History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 116

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336

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 116

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WILLIAM B. ROYCE .- His ancestors for five gene- rations lived at and near Mansfield, Conn. Solomon Royce, his great-grandfather, married Lydia Atwood, of Cape Cod, Mass., a descendant of one of the pil- grims who came in the " May Flower" on her first voy- age. The fruit of this union was six children, four sons and two daughters, one of whom was Solomon Royce, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who removed with his family from Mansfield, Conn., to the town of Thompson, Sullivan Co., N. Y., in the year 1804, and settled about three miles west of the present village of Monticello, the year after its first settlement by its founder, John P'. Jones. Solomon Royce, who during his early life had studied naviga- tion, and for some years followed the sea, upon his re- moval to Sullivan County, which was at that time nearly an unbroken wilderness, turned his attention to surveying, and had charge of the settlement of nearly the whole of the western portion of the county, and was instrumental in turning the attention of Ger- man emigrants of the better class in that direction, thus securing its early development and permanent prosperity. His homestead contained about 300 acres of land, most of which he cleared of its original forest. Ile died in 1859, aged eighty-one years. His wife, Naney Billings, bore him eigbt sons and one daughter,-Alpheus B., James F., Charles B., Edward G., Thomas T., Margaret A., wife of Moses Bush, Nathaniel A., Isaac B., and Stephen W.

All settled in Sullivan and Orange Counties except Thomas and James, who located in Michigan.

Of these children, Alpheus B. was father of Wil- liam B. Royce. During the former and latter part of his life he resided at Monticello, and was engaged in surveying. For a few years he carried on mercan- tile business at North Branch, in Sullivan County,

and from 1859 to 1868 he resided on the homestead, to which he succeeded by inheritance.

He was one of the original surveyors that located the surveys of the State of Michigan, and was one of the engineers who had the supervision of the con- struction of the Croton aqueduct. He also acted as agent, and had charge of the sale of a large part of the land in the northern and western part of Sullivan County.

He acquired a large property in real estate in the county, was influential in his town and county, and was justice of the peace and supervisor of the town of Callicoon, where he resided for many years. As his father had been one of the founders of the Pres- byterian Church at Monticello, and an active member of it afterwards, so he also was a supporter of church and kiudred interests, and was one of the founders and an elder of the First Presbyterian Church at North Branch, in that county. He was born in 1803, died in 1870, and his remains are buried at Middle- town, N. Y.

His wife, Mary A., daughter of William Mangan, of Sing Sing, N. Y., was born in 1811, and at the time of her marriage to Mr. Royce was the widow of Louis Purdy, by whom she had one daughter, Albina, wife of Caleb W. Horton, of Tarrytown, N. Y.

Alpheus B. Royce's children are William B. and Anna E., wife of Daniel H. Webster, of Middletown, the financial agent of Brown & Boyd, of Indian- apolis.

William B. Royce was born in the town of Thomp- son, Dec. 9, 1841, and obtained his early education in the district schools, attending for a short time the Monticello Academy and the public schools in New York City.

He was engaged in teaching school in 1860 and 1863, and in 1861-62 he was a clerk in the store of W. D. Mangan, a flour and grain merchant of New York.

In 1864 he was appointed a clerk in the United States provost-marshal's office at Goshen, and in 1865 was made chief clerk of the office, where he remained until the fall of that year, and was transferred to Albany to close up the records of the district, which he did, and resigned his position in December of the same year.

On Jan. 1, 1866, Mr. Royce came to Middletown, and began the study of law in the office of James N. Pronk, and was admitted to the bar at the February term of the Supreme Court, at Brooklyn, in 1867. His early admission to the bar was quickened by hav- ing studied law while a resident of Goshen.

Immediately after his admission as an attorney-at- law he began the practice of his profession in Mid- detowu, which he continued until April 1, 1875, when he was elected president of the First National Bank of Middletown, to the duties of which position he has given most of his time since.

Since coming to Middletown Mr. Royce has been

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closely identified with the business and educational interests of the village.

He was village elerk and attorney in 1869-70, member of the Board of Education since 1878, was elected supervisor of the town of Wallkill in 1879, and by re-election has served the town in that ca- pacity since, the last two years being re-elected with- out opposition.

His wife, Mary E., daughter of William O. Roe and Catharine Sly, of Goshen, he married June 12, 1867. Their children are William F., Nellie B., Herbert B., and Edith C.

MIDDLETOWN SAVINGS-BANK.

A law authorizing the formation of this organization was passed March 5, 1866. The authority thus conferred was not, however, exercised until au act reviving and amending the original statute was passed, May 1, 1869. The incorporators named in this amended law were Elisha P. Wheeler, Jonathan M. Matthews, Joshua Draper, Osmer B. Wheeler, David C. Winfield, Wil- liam Evans, Benjamin W. Shaw, Hiram Brink, Hiland H. Hunt, John W. Baird, William M. Graham, James B. Hulse, John G. Wilkin, Horatio R. Wilcox, Charles H. Horton, Gilbert O. Hulse, Harvey Everett, Daniel C. Dusenbury, Henry B. Dill, Henry B. Ogden, Linus B. Babcock, Stephen S. Conkling, George L. Denton, William MI. McQuoid. Levi Starr, John H. Bell, Coe Robertson, Selah R. Corwin, Do- rastus B. Irwin, Robert H. Houston, Rufus D. Case, Leander Crawford, Ira M. Corwin, James J. Mills, William W. Reeve, Lewis Armstrong. Albert H. Russell, M. Lewis Clark, Charles Horton, Archibald L. Vail, Uzal T. Hayes, Edward M. Madden.

After the necessary arrangements the bank was duly organized, and commenced business in Septem- ber, 1869. The first deposit made was the sum of fifty dollars by S. S. Draper, a son of Dr. Joshua Draper. At the present time (1880) the deposits amount to about $500,000.

The present trustees are Joshua Draper, president ; H. R. Wilcox and A. L. Vail, vice-presidents ; George L. Denton, secretary and treasurer ; John G. Wilkin, Lewis Armstrong, M. D. Stivers, Selah R. Corwin, S. H. Talcott, W. T. Hayes, G. O. Ilulse, Wm. Mills- paugh.

NEW YORK AND ERIE INSURANCE COMPANY.

This institution was incorporated in February, 1853, under the general insurance law, with a capital of $100,000, which was increased to $150,000 a few years later. It opened two departments, one for farmers and the other for merchants.

It continued in business for a few years, but finally became embarrassed financially, and its affairs were finally closed up by the appointment of a receiver.

THIE WALLKILL BANK

executed a certificate of incorporation April 27, 1857. The office was stated in the paper as established at

Middletown, the business to commence August 3d of the same year. The enterprise was inaugurated in accordance with this certificate. Under the national law of a few years later it became a national bank. Subsequently its affairs became financially embar- rassed, and the institution was closed about the year 1873.

THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY

was incorporated Mareh 10, 1801. A meeting was held at the house of Isaiah Vail, and the trustees named were Benjamin Webb, II. B. Wisner, Isaiah Vail, William T. Bull, Thomas Houston, B. H. Smith, John Tinker, Elisha Reeve, Israel Wickham, and Abel Woodhull.

The chairman was Israel Wickham, and the paper was verified by him before Judge Moses Phillips. This institution thus incorporated became an actual fact. Books of a valuable historical character were purchased. A fragment of the original catalogue, in possession of Mr. George Wickham, commences with Marshall's " Life of Washington." In 1827 the asso- ciation was reorganized, a new constitution being adopted March 13th. A subscription for new mem- bers had been made the previous year. March 31, 1828, there were two hundred and seventy-nine vol- nmes. It does not appear from Mr. Wickham's papers where the books were kept, nor how long the library lasted.

THE ORANGE COUNTY MILK ASSOCIATION.

This organization, though now doing a business of quite modern origin, was originally formed in 1843, and was at that time mostly an agency for the sale of Orange County milk, located in New York, and man- aged by Mr. John M. Wood. That early organiza- tion sold out in 1847 or 1848 to the present company. The business soon after was considerably enlarged, and represented extensive interests. In 1860 it was incorporated by act of the Legislature.

Prominent in the management at that time were Adrian Holbert, James MI. Horton, George W. Alli- son, James Kennedy, and Richard Decker. The present large and commodious buildings in Middle- town were erected in 1868. The business then became more distinctly a local enterprise, manufacturing con- densed milk mostly, with a small amount of butter and cheese. Ten or fifteen hands are employed, and at the height of the season from 10,000 to 11,000 quarts of milk are purchased daily of farmers. R. Decker is the superintendent. The New York agency is managed by George Conklin, at 27 Vestry Street.

TIIE SUTHERLAND FALLS MARBLE COMPANY, WALLKILL,

executed a certificate of incorporation Dec. 31, 1856. The objects were declared to be "the mining and quarrying of marble, and the working and manu- facturing of the same for any purpose for which marble is or may be used." The trustees named were Henry P. Roberts, Elisha P. Wheeler, Edward M.

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Madden, William M. Graham, and John G. Williams. The operations of the company were to be carried on in Middletown, and also in Rutland and Sudbury, Vt. This was an enterprise that passed into other hands in a few years. It is understood to have been a valuable franchise, the quarries covered by the title yielding rich and abundant material.

OIL AND MINING COMPANIES.

During the period of "inflation" immediately fol- lowing the war, and developed by the excitement at- tendant upon the discovery of petroleum, Middletown had its full share of companies. They were formed in good faith ; mueh territory that has since yielded immense fortunes to other parties was covered by these varions papers. Considerable capital was expended, but all the enterprises were sooner or later abandoned. We give the following list of incorporations as a part of the history of that exciting period :

MIDDLETOWN LUBRICATING OIL COMPANY .- The charter of this association was recorded in the office of the county clerk Dec. 28, 1864. The trustees named in the instrument were Albert H. Russell, Levi Starr, Charles H. Horton, Joshua Draper, Joseph Davis, W. M. Graham, James B. Hulse, Jonathan M. Matthews, George S. Thomas. The amount of the capital stock was stated at $250,000, not to be paid in money, but to consist of and be represented by land leases, wells, ete. The operations of the company were to be car- ried on in Middletown, and in the township of Cran- berry, Venango Co., Pa., and elsewhere.

THE ROCK OIL COMPANY OF MIDDLETOWN Was organized Dec. 31, 1864. The capital was stated at $20,000, to be represented by the lands, leases, wells, and other property of the company.

The object was declared to be the mining, boring for petroleum, roek, earbon, or lubricating oils, coal, salt, or other minerals. The names of the trustees were Jonathan M. Matthews, Harvey Everett, Alger- non S. Dodge, Levi Starr, William M. Graham, Henry B. Dill, Leeman A. Tripp, John G. Wilkin, and Charles H. Horton.

THE KING OIL COMPANY of Middletown was in- corporated by a certificate recorded in the office of the county clerk, and bearing date Jan. 2, 1865. The objects of the association were stated as "the mining and boring for petroleum, rock, or carbon, and lubri- cating oils, coal, salt, or other minerals; the pur- chase, leasing, developing, sinking, and working of oil-wells, and the purchase or lease of oil or other mineral lands, and the purchase and sale of such leases and lands, and the forwarding of the products to market." The trustees named were Ashbel C. King, John K. Hoffry, Levi Starr, James B. Hulse, Albert H. Russell, Joshua Draper, Jonathan M. Matthews, Elisha P. Wheeler, Corydon T. King, John G. Wilkin.

THE WALLKILL LEAD COMPANY made an annual report Jan. 19, 1865, showing capital stock to the

amount of $500,000 actually paid in. The debts were stated at about $6200.

The report was signed by S. L. Crosby, E. A. Qeuis- sant, S. A. Banks, George B. Satterlee, Hamilton Odell.

THE DRAPER OIL COMPANY

was formed Jan. 31, 1865. It was declared that the operations of the company were to be carried on in Middletown. The objects were stated to be the mining or boring for petroleum-rock, or carbon, and lubri- cating oils, coal, salt, or other minerals. The trustees appointed were Joseph A. Bouvell, Asa Eaton, Charles Horton, Albert H. Russell, William M. Graham, Levi Starr, Edward M. Madden, James B. Hnlse, John G. Wilkin. The articles of association were recorded | Feb. 2, 1865.

THE ADAMS MINING COMPANY

was formed June 5, 1868, with its principal place of business at Middletown, and its mining operations declared to be intended to be carried on in the towns of Deerpark, Greenville, Mount Hope, Monroe, Corn- wall, and Wallkill, in this county, as well as in cer- tain other towns in other counties. Three trustees were named,-Samuel Conklin, Emmet Moore, and Stephen T. Hoyle. The stock was to consist of 40,000 shares, and the company to continue fifty years.

This was a later association than those of 1864 and 1865, but did not enter into actual mining operations.

THE MIDDLETOWN AND UNIONVILLE TELEGRAPH COMPANY

was organized by a certificate filed in the office of the county clerk, bearing date Oct. 22, 1867. The capital stock was stated at $2000, divided into 40 shares of $50 each. The company was organized for one thousand years, terminating on the first day of October, A.D. 2867. The stockholders were Elisha P. Wheeler, James N. Pronk, Hiland H. Hunt, Levi Starr, William Evans, Dorastus B. Irwin, Marens S. Haynes, Henry A. Wadsworth, William H. Clark, Asa Smith, Samuel V. Pierson, and John C. Wisner.

THE MIDDLETOWN BUILDING AND LOAN ASSO- CIATION

was established Oct. 15, 1873, I. R. Clements, presi- dent; G. G. McChesney, vice-president; Charles J. Boyd, treasurer; H. S. Conklin, secretary. There has been no change in these officers since the com- mencement. The society is on the same plan as similar associations in Philadelphia, to wit: the cumulative system, dues, fines, interest, and all re- ceipts pooled and kept until the gross sum will pay every shareholder $200 on each share. The first series ran out Feb. 17, 1880, when there was disbursed $75,000. There are five other series running. Dues are two dollars monthly on each share.

THE EVENING STANDARD ASSOCIATION

was organized in the village of Middletown, July 28, 1877, for the purpose of publishing a temperance

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paper, to be named the Evening Standard. The capi- tal stock was fixed at 81000, to be divided into 100 shares of $10 each. Eleven trustees were appointed, as follows: Asa Eaton, Leander Brink, Ethelbert Selleck, Charles Roberts, James A. Wilkison, Charles Bell, John F. Malette, Charles II. Mead, John W. Ilill, Charles T. Lyon, John C. Smith. This was an effort to establish a newspaper to distinctively advo- cate the principles of temperance. Under this organi- zation a paper was started with the above name, of which Mr. John F. Malette was the editor. It was continued for about three months, when for various reasons the undertaking was abandoned.

THE ZETESIAN DEBATING SOCIETY

was organized Oct. 25, 1877, by the election of the following officers; President, Henry P. Addis ; Vice- President, Joseph B. Hulett; Secretary, D. Dewitt Schoonmaker; Treasurer, N. Elmer Conkling. The officers are elected to serve for three months only, and the following gentlemen have presided over the society since its organization : Henry P. AAddis, S. Willard Beakes, Walter R. Emory, Henry P. Addis, Andrew J. Durland, Henry P. Addis (to fill vacancy), C. S. Mills, Granville H. Fuller (to fill vaeancy), S. W. Addis.

The officers for the present quarter are: President, Jas. MeDermott ; Vice-President, Philip S. Mosher; Secretary, E. Irving Van Horn; Treasurer, Moses Vail. The Zetesian Literary Journal has since the organization of the society been maintained by the members. By the political division of the society Mr. Ira F. Swalm is now editor of the Zetesian Demo- crut, and Mr. Edwin R. Storm of the Zetesian Repub- licun, thus giving each faction an exponent of its own views.

The Zetesian bar, composed of those members pre- paring for the legal profession, has at various times furnished tbe publie with entertainment in the shape of mock trials, which were always greeted by flatter- ing audiences. The society numbers about 20 mem- bers, and is in a flourishing condition.

MIDDLETOWN GOSPEL TEMPERANCE UNION.

In April, 1877, a wonderful interest in the temper- ance reform was developed during a series of meetings conducted by C. M. Winchester, who was sent out under direction of the Co-operative Temperance Union of New York City. The meetings were so large night after night that no room was found of suf- ficient capacity to contain them, and a tent was pro- cured. The revival continued until more than 3000 persons had signed the pledge.

It being deemed by some desirable to organize a society, a meeting was called for that purpose, to be held in the Congregational church, June 8, 1877.

The meeting was very fully attended by the citi- zens, and proved to be the most exciting ever held on the subject of temperance. A few persons, including

nearly all the clergy of the village, favored a pledge for the society that should be general in its eharacter, without specifying wine and eider; on the other hand, Mr. Winchester and many of the signers to his pledge declared that to change the pledge would be to lower the standard and weaken the force of the movement then in progress. After a long and exciting debate the vote was taken, and the following pledge adopted as a basis of membership in the "Gospel Temperance Union":

"I promise, with the help of God, that I will not make, buy, sell, or use as a beverage any spirituous or malt liquors, wine, or cider; and I will use my best efforts to induce all others to form and keep the same good resolution."

The following officers were then elected, although the parties favoring the weaker pledge had a list of candidates nominated headed by a prominent minis- ter of the village : President, C. M. Winchester ; Vice- Presidents, E. M. Madden, Jr., Charles Bell, Mrs. Chester Belding, John C. Smith, Win. Evans; Sec., Thomas Featherstone; Treas., Mrs. Frank Fletcher; Executive Committee, Chester Belding, A. A. Weller, G. B. Fuller, A. J. Wilkison, Hon. W. J. Groo, Mrs. L. Wheeler, Mrs. J. W. Ross, Mrs. Frank Fletcher.

The society continued daily temperance meetings for some sixteen weeks after its organization, and since that time it has held at least one publie meeting a week.

The present officers are: President, C. M. Winches- ter; Vice-Presidents, D. L. Conkling, E. M. Madden, Jr., Hon. W. J. Groo, J. H. Millspaugh, E. Selleck ; Sec., Charles Bell; Treas., Leander Brink ; Executive Committee, Hector Moore, T. L. Mills, J. E. Corter, Charles Bell, Chester Belding, II. H. Jessup, Mrs. Frank E. Burr.

WALLKILL COUNCIL, No. 57, ROYAL TEMPLARS OF TEMPERANCE.

The above society was organized at Middletown Aug. 13, 1878. It was organized under a charter granted by the Supreme Council. The object of the order is the promotion of temperance and the creation of a beneficiary fund for the relief of families of dis- abled or deceased members.

At the decease of a member, if a male, the family receives 82000; if a female, $1000. In case of total disability half the above sums, and the balance at death. Wallkill Council pays its sick members $3 a week by a special siek benefit department. Total abstinence and a healthy physical condition is neces- sary to membership. This council has now 81 mem- bers in good standing, and is in a strong tinaneial con- dition. Its meetings are held in the Free Christian Meeting-House on Monday evening of each week. The following are the present officers: Select Coun- cilor, Chauney B. Moore; Vice-Couneilor, John C. Smith; Ree. Sec., C. M. Winchester ; Fin. Sec., John M. Brink; Treasurer, U. D. Gee; Herald, Franklin L. Mills; Deputy Herald, Jennie F. Dusenbury ;

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Chaplain, Ann S. Van Fleet; Past Councilor, C. M. Conant, M.D .; Gnard, Josephine Jenkins; Sentinel, Geo. M. Smith ; Med. Examiner, C. M. Conant, M.D. The presiding and past officers from the beginning have been Hon. W. J. Groo, Peter F. Miller, C. M. Winchester, C. M. Conant, M.D., Chauncy B. Moore.

THE MIDDLETOWN HEBREW UNION

was incorporated by a certificate executed Feb. 19, 1880. The trustees named in and signing the instru- ment were Benjamin V. Wolff, Joshua Mendelshon, Adolph Budwig, Charles Wolff, Henry Harris, L. Stern, Elias Simon, S. Lipfeld.

This is a new organization for social and benevolent purposes, and bids fair to take its place among the other important societies of this place. It is also a religious society to maintain public worship and sus- tain a Sunday-school.

X .- PLACES OF SPECIAL NOTE.

The town of Wallkill shares in the valuable lacus- trine deposits that characterize Orange County, and in the fossil remains found in them.

In 1843 the remains of a Mastodon Maximus were dug from a marl-bed on the farm owned at one time by Mr. William Connor, a short distance from Scotch- town. They were removed to Albany.

INDIAN SPRING.

This spring is on the farm owned in modern times by Hon. Judge Slaughter. The farm is situated east of where the turnpike leading from Montgomery to Mount Hope crosses Three-Mile Hill, and east of Michigan. The spring was always known by this name within Mr. Slaughter's recollection. In plow- ing up a field on this farm for the first time many Indian arrows were found, in length varying from two to six inches. An axe of the hardest flint, and as large as the hand, was also found, which is now lost or carried away as a curiosity.

The tradition in the neighborhood is that some of the Indians, for some cause not now known, became offended with the family of Daniel Butterfield, and determined to revenge themselves by murdering the family. It was in midsummer, and when the grain- fields were full grown. One day a bush was seen by the family at an unusual place in the grain-field near the house where the individual did not recollect to have seen one before, and it attracted his attention. While he thought upon it and stood for a little time gazing in that direction, he thought he saw the bush move slowly towards the house. He instantly con- cluded there was mischief of some kind, if not death, as well as an Indian under the bush ; and soon as pos- sible, without noise, entered the house, and informed the inmates of what he had seen and what he ex- pected. Preparations for attack and defense proper to meet the emergency were made in a moment. One took his gun, well loaded for execution, and proceeded to where he could see the bush, and where it was

moving directly towards him and the house. Here, in secret and profound silence, he waited till the bush should approach so near as to develop its friendly or hostile character, and insure success in case he had to fire upon it. The needful preparations, as far as limited means and the approach of sudden danger admitted, were arranged by the family in the house. To each a duty was assigned, and, aware of the re- sponsibility, they individually assumed to discharge it as in a case of life and deathi.

The bush continued to move steadily and silently forward, and in the direction of the house,-circum- stances of awful import to all concerned. A thrill of deepest excitement passed like lightning through the bosom of the watchman, as he saw the danger approach slowly and with apparent design, and thought of the consequence of any failure on his part to arrest its progress. The same all-absorbing and breathless anxiety filled the inmates of the dwelling, where the silence of death reigned,-no one daring to breathe. The time for action came; the watcliman, with ex- cited coolness, and eye upon the sight of his musket, drew up; took the deadly aim : the bush fell, and on taking it up an enemy, and, as suspected, a red man of the forest, with instruments of death in his hand, was found beneath it.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 116

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1336

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336