USA > New York > Ulster County > The history of Ulster County, New York > Part 56
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Mr. Flemming was united in marriage to Harriet N. Sherwood, April 20, 1904. They have one son, Arthur Sherwood Flemming. Our subject is a son of Robert W. and Elizabeth Flemming, also natives of Ulster County.
DR. ANDREW GREEN FOORD, who has recently erected on the northern slope of the Shawangunk Mountains several very substantial and elaborate fire- proof stone structures to serve as a Sanitarium and rest cure, is a native of Brooklyn, N. Y. He is a graduate of the Long Island College Hospital, Class of '97, and has had an extensive hospital experience. Before definitely settling in Ulster County in 1905, he had a large practice in New York City, and spent his summers on the farm between Kerhonkson and Wawarsing, which he acquired in 1902. Preparatory to the construction of his Sanitarium, he purchased some eleven hun- dred acres of land surrounding the location selected, thus securing a most advan- tageous site, embracing a most wonderful view of rugged mountain and peaceful valley scenery, and gaining possession of a great natural park secure against all intrusion. Excellent water, skilled assistants, and absolute quiet make "Non- kanawha"-i. e., by the side of the stream-a Mecca for overworked people, where they can combine all the comforts of a modern city home with the restfulness of the primeval forest.
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JACOB FORST, whose wholesale meat establishment is among Kingston's leading industries, was born in Germany in 1854. In 1872 he came to America, locating at Rondout, where for seventeen years he was a commission merchant, handling the product of Armour & Co. Since 1901 he has dressed his own beef, butchering over 2,500 head of cattle annually, and enjoys an extensive trade throughout the city and county.
Mr. Forst is a sterling Democrat. He served two years as Alderman during Dr. Kennedy's regime and has been Almshouse Commissioner for the past nine years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Elks, Knights and Ladies of Honor, Rondout Mannerchor and the German Sick and Aid Society. He married Jacobina Reiss, also of Germany, and they have six children. The eldest son is practicing law in New York, and two younger sons are associated with their father in business.
HON. JAMES CHRISTIE FORSYTH, son of John and Jane (Currie) Forsyth, was born in Newburg, N. Y., March 6, 1819. He obtained his education at Rutgers and Union Colleges, graduating from the latter institution in 1835. He began the study of law in the office of A. C. Nivin at Monticello, N. Y., was admitted to the bar in 1838, and engaged in the practice of his profession in the office of Judge Gabriel Ludlum of Kingston, later forming a partnership with the Hon. James O. Linderman. His superior abilities as a jurist led to his nomination and election in 184I as Judge of Ulster County. Impartial and conscientious in his decisions, able and upright in his official actions, his judicial career had the commendation of both political parties. In 1846 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention, and was a candidate for Secretary of State in 1851, but met defeat with the rest of his party.
Judge Forsyth was united in marriage June 26, 1839, to Miss Mary, daughter of Severyn and Catherine (Hasbrouck) Bruyn, who died November 5, 1879. They had the following children: Mary Isabella, Katherine Bruyn, Petronella Bruyn, Severyn Bruyn, Jane Currie and John.
John Forsyth, senior member of the book and stationery firm of Forsyth & Davis, was born in Kingston, N. Y., in 1850, and received his education in private schools. In 1877 he embarked in his present business, in which he has been eminently successful, his establishment soon becoming the resort of the literary people of this community. In 1903 he purchased the business of the Bruyn Paper Co., succeeding the late James V. Bruyn. Mr. Forsyth is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Kingston Club, and for many years has been prominently identified with the First Reformed Church. In June, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Tomlinson of Bridgeport, Conn.
Severyn Bruyn Forsyth, elder son of James C. and Mary (Bruyn) Forsyth, was born in Kingston, December 6, 1846. He attended the Academy of his . native city and prepared for college at a boarding-school in Newport, R. I. He graduated from Princeton College in 1867, studied law at the Columbia College Law School, and in 1880 received the degree of Master of Arts from Princeton. Mr. Forsyth was a member of the Delta Phi Fraternity, the American Whig
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Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, and was President of the Ulster County branch of the State Charities Aid Society. For twenty-five years he was a trustee of the Industrial Home for Children and was deeply interested in its work. His death occurred February 13, 1902.
EVERETT FOWLER, Attorney, of Kingston, is a son of the late Hon. Charles A. Fowler, who attained prominence in Ulster County as an attorney, and achieved distinction in the field of politics.
Charles A. Fowler was born May 10, 1832, at Cold Spring, Putnam County, N. Y. His ancestors were of English birth, who came to America in the early part of the seventeenth century and settled at New Haven, Conn. They later located in Westchester County, N. Y., where many of their descendants still live.
Charles Fowler received his elementary education from private tutors and at the American Seminary in Dutchess County, and at the age of sixteen he entered Yale. After leaving college, he took up the study of law, under the Hon. Azor Tabor, of Albany, and also attended a course of lectures at the Albany Law School. He was a member of the first class that graduated from that institution, and at the time of his death was the oldest living graduate of the school. He was President of the Alumni Association in 1885. He was admitted to the Bar at Albany on May 9, 1853, and soon thereafter opened an office in Chicago, where he remained in practice until 1859. He then located in New York City and entered into a law practice with Hon. Alfred Conklin, who for many years was Judge of the United States Court, of the Northern District.
In 1864, he came to Ulster County and opened an office in Ellenville, where he continued in practice until 1879. While there, in the year 1867, he was elected Surrogate of Ulster County, on the Democratic ticket.
In 1879, he was elected to the State Senate for the Fourteenth District, and while holding that office, introduced and secured the passage of many important bills. In 1880 he was appointed a member of a special committee, to investigate State Lunatic Asylums. Mr. Fowler received the nomination for the Assembly in 1881, but with his party met defeat. He was married, on September 6, 1853, to Hannah M. Warren, daughter of Hon. Cornelius Warren, of Putnam County, and of the four sons born to them, two are now living: Cornelius W. and Everett. In the death of Mr. Fowler, which occurred at Kingston, on February 7, 1895, the community lost an upright and an honorable citizen and an able and courageous jurist.
Everett Fowler was born in New York City, in 1861, and in the schools of that city and at Union College, received his education, graduating from the latter institu- tion with the Class of '85. He took up the study of law in his father's office, and was admitted to the Bar in 1887. He remained with his father in practice and subsequently became a partner, the firm being known as C. A. & E. Fowler.
Mr. Fowler has for years been prominently identified with the Democratic party and is one of the influential members of that organization in the county. He has held the office of County Deputy Treasurer and for nine years has been Clerk of the County Board of Supervisors. He is a director in the Kingston National Bank, a trustee of the Kingston Savings Bank and Vice-President of Wiltwyck Cemetery Association.
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Among many fraternal and social organizations of which he is a member, may be mentioned the following: Kingston, F. & A. M., Mystic Shrine, Knights Templar, and the B. P. O. E., the Kingston and Twaalfskill Clubs; the New York Athletic Club; the New York Army and Navy Club; the New York Democratic Club, and the Albany Club. He has long been a member of Company M, Ioth N. Y. State Militia, of which he is now Captain.
JOSEPH M. FOWLER, Attorney, of Kingston, who represents the First As- sembly District in the New York Legislature, was born at Walden, Orange County, New York, July 15, 1873, and is the son of Nicholas Jansen and Elizabeth (Mills- paugh) Fowler. He received his education at the New Paltz Normal School, Rutgers College, and the Academic and Law Departments of Cornell University. He was admitted to the Bar in 1897, and has since practiced law in Kingston, with the exception of the year 1898, when at the beginning of the Spanish War he en- listed in Company M, First N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, serving as Corporal, and being promoted during service to the office of Second Lieutenant.
Mr. Fowler is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Cypress Temple of Shriners and the United Order of American Mechanics; also the Cornell University Club of New York, the Army and Navy Club of New York, the Kingston and Albany Clubs, and Wiltwyck Hose. In 1905 he was elected member of the Assembly on the Republican ticket by a handsome majority, and re-elected in 1906. Mr. Fowler married Catharine Winnie Frear of Kingston in 1902.
JARED H. FRANCISCO, of Kingston, was born in Andes, Delaware County, New York, August 24, 1837. He obtained his education at the schools of his native place and was then engaged in the lumber business with Albert Hitt until the Civil War broke out, when he enlisted in Company G, New York Volunteers, serving three years in defence of his country. He was then employed for some three years by Hopp Dean as foreman of his lumber business in Arkville. In 1868 Mr. Fran- cisco entered the employ of what is now the U. & D. R. R. Company, with whom he remained nearly thirty-eight years, rising from a humble position to that of Assistant Roadmaster. In 1905 he accepted the position of Superintendent of the Grand Hotel in the Catskills.
Mr. Francisco is a member of No. 343 Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the G. A. R. In 1861 he was united in marriage to Miss Adelia Fuller. Their son, John A., holds the position of trainmaster on the U. & D. R. R.
JOHN D. FRATSHER, County Clerk of Ulster County, is a native of Saugerties, where he received his early educational training and where he now resides. In 1885 he was appointed a page in the State Assembly at Albany, and the four years following he served as clerk of the Sessions. He is a member of Ulster Lodge, No. 193, F. & A. M., of Saugerties, and the R. A. Snyder Hose Company, of which he has for many years served as Secretary. He is also a member of the Kingston, Rondout and Saugerties Clubs. His marriage to Jessie F., a daughter
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of Abram J. Myer, of Saugerties, took place on December II, 1889. Mrs. Fratsher departed this life May 15, 1905.
Mr. Fratsher is a man of the highest commercial and official integrity, and his worth to the community has more than once been indicated by the voice and vote of the people in his town and county. He has been elected Supervisor of the town five times, four years of which he served as Chairman of the Board, being the first to hold that office from the town of Saugerties. He was nominated and elected to the office of County Clerk in 1900, and his efficiency was such that he was re-elected to the office in 1903, and again in 1906 he received the unanimous nomination and election to the same office.
Mr. Fratsher is a most faithful and valuable official and has inaugurated many important improvements in the County Clerk's office, notably the re-indexing of deeds and mortgages to date.
EMERY FREER, general merchant of Esopus, N. Y., was born in that town May 5, 1846. He attended the local schools and was engaged in clerking and keeping books up to the time that he established business for himself in 1885. He is a Trustee of the U. C. Savings Institution. A descendant of one of the original (French Huguenots) Patentees of Ulster County, Mr. Freer has fully sustained the reputation borne by the Freer family from the founder down to the present generation, all worthy citizens, who have borne their share in business and public affairs. Emery Freer married Matilda Aims. They have a family of six children, viz., Tillie, Frederick, married to Bella Ackerman, Grace, Hasbrouck, Hattie and Viya.
WATSON MARTHIS FREER, son of Jacob Roosa and Phoebe Jane (Towns- end) Freer, was born in St. Remy, Ulster County, in 1863. He obtained his educa- tion at the public schools and Kingston Academy, and for a period of about three years earned his livelihood by serving his customers with the daily press. In 1883 he decided to go West, and located in the City of Detroit, Mich., where he engaged in the manufacture of freight cars, which he continued until 1899, achieving an unusual degree of success.
In 1900 Mr. Freer returned to his native county and now resides on his country estate some two miles north of Kingston. Mr. Freer was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hecker, daughter of Col. Hecker of Detroit. They have one child, Louise Hecker Freer.
JOHN F. FREITAG, proprietor of the Rip Van Winkle House in the Catskills, is the well-known caterer of "The Tuxedo," Madison avenue and 59th street, New York. He has traveled extensively in France, Italy, Germany, Austria and England, and speaks several languages. The Rip Van Winkle House is one mile from the depot at Pine Hill, beautifully situated on the line of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad, overlooking Big Indian Valley. The locality is noted for cool, bracing atmosphere and is absolutely free from malaria and mosquitoes.
The house is three stories in height, and has accommodation for one hundred
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and seventy-five guests. A piazza ten feet wide almost surrounds the building and open fireplaces are located in hall and parlor. Dancing pavilion, bowling alley, billiard room, card room and café are located in separate buildings on the grounds. It is an ideal spot for the summer tourist and is well patronized by New York people and those desiring a delightful summer home.
JOSEPH FRESTON, M. D., of Milton, N. Y., was born at Creek Locks, Ulster County, May 19, 1866. He attended the public school and the Ulster Academy of Rondout and graduated from the Medical College of Baltimore, Class of '86. He later took a post-graduate course in the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons in the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He commenced practice in 1886, in Kerhonkson, and shortly thereafter went to Honduras, Central America, as surgeon and physician to the largest mining company in that country. He returned in a short time and settled in Kingston, and in 1894, permanently located in Milton. Dr. Freston took a second post-graduate course at the Poly- technic Institute, New York City, two years ago. He is a member of the Ulster County Medical Society, the Newburgh Bay Medical Society and an honorary member of the Dutchess County Medical Society. His family consists of wife, formerly Miss C. M. Saulpaugh of Rondout, and two children, Julian and Javett.
Dr. Freston's father, John Freston of Creek Locks, (retired), was for over forty years Superintendent of the Cement Works there.
LUTHER H. FROST, Secretary and General Manager of the Frost and Sons Paper Company of Napanoch, was born in New Hampshire. He is a graduate of the Wesleyan University of Middletown, Conn., and succeeded his father, the late Lorenzo L. Frost, in the management of their important industry, upon the death of the latter, which occurred May 10, 1906.
Lorenzo L. Frost was of Scotch, English and French Huguenot blood, his ancestors having settled almost exclusively in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Several of them took part in the American Revolution and his grandfather in the war of 1812. Mr. Frost was born in Millbury, Mass., educated in the public schools and the Academy at Franklin Falls, N. H., and in the Boscawen Academy at Boscawen, N. H. He was married October 31, 1867, to Harris L. Hayward of Concord, N. H. Mr. Frost had a long and active business career, continuing to the date of his death, as a practical paper manufacturer. He began the same as a mere boy, working under his father, Luther T. Frost, at the Winisogee Paper Company mills at Franklin Falls, N. H., in the early days of the industry, long before that company was absorbed by the International Paper Company. He rapidly advanced in his chosen occupation, and while still little more than a youth was placed in charge of one of their mills, while his father operated another. With the exception of one year, he continued at Franklin Falls as Superintendent for seventeen years. In 1890 he became part owner and manager of the Sunapee Paper Company at Sunapee, N. H., and after completing the plant, remained there until 1894, when he sold his interests. Then, after a few months as manager of the Frontenac Paper Company at Dexter, N. Y., he became part owner and
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manager of the Racquette River Paper Company, of Potsdam, N. Y., remaining there until the fall of 1901, when the entire property was purchased by the present owner. Mr. Frost and his sons then organized the L. L. Frost Paper Company and built a mill at Norwood, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., which on January 4, 1904, was completely destroyed by fire. He immediately constructed of steel and con- crete what is probably one of the model news paper mills of the United States. In August, 1905, that property was sold to Northern New York capitalists, and Mr. Frost immediately, in company with his sons, incorporated the Frost and Sons Paper Company, and purchased property at Napanoch, Ulster County. Two mills are now in operation, manufacturing jute tissue paper.
ISAIAH FULLER, whose success achieved is expressed briefly here, began as a farm boy and is now at the head of one of the largest shirt factories in New York State. Mr. Fuller was born in Gallway, Saratoga County, in 1846, and is a son of James Fuller, who at one time was a partner of Judge Betts of Kingston. Mr. Fuller attended the schools at Ft. Edward and Gloversville and then spent a year on his father's farm. He was appointed Warden of Clinton Prison by Super- intendent of Prisons Pillsbury, and served under the regime of Governors Robin- son, Cornell, Cleveland and Hill. He was twice elected to the Assembly and was one of the two youngest men at that time in the State Legislature.
In 1891 Mr. Fuller located in Kingston as a manufacturer of shirts and his business has developed from an output of 60 dozen finished shirts per day to 200 dozen per day, giving employment to some three hundred hands. Mr. Fuller has been twice married. His son, James S. Fuller, who is associated with him in business, is also a native of Gallway and was born in 1875. He obtained his educa- tion at St. Johns Military Academy, Manlius, N. Y. He married Alice E. Traver of Hudson, N. Y.
WILLIAM L. FULLER, Postmaster of Ellenville, N. Y., is a son of Elam and Ruth (Fowler) Fuller. He was born in Ellenville in 1861, and after completing his preliminary education at the public schools, learned the printer's trade in the job office of Hon. Thomas E. Benedict, with whom he remained eight years. He then engaged in farming and also conducted an ice and milk business, in which he is still actively interested with his brother, Albert E.
Mr. Fuller has for many years been an active member of the Republican party. He served one term as Town Collector, and ten years as Chairman of the Repub- lican Town Committee. He was appointed Postmaster, May 15, 1904, by President Roosevelt. Mr. Fuller married Miss Sarah L. Blancham and one son, Edwin B., has been born to them. Elam Fuller, father of our subject, was a highly respected citizen of Ellenville, where he erected many substantial structures, among them the M. E. Church and the Glass Factory.
FREDERICK GALLAGHER was born in the City of Kingston, March 3, 1854. He received his education in the public schools, after which he entered the employ of his father, who for many years conducted a foundry and sheet iron business in
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Kingston. He assisted his father in the management of the business until the death of the latter in 1882, when he became possessed of the property. In politics Mr. Gallagher is a Democrat and has served one term in the Civil Service Com- mission.
He was married in 1876 to Cornelia S. Bogart, whose ancestors were among the early settlers in Ulster. Two children have been born to them, John B. and Mary Augustine. His father was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in 1805, and located in Kingston in 1826. His wife, Augustine Guigou Gallagher, was a native of Mar- seilles, France, who when a child, came with her parents to America and settled at Pine Hill, where Mr. Guigou conducted a tannery.
WALTER G. GEROLDSEK was born in Livingston, Columbia County, N. Y., in 1861, and obtained his education in the schools of his native place. In 1888 he came to Pine Hill and entered the employ of T. B. Floyd & Co., remaining there four years. In 1893 he accepted the position of store manager for the National Chair Company, in Chichester, where he continued until 1897, when he established his present general store in Pine Hill.
Mr. Geroldsek is identified with the Masonic Fraternity and in politics a Democrat. He is at present a member of the Ulster County Board of Supervisors. In 1894 he was united in marriage to Miss Kate L. Hayes. They have three children, Walter Floyd, John Lewis and Frances Adelia.
DAVID GILL, JR., of Kingston, who has been prominent in the business life of Ulster for many years, was born in Rondout, June 26, 1859. He attended the public schools here and graduated from the private school known as the Star Institute. He then entered the employ of the F. O. Norton Cement Company, with whom he remained a number of years as shipper and traveling salesman. In 1889 he engaged in busness for himself as a jobber in Mason's Building Materials, and in spite of many obstacles Mr. Gill's business has steadily grown, until today it far exceeds any in the same line in this section of the State.
Mr. Gill is a man of unusual energy and business acumen and his success is due entirely to his own efforts. He is a member of Kingston Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Official Board of St. James Methodist Church. In 1888 he married Miss Emma Stewart of Old Hurley. They have six children, Seth C., Isabella C., Earl S., Ruth E., Dorothy L. and Helena C. David Gill, Sr., father of our subject, has been a resident of Kingston since 1848.
WALTER N. GILL, Attorney and Counsellor-at-Law, was born in Kingston, January 23, 1861. After finishing his studies at the Kingston Academy he read law in the office of the late E. S. Wood and was admitted to the bar in 1881.
Politically, Mr. Gill is a Republican and has been actively identified with the affairs of his party since 1886, when he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors. In 1889 he was appointed Postmaster of Rondout, serving until 1894. He was Corporation Counsel of the City of Kingston in 1900-'01, and is at present School Trustee and a member of the Board of Education. Mr. Gill is
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a member of the Knights of Pythias and the I. O. O. F. and Encampment. He is also a life member of the Kingston City Hospital Association, and is identified with the Rondout Club and the Rondout Yacht Club. He was united in marriage to Maggie Van Keuren, and they have three children. He is a son of David Gill, Sr.
W. SCOTT GILLESPIE was born in Marbletown, Ulster County, in 1844. In 1862 he came to Kingston and engaged as clerk in the grocery store of Samuel Frame, with whom he remained five years. He was then employed in the County Clerk's office for a year, when he returned to the grocery business, spending two years in the employ of John C. Brodhead. The firm of Oliver & Gillespie was then established, to be succeeded in about a year by DeWitt & Gillespie, which partnership continued about twenty-three years, or until 1894, Mr. Gillespie con- ducting the business alone since that time.
Mr. Gillespie has been prominently identified with public affairs in Kingston for many years. In 1884 he was appointed Postmaster by President Cleveland, holding the office until 1888. He has served six years as Alderman of the Ninth Ward, and since 1888 has been a member of the Board of Education. Mr. Gillespie has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Julia A. Schreiver, by whom he had one daughter. In 1880 Mr. Gillespie was united in marriage to Miss Ida Winne of Kingston.
HOWARD GILLESPY of Saugerties, N. Y. The genealogy of the Gillespy (formerly spelled Gillespie) family is traced back to John Gillespie, who was born in the North of Scotland, and whose descendants came at a very early day to this country, a portion of them settling in New Windsor, N. Y., near the Connecticut State line, afterwards removing to Fishkill, where they were among the earliest settlers of Dutchess County. Howard Gillespy was born in Saugerties December 2, 1854. He is a son of Peter Myers Gillespy, who for thirty years was cashier of the First National Bank and who is still living, retired. Howard graduated from Rutgers College, Class of '75, with degree of B. A., and three years later took the degree of A. M. After completing his education, he entered the First National Bank, and remained there until 1882, when he became the Treasurer of the Saugerties Blank Book Company, and later became its Manager. In 1890 this company was incorporated under the title of the Sheffield Manufacturing Com- pany, and Mr. Gillespy was elected its Secretary. From that time to the present, the responsible duties of the entire establishment have devolvd upon him. It is the largest plant of its kind in the country, and has at times employed upwards of seven hundred hands. The company manufacture blank books, envelopes, tablets, etc. Mr. Gillespy was married July 30, 1879, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Orr Pidgeon. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gillespy are members of the Reformed Dutch Church, in which Mr. Gillespy as a member of the Consistory has served as Deacon and Treasurer.
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