History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 121

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 121

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taken by the British ; Peggy; and P'olly, wife of George Conkling, of Goshen.

Andrew Clark McNish, born Aug. 17, 1752, died Feb. 12, 1805. Ilis wife was Elizabeth Davis, of Long Island, who was born in 1752, and died Feb. 22, 1797, leaving eight children,-Joshua, boru Sept. 1, 1779, was stationed on Staten Island, and served for fifteen months there in the war of 1812; Polly, born in 1781; Phebe, born in 1783, died at the age of eleven years ; Joanna, born Sept. 21, 1785, wife of Robert Kirk ; Sarah, born Aug. 12, 1782, wife of David Everett, father of Dr. Everett, of Middletown; Henry, born April 5, 1791, is residing in the town of Mount Hope, in 1881, and served with his brother in the war of 1812, under Col. Faulkner; Andrew, born March 26, 1793; and Spicer, born April 24, 1795, resided in Sullivan County, where he was accidentally killed by a falling tree.

Andrew was a carpenter by trade, and built the Clove Church in Wantage, N. J. IIe was subsequently a farmer there, where he spent the remainder of his life. Henry was a blacksmith.

Andrew Clark McNish owned 100 acres of land within what is now the corporation of Middletown, on the road leading from Bloomingburgh to Mechan- ictown, npon which he erected a log house and log barn. Here he resided until his death. Upon the death of the parents, when the children were all young, they were put out among their friends. The eldest, Joshua, succeeded to the homestead, and gave, as re- quested in his father's will, his brothers and sisters $75 each, and a trade, if they chose to learn one. Joshua was father of our subject, and resided upon the homestead during his life. Subsequent to his marriage he built a house on another part of the homestead, which was destroyed by fire in 1855, and the same year the present substantial residence was built by his son, Wiekham C., who purchased the property of his brother, Andrew C., in 1854, and re- tained possession of it until 1860, when he sold it to his brother-in-law, James B. Crawford, who now re- sides upon it. His wife, Mary MI., born June 4, 1789, was a daughter of Deacon James Reeve, one of the founders and first deacons of the Congregational Church at Middletown, and who settled in Waway- anda from Long Island, about two miles from Mid- dletown, on the farm now owned by his grandson, Wickham C. Reeve. They were married March 19, 1814, and she died Dec. 18, 1863, having survived her husband sinee Oct. 6, 1829. After her husband's death she managed the homestead farm with superior judgment and ability, and reared her children with all the care and devotion of a Christian mother until her death. Both Joshua MeNish aud wife were ac- tive members of the Congregational Church at Mid- dletown, and promoters of all worthy objects in the vieinity. Their children are Andrew C., born Nov. 28, 1816, died at the age of thirty-seven ; George, born Dec. 25, 1819, died at the age of twenty-one; Eliza-

Ir. lo. Mostish

Albert Bill

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WALLKILL.

beth, born Jan. 17, 1820; Wiekham C., born Aug. 25, 1823.

Wiekham C. MeNish received his early education at the district school and in the Wallkill Academy, and at the age of sixteen engaged in teaching, which he continued for six terms, alternating with labor on the home farm during the summer seasons. About this time emigration to the gold-fields of California was rapidly going on, and Mr. MeNish, desirous of travel- ing, and also of testing the truth of the fabulous re- ports that came from the Pacific coast, accordingly in the spring of 1850 set out for San Francisco, which he reached via the isthmus after a tedious journey of some three months. Having formed the acquaintance of James B. Roberts, of Philadelphia, on his way there, after a short time as clerk in a boot and shoe store, with that gentleman he established himself in the jobbing and wholesale boot and shoe trade, which rapidly increased with the then growing demands of the new country. Leaving his partner in charge of the business there, Mr. MeNish, in 1853, came East, and remained the resident partner here, purchasing goods in Boston and New York for their trade in San Francisco. These successful business relations con- tinned until 1869, when they sold out their business.

In 1865 a stock company was formed in Boston, styled "The Phoenix 'Oil and Land Company," in which Mr. MeNish hell a controlling interest, and be- came the manager of their oil and real estate interests at Titusville, Pa., until 1873, when the company dis- posed of their business. Since this time he has con- tinued his operations in tanking and producing oil in the various oil-fields of Pennsylvania.

During his active business career, Mr. MeNish, whether a resident of San Francisco, Boston, or among his immediate friends at Middletown, has never lost sight of the early impressions of his boyhood, and wherever he has been located he has been numbered among the promoters of morality, good society, and religious instruction. For nearly his whole life he has been identified with the Congregational Church at Middletown as a member, and officially, and a lib- eral contributor to its interests, and while a resident at San Francisco he became one of the founders of the First Congregational Church of that eity, and was one of the charter members to lay the corner-stone of that church. Mr. McNish was one of the incorpora- tors of the Wallkill Bank, and was one of its directors from its organization until his return to California in 1860, when he disposed of his interest in that institu- tion.

He married in January, 1857, Marietta, daughter of William W. Reeve, Esq., and Jane Ayres, of Mid- dletown. They havean only child, Mary Jane McNish. Mrs. MeNish's father was widely known throughout Orange County as a surveyor, was justice of the peace at Middletown for sixteen years, supervisor of the town of Wallkill for several years, and represented his district in the State Legislature in 1856.

ALBERT BULL.

Albert Bull is the sixth in line of descent from William Bull, born in England in February, 1689, came to America, sailing from Ireland, where he had spent his minority, about 1715. He was a mason by trade, and in 1716 did the mason-work for a stone house, known as the "Old Graycourt House," in Chester, for Daniel Cromeline, who had an interest in the Wawayanda Patent.

In 1718 he married Sarah Wells, the first white woman who set foot upon the soil of the town of Goshen, born April 6, 1694, and who died April 21, 1796. He died in February, 1755. In 1868 an ap- propriate monument was erected over the remains of William Bull and Sarah Wells, near the Hampton- burgh church, by their lineal descendants.

To this venerable couple were born twelve children, of whom two sons, Thomas and William, were settled by their father on 500 acres of land lying partly in each of the towns of Goshen and Wallkill, divided by the Wallkill River.

William settled on the west side of the river, and the homestead is still in possession of his descend- ants.

His son Moses, born June 20, 1753, occupied the homestead during his life, and died Dec. 23, 1844. His only son, Moses Bull, Jr., born June 19, 1773, was grandfather of our subject, and resided at Scotchtown, in the town of Wallkill, on the farm now occupied by Harvey Roe, where he died May 16, 1848.

His wife, Dolly Moore, whom he married July 28, 1795, was born June 17, 1771, and died May 14, 1855.

Moses Bull, Jr., joined the church in 1815, was a devoted Christian man, and from the time of his mar- riage until death kept up the family altar. His wife was a member of the Presbyterian Church from girl- hood, and reared her large family of children under Christian influences.

Their children were Sophia, wife of Thomas Bell, of Geneva, N. Y .; Arietta, wife of John Patterson, of New York; Elijah and Elisha (twins); Rev. Ralph Bull, for twenty-seven years a Presbyterian clergyman at Westtown, Orange Co .; Marianne, widow of the late Daniel Cousins, of Middletown ; Caroline and Catherine (twins) ; the former, first the wife of Andrew MeWilliams, and after his death the wife of Harvey MeMonagle, of Wallkill; Me- hetabel, wife of Moses McMonagle, of Wallkill, now occupying the old homestead ; Rhoda, wife of Heze- kiah Conner, of Wallkill ; Emma, wife of Charles B. Conner, of Wallkill; and Julia, wife of Harvey J. H. McWilliams. Of these children, Elisha was father of Albert Bull, was born Jan. 16, 1801, in Wallkill, and died June 22, 1870, in Missouri, while there visiting his son. He spent his active business life as a farmer in the town of Warwick, where he set- tled soon after his first marriage, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Amity.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

He married, March 4, 1828, Harriet, daughter of Walter and Abigail (Corwin) Everett, of Wallkill, and sister of the wife of Dr. Harvey Everett, of Mid- dletown. She was born in 1806, and died Sept. 3, 1836, leaving children,-Albert, Walter, and Harriet, wife of Henry Howe, of Warwick. His second wife was Sarah Dusenberre, who bore him the following children : Sidney, Harrison, Charles, Henry, and John P. After the death of his second wife he mar- ried Mary Nichols, of which union there was no issue.

Albert Bull was born in Wallkill, April 16, 1829, .and spent his minority in the routine of farm work and at school. For two years after reaching his majority he resided in the western part of the State, and for one year following at Chester, Orange Co.

In the spring of 1853 he settled in Middletown, and became the partner of Dr. Harvey Everett in the drug business, whose place is located on Franklin Square, where he has continued a successful trade since. Mr. Bull erected the fine brick building, "Bull's Opera-House," on Main Street, in 1870, ca- pable of seating 800 persons, and since his residence in Middletown he has ranked among the enterprising, thorough-going, and substantial business men of the place.

He married, June 20, 1867, Ella B., daughter of Leander and Naney (Barkley) Crawford, who was born in January, 1845. Their children are Anna M., Frank, and Irving.

ELISHA PEARL WHEELER.

Elisha Pearl Wheeler, grandson of John, and son of Lemuel and Hannah (Pearl) Wheeler, was born at Hampton, Windham Co., Conn., Feb. 5, 1807.

His father, Lemuel, born at Pomfret, Conn., April 20, 1782, was a carpenter and builder by trade, and for a time was a merchant in Springfield, Mass. He resided at Red Hook, Duchess Co., N. Y., for a few years, and subsequently took up his resi- dence in Saugerties, Ulster Co., N. Y., for the purpose of superintending the construction of the aqueduet and water-wheels at the iron-works there, where he died April 16, 1839.

By his first wife, Hannah, daughter of Philip Pearl, and sister of Hon. Philip Pearl, who was born Aug. 14, 1785, whom he married Jan. 25, 1806, he had two children,-Elisha P., and Emeline (wife of Charles Sanford), who died in Newburgh.

By his second wife, Orinda Goodell, he had chil- dren,-Lydia Angelina (widow of James G. Swezey), and Cordelia Wheeler, of Middletown.

Elisha P. Wheeler received his education at the district school and at Red Hook Academy, which was thorough as far as it went. He had a good com- mand of language, wrote well and to the point, and was a very accurate accountant.

At Saugerties he was engaged for a few years in a rolling-mill and furnace located there.

At the age of twenty-three he went into the employ of Charles Sanford, who married his sister, and was in the stove and tin business at Rhinebeck. He re- mained in the employ of his brother-in-law in the

same business at Rhinebeck and Catskill until 1830, when they came to Orange County, as partners in the same business at Montgomery. The firm was San- ford & Wheeler. For a while Mr. Wheeler managed a branch store at Walden, which was afterwards re- moved to Newburgh. They remained in business to- gether-Mr. Wheeler at Montgomery, and Mr. San- ford at Newburgh-until the latter died, in 1832.

He then went into partnership with Jonah F. Franee, in the stove and tin business. In 1839 they took into the firm .Joseph Lemon and Abner Madden, and built a furnace. The firm of Wheeler, France & Co. was engaged in the business of making castings, stoves, ete., and in the tin trade, nntil 1842, when they sold out. Mr. Wheeler first came to Middle- town in the spring of 1843. He commenced in busi- ness here with Jonah F. France, Edward M. Madden, and Joseph Lemon. The new firm started in the spring of 1843, under the firm-name of Wheeler, France & Co., in the tin and foundry business, with a store on North Street. The foundry business gave Mr. Wheeler his first favored start in Middletown. He was connected with it as a part owner until 1854, when he sold out, and it was in other hands until 1863, when he became its sole owner.

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WALLKILL.

After 1853 he was connected with many of the principal manufacturing enterprises which have given Middletown its chief growth and prominence. In the year mentioned the Monhagen Saw-Works were started, of which he was one of the three original owners. The firm was first Wheeler, Madden & Bakewell, and afterwards, in 1860, Wheeler, Madden & Clemson. The factory was one of the first in the country, and it is now one of the largest. Its busi- ness increased so that in 1862 the firm started the Monhagen Steel-Works and Rolling-Mills, under the firm-name of E. M. Madden & Co., for the manufac- ture of their own steel. In 1863 the firm became largely interested in the Eagle File-Works. The firm- name was Wheeler, Clemson & Co. In 1866-67 Wheeler, Madden & Clemson, with others, started the Middletown Forged Horse-Nail Works. A few years ago the firm became a stock company, under the incorporated title of The Wheeler, Madden & Clemson Manufacturing Company, and Mr. Wheeler was its president.

In 1866, Mr. Wheeler began to make connections with new railroad enterprises, which promised to be beneficial to Middletown, and not unprofitable to those who should engage in them.

He was made a director of the Middletown and Unionville Railroad on its organization, and was its president till 1875. He broke ground for that enter- prise, throwing the first shovelful of dirt Oct. 8, 1866. He was among the earliest of those who were enlisted in the Midland Railroad enterprise, and drove the last spike at its completion. Unfortu- nately, he was among the most severely punished of its victims. He was an original director and the first vice-president of the New York and Oswego Midland from 1868 until 1872. He was a director of the New Jersey Midland from its organization in 1870 till 1874. He was also an original director of the Middletown and Crawford Railroad in 1870.

He was from the first a director of the M. U. & W. G. Telegraph Company, also of the Middletown and Wurtsboro' Turnpike Company. He was also director of its predecessor, the Middletown and Blooming- burgh Plank-Road Company, and of the Middletown and Unionville Plank-Road Company.

He was a trustee of the Middletown Gas-Light Company and of the Orange County Milk Association. He was one of the originators and first life members of the Middletown Lyeenm. He was a director of the Middletown Bank from 1850 to 1857. He was one of the originators of the Wallkill Bank, and its first president for a few years, and a director until it closed. He was a member of the board of trustees in the year 1868, and was a member of the board of education for every year except one since 1867, and was its first president.

He was largely influential in getting the New York State Homeopathic Insane Asylum located at Mid- dletown. He gave $2000 towards it, and was one of

the trustees from the first until, by act of the Legisla- ture in 1875, reducing the membership of the board, he was legislated out of office; but his interest in the work suffered no abatement, his retirement being gladly accepted by him as a relief from one of his multiplied business and trust engagements.

He was one of the originators of Grace Episcopal Church, and was one of its chief supporters. He built both transepts entirely at his own expense. He was a warden from the first to his death. Mr. Wheeler, E. M. Madden, and William M. Graham erected, in 1852, Gothie Hall, which the Press now oc- cupies. It was then the first hall for public assem- blages, except the churches, in all Middletown. Mr. Wheeler was one of ten citizens who assisted Mr. John W. Hasbronek to establish the Whig Press, which was the predecessor of the Orange County Press and Middletown Daily Press.

He became an Odd-Fellow at Newburgh while living at Montgomery, and a Mason shortly after the reorganization of Hofinan Lodge, No. 412, F. A. M. He was a member also of Midland Chapter, No. 240, R. A. M., of Middletown.

Although Mr. Wheeler was never a seeker for po- litical preferment, he nevertheless took an active interest in the political questions of the day. He was many times solicited to accept nominations to office, but declined. Originally a Whig, he was in- fluential in promoting the success of that party while it existed. When the continued oppressions of the slave power called into being the Republican party, he was among the first to enter into that organiza- tion, and was zealous in its support, participating actively and prominently in several campaigns. In 1872 he acted with the Liberal Republicans and was on the Greeley electoral ticket. Since then he gener- ally acted with the Republicans.

Mr. Wheeler was married in Montgomery, in 1834, to Miss Phebe Sears, of that place, who was a most de- voted wife. She was born Oct. 13, 1813, and died Dec. 3, 1878. Four children were born to them,- Emeline, wife of Henry S. Moshier ; James, a lawyer (formerly in practice in Brooklyn, now in San Fran- cisco, Cal.); Hannah (wife of Charles H. Horton) ; and Lemuel, who died in 1873. His mother died when he was three years old.

As trustee, guardian, and executor of the estates of deceased persons, probably more trusts were confided to him than to any other man in Middletown, and every trust was discharged with the utmost fidelity.

The last few years of his life were clouded by anxie- ties and troubles, brought upon him by the acts of those in whom he trusted.

He was also subjected to severe trials in the loss of his property, which was the result of his connection with the Midland Railroad and the Nes Silicon Steel Com- pany. These he bore manfully, and the transfer of his property was made with an honesty that in these times is as uncommon as it is remarkable.

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IIISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Mr. Wheeler was a man of simple, correct habits, frugal ways of living, unostentatious manners, and lived a pure life. In him the poor of Middletown had a friend, generous and liberal to a fault.

OLIVER P. REEVE.

His grandfather, Deacon James Reeve, came from Long Island about 1763, and settled on a farm in Wawayanda, between Middletown and New Hamp- ton, where he resided the remainder of his life. The property is owned in 1881 by his grandson, Wiekham C. Reeve, and has been in possession of the family since its first settlement by Deacon James Reeve.

Oliver Dieve

Deacon James Reeve was one of the principal men who united in building the First Congregational church at Middletown, which occupied the site of the present Congregational church. His first wife, Heph- zibah Moore, bore him three children,-James, who served as a soldier at the battle of Minisink in 1779; Hephzibah, married a Mr. Hulse; and Mary, a Mr. Canfield. By his second wife, Mary Corwin, he had the following children : David; Daniel; Joshua, set- tled in Michigan ; Elijah, died a young man ; Isaac, resided on the old homestead; Anna, married a Mr. Keene, and resided at the Beach Woods, Pa .; Debo- rah, married a Mr. Shultz, of Orange County ; Ketu- rah, married Stewart Brown, and resided in Ohio; Lydia, married a Mr. Moore, of Orange County ; Mary A., married Joshua McNish, of Wallkill, a descendant of Rev. George McNish, of Long Island,

who was one of the original members of the first Presbytery in America, and father of the first Presby- tery in the province of New York ; Jerusha, married a Mr. Burns, of Beach Woods, Pa .; Dorothy, married Benjamin Hulse, of Orange County; Sarah ; and Julia, married a Mr. Tidd, of Sullivan County, N. Y., and after his death a Mr. Drake. She was the last surviving one of this family of eighteen children, died at the age of eighty-seven, and was buried on New-Year's Day, 1881, at Bloomingburgh, N. Y.

Of these children, David was father of our subject, was born in 1771, and died in 1848. He followed agricultural pursuits during his life, and owned a farm in the town of Wallkill, within a couple of miles of Middletown. He was a quiet, unostentatious man, and sought to fulfill the full duty of a citizen, was active as a member of the Congregational Church at Middletown, and a promoter of the benevolent objects of his time. His wife, Esther, daughter of William Wickham, whom he married in 1797, was born in 1780, was a devoted Christian woman, a member of the Congregational Church, and died in 1837. Their chil- dren are Mary, wife of George V. Mapes, of Orange County ; Rosetta, wife of Sylvester Cooper, of Matti- tuek, L. I .; William W., for many years supervisor and justice of the peace at Middletown, and widely known throughout the county as a surveyor; James, settled in Tompkins County; Hosea, of Jackson County, Mich .; Arminda, widow of Dr. Hedges, of Chester, N. J .; Fanny Jane, died at the age of ten years ; Louisa, widow of the late B. W. Shaw, of Mid- dletown ; David Rose, died in Orange County ; Ben- jamin Franklin, died in Philadelphia ; Oliver P .; and Harriet, wife of Rev. L. I. Stonghtenburgh, of Morris County, N. J.

Oliver P'., son of David Reeve, was born on the homestead, in the town of Wallkill, March 10, 1822. His early book knowledge was received at the distriet school and select school at Ridgebury, and prior to reaching his majority he was a teacher in the common schools in the vicinity of his birth for some three years. Upon the death of his father he succeeded, by purchase of the other heirs, to the homestead farm of 156 aeres, which he carried on for nine years, and then disposed of it.

In 1859 he engaged in mercantile business at Bull- ville, Orange Co., and in connection with this busi- ness was largely engaged in forwarding produce via Newburgh to New York. He carried on this busi- ness successfully for five years, disposed of his stock of goods, and in 1864 settled in Middletown, where he engaged in building tenement houses for some five years, and in improving real estate which he pur- chased.

In the spring of 1879 he opened an insurance office on Franklin Square, representing several wealthy and substantial companies, where he has since continued to do business, baving for his partner the late H. L. . Shaw, who died May 20, 1881.

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WALLKILL.

Mr. Reeve has spent a life almost wholly devoted to business pursuits, yet amidst its activity he has ever been interested in the various enterprises of a local nature about him, and a promoter of morality and religious interests in society. For forty years he has been connected with the Congregational Church at Middletown, was one of the building committee in

the present time one of its board of trustees and treas- urer. He has also officiated as trustee of the village for two terms, and assessor for one term. He married, in 1852, Charlotte, daughter of David G. Redfield, who died four years after her marriage, leaving no issue. His present wife is Esther E., daughter of John Shorter, of Crawford, whom he married in 1858, and by whom he has one son, Theodore Lincoln.

BENJAMIN WOODFORD SHAW.

The Shaw family are of Scotch-Irish extraction, having removed at an early period from Scotland to the north of Ireland, from whence a branch emigrated to America about 1750. Among this number was Wil- liam, who chose a residence in Orange County, pur- chasing land in Mount Hope township, which is still in possession of the family. On this wilderness tract of land he first resided in a log house, but afterwards built a frame house, which forms a part of the resi- dence now on the farm. He married Mary Waldron, of New York, who bore him the following children : John, Dr. Robert, Samuel, Henry, Alexander, Wil- liam, James, Charles, Elizabeth, and Mary.

The death of William Shaw occurred in 1822. The simplicity, integrity, and purity which governed his life are best illustrated by embodying in this sketch the following letter left by him on his death :

" This to be read to my children when I am laid in the grave. My dear children, as God in his mercy has given you all the natural facul- ties and powers that are natural to man, I hope you will daily return thanks for the same, and that you will make the Scriptures your rule of life, and seek and serve God in the way and manner that he will approve and bless.

" As your mother has nursed you with the greatest tenderness, endeavor to give her a suitable return by honoring her person and receiving her counsels and providing for her wants while God continues her in time. I hope you will love and cherish one another, not taking the least ad- · vantage, and if misfortune should befall any of yon I hope the rest will not only with your counsel, but with your property, assist your unfortu - nate brother or sister. Be just in all your dealings with mankind; be conteot with your own, be it little or much, for it is not the quantity that makes men happy, but being content with your condition.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 121

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