USA > New York > Ulster County > The history of Ulster County, New York > Part 59
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Dr. Hunt is a member of the County and State Medical Societies, Acacian Lodge No. 705, F. and A. M .; Wawarsing Chapter No. 246, R. A. M .; Rondout Com- mandery No. 52, K. T .; Cyprus Temple, Mystic Shrine, and Napanoch Council of Junior Order of American Mechanics.
FREDERICK W. INGALLS, M. D., a direct descendant of Edward Ingalls, who came from England and settled in Lynn, Mass., in 1600, and a son of Rev. Wilson
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Ingalls, was born in Glenville, Schenectady County, N. Y., February 9, 1840. He studied medicine with Dr. Strong of Cayuga County, N. Y., and with Prof. John C. Sanders, M. D., of Cleveland, Ohio, and was graduated from the Cleveland Homeo- pathic Medical College in 1863. In the same year he located in Kingston, and was the second physician to prescribe homeopathically in this section. By his thor- ough knowledge of the profession and his skill in the treatment of difficult cases, he soon secured a good practice which constantly increased until the time of his death, February 15, 1885. He was interested in business enterprises aside from his profession, being a director and vice-president of the Kingston National Bank and a trustee and first vice-president of the Kingston Savings Bank.
Dr. Ingalls was a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy and of the State Society. He was a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Dutch Reformed - Church.
On May 18, 1870, he married Miss Henrietta, only daughter of Peter J. DuBois. Five children were born to them-Frederick DuBois, Orland DuBois, Mary Hamlin, Harriet Pardee and Wilson C.
CHARLES IRWIN, attorney of Kingston, was born in Sullivan County, New York, March 10, 1857. He attended the public schools and Monticello Academy and for a time taught in the schools of the county. In 1875 he came to Kingston and began studying law with Lawton & Stebbins and in 1878 was admitted to the bar. He took up practice in Sullivan County and remained ten years; a portion of the time he was Special Judge and Surrogate of the county. He then opened a law office in Kingston.
In the fall of 1901 he was nominated by the Democratic party as a candidate for the office of District Attorney and, although defeated, ran several hundred votes ahead of his ticket and carried the city of Kingston by over six hundred majority. Mr. Irwin is a member of many of the local fraternal societies; in Kingston Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M., he is Senior Warden. He is a member of Mount Horeb Chapter, R. A. M., Rondout Commandery, K. T., Cypress Temple, Mystic Shrine of Albany, Kosciusko Lodge No. 86, I. O. O. F., Ulster Lodge No. 76, Knights of Pythias, Minnewaska Tribe No. 130, I. O. R. M., Colonial Camp No. 13, W. O. W., and Norwood Conclave No. 662, I. O. H.
Judge Roscoe Irwin, son of Charles, was born April 20, 1880. He was educated at Kingston Academy, took up the study of law with his father, and was admitted to the bar November 20, 1901. He then became a law partner with his father. In November of the following year he was elected to the office of Judge of the City Court of the City of Kingston, for a term of three years, and was re-elected in November, 1905, his majority at both elections being over five hundred. As a just and impartial Judge, he administers the duties of his office in a highly satisfactory manner. He is a member of Kingston Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M., Minnewaska Tribe No. 130, I. O. R. M., Kingston Tent No. 397, K, O. T. M., and Colonial
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Camp No. 13, W. O. W. He is Secretary of the Ulster County Bar Association, President of Wiltwyck Hose Company, and an officer in Company M, First Regi- ment, N. G. N. Y.
JOSEPH JAGGER, Superintendent of the J. W. Dimick Company, carpet manu- facturers at Rifton, N. Y., was born at Halifax, England, December 17, 1840. He came to this country in 1877 and engaged with the A. T. Stewart Company, to take full charge of the new carpet mills (weaving department) at Groverville, town of Fishkill, N. Y., and was there for nine years. He there formed a partner- ship with Jabez Nicholl and was unfortunately burned out before the expiration of a year. He did not rebuild, but in 1887, engaged with Mr. J. W. Dimick, of New York City, to take full charge of his ingrain and worsted and also his yarn mills, at Rifton, Ulster County. He also materially aided Mr. Dimick in building up the present Wilton and velvet art rug mills, which were incorporated in 1894, as the J. W. Dimick Company, with a capital stock of $250,000. The interest that Mr. Jagger had in the Rifton Manufacturing Company was disposed of and he took stock in the new company, which he has since held and increased; thus assisting in the building up of the present industry. He has held the position of super- intendent and director of the company for some years. On April 1, 1907. the capital stock of this company will be increased to $500,000, one-half of which will be preferred stock at 7 per cent.
Mr. Jagger has been an American citizen for twenty-five years and is a member of Beacon Lodge, No. 283, F. and A. M., of Fishkill, N. Y., also a member of No. 75, Royal Arch Mount Horeb of Kingston, N. Y., a Knight Templar of Rondout Commandery No. 52, and a member of Cyprus A. A. O. N. M. Shrine of Albany, N. Y.
Mr. Jagger was first married in 1861. He had five children, of which two are living, Edward Jagger in England, and Harry Jagger in Rifton.
He was married the second time to Mrs. Henry Ritter on May 8, 1899, and has resided at Rifton for twenty years. He has several patents appertaining to the carpet industry. The first was with his employer, Mr. Joseph Nayior of Kidder- minster, England, for a power ingrain loom. This patent was in the joint names. of Joseph Naylor and Joseph Jagger and was patented in 1873. Mr. Jagger was in their employ for eight years and his patent interest reverted to them upon his. leaving to engage with the A. T. Stewart Company. Being of a mechanical nature, he patented a velour carpet weave, an Axminster weave and applied for one on a new weave for heavy ingrain; the latter did not mature. Recently Mr. J. W. Dimick and himself were granted joint patents on art squares velvet rugs and a weave in velvet rugs, both of which they are using in the rugs they now make.
On December 27, 1906, Mr. Jagger married Miss Katherine Louise, eldest daughter of the late Charles Frederick Edward Schubert, formerly Superintendent of the A. T. Stewart Carpet Mills at Glenham, N. Y.
FRANK KEATOR, M. D., Kingston, N. Y., was born at Accord, Ulster County, in 1879. He is a son of Dr. Thomas O. and Sarah J. (Decker) Keator. After
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finishing his studies at Kingston Academy, he entered the Albany Medical College, from which he graduated in 1903. He was appointed resident senior physician and surgeon of the Albany Hospital, where he remained one year.
Dr. Keator is a member of the Ulster County Medical Society and has acquired an extensive practice in Kingston and vicinity. In 1906 he married Jessie Helen Laing of Albany.
GEORGE G. KEELER, late of Ellenville, was born in the old homestead in Dela- ware County, N. Y., March 8, 1839. He attended the District School near his home until twenty-one years of age, and then studied for three terms at Roxbury, and one term at Franklin, Delaware County. He taught school for some time at. Margaretville and Roxbury, Delaware County, and Clintondale, Ulster County. Afterwards he read law with A. C. Cowles of Roxbury, and Abraham Becker of South Worcester, Otsego County. In the fall of 1863, he entered the Albany Law School and in December of the same year was admitted to the bar. In March, 1864, he came to Ellenville, and formed a partnership with John Lyon in the law business, which continued four years, after which Mr. Keeler practiced alone until his brother James joined him on February 7, 1885. Mr. Keeler married Miss Annie E. Gough, daughter of Dr. John Manliff Gough, at that time a prominent physician at Cornwall-on-the-Hudson. Both Mr. Keeler and his wife were orthodox Friends in faith, but have contributed to the support of local churches. They have had one daughter, Sarah G., who married V. B. Thomas in 1898. Mr. Keeler was a director and attorney for the First National Bank of Ellenville for about thirty years, and attorney for the Ellenville Savings Bank twenty-five years. He held the office of Village Attorney, and was Police Justice three years.
James B. Keeler, brother and law partner of George G. Keeler, was a resident of Ellenville, up to the time of his death, March 19, 1905. He was born in the township of Kortwright, Delaware County, N. Y., in October, 1844. He read law with his brother in Ellenville, and was admitted to the Bar in 1878. He was for a time Town Clerk, and also served as Justice of the Peace and as Postmaster of Ellenville during President Cleveland's first administration. He was also trustee and vice-president of the Ellenville Savings Bank for four years, and a member of the Board of Education. H. W. Coons became a law partner of George G. Keeler, April 1, 1905, succeeding James B. Keeler.
George G. Keeler departed this life November 10, 1906. In his death the village of Ellenville lost an upright and conscientious citizen, devoted to the interests of the town, and the Bar of the county lost a vigorous and a brilliant member.
HENRY T. KEENEY, son of Thomas B. and Etta F. (Thompson) Keeney, was born in Saugerties, New York in 1875. After completing his studies in the Academy of his native place, he entered the employ of the Saugerties Bank in the capacity of
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Correspondence Clerk and was subsequently promoted to the position of teller, which he now occupies.
Mr. Keeney occupies a prominent place in business and social circles, is a member of the Saugerties Club, and in politics is a Democrat. In 1897 he was joined in marriage with Miss May Adams and they have two daughters, Beatrice A. and Frances E.
HENRY KELDER, son of John H. and Maria (Smith) Kelder, was born in the town of Rochester, Ulster County, N. Y., December 17, 1838. While a lad he moved with his parents to Kingston, where he obtained his education at the public schools. In 1867 he established his livery stable, continuing in the business until the time of his death, October 3, 1905. His reputation for conducting the foremost livery in Kingston, extended throughout the county.
Mr. Kelder married Miss Sarah Jane Perrine, who with five sons and four daughters survive. Guy, the youngest son, continues the business in the interest of his mother.
FRED E. KELSEY, Vice-President and Manager of the Lopez-Grau Co. of Kingston, was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1845, where he obtained his education. His father was a tobacco grower in Connecticut, and from his boyhood days Mr. Kelsey has been connected with the tobacco business, spending fifteen years in Cleveland and ten years in New York City previous to his arrival in Kingston in 1894, when he became manager of the Powell, Smith Co., with whom he remained until February, 1902, when the plant was sold to the American Tobacco Co. In March, 1903, Mr. Kelsey established the Lopez-Grau Co., and began the manufacture of clear Havana cigars. The business has developed rapidly, and is now numbered among. Kingston's leading industries, the annual output exceeding three million high-grade cigars and the establishment gives employment to one hundred and fifty hands. Mr. Kelsey's family consists of his wife and daughter Ruth, four years of age. He is a son of Edward and Harriet (Bull) Kelsey, of Hartford, Conn.
DAVID KENNEDY, M. D., who for over thirty years was closely identified with the interests of Rondout, City of Kingston, New York, was a physician whose name is dear to many, both as a skilful and respected practitioner and as a personal friend. He was born in New York City, April 20, 1832, and when nine years of age was taken by his parents to Roxbury, New York, where he spent his youth, re- ceiving his education in the district schools, supplemented by attendance at a private school known as Beechwood Seminary. When only ten years of age he became a United States mail-carrier between Roxbury and what is now Arkville, making the thirteen-mile trip tri-weekly on horseback. When nineteen years of age he further exhibited that self-reliant and resolute spirit which characterized his
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entire life. He was greatly impressed with the idea that the new El Dorado of California offered superior inducements to young men of perseverance and energy, and he resolved to go to the new country.
David and his elder brother, therefore, sailed from New York for Aspinwall in 1851, the passengers numbering about three hundred, all bound for the same gold country. After reaching Aspinwall they were compelled to pole their way up the Chagres River to Gargona, and from there walk to Panama City, the entire trip being one of great hardship, danger and privation. They were forced to remain at Panama City forty days, until a sailing vessel, of inferior class, could be placed in a seaworthy condition, to take the party to San Francisco. During the seventy- two long days of the voyage there was intense suffering caused by the extreme scarcity of food and water. Fever broke out, attacking nearly everyone on board, and by the time they reached San Francisco over half of the party had died and the survivors were in a most destitute and weakened condition. Young Kennedy man- aged to reach Nevada City, and with a pick and shovel began his work in the gold placer camps. Success finally rewarded his many struggles and in about eighteen months later he returned to his Eastern home, but after a short visit he again turned westward. He remained in Nevada City another year and then went to San Fran- cisco, where he had decided to study medicine.
He began his studies by matriculating in the medical department of the Pacific University, taking a preliminary and regular course, after which he returned to New York and entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons (now a part of Columbia University), where he was graduated in the Class of 1860. He entered upon the active practice of his profession in Schenectady, N. Y., and established a successful practice. On the outbreak of the Civil War he offered his services to the government, and was appointed acting assistant surgeon, and assigned to the Nine- teenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the second battle of Bull Run, and in those of Slaughter Mountain and Antietam. After the last named engagement he was ordered to duty at Fortress Monroe, receiving the appointment of president of the examining board for the deportation of soldiers. His duties called him from Fortress Monroe to Portsmouth and Norfolk, and finally to the Satterlee United States General Hospital in West Philadelphia, where he was made president of the examining board and consulting surgeon, remaining there until the close of the war in 1865. No important operation at this hospital could be performed without Dr. Kennedy's consent, and many of the most delicate opera- tions he performed himself.
On returning to civil life Dr. Kennedy decided to settle in Titusville, Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. The "oil fever" was then at its height, and Dr. Kennedy invested in oil lands, a venture that proved profitable and from which, with that foresight which was one of his most prominent characteristics, he retired before the crash came. The year 1870 found him settled in Rondout, N. Y. (now a part of the city of Kingston), engaged in a large practice,
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and recognized both by his patients and professional brethren as a skilful, successful and conscientious physician and surgeon. He became a member of the Ulster County Medical Association and other scientific and medical societies. It was at this period that, owing to the popularity to which some of his prescriptions had attained, he was led to the preparation of the remedies which by reason of their merit have made his name known throughout the land. The business has grown from a small beginning to its present immense proportions, and his “Favorite Remedy" and various other well-known preparations are in demand everywhere.
Notwithstanding the absorbing nature of Dr. Kennedy's professional duties, he took an unfailing and active interest in public affairs, and was recognized by his townsmen as a leader and a power for truth and right. He was twice elected Mayor of Kingston, and at the time of Cleveland's first election to the Presidency, Dr. Kennedy filled the office of presidential elector, and was designated by the New York electors to convey the result of the vote to Washington. He was prominently connected with financial institutions and business enterprises, and in these as in all nis other undertakings his name was a synonym for honor and integrity. Dr. Kennedy married, in 1868, Miss Eliza B. Gilbert of Stamford, Delaware County, New York, and was the father of two sons and two daughters, Gilbert F., David, Anna McPherson and Adelaide.
In the sudden death of Dr. Kennedy, on August 5, 1901, while taking an active part in a matter of public interest, hundreds of friends felt that they had sustained a personal loss. Aside from his unblemished public professional life, there is another and a greater phase that no mere biographical sketch of dates and achieve- ments can cover. There was nothing of the Pharisee in Dr. Kennedy's nature; boasting and display were repugnant to him. Ever ready to impart wise counsel when sought, he was equally ready with that more immediate and tangible aid that so many mere givers of good advice withhold. And of these multitudinous acts of generosity only the recipients ever told. A hater of shams, Dr. Kennedy was fearless in advocating that which seemed right. With him acts, not words, counted. It was by their acts that he gauged men. It was by his acts that those who experienced his kindness gauged him. Quietly, without hope of material reward, actuated only by love of doing good, Dr. Kennedy dealt with his fellow-man, and many a life was saved from wreck by his kindly and timely aid.
JAY E. KLOCK, editor and publisher of The Kingston Freeman, was born February 14, 1864, in Hammond, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., but the greater part of his boyhood was spent in Albany County. His education was derived principally from private tutors, although he spent a limited time at common school and attended the Albany Academy. Before attaining his majority he was employed upon news- papers in Mechanicsville and Ogdensburg. In 1885 he was engaged as proofreader upon the Albany Evening Journal, and was soon promoted to the position of tele-
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graph editor. In 1887 he left the Journal and purchased the Signal, a newspaper in Ogdensburg, but a year later sold that business and resumed his connection with the Albany Journal, for which he became an editorial writer. In 1889 he purchased a controlling interest in the Evening Times of Little Falls, N. Y., and after remaining there two years sold his interest and removed to Kingston, becoming publisher and editor of the Freeman. In October, 1891, Mr. Klock married Miss Ina G. Chilson of Macedon, N. Y.
JOHN E. KRAFT, publisher of the Kingston Leader, was born in Kingston, May 7, 1853, and is a son of John Kraft, who as a young man, emigrated from Germany and shortly after arriving in America, settled in Kingston. John E. Kraft obtained his education in the schools of Kingston. He learned the printing trade in the office of the Kingston Press, and later was employed on the Rondout Freeman, at one time being its business manager.
Mr. Kraft was elected Clerk of the Board of Supervisors seven times, and while serving as such he read law with Judge Alton B. Parker, and assisted that eminent jurist in important litigations.
Before admission to the Bar, Mr. Kraft, with John W. Searing, purchased the Leader establishment, and continued the publication of the Daily and Weekly Leader, being the organ of the Democratic party of the city of Kingston and County of Ulster. Mr. Kraft is still the principal owner of the newspaper.
Mr. Kraft has been the presiding officer in the different orders of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of Mecca Temple of the Mystic Shrine, the Order of Elks, the Kingston and Twaalfskill Clubs and the Tilden Club of New York City.
Before the Twentieth Battalion was disbanded, he was for a number of years Captain of Company H, of that command, which did effective service in several riots and railroad strikes.
Mr. Kraft was the first president of the Kingston City Hospital Association, and is one of the trustees and second vice-president of the Kingston Savings Bank. He has represented his ward in the Common Council as an Alderman, and was elected Mayor of the city in 1890-the youngest man who ever held the position. During his incumbency of that office he instituted many reforms. He personally conducted raids on houses of ill-repute, besides reducing the tax rate to the lowest ever known in the history of the city.
He is senior warden of the Mission Church of the Holy Cross, that does a very large amount of work among the poor of the city; and has always taken an active interest in everything pertaining to Kingston's best interests.
He has for a long time been and now is the presiding officer of the Patrons of Husbandry.
In politics Mr. Kraft is a strong Democrat, and has represented his district in State and National Conventions, as well as on the State Committee. In 1901 Governor Odell appointed Mr. Kraft as the minority party member of the State Civil Service Commission, primarily because of strong party affiliation.
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HENRY F. KUHFELDT, Postmaster, Napanoch, was born in Ellenville, May 5, 1875. He attended the Ellenville schools and then entered the Journal office, where he learned the trade of printing. He afterwards clerked for a time in a dry goods store, and for several years was a bookkeeper, serving under George Deyo, when Mr. Deyo was County Treasurer. In 1903 he established a coal business in Napa- noch, and May 1, 1906, received the appointment of Postmaster from President Roosevelt. Mr. Kuhfeldt married Miss Anna Wilklow of Ellenville. He is identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias, American Mechanics and Red Men.
JOHN A. KUHLMANN, brewer of Ellenville, was born in that village and has, for many years, been identified with the business interests. His father, John Kuhlmann, established the business there in 1855, in association with Jacob Kopf, and conducted it up to the date of his death in 1898, with the assistance of his sons. The business is now operated by John A., Joseph B. and Fred L. Kuhlmann, and their trade extends throughout Sullivan, Ulster, Orange and Delaware Coun- ties. John A. Kuhlmann is a member of the Knights of Pythias. His family con- sists of wife and two children, Walter and Homer.
COL. H. DWIGHT LAFLIN, of Saugerties, was born in Blandford, Mass., February 12, 1830, his parents being Luther and Almira Laflin. At the age of seven years, H. Dwight Laflin, with his parents came to Saugerties. He attended the public schools of the village and later his education was augmented by a course of study in the Boston Latin School and at Pittsfield, Mass., Gymnasium. Having an ardent temperament, he entered into athletics and drills with much spirit. After leaving school, Mr. Laflin became a clerk in a store at Hyde Park on-the-Hudson. Here he remained but a short time, and then went to St. Louis, where he accepted a position in the Laflin, Smith & Boies Power Company and became a partner in the concern. He went to Chicago, in which city he opened and assumed the man- agement of a branch depot for the company. He returned to Saugerties in 1860 and began a successful business career. He was shortly thereafter elected one of the Village Directors and subsequently President of Saugerties. In the Fire De- partment he was also prominent, being Chief Engineer for two years.
The Colonel's military career began in St. Louis, when he joined the St. Louis Grays, then under the command of Capt. John Knapp, of the St. Louis Republican. Afterward in Chicago he became a member of the Chicago Light Guard, then in command of Gen. Geo. B. McClelland. He was also a member of the famous Ellsworth Zouaves, whose record as a drill company was never excelled. Col. Laflin was a personal friend of Col. Ellsworth, and was chosen second officer of the company. He was also a member of Gen. T. B. Gates' staff.
It was his privilege to assist in firing the first gun from the top of the Tremont House in Chicago, when Abraham Lincoln was nominated for the Presidency.
He was the Republican candidate for the Assembly in 1883, but was defeated by 158 majority, although it is still maintained that his opponent's election was illegal. The Colonel was married to Josephine Banker of Hyde Park, September 7, 1853. They had one child, a daughter, who died at the age of ten years.
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