USA > New York > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 70
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Cornelius R. Gage was born in Southeast in 1832, has been engaged in shoemaking and hat manufacturing, and afterward in coal business. For ten years he was in the employ of the Borden Condensed Milk Company. After this he was one of
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the firm of Yeomans, Gage & Co., in the flour and feed store, and is now with W. S. Paddock in the same business. He mar- ried Amelia, daughter of William and Deborah Rundle, and has one daughter.
Warren Gay was born in Southeast in 1822. His father and grandfather were residents of this county. He is a farmer. In 1852 he was married to Delia M. Cree, of North Salem, West- chester county.
David Hall was born in Southeast in 1830. His father, John, and grandfather, David, resided in this county. The family came originally from Massachusetts. He was educated in the common schools and is a farmer. In 1881 he was married to Melissa Sears, of Southeast.
Capt. James W. Haviland was born at Athens, Greene county, N. Y., April 8th, 1816, and was married January 14th, 1840, to Esther L. Haviland, who was born in Patterson, Putnam county, July 6th, 1815. He was captain of a vessel on the Hudson from 1835 to 1851, when he moved to Southeast, to the farm now owned and occupied by his sons, W. C. and J. J. Haviland. Captain Haviland died March 29th, 1881, and his wife died July 5th, 1884, leaving four children, three living in South- east, and one in Catskill, Greene county.
George Hine was born in Southeast in 1834. His father, Charles W., and his grandfather, Charles, were residents of this county. The family came from Woodbridge, Conn., about 1804, and settled on the farm where Mr. Hine now resides. He has been commissioner of highways twelve years and assessor one term, and is a director of the Putnam County Savings Bank. He was married in 1862 to Josephine Foster of South- east, danghter of Judge Foster.
Moseman B. Hyatt was born in Kent in 1834, and is a farmer and fruit raiser. His first wife was Margaret Van Wagner, now deceased. He was married a second time, to Annie C. Mead, of Carmel.
Isaac Kelley, a farmer of Southeast, was born in 1813. His father, Jesse, and grandfather, Judah, were residents of the county. He has been supervisor of Southeast one term. In 1838 he married Antoinette Cole, of Carmel.
48
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Samuel Kelley was born in Southeast in 1845. His father, James R., grandfather, Samuel, and great-grandfather, Judah, were residents of this county. The family were originally from Vermont. He was a bookkeeper in New York city, and is now a farmer. He has been a director in the County Agricultural Society. In 1868 he was married to Carrie A. Kirkham.
P. Z. Kirkham was born in 1846. He was a merchant in Westchester county six years, and is now a farmer. He mar- ried Henrietta Kelley, of Southeast and has one child.
R. W. Kirkham was born in Carmel, in 1818. His father Zo- pher, and grandfather, Zebadee, were both residents of the county. The family are of Scotch descent. They moved from Westchester county to Putnam. Mr. Kirkham is a farmer. In 1848 he married Augusta S. Crane, of Carmel, daughter of an old and prominent Putnam county family. He has four chil- dren living: Caroline A., Peter Z., Estelle A., and Charlotte E. For twenty-nine years he has resided on his present elegant home, which was the former home of Enoch Crosby, the Spy, and was purchased by Mr. Kirkham of the daughter-in-law and grandsons of this well known patriot.
Augustus Knox was born in North Salem, Westchester county, and commenced business as a cabinet maker. Thirty years ago he opened an undertaking establishment in Brewster and has continued it to the present time. He married Miss Gournsey and has one daughter.
Frederick H. Knox was born in Southeast in 1818, was educated in the common schools, and is a farmer. He married Abbie J. Reynolds, of Southeast.
Nehemiah Knox was born in Southeast, in 1854, was educated in the common schools, and is a farmer. In 1878, he was mar- ried to Jennie Willis, of Brewster.
Alexander F. Lobdell was born in North Salem, Westchester county, in 1835, and his first business experience was as book- keeper in New York. In 1860, he came to Brewster and estab- lished a dry goods and general merchandise store. The store was burned in the fire of 1879, but was rebuilt. 'He has also been engaged in the lumber business. He has been postmaster at Brewster since 1863. He married Julia, daughter of Vincent Paddock, and has four children: Esther, Alexander F., Vincent and Susan.
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Stephen McMahon was born in New Milford, Conn., came to Brewster about 1861, and was first engaged in hat manufactur- ing. In 1864 he purchased the "Brewster House" which was the first hotel in the village, and has remained the proprietor ever since. The hotel has been made through his care and energy one of the best places of entertainment in the county.
William E. Maher was born in Southeast, March 8th, 1859. His father, Thomas Maher, was a farmer, and his early life was passed on the homestead. In 1882, he established a meat mar- ket in the village of Brewster, which he has since conducted.
Daniel O. Mead was born in Southeast, in 1830. His father, Silas, grandfather, Benjamin, and great-grandfather, Jeremiah, were residents of the county. He married Carrie M. Beebe in 1874.
Austin Mullarkey was born in Ireland, came to America in 1859, and settled in Putnam county in 1865. He is a merchant. He served three years and nine months in the late war. He is postmaster at Dykeman's. He married Winnefred McIntyre in 1866.
Charles N. Mygatt was born in Southeast in 1856, was edu- cated at Chappaqua Institute and Amenia Seminary, and is a farmer. In 1877 he married Leona Paddock.
Warren S. Paddock, son of Hiram Paddock, was born in Southeast in 1828. In early life he was a farmer, and has been in business in New York. In 1879 he set up business in Brews- ter in a flour and feed store, and has continued it till the present time. He married Sarah, daughter of Daniel Reed, and has three children.
Clark S. Penny was born in Southeast, in 1838, was educated at the common schools, and has followed the occupation of a farmer. He married Huldah Q. Mead in 1866, and has two children.
James A. Peck was born in Litchfield county, Conn., in 1828, was educated in the public schools and Brookfield Academy, married, first Mary E. Carter, April 4th, 1848, second Lydia L. Carter, in 1853, came to Putuam county April 12th, 1859, and is a steam engineer.
W C. Pugsley was born in Patterson in 1831, married Floraet- tie Light, of Kent, in 1861, and died in 1882. He was a farmer.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
David B. Richards was born in 1803, was educated in the common schools, married Delia Foster, of Southeast, in 1832, and is a farmer.
George E. Sears was born in Southeast in 1837. His father, Bradley, grandfather, Isaac, great-grandfather, Benjamin, jr., and. great-great-grandfather, Benjamin, were all residents of this county. The family came from Massachusetts and settled in this county in 1743, on the homestead property which has been owned by them since that time.
Levi Shove was born in Warren, Litchfield county, Conn. He came to Brewster and established a livery business in 1876, which he has made very extensive. He married Flora, daughter of Henry Howland, of Kent, Conn., and has one daughter.
James K. Smith came to Brewster and established a drug store several years since. He was a prominent member of the Baptist church, and one of the most prominent in establishing the church of Brewster. In the spring of 1886 he removed to Danbury, where he now resides.
Albert Townsend, son of Charles Townsend, was born in Carmel, but resides in the town of Southeast, where he is ex- tensively engaged in farming. He was for many years in the traveling exhibition business with James Raymond. He is a member of the Methodist church. He married Jane A. Ball, and has one son, Frank.
Coleman Townsend was born in Carmel in 1797. His grand- father, Uriah, and father, Samuel, were residents of the county. He is a farmer. He was supervisor of Kent two terms, and for several years county superintendent of poor. He married Ma- linda Ogden, of Fishkill, and has had three children.
Walter W. Weed was born in Orange county in 1830, came to Putnam county in 1865, and married Deborah A. Blauvelt the same year. He is a blacksmith.
George H. Wood was born in Southeast in 1834. His father, Abram, and grandfather, Nehemiah, were residents of the county. He was graduated from Union College in 1857, and followed the business of farming. He married, in 1860, Mary Van Duzer (now deceased) of Orange county.
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TOWN OF PHILIPSTOWN.
Thomas H. Austin, son of Thomas Austin, is a well known resident of Garrison's. Of the many children of his father's family one son, Samuel, is now living at Cold Spring, and another is master of the ferry at Garrison's.
Prof. Granville Barnum was born in Danbury, Conn., June 10th, 1842, and was educated at the high school of his native place and at the State Normal School. He began teaching in Bethel, Conn., in 1859. In 1861 he taught at Milltown in South- east, and in 1871 became principal of the public school in Nel- sonville, and has conducted it with great success till the present time. He married Mary S., daughter of John B. Roberts, and has three children: Edith R., J. Clark, and Willard E.
James S. Boyd was born in. Cold Spring, March 4th, 1857. His father, Charles Boyd, was the supervisor of Philipstown during the late war, and prominently connected with public affairs. In 1850 Mr. Charles Boyd founded the drug store and pharmacy, which is now conducted by his son under the name of Boyd & Co. Mr. James S. Boyd is the corporation treasurer of Cold Spring, agent for Fishkill Savings Bank, and also agent for several steamship companies. He married Minnie, daughter of David Lloyd, and has one daughter.
Thomas A. Coe, son of Thomas D., and grandson of Darius Coe, was born in Morris county, N. J., June 14th, 1845. Since the age of 16 he has been engaged in mercantile affairs. He was town clerk of Philipstown for many years, and is prominently connected with the Masonic fraternity and with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Cold Spring. He married Pamelia, daughter of William C. Entrott, and has two children, Hattie and William.
Isaac B. Davenport, son of Benjamin, and grandson of Isaac Davenport, was a well known wood and timber contractor. He died April 6th, 1874, aged 52. He married Mary E., daughter of Nicholas Wood. She now resides in Cold Spring with one son, Isaac F. Davenport.
James Y. Dykman, born in Philipstown, July 8th, 1845, has been for many years engaged in general merchandise in Nelson- ville. He is a member of the Masonic order and a supporter of
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the Methodist Church. He married Anna, daughter of John Van Tassel, and has one child, Minnie.
Thomas Gaunt was born in Leeds, Eng., in 1846, and came to America in 1856. In 1884 he became connected with the West Point Foundry Association of which he is now superintendent and vice-president. Mr. Gaunt was at one time the superintendent of the Colwell Iron Works. He built the Brooklyn sugar house and the large buildings of the Chicago Sngar Refining Company. His brother, William Gaunt, who came to this country with him, is now assistant superintendent of the West Point Foundry.
Frank H. Greene, A. M., was born at Peekskill, N. Y., in 1842, and was educated at Princeton College. For a number of years he was in business in South Carolina, but for the past ten years has been in the educational work in Putnam county, and is now principal of Rock Street Public School of Cold Spring. He is president of the Putnam County Teachers' Association.
Caleb Hustis was the owner of a large estate in the northern part of Philipstown, his homestead being that now owned by the heirs of Thomas Wright. He died in the latter part of the last century, leaving a wife, Charity, and eight children: Wil- liam, Jonathan, Esther, wife of Timothy Wood; Anna, wife of Samuel Warren; Phebe, wife of Ebenezer Lobdell; Rachel, wife of - Bownes; Elizabeth, wife of William Davenport; and Mary. William Hustis died about 1815. He married Phebe Mekeel, and had eight children: Caleb, Isaac, Samuel, Josiah, Susan, wife of Uriah Drake; Sally, wife of Jacob Haight; Eliz- abeth, wife of Thomas Wright; and Charity. Caleb Hustis died in 1864 at the age of 68. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James Haight. Their children were: Martha J., Jeanette, wife of Nicholas Wood; James, Milton, Phebe A., wife of Arvis Haight; Hannah, wife of Richard Travis; and William J. Wil- liam J. Hustis, who is now living upon a portion of the ances- tral estate, was born February 17th, 1838. The large estate of his grandfather, Caleb Hustis, was left by him to his wife, Charity, who left it by will to her two sons, William and Jona- than. The western part was the share of William and now belongs to William J., while the eastern part belongs to the heirs of Thomas Wright and the heirs of Samuel Hustis. Wil-
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liam J. Hustis married Susan, daughter of John Horn. They have three children: Caleb, Arthur and Myrtie.
Samuel Hustis, son of Caleb Hustis mentioned above, lived and died a farmer on a part of the ancestral estate. He married Elizabeth, daughter of David Hustis, a distant relative. Their children were : Harvey, William (deceased), and David. Mr. Hustis died February 4th, 1880, aged 72.
Thomas W. Jaycox, son of William H. Jaycox, is a well known citizen of Philipstown, having been commissioner of highways and county commissioner for several years. He is a farmer, and is one of the prominent members and an active sup- porter of the North Highland Methodist Church. He married Mary E., daughter of Thomas Mekeel, and has two children, Seward and Lizzie.
Peter B. Lawson was chief engineer and superintendent of West Point Foundry Company, and came from New York when the works were first started. He was born in 1810 and died at Cold Spring in May, 1879. He invented many improvements in machinery, including the projectile for Parrott's rifled cannon. He married Margaret Eisenburg. Their children are Margaret E., William K., Emma and Martina.
James Mekeel, son of Thomas, and grandson of William, was born at Highland Falls, December 19th, 1845. For some years he has been engaged in the timber and lumber business at Cold Spring, his residence being at Mekeel's Corners. His grand- father, William, lived on the place now owned by Levi H. Bailey. Mr. Mekeel married Anna E., daughter of Elijah Mekeel. They have two sons, Homer E. and Robert H.
Peter Mekeel was a farmer in Philipstown, east of Cold Spring. He died in the fall of 1885. He married Amy Ferris. Their children were: William H., Caleb, Isaac, Sylvenus, Philena, Mary, Ethelinda and Anna. Of the sons, Caleb and Sylvenus now live in Nelsonville.
Charles Miller was born at West Point, March 4th, 1839. He came to Cold Spring and established a market in December, 1874. Mr. Miller is a member of the Episcopal Church. He married Leonora Mikmak. His children are: Charles A., Henry M., Frederick S. and Florence.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
William E. Nelson was born in Cold Spring, August 11th, 1845. For 15 years he has conducted an extensive livery busi- ness in his native village. He holds the position of under sheriff of the county. He married Annie, daughter of David Haight, and has one child, Helen E.
Wright E. Perry was born in Kent, October, 1839. For many : years he has been the proprietor of a grocery store in Cold Spring. Mr. Perry is a member of the masonic order, and a democrat.
George W. Purdy, son of Samuel H. Purdy, was born at Goshen, Orange county, May 29th, 1810. He commenced a mercantile business at Cornwall, and came to Cold Spring in September, 1852, and in 1865 erected the building which is his present place of business. Mr. Purdy belongs to the Society of Friends. He married Charlotte, daughter of Robert Provost; they had one son, Robert P. After the death of Mrs. Purdy, he married Sarah C., daughter of Aaron Harvey, and widow of John Monks. They had one son, George W. The children of Mrs. Purdy by her former marriage are John A. S. Monks, an artist of great celebrity; Mary E., and Sarah P., who is now a teacher in San Angelos, California.
Seth Secor. son of Alfred Secor, was born in Cold Spring July 13th, 1839, and is a general merchant. He has held the offices of town clerk and supervisor of Philipstown. He married Emily, daughter of Solomon Bronson. They had three children, Etta and Alfred (both deceased), and Cornelia.
Oscar H. Speedling was born in Washingtonville, Orange county, and came to this county about 1856. For 25 years he has conducted a general market business in Nelsonville. He has been connected with the Methodist church for 45 years.
Colin Tolmie is the third generation of the same name who has been connected with the West Point Foundry. His grand- father, Colin Tolmie, came from New York when the works were established, and was in the employ of the company till the time of his death in 1882. His father, Colin Tolmie, 2d, lost his life by the building of a mortar made for the use of life saving stations, in 1875, at the age of 46. He married Rachel, daughter of John and Sarah Shriver. Their only child is Colin Tolmie, 3d, who is now the stock and shipping clerk of the
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foundry. He married Miss Annie L., daughter of John C. Du Bois, and has one child, Agnes M.
Darius Truesdell was born at Fishkill Landing February 27th, 1827. He was an extensive dealer in live stock and came to Cold Spring in 1840, and remained till 1860. In 1873 he re- turned to this place and remained till his death, March 2d, 1886. Mr. Truesdell married, tirst, Ann M. Haight, second, Harriet B Mason. His son, James Truesdell, is living in the village of Sing Sing.
Charles B. Warren was born at Garrison's, in 1831. His homestead is the one formerly owned by Stephen Davenport in the eastern part of Philipstown. In addition to managing his farm he runs a milk route in Cold Spring. He married Mary, daughter of Stephen Davenport. He is a member of the masonic order, and is trustee and steward of the North High- lands Methodist church.
Milton Wise was born at Salisbury, Orange county, in 1818, and was the son of Benjamin Wise. In 1850 he came to this county and established a brick yard at the foot of Breakneck Mountain on the river shore, and now makes 2,500,000 bricks annually: He married Catharine Low.
TOWN OF PATTERSON.
Anthony A. Akin was born in Patterson in 1829, and is a farmer. He married Elizabeth Burch, of Pawling, in 1852. He has been commissioner of highways and assessor. For fifteen years he has been a director of Putnam County National Bank, and for several years vice-president.
De Witt C. Akin is a farmer and was born in Putnam in 1826. He married Cynthia Aldrich and, after her decease, Almira B. Mallory, of Sherman, Conn., in 1860. For a number of years he was president of the County Agricultural Society, and was a master mason. He died May 30th, 1884.
Benjamin C. Baker was born in Patterson, January 22d, 1822, and is a farmer. His father, Joseph, and grandfather, Phineas, were both residents of this town. Mr. Baker lives on the homestead which has been in possession of the family over 100 years.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Henry C. Baldwin was born in Patterson, in 1836, and was a farmer. In 1862 he married Phebe J. Storms, of Dutchess county, N. Y. The children are: Jerome V., Herbert E., Edward S., and Mary J. His death occurred in 1870.
George Banks was born in Banksville, Conn., in 1818. He was a merchant in New York city for twenty five years, and re- tired from business and located in Putnam county, in 1871. He married in 1840, Caroline Dakin of New York city. His death occurred in 1879. One daughter, Emily B., is married to John W. Towner, of Patterson.
Guy A. Birch was born in Kent, in 1858, was educated at public schools and is a farmer.
William H. Cowl, born in Patterson in 1839, was a merchant and farmer, and married in 1858, Carrie M. Sherman, of Dutch- ess county. His death occurred in 1873. His children are: Emma A., Irene A., Clifton A., Ella F., and Benjamin P.
Walter F. Crosby, merchant, was born in Southeast, in 1842. He married Hattie E. Bailey, of Patterson, in 1869. He was coroner one term. His father, Abner, and grandfather, Stephen, were residents of Putnam county.
William C. Fowler, born in Kent in 1811, attended public schools, and is a farmer. He married Jane Terry in 1832.
Eleazer H. Ganung was born in Carmel, in 1822, was educated at the common schools, is a farmer, and married Helen Peck, of Patterson.
James C. Gerow was born in New Fairfield, Conn., in 1844, and came to Putnam county in 1856. He was educated at public and private schools, and Dutchess County Academy, and is a farmer. In 1870, he was married to Frances P. Tupper, of Washington county, and has three children.
William Green was born in Dutchess county, in 1820, and came to Putnam county in 1862. 'He married, in 1845, Eliza Ann St. John, of Patterson. He has been justice of the peace twelve years, supervisor one term, and justice of Sessions one term, and is a farmer.
Benjamin Haviland was born in Patterson, in 1808, was edu- cated at public schools, and is a farmer. He was justice of the peace twenty years. He married Abbie Lane, of Sherman, Conn.
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Richard T. Haviland was born in Patterson, in 1829, educated at public schools and at Nine Partners. He is a farmer and stock dealer. He married, in 1852, Elizabeth Sears, of South- east.
James C. Hayt was born in Patterson in 1821. His father, Harry, and grandfather, Stephen, were residents of Putnam county. He was educated at select schools, and has followed the business of merchant, farmer and miller. He married Caro- line E. Rogers, of Patterson.
David Henion was born in Kent in 1836, was educated at common schools, and is a farmer. He has been road commis- sioner and assessor, and is a member of the Baptist Church. He married Maria A Robinson, of Kent, in 1870.
Kent Henion was born in Kent, in 1839, educated at public schools, and is a farmer. He married Cornelia W. Haines, in 1859.
Joseph Hopkins was born in Patterson, in 1832, attended public schools and is a farmer. He married Emily V. Kelley, of Carmel, and resides on old homestead which been in possession of the family for 100 years.
Daniel S. Judd was born in Connecticut in 1804. and came to Putnam county in 1829. He was educated at common schools, and is a farmer. He was supervisor of Putnam two terms, and overseer of poor for many years.
Samuel Mabie, of Patterson, was born in 1772, and lived on the farm now owned by David Henion, and which was the resi- dence of his father, Abram Mabie, who came from Cape Cod. He married Ruth Bolt, of Patterson, by whom he had ten chil- dren.
William A. Mabie was born in Patterson November 28th, 1827, married Laura A. Dykeman, of Southeast, January 19th, 1850, and died April 16th, 1881. He was a farmer and justice of the peace.
Moses Peck was born in Dutchess county in 1826, and came to Putnam county in 1865. He is a farmer. He married Hannah N. K. Chase, of Dutchess county.
Alfred C. Penny was born in Southeast in 1807, was educated in the common schools, and is a farmer. He married Louisa C.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Crosby, of Patterson, in 1833, and has one child, Julia C., wife of James H. Thompson. Mr. Penny has been supervisor two terms and justice of the peace 26 years.
Philip D. Penny was born in Patterson in 1831, and married Mary J. Towner in 1853. He was for many years a merchant at Towner's Station, and in 1873 purchased the farm where he now lives. He was postmaster of Towner's many years, justice of the peace 12 years, justice of Sessions two terms, coroner three years and supervisor two terms.
Lewis G. Pugsley was born in Patterson in 1841. His father, Alfred, and grandfather, Benjamin, resided in this county. Mr. Pugsley has followed the mercantile business. In 1870 he mar- ried Josephine Barnum, of Patterson. He has been town clerk of Patterson six years and postmaster at Patterson fourteen years.
George W. Seaman was born in East Fishkill in 1838, and came to Putnam county about 1851. In early life he engaged as a clerk, and later as a merchant in New York city and Pat- terson. For 20 years he has been proprietor and owner of the well-known American Hotel at Patterson. He married in 1858 Lydia'A. Sloat, of Patterson, and has three children.
Henry A. Stephens was born in Dutchess county in 1809, came to Putnam county when nine years old, was educated at
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Litchfield Seminary, and is a farmer and stock dealer. He mar- ried in 1865 Nettie J. Bailey, of Patterson. Their children are, Henry B. and Jennie E.
Daniel D. Steinbeck was born in Philipstown September 28th, 1812. His father, John, and grandfather, Philip, were resi- dents of this county. The family came originally from Holland. Mr. Steinbeck was married September 5th, 1842, to Emeline Mabie, of Patterson, and has four children. He is a farmer and was assessor 15 years.
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