History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 47

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 47

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Of the early printers, David Denniston stands the most conspicuous. He was of the New Windsor Den- niston stock, and a man of no little activity. He ap- pears to have established first a printing-office and bindery, and to have engaged in printing books, which he sold by subscription, and whatever other printing might come to his hands. It is believed that the early papers with which his name is connected were printed by him for other parties. He was a man as in politics. He became notorious through his writings in the Mirror in opposition to Christianity, and subsequently through the Rights of Man in politi- cal literature. He was certainly a very busy man in printing newspapers, having at different times held the Mirror, the Citizen, and the Rights of Man in the local field, and for a time (1802) had editorial con- nection with the American Citizen and Watch- Tower, of New York. He died in Newburgh, Dec. 13, 1803, of " malignant fever."

Jacob Schultz was, for a brief period, the contem- porary of David Denniston. He was born in New Windsor, April 23, 1776, and married ( Feb. 14, 1799) Anna, daughter of John Denniston, of that town. His first appearance in business was as the editor and proprietor of the New Windsor Gazette. He subse- quently opened a dry-goods and grocery store in New- burgh, in company with Andrew DeWitt, and was engaged in this trade until 1814, when he purchased from his brother, Isaac, the old mill of his father, but afterwards sold it to Peter Townsend, came back to Newburgh, and commenced business in company with George Betts. He retired, in 1818, to a small farm in the town of New Windsor, erected a substantial stone house, and in the quiet independence of agricultural

paper was occasioned by the change of residence of the editor. No. 21 wax jesnel at Millerton, N. Y., May 12, 1866; No. 30, from Castleton (now called West Now Brighton), Staten Island, where it was changed to a monthly, and where the last number of the American Eagle, No. 57, was published in October, 1868. In January, 1868, the motto, " Alis Vu- Int Propriis" (" She flies with her own wings") was placed at the head. The paper ceased to exist not from lurk of support, but to allow ils editor to pursue his studies, which were necessarily neglected because of the duties involved as a publisher, As the paper borame older, new und im- proved tools were added to the office, and job printing was no small fen- ture of the Imsiness connected with the American Eagle. The last two inAnos aquarel with several illustrations from wood-enta engraved by the publisher. The price of subscription al the start was one dollar and twenty cents a year, and was at a later date reduced to fifty cents a year.

The .American Eagle was among the first of the several amateur papers published in Newburgh, and we think the second one, the first bring the Union Jack, published by Master A. Ludlow Case, son of Rear-Admiral Case, of the I'nited States navy. Young Char continued the publication of the Union Jack lott a short time, when he devoted his time to study, and a few years afterwards engaged in the service of the United States navy, where he now is.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

pursuits spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1859.

Ward M. Gazlay was a native of Pennsylvania, and, as stated in another connection, was first engaged in printing at Goshen. He died in April, 1836, and received the following notice in the Telegraph :

" Died, in this village, on Wednesday last, aged about fifty-four years, Ward M. Gazlay, Esq., for many years a magistrate of Newburgh, and editor and proprietor of the Political Inter from about the year 1806 to 1829, at which latter period the present proprietor of the Newburgh Tele- graph purchased his establishment and changed the political character of the paper. To some peculiarities, and a few faults, Mr. Gazlay united many excellent qualities both of head and heart. Ilis early career as a magistrate was marked by strict probity and a sound, discriminating judgment, united to a fixedness of purpose and an impartiality in his decisions which saw no difference between the rich and the poor, the peasant and the king. A wide circle of friends deeply sympathize with the family."

Mr. Gazlay's wife was Bridget, daughter of Jona- than and Bridget Carter, by whom he had three sons.

Charles U. Cushman was a descendant of Robert Cushman, one of the original company of Pilgrims who sailed for the New World, Aug. 5, 1620, O. S. He was born in Washington Co., N. Y., March 20, 1802; served as an apprentice in Rutland, Vt., and subsequently in Boston, Mass .; purchased the Political Index in March, 1829, and retired from printing in 1839. He was a man of strong natural abilities, in- dustry, perseverance, independence of mind, and strict integrity. As a writer, his style was vigorous and compact. He used but few words, and in ex- pressing his thoughts his language was plain and un- mistakable. Ax a private citizen, he was active in advancing the interests of the community in which he lived. He was one of the founders of the New- burgh public libraries, and also helped to establish the Quassaick Bank and the Newburgh Savings-Bank. At ' the election in 1853 he was chosen to represent the first Assembly District of Orange in the Legislature, In all his public and private walks he aimed to ac- complish practical results, and exhibited the traits of a good citizen and an honest man. In person he was nearly six feet, clear complexion, blue eyes, rather fleshy, and well formed. He always dressed with ex- treme neatness, and walked with an erect carriage and firm tread. He married, June, 1832, Mary, fourth daughter of Capt. Charles Birdsall, and granddaughter of Isaac Belknap. He died without issue at Rhine- beck, N. Y., June 1, 1859.

John D. Spalding was the contemporary of Mr. Cushman, and was connected with the Newburgh press for about thirty-eight years. He was born in Salem, Mass., January, 1800, and removed to New- burgh in 1815, in company with his father, Rev. Joshua Spalding, a noted member of the Presbyterian Church. He served his apprenticeship with Ward MI. Gazlay, and was subsequently connected with the Gazette and the Journal, as above stated. He pos- sessed a sound judgment ; was urbane and kind in his disposition, and liberal in his charities. By these

qualities he secured friends and retained them through many years. In person he was over six feet in height, light in frame and in flesh, and ungainly in his carriage. He married Elizabeth L., daughter of Rev. John Johnston, D.D., of Newburgh, and had several children. He died on the 22d of August, 1853, in the fifty-fourth year of his age, after an ill- ness of about two days.

Elias Pitts, practically the successor of Mr. Cush- man, was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in the year 1810, and received a liberal education at the Kinder- hook Academy. He served an apprenticeship of a few years in the office of the Kinderhook Sentinel, and at its termination became associated in the editorial management of that paper. Subsequently he removed to Rochester, and was connected with the editorial department of the Advertiser of that city, a paper pub- lished by Henry O'Rielly. At the retirement of Mr. Van Dyck from the Newburgh Telegraph, in the win- ter of 1840, Mr. Pitts assumed the management of that paper, which he continued until 1850. From Newburgh he removed to Poughkeepsie, and there became the editor of the Poughkeepsie American. His connection with the public press terminated in the autumn of 1853; and he soon after received an ap- pointment to a clerkship in the State Department at Washington, the duties of which he continued to dis- charge up to the time of his last illness. He was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth, daugh- ter of John Jamison, of Newburgh, by whom he had two children, -Mary E. and John M. His second wife was Margaret, daughter of John Whited. He died at Washington, Friday, July 21, 1854, from an attack of typhoid fever, at the age of forty-four years.

Edward M. Ruttenber was born in Bennington, Vt., July 17, 1824, and at that place received a common- school education. In 1837 he entered the office of the Vermont Gazette as an apprentice to the printer's trade. A year later, in 1838, he came to Newburgh and became an apprentice to Charles U. Cushman, an old friend of his father, and then proprietor of the Newburgh Telegraph. He remained in that office three years, when Mr. Cushman sold the paper and transferred young Ruttenber's indentures to S. T. Callahan, proprietor of the Newburgh Gazette. In that office he labored until 1845, when he was made foreman of the Newburgh Telegraph, then owned by Elias Pitts. That position he filled until May, 1850. Mr. Ruttenber at that time purchased the Telegraph, and successfully conducted it until 1857. When he purchased the office it had only a weekly issue and was printed on a hand-press. The first steam-power press brought to the county was added to the Telegraph office by him in 1853. In 1851 the Telegraph absorbed the Newburgh Excelsior, and the Newburgh Gazette was consolidated with it in 1857. Early in that year the Daily News was issued by Mr. Ruttenber and E. W. Gray, from the office of the Telegraph. Later in the same year he sold the office, repurchasing it in

i Mittenber

195

THE PRESS OF ORANGE COUNTY.

1859. In 1861 he sold it to Mr. E. W. Gray, and in Campaign Banner was added to it in 1856, and the 1866 he again became its owner. In 1867 he sold it two journals reached a circulation of twenty-seven to .A. A. Bensel. In the spring of 1869 he reorganized thousand. Its circulation was principally in the South and West, and after the Rebellion broke out was almost wholly lost and the paper was discontinued. the office in connection with Mr. J. J. McNally, re- tiring from it in the tall of that year. He then be- came part owner of the Independent Republican, of The Hardware-Man's Newspaper, printed monthly at the Press office, for John Williams, was commenced in August, 1855. The Separate American,-Rev. David James, editor,-a small folio, was printed quarterly for the colored people belonging to the Separate American Methodist Church. It ran from 1853 to 1856. The Sibyl, a semi-monthly, by Dr. Lydia Sayer Hasbrouck (Mrs. John W. Hasbrouck), was com- menced July, 1856,-now discontinued. Goshen, which he soll in 1870 to Mr. H. P. Kimber. Soon after leaving that paper he started a job office in Newburgh with his eldest son as partner, who has since been succeeded by a younger son. From July, 1863, to January, 1865, when he resigned, Mr. Rutten- ber was engaged in the Bureau of Military Records, at Albany. Mr. Ruttenber, always deeply interested in local history, published in 1859 a "History of Newburgh." His next was a work entitled " Obstruc- The Middletown Advertiser, a monthly advertising sheet for gratuitous circulation, was commenced by G. J. Beebe in 1850, and ended in 1852. tions to Navigation of Hudson's River," published by Munsel, of Albany. Following this was a "History of the Flags of the Volunteer Regiments of the State The Middletown Mercury was established, in 1848, by (1. J. Beebe. In 1860 it was sold by Mr. Beebe to J. HI. Norton and I. F. Guiwits. Mr. Gniwits remained in the firm one year, and Mr. Norton continued as sole proprietor until 1867, when he sold an interest to I. V. Montanye. In 1868, Mr. Montanye became sole proprietor, and sold out to S. M. Boyd in 1869. In 1873 the Middletown Mail, established by Dr. J. D. of New York." Next, a " History of the Indian Tribes of Hudson's River," also published by Munsel, of Albany. In 1875 he began the publication, in serial form, of a " History of Orange County," a work which is still unfinished. For twelve years Mr. Ruttenber was an active member of the Board of Education of Newburgh, ending that service in 1870. He was married in 1846 to Matilda A., daughter of Mark Mc- | Friend, was consolidated with the Mercury, and Geo. Intyre, of Newburgh. He has two sons,-the eldest, Charles B., has made musie his profession, and is at present organist of the Church of the Holy Trinity, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Street and Fifth Av- enue, New York ; the younger son, Walker F., is a partner with his father in the printing business.

THE PRESS OF MIDDLETOWN.

A weekly newspaper, Democratic in politics, under the title of the Middletown Courier, was started in Middletown in 1840, by A. A. Bensel, who continued its publication until April, 1846, when he removed his office to Kingston, N. Y., where he established the Ulster Democrat. In July, 1846, John S. Brown com- menced the publication of the Orange County News, succeeding Mr. Bensel in the printing business in the village. His paper was neutral in polities, was hardly worth the name of a newspaper, and died in 1849. Ili- type and materials were purchased by G. J. Beebe.

The Signs of the Times, an Old-School Baptist pub- lication of eight pages, was commenced at New Ver- non, in Mount Hope, in 1832, by Elder Gilbert Beebe. From there it was taken to Alexandria, Va., again re- turned to New Vernon, and in 1847 was removed to Middletown. The only paper of that denomination in the country, it has maintained a circulation from six thousand to ten thousand semi-monthly.

The Banner of Liberty was commenced at Middle- town in August, 1848, by Gilbert J. Beebe, as an in- dependent monthly, opposed to pretty much every modernly styled reform,-temperance laws, religion in politics, etc. In 1856 it took position in favor of the Democratic party, and was issued weekly. A

II. Thompson and J. D. Friend became the proprie- tors, the latter retiring in 1874. Mr. Thompson re- mained the proprietor until Jan. 1, 1878, when the Weekly Argus, established by I. V. Montanye in 1875, and sold to C. Macardell in 1876, was merged with the Mercury, and George H. Thompson and C. Mac- ardell became the proprietors, and have continued up to the present time. The Daily Argus was founded by Mr. Macardell, Jan. 27, 1876, and has been pub- lished in connection with the Mercury by Thompson & Macardell since .Jan. 1, 1878.

The Whig Press was established Nov. 26, 1851, by John W. Hasbrouck. It was a Whig and Republican paper up to 1856, when it assumed an independent position. In March, 1868, Mr. Hasbrouck sold to Moses D. Stivers, who changed the name of the paper to the Orange County Press. Albert Kessinger bonght one-half of the establishment in 1870, and died, while a member of the firm of Stiver & Kessinger, in August, 1872. Soon after his partnership was formed with Mr. Stivers, the firm issued (May 24, 1870) a tri- weekly edition, under the name of the Middletown Evening Press. In October, 1872, Mr. Stivers sokl the newspaper to F. Stanhope Hill, who in turn sold an interest to John W. Slauson. Hill & Slauson changed the tri-weekly to a daily (Oct. 26, 1872), under the name of the Middletown Daily Press. July 1, 1873, Mr. Stivers bought out Mr. Hill, and the firm became Stivers & Slauson, who continued the business until December, 1880, when Mr. Stivers sold his interest to Mr. Slauson, and the latter formed a partnership with Charles J. Boyd, under the firm-name of Slauson & Boyd, who are now the publishers.

196

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

DR. LYDIA SAYER HASBROUCK, wife of John W. jeeted its wearers to much personal slight and social Hasbrouck, was born Dec. 20, 1827, in the town of Warwick, Orange Co., N. Y., at the old stone resi- dence of her father, between that village and Bellvale. She is the daughter of Benjamin Sayer and Rebecca Forshee. (See sketch of Benjamin Sayer for her pa- ternal ancestry.) Her mother was the daughter of Cornelius Forshee and Elizabeth Cole. A history of the Cole family (compiled by Rev. David Cole, D.D., of Yonkers) states that the Cole ancestors first came to America from Holland about the year 1625. The Forshee record is not so definite, though from the same source we learn that the family came to this country not far from 1700. They fled from religious persecution in France, where they left valuable es- tates. The first ancestor lived to be one hundred and ten years old.

Lydia Sayer was noted from childhood for her fear- less spirit and independence of character. She in- herited her father's temperament and features in a marked degree, as he had inherited like characteristics from his mother.

Lydia always enjoyed her father's favor and con- fidence in an especial manner, and he frequently re- marked that he had no fears but she could take care of herself.

Reared amidst the charming scenery for which the " fair vale of Warwick" has so long been noted, Lydia enjoyed to the fullest extent all the varied beauties by which she was daily surrounded. None loved the freedom of the mountains, streams, and fields more than she; and in riding or driving spirited horses, or in active pursuits of any kind, none could do so with keener zest or enjoyment. She had the reputation of being the smartest scholar of her classes,-but terribly independent and self-reliant, -- and was given the best opportunities the district and high schools of War- wiek at this time afforded.

As she grew to womanhood her father's house was a great resort for friends and visitors. Miss Lydia was the life and centre of these gatherings, and a far- orite with all, both young and old. She made golden Orange County butter and snow-white loaves of bread. She spun flax and wool for family use and to enrich her own dower, while the pile of bedquilts she pieced and quilted would make a fashionable young lady of the present day faint with sheer exhaustion to con- template. In fine, she prided herself in knowing how to do everything in connection with the work of a well-regulated, hospitable house.

ostracism, and all because of its not conforming to prescribed fashions that are constantly changing. In this connection it is worthy of mention, that when first adopted it was thought the wearing of it would be- come more general, as for a time the Philadelphia . magazines placed it among their monthly fashion plates.

Mrs. Hasbrouck desires the fact put on record that she was once refused admission to the Seward Semi- nary, at Florida, simply because she wore the dress. A faculty meeting was called solely to take the eut of her dress into consideration. The trustees, knowing her and her family, expressed the highest esteem for her varied gifts and graces, and the pleasure they would feel in having her an inmate of the school if she would only dress in harmony with fashion. She says,-

"L'p to this time I loved the physical freedom of my dress. 1 had thought but little of woman's political freedom or her urequal rights before the law. I had never suffered from them, and enjoyed too many other privileges to feel their lack. The chances are, if I had not been persecuted I would have returned to fashion's requirements. But my every sense of right and justice was outraged. I knew I was doing that which should have met with approval, because it was to better the phys- ical woman, then weighed down with bustles and heavy underskirts. As I went out from the interview with that committee, I was kindly shown by the lady principal into her private room. I fairly bathed my soul in an agony of tears and silent prayers for a knowledge of the right and guidance therein. Remember, I was then young, aud had often heard it was not dress that made the man ; but was now bitterly learning that it was the principal part of the woman. This treatment anchored me into the ranks of women's rights advocates, and as I left that house I registered a vow that I would stand or fall in the battle for woman's physical, political, and educational freedom and equality. I felt that if there ever had been a principle that justified men and women going to the stake and faggot rather than renounce it, that principle was uow mine to defend; and come what might, I would stand true to its re- quirements."

Few know what that vow has cost her unswerving yet sensitive spirit; but what many do know is, that she has never faltered, never yielded in what she be- lieved was her duty and right.

The reform dress was adopted by many for its physical freedom, and especially by lady physicians and invalids at hygienic institutes as an aid to health and comfort. The question of woman's rights was then in its infaney, and meeting all sorts of ridicule from pulpit and legislatures. Several of the promi- nent women in the cause adopted the dress ; but when the cry of "strong-minded," " masculine," and other like epithets were hurled at the wearers whenever they appeared in public, most of them succumbed to the mob spirit. Miss Sayer refused to yield her right to dress in a sensible manner, and said if woman's purity and character hung on the last few inches of her swabbing skirts, she wanted none of it, but would win a character for herself above the filth of the streets. She was more or less persecuted and de- famed, but knowing her motives were just and pure she moved steadily forward.

When a reform dress for women was first brought into notice in 1849, under the name of Camille cas- tume, Turkish dress, etc., she early espoused and adopted it. Mrs. Bloomer, who was editing the Lily at Seneca Falls, wore and recommended the dress, and forthwith it was styled " Bloomer Dress," notwith- standing Mrs. Bloomer always protested she neither originated or was the first to wear it. This dress, At this stage of her life, Miss Sayer determined to worn simply as a physiological costume, has sub- ' fit herself for some more extended sphere of action,

Lydia Dryer Hasbrouck

14.8

JOHN WHITBECK HASBROUCK was born in Wood- stock, Ulster Co., N. Y., Nov. 20, 1821. IIe was the ninth of a family of ten children born to Richard M. Hasbrouck and Mary Johnson. His grandfather, Capt. Elias Hasbrouck, was in active service during the war of the Revolution, and, under Gen. Mont- gomery, took part in the northern campaign that ended in the storming of Quebec and death of Mont- gomery. He named his son, born the following year, Richard Montgomery. A deed for fifty acres of land in Northern Ulster, together with a gold ring which she placed upon his finger, were given by Janet Mont- gomery to the young namesake of her hero husband. The deed and ring are still in the possession of his descendants. Capt. Elias Hasbrouck lost heavily by the destruction of his store and property when King- ston was burned by the British.

The father of the subject of this sketch, Richard M. Hasbrouck, lived to the age of eighty-four years, and always bore a name proverbial for integrity and uprightness of character. His mother, Mary John- son, was nearly related to the Vanderbilt family, and was a woman of pious and exemplary character.

John W. Hasbrouck is a descendant in the sixth generation from Abraham Hasbrouck, who, with his brother Jean, Walloons from the northern part of France, fled from their native country not long before the revocation of the edict of Nantes. Jean, or

John, went with many other Protestants to Manheim, in the Palatinate, before he came to America. Abra- ham, in 1675, came direct to this country, passing through Calais to England and then to Boston, en route for Esopus (Kingston), where several French Protest- ants had already arrived. Two years later Abraham and Jean, together with eleven other Frenchmen living at Kingston, took up the Paltz Patent, and established the settlement there. Abraham became conspicuous both in the civil and ecclesiastical affairs of that early period. His family continued their resi- dence there until about the middle of the next cen- tury, when they removed to Kingston. His descend- ants are wonderfully numerous throughout Ulster County, and among them many who were and still are distinguished both in the walks of public and private life. The name has been written variously Hasbrouck, Hasbroucq, Hasbrouque, Asbrouck, and Von Asbroeck. In the fourteenth century Charles V. granted a patent of nobility to the family. Its cotte d'armes, or coat of arms, is represented by an emubla- zoned shield, surmounted by a male figure, holding in one hand an arrow and in the other a torch, while on a scroll beneath the shield is the legend, " Dieu sauve Von Asbroeck." Mr. Hasbrouck has a representation of this insignia now in his possession. A steel rapier, bearing date 1414, that was brought by the family from France, still belongs to one of its descendants.

BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN WHITBECK HASBROUCK.

John W. Hasbrouck, the subject of this sketch, removed with his father's family from Woodstock to Kingston about the year 1834, aud completed his school days at the celebrated Kingston Academy. During the four years following he became a clerk in stores in that village, when he entered the Ulster County Bank as clerk and book-keeper, continuing in this occupation for the next three years. After asummer spent in New York, in a wholesale crockery house as book-keeper, he came back to Kingston in the fall of 1845, and entered upon his future career in the pro- fession of journalism. Previous to this, however, he had been a frequent contributor to the several papers of the village, writing essays, sketches, aud discussing political questions during the exciting political eon- tests of 1840 and 1844.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 47

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