USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 84
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GEORGE KOHL, son of Valentine and Mary Ann (Zeigler) Kohl, natives of Germany, was born at Middlehope in 1876. After finishing his studies at the Newburgh schools he entered the general store established in 1869 by his father at Middlehope. In 1898 he engaged in his present mercantile business and a year later was appointed postmaster of the village, holding the position continuously to the present time. Mr. Kohl was collector of the town of Newburgh in 1902 and 1903 and collector of the school district for seven years. He is accounted not only a thoroughly trustworthy official, but one of the best citizens of Middle- hope. Socially he is identified with the Newburgh Wheelmen.
HENRY KOHL, corporation counsel of the city of Newburgh and member ot the law firm of McClung & Kohl, was born in Middlehope in 1871, a son of Valen- tine and Mary A. (Ziegler) Kohl. After finishing his preliminary studies he read law in the office of Judge Seeger and was admitted to the bar in 1894. Mr. Kohl
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has built up a large clientage and has acquired especial success and prominence in criminal cases.
Politically Mr. Kohl is a democrat and an ardent worker for the success of his party, which has honored him with the nomination for state and county offices.
VALENTINE J. KOHL; who is engaged in fruit farming at Middlehope, was born in the town of Newburgh in 1868, and was educated at the district schools. In 1897 he purchased his present farm of twenty acres, all of which is under cultivation, in connection with which he operates a cider mill, turning out 50,000 gallons annually. Mr. Kohl held the office of town clerk four years and also served as school trustee. He is a member of the Grange and the Masonic Lodge No. 309, Newburgh, and I. O. O. F. He married Charlotte P. Clauson and two children have been born to them. Valentine Kohl, father of our subject, was a prosperous mer- chant and farmer of Middlehope. He died in 1890.
VALENTINE KOHL, for many years a prosperous merchant of Middle Hope, N. Y., was born at St. Martens-on-the-Rhine, Germany, where he received his schooling and learned the shoemaker's trade. Shortly after his marriage he sailed for America; here he plied his trade for a few years, and then became interested in the mercantile business at Middle Hope, remaining thus engaged until his death, which occurred in 1890, while he was serving as postmaster. He was appointed to this office by President Arthur and reappointed by President Har- rison, his term of service in this capacity extending from 1883 until 1890. He was accounted not only a thoroughly trustworthy official, but one of the best citi- zens of Middle Hope.
Mr. Kohl was reared in the Catholic faith, but in mature life became convinced of the truth of protestantism and inclined toward the Methodist Episcopal tenets, being a regular attendant at the services of this church. His wife, who was Miss Mary A. Ziegler, was also a native of Germany. They became the parents of seven children, of whom four sons are prominent citizens of Orange County, whose personal sketches are recorded in this history.
WILLIAM J. KOHL, president of the Newburgh city council and former alder- man, of the Third ward, Newburgh, was born in Middlehope, Orange County, N. Y., May 17, 1874. He attended the public schools and graduated from the Spencerian Business College, Newburgh. He was employed for a time in the wholesale provision house of Coles, Marshall & Co., of that city, and in 1903 estab- lished his grocery store in South street, where he has met with much success. Mr. Kohl is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Maccabees, Ringgold Hose Com- pany, a member of the Newburgh Wheelmen and the Mannerchor. He has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the democratic party.
WILLIAM ALBERT KORTRIGHT was born at Phillipsburgh, Orange County, March 4, 1866, and educated at the Port Jervis and Campbell Hall schools. He left
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his father's farm and began learning the blacksmith trade in 1881, engaging in that business at Centerville in 1886, where he continued one year, and then started at Slate Hill, which he operated three years. In 1890 he started business in Florida, where he has since resided. He is a member of Wawayanda Lodge No. 34, I. O. O. F., the Florida Grange, and of the Methodist church.
Mr. Kortright married Alice Halstead, of South Centerville, and they have one child, Wardell, who is eighteen years of agc.
W. FRANK LAIN .- In the annals of the town of Minisink the name of Lain is a familiar one, as the various generations of this family have borne an honor- able part in the town's development. The first member to locate in Orange County was William Lain, who came from Long Island in 1770 and settled in the town of Minisink. His wife was Keziah, daughter of Increase Mather. Among their children was David, born in 1791. He spent his entire life on the home farm and died in his seventy-ninth year.
Gideon Lain, father of W. Frank Lain, died in 1906. He married Mary Dun- ning and three sons and one daughter were born to them. W. F. Lain, who con- tinues the homestead farm of one hundred and seventy acres near Westtown, was born here in 1859; he finished his studies at the high school in Cincinnati. He is a member of the Grange, the Masonic fraternity and republican committeeman from the town of Minisink.
ROBERT LAWRENCE was born in the city of Birmingham, England, in 1849, and he acquired his education at the public schools in Birmingham. His parents came to America in 1864 and settled in Middletown, Orange County. He was mar- ried to Amelia Thornton, of Spring Glenn, Ulster County, in 1872. They have three children living, Howard R., Cora B. and Ethel A. Mr. Lawrence has served the city in an efficient manner as alderman for several years and was president of the common council during the same period. He is a member of the I. O. O. F .; was elected mayor in November, 1906, and is still occupying that office. Mr. Law- rence is a member of St. Paul's church and was superintendent of the Sunday- school fourteen years.
WILLIAM S. LAYTON was born in Amity, Orange County, January 18, 1871. After completing his education he assisted on the farm, and has remained a fariner. His father was one of the first peach growers, for shipping in the town of War- wick, and his son William now has on his dairy and fruit farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres, peach orchards containing four thousand trees of the best varie- ties. He is a republican, a school trustee, a member of AAmity Grange No. 1001, of Warwick, Lodge No. 544, F. and A. M., and Wawayanda Lodge No. 34, I. O. O. F. He married Gertrude If., daughter of James H. and Catherine Miller, of Florida. February 3, 1892. Their five children, all at home, are Lawrence, born June 6, 1893; Edgar, born January 3, 1895; Lillian, born October 3, 1896; Helen, born December
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8, 1898; and William Gerald, born September 12, 1901. The father had one sister, Nettie E., wife of James A. Sammis, of Glenwood, N. J. She died in 1892.
WILBUR C. LAZEAR was born in 1854 on his father's farm three miles from Warwick, near New Milford. His father was Cornelius Jones Lazear, and his mother's maiden name was Elmira Ferrier. In 1867 his father removed to War- wick and became a partner of Walter Knapp, with the firm name of Knapp & Lazear, in the undertaking and furniture business. In 1872 he purchased Mr. Knapp's interest, and when his son Wilbur's schooling was finished, made him his partner. The father died January 10, 1892, and Wilbur has continued the business since. He married Miss Jennie Smith November 5, 1884. Their children are Cornelius S., Belle, and Ida May. Mr. Lazear is a member of Warwick Lodge No. 554, F. and A. M., and the Odd Fellows. Mrs. Lazear died February II, 1906.
MARTIN E. LEE, a retired farmer, and leading citizen of Westtown, was born in the town of Minisink in 1846. He is a son of Lewis and Experience (Teasdale) Lee. His mother was a daughter of ex-Judge Teasdale, of Sussex, N. J. Of his paternal ancestors his grandfather, Daniel Lee, participated in the War of 1812, and his great grandfather, Paul Lee, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Lee's life was devoted to the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and forty acres, which he now rents. He has always taken an active part in public affairs and is a member of the republican committee of the town of Minisink. He married Miss Alice, daughter of Dr. A. A. Seymour. One daughter, Rose, was born to them. She is now the wife of Philip H. DuBois, of New Paltz.
ANDREW WRIGHT LENT, attorney of Newburgh and Highland, N. Y., is a junior member of the law firm of A. D. and A. W. Lent. He is a native of High- land, N. Y., and was educated at Union College, from which he graduated in 1904 with the degree of Ph.B. He read law in the office of his father, Abraham D. Lent and at Albany Law School, was admitted to the bar in 1906, and has since practiced in Newburgh.
Abraham D. Lent was born at Clinton, Dutchess County in 1850, attended the Al- bany Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. Mr. Lent practices at High- land, Ulster County, and has conducted a law office in Newburgh since 1903.
NELSON BURTON LENT, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Westchester County, N. Y., author and publisher of the "History of the Lent Family in the United States, from 1638 to 1902," was born in the town of Court- landt, Westchester County, N. Y., May 1, 1856, and educated in the public schools of his native town. His father was Nathaniel D. Lent, and his mother's maiden name was Rachel Lent.
Among the families of Westchester County there is none stronger or more widely distributed than the old Dutch family of Lents. Abraham De Ryck, who emigrated to the United States from Amsterdam, Holland, to the Island of Man-
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hattan, in the year 1638, was the father of Ryck Abrahamson, who took the name of Van Lent. The name is supposed to have originated from a place called "Lent" in Holland.
Mr. N. B. Lent learned the trade of a compositor with the Highland Democrat in Peekskill, N. Y. He left Peekskill in 1880, and associated with his cousin, Wil- liam C. Tunstall, established and edited The Providence Register, a weekly news- paper at Scranton, Pa. He later sold out his interest to Mr. Tunstall, and returned to Peekskill. He was soon afterward called by the life-long printer and historian, E. M. Ruttenber, Esq., to Newburgh, N. Y., and was employed by him in his job printing office. Since 1884 he has been connected with The Newburgh Journal.
Mr. Lent was instrumental in instituting the first Patriotic Order of the Sons of America in Newburgh, N. Y. He represented the order in the state and national conventions. He was a member of Acme Lodge of Odd Fellows of Newburgh, and its representative in the Grand Lodge in 1888. He was one of fourteen to organize Canton Woodward No. 32, Patriarchs Militant, and held the office of clerk, and was commissioned an aide-de-camp on the staff of General Otis Woodward, of the Division of Niagara, with rank of captain. He held all the offices of his lodge to district deputy grand master ; has been for the past twenty-one years a member of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. and A. M .; the Historical Society of the Newburgh Bay and the Highlands; the Empire State Society, Sons of the American Revolu- tion ; and the American Institute of Civics.
Mr. Lent in politics is a republican. He was one of the United States Census. Enumerators for the city of Newburgh in 1900, and clerk to the engrossing com- mittee in the State Assembly at Albany, in 1901-1902.
He married Miss Viola Frances, daughter of Herman and Mary Stone, of Danbury, Conn., December 23, 1881. They have six children, Bertram Nelson,. Winfred Foss, Roland Depew, Hobart Townsend, Sebring Round and Mildred Stone, all born at Newburgh, N. Y. Mr. Lent in religion is a Methodist, and a member of Trinity M. E. Church, Newburgh.
CHAUNCEY M. LEONARD was born in Newburgh in the year 1825, and in a house that occupied the site of the Bigler building at the corner of Third and Smith streets. He resided here until sixteen years of age, receiving his education at the Newburgh Academy. In early manhood he became a member of the old volunteer fire department of New York while learning his trade of painter. He was elected assistant foreman of the engine company. At the age of nineteen he married Miss Rebecca Smith, of New York City, who died two years afterward, leaving a daughter, who married Thomas K. Rheutan. In 1848 he married Miss Hope Smith, a sister of his first wife, and had several children.
In 1850 he returned to his native city and continued to reside here till his death He was employed as a painter by E. T. Comstock, and on Mr. Comstock's death in 1859, the firm of Ward & Leonard ( Peter Ward and Chauncey M. Leonard) was formed. James J. Logan afterward being received into the partnership, the firm became Ward, Leonard & Co.
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Mr. Leonard joined Ringgold Hose Company, No. I, in 1853. He was elected assistant foreman, but his ability and experience as a fireman were such that he was called to fill a position of greater prominence. In 1861 he was elected chief engineer of the Newburgh fire department, and at each successive election there- after was re-elected to the same office, till March, 1874, when he was called to take the higher position of mayor of the city.
In 1873 he was a delegate to the democratic state convention, and was an hon- orary member of the National Association of Chief Engineers. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and well advanced in the degrees of the order. He died at his residence, 82 Ann street, Thursday, December 3, 1874.
JAMES J. LEONARD, son of the late Chauncey M. Leonard, was born in New- burgh, N. Y., October 16, 1872. After graduating from the academy he entered the office of the Newburgh Register as bookkeeper, and from 1888 to 1907 was connected with the wholesale grocery house of Stephen M. Bull, when he formed a partnership with W. E. Doyle, and under the firm name of Doyle & Leonard is engaged in the wholesale grocery trade, continuing the business of Mailler & Doyle. Mr. Leonard has always manifested an active interest in politics and in 1903 was elected to the office of county clerk, serving until 1906. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity, president and director of the Wheelmen's Club, member of the City Club and the Ringgold Hose and Veteran Association and Newburgh Vol- unteer Association. He married Mary T. McQuillan, of Newburgh. They have two children, Chauncey M. and Marion H.
EDWARD G. LITTELL was born in Elmira, N. Y., July 5, 1851. From his birthplace he went to Rahway, N. J., remained there several years, and then came to Greycourt, Orange County. He was a fireman on the Erie Railroad eleven years, had charge of the steam pumps twelve years, and later operated a saw- mill and general store. His great grandfather was Captain Pratt Littell and he was in the first skirmish against the British in the War of the Revolution. He lived in New Jersey at a place called Short Hills.
Edward G. married Ida Bronk Hyte, of Greycourt. Their children are Elizabeth A., Edward D., of Los Angeles, Cal., William J., Harry M., Andrew H., Hattie L., Ida M. and Alfred K. The father is a member of Standard Lodge No. 711, F. and A. M .; K. of P. Lodge No. 363, of Chester, and the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Mr. Littell has held the office of postmaster at Greycourt for nine years. He is a member of the Chester Horse Thief Association, and has served twice on the republican town board.
WILLIAM T. LODGE, who has conducted the Empire House at Montgomery, N. Y., for thirty-seven years, is one of the representative and highly respected citizens of Orange County. Mr. Lodge was born in Ireland, March 26, 1836, and came to America when a lad of fifteen. He was engaged in farming from 1849 to 1871, when he purchased his present hotel property. In politics Mr. Lodge is
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a democrat, and has for years exerted a great influence in the promotion of its interests.
Socially lie is identified with the Masonic fraternity, and is a director in the First National Bank of Montgomery. He was one of the organizers and is a supporter of the Episcopal Chapel, organized about six years ago in Montgomery. This chapel is a branch of the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Walden.
Mr. Lodge married Miss Catherine Doyle in 1863, and three sons and three daughters have been born to them-William T. Jr., manager of the Empire House; Martin D. conducts a gents' furnishing store, and James A., proprietor of a sales stable for horses and cattle, all residing in Montgomery.
WILLIAM LOEVEN was born at Honesdale, Pa .. September 8, 1861. His early education was acquired at the public school. He removed to Orange County in March, 1891, and located at Middletown.
He engaged in business on Fulton street, after which he removed to Otisville, in January, 1906, and purchased the hotel known as the Writer Hotel, which he still continues. He married Frances Gehrer, of Honesdale, Pa., October 16, 1889. Their four children are William, Jr., Robert, Edward and Elizabeth, all residing at home. In politics Mr. Loeven is a democrat, and is a member of the F. O. E. Mr. and Mrs. Loeven are members of the Church of the Holy Name, of Otisville.
CHARLES W. LOOMIS was born at Otisville, Orange County, N. Y. He is a son of Ephraim Smith Loomis, who was born May 22, 1801, and died February 27, 1869. His mother died November 19, 1891. Charles W. attended the district school and assisted his father on the farm, which has been the Loomis homestead for over a century. He married Miss Phoebe A. Dunlap, daughter of Riley and Sarah E. Dunlap, November 28, 1886. Five children were born to this union, Iva Pamela, born February 17, 1887, died May 19, 1904; Antoinette Evelyn, born April 17, 1888; Ephraim Smith, born November 9, 1890; Frank Kaufmann, born October 2, 1894; and Sarah Irene, born February 14, 1898.
In politics Mr. Loomis is a republican. He has held several local offices, being supervisor of the town fourteen years and justice of the peace ten years. He is a member of the Otisville Presbyterian Church and active in religious duties. He is identified with Hoffman Lodge No. 412, of Middletown, as a member. Mr. Loomis has a good dairy farm and makes a specialty of truck gardening.
EPHRAIM BEEMER LOTT was born August 25, 1862, at Sussex, N. J. He attended the district school, after which he worked on a farm until 1887. He then identified himself with the Warwick Valley Milk Association, where he remained for sixteen years. He is now foreman of the Warwick branch of the Mutual Milk and Cream Co. He married Miss Emma Barrett, of Warwick, October 31, 1888. Two children were born by this union, Mary Lavina, living at home, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Lott is a member of Wawayanda Lodge No. 34, Odd Fel- lows, Independent Order of Red Men, Tuxedo Tribe, No. 322, and Orange Council
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No. 112, Jr. O. U. A. M. He is a member of the Methodist Church of Warwick. In politics he is a democrat. His father, John Hathorn Lott, died August II, 1906, at the age of one hundred years eleven months and five days. There were ten children in his family by the first wife and nine by his second wife. He was a cooper by trade, and a great hunter of wild game.
IRVING K. LOUGHRAN, attorney of Walden, N. Y., has for many years been prominently identified with commercial and public affairs of Orange County. He is a native of New York and read law with Henry H. Hustis, of Fishkill-on- Hudson. Since his admission to the bar in 1882 he has practiced law continuously in Walden. Mr. Loughran has held all the judicial offices in the town of Mont- gomery and for fourteen years was justice of the peace. He served for twelve years on the board of supervisors and two terms as chairman of the board. He is secretary and director of the Wallkill Valley Electric Co., secretary of the Wall- kill Valley Cemetery Association, secretary and director of the Schrade Cutlery Co. of Walden, and a member of the New York Bar Association. He has taken the various chairs in Masonry, including the Mystic Shrine, and is a member of the Newburgh Lodge of Elks and Walden Lodge, K. of P.
JAMES B. LOVE, who in 1906 purchased the Dr. Ormsbee farm on the State road midway between Newburgh and the village of Montgomery, was born in New York City, and engaged in business there for many years. He married Miss Maggie Urey and they have two sons, James B., Jr., born January, 1905, and John Robert, born March, 1908. Mr. Love and his family, like many retired New Yorkers, enjoy the freedom of rural life in Orange County.
HENRY C. LOVELAND was born October 13, 1853, at Chester, Pa. His father was William W. and mother, Lucinda M. (Atkins) Loveland. Twelve children were born to this union, nine boys and three girls. He obtained his early education at the district school at Chester, and later attended the public school at Napanoch. After his schooling he was employed in the rolling mills and in 1872 came to Mid- dletown, learning the machinist trade. In 1878 he associated himself with the Wheeler, Madden and Clemson Mfg. Co., of Middletown, remaining with this firm until 1890, then with Clemson Bros. for a period of seventeen years, after which he has been connected with the National Saw Co. He was married to Josephine Decker, March 29, 1877. They have two children.
Stephen D., who married Nellie Clark, of Middletown, have two children, one son and one daughter, and Hattie, wife of George C. Brundage. Mr. Loveland is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. and A. M .; Wallkill Council No. 92, Jr. O. U. A. M., and Olympia Council No. 14, D. of A. In politics he is a republican, and has served the city faithfully as councilman. The Loveland family are of English descent and dates back to 1635 in America.
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WARREN LOWELL was born in Troy, N. Y., and educated in Albany and New York City. He was engaged in the milk business for a time and was later employed by the Union Pacific Railroad. About 1876 he returned to New York City and associated himself with the Orange County Milk Co., of which he is now a director, and holds the offices of secretary and superintendent. The plant at Goshen has facilities for handling four hundred cans of milk daily. The various creameries owned by this company have up-to-date machinery for the condensing of cream. This company was organized in 1860. Mr. Lowell is a member of Pyramid Lodge No. 490, F. and A. M .; Union Chapter No. 180, York Commandery No. 55, and the Consistory, all of New York City. Politically he is a republican. He married Matilda D. Senior, of New York, September 16, 1885.
OLIVER LOZIER, who is engaged in farming near Savilton, Orange County, was born in the town of Newburgh in 1837. He attended district school and the Newburgh Academy and engaged in farming until 1857, when he accepted a posi- tion as captain on the Newburgh ferry. In 1868 he removed to Savilton and pur- chased his farm of seventy-five acres. He has served as collector of the town one year and as supervisor six years. He married Elizabeth Hanmore and five children were born to them. His son, Frank E., is engaged in the management of the farm with his father. He married Miss May Palmer, of Ulster County; they have two children, one son, Elmore, and a daughter.
HARRY ROSS LYDECKER, attorney of Newburgh and Brooklyn, was born in Yonkers, N. Y., March 4, 1869. Son of Albert and Martha B. (Morrison) Ly- decker ; graduated 1887 from Mount St. Mary's Academy; read law in the office of Colonel William Dickey (now justice of the supreme court) ; admitted to the bar in 1893. He has served as counsel of the Newburgh Electric Railway Co .; corpor- ation counsel of the town of New Windsor; town counsel of the town of Blooming Grove.
In 1906 Mr. Lydecker opened a law office in Brooklyn, N. Y. In January, 1907, the law firm of Lydecker and Smith was formed with offices in Newburgh. Mr. Lydecker is a member of the commandery and chapter, F. and A. M .; member of the Tenth Separate Company, the Canoe and Boating Association, the Royal Arcanum, Ringgold Hose and the Y. M. C. A. In 1891 he married Miss Minnie A. Brown, of Newburgh. Five children have been born to them.
JOHN McCARTY was born of Irish parentage in Westchester County, N. Y., and moved to Brooklyn when eighteen years of age. His early desires were for mercantile pursuits, but he eventually entered the service of the city of Brooklyn in the municipal board of health. He later became a clerk to Justice Walsh, which position he retained for some years, relinquishing this eventually to become alder- man, serving on important committees while remaining in the board, and becoming also its presiding officer. He has dealt largely in Brooklyn real estate. He was nominated in 1891 to succeed John C. Jacobs, and was elected by over 16,000 plu-
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