USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 89
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SAMUEL PELTON, son of Henry Pelton, spent his life as a farmer, residing for over fifty years on the farm now owned by his son, and dying in 1906, nearly eighty-eight years of age. Of quiet, gentle disposition, he never aspired to public prominence, yet was ever ready to help in any public-spirited undertaking. He
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served a term as president of Warwick Institute and was one of the founders and for many years a trustee of the Warwick Savings Bank.
IJENRY PELTON, son of Samue! Pelton, resides on the farm formerly owned by his father. He devotes most of his time to land surveying and local engineering work. He succeeded the late G. W. Sayer as president of the Warwick Valley Farmers' Milk Association, and held that office until the sale and dissolution of the company in 1907. He is also one of the trustees of the Warwick Savings Bank and a director of the Warwick Builling Association.
WILLIAM W. PELTON was born December 15. 1837, and died November 26, 1907, at his home near Warwick, N. Y. His carly education was acquired at the district school, and the Warwick Institute, when it was a private school. He after- ward became a teacher. He was a member of the board of education when the Warwick Institute was made a free school in 1867. He was engaged in business in Warwick and New York City for a time. In December, 1867, he married Almeda Knapp, daughter of the late John Knapp, of Sugar Loaf, Orange County, who survives him. To this union were born four children, John, Grace, wife of Frank Holbert of New York; Almeda, and Geraldine, wife of Selah Durland; also two grandsons and two granddaughters. Mr. Pelton was the last of his father's family. His brother, James, died in 1856, and Richard in 1898.
EDGAR PENNEY, vice-president and general manager of the Newburgh Ice Machine and Engine Co., is a native of Orange County, and has been identified with this company since 1895. Before purchasing the Newburgh plant he was for twelve years managing director and mechanical engineer for the Frick Company, Waynesboro, Pa., which built his ice machine, known as the "Frick" or "Eclipse." Mr. Penney invented this machine and retains full privilege of manufacture and sale under his patents. Among the products of the present concern are the Corliss steam engines, steam boilers, iron and brass castings, etc. A force of two hundred and fifty men are employed. The main buildings are 200 by 400 feet in dimensions and were built in 1883. In 1907 a large addition was erected.
WILLIAM J. PENOYER began life in Columbia County, N. Y., and after leaving the district school at the age of fifteen, he entered a general store and remained there for ten years. When twenty-six years of age he went to Albany, N. Y., and engaged in the grain business, which he continued until appointed harbor master by Governor Hoffman. He was supervisor several years and a director of two banks. He was a leading spirit in many improvements in his native county. In politics he was a Democrat.
Mr. Penoyer in 1883 married Anna M. Roe, of Chester, Orange County, and they had one daughter. Fannie, born 1886. He died in January, 1904.
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MILLS PEPPER, son of Elijah and Catura ( Crowell) Pepper, is a prosperous farmer in the town of Montgomery. The farin, which comprises one hundred and forty acres, was purchased by his father, who conducted it over sixty years. Mills Pepper, who resides at the homestead with his sister, has conducted it ten years. He is a member of Little Britain Grange and takes an active interest in public affairs of this locality.
GEORGE W. PETERS (deceased), a prominent business man of Newburgh, was born in Poughkeepsie in 1826, a son of Charles and Phœbe (Dean) Peters. At the age of sixteen he engaged with his father in the meat business in New York City, and in 1847 became a member of the firm of Charles Peters & Son, which con- tinued until 1863, when he sold the business and moved to Newburgh, where he engaged in farming for two and a half years. In 1869 he opened a meat market at 113 Water street, which he conducted with his sons until 1882, when he retired.
Mr. Peters was actively identified with public affairs in Newburgh. Under Mayor Doyle he was superintendent of streets for two terms. For many years he was president of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; also president of the Horse Thief Protective Society. He joined the Masonic fraternity in 1852, and was a member of the board of trustees of the Unitarian Church. He died in 1907.
ALBERT H. F. PHILLIPS was born at Oswego, N. Y., in 1866. His education was acquired at Oswego and the old Middletown Academy, graduating from the latter in 1880. His parents were John G. and Mary (Fisher) Phillips. Mr. Phillips has been identified with the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad as foreman for a period of fourteen years. In 19044 he assumed the position of master painter of the O. & W. shops, which position he still holds. He was married to Elizabeth Anna Heckroth, of Delaware County, N. Y., October 18, 1888. Their one child, Clara, was born April 8, 1893. In politics Mr. Phillips is a Republican. He has served as inspector of elections at various times and has been a delegate to assembly and city conventions. Socially he is a member of Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, F. and A. M., Lancelot Lodge, K. of P., and Wallkill Council, Jr. O. U. A. M., of Middletown. He is a member of the North Congregational Church and served as deacon and treasurer for the past seventeen years.
JOHN EVERTSON PHILLIPS, of Goshen, N. Y., son of William and Sarah E. Phillips, was born in Phillipsburgh, March 20, 1805. Graduated from Williams College in 1825. He studied law with Henry G. Wilner and after his admission to the bar in 1828 was associated with him in his profession until his death, December 17, 1841. He was married March 1, 1832, to Elizabeth T. Wisner, daughter of his partner, Henry G. Wisner. There were three daughters born of this union. Miss Harriet H. is still residing at the home which has been occupied by the family since 1836.
JOHN F. PIERCE, supervisor of the town of Highlands, was born at Fishkill
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Landing, N. Y., March 7, 1844. He attended school at Wappingers Falls, and during the Civil War served on the schooner Norma, carrying ammunition to the various ports. He was subsequently at West Point eight years in the butcher business, and removed to Ilighland Falls in 1873. where he continued his meat market and in later years engaged in the livery business.
Politically Mr. Pierce is a Republican and has long been identified with public aftairs of the town and village. In 1880 he was elected assessor, serving continu- onsly until the fall of 1007, when he resigned to fill the office of supervisor. Mr. Pierce has also served about twelve years as school trustee.
GEORGE PIERSON, who has resided on his present estate for about sixty years, in the town of Hamptonburgh, is well known in Orange County. He came from one of the oldest and most respected families of the state. His great-grand- father. Silas Pierson, who came to this county from Long Island about 1750, and settled on the old Pierson farm in Hamptonburgh, was the great-grandson of John Pierson, who emigrated from England about 1650 and settled at South Hampton, Long Island, where he died in 1669.
George Pierson was born January 1, 1824, and is the son of IIenry Pierson, also a native of the same place. His mother was Miss Mary Shaw, a native of Orange County, and four of her eight children grew to manhood and womanhood. Of these George was the eldest. Mr. Pierson's father died in 1866 and his mother in 1853. George Pierson obtained his early education at the district school and after- ward became a student of the Amherst Academy, at Amherst, Mass. He married . Miss Mary E. Thompson, daughter of Oliver Thompson, December 20, 1848. Their union resulted in the birth of four children. In 1849 Mr. Pierson moved to his present farm where he has resided over fifty years. He is interested in all public affairs and has held the office of justice of the peace since 1869, having served con - tinuously with the exception of two years. He served as assessor from 1884 to 1800. He is a member of Goshen Lodge, No. 365, F. and A. M. He was a trustee of the Hamptonburgh Presbyterian Church for thirty-nine years. At the time of Henry Clay's nomination for president, in 1844, Mr. Pierson was not quite of age, but he attended the next town meeting and has been in attendance ever since with one exception, in 1888, which was the only time he failed. and has attended every gen- eral election since he was of age. He was a member of the old Campbell Hall Grange, now out of existence. Mr. Pierson has a well stocked dairy farm and is now retired.
JOHN PIERSON, of the town of Mount Hope, was born on the homestead farm, near Otisville, Orange County, N. Y., in 1834. His father was Silas G. and mother Salome B. (Cook) Pierson. Four children were born of this union. Two died in infancy. Harriet N., wife of Alsop W. Dodge, of Otisville, died July 20, 1897. Johr. Pierson acquired his early education at the district school in his locality and at the public school at Middletown. He has resided on his present farm for a period of over seventy years. He is a Republican in politics and takes an
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active part in local affairs. He has been assessor for twenty years, has served as inspector of election for the town of Mount Hope about fifteen years, is a member of the Otisville Presbyterian Church and the Otisville Grange. His children are Silas G. and John M., of Denver, Colo .; Frank and Cora, at home; Helen G., wife of Ebenezer Bull; Saloma C., of Philadelphia, and Susan C., a teacher at Amity- ville, Long Island.
GEORGE A. POST, a successful contractor and builder, of Port Jervis, N. Y., was born at Saugerties, Ulster County, N. Y., and there learned his trade of car- penter. In 1889 he engaged in the contracting business at Port Jervis, and since that time has erected many of that city's prominent business blocks and residences. Mr. Post is a member of the Elks. and Confidence Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., of Saugerties. He has served as trustee of the village and was one of the first alder- men when Port Jervis became a city. He married Hannah J. Bross, of Ten Mile River, Sullivan County, and they have four children: Fannie E., who married Charles Clark; George H., a mail carrier, married Tillie Headley; Minnie, residing at home, and Lillie, a school teacher at Westbrookville, this county.
A. E. POWERS, manager of the Port Jervis plant of Swift & Co., is a native of Charleston, N. H .. and has occupied this responsible position for a period of eleven years. Mr. Powers is prominent in business and social circles and is identi- fied with the Masonic fraternity, the Elks and Odd Fellows.
JAMES J. PROCTOR was born September 1, 1878, at Greycourt, Orange County, N. Y. He acquired his early education in the schools of Orange County and at an early age he became associated with his father, John R. Proctor, in the management of the hotel at Greycourt. His father was a charter member of the Walton Hose Company, of Chester, N. Y., and a respected and energetic business man. James was married June 12, 1006, to Mary Gardner, of Highland Falls, N. Y. Mr. Proctor has been first assistant foreman of the Walton Hose Company, of Chester, for over four years, and has been a member ten years. His brother, Henry J., was born May 27, 1875, and is identified with him in the hotel business at Greycourt. Their father died January 29, 1904.
CHARLES PURDY was born March 15, 1842, in Sullivan County, near New Vernon, N. Y. His parents were Ebenezer and Hettie (Warner) Purdy. There were nine children in the parents' family, of whom six are still living. Charles attended the district schools in Sullivan County, after which he worked at farming until 1864. He then engaged with the Erie Railroad as brakeman and later had charge of a construction and switch engine for some time.
He married Jessie A. Wardrop, of Goshen, N. Y., October 18, 1876. Mr. Purdy is now baggage master at the Erie and has served since 1883. His wife, who died December 22, 1905, was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown.
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JOHN H. QUAID, who conducts a wholesale and retail grocery store in Water street, Newburgh, succeeded to the business that was established in 1834 by his father, John Quaid, a native of Limerick County, Ireland, who came to Newburgh when a young man and began business in Oldtown at the junction of what is now Liberty street and Gidney avenue, where he remained until 1850, when he removed to the present location, 136 Water street. In 1857 his eldest son, William, became a partner and the firm was changed to John Quaid & Son. In 1871 John H. pur- chased his father's interest and the firm of William Quaid & Brother was formed, continuing antil 1881, when William retired and John H. has since continued the business. Mr. Quaid has acquired much valuable real estate in Newburgh.
The parents of their mother, whose maiden name was McGathern, settled on a farm in the town of Blooming Grove in 1807. It is said of their grandmother that she was awarded the first premium for butter making for many years by the Agri- cultural Society.
Mr. John H. Quaid married Margaret Lord Fancher, daughter of Lewis Fancher, of Cornwall. She was a Daughter of the Revolution and at the time of her death in 1896 was president of St. Luke's Hospital, of which her husband was a trustee. Mr. Quaid is a member of the City Club. Newburgh Historical Society, and with his brother, William, a vestryman of St. Paul's Church.
WILLIAM B. RAMAGE was born in Branchville, Sussex County, N. J., January 16, 1858, and was educated in the Branchville and Morristown schools and the S. S. Seward Institute, of Florida, Orange County. In 1866 he learned the trade of carriage painting with Abraham Watts, of Florida, worked for him three years, and in 1871 engaged in business for himself in Florida, where he has continued during the thirty-six years intervening. Being a zealous Republican and an active political worker, he has held office for the past twelve years, and is now overseer of the poor and constable. He is a member of Wawayanda Lodge. No. 34, I. O. O. F., and of Warwick Lodge. No. 544, F. and A. M. He married May Jane Givens, of Florida, June 3, 1870. They have had ten children. only four of whom are living. Hattie, wife of Charles Hall, of Paterson, N. J .; Frank P., at home : Jessie, wife of M. Barry, of Florida, and Leon, at home. The mother is an earnest and active Methodist.
Mr. Ramage's father came to this country from England when he was ten years of age, went to Sussex County, N. J., and has resided there since. His wife's name was Elizabeth and they were the parents of fourteen children.
HOMER RAMSDELL, for a century the foremost citizen of Newburgh, N. Y .. was born at Warren, Mass., August 12, 1810. His father was Joseph Ramsdell. the fourth of that naine in descent from Joseph and Martha ( Bowker ) Ramsdell, who emigrated from England to Plymouth. Mass .. in 1613. His mother was Ruth Stockbridge, of Hanover, Mass., a descendant of John Stockbridge, who came from England in 1638. They were married at Hancver February 3. 1800, and moved to Warren, where the following children were born: Joseph, Mary and Homer. In
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1829 Homer went to New York City, where he was employed in dry goods houses. Three years later he began business there under the firm name of Ramsdell & Brown, dealers in silks and fancy white goods. He continued this mercantile career until 1840, when he took up his permanent residence in Newburgh, superin- tending the various interests of Mr. Thomas Powell, who was engaged in shipping and banking business here In 1844 Mr. Ramsdell became a member of the firm of Thomas Powell & Co., and thenceforth until Mr. Powell's death in 1856 he was largely the administrator of Mr. Powell's affairs. By purchase and consolidation Mr. Ramsdell added other forwarding lines to his enterprises and soon stood at the head of the transportation business on the Hudson. Details of Mr. Ramsdell's connection with the Erie Railroad appear elsewhere. In 18.45 he was elected a meni- ber of the board of directors of this corporation and in 1853 was chosen president of the company, resigning the office in July, 1857. He was intimately identified with the various local institutions of Newburgh and a prompt contributor to all progres- sive and elevating movements of his day.
Mr. Ramsdell was married June 16, 1835, to Frances E. L., daughter of Thomas Powell, of Newburgh, and the following children survive: Frances J., widow of Major George W. Rains; James A. P., H. Powell and Homer Stockbridge.
WILLIAM CHESTER RAMSDELL, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Greenville, Greene County, N. Y., December 29, 1858. His father was Luman S. Ramsdell, a nephew of Luman Ramsdell, of Norton Hill, who was con- nected with the State Agricultural Society and has had much to do wth the agricul- tural interests of the state and also with the co-operative or mutual insurance com- panies, he having established practically the first mutual insurance company in the state of New York.
The mother of William C. Ramsdell was Laura Ann Gedney before her marriage, and a direct descendant from an officer of the Revolutionary army.
When about seven years old the parents of William C. Ramsdell moved to Albany County, where his life was spent upon a farm until after he was of age. He attended the country schools and the academy which was established at South Westerlo. Later he attended Starkey Seminary and after teaching in the country schools for a few years he took the three-year normal course at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, the institution made famous by Horace Mann, who was its first president. After teaching a year or two in the public schools a course was taken with the Albany Business College and a year spent as teacher of commercial subjects in the high school at Attica, Indiana, after which Mr. Ramsdell entered the regular business college work with the Goldey College at Wilmington, Delaware.
At the close of the year's work the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Van Trump, of Wilmington, Delaware. The next four years were spent with the Drake Business School at Jersey City, N. J.
In 1895 Mr. Ramsdell opened the Ramsdell School in Middletown, N. Y., and for the last twelve years has conducted the school on North street. The school has
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continued to grow and has attained an excellent reputation in Orange County and vicinity for thorough and efficient work.
JAMES RAZEY, who resides near Florida, Orange County, is one of the repre- sentative agriculturists of that section. He was born on a farm near Harnell, Chemung County, N. Y., February 16, 1851. His education was acquired at the district school and Alfred University. Hle removed to Elmira, where he was en- gaged in art work for a period of ten years. From Elmira he removed to Chester, N. Y., and purchased the "Broadview" farm, which he successfully con . ducted for ten years. He built the unique Kazey cottage at Chester, which is one of the artistic houses in the county. His father died August 6, 1864, of yellow fever. His mother's name was Abigail Withey. There were four children in his parents' family. Our subject married Susan, daughter of David R. and Anna Feagles. Their three children are Ethel Denton, aged twenty-three years; Danforth, aged twenty years, and James Lester, aged seventeen years. Mr. Razey married for his second wife Mrs. Phoebe J. Smith, of Florida, October 16, 1906. He occupies a dairy farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
Mr. Razey is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Chester and in politics is a republican.
CHARLES IRA REDFIELD, M. D., was born in the town of Wallkill, Orange County, January 31, 1873. He is a son of Foster C., died February 6, 1875, and Sarah Louise (Fanning) Redfield, still living. The subject of this sketch attained his early education at the Walkill Academy and graduated in 1891. He also attended the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania of 1891-4, gradu- ating June 7, 1894. In the fall of 1894 he attended the Presbyterian Hospital out- patient department of Philadelphia, Pa., until February, 1895. In the spring of 1895 he opened an office in Middletown. He is now visiting physician of the Thrall Hospital. He has served as secretary of the New York State Medical Association 1004-5. Secretary Orange County Medical Association 1901-4, and was president Orange County Medical Society during 1905. He is a charter member of the B. C. Hirst Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia, Pa. He is a member of Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, F. and A. M .; Midland Chapter, R. A. M., No. 240, and Cypress Command- ery, No. 67. He was one of the organizers of the physicians' club of Middleotwn; a member of Middletown University Club, National Geographic Society, American Society of Sanitary and Moral Prophylaxis, and a member of the board of educa- tion. He was health officer in 1898 and is a member and a trustee of the Second Presbyterian Church. Dr. Redfield married Miss Ira Anna Louise Barker, of Rox- bury, Mass., October 20, 1897.
GEORGE W. REED was born July. 18.44. at South Centreville, in what was then the town of Minisink, but now in the town of Wawayanda, Orange County. Born of Scotch parentage he was reared on the homestead farm and received a common school education. At the opening of the war he enlisted in the Union Army, October,
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1861, as a member of Company C, First New York Mounted Rifles. He was sent with his company to Virginia, participating in the battle of Petersburg and other engage- ments of the war. He was mustered out at Albany as corporal in December, 1865, having served more than four years. After the war he returned to Middletown and worked at the carpenter's trade, and has been identified with building and con- tracting business there for many years. He is a charter member of Captain Wil- liam A. Jackson Post, No. 301, G. A. R., and is its commander. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Middletown, N. Y. He is a republican and has filled many local offices and is at present a member of the board of education.
HENRY WILSON REED was born at Middletown, Orange County, N. Y., November 3, 1875. His education was acquired at the old Wallkill Academy. After his schooling he became identified with Fort Wayne Electric Light Co. for a period of seven years. From 1889 to 1891 he was vice-president of the Enterprise Electric Co., of Middletown, N. Y. In 1896 he engaged in the electrical construc- tion business, which business he still carries on. He has done the electrical work in the best homes and public buildings in Orange County, and is endorsed by the State Underwriters' Association. He married Helen K. Biddlebrook, only daugh- ter of William H. Wood, of Chester, N. Y., April 9, 1901.
In politics Mr. Reed is a republican. He is a member of the Wallkill Engine Co. of Middletown and the National Electrical Contractors' Association of America. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Middletown, N. Y.
MARK REEKS, president and treasurer of the John G. Wilkinson Company, Newburgh, N. Y., wholesale and retail dealers in carriages, harness, etc., was born in London in 1869. Came to America in 1888, and entered the employ of John G. Wilkinson as bookkeeper. Following the death of Mr. Wilkinson in 1905 Mr. Reeks became executor and manager of the estate and in 1906 purchased the Wil- . kinson interest and the present company was organized. The business of which Mr. Reeks is now the head was established in 1867 and the trade extends throughout New England, New Jersey and New York.
JOHN REILLY, assessor of the town of Highlands, Orange County, N. Y., has ably filled that office for the past twenty years. He is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and sailed for America in 1863 on the old ship France. He was employed for a time at Poughkeepsie and Newburgh, and in 1870 came to West Point and joined the United States Cavalry, in which he served five years, including one year and a half in the ordnance department. In 1875 Mr. Reilly established his hotel and livery, which he has conducted with much success. He has always taken an active interest in politics and is a member of the Republican county committee. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Honor and the A. O. H. He married Miss Jane Cook, daugliter of ex-Supervisor Cook. He was appointed postmaster of Highland Falls under President Mckinley's administration, but declined the office.
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A. SMITH RING, for many years prominent in financial and public affairs of Newburgh, was born in that city in 1838, a son of Thomas C. and Catherine (Speir) Ring After graduating from the academy, he was employed by the Powell Bank until 1858, when he became connected with the Newburgh Savings Bank, of which his father was treasurer. The latter part of Mr. Ring's life was spent in retirement from active business pursuits, devoting his attention to the management of his large property interests.
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