USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 28
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 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Mr. Walden was a prosperous New York merchant. While summering in the Highlands, he extended his drive with Mrs. Walden many miles further, and came upon this charming valley of the Wallkill, through which a broad stream flowed. They saw the old mill at the very foot of the cataract, and a tiny cottage in a grove of locusts further down the
Edward Whitehead.
313
TOWN OF MONTGOMERY.
stream. The old merchant perceived the wonderful possibilities of this picturesque spot, and he lost no time in developing the place. He pur- chased large tracts of land covering the region, closed up his extensive city business and moved here. The place grew very slowly in the earlier years, even after its incorporation in 1855. Down to 1868 the population of the village did not exceed 600 souls. Of course, the manufacturing in- terests had not been fully developed at that time. The people were still largely employed in trades and farm work. The New York Knife Com- pany began business in 1856 by purchasing the cloth mills of Scofield, Capron & Gowdy.
There are two fine iron bridges over the Wallkill at this point, many handsome private residences on the heights on either side of the river, several busy factories, churches, schools, newspapers, numerous stores and shops of every kind, and there is a general aspect of thrift and prog- ress all through the pretty village. Most of this growth is modern : nearly all the more substantial structures are less than forty years old. The act of incorporation was passed April 9, 1855, and the first village meeting was held the following week. Augustus F. Scofield was the first presi- dent, and continued six years. Previous to the incorporation of the village the fire company had been in existence some time. This organization was known as "The Wallen Fire Incorporation," an 1 it constituted the Fire Department of the village for years afterwards. In 1865 Daniel Torbush was the chief engineer, and in :880, when the company was known as "Enterprise No. 1," the chief engineer was Granville Crist.
A new comer in Walden in 1859 says there were then only three prom- inent business houses, those of Marcus K. Hill. Ebenezer Knapp, and Joseph Millspaugh. It seemed to him then that about nine-tenths of the inhabitants there were named either Millspaugh or Kidd. Augustus F. Scofield was then the leading citizen of wealth and influence, having a large shawl factory. The hotels were the Eagle and the St. Nicholas, as they are at present. Scofield Hall was used for public assemblies and such eminent lecturers as John G. Saxe, Rev. Edward K. Beecher. Park Benja- min and Fanny Fern appeared there. The much loved village parson was old "Dominie" Schoonmaker, who labored there faithfully for many years. The industries of Waklen were then confined to the shawl factory, the satinet factory of Giles Andrews, and the knife factory. James Todd was widely known as "the model farmer of Orange County." George
314
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
Weller was a prominent resident greatly devoted to all the village inter- ests, and his home was regarded as a scene of unbounded hospitality and good cheer.
The first introduction of gas in Walden many years ago was not a financial success, and the company abandoned the project. A public water system was introduced in 1892. Previous to that time water for fires had to be taken through long hose from the Wallkill and Tinn Brook streams. The electric fire alarm system was installed about fifteen years ago. The newspaper known as the Walden Herald was established about 1869, and the I'alden Citizen is in its twentieth year.
Near the line of Newburgh, in the northeastern part of the town, is the old hamlet of St. Andrews, which was left behind in the later development of Walden with its great water-power facilities. It was named for the ancient Episcopal church there, which is now located at Walden.
Maybrook is an important railway junction, in the extreme southeast corner of the town. The population, which numbers about four hundred, is composed principally of railroad employees.
Coldenham is near the New Windsor boundary, but in the southeast- ern part of the town. The title came from the Colden family and the hamlet was the home of the Lieutenant Governor and acting Chief Magis- trate of the New York Colony.
Allard's Corners on the northwest border, and Scott's Corners, east of Montgomery village, are other small hamlets of minor importance.
BANKS.
Le Fevre and De Garmo were the first bankers, beginning business in Walden in 1870. They continued but a short time, and in 1873 the Ex- change Bank was organized with George W. Stoddard in active charge. This was merged into the Walden National Bank in 1877 and was suc- ceeded in 1897 by the National Bank of Walden, the name of the present institution. The Walden Savings Bank, the oldest and largest financial institution in the town, began business June 1, 1872, with the following officers : Seth M. Capron, president ; Thomas W. Bradley, vice-president ; and Peter LeFevre, secretary and treasurer.
The Montgomery National Bank began business November 1, 1905, with the following officers : William H. Senior, president ; John A. Crab- tree, vice-president ; E. I. Emerson, cashier. Directors : William Eager,
315
TOWN OF MONTGOMERY.
John J. Vanderoef. John A. Crabtree, Charles D. Wait, J. Harvey Harris, Dr. E. Ross Elliott, William F. Lodge, Harvey Tuttle, William H. Senior, Walter R. Comfort. Fred W. Tower.
INDUSTRIES.
Nearly all the soil of this town is well adapted to successful agriculture in its varied forms. While much of the land has been devoted to meadows and grass, fine crops of grain were grown, wheat especially, in the earlier years of the settlement. Fruit is also grown to a considerable extent in some localities with profit. Orchards were planted in the town nearly a hundred years ago by Robert Griffith, John Miller, Andrew Graham, Hamilton Morrison and others.
The bonding of the town in aid of the Wallkill Valley and other rail- way construction had a depressing effect upon the people and their prop- erty for a time, and there was much opposition to the scheme, among the farmers especially. But the advantages of the railways became apparent in a few years, and probably no one would now care to abolish the present traffic facilities afforded or longer regrets the cost.
The opening of the Wallkill Valley Railway to Montgomery, in 1866 was a most important event for the town and county.
The Walden Woolen Factory was established in 1823 by Jesse Scofield and Dr. Coburn. It was at first known as the "Franklin Company." There were frequent changes in the firm and management in the succeed- ing years. But for over fifty years this old plant was the most important business feature of Walden, and it had much to do with its early growth and development. The buildings were of stone and of the most durable character, and the water-power ample.
The New York Knife Company has long been regarded among the largest cutlery plants in the United States. It was organized in 1852 and operated at Matteawan, Dutchess County, until 1856, when it was moved to Walden to the building formerly used as a cotton factory. Table and pocket cutlery of every kind and quality are made in this establish- ment, which has achieved world-wide fame in the hardware trade, domes- tic and foreign. Thomas W. Bradley was long the leading spirit of the concern, being the active superintendent as well as the president of the company. He served with valor and distinction in the Civil War, and be- came prominent in the military affairs of the State afterwards. He also
316
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
served in the State Assembly in 1875-76, and at present represents this district in Congress.
The Walden Condensed Milk Company was organized in. 1864 with a proposed capital of $50,000. But it was reorganized three years later under the name of the Highland Condensed Milk Company. The enter- prise was finally abandoned soon afterward and the buildings were used by the Walden Soap Works. The Walden Brickyard began operations in 1868 with James Gowdy at its head. The Walden Knife Company was established in 1870 with W. E. Gowdy as president. It is entirely de- voted to pocket cutlery. In 1891 Mr. Edward Whitehead became its president, since which time the industry has forged rapidly ahead, with the annual payroll exceeding a quarter of a million dollars. The Schrade Cutlery Company was organized in 1904. It is under the direct manage- ment of George Schrade and his brother, J. Louis Schrade. The Rider- Ericsson Engine Company, manufacturers of hot air pumping engines, is also a very important industry, giving employment to 125 men. The Woos- ter Manufacturing Company, makers of pants and overalls, conducts an extensive and increasing business. The firm of William Crabtree & Sons, manufacturers of worsted yarns with plants in Montgomery village and Newburgh, conducts an important industry. This was established in 1880 by William Crabtree and Arthur Patchett, both now deceased. Two hun- dred persons are given employment by this progressive firm.
The New York Condensed Milk Company established a very extensive branch of its business just north of Walden in 1880, at an initial cost of $200,000, and the buildings and entire plant have been greatly enlarged and improved since that time. It was intended to receive the milk from 5,000 cows at the outset. John G. Borden, who became one of the most prominent and progressive men in that region in after years, was the first president of this important plant. Since his death the great enterprise, with its model farms, has been carried on most successfully by his daugh- ters, and it is still one of the great show places of this region of the State. The farms, though mainly in Ulster County, are highly cultivated and operated under the most modern methods.
HISTORIC HOMES.
The Colden house, on the Montgomery and Newburgh State road, at Coldenham, was built in 1765 by Cadwallader Colden, Jr. His father, Dr.
317
TOWN OF MONTGOMERY.
Cadwallader Colden settled in Coldenham in 1728 on his patent of 3,000 acres of land-he was the surveyor general of the province for eleven years, lieutenant governor for thirteen years and acting governor in 1761, 1763, 1769 and 1774. He gave to Cadwallader, Jr., on his marriage, five hundred acres of land, including the site on which this house stands. The land was all in woods, and Cadwallader, Jr., began at once to clear part of it for farming purposes; with his own hands he felled the first tree, and up-rooted the first stub. After a few years the first dwelling he erected gave place to this permanent stone structure, then, one of the finest dwellings of the period. In it he lived a useful life, esteemed by all who knew him, and in it he died mourned as a public benefactor. Some years ago an addition to the house was built in the rear, and more recently a mansard roof and other improvements were added. The date of the erection of the building, and the names of its builders, are cut on a stone in the upper front center. Its historical associations, past and present, cover a period of one hundred and seventy-five years.
The Thomas Colden mansion was built by Cadwallader Colden, Jr., for one of his sons. It is situated about a mile north of Coldenham, at Col- den Hill, near what was the Newburgh and Ellenville plank road. It is a frame building with hipped-roof and is kept in excellent condition. After the death of Thomas Colden it was occupied by Cadwallader C. Colden, and more recently by Messrs. John and Joseph Kelly.
The Haines house is situated about a mile east of the Goodwill Church, and a short distance south of the highway known as the Hadden road. It was built by Benjamin Haines who came into the precinct in 1739. The year in which the house was erected is not known, but it is probably the oldest house in the town. During recent years it has been occupied only for short intervals, and the walls are crumbling. This house is known as the Old Hadden house. having been in the possession of suc- cesssive generations of that family for more than one hundred years.
The Hill Brick house situated about three miles east of Montgomery on the State road was built by Nathaniel Hill in 1774 and occupied by his son, Peter, who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. At his death the ownership and occupancy of the homestead passed to his son, Nath- aniel P. Hill, who was a prominent man-was sheriff, member of con- gress, and filled other important positions. One of his sons. Nathaniel P., had also attained prominence as U. S. senator from Colorado.
318
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
The Van Keuren Stone house, now generally known as the Downs House, about a mile west of Goodwill church, on the road to Mont- gomery, was built in part by Hendricus Van Keuren in 1768, and in part by a previous owner probably John McNeal. The house is in excellent condition and is, perhaps, the oldest unchanged occupied house in the town.
The Beemer house, situated on the old Stage road from Goshen to Albany, nearly three miles north of Montgomery and about two miles west of Walden, was built by Adam Beemer in 1770. It is a framed build- ing and has been recovered and repaired, but otherwise not materially changed. It is now in fair condition.
The Hans Youngblood house is situated on the road leading from the Searsville road north to the former site of Graham's church on the Pine Bush road. Tradition says it was built before the French and Indian War. It was used for a German school in 1761, and is not occupied at present.
The Kidd house in the extreme southeasterly part of Walden was probably built in part by Alexander Kidd, who settled there in 1736. The year it was built is not known. Alexander Kidd was among the first elders of Goodwill Church. His descendants are numerous.
SCHOOLS.
One of the ancient landmarks is the Montgomery High School, for- merly known as the Montgomery Academy. This noted school is as old as our National Government. It had its inception in 1787, the year that the National Constitution was framed. It was the fourth oldest academy in the State, having been incorporated in 1791. Before 1787 the inhab- itants of the village and surrounding country felt the need of a school of a high grade, and during that year erected a school building on lots re- served in part for school purposes, when the village was first surveyed and laid out. In the autumn of 1787 teachers were employed and the school opened for pupils. During 1790 steps were taken to incorporate the in- stitution and place it under the care of the regents of the State Univer- sity, as appears from the following application and petition :
"To the Regents of the University of the State of New York: Be it known that a certain tract of land pleasantly situated in the town of
.
319
TOWN OF MONTGOMERY.
Montgomery, in the county of Ulster, in the center of a populous, fertile and wealthy country, hath lately been purchased, and a large and con- venient building of two stories high erected and completed thereon, for the use of a public academy for the instruction of youth 'in the learned languages and other branches of useful knowledge, that the expense of the undertaking hath been defrayed by the free and liberal benefactions of individuals, of whom the subscribers constitute more than one-half with respect to the contributions raised and collected to found said academy, and that a gentleman of liberal education, of very competent abilities and irreproachable moral character has been procured, with a tutor, to teach in said academy.
The subscribers, pursuant to an act of the Legislature of the State of New York entitled an act to institute a university within this State, and for other purposes, passed April 13, 1787, respectfully make the applica- tion to the regents of said University requiring that the said academy may be incorporated agreeably to the said law, and be subject to the visitation of the said regents, and they do hereby nominate Arthur Parks, Matthew Hunter, Benjamin Sears, Henry VanKeuren, Solomon Slight, Joseph Barber. James Clinton, Moses Freleigh, Daniel Bull. James Hun- ter, Peter Hill, David Galatian, Johannes Miller, Severyn T. Brown, Henry Smith, Ebenezer Clark and William Cross to be the first trustees of the said academy, declaring it to be their desire that the said trustees be called and distinguished by the name of the trustees of the Mont- gomery Academy in the County of Ulster.
Andrew King. Nathan W. Howell.
John McKinstry.
James Moore.
L. Sleght.
William Jackson.
Matthew Hunter.
Matthew Gillespie.
Stephen Goldsmith.
David Jagger.
John Nicholson. Benjamin Sears.
Andrew Graham.
James Clinton.
Thomas Greggs.
Hamilton Morrison.
Jacob Meltzberg.
Alexander Leeds.
Patrick Barber.
Robert Kidd.
Jacob Newkirk.
James Mackay.
David Galatian. William Cross.
Thomas Barkley.
Severyn T. Bruyn.
Stephen Crist.
John Wilkin.
A. M. McCord.
William Wilkin.
Robert Sewall.
Johannes Mould. Christian Rockefeller. Jacob Linderman. Jacob Bookstaver.
Hugh Milliken.
Gideon Pelton.
Stephen Ross.
320
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
William Booth.
David Miller.
Alexander P. Anderson.
B. Hopkins.
John Clark.
Samuel Boyd.
James W. Wilkin.
Adam J. Doll.
Johannes Miller.
Martinus Crist.
William Weller.
William Johnston.
Jacob F. Bookstaver.
Daniel Cahill.
Henry J. Smith.
John Millspaugh.
Neal Diggie.
Solomon Sleght.
Henry Sinsabaugh.
John Robinson.
Henry Van Keuren.
John C. Millyberg.
Peter Crans.
Henry Nealy.
Henry Smith.
Benjamin Cradit.
James Jackson, Jr.
Frederick Bookstaver.
Moses Latta.
William Cross.
John A. Newkirk.
David Smith.
James Hunter.
William Crist.
Jacob Pitts.
Johannes Yerkes.
Henry German.
Christopher Moule.
John Barber.
George Monnell.
Daniel Bull.
Joseph Burrows.
James M. Claghen.
William Hill.
John Puff
Thomas McKissock.
John Pool.
Alexander Dorcus.
John Sears.
Charles Young.
John Barclay.
Andrew Hart.
John Scott.
James Kidd.
Jeremiah Smith.
William Erwin.
Jane Crage.
John Hunter.
James T. Graham.
John P. Haines.
John Haines.
Peter Hill.
Thomas Beallie.
Robert Hunter.
Tunis Van Arsdale.
David Crist.
John Dunlap.
James Fitzgerald.
Caleb Dill.
Samuel P. Gale.
Andrew Embler.
William Faulkner, Jr.
Jason Wilkin.
James Sutton.
William Faulkner.
John Barber.
D. G. Rogers.
Jonathan Miller.
James Preston.
David Comfort.
Cornelius Schoonmaker.
Matthew M. Rowe.
William Miller.
James Hunter.
Philip Millspaugh.
John Linderman.
Jacob Smedes.
The petition was dated January 3, 1791, and the act of incorporation was passed the 23rd of April following. The school prospered and greater accommodations became necessary. In 1823 the main part of the present brick building was erected at a cost of about $5.400. Nearly two-thirds of the cost was paid by State moneys ; the remaining third was raised by subscription through the activity and persistency of Johannes Miller.
321
TOWN OF MONTGOMERY.
The academy continued to prosper until the free school system was adopted, when it began to decline. In 1881 it was transferred by the trustees to the Board of Education of the Montgomery Union Free School, of which it is now ( 1908) the academical department. The following is a list of principals of the academy since it was incorporated : Rev. Alexander Miller, Nathaniel Howell, Nathan H. White, Reuben Neely. James King. Prof. Stansbury, William H1. Weller. Rev. John Mc Jimsay, Prof. Wilson, Jacob C. Tooker, twenty years, Silas S. Harmon, seven years, Rev Samuel B. Bell, D. D., Joseph M. Wilkins, three years, Robert Simpson, Daniel K. Bull, Prof. Lasher, Prof. Graham, Prof. Gun- nison. Theron Littie, Prof. Stevens, Prof. Beardsley, Prof. Cone, Ben- jamin C. Nevins. Prof. Demarest, Prof Rouse. This famous academy reached the zenith of its prosperity under Professors Tooker and Harmon.
The town is divided into thirteen school districts and parts of districts ; of these, twelve have school-houses in the town. These district schools will compare favorably with those of any other town. It appears from trustees' reports for 1907 that the whole number of children of school age (between five and eighteen), residing in the town that year was 1,- 337; of these 1,299 attended school. The average daily attendance of these children was 850. The number of teachers employed at the same time was thirty-four. The total cost of sustaining these schools was $25,330; of this sum $17,892 was raised by district tax. The value of school-houses and sites was $42.450. Two of the districts (Mont- gomery and Walden), are union free school districts. The former was established in 1881 and now ( 1908), employs six teachers. The first principal was Reuben Fraser. The present board of education is: Dr. E. Ross Elliott, William Eager, William H. Senior, John A. Crabtree and William S. Hanlon. The latter was organized in 1859 and now employs eighteen teachers. The Board of Education in 1908 is: Sanford Ab- rams, Henry E. Williams, Frank Benedict, Benjamin S. French, Harry Hollingsworth, DeWitt C. Dominick. There is one parochial school in the town.
CIIURCIIES.
There are many ancient churches in this town. It was a sturdy Chris- tian people that first settled in this region. After building their grist mills and providing themselves and families with log-cabins, or other
322
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
rude shelter from the storm and cold of the severe winters which then prevailed, their next thought was for the church, where they might en- joy religious worship, hear the Scripture expounded and meet together in praise and song.
The oldest and best known of these churches in those early days was the Good Will Presbyterian Church. This was established by the Scotch- Irish settlers who came into the region in 1724., The earliest records of this old church seem to have been lost. But the organization was repre- sented in the Synod of Philadelphia in 1729 by John McNeal as com- missioner. This date has, therefore, been taken for the establishment of the church, although it was doubtless in existence there some years earlier. The settlers of the region being long known as "the people of Wallkill," this church went under the name of the Wallkill Church, though incor- porated under the name first mentioned. The first church structure is believed to have been erected in 1735, although there was some rude build- ing set apart for religious worship some years before this. The building was improved and enlarged from time to time, some $8,000 having been expended upon it in this way in 1871. During the one hundred and sev- enty-nine years of its existence it has had but nine pastors : Rev. Joseph Houston, John Moffatt, Andrew King, Robert W. Condit, William Blain, David M. Maclise, D.D., James M. Dixon, D.D., David F. Bonner, D.D., and the present pastor, Rev. John H. Thompson, who has served the church for seventeen years.
The Reformed Church of Montgomery was founded mainly by the German element in 1732. As the population increased divisions arose in this church and several other churches were formed from it. The first house of worship was a log structure built in 1732. And it is said that the entrance of this old church was by means of a ladder placed on the outside. All these early records were kept in the Dutch language, and the services were also conducted in Dutch for the first fifty years. Then for a time each alternate Sunday the English language was used. Rev- John Michael Kern seems to have been the first settled pastor. He came in 1772 and resigned in 1776. Rev. G. W. Mancius, of the old parent Kingston Dutch Church, had been acting as a supply previous to that date, until his death in 1762. Three different church buildings have occupied the site since the old block house was taken down in 1760. The first was a frame structure erected immediately thereafter. The church contained
Johannes Weller NAV82-1
James Hoe
Jacob. Newxerox.
Henrich Prust. NXXII 22-1
Z XIV 92-3
Jedring V Jacob Weller
Johannes ( hoved HisBow
Johannes tung. NXXI2-1
NXVI 2-1
Joh: Scary Festhos German
acol The back drie. NXII -2 3.
Johannes Coul NITI-22-3.
NXXIV.2-1
NXVII 82-1
Soten Robinson AXVIII ₹ 1-0
(Friederich Bruchstower AXIS2-1.
Khanes Ganz den: NIVE 2-1
Henrich Toute NXXV 27-19
S-ISAXXXM
NVMXVII Jih. 14
NYXVIVA 16
NAXVII2
dictufor
Christian Jenseback Nv81-17
Jacob (ram) viung to) XXVIFI-15
XIX 1-15
NX 21-17.
Sarde MasEach Mins David Smith.
AVIS7-17
NXXVII87-13
team (nnul & Scar Jimben Cilather Simberg
.S este ter Frieden Pocheluncheon NXX1 21-11
Johannes Vellen NVIG 27-15.
CC
XLVI 21-2.
Salleric
Gallerie.
NAXIX Jch: 8
NWXVIII J.K. 8
Salterio sa S. vril
NXII31-2
NX &1-2
NXIII 12:16
NXNoch: 14
NXICARA
NIVIch: 8
.NOXIV ~14
XXIII 4
Diagram of Pews of the Old Dutch Church at Montgomery, Erected in 1760.
NER XX Ja-14
ANXXIVCA.16
NEXXII 7-2
Jellow
NXLII 2- 2-1.
te mixthomas Stay funding
NXLI 82.
From Veniselach
AXLE2-1
( Fristeph ciout
NXXX IX-2-3
Johannes (ranz Jen
AXXXVIII
92.5
NXXXVII
Eroers
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.