USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 71
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With one added feature it would be a perfect way of satisfactorily settling the matter of price. a problem that has for fifty years puzzled the
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brains of the wisest milk producers in Orange County. That this feature is lacking, milk producers alone are responsible.
When the milk exchange was incorporated and before organization was completed, producers were invited, urged and pleaded with, both by deal- ers and the more progressive, level-headed producers, to subscribe for half of the capital stock and thus be entitled to equal representation on the price committee. But this they refused. Had the offer been accepted pro- ducers would have a voice in deciding prices, a conceded right which for fifty years they have been striving to secure but voluntarily surrendered, when once within their grasp.
Of all the movements for gaining control of prices, the action of March, 1883, was the most notable. Very few members of the numerous associa- tions organized for this purpose were willing to admit that supply and demand had, or should have, any influence in determining the market price of milk. Nevertheless, the keystone of every effort to advance prices was by curtailing the supply. This was to be accomplished by persuading producers to withdraw part or all of their shipments until dealers were brought to terms.
But it was difficult to find anybody willing to keep his milk home and thereby realize two cents a quart, while his neighbors continued to ship and were paid three cents. For this reason every scheme of this kind was doomed to failure.
Early in March, 1883, the managers of the Milk Producers' Associa- tion of Orange County, reinforced by their brethren of Sussex County, N. J., notified the dealers that the market price of milk for that month would be three and one-half cents a quart. This brought about a confer- ence of the opposing forces. Dealers offered three cents for the first and three and one-half cents for the last half of the month. Neither party would recede from its position and both resolved to fight it out on these lines.
Producers proposed to withhold all shipments, commencing about the 15th, until dealers were starved into submission. Experience had shown that something more powerful than moral suasion would be required to in- duce producers to discontinue shipping.
Hence the leaders in this movement determined to use force where per- suasion failed. For this purpose a "spilling committee" was appointed for cach station and instructed to be where it could do the most good
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about the time a milk train was due. The orders were not to allow a can of milk to pass into the possession of the railway company. This was to be done peaccably, if possible-forcibly, if necessary.
Pursuant to these instructions, would-be shippers were halted on the highway and ordered to take their milk back home. Some protested mildly, but finally obeyed orders. Some objected strongly and their milk was poured into the street.
But there were still others who were determined to ship or fight. They gave the "spillers" to understand that they would not tamely submit to highway robbery, that they intended to ship their milk, and that an under- taker would be needed to care for any one who attempted to prevent it.
Many drove to cross-roads between stations where by previous ar- rangement the train would stop and load the milk. It was useless to ap- peal to local authorities for protection from the "spillers," as they were either afraid or too indifferent to take action.
It was reported that the Governor had been appealed to, and was about to issue orders to the sheriff of Orange County to quell the rebellion, but the blockade was voluntarily raised after a three-days' struggle.
Shipments of dairy milk in Orange and Sussex Counties fell off about twenty per cent., but creameries shipped more than usual, presumably enough to reduce the net falling off to about fifteen per cent. Fortunately no blood was shed in this war, but much milk fell by the wayside. It was not a victory for producers, as bills were settled on the terms originally offered by dealers, three cents for the first and three and one-half cents for the last half of March.
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PART II. BIOGRAPHICAL
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
LEWIS D. ADAMS was born at Sussex, New Jersey, June 15, 1839. Mr. Adams's early education was limited, but he attended the district school at Florida, and Middletown, N. Y., for a short period. He worked on the farm for his father until he was eighteen years old. He then took up the tinner's trade and worked at that business until 1862, when he enlisted in the 124th Regiment, Co. F. New York Volunteer Infantry, and served as one of the color guards six months and as left general guide two and one-half years. When the war was over he resumed his business at Warwick. Six years later he came to Florida, this county, and purchased the hardware store which he continued to operate until he retired in 1898. Mr. Adams married Miss Marietta Ackerman, of Warwick, September 28, 1870. In politics he is a republican, and served the town as collector one year. Mr. Adams wife died December 24, 1900. Our subject is an honorary member of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. & A. M .; Cummings Post, G. A. R., and is an hon- orary member of Highland Fire and Hose Company, which he organized in the '70s.
THOMAS J. ADERTON, merchant, postmaster, and farmer at Savilton, in the town of Newburgh, was born at the homestead in 1847. His grandfather, Thomas Aderton, a seafaring man, settled here from New York City in 1828. Our subject is a son of Captain John L. and Isabella (Swain) Aderton, who en- gaged in farming here, after following the sea ten years. Thomas J. was edu- cated at the district schools and Monticello Academy. In 1891 he purchased his store and was appointed postmaster. Mr. Aderton has served as town clerk nine years, and excise commissioner twelve years. He married Mary Lockwood and two children have been born to them. One son, A. L. Aderton, is general delivery clerk in the Newburgh post-office.
JOSEPH H. ADOLPH, who has been engaged in the meat business at High- land Falls since 1886, is numbered among the representative and progressive citizens of that village, where he was born in 1857. His opportunities for school- ing were limited, and at the age of eleven years he entered the employ of a grocer, with whom he remained ten years. He then Spent two years in Milwan- kee and six years in Connecticut, when he returned to his native village and en- gaged in business for himself, in which he has been unusually successful. Socially
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Mr. Adolph is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society. In 1885 he married Miss Mary Campion, of Hartford, Conn. They have three children, two sons and one daughter.
GEO. B. ALEXANDER is the son of Harvey and Amanda (Kernaghan) Alex- ander, and was born in the village of Cornwall, Orange County, N. Y., November 5, 1843. His parents removed to Little Britain in the spring of 1844. At an early age he learned the carpenter's trade, with his father, living at home until the fall of 1886, when he went to California, where he was employed on the Raymond Hotel, which was then in course of erection at Pasadena. On his return home he took up his trade and again visited California in 1891. On his return home he was appointed under sheriff of Orange County, having charge of the Newburgh Court House. His brother, Joseph K. Alexander was sheriff at that time. In 1895 he married Elvira S. Scott, daughter of William J. and Maria (Newkirk) Scott, and niece of David A. Scott. Their son, Harvey, now ten years old, re- sides at home. Mr. Alexander is a member of Hudson River Lodge No. 607, F. and A. M., of Newburgh, N. Y. In the spring of 1895 he moved to Campbell Hall, where he is associated with his brother, Joseph K. Alexander, in a general store. He was supervisor of the town of Hamptonburgh for two terms, having previously served three terms as town clerk. He is postmaster of Campbell Hall, which office he has held for ten years.
SAMUEL ANDREWS, who has been general superintendent of the Walden Knife Works for twenty-five years and secretary of the company since 1904, was born in England in 1858, a son of William and Sarah (Harrison) Andrews. He came to America with his parents in infancy and in 1872 entered the employ of the Walden Knife Company to learn the cutlery trade. In 1881 he became a direc- tor of the company and has been closely identified with the growth and progress of that important industry. Mr. Andrews is a director of the Wallkill Valley Cemetery Association and a member of the Order of Foresters. He has been twice mar- ried; his first wife was Miss Clara Ashbury. Two daughters, Ethel and Alice, were born to them. For his second wife Mr. Andrews chose Miss Alfa Mussey.
WALTER CASE ANTHONY, attorney, of Newburgh, was born in Fishkill, N Y., August 24, 1842. A son of Theodore Van Wyck and Mary H. (Case) An- thony. He was educated at Fishkill Academy and Union College, where he gradu- ated with the degree of A.B. in 1864. He read law at Goshen, N. Y., in the office of David F. Gedney, and later with Stephen W. Fullerton, and was admitted to the bar in 1865.
Mr. Anthony was elected district attorney in 1877, and re-elected in 1880. In 1898 he was appointed referee in bankruptcy for Orange County. Mr. Anthony is a director and counsel of the Columbus Trust Co. of Newburgh. He is vice- president of the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands.
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CHARLES W. ARKILLS was born in Fallsburgh, Sullivan County, October 4. 1867. He was educated in the District School and Liberty Academy. At an early age he learned the trade of decorator and painter, and became so proficient that he was foreman for the Ontario & Western Railroad in Newburgh three years, and afterward assistant foreman in the Kilmes Wire Works at Newburgh. He is a democrat, and has several times been chosen a delegate to democratic county conventions. He married Julietta Rose, of Grahamsville, Sullivan County, June 20, 1888, and their children are Laura, Lelia, Sadie L., Viola K., and John 1. C. He is a member of the Reformed Dutch Church at Grahamsville, and was superintendent of its Sunday-school for four years. His home is now on a farmi near Campbell Hall, with his father. The latter, Darwin Arkills, was born in Scotchtown, Orange County, and married Minerva Gray, of Thompsonville. Their children's names are Laura N., Fred J., and Charles W.
SAMUEL ARMSTRONG was born at Thompson's Ridge, Orange County, \. Y., May 14, 1878. After his district schooling at Thompson's Ridge and Pine Bush he attended the preparatory school of the Misses Porter at Middletown and the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which he graduated in 1902. He removed to Warwick and clerked for S. S. Van Saun, after which he purchased the War- wick Drug Store, which he now owns. He has been deputy town clerk about three years, and is a member of the following societies: Warwick Lodge No. 544. F. & A. M .; Highland Chapter No. 240, R. A. M., and Cypress Commandery No. 67 of Middletown. He married Emma Faith McNeal, of Montgomery, Orange County His father and mother were natives of the town of Crawford, Orange County, N. Y. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth J. Shafer. The father was a practical farmer, fond of his home, and devoted to the interests of his church and the republican party.
DR. MAURICE CAVILEER ASHLEY, the present superintendent of the Mid dletown State Homeopathic Hospital, has occupied that position since July, 1902, succeeding Dr. Selden H. Talcott, who died June 15, 1902.
Dr. Ashley was born in Port Republic, New Jersey, July 3. 1863. He received his education in the public schools of that town, and in 1884 began his work with the insane, by taking a position as attendant in the asylum in Trenton, N. J., where he remained for two years, then came to Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital in the same capacity. In a year's time he was appointed as assistant supervisor in the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital, and later was promoted to the po- sition of pharmacist.
In 1889 he entered the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, and gradu- ated in April, 1892. In August, 1892, he was appointed junior assistant physician in the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital.
His course has steadily advanced since that time: Third assistant physician, 1895: second assistant physician, May, 1898: first assistant physician, April, 1900;
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acting superintendent, June 15, 1902, and superintendent since July, 1902, when he received the appointment to the position left vacant by his predecessor's death.
Dr. Ashley was married August 30, 1888, to Miss Harriet Meade, of Johnson, Orange County, N. Y. He has two daughters in their early 'teens.
Dr. Ashley was a member of the National Guard, serving in the medical depart- ment for nearly twenty years. He resigned his position as captain and assistant surgeon of the Ist New York Regiment in 1907, receiving full and honorable dis- charge.
In May, 1898, Dr. Ashley, then second assistant physician in the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital, was granted a leave of absence by the Civil Service Commission and Superintendent Talcott, and was commissioned by Governor Frank S. Black as captain and assistant surgeon of the Ist New York Volunteer Infantry, and accompanied the regiment to Hawaii.
He is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, of the American Medico-Psychological Association, and the New York Psychiatric Society, of the Hoffman Lodge No. 412, Midland Chapter No. 240, Cyprus Commandery No. 67, and Mecca Temple, New York City, the University Club of Middletown, and vari- ous other medical and social organizations. He has contributed many medical papers from time to time to the various medical publications.
CHARLES P. AU, son of the late Charles and Ellen (McGrisken) Au, was born in 1877 on the farm of J. Pierpont Morgan in the town of Highland, where his father was engaged as a carpenter. After finishing his schooling he learned the barber's trade, in which business he has met with much success. In 1898 he received the appointment as barber in the United States Cadet Barracks at West Point and has retained the position continuously to the present time. He also conducted a shop at Highland Falls for a period of five years. Mr. Au is active in the support of the republican party. In 1906 he was nominated for supervisor and in an unusual election was defeated by the close margin of twenty-four votes. Mr. Au is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the A. O. H. He married Miss Katherine Powers and they are the parents of two boys and one girl.
CLARENCE AYRES was born in the town and village of Mount Hope, No- vember 27, 1875, and was educated in the district school and public school of Middle- town, where his parents moved when he was nine years old. He learned the printer's trade, at which he worked three years. When he was seventeen he became line- man in telephone construction, and worked at it in Middletown six years and in Newburgh two years. In 1904 he went to Warwick, became connected with the Warwick Valley Telephone Company, and is now manager of general construc- tion in the mechanical department. He married Anna Collonton, of Goshen, and they have one child, Francis, born in December, 1889. Mr. Ayres is a member of the Congregational Church, and adheres to the democratic party. His father was a sailor on a whaling vessel eight years, and circumnavigated the earth four times. He also served as sailor during the civil war.
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FRED BAILEY, a merchant of Otisville, N. Y., was born June 4, 1854. His varly education was acquired at Ellicottville, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., at the district school. He was identified with the American Express Company at Elli- cottville for a period of nine years. In December, 1892, he came to Orange County and located at Otisville. Removing to Newburgh in 1894, he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business for one year, after which he returned to Otisville and purchased the grocery store of A. J. Craig, which he conducted eight years. He then conducted a store in partnership with George Smith until the fall of 1906, when he purchased Mr. Smith's interest in the store and real estate, and has since conducted it alone.
Mr. Bailey was united in marriage, September 4. 1876, to Miss Chloe Mary Vaughan, of Ellicottville, N. Y. One child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are members of the Otisville Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Bailey was for five years a member of the Tenth Separate Company, National Guard, State of New York.
THE BAIRD FAMILY .- Among the earliest settlers of the town of Warwick there came Francis Baird, prior to 1766. He was of Scotch or Scotch-Irish an- cestry, and according to a tradition of the family he, or his father before him, sailed from Bally Castle, County Antrim, in the north of Ireland. This was a shipping port in that early date, and is just across from Scotland. A recent writer has said : "Francis Baird (never Beard) may have been Irish by nativity, but not by ancestry. The Bairds of Avondale were an ancient and powerful Berg Scots clan, and as long ago as the wild days of the struggles between Robert Bruce and John Baliol for the Scottish crown ( 1309), gave brave account of themselves on the side of the Lord of Lorne against the finally victorious Bruce. The name, originally ( Norman-French) Bayard, was shortened into Baird by neighbors after the family passed into Scotland from France at a very carly date. Francis was an offshoot and clansman of this stock."
He built the stone house on Main street in 1766.
Mr. Baird was a man of intelligence and comparative wealth. He was a signer of the non-importation pledge of 1775, and lived and died in Warwick in warm esteem.
He died in the latter part of 1799 or the first part of 1800, and left a will dis- posing of his property. His children were William Eagles, Samuel. John, Abia Francis, Anna and Margaret (wife of Joseph Walling).
The last named are the ancestors of the Walling family in this town.
William Eagles Baird married Sarah De Kay, a daughter of Thomas De Kay, and from this marriage were the following: Nathaniel Wheeler, Abia Francis, Fanny (married Blain), Mary (or Polly, married Thomas Hathorn Burt), Jane, Sally (married Nathaniel Pelton), Christine (married David Barclay).
The descendants of Nathaniel Wheeler Baird, who married Abigail Denton, re- side principally in this town. They are: John Baird (married Mary De Kay), Julia ( married Thomas E. De Kay), Samuel Denton ( married Sarah Parks ), Mary
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(married Ogden Howell), Frances Amelia (married George W. Sanford, 1847), Sarah (married Thomas J. Taylor), William Henry (married Mary --- ), Charles Roe (married Anna M. Jayne).
In 1819, William Eagles Baird, oldest son of Francis, built the stone house be- tween Warwick and New Milford, which is still in excellent preservation and is owned by a descendant, William Parks Baird, a son of Samuel Denton Baird, de- ceased, who resides there with his mother, Sarah. The other descendants of Sam- uel D., who were also born here, are Samuel D., Jr., Nathaniel Wheeler, Susan (married Pierre Demerest), Fred J. and George M.
FRED BAKER, who since 1883 has been manager of the Newburgh branch of Swift & Company, is one of Orange County's popular citizens. He was born in Germany in 1834, and came to America in 1853. He was engaged for many years with his father in the conduct of a slaughter house on the Plank road, and since his connection with Swift & Company has built up an extensive trade in New- burgh and vicinity. Fred, his eldest son, conduets a farm at Marlboro. His son William conducts a meat market at 52 Water street, and another at 127 Smith street, Newburgh, and John J. has a meat market on South Street. Mr. Baker is prominent in Masonic circles, a member of Hudson River Lodge, the Chapter, Com- mandery and Shrine.
GEORGE W. BALL was born May 13, 1868, in Monroe, Orange County. He was educated in the public school and Chester Academy. Then he was clerk for David Roe at Bellvale, N. Y., and for Frank Hall, of Greenwood Lake. In 1888 he became station agent at Allamuchy, N. J., and Buttsville, N. J., for the Lehigh & Hudson Railroad, and was transferred to Greycourt, N. Y. In 1891 he became clerk in the Erie Railroad office at Bergen, N. J., and went from there back to Greycourt to be station agent for the Erie. He left the employment of this road July 15, 1904, and started a real estate and insurance business at Chester. He also started and still publishes a weekly paper, the Independent.
Mr. Ball has been village trustee four years, justice of the peace four years, and village clerk two years. He has been a member of the Chester Band twenty years, and is at present its leader. He was chief of the Chester fire department from 1894 to 1896. He is a charter member of the Chester K. of P. Lodge No. 363, and a member of the Standard Lodge No. 711, F. & A. M. His wife was Anna M. Smith, and a daughter of the late C. P. Smith, of Chester. Their children are Mae T., Susan R., Katheryn M. and Caroline P.
PETER MOIR BARCLAY, M.D .- Of the physicians and surgeons in Orange County who built up an extensive practice, special mention should be made of the late Dr. Barclay, of Newburgh. He was a son of Dr. Alexander and Mary J. Fraser (Watt) Barclay, and was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, April 20, 1834. His parents came to America in 1835, settling in Newburgh. Here Peter M. received
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his preliminary education, graduating from the Academy in 1848. In 1850 he be- gan the study of medicine under his father, and graduated from the University of New York in 1854. July 9, 1866, Governor Fenton appointed him surgeon to the 19th Infantry of New York, with the rank of captain. Dr. Barclay was a non- resident member of the Medico-Legal Society of New York, and was prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, including the Knights Templar.
He was united in marriage, June 19, 1872, with Miss Harriet E., daughter of Captain C. B. Armstrong. They had one daughter, Maude, now the wife of Mr. John B. Rose, a leading brick manufacturer and representative citizen of New- burgh.
Of Dr. Barclay's skill in his profession it is unnecessary to speak, as his talents were known and appreciated for nearly half a century in this city and adjoining portions of the State. He was also recognized as a leading citizen, performing in a plain and courteous manner the various social duties that devolved upon him. His death occurred in Newburgh, February 10, 1901.
ARTHUR BARNES, senior member of the firm of Barnes & Atkins, is a son of Edgar C. Barnes, and was born and educated in Newburgh. They occupy one of the oldest business houses of its kind in the city; established in 1874 by Mat- thews & Barnes; succeeded in 1883 by Barnes & Mapes; and in 1890 by E. C. Barnes, and again in 1898 by Barnes & Monell. The present firm purchased the business in 1905. They are smokers and packers of B. & M. Newburgh meats and give employment to twelve men. They are extensive dealers in butter, eggs and cheese.
EDGAR C. BARNES was born in Orange County, N. Y., July 16, 1834. His parents removed to New York City when he was seven years of age, and he re- ceived his education in the schools of that city. From 1851 to 1854 Mr. Barnes was employed in the store of A. R. & O. Taylor at Pine Bush, Orange County. He then came to Newburgh and entered the employ of William K. Mailler & Co. as shipping clerk on the barge Newburgh. He filled various positions in the office of the barge until 1874, becoming familiar with the produce commission business. In 1874 he formed a partnership with James H. Mathews under the firm name of Mathews & Barnes, wholesale provision and produce merchants. In 1883 Mr. Ma- thews retired from the firm and Mr. Albert W. Mapes was admitted thereto, under the firm name of Barnes & Mapes, and so continued until December, 1890. Mr. Barnes continued the business alone until 1898, but removed to a substantial brick building he had erected at 42 South Water street, specially adapted to cold storage. In March of 1898 Mr. Barnes retired from active business life. He is vice-presi- dent of the Highland National Bank of Newburgh. Mr. Barnes has not sought prominence in public life, but rather has devoted himself to his business, in which he was eminently successful, and to the work of the church and Sunday-school with which he is connected. He has been twice married, his first wife being M. Theresa Pack, of New York, who died, leaving four children, three of whom are living,
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Anna, Minnie, and Arthur, his business successor. In 1870 he married Sophie H. Parsons, of Newburgh, N. Y.
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