History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 88

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 88

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CHARLES DOWNING.

Prominent among the old citizens of Newburgh, whose lives, well spun out in the passage of years, connect us with a past and rapidly-receding genera-

In 1856, Mr. St. John conelnded to retire from active ' tion, is the subject of this sketch, who was born near

"On July Tions

JOHN FORSYTH.

John Forsyth was born near the city of Aberdeen, in Scotland, in 1786 or 1787. His parents were in comfortable circumstances, but the death of his father in the meridian of life, and the subsequent miscon- duct of some persons with whom he had been asso- ciated in business, left his widowed mother, with a family of young children, for a time in a straitened condition. Her son was sent to the grammar-school of Aberdeen, where he had for a school-mate the famous Lord Byron, but from the cause before men- tioned he was deprived of these educational advan- tages sooner than he otherwise would have been.

Mr. Forsyth came to this country in 1805, intend- ing to proceed to North Carolina or Georgia, in both of which States some branches of his father's family were settled. But by the advice of Prof. Kemp, of Columbia College, to whom he had a letter of intro- duction, and Mr. Robert Gosmau, he was induced to remain in the North. He came to Newburgh in 1810, simply to visit the Rev. Mr. Scrimgeour, pastor of the Associate Reformed Church, and an old friend of his mother, but with no intention of remaining here. Here, however, he was induced to settle, and here he spent the largest portion of his life. He soon found employment, and until 1825 was largely en- gaged in business as a builder. In the latter year he became a partner in the firm of Law, Bevridge & Co.,-afterwards and more widely known as J. Bev- ridge & Co.,-in which he continued until his death, in 1854.

Mr. Forsyth was a man of singularly robust frame, and for many years his life was one of great activity. He was a man of presence,-one of those whose face and form would arrest the attention of a stranger, and his mental and moral qualities were accordant with the impression thus made. He was a wise counselor, and there were few men whose advice was more sought by persons of all classes ; and none who knew him could doubt his unbending rectitude, his large heart- edness, or his rare sagacity. He was for years a director in the Bank of Newburgh, and a trustee of the academy. He had a good deal to do with the establishment of the Newburgh Steam-Mills-of which company he was president-and of the Branch Railroad. Indeed, to every public improvement he was ready to lend a helping hand.

From early manhood Mr. Forsyth was an exem- plary Christian, and was long a ruling elder in the Associate Reformed Church. Catholic in spirit, he was yet warmly attached to his own denomination, and was widely known in it as one of its most zealous and generous members. He was twice married, viz. : first, to Jane, eldest daughter of John Currie, who settled in Newburgh in 1802 ; second, to Anna Jane, youngest daughter of John Brown. His children (there were none by the second marriage) were John, Robert A., and James C. The former is Rev. John Forsyth, D.D., chaplain at West Point, and an influential and highly esteemed citizen of New- burgh.

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NEWBURGH.

the present residence of William W. Carson, on July 9, 1802. His father, Samuel Downing, was of English extraction, and was born in the year 1761. He re- moved from Cambridge, Mass., to Newburgh, and from thence to Montgomery, intending to pursue his

Loha Downing

avocation as a carriage-maker at that place. Owing to the bad state of his health at Montgomery, he returned to Newburgh, where he established, on the northeast corner of Broad and Liberty Streets, about the commencement of the present century, a shop for the manufacture of wagons and carriages. While yet in the early stages of this undertaking, failing health led him to engage in the more healthful business of market gardening and cultivating a nursery, which he planted on the property adjoining his shop. As early as 1810 he offered for sale trees ingrafted and inoculated, including apples, pears, peaches, apricots, and cherries. Although not the first to engage in this avocation in the present county of Orange, he was the first to conduct it so successfully as to secure its con- tinuance. He led an industrious and sober life, and (lied Nov. 1, 1822. His wife, Eunice, died Oct. 29, 1838, leaving five children, namely, Emily, born Jan. 24, 1801, married Sylvester Ferry, died March 11, 1864; Charles, the subject of the sketch ; George W., born Feb. 22, 1804, died April 5, 1846; Fanny, died useful life ended in the burning of the steamer " Henry Clay," near Yonkers, July 28, 1852.

in infancy ; and Andrew J., born Oet. 31, 1815, whose . etc., making the whole work twice the original size.

The early life of Charles Downing was passed under the careful training of his father in the nursery busi-

ness, and in attendance upon the common schools of his day. At the age of fifteen his educational career was completed at the Newburgh Academy, where he attended during the winter months. Before he had attained his majority his father died, and the re- sponsibility of conducting his business and the sup- port of the family, to a large extent, devolved upon Charles. These duties he performed successfully until his brother, Andrew J., reached adult years, when he united with his brother in the management and con- trol of the business under the firm-name of C. & A. J. Downing. This business connection continued for a few years only. In 1837, Mr. Charles Downing re- moved to where Alfred Bridgman now resides; his brother remaining on the home place. The former continued in the nursery business for thirty years at that point, and by close and faithful application to his chosen avocation established for himself a place among the first pomologists of the United States.

Naturally of a penetrating and inquiring mind, he studied closely the forms, varieties, and qualities of the different fruits that came under his observation, and by careful graftings and the collection of choice seeds he was enabled to improve many varieties of fruits, and originate others that bear his name to this day. Among these latter may be mentioned Down- ing's ever-bearing mulberry, champagne and red-cheek cherries, and Downing's gooseberry. After retiring from the nursery business, Mr. Downing continued the investigation of fruits by obtaining trees and grafts of new varieties to prove their nomenclature, quality, and other characteristics, until a few years ago, when he sold his grounds and removed to his present residence in the city of Newburgh. He still keeps up his interest in pomology, however, and is studying with care the ever-changing forms and varie- ties of fruit-life. His brother, Andrew J., devoted himself more particularly to landscape gardening and rural architecture, and as an author and writer on such subjects, as well as the editor of the Horti- culturist, secured a reputation which was not con- fined to the country of his nativity. Charles Down- ing was of a more practical turn of mind. He de- lighted more in the cultivation, study, and growth of those things of which his brother wrote, and it was often the case that the pen of Andrew J. Downing drew its inspiration from the practical knowledge of his brother Charles. The latter, however, has been a regular contributor to the current literature of the day on such topics as he best understood, and since the death of his brother has twice revised the latter's book on "Fruit and Fruit-Trees," first in 1867, and again in 1869. Since the last revision he has added two appendixes, containing new fruits, corrections,

While the days of Mr. Downing have been passed within the inner circles of society, free from the tur- moil and strife of political life, and in the peaceful pursuits of husbandry, he has nevertheless sustained

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

an important relation to the growth and development of his native place, and been faithful to all the duties of the citizen. Great changes have taken place in Newburgh since he made his début upon the stage of life, churches and schools have been established, to which he contributed with liberal hand, and in a quiet, modest way his influence has been exerted in every good work. Physically of weak and feeble con- stitution, he has, by careful self-discipline, regular habits, and an industrious out-of-door life, achieved a ripe old age, and his straightforward and honorable career have won him the esteem of every good citizen.

Mr. Downing was married on Sept. 20, 1830, to Mary, daughter of Samuel Wait, of Montgomery, N. Y., but no children were born of the union. Mrs. Downing died on Oct. 18, 1880.

HON. JOEL T. HEADLEY.

Joel T. Headley, of Newburgh, is descended from an English family of title, some of whom have been dis- tinguished as literary men. He was born in Walton, Delaware County, on Dec. 30, 1813. His father was for a long time pastor of the only church in the vil- lage, which is picturesquely situated in a valley hemmed in by sparkling streams and surrounded by bold mountains. Amid such scenery his youthful imagination was kindled and strengthened, and his love for the mountains and forests was born. Having gradnated at Union College, he studied theology in Auburn Seminary, with the intention of making the ministry his profession for life. Compelled to aban- don it from ill health, he traveled abroad, where he remained a part of the years 1842 and 1843. His cor- respondence, published at the time in the New York Tribune, made him first known to the public, and on his return from Europe he became for a while a - ist- ant editor of that paper. His first published work was a translation of one of Sarsfield's works in Ger- man. This was published anonymously. Soon after- wards letters from Italy were published simultane- ously in New York and Loudon. This was followed by " Alps and the Rhine." "Napoleon and his Marshals" succeeded, which had an extensive sale and enjoyed a wide popularity. This popularity was increased by " The Sacred Mountains." The next year he gave to the press "Washington and his Generals."

These three books, by their unprecedented cireula- tion, founded the well-known house of Scribner & Co. Mr. Headley was now fairly launched as an author, and the demand for the productions of his pen was unceasing. But in the mean time his health had driven him to the mountains and wild forests, where, with an Indian guide, he passed through the great northern wilderness, where guides were then un- known and tourists never came. The result was a book called "The Adirondacks, or Life in the Woods." It opened up this vast wilderness to the public, which is now called the "Switzerland of

America." The pure air of the forest and the rough- ness of camp-life restored the balance of the brain, which for a while threatened serious consequences. "Sacred Names and Characters," "Life of Crom- well," "The Old Guard,"-the latter in part translated from a French work,-and the "Second War with England" succeeded each other at shorter or longer intervals. Mr. Headley's success as an author caused him some annoyances, and books that he never wrote were attributed to him, such as "Sacred Plains," by T. H. Headley. "Kossuth and his Generals" and a pirated edition of his "Sacred Mountains" were also published, while fugitive pieces written for maga- zines were gathered up and published as his miscella- nies, which compelled him to issue in self-defense two volumes of miscellanies. A large house in Philadelphia published two volumes that were, as far as the outside went. fac-similes of " Washington and his Generals," evading the law against piratical works by calling it "Washington and the Generals of the Revolution." "Sacred Heroes and Martyrs" was a large octavo, and was so well received that an English clergyman published it in London, and had the audacity to affix his own name to it as " revised

and corrected." Biographies of Gens. Scott and Jackson had a limited sale. A period of inactivity followed, during which Mr. Headley was elected to the Legislature of New York State. The following year, 1856, he was elected Secretary of State. At the end of two years he retired, disgusted, from political life. " A Life of Washington," a large octavo, had an immense sale, as did also, a few years after, his "History of the Great Rebellion." "Grant and Sherman, their Campaigns and Generals," also had an immense circulation. This was followed by "Far- ragut and our Naval Commanders." A history of the " Great Riots" of New York City possessed only a local interest, and had a limited sale. It was after- wards published in a new form, embracing the great railroad riots throughout the country. The "Life of Grant," however, preceded this. His next work was "The Recent Great Explorers of Central Africa," including Livingstone, Stanley, Baker, and Cameron. His last work was " Grant's Tour Around the World."

THOMAS SHAW.

The Shaw family of Newburgh and New Windsor are descended from Thomas and John Shaw, brothers, who emigrated from Ireland in the year 1790 and took up a settlement in New Windsor. Thomas Shaw had two sons,-Thomas, Jr., the subject of this memoir, and Robert, who was born in 1803.

Thomas Shaw, Jr., was born at Clinton Farm, Orange Co., N. Y., on June 12, 1799, and received- his early education in New Windsor. He was sub- sequently apprenticed to learn the trade of a carpen- ter. He removed to Newburgh in 1832 and engaged in the carpentering and general buikling business.

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Thomas how

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NEWBURGH.

A few of the older buildings that were erected by him, and that bore witness to his architectural, as well as his mechanical, skill, were the United States Hotel, the old Powell store-house, the store-house of Benja- min Carpenter, and the store-house of Mailler & Co., and of Skidmore, Bull & Co. In 1852 he established the firm of Thomas Shaw & Sons, erected the large building now occupied by his successors, Thomas Shaw's Sons, and engaged extensively in the manu- facture of building materials, and in the business of carpenter and joiner. For many years he carried on a large and successful business, and did much in building up and beautifying the city of Newburgh. He was a man of modest parts, plain and unassuming, devoted to his profession, and of industrious and regular habits of life. Holding himself aloof from active participation in public affairs, he confined him- self strictly to his own business, and by his straight- forward and honorable dealing commanded the respect of the community in which he passed so many years of his life. He filled the office of street commissioner of Newburgh for two years. He was a member and trustee of the Union Presbyterian Church, and a prompt contributor to all worthy objects. He died Feb. 6, 1877. Mr. Shaw was three times married,- first to Miss Eleanor Burnett, of whom was born one son, Samuel Crawford ; secondly to Harriet, daugh- ter of John Walsh, and granddaughter of Samuel Logan, having issne who reached mature years, --- George W., born July 31, 1824 ; Charles B., born July 29, 1827 ; and Elkanah K., born Dec. 27, 1834; and thirdly to Jane, daughter of John Walsh.

The successors of Mr. Shaw in business are George W. and Charles B. Shaw, who are associated together under the firm-name of Thomas Shaw's Sons. Con- nected with them is Elkanah K. Shaw, who has repre- sented the Second Ward of Newburgh in the Common Council, has been a member of the board of water commissioners, and for eighteen years a trustee of the Union Presbyterian Church. He studied archi- tectural drawing with John W. Priest, served three years in the machine business with Samuel Stanton, and is the architect of the establishment. Many public and private buildings in Newburgh attest his architectural skill, among which may be mentioned the Union Presbyterian Church edifice, the Grand

Street public school building, the engine-houses of ! portunities for obtaining an education were of the

Nos. 2, 4, and 5, the city post-office, the Third Ward grammar school building, the Erie Railroad depot, and the bleachery of Chadwick Brothers, all of which, save the grammar school, were built by the firm. The firm is also doing a large business in the way of ship and steamboat joinery. The joiner-work on five of the ferry-boats of the New Jersey Central Railroad was done by them, and among the vessels that they fin- ished were the "Edgar Stuart" and " Anna," after- wards known as Cuban privateers. In addition to their business as builders, they manufacture everything in the shape of house-builders' supplies.

HON. JAMES MACKIN.

James Mackin was born at Newburgh, Orange Co., N. Y., on Christmas Day in the year 1823. His parents were John and Eliza (Jenkins) Mackin, the former of whom was a general carter at Newburgh, and agent for the People's Line of steamers. He died about the year 1829, at the early age of twenty- eight, and his wife a few years later. Of a family of four children, James Mackin was the second. His brother Charles, the oldest of the family, commenced life as a clerk in the employ of John D. Phillips, of Newburgh, when eleven years of age. After a few years he clerked for Odell Gregory, in the shoe busi- ness, and finally entered the dry-goods store of George Cornwall. When only eighteen years of age he was made a partner in this house. About 1825 he mar- ried Miss Sarah J. Merritt, daughter of Isaac Mer- ritt, of Hart's Village, Duchess County, and a niece of Charles A. Macy, of the firm of Howes & Macy, bankers, of New York. Soon after his marriage Mr. Mackin removed to New York and established the wholesale dry-goods firm of Carpenter & Mackin, doing a successful business for several years. At the opening of the war he withdrew from the firm and, in connection with his brother Francis, engaged ex- tensively in the manufacture of clothing for the army. The enterprise proved so remunerative that Mr. Mackin retired from business life in 1865. His first wife having died, Mr. Mackin married, several years after, Miss Lizzie Hart, whom he met in Europe while traveling abroad, the ceremony being performed in Paris at the house of the American minister. After an extensive tour, Mr. Mackin returned home with his bride in the fall of 1867, and died in February following. His death was greatly lamented. Mary, only sister of James Mackin, is the widow of James M. Kernochan, formerly captain of the " James Madi- son," running between Newburgh and New York, and who at the time of his death was assistant naval officer at New York. Francis, a younger brother, is a prominent banker and large real estate owner in Newark, N. J., and has been several times a member of the Legislature of New Jersey.

By the death of his parents Mr. Mackin was thrown upon his own resources at an early age, and his op- most limited kind. Through some mysterious agency he crossed the Hudson River to Fishkill at about the age of ten years, where he found employment and protection with John Peter DeWint, a wealthy and influential resident of that place, and the owner of large tracts of land and a large river frontage. He continued to remain with Mr. DeWint, and upon at- taining the age of sixteen or seventeen years assumed charge of some of that gentleman's business matters. He gradually rose to the position of Mr. DeWint's general business agent and manager, and at his death in 1870 was appointed executor of his large estate.

362

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

In the discharge of the responsible duties of that place he is at present engaged.

While Mr. Mackin has displayed in the manage- ment of the large business interest that he represents a high order of executive and financial ability, it is in the more uncertain field of political life that he has become most widely known. He entered public life as a Whig, and was a delegate to the State Con- vention at Syracuse, at which the Whig party and Free-Soil Democrats united, and was secretary of that body. He was appointed postmaster at Fishkill hy President Fillmore in 1849, and filled the position for four years. In 1857 he was elected supervisor of the town of Fishkill against the candidate of the Know- Nothing party, and was made the chairman of the board upon its organization. He was re-elected the following year, and in the fall of 1858 was chosen by the Republicans to represent Duchess County in the State Legislature by a majority of 568. He has sub- sequently been supervisor of Fishkill for three years, acting as chairman of the board.

He was an active supporter of the war, and in warm sympathy with the Union cause and the preservation of the integrity of the nation. He assisted greatly in enrolling and fitting out the quota of troops called for by the national government from Fishkill, and in obtaining the commissions of the officers of the companies. He was the third United States assessor appointed by President Lincoln at the opening of his administration, and filled that office for Duchess and Columbia Counties for two and a half years. At the close of the war Mr. Mackin transferred his political fealty to the Democratic party, and occupies a promi- nent place in its deliberations and counsels. As the candidate of that party, he represented Duchess County in the State Legislature in 1873, 1874, and 1875. In 1877 he was elected to the responsible office of treasurer of the State of New York, and filled the position in an able and popular manner for two years. He was the candidate of his party for re-election in the fall of 1879, hut was defeated, owing to the de- fection of Tammany Hall, by a majority of only two thousand out of over a million of votes cast.

In business life Mr. Mackin has been uniformly successful, and sustains in the community in which he dwells and in his native city of Newburgh a repu- tation for integrity and uprightness of character. So- cially he is the most affable of men, of frank and generous nature, and is justly popular with a large circle of friends. He is a member of the Manhattan Club of New York City, and on intimate terms with many of the leading public men of the day. He is a warm personal friend and admirer of Governor Tilden, and a frequent visitor at his home. For a short time he was in the mercantile business at Fishkill, was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Fishkill Landing, and has been the president of that institu- tion since 1867. He is of a progressive spirit, and lends the support of his means and influence to the

varions benevolent and social enterprises of the day. He has frequently served as a delegate to the State Conventions of his party, and was a delegate to the National Convention at St. Louis in 1876 that nomi- nated Governor Tilden.

Mr. Mackin has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Sarah E. Wiltsie, daughter of Capt. James Wiltsie, of Fishkill, and died in 1862. To his present wife, nee Miss Sarah S., daughter of ex-Mayor Col. James H. Britain, of St. Louis, he was united on Nov. 13, 1879.

HON. GEORGE CLARK.

George Clark was born in the city of Newburgh on Aug. 6, 1817. His parents were William and Mary Clark, the former of whom emigrated from the north of Ireland at an early day and took up his residence in Newburgh. The only surviver of the family of ten children is Mrs. Anna E. (Clark) Copeland, wife of ex-Mayor Judge Copeland, of Brooklyn.

The book education of Mr. Clark was obtained at the common schools of Newburgh, and at Goodsell's Academy of that city, where he was graduated. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to Daniel Far- rington and Benjamin Lander, of Newburgh, to learn the trade of a painter. After two years he commenced business on his own account in partnership with James S. Young, and remained in that connection for two or three years. In 1840 he was married, and one year later he removed to New York City, where he carried on the wholesale and retail painting business for fifteen years. At the expiration of that time, hav- ing, by close attention to business and judicious and careful investments, accumulated a competency, he returned to his native city of Newburgh, in 1856, and thereafter engaged in no special business, but devoted his time and attention to public affairs, and to the support, direction, and management of various local institutions and enterprises. He died June 3, 1871, the flags on the buildings in Newburgh, and on the shipping at that place, being displayed at half-mast.

The special characteristics of Mr. Clark were the possession of great force of character, indomitable will-power and perseverance, strong individuality, and a laudable desire to succeed and excel in any- thing which he undertook. In his trade he was es- pecially skillful, and as a grainer he had few equals in the State, having taken the prize for superiority in that department of his profession at several successive fairs at the American Institute, New York. He brought to the discharge of public affairs the same in- dustrions and indefatigable spirit, and many of the in- stitutions of Newburgh owe much of their success to his strong business ability and his devotion to their interests. Personally he was magnetic, of agreeable presence, and well calculated to lead and control others. A devoted adherent to the Republican party, he represented one of the districts of New York City

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 88

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