The charter was surrendered to grand lodge in 1835.

The anti-masonic furor having subsided, the brethren sought to reopen

the lodge, and to that end presented a petition to grand lodge that

the charter might be restored to them, which was granted in June,

1842, but the number of the lodge was changed to 92. The first

officers under the revived charter were Peter F. Hunn, master; Minard

Harris, senior warden; James Belknap, junior warden. The last record

of the lodge is dated June 16. 1845, and we infer that the charter

was soon thereafter surrendered to grand lodge. The charter of Hiram

Lodge is now in the keeping of Hudson River Lodge, No. 607, as

custodian.

_Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 180._ A petition was presented to grand

lodge to establish: "A lodge in the town of Wallkill, its meetings to

be holden at the house of Thomas Everson or others in the said town

of Wallkill." A charter was granted under date of December 9th, 1809.

Doubtless the lodge was held for some years in private dwellings as

on the 2nd of December, 1812, at the communication of grand lodge: "A

petition from Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 189, held at Wallkill, Orange

County, praying for a remission of dues in consideration of its

having built a commodious lodge room, for the expenses of which it

was still in arrears, was presented and read, and the prayer of the

petitioner refused." Doubtless the lodge at that time was held in the

upper room of the school building in the village of Mount Hope, as at

a later date masonic emblems, carved in wood, were to be seen in the

room then used for school purposes.

Returns were made to grand lodge as from Wallkill, and also, "Return

of Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 189, held at Mount Hope, Wallkill, county

of Orange, and State of New York." The charter of this lodge was

declared forfeited on the 4th of June, 1835.

_Corner-Stone Lodge, No. 231._ At the communication of grand lodge,

held on the 2d of March, 1812, "A petition for a warrant to hold a

lodge in the town of Monroe, in the county of Orange, to be called

Cornerstone Lodge; recommended by Washington Lodge, No. 220, was read

and granted." The warrant was dated May 26, 1814. This lodge is

among the number in arrears for dues for two years and upwards on the

24th of June, 1822. The charter was declared forfeited on the 24th of

June, 1832.

_Jerusalem Temple Lodge, No. 247._ At the communication of grand

lodge, held on the 6th of September, 1815: "A petition from a number

of the brethren to hold a lodge in the town of Cornwall, in the

county of Orange, to be called Jerusalem Temple Lodge; recommended by

Hiram Lodge, No. 131, was read and granted."

The lodge was constituted at the house of Ebenezer Crissey, in the

village of Canterbury on the 5th of October of the same year; James

B. Reynolds, master of Hiram Lodge, No. 131, performed the ceremony.

The first officers named in the charter were Wyatt Carr, master;

Abraham Mead, senior warden; Southerland Moore, junior warden. The

charter was declared forfeited June 8th, 1832.

_Washington Lodge, No. 220._ This lodge was located at Blooming Grove.

The charter was dated June 10th, 1813. No record of its work is

extant, but it was one of those lodges that went down in the

anti-masonic period, and its charter was declared forfeited by grand

lodge on the 5th of June, 1834.

_Lawrence Lodge, No. 230._ On the 1st of December, 1812, the

proceedings of grand lodge read: "A petition for a warrant to hold a

lodge at Ward's Bridge, in the county of Orange, to be called

Lawrence Lodge, recommended by Hiram Lodge, No. 131," was read and

granted.

Ward's Bridge was afterwards known as Montgomery. The lodge was

doubtless named in honor of the gallant Captain James Lawrence, who,

being mortally wounded in the engagement with the _Shannon,_ uttered:

"Don't give up the ship!" which have become household words in this

country. The lodge was reported as inoperative on the 4th of June,

1819.

_Hoffman Lodge, No. 300._ At the communication of grand lodge on the

4th of March, 1818, the grand secretary stated that a warrant had

been issued "on the 3d of December, 1817, to John Kirby, Stacey

Beecher and Isaac Otis, to hold a lodge at Wallkill, in the county of

Orange, by the name of Hoffman Lodge, No. 300." The lodge held its

meetings in the house of Isaac Otis, at Mechanicstown, which at that

time was a more pretentious place than Middletown. The lodge was

named in honor of Martin Hoffman who was grand master of the (city)

grand lodge during 1823, 1824 and 1825. He presented the lodge with a

copy of the Holy Bible which is still in use by Hoffman Lodge, No.

412. The charter of this lodge was declared forfeited by grand lodge

on the 7th of June. 1833.

_Union Lodge, No. 309._ The minutes of grand lodge under date of July

9, 1828, read: "A dispensation granted by the Rt. Worshipful Richard

Hatfield, late D. G. M., to hold a lodge in the town of Montgomery,

county of Orange, by the name and style of Union Lodge, recommended

by Hiram Lodge, No. 131, at Newburgh, was presented, whereupon the

grand secretary was ordered to issue a warrant appointing William

Williamson, the first master, Daniel Cozens, the first senior warden

and Samuel Bookstaver, the first junior warden."

It is rather remarkable that in the midst of the anti-masonic

excitement a new masonic lodge should have been established in that

locality, but it did not long continue, as we note that the charter

was declared forfeited on the 4th of June, 1835.

_Mount William Lodge, No. 762._ A charter was granted by grand lodge

on the 4th of June, 1875. to hold a lodge at Port Jervis, to be known

as Mount William Lodge, No. 762. From the report of the district

deputy we find that the reason given for surrendering the charter was

that the numerous societies in that village was a hindrance to

increasing its membership. The warrant was surrendered to grand lodge

on the 20th of June, 1882.

The lodges above enumerated have all ceased to exist, and their

records, with few exceptions, have been lost. In some instances the

charters have been given to lodges that have since been organized in

the same locality and they are prized for the association connected

with them.

The thirteenth masonic district, as now formed, embraces the counties

of Orange and Rockland, and contains sixteen masonic lodges within

its jurisdiction. The county of Orange has ten masonic lodges within

its borders, and it is with these we now have to do.

_Newburgh Lodge, No. 309._--This lodge is located at Newburgh. The

charter is dated June 11th, 1853, and was issued to John Gray,

master; Andrew Lawson, senior warden, and Henry O. Heustis, junior

warden. The lodge held its communications in a building situated on

the southwest corner of Front and Third streets, known as Crawford's

Hall, from the 28th of July, 1853, at which date the hall was

dedicated to masonic purposes. Here it continued until the 24th of

June, 1863, when it was moved to the new building erected on the

northwest corner of Colden street and Western avenue--afterwards

known as Broadway. In this hall all the masonic bodies in Newburgh

met for the succeeding twenty-five years. These quarters becoming

inadequate for the membership, a lease of the two upper floors in the

new Academy of Music, situated on the northwest corner of Broadway

and Grand street, was secured. This hall was dedicated on the 11th of

September, 1888. The membership of Newburgh Lodge on the 1st of June,

1907, was 370 master masons. The officers were Charles B. Gilchrist,

master; Thomas George Courtney, senior warden; Peter Cantline, junior

warden; James D. McGiffert, secretary.

_Port Jervis Lodge, No. 328._--This lodge is located at Port Jervis.

The charter is dated June 30th, 1854, and was issued to Alfred

Barkley, master; John M. Heller, senior warden; and O. H. Mott,

junior warden. William H. Stewart was the first secretary.

The membership of Port Jervis Lodge on the 1st of June, 1907, was 252

master masons. The officers were Jacob Miller, master; Fred

Terwilliger, senior warden; L. C. Senger, Jr., junior warden; Emmet

A. Browne, secretary.

_Goshen Lodge, No. 365._--This lodge is located at Goshen. The

charter is dated June 26th, 1855, and was issued to Alvin Pease,

master; Charles Monell, senior warden; and Elias Peck, junior warden.

Benjamin C. Jackson was the first secretary. The membership of Goshen

Lodge on the 1st of June, 1907, was 107 master masons. The officers

were John F. Halstead, master; William N. Hoffman, senior warden;

Charles H. Thompson, junior warden; George Mullenix, secretary.

_Hoffman Lodge, No. 412._--This lodge is located at Middletown. The

charter is dated June 16th, 1857, and was issued to Alexander Wilson,

master; Silas R. Martine, senior warden, and Daniel C. Dusenberry,

junior warden. E. B. Graham was the first secretary. The membership

of Hoffman Lodge on the 1st of June, 1907, was 487 master masons. The

officers were Nathan D. Mills, master; John H. Galloway, senior

warden; Burton L. LaMonte, junior warden; Isaac B. A. Taylor,

secretary.

_Warwick Lodge, No. 514._--This lodge is located at Warwick. The

charter is dated July 19, 1864, and was issued to E. M. Smith,

master; Benjamin Corwin, senior warden; Charles W. Douglass, junior

warden. John N. Wood was the first secretary. The membership of

Warwick Lodge on the 1st of June, 1907, was ninety-eight master

masons. The officers were Calvin C. Crawford, master: Frank Holbert,

senior warden; John Mullinbrink, junior warden; Harry Vail,

secretary.

_Hudson River Lodge, No. 607._--This lodge is located at Newburgh.

The charter is dated July 12th, 1866, and was issued to David A.

Scott, master; G. Frederick Wiltsie, senior warden; Samuel Stanton,

junior warden. John Alsdorf was the first secretary. The membership

of Hudson River Lodge on the 1st of June, 1907 was 415 master masons.

The officers were Milton D. Seymour, master; Walter S. Carvey, senior

warden; Cyrus J. Johnston, junior warden; Charles H. Halstead,

secretary.

_Wallkill Lodge, No. 627._--This lodge is located at Walden. The

charter is dated June 24, 1867, and was issued to Hugh B. Bull,

master; Constant W. Wadsworth, senior warden; and Robert Young,

junior warden. W. J. Welsh was the first secretary. The lodge was

instituted at Montgomery, but by permission of grand lodge, under

date of June 7th, 1878, was moved to Walden. The membership of

Wallkill Lodge on the 1st of June, 1907, was 159 master masons. The

officers were George L. Sharp, master; Benjamin S. French, senior

warden; Edgar C. Mullen, junior warden; Charles K. Holden, secretary.

_Standard Lodge, No. 711._--This lodge is located at Monroe. The

charter is dated July 27, 1871, and was issued to John F. Mackie,

master; Nicholas Demerest, senior warden, and Thomas H. Bryan, junior

warden. Ezra T. Jackson was the first secretary. The lodge was

instituted at Chester, but held its meetings at East Chester. As many

of the members resided in the vicinity of Monroe a petition was made

to grand lodge that the lodge might be moved to that village, which

was done by dispensation the 8th of February, 1884. The membership of

Standard Lodge on the 1st of June, 1907, was 200 master masons. The

officers were Edward D. Woodhull, master; Charles N. Walton, senior

warden; Bernard W. Tench, junior warden; Stacy Gaunt, secretary.

_Jerusalem Temple Lodge, No. 721._--This lodge is located at

Cornwall-on-Hudson. The charter is dated June 14th, 1872, and was

issued to Charles McClean, master; Gustavus H. Black, senior warden;

and Henry Rodermond, junior warden. Charles C. Van Duzer was the

first secretary. The lodge was instituted in the village of

Canterbury, where meetings were held until September, 1883, when it

was moved to Cornwall-on-Hudson. The membership of Jerusalem Temple

Lodge on the 1st of June, 1907, was seventy master masons. The

officers were Harvey A. Call, master; Arthur H. Walker, senior

warden; Walter S. Babcock, junior warden; John M. Noe, secretary.

_Lorillard Lodge, No. 858._--This lodge is located at Tuxedo. The

charter was granted by grand lodge on the 9th of May, 1907. The lodge

was instituted on the 4th of June, 1907. The membership of Lorillard

Lodge on the 1st of June, 1907, was fifty master masons. The officers

were Charles W. Cooley, master; Edwin C. Rushmore, senior warden;

Newton D. Phillips, junior warden; John J. Strudwik, secretary.

The early history of the grand chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the

State of New York is so obscure that but little information

concerning its subordinates is obtainable.

It is a well established fact, however, that the Royal Arch degree

was conferred in the State of New York under lodge charters prior to

the formation of the grand chapter of New York in 1798. On the 14th

of March, 1798, five chapters organized and established a deputy

grand chapter subordinate to the grand chapter of the Northern

States for the State of New York.

Companion DeWitt Clinton was elected deputy grand high priest. The

prefix "deputy" was dropped in 1799, and thereafter they were

designated "grand chapters." At one period mark lodges were a

distinct organization yet subject to, and received authority from,

the grand chapter. The degree of mark master is now conferred in a

chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and the charters of mark lodges in this

State have been surrendered to the grand chapter. But two mark lodges

are known to have been organized in the county of Orange.

_Orange Mark Lodge, No. 57._--This lodge was located at Goshen. A

charter was granted on the 8th of February, 1809, to William Elliott,

William A. Thompson and Edward Ely.

_Hiram Mark Lodge, No. 7._--This lodge was located at Newburgh. A

charter was granted on the 3d of February, 1813, to Sylvanus Jessup,

James Williams, and George Gordon.

_Orange Chapter, No. 33._--This chapter of Royal Arch Masons was

located at Minisink. A charter was granted on the 6th of February,

1812, to Uriah Hulse, James D. Wadsworth and Malcomb Campbell.

_Jerusalem Temple Chapter, No. 52._--At the annual convocation of

grand chapter, held on the 6th of February, 1817, a charter was

granted: "To Comps. James Reynolds, William Ross and William P. Lott,

to hold a chapter at Newburgh, county of Orange, by the name of

Jerusalem Temple Chapter, No. 52." The last written record of a

convocation is dated May 1st, 1828. The seal, record book and ledger

of Jerusalem Temple Chapter are now in possession of Highland

Chapter, No. 52, Newburgh, N. Y.

The charters of these organizations have either been surrendered or

forfeited, as they are no longer in existence.

There are but three chapters of Royal Arch Masons at present located

in Orange County.

_Highland Chapter, No. 52._--This chapter is located at Newburgh. At

the annual convocation of grand chapter held on the 3d of February,

1864, "A warrant was granted to Comp. John P. Stanbrough, high

priest; Comp. Joseph H. H. Chapman, king; Comp. George C. Pennell,

scribe, and others, to hold a chapter at Newburgh, to be known as

Highland Chapter, No. 52." In the application for a warrant the

request was made that the old number affixed to Jerusalem Temple

Chapter, "52," be assigned to the new chapter, and the request was

granted. The membership of Highland Chapter on the 1st of June, 1907,

was 340 Royal Arch Masons. The officers were James D. McGiffert, high

priest; William D. Traphagen, king; John T. Swann, scribe: Charles

H. Halstead, secretary.

_Neversink Chapter. No. 186._--This chapter is located at Port

Jervis. The officers named in the charter, dated February 8th, 1865,

were Philip Lee, high priest; Charles W. Douglas, king; Lewis L.

Adams, scribe. The chapter was instituted on the 16th of March, 1865.

The membership of Neversink Chapter on the 1st of June, 1907, was

sixty-six Royal Arch Masons. The officers were S. G. McDonald, high

priest; Jacob Miller, king; John Stoll, Jr., scribe; Herbert Senger,

secretary.

_Midland Chapter, No. 240._--This chapter is located at Middletown.

The charter is dated February 3d, 1870, and was issued to Alexander

Wilson, high priest; Elisha P. Wheeler, king; Moses D. Stivers,

scribe. The first secretary was George H. Decker. The membership of

Midland Chapter on the 1st of June, 1907, was 170 Royal Arch Masons.

The officers were Charles V. Pedmore, high priest; William L.

Mitchell, king; Frank H. Finn, scribe; John A. Wallace, secretary.

The commencement of the Templar Order in New York is involved in

great obscurity; yet there were several bodies, having no authority

whatever, which were organized at an early date. The grand encampment

(commandery) of New York was formed on the 22d of January, 1814, by

the sovereign grand consistory, which decreed the establishment of

the grand encampment of Sir Knights Templars and appendant orders for

the State of New York, and immediately proceeded to elect officers

who were all members of said consistory. In 1816 a warrant was

granted to Columbia Commandery in New York City; and a warrant on the

same day was issued to a new commandery in New Orleans.

The numerous encampments of Knights Templar existing in the State at

that time were self-created bodies, governed by their own private

laws, acknowledging no superior authority, because, in fact, none

heretofore existed.

The grand encampment of New York by its representatives assisted in

forming the general grand encampment of the United States of America

on the 11th of December, 1820.

There are but three commanderies of Knights Templar in the county of

Orange.

_Hudson River Commandery, No. 35._--This commandery is located at

Newburgh. The charter is dated September 27, 1865, and was issued to

Hugh McCutcheon, eminent commander; Lendon S. Straw, generalissimo;

Isaac C. Chapman, captain general. The membership on the 1st of June,

1907, was 295 sir knights. The officers were Samuel F. Brown,

eminent commander; Harry L. Barnum, generalissimo; Charles J. Stones,

captain general; Sylvester W. Holdredge, recorder.

_Delaware Commandery. No 44._--This commandery is located at Port

Jervis. The charter is dated October 6th, 1869, and was issued to

Charles B. Gray, eminent commander; Joseph W. Weed, generalissimo;

Abraham Kirkman, captain general. Charles T. Branch was the first

recorder. The membership on the 1st of June, 1907, was eighty-one

sir knights. The officers were Theodore Mackrell, eminent commander;

John Stoll, Jr., generalissimo; Harry J. Pippitt, captain general;

Lewis C. Seager, recorder.

_Cyprus Commandery, No. 67._--This commandery is located at

Middletown. The charter is dated October 5th, 1904, and was issued to

Charles Reeve Smith, eminent commander; Ira Lee Case, generalissimo;

Frank Olin Tompkins, captain general. Isaac B. A. Taylor was the

first recorder. The membership on the 1st of June, 1907, was 114 sir

knights. The officers were Charles Chester Bogart, eminent commander;

Charles Wesley Rodgers, generalissimo; Ames Everett Mclntyre,

captain general; Isaac B. A. Taylor, recorder.

Cryptic Masonry has been recognized as a part of the American system

of freemasonry in the State of New York since 1807, when a grand

council of Royal and Select Masters was duly organized.

This branch of freemasonry has never been popular with the craft in

this State, as the degrees, of which there are three, conferred in a

council, have not been made prerequisite to admission to a

commandery of Knights Templar, although several attempts have been

made to that end.

_King Solomon Council, No. 31._--This council is at this date located

at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. On the 10th of December, 1867, a council of

Royal and Select Masters was opened under dispensation at

Poughkeepsie, N. Y., which was known as "Union Council." The first

officers were E. H. Parker, T. I. M.; G. Fred Wiltsie, R. I. M.;

A. B. Smith, P. C. W. At the annual assembly of the grand council,

held on the 4th of February, 1868, a warrant was issued, and the

name changed to King Solomon Council, No. 31, and the jurisdiction

extended to include the city of Newburgh, N. Y. King Solomon Council

held stated assemblies at Newburgh from the 18th of March, 1869, to

the 8th of December, 1879, when it was deemed for the interest of the

organization that it be removed to Poughkeepsie, where it holds

assemblies at the call of the thrice illustrious master.

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite was introduced in the State of

New York in 1813, by the formation, in the city of New York, of a

supreme council for the northern jurisdiction. For some time previous

a lodge of perfection of this rite existed at Albany, N. Y.

_Adouai Lodge of Perfection,_ located at Newburgh, N. Y., was granted

a charter in September, 1873. The lodge conferred the degrees from

the fourth to the fourteenth inclusive. In 1880 the lodge ceased to

meet, but the charter was not surrendered, being held in abeyance

subject to the action of the members in this locality.

What is known as the American Adoptive Rite, called the "Order of the

Eastern Star," was created by Robert Morris, a distinguished

Freemason. It sought to provide an organization that would be of

benefit to the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of master masons

by introducing signs, grips and pass-word that would be recognized by

the craft generally. For a time it was a popular institution, then

came a season of depression, until finally the degrees were rewritten

and the ritual made less complex. While this order has not been

recognized in this State as a masonic body by the grand lodge, still

it does receive recognition and support from a large number of the

craft who feel that it is a valuable adjunct to freemasonry.

The grand chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star was organized

thirty-eight years ago. There are at this date over 350 subordinate

chapters in the State, embracing a membership of over 26,000. There

are five chapters in Orange County.

Orange Chapter. No. 33, is located at Port Jervis; Queen Esther

Chapter, No. 163, is located at Middletown; Hawthorne Chapter, No.

163, is located at Monroe; A. J. Moor Chapter, No. 398, is located at

Goshen. At this date (June, 1907), these chapters are in a

flourishing condition.

[Illustration: Guy Miller.]

CHAPTER XXXIX.

HORSE BREEDING IN ORANGE COUNTY.

By Guy Miller.

The lay of the land in Orange County, hills and valleys, with the

farms divided in such a manner that each one has a proportion of high

uplands, as well as low meadows, enables the breeder to tide over wet

as well as dry seasons.

If the season is wet for the low meadows, the uplands make luxuriant

growth, and in a season of drought the lowland pastures and meadows

can be depended upon for a good supply. The writer has farmed

forty-two years at his home farm and there has never been a season

when grass has really failed for animals at pasture or for hay

making.

In seeding land in Orange County, timothy, red-top and the clovers

have been the principal seeds used in the past. In time these run

out, giving way to grasses that appear natural to this section, viz.,

June grass, white clover and Seneca grass. These varieties start

growing early and continue late, thus making the pasturing season a

long one. Cut for hay, the quantity of the latter is not equal to

that first mentioned, yet the quality is considered far superior.

Orange County being well watered in addition to its abundant supply

of the best natural grasses, makes it an ideal horse-breeding

section.

Imported Messenger appears to have been the fountain-head of the

highest type of the American light harness horse.

Imp. Messenger was in service at Goshen in 1801. Jonas Seely, Sr., of

Oxford, had a large strong mare of great endurance known as Black

Jin, and this mare bred to Imp. Messenger produced Silver Tail.

In 1814, the son of Imp. Messenger, known as Hambletonian, made the

season in Goshen, yet on certain days of each week was taken to

Florida for service. Silver Tail was bred to Hambletonian and

produced One Eye, the latter a grand animal and fast trotter for her

day.

When Imp. Belfounder was in service at Washingtonville, the season of

1832, Josiah Jackson, of Oxford, owned One Eye, and bred her to that

horse, producing a mare that was a high-class trotter, and is known

as the Charles Kent mare.

The Charles Kent mare had passed through the hands of several owners

to Jonas Seely, of Sugar Loaf. On June 5, 1848, he bred her to

Abdallah and on May 5, 1849, a bay colt with a small star and white

hind ankles, was born.

In the fall of that year the Charles Kent mare and her foal were

purchased by Wm. M. Rysdyk, a farmer of Chester.

Mr. Rysdyk was born on a farm between Florida and Goshen. He

frequently saw the son of Imp. Messenger (known later as Bishop's

Hambletonian), pass his home on trips between the above villages,

and, although very young, was so impressed by the rare qualities of

the horse, that he chose his name for his own colt, now known as the

"great progenitor of trotters," Rysdyk's Hambletonian.

It will be observed that this colt was by Abdallah, a grandson of

Imp. Messenger. His grandam was by Bishop's Hambletonian, a son of

Imp. Messenger and his great grandam a daughter of Imp. Messenger.

The blood of this imported horse had given great results in the

localities where he had been in service, and the same was true

relative to his descendants, particularly so in the case of his son,

Bishop's Hambletonian and his grandson, Abdallah.

Imp. Belfounder's individuality, his beautiful trotting action and

strong-inclination to stick to that gait, commanded the admiration of

horse lovers. His daughter, the Chas. Kent mare, produced

Hambletonian, a daughter of his son, King's Belfounder, produced the

race winning trotter Sir Walter, record 2.27, also by Abdallah.

Another daughter produced to Cassius M. Clay, Jr., Harry Clay,

record 2.29. the greatest of the Clay family as a brood mare sire.

Rysdyk's Hambletonian carried three crosses of Imp. Messenger blood,

concentrated in the first four generations. It was this unparalleled

wealth of Messenger blood, his rare temperament and individuality,

and the fact that Mr. Rysdyk had driven him, the third time harnessed

to a sulky, a mile in 2.48, on the Union Course, Long Island, the

fall he was three years old, that gave his owner unbounded confidence

in the colt's future. This, the breeding public must have shared, as

at four years of age he served one hundred and one mares, producing

seventy-eight colts at $25.00 each, thus earning for his owner

$1,950.

In the late fall of that year two Virginia gentlemen, looking for a

stock horse, visited Mr. Rysdyk's place, and after examining

Hambletonian, stood ready to buy him at $10,000, yet Mr. Rysdyk would

not sell.

How well this confidence in the horse's value was borne out in after

years, for as soon as Hambletonian's colts had become two and three

years old and were placed on exhibition at the fairs, their high

quality, fine general characteristics, superb trotting action and

being almost uniform in rich bay colors, won them nearly all the

prizes.

At the Orange County Fair, Fall of 1853.

_In Show Class._

First prize was awarded to Hambletonian by Abdallah.

Second prize--Rattler.

At the Orange County Fair, September 21st, 22nd, 1858.

_In Show Class for Aged Stallions._

First prize was awarded to Edsall's Hambletonian (Alexander's

Abdallah) by Hambletonian J. S. Edsall

Second prize--Washington J. D. Veruol

Third prize--Harry Clay by Cassius M. Clay J. D. Sayer

_In the Speed Classes for 4 Yr. Old Mares._

First prize--Lady Howard by Hambletonian. J. W. Hoyt Time, 3.02

Second prize--Alida by Hambletonian. M. F. Ten Eyck " 3.03

_Best 5 Yr. Olds._

First prize--Lady Banker by Hambletonian. R. Galloway Time, 2.31

Second prize--Frank Dickerson by Hambletonian. Geo. Payne " 2.53-1/2

Third prize--Jenny Hawkins by American Star. J. J. McNally " 2.54

_Best 3 Yr. Old Stallion._

First prize--Guy Miller by Hambletonian. R. F. Galloway Time, 3.00

Second prize--Young Abdallah. Geo Payne " 3.24

Third prize--Index. Seely C. Roe " 3.26

_Best 4 Yr. Old Stallion._

First prize--Hambletonian 2nd (Volunteer) by Hambletonian

Joseph Hetzel Time, 2.57

Second prize--Abdallah by Hambletonian. Wm. M. Rysdyk " 3.04-1/2

Third prize--Tom Thumb (Wild Warrior). Robt. Carr " 3.10

_Best 5 Yr. Old Stallion._

First prize--Harry Clay by Cassius M. Clay. J. P. Sayer Time. 2.56

Second prize--C. M. Clay C. J. Brown " 3.14

_Stallions Free for All._

First prize--American Star. Edmund Seely Time, 2.50

Second prize--Harry Clay by Cassius M. Clay. J. P. Sayer " 2.53

Third prize--Edsall's Hambletonian (Alexander's Abdallah) by

Hambletonian. J. S. Edsall " 2.54

_Mares Free for All._

First prize--Mary Hoyt by American Star J. W. Hoyt Time, 2.36-1/2

Second prize--Goshen Maid by American Star Edmund Seely " 2.44-1/2

Third prize--Lyd by Bolivar. Amos Ryerson " 2.52

The above summaries show that in every speed class for colts, the

get of Hambletonian were the winners and one of the very first of

that horse's get, Edsall's Hambletonian (Alexander's Abdallah) in

stallion class for show, was awarded first prize.

It is of interest to note that in the class for mares of all ages,

Mary Hoyt's record of 2.36-1/2 was the first record performance

better than 2.40 on the Goshen track and she was in the hands of the

best horseman of his time, J. W. Hoyt. This performance shows the

real value of the colt records, they having no track education and

no modern appliances such as boots, etc.

Mr. Joseph Hetzel, a farmer near Florida, related to the writer years

later, that he had no idea of competing in the speed class with his

colt Hambletonian 2nd (Volunteer), and so informed inquirers at

Goshen, yet when it was confided to him that it had been said "he

dare not," "his Dutch was aroused," he borrowed a skeleton wagon and

harness and at his request the judges permitted him to start behind

the other entries. Mr. Hetzel made no attempt for the lead until

passing the stand the second time when he gave his colt his head,

soon obtaining a commanding lead and finishing more than seven

seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Such an ovation as this

church deacon and his colt received from an enthusiastic and admiring

assemblage is seldom witnessed.

Mr. Hetzel sold his colt soon after to Sheriff Underhill, of

Brooklyn, for $2,500. The writer sold his colt, the afternoon of his

winning performance at a handsome price. Lady Howard passed to

Governor Amsa Sprague, of Rhode Island. In fact, everyone of these

colts by Hambletonian was soon sold at good prices, yet none were

from trotting-bred mares and but one (Alexander's Abdallah) from a

fast trotting mare.

[Illustration: Hambletonian 10.]

It is particularly interesting to note the summary of the trotting

stallions, as American Star and Harry Clay produced the dams of the

record breakers of later years.

As illustrative of Hambletonian's great worth (earning capacity), the

writer will mention an over-night visit at Mr. Rysdyk's home as early

as 1865, the latter part of June. The next morning Mr. Rysdyk drove

home behind Lady McClellan to a farm that he had recently purchased

for the overflow of stock from his home farm. The new purchase was

made from an up-to-date painstaking man, and good buildings and

fencings, also fertile fields were in evidence; brood mares and foals

and young stock were distributed about in the pastures. Mr. Rysdyk's

son, William, had already commenced the hay making of the season's

crop. Starting on the drive homeward Mr. Rysdyk inquired, "How do you

like the Seely farm, my new purchase?" The writer could only reply in

laudatory terms. "Well," said Mr. Rysdyk, "That farm cost me nearly

twenty-two thousand dollars and Hambletonian earned the purchase

price in three months." The record on file in the county clerk's

office in Goshen, gives the seller as Charles B. Seely to Wm. M.

Rysdyk. The deed calls for 218 98/100 acres, consideration $21,048,

dated April 1, 1865. No world's records had been won by the get of

Hambletonian at this time.

George Wilkes, under the name of Robert Eillingham, started in his

first race on Long Island, August 1, 1861. He made a record of 2.22

at Providence in a race that he won October 18, 1868, making him the

champion trotting stallion of the world. Jay Gould reduced this

world's champion stallion record at Buffalo August 7, 1872, to

2.21-1/2. Dexter began trotting May 4, 1864 and at Buffalo, N. Y.,

on August 14, 1867, became the world's champion by trotting to a

record of 2.17-1/4. George Wilkes, Jay Gould and Dexter were sons of

Hambletonian, the last two from daughters of American Star.

Added to the marvelous performances of Hambletonian's immediate

progeny, those of his sons began to come forward. The daughter of

Edsall's Hambletonian (Alexander's Abdallah) Goldsmith Maid, began

trotting September 7, 1865, at Goshen, N. Y., and at Mystic Park,

Boston, September 2, 1874, reduced the world's record to 2.14.

St. Julian by Volunteer made a world's record of 2.11-1/4 at

Hartford, Conn.

These performers attracted great attention and made a demand for the

products of the breeding farms at remunerative prices, stock being

purchased and taken to almost every section of the United States.

Therow Felter was keeping a summer resort at Greenwood Lake and bred

a brown mare to Hambletonian April 22, 1855, the product being George

Wilkes, who after his career on the turf, was placed in the stud in

Kentucky.

Charles Backman established a breeding farm at Stony Ford about 1865.

At this time the blood of American Star and Cassius M. Clay, Jr.,

particularly that of his son, Harry Clay, was very popular and Mr.

Backman stocked his farm with many mares by these great sires. He

sold to the Hon. Chas. Stanford, of California, Electioneer, a son of

Hambletonian, whose dam was Green Mountain Maid, by Harry Clay; also

a small band of brood mares. George Wilkes and Electioneer became

great sires and in considering the relative merits of the two

families, it is a debatable question which should be placed first.

Mr. Backman's farm, Stony Ford, in the matter of brood acres and

splendid equipment was unrivaled. The farm turned out race winning

and record-breaking youngsters, splendid roadsters, horses celebrated

as sires, also brood mares of a high order. Many of the first men of

the country, including General U. S. Grant, enjoyed Mr. Backman's

hospitality. Stony Ford Stock Farm passed to the ownership of Mr. J.

Howard Ford, who, with Austral (winner of the blue ribbon in Madison

Square Garden), a progenitor of beauty and extreme speed at the head

of a band of choice brood mares, is breeding colts of rare quality.

Samuel Hill, in this locality, followed by his son, Ed. Hill, bred

horses in fashionable lines of blood. Jonas Hawkins began breeding

to Hambletonian when he bred the McKinstry mare May 16, 1853,

producing Shark, record 2.30-1/2, to saddle 2.27-3/4, a winner at

one, two and three miles on Long Island tracks. The McKinstry mare

produced by American Star, Clara, and on May 8, 1857, Mr. Hawkins

bred Clara to Hambletonian, producing the renowned Dexter, record

2.17-1/4. The breeding was continued by Mr. Hawkins's son, Jonathan,

who bred Dictator, a wonderful sire and several sisters, also

Kearsarge by Volunteer. This family is truly great judged by the

recognized test of greatness, extreme speed and race winning

qualities.

Alden Goldsmith's Walnut Grove Farm near Washingtonville, became

famous as the home of Volunteer, a horse that attained great

prominence in the stud. Mr. Goldsmith, with his sons, James and John,

showed rare judgment and skill in the selection and development of

great turf performers and as professional drivers the sons were at

the very top. During the many years that Alden Goldsmith campaigned a

stable of trotters on the Grand Circuit, his horses were the grandest

in existence and his success was brilliant. In this vicinity were the

Brooks, the Moffatts, the Hulses, the Hallocks, the Thompsons, who

bred fine horses and profited thereby.

The Mills family of Bullville had been patrons of American Star and

when the superiority of the Hambletonian American Star cross was made

evident by the performances of Dexter, they were enabled to breed in

this fashionable line. Harrison Mills, from Hambletonian and his

American Star mare, Emma Mills, produced Independent and Sweepstakes.

The former a fine animal that sired speed. The latter a beautifully

shaded bay, individually most perfect in action, really a grand

horse. Sweepstakes, considering his opportunities was an excellent

sire. James M. Mills bred Chosroes, Imperial and Fisk's Hambletonian,

all by Hambletonian, the latter from Lady Irwin by American Star.

Fisk's Hambletonian became quite noted as a sire in Michigan.

At Middletown, John E. Wood bred many fine horses, the most prominent

being Knickerbocker, son of Hambletonian, and Lady Patchen by George

M. Patchen. J. D. Willis, with Harry Clay, 2.29, at the height of his

stud career, other fine stallions, and a band of choice brood mares,

bred, developed and trained youngsters evidently with pleasure and

satisfaction.

At Florida, Jefferson Post bred Middletown by Hambletonian from a

mare whose sire, Vivian Grey, was a grandson of the great American

Eclipse. Nearby, Joseph Hetzel bred the great Volunteer and his two

full brothers. Nathaniel Roe, also of Florida, bred Florida, son of

Hambletonian and a daughter of Volunteer, a most excellent sire. Mr.

Roe purchased in Kentucky colts, at least three, by famous sons of

George Wilkes, and kept them for service at his farm. William Roe, a

son, inherited his father's estate and is following the paternal

footsteps in horse-breeding.

About Warwick were the Wellings, the Sanfords, the Wisners, and just

over the county line in New Jersey were the De Kays and Givens. All

breeders of fine horses. At Bellvale was W. H. Wisner, breeder of

Woeful.

The Sayer families at Westtown, bred fine horses, Decater Sayer's

farm being the center of attraction when that grand individual and

phenomenally gaited horse Harry Clay was broken to harness at four

years of age and was owned and kept for public service till sold, to

Harry Dater and removed to Long Island, May 8, 1862.

At Monroe works, Mr. Peter Townsend, who with his brothers owned the

vast Sterling tract with its two blast furnaces (where the great

chain that spanned the Hudson River, during the war of the

Revolution, was made at his grandfather's Sterling Iron Works), had

near his house a farm, "The Old Fields," which was mainly used to

breed horses for the pleasure and use of his family. He first had a

daughter of American Eclipse, a daughter of Young Engineer (sire of

the dam of Gideon). From the latter he bred a pair by Abdallah, also

a pair by Hambletonian. Mr. Townsend purchased of Lieutenant General

Manry (while Professor of Tactics at West Point), Saline, a

thoroughbred mare brought from the latter's home in Virginia, that,

bred to Hambletonian, produced Jas. H. Coleman, quite a trotter for

his day; and Lord Sterling, that had the thoroughbred finish yet

beautiful trotting action; also Young Selene by Guy Miller, that by

Iron Duke produced Monroe, 2.27-1/2. A sister, Miss Monroe, was the

dam of Fergus McGregor. Young Selene produced by Volunteer, St.

Patrick, 2.14-1/2.

In the early morning shadows of Schunnemunk Mountains is "Glen Lea,"

the charming home of Mr. William Crawford. Here may be found Alto

McKinney, by that great sire of race horses of extreme speed,

McKinney, 2.11-1/4, dam Cresida, 2.18-1/4 at three years, by Palo

Alto, 2.08-1/4, champion trotting stallion of 1901.

At Turner, Thos. Lewis bred Dandy, a daughter of Young Engineer, to

Hambletonian, producing Gideon, that sired the dam of the great

performer Nelson, also from Dandy and Iron Duke, Silver Duke,

2.28-1/4.

The late Mr. Pierre Lorillard (the only American who has attained the

distinction of winning the classic event of the world, the English

Derby, with a horse of his own breeding), was a patron of

Hambletonian--the youngsters being raised on one of his Tuxedo farms.

R. F. Galloway near Turner was a breeder to Abdallah and

Hambletonian. Guy Wilkes cost him $500 at three years, at seven years

he dealt this horse to E. W. Teakle, receiving the famous Princess,

2.30 and $3,500. Princess had been bred to Hambletonian and the next

spring (1863), gave birth to Happy Medium, 2.32-1/2, that in February

of 1871, was sold to Robert Steel of Philadelphia, Pa., for $25,000.

Near Newburgh, Mr. Jas. Hasbrouck bred horses, and on his half-mile

track, Judge Fullerton, Mountain Boy, Music and others received their

harness education and acquired great speed. Mr. Aymar Van Buren,

always a horse lover, procured from Wm. M. Rysdyk, Molly, daughter of

Long Island Black Hawk and Betsy by Imp. Belfounder, from

Hambletonian and Molly, Mr. Van Buren bred Effie Deans, 2.25-1/2 and

Lottie, 2.28, placing Molly in the great brood mare list. This was

in the seventies and Mr. Van Buren is still breeding and finding

pleasure with his horses. Mr. J. A. P. Ramsdell is breeding The Arab,

that retains the beautiful type, great courage and endurance of his

desert ancestry.

At Goshen in the early days of trotting horses were J. S. Edsall,

owner of the famous Alexander's Abdallah, also breeder of Fleetwing

(dam of Stamboul. 2.07-1/2). John Minchen, later owned a stock farm

at Stony Ford with Young Woeful and Tom Mare for stud service. This

John Minchen farm was later purchased by General Benjamin F. Tracy

and called Marshland stud. It was stocked with trotters impotent

blood: Advertiser, 2.15, sire of the world's fastest yearling

trotter, Adbell, 2.23 and others; Lord of the Manor, by Mambrino King

"handsomest horse in the world," and Kiosk, a son of Kremlin,

champion trotting stallion of 1892. The brood mares were choice and

it was a great loss to Orange County when General Tracy discontinued

breeding at this farm.

Mr. Geo. S. Wisner bred Samson and other most excellent horses at his

farm. Edmund Seely owned American Star, a horse that by his unique,

open, stride, great courage, quality of endurance that served him

through great hardship to the end of his days, without blemish, made

the breeding on qualities of his progeny a wonderful contribution to

our American trotters.

Parkway Farm, made one of the real beauty spots of Goshen by the late

owner, Senator McCarty, takes the highest rank as a breeding

establishment, with the great Joe Patchen (the iron horse), sire of

the wonderful horse, Dan Patch and other performers. The form of Joe

Patchen is such that his services are sought from every section in

this country.

When Mr. E. H. Harriman paid $41,000 for Stamboul to place at the

head of his Arden Farms Breeding establishment at Goshen, he became

the owner of a champion, whether on the turf or in the show ring.

When Elsie S. by Stamboul (bred by Mr. Harriman) defeated Mr. Marcus

Daly's Limerick in the $5,000 match race at Goshen, 1898, the joy of

Orange County breeders was complete.

Mr. Harriman's patronage has had a wonderful influence in uplifting

and popularizing the sport of competition of the light harness horse

in Orange County.

CHAPTER XL

DAIRYING

For some seventy-five years past the most important crops produced on

the Orange County farm has been, and is to-day, milk. This alone

exceeds the combined value of all else the farmer produces. All other

crops are gathered once a year only, but a new crop of milk is in

evidence every day, Sundays and holidays included. Under existing

conditions the producer has no difficulty in disposing of all he can

make at a market so close at hand that it can be delivered within an

hour from the time it is drawn from the cow. Thus it is a continual

source of ready and regular revenue.

Prior to 1842 the total, and for many years later a large majority,

of the output was turned into butter right at the farmer's home. As a

rule the farmer's wife personally attended to churning, working and

packing the butter into the tub, all ready to be sent to market.

Orange County butter was a trademark that achieved a wide reputation

as denoting an article of superior quality, and the yellow bills

issued by the Bank of Orange County were known far and wide as

"butter money."

But the Orange County farmer no longer makes such disposition of his

milk. To both himself and his wife, butter-making is a lost art.

Besides he is no longer a farmer but a "dairyman"' or "milk

producer," for his principal business is to supply the market with

milk, What farming he does is merely a side issue.

The beginning of these changed conditions dates back to 1842, when

the Erie railroad, then hardly out of its swaddling clothes, carried

to New York the first consignment of milk that ever reached that city

by way of a transportation line.

In 1842 the city of New York contained, approximately, a population

of 315,000 and used about 30,000 gallons (3,000 cans, forty quarts

each), of milk daily. A large proportion of this was produced within

the city limits, very much (probably a large majority) of which was

the output of cows kept in stables connected with and fed on the

refuse of distilleries and breweries. Very aptly this was termed

"swill milk," for it was all that the name implies. The balance was

brought in by wagons from the surrounding farms.

Early in the summer of 1842 Philo Gregory, a milk producer at

Chester, N. Y., was induced to try the experiment of shipping milk to

the New York market. At this time the road was in operation as far

west as Goshen, with its eastern rail terminus at Piermont, on the

Hudson River, twenty-four miles from New York and forty-one miles

from Chester. At this point all passengers and freight were

transferred and reached the city by boat. There were many doubting

Thomases who contended that it was impossible to carry milk this

distance and deliver it in good condition. But the experiment was a

success from the start, so much so that there was a continual call

for more dairies and a gradual increase in the number of shippers.

Orange County milk soon gained as favorable a reputation in the New

York market as Orange County butter had previously achieved. More or

less sour milk was in evidence from time to time, enough at least to

give excuse for the aforementioned doubters to exclaim: "I told you

so." Comparatively little trouble arose from this source, however,

as nearly all shipments were in merchantable condition when received.

If otherwise this was not due to the distance hauled, but the lack of

proper care.

In the first few shipments wooden churns were used, these being the

most convenient vessels at hand. But tin cans soon came into use.

These were of five sizes, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty and sixty

quarts each. Although milk was shipped twice a day, morning and

evening, it was not considered safe to send what was left over from

any one milking. For this reason every shipper provided himself with

all these sizes as a means of cleaning out as closely as possible.

At this time an ice house was an institution unknown to the farm. To

the milk producer of to-day an ice house is regarded as almost as

much of a necessity as the milk can or the cow. But in 1842 and for

some years later, natural facilities for keeping milk from day to day

could be found on nearly every farm. Flowing springs, the temperature

of which never rose above about fifty degrees, were then plentiful in

Orange County, much more common than now. It was some time after Mr.

Gregory made his first shipment that farmers learned to use these

springs, and discontinue the morning shipment. It was later still

when the majority ceased yarding their cows early in the afternoon

and shipping this milking the same evening. Since these early days

much has been learned about how to keep milk in good condition for a

long time. But even now the great possibilities in this direction are

not suspected by the average producer.

In 1843 the road was operated as far west as Middletown, in 1846 to

Otisville, and in 1848 to Port Jervis. The only portion of the

territory thus traversed that was well adapted to the production of

milk lay between Otisville and Greenwood (now Arden) a distance of

thirty-one miles. The total amount of milk shipped in 1842 averaged

about forty-five; in 1843, 275 cans, and in 1844 some 420 cans daily.

The first regular milk train was run on the 3d day of May, 1847. It

ran morning and evening, leaving Otisville at 6.30 A. M. and 4.15

P. M., scheduled to reach New York at 11.30 A. M. and 9.15 P. M.

Otisville continued to be the western terminus for the run of the

milk train until 1868, when it was extended to Port Jervis. Not until

1884 was any attempt made to develop any of the extensive and

excellent milk territory lying west of Port Jervis. All efforts in

the direction of securing increased supplies were centered on the

eastern (now New York) division. Here, by its branches and connecting

lines, it made practically every can of milk produced in Orange

County available to the New York market. Prior to twenty-five years

ago nearly every producer shipped his milk direct to the dealer.

While these conditions prevailed the milk manifest at any station

where a large amount of milk was loaded contained so many names of

shippers and consignees that it resembled the poll list of an

election district. At these same stations now, although loading more

milk than formerly, it is unusual to find more than two or three

shippers. While the list of consignees has not decreased to the same

extent, still it is very short as compared with the former period.

The one time shippers are now patrons of the local creamery, from one

to three of which may be found at every station.

The first butter and cheese factory, or creamery, started in the

State of New York was located near what is now the Crystal Run

Station of the Ontario and Western Railway. This was about 1856. It

was cooperative, owned and operated by the farmers of the

neighborhood. The object was to lessen the labor at the household and

also make a more uniform quality of butter than was possible when

churned at each individual home. The cream was made into butter, the

skimmed milk into cheese and the whey mixed with grain turned into

pork. Thus nothing was wasted and the venture proved successful.

Other similar factories were started in different sections and

inside of ten years Orange County was dotted over with such

establishments.

Generally they were operated as co-operative concerns, and quite as

generally, due to lack of proper management, were unsuccessful. As a

consequence they were either abandoned or passed into the possession

of private parties and were no longer used exclusively for

manufacturing. More money could be realized by shipping milk. Only

such as could not be disposed of in this way was turned into butter

and cheese.

This Crystal Run factory was the progenitor of the present day

shipping stations from which the New York market now receives

approximately ninety-eight per cent, of its milk supply and

practically all its cream.

Prior to the foundation of the New York milk exchange, in October,

1887, the price paid for milk delivered at these factories, or

shipping stations, was determined by the highest market price of

butter. Stockholders in the co-operative factory were paid whatever

might be earned, but when milk was purchased outright the producer

received the price of one pound of butter for every twelve (or

12-1/2 as might be agreed) quarts of milk delivered.

When the milk exchange began to announce prices (which prevail until

otherwise announced) the stations accepted these as a basis and

bought at a discount that ranged from ten to twenty cents per can of

forty quarts. Later these discounts were lowered from time to time

and now range from ten cents to nothing.

Nearly all of these stations are now operated by dealers who use them

as a source of supply for their city trade, the balance conducted by

parties who have no interest in the city business, but supply such

dealers as do not care to operate a place in the country.

In the county of Orange are (including its three condenseries)

seventy milk shipping stations, every township being represented by

from one to twelve. Mount Hope has the one, Warwick the twelve.

In addition are two cheese and one butter and cheese factory, the

latter the celebrated Neufchatel cheese factory of William E.

Lawrence & Son, at Chester. In 1906 this establishment turned out

7,000 pounds of butter, 600,000 pounds of Neufchatel and 273,000

pounds of square cream cheese.

From January 1st to December 31st, 1907, the daily average output of

milk in the county approximated 9,400 cans of forty quarts each.

This was disposed of about as follows:

Shipped to the New York market 6,000 cans, 40 quarts each.

Consumed in the county 1,850 " " " "

Condensed 750 " " " "

Turned into butter and cheese 400 " " " "

Skimmed or cream 400 " " " "

______

Daily average production 9,400 cans, 40 quarts each.

For milk shipped from 1842 to 1854 or 1855 producers received the

following prices:

Months. Cents per Quart.

May, June, July and August 2

March, April, September and October 3

November, December, January and February 4

__

Yearly average 3

In 1854 or 1855 the Milk Dealers' Union was organized for the avowed

purpose of determining future prices. This body proposed to (and did)

meet on the tenth day of every month and "make a price" for the

preceding month. Thus, the producer did not know how much he would

receive for his milk until ten days after it had been shipped,

distributed and consumed.

This was so palpably unjust and one-sided that producers were

indignant and since then have formed many counter organizations and

combinations for the purpose of taking the price-making power out of

the hands of dealers. All these were failures.

The present system of fixing prices, in vogue since 1882, is more

equitable. It is the producer's own fault that it is not the best

that could be devised. The Consolidated Milk Exchange, an

incorporated stock company, announces prices in advance of delivery.

This is merely an offer to pay a specified price until otherwise

announced. This constitutes a legal price, inasmuch as no one is

under any obligation to deliver any milk, provided the offer is not

satisfactory.

With one added feature it would be a perfect way of satisfactorily

settling the matter of price, a problem that has for fifty years

puzzled the brains of the wisest milk producers in Orange County.

That this feature is lacking, milk producers alone are responsible.

When the milk exchange was incorporated and before organization was

completed, producers were invited, urged and pleaded with, both by

dealers and the more progressive, level-headed producers, to

subscribe for half of the capital stock and thus be entitled to equal

representation on the price committee. But this they refused. Had the

offer been accepted producers would have a voice in deciding prices,

a conceded right which for fifty years they have been striving to

secure but voluntarily surrendered, when once within their grasp.

Of all the movements for gaining control of prices, the action of

March, 1883, was the most notable. Very few members of the numerous

associations organized for this purpose were willing to admit that

supply and demand had, or should have, any influence in determining

the market price of milk. Nevertheless, the keystone of every effort

to advance prices was by curtailing the supply. This was to be

accomplished by persuading producers to withdraw part or all of their

shipments until dealers were brought to terms.

But it was difficult to find anybody willing to keep his milk home

and thereby realize two cents a quart, while his neighbors continued

to ship and were paid three cents. For this reason every scheme of

this kind was doomed to failure.

Early in March, 1883, the managers of the Milk Producers' Association

of Orange County, reinforced by their brethren of Sussex County,

N. J., notified the dealers that the market price of milk for that

month would be three and one-half cents a quart. This brought about

a conference of the opposing forces. Dealers offered three cents for

the first and three and one-half cents for the last half of the

month. Neither party would recede from its position and both resolved

to fight it out on these lines.

Producers proposed to withhold all shipments, commencing about the

15th, until dealers were starved into submission. Experience had

shown that something more powerful than moral suasion would be

required to induce producers to discontinue shipping.

Hence the leaders in this movement determined to use force where

persuasion failed. For this purpose a "spilling committee" was

appointed for each station and instructed to be where it could do the

most good about the time a milk train was due. The orders were not to

allow a can of milk to pass into the possession of the railway

company. This was to be done peaceably, if possible--forcibly, if

necessary.

Pursuant to these instructions, would-be shippers were halted on the

highway and ordered to take their milk back home. Some protested

mildly, but finally obeyed orders. Some objected strongly and their

milk was poured into the street.

But there were still others who were determined to ship or fight.

They gave the "spillers" to understand that they would not tamely

submit to highway robbery, that they intended to ship their milk, and

that an undertaker would be needed to care for any one who attempted

to prevent it.

Many drove to cross-roads between stations where by previous

arrangement the train would stop and load the milk. It was useless

to appeal to local authorities for protection from the "spillers," as

they were either afraid or too indifferent to take action.

It was reported that the Governor had been appealed to, and was about

to issue orders to the sheriff of Orange County to quell the

rebellion, but the blockade was voluntarily raised after a

three-days' struggle.

Shipments of dairy milk in Orange and Sussex Counties fell off about

twenty per cent., but creameries shipped more than usual, presumably

enough to reduce the net falling off to about fifteen per cent.

Fortunately no blood was shed in this war, but much milk fell by the

wayside. It was not a victory for producers, as bills were settled on

the terms originally offered by dealers, three cents for the first

and three and one-half cents for the last half of March.

PART II.

BIOGRAPHICAL

LEWIS D. ADAMS was born at Sussex, New Jersey, June 15, 1839. Mr.

Adams' early education was limited, but he attended the district

school at Florida, and Middletown, N. Y., for a short period. He

worked on the farm for his father until he was eighteen years old.

He then took up the tinner's trade and worked at that business until

1862, when he enlisted in the 124th Regiment, Co. F, New York

Volunteer Infantry, and served as one of the color guards six months

and as left general guide two and one-half years. When the war was

over he resumed his business at Warwick. Six years later he came to

Florida, this county, and purchased the hardware store which he

continued to operate until he retired in 1898. Mr. Adams married Miss

Marietta Ackerman, of Warwick, September 28, 1870. In politics he is

a republican, and served the town as collector one year. Mr. Adams

wife died December 24, 1900. Our subject is an honorary member of

Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. & A. M.; Cummings Post, G. A. R., and is an

honorary member of Highland Fire and Hose Company, which he organized

in the '70s.

THOMAS J. ADERTON, merchant, postmaster, and farmer at Savilton, in

the town of Newburgh, was born at the homestead in 1847. His

grandfather, Thomas Aderton, a seafaring man, settled here from New

York City in 1828. Our subject is a son of Captain John L. and

Isabella (Swain) Aderton, who engaged in farming here, after

following the sea ten years. Thomas J. was educated at the district

schools and Monticello Academy. In 1891 he purchased his store and

was appointed postmaster. Mr. Aderton has served as town clerk nine

years, and excise commissioner twelve years. He married Mary Lockwood

and two children have been born to them. One son, A. L. Aderton, is

general delivery clerk in the Newburgh post-office.

JOSEPH H. ADOLPH, who has been engaged in the meat business at

Highland Falls since 1886, is numbered among the representative and

progressive citizens of that village, where he was born in 1857. His

opportunities for schooling were limited, and at the age of eleven

years he entered the employ of a grocer, with whom he remained ten

years. He then Spent two years in Milwaukee and six years in

Connecticut, when he returned to his native village and engaged in

business for himself, in which he has been unusually successful.

Socially Mr. Adolph is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the

Holy Name Society. In 1885 he married Miss Mary Campion, of Hartford,

Conn. They have three children, two sons and one daughter.

GEO. B. ALEXANDER is the son of Harvey and Amanda (Kernaghan)

Alexander, and was born in the village of Cornwall, Orange County,

N. Y., November 5, 1843. His parents removed to Little Britain in the

spring of 1844. At an early age he learned the carpenter's trade,

with his father, living at home until the fall of 1886, when he went

to California, where he was employed on the Raymond Hotel, which was

then in course of erection at Pasadena. On his return home he took up

his trade and again visited California in 1891. On his return home he

was appointed under sheriff of Orange County, having charge of the

Newburgh Court House. His brother, Joseph K. Alexander was sheriff

at that time. In 1895 he married Elvira S. Scott, daughter of William

J. and Maria (Newkirk) Scott, and niece of David A. Scott. Their son,

Harvey, now ten years old, resides at home. Mr. Alexander is a member

of Hudson River Lodge No. 607, F. and A. M., of Newburgh, N. Y. In

the spring of 1895 he moved to Campbell Hall, where he is associated

with his brother, Joseph K. Alexander, in a general store. He was

supervisor of the town of Hamptonburgh for two terms, having

previously served three terms as town clerk. He is postmaster of

Campbell Hall, which office he has held for ten years.

SAMUEL ANDREWS, who has been general superintendent of the Walden

Knife Works for twenty-five years and secretary of the company since

1904, was born in England in 1858, a son of William and Sarah

(Harrison) Andrews. He came to America with his parents in infancy

and in 1872 entered the employ of the Walden Knife Company to learn

the cutlery trade. In 1881 he became a director of the company and

has been closely identified with the growth and progress of that

important industry. Mr. Andrews is a director of the Wallkill Valley

Cemetery Association and a member of the Order of Foresters. He has

been twice married; his first wife was Miss Clara Ashbury. Two

daughters, Ethel and Alice, were born to them. For his second wife

Mr. Andrews chose Miss Alfa Mussey.

WALTER CASE ANTHONY, attorney, of Newburgh, was born in Fishkill,

N. Y., August 24, 1842. A son of Theodore Van Wyck and Mary H.

(Case) Anthony. He was educated at Fishkill Academy and Union

College, where he graduated with the degree of A.B. in 1864. He read

law at Goshen, N. Y., in the office of David F. Gedney, and later

with Stephen W. Fullerton, and was admitted to the bar in 1865.

Mr. Anthony was elected district attorney in 1877, and re-elected in

1880. In 1898 he was appointed referee in bankruptcy for Orange

County. Mr. Anthony is a director and counsel of the Columbus Trust

Co. of Newburgh. He is vice-president of the Historical Society of

Newburgh Bay and the Highlands.

CHARLES W. ARKILLS was born in Fallsburgh, Sullivan County, October

4, 1867. He was educated in the District School and Liberty Academy.

At an early age he learned the trade of decorator and painter, and

became so proficient that he was foreman for the Ontario & Western

Railroad in Newburgh three years, and afterward assistant foreman in

the Kilmes Wire Works at Newburgh. He is a democrat, and has several

times been chosen a delegate to democratic county conventions. He

married Julietta Rose, of Grahamsville, Sullivan County, June 20,

1888, and their children are Laura, Lelia, Sadie L., Viola K., and

John I. C. He is a member of the Reformed Dutch Church at

Grahamsville, and was superintendent of its Sunday-school for four

years. His home is now on a farm near Campbell Hall, with his father.

The latter, Darwin Arkills, was born in Scotchtown, Orange County,

and married Minerva Gray, of Thompsonville. Their children's names

are Laura N., Fred J., and Charles W.

SAMUEL ARMSTRONG was born at Thompson's Ridge, Orange County, N.Y.,

May 14, 1878. After his district schooling at Thompson's Ridge and

Pine Bush he attended the preparatory school of the Misses Porter at

Middletown and the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which he

graduated in 1902. He removed to Warwick and clerked for S. S. Van

Saun, after which he purchased the Warwick Drug Store, which he now

owns. He has been deputy town clerk about three years, and is a

member of the following societies: Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. & A. M.;

Highland Chapter No. 240, R. A. M., and Cypress Commandery No. 67 of

Middletown. He married Emma Faith McNeal, of Montgomery, Orange

County. His father and mother were natives of the town of Crawford,

Orange County, N. Y. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth J.

Shafer. The father was a practical farmer, fond of his home, and

devoted to the interests of his church and the republican party.

DR. MAURICE CAVILEER ASHLEY, the present superintendent of the

Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital, has occupied that position

since July, 1902, succeeding Dr. Selden H. Talcott, who died June 15,

1902.

Dr. Ashley was born in Port Republic, New Jersey, July 3, 1863. He

received his education in the public schools of that town, and in

1884 began his work with the insane, by taking a position as

attendant in the asylum in Trenton, N. J., where he remained for two

years, then came to Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital in the same

capacity. In a year's time he was appointed as assistant supervisor

in the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital, and later was promoted

to the position of pharmacist.

In 1889 he entered the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, and

graduated in April, 1892. In August, 1892, he was appointed junior

assistant physician in the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital.

His course has steadily advanced since that time: Third assistant

physician, 1895; second assistant physician, May, 1898; first

assistant physician, April, 1900; acting superintendent, June 15,

1902, and superintendent since July, 1902, when he received the

appointment to the position left vacant by his predecessor's death.

Dr. Ashley was married August 30, 1888, to Miss Harriet Meade, of

Johnson, Orange County, N. Y. He has two daughters in their early

'teens.

Dr. Ashley was a member of the National Guard, serving in the medical

department for nearly twenty years. He resigned his position as

captain and assistant surgeon of the 1st New York Regiment in 1907,

receiving full and honorable discharge.

In May, 1898, Dr. Ashley, then second assistant physician in the

Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital, was granted a leave of absence

by the Civil Service Commission' and Superintendent Talcott, and was

commissioned by Governor Frank S. Black as captain and assistant

surgeon of the 1st New York Volunteer Infantry, and accompanied the

regiment to Hawaii.

He is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, of the

American Medico-Psychological Association, and the New York

Psychiatric Society, of the Hoffman Lodge No. 412, Midland Chapter

No. 240, Cyprus Commandery No. 67, and Mecca Temple, New York City,

the University Club of Middletown, and various other medical and

social organizations. He has contributed many medical papers from

time to time to the various medical publications.

CHARLES P. AU, son of the late Charles and Ellen (McGrisken) Au, was

born in 1877 on the farm of J. Pierpont Morgan in the town of

Highland, where his father was engaged as a carpenter. After

finishing his schooling he learned the barber's trade, in which

business he has met with much success. In 1898 he received the

appointment as barber in the United States Cadet Barracks at West

Point and has retained the position continuously to the present time.

He also conducted a shop at Highland Falls for a period of five

years. Mr. Au is active in the support of the republican party. In

1906 he was nominated for supervisor and in an unusual election was

defeated by the close margin of twenty-four votes. Mr. Au is a member

of the Knights of Columbus and the A. O. H. He married Miss Katherine

Powers and they are the parents of two boys and one girl.

CLARENCE AYRES was born in the town and village of Mount Hope,

November 27, 1875, and was educated in the district school and public

school of Middletown, where his parents moved when he was nine years

old. He learned the printer's trade, at which he worked three years.

When he was seventeen he became lineman in telephone construction,

and worked at it in Middletown six years and in Newburgh two years.

In 1904 he went to Warwick, became connected with the Warwick Valley

Telephone Company, and is now manager of general construction in the

mechanical department. He married Anna Collonton, of Goshen, and they

have one child, Francis, born in December, 1889. Mr. Ayres is a

member of the Congregational Church, and adheres to the democratic

party. His father was a sailor on a whaling vessel eight years, and

circumnavigated the earth four times. He also served as sailor during

the civil war.

FRED BAILEY, a merchant of Otisville, N. Y., was born June 4, 1854.

His early education was acquired at Ellicottville, Cattaraugus

County, N. Y., at the district school. He was identified with the

American Express Company at Ellicottville for a period of nine years.

In December, 1892, he came to Orange County and located at Otisville.

Removing to Newburgh in 1894, he was engaged in the wholesale grocery

business for one year, after which he returned to Otisville and

purchased the grocery store of A. J. Craig, which he conducted eight

years. He then conducted a store in partnership with George Smith

until the fall of 1906, when he purchased Mr. Smith's interest in the

store and real estate, and has since conducted it alone.

Mr. Bailey was united in marriage, September 4, 1876, to Miss Chloe

Mary Vaughan, of Ellicottville, N. Y. One child died in infancy. Mr.

and Mrs. Bailey are members of the Otisville Presbyterian Church. In

politics he is a republican. Mr. Bailey was for five years a member

of the Tenth Separate Company, National Guard, State of New York.

THE BAIRD FAMILY--Among the earliest settlers of the town of Warwick

there came Francis Baird, prior to 1766. He was of Scotch or

Scotch-Irish ancestry, and according to a tradition of the family he,

or his father before him, sailed from Bally Castle, County Antrim, in

the north of Ireland. This was a shipping port in that early date,

and is just across from Scotland. A recent writer has said: "Francis

Baird (never Beard) may have been Irish by nativity, but not by

ancestry. The Bairds of Avondale were an ancient and powerful Berg

Scots clan, and as long ago as the wild days of the struggles between

Robert Bruce and John Baliol for the Scottish crown (1309), gave

brave account of themselves on the side of the Lord of Lome against

the finally victorious Bruce. The name, originally (Norman-French)

Bayard, was shortened into Baird by neighbors after the family passed

into Scotland from France at a very early date. Francis was an

offshoot and clansman of this stock."

He built the stone house on Main street in 1766.

Mr. Baird was a man of intelligence and comparative wealth. He was a

signer of the non-importation pledge of 1775, and lived and died in

Warwick in warm esteem.

He died in the latter part of 1799 or the first part of 1800, and

left a will disposing of his property. His children were William

Eagles, Samuel, John, Abia Francis, Anna and Margaret (wife of

Joseph Walling).

The last named are the ancestors of the Walling family in this town.

William Eagles Baird married Sarah De Kay, a daughter of Thomas De

Kay, and from this marriage were the following: Nathaniel Wheeler,

Abia Francis, Fanny (married Blain), Mary (or Polly, married Thomas

Hathorn Burt), Jane, Sally (married Nathaniel Pelton), Christine

(married David Barclay).

The descendants of Nathaniel Wheeler Baird, who married Abigail

Denton, reside principally in this town. They are: John Baird

(married Mary De Kay), Julia (married Thomas E. De Kay), Samuel

Denton (married Sarah Parks), Mary (married Ogden Howell), Frances

Amelia (married George W. Sanford, 1847), Sarah (married Thomas J.

Taylor), William Henry (married Mary ____), Charles Roe (married

Anna M. Jayne).

In 1819, William Eagles Baird, oldest son of Francis, built the stone

house between Warwick and New Milford, which is still in excellent

preservation and is owned by a descendant, William Parks Baird, a son

of Samuel Denton Baird, deceased, who resides there with his mother,

Sarah. The other descendants of Samuel D., who were also born here,

are Samuel D., Jr., Nathaniel Wheeler, Susan (married Pierre

Demerest), Fred J. and George M.

FRED BAKER, who since 1883 has been manager of the Newburgh branch of

Swift & Company, is one of Orange County's popular citizens. He was

born in Germany in 1834, and came to America in 1853. He was engaged

for many years with his father in the conduct of a slaughter house on

the Plank road, and since his connection with Swift & Company has

built up an extensive trade in Newburgh and vicinity. Fred, his

eldest son, conducts a farm at Marlboro. His son William conducts a

meat market at 52 Water street, and another at 127 Smith street,

Newburgh, and John J. has a meat market on South Street. Mr. Baker

is prominent in Masonic circles, a member of Hudson River Lodge, the

Chapter, Commandery and Shrine.

GEORGE W. BALL was born May 13, 1868, in Monroe, Orange County. He

was educated in the public school and Chester Academy. Then he was

clerk for David Roe at Bellvale, N. Y., and for Frank Hall, of

Greenwood Lake. In 1888 he became station agent at Allamuchy, N. J.,

and Buttsville, N. J., for the Lehigh & Hudson Railroad, and was

transferred to Greycourt, N. Y. In 1891 he became clerk in the Erie

Railroad office at Bergen, N. J., and went from there back to

Greycourt to be station agent for the Erie. He left the employment of

this road July 15, 1904, and started a real estate and insurance

business at Chester. He also started and still publishes a weekly

paper, the _Independent._

Mr. Ball has been village trustee four years, justice of the peace

four years, and village clerk two years. He has been a member of the

Chester Band twenty years, and is at present its leader. He was chief

of the Chester fire department from 1894 to 1896. He is a charter

member of the Chester K. of P. Lodge No. 363, and a member of the

Standard Lodge No. 711, F. & A. M. His wife was Anna M. Smith, and a

daughter of the late C. P. Smith, of Chester. Their children are Mae

T., Susan R., Katheryn M. and Caroline P.

PETER MOIR BARCLAY, M.D.--Of the physicians and surgeons in Orange

County who built up an extensive practice, special mention should be

made of the late Dr. Barclay, of Newburgh. He was a son of Dr.

Alexander and Mary J. Fraser (Watt) Barclay, and was born in

Aberdeen, Scotland, April 20, 1834. His parents came to America in

1835, settling in Newburgh. Here Peter M. received his preliminary

education, graduating from the Academy in 1848. In 1850 he began the

study of medicine under his father, and graduated from the University

of New York in 1854. July 9, 1866, Governor Fenton appointed him

surgeon to the 19th Infantry of New York, with the rank of captain.

Dr. Barclay was a nonresident member of the Medico-Legal Society of

New York, and was prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity,

including the Knights Templar.

He was united in marriage, June 19, 1872, with Miss Harriet E.,

daughter of Captain C. B. Armstrong. They had one daughter, Maude,

now the wife of Mr. John B. Rose, a leading brick manufacturer and

representative citizen of Newburgh.

Of Dr. Barclay's skill in his profession it is unnecessary to speak,

as his talents were known and appreciated for nearly half a century

in this city and adjoining portions of the State. He was also

recognized as a leading citizen, performing in a plain and courteous

manner the various social duties that devolved upon him. His death

occurred in Newburgh, February 10, 1901.

ARTHUR BARNES, senior member of the firm of Barnes & Atkins, is a son

of Edgar C. Barnes, and was born and educated in Newburgh. They

occupy one of the oldest business houses of its kind in the city;

established in 1874 by Matthews & Barnes; succeeded in 1883 by Barnes

& Mapes; and in 1890 by E. C. Barnes, and again in 1898 by Barnes &

Monell. The present firm purchased the business in 1905. They are

smokers and packers of B. & M. Newburgh meats and give employment to

twelve men. They are extensive dealers in butter, eggs and cheese.

EDGAR C. BARNES was born in Orange County, N. Y., July 16, 1834. His

parents removed to New York City when he was seven years of age, and

he received his education in the schools of that city. From 1851 to

1854 Mr. Barnes was employed in the store of A. R. & O. Taylor at

Pine Bush, Orange County. He then came to Newburgh and entered the

employ of William K. Mailler & Co. as shipping clerk on the barge

Newburgh. He filled various positions in the office of the barge

until 1874, becoming familiar with the produce commission business.

In 1874 he formed a partnership with James H. Mathews under the firm

name of Mathews & Barnes, wholesale provision and produce merchants.

In 1883 Mr. Mathews retired from the firm and Mr. Albert W. Mapes was

admitted thereto, under the firm name of Barnes & Mapes, and so

continued until December, 1890. Mr. Barnes continued the business

alone until 1898, but removed to a substantial brick building he had

erected at 42 South Water street, specially adapted to cold storage.

In March of 1898 Mr. Barnes retired from active business life. He is

vice-president of the Highland National Bank of Newburgh. Mr. Barnes

has not sought prominence in public life, but rather has devoted

himself to his business, in which he was eminently successful, and to

the work of the church and Sunday-school with which he is connected.

He has been twice married, his first wife being M. Theresa Pack, of

New York, who died, leaving four children, three of whom are living.

Anna, Minnie, and Arthur, his business successor. In 1870 he married

Sophie H. Parsons, of Newburgh, N. Y.

GEORGE T. BARNES, son of Gordon and Esther A. (Tate) Barnes, was born

in Montgomery, Orange County. He attended school but a short period

and in 1881 began his apprenticeship as a tinsmith and plumber,

serving seven years. He was employed several years at Middletown by

the late George A. Swalm and has resided in Newburgh since 1889. In

1892 he established his present business as a contractor for

plumbing, ventilating, steam and hot water heating. Mr. Barnes has

given a great deal of study to the most improved and economical

systems of heating and ventilating large buildings and his plans have

been accepted and installed in many of the palatial homes in the

Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Rhode Island. Among the important

plants he has equipped may be mentioned those of the Light, Heat and

Power Companies of Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, the Chatham, Coxsackie

and Rhinebeck electrical stations, and he now has the contract for

heating the United States Government buildings at West Point, N. Y.

Mr. Barnes' success may be attributed to his close attention to

business and fulfilling his contracts to the letter. From a humble

beginning he has built up a business in the space of fifteen years,

exceeding all others in his line in Orange County. His show rooms at

107 Broadway will compare favorably with any in New York State. In

1895 he married Miss Cory, of Rhode Island, and one daughter has been

born to them.

J. MILTON BARNES, flour and grain merchant, of Central Valley, was

born in Cornwall, Orange County, in 1844, a son of Matthew and Mary

(Van Duser) Barnes. As a young man he learned the carpenter's trade,

which he followed until 1876, when he located in Central Valley and

engaged in the mercantile business with Alfred Cooper. This

partnership continued eight years and was succeeded by Barnes &

Thorn, Barnes & Duran, and J. M. Barnes & Co. Mr. Barnes was

appointed postmaster of the village in 1885 and again in 1892.

Politically he has always been a democrat. In 1884 Mr. Barnes married

Miss Hannah, daughter of the late Hon. Morgan Shuit.

ROBERT HIRAM BARNETT, of Newburgh, N. Y., was born in the City of

Gloversville, Fulton County, N. Y., on June 13, 1870, being the son

of Alfred A. and Bessie Rowell Barnett. His father was born in

London, England, and came to this country in the early sixties. The

Barnett family is descended from English ancestors who commanded in

the battle of Barnett. Through his mother, Mr. Barnett is a Mayflower

descendant and is connected with the Fields and Morses, Warren

Rowell, the New York inventor, being his maternal great-uncle. Mr.

Barnett received his education in the city of Johnstown, N. Y., and

graduated from the Johnstown High School and the Johnstown Academy,

which was founded by Sir William Johnson. Owing to ill-health he was

unable to enter college, but continued his studies for three years

under a tutor and read law with Andrew J. Nellis, of Johnstown,

N. Y., and acted as his managing clerk for several years and

thereafter went to New York City and entered the New York Law School

as a student thereof. While pursuing his course at the New York Law

School he was connected with ex-Deputy Attorney General Colonel

Dennison, of the firm of Dennison & Hartridge, of New York City. Mr.

Barnett graduated from the New York Law School in 1895, with the

degree of bachelor of laws, and was admitted to the bar at Albany in

December, 1895.

He practiced law in the city of Johnstown for a short time and then

removed to Mechanicsville, N. Y., where he remained for about three

years, and while there was corporation counsel of the village and

acted as attorney and counsel for the boards of health and water

commissioners. From Mechanicsville Mr. Barnett removed to the city of

New York and engaged in the practice of his profession, but owing to

ill-health and inability to become acclimated to the salt air he

removed to the city of Newburgh in 1901, where he has since

continuously followed his profession, having largely confined his

efforts to the practice of negligence law.

DANIEL D. BARNS, the third son of Nathaniel and Effie (Dusenberre)

Barns, previously referred to, was born in Middle Hope in 1833. He

now lives in retirement on his valuable fruit farm, adjoining his

birthplace. In 1857 he married Miss Hester D., daughter of Captain L.

S. Carpenter, of Marlboro. They became the parents of three daughters

and one son, Nathaniel C., who continues the management of the farm

cultivated so many years by his father. Mr. Daniel D. Barns always

manifested a great interest in public affairs of Orange County, and

was well known as a breeder of fast trotting horses for which Orange

County is noted.

Nathaniel C. Barns was born in Middle Hope in 1863. Since completing

his studies in the Newburgh schools he has been largely engaged in

fruit growing with much success. He has served as justice of the

peace, and is the present master of Cronomer Valley Grange No. 982.

In 1888 he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Dr. Kidd, of Newburgh;

she died in 1889, leaving one daughter, Natalie C.

NATHANIEL BARNS--Among the representative agriculturalists and fruit

growers of Orange County, Mr. Nathaniel Barns, of the town of

Newburgh, is worthy of special notice. Born in Middle Hope, February

20, 1831, he has been for nearly half a century actively engaged in

the cultivation of a large and valuable farm, mostly devoted to

fruit. He is the second son and namesake of the late Nathaniel and

Effie (Dusenberre) Barns, previously mentioned.

Mr. Barns attended a select school at Marlboro, and subsequently

taught school one winter. When twenty-three years of age he married

Miss Martha Waring, and four sons and one daughter were born to them,

of whom James and Charles are living--the former a dry goods merchant

of Newburgh, and the latter in the produce business in New York. Mr.

Barns has been actively identified with public affairs of his native

town. He was elected assessor for a period of nine years, excise

commissioner for two years, and from 1865 to 1870 held the office of

supervisor and chairman of the board in 1870. Mr. Barns was the first

supervisor from the present town of Newburgh and is the only

surviving member of that honorable body of 1866. Mr. Barns was

recognized as a leader and placed on important committees. He is at

present one of the trustees of Cedar Hill Cemetery, and member of

Cronomer Valley Grange.

WILLIAM D. BARNS, widely known for many years as one of the most

prominent and successful agriculturists, fruit growers and

horticulturists in the State of New York, pursued his vocation at

Middle Hope, Orange County, where he was born October 16, 1828. He

was the descendant of an old and honored New England family. His

father, Nathaniel Barns, was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1782, and

settled in Middle Hope shortly after his marriage to Miss Effie

Dusenberre in 1828. Four children were born to them, namely, William

D., Nathaniel, Daniel D., and Mary E.

Nathaniel Barns became a prosperous farmer, and at the time of his

death in 1879 was the owner of 300 acres of the choicest farm land in

Orange County. These farms became the property of the sons above

mentioned. William D. continued the homestead farm, and for

thirty-five years previous to his death devoted his attention largely

to the cultivation of fruit. He was vice-president of the Orange

County Agricultural Society from 1888 to 1897, and superintendent of

the fruit department at the annual fairs of this organization. He was

a member and exhibitor at the Newburgh Bay Horticultural Society. He

was connected with the Eastern New York Horticultural Society since

its organization, and a member of the Western New York Horticultural

Society. In 1893 he was appointed by Governor Flower a member of the

board of control of the New York State Experiment Station at Geneva.

He was also appointed by Governor Odell a State delegate to the

National Farmers' Congress at Sioux Falls, S. D., in 1901. As a

citizen of the town of Newburgh, he was the incumbent of many offices

of trust and honor. As almshouse commissioner he was prominent in

securing many improvements on the farm attached to that institution.

He was largely instrumental in the establishment of the Children's

Home, and the plans for its management have been conducted

substantially as he advocated. Mr. Barnes' death occurred in

October, 1904. In 1860 he married Miss Elizabeth A. Carpenter, and

five children were born, of whom four are living, Edwin W., Mary,

George D., John S., and Nathaniel H. (deceased).

The homestead farm is now conducted under the management and firm

name of Edwin W. Barns & Son. Over seventy acres are devoted to the

culture of fruit, and all specimens adapted to this section, from the

earliest strawberry to the latest apples, are here grown.

CHARLES W. BARTRUM, general superintendent of the Newburgh plant of

Sweet, Orr & Co., was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and educated at

the Rhinebeck Academy. He taught school for a time and was later

associated with the clothing industry at Ossining, N. Y., for a

period of nine years. In 1881 his services were secured by the above

firm, first in the sales department and then in charge of the general

office. In 1883 he was appointed superintendent.

Mr. Bartrum married Miss Hannah E. Willsea, of Tarrytown, and they

are the parents of two children, Dr. William C. and Miss Nellie E.

WILLIAM R. BEAL, president of the Newburgh Light, Heat and Power

Company, was born in Newark, N. J., in 1838. His father, Joseph

Reynolds, a gentleman by birth and education, and his mother,

Elizabeth Austen, came to this country from England about 1830.

Left an orphan at an early age, he first engaged in a fifteen hour a

day business for nearly two years and then commenced his career with

gas companies. His experience in the latter line of business was with

the Newark, N. J., Gas Light Co. and then with the gas company at

Elizabeth. In 1855 he became manager of the Yonkers Gas Light Co.,

leaving it in 1866 to take the same position in the territory now

known as the Twenty-third Ward, New York City. In 1870 he organized

the company and built the works now controlling the sale of gas in

the Twenty-fourth Ward, New York City. In 1895, and as president of

these companies, he sold them to the New Amsterdam Gas Company of New

York City, now controlled by the Consolidated Gas Company, New York

City.

While living in the Twenty-third Ward, he was actively identified in

church and Sunday-schools and church construction and management, and

for twelve years with the public school system of New York as trustee

and chairman.

Mr. Beal was president of the American Gas Light Association in 1902,

and is now a trustee and treasurer of its educational fund. In 1900

he became president of the Newburgh Light, Heat and Power Co., and a

little later of the Poughkeepsie L., H. & P. Co. His policy

throughout his career of more than half a century with gas

enterprises has been to use the best manufacturing and distributing

apparatus and to give the best possible service at equitable rates.

For many years Mr. Beal has been largely identified with real estate

and building operations and in the organization and management of

incorporated enterprises. He is a warden of Holy Trinity Church, New

York, is an officer of Christian associations, a Free Mason and a

Grand Army man, as well as a member of several clubs, church and

benevolent institutions.

In 1863 Mr. Beal was united in marriage to Eleanor Louise Bell. Their

living children, Reynolds and Gifford are artists, Thaddeus R. is

manager of the Poughkeepsie L., H. & P. Co., Albert R. is manager of

the gas department, Newburgh L., H. & P. Co., Mrs. Charles E. Acker

and Miss Mary Reynolds Beal.

OSCAR W. BELCHER, who recently purchased the Lee farm in the town of

Cornwall, has resided in Orange County nearly half a century. He was

born in Passaic County, N. J., in 1844, where he remained until 1859.

With the exception of two and a half years spent in Michigan, Mr.

Belcher has been engaged in farming in what is now the town of

Tuxedo. In 1907 he disposed of his property there and removed to his

present home.

THE BELKNAP FAMILY--Abraham Belknap, from whom the Belknap family in

this country trace their descent, emigrated from England and settled

in Lynn, Mass., in 1637. Samuel Belknap, the immediate ancestor of

the family in Orange County, was born in 1707, came to Newburgh in

1749, and died in 1771. His son Isaac, during the struggle for

independence, was appointed a captain of a company of rangers, and

later in the regular service as assistant deputy quartermaster-general.

Another son, Abel, was chairman of the committee of safety for the

Newburgh precinct during the Revolution. At the close of the war he

engaged in the manufacture of soap. This became an important industry,

and has extended from father to son for four generations as follows:

Abel Belknap, 1783 to 1804; his sons, Abel and Moses Higby Belknap,

1804 to 1855; Moses Cook Belknap and Belknap & McCann, 1855 to 1892,

and William Cook Belknap, 1892 to the present.

Moses Higby Belknap was born in Newburgh, N. Y., September 23, 1787,

and died January 4, 1855. He was president of the village of Newburgh

in 1832-33-34-38-39-41-43-44. He was one of the founders of the

Newburgh High School.

Moses Cook Belknap was born in Newburgh, February 2, 1832, a son of

Moses H. and Ruth P. (Cook) Belknap. In 1867 he was appointed cashier

of the Highland National Bank and January 9, 1883, was elected its

president, continuing in this office until he retired on account of

ill health in 1892. He died at Newburgh, October 3, 1892. Upon the

death of his father in 1855, Mr. Belknap formed a co-partnership with

Thomas M. McCann to continue the soap manufacturing business of

A. & M. H. Belknap, Mr. Belknap managing the finances of the concern.

He served as clerk and treasurer of the board of trustees of the

First Presbyterian Church from 1855 to the time of his death. He was

one of the founders of the local Y. M. C. A. and was connected

therewith after its reorganization. In 1877 he served as alderman

from the Third Ward and in 1884 was elected a member of the Board of

Education and re-elected in 1888. In 1887 he was chosen its

president.

In 1857 Mr. Belknap married Mary H., daughter of William K. Mailler,

who died May 31, 1858. In 1862 he married Marietta, daughter of David

McCamly, of Warwick, N. Y. She died in 1873, leaving three sons and

one daughter. In 1875 he married Evelina, daughter of Dr. Nathaniel

Deyo, by whom he had a son and a daughter, now living.

WILLIAM COOK BELKNAP, son of Moses Cook and Marietta (McCamly)

Belknap, was born at Newburgh, N. Y., July 15, 1864. He was educated

in the private and public schools of that city and at Williston

Seminary, East Hampton, Mass. He married Helen, daughter of the late

George W. and Margaret (Brown) Kerr, December 15, 1890. Two children

have been born to them, William Kerr, born December 10, 1897,

and Helen Kerr, born April 8, 1899.

Mr. Belknap is engaged in the manufacture of soap under the firm name

of Belknap & McCann, carrying on the business established by Abel

Belknap about 1783. He is also engaged in other enterprises in

Newburgh. Mr. Belknap has served as a member of the board of park

commissioners of Newburgh since 1897. He is a member of the board of

trustees of Washington's Headquarters (under appointment by Governor

Higgins), corresponding secretary of the Historical Society of

Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, member of the board of trustees of

St. Luke's Hospital, a trustee of the Cedar Hill Cemetery Association

and a vestryman of St. George's Church.

THE BENEDICT FAMILY--The first of the Benedict family to come to

Orange County was Elder James Benedict, a great grandson of Thomas

Benedict, who came from England and settled on Long Island about

1638. Elder James Benedict came to Warwick in 1765 and made his home

in a log house near Chonck's Hill--he had separated from the church

in Ridgefield, Conn., because of unjust demands of the tithe-master

and very soon after coming to Warwick lent his efforts toward

establishing the First Baptist Church. The first house built for

worship was one over which he was pastor and stood at the fork of the

road nearly opposite the church burying ground--on an angle which

still continues to be church property. He left Warwick in the year

1773, and moved to Wyoming, Pa., because of difficulty arising in the

church through prejudice toward the Order of Free Masons, of which he

was a member and which connection saved the lives of himself and

family at the fearful Wyoming massacre when a secret signal from

Brandt brought mercy and safe escort to peaceful territory, he

returned to Warwick at once and died here, September 9, 1792, aged

seventy-two years. He is buried beside his wife, Mary, near where the

church stood. The stone house just east of Warwick village was built

by his oldest son, James, in 1779, and has descended through

succeeding generations to the present owners--the children of Captain

Jas. W. Benedict.

JAMES D. BENEDICT was born in the stone house about one mile from

Warwick, Orange County, September 2, 1834. His father, William Smith

Benedict, purchased the Wickham farm about 1839 and continued to

operate it for many years. He removed to Warwick in April, 1867, and

remained there until his death, September 22, 1883. James attended the

district school and the Florida Institute. He assisted his father on

the farm during his younger days and has always made farming his

occupation. He removed to Warwick in 1871. remaining there about nine

years, when he again took up his residence on the Wickham farm, where

he resided until his death, which occurred February 17, 1898. He was

a member of the Grange, a prosperous farmer and a good citizen. Mrs.

Benedict has presented the International Sunshine Society with a plot

of land on her farm near Wisner, on which the society will erect a

bungalow costing about $2,000. The plot is beautifully located,

presenting a fine view of the surrounding country. On it is a spring

that never freezes, supplying an abundance of pure water. The place

is to be known as "The James D. Benedict Sunshine Rest Home."

JAMES H. BENEDICT was born on the Benedict homestead in the old stone

house at Stone Bridge, February 13, 1854. and lived there with his

father thirty-five years. November 14, 1888, he married Miss Ada

Pitts, and they had two children--Laura, born in October, 1889, and

W. Smith, born in December, 1890. He has a large dairy farm, is a

member of the Grange, and a democrat.

JOHN VAN DUZER BENEDICT--The Benedict family in America dates back

to A. D. 1638, when Thomas Benedict and his wife, Mary (Bridgum)

Benedict, the first of the name to come to America, settled at the

colony of Massachusetts Bay.

The subject of this sketch is in the eighth line of descent from

Thomas, the first settler, and in the fifth line from Elder James

Benedict, the first of the name in Orange County. Our subject was

born in the town of Warwick, on January 1, 1837, in the stone house,

now standing and for many years known as the "John Blain" house. His

parents were Abner Benedict and Julia A. (Van Duzer) Benedict, who

were each in equal lines of descent from both Thomas, the first

settler, and from the "old Elder," as he was familiarly called. He

first attended school in the old stone schoolhouse, at that time

standing opposite the forks of the highway near Stonebridge,

afterwards at the district school in the village of Edenville,

entered the academy known as the "Warwick Institute," at Warwick,

N. Y., on December 5, 1853, its opening day, and was also a student

at the S. S. Seward Institute at Florida, N. Y., during the spring

term in 1857, under the direction of Professor John W. Round, then

principal of that institution. He entered the freshman class of Union

College at Schenectady on the opening of the school year in

September, 1857, and completing the full classical course, graduated

on the 25th day of July, 1861. Returning home, he lived with his

parents at their home near Edenville, Orange County, N. Y.

JOHN W. BENEDICT--His parents were Henry A. and Laura T. Benedict,

and he was born on the homestead farm, August 16, 1855. After his

school days he became a farmer, and has not changed his occupation.

His dairy farm consists of 230 acres, and has belonged to the

Benedicts since 1817. His father, born in 1818, died April 3, 1900,

and his mother, born in 1826, is still living. They had ten children,

eight of whom are living.

CHARLES F. BENNETT, of Middletown, N. Y., was born in the Bennett

homestead near Middletown, October 15, 1869. His early life was spent

principally on his father's farm. His father, John F. Bennett,

removed to Bloomingburgh, Sullivan County, and engaged in the hotel

and livery business. Charles Bennett is a member of numerous social

and fraternal societies, including the Masons, Royal Arcanum, Elks

and Eagles. For over two years he served as postmaster at

Bloomingburgh. He engaged in the livery business at Middletown in

1900 and now has one of the largest livery establishments in the

city. He recently purchased of his father the homestead farm at

Springside, near Middletown. This farm has been in the possession of

the family over one hundred years. Mr. Bennett was joined in marriage

with Kittie Bertholf, daughter of Andrew T. Bertholf, of Howells,

N. Y., January 25, 1892. They have one son, Mortimer W., a student at

the Middletown High School.

JOHN BIGELOW--The following data taken from "Who's Who in America,"

covers in concise form the career of this distinguished citizen whose

country seat is at Highland Falls, N. Y.:

"John Bigelow, author; born Maiden, Ulster County, N. Y., November

25, 1817. Graduated from Union College, 1835 (LL.D., Union and Racine

Colleges, 1886; University of the City of New York, 1889); admitted

to bar; inspector Sing Sing prison, 1845 to 1846; one of the editors

New York Evening Post, 1849-61. Consul at Paris, France, 1861-64.

United States Minister to France, 1864-67. Chairman of Governor

Tilden's canal investigating committee, 1875. Secretary of State of

New York, 1875-77. Executor and trustee of will of late Samuel J.

Tilden. President board of trustees, New York Public Library, Astor,

Lenox and Tilden's foundations. Author: Molinos the Quietist; France

and the Confederate Navy; Life of William Cullen Bryant; Life of

Samuel J. Tilden (2 vols.). A life of Franklin (3 vols.) from his

pen, and the complete writings of Franklin which he edited (10

vols.)."

JOHN W. BINGHAM, whose fruit farm of sixty acres is located in the

town of Newburgh near the county line, was born in the town of

Marlborough, Ulster County, in 1852. His education was obtained in

the Marlborough schools and the public schools of New York City, and

he then engaged with his father in the management of the farm, which

was purchased in 1867. Mr. Bingham is an elder in the Marlborough

Presbyterian Church and identified with the I. O. O. F. He married

Miss Mary Bloomer and three children have been born to them. He is a

son of Charles E. and Amelia (Holmes) Bingham, who were prominent in

church and social circles of Marlborough.

JOHN JACOB BIPPUS, a successful merchant of Port Jervis, was born at

Bearville, Pa. His parents removed to Port Jervis when he was a

child, and in the schools of that place he received his education. He

has been engaged in the grocery business since 1891, and is one of

the leading merchants of Port Jervis. Mr. Bippus is a member of the

Masonic fraternity, the K. of P., Elks, and is an officer in the

Building and Loan Association. He is vice-president of the board of

trade, has been town collector and was one of the first aldermen

elected after Port Jervis received its charter as a city.

CALEB BIRCH--Among the representative merchants of Orange County is

Mr. Birch, who has conducted a boot and shoe establishment in Walden

for a period of thirty-three years. Mr. Birch is a native of the town

of Plattekill, Ulster County, N. Y., and his younger days were spent

in farming. In 1872 he opened his store in Walden and in 1875 erected

the building he now occupies. Mr. Birch is a member of the American

Mechanics and the Knights of Honor. He married Miss Abbie Gale and

the following children have been born to them: Caleb, George, Marcus

and Leuella. George, who is in business with his father, is clerk of

the town of Montgomery, a member of the Masonic fraternity and one of

Walden's progressive young citizens.

HILAND H. BLANCHARD was born in Acra, Greene County, N. Y., February

18, 1850. His father, Justus Blanchard, was for a time engaged in the

hotel business, after which he settled on a farm. He died at the age

of thirty-five years. His wife, Emeline, daughter of Miles Darby, was

born in Greene County and survived her husband's death many years,

passing away at the age of seventy. The only surviving member of the

family is the subject of our sketch. He attained his early education

at the district school and afterwards attended the Wallkill Academy.

In the fall of 1868 he identified himself with Wheeler Madden &

Clemson, saw manufacturers, of Middletown, N. Y., and for the past

twenty years has filled the office of superintendent of that concern.

Mr. Blanchard married Miss Sarah Biggin, of Middletown; four children

were born to this union. He is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412,

F. & A. M., of Middletown, and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he

is a democrat and has served on city and county committees, is a

member of the board of water commissioners and president of the Old

Orchard Club.

FRED P. BLIVEN was born February 22, 1871, at Michigan Corners,

Orange County. His parents were Ulysses and Caroline Bliven. There

were six children in the parents' family. Fred attained his early

education at the district school, and at an early age worked on a

farm, which occupation he has always followed. He married Nettie

Clara, of Middletown, March 22, 1897. Their one child, Pearl, resides

at home. His father died in 1888 and the mother in 1880.

JOSEPH BOARD, merchant, was born at Chester, N. Y., November 9, 1842,

son of Peter Seeley and Madeline C. (Conklin) Board, grandson of

General Charles Board, of Boardville, N. J., and great-grandson of

Captain Joseph Board, of the Revolutionary Army. He was graduated

from Amherst College as A.B., with Phi Beta Kappa honors in 1867. He

has been a merchant, selling coal, feed and lumber since January 1,

1868, and is a member of the firm of Board & Bryan. He is a director

of the Watertown Water, Light and Power Company of Watertown, South

Dakota; director and secretary of the Chester (New York) Telephone

Company, and director of the Chester National Bank (and secretary of

the board). Since 1868 he has acted as executor or administrator of

over twenty different estates of deceased persons. He was excise

commissioner of the town of Chester, N. Y., in 1876; member of the

board of supervisors of Orange County, New York, from 1878 to 1880,

and 1883 and 1884; candidate for member of assembly, 1884, but

defeated; and member of over twenty years and president five years of

the Board of Education of Chester Village; clerk of village of

Chester, from 1892 to 1894. He was superintendent of construction of

the Chester Waterworks in 1892 and 1893, trustee of Chester Village

one year, and he is trustee of the Chester Free Library of Chester,

N. Y. He made summer tours of the Pacific Coast, in 1869, Texas,

Mexico, New Mexico and Wyoming in 1883, British Isles and Continent

of Europe in 1887. Arkansas and Missouri in 1904, Dakotas and

Minnesota in 1905; also frequent summer journeys through New England.

He is a republican in politics and a Presbyterian in religion

(Liberal School). He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Society,

Amherst College, Delta Kappa Epsilon Club of New York City, member of

the Sons of the Revolution, also a member of the American

Geographical Society. Mr. Board married twice, first, June 1, 1868,

Josephine Bradbury Curry, and second, October 2, 1870, Hannah A.

Curry (both of Tilton, N. H.), and they have three children: Joseph

Orton, born in 1873; Anna Tebbetts, born in 1880, and Josephine

Clough, born in 1885.

JAMES BONNYMAN was born September 1, 1854, in Batriphnie, Banffshire

County, Scotland. He received a common school education in Scotland,

and came to America in 1872. He located in Philadelphia and worked at

his trade as florist nearly nine years. He moved to Warwick in 1880,

and after working for J. E. Cropsey for some time, started for

himself in floriculture. He is a large grower of roses and

carnations, which are mostly sold in the home market. He is a member

of the Reformed Dutch Church, has been one of its deacons eight

years, and is a member of the Y. M. C. A. He is an earnest church

worker, and active in public affairs. In politics he is a republican.

He married Miss Catherine Amelia McPeek, daughter of Lewis and Sarah

McPeek, September 16, 1883. They have four children living, one

having died while young. Those living are: Alexander M., born May 17,

1885, a graduate of Columbia College of Pharmacy; Amy R., born May

31, 1887, a graduate of the Warwick Institute, and Douglass, born

May 27, 1893.

FRED BOOTH, secretary and general manager of the Firth Carpet Company

at Firthcliffe, Orange County, N. Y., is a native of Yorkshire,

England, and came to America in 1884 to superintend the plant of this

company, then located in Philadelphia. In March, 1886, they purchased

the Broadhead Woolen Mills, transferred their machinery to the new

location and continued the manufacture of worsted yarns, tapestry and

Brussels carpet. The concern, of which Mr. Booth is the active head,

is one of the leading industries in Orange County. The capital stock

is $1,000,000 and employment is given to four hundred persons.

The officers of the company are: F. F. Firth, president; A. F. Firth,

vice-president; B. H. Tobey, treasurer, and Fred Booth, secretary and

general manager.

JESSE BOOTH was born at Campbell Hall, May 8, 1853. His father was

Alfred Booth and mother Dolle Watkins (Reeve) Booth. His parents had

a family of four children: Matilda Roe, wife of W. H. D. Blake, of

New Paltz, N. Y., died October, 1904; Hanna Caroline, wife of George

Slaughter, of Campbell Hall, N. Y.; Marianna, wife of Lewis H.

Woolsey, of New Paltz, N. Y.; Sarah Reeve Booth, wife of Samuel B.

Hepburn, of East Orange, N. J., and Jesse. Jesse's early education

was obtained at the district school at Campbell Hall after attending

the Claverack School near Hudson, N. Y. Mr. Booth has always been

identified with agricultural pursuits. He married Keturah Crowell, of

St. Andrews, N. Y., January 7, 1885. There were born to them five

children: Anna Louise, born September 28, 1885, died at the age of

sixteen months; Dollie Watkins, born October 26, 1888; Pierson, born

January 12, 1890; Alfred, born October 22, 1893, and Wellington, born

September 26, 1896. Mr. Booth is a member of the Presbyterian Church

of Hamptonburgh. In politics he is a republican and he is a member of

the Hamptonburgh Grange No. 950. The farm which he owns has been in

the family for a period of two hundred years. At present Mr. Booth

resides on Highland avenue, Middletown, N. Y.

JOHN GAIL BORDEN, the youngest son of the late Gail Borden, who was

famous as an inventor and public benefactor, was born in Galveston,

Texas, January 4, 1844. Coming North when but a lad of thirteen, he

entered one of the Brooklyn public schools, and later attended the

Winchester Academy in Winchester Center, Conn., where he remained for

two years. From the time when he left the academy until he entered a

business college, young Borden assisted his father in establishing

the condensed milk business, then in its infancy.

The call for volunteers in 1861 interrupted the business college

course, and Mr. Borden, then but nineteen years of age, enlisted at

Poughkeepsie, N. Y., under Colonel (the late General) John Henry

Ketcham, in the 150th N. Y. Volunteers, serving in his regiment for

two years and a half, and attaining the rank of second lieutenant

during that time. Just before his regiment started for the front, the

young patriot presented himself for baptism and membership in the

Armenia, N. Y., Baptist Church, and in the years following gave every

evidence of a consistent Christian life.

His service in the "150th" was terminated by a serious illness,

caused by the severe strain and exposure of army life, and Mr. Borden

was compelled to return to his home for rest and recuperation. When

sufficiently recovered, he was transferred to the 47th N. Y.

Volunteers, and remained with that regiment until the close of the

war. Returning to his home in Brewsters, N. Y., Mr. Borden became

actively identified with the Borden Condensed Milk Co., and upon the

death of his father, in 1874, succeeded him as its president.

During his connection with the company, he made many valuable

improvements in the methods of manufacturing condensed milk, and

otherwise firmly established the reputation of the Borden Condensed

Milk Co.

Removing in 1881 from Brewsters to Wallkill, N. Y., he purchased the

property known as the "John P. Andrews farm," comprising about two

hundred acres, and by acquiring adjacent lands from time to time, the

"Borden Home Farm" was made to cover an area of some fifteen hundred

acres. Most, if not all, of this property was a part of an original

grant of land deeded by Queen Anne, in 1709, to "her true and loving

subjects." Here Mr. Borden built a large condensery for the Borden

Condensed Milk Co., continuing the management of the business until

1884, when failing health compelled him to retire from an active

business life. From that time until his death, Mr. Borden gave his

whole attention to the improving and beautifying of his "Home Farm,"

trying, as he expressed it, to "make two blades of grass grow where

but one grew before." With all the improvements made upon the farm,

he did not indulge in what is known as "fancy farming," but aimed

rather to make his improvements on a practical basis, furnishing

object lessons which any energetic farmer might easily put into

practice.

In politics Mr. Borden was a staunch Republican, firmly believing in

every citizen taking an Active part in the politics of his town, and

conscientiously performing his duty at the primaries and the polls.

Mr. Borden's patriotism increased with years, and he was one, if not

the first, of the pioneers who labored to impress upon the minds of

the children a strong love for country and "the Stars and Stripes,"

and each Decoration Day he presented to every child in the public

schools in his vicinity, a small American flag; continuing this

practice until his death. Among Mr. Borden's characteristics, none

were stronger than his devotion to home and country. Courtesy and

gentleness were also marked characteristics with him, and his hat was

removed as quickly for a little girl as for a lady. He was a true

disciple of the "gospel of labor," and one of his unwritten mottoes

was, that "what was worth doing at all was worth doing well," which

rule was followed out in all his undertakings. He worked incessantly

and was old before his time. Mr. Borden died in October, 1891, at

Ormond, Fla., where, as well as in the North, he left an enviable and

lasting record of practical Christian living. He lived but

forty-seven years--a short life, but one so filled with work for God

and humanity, that its value cannot be estimated by the number of

years alone.

CHARLES CLAYTON BOURNE, brick manufacturer, was born in Brooklyn,

N. Y., in 1865 and has resided in Newburgh since 1889, when he began

the manufacture of brick at Fishkill Landing, Dutchess County,

shortly after completing his education at the University of the

City of New York. Mr. Bourne is identified with the Masonic

fraternity; member of the Powelton Club and a director of the City

Club of Newburgh. He married Miss Anna, daughter of James Fullager.

Their mansion overlooking the Hudson was erected by Mr. Bourne in

1905.

EDWARD C. BOYNTON, son of the late Major E. C. and Mary J. (Hubbard)

Boynton, was born at West Point, N. Y., in 1864. Graduate Newburgh

Academy, and Cornell University in 1887, with the degree of ME; was

assistant in the laboratory of Thomas Edison two years; was then

engaged as superintendent with various firms in the manufacture of

electrical machinery. In 1895 was appointed chief electrical engineer

of the N. Y., N. H. & H. Ry. Co., with whom he remained six years.

In 1901 accepted position of mechanical engineer of Chicago & Great

Western Railroad, with headquarters at St. Paul, Minn., remaining two

years. From 1903 to September, 1906, he acted as consulting and

testing engineer in New York City, when he was appointed manager of

the Orange County Traction Co., where he remained one and a half

years and is now consulting engineer in Newburgh. Member American

Institute of Electrical Engineers; the National Geographic Society;

New York Railroad Club; ex-member of the American Society of

Mechanical Engineers; contributes special articles to the street

railway journals; author of "American Electrical Railway Practice."