USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 78
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The Demarests are of Huguenot extraction. David Demarest, a native of Beau- champ, a little village of Picardy in France, with his wife, Marie Soheir, and five children sailed from Amsterdam, April 16, 1663, on the ship Bontekoe ( Spotted Cow) for New Amsterdam. For two years he resided with the Huguenot colony on Staten Island; from there he moved to Harlem, where for twelve and a half years he was one of the first citizens of the place. He purchased of the Indians several thousand acres of land in New Jersey, in the vicinity of Hackensack. Just before and during the Revolution a number of Demarest families left New Jersey and went to Orange County, N. Y. Among these was Cornelius Demarest, the grandfather of Cornelius H. He settled on a ridge a few miles out of Warwick on the Florida road, but during his later years be purchased the farm now owned by his great-grandsons, Henry Pelton and Henry Pelton Demarest. Cornelius Demarest fought in the war of the Revolution under Col. John Hathorn in a com- pany of Major Wisner's Scouts. He was one of the organizers of the Reformed Church of Warwick and a member of its first Consistory.
GEORGE HOUSTON DEMAREST, always a farmer, was born at the home- stead about two miles from Wisner, June 26, 1873. He is of the seventh genera- tion on this farm, which is now chiefly devoted to dairying. He is active in local matters, politically he is a republican and belongs to the Grange. His wife was Miss Edith May Stevens, of Sugar Loaf, and they were married November 2, 1898. They have had four children, only two of whom are living, namely, James Henry, six years old, and Agnes Wood, three months old.
HON. AUGUSTUS DENNISTON, president Orange County Agricultural So- ciety, was born in the town of Blooming Grove, the youngest son of Robert and Mary Denniston. His farm of about two hundred and thirty acres has come down to him by inheritance from his great-grandfather, James Denniston, son of Alex- ander Denniston, who arrived in this country from Ireland in 1,20 and settled on a farm in the town of New Windsor, about two miles north of Washingtonville. The grandfather of Augustus was James Dennistor, who died in 1825, leaving several large farms, most of which was bequeathed to his son Robert, who died in 1867, and who was the owner of about six hundred acres of land, beside a large estate, all of which was managed by his son Augustus, for the benefit of his mother until her death in 1898. Augustes was educated at home by tutors in a private
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school. When his father was elected State comptroller in 1860, he went to Albany and served for two years as his confidential clerk. In 1862 he went to war, and was appointed by Col. Ellis quartermaster of the 124th Regiment, N. Y. S. Volun- teers. After a few months' service he was taken sick, and after months of illness in hospital and at home he resigned. In 1893-94 he represented the First Assem- bly District of Orange County in the Legislature. Afterwards for two years he was State cattle commissioner, having been appointed by Governor Cornell. In 1893 he was elected a director of the Orange County Agricultural Society, and since that time has been continuously connected with it officially, four years as director, two as vice-president, and since 1899 its president. He has been a director of the Highland National Bank of Newburgh since 1873, and for seven years was its president. In 1901 he was appointed by Governor Odell one of the State Fair commissioners. He resides in the old home, which was built by his father in 1824, is engaged extensively in the milk business on his large farm and has been presi- dent of the Washingtonville Farmers' Creamery Association since its organization in 1876.
WALTER DENNISTON, supervisor of the town of New Windsor, is engaged in farming near Rocklet. He was born in this township in 1857, and is a son of George and Agnes (Stewart) Denniston. He has been identified with public affairs of the town and county since 1884, when he served as justice of the peace until 1892. With the exception of the 1896-1897 term he has been continuously elected a member of the Board of Supervisors since 1891. Mr. Denniston is a member of Little Britain Grange and takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of Orange County.
WILLIAM L. DICKERSON, attorney, of Montgomery, is a son of Jacob and John B. (Millspaugh) Dickerson. His ancestors settled in Orange County previ- ous to the Revolutionary war. Mr. Dickerson attended Montgomery Academy and Cornell University, following which he read law in the office of Hon. A. S. Cas- sedy and was admitted to the bar in 1892. His legal studies were supplemented by a course of lectures at the University of Minnesota. He has enjoyed an extensive practice in Montgomery since 1895. Mr. Dickerson is secretary and a director of the Montgomery & Erie Railroad and secretary and a director of the Riverside Cemetery. He is a member of Walden Lodge, F. & A. M .; past assistant grand lecturer of the Thirteenth Masonic District ; a member of Midland Chapter, R. A. M., of Middletown, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mont- gomery.
JAMES NATHANIEL DICKEY, bank cashier, Newburgh; son of William and Esther (James) Dickey. Born at Newburgh, July 12, 1840. After finishing his studies at Newburgh Academy entered office of Judge J. J. Monell as clerk, re- maining two years. In 1856 accepted clerkship with Quassaick National Bank ; was promoted to teller and in 1895 became cashier. Served as city treasurer of New-
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burgh for thirty years. First vice-president Newburgh Historical Society ; mem- ber City Club and the Newburgh Canoe and Boating Association. He married Miss Eve Brown in 1866 and three daughters have been born to them.
EDWIN J. DIKEMAN, a successful pharmacist of Goshen, N. Y., was born in that place in 1876. After graduating from the Goshen High School he entered Columbia University and graduated from the Department of Pharmacy of that institution in 1897. He is a son of Edwin and Elizabeth (Jay) Dikeman. Edwin, the father, was a native of Goshen. He established the drug store now owned by Edwin J. in the early fifties and was one of the prominent business men of that place. He served the village as president for several years. His death occurred July 19, 1895.
Edwin J. married Henrietta Coleman, daughter of Hon. Roswell C. Coleman, of Newburgh, N. Y., and they have a son, Edwin J., Jr.
Mr. Dikeman is a member of Goshen Lodge No. 365, F. & A. M .; the Goshen Club, an honorary member of Cataract Engine and Hose Company No. I, and a member of the New York State Pharmaceutical Association. He is also secretary of the Orange County Chapter, Sons of the Revolution.
BRICE L. DREW was born at Vernon, Sussex County, N. J., March 6, 1866. His parents were Gilbert and Elizabeth Drew, and they had five children. Mr. Drew is a practical farmer, and now conducts the Eden fruit and dairy farm of one hundred and forty-two acres. He is a member of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. & A. M .; Wawayanda Lodge No. 34, I. O. O. F., and Junior O. U. A. M. No. 207. He is a member of the Glenwood Methodist Church. Politically he is inde- pendent. He married Miss Lillie Morehouse, of Amity, daughter of Linn and Emily Morehouse. Their three children are: Ernest, born June 24, 1892; Emily, born July 17, 1895, and Albert George, born May I, 1902.
WILLIAM J. DUFFY, vice-president and a director of the First National Bank of Highland Falls, N. Y., was born in Providence, R. I., in 1867. He was edu- cated in the city of Rochester, N. Y., and has been a resident of Orange County since 1897. Mr. Duffy is endowed with characteristic New England enterprise and his spirit has exerted a healthy influence in public affairs at Highland Falls, where he is president of the Village Improvement Society. Ile is superintendent of the U. S. Government Stables at West Point and is proprietor of the entire livery. He is district deputy of the Knights of Columbus. His wife was formerly Miss Fanny Au, of Highland Falls.
WALTER DUMVILLE, farmer and dairyman, was born in the town of New- burgh, May 9, 1843. His father. Benjamin Dumiville, was a native of England and came to America in 1827, a few years later locating in Newburgh, where he married Miriam Harris. He was the first wholesale butcher in Newburgh. After Walter finished his education he engaged with his father in that business, and later
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conducted it alone successfully for many years. He at one time served as col- lector of the town of Newburgh. Mr. Dumville is a director of the Columbus Trust Co., also the Milk Producers' Association and the Horse Thief Detecting Society. July 16, 1873, he married Josephine, daughter of John and Catherine O'Brien, of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Dumville are members of the Unita- rian Church.
WILLIAM FULLERTON DUNNING, a member of the New York City Bar Association and for several years immediately preceding his death a member of its committee on admissions, died on April I, 1907, after an illness lasting only a few days. He was born in the city of New York on May 29, 1856. His father was the late Benjamin F. Dunning, for many years the law partner of Charles O'Conor, and his mother was Ruth Seely, of Orange County, New York.
From his father Mr. Dunning inherited a predilection for the law, and doubt- less his early association with his father's firm helped to develop in him his high ideals of professional ethics.
He was prepared for college in Dresden, Saxony, and was graduated from Princeton University in the class of 1877. He devoted himself with more than usual assiduity to his studies, and was particularly interested in the classics. He was graduated from the Columbia College Law School and admitted to the bar of this State in 1879. Upon his admission to the bar he entered the firm of Dun- ning, Edsall, Hart & Fowler, of which firm his father was senior partner. In 1883, upon the death of Mr. Hart, the firm of Dunning, Edsall & Fowler was organ- ized, and in 1886, upon the retirement of Mr. Edsall, the firm became Dunning & Fowler. Of these three firms William Fullerton Dunning was a member. In 1900, upon the dissolution of the firm of Dunning & Fowler, Mr. Dunning joined the firm of Boardman, Platt & Soley; on Mr. Soley's retirement from the firm in 1906, the firm Boardman, Platt & Dunning was organized and continued until No- vember, 1906, when Judge Morgan J. O'Brien became one of the members, the name being changed to O'Brien, Boardman, Platt & Dunning.
William Fullerton Dunning was a man of modest and retiring disposition. Al- though a learned and sound lawyer, he did not seek the contention and strife of the courts, but preferred office practice. His faithfulness and devotion to his clients' interests gained for him their confidence, and many of them became his warm friends. He had a cheerful, happy disposition. His relations with his pro- fessional brethren were always marked with great consideration, and while he jealously guarded the interests of his clients, an opposing attorney could never justly complain that Mr. Dunning had not shown to him the courtesy demanded by the most exacting professional etiquette. While not ambitious for position or office which would bring him prominently before the public, he was greatly inter- ested in his professional work and desirous that it should be well done. His re- lations with the various partners with whom he was associated during his career have always been most cordial and friendly.
In 1883 he married Clara Frost, of New Orleans, La., and the years that followed
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were filled with domestic happiness. His wife and six daughters who survive him mourn the loss of a kind and loving husband and a wise and affectionate father. His life is a continuous record of high ideals and work well done. He died in the prime of life, respected by all who knew him, and loved by those who knew him best. In this age of excitement and greed, such a life as his should be an example and an inspiration.
THE DUNNING FAMILY .- General Benj. Dunning ( married Isabel Wilson ) : Benjamin Franklin Dunning, Esq. ( married Ruth Seely ) : William Fullerton Dun- ning, Esq. ( married Clara Frost ).
These three Dunnings were descended from an old and well-known English family and were closely interested in Orange County.
General Dunning's children : Virgil, Benjamin Franklin, William T., Angeline. Benjamin Franklin Dunning's children: Isabel ( Mrs. Thos. P. Fowler), Frank, William Fullerton (dead), Frederick Clark (dead), Alice ( Mrs. M. Allen Starr).
William Fullerton Dunning's children: Aline Frost (dead), Ruth Seely, Mar- celine Randolph, Clara Frost, Isabel Fowler, Elizabeth Belcher, Wilhelmine.
FRANK DURLAND was born in the Yelverton Inn in the old village of Chester, N. Y., on March 25, 1860. The family sprang from the emigrant Jan Garretse Dorlandt, who came from Holland to the New Netherlands in the year 1652, set- tling in Brooklyn, later, in the year 1057. removing to Bedford, of which village he was for many years a commissioner.
llis father, Joseph Durland, is the great-grandson of Charles Durland, who came from Long Island and settled in Chester in the year 1754.
His mother, Nancy Kingsland Board, was a daughter of Major James J. Board, of Boardville, N. J., afterward residing in Sugar Loaf valley, Chester, N. Y.
He attended the Chester Academy until 1877, leaving school at the age of seven- teen, he began life's activities in Durland's store. In the year 1885 he entered the firm of J. Durland & Son, and on February 1, 1908, he purchased the entire interest in the mercantile business of his father, Joseph Durland, with whom he had been associated for twenty-three years. He was married April 22, 1801, to Mary Burt Sanford. of Warwick, N. Y., daughter of William Moore Sanford and Sarah Burt, who was the daughter of James Burt. for many years president of the Cheste: National Bank. By her he has two children, William Sanford Durland, born July 13, 1892, now a student in Nazareth Hall Military Academy. Nazareth, Pa., and Nancy Board Durland, born March 20. 1808, now a student in Chester Academy.
Mr. and Mrs. Durland are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dur- land is president of its board of trustees, president of the board of trade, director of the Chester Telephone Co., trustee of Walton Hose Co., treasurer of the Orange & Rockland Electric Co., member of Standard Lodge, No. 711, F. & A. M., of Monroe, N. Y.
JOSEPH DURLAND was born on the Durland homestead. now occupied by his
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brother, Samuel S. Durland, March 16, 1832. He received his education at Chester Academy and at Bloomfield, N. J. He began business life as a clerk in Masterson's store at West Chester when a young man. He was a partner with his stepfather, James Durland, at Chester Mills, for some time. On February 1, 1859, he pur- chased the interest of James J. Board in the old store conducted under the name, Board, Pierson & Co. This new firm of Pierson, Bell & Durland continued at the old store until February, 1862, when his brother, Samuel S. Durland, was admitted into partnership with him, the other members of the firm having sold to them their interest. For ten years this partnership of the brothers continued successfully and then S. S. Durland retired from the business and Joseph continued as sole proprie- tor until 1885, when Frank Durland, his son, purchased an interest in the business and the firm name became Durland & Son. This relation continued until February I, 1908, when he sold his interest to Frank Durland, the present proprietor, having completed 49 years of business life in the old store.
During all his business career Joseph Durland has been a wise counsellor for his fellow citizens in business and political matters. This has been possible through his knowledge gained by keen observation and opportunities for travel which have enabled him to visit and study business conditions in nearly every state in the Union. For a number of years he has served as trustee of the savings banks at Warwick and Goshen, and also as a director of the Durland Trust Co., of Norfolk, Nebraska. For twenty years he has served as a director of the Chester National Bank, and for two years was its president and is at present its vice-president. He was the first Republican supervisor for the town of Chester and served in 1867 and 1868. He was influential in establishing the present Union free school, and in 1869 was elected clerk of the first Board of Education of Chester, which position he held for seven years. He strongly urged the incorporation of the village of Chester in November, 1898, and was a member of its first board of trustees. When the question of water for the village arose he served on the board of water commissioners which intro- duced the present system of water supply. In offices of trust, he has served as executor and administrator of many estates. In 1855 he united with the Presby- terian Church, of which he and Mrs. Durland are still active members. He was elected to the office of deacon in this church in 1889, and since 1890 has continued to serve the church of his choice as an elder. He was married February 25, 1857, to Nancy Kingsland Board, daughter of Major James J. Board. The fiftieth anni- versary of this happy event was fittingly celebrated. The children of this marriage now living are two sons, James Board, who married Sarah Andrews, and Frank, who married Mary B. Sanford, and two daughters, Amelia Vernon, and Nettie Eugenia, wife of William T. Moffatt of New York City. One daughter, Marion, died May 23, 1903.
J. SEELY DURLAND was born in New York City, March 15, 1856. He is a son of Oscar and Matilda C. Durland. Mr. Durland's father was engaged in the milk business in New York City, later removing to Chester, N. Y., purchasing the Mar- vin property, about two miles from Chester. Here he developed a natural love for
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the country and has remained a farmer. J. Seel Durland received his education at the district school and Chester Academy. He married Fannie R. Hunter, of Mon- roe, October 26, 1894; and two children have been born to them, Anna T., living, and Stanley, who died in 1895. Mr. Durland is a member of the Chester Grange, and in politics a Republican.
JOHN E. DURYEA, son of Samnel C. and Emily ( Tuthill) Duryea, was born September 6, 1840, on the farm in the town of Crawford which his father had pur- chased in 1838. Hle assisted his father in the management of the farm until he removed to Pine Bush in November, 1905.
Mr. Duryea's paternal ancestors were French Huguenots. Joost Duryea, the founder of the family in America, came to Long Island from Holland in 1675, and from Jamaica, Queens County, Yost or George. our subject's great-great-grand- father, came to Orange County and settled in the town of Blooming Grove, of which he was a pioneer. He died in 1760 and was buried at Greycourt. His son. George, during the Revolution, was in active service in the cavalry department of the Colonial Army. He married Miss Hannah Iludson, of Goshen. Five sons and four daughters were born to them, of whom John, grandfather of our subject. married in 1800, Mary, daughter of Samuel and Jeannette ( McCurdy ) Crawford. of the town of Montgomery. They settled on a farm near Bloomingburg in the town of Wallkill. Six children were born, of whom Samuel C. was the youngest.
John E. Duryea married, in 1863, Miss Jane Frances Hunter, who died in 1883. leaving four daughters, Emily C., Mary F., Edna H., Anna Z. Politically Mr. Duryea is a Republican and has occupied a prominent place in public affairs. He was justice of the peace twelve years and justice of sessions four years. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity.
SAMUEL T. DUSENBERRY, assistant postmaster at Tuxedo Park, N. Y., was born at Stony Ford, Orange County, in 1873. He is a son of William B. and S. E. ( Wallace) Dusenberry. Ile received his education at the schools of Goshen. In 1899 Mr. Dusenberry came to Tuxedo and accepted the appointment of assistant postmaster. Socially he is identified with Standard Lodge, No. 711, F. & A. M. Ile married Miss Leonor Clark, of Monroc. N. Y. They have one child. William Wallace.
JOHN L. D. EAGER has been engaged in the hide and tallow business at Mont- gomery since 1875. He was born in Walden in 1850. A son of Isaac L. and Fannie M. ( Bodine) Eager. At the age of twenty he entered the employ of Homer Rams- dell & Co., of Newburgh, where he remained eight years. On returning to Mont- gomery he engaged in the coal business, also conducting his hide and tallow estab- lishment. Mr. Eager has served as police justice twenty years and justice of the peace sixteen years. He now has charge of the pumping station of the Montgomery Water Works. He married Miss Emma Decker in 1876 and three sons have been born to them. Leonard, Clarence and Ray. Leonard is now in charge of his
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father's hide and tallow plant. He had previously been employed as engineer at Randall's Island and engineer for the firm of Tiffany & Co., New York.
JOSEPH C. EAGER was born August 21, 1859, on a farm near Hamptonburgh, where he now resides. His father, Joseph Case Eager, died in 1903. He had been a town justice of the peace for thirty years, and from his dairy farm of 150 acres was one of the first shippers of milk to the New York market over the Erie Rail- road. Besides Joseph there was a daughter, Caroline, who married Cornelius Zabris- kie, of Newark, N. J. Joseph's education in the district school was suppleniented by a course in the private boarding school of Prof. S. S. Hartwell, of Unionville, N. J. From this he returned to the farm, which has always been his home. Since 1800 he has been station agent at Hamptonburgh for the Lehigh and Hudson Rail- road, and also conducted a feed business at the same station. He followed the political inclinations of his father and has been one of the active Democrats of his town.
WILLIAM CASE EAGER, the descendant of one of the first settlers of the county, was born December 9, 1865, in Warwick, and died suddenly as the result of an accident, February II, 1904. His parents were William C. and Mary C. Eager. whose children were this one son and four daughters, Mary L., Jennie, Belle and Fannie. The father, William C. Eager, Sr., died in 1878, April 18th. The subject of our sketch acquired his early education in the Warwick school, remaining in school until 19 years of age. He then entered the general store which was managed and owned by his mother until he reached the age of 21, at which time he assumed con- trol of the store and managed it successfully until his death. In 1899 he married Hattie J. Aldrich. a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Still, of Warwick. He was one of the most popular young men of Warwick, having a warm heart, a sunny nature and much natural magnetism, seasoned with genial humor and entire hon- esty. It was said of him that le had not one enemy, and was esteemed by the people of all classes. He was fond of athletic sports and all lively diversions. He was pitcher in the champion baseball team, a leading official in the Warwick Athletic Association, an enthusiastic hunter and fisher and lover of wild nature, liked music and was at one time a player in the village band. He was so good and popu- lar a fireman that he rose to be foreman of Excelsior Hose and then to be chief of the fire department, to which he was elected three times and refused to be re- elected. He was once elected town collector, and once nominated for president of the village, but resolutely declined the nomination.
On the day of his funeral all the business places in the village were closed, the whole fire department and the members of the Warwick Club attended in a body, and one of the largest gatherings ever seen in the Reformed church listened to the funeral services.
His earliest ancestor in Orange County lived on a farm near what is now called Neelytown, and some of his ancestors still reside there. His great unele was Samuel W. Eager, the first historian of the county.
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THOMAS HORTON EASTON was born January 25, 1853, on the homestead farm near Otisville. He attended the district school, and assisted in the general store operated by his father at Otisville for many years. He engaged with the Erte Railroad as a brakeman and was promoted to conductor, serving from 1868 to 1882, after which he returned to the farm, where he has since remained. He was married to Miss Frances N., daughter of Dimmick and Sylvia A. (Cadwell) Wilkin, March 14, 1875. By this union there were three children born, all living. Harriet D., born February 11, 1877; Nellie W., born June 14, 1881; Sylvia E., born Septem- ber 10, 1885. Harriet is the wife of Henry A. Holley, of Otisville, and they have three children, Henry E., born August 26, 1898; Elizabeth C., born April 30, 1901 ; James Easton, born September 20, 1905. Nellie W. is the wife of Joseph K. Corwin. They have two children, S. Gilbert, born July 19, 1905, and Francis Ilorton, born March 2, 1907. In politics Mr. Easton is a democrat, and has served as inspector of elections since 1884. His father, James Easton, was born January 15, 1824, at Milford, Pa. February 24, 1849, he married Hannah E. Corwin, of New Vernon, and three children were born to them, Nellie R., born November 21, 1849, married Schuyler D. Frazer, of Otisville; Ada, born February 23, 1855, died March, 1856. He was at Dunkirk, N. Y., in 1851, when the opening of the Erie Railroad occurred. In 1855 he returned to Howells and opened a general store, continuing there until 1861. In 1853 he went to Saginaw, Michigan, remaining there one year, returning to Orange County in 1864, opening a general store at Otisville, which in May, 1884, was destroyed by fire. He immediately rebuilt and continued until 1905, when he retired after a career of fifty years of active life.
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