History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 86

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 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Wilson, John, Co. A, 56th, Oct. 28, 1861 ; 2 years.

White, William, Co. A, 56th, Oct. 28, 1861 ; two years.

Williams, William J., capt., Co. E, 66th, Sept. 20, 1861, 2 years; killed at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.

Wilcox, Abraham, 7th Ind. Bat., Oct. 3, 1861.

Williams, Lewis W., 7th Ind. Bat., Aug. 16, 1861 ; re-enl. call of Oct. 17, 1863.

Wilson, Robert, 7th Ind. Bat., Sept. 26, 1861 ; re-enl. call of Oct. 17, 1863. Widden, John, 7th Ind. Bat., 1861; re-enl. call of Oct. 17, 1863.

White, Francis W., 7th Ind. Bat., 1861; re-enl. call of Oct. 17, 1863.

Wires, William II., 7th Ind. Bat., 1861 ; re-enl. call of Oct. 17, 1863.

Wilson, David F., Co. D, 19th M., June 4, 1862, 3 months; 168th, call of August, 1862, 9 months.

Wilkins, George G., Co. D, 19th DI., June 4, 1862; 3 monthe.

Wilbert, Lewis, Co. D, 19th M., June 4, 1862 ; 3 months.

Wilson, Tilden, Co. E, 19th M., June 4, 1862; 3 months.

Williams, James II., Co. I, 19th M., June 4, 1862, 3 months; 166th, call of August, 1862, 9 months.

Wilson, John, Co. L, 19th M., June 4, 1862 ; 3 months.

Wisner, G. F., Co. L, 19th M., June 4, 1862; 3 months.

Wright, Charles, Co. L, 19th M., June 4, 1862; 3 months.

Wiley, Alfred H., 7th (2d) Cavalry, Aug. 15, 1861.

Wiggins, Abram B,, 2d (Black Horse) Cavalry, 1861.

Withers, Frederick E., 1st lieut., Ist Engineers, Aug. 17, 1861 ; resigned Aug. 19, 1862.

Whitehill, Robert, U.S.N., "Conemangh," 1863.

White, William J., 168th, call of August, 1862 ; 9 months.

White, John, 168th, call of August, 1862; 9 months.

White, Daniel S., Co. G, 124th, Aug. 14, 1862, 3 years; wounded at Chan- cellorsville ; trans. to V. R. C. Jan. 1, 1865.

White, Samuel A., Co. 1, 124th, Ang. 14, 1862, 3 years; trans. to Ambu- lance Corps after Gettysburg ; disch. April 4, 1864.

White, John II., Co. G, 124th, Aug. 14, 1862, 3 years; died of fever Dec. 10, 1862, at Falmouth.

Whitmore, Baxter, Co. 1, 124th, Aug. 14, 1862, 3 years ; trans. to V. R. C. Oct. 10, 1863.

Wilson, James, 166th, call of August, 1862, 9 months ; 15th.

Wilson, Robert, Co. I, 124th, Aug. 14, 1862, 3 years; wounded May 3, 1863, and taken prisoner.

Wilson, William, Co. B, 36th, Sept. 21, 1862, 3 years; trans. to 65th.

Williams, Jolin, 168th, call of Angust, 1862; 9 months.

Wise, Joseph, 168th, call of August, 1862; 9 months.

Wilkin, David N., Co. K, 124th, Aug. 18, 1862, 3 years ; disch. for disa- bility Dec. 13, 1862.

Wright, Frederick E., 84th, call of August, 1862; died July 27, 1863, of wounds received at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.

Wiggins, Benjamin, 2d (Harris) Cavalry, call of August, 1862; 3 years.

Wilson, Henry M., 7th Art., bet. July and October, 1863.

Wilson, William, 63d.

White, Robert, 15th Cavalry.

Wright, James, 63d.

Wright, Henry E., 15tlı Art.

Whittington, Daniel, Colored.

Williams, Jolın HI., 15th Cavalry.

Williams, Ezra, Co. I, 124th, April 5, 1864, 3 years ; trans. to 93d, June, 1865.

Wright, James, Colored.

Whigham, John P .. , 28th Ind. Bat .; 1 year.

Williams, Levi M., 7th Ind. Bat .; 1 year.

Wilson, Emanuel, U.S.N., call of July 18, 1864 ; 1 year.

Wightman, Joseph P., Co. I, 124th, Ang. 18, 1862, 3 years ; wounded May 3, 1863 ; died May 24, 1863.

Wilson, John S., Feb. 7, 1865.

Williams, George, Feb. 23, 1865.

Williams, Cateline, March 2, 1865.

Wilson, Frank, March 6, 1865.

Woodruff, David, Co. B, 3d, April 20, 1861 ; 2 years.

Wood, Charles B., Cu. I, 71st M., June 28, 1861 ; 3 months.

Wood, Lewis T., Co. D), 19thi M., June 4, 1862 ; 3 months.

Wood, Abram, Co. E, 19th M., June 4, 1862; 3 months.

Wood, Charles 1I., Co. I, 19th M., June 4, 1862; 3 months.

Wordin, John, Co. I, 19th M., June 4, 1862 ; 3 months.

Wood, Jarvis, Ist Mounted Rifles, Oct. 28, 1861.

Wood, Francis, 5th Cavalry, 1861.

Wood, Spragne R., 166th, call of August, 1862; 9 months.

Wood, Lewis F., 166th, call of August, 1862; 9 months.

Wood, John A., 166th, call of Angust, 1862; 9 monthe.

Wood, James, 168th, call of August, 1862; 9 months.

Wood, Isaac, Jr., col., 166th (not mustered), call of August, 1862 ; 9 months.

Wood, George, G3d.

Woods, James, 15th Cavalry, between Oct. 18, 1863, and July, 1864.

Worden, Erastus S., 16th Art., Dec. 28, 1863.

Woolfender, Thomas, Co. C, 98th.

Wood, John W., Feb. 24, 1865.

Wolfe, Frank, 5th Art .; 1 year.

Wyantz, Charles, Co. B, 56th, Oct. 28, 1861 ; 2 years.

Wyms, James, Co. I, 19th M., June 4, 1862; 3 months.

Wyman, William J., Feb. 11, 1865.

Young, Selden, sergt., Co. B, 36th, June 17, 1861, 2 years; re-enl. in 63d ; wounded in Wilderness, 1864, and died of wounds in hospital.

Young, Charles J., Feb. 28, 1865.

Zyloph, Ferdinand, 7th (2d) Cavalry, Aug. 19, 1861.

PERSONS WHO COMMUTED.

DRAFT OCT. 7, 1863.

Albertson, Ezekiel.

1Iarris, John,

Brown, Abram S. Horton, James E.

Berrian, Daniel. Jager, John.

Brooks, Charles.

King, George.

Brown, Engene. Knapp, James F.

Bennett, George.

King, Stephen.

Bush, Charles. Dlc Vey, James.

Barns, Nathaniel. Mccullough, William H.

Barnes, Edgar C. McCann, Alexander.

Boyd, Simon.

McKinnie, William H.

Collins, JamIes.

Marvel, F. S.

Contant, William A. Murphy, Owen.

Coleman, Hector S. Merritt, Theodore.

Chapman, Charles F. Martin, Willianı.

Chapman, Thomas P'. Merritt, Daniel H.

Cromwell, Sinon HI.

Parker, James.

Cherwood, Hobart.

Purdy, James W.

Pine, George W.

Corwin, Howard.

Deyo, Abram.

Delaney, John.

Edmonston, William.

Ely, Smith.

Ferguson, Charles.

Southwick, Richard A.

Sarvis, Charles.

Finley, William L.

Greene, George.

Gardiner, John C.

Ronk, James. Rose, Amos.

Redfield, Abram S.

Fleming, Morris R.

Sutton, David R.

Shutes, Samuel E. Smith, Nathaniel.

Coffin, John Louis.

Rorapaugh, David.

Relyea, Miller,

Thomas Powell

351

NEWBURGH.

Schoonmaker, John. Seymour, Charles.

Waugh, Jamea W.

Stilzer, John.

Waugh, Robert B.

Sarvis, Jamea S.

Williams, Jonas.

Thompkins, George.

Watts, John.

Woodward, Benjamin.

Tica, Daniel. Terry, Henry.

Weatlake, Theodora.

Underhill, Stephen.

Waring, Clement.

PERSONS FURNISHING SUBSTITUTES.

DRAFT OCT. 7, 1863.

Bartlett, William E.

Robinson, Ebenezer G.

Dickson, William J.

Ronk, Alfred A.

Griffin, Henry J.

Rogera, Robert.

Moora, George.

Stanton, Saoiuel.

Moss, Charles,

Snidar, William DI.

Mailler, William O.

Townsend, Thomas P.

Quaid, William.

Weller, Jamea T.

CALL OF JULY 18, 1864.

Allen, George S.

McGregor, William. McDonald, William J.

Allison, John.

Adams, Elijah.

Mccutcheon, Hugh.

Alsdorf, Egbert. Brown, William R.

Morris, William G.

Brown, Daniel G. Bradley, Ambrose.

Mapes, William E.

Bazzoni, James C. Birdaall, Thomas W.

Beveridge, Jamas B.

Mills, Samuel C.

Mapes, Charles.

Miller, Samuel W.

Miller, James W., Jr. Millar, John.

Oliver, George W. Peck, Thomas M.

Banks, Fraderick W. Balk nap, William C. Chambers, William. Coleman, Da Witt C. Clarendon, M. E. Clark, George II. Clarkson, David M. Cauldwell, Alaxandar.

Parmalee, William S. Purdy, Thomas W.

Pressler, William A. Peck, Jonathan C.

Parry, James. Quackenbush, Tunis S. Ross, Samuel J.

Ramsdell, Ilenry P.

Ramadell, James A. P. Ramsdall, Thomas P. Root, Charles. Ruttenber, E. M. Riley, Georga F. Straw, L. S. Seymour, James H.

Smith, Lewia M.

Scott, David A.

Smith, Charles.

Sears, John MI.

Skidmora, E. Sutton, Charles G.

Townsend, George W. Townsend, James A. Thomas, Jonathan W.

Taylor, James W. Ward, Peter.

Wiltsie, G. Fred. Wilson, Arthur. Walsh, Robert. Whigliam, David P. Weed, Jonathan N. Waring, James K. Wardrop, Gerald II. Wiggins, L. Y. Weller, Alanson Y.

Young, James H. Young, Robert.

Young, Josiah S.

CALL OF DEC. 19, 1864.

Adams, John C. Ilartshorn, Charles H.

Aahurst, John.

Hillard, William.

Barna, Daniel D.

Martin, Cyrus B.

Barna, William D. Mardina, Lawis D.

Berry, Daniel. Martin, Isaac M.

Brown, Theroo J.

Odell, Benjamin B.

Bull, William H.

Potter, Leonard.

Baird, Caleb J.

Rogera, Jolın A.

Blizzard, William.

Stewart, John.

Carpenter, Leonard W. Stern, Ferdinaifi.

Casterlina, Joseph.

Suoxay, William B.

Doyla, Michael.

Scharps, Sinion A.

Dunning, Frederick.

Toohey, John II.

Fullertoo, Stephen W.

Van Dalfsen, James T.

Fowlar, Isaac S.

Waygant, Wesley J.

Gardiner, G. W. V.

Wood, Isaac, Jr.

Hutchinson, William D.

Woolsey, George D.

Ilalstaad, Charles H1.

Wood, Isaac E.

Hedgea, Lewis.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

THOMAS POWELL.

Thomas Powell was born at Hempstead, L. I., on Feb. 21, 1769, and was the grandson of Thomas Pow- ell, who emigrated to this country with his family from Powelton, in Wales, where his ancestors held large landed possessions. He located on Long Island, where he became permanently identified with the growth and settlement of the locality, and where he passed the remainder of his days. His son, Henry Powell, born at Hempstead in 1741, inherited his es- tate, but choosing to espouse the cause of the colonies in their struggle for independence, his possessions were confiscated and he himself confined on board the "Jersey Prison-Ship," and later in the "Old Sugar- House." Surviving the horrors of this confinement for three years, he was finally released. Two of his sons, Jacob and Thomas, survived his death, which occurred in 1781 by drowning while attempting to save the life of his son Joseph, who likewise perished. Jacob and Thomas Powell, though but sixteen and twelve years of age respectively, set to work with determined energy to support their sister and widowed mother. After several business adventures they set- tled in New York in 1798 and engaged in mercantile pursuits, but were driven out by the presence of yellow fever in the city, and took up their residence tempo- rarily at Newburgh. At this time a single dock and one or two stores sufficed for the business of the vil- lage, but the possibilities of the place were so apparent that the brothers decided to locate there permanently. They engaged in the mercantile and forwarding trade, and later added a banking business. Energy and fair dealing speedily secured for them a large measure of success and the respect of the community, and as the village grew their business and wealth increased correspondingly. They were selected from among numerous applicants to rebuild Fort Putnam, at West Point, a work which they executed promptly and to

Corwin, Samnel W. Chapman, Isaac C. Cassidy, Ambrose S. Clapp, George M. Deyo, Emmett. Dickey, Jamas. Dickey, Jamea N.

Edwards, Thomas. Fenton, John B. J. Fowler, George W.

Farrington, Thomas J. Farrington, John Al. Farrington, Ezra. Fowler, Henry D. Galt, John.

George, George. llardenburgh, J. C. S. Hasbrouck, William 11. Haight, Henry M. Hasbrouck, Eli, Jr. Hanmore, Benjamin. Hlayt, Nathanial B. Ilunter, Ezra J.

Johnea, Goldamith D. Jansen. William L. Kannady, John B. Krismeyer, Meadoray. Leonard, Chauncey MI. Little, Joho W.

Lawrence, David T. Lawson, William C. Lealia, George M.

Wood, Isaac.

Moffatt, Bruce. Millspaugh, Ilanry E. Millspaugh, Frederick L.

Belknap, Mosea C. Blizzard, Bloomer. Barry, William 11. Brewater, Eugene A. Bodine, John.

McCord, James.

352

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

the satisfaction of the government. Jacob died in 1823, and the business was continued by Thomas. The successful experiments of Fulton in steam navi- gation gave a decided impetus to the carrying trade, which was an important part of Mr. Powell's business. About 1834 he built the "Highlander," one of the most substantial and rapid steamers of the day. In 1844, Homer Ramsdell became associated with him in business. In 1846 the "Thomas Powell," a steamer celebrated for remarkable speed, was built, and with the " Highlander," still traverses the waters of the Hudson. The business of freighting was, how- ever, soon carried on almost entirely by barges, and of these the firm built several which are without su- periors on the river. Although largely devoted to developing and perfecting the carrying trade upon the Hudson, Mr. Powell's energies were not confined to that field of operations. He was actively inter- ested in every work of progress and development which took place in Newburgh in his day, and was the originator of many projects which have greatly increased the prosperity of the city. He was a large stockholder in various manufacturing enterprises, and in railroads, docks, store-houses, ferries, banks, steamers, and barges. He was respected for his hon- esty and integrity of character, and beloved for his large-hearted kindness and active philanthropy. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and quiet and unostentatious in his habits and tastes. He died on May 12, 1856.

At a public meeting held a few days after his de- mise, called to pay a tribute of respect to his mem- ory, the late Judge John W. Brown remarked as follows: " In a public meeting of his neighbors and townsmen, it were idle to speak of his public spirit and the uses he made of his wealth during the last twenty-five years of his life. How he applied it and what he did with it is first in the recollection of us all. It is sufficient to say that whatever measure of activity pervades our public streets, our work-shops, our wharves and places of business, we owe to the prompt and intelligent interposition of Mr. Powell's wealth and credit between us and the legitimate re- sults of great public improvements which threatened to dry up the sources of our prosperity and divert the streams of our business into other channels. He was not alone in his exertions to arrest the downward tendency of our prosperity. There were others, and especially one other, whose efforts were conspicuous in the same emergency, and to whom the citizens of Newburgh owe a debt of gratitude which it will be difficult to pay." Reference was here made to Mr. Powell's course, and that of his son-in-law, Homer Ramsdell, in connection with the construction of the Newburgh Branch Railroad, in which the firm became responsible, through indorsements, acceptances, and advances, for $202,219, and without which the con- struction of the road would have been indefinitely deferred. Mr. Powell's usefulness was not less mani-

fest in the organization of the Powell Bank in 1838, and in the establishment of the Newburgh Steam- Mills in 1844.

He married Mary, daughter of Robert Ludlow, and had a family of five children, of whom the youngest, Frances E. L., is the wife of Homer Ramsdell.

HOMER RAMSDELL.

Homer Ramsdell was born in Warren, Worcester Co., Mass., on Aug. 12, 1810. His parents were Joseph and Ruth (Stockbridge) Ramsdell, natives of the old town of Hanover, Mass., both being representatives of pioneer families that, sharing in all the vicissitudes of New England life in the early period of her his- tory, developed such independence of spirit, such powers of endurance, and such a tenacity of purpose, as was destined to fit their descendants for positions of honor and usefulness in the several communities in which they might subsequently reside.

Mr. Ramsdell was educated at the excellent academy at Monson, Hampden Co., Mass., aud after the close of his educational course entered the dry-goods trade in New York, where he remained from 1832 to 1840. In 1844 he became one of the firm of Thomas Powell & Co., of Newburgh, and from that time until the present he has continued his connection with the mer- cantile and forwarding business of the city. "From the date of his association with the firm until Mr. Powell's death he was very largely the administrator of Mr. Powell's fortune, and to him, perhaps, the community owe most of the undertakings in which the firm engaged. No public enterprise has for many years been complete without his aid, while those of a private character to which he has been a party have not been limited in number or unproductive of general benefit. The history of Newburgh for over a quarter of a century has been his history,-its pathway is studded with mementos of his usefulness."*

Mr. Powell died in 1856. Since that time Mr. Ramsdell has, by purchase and consolidation, added other neighboring forwarding lines to his enterprises, embracing not only those of Newburgh, but also those of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, in Duchess County, and Highland, Ulster County, so that to-day, by a far-reaching capacity and extent of business, he stands at the head of the forwarding and transportation business on the Hudson. His undertakings are characterized throughout by a spirit of enterprise and accommodation to the public, of which his maintenance and management of the excellent ferry between Newburgh and Fishkill, and his spacious covered wharves and commodious warehouses, are an example. In every public enterprise his financial ability and talents have been the leading factors, while even those of his works of a more private character have been such as, necessitating the em-

* History of Newburgh.

Romer Ramse El

353

NEWBURGH.

ployment of labor on a large scale, and the conse- quent distribution of capital, have tended to promote business interests generally, and thus conduce to the welfare of the community. He is intimately identified with the various local institutions of Newburgh, and is a prompt contributor to the progressive and ele- vating movements of his day. He sees from afar re- sults to be attained only by a long train of operations, and combining in an eminent degree the faculty of perceiving the practical relations of things with a skillful use of the means at his command, he has been instrumental in bringing certain public questions to a successful issue, and in converting what threatened disaster to the community into a means of renewed prosperity.

His resources and influence have been directed to the development of the business and growth of New- burgh as a means of promoting his own interests, so that it may be justly said of him that he regards the interests and advantage of his town as identical with those of his own.

In 1845, from a previously prosperous condition, the village of Newburgh was nearly depleted of its business and inhabitants by the opening of the New York and Erie Railroad two years earlier to Goshen. At this time that company had defaulted in the pay- ment of interest to the State upon a $3,000,000 Ioan, and a sale under foreclosure appeared inevitable. The company appealed to the Legislature for relief. A bill for that purpose, with conditions, one of which was the construction of a branch railroad to New- burgh, was accordingly presented ; but those adverse to the measure outnumbered the friends of the Erie Road, and for a time this now great trunk line seemed doomed to defeat.

At this juncture, with a view to regaining its lost importance and of aiding the completion of this crippled yet important outlet to southern New York, Newburgh came to the rescue and enlisted its best men in the interest of the Erie Railroad. Her repre- sentatives in the Legislature-the Hon. Robert Den- niston, of Blooming-Grove, in the Senate, and the Hon. Thornton M. Niven, of Newburgh, in the As- sembly-were appealed to, and, strongly backed by their constituents, barely saved the bill.

By reason of Mr. Ramsdell's commanding influence in this connection, his successful labors in procuring large subscriptions to its capital stock, and his effi- ciency in reorganizing the company, he was later in that year (1845) elected to fill a vacancy in the board of directors, and, excepting a brief interval, has been continued in the board, through all the various changes of administration, to the present time.

In 1847 the question of the change of gauge of the Erie Railroad from 6 feet to 4 feet 83 inches was dis- cussed, and Mr. Ramsdell advocated and voted for the narrow gauge. The road was then in operation only between Piermont and Otisville, a distance of sixty- one miles, and had a limited equipment of rolling

stock. The change that could then have been made for a few thousands has since been done at the cost of many millions.

In June, 1853, he was elected president of the com- pany. The Legislature of the State of New York, in- fluenced by State pride,-a popular fallacy at that time throughout the country,-in granting the orig- inal charter of the New York and Erie Railroad Company limited its termini within the State,-Dun- kirk at the west and Piermont at the east. It thus encountered at its origin every winter an embargo which threatened to defeat the object of its construc- tion, and forced a direct connection with the city of York by a divergence at Suffern's, thence through the State of New Jersey.

On assuming the administration of the corporation by Mr. Ramsdell, this connection, then just made, was imperfect in all respects, and without terminal facili- ties. Thus hampered, upon his own motion and indi- vidual responsibility, he sought relief for his company by the purchase of the Long Dock property, substan- tially the property which is now owned by the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad Company,- viz., the lands pierced by the Bergen tunnel, the river- front at Pavonia, and the intermediate lands connect- ing them, a distance of more than two miles through Jersey City.

At the next sitting of the Legislature of New Jer- sey (1856) he procured the passage of an act incor- porating the Long Dock Company, to which he con- veyed the property, and also obtained another act authorizing the Erie Railroad Company to purchase and hold lands in New Jersey, and to finish and com- plete the Paterson and Hudson River Railroad.

In this way a legislative mistake was overcome, and this great national thoroughfare was extended into the business centre of the great metropolis, and the foundation was laid for terminal facilities equal to its then extended and rapidly increasing necessities.

Upon the resignation by Mr. Ramsdell of the presi- dency, in July, 1857, Messrs. Samuel Marsh, vice- president, and others, a committee in behalf of the board, by letter, after expressing for him their per- sonal esteem and their appreciation of other valued services by him rendered to the company " during a long period of trying vicissitudes," say, "we desire particularly to tender the thanks of the board for that crowning service of your administration, your original conception and judicious purchase of the Long Dock property ; which project, when fully completed and annexed to the Erie Railroad, will constitute an un- broken channel of communication between the im- mense granaries of the productive West and the markets of this great metropolis and Europe ; so that while one end of our road terminates at the lakes and rivers of the West, the other end shall discharge and receive its freights and passengers at the wharf or shipping at the port of New York, an advantage of location, productiveness, and economy which is with-

354

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

out precedent in the history of railroads ; and as long as New York continues the great commercial centre and distributing point for the commerce of this country, the Erie Railroad must be the great channel of its western transportation.

" Your project has, therefore, not only rendered the Erie Railroad a permanent and valuable auxiliary to the commercial prosperity of our city, but it opens at the same time an unfailing resource of income to the company, which must yield a permanent profit to the stockholders."

The construction of the Hawley branch of the Erie Railroad was originated by Mr. Ramsdell more than twenty years ago. It is the connecting link between the roads of the Pennsylvania Coal Company and the Erie Road, and by this means the coal-beds of Penn- sylvania-direct communication with which was the object in whose interest the construction of the Hud- son and Delaware Railroad was contemplated by the citizens of Newburgh more than forty years ago- now pour their wealth into this popular entrepôt.

Mr. Ramsdell was also active and influential in pro- moting the construction of the Newburgh and New York (Short-Cut) Railroad between Vail's Gate on the Newburgh Branch and Greenwood on the main line of the Erie. This short road is a valuable con- tributor to the business and convenience of New- burgh. His agency, also, in bringing to a successful completion the Newburgh Branch Railroad is else- where referred to in this work.

Before the introduction of railroads into our system of internal communication, the migration from New England to the more productive lands of the West was largely through Newburgh. To restore this lost trade Mr. Ramsdell was among the first advocates of a railroad from New England, and forty years ago made the first reconnoissance of the country prepara- tory to such an undertaking. The New York and New England Railroad, now about to be opened to Fishkill, will fulfill his early anticipations.

Mr. Ramsdell was married on June 16, 1835, to Frances E. L., daughter of Thomas Powell, of New- burgh. The children have been Mary L. P., who died in childhood; Frances J., wife of Maj. George W. Rains; Thomas P., James A. P., Henry P., Homer S., and Leila R. Ramsdell. He has per- sistently declined to accept political office, although feeling a deep interest in the public events of his day, and exerting a wide influence in the counsels of his party. In early life he filled for many years a num- ber of local offices, including those of trustee and village president of Newburgh.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 86

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