History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 98

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 98

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The following have been the officers of Court Orange since its organization :

June, 1876 .- John MeNamara, C. R. ; Wm: Smith, S. C. R .; Benj. Brown, Treas .; Thos. Meekin, Sec. ; Moses Hatch, S. W. ; James Lyle, J. W .; James Wil- kinson, S. B .; John Bamforth, J. B.

January, 1877 .- John McNamara, C. R .; John Weller, S. C. R. ; Benj. Brown, Treas .; Thos. Meekin, Sec.

June, 1877 .- Benj. Brown, C. R ; James Wilkinson, S. C. R .; John W. Weller, Treas .; Thomas Meekin, Sec.

January, 1878 .- John W. Weller, C. R .; Saml. Jackson, S. C. R .; James Wilkinson, Treas. ; Thos. Meekin, Sec.

January, 1879 .- Sidney Van Anken, C. R. ; Alex. Butters, S. C. R. ; Alexander Kent, Treas. ; Thos. Meekin, Sec.

January, 1880 .- C. A. Wright, C. R .; Fred. Bing- ley, S. C. R .; Samuel Barrett, Treas. ; Thos, Meekin, Sec.

THE WALDEN SAVINGS BANK was organized July, 1880 .- C. A. Wright, C. R .; Thos. Butters, | under a charter dated April 25, 1872. The first trus- S. C. R .; Chas. E. Crofts, Treas. ; Thos. Meekin, F. S. ; John H. Vandemark, R. S .; C. Smaltz, S. W .; Curtis Fairchild, J. W .; Wm. Oates, S. B. ; J. G. Cadhil, J. B.

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.

Various organizations have existed in town from time to time, but they have disappeared, each doubt- less having done something towards moulding public sentiment and training up the young in the ways of virtue. At present the Women's Christian Temper- ance Unions and the Reform Clubs of Walden and Montgomery are the principal active societies. Their frequent meetings and their praiseworthy attempts to open free reading-rooms constitute the principal work of the present time.

BANKS.

The first banking business done in Walden was by the firm of Lefevre & De Garmo about 1870. They kept a private banking-office for a year or two. After they closed up there were no banking facilities for some time. Stoddard, Downs & Rutherford then opened business under the name of "The Exchange Bank of Walden," Nov. 24, 1873. They continued in business under that name until April 26, 1877, when they closed up, having done a safe and successful business for three years and a half. It was believed that the time had come to establish banking upon a more permanent basis, and therefore, prior to the close of the Exchange Bank and in anticipation of such

close, the NATIONAL BANK OF WALDEN was organized, March 5, 1877. The business of the previous institu- tion was changed to the new organization as soon as practicable. The first board of directors were John C. Scofield, president; George W. Stoddard, vice- president ; W. G. Rutherford, cashier; John Kidd, Henry Bergen, John V. Tears, S. M. Capron, A. Bate- man, D. B. Squires. The present handsome build- ing, three stories in height and built of brick, was erected for banking purposes before 1870, and is now owned by the Walden National Bank. They have since their occupancy constructed a first-class fire- proof and burglar-proof vault. It is one of the best in the State, with all the modern improvements, includ- ing a chronometer lock. The rooms are pleasant and convenient. The present board of directors is but slightly changed from that of 1877. It comprises John C. Scofield, president; George W. Stoddard, vice-president; W. G. Rutherford, cashier; John Kidd, Henry Bergen, D. B. Squires, J. M. Wilkin, Jacob Tears, J. A. Crawford.

The discounts at present date exceed $120,000. The deposits are over $100,000. Dividends are declared semi-annually, and there is an undivided surplus of $3000. It may be added as proof of the careful and successful management that not a dollar has been lost in the loans of four years.

tees were Seth M. Capron, William E. Gowdy, D. Wortman Rapalje, John S. Taylor, Thomas J. Brad- ley, Thomas Hepper, Henry Bergen, D. M. Wade, Jonathan Hawkins, A. Deyo Bevier, Daniel D. DuBois, William H. De Garmo, Marcus K. Hill, James G. Terbell, James Todd, George Weller, John V. Tears; and the first officers were Seth M. Capron, president ; Thomas J. Bradley, first vice-president ; George Weller, Sr., second vice-president; Peter Le- fevre, secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Capron continued in the office of president until his death, Nov. 30, 1878. He was succeeded by George Weller, Sr., the present incumbent. Peter Lefevre served as secretary and treasurer about a year and a half. He was succeeded by Joseph G. Millspaugh. His son, Martin L. Millspangh, was the next secretary and treasurer. He was succeeded by the present incumbent, George W. Stoddard. The place of business is in the rooms of the Walden National Bank. The first depositor was John R. Hays. The deposits now exceed $135,000, and the surplus is over $60,000.

The present organization (December, 1880) com- prises the following officers: George Weller, presi- dent ; John Kidd, first vice-president ; John V. Tears, second vice-president ; George W. Stoddard, secretary and treasurer ; B. R. Champion, attorney (Goshen). Trustees, George Weller, John V. Tears, Daniel M. Wade, elected April, 1872; Moses Littell, elected January, 1873; Joseph Rowland, Jacob Tears, elected

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November, 1873; John Kidd, elected August, 1874;

up and left about 1775. A squaw of this elan, by as- Frederick Bodine, elected December, 1876; Robert sociation with the family of Mr. Mould, had become Ashby, elected January, 1877 ; John R. Hays, elected June, 1877 ; Theron L. Millspaugh, elected January, 1880; Hiram B. Wooster, Jacob Van Steenburgh, elected March, 1880.

THE INSURANCE AGENCY,

by the officers of the National Bank, is a large and important business, affording insurance facilities to Montgomery and adjacent towns. A line of strong companies is represented. The lowest rates possible for safe insurance are given, and all losses are promptly adjusted.

X .- PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST.

The High Falls at Walden in the earlier years, when the volume of the stream was greater than in modern times, were very noted. They are still ro- mantie and attractive, though the primeval forests on their banks were long sinee ent away, and for a century or more the whirling waters have been com- pelled to minister to the wants of man. Another writer says :

"The fall is about forty feet, not perpendicular but in an angle of about forty-five degrees. When the stream is full of water the sight is beautiful beyond description, and is increased in grandeur by the re- sistance of its rocky and irregular descent. At every step the foaming flood is met by some obstructing rock, which throws the rush of water in another direction, there again to be impeded in its downward course and forced aside by the mighty pressure from above. Thus struggling from rock to rock, deep buried by the headlong torrent, the flood, in tones of thunder, meets the abyss below, and plunging deep comes boil- ing np throughout the mighty cauldrou, and in whirling eddies flows on its way. The roar of this waterfall in the vicinity is almost deafening for a little while, and the view of it from both sides of the stream, which at this place are high, is truly grand and magnificent. The abyss below is really frightful at such a time, yet directly over it, at the foot of this fall, the first settlers built a bridge, which remained there till the site was changed to that of Galatian's Mill."

INDIAN LOCALITIES.

On the east bank of the Wallkill, on the line be- tween the towns of Montgomery and Wallkill, and on the farm of Daniel Rogers, deceased, there was an Indian settlement. The land at this location, and for some distance around, was cleared, and full-grown apple-trees flourishing when first visited by the white immigrants. Some of the trees were standing for many years.

On the flat, just above the bridge across the Wall- kill, near Mr. John Miller's, and below where the old Miller stone house stood, there was another settle- ment. They were there when Johannes Miller planted his shanty on the hill above them. Of these there is no tradition worth recording, except that they were friendly, and not many years after the settlement be- gan to leave, and were all gone several years before the war.

partially civilized, and did not wish to go. She had made herself useful to the family in many ways, and they wished to keep her. To accomplish this, with the consent of Mr. Mould, she hid herself somewhere about the house. The Indians in looking over their members missed her, and knowing her intimacy with the family instantly suspected that she did not want to leave, and had secreted herself till they should remove. To obtain her they surrounded the house for several nights in succession, made all kinds of hideous noise, demanding the absent squaw. At last Mr. Mould concluded that if she was not produced and given up, the Indians, as they were about to leave, would as soon break friendship for cause as not, and in the excitement of the moment might murder the family, he produced her, and they left never to return.

OLD HOMESTEADS.

The following list of old historic homesteads was given by Mr. Eager in 1846. The description is of recent date enough to still indicate the location of such as remain or the site of those which have been removed :

The Rockafeller house, near the village of Mont- gomery, known as "The Camp."

The stone Hedden house, near the Goodwill church.

The Charles Booth house, owned in later years by Lewis Booth, on the road from Neelytown to Camp- bell Hall (town of Hamptonburgh).

The Henry Van Keuren stone house, near Good- will church, owned by Dr. James Van Keuren in modern times.

Hans Youngblood's stone house, near the Muddy Kill, where there was a German school in 1761.

The Willhelmus Smith house, built in 1759 of stone drawn from Comfort Hill. They would draw a day or two, then mend the roads for a day or two. It was owned in after-years by Hendrick Smith.

The house known as the Beemer place, on the State road.

The old house at Neelytown built by William Eager, owned in later times by Mr. Mulford.

The old house at Neelytown built by James Mc- Cobb, subsequently owned by James Jackson, aud later by Mr. Sherwood.

The old house where Rev. Robert Annan lived dur- ing the Revolution, and owned in later years by Fos- ter Smith.

The old stone house built by Lieutenant-Governor Colden.

XI .- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. On the farm of Mr. Stuffle Mould, on the main road from Montgomery to Albany, near the residence of This town is well adapted to successful agriculture. Its surface is pleasantly diversified with hills and with Samuel Hunter, Esq., there was a third Indian loca- tion. This clan was quite numerous. They broke i rolling uplands. There is also valuable meadow land.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

While there are handsome elevations, there is no emi- nence of height sufficient to be called a mountain.

The meadows are extensive and productive; the plow-lands are warm and fertile. Considerable wheat was formerly raised. The valley of the Wallkill in this and other towns near is favorable to a varied sys- tem of farming. It is productive in pasturage and mowing, and also capable, if judiciously managed, of yielding excellent crops of grain.

There is an abundant supply of pure water fur- nished by numerous springs, brooks, and rivulets.

The last few years have witnessed an immense de- velopment of dairy products, more especially in the direct sale of milk daily to New York City. It is difficult to obtain statistics to fully show the mag- nitude of this trade. It is reported that the milk trains on the railroads pay the companies better profit than any other class of trains.

The Wallkill River is a durable stream, and running through the town from south to north, furnishes ex- tensive hydraulic power at many points on its course. The fishing was formerly of considerable value as a source of profit. Delicious eels and catfish abounded. The muddy waters of the Drowned Lands were favor- able to their growth. They were taken in various ways, but principally by rude dams of stone thrown across the kill, in which was set a rock at the point where the water issues from the dam. At the mills these rocks were set in the race-ways below the mills, and are said to have been taken by wagon-loads and sold in this and neighboring towns.

The soil of the town in the vicinity of Montgomery and St. Andrews consists of loam and sand ; in other parts, loam and gravel of good depth. Upon the eastern slope of the Comfort Hills are many excellent farms. Through a valley which skirts their base flows the Muddy Kill, draining off to the Wallkill any surplus waters. There is very little land in Montgomery that cannot be cultivated.

Under the old drainage law, passed for the benefit of Orange and Duchess Counties, the people availed themselves of its provisions with considerable vigor until any bog meadow or wet lowlands were thor- oughly reclaimed.

The soil is well adapted to fruit. Valuable orchards were planted sixty years ago or more by Robert Griffith, John Miller, Andrew Graham, and others. The production of fruit has sometimes been large, though not competing with the valuable fruit regions of Western New York, or in later years of Michigan.

As in other towns, the style of farming has changed somewhat under the later method of sending milk direct to the New York market. By the Wallkill Valley Railroad the town enjoys easy and prompt connection not only with the larger villages of the county, but with the great metropolis.

The bonding of the town may have seemed to some a rash step, and the creation of a great burden of debt; but the advantages to be considered on the

other hand are very many. Doubtless if the citizens could now abolish the debt by abolishing the railroad, they would still vote to pay the debt and enjoy the present railroad facilities. Indeed, men who had opposed bonding, in advertising farms to sell soon after, named their nearness to railroad stations as enhancing immensely the value of the real estate.

ORANGE COUNTY SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE.

" The design of this Institute is to Afford the most efficient meana for the acquisition of a combined scientific and practical knowledge of Agriculture,

" A number of farmers residing in the same neighborhood in the town of Montgomery, from seven to nine miles west of Newburgh, having united under a written contract ode with the other to become instructora to snch pupils as may be committed to their care through the under- aigned, their officers, present the Institute tu the attention of the public.

" Each pupil will be under the practical instruction of the member of the association with whom he may reside.

" The scientific instruction will be under the care of Mr. James Dar- rach, a graduate of Yale College, a gentleman of scientific attainmenta, and, in common with his associates, a holder of his own plow.

"This part of the institution will embrace most of the academic studies, natural history, and the principles of agricultural economy.

"The peculiarity of this Institute which recommends it to parents is, that the practical instruction will be given by practical farniers, whose dnty and interest cumpel them to attend to the economy as well as the management of a farm.

" It presents also the following features : family discipline and care ; constant companionship with the instructors; varied husbandry and soil which the popila will be constantly directed to observe and compare. In the neighborhood are places of worship within convenient distance for all to attend,-Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Reformed Dutch, Scotch Presbyterian, and Methodist.

"Terms : $125 per annum for tuition and board, payable semi-annually in advance.

" Mail and other stages that pass over the Newburgh and Cochecton Turnpike connect our places daily with Newburgh.

" Enquiries and applications may be addressed to either of the under- signed at Coldenham, Orange Co., N. Y.

LINDLEY MURBAY FERAIS, Pres't.

"SAMUEL WAIT, Jr., Secretary."

At the opening of this institution on May 20, 1846, an introductory lecture was delivered by Professor James Darrach, on the nature and object of the insti- tution, mode of instruction, etc., and widely circu- lated at the time.

THE WOOLEN-FACTORY AT WALDEN

was established in 1823 by Jesse Scofield and Dr. Capron. It was then styled the Franklin Company, and the old name may still be seen over the arched entrance. They continued the business down to about 1844. The firm was then changed to Scofield, Capron & Co., composed of Augustus F. Scofield, Seth M. Capron, and L. L. Gowdy. They continued until the death of the latter, in June, 1871. They were run for a month longer under the same firm-name when the senior partner, A. F. Scofield, died. This death brought about a dissolution of the firm. A reorgan- ization took place under the firm-name of Townsend, Gowdy & Co., who remained in the business for about three years. They were succeeded by S. M. Holmes & Co., who only operated the mill for one year. The next proprietor was R. N. Kitchen, who continned for

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MONTGOMERY.

a short time when the business passed into the hands of the present proprietors, Perry, Bartow & Wheeler, who are doing a large and successful business. The woolen-factory has for more than fifty years been a marked feature of Walden, and one of the early sources of its substantial growth. It brought many opera- tives to settle here, and its early proprietors contributed largely to the business success of the village. The present firm are giving careful management to the enterprise, and operating the mills with energy and skill. The line of manufacture consists of woolen goods generally, cloths and fancy cassimeres receiving special attention. About eighty hands are employed and the works are run night and day. The present firm have only operated them since January, 1879.

The buildings are large, substantial structures of stone. The water privilege is valuable and perma- nent. Buildings or tenements for employés are built in the same style as the factory.

THE NEW YORK KNIFE COMPANY,

located at Walden, have one of the largest cutlery es- tablishments in the United States. Situated just at the falls of the Wallkill, they own the first right to that magnificent water privilege. The company was organized in 1852, and founded a cutlery business at Matteawan, Duchess Co.

In 1856 they removed to Walden, and purchased the old building, which had been standing vacant for some years, formerly a cotton-factory. This building has been at various times enlarged, improved, and fitted up with the best modern machinery. The officers of the company are Thomas W. Bradley, president and treasurer; Joseph Rowland, vice-president ; and John Best, secretary. The line of work consists of table and pocket cutlery of every variety, style, and value. They employ about two hundred and fifty hands, and manufacture in a single year 1,600,000 finished pieces. Mr. Bradley, the president, superin- tends the entire business. His personal history is in- teresting. Leaving his lucrative business in 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company H, of the One Hun- dred and Twenty-fourth; rose steadily through the official grades to the position of captain, and was bre- vetted lieutenant-colonel as a recognition by Congress of gallant services before Petersburg. Since the war he has had important military positions under the State authorities, closing his services in that line as lientenant-colonel and assistant adjutant-general under Governor Tilden. He was also member of Assembly in 1875 and 1876.

THE WALDEN CONDENSED MILK COMPANY

was organized by a certificate executed April 20, 1864. The capital stock was determined to consist of $50,000,. divided into five hundred shares of $100 each. The trustees named in this instrument were Frank J. Kage, Henry W. Alden, and Homer A. Kidd.

This enterprise was carried on for two or three years and then reorganized under the name of

THIE HIGHLAND CONDENSED MILK COMPANY,

which filed a certificate of incorporation March 17, 1865. The objects of the association were stated as follows: " The manufacture and sale of milk and eggs in a concentrated or condensed form." The trus- tees named were Frank J. Kage, Homer A. Kidd, Jesse Scofield, Charles D. Wooley, and Henry W. Alden. The capital stock was determined at $50,000, to be divided into five hundred shares of $100 each.

A few years later the milk business was discon- tinued, and the buildings were devoted to the use of the Walden Soap-Works.

TIIE BRICKYARD AT WALDEN.

This was established in 1868 by the present pro- prietor, James Gowdy. The clay proved to be of excellent quality. Mr. Gowdy's facilities for mann- facturing are convenient and extensive. The line of work is confined to the manufacture of common brick. The average number of hands employed is 20, and the capacity of the yard is about 2,000,000 per year. Mr. Gowdy is supplying brick to a large extent of country, but more directly to the village of Walden. It was said of Napoleon that he found Paris brick but left it marble. Mr. Gowdy found Walden wood, but will leave it brick, judging by the change of twelve years.

THIE WALDEN KNIFE COMPANY.

This was organized as a co-operative association in 1870, and was carried on until 1874 under that ar- rangement, when it became a joint-stock association. At the first organization W. E. Gowdy was president, E. Whitehead secretary, and Milton B. Tears super- intendent. The officers of the joint-stock association are J. S. Taylor, president ; G. Weller, Jr., vice-presi- dent and treasurer; A. H. Saxe, secretary ; E. White- head, manager. The line of work is exclusively pocket cutlery, of which from six hundred to eight hundred different styles are made. The company employ 125 hands. The buildings are those of the Giles Andrews Woolen-Mills. The knife company remodeled them and adapted them to their purposes.

Mr. A. H. Saxe adds the following :

The mill now occupied by the Walden Knife Com- pany was built in the year 1827-28, and run by what was known as the Orange Company as a woolen-cloth factory. In 1837, Henry Du Bois acquired the title to the property. In 1845, DuBois sold out to Wm. C. Langley, who two months later sold out to Giles An- drews and John Bradbury. In 1853, Giles Andrews acquired the title to the whole, buying out his partner, Bradbury.

The mill was run continuously by him as a satinet factory until his death in 1869, and his widow, Mrs. Incy Andrews, continued the business until she sold the property to Jonathan Wailes in 1873. The title, however, lapsed to her in a couple of years, and in 1875 she conveyed the property to the present owners, the Walden Knife Company.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Upon the history of the buildings occupied by this company we have the following additional facts :

June, 1825, James Clark & Co. (firm, James Clark, John J. Galatian, Erwin Galatian, and James Gala- tian) sold the property to the Orange Company. Members of that company were James Clark, John J. Galatian, Erwin Galatian, James Hall, and Francis Watson. Levi L. Gowdy, about the year 1829, be- came a member by taking stock in the company. About the year 1832 the factory was burnt, and imme- diately rebuilt larger. About the years 1833 or 1834, George Weller became a member of the company by purchasing the stock of John J. Galatian, deceased. About the year 1840 the Orange Company sold the mill and all their interest to Henry Du Bois. After the sale the manufacturing business was carried on by the firm of Du Bois, Galatian & Co., then changed to DuBois & Gowdy. They remained in business a short time and dissolved. Mr. Gowdy, after the dis- solution, connected himself with A. F. Scofield and S. M. Capron, under the firm-name of Scofield, Capron & Co., in the woolen business. Soon after, Mr. Du Bois sold the property to Wm. C. Langley, of the city of New York. Mr. Langley, about the year 1845, sold the property to Giles Andrews and John Bradbury. They occupied the property a number of years, when they dissolved. Giles Andrews bought out Mr. Brad- bury's interest. He (Andrews) carried on the busi- ness down to the time of his death (1869). He be- queathed all the property to his wife, Lucy Andrews. She continned the same business for some time, be- came blind, then sold it to Jonathan Wailes, May 1, 1873. He liad the property in possession to February, 1875. Finding it difficult to meet the payments, he gave it up again to Mrs. Andrews. Some time after she took possession Mrs. Andrews sold it to the Walden Knife Company.

THE WALDEN FILE-WORKS

are a new enterprise, Taylor Brothers & Co. They have erected spacious and convenient buildings near the railroad, one 28 by 33, one 12 by 47, one 12 by 26, and one 15 by 22. They are opposite the steam grist-mill, and the power for the file-works is fur- nished by the engine in the mill. The buildings are fitted up with the best modern machinery. Work was commeneed Jan. 1, 1880. About 30 hands are employed, and the enterprise bids fair to be re- munerative to the proprietors and an important addition to the village of Walden.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 98

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