History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 70

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 70

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The act applied for passed the Legislature March 23, 1853. By its terms the town of Newburgh was established as a separate and distinct poor district, and a corporation created by the name of " the Com- missioners of the Almshouse of the Town of New- burgh." The commissioners named in the act, viz. : Henry Wickoff, David W. Bate, David H. Barclay, George Gearn, Alfred Post, and Eugene A. Brewster, immediately entered upon the discharge of their duties, and a farm was purchased and the erection of suitable buildings commenced under contract with Mr. John Little, Jr. The building was completed and opened Dec. 10, 1853, and was occupied by six persons from the town of Newburgh, and forty-nine (exclusive of insane) from the county poor-house, being the number apportioned to Newburgh under the act of separation. By the act incorporating the city (1865), the town and the city are united in the system.

The operation of the system during the first fifteen years of its existence is stated in the fifteenth annual report of the commissioners, from which it appears that during that period the receipts from all sources were $152,332.87, and the expenses, including build- ings, etc., $149,365.87 ; average yearly cost by tax, $4558.77 ; average yearly cost of each pauper, $53.82 -weekly, $1.03; estimated saving, as compared with the county system, in fifteen years, $108,378.93.

VII .- TURNPIKES AND PLANK-ROADS.

The organizations of the Newburgh and Coehecton, Newburgh and New Windsor, Newburgh and Sulli- van, Newburgh and Plattekill, and the Snake Hill Turnpike Companies have already been referred to .* In the autumn of 1849 the construction of a plank- road from Newburgh to Ellenville was proposed. In January (14th), 1850, a meeting of citizens was held at the United States Hotel,-Homer Ramsdell, presi- dent, and Robert Proudfit, Jr., secretary,-and on motion of David Crawford a committee of twenty- five was appointed " to go out to Ellenville, in com- pany with engineers, and inquire into the practica- bility of constructing a plank-road thither, and the best route for the same." The committee employed Mr. W. A. Perkins, engineer, to make a survey of the route, who, on March 13th, submitted a report at a publie meeting. The report presented a survey of three routes, southern, northern, and middle, with an estimate of the cost of each; and, on motion, it was resolved that "measures be taken to organize a com-

pany for the construction of a plank-road to Ellen- ville, with a capital of $100,000." Committees were appointed to ascertain the amount of stock that would be subscribed, and the land damages claimed, by per- sons residing on each of the proposed routes. On March 24th a meeting of subscribers to the stock of the "Newburgh and Ellenville Plank-road Company" was held at the United States Hotel,-Homer Rams- dell, president, and E. Pitts, secretary,-and, on mo- tion, proceeded to the election of nine directors, wben the following-named gentlemen were chosen :

Newburgb, Homer Ramsdell, E. W. Farrington, David Crawford, Thornton M. [Niven, William Fullerton; Ulsterville, A. R. Taylor; Walden, A. F. Schofield; Shawangunk, James G. Graham ; Bruyuswick, Richard Jackson.

At a subsequent meeting of the directors, Homer Ramsdell was elected president; E. W. Farrington, vice-president ; T. M. Niven, secretary ; and David Moore, treasurer. At a meeting of the directors, held April 5th, it was resolved to adopt the southern route; and at a meeting on the 11th, it was agreed to put the work under contract as soon as $100,000 should be subscribed.

Immediately after this action, those in favor of a northern route organized the "Newburgh and Sha- wangunk Plank-road Company," and, at a meeting held April 18th, elected Robert A. Forsyth, Cornelius C. Smith, John B. Jamison, Odell S. Hathaway, Richard A. Southwick, Jacob V. B. Fowler, of New- burgh, and James G. Graham, S. M. Bruyn, and Jas. N. Mitchell, of Shawangunk, directors ; Jacob V. B. Fowler was elected president; Robert A. Forsyth, treasurer; and R. A. Southwick, secretary.

Both companies were organized under the general statute of May 7, 1847, and the roads were completed in December, 1851. The capital stock of the Ellen- ville road, paid in, was $79,770. To complete the work and pay existing indebtedness, the Legislature passed an act authorizing the issue of $44,000 in pre- ferred stock, and fixing the whole capital at $124,000. The capital stock of the Newburgh and Shawangunk road, paid in, was $30,000. Both roads were subse- quently converted into turnpikes.

VIII .- BANKS.

Bank of Newburgh .- The Bank of Newburgh was incorporated by act of the Legislature, passed March 22, 1811, on the petition of Jacob Powell, John Mc- Aulay, Chancey Belknap, and Jonathan Fisk. The capital named was $120,000, in shares of $50 each ; and the State reserved the right to subscribe to the stock any amount not exceeding one thousand shares. The first directors were Isaac Belknap, Jr., Jacob Powell, Selah Reeve, Chancey Belknap, Freegift Tuth- ill, Leonard Carpenter, Samuel S. Seward, Jonathan Hedges, Francis Crawford, James Hamilton, John D. Lawson, and Richard Trimble, elected by the stock-

* See "Trade and Commerce" (general history) for railroads and his- tory of freight lines from Newburgh.

t The opening of the south plank was celebrated at Ellenville, Dec. 22d. A large delegation from Newburgh was preseut.

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holders ; and William Ross and Jonathan Fisk ap- pointed on the part of the State. The stock was all taken soon after the passage of the act of incorpora- tion ; and on June 15th the corner-stone of the pres- ent banking-house was laid. The building was com- pleted and the bank was opened for business on Sep- tember 9th.

The charter of 1811 continued until 1830, when the stock held by the State was withdrawn, the bank was reorganized under the safety fund law, and the capi- tal increased to $140,000. In 1851 the capital was further increased to $200,000, at which time the bank was reorganized under the general banking law. In September, 1852, the capital was increased to $300,000.

The first president of the bank was Isaac Belknap, Jr., and the first cashier, John S. Hunn. Wm. Walsh succeeded Mr. Belknap in 1827, and served until his death in 1839, when John Chambers was elceted. Mr. Chambers served until his death in 1854, when George | W. Kerr was elected. Mr. Hunn was succeeded in the cashiership by Frederick W. Farnum; Mr. Far- num by Wm. M. Vermilyen ; Mr. Vermilyea by Levi Dodge ; Mr. Dodge, in 1836, by George W. Kerr; and Mr. Kerr, in 1854, by Francis Scott. On July 5, 1864, the bank was organized as a national bank,-George W. Kerr, president, and John J. S. MeCroskery, cashier,-and its capital raised to $800,000.

WILLIAM L. F. WARREN was for many years a director in the Bank of Newburgh and also in the Savings-Bank. The Warren family are supposed to be of Norman descent, and were among the first set- tlers of New England. Richard Warren, who was borne to our shores by the historie "Mayflower," lo- cated at Plymouth. John Warren came to America about 1630, and settled at Watertown, Mass. Another John Warren settled at Salem in 1630. Peter Warren settled at Salem, and from him descended Gen. Joseph Warren, of Bunker Hill fame.

The Newburgh branch of the family, represented by the subject of this memoir, are descendants of the John Warren who settled at Watertown. The earliest mention of the name at Newburgh is found on the records of the First Presbyterian Church, where, under date of July 23, 1783, the marriage of "John Warren, of Mass., and Elizabeth Belknap, of Newburgh," is recorded. This John Warren, the grandfather of our subject, was the youngest son of Josiah and Hephzibah (Hobbs) Warren, and being left an orphan during his infancy, was raised by his Aunt Beulah, wife of John Hobbs, of Brookfield, Mass. At the age of nineteen he joined the patriot army against the mother-country, and remained in active service throughout the Revo- lutionary war. He was engaged in several of the most important battles of that trying struggle, and for his bravery at Bunker Hill and Monmouth re- ceived the thanks of his commanding officers, and was subsequently raised to the rank of captain. IIe came with the Massachusetts line to the encampment

at New Windsor, and while there became acquainted with Miss Belknap, a lady of rare intelligence and personal beauty, to whom he was married at the date given above. After the close of the war he engaged in business in Newburgh for some time, but subse- quently removed to Troy, and thence to Saratoga Springs, where he died on Christmas Day in the year 1823. His wife died June 21, 1837. The children were John H., born 1786, died at Montezuma, N. Y., 1823; Cynthia M., born Aug. 2, 1788, married Miles Beach, of Saratoga Springs; Stephen R., born No- vember, 1790; William L. F., born Feb. 4, 1793; Elizabeth B., born 1795, married Dr. R. R. Davis, of Syracuse ; Caroline S., born 1798, married Benjamin Carpenter, of Newburgh; and Mary A., born 1800, married James II. Darrow, of Saratoga Springs.

William L. F. Warren, only son of John H. and Fanny (Kellogg) Warren, was born at Marcellus, N. Y., July 3, 1811. He began life in Newburgh as a clerk in the employ of his uncle, Benjamin Carpen- ter, of whose family he became an inmate when a mere lad. He early learned correct business hab- its, and thoroughly familiarized himself with the principles of trade and commerce, and in 1837 be- came a member of the firm of B. Carpenter & Co., with which he was connected until its dissolution. A man of modest and retiring temperament, he con- fined himself strictly to the prosecution of private business, and engaged but little in the strife and tur- moil of political life. He was actively associated throughout his career with the progressive move- ments of his day, and was prominent in many public and private enterprises. He was a man of positive convictions, and firm in support of what he thought to be right. He filled for several terms, and with marked ability, the office of president of the board of trustees of Newburgh ; was a member of the board of water commissioners, and also of the board of alms- house commissioners ; was a director of the National Bank of Newburgh from its organization until his death, a director of the Warwick Valley Railroad, and a member of the board of trustees of the New- burgh Savings-Bank. Ile sustained throughout a long business career in Newburgh a reputation for integrity and uprightness which any one might justly envy him, was prompt in the discharge of every duty, a liberal contributor to church and kindred interests, and left behind him at his death the recollection of virtues that will never be forgotten so long as the in- cense of memory burns on the altars of hearts that loved him. He married Catharine, daughter of John H. Walsh, and died Oct. 22, 1879.

After the demise of Mr. Warren appropriate reso- lutions were passed by the institutions with which he had been connected, from which we make a few ex- tracts, as best showing the character of the man and the place which he filled in the hearts of the people among whom he passed so many years of his life.

At a special meeting of the board of directors of

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NEWBURGH.

the National Bank of Newburgh, held Oet. 23, 1879, Samuel Williams, Jackson Oakley, Thomas Powell, the following, among other resolutions, were passed : Charles Borland, Jr., Daniel Farrington, Benj. H. " Resolved, That in meeting to pay our tribute of respect to the mnem- ory of our late associate, William L. F. Warren, a director of this bank ever since its organization, and for many years prominently connected with the commercial and municipal affairs of this community, we feel our inability suitably to express our profound sorrow and deep sense of the loss we, as individuals and as a board, have sustained by his death. | Mace, James Belknap, Benj. Carpenter, Nathaniel Jones, Abm. Vail, Robert Fowler ; Gilbert O. Fowler, president, and James Belknap, cashier. Mr. Belknap subsequently resigned, and Thos. C. Ring was elected. Mr. Ring resigned in 1838, and Robert Burnet held " Resolved, That in the character of Mr. Warren a strict integrity, a 1 firm fidelity to trusts, a sound judgment, and a steady energy in the dis- charge of duty, which all who knew him recognized, were united with -- a genuine kindness of heart which those who knew him best appreciated most. the office until his death in 1840, when (May 10th) Alfred Post was elected. Mr. Fowler served as president until his death, when George Cornwell was elected. On the death of Mr. Cornwell (November, " Resolred, That the ability, intelligence, and punctuality with which Mr. Warren discharged his duties as a member of this board, and his steady devotion to the best interests of the institution we represent, will be held by his surviving associates in honored and lasting remem- brance." 1867), Mr. Post was elected president and M. C. Belknap, cashier. Directors in 1867 : Alfred Post, John W. Brown, David Moore, Ed. R. Johnes, Jas. W. Taylor, Peter V. B. Fowler, Robt. Denniston, Thaddeus Hait, John Lomas, Walter S. Vail, George A. Elliott.

Similar resolutions were passed by the board of directors of the Warwick Valley Railroad, in which cheerful and sincere testimony is borne to Mr. War- ren's "wise counsels," "eminent financial abilities," " unfailing devotion to the true interests of the com- pany," "his kindly and social nature," and "strict integrity" in the performance of "the varied duties of trust committed to his care."

Branch Bank of Newburgh .- In 1818 the directors of the Bank of Newburgh determined to establish a branch at Ithaca; the arrangements for which were perfected, and the institution went into operation on February 15, 1820, under the following officers : Lu- ther Gore, president; Charles W. Connor, cashier ; Benj. Johnson, Joseph Benjamin, Levi Leonard, Cal- vin Burr, Herman Camp, and Charles A. Morrell, directors. The branch continued in operation until 1830, when, on the expiration of the old charter, it was discontinued.

Highland Bank .- In 1833 application was made to the Legislature to incorporate the llighland Bank ; but the bill was lost in the Senate. This result was followed by a meeting of citizens at the Mansion House, April 20, 1833, "to take into consideration such measures as might be deemed necessary to ob- tain an increase of the banking capital of Newburgh." Of this meeting Selah Reeve was chosen president ; Daniel Farrington and Robert Lawson, vice-presi- dents ; and Abraham M. Smith and Aaron Belknap, secretaries. After the passage of a resolution regret- ting the defeat of the bill, committees were appointed o renew and circulate petitions to the next Legisla- ture. The second application was successful; the charter passed the Legislature April 26, 1834.

The charter capital of the bank was $200,000. Nathaniel Jones, Egbert Jansen, Robert Fowler, Nathaniel P. Hill, John Forsyth, James Belknap, Aaron Noyes, Noah Matthewson, and Christopher Reeve were appointed commissioners to receive stock subscriptions. In a few weeks nearly double the capital required was subscribed, and a pro rata dis- ribution of the stock became necessary.

The bank was organized July 21, 1834, under the following officers : Directors, Gilbert O. Fowler,

The capital of the bank was increased to $350,000 ($100,000 from surplus, and $50,000 new stock), Jan. 1, 1865. It was organized as a national bank April 22, 1865, and its capital increased to 8450,000.

Powell Bank .- The Powell Bank was organized Dec. 12, 1838, as an associated bank, with a capital of 8135,000. The first directors and officers were: Directors, Thomas Powell, Samuel Williams, Daniel Farrington, Benjamin Carpenter, Charles Halstead, Homer Ramsdell, William L. F. Warren ; Thomas Powell, president ; Samuel Williams, vice-president; Thomas C. Ring, cashier ; Nathaniel R. Belknap, teller. The capital stock was held by Hiram Bennett, A. & M. H. Belknap, Benjamin Carpenter & Co., Daniel Farrington, A. P. Johnes, H. Ramsdell, Roe & Darby, Thomas Powell, George Sneed, and Samuel Williams.

In January, 1843, the stockholders, with the ex- ception of Thomas Powell and Homer Ramsdell, with- drew their stock, and the institution became an indi- vidual bank, with a capital of $110,000,-Thomas Powell, president ; Homer Ramsdell, vice-president ; and T. C. Ring, cashier. Messrs. Powell and Rams- dell subsequently increased the capital to $175,000. The bank was discontinued in 1857.

Quassaick Bank .- The organization of the Quas- saick Bank was based on the assumed necessity for a larger banking capital to accommodate the business of the village. The directors of the Bank of New- burgh endeavored to supply this want by increasing the capital stock of that institution $100,000; but this addition proved inadequate to the demand. On Thursday evening, Sept. 4, 1851, a meeting of citi- zens was held at the Orange Hotel for the purpose of considering the subject. David Crawford was chosen chairman, and O. M. Smith secretary. After ad- dresses by William Fullerton, W. E. Warren, S. W. Eager, T. M. Niven, and others, a committee was ap- pointed to name suitable persons for directors, and also to suggest a title for the institution. On the re- port of this committee a board of directors was nomi- nated, and " The Quassaick Bank" adopted as the title.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

On March 31, 1852, the bank was formally organ- The battle of Brandywine was fought partly on the farm of Benjamin Ring, whose house was headquar- ters for Washington and staff, Lafayette, Pulaski, Knox, and others, when making themselves ac- quainted with the surrounding country and deciding on the battle-ground. ized by the adoption of articles of association, and commenced business with a capital of $130,000 in the spring of that year. The first officers were : Directors, E. W. Farrington, J. I. Crawford, I. R. Carpenter, Asa Sterling, Isaiah Townsend, Charles U. Cushman, John Jamison, W. K. Mailler, James Patton, John Although Benjamin Ring was a Quaker, and on J. Monell. A vacaney in the board was filled at the . that account prevented from taking an active part in ensuing election in May by the election of David the war, it was well known that he was a strong sym- pathizer with the patriot cause. Just before the battle an American spy informed him that it would be unsafe for his family to remain, that they had better leave, taking with them what valuables they could carry. Moore. At the organization of the bank E. W. Far- rington was chosen president, Jonathan N. Weed, cashier, and W. H. Gerard, teller. D. Gillis Leonard succeeded Mr. Farrington in May, 1862, and Odell S. Hathaway was elected in September, 1864, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Leonard His wife, daughters, and young son, who drove, hastily left in a carriage, carrying with them $900 in gold, a quantity of silver plate, and other articles, in all amounting to quite a large sum, which, the roads becoming blocked by troops, they were obliged to abandon, and made their escape across the fields. in May of that year. James N. Dickey was elected teller in 1863. The capital of the bank was increased to $200,000, September, 1852 ; and to $300,000, March, 1854. It was organized as a national bank June 3, 1865, the capital remaining unchanged. Isaac K. Oakley is now (1880) president, and Jonathan N. Weed, cashier.

Newburgh Sarings-Bank .- By act of the Legislature passed April 13, 1852, E. W. Farrington, John J. Mo- nell, Charles U. Cushman, Robert L. Case, Robert A. Forsyth, Richard A. Southwick, Odell S. Hathaway, Gilbert C. Monell, David H. Barclay, Adam Lilburn, Samuel W. Eager, Cornelius C. Smith, Robert Ster- ling, Robert D. Kemp, Charles Drake, David Moore, John H. Waters, James I. Crawford, James Patton, William K. Mailler, Benjamin Carpenter, T. M. Niven, and their successors were constituted "a body corpo- rate and politic, by the name of The Newburgh Sav- ings-Bank." The bank commenced business Jan. 1, 1853, with the following officers, viz. : Robert L. Case, president ; O. S. Hathaway and E. W. Farrington, vice-presidents ; Charles U. Cushman, secretary and treasurer. In 1854, E.W. Farrington was elected presi- dent ; Charles Halstead, Jr., treasurer ; G. C. Monell, secretary. In 1858, Daniel B. St. John, president ; Thomas C. Ring, treasurer ; J. R. Wiltsie, secretary. These officers were continued until 1872, when the Rev. John Forsyth was elected president. He was succeeded by J. De Witt Walsh, who served until Jan- uary, 1873, when Mr. St. John was re-elected, and Mr. Ring entered upon his seventeenth year as treasurer. The deposits on July 1, 1859, were $124,000; July 1, 1875, $2,467,700.

In the summer of 1866 the directors commenced the erection of the building now occupied by the bank,- Vaux, Withers & Co., architects ; Franklin Gerard, mason ; McClung & Deyo, carpenters. It was com- pleted in 1868, and occupied by the bank in October of that year. Its cost was about $130,000, which was paid from the earnings of the bank.

THOMAS C. RING .- Benjamin Ring, grandfather of Thomas C. Ring, was born in Wales, and emigrated to Pennsylvania, where he erected mills on the ! Brandywine. He married Rachel James. Their children were eight in number.

Benjamin Ring, with two companions, joined them on horseback, and after seeing them to a place of safety returned to Washington, who had just heard that his retreat was likely to be cut off. Hearing the conversation, he rode up to Washington and pointed out a way by taking which he would cut off nearly two miles. He said that he would pilot them, but being stout and advanced in years, would not be so suitable as his friend, William Harvey, a young man and a fine horseman, and one in whom the general could feel every confidence. By hard riding across fields and over fences the balance of the army was rejoined and the retreat made in safety.

Benjamin Ring's house, which was of stone, was used as a fort alternately by the contending parties. The roof was riddled with grape-shot, one six-pounder going through the gable, and there was not a place on the walls large enough to lay one's hand that did not bear a mark. Everything inside the house was destroyed, the farm was cleared of cattle, and not a fence left on the place.

Nathaniel Ring, son of Benjamin, was born in 1767, and emigrated to Cornwall, N. Y., at an early day. He was a millwright by trade, and captain of a sloop between New York and Cornwall for a score of years. His wife was Martha, daughter of Hon. Jeremiah Clark, of Cornwall, to whom were born seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth. Nathaniel Ring died in 1850, and his wife in 1854.

The maternal grandfather of Thomas C. Ring, Jeremiah Clark, was born in Bedford, Westchester Co., N. Y., in 1730. He married Martha Newman on Nov. 27, 1752; was elected a ruling elder of New Windsor Church July 6, 1783, and died May 30, 1808. He was a man of much influence and promi- nence, and a firm friend of liberty and national union. He passed the greater part of his life at Cornwall. He was a member of the first Provincial Congress

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om Orange County in 1775, of the second Provin- ial Congress in 1775 and 1776, and of the fourth Provincial Congress and Representative Convention 1 1776 and 1777, at the last session of which the first onstitution of the State of New York was formed, at Kingston, April 20, 1777. He was member of Assem- ly of New York from Orange County, beginning ith the first Assembly of the State, which met at ingston Sept. 1, 1777, and of the Assemblies of 778-79, 1780-81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89. le also filled the offices of sheriff and lay judge of range County.

Thomas C. Ring was born at Cornwall, Orange Co., a Oct. 21, 1804. His early life was passed at home, here he enjoyed the advantages of a common-school ducation. At the age of thirteen he left the protect- ig care of his parents, and with no capital other than rong hands and an industrious and ambitious spirit arted out to encounter the duties of life. He com- ienced as a clerk in the employ of Oliver G. Burton, t West Point, who kept a general store and supplied Il varieties of goods to the military academy at that oint. After three years Mr. Burton died, and Mr. ing returned to the parental roof for the brief period f four months, during which time he assisted his ther in his brickyard.

In 1821 he removed to Newburgh, and entered the mploy of Matthias G. Miller, a general trader at that lace, as a clerk. The firm subsequently changed to filler & Smith, and besides carrying on a general mercantile business, ran a sloop between Newburgh nd New York, known as the "Neptune." This essel capsized near the Highlands in the year 1822, ud between twenty and thirty persons were drowned. bout 1825 MIr. Ring was appointed a clerk in the ank of Newburgh, and filled that position for two ears. In 1831 he became clerk on board of the eamboat " Albany," plying between New York and lbany. In 1832, owing to the prevalence of the olera in New York, the trips of that vessel were iscontinued for one season, during which period Mr. ing was clerk on board of the "New Philadelphia," inning between the same ports. In 1833 he returned his former position on the " Albany," where he re- ained until the fall of 1834. At that time he was ppointed cashier of the Highland Bank of New- urgh, and acted in that capacity until 1838, when he signed. In 1839 he became the cashier of the owell Bank of Newburgh, and remained in that onnection until 1864, the bank, however, commenc- ig measures for voluntary liquidation in 1857. In 358 Mr. Ring was appointed treasurer of the New- urgh Savings-Bank, a position that he has since filled ith singular fidelity and success. From 1858 to 1864 e was superintendent of the ferry running between fewburgh and Fishkill.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 70

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