USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 93
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
952
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
of the Warwick Telephone Company, a director of the Building and Loan Asso- ciation and Warwick Building Company, and a trustee of the village. He is also a member of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. & A. M. He married Miss Emma, daughter of Henry Mapes, October 10, 1888. Stella, Harry and Julia are the names of their three children.
SELAH E. STRONG, ex-sheriff of Orange County, was born at the Strong homestead, "Maple Hurst," in the town of Blooming Grove in 1843, and it was here his death occurred, July, 1905. The ancestry of the Strongs in America dates back to John Strong, who came from England in 1629 and settled in eastern Mas- sachusetts. Major Nathaniel Strong, who figured prominently in the early history of Orange County, was shot October 6, 1778, by Claudius Smith at the homestead door in Blooming Grove. He was the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Strong was educated at the schools of his native place and en- gaged in farming as an occupation. At the age of twenty-one he was elected highway commissioner, occupying that position twelve years. In 1876 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors, holding the office six years. From 1878 to 1884 he was postmaster, receiving the appointment from President Hayes. In 1897 the people of Orange County, in recognition of his worth and ability, elected him to the office of sheriff, where he administered his duties in such a business-like and careful manner as to win hearty commendation from the citizens of Orange County. In 1873 Mr. Strong was united in marriage to Miss Stella K. Hetzel, of Florida, a descendant of an old Revolutionary family. Two children were born to them, H. Sherwood, who is engaged in business in New York City, and Edith, now Mrs. A. J. Norton, of Saugerties, N. Y. Mrs. Strong continues to reside at the homestead, which has sheltered seven generations of this sterling family.
INGHAM STUBLEY, clerk of the Board of Supervisors, was born in Eng- land in 1853, and has resided in Newburgh since 1868. For twelve years he was bookkeeper for the firm of Haigh & Mellor, woolen manufacturers. In 1880 he and his father, William Stubley, established the rag, iron and metal business at its present location, 129 Broadway. Mr. Stubley has been continuously elected clerk of the Board of Supervisors since 1892. He has been a member of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. & A. M., for thirty-four years and for ten years has served as its secretary. He has also passed through all the chairs in Acme Lodge No. 469, I. O. O. F .; is a member of Mount Olive Encampment No. 65 and Highland Chap- ter, R. A. M., of Newburgh. He married Nancy J. Dickerson, of Orange County, in 1875, and has two sons, William and Charles G., who are associated with him in business.
GEORGE C. STULL was born June 7, 1864, at Belvidere, N. J. His parents were Henry J. and Mary (Fine) Stull. Mr. Stull received his early education at Belvidere, N. J. When he was fifteen years of age he started in the milk busi-
1
953
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ness and continued for eleven years. He removed to Goshen, Orange County, N. Y., in 1890, and engaged in the wholesale and retail candy and ice cream busi- ness, which business he now conducts. In politics he is a republican. He attends the Presbyterian Church of Goshen, N. Y. He is a member of the Cataract Hose Company of Goshen, and an ex-member of I. O. O. F. of New York City.
GEORGE W. STURR, of Florida, was born in Kerney, Hudson County, N. J., October 26, 1845. His parents, Daniel R. and Sarah Sturr, had five children, and George was the third son. When he was seven years old he left home and went to Brooklyn, where he lived until he was twenty-one, and was educated in the Brooklyn public schools. He then became a clerk for about three years in Dan- bury, Conn., when he embarked in business for himself and has been identified with several business enterprises. In 1881 he became associated for several years with the Metropolitan Manufacturing Company, of New York City. In 1894 he purchased a home in Florida, where he still resides.
Mr. Sturr married Mary Louise Gregory, of Ulster County, N. Y., in 1867, and they have had four children, two sons and two daughters. Both sons are dead. The daughters are Alberta L. and Ada Cressie. The wife and mother died April 25, 1906.
ALEXANDER C. SUTHERLAND, superintendent of the poor for Orange County, was born at Central Valley, N. Y., June 9, 1855. His education was ob- tained in the public school of that place, supplemented by a short course in the Mount Vernon Institute, New York City. Mr. Sutherland spent his early days on his father's farm and has since made farming his occupation. He has held the office of superintendent of the poor since January 1, 1896, and has during that time inaugurated many important improvements in the county's establishment. Previous to his election to that office he resided for a number of years on his farm near Turners, and for years was president of the Board of Education of that vil- lage, and also served as town assessor.
Socially he is affiliated with Standard Lodge No. 711, F. & A. M .. of Monroe, of which he is past master; Midland Chapter, R. A. M., of Middletown; Cyprus Commandery No. 67, K. T .; Mecca Temple, Mystic Shrine of New York, and the Consistory. He has passed all chairs in Knights of Pythias Lodge, and is a mem- ber of the Goshen Club and the Old Orchard Club of Middletown.
He was joined in marriage on January 17. 1883, with Miss Elizabeth Cooper, of Central Valley, and their family consists of four children living: Harriet C., Mar- tha C., Clara E. and Annie M.
Mr. Sutherland is one of the representative men of Orange County and makes an efficient and thorough county officer.
MORRIS SWACKHAMMER was born April 15, 1877, at Mount Rose, Susque- hanna County, Pa. He has been identified with the Borden Creameries five years and with the New Milford Branch two years, where he is now the manager. This
954
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
creamery has the best modern appliances for the hygienic handling and care of milk, of which it receives about 5,000 gallons annually. Mr. Swackhammer is a member of Mount Rose Chapter No. 151, I. O. O. F. His wife's maiden name was Miss Lottie Jones, of Mount Rose, Pa. Their only child is Roy, born January 16, 1904.
HENRY B. SWARTWOUT, M.D., of Port Jervis, is a member of one of the oldest families in America. He was born in Port Jervis, February 4, 1861, on the farm which is a part of the original tract of land settled by the Swartwouts in 1690. His parents are Peter P. and Hannah (Cuddeback) Swartwout. The family originated in Holland and were among the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam.
Dr. Swartwout is the youngest of a family of nine children, five of whom are living. He obtained his education at Port Jervis Academy, supplemented by a two- year course at Cornell University. He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. L. Cuddeback, and later entered Bellevue Medical College of New York, from which he graduated in 1885. He remained one year, as interne, in the New York Chambers Street Hospital.
His marriage with Miss Carrie B. Peck, daughter of George V. Peck, of Port Jervis, occurred March 10, 1886, after which they spent six months abroad, during the time taking a post-graduate course in the Vienna Hospital. Upon his return home he took up the practice of medicine, and in 1892, with Dr. W. L. Cuddeback, purchased the Hunt Memorial Hospital, which they have since conducted.
Dr. Swartwout is a member of the Orange County, the State and the American Medical Associations, and the Erie Railway Surgeons' Association. He is also a member of the Deer Park Club and at the present time is mayor of Port Jervis.
To Doctor and Mrs. Swartwout have been born four children. Henry Lewis died at the age of one year. Those living are Florence, Charlotte and Herbert B.
CLAYTON E. SWEET, of the firm of Sweet, Orr & Co., was born at Wap- pingers Falls, N. Y., June 16, 1834, and after a large business experience in that town he moved to Newburgh in 1887, to which city the business offices of the com- pany were changed that year. His father was for many years a merchant and manufacturer in Wappingers Falls, and for a period postmaster of the village. Mr. Sweet was educated at the public schools of his native place and at the Dutchess County Academy at Poughkeepsie. Then for three years he was in the employ of Levi Cook & Co., merchants on Broadway, New York. He returned to Wap- pinger's Falls to enter his father's store, and ere long was made a partner.
For many years Mr. Sweet was one of the leading business men of the place and of great usefulness to the community. He was one of the first trustees of the Wappingers Savings Bank, and acted as its secretary and treasurer until it ob- tained a substantial footing; he was afterwards elected vice-president of the in- stitution. For seven years he was postmaster of the village under President Grant. He was also a director of the Fallkill National Bank of Poughkeepsie, and a ves-
955
BIOGRAPHICAL.
tryman of the Zion Episcopal Church of Wappingers Falls. Since 1876 Mr. Sweet, as head of the firm of Sweet, Orr & Co., has given his whole attention to the manufacture of overalls. This firm are the pioneers in this business and their product the largest in the country. Mr. Sweet has served as a trustee of the New- burgh Savings Bank and vestryman of St. George's Episcopal Church. He is president of the Newburgh City Club and a director of the Newburgh National Bank. He married in 1860, Chattie Louise, daughter of Hon. James Manning, of Bethany, Pa., and a lineal descendant of Captain Bazaliel Tyler, a soldier of the Revolution, who was killed when leading the advance guard at the battle of Mini- sink.
LYMAN H. TAFT, editor and proprietor of the Montgomery Standard and Re- porter, has resided in Orange County since 1888. Previously he made his home in Warren, Pa.
October 23, 1888, Mr. Taft bought the Montgomery Reporter, a four-page sheet, founded May 30, 1887, by George II. Young. January 1, 1899, Mr. Taft purchased the Montgomery Standard from the Winfield family, who had owned the paper since 1868. He consolidated it with the Reporter under the above title. It is a four-page blanket paper, republican in politics. Mr. Taft, the popular editor, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and the Foresters.
CAPTAIN THOMAS TAFT, senior member of the Taft-Howell Company, successor to the firm of Mead & Taft, contractors, builders and manufacturers, at Cornwall Landing, N. Y., is a lineal descendant of the colonist, Robert Taft, who came from England to Massachusetts in 1677. He is the oldest son of Daniel Taft, the sixth in line of descent from the colonist Robert and his wife Emeline Smith, descendant of a family of Pennsylvania Quakers who, escaping the massacre at Wyoming, settled near Woodbury Falls in Orange County.
Captain Taft was born in the town of Cornwall, September 28, 1840; was edu- cated in the A. C. Roe Collegiate School at Cornwall, and at the outbreak of the Civil War was engaged in the building business with his father and brother-in- law, C. H. Mead. In response to Lincoln's appeal for three hundred thousand additional volunteers, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 124th Regiment, New York Volunteers, and in recognition of ability, fortitude and bravery displayed in camp, on the march and in battle, was promoted from grade to grade to the cap- taincy of his company.
In the desperate charge of the 124th at Devil's Den on the field of Gettysburg, in which Colonel Ellis, Major Cromwell and so many of his brave comrades were killed, he was disabled by wounds received at the most advanced point reached, and was captured by the enemy. Four months later he had been exchanged and was again on duty with his regiment. With the exception of these and the battle of Boydton Road, he was never absent from the 124th when it was under fire.
In 1866, the year after the close of the war, Captain Taft engaged in the build- ing business with his brother-in-law, Charles H. Mead, under the firm name of
956
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
Mead & Taft, employing from eighteen to twenty hands. In 1906 the company had in its employ over five hundred men, a majority of whom were skilled me- chanics. Its plant at Cornwall Landing, on the west bank of the Hudson, is one of the most complete and extensive of its kind in the State. The building opera- tions of the firm have extended from Northern New Hampshire to San Antonio, Texas. Since 1866 it has erected some eight hundred or nine hundred buildings, nearly all of which have been expensive structures. In the building up and suc- cessful management of this extensive business Captain Taft has been the leading factor.
In 1883 a movement looking to the incorporation of the village of Cornwall was defeated. Two years later the proposition was again brought before the people and carried, and Captain Taft was elected the first president of the newly incor- porated village, and was retained in office until 1889. Immediately on assuming office he put in operation a system of road improvement which in less than two years gave to Cornwall the reputation of having the best streets of any village in the county. Under a changed administration the taxpayers soon became dissatis- fied, Captain Taft was petitioned to again stand for president, and in 1891 was elected without opposition, serving until 1895.
Realizing that the natural beauties of the Highlands of the Hudson were at last awakening public interest, Captain Taft began several years ago, as opportunity offered, the purchase of lands in the Storm King region, where he now owns several rather extensive tracts, which it is believed will at no distant day be so improved as to enhance the attractiveness of his native town.
He was married in 1881 to Mary G., eldest daughter of Dr. James E. Knapp, of Marlborough, Ulster County, N. Y. They have two sons, Thomas Knapp Taft and Royal M. Taft.
WILLIAM G. TAGGART, for many years county clerk of Orange County, was born in Newburgh, N. Y., November 20, 1856. After graduating from the academy he engaged with his father, Archibald Taggart, in the meat business. In 1891 he resigned the postmastership of Newburgh to accept the office of clerk of Orange County, to which he had been elected, and was re-elected in 1894, 1897 and 1900. He is a member of several secret societies, including Newburgh Lodge, F. and A.' M .; Highland Chapter, R. A. M., and Hudson River Commandery, K. T.
Mr. Taggart is secretary of the Orange County Traction Company.
H. R. TAYLOR, of Pine Bush, N. Y., who conducts an extensive trade in lumber, building materials, etc., established this business in 1895. His father, Archibald R. Taylor, was a native of Ulster County, and in 1849 located in Pine Bush, where he purchased a large tract of land, and began the erection of buildings. 'He was largely identified with the prosperity of this village and associated with its business interests. In 1856 he married Miss Mary, daughter of John Colwell Rainey, of Crawford. The following children were born: Archibald, Hamilton R., Emily, Anne and John C., now state senator.
957
BIOGRAPHICAL.
GEORGE W. TEN EYCK was born in Rockland County, N. Y., May 8, 1824. His mother, Mary Youmans Ten Eyck, died December 4, 1884. in the ninetieth year of her age. David Ten Eyck, his father, was a cooper by trade, and a de- scendant of the early settlers by that name, who came from Holland, locating in Rockland County, some of them serving in the Revolutionary struggle. When George was a mere lad his father died, and the boy was bound out to service until he was twenty-one years old to a farmer near Sugar Loaf. He served his appren- ticeship and in the course of a few years the thrifty young farmer had accumu- lated a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres. It was on this farm (known as Maple Grove farm for years) that he reared his family, remaining there during the remainder of his life, nearly half a century, his demise occurring December 13, 1900. Mr. Ten Eyck was a self-made man, he secured an ordinary education, was noted for his integrity and just dealing, was engaged in various enterprises outside of his farm, and much of his means he lost by helping others, indorsing notes, etc. He was endowed with great muscular strength, having per- formed many lifting feats in his carlier life. He was always a staunch republi- can, working hard for the cause. He married Christien Peterson, of Warwick, January 11, 1850, a most estimable woman, who passed away on her seventieth birthday, February 7, 1897. Five children were the result of this union, Coe II., who owns the Valley House, Greenwood Lake; Hutson G., deceased at thirty- eight, was a noted architect for several years previous to his death at Newark, N. J .: George W., a carpenter and builder at Elizabeth, N. J. : Mary L., wife of Francis G. Knapp, and Andrew, both residing at their home, "The Anchorage," at Middletown.
FLOYD E. TETHER was born February 22, 1872, on a farm between Amity and Edenville, Orange County. He attended the Warwick Academy after leaving the district school, and then took a course in Eastman's Business College at Pough- keepsie. Soon afterward he became identified with the Clyde Steamship Company of New York City, with which he remained one year, and then clerked in a general store in Edenville two years. He entered into a mercantile partnership in 1894 with G. S. Everett at Florida, Orange County, where they conducted a general store. In the fall of 1896 C. M. Knapp, of Goshen, purchased Mr. Everett's in- terest and the firm became Tether & Knapp. This partnership continued until March, 1900, when Mr. Tether became the sole proprietor. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and of Warwick Lodge No. 544. F. and A. M. Mr. Tether was married to Mary A. Knapp, of Pine Island, Orange County, February 4. 1896. They have four children, James E., Clifford F., Russell K. and Beatrice M. Mr. Tether's parents were Edward J. and Sarah A. Tether. Their children are Floyd E., Eva J., who married Louis B. Williams, of Florida, and Harry L., who is a farmer on the homestead. A daughter, Hannah, died in her sixteenth year. The father died July 17. 1907. The mother is still living. They resided on the homestead over forty years.
958
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
REV. JOHN TETREAU is pastor of the Church of St. Mary, Washingtonville, N. Y. Previous to 1872 this parish was under the direction of Newburgh pastors, but in that year a small chapel was built and Father Keogh paid monthly visits. He was followed by Father Mackin, and then came Rev. William Ward, who was the real founder of the congregation and continued until 1887, when Rev. Henry J. Gordon, of Cornwall, was given charge of the mission until 1892. Fathers Carr, Hannigan and Ward, of Chester, were the next pastors until 1898. The parish was then re- annexed to Cornwall, and Father Currie given charge until May, 1901, to be fol- lowed by Father Fenton until October 4, 1902, when Rev. John Tetreau became resident pastor, and it is due to his energy and management that the parishioners now have a beautiful place of worship. During his first year he enlarged the home from one room to a commodious rectory. This was followed by the erection of modern sheds with accommodations for forty carriages. August 5, 1906, the corner- stone was laid by Father Sally, of Newburgh, for the enlargement of the church from 40 by 23 feet to 76 by 41 feet-the dedication ceremonies occurring July 16, 1907. This church is equipped with a fine pipe organ, comfortable pews and heated by steam. Father Tetreau was born and educated in Canada. Since 1889 his pas- torates have been in the United States. For twelve years he was connected with St. Jean Baptiste Church in New York. He is much beloved by his parishioners, for whom he has accomplished such extensive improvements. He also has charge of the Maybrook mission.
WILLIAM THAYER was one of Newburgh's oldest and most successful mer- chants. He came there from Brooklyn, Conn., in 1809. His ancestors came from England in 1636 and settled in Massachusetts, where their descendants have been among the most prominent men of that State. As recorded in history this family dates back in England many centuries, and were people of wealth and influ- ence, holding offices of trust, and having towns named in their honor.
John Thayer, William's brother, came with him to Newburgh. John never married. William married in 1812 Elizabeth Carpenter, daughter of Leonard and Bridget (Belknap) Carpenter, and grand-daughter of Captain Isaac Belknap. Their children were William L., unmarried; John S., married Catharine Stearns; Elijah Carpenter married Mary J. Morrison, daughter of Hamilton Morrison, of Mont- gomery, N. Y .; Charles F. married Anna F. Miller; Anna B. married Henry Dolson; Elizabeth C. married O. L. Sypher; George A. and Caroline M., un- married.
In 1826 William Thayer built a house on the corner of Montgomery and Second streets, where he lived until 1837, when he retired from active business life and removed to his large estate of three hundred acres on the heights of Balmville. There he built a large stone mansion, one of the finest and most substantial homes in that section of the county; as it stood on a bluff it commanded a magnificent river view for miles. There he lived until his death in 1855.
John Thayer died in 1861. Both of these men, having been very fortunate in
959
BIOGRAPHICAL.
business, accumulated fortunes. They were progressive and very influential in their time and place, and were held in the highest esteem by all who knew them.
The descendants of William Thayer are his daughter, Mrs. O. L. Sypher, the only member of the family now living; his grandchildren are the children of John S., living in Los Angeles, Cal .; the children of Charles F., living in Washington, D. C .; the Thayer family at Burnside and Mrs. Elmer Tibbetts, of Newburgh ; children of Elijah C. and Mrs. Marsh, daughter of Mrs. Sypher, of East Orange, N. J.
ALEXANDER THOMPSON, a prominent farmer in the town of Crawford, Orange County, was a son of Augustus and Catherine (Hunter) Thompson, was born on the homestead near Thompson Ridge in 1850, and died January 17, 1908. He was afforded the opportunity to secure a good education and in 1871 graduated from Williams College with the degree of A.B.
Mr. Thompson married Miss Abbie Beattie and they are the parents of seven children. He was for fifteen years an elder in the Hopewell Presbyterian Church. The family resides on the ancestral acres. Augustus Thompson, the father of our subject, was for many years identified with public affairs in Orange County. He filled the offices both of bank and railroad director and was one of the bonding commissioners of the town of Crawford, until his death in 1874. In 1849 and 1850 he was supervisor and in 1865 was elected justice of the peace.
CHARLES HUDSON THOMPSON was born November 11, 1877. His parents are Horace Decker and Sarah (Millspaugh) Thompson. He received his early education at a private school at Goshen, known as the Goshen Institute of Professor William Galdthwaite, the Middletown High School, and the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from the dental department of the latter institution ir. 1900. After graduating he returned to Goshen and was associated with Dr. Parker for three years. In 1903 he was interested in business in Brooklyn, N. Y., and returning to Goshen in 1904 opened a dental office. He is a member of Goshen Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 365; Midland Chapter No. 240; Cypress Commandery No. 67; and Ajamoore Chapter, Order Eastern Star. For three years he has been a member of the board of governors of Goshen Social Athletic Association, and is assistant foreman of the Cataract Fire Company; member of Second District Dental Society; also a charter member of the Ninth Judicial Dental Society. In politics Dr. Thompson is a republican.
JAMES RENWICK THOMPSON, JR .. attorney of Newburgh, N. Y., was born in Newburgh, 1874. He is a graduate of the academy, and the law depart- mment of Cornell University, with the degree of LL.B., in 1896, and was admitted to the bar in 1897.
Mr. Thompson married Miss Julia, daughter of James Dickey, in 1906. He is a
960
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
son of Rev. J. R. and Mary F. (Lawson) Thompson. Rev. Dr. Thompson has been pastor of Westminster Church, Newburgh, N. Y., since 1856.
WILLIAM M. THOMPSON was born in Hamptonburgh, September 20, 1865, on what was known as the Charles M. Thompson farm. He married Mary H. Corwin, daughter of W. S. and Cornelia Corwin, of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had four children, one of whom died at the age of four. Those living are : Ruth, aged fourteen; William M., Jr., and Roland Harlon. Mr. Thompson is a democrat, and has been elected town collector three times. He is a member of Grange No. 950 of Hamptonburgh, trustee and clerk of the Presby- terian Church at Campbell Hall, and trustee, secretary and treasurer of the Hamp- tonburgh Cemetery Association. For ten years he has been energetic and useful in local and church work.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.