History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 87

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 87

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BENJAMIN CARPENTER.

The Carpenter family of Newburgh, N. Y., are descended from Benjamin Carpenter, who was born in England in 1730. He emigrated to this country at an early age, and settled on Long Island, from

whence he removed to Latintown, now in the town of Marlborough, Ulster Co. He resided at that place until his death. His wife was Jane, daughter of Rev. Mr. Leonard, of Goshen. Six children were the issne of this marriage, among whom were Jacob and Leon- ard Carpenter. These sons were closely identified with the early mercantile and commercial life of New- burgh, and were also owners of the ferry at that place. Leonard Carpenter married Bridget, daughter of Isaac Belknap, and had the following children, viz .: Ben- jamin, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, who married William Thayer ; Isaac R., for many years a prominent and substantial citizen of Newburgh; Jane Belknap; Alexander L., who removed to Ohio; Sarah; Lydia; Stearns; and Cynthia Warren, who married Francis Crawford.

Benjamin Carpenter, son of Leonard Carpenter, was born on Feb. 14, 1793. For more than half a century he was engaged in business in the city of Newburgh. During the whole of that long period he bore an intimate relation to the growth and com- mercial development of the city, and was one of the foremost of the business men of the day. From memoranda left by himself we derive a correct ac- count of his varied business enterprises and under- takings.

Mr. Carpenter commenced mercantile life in the year 1812, in Newburgh, and two years later formed a partnership with Messrs. John and William Thayer. Soon after the close of the war, 1812-15, this firm purchased the schooner " Ann," and engaged in the West India trade. In the spring of 1817 this part- nership was dissolved by Mr. Carpenter, and he com- menced the freighting and mercantile business on his own account, in the store afterwards occupied by Charles Halstead, on Water Street. Subsequently Mr. Carpenter removed to Front Street, where he pursued a general commission and forwarding busi- ness, grain constituting the chief commodity of commercial export at that period.

This was the principal business in which Mr. Car- penter engaged throughout the remainder of his life, although a large number of collateral undertakings in connection with it received his attention.

He was also interested in the encouragement of other local enterprises. About the year 1818 he erected the first hay-press in Newburgh. He also built a starch factory on DuBois Street for parties desirous of introducing that industry in Newburgh. He purchased a building on Ann Street, and aided George Fredorf in establishing a fancy soap business. After the death of the latter the establishment was sold to Ames & Spencer, and in course of time it formed the basis of the large enterprise of Jesse Oakley.

Mr. Carpenter was also a stockholder and director in the Newburgh Whaling Company' from 1831 to 1840. After that company discontinued business he purchased the sloop " Russell," in company with par-

Ben Carpenter

2. Crawford

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NEWBURGH.

ties in New York, and sent that vessel to Havana, where a charter was received to go up the Baltic Sea. This enterprise proved successful.

In the year 1825, Mr. Carpenter established, in company with Henry B. Carpenter, the first foundry in Newburgh, in which, on March 18th of that year, iron was melted for the first time in the town.

In 1828 he built the steamboat "William Young," for conveying freight, as well as passengers, between Newburgh and New York, one of the first steamboats launched upon the Hudson for both the accommoda- tion of passengers and the transportation of freight. In 1838, B. Carpenter & Co. built the steamboat "James Madison," to take the place of the " William Young." Subsequently the freighting business of this firm was carried on by barges, the barge "Superior" having been placed on that line in 1846, and after- wards the barge "Minisink." The entire business of this firm was subsequently sold to Homer Rams- dell & Co.

In 1836, Mr. Carpenter became one of the original stockholders and directors of the Hudson and Dela- ware Railroad Company, and on the first establish- ment of the Newburgh Steam-Mills Company he became also a stockholder and director in that enter- prise. For several years, including the first year of its organization, Mr. Carpenter was a director in the Powell Bank (now discontinued), and he was one of the original trustees of the Newburgh Savings-Bank, founded in 1852.

He was greatly interested in the project of building the Branch Railroad to Newburgh, connecting with the Eric Railroad, and materially aided in the accom- plishment of that end.

The firm of B. Carpenter & Co., of which he was the senior member, also became large stockholders in the South plank-road enterprise.

In various other ways Mr. Carpenter was actively interested in the establishment and conservation of the institutions of Newburgh, and to no man more than to him are due the prosperity and success of many of the leading enterprises of the city. In con- nection with his brother, Isaac R. Carpenter, he pur- chased all the water-front between First and Second Streets, laid ont Front Street, built and filled up the necessary wharves, and with the aid of a small vol- untary subscription, he purchased the land and opened Carpenter Street. He, together with Mr. Parmenter, also gave the land and opened Eager Street.

In these and in many other enterprises his public spirit and his interest in whatever pertained to the growth and prosperity of Newburgh were manifested.

In 1830, Mr. Carpenter was elected a trustee of the village of Newburgh, and was re-elected in 1831, '32, '33, '34, '37, '38, '40, and '41. He also filled many other positions of trust and honor in political and business circles.

He was also prominently associated with religious and benevolent work, being one of the founders of

the Bethel Mission, to the support of which he liber- ally contributed, and he was one of the founders of the Newburgh Bible Society. He was a leading member and trustee of the First Presbyterian Church, which office he held at the time of his death, which ocenrred Jan. 31, 1871.

In all the relations of life, either as husband, father, or friend, he ever manifested an unselfish and devoted spirit ; and in the community in which he passed a long and useful life his name was a synonym for in- tegrity, uprightness, and honorable dealing.

The wife of Mr. Carpenter was Miss Caroline S. Carpenter, daughter of John Warren, of Saratoga Springs, N. Y., who died April 5, 1856.

The children were Mary F., widow of the late Lewis M. Strong, of Northampton, Mass .; John W., who died in infancy ; Warren, who died just as he had entered the legal profession, and had given large promise of a successful and brilliant career ; and Alida Josepha, now residing in Newburgh.

DAVID CRAWFORD.,

No better or more appropriate sketch of the Craw- ford family can be given than the following from the " History of Newburgh" :

" There are several branches of the Crawford family in this country, all of Irish origin, and all more or less remotely connected. The Newburgh family of that name are the descendants of John Crawford, who came to America in 1730. He settled at Little Britain, in this county, soon after the Clinton immi- grants located there. His children were David, who succeeded to the homestead farm, and had Francis, for many years a resident of Newburgh ; Mary, who married John Van Arsdale; Jane, who married James Denniston ; and James, who settled in what is now the town of Crawford.

"Francis Crawford, only son of David, remained on the homestead at Little Britain until 1806, when he removed to Newburgh and entered into the mer- cantile and freighting business with John Harris. He retired from the trade in 1810, but re-entered it in 1817, and continued in it until his death (April 23, 1829), in the sixty-seventh year of his age. 'There were traits in his character well deserving notice and imitation. From the uniform tenor of his conduct through life it is believed that he lived and died without a single personal enemy. Blessed with a natural temper almost peculiar to himself,-an utter stranger to petulance, passion, and the inordinate love of gain,-he was the same man under all cir- cumstances ; no one was ever wounded by his tongue or made the victim of his avarice. He received the bounties of Providence as they were bestowed, and reaped the benefits of his prudence and industry, and thereby secured to himself and his associates in busi- ness the universal confidence of the public and the esteem and admiration of innumerable friends. In

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

short, he lived as a man should live in relation to his fellow-man, and he died as a man should die in rela- tion to his God and his Redeemer,-

''Tis only noble to be good : Kind hearts are more than coronets, And simple faith than Norman blood.'*

" Francis Crawford was thrice married,-first to Eunice Watkins, by whom he had: 1, Sammel; 2, Thomas; 3, David ; 4, James. Mrs. Eunice Crawford died in 1791, in her twenty-eighth year. Second to Lydia, daughter of Jeduthan Belknap, Dec. 1, 1792. Third to Fanny Denniston (widow of Capt. Isaacs), born Jan. 20, 1780, died Feb. 26, 1829. His sons David and James came to Newburgh with him in 1806, and were his associates in his business until 1810. James afterwards opened the Mansion House, of which he was for several years the proprietor. He married Elizabeth Munson, who after his death mar- ried John Farnum. David continued with his father, and at his death received the principal portion of his estate.

" David Crawford was born at Little Britain about the year 1788. The precise date cannot now be ascer- tained, in consequence of the destruction of the family records by fire. He received such educational advan- tages as the country schools at that time afforded, and in 1806 entered the store of his father as clerk. In 1810 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Orange County, and discharged the duties of that office for about one year. When the war of 1812 broke out, he promptly responded to the call of Congress for volunteers, and raised a company of artillery of which he was elected captain, in which capacity he served for about one year, when he received a commission in the army of the United States, and remained in the service until the close of the war in 1815. Hle re- entered the mercantile and forwarding business with his father in 1817, and prosecuted it until 1851. He died July 23, 1856.

" As a citizen Mr. Crawford was highly esteemed, and for several years held positions of honor and trust. His integrity was undoubted, and throughout his long business career his reputation was unsullied. Always ready to lend a helping hand to others, there are those among our citizens who can look back with grateful remembrance to the kindly aid which he ren- dered to them when assistance was needed. In his business and social intercourse he was especially affa- ble and agreeable,-the sunlight of a perpetually happy disposition appeared to be his. The Yorick of a thou- sand jests, his genial Immor was irresistible, and would chase the clouds away from the gravest face. He was unusnally well informed in dramatic literature. At one time in his life he had a decided passion for this kind of reading. With the plays of Shakespeare he was very familiar, and could recall their scenes, charac- ters, and many of their choice passages at will. His

love for children was another characteristic ; he de- lighted in their presence, sympathized in their amuse- ments, and always seemed to enter into the spirit of their frolic. In a word, he was a patriotic, honest, kind-hearted gentleman, and an excellent citizen.

" David Crawford married Fanny C., daughter of Isaac Belknap, May 15, 1822, and had: 1, Isaac B. (died young) ; 2, Mary Elizabeth, married Sands MeCamly, Aug. 6, 1844, died July 8, 1845, leaving Mary E. C. MeCamly ; 3, James Thomas (died young) ; 4, Anna (now deceased), married Richard A. South- wick, Oct. 11, 1849, had Fanny C., Anna C., and Florence."

THE WALSH FAMILY.

The Walsh family came from the north of Ireland, and were of Scotch descent. Thomas Walsh was born near Carlisle, Pa., in 1751. His father, also named Thomas, came to America and settled in the Cumberland Valley, which was rapidly peopled by hardy Scotch Presbyterians. About 1769, Thomas Walsh, his parents having died, joined his only sister, Mary, who was married to Maj. Hawks, of Sussex Co., N. J. In 1772 he removed to New Windsor, Orange Co., and settled on a farm near Washington Lake, where he resided for the remainder of his life. He was an intelligent Christian man, a great reader, and a successful farmer. He was enrolled in Capt. Nicoll's company of New Windsor. He turned out with his company at the attack on Fort Montgomery, and marched with it to repel the threatened Indian raid at Peenpack. Dr. Higby, of silver-bullet fame, was his intimate friend. It was found after his death that all he owed in the world was one dollar. His son William became the owner of the farm, on which the old dwelling-house, built a century ago, is still standing. He died March 19, 1819. Thomas Walsh married Margaret Brush, of Rockland County, who was of a New England family carly settled in the eastern part of Long Island. Mrs. Walsh sur- vived her husband many years, and died at the resi- dence of her son Henry, April 18, 1837, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. She was of a cheerful disposition and possessed great activity and energy. The children of Thomas and Margaret Walsh were William, John, Thomas, Mary, Rachel, Henry, Eliza- beth, Michael, Harriet, and Anna.

WILLIAM WALSH.

William Walsh was born in the town of New Windsor, near Washington Lake, Oct. 4, 1773. He passed his earlier years on the homestead of his father, availing himself meanwhile of the privilege of acquiring such an education as the ordinary schools of his day afforded. After leaving school he went to New Windsor village, where he worked at ship-build- ing. In those days New Windsor was an active, thriving place. Many vessels were constructed there. Sloops sailed on regular dates to New York, carrying

* Newburgh Telegraph, April 23, 1829.

William Walker

Henry Walsh

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NEWBURGH.

passengers and freight, and much business was trans- acted. A partnership was formed between Judge Morrell and William Walsh, and they carried on the freight and passenger business, owning sloops sailing at regular dates for New York. William Walsh was captain of a sloop, and sailed the same for several seasons. Appreciating the superior advantages of Newburgh, he removed to that place in 1812, and engaged in the general dry-goods business with his brother Henry, the firm being William and Henry Walsh. Subsequently the brothers dissolved and continued business, each on his own account. Mr. Walsh was president of the village of Newburgh for two years, and a trustee for six years. He was town clerk for three years, and supervisor of Newburgh for nine years. He had the honor to represent New- burgh at the celebration in New York in 1825 of the opening of the Erie Canal. He was a member and officer in Rev. Dr. Johnston's church for many years, and one of its most active and influential sup- porters. He was a man of fine presence, upright and honorable, a firm friend and a kind neighbor, social and friendly to all with whom he came in contact, and a successful business man. He took an active part in all public matters, and in the advancement of the interests of Newburgh.

In 1827, William Walsh became the president of the Bank of Newburgh, and continued in that posi- tion until his death. Under his judicious and eon- servative management the bank prospered, and had the entire and deserved confidence of the public.

Mr. Walsh erected the briek buildings at the south- west corner of Water and Third Streets, Newburgh. He lived there for several years, and subsequently purchased the Betts property on Montgomery Street, where he resided until his death, which occurred Nov. 2, 1839. During his last siekness he was visited by Henry Clay, and the interview between the two men is said to have been an affecting one.

William Walsh married Mary, daughter of Isaac Van Duzer, of Cornwall. Mrs. Walsh died Oct. 18, 1801, and their children-Isaae V. and Abram-died in infancy. Mr. Walsh's second wife was Mary, daughter of Judge Joseph 'Morrell, of New Windsor, who was an officer in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Walsh died March 24, 1866. The children of Wil- liam and Mary Walsh were Joseph M., Margaret, William H., Albert, Charles, Mary A., Norman A., John J., Edward L., and Sarah E.

HENRY WALSH.

Henry Walsh was born in the town of New Wind- sor, Dec. 24, 1785. After leaving school he sailed for a season on board his brother William's sloop, and in 1803 went to New York, and remained for several years in the office of the Republican Watch-Tower, a newspaper of which David Denniston, of Newburgh, was the publisher, and Mr. Cheatham the editor. While connected with this journal Mr. Walsh made

the acquaintance of many of the leading publie men of that period. In 1808, Mr. Walsh engaged in busi- ness with lsaae Schultz at Middletown, Orange Co., and subsequently with Mr. Schultz's nephew, James Thompson, at Pine Bush; they dissolved Feb. 21, 1810.

In the spring of 1810, Henry Walsh removed to Newburgh, and engaged in the general dry-goods business at the southwest corner of Water and Second Streets. He associated with him Samuel Williams, the firm being Walsh & Williams. They dissolved May 7, 1812, and the firm of William & Henry Walsh was formed. The brothers subsequently dis- solved. Henry became the owner of the premises Nos. 39 and 41 Water Street, and carried on a large business there for many years. Through long years of close application to business his health had become somewhat impaired, and in 1828 he purchased the southern portion of the Smith farm on Liberty Street, and repaired and enlarged the old cottage for his resi- dence after retiring from business. He subsequently disposed of a portion of his farm, and lived to see it cut up by streets and covered with houses, and the village of Newburgh grow to be a city. He experi- eneed a paralytic stroke in 1861, and died July 30, 1868. Mr. Walsh was a successful merchant, and confined his attention to the legitimate lines of trade. He was a great lover of books, and sought his highest enjoyment in his own family and at his own fireside. He was vice-president of the Bank of Newburgh for a number of years, trustee of the village of New- burgh in 1816, trustee of the Newburgh Academy, and supervisor of Newburgh in 1854. He was a trus- tee of the Associate Reformed Church for more than fifty years, with which he early united, and with which he maintained steadfast relations until his death.

Henry Walsh was married Sept. 9, 1809, to Meheta- bel, daughter of Capt. William Bull, of Wallkill, who was an officer in' the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Walsh was possessed of a kind heart and loving, sunny nature, and was a devoted wife and earnest Christian mother.

The children of Henry and Mehetabel Walsh were William B., Julia A., James, Abram, Thomas, Me- hetabel, Henry R., George II., Harriet, Augustus H., and Robert.

HON. DANIEL B. ST. JOHN.

Daniel B. St. John was born in Sharon, Liteh- field Co., Conn., on Oct. 8, 1808. His ancestors originally settled at Norwalk, Conn., from which place Timothy St. John, his great-grandfather, re- moved in the year 1756, settling at Sharon, where he died in 1806. In 1818 his grandfather, Daniel St. John, and his father, Russell St. John, removed from their native town, Sharon, to the city of Hartford. Daniel St. John held various positions of importance in his lifetime, was for many years a magistrate, and

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

represented the town of Sharon in the Legislature of the State. He also held the office of county surveyor of Hartford County for many years. He died at Hartford, in 1846, at the ripe age of eighty-five years. Russell St. John, father of our subject, was a promi- nent agriculturalist in his time, and in 1825 received from the Hartford County Agricultural Society a silver enp, as a premium for the best cultivated farm in Hartford County. This relic is still in the possession of Senator St. John, and is greatly prized by him.

business life, having by industry and economy ac- cumulated an estate sufficient to enable him to do so; and having a long cherished desire to engage in rural pursuits and to enjoy country life, he pur- chased about twelve acres of land on the banks of the Hudson, in the town of Newburgh, which he improved by the erection of suitable and convenient buildings, cultivating the ground, planting fruit and ornamental trees, and where he still makes his home. In 1858 he was elected president of the Newburgh Daniel B. St. John received a substantial education in the district and grammar schools of Hartford, and for the last two years of his educational course re- sided with his uncle, Milo L. Bennett, of Manchester, Savings-Bank, when the total deposits amounted to only 828,000. These have since increased to nearly $3,500,000. The institution, of which Mr. St. John is still president, is one of the strongest of its kind in Vt., then a practicing attorney, and afterwards judge . the State, and it is speaking strictly within bounds of the Supreme Court of that State for many years. In the year 1824, Mr. St. John removed to Monticello, Sullivan Co., N. Y., and entered the store of his maternal unele, Iliram Bennett, at that place as a clerk. In 1831 he was admitted as a partner in the business, and soon after became the sole proprietor. He continued in active trade as a merchant and as a dealer in real estate until 1848, when he retired from mercantile pursuits.

The public career of Mr. St. John commenced in 1840, when he was elected to the State Legislature from Sullivan County. He was at first a Henry Clay Whig, and remained in the party until its dissolution. He was a member of the committee on the anti-rent difficulties between the manorial tenants along the Hudson and the patroon Van Rensselaer, a position of great importance because of the high feeling that existed at the time between the parties, it being one of the most prominent political questions in the State. He was also a member of the committee, then annu- ally appointed by the Legislature, to examine the accounts of the treasurer, canal and bank depart- ments, etc. He was elected supervisor of the town of Thompson, Sullivan Co., for the years 1843, 1844, 1845, and 1846, and in the latter year was elected a representative to the Thirtieth Congress, serving from 1847 to 1849. While a member of Congress he served on the committee on post-offices and post-roads with Abraham Lincoln, a warm personal friendship existing between the two. At the close of his Con- gressional term, in March, 1849, Mr. St. John was invited to take charge of the bank department at Albany, then under the supervision of the comptroller of the State. Hon. Washington Hunt, afterwards Governor, was then comptroller of New York, and at his solicitation Mr. St. John accepted the position of chief register, and occupied that place until 1851, when, by act of the Legislature, the bank department was made a separate and independent branch of the State machinery. Mr. St. John was immediately appointed superintendent, and organized the depart- ment as a separate and distinct service. He continued to hold the office until the year 1855.

to say that the great success which it has attained is largely due to the business experience, sound judg- ment, and strict integrity that was brought to the management of its affairs by the selection of Mr. St. John as president. In 1860, Mr. St. John was elected a delegate to the National Union Convention, at Baltimore, which nominated Bell and Everett for the offices of President and Vice-President of the United States. He was also nominated as a Presi- dential Elector on that ticket, and for representative in Congress the same year. In 1863 he received the Democratie nomination for Secretary of State. In 1875 he was elected to represent the Tenth Senatorial District of New York, consisting of the counties of Orange and Sullivan, in the State Senate, by a ma- jority of 996 over Morgan Shuit; and was again. elected to the same office in 1877, defeating John A. Clements by a majority of 1442. In 1879 he declined a renomination to the Senate. In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, held at St. Louis, which nominated Samuel J. Tilden for the Presidency, and in the counsels of the Democratic party throughout the State of New York he holds a prominent and honorable place. His domestic life is simple. In the community in which he resides he enjoys the respect and esteem of all classes of citi- zens, and is regarded as one of the most progressive and substantial residents of Orange County. His in- fluence is always exerted for the good of his fellows, and he is in active sympathy with the philanthropic, benevolent, and educational movements of the day. His public and private duties have been performed with the greatest care, and through a long service in public life his personal honor and official integrity have never been questioned. He is of an affable and genial temperament, and justly one of the most popu- lar men of his section.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 87

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