USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 77
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
family. Grant died in December, 1875; Clara L. resided at home; George, our sub- ject, Abigail B., residing at home; Frank M. married Emily Mortimer, of Brook- lyn, N. Y., and is a member of Goshen Lodge No. 365, F. and A. M. Mary Belle married Frank M. Cox, of Middletown, and died in July, 1898. The great grand- father of our subject was Nelson Crist, son of Philip Crist. Philip Crist was engaged in driving the stage coach between Goshen and Kingston in the early days.
CHARLES E. CROFTS, who has held the position as superintendent of the New York Knife Company, of Walden, since 1876, was born in Sheffield, England, where he learned the cutlery trade. In 1872 he came to America and located at Walden, where he has since devoted his time to the success of the knife works. Mr. Crofts has served as village trustee for a period of two years and as a member of the board of water and highway commissioners five years. He married Miss Emma Marsden, and twelve children have been born to thein, of which three are now living. His son Arthur is engaged in business in New York City, and Emma L. is a student of the Northfield Seminary.
HARRY A. CRONK was born May 20, 1877, at Binghamton, N. Y. He attended the public schools and after his school days associated himself with H. II. Bishop, of Binghamton, in the inilk business, during which time he learned the trades of cheese and butter making. He afterwards connected himself with the Standard Butter Co., of Owego, N. Y., and was soon given charge of one of their largest factories, situated at Truxton, Cortland County, N. Y., and remained in their em- ploy four years. He then took charge of a co-operative butter factory at Brisben, N. Y., for one year.
In 1902 he associated himself with Borden's Condensed Milk Co., and was soon promoted to the position of inspector and then to the position of superintendent of their Brisben branch; he afterwards was promoted to superintendent of the Florida branch, and is now traveling superintendent for a number of factories in Orange and Sussex counties. He married Miss Ora J. Whitlock, of Ithaca, N. Y., March 24, 1897. They have one child, Camilla Eleanor, four years old. Mr. Cronk is a member of Eastern Light Lodge No. 126, F. & A. M.
JAMES CRONON, a representative business man of Tuxedo Park, N. Y., was born and educated in New York City, and has resided in Orange County since 1876. Hle conducted a general store at Turners for a number of years, and was the pioneer merchant in Tuxedo village. In 1886 he established his present bakery and now carries on an extensive trade. Mr. Cronon has been clerk of the Tuxedo school district since 1891. During this period new and commodious school build- ings have been erected, marking the progress of education in a modern community.
Mr. Cronon has served eighteen years as justice of the peace and one year as justice of sessions. He was collector of the old town of Monroe for two terms and also served as town clerk of that town several years. He is a charter member
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of Lorillard Lodge, F. and A. M .; a member of Highland Chapter and Hudson River Commandery.
It was with the aid of Josiah Patterson and his wife, Mr. Cronon had religious services held in the town hall on Sunday afternoons, the preaching being by the Methodist minister of the Sloatsburg church. This mission service finally culmi- nated in the establishing of a Methodist congregation here.
WILLIAM L. CUDDEBACK, M.D., of Port Jervis, N. Y., is a descendant of the French-Huguenots of that name who settled in Deer Park in 1690, coming from Caudebec, on the Seine, in that part of France known in ancient days as Normandy.
Dr. Cuddeback was born in the town of Deer Park, April 26, 1854, and is the son of Elting and Ann Bevier (Elting) Cuddeback, who were the parents of six chil- dren. He received his primary education in the district schools, and later took a special two years' course in Cornell University. He took up the study of medi- cine in the office of Dr. Solomon Van Etten, of Port Jervis, after which he en- tered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, from which he was graduated in 1876. He served as interne in Bellevue Hospital for two years, and then opened his present office in Port Jervis. In 1892, with Dr. H. B. Swartwout, he purchased the hospital in Port Jervis, and together they have conducted it to the present time. This is a general hospital and is patronized largely by Erie Railroad patients. Dr. Cuddeback was joined in marriage with Miss Alice D. Malven on October 16, 1880. She is a daughter of George and Philenda (St. John) Malven, of Port Jervis. To our subject and wife five children have been born: Frank E., Edgar C., Elizabeth M., Alice M. and Philenda. Dr. Cuddeback is a member of the Orange County Medical Society, the National Association of Railroad Surgeons, the New York State Medical Society, and has served as pension examiner. He was presi- dent of the Board of Education from 1887 to 1892, during which time the Main street school house was erected. He has been president of the Library Board since the establishment of the Free Public Library and has served as president of the National Bank of Port Jervis since 1900.
THOMAS P. CUSHING, clerk of the town of New Windsor, and postmaster at Vail's Gate, was born in New York City, December 31, 1863. His father, James Cushing, moved to Orange County in 1871 and shortly after established a general store at Vail's Gate. Hhe served as justice of the peace for thirty years and as post- master eight years. By his death, which occurred in 1903, Orange County lost a prominent and useful citizen. Thomas P., after finishing his schooling, was en- gaged by the Erie Railroad as agent and operator, where he remained fifteen years. He was deputy postmaster seven years under his father, and in 1905 erected the building in which he continues the business established by his father. .
JOHN DALES, senior member of the real estate and insurance firm of John Dales & Co., Newburgh, N. Y., was born in Delaware County in 1820, a son of
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John and Sarah (Cavin) Dales. In 1839 Mr. Dales came to Newburgh and entered the employ of Crawford Mailler & Co. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Memphis, Tenn., New York City, and Jordan, N. Y., conducting a flour mill at the latter place fifteen years.
In 1865 Mr. Dales returned to Newburgh and in company with W. O. Mailler engaged in the wholesale grocery and freighting business for several years. Since 1870 his attention has been devoted largely to real estate. In 1884 Hon. Charles D. Robinson, mayor of Newburgh, 1906 to 1908, became his business partner and is now the active head of the firm, Mr. Dales having gradually withdrawn from arduous duties.
Mr. Dales was one of the original members of the Board of Trade, a director in Quassaick National Bank, secretary of Woodlawn Cemetery Association and sec- retary of the Newburgh & Midland Railway Company in former years. He has also served many years as elder, trustee and treasurer of Calvary Presbyterian Church. He is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a charter member of Hudson River Lodge No. 607, a Royal Arch Mason, and also belongs to Hudson River Commandery No. 35, K. T.
In 1845 Mr. Dales married Susan, daughter of Jacob Oakley. There were two children born of this marriage: William M. Dales, who died November 1, 1883, leaving a daughter, Helen M. Dales, and Mary Belknap Dales, who died January 14, 1900, leaving a daughter, Julia, from her marriage with Chas. D. Robinson.
Mrs. Susan Dales died November 24, 1890. Mr. Dales died March 26, 1908.
HERBERT S. DANA, agent for the Erie Railroad at Craigsville, N. Y., was born in Gardner, Maine, where he obtained his education at the public schools. Mr. Dana has resided in Orange County since 1893, being employed as telegraph operator in the office of the Pennsylvania Coal Company at Newburgh. He ac- cepted his present position, January, 1907, and December of the same year was appointed postmaster. Mr. Dana is well informed on the subject of horses and has contributed news and comments to the Western Horseman for a quarter of a century, and to the Newburgh News and Goshen Independent and Republican for the past fifteen years.
Mr. Dana married Miss Nellie Robinson Wheaton, of Connecticut, and they are the parents of two sons, George Stephen and Frederick Wheaton.
HENRY D'ARCY, who was associated with his brother Thomas in conducting the United States Hotel in Newburgh for some years, is a native of the town of Highland and now conducts a real estate and fire insurance business in Highland Falls. Mr. D'Arcy was the first town clerk at the time the town of Highland was divided from Cornwall. He has served at various times as assessor and road commissioner and president of the Board of Education six years.
Mr. D'Arcy has been twice married. A son was born by his first wife and a son and daughter by his second wife.
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THOMAS DARLINGTON was born at Salisbury Mills, Orange County, N. Y., August 29, 1826, the son of Peter and Maria Wilde Darlington. Through his mother many lines of colonial ancestry met in him. A descendant of Deputy Governor Bishop, of Connecticut, who was secretary of that colony from 1661 to 1665; of Daniel Rayneau, the first freeholder of the Huguenot colony of New Rochelle; of Richard Wilde, Esq., of Flushing, N. Y .; and from Edward Griffin, of the Virginia colony, on his father's side he was from the Darlingtons of York- shire, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland. His father, who was one of the first paper manufacturers in this country, died January 21, 1851, but his mother lived to be over one hundred years of age, until August 20, 1900. He acquired his edu- cation in the local schools near at hand, graduating with highest honors, and 'at seventeen, by his own choice, was principal of a school in a neighboring village. Resigning his school position he went to New York City and studied law in the office of Mr. Taggart, reciting at the same time in the evenings to private tutors in Latin and philosophy. He was of a very religious temperament, being a constant attendant at church and having a Sunday-school class, of which he was very fond.
Soon after becoming an attorney and counselor-at-law he started in business for himself, and achieved a most rapid success. The firm name was Darlington, Spring & Russell, and some most important cases were entrusted to their care. When Mr. Spring died, Mr. Russell went to Cornell University as dean, and a new firm was formed of Darlington, Irving & Hoffman.
His interest in all games and amusements was great, being the amateur editor of the chess column in a New York weekly paper for some years.
In politics he was a strong abolitionist, and took an active part in the anti- slavery movement. So pronounced was his position and so well known, that on July 13, 1863, during the draft riots in New York City, a mob broke into his law offices and smashed all the furniture. Mr. Darlington afterward sued the mu- nicipality for the damage wrought, and was the first to recover in an action of this sort, the case being referred to to-day as marking a new line of municipal responsibility. As the mob was killing returned Union soldiers and hanging col- ored people to the lamp-posts, at his own expense he sent down a whole colored family that had been pursued, to his country home in Kingston, N. J., and kept them there some months until the danger was over.
At the time of the renomination of General Grant for a second term as Presi- dent, one of the general's friends offered Mr. Darlington the appointment of chief justice of the then territory of Colorado, but he was most devoted and adhered to his friend of many years, Horace Greeley, who was the nominee of the liberal republican and democratic parties, and so the appointment was not made. He resolutely and consistently declined to engage in politics, but blamed himself for over-leniency in the case of Guiteau, who afterward shot President Garfield. Having a criminal suit against Guiteau, he had him shut up in prison, but after being there some months Guiteau wrote a most pitiful letter, saying that longer confinement meant his death, and Mr. Darlington, thinking that he had been pun- ished enough, signed a paper consenting to his discharge. It was only a month or
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
two after his release that he murdered President Garfield, and Mr. Darlington appeared against him as a witness at his trial.
In his religious life Mr. Darlington always attended the Presbyterian Church, and was teacher of the Bible class in the Mulberry Street Mission of the South Park Church in Newark, N. J., for years.
On August 1, 1850, he married Hannah Anne Goodliffe, daughter of James Yarrow Goodliffe, and the issue was eight children ; two, Alfred Ernest and Alice, deceased, and six, James, now Protestant Episcopal bishop of Harrisburg, Pa .; Thomas, J., now president of the board of health of New York City; Charles Francis, counselor-at-law : Gustavus C., a physician ; Marion Goodliffe, and Mrs. Margaret Darlington-Wilde, living. His death came suddenly, on the 18th day of May, 1903, and he was buried from the same church in which he was married, the University Place Presbyterian Church, University place and Eleventh street, New York City, from which his wife was also buried about two years before.
THOMAS DAARLINGTON, M.D., was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., September 24. 1858; son of Thomas Darlington and Hannah A. ( Goodliffe ) Darlington. His education began in the public schools of New York and Newark, N. J., followed by a three years' scientific and engineering course at the University of the City of New York. After his graduation, he entered the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, New York, from which he was graduated as M.D. in 1880. He engaged in the practice of medicine at Newark, N. J., for two years, holding several hospital appointments. In 1882 he located at Kingsbridge, N. Y., and practiced there until 1904, except for two years spent in Arizona, where he was surgeon to several min- ing companies. He was appointed commissioner of health for the city of New York in 1904, and was reappointed for the second term in 1906. His administra- tion has been thoroughly efficient and has demonstrated the wisdom of the selec- tion of a trained medical man as head of the department of health of a great metropolis like New York, where the sanitary problems are necessarily very com- plex, and their proper solution of vital importance. Dr. Darlington has been an extensive contributor to medical literature. He is ex-president of the American Climatological Society, a member of the American Medical Association, the New York State Medical Society, the New York County Medical Society, the Medico- Legal Society, Association of the Alumni of the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, American Public Health Association, Harlem Medical Association, New York Physicians' Mutual Aid Association, Medical Society of the Borough of the Bronx, Medical Association of Greater New York, Yonkers Practitioners' Society. Society of Medical Jurisprudence and Academy of Medicine; and until his ap- pointment as health commissioner of New York, he was visiting physician to ser- eral of the hospitals of the city and consulting physician to the French Hospital. He is also a member of the Archdeaconry of New York, the Church Club of New York, Chamber of Commerce, Chemists' Club, The Thomas Hunter Association of Grammar School No. 35, the Commission on the Prevention of Tuberculosis of the Charity Organization of the City of New York, Sons of the Revolution,
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THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
Society of Colonial Wars, New York University Alumni Association, Kingsbridge Council No. 1082, Royal Arcanum; the Parish Club, Church Temperance Society, trustee of the Bronx Savings Bank, the Huguenot Society of America, Pilgrim Society, Fordham Club, North Side Board of Trade, the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, New York Athletic Club, Seabury So- ciety, Jefferson Tammany Hall, director Crippled Children's Driving Fund, and the National Geographic Society, Lotos Club, American Geographical Society and So- ciety of Tropical Medicine. Address, 48 West 59th street, New York City.
GEORGE DART, general manager of the Tuxedo Stores Company at Tuxedo Park, N. Y., is a native of Ulster County, N. Y., and has resided at Tuxedo since 1886, when he established his pharmacy. Mr. Dart had previously been engaged in the drug business at 30th street and Broadway, New York City. He discon- tinued that store in 1888.
Mr. Dart was instrumental in the establishment of the Tuxedo Stores Com- pany, and has been identified with various movements for the improvement and advancement of Tuxedo in material, moral and religious matters. He is president of the Board of Education, director of the Tuxedo Library and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
THOMAS WESLEY DAVEY was born in the town of Greenville, N. Y., on January 6, 1850. Mr. Davey received his early education at the Chester Academy. His first work after leaving school was on a farm where he worked for three years. He was associated with various factories in Middletown and spent two years in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. Returning to his native State, Mr. Davey located in the metropolis and engaged in the milk business for two years. Since that time he was with the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital for fourteen years as assistant engineer. Here in Middletown he has labored effectively for the past ten years as superintendent of the Middletown Water-Works. He mar- ried Miss Maria Wood, of Haverstraw, N. Y. Three children have been born to them, Irving W., Mina May and Lewis Jacob. Mr. Davey belongs to a number of societies, among them being Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M .; Middletown Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 112; Orange Encampment, I. O. O. F., No. 93. He is a member of the American Water-Works Association and honorary member of Eagle Hose & Chemical Co. No. 2, of Middletown.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN DECKER was born at Newburgh, Orange County, January 16, 1865. His parents were John H. and Elsie (Fullerton) Decker. He attended the schools in Middletown until twelve years of age, when his father died and Mr. Decker went to work in a drug store at Paterson, N. J., where he remained six years. He was identified with the Times at Middletown as city editor for a period of twelve years. He enlisted in the Ist N. Y. Vol. Inf. in 1898 during the Spanish-American war, and accompanied his regiment to Hono- lulu as first lieutenant of Company I. He returned to Middletown and took up
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
newspaper work on the Press, remaining until the Times and Press were merged. He was coroner for twelve years, and in 1907 was elected sheriff of Orange County. Mr. Decker was united in marriage to Miss Natalie Weygant, October 31, 1890. To this union two children were born, Richard Stivers, born 1892, and John Wey- gant, born 1896. Mr. Decker is a republican in politics. Socially he is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, of Middletown. He is captain of Company I, Ist Inf. (24th Sep. Co.), National Gnards of New York.
ISAIAH W. DECKER, president of the Wallkill Valley Farmers' Association, is now retired from active agricultural pursuits and makes his home in Walden, N. Y. Mr. Decker's ancestors were of Dutch extraction and at an early period sought the rich lands of Orange and Ulster counties. He is a grandson of Levi Decker and a son of William D. and Ellen Jane ( Crans) Decker and was born in the town of Montgomery, Orange County, N. Y. In his younger days he rented farms upon which he fully demonstrated that snecess could be won in this as well as in other pursuits. He later purchased a desirable farm near Walden which he provided with modern equipment.
Mr. Decker is identified with social and public affairs of his native town and has occupied different positions of trust and responsibility.
JOHN E. DECKER was born May 1, 1860, at Dwaarkill, Ulster County, N. Y. His parents were Ezekiel and Anna Decker. Our subject attained his education at the district school in his locality. He married Martha Jane, daughter of Abra- ham Vernooy, April 2, 1895. Their one son, Adrian Vernooy Decker, was born Angust 11, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Decker are members of the First Congregational Church of Middletown, N. Y., and both are active members of Wallkill River Grange. Mr. Decker is a member of I. O. O. F., of Gardner, Ulster County, N. Y. He occupies the C. HI. C. Beck's farm near Middletown, N. Y., and has always been an agriculturist.
SAMUEL DECKER was born March 12, 1851, on his father's farm near the village of Amity, Orange County, N. Y. His parents were John and Maria (Smith) Decker. John Decker was a descendant of a Holland Dutch emigrant who located and became a large land owner at what is now Glenwood, N. J., but who late in life removed to central New York, leaving a son at Glenwood. Maria Smith's father, Abram Smith, was a school teacher of Orange County for fifty years and her two grandsires were Revolutionary soldiers. Mr. Decker's school days were passed at Amity, and upon reaching his majority he removed to the town of Greenville, N. Y., and purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres in the upper Shawangunk valley. He has since added an adjoining farm to his original purchase. For abont ten years he conducted the farm and taught school. On October 16, 1878, he married Cornelia Sergeant, only daughter of Jeremiah Sergeant, a well-known cattle dealer and farmer at Gardenersville. Shortly after this he began dealing in cattle, which in connection with his farming he engaged
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THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
in continuously for twenty years. Mr. Decker is a democrat and has held a num- ber of public offices. At present he is filling his second term as justice of the peace. Their children number four: Margaret, wife of Frank Neail, of Mount Hope; Phebe, wife of Hiram Tyler, of New York City; Frank and Effa, at home. In spite of his many enterprises Mr. Decker has found time to devote several hours each day to reading and study, is a fine Shakespearian scholar and, having a phenomenal memory, is an authority on ancient and modern history and literature.
JOHN DEISSEROTH, supervisor of the Fifth Ward, Newburgh, N. Y., was born in that city, January 17, 1876. After finishing his studies at the public schools he learned the blacksmith and horseshoeing trade and has been engaged in business for himself for the past ten years.
A firm believer in the principles of the democratic party, Mr. Deisseroth was elected to the office of supervisor in 1907 by a majority of 96. Socially he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and Columbian Hose Company, and vestryman in the Church of the Good Shepherd.
FRANK H. DEKAY was born in the town of Warwick at New Milford, August II, 1866. He is a son of Francis M. and Nellie (Sisson) DeKay. There were three children in his parents' family: One died in infancy; Lucille, wife of James H. Vealey, and Frank H. The subject of our sketch acquired his early education at the district school at New Milford and Warwick public school, later attending Fastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. At an early age he identified himself in the furniture and undertaking business with Mr. Burt, the firm being Burt and DeKay. In 1893 Mr. DeKay, taking over Mr. Burt's interest, continued the business until 1899. At this period James H. Vealey took an interest in the establishment, the firm being then known as DeKay & Vealey, which continued until 1903, when Mr. DeKay retired. He married Miss Marguerite Pelser, of Pat- erson, N. J., April 14, 1891. To them were born two children, Elwood Frank, born March 5, 1893, died July 10, 1902, and Doris Pelser, born June 5, 1896. He is an honorary member of Excelsior Hose Company No. I and treasurer of Christ Epis- copal Church, of Warwick. In politics he is independent.
CORNELIUS HENRY DEMAREST was born in Warwick, June 25, 1820, and died December 10, 1889. He lived all his life on the farm he inherited from his father, Cornelius C. Demarest, which now belongs to his son, Henry Pelton Demarest. He was for thirty years presiding officer of the board which controlled the Warwick Academy and the public school. He was one of the original stock- holders of the First National Bank of the village and its president from 1878 until his death. He was also a founder of the Warwick Valley Farmers' Milk Associa- tion and an officer of the Warwick Valley R. R., and of its successor, the Lehigh and Hudson River Road. He was a consistent Christian and for some years be- fore his death was a member of the Consistory of the Reformed Church. In 1845 he married Elizabeth A. Pelton, daughter of Henry Pelton, of Warwick, and seven
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
children survived him : Charles M., who was born February 5, 1848, and died Janu- ary 8, 1905 (he married Annie E. Armstrong, daughter of Rensselaer Armstrong, of Warwick) ; De Witt Clinton, born February 18, 1852, who married Hattie Hud- son, of Denver, and lives at Passaic, N. J .: Mary Elizabeth, born April 29, 1854, who married Christie Romaine, of Hackensack, N. J .; Henry Pelton, born Octo- ber 25. 1856, who married Ella J. Toland, of Florida, N. Y .; Julia, born May 29, 1858, unmarried, living at Warwick ; David, born February 27, 1860, unmarried, and living in Boston, Mass. : Anna, born April 2.1, 1862, unmarried, and living at War- wick.
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