USA > New York > Dutchess County > The history of Dutchess County, New York > Part 71
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
Socially, Mr. Slater is a member of J. K. Sague Camp -44 U. S. W. V., Pough- keepsie Lodge -21 I. O. O. F. Past Councilor of Harvey G. Eastman Council -97 Jr. O. U. A. M. and Commander of the Uniformed Rank of the last mentioned order.
In January 1902 Mr. Slater married Miss Lena C. Goodfriend, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Goodfriend; a daughter, Margarita, is the issue of this marriage.
THE SLEIGHT FAMILY. Henry Sleight, born 1740, and his wife, Margaret Simpson, born 1745, came from Long Island to the town of Clinton, Dutchess County, N. Y. in 1768, and settled on the farm known as the Alpheus C. Briggs" farm, where they kept a tavern in the house still standing. Their children were: Daniel H., who married Deborah Humphrey; Henry married Mary Van Vliet;
769
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.
Simpson married Rowland; Jacob married Lydia Van Vliet; Mary; Anna; John; Margaret married Barnes; Robert married Elizabeth -; Sally married Jacob Lawless; Martin married Achsha Williams. The Sleight family, in the male line, is now extinct.
CHARLES H. SLOCUM, Treasurer of Dutchess county, N. Y., was born in Pawl- ing in 1861. At an early age his parents removed to the town of Beekman, Dutch- ess county, where our subject received his education, and later taught school for a few years. He then engaged in general mercantile business in the town of Beek- man, and held the office of Postmaster for twelve years.
Politically Mr. Slocum is a Democrat, and in 1885 was elected Supervisor of the town of Beekman. For several years he filled the position of travelling salesman for Edward M. Depew & Co., wholesale grocers, New York City, resigning January 1, 1908, to assume the duties of County Treasurer, to which he had been elected in November, 1907, which he has filled with diligence and fidelity. He is also pres- ident and treasurer of the Standard American Electric Company of New York City. February 12, 1885, Mr. Slocum was united in marriage with Miss Ella M. Odell of South Amenia, N. Y. They are the parents of two children: Blanche and Russell.
WILLIAM C. SMILLIE was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, September 23, 1818, a son of David and Elizabeth (Cummings) Smillie. His father was a silversmith, and removed with his family to Quebec, Canada, when William was eight years old. There William acquired his schooling, and learned the rudiments of engraving under his father's supervision. Following his father's death in 1827 the family removed to New York, where William entered the employ of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Co., banknote engravers, and was for some time in charge of the Philadelphia office of the firm. It was in Philadelphia that he met his wife, Agnes Earle, and they were married October 10, 1843, after which Mr. Smillie became a member of the firm. His specialty was the engraving of the lettering on bank notes, his brother James engraving the vignettes.
In 1856 he purchased a place on the Hyde Park road above Poughkeepsie. His brother James had preceded him here, and was then living at "Springside." Wil- liam C. Smillie built the house now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Van Cleef, and lived there until 1866, when he went to Ottawa, Canada, and organized the British American Bank-note Company. Its headquarters were removed in 1871 to Mon- treal, where Mr. Smillie lived for a time, retiring finally from business in 1874, when he returned to Poughkeepsie.
Mr. and Mrs. Smillie celebrated their golden wedding in 1893 while living in the house now part of the estate of Judge Taylor, Hamilton street. Mrs. Smillie sur- vives with one son, Walter de Forest, and two grandsons.
ISAAC SMITH, an early settler in Dutchess county, was born at Hempstead, L. I., September 9, 1722. January 2, 1744 he was united in marriage with Margaret Platt, at St. George's Church, Hempstead. They came to the precinct of Amenia and set-
770
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
tled at the square, about six miles north of Lithgow. Here he built a house for him- self which is still standing, and here he died, March 29, 1795, and is buried in the Smith Cemetery, just opposite. Mr. Smith was a large slave holder. His son, Isaac Smith, Jr., bought the property in 1813 and came here to live. He had married Phebe Lewis in 1794. He died at Lithgow in 1825. Further reference to this family will be found on page 482 of this publication.
JOHN T. SMITH, merchant and bank president, Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, N. Y., was born at Matteawan, N. Y., July 15, 1840, a son of Silas G. Smith, for many years identified with the commercial and financial development of the town of Fishkill. The education of the subject of this review was obtained in public and private schools, and in 1857 he entered the employ of his father in the dry goods business, and in 1861 became a member of the now widely known firm of S. G. & J. T. Smith.
On the organization of the Mechanics Savings Bank in 1866 Mr. Smith was elect- ed secretary, and served in that capacity until the death of his father in 1883, when he was elected to succeed him as president, which position he has since occupied.
In 1886 he succeeded James Mackin as president of the First National Bank of Fishkill Landing, the position he holds at the present time. These banks have always retained the full confidence of the public, and never during the time of the most serious national panic and disaster has there been a run, or any indication of want of faith in their stability or in the integrity of their officers.
Up to 1892 the local transportation between the villages of Fishkill Landing, Matteawan and Glenham was by stage, and this impelled Mr. Smith and some friends to form a more expeditious mode of transit. Accordingly the Citizens' Street Railway Company was organized and cars put in operation August 27, 1892. In 1895 the Fishkill Electric Railway Company was organized, and Mr. Smith was elected president. The road was completed to Fishkill Village June 13, 1895.
Mr. Smith was one of the promoters of the Mt. Beacon Association that con- structed the incline railway up Mount Beacon in 1900. The large demand for electric power occasioned by the increased business of the railroad, the incline railway, and the demand from manufacturers, made it necessary to largely increase the power plant and an arrangement was made between the Railroad Company and the Carroll Electric Company, the owners of the Electric plant, to merge the two companies under a new organization, The Citizens Railroad, Light and Power Com- pany. The organization was completed in 1901 and Mr. Smith was made president. The electric plant was remodeled and enlarged.
In 1906 the gas plant was acquired, the operation of which under the laws of the State required a separate organization and the Southern Dutchess Gas & Electric Co. was formed with Mr. Smith as President.
Mr. Smith served several years on the Board of Education and as trustee of the village of Fishkill Landing and was president of the village from 1877 to 1882. From 1882 to 1886 he represented the town of Fishkill in the Board of Supervisors and was twice elected Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Smith represented the First District of Dutchess County in the Assembly from 1898 to 1904 and served as Chairman of the Committee on Banks during the last four years of his service. One of the important measures that he procured the
771
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.
passage of was the bill that put a stop to the plan of the City of New York to divert and appropriate the waters of the Fishkill and Wappingers streams to the city water supply.
Mr. Smith was married in 1866 to Carolyn A., daughter of Rev. John B. and Mary A. Pitman, they have four children, Bertram L., Arthur Raymond, Clarence A. and Elsie A. The sons are associated with their father in business.
GEORGE V. L. SPRATT, Corporation Counsel of the city of Poughkeepsie, was born in this city March 25, 1873. After finishing his preliminary studies in the public schools of his native city he began the study of law in the office of Hon. Henry M. Taylor, and was admitted to practice in the courts of New York State May 15, 1894. Politically Mr. Spratt is a Democrat, and in public life has served one term as Police Commissioner, and was appointed Corporation Counsel of the city of Poughkeepsie January 1, 1908, to fill an unexpired term. He was re-appoint- ed to this office January 1, 1909.
When war was declared between the United States and Spain Mr. Spratt enlisted as a private in the First United States Signal Corps, and served in the Ninth Com- pany, U. S. V. S. C. in the first Porto Rican expedition under General Miles. He was discharged with the rank of Sergeant, and has since been engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in Poughkeepsie.
CHARLES GILBERT SPROSS, composer, pianist and organist is a native of Poughkeepsie. His chosen career of music was begun quite early in life studying piano with Prof. Kuehn and harmony with Miss Helen Andrews, in Poughkeepsie. His natural aptitude for organ study and playing placed him very early in the pos- ition of organist of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of this city, a position he occupied for eight years. He spent several months in travel through the old world and upon his return entered the Scharwenka school in New York city, taking up com- position, harmony and an advanced piano course, the latter with Xavier Schar- wenka.
His reputation as organist went with him to New York, and in consequence he was appointed organist of the second Presbyterian church, Paterson, N. J., a position he held for three years, resigning to take the position of director and organist of Rutgers Presbyterian Church, New York, where he remained six years. He was again appointed organist of the Second Presbyterian Church, Paterson, N. J. and has since occupied that position.
Mr. Spross is the pianist of the famous Mendelssohn Trio Club, of New York city. His brilliant pianism and scholarly interpretation, whether in solo or in ensemble has gained for him a deserved appreciation from public and press of which any ar- tist may be proud. He has played in every State east of the Mississippi river and his services are in demand by many of the noted artists, such as Mme. Nordica, Mme. Jornelli and others.
As a composer, Mr. Spross has emphasized the talent that is innate, each and every composition showing the exceptional gifts of the composer. The following are some of his best known compositions: "Jean"; "Eventide and Thee"; "For- ever and a Day"; "Ask me no more"; "I love, and the world is mine."; "My
772
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
Light"; "A Nocturne"; "Go, lovely Rose;" "A White Rose"; "Gathered Roses"; "Her cheek is like a tinted Rose"; "In April"; "The Wind"; "Love planted my Rose''; "Thoughts of You"; "I know"; "Yesterday and Today"; "Tomorrow"; "The Call"; "Sunrise and Sunset"; "Dreaming"; "Will-o-the-Wisp"; "Morning and Evening"; "Love-Bloom"
Mr. Spross has also written numerous works for piano, and many anthems and choral works for both male and female choruses. Mr. Spross was born in Pough- keepsie, January 6, 1874, a son of Michael and Louisa (Rauch) Spross, with whom he still makes his home.
W. J. STORM, a descendant of one of Dutchess county's early residents, was born at Stormville, N. Y., July 9, 1845. He acquired his education at the Dutchess Academy and the Albany High School, and as a young man was engaged in farming in his native town. In 1873 he purchased from his father the old homestead at Stormville. Mr. Storm is also the senior member of the firm of W. J. & W. B. Storm, dealers in feed, flour, coal and lumber.
In 1872 he was united in marriage with Miss Isabelle Horpel, and four children have been born to them: G. Horpel, Ethel M., William R., and Isabelle M.
WALTER HERRICK STOUTENBURGH was born in the town of Hyde Park, N. Y., November 18, 1841. His preliminary education was obtained at Amenia Seminary and Fort Edward Institute, after which he was engaged for a time with his brother, John A., in the quarrying of slate at Hoosick Falls, N. Y. Mr. Stouten- burgh subsequently operated the farm on the old homestead at Hyde Park and was engaged in horse raising for a few years. He then removed to Washington, D. C. to accept a position in Washington Asylum, where he remained twenty-two years. In 1904 he returned to his native county and purchased the farm he now occupies on the South Road in the town of Poughkeepsie.
Mr. Stoutenburgh has been twice married. His first wife was Ada Parker, by whom he had one son, J. A. Stoutenburgh, now a physician in Washington, D. C. For his second wife he chose Sarah Flint Hyatt. They are the parents of one son and three daughters: Barneveldt Hyatt; Mrs. James E. Peck, Los Angeles; Mrs. Thomas W. Barrett of Poughkeepsie, and Miss Blanche.
SWEET, ORR & COMPANY, Wappingers Falls, N. Y. and elsewhere. The firm of Sweet, Orr & Co. was founded by James A. Orr, who was the pioneer of the overall business. Mr. Orr gained an enviable reputation in overall making, com- mencing in California in 1849. In 1871 he came East and having interested his nephews, Messrs. Clayton E. and Clinton W. Sweet, in his scheme, he started the first factory in Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County, N. Y.
From a very small beginning the firm has made great strides. The early factory which was small, was enlarged in 1876. There were then 250 employes and a week- ly product of 1,000 dozen pairs. By this time the firm had gained the reputation of making a "Never Rip" overall, a hand-made button-hole that would not wear out and a button that would not come off.
773
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.
In 1880, as there was need of greater facilities for manufacturing, the firm de- cided to start an additional and larger factory in Newburgh, which, due to the cen- tral location and transportation facilities, became and has continued the principal factory; additions and improvements were made from time to time. The output of the company was then so large that offices and ware-rooms were opened in New York. Thomson E. Goring was Superintendent of the Wappingers Falls plant and C. W. Bartrum is Superintendent of the Newburgh factory. In 1900 Sweet, Orr & Co. operated 1,450 machines and employed 1,800 people. There were 39 salesmen, and offices in New York, Chicago and Newburgh.
The demand for Sweet, Orr & Co's goods growing greater, the capacity for manu- facturing was increased and factories were opened in New York, Brooklyn, Phila- delphia, Port Jervis, Joliet, Ill. and New Orleans, La.
It must not be supposed that Sweet, Orr & Co. are confined to the manufacture of overalls-by no means-that is the firm's foundation of their business, but trous- ers are made, ranging in prices from that payable by the working man to that paid at the finest of custom tailors. Coats are made suitable for truckmen, drivers; engineers; and for men in all kindred position also working, flannel and outing shirts.
In 1909 there are twelve factories run by Sweet, Orr & Co. They are situated as follows: Wappingers Falls, two in Newburgh, three in New York City, Brooklyn, three in Philadelphia, one in Port Jervis, one in Joliet, Ill., and one in New Orleans, La. Some 2,000 odd machines are operated and employment is given to upwards of 2,500 people. Mr. Robert A. Clarke, of New York, is head of the Advertising and Sales Departments; there are 66 salesmen under his charge. Mr. Charles E, Howe, of Summit, N. J., is the head of the Buying Department. The main offices and warerooms are situated at 817-819 Broadway, New York City, Newburgh, N. Y., Chicago, Ill. Philadelphia, Pa., Dallas, Texas, and New Orleans, La.
The superintendents of the factories are: D. L. Walker, Wappingers Falls; C. W. Bartrum, Newburgh; James A. Orr, Jr., Port Jervis; W. J. Cummings, Western manager of Chicago and Joliet, Il1. Mr. T. E. Goring, formerly Supt. of the original factory at Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County, N. Y., is now Manager of the Manu- facturing Department .. It was due to Mr. Goring's love of flowers and desire to beautify his town and make the factory attractive, that the depressing effect of bare brick walls, common to factory buildings, is entirely eliminated. The walls are covered in summer with creeping ivy and clematis, and in the windows are boxes and on the roof tubs containing flowering plants, while in the office and fac- tory, here and there, are potted plants.
Mr. Orr died in 1899, and Mr. Clayton E. Sweet in 1909, but the name is still carried on as originally adopted. The firm is well known to the trade and in the business world in general for its broad, liberal and honorable policies. Sweet, Orr & Co. revolutionized the clothing trade of this country by offering neat, well made and serviceable garments at small cost, and have been of incalculable benefit to the working classes. Their trade extends all over this great country, to South America and across the Atlantic.
GEORGE K. TABER, deceased, was born February 5, 1822, at the Taber home- stead about two miles below the village of Pawling. At the age of twenty-one years
774
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
he graduated from the old Dutchess County Academy at Poughkeepsie, and then en- gaged in farming in his native town. Mr. Taber was prominently identified with public and business affairs of his native place. He was for many years a director of the First National Bank of Pawling. In political belief he was a staunch Prohibition- ist.
In October 1845 Mr. Taber was united in marriage with Charlotte Field of Pawling N. Y., and they became the parents of five children: Gilbert F., deceased; Anna K., deceased; Martha A .; Alicia, and Lottie who died at the age of eighteen years.
LEWIS TOMPKINS came of English origin. The first of his ancestors whom we will mention was Stephen, who had the distinction of being the father of sixteen children, from whom descended so many of the Tompkins' name. In coming from England the earliest settlers located, it is thought, in Connecticut; thence moving into Westchester County, New York, there to engage in tilling the soil in common with all of those pioneers, clearing off the forests to become in time fruitful fields and rich pasture lands.
James Tompkins, a son of Stephen, was the next ancestor in line. He was a brother of Jonathan Griffin Tompkins. Both rendered important service during the Revolutionary War, acting on the side of the patriots, which evidenced the truest courage as Westchester County at that time was overrun with Tories, and neighbor was arrayed against neighbor and friend against friend; much of it was neutral ground not to be claimed by either. It may be remarked in passing that Jonathan Griffin Tompkins was the father of Daniel D. Tompkins, who graduated from college, read law to practice it with distinguished merit, was a Member of Congress, Supreme Court Judge and Governor, and honored Vice-President under the presidency of Monroe.
The son of James Tompkins was Solomon, who grew up in the same calling as did his son Solomon, who migrated with him some years later to the then wilds of Greene County where now is the village of Ashland, to which region settlers were then coming. The second Solomon was the father of the subject of this sketch. He had only those limited advantages of that early time, but he took his place among the most worthy. He married Betsey, daughter of Timothy Randall of Roxbury, Delaware County. Mrs. Solomon Tompkins, nearly ninety-five years of age is still living in Matteawan with her married daughter, Mrs. S. A. Coldwell.
Lewis Tompkins was born on his father's farm at Ashland, August 5th, 1836. In his younger days he worked on the farm in summer, and attended the district school for a few weeks in winter. He early showed those characteristics of perser- verance and untiring energy which he carried through life. In his seventeenth year he gave up farming and went to work for the firm of Strong & Ruggles, wool hat manufacturers at Ashland, where he remained about three years. In 1852 he formed a partnership with Leveritt Conine, manufacturing wool hats, which venture proved unprofitable. Undaunted still he set his face westward with hardly enough money in his pocket to pay his way to Chicago, from which place he wended his way on foot to Kansas, often sleeping on the prairie. After much hardship he finally reached Manhattan, Kansas, setting up his new home on a government claim on Blue River. His energy and intelligence soon attracted attention and he became
775
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.
one of the delegates to the Topeka Convention, there taking part in the adopting of a Constitution for the new State. He was an anti-slavery man and, naturally, a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Tompkins remained in the West about two years, returning to New York State in the year 1859, at twenty-two years of age. For a few months he worked at hat finishing with Willcox & Draper, Middletown, N. Y., afterward going to Matteawan, N. Y. where he was for several years engaged in the Seamless Clothing Manufacturing Company. During a portion of the time, while with the last named Company, he carried on the business of Merchant Tailor- ing and Gent's Furnishing Goods, both at Fishkill Landing and Matteawan. But he was not at rest even there; he purchased much real estate, laid out streets, erected buildings, thereby adding to his own prosperity as well as to that of the town. In 1872 he sold out nearly all of his business interests, spending the year abroad. On his return a new enterprise was set on foot, namely, a large hat manufactory near the river at Fishkill Landing. The extensive buildings of the Dutchess Hat Works were begun in 1873, starting off into full operation the following year. From time to time it was found to be necessary to enlarge the plant; later a branch was built at Tioronda, a mile or so away, and still later an establishment was purchased at Middletown, New York.
Mr. Tompkins was twice married, his first wife being Miss Van Voorhis. Their son, Charles Randall, died in early manhood. His second wife was Miss Helen E. Mathers, of Wellsboro, Pa. Their three children Mrs. Paull J. Challen, Mrs. Louise W. Stotesbury and Mr. Ralph S. Tompkins, still survive him. Mr. Lewis Tompkins died January 9, 1894.
RALPH S. TOMPKINS, president and treasurer of the R. S. Tompkins Co., hat manufacturers at Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, N. Y., was born May 13, 1876, a son of the late Lewis Tompkins, who for many years was prominently identified with the industrial and commercial development of the town of Fishkill.
Ralph Tompkins was educated at St. Paul's School, and at the age of nineteen years became interested in the Dutchess Hat Works, which his father established, and is now president of that extensive industry. September 1, 1906, he organized the R. S. Tompkins Co., for the manufacture of men's straw hats. This plant has an output of 12,000 dozen annually, and gives employment to 150 persons.
Mr. Tompkins is a director of the First National Bank of Fishkill Landing, a director of the Mattaewan National Bank, and a trustee of the Mechanics Savings Bank of Fishkill Landing. -
In political views Mr. Tompkins is a Republican, and in 1903 was appointed by President Roosevelt to the office of Post master, Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, and was reappointed in 1907.
In 1898 Mr. Tompkins married Lillian C., daughter of the late Joseph H. Weller, of the New York wholesale dry-goods house of Tefft, Weller & Co. They are the parents of three children, Ralph Lewis, Richard Weller and Frederick Gordon.
JOHN E. TOWNSEND, Under-Sheriff of Dutchess County, was born at La Grangeville in the town of La Grange, November 21, 1866. His education was
776
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
obtained at Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., after which he was engaged in farming and stock buying for the New York market.
In political belief, Mr. Townsend is a Democrat, and has taken an active part in the public affairs of his native town and county. In 1897 he was elected Super- visor of the town of La Grange and filled that office continuously until. 1903. In January, 1908, he was appointed by Sheriff Chanler to the office of Under-Sheriff of Dutchess County, a position he has filled with diligence and fidelity.
December 5, 1894, Mr. Townsend was united in marriage with Miss Edith Landon, and they are the parents of two children, Landon and Richard Kenworthy.
THE TRAVER FAMILY. Among the early settlers of Pleasant Plains was Se- bastian Traver, who settled on the farm owned by Thomas Cookingham, a little later than 1750; this was a portion of the land known as the 700 acre lot in the western part of the Great Nine Partners which was originally purchased by Francis Van Dyke, Adolphus Banker and Joost Garrison in the year 1741. Sebastian Traver's wife was Christina Uhl, daughter of Henrich Uhl. Their children were: Nicholas, born 1720, married Catherine Lambert; Henrich, baptized July 29, 1722, married Eva Eckert; Catharine, baptized December 1, 1723; Susanna married Jacob Reisley; Frederick married Maria Barbara Eckert; Peter married Magdalena Teal; David married (April 8, 1755) Catharine Lewis; Joseph, baptized December 16, 1732, married (May 11, 1769) Rebecca Van Etten; Anna Maria, born May 11, 1734, married (Dec. 9, 1756) Daniel Cookingham; Johannes B., baptized October 17, 1736, married (May 30, 1762) Catherine Becker; Carl, baptized November 7, 1738, married Jemmima, daughter of Capt. Joost Garrison; Margaret.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.