USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 90
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A firm believer in the principles of the democratic party, he was elected city treasurer in 1875. He was appointed one of the trustees of Washington's head- quarters and treasurer of the board. He was a member of the board of managers of the Associated Charities and took a deep and active interest in philanthropic work.
October 5, 1881, Mr. Ring was united in marriage with Miss Frances Ludlow, daughter of the late George W. Kerr. One child, Thomas Ludlow, was born to them.
In the death of Mr. Ring, which occurred July 8, 1893, Newburgh lost a citizen of more than ordinary ability, who occupied a high place in the regard of his asso- ciates.
SAMUEL D. ROBERSON, of Bullville, Orange County, N. Y., was born in the town of Crawford in 1849, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Martin) Roberson. His father was a native of Westchester County, and for many years was proprietor of the Bullville Hotel. Our subject was educated at the public schools and for three years managed the Bullville Hotel. He then built a creamery and was also engaged in a general mercantile business.
As a leader in democratic politics Mr. Roberson is widely known to the voters of Orange County. He was chosen chairman of the democratic county committee in 1896, and for twelve years was elected to the office of supervisor in Craw- ford town.
In 1870 Mr. Roberson married Miss Hannah Powles of Newburgh. Seven children were born to them, of whom four sons and one daughter are living.
HON. CHARLES DWIGHT ROBINSON was born in Auburn, Cayuga County, V. Y., February 6, 1860. He was educated in the public schools of his native city.
Mr. Robinson is a descendant of George Robinson, who settled in Rehoboth, in the State of Massachusetts, in 1645. His ancestry on both sides was very active in the trying times of the American Revolution. His father, William Philip Robin- son, located in Auburn in 1844; his mother was Louise E., daughter of William Clark Smith and Aner Lewis. Mr. Smith was a grandson of Anning Smith, of Milton, Ulster County, N. Y .. an officer in the Revolutionary War. On the paternal side of Mr. Robinson, his ancestors, Zephaniah Robinson and Philip Robinson, served in Massachusetts regiments, Philip being a sergeant. William Robinson, a cousin of Philip, served in a Connecticut regiment, in the Revolution.
Mr. Robinson, since leaving school, has been active in many lines of usefulness,
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which he was well adapted for. Prior to 1883 he was cashier for the Chicago branch of D. M. Osborne & Co., of Anburn. He removed to Newburgh, N. Y., in November, 1883, and entered the firm of John Dales & Co., real estate and insurance, where he has since continued.
Mr. Robinson in politics is a republican. He has been identified with municipal affairs of Newburgh since 1894, first serving as alderman from his (Fourth) ward in 1894 and 1895; president of the common council from March, 1895, to March, 1900, and from March, 1904, to March, 1906. He became well informed as to the city's conditions and needs, and being a thorough, economical business man, he was chosen as its mayor in 1906-1907. He has been trustee of Washington's head- quarters since 1893, having been appointed by Governor Roswell P. Flower, and re- appointed by Governors Black, Odell and Hughes.
Mr. Robinson is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, the Historical Society of the Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, Hudson River Lodge, No. 52; Hudson River Commandery, No. 35; Knight Templar; the Robinson Genealogical Society, and the Newburgh City Club. He has been married twice. His first marriage was to Mary B. Dales, February 16, 1882. They had one daughter, Julia. Mrs. Robin- son died January 14, 1900. His second marriage was to Anna B. Colwell, January 30, 1902. They have one son, Charles D., Jr.
JAMES ROBERTSON was born December 6, 1846, at Liberty, Sullivan County, N. Y. His parents were Bronson and Abigail (Stoddard) Robertson. Our subject acquired his education at the public school. At an early age he learned the carpenters' trade, which he followed for some years. He joined the navy in 1864 and was assigned the position as ship carpenter on the Sweet Briar, one of the boats that made up the South Atlantic blockading squadron. He served until 1866 and received an honorable discharge. After the war he resided in Chicago for three years, after which he returned to Monticello, Sullivan County, and followed his trade for a time. He was identified with the Erie R. R. at Port Jervis for ten years as foreman of the carpenters' department of the Delaware division. In 1902 he was appointed manager of the bottling department of the Deer Park Brewery, and in 1906 was made general manager, which position he still holds. Mr. Robertson married Mary E. Kinne, of Monticello, N. Y., March 2, 1871. Socially he is a member of the Port Jervis Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
FREDERICK O. ROCKAFELLOW, one of the leading funeral directors and embalmers of Middletown, N. Y., was born in that city May 14, 1864. After grad- uating from the Middletown High School and Wallkill Academy, he entered the undertaking establishment of his father, John D. Rockafellow, and acquainted him- self with every detail of the business. Upon the death of his father, Frederick came into possession of the business, which he has since conducted successfully. This business was established by his father in 1861, and is the oldest establishment of the kind in Middletown. John D. Rockafellow was one of Middletown's most
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progressive and public spirited citizens. He was chief of the fire department for many years and always took a deep interest and lent ready aid in the furtherance of projects benefiting the community. Frederick O. Rockafellow married Marguerite R. Oliver, of Chicago, Ill., and to them have been bern two sons: Frederick O .. Jr., and John D. Mr. Rockafellow is a member of Lancelot Lodge, No. 169, K. of P .; an honorary member of the Excelsior hook and hadder company and a member of the Middletown Club. The family attend Westminster Church.
LEWIS N. L. ROCKWELL was born at Narrowsburg, Sullivan County, N. Y., May 12, 1875. He attained his education at the public school. He also attended the Albany business college. In 1896 he accepted a position as bookkeeper in New York City in a wholesale house. November 6, 1905, he removed to Otisville and purchased the general store cf Joel Northrop, where he has since continued the business. He married Miss Irene Bloomberg, of Narrowsburg, January 10, 1900. In politics he is a democrat. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. There were thirteen children in his parents' family and there are still living four sons and two daughters. His brother, George W., has served two terms as county clerk of Sullivan County.
ALFRED B. ROE, of Chester, N. Y., was born at that place June 9, 1880. He graduated from Chester Academy and later attended Lafayette College, at Easton, Pa. Following his schooling he assisted his father on the home farm. He mar- ried Frances A. Decker, of Chester. April 3, 1902, and they have one son, Alfred Russell, born January 30, 1905.
Mr. Roe's parents were Alfred Booth and Martha (Durland) Roe. The home- stead farm has been in the possession of the family for about one hundred and seventy-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Roe are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Chester.
D. HOWELL ROE, of Florida, Orange County, was born October 25, 1838. After he finished his district school education, at the age of eighteen, he became clerk in William Vail's grocery store and worked there several years, when he en - gaged in the livery business at Chester, near the Erie Railroad station. He sold out a few years later and opened a grocery and feed store in Chester, which he con- ducted until his death. November 29, 1880. He was town clerk and supervisor many years, holding the latter office until poor health obliged him to decline a re- nomination by the democratic party, to which he belonged. He went South, re- mained there a year, and afterward spent two winters there for his health. He was a member of the Standard Lodge of Chester and of the Methodist Church. He married Elizabeth Rysdyk, of Chester, June 7, 1854. Their two children died in infancy.
FRED ROGERS, manufacturer, of Middletown, N. Y., was born at Brewster, Putnam County, N. Y., July 12, 1859. His parents were both of English extraction,
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his father, Joseph, having been born near Oxford, and his mother, Penelope Wilkin, near Bristol, England. Joseph Rogers settled at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and engaged in the manufacture of drums and banjo heads, afterward removing to Blooming- burgh, Sullivan County, N. Y., where he learned his trade. Fred obtained his education at the district school at Bloomingburg and Snooks Academy at Monti- cello, N. Y. After leaving school he entered the drum head manufactory of his father at Bloomingburg, and continued with him until the death of the latter in 1901, when he succeeded to the business. His mother died in 1896. Mr. Rogers married Harriet Pellet Moore, of Middletown, N. Y., November 28, 1888, and four children were born to them: Penelope, Ruth Bradner, died November 25, 1907; Helen Hyde and Clara Elizabeth. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Pythias. His brother, Joseph, now conducts the factory established by his father at Bloomingburg. Mr. Rogers opened his present factory at Mechanics- town, near Middletown, in 1897.
WILLIAM H. ROGERS was born December 29, 1845, in Sullivan County, N. Y. He is a son of James and Elizabeth Rogers. In 1859 he moved to Middletown, where he acquired his education, attending the old Orchard street school and Wall- kill Academy. He engaged in the drug business in 1868, and is at present senior member of the drug firm of McMonagle & Rogers, of Middletown. He married Miss Amelia Chattle, of Middletown, May 19, 1869. To this union three children were born : Fred S., Thomas C., district attorney of Orange County, and Elizabeth, wife of Wickham Wisner Young, of Middletown. Mr. Rogers supports the re- publican party. He is ex-president of the board of education, ex-member of the board of water commissioners, and president of the board of managers of Middle- town State Homeopathic Hospital and ex-president of the New York State Phar- maceutical Association, charter member Monhagen hose company, member Royal Arcanımı, Concordia Council, No. 1077, and Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, F. and A. M., of Middletown.
CHARLES W. ROSE was born September 9, 1836, at Canajoharie, N. Y. Hc attended the district school at Amsterdam. At an early age he learned the milling business, and has been identified with that for many years. He worked at the Tivoli Railroad Mills, at Albany, which was built previous to the Revolu- tionary War. In 1850 he operated the Garden City Mill, at Chicago, for two years. He was an engineer on the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad be- tween Albany and Syracuse. He returned to Albany and ran the engine in the same mill for a period of four years after it was operated by steam. In 1863 he went to New York City, taking charge of the William Tilden & Nephew Varnish Works, which position he held for twelve years, after which he spent two years abroad. Mr. Rose then came to Burnside, Orange County, and purchased the saw and grist mill, which he operated for eight years in connection with a general store. He has been postmaster of Burnside for several years. In politics he is a
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republican and served one term as supervisor, and as justice of the peace several years.
He married Sophia Schweishelm, of Hanover, Germany. Three children were born to this union. One died, by accident, aged twenty-one years; Harry, with the Mead Morrison Manufacturing Company, of New York, and Frieda Dorothy, residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rose are members of the Presbyterian Church at Campbell Hall.
HENRY ELKANAH ROSE is one of nine children of Silas and Elmira Rose. and was born at Sugar Loaf, Orange County, February 15, 1850. He attended the district school and the Seward Institute at Florida, after which he assisted his father on the farm until he was eighteen, when he learned the wheelwright trade and, later, blacksmithing, and his since been an industrious man in these occupations and farming. He is a member of the Sugar Loaf Methodist Church and politically is a democrat. September 23. 1878, he married Mary Fitzgerald of Warwick, and they have three children: Nellie E., born April 11. 1880, wife of Henry Ames, of Stamford, N. Y .; Edith S., born March 10, 1833, wife of Fletcher A. Herrod, of Miami, Florida, and Floyd William Dudley, born September 2, 1884, living in Maxwell, Neb. The grandmother of Mrs. Rose was Mary Booth, a granddaughter of Sarah Wells, reputed to be the first white woman who came to Orange County.
JOSEPH H. ROSE, retired brick manufacturer, Newburgh N. Y .; born at Ham- burg, N. Y., 1865; son of John C. and Phoebe (Myers) Rose; removed with his parents to Haverstraw, N. Y., where he attended the academy; has resided in New- burgh since 1883. when the Rose Brick Company was established at Roseton, Orange County, N. Y., with which Joseph H. was connected until 1902, when he retired from active business.
ELMER E. ROOSA, attorney, of Newburgh, N. Y., was born in New Paltz, Ulster County, N. Y., in 1861. He is of Holland ancestry and came to Newburgh with his parents in 1870. After graduating from the academy, he read law in the office of Messrs. Scott & Hirschberg, and was admitted to the bar in 1882. He continued in the office of his preceptors, and when Mr. Hirschberg was advanced to a judicial position, Mr. Roosa took up the extensive practice attending the office. Mr. Roosa is vice-president of the Newburgh Planing Mill and interested in various iocal enterprises. He is a member of the Hudson River Lodge, F. and A. M .; Highland Chapter and Hudson River Commandery.
EDWARD C. ROSS, treasurer of the Coldwell Lawn Mower Company, has been identified with this important industry since its incorporation. He is a native of Newburgh, a son of Henry and Jane (Cleland) Ross. After graduating from the Newburgh Academy and Eastman Business College he formed a partnership with his brother George H., to continue the flour and grist mill established by their
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father. He disposed of his interest in 1903 to devote his entire attention to the manufacture of lawn mowers. For two years he represented the company abroad, with headquarters in London, England. Mr. Ross was for many years a member of the Newburgh board of education. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and a member of the City Club. He married Miss Jennie M. Coldwell, and two sons and a daughter have been born to them.
SEWARD U. ROUND, attorney, of Newburgh, was born in Florida, Orange County, N. Y., in 1856. He was educated at Seward Institute, attended Albany Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. Formed partnership with Eugene A. Brewster, Jr., which was continued two years, when the firm of Round & Chatterton was organized and continued until the death of Mr. Chatterton.
Mr. Round is a member of the Chapter and Commandery in the Masonic order, and is affiliated with Trinity M. E. Church.
John Wesley Round, the father of Seward U. Round, was born July 22, 1822, at Richfield, Otsego County, N. Y., and died at Florida, N. Y., January 5, 1862, aged thirty-nine years.
John W. Round graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in the class of 1843, and after teaching at various points assumed the principalship of S. S. Seward Institute at Florida, N. Y., where he remained from 1851 to 1862, the date of his death. He was called to other higher institutions of learning, but at the request and desire of Wm. H. Seward, who was closely identified with the institute, he was prevailed upon to remain and conduct the Seward Institute, which was in a flourishing condition at his death. John W. Round was a linguist, mastering no less than seven languages and also a natural-born musician, playing several instruments skilfully. Socially the whole community and those who knew him will give constant testimony of his great success and attainments, and his scholastic ability can be attested by many men now in prominent public life.
JOSEPH W. ROWLAND, general superintendent of the New York Knife Company, mention of which appears elsewhere in this work, was born in Connecti. cut in 1849. He came with his father, Joseph Rowland, to Walden, in 1856, and learned the cutlery trade. In 188.4, upon the death of his father, he was made general superintendent and ultimately succeeded him as vice-president of the company, continuing in that office until the reorganization of the company. Mr. Rowland is a director of the Walden Savings Bank and trustee of the Wallkill Valley Cemetery Association.
HENRY RUDOLPH, former supervisor of the Fifth ward, Newburgh, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 1853, a son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Helfinch) Rudolph, who were natives of the same province. At the age of fifteen Mr. Rudolph was apprenticed to learn the baker's trade. In 1870 he sailed for New York, where he worked at his trade. He was for a time in business in Matteawan,
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N. Y., and in 1880 came to Newburgh, where he has built up an extensive whole- sale and retail bakery business.
Politically Mr. Rudolph is a republican and has always taken an active part to advance the interests of his party. He has represented his ward in the common council, and in 1902 was elected a member of the board of supervisors and con- tinuously re-elected to serve until December 31, 1907.
ARCHIBALD E. RUGGLES was born at Windsor, Vt. His parents were Edgar M. and Emma S. Ruggles. He acquired his early education at the public school in his home town. At an early age Mr. Ruggles identified himself with a clothing firm in Claremont, N. H., and was there seven years, after going to New Berlin, N. Y., where he took the management of a store. In April, 1902, he purchased the John E. Adams store in Middletown, which he still operates. He was married to Miss Minnie L. Ainsworth, of Claremont, N. H., October 18, 1899. In politics Mr. Ruggles is a republican. Socially he is a member of Phoebus Lodge, No. 82, F. and A. M., of New Berlin, N. Y., and of Concordia Council, No. 1077, Royal Arcanum, of Middletown. He was elected exalted ruler of the Elks' Lodge, No. 1097, of Middletown, N. Y., at the institution of the lodge, December 31, 1907.
GEORGE M. SANFORD was the third son of the late Deacon Ezra Sanford, and was born in the town of Warwick on November 5, 1821. His mother was the late Adeline Terry. His brothers were Pierson Ezra (and only survivor), Urialı Ferry and William More. His sisters were Hester Ann Price, Mary Elizabeth, Julia A. Morehouse, Abigail Gabriel and Emily S. Tuttle. The two last named are still living. He married Frances Amelia, a daughter of the late Captain Nathaniel Wheeler Baird. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1897. Mr. Sanford died on January 6, 1900, and left surviving his widow and the following children : Lansing Haight (who died the same year), Ferdinand Van Derveer, George Alden, Mary Elizabeth, John Wheeler and Francis Baird. Lansing Haight left one child, Mrs. Edward W. Everitt, of Newark, N. J.
Mr. Sanford was one of Warwick's most unostentatious and sterling citizens. He was for many years prominent in business and associated with the substantial and conservative institutions of the valley. He was one of the organizers and directors of the First National Bank, a promoter and director of the Warwick Valley Railroad Company, succeeded by the present Lehigh and Hudson River Railway.
He was the first and continuous president of the Warwick Cemetery Associa- tion, a model for success and careful methods. He was a successful farmer and financier.
He was an ardent republican in politics and rarely missed voting. Without be- ing an office seeker he was at one time the supervisor of the town. Being an ardent patriot and unable in the early sixties to qualify as a soldier and go to the front, he aided by recruiting between fifty and sixty men for service under his coun- try's flag
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He had a most equable disposition ; kindly and charitable. He took a great in- terest in young men and loved to help them, and not a few in the town owe much of success to the wise counsel and start in life he gave them.
A quiet vein of humor was always ready to manifest itself when that part of his nature was appealed to. He was also noted for his hospitable traits, and many, far and near, will testify to sharing the comforts and pleasantries of his attrac- tive home.
JAMES EVERETT SANFORD was born at Sandfordville, near Warwick, January 21, 1859. His education was obtained at the public school at Warwick. After his schooling he was connected with the Demarest creamery near Warwick for nearly two years. He then clerked for A. J. Burt at Bellvale for two years, after which he took the management of the home farm. During the summer of 1887 Mr. Sanford traveled in Europe. In 1889 he became identified with R. C. Williams & Co., wholesale grocers, of New York, and continued with this firm nearly twelve years as traveling salesman. In the fall of 1901 he was elected county treasurer and served the county in an efficient manner for six years. So- cially he is a member of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. and A. M., Warwick Club and Sons of the Revolution. In politics he is a republican. He is treasurer and director of the Warwick Knife Co. and attends the Baptist Church of Warwick.
JOHN W. SANFORD. Among the leading business men of Warwick, none have done more for the upbuilding and advancement of the town than the gentle- man whose name heads this review. He was born May 13, 1864, at Warwick, Orange County, N. Y. His parents were George W. and Frances A. (Baird) San- ford. He obtained his early education at the public school, graduating in 1883, after which he took an agricultural course at Cornell. In 1889 he started in the insurance, real estate and brokerage business at Warwick. Mr. Sanford gives his personal attention to two farms, which are stocked with one hundred head of the finest cattle.
He married Miss Bertha M. Furman, of Warwick, October 6, 1897. They have two children : Frances Isabel, born February 11, 1900, and Bertha Elizabeth, born January 29, 1905. In politics he is a republican, and is identified with the Old Dutch Reformed Church of Warwick. He is a director of the First National Bank, president of Warwick Cemetery Association, director of Warwick Valley Telephone Company, director and treasurer Warwick Inn. Company, director and treasurer Unionville Water Works Company, director of the Florida Water Works Company and trustee Warwick Savings Bank.
WILLIAM MOORE SANFORD was born August 17, 1827. His parents were Ezra and Adaline (Terry) Sanford. He attended the district school in his local- ity, after which he attended a private school at Poultney, Vt., and college at Ann Arbor, Mich. The subject of this sketch and his father were identified at Sand- fordville, Orange County, in the tanning business until 1880, when William M.
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continued the business from that period until his death, which occurred August 17, 1887. He was reared on the Sanford homestead, about two miles from War- wick. He married Sarah Burt in October, 1856. They had seven children : Charles, engaged in business in Warwick; William, of New York; Everett, re- siding at home; Ezra, of New York; Mary, wife of Frank Durland, of Chester, N. Y .; Addie, wife of William R. Welling, of Warwick, and Emily, wife of A. M. Reynolds, of Newark, N. J. Mr. Sanford is survived by one brother and two sisters. In politics he was a republican and served as superintendent of the poor at the time of his death.
BENJAMIN B. SAYER was born March 11, 1859, on the homestead farni, near Warwick, N. Y., which has been in the family since 1768, and was purchased by Daniel Sayer, his great-grandfather, of Henry Wisner, who lived in the town of Goshen. He obtained his early education at the Warwick Institute and has always been identified with farming. He also operates a distillery on the farm, which was established in 1812. He married Miss Annie Waggoner, of Glenburnie, Ontario, Canada, March 15, 1893. Three children were born to this union : Helen Bennett, born December 18, 1893; Mary Fraser, born June 2, 1895, and Benjamin Wagoner, born December 9, 1896. In politics Mr. Sayer is independent. He is a member of Warwick Lodge, No. 544, F. and A. M., and the Warwick grange. The farm on which Mr. Sayer resides was the place first settled on by the War- wick pioneers.
GEORGE S. SAYER. for many years a leading business man and farmer of Westtown, N. Y., was born in 1812, and died in 1884. As a young man he taught school a few years, and in 1836 went to Indiana. where he remained ten years. In 1852 he resumed farming, near Westtown, and in 1872 built a store and home in the village. He married Emeline C. Evans and six children were born, Jonathan Sayer, now the postmaster at Westtown, being the second child. After finishing his schooling he assisted his father on the farm.
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