel Ilorton, who then completed the organiza- tion by electing officers as follows: President, Joseph Davis; Vice-President, George Houston ; Cashier, Alexander Wright.
. Of the above-named board but two still survive, Mr. Samuel Denton, of this village, and Dr. John Conkling, of Port Jervis.
The first business site of the bank was the building on West Main Street now occupied by Daniel H. Bailey, Esq., and since remodeled. This continued to be the place of business for several years ; but in- creasing custom and growing prosperity, together with the need of a structure more substantially con- structed and better adapted to the business, prompted a change of location. Accordingly a property on the corner of North and what is now known as Depot Streets was purchased at a cost of $900, and upon it the structure long known as the "old bank build- ing" was erceted at a cost to the bank of $5800. In this location the business was continued for many years, and until the same causes which dictated the
first move made necessary a second. Then it was that the property upon the site of which the bank now conducts business was purchased. This was in March, 1861, after which the building now occupied was erected.
The bank commenced business, as near as data enables us to ascertain, with a paid-up capital stock of $77,000, which was increased first to $84,000, then, in 1846, to $100,000, and further increased, in the year 1854, to $125,000, at which figure it stood so long as the institution continued to do business under State laws.
Reorganization was had on July 1, 1865, under the provisions of the United States banking act, and the title of the bank was amended so as to read "The Middletown National Bank." The capital stock was increased at this time to the present amount, $200,000.
It is remarkable that the bank in its long career has had at its head but three presidents,-Joseph Davis, who held the office from the organization to November, 1865; James B. Hulse, who was elected upon the demise of Mr. Davis, and who held the office from Nov. 11, 1865, to the date of Jan. 9, 1877, when Thomas King, the present incumbent, was chosen to the position. The first vice-president, Geo. Houston, continued in office until he was succeeded
The first cashier, Alex. Wright, held the office nu- til he was sueceeded by Wm. M. Graham, Sept. 5, 1844, who in turn was succeeded, Feb. 23, 1860, by Jas. B. Hulse. Upon the election of Mr. Hulse to the presidency, Thomas King became cashier, and continued in the office until March 1, 1870, when he was succeeded by Daniel Corwin, who administers the duties of the office at this time.
On March 1, 1870, the office of assistant cashier was ereated, and Nathan M. Halloek was elected to it.
The first clerk to the bank was Mr. Wm. M. Gra- ham, who was appointed Oet. 14, 1841. The eon- ditions of his appointment were that he was to serve without pay and to board himself for the first three months, after which the bank was to find him board for the remaining months of the year's service. Presi- dent Joseph Davis gave his faithful and valuable ser- vices for the sum of $300 per year, while the first cashier, Alex. Wright, enjoyed a salary of $200.
The first attorney to the bank was John E. Philips, of Goshen, who was appointed Dec. 14, 1840. Such was the primitiveness of the community that as yet no disciple of Blackstone had put out a shingle here. But in 1841, John C. Dimmick, who had in the mean time settled here, succeeded to the attorneyship, which he held until succeeded by John G. Wilkin, May 19, 1849.
The present board of trustees (1880) consists of H. R. Wilcox, A. L. Vail, D. C. Dusenbury, John G. Wilkin, Chas. HI. Van Wyck, Daniel Thompson, Daniel Corwin, Joshua Draper, Thomas King.
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WALLKILL.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MIDDLETOWN.
This institution was organized in October, 1864, and opened for business soon after. The first board of directors consisted of Henry E. Horton, Wm. Evans, Jr., Selah R. Corwin, Charles B. Roosa, Thomas B. Scott, Oliver B. Vail, Stephen S. Conkling, Coe Robertson, James J. Mills, Alanson Slaughter, Sam- uel C. Howell, Theodore J. Denton, Jonathan Sayre. Wm. Evans, Jr., was president ; H. E. Horton, vice- president; Daniel Corwin, cashier. Mr. Evans was succeeded in 1875 by Wm. B. Royce, who is still the incumbent of that office. David Corwin remained as cashier until 1870, and was then succeeded by Wm. L. Graham, the present cashier. The present board (1880) consists of the following: Selah R. Corwin, Wm. Evans, Oliver B. Vail (deceased, and vacancy not filled), D. C. McMonagle, W. L. Graham, Thomas C. Royce, Jonathan Sayre, James F. Dolsen, Alanson Slanghter, W. B. Royce, Theodore J. Dolsen. The present vice-president is Selah R. Corwin. The eapi- tal of the bank was established at $100,000, and re- mains the same at the present time.
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