li III I Si !i,i i^ F /a 7 £77 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM Cornell University Library F 127G7 G17 Dear old Greene County: embracing facts olln 3 1924 028 853 541 Date Due V 6 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028853541 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY laiBRACING Facts and Figures, Portraits and Sketches, OF LEADING Men Who Will Live in Her History Those at the Front To=Day And Others Who Made Good in the Past Catskill,N.Y. 1915 0/ <: GOUtv!ELL <5><3?EFAGE About a year ago the publisher of Dear Old Greene County commenced gathering data and facts for the work which is now upon the market for approval, and record. It has been a far greater job than we anticipated, and we have met with difficulties all along the way. A great mass of material has been at hand, and from it we have selected what appealed to us as valuable. We are under obligations to many persons for valuable facts and en- couragement. We trust that the work will receive kind words and that the outlay of time and money in the production of the book will be in a measure repaid by the liberal patronage of the citizens of Greene county, in whose in whose interest the work has been done. The book certainly will form a tangible part of the records thai will be cherished and many valuable facts pre- served in it otherwise might have been lost. Much has been re- corded, but in our limited space many interesting matters have been of necessity reserved. To Court of Appeals Justice Emory A. Chase, Senator Bloodgoorl, Mrs. Wheeler Howard, Judge Tall- madge, County Clerk George B. Van Valkenburgh, the various members of the Greene county Board of Supervisors, and particu- larly to Elmer Krieger of Prattsville, Photographers Paul R. Mor- rison, Fred Clarke and Earle Van Dyke, and to Frederick Nelson Du Bois, Robert F. Story and others we have been greatly indebt- ed for facts and data. Publishers F. E. Craigie, Harry Hall, and M. Edward Silberstein, our contemporaries, have added liberally to the effort. We are indebted to them for many engravings from their olliees, and Mr. Craigie in addition has compiled the lodge matter covering the Masonic order, as it appears in the several towns, a very considerable work. Once more our thank to all. Finally praise us if you can, and spare, the colder criticism. We are most painfully aware of the shortcomings. o O B o a p to u Ph . - 00 . H -o -3 o .S a ■s a M m bo « .2 .a g K ■§.§ en g 01 03 a; bo ■a u W 0) Court of Appeals Justice Emory A. Chase Catskill, N. Y. See Sketch pages 141-5 Josiah C. Tallmadge County Judge of Greene County gee Sketch pages 299-300. H. Clay Ferris Ashland, N. Y. Sketch page 284 Elmer Krieger, chrnn. Prattsville, N. Y. Sketch page 287 Bd.Supervisors Frank Nichols Athens, N. Y. Sketch page 289 John'E. Huyck Durham, N. Y. Sketch page 283 Floyd S. Jones Cairo, N. Y. Sketch page 286 Dayton B. Smith Coxsackie Sketch page 442 William B, Townsend Clerk Coxsackie, N. Y. !**■ Bd.Supervisors J. Henry Dearie Catskill, N. Y. Sketch page 369 mm Lewis Hoose Greenville, N. Y. Sketch page 320 Frederick Goslee Jewett, N. Y. Sketch page 319 Gireerve Gounty Board of iSupervisoris Earle W. Jenkins Thomas Seifferth, jr. Halcott, N. Y. Hunter, N. Y. Sketch Page 287 Sk. ch pages 303-4 Dale S. Balwin, W MP I Dr. Sidney L. Ford New Baltimore] W& Windham, N. Y. Sketch page 283 ' ^Kt^ Sketch page 285 Abram V. Roraback Lexington, N. Y. Sketch page 288 \ 1 >-3 rt> o O o B a o o c -t rf O c o m cr o 2. 3" Cf (T! o o C! O d p d tr n> 3 a o •>, '.;,' :■:'.; - •: . • ■-, ■ ■ '■■■■) ■ ■ ■ - ::: ■"■■' If Ml * ' I, l*i | ) i . '■". !;■ ■ • « ■ • • .-- . .. ■ v i '">. ■ ,' ! ; ; ; r BB«|^MhB ' ■ ■ '■''• '■ - /«' ' j l :i ':?'■-, "■-%'- : '■'$»'■; ' 'J ;<■/•* Bfpw -1-;' nil ° *f / IIpB~ I i *jj - . 'rq.jp ^ I *»»»! Louis DuBois and the Indians. See page 108. Frederick Nelson Du Bois Catskill, N. Y. See Sketch on pages 108-112, *A a. 5. o a td O Greene County Jail. Elmore Mackey, Catskill, sheriff. Sketch page 290 Col. Omar V. Sage, Catskill. See Sketch page 320 01 c C3 a c o a be 3 ' — i C O 12 O U a. „ ,. 3 n j-* 03 cfl ■ w a o o 1-1 u TO' as > a o .H E»i <3 (S "<1 w o a f W ft) 0) 2 2*3 w r-r rt> a B n o 3 fd iO a p O ™™WM The Old Bronk Place, Coxsackie, 1663 Oldest House in Greene Co. Loup Holed for Indian Fighting. The Rip Van Winkle House, Sleepy Hollow, 1839 Now Tumbling Down, Gen. W. S. C. Wiley, Catskill, Gov. Morton's Staff. Alex D. Wilbur! Catskill, Pione. | Telegiapher. State Gensus Figures July, 1915. Towns. 1915 Ashla'd 658 Athens 3724 Cairo 1986 Catskill *9023 Coxsackie *2453 Durham *1360 Greenville *1550 Halcott 353 Hunter 2944 Jewett *1014 Lexington * 926 New Baltimore *1840 Prattsville 887 Windham *1390 30,087 1910 640 2720 1841 9066 2620 1475 1556 331 2609 1057 1054 1936 781 1438 30,214 Incorporated Villages. 1915 1910 Athens * 1 923 1956 Catskill 5373 5296 Coxsackie ?...*2309 2494 Hunter * 405 408 Tannersville 758 660 * Indicates a decrease. Eight show a decrease since the he ll 10 census. The largest in crease, was made in the town of Hunter. There a gain of 245 was made. The town of Catskill shows a de- crease of 43 and the village an in- crease of 77. View shortly after construction . Note few houses on Street. w n ca P-i -g OS ■ s .s* ■_n *ti ■•- , -*-» « ca O o .s'S g p. ^j tu ■ »-« DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Governor Lieutenant Governor Secretary of State Comptroller State Treasurer Attorney General State Engineer and Surveyor Congressman State Senator Official Usi STATE Charles S. Whitman, New York Edward Schoenick, Syracuse Francis M. Hugo, Watertown Eugene M. Travis; Brooklyn James L. Wells, New York Egbert E. Woodbury, Jamestown Frank M. Williams, Goshen Charles B. Ward, Liberty Charles Walton, Kingston George H. Chase, Jewett Josiah C. Tallmadge, Catskill Elmore Mackey, Athens George B. VanValkenburgh, Lexington Judson A. Betts, Catskill Howard C. Wilbur, Catskill Ira T. Tolley, Cairo -Thomas J. O'Hara, Prattsville. Charles A. COUNTY Member of Assembly County Judge Sheriff County Clerk County Treasurer District Attorney Superintendent ot Poor Election Commissioners- Nichols, Catskill Commissioners of Equalization — Eugene Wayne, Catskill. Burton G. Dewell, Windham. Frederick Holsapple, Copake Falls Coroners — William M. Rapp, Catskill. Claude D. Mulberry, Wind- ham. R. Y. Hubbard, Tannersville. I. E. Van Hoesen, Cox- sackie. Chairman Board of Supervisors Elmer Krieger, Prattsville Clerk Board Supervisors William B. Townsend.Coxsackie Sealer of Weights and Measures A. E. Ballou, Catskill Loan Commissioner Robert F. Story, Catskill APPOINTIVE LIST James Reilly, Catskill Pearl R. Simmons, Catskill Jasper K. Hotaling, New Baltimore Ethel Hallock, Catskill Ralph Fan cher, Catskill Mary A. Cooney, Catskill Emory A, Chase, Catskill Surrogate Clerk Stenographer Deputy County Clerk Copyist Clerk Election Commissioners Clerk County Treasurer Court of Appeals Justice Stenographer and clerk, Georgania Jackson 49 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Under Sheriff Deputies — Charles Hitchcock, Athens William Peck, Jewett Marcus Deane, Catskill Michael Lackey jr., Tannersville Seymour June, Athens Ed. Griffin, Lexington Martin Chamberlin, Prattsville M. Earl, South Cairo Levi P. Cor wall, Coxsackie Daniel S. Vincent, New Baltimore BOARD OF' SUPERVISORS Elmer Krieger, Chairman Ashland — H. Clay Ferris Athens — Frank Nichols Cairo — Floyd F. Jones Catskill — J. Henry Deane Coxsackie — Dayton B. Smith Durham — John Huyck Greenville— Lewis Hoose Clerk, William B. Halcott— Earl W. Jenkins Hunter — Thomas Seifferth, jr. Jewett — Frederick Goslee Lexington — Abram V, Rooraback New Paltimore— Dale S. Baldwin Prattsville— Elmer Krieger Windham — Sidney L. Ford Townsend, Coxsackie SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS 1st District— Thomas C. Perry, Catskill 2d District -Robert M. McNaught, Windham, 3d— District — Walter J. Decker, Hunter. (See Complete list under Schools) COMMISSIONERS BURIAL OF DECEASED SOLDIERS 1st District— J . Hubbard Wilcox Catskill. 2d District — John B. Van Wie, Coxsackie. 3d District— David Vining, Big Hollow. 4th District — Edward Cole, Lexington. Town Officers 1914-1913 ASHLAND Supervisor Town Clerk Adee V. Ferris William Currie Justices of Peace 50 H. Clay Ferris Arthur C. Lee Samuel C. Clark Levi Tompkins DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Assessors Alvah Tut tie Constables ATHENS Justices of Peace Lambert Cooke Town Superintendent Frank Griffin James Adee Frank Nichols Richard Gilbert B. L. Edwards John D. Rouse Collector Sanford H. Tompkins Chas. P.. Tompkins Claude Sutton Truant Officer Supervisor Town Clerk James E. Moore Orin Q. Flint Egbert M. Hallenbeck Assessors Henry R. Van Woert Cortland Van Valkenburgh Charles Gonnerman Town Superintendent Overseers of Poor Joseph Robbins Town Auditors Daniel W . Saunders Thomas W. Perry Constables Charles W. Hitchcock George G. Scott Josiah Hallenbeck CAIRO Supervisor Town Clerk Justices of the Peace Francis C. Burnham Charles A. Bassett Assessors Herbert H. Bogardus James B. Edgerly Superintendent of Highways Collector Overseer of Poor Constables Florin P, Haines R. Baker 5.\ Wicks B. Spoor Ellsworth Perry Fred Best John H. Steele Charles Jones Floyd Jones Harry Chadderdon Ira Vail Lysander Lennon Thomas H. Morrison Warren Walters Irving Turner Silas Finch Benjamin B. Bennett John Wiltse DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. CATSKILL Supervisor J. Henry Deane Town Clerk John McGee, (Edward Hall, acting clerk) Justices of the Peace RoscoeD. MilJer IraB. Kerr Dr. JainesB, Rouse George W. Winans Superintendent of Highways William Joesbury Collector Joseph Obert Harry B. Morris Assessors Lorenzo Overbaugh Overseers of Poor Town Auditors John Fitzsimmons William Castle Supervisor Town Clerk Nelson Mattice Constables COXSACKIE Justices of the Peace Edwin C. Hallenbeck William T. Haswell Assessors Albert Pierce John Scudder Superintendent of Highways Overseers of Poor George Johnson Town Auditors George S. Scott Edward Webb Constables Charles Van Valkeuburizh Supervisor Town Clerk John S. Baldwin Warren Finch Minthorn Smith DURHAM Justices of the Peace Assessors Romaine Spencer 52 Frank D. Overbaugh Watson Vedder Joseph S. Millington Harris B. Edwards Fred Timmerman James Fitzsimmons Mina Easland Dayton B. Smith Armstrong J. Hotaling Harrie Mc Curtis N. A. Calkins Arthur King Ambrose Day John S. Steele Theodore Palmer Charles Sharp John Huyck Fred Reynolds Z. A. Pratt George Allen Zina Rockfellow DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Collector Superintendent of Highways Overseer of Poor GREENVILLE Supervisor Town Clerk Ira Hunt Mitchell Sanford Justices of the Peace Assessors Francis O'Hara Madison Youmans Superintendent ot Highways Overseers of Poor . Charles Horton Collector Clarence O'Hara John Hull C. H. Richmond Lewis Hoose Ford B. Roe Milton H. Beare Elmer Flansburgh Oraer T. Losee Arthur Evans Supervisor Town Clerk W, K. Crosby E. C. Morse Superintendent of Highways HALCOTT Justices of the Peace John F. VanValkenburgh Collector Ove rseer of Poor Assessors Luther Earle HUNTER Supervisor Town Clerk George H. Falkner Renwick Dibble Superintendent of Highways Justices of the Peace George Byrne Collector Otto Gordon G. S. HaUenbeck Assessors Addison Traphagen Overseers of Poor Constables 53 Jacob Cameron Irwin Cameron Earl W, Jenkins James Whitney Harry Bradley Arthur Wileman W. D. Griffin Jacob Blish Arthur Gordon Herbert Dunham Thomas Seifferth jr: Julius Dolan Richard Haines Menzo Sharpe Claude L. Wiltse Herbert O'Hara Charles Haines Andrew Hill DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Supervisor Town Clerk Emmons Pond Jacob Stotz Dorland Peck John Gripman Superintendent of Highways Collector JEWETT Justices of the Peace Assessors Overseers of the Poor LEXINGTON Justices of the Peace Christopher Reilly Assessors Fred Goslee Raymond Towner George Lockwood G. H. Chase Charles Thompson Charles Lougyear George Wilson jr David Barnum John Race Supervisor Town Clerk John Kelley George W. Haner Romaine Kirk Superintendent of Highways James G . VanValkenburgh Robert Kirke Overseers of the Poor Romaine Van Valkenburgh NEW BALTIMORE Abram Rooraback Robert S. Tuttle Elmer Dunham Rauoom Hogaboom Collector Frank Patterson Supervisor Town Clerk Justices of the Peace W. C. Harden Wm. H. Hotaling Assessors Melvin P. Hotaling Jaurdinette Carr Superintendent of Highways Collector Supervisor Town Clerk PRATTSVILLE 54 Dale S. Baldwin A. G. Nelson Hezekiah Austin Byron Mansfield Isaac Travis Barney P. Gardenier Wilbur S. Vosburgh Elmer Krieger George R. I^averack DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Justices of the Peace Pardy A. Peckham Shirley Caminer Superintendent of Highways Assessors Salem Beers Charles Shoemaker Collector Overseer of Poor Supervisor Town Clerk Demont L. Chase Oscar Fuller Romaine A. Butts Superintendent of Highways Collector Overseers of Poor Thomas Cryne Constables William H. Moon Burton R. Robinson WINDHAM Justices of the Peace Oswell R. Coe Assessors Newell S. Griffin Frank Tompkins Andrew Carman Arthur Doyle George Fowler Sidrffey L. Ford Arthur Roach A. Newton Chatfield Newell A. Peck Omar Hitchcock Orwell Mc Lashan David Vining A. Melvin Stewart The Old Toll Gate at Woodstock Bridge. 55 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Patetvt L,ines Previous to the formation of Greene County this section was mostly held under large land grants or patents, and these sec- tions were increased by purchases from the Indian tribes. We have not room to refer to these in detail. Patent Date Territory Von Bremen 1653 Catskill Loveridge 1653 Catskill Bronk's 1662 Coxsackie Loonenburgh 1665 Athens Coeymans 1673 Part of Coxsackie Catskill 1678 Catskill Korlarskill 1678 Coxsackie & Athens Van Vechten 1686 Catskill & Athens Lockerman 1686 Catskill Coxsackie 1687 Coxsackie Hayes 1687 The Vly, Catskill Baker's 1691 Freehold Fullerton 1692 Catskill Hotaling 1697 Coxsackie Hallenbeck 1717 Greenville Kiskatomajie 1718 Catskill Livingston 1719 Catskill Beekman 1719 Catskill Batavia 1736 Windham Linzey 1738 Catskill Stighkoke 1743 Coxsackie Van Bergen 1743 Coxsackie Maitland 1743 Coxsackie Rose boom 1751 Athens & Coxsackie Hardenburgh 1751 *l-3 of County Prevost 1764 Greenville Maitland 1765 Durham Seaton 1767 Durham Baker's 1769 Catskill Bake Oven 1771 Catskill |3tewart 1771 56 Durham DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The first patent appears to have been Von Bremen's, in 1653. In addition to the patents there were hundreds of grants of lands. The Hardenburgh patent was the greatest of all and em- l)i;icc(l Hunter, Lexington, Jewett, Halcott and portions of Pratts- ville and Ashland. 140,000 acres. A large portion of the Hardenburgh Patent is still virgin forest and includes state lands. The district of Coxsackie of which Freehold was a part ex- tended from the Hudson River to Conesvillein Schoharie county. Organization of Towrvs The organization of the several towns in Greene county was as follows: Catskill, March 7, 1788, formed from Albany county. Coxsackie, March 7, 1788, formed from Albany county. Durham, (Freehold), March 8, 1790, from Coxsackie. Windham, March 23, 1798, from Ulster county. Cairo, (Canton), March 28, 1803, Catskill, Coxsackie, and Durham. Greenville, (Freehold) , March 26, 1803, from Catskill and Durham. New Baltimore, March 15, 1811, from Coxsackie. Hunter, (Greenland) , Jan. 27, 1813, from Windham . Lexington, (New Goshen), Jan. 27, 1813, from Windham. Athens, Feb. 25, 1815, from Catskill and Coxsackie. Prattsville, March 8, 1833, from Windham, Ashland, March 23, 1848, from Prattsville and Windham. Jewett, Nov. 16, 1849, from Hunter and Lexington. Halcott, Nov. 19, 1851, from Lexington. The Villages in 1859 According to an old gazeteer in 1859, Ashland had 400 population, 2 churches, and a collegiate institution, of Methodist denomination. Athens— Incorporated 1805, population 1747, 5 churches. 57 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Cairo — Population 353, 4 churches, Presbyterian and Bap- tist, organized 1799. Catskill —Population 2520, 5 churches, 3 newspapers, 2 banks, and many mercantile and manufacturing concerns. Brick industry principal. Leeds — Population 450, 2 churches and mills. Palenville— 2 tanneries woolen factory and 18 buildings. Coxsackie —Population 1800 , 6 churches, academy, bank, newspaper, brick yards and ship building. Durham — 2 churches, 30 houses, and population not given. Oak Hill— Population 320 and 2 churches. Cornwallville— 15 houses, South Durham 10 houses, Center- ville a hamlet. Greenville— 3 churches, an academy and 35 houses. Freehold -Church and 24 houses. Norton Hill — 16 houses. East Greenville — 1 church and 10 houses. Halcott— West Lexington, only a post office. Hunter— Population 390, 2 churches and several factories. Tannersville— 3 churches, t>ost office, and tanneries. Pop- ulation not stated. It is said that the first settlers had their prop- erty confiscated by Whigs, and that these persons or families were Samuel, Elisha and John Haines, who trailed from Kingston through Mink Hollow, in 1791. A man named Olmsted built the first grist mill, kept the first store and hotel according to this rec- ord and John Haines was the first birth in this section- Jewett — 2 churches and 14 houses. Formerly Lexington Heights. Jewett Center — Postoffice. East Jewett — Postoffice. Lexington— 2 churches and 27 buildings. Westkill — 1 church and 31 buildings. Bushnellville — Hamlet. New Baltimore— Population 709, Scutters, Willow and Little Island annexed from Kinderhook, 2 churches and ship yard. Med way— Post office. 58 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Prattsville - Population 617, 3 churches and several factories. Red Falls— Population 231, cotton factory and paper mill. Windham— Population 350 and 3 churches. Hensonville— Population 134. Big Hollow — 2 churches and 12 houses. Union Society — Post office. There were 161 schools in the county, 11,869 pupils, and there were 15,591 males and 15,546 females, There were raised 6000 horses, 12,000 oxen, 12,000 cows, 19,000 sheep, 14,000 hogs, 79,000 bushels of winter wheat and over 400,000 «bushels of spring wheat, 116,000 bushels of potatoes, over 1,0000,000 pounds of butter, 21,000 pounds of cheese and about 7000 yards of cloth woven. The Villages of 1{915 The following villages are located in the several towns ; Ashland —Ashland and East Ashland. Athens— Athens and Lime Street. Cairo— Cairo, South Cairo, Purling, Acra, Gayhead and Round Top. Catskill — Catskill, Leeds, Palenville, Lawrenceville, Alsen, Kiskatom and Cementon. Coxsackie — Coxsackie, West Coxsackie, Surprise, Urlton and Climax. Durham — Durham. East Durham, West Durham, South Durham, Cornwallville, Hervey Street Oak Hill and Sunside. Greenville— Greenville, East Greenville, West Greenville, Greenville Center, Norton Hill, Freehold and Place's Corners. Halcott — Halcott . Hunter — Hunter, Tannersville, Haines Falls, Edgewood, Piatt Clove, Lanesvilie, Onteora Park, Elka Park and Sunset Park. Jewett -Jewett Center, East Jewett and Jewett Heights. Lexington— Lexington, West Kill, Bushnellville and Spruce ton. New Baltimore— New Baltimore, New Baltimore Stn., Re- sult, Stanton Hill and Medway. Prattsville— Prattsville and Red Falls. Windham— Windham, Hensonville, Big Hollow, Brooklyn, East Windham and Union Society. 59 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Last Old Log House in Lexington. •^Population, of County Town Ashland Athens. . .' Cairo Catskill ....... Coxsackie Durham Greenville. . . Halcott.:. Hunter. . ; Jewett Lexington. . . . New Baltimore. Prattsville. . . . Windham... . . . Total 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850 1865 1875 1900 1290 1080 935 692 2030 2425 2593 2986 2978 3467 2891 2035 2353 2912 2812 2831 2341 2318 2176 4245 3510 4861 3458 5454 6 579 7985 8566 4047 2353 3373 3799 3741 3561 3991 4102 2944 2980 3039 2613 2600 2412 2209 1636 2304 2374 2565- 226 1 2242 2246 436 2031 391 1651 350 1025 1960 2433 1849 1641 1564 2788 1452 1110 1114 1028 1798 2548 2902 2263 1520 1314 1153 2036 2370 2347 2381 2629 2664 2283 2069 1989 1484 1121 775 3961 2536 3472 2670 2048 1591 1488 1387 19536 22995 29525 3 i!t 57 33126 31710 32592 31478 : 1910 640 2720 1841 9066 3620 1475 1556 " 331 " 2699' 1054' 1954' 1936 781 1438' 30214 I The population of Athens village 1956, Catskill 5296, Coxsackie 2494, Tannersville 660, Hunter 480 last census. 60 w be a ■d i— i 'B m >, ■*-* a s o a & s o o o P o CM dear old Greenes county. 8 w *& §3 S3 w o Qi O i_.. rt, O " 5' ft ft ft & B S °" *"3 3 w o O O en C ft rt rt- a- It |S q & aS oS. b a to rt ft et 58 tn (3* & ft so ft| S » crq n> ft w H rt el j Court Ho BRIDGE ST. if:: w ■ : 03 : : «=*: . <* . tn . o: o . b: tr. B ■ : — : : &■■■• s * p > • »-» 1— 1 • B 2 • tn 03 f i-3 ;""6": : m p M : W3 : • 3 » W : &8 : . . . ■ ID H ; ft rt | B CO r+ ,-». ~0 : ; p ; ... ft b es o 03 er o .- ' ' ' . ^ ft CO ft * 5' s ft : 1 s Orq ! 5' ... 03 TJ i i i c />• crq i" tn v '. ►1 O P . p, ! tn rt. o ft rt : *> : Wg r+ . O B r+ V! : b k ■ • . . . ft • to K • ft Q tn r+ rt o *<1 ft ' ft ' CL A.RK ST. I-^l a . . ; 2 X rt' ft : Q 2 b. 5' i— » Cfq 00 H ft ■ ■ h : B ft B B • p • rt B H B* ft eh ft B rt- ft ft Jr 1 s Z o O o o c ffl a er a o c 7 s 9! 62 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Old Court House, Now the Masonic Temple. The County GREENE COtJNTY. Furniture Committee William B. Towhsend Edgar Roe Frank'L.' Dodge Sidney L. Ford Van Rensselaer Kirke William S. Beardsley, architect. Peter Keeler Company, builders. The county barn cost about $5000. The barn and the re- taining walls and side walks of the court house were built by George W. Holdridge of Catskill. The Supervisors' committee of 1909 reported the account for new Court House and Jail and fixtures: Peter Keeler Building Company $140,068 Fixed furniture 5,900 Metal furniture, Art Metal Construction Co • • 9,645 Furniture and furnishings, Derby Desk Co 8,312 Lighting fixtures, Black & Boyd 2,681 $166,601 Since that time many improvements have been made. Corner Stone Laying The laying of the corner stone of the new court house was made a great day in Catskill, and there were 400 masons present from all quarters of the county. The masons had charge of the exercises, and Hudson, Kingston, Albany, Prattsville, Windham, Coxsackie, Hunter, New Baltimore, Greenville, Oak Hill, Cairo, and other places were represented. Cairo alone turned out 40 masons Lafayette Commandry of Hudson paraded in uniform. District Attorney Howard C Wilbur was Grand Marshall, assist- ed by Geo. A. Dykeman and F. L. Vedder. Hudson and Catskill bands furnished the music, and the Board of Supervisors headed the parade. The address was by Grand Master Charles Smith. Village papers, historical paper by Justice Chase, coins and docu- ments were sealed in the corner stone. 65 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Old County Jail. JAIL The county jail was located on lands or site of the old acad- emy which was purchased in 1801, and in 1803 work was com- menced on the building, which was of brick and .stone. This 66 ! dear oLd grejene 6ounty. building was enlarged in 1862, and in the 80's. The old cells were on numerous occasions given another sheathing of heavy iron until at the time they were put in the hands of the junk man in 1909 they had six coverings and the old iron alone brought Mrs. Beardsley $800. We present a view of the old structure, and also a view of the new Heidel burgh. From the research of Justice Chase we glean the following facts in regard to the jail and the court house, all of which are of great interest: First, that the lands were purchased in 1801, of Ira Day, Stephen Day, George Hale, John V. D. S. Scott and Thomas Hale, and a later purchase in the same year of Abram Salisbury, Wessell Salisbury, and William Elting, being the lot and build- ing whereon the academy was then standing. This academy be- came the court house. In 1812 it was decided to build a new court house, Ira Gay, Isaac DuBois, Orrin Day, Joseph Klein, Ezra Hawley and Lyman Hall gave bonds in the penal sum of $16,000 to procure a lot, and they secured the land on which the Masonic Temple is standing, and Orrin Day and Isaac DuBois were appointed a commission to erect a court house and a fire pioof vault. There has been an idea that this building was des^ troyed by fire, but Justice Chase says that he can find no authori- ty for this statement. The history of the jail shows that there were four executions taking place within its walls, the last one being that of Joe Waltz, the murderer of one Hoelcher, a scissors grinder; Warren Wood, John Kelley and Robert James being the others. These men were all hanged, and the old ropes are stored away in the attic of the court house. Balls and chains worn by them are in possession of Mr3. Charles Beardsley, who bought the old jail. Robert James murdered Patrick Flynn, a drover at East Durham. Judge Edmunds presided at the trial, in 1846. John Kelley murdered Lucretia Lewis at Prattsville, in 1847. He was tried before Judge Willard. Warren Wood murdered Hiram Williams of Greenville, in 1853, and he was tried before Judge Ira Harris. Lyman Tremaine, Rufus W. Watson, Mitchell Sanford and 67 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Sidney Crowell were the district attorneys who prosecuted these cases. There have been a great many other important murder trials since that time, but all resulted in lesser degree convictions. The new jail is located on Bridge street and in the rear of the court house. It is a modern two story structure, of Ohio sand- stone, with the apartments of the sheriff and his family facing the street and the jail proper in the rear, the entrance to the jail being from the alley, and into the office of the sheriff. There are 30 steel cages, or cells, two hospital rooms, a padded cell, in all 8 departments on 3 floors. All the conditions are modern, with bath, toilet, steam heat and electric light. The basement is sup- plied with bunks and is used for tramps. The present sheriff is Elmore Mackey of Athens, and Mrs. Mackey is matron. It is re- garded as one of the best and finest jails in the state. THE HEIDELBURGH No history of Greene county would be complete without a description of the Heidelburgh, one of the most charming homes or hostelries that is to be found in all Greene county, which Phoe- nix like has risen from the dust of the famous old Greene county jail. For while the original walls of 18 and 20 inches thickness of solid masonry remain, there has been added a sightly mansard roof and dormer windows, bringing into existence a large hall and 11 commodious rooms, where once was only a boxed enclosure that led to the cupoloa. And it was underneath this cupoloa that Joseph Waltz, the scissors grinder murderer was executed. From the beautiful rooms of the third floor is the grandest view of the mountains to be found in Catskill, and more than 60 miles of the mountains are to be seen. On the second floor there remains the large hallway, and the extra wide doorways, but the cells that were devoted to prisoners, who had been guilty of lesser crimes, and to women if such there happened to be committed, have giv- en place to a grand suite of connecting rooms, and all of the room 8 are large, and have 12 foot ceilings. The staircase and much of the finishings throughout the house are from lumber that was sawed out of the oak planks that for 112 years had formed part of the jail. These were sawed and fitted by Mr. Beardsley, who 68 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. is a skilled architect and builder. Perhaps the greatest change is on the first floor where the large hall still remains; and the front door is the same. The two steel plated cells, dark and repulsive, with their single window of about two feet square, studded with steel bars, have given place to a lovely dining room that is 20x50 feet. At the spot where hung the massive bunch of keys to pad- locks that weighed about ten pounds now stands a handsome grandfather's clock. There are parlors, the bridal suite, kitchen with the old jail range still doing service, and a refrigerator room. Underneath is the laundry, heating apparatus, etc. Tke veranda has been extended and on the east side a handsome porch spans the driveway, and lends a colonial air to the structure. The en- tire structure is furnished throughout in a simple but luxuriant manner. In it all there is never a dream of the scissors grinder or the pitiful creatures that were for 112 years incarcerated in the mouldy smelling and vermin infested dark and repulsive cells. Preserved in the attic are chains, foot clamps and iron balls chat were attached to leg chains, branding irons that tradit- ion says were used on the very bad prisoners, padlocks, handcuffs, with chains all for desperate characters When in 1909, Mrs. Beardsley bid in the property for $3000, Catskill people thought that she had the ghost of Banco on her hands, and even Mr. Beardsley couldn't just understand how she had come to get him that rummage sale stuff. Possibly he fumed a little and wondered how he wasjjoing to get rid of the double tier of steel cells, and how after all there coul 1 be anything worth saving in the structure. Leave that to the genius and ar- tistic Mrs. Beardsley and we have arrived at the solution of it all. She got the grandest view in all Catskill, and she got a home that would be a palace for the Caesars. Out of the ruins of the cells, she chased $10 gold pieces, that had been hidden away in the crevices of years, and out of the 80 tons of the finest Norway iron she found other treasure, and no sooner had it gone out that she had purchased the jail than Troy, Poughkeepsie, Kingston and Utica iron dealers began to offer her 30, 35, 40 and finally 50 cents per hundred pounds for the iron, and she closed with a 69 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. v To ■a u m S3 E V T3 5 bo u .O W O 70 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Kingston dealer, who sent six men to cut off the bolts and get the iron in pieces so that it could be moved. $800 for old iron and all she had to do was listen to the din and crash of the getting it out. The old museum to which we refer, she has has not yet dis- posed of, though it is of considerable value. Besides she has the commitment papers of a hundred years. The old cells had no less than six coatings of iron on them. Some of them bore the saw marks of John Kelley, the desperate criminal who escaped during the term of Sheriff Decker. In it all Mrs. Beardsley showed a pluck and determination that is remarkable. For two weeks she worked with bar and hammers to tear down a portion of that old 20 inch wall on the second floor in order to make a change that she wanted, and all the while Mr. Beardsley wondering at the increasing pile of brick in the rear of the jail did not know what she was up to. She pried them loose and let them down in a pail attached to a rope. When he found it out there were some men on the job very soon. It is a remarkable fact that within a stone's throw of the Heidelburgh there are six other splendid dwellings which Mr. Beardsley has erected and which have successively been occupied by himself and his family. All built upon honor and splendid homes. There is the Edgar Root place, the Philip Van Orden mansion, -the Abram Joseph house, Clarence Sage's house, the Newcomb cottage, and the Michael Edwards place- This is in addition to many handsome homes and structures that Mr. Beard- sley has built for others, during the long term of over 40 years as head architect for Edwin Lampman. ALMS HOUSE The Greene County Alms House is located at Cairo, and is a two story brick structure erected in 1883, which is credit to the county in every way. It accommodates about ninety persons. In addition to the main building which we show elsewhere, there is a two story frame building, which houses about 35 or 40 per- sons. In addition to the buildings referred to, there are barns, sheds, etc., and a farm of about 198 acres, of which 100 is under cultivation. The county house is heated by steam, has electric 71 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. light, and all the conditions are excellent. Ira T. Tolley is super- intendent and Mrs. Tolley matron. The first structure cost about $5000. The present structure could not be replaced for 830,000. The farm was originally 10 acre3, and about $500 worth of produce was raised- Very largely the farm now supplies the needs of the inmates irj the matter of produce. (See town of Cairo for further description of county house.) SPIRIT OF THE COURT HOUSE We are indebted to Justice Emory A. Chase for further facts in regard to the lands occupied now by the court house, jail, and county barn: The lot was a part of the Gysbert Uyt de Bogart lands, pur- chased from the Esopus Indians, in 1684, and at that time was a forest. In 1738 it was a part of the Lindsay Patent, and passed to George Clark, who owned pretty much all of Catskill. The county property comprised lots 12 and 13 owned by Egbert Bogardus and James Barker, also owner of a large patent. On the map of prop- erty destroyed it 1851, we show a number of buildings, of which one of the most important outside of the three churches burned was the old Greene County Hotel, formerly known as Donnelly's. This hotel is mentioned'many times in the early reminiscence of Catskill. It was probably built close to the year 1800. Its a liitle bit remarkable that this site should have been the scene of so many iuteresting bits of history. It had many fires, subsequent to the fire of 1851, which was the most disastrous in the history of Catskill. The fire of 1851 started on the west side of Main street and swept through to what is now Broad street. Only buckets of water were available and a north west wind carried the fire beyond con- trol. The court house, now the Masonic Temple had one |.side burned. The residence of Rufus King, still standing, was partially burned. The small office of Powers & Day did not burn, being fire proof. So mtich for the fires. The Rev. Anson DuBois stated that inll784, according to the statement of his grandmother, the court house lot comprised 73 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. an orchard and that one day she was surprised to see a stranger enter the orchard, engage in prayer, at the foot of a tree. Then on rising take from his pocket a hymn book and begin to sing. Then he read a chapter, and delivered a sermon, being it appeared the first Methodist preacher to visit Greene county. He had a good congregation and at the close announced that in four weeks he would return and preach in the same place. The beautiful courthouse, and the grand memorial fountain now mark the spot of this first gospel sermon. A. curious and re- markable incident. Was it not the Spirit of the court house? Not for many years after the organization of the county was any provision made by the Board of Supervisors for a surrogate's office. John H. Cuyler, surrogate from March 29, 1800, to June 18, 1808; Dorrance Kirkland, surrogate from June 18, 1808, to March 15, 1810; and again from February 5, 1811, to April 18, 1838, maintained the surrogate's office at Coxsackie John Adams surrogate from March 15, 1810, to February 5, 1811, and Lyman Tremaine, surrogate from June 7, 1847, to January 1, 1852, main- tained the surrogate's office at Durham. The office was first opened in the court house by John Sanderson, surrogate, May 1, 1889. On the King's Road, 73 Today as in 1800. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Hervry Hudson The discoverer of the state of New York, and the first white man to look upon the great river that bears his name, was born in obscurity and his life bark passed to the great be" yond following a mutiny of the sailors on his ship who set him afloat with his son and seven sailors on the dark waters of the bay that also bears his name. Christopher Columbus sailed from Genoa, his native town, and discover- ed America. John and Sebas- tian Cabot set out, in 1497, from England, discovering Newfoundland in 1497, and then explored the Atlantic coast as far as Florida. Hudson also was an English navigator and was in the service of the Dutch, but no one knows the place of his birth. He sailed from Holland in the service of the Dutch East India Company in a small ship known as the Half Moon, leaving Amsterdam April 4th, 1609, and anchored off the Highlands in September of the same year. He passed a month in exploring the waters of the river and went as far as Albany. He was attacked by bands of Indians who came out in their canoes, but had no trouble in preventing their doing any damage. At Catskill, where anchorage appears to have been made, he was met by friendly Indians who brought corn and vegetables to him. Old writers tell us of an Indian tradition that refers to the coming of the Half Moon, which they regarded as the Manittou or Great Spirit, and that they regarded with awe and reverence the arrival of the great boat. Compared with the birch bark canoes of the natives the Half Moon was 75 feet in length and her sails appeared as the wings of a great white bird 74 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. which seemed to float without energy. The river they called the Mahicannittuck. On a subsequent voyage his tragic death occurred. The murderers went unpunished, so far as law and justice were concerned. The Half Moon at Anchor Off Catskill Point Robert Fultotv Inseparably connected with the history of the Hudson should be woven the invention of the steamboat, which was distined to render the Hudson River the most important in the world. Robert Fulton was born in Little Brittain, Pa., in 1765, and his energies ap- pear to have been along the line of mechanics. As early as 1801 he invented a plunging boat which was calculated to do exactly what the to-day submarines have accomplished in war- fare. He successfully demonstrated the possibility of blowing up a boat, but the British government discouraged the project. The first steamboat on the Hudson River was built by „ him and made he trip_from New York to Albany in the spring of 1807. In 1814 76 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. he invented another submarine, to carry 100 men and the govern- ment approved the plans. He died in 1815, however, before the boat had been completed, and nothing came of it. CLERMONT ■ 1807 Gatskill and the Hudson River As Greene County has been indebted to her beautiful mountains for her fame, so has she from the beginning been indebted to the Hudson for her wonderful transportation facilities. Of this transportation the Hudson River Day Line has for over sixty years been a great factor, and the enterprise of this company and its extensive advertising of the Catskill district has had much to do with the growth and prosperity of Catskill and the entire county. In the earlier days such day boats as thm* & Is If (U a (U 2 > o o u * & a a in m +-» o o pq 1) 13 O a a a "3 3 (U .a >-, t« • it is « ■o Q S3 T3 M )H S3 1— 1 Ul o ro *-» P. w c o o 3 o 01 SO & en - S3 .S3 a) u H hT DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The early Catskill steamboating shows Bogardus & Cooke, and probably members of the Day family were in business around 1800. Following came Donnelly, Cook &Co., F. N. Wilson after whom Wilson Fire Company is named, and William Wilson form- ing the Company. Then came the freighting firm of Penfield, Day and Co., Sherwood Day, Orrin Day and Samuel Penfield' previous to 1812. Later the Penfield firm sold to Charles Beach, Isaac Pruyn and William Wilson, and about this time the steam- boats, Frank and Washington were put on the line. The Wave, the Star, the Pratt and the Rip Van Winkle were the barges. The Frank was the first Catskill steamboat, the date of which is not certain. C. L. Beach & Co. owned the Utica, and afterwards the Thomas Powell and the Sunnyside, these boats were used by the government as transports during the 60's in the war period. Then came the firm of Cornell, Horton & Co., and Black & Donahue who changed the name of the company to The Catskill and New York Steamboat Co. They built the Catskill which was burned at Kingston. The Charlotte Vanderbilt another boat of the line was sunk by Beldcn's steam yacht the Yosemite. " <.-7 , ' / ' f*-**M**0^£». : The Stately Kaaterskill. The stately Kaaterskill, and Onteora known as the River Queen and the commodious and beautiful Clermont have brought the line into favor and note . 83' £>EAR OLD GREENE dOUNTY. TheMcManus another well known boat of the company was burned as also was the Steamer Redfield, rated fine boats in their day. The Walter Brett went the route and was finally broken up by the wreckers. The Kaaterskill a grand boat with double decks of state rooms was a floating palace . After serving on the Catskill route she was taken to Albany and ran on the Capitol City Line until the fall of 1914 when she was taken to the wreckers at New London. Another of the earlier boats was the General Sedgwick and the Escort, both being used in war times as transports. While the company has been prosperous it has bapn unfort- unate in the loss of so many fine.boats worth a large some of money and has suffered a number of fires at their storehouses, the last one of three wiping out the large and completely filled storehouse on the dock at Catskill. They had also yery severe fire losses at Hudson • Onteora, Queen of the River, Fastest of Them All . 83 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Other boats familiar to Catskillians are the Eloise, former- ly on the line between Catskill and Hudson, sold to New York parties and ran on the East river, and The Steamer Isabella still running on the Catskill Hudson route This boat has been remodel- ed a number of times and is in fine shape. In 1911 there was placed on the Catskill Evening line the freighter known as the Storm King, a commodious boat that is doing well. The boats running between Catskill and Albany, have been the City of Hudson, a splendid boat, with shapely lines and very fast. This boat took the place of the Peter G. Coffin, and was des- tro}-ed by tire in the 80s. Then came the General, and the Ursula will be remembered as a beautiful propeller, and very popular. This boat made her last trips in 1913, and in 1914 near the close of the season the Phillips came on the line. w^^^^* k _*_™— „ 4m4LJJfL W $£ '*<*' s^iff -** r _» ' ~dl W ^fE^' M ? Isabella, Rounding 11 e Hop-O-Xose. 84 . DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Among the men who have been connected with the company and. who have always worked hard for the success of Catskill and Greene county as well, were Charles L. Rickerson, Edwin H. Snyder and George M. Snyder, the present head of the company being Charles M. Englis of Brooklyn- TheSnyders and Mr. '.Rick- erson passing away within the recollection of the writer. William J. Hughes has been treasurer of the company for a long term of years, and is regarded as one of the ablest men in his line in the state. As treasurer of Greene County for a number of years his work was of the highest character . Isabella, Leaving Creek Dock. We have not space to refer to the boats of many other lines. The Steamer Livingston has. for many years been doing business between Saugerties and Athens, stopping at Catskill each way. Capt. Winans'has been at the head of that enterprise. The New- burgh line boats, Martin and Tremper make regular landings at Catskill, Among the old skippers who navigated the stormy waters of the deep sea were some of familiar name, though not of face. Capt. Van Loan, Barnet DuBois, James Bogardus, Abram Post, Capt. Jacob Dunham, who had stories of adventure in the West Indies and capture by the pirates, for Catskill and Hudson were to be reckoned with, and Hudson in particular had her valiant tars chasing'great whales in quest of that essential and useful commod- W DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. ity whalebone and whale oil. The steel trust has wiped out the whale bone trust, and the Standard oil magnates have put one over on the blubbering whale. Whale oil and tallow candles have had to pass from their positions, and it's just touch the button for light There was old Admiral Drake, Captain Britton and Captain Hyde, who passed their log book tales of far off lands, and terrible adventures, until tbey were looked upon as most remark- able men. Thurlow Weed, one of the great newspaper men of the state, and founder of the Albany Journal is said to have worked as a cabin boy on a Catskill sloop that belonged to Capt. Bromm3 Funda. In those days the Hudson furnished great sturgeon, and the fishermen frequently made hauls of thousands of herring and shad. Even down to the early 70s, it was not uncommon for great quantities of spoiled fish to be carried on the land as fertilizer. The. Wreck of the Swallow. Among the early steamboat disasters and the worst of them was the wreck of the Swallow which happened on the night of April 17th, 1845, while on her way from Albany to New York. Opposite the village of Athens the boat struck a rock, since re- moved by the government, and broke in two. Over 40 persons were drowned. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Wreck of the Henry Clay. - On Wednesday afternoon July 26, 1852 the Henry Clay was destroyed by fire near Yonkers, while making a regular trip. Nearly 100 persons are supposed to have perished. Some were burned and others drowned. We are able to show two fairly good representations of -these "early disasters. Last September a New York man with a 40 foot steamboat came into the Catskill creek and started to sail right on to Oak Hill. He was hailod at the bridge and replied that he had a map showing that he could go right on. He did, but just beyond the railroad bridge he went on the rocks. Capt. Isaac VanLoan was owner of the sloop Delaware, which in 1818 was one of the speed boats on the Hudson between Cats- kill and New York city. Of Captain Joseph Allen it is narrated that verging on 80 years of age, one day he had a heated argument with one Wm. Pullen, and Pullen was forcibly elected from Aliens' premises. Allen explained that Pullen called him a d— old liar and he threw him off the stoop. 87 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Railroads, Early and Moderiv V»« 'TT *"*+ The New York Central's New High Speed 97 Ton Electric Engine. In 1825 Wood in his article on railroads says : "Nothing can do more harm to the adoption of railroads than the promulgation of such nonsense as that we shall see loco- motive engines traveling at the rate of 12 miles an hour.'' Mr. Wood should see the Chicago through trains pass Cats- kill on their 20 hour schedule at 60 miles and more an hour, or some likely aeroplane like Glen Curtis's going down the Hudson river at 100 miles an hour. So far as the early railroads were concerned, the Catskill and Ithaca road was simply projected. The Catskill and Canajoharie was built to Cooksburgh in 1838. It was a failure, as the engine wouldn't work. The state pledged $200,000 toward the construction. The Catskill Bank bought it for $11,000 and sold to Hiram VanSteen burgh who took up the iron for junk and made some money out of it. Coxsackie and Schenectady — never built. Schenectady and Catskill— never built. The Saratoga and Hudson River Road was built and some of its grade may be seen today. It had a terminal at Athens and great promise. Daniel Drew the steamboat man sold it in 1867 to the Central and they abandoned it . The West Shore railroad opened for business in 1882. The Stony Clove road was opened in 1882. The Catskill Mountain Railroad also in 1882, «8 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Kaaterskill Railroad in 1883. The Tannersville railroad in 1892 . The Otis Elevated Railroad August 4th, 1892. The South Cairo and East Durham road— never built. Several trolley roads were projected but never built, though work was started on one from Coxsackie to Greenville, and some work was done on the Catskill to Oneonta line. The Catskill street railroad was built in 1890 and finished to Leeds in 1892. At the present it is being operated bv a receiver for the second time Among the men who have spent large sums to make the road a success are P. N. Du Bois, H C. Cowan, and William P. Fiero, former senator, now deceased. "',,-■ ',j£>wrfv&4j ■'.-■■■■ The First Railroad Train in Greene County. It may be interesting to note that the Catskill Canajoharie railroad was along with a number of other roads an expensive proposition for the state. The state loaned $3,478,000 to the building of six railroads, and the Catskill road got $100,000. The roads were all failures and the state lost $1,000,000 in the enter- prises. The capital stock of the Catskill road was $1,000,000 and no one knows what it cost. The Albany- Schenectady road built about the same time, 17 miles, cost $1,711,412 and the Catskill road was built to Cooks burgh, 26 miles. It is a fact that the first 300 miles of railroad cost over $15,000,000. And nobody ever said the stock was watered. Even the Erie railroad was unable to pay its interest and had to be advertised for sale. The Ithaca road brought $4500. The Catskill road, as we have stated, #11,000. 89 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. We are indebted to Mrs. Benjamin Wiltse for the illustra- tion of the locomotive and the coach passenger cars that ran on the Catskill-Canajoharie road in 1838. The train had a very busy time and every coach was loaded. This train passed the foundry of Benjamin Wiltse every day during the time the road was ir> operation, and Mr. Wiltse who is remembered by many persons in Catskill as one of the pioneers of early business enterprise of Catskill, was the inventor of an arrangement whereby sand was spilled on the track of the road ahead of the wheels of the coaches for the purpose of preventing their slipping. The locomotive burned wood and this was carried in a tender with a couple of barrels that supplied water, and stops were made along the line to get water or wood when needed. The cars were modeled after the old stage coach of the wild west pattern, and the wheels were flanged to keep them from leaving the tracks. From 12 to 18 peo- ple could be accommodated in each coach. William Layman of Catskill one of the old time Methodists was the engineer of this road and Wm. Layman not only managed to get all the speed pos- sible out of the locomotive, but he was also the owner of one of the fast equines that have been known to have been the undoing of good Methodists . And he was not altogether adverse to per-, permitting his horse to show heels even on the Sabbath, daring to indulge in a horse race on Main street. Early one Sunday morning he had the temerity to get the best of another nag that had been known to travel fast, and good Brother Humphrey, whom some will remember, promptly rose up, and admonished Layman on the error of his ways, and the sin of horse trotting. But this only served to stir up Brother Layman, and with the result that Biother Humphrey declared that he would have him churched, and made a complaint, which resulted in a trial before that august body of early ecclesiasts. Brother Layman won out. It was the vote of Benjamin Wiltse which turned the scale, and when he argued that he was a great lover of a horse, and that even a trustee of a church wasn't to blame if ' his horse chirked up a bit when some old plug tried to pass him, it was an argument that was irresistible. Alfred Foote is said to have been 90 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. on the side on Mr. Wiltse. Mr. Wiltse was during most of his life a class leader and official of the church, and to his last day treasured the tickets of early members of his class. In no other way than by these tickets could members of the church get into the love feasts of the church. The Otis Elevating Railroad. The Otis Elevating Railroad was considered one of the most remarkable pieces of engineering in the world at the time it was built. By means of a cable over one mile in length the cars are drawn to the summit of the mountain, an elevation of 1600 feet in ten minutes. The hoisting being by means of a great stationary engine at Otis Summit. The cars pass over a tramway with several very high trestles. There are stations at Otis Junction and also at Otis .Summit. The cars are equipped with automatic clutches which operate in case of a break in the cable. Charles L. Ricker- son was the first superintendent of this road and also of the 91 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Tannersville Railroad, opened the year following the completion of the Otis Ry. Allen Banks was the engineer, being succeeded by William Driscoll, who is the present engineer. This road cost about $275,000 and has been practically rebuilt. The Catskill Mountain Railroad was built to open up the Mountain section and operates to Palenville, Cairo, Leeds, South Cairo, Lawrenceville, and the Mountain House or Otis Summit, Haines Falls and Tannersville, in connection with the Otis and Tannersville Rys. John L. Driscoll was the first Superintendent for many years. Charles A. Beach followed, up to the time of his death, when Thomas E. Jones was elected to the vacancy. John T. Mann and the Beaches were the projectors of the road. View on Catskill Mountain Railroad, in Austin's, Nature's Greatest Glen, 93 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The West Shore Railroad Company has valuable property at Catskill and spent a large amount two years ago in order to obviate the crossing the tracks to get to the depot. Probably more than $100,000. The new depot is a beautiful structure and cost about $25,000. This replaced the old depot that was destroyed by fire. In making these improvements the store house of Salisbury and Austin was torn down and moved to another location. Forty feet of embankment was cut away for a quarter of a mile and new tracks laid . The bridge at Catskill is 90 feet above tide water and 1300 feet long. It was a marvel of engineering skill. It was re- built without the loss of a single trip by any train. West Shore Depot, Catskill. The first station and freight agent at. Catskill was W. E. Toney. He was succeeded by O. A. Freer who after 16 years is still at the head of the freight department. The several passenger agents have been Robert Welsh, F.R. Gallagher, J. N. Bell, John Garrigan and E. E. Woodruff, who is still selling tickets, after 14 years of service. J amines Mc Nee has been in the baggage department over 8 years. The old depot was burned Dec. 6, 1909, and the new depot was opened June 6, 1912. After the fire in 2 days time a temporary depot was built. 93 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Gouivty Highways The original roads in' Greene county were simply trails over which Indian tribes traced their way. With Catskill, Athens and Coxsackie as starting points the early settlers found their' way into the interior and made settlements reaching as far as the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers. Later on came the wagon roads and turnpike roads and still later the state and county built roads. Even at the present time these roads are in process of perfection, as to methods and materials to make them lasting. Great progress in the right direction is being made by the highway department of the state, and a second installment of $50, ~ 000,000 is being used, of which Greene county, thanks to her efficient boards of supervisors, and other officials, is getting a very considerable portion. Old Toll Gate, Entrance to Clove Road. With the active co-operation of Hon. John B. Riley, State Superintendent of Prisons, the experiment is being tried of utiliz- ing convict labor in the building and maintenance of this and other county highways, and a convict camp has been established T3 s > o a I J3 o ffi CI s bo P "S o w > a v g s U •4-> o > a o U 03 O o 3 M a? O r-r V> bBAii oib GR^^Nfe tJothsrfV. We are indebted to Clerk VanValkenburgh for the following figures of roads built and under process of construction in Greene county. Completed Roads Name of Road Miles Total Cost. Cost Mile. Catskill-South Cairo 5.6 $58,721.30 $10,486 Greenville-Coxsackie No 2 5.56 67,298.02 12,103 Green ville-Coxsackie No. 1 4.63 57,436.19 12,432 Hunter- Windham No. 2 3.39 37,390.96 13,980 Lexington-Prattsville 4.19 55,847.00 13,300 South Cairo-Cairo 3.15 35,911.91 11,401 Cairo Hamlet 0.46 5,600.00 i 12,180 Saugerties-Catskill No. 8 1.94 31,8 7 6.07 16,603 Saugerties-Catskill No. 2 3.87 54,950.00 14,190 Hunter-Jewett Center 6.13 102,888.30 16,780 Hunter -Windham 6.27 ; 83,644.15 13,340 Cairo- Windham No. 1 3.39 42,556.00 12,550 Catskill Village 1.97 15,555.00 7,980 Paving West Bridge Street 0.23 13,500 Catskill-Athens 5.97 78,452.50 13,140 Athens-Coxsackie 4.06 46-,0OO.OO 11,330 Coxsackie Village 2.21 15,100.00 6,830 Coxsackie-Ravena No. 1 4.62 54,359.60 11,760 Coxsackie-Ravena No. 2 2.7 31,254.62 11,570 Palenville-Haines Falls 4. 190,000.00 Ashland road under construction, also road between Athens, Prattsville and Grand Gorge. Greene County's share of second bond issue $565,000 Two-fifths for State Highways 226,000 Steamer Clermont of the Catskill Evening Line. dear old Greene" cSotjnty. H 3" 3 o a M — t a. a> HI W a IT -100 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Threads of tKe History Fabric The publishers of this work might well be accused of slight- ing the subject if they failed to mention as concisely as possible some of the well worn threads that have formed a part of history- fabric concerning the very remote period. Some of these have come to be regarded in the light of fable possibly, but they can be be had at your estimation of them. A gun, two shirts which ap- pear to have been '• a valuable commodity, an iron kettle and whiskey and rum -not so much rum, but just enough— appears to have formed the good and sufficient collateral for which a large part of the land adjoining the Hudson river was acquired. Men of today and some Indians would still be willing to take on some of the rum if not the second hand shirts, at times for something that is worth more.? And Gysbert unt der Bogert, a forerunner of many well trained Bogarts and Vandebogarts is said to have made this first purchase. One of these men Jean unten Bogart is Said to have been a minister. So it took the Dutch to beat the Indians, even as now the Dutch have faculty of getting in first. It was the Dutch settlers who left us the pleasentries of Bomptje Hook, Hans Vossen Kill, Embocght, which to say the least are far easier to handle than the many keeks that the Indians bequeathed to them and of which we still have some. There was the Wachachkeek, the Wichquanchtekak, the Patchquaik and the Assiskowachkeek, and the Potikeek, and we are reminded that the latter is the source from which illustrious Catskillians will get the aqua that will quench thirst as well as the Dutch rum did. Bogart got rid of his lands in 1703 to his son-in-law Helmer Janse and after that John Lindsey got them and they became the Linds.ey patent. There were five houses in that patent. The inn of Peter Schutt, grandfather of L. P. Schutt, below Catskill, the house of Egbert Bogardus, near what is now head of Main street, Catskill, a house near what is now the DuBois drug store, the residence of the historical Madam Dise, 1768, near the continuous kiln of the brick company. This brave old structure was very sightly and regarded as a mansion. Johannes Van Gorden had a, 101 DEAR- OLD GREENE COUNTY. house at Femmen Hook, now the headquarters of the brave fire laddies of Bomptje Hook, now known as the Point. Joseph Reilly Custodian of Bomptje Hook. The Fitzsimmohs, Gavigans, O'Briens, Delmores, Quinns, and others not so Dutch, have taken sway at the Point however, and the region along Water street lack in characters of great note. Joseph Reilly, the custodian of the fortunes of that section and greater Catskill being the most notable. Through the courtesy of Paul R. Morrison we are able to present a splendid half tone of the Old Stone Jug, so that we have views of the first five hpuses in Greene county. Madam Dise, the owner of this old land mark, passed away within its walls in 1768 at the age of 78 years. -She was regarded as a most remarkable woman, benevolent and very pious, though she was married to a man who was shiftless, and dissolute, being addicted to the use of strong drink. The old house was regarded with reverence by the earlier natives, and when it Was torn down it was supposed that , . 102 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. all sorts of valuables would be found stored away in hidden places, but beyond a few coins nothing was discovered. The old crock- ery and old furnishings were scattered among relic hunters. Madam Dise was the daughter of one Gillett, a Hollander, and related to one of the early governors of the State of New York. We believe that she was also related to F. N., DuBois, tracing back on his mother's side of the family. The last resident of the place was Kitty Hopkins. The Van Vechten House, Catskill. On the Van Vechten patent, Indians, Van Schaacks, Van Vechtens, Van Bremens, Spiegels, and other Dutchmen tilled the soil, 103 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Corlaers Kill Patent had more Van Vechtens, Bronks, Salisburys, and Van Bergens, whose generations remain There were some five houses on this patent of which one building be- longing to the Van Vechtens was a grist mill, the Rushmore mill. Another of the famous old houses of Greene county is loca- ted on Jefferson Heights, on what is known as the Prindle Place. The house is a combination of brick and stone, and was erected by the Rev. Schueman in 1768, The bricks in the structure were made by. slaves employed on the place, and most of the bricks came from the pond which forms a part of the cemetery. The house still contains the old brick bake oven, and this has been in use by the Prindles since they have occupied the place, which has been in the possession of William Prindle since 1856. One of the rooms was known as the spinning room, and here the darkies made the cloth used in making sheets and clothing. For a time Addison P. Jones owned the property. It was occupied by Peter Carl for 21 years, and William Salisbury lived there for 6 years. The Old Mill in the Glen. Going on towards Leeds at the foot of the Hill is the Abner Austin House, and this house was patterned after the Old Stone Jug. Old in appearance it was built in 1855. It was built on the property which comprised the mill in the glen . The old mill was erected in 1808 byAbner Austin, and was torn down in 1903, because it was a menace to those who Visited it. The store house was transforrned by Carleton Austin into two fine little cottages. 104 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Jn the Clove, Line of State Road. 105 w CD » CO ►_ CD~ o i— < 1-1 •=1 o O CO -P O CD P O i-i o 3 3 CD 1 "i 2". c*- 3 55 3 S' 3 • O o" B )-i- o 1-1 . o - P. CD CO 2 Q 1— 1 p 2, a. ^j O cf 01 H ST CD CO p £2 CD Q i— ; o cr 3 -o 3 P 3 o •-1 r-t- <-r P- « -■ 3 cj l— •■ O 3' S- trt- CD GO P to i— ■■ 3 *$ O 5- 3 CD era 3^ i-l O =-■ r-t- p £ 3 Q- '■— '• P p- CD p co3 2 HH B P 3 CD t-ta CD 2 & p •-1 o 55 3 3 o CD O O a 3 Kj a. 'O 3 C" C O J 55 o _, CD o -" 3 S CD | co i — i I— I in P to 1— 1 P p"" ST a. •-* P c c° ST CD CD p" i~< CO 5 3" no 3 CO 3 CD 2- o o ore) 3" S" 5' CD IT- o S3 CD P- tri- er p c-i- i— ^ h- ' FT CO e-t- 3 -o 3" 3- p p* 5" CD t-t. Si era 3 p" cra^ CD T) S3 p .3 cd" 00 '-3 CD e-t- CD 3 CD 3 3 org b' ct o cr O O < CD O CO e-i- S3 CD 3 3 d I—" 3 3- 35 r-1 CD P -i p S 4 » c-h o S3 i— '• o CD CD p CF O p .'— <> a c o M i- o T3 a o to bt c 'S Q o w be (5 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Dubois' and Overbaughs We have gone at length into the history of the Du Bois family, because their generations have been the men and women who have made up very largely the history not only of Catskill, but also Greene county, and the surrounding counties , and thus extending are practically all over the entire country. Louis DuBois born in 1626, at Wicres, France, a Hugenot refugee, landed at New Amsterdam in 1660, and there were then 200 houses scattered over Manhattan island and in all 1400 popu- lation. There was a fort and an old Dutch churph, a wind mill and the virgin forests. Broadway was then Heere Straat, the Lord street. The town had an inn keeper, a captain of the militia, Martin Kregiere, and the Rev. Megapoliensis dispensed the gospel in Dutch. There were many other refugees. The DuBoises left New Amsterdam (New York), found their way up the Hudson an a sloop, landing after many days in the "Esopus Country" sailing up the Rondout Creek. Others of the party went on to Saugerties. Louis Du Bois took up his home at Wiltwyck, now Kings- ton, or at Hurley, and here his wife and three children were taken captives by the Indians, who destroyed Hurley, 1663. He helped to build the first church and the second and the third at Kingston. The Indians wiped out Wiltwyck, the dead laying as sheaves behind the mower, 12 women and 31 children were carried away. The church was spared. AWappinger Indian who had been captured was impressed to guide a party of soldiers who went to the rescue of the captives. 45 men, and Louis DuBois was among the number. The party started July 4 and on September 5 came up with the Indians. There was a bloody fight and the prisoners were recovered. Mrs. Du Bois was tied to a tree and surrounded with faggots and was singing hymns as a prelude to being burned to death. It was his descendents who came to Catskill. A great family it appears to have been, 10$ DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Rev. Anson Du Bois was a member of the old Leeds Dutch church and became a preacher of note, being located at Kingston as pastor in 1854, and was also ordained as a home mis- sionary by the Classis of Greene, subsequently he was located at Fktlands, L. I. We are able to show a very good picture of him, as also of several other early members of the Du Bois family who have achieved distinction. Peter Du Bois was buried at Fishkill in 1837, and his generations are all over the country. Cornelius Du Boise of whom we are able to show a picture became very wealthy and devoted his life to the relief of suffering humanity. He was one of the founders of the Humane Society, New York in 1787, and was an official of the house of refuge, New York City Hospital^ Mariners Society, Eye Infirmary, Pauperism Society and of the chamber of commerce and many banks. He died in 1846. Capt. Theodore Du Bois of whom we also present a portrait, was lieutenant commander of the Albatross which formed a part of Paragut's fleet and passed the batteries at Port Hudsbn. He was commander of the Suffolk which laid the cable to the West Indies. Of Benjamin Du Bois of Catskill we learn that he was not only the owner of all Catskill, but that he was one of the original members of the Dutch Church in Catskill formed in 1732 and was a deacon, under pastor Geo. M. Weiss Over the Dutch church at Caatsban, built in 1732, is carved the names of Benjamin, Solomon and Huybartus Du Bois. He was very religious. He was also a Colonel of state troops and served in the Champlain, Mohawk Val- ley, Schoharie and other campaigns. The Indians one night de- termined to capture him but were deterred. He celebrated at his home the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. His son, Grant Du Bois was a missionary in the employ of the American Tract -Society, 1836-53. Cornelius, another son was a scout under Tim Murphy the Indian fighter. He built the old block house on the Shafer farm at Schoharie. 109 DEAR OLD GREENES COTJNTV. Of Isaac Du Bois we are told that he built the court house in 1812. Ira DuBois in 1830 founded the Gatskill Messenger later changed to Catskill Examiner. Joel DuBois served, in the revolution and lived atKiskatom. He was regarded as the strongest man in the section, and of enor- mous physique. DuBois House, Cauterskili. Torn Down 1911. The Lover idge Patent 1770 comprised five lots. Lot 1, commenced on the Catskill Creek opposite the old Stone Jug, and continued along the same to Caters-kill, 915 acres. On this section were the lands of Huybartus Du Bois, with the old stone house now occupied by Miss Josephine Hopkins, and Ben- jamin DuBois opposite and beyond the Salisbury mill. Here was another old stone house, erected 1730 by Benjamin DuBois, and torn down in 1911 . (See picture) Lot 2, comprised 1575 acres. The line ran from the Platte- kill in the Vly to the Caters-kill . Isaac Du Bois owned the river 110 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. and creek front to the Dise place. Cornelius DuBois lands adjoin- ed. There were the lands of Jurian Overbaugh in the Fvyke of Smith and three lots of Overbaugh. Lot 3 adjoined lot 2 and ran from the Hudson river to the Cati3rs-kill,1515 acres. On this were the Fieros, at Oaters-kill, Trumpbours, Saxes, Spahns and Bergers. Lot 4, adjoined and ran from the Abeel place in Caters-kill to the end or point of the Vly on the Hudson river, containing 1415 acres. Milligan occupied the Streeke, Van Orden Dumond and two families of Van Ordens occupied the balance of the land. Lot Number 5 adjoined and ran from the Quatawicknaack and Cauterskill to Maquas Hook on the Hudson, "1215 acre?. Dedrick, occupied a section on the Kings road; Martin, Person and Van Vecliten occupied the balance. The old deed was signed by eight Indians: Wannachatquatin, Mamanuchaqua, Cunpaer. Unsawanneck, Wannihmauwa, Tawvvequannis, Anneke. Natekimoot. This Deed to Wm. Loveirdge 1866, and recorded in the county of Albany, and is from "Thomas We are indebted to Robert F. Story of Catskill for a picture of Madam Jane Dise, wife of Major John Dise of the English army who owned the old Stone Jug, one of the first five houses in Greene County. This picture was taken at the time Mr3. Dise was about 16 years of age. and hence is nearly 200 years old. The picture from which our copy is taken is an oil painting in splendid preservation as to color, canvass and frame, a full length portrait, two thirds life size. It was purchased by Mr. Story at the time the property was sold, and is one of the most valuable relics of the early colonial times. To Mr. Story we are also indebted for in- teresting facts in regard to the early residents of the Catskill sec- tion of the Loveridge Patent, as the descendents of these early families make up the generations of Catskill and Greene as well as other counties. Ill i-t re w re n re B r> re W re 3 o g o 13 o H re a 3 td o TO B" 3 o to r+ td 3 < P O B* o 0) re o o re rt- rf O B - rf » to n o rf- r-f- re re SB TO ►1* en ►d o O o X S' rr- ^i *"+! o " >-t 3 en re re 3 3 0) o B o 3 o re 3 CL O bd £ re^ re" " •-t 3 Cb W 3 w re o" o V! << id 5! 13 W ^ B" O r-f- re *i ft Cb XJl » 3 re TO. r+ >-t 3 re ' o o re *d re ft en re o 3 o 3 td o DEAR OLD GREENE dOUNTY. It is interesting to note in regard to the old deed that we referred to on page 111 that it was signed "Thomas Dongan, Capt General, Governor in Chief and Vice Admiral of the Province of New York under his Majesty, James the II. King of England, Ireland, Scotland and France, and Defender of the Faith. 1 ' A part of the consideration was the payment of 200 merch- antable beavers. And there are no more beavers in Greene county., Possibly Loveridgegot them all. Capt. Theodore DuBois. In the inventory of the personal property of Benjamin Du Bois is listed "One negro girl and a pair of andirons 36 pounds 113 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. and 10 shillings. Two negro boys at 50 and 30 pounds. A flax break, smothing iron, slice, 1 sohipple, landthorn, 2 trammels hatchet, chamber pot, a weaver's loom, spinning wheels and reels. All these articles practically unknown today. This list was made in 1797. Louis Du Bois first in America was born at Wicres, near Lille, France, 1626, came to America in 1660, located at Kingston, was father of 10 children. Solomon came to Catskill in 1759. Benjamin Du Bois settled at Catskill 1727, and in 1762 built the old house still standing near the town bridge. (See picture) The Benjamin Du Bois House. Of the second generation at Catskill, Sarah Du Bois married Pietrus Overbaugh. Children, Benjamin Overbaugh, and Catherine Overbaugh. Solomon DuBois lived in the old house at Caterskill (1730) and had two children. On the grave of his wife is the inscription "Anno 1778, Merte, 27, is mein vrowin Den Heerin outslappen'' Translation: March 27, 1778. "Now is my wife sleeping in the Lord". 114 DEAR OLD GREENE CotfNTY. The will of Huybartus Du Bois in 1806 witnessed by Barent Du Bois, JohnBogardus and Egbert Bogard us, Dorrance Kirkland being Surrogate, probated the will in 1809. Colonel Cornelius Du Bois. Isaac DuBois took possession of the Hopnose farm in 1762. Joel Du Bois served during the revolution in the regiment of .his uncle, Cornelius, which was stationed in the Mohawk valley. The Du Bois cottage of that date is the old homestead now owned by F. N. Du Bois and has always been in the posession of the family. It has been remodeled and is a most beautiful structure. A celebra- tion of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis took place within the 115 DEAR OLD GREENE COTJNTt. walls of the old mansion. Col. Anthony Van Bergen of Coxsackie, and Capt. Samuel Van Vechten served with Lieut. Col. Cornelius Du Bois. A Block House at Cobleskill was called Du Bois Fort after Cornelius. After the death of Isaac Du Bois his son John occupied and held the place for 45 years, then JohnD. DuBois, and then Jacob Van Orden 1859, then the Whittakers and then F. N. Du Bois. Rev. Benjamin Du Bois. The children of Solomon Du Bois were Benjamin, Catelientie Sarah and Rachel, who never married and died at age 99 years. Catelientie married Edward Whittaker, and had 6 children, Solomon. Henry, William, Benjamin, Margaret and Joel. 116 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Sarah married Barent S. Salisbury. He was a prominent American officer of the Revolution! being in the battles of German- town and Monmouth. The children of Huybartus Du Bois were J^hn, who married Caty Dise, daughter of Madam Jane Dise. Treintje married Gosie Hermance 1st and had four children, Lana, John, Polly and Rachel. Polly married Ira Canfield. Rachel married Benjamin Sole. Treintje married Michael Phillips for her second husband. Treintje had for her third husband John Du Bois a cousin, and lived with him 23 years at the Point. , Rachel Du Bois married Abram Hoffman and had 6 children. Lana Du Bois married Abram Elmendorf, and had two children, Annatje and Huybartus. Lidia married John Sole. Issue Huybartus Sole. Geertrey Du Bois married but the record is missing. Catharinetje Du Bois married Peter Bogardus and had three children. Egbert, Catty and Sally. Egbert was most of his life collector of taxes in Catskill. Barent DuBois was a scout, under Generals, Sullivan, Hand and Lafayette. Served with Murphy the Indian fighter. Arraeynnje Du Bois married John Mallory. Abraham married Jennie Grant of Stamford. Annatje married Joel DuBois. Kana Du Bois married Abram Fonda, and had 4 children, of whom Lana married Gen. Wm. Salisbury. Of her children Cateline married Rachel Dewey. Rachel married Lewis Bennan. Ebellena married Henry Du Bois. And Helen Salisbury married Elbert Reed. Achie DuBois married Jacobus Bogardus, and had four children, of whom Jannett married, John M. Donnelly, a prom- inent Catskill merchant 1842, and Betsey married Dr. Jacob Greene. That record brings us to the 6th generation in America. In which the families named are: DuBois, Whittakers, 4 generations Peter Eckler, William, Margaret and Benjamin Eckler, the Elys, Fieros, Goodwins, Darts, Hallenbecks, Van Loans, 117 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Barent Du Bois was Indian agent for the government. Samuel Du Bois was sheriff of Greene county. The generations of Abraham Du Bois were mostly in Dela- ware county. Col. John Du Bois married sisters, Catty and Jeannette, daughters of Jane Dies. His children were John D. father of Frederick N. Du Bois, owner of the old homestead and who pre- sented Catskill with the Y. M. C. A. building. Jeannette, James, Catherine, Ira, Joel, Isaac and Lanah. Jeannette married Cor- nelius Du Bois. Catherine married Oliver Ashley. Marcia Ashley married David Becker, and Libbie Becker married Johnathan Palen, who ran the tannery at Palenville around the 1830's. Ira DuBois founded the Catskill Messenger, now Examiner. Joel Du Bois married Sally Hunter. Isaac Du Bois married Catherine Hunter. He was justice at Kiskatom over 20 years. Jeannette Hunter married Cornelius M. Abeel at Kiskatom, Frances Hunter married Wm. Linzey. Generations of Peter Du Bois and Catherine Van Orden, Benjamin, John P., Robert, Eliza, James, Marv, Edwin, Rhoda and Cornelius Cornelius became captain of the 53d Colored Inf. and served through the rebellion. He conducted the Pine Grove house, Palenville, up to the time of his death in 1913. Ellen Du Bois married Isaac North. Emma married the Rev. 0. Van Kuren, Joseph Allen married Julia Teator. Mary married Col. B. B. G. Stone the artist of Catskill. Grant Du Bois married Catherine Lamouree. Isaac married Cathrine Van Voris. The children of John D. Du Bois were Lewis, Philo, Ann Jeannette, William, James, Addison and Frederick Nelson. Ann married Peter Whittaker, Mary married Henry Van Gorden . Johan Peter Overbaugh settled at KayKout in 1722, and died in 1732, being buried on the East side of the KayKout in the 118 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. cemetery on the Everts place below Catskill. This is said to be the first and oldest tombstone so far as the records show. His sons were two, Johanis and Johan Jurry. Johanis had four children, Marytje who married Peter Snyder. Catherine who married God- frey Brandow, Annatje who married Gystrect Osterhout, Elizabeth who married Johannas Dederick. Johan Jurry married Catherine Smith, and his son Johan jr. married Hannah Conyes, grandmother to Mrs. F. N. Du Bois, and also of Robert Story's mother. Their children were Frederick Jacob, William, Rebecca, (mother of Nelson DuBois) Hannah and Rachel. « Frederick Overbaugh married first Catherine Mallory, 2d Hannah Overbaugh a cousin. Jane Overbaugh married Francis Story, whom many Catskillians remember and one of Catskill's foremost residents. Their children were Anna J., Robert F., John James, Frederick, Margaret, Martha, Francis, Bella and Jacob, all of whom are dead excepting Robert F. Story, many years loan commissioner, and Martha. The extent of these generations is quite remarkable. The Van Ordens and Overbaghs appear to have lived well and increased on the Loveridge lands from the Revolutionary period to the present time, and the Persons, and Posts have filled their generations and survive. Ignatius Van Orden served in Col. Van Bergen's regiment in the revolution. The first tax list showed that in 1786 there was collected 61 pounds, $240 and that 16 persons paid all the tax. The Patron's store at Kiskatom is the oldest frame building standing and dates into the revolutionary period. Another frame building on the Godwin place near by was blown down a few years ago. The Catskill patent taking in Leeds and the Potic region had several nations of Indians . more Dutch of whom the Bronks, Van Bergens, Van Deusens, Salisburys,Vedders, Van Vechtens and Whit beck were the chief residents. There were five nations of In- dians, Delawares, Mohicans, Penacooks, Nanticokes etc., and re- cently the moving picture people made in this section pictures covering Cooper's Last of The Mohicans- 11? DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. (0 a O 11 be n o < 4-* o a ! l^fflL -i>im - -£: ' ' .' -■:'„ ^ **" '/" ' i 1 >^'.'/ s r 1 J 1 ^s3L | J . Hi ■ :-.'.-■ '■ : '. ' r - to f2S r ist. . ■;-. Jrj > / \ % -"** T — -' A ju 5 HSraH The Old Mill at Coxsackie, Oldest in County. 137 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Ghase Family Pioneers It is interesting to note that among the pioneers of the western section of Greene county was Zephaniah Chase, great grand- father of Emory A. Chase of Catskill, Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals. There are seven generations from Thomas Chase to Judge Emory A. Chase. Thomas Chase came from Hundrech Parish Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England in 1636, and settled — at Hampton, New Hampshire. Isaac Chase, his son, was born at Hampton, N. H. in April 1647, and died at Martha's Vineyard, May 19, 1727. Joseph Chase, his son, was born at Martha's Vineyard, Feb. 26, 1689, and died in May 1749. Abel Chase, his son, was born at Martha's Vineyard, Oct. 9, 1719, and died at the home^>f his son Zephaniah , this county. Zephaniah Chase, his son, was born at Martha's Vineyard, March 14, 1748, and died at Jewett Center, May, 30, 1828. Benjamin Chase, his son, was born at Martha's Vineyard. Jan. 21, 1774, and died at Jewett Center Feb. 29, 1862. Albert Chase, his son, was born at Jewett Center, Jan. 4, 1819, and died at Hensonville, Oct. 18, 4902. Emory A. Chase, his son, was born at Hensonville, Aug. 31, 1854. A relative of Zephaniah Chase owned considerable land at Binghamton and offered to give Zephaniah a farm if he would begin a settlement there. Zephaniah owned some real property at Vineyard Haven, which he sold for $250, preparatory to seeking a home in the then western wilds. With the proceeds of his real property, he took his second wife, Love, and their son David, then a little more than a year old, and his sons by his first wife, Benjamin, aged thirteen, Joseph, aged eleven, and Thomas, aged nine, and started on his long journey. He reached Hudson, N. Y., proba- bly by means of a slow sailing sloop from Martha's Vineyard. 138 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. From a document now in the possession of his descendants, it ap- pears that he was in Hudson, August 1, 1787. At Hudson, they learned that the difficult part of the journey lay before them ; a journey through forests infested with wild animals and over a crude road through the forest. Indians yet roamed the forest of eastern and southern New York. He purchased a yoke of oxen and a wagon and started on his journey to Binghamton, taking his wife and children and such tools and personal property as he had with him in the primitive conveyance. How he crossed the Hudson river is not known, but it was probably by boarding some sailing vessel and landing at Catskill. From Catskill |o Bingham- ton, the road lay over the Catskill Mountains and the entire jour- ney was through an almost unbroken forest with only a few set- tlers' cabins along the way. They proceeded to the valley of the Batavia-kill, west of the eastern range of the Catskills and, while resting near a well known high rock standing within what is now the village of Windham, at a cabin built against said rock in which lived an early settler, a man, who had come from Bing- hamton on foot, informed them, that owing to an unusual wind, many trees were blown across the road and that it would be im- possible to get through with a wagon. While waiting somewhat undetermined what to do, he met one Thomas Harriott, who offer- ed to sell him his farm situated on the Schoharie-kill, at a point ten miles up that stream from its junction with the Batavia-kill at a point ten miles below where they were, at what is now Pratts- ville. He concluded to buy this farm and agreed to give, on reaching the farm, the oxen, as part payment for the same. How he reached the farm is told hereinafter. The house, they found, was only two logs high covered with bark, but a block house was in course of erection and this Zephaniah and his sons finished be- fore the cold winter, and here, shortly afterwards, their son West was born the first Chase born in the Catskills. There was no saw mill within twenty miles of the farm at which logs could be sawed into material adapted for use in com- pleting the house, and from which to make furniture, so all such material were made by Zephaniah and his sons by hewing the logs 139 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. into blocks or splitting them, and by shaving and planing them into boards by the use of axes and other tools brought from Mar- tha's Vineyard. Some of the furniture made by Zephaniah is now in the possession of his descendants. The deed from Thomas Harriott is dated Aug. 19, 1787. The family continued to live upon the farm and they cleared away the forests which covered the valley as well as the highlands and here all of the children of the second marriage except David were born. Zephaniah later built a more pretentious house which is still standing. The homestead farm in 1787 was in the town of Woodstock, Ulster county, N. Y., it was subsequently included in the new town of Windham and in Greene county. Ln subsequent divisions of the territory it became successively a part of the towns of Lexington and Jewett.lt is now a part of the town of Jewett, Greene county, and the post-office is Jewett Center, N. Y. Zephaniah was a Baptist, but few of his descendants are of that faith, many being Methodists or Presbyterians. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army. He is buried in the family burial plot in the cemetery on the hill north of the house which he built, and which is known as the Chase cemetery. When Zephaniah and his family, on the westward journey, reached the point on the Batavia-kill mentioned, where the farm was purchased, Benjamin (then a lad of thirteen years) was sent with the oxen and goods down the Batavia-kill ten miles until he reached the Schoharie-kill and he was directed then to follow up that stream ten miles to the farm that was to be their future home. Zephaniah took his wife and the three youngest children, includ- ing David, the baby, and crossed the mountain range on foot, through what is now Jewett Heights, a route about half as long as the one taken by Benjamin with the oxen and wagon. Zephaniah was guided to his destination by marked trees described to him by the man from whose cabin they started. BENJAMIN CHASE Benjamin's life was spent at the homestead farm and a 140 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. farm near it which he purchased. He engaged in farming, lum- bering and tanning, and was also an officer of the local militia. He lived to be eighty-eight years old. ALBERT CHASE Albert, the father of Judge Chase, lived with his parents until the death of his mother, January 12, 1829, after which he went to live in the family of his uncle, Charles Chase, on a farm two miles below what is now the village of Hunter, where he at tended the district school, and when twenty years old Returned to the town of Lexington and acquired the carpenter's trade, which he followed for twenty-five years, becoming one of the largest con- tractors in that part of the county. He married Sept. 1, 1844, at the Methodist church in East Jewett, Laura Orinda daughter of Abner and Betsey (Judson) Woodworth. After their marriage, they resided for about one year in the town of Lexington. Then they moved to Hensonville (1845), and he there carried on an extensive lumber and contracting business for many years. Sub- sequently he purchased a large farm on the outskirts of the vill- age and, after erecting new buildings thereon, made it his home for the rjst of his life. He was a Republican in politics and held the office of Justice of the Peace and other offices in the town. He was an active supporter of the Methodist Church at Hensonville and for twenty-six years the superintendent of its Sunday School. EMORY A. CHASE Emory A. Chase Associate Judge of the Courf of Appeals of the State of New York, was born at Hensonville, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1854, and resides on Prospect avenue, Catskill, N. Y. Judge Chase was educated at the village school and at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, after which he taught school for sev- eral years, in the meantime preparing for the legal profession- On March 27, 1877, he entered the law offices of King & Hallock at Catskill, N. Y., was admitted to the bar, May 6, 1880. In that year Mr. King retired and a new legal firm was formed by Mr. 141 t>EAR OtlD GREENE^ COUNTS. Hallock and W. Irving Jennings under the name of Hallock & Jennings. Mr. Chase was given an interest in the business, but his name could not appear as a member of the firm at that time as he had not been admitted as an attomey-at-law. The firm name was afterwards (in 1882) changed to Hallock, Jennings & Chase. On September 22, 1890, Mr. Hallock retired, but the firmed continued in the name of Jennings & Chase. They became well known as able, conscientious lawyers and had a very large and profitable clientage . Mr. Chase was successively admitted to the United States District and Circuit Courts and the United States Supreme Court. His practice frequently took him before the State and Federal Courts and he was everywhere recognized as a successful lawyer and a man of the highest character In 1880, the year he was admitted to the bar, he was the candidate of his party for district attorney of Greene county, but althouhg he ran far ahead of his ticket, he was defeated by 211 votes. In 1882, he was eleeteda member of the Catskill Board of Education and served continuously in such Board until 1896, the last five years being its president. He also served one term as supervisor of the town of Catskill and for many years was the vil- lage counsel. In 1896, Mr. Chase, who had now been in active political and professional life since 1880, was nominated by the Third Judicial District Republican Convention for a justice of the Supreme Court of New York. He was opposed by the Democratic candidate, Frank H. Osborn. At the election following, he re- ceived a majority of 12,680 votes and was the secon.l Supreme Court Justice ever elected by the Republican party in that Judicial District. Before assuming the duties of his office, he retired from the law firm of Jennings & Chase, his place being taken by his opponent for the judgeship, Frank H. Osborn. Judge Chase made his first appearance on the trial bench at the January trial term of 1897 at Schoharie, and at the close of his first trial term received an engrossed copy of complimentary resolutions adopted by the Schoharie County Bar. As he went from county to county as a trial justice he won the highest en- coniums from the lawyers and the press for his fair, impartial rul- 142 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. ings, his unfailing courtesy and rapid methods of disposing of business. January 8 , 1900 he was designated an associate justice of the appellate division of the Supreme Court, third department, by Governor Odell; December 31, 1905, he was designated, by Governor Higgins, as an associate judge of the Court of Appeals under the constitutional amendment of 1899. At the expiration in 1910, of his term of fourteen years, Judge Chase was unani- mously renominated by the Republican convention of the Third Judicial District held October 5, 1910. At the Democratic con- vention held a few days later, he was paid the high and unusual compliment of a unanimous nomination by his political oppon- ents, the nominating speech being made by the unsuccessful can- didate of fourteen years earlier, Frank H. Osborn. He said of Judge Chase in part: "He is a man of irreproachable character, an able lawyer and an ideal judge." During that part of his term in which he was engaged as a trial justice, he frequently by invitation presided over Courts in New York City and other parts of the state outside of his judicial district, and many noted cases were tried before him. While he has been a justice of the Appellate Division and a judge of the Court of Appeals, hundreds of opinions have been written by him which appear in law reports and make a part of the judicial his- tory of the State. The New York Bar Association, in endorsing his nomination, said: "his judicial career both in trial and appel- late courts, and especially as a member by designation of the Court of Appeals, is and has been distinguished for and character- ized by, such eminent judicial qualification and great legal learn- ing and ability, as to make it most fitting and desirable that his services be retained by the public. Therefore, the New York State Bar Association by its duly authorized committee, hereby urges the unanimous renomination and election of Mr. Justice Chase, irrespective of party, to the end that the judiciary may, as far as possible, be kept free from politics, that the public may retain the services of a tried, upright and most worthy judge and as we hope, if not expect, that if re-elected, he may continue to adorn the bench of the Court of Appeals as one of its appointed members." 143 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. At the election on November S, 1910, Judge Chase received the vote of the two great political parties, and was re-elected for another terra of fourteen years, and the first act of Governor Dix on taking office, January 1, 1911, was to re-designate Judge Chase, together with former Associate Judge, Frank H. Hiscock of Syra- cuse, N. Y., to the Court of Appeals, pursuant to said provision of the State Constitution. Judge Chase is now engaged in the per- formance of his duties as a judge of that court. In 1912 Judge Chase was nominated by the Republican party for election to the Court of Appeals. His candidacy was endorsed by the State Bar Association and the Associated Bar of the City of New York. While the Republican vote for governor was 444,- 10.">, the vote for Judge Chase was 407,743 but he Has defeated. He was the candidate of the Republican party for Judge of the Court of Appeals in the fall of 1D14, and received nearly 2000 plurality in Greene county, most Mattering indeed, but was de- feated by a few thousand votes. He will continue to serve the state by appointment, and is without doubt one of the ablest jurists in the country. He is a member and a trustee of Christ's Presbyterian Church of Catskill and a liberal supporter v,f all good causes in his home town. He is deeply interested in historical and genealogi- cal matters and has given much time to the preservation of his own family history. Judge Chase married at Prattsville, New York, June 30, ISs.'j, Mary E. Churchill, daughter of Addison J. and Elizabeth (Houghtaling) Churchill. t)EAR 6L±> GREENE* COTJNW. Office of King & Hallock, where Judge Chase studied law. Torn down to make room for Catskill Sa-ving Bank. Mar oLi> greeSne CoUnTy. BOS. 2AD0CK PKATT. Courtesy of Supervisor Elmer Kreiger (1853) . Ho a. Z,adock 'Pratt The one man who stands conspicuous in the early history of Greene county whose name not only is inscribed on the ever- lasting hills of his native town, but in the records that are familiar to all is Col. Zadock Pratt of Prattsville, which town bears with honor his distinguished name. He was a great man in his native town, also foremost in the county and of national repute. He was a great man in every sense of the word. The tan- nery built by him and operated for over 20 years was 550 feet long, 45 feet wide and had over 300 vats for the tanning of leather, the greatest industry of the county. 146 t)MAR Ott> GREENE COUNTY. This was started in 1825, and he employed in all over 30,- 000 men. He cleared 12 000 acres of land for the hemlock bark and lumber, tanned 2 million sides of leather. In 1825 he built the first grist mill, later on a hat manufactory. Residence of Zadoek Pratt (1848). He was born at Stephentown, N. Y. in 1790, removed to Lexington in 1802, and in 1825 was Col. of the 116th New York Inf. and he commanded the escort of General Lafayette on the occasion of his visit to Catskill. He was congressman in 1836 and 1842, and had the distinction of moving the survey of the Pacific railroad. He established a large number of tanneries, three of which were destroved by fire, one at West Kill and two at Windham. Although he was a trustee and vestryman of the Episcopal church at Prattsville he is said to have paid one third of the ex- pense of the Reformed and Methodist churches. In 1836 he was an elector and cast his vote for Van Buren and Johnston. He died at the age of 80 years and his achievements were the most collosal possibly of any man who ever lived in this state. 147 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTS. Col. Pratt, also owned and operated a tannery at Windham, another at Big Hollow, the Palen tannery, Samsonville tannery, Westkill tannery, and Aldenville tannery. The Windham tannery was hurned in 1844 and also 1853, the loss being $12,000 each time. The Westkill tannery was burned in 1839 with a loss of $10,000. These were all insured. Col Pratt moved to Windham in 1802, since Lexington and now Jewett. He commenced business" in Lexington in 1812, and he made for the New York market 100,000 oars. In 1820 he was captain of the 5th N. Y. S. Inf and uni- formed 100 men at his own expense. He was a passenger on the Robert Fulton on her first trip. In 1824 he moved to Prattsville and built the tannery there and on completion of the dam Nov. 17 swam across it, though the water was forming ice. In the recollections of Col. Pratt, an old resident of Catskill informs U3 that he remembers on one occasion in the early 50's Col. Pratt drove to Catskill on a very hot Fourth of July, with a span of white horses, sleigh, with bells and robes, and drew up in front of what is now the Smith House. The sleigh shoes were worn nearly through, he jumped out slapping himself in imitation of cold, handed the hostler $5 and told hitn to blanket the team and feed them good. On another occasion at the Cairo fair he is said to have raised a ruction with the exhibits in the display hall, and then pulled out a big check book and paid for it all in a manner that was most acceptable. He was a great joker, and a man who held the highest esteem of all. Everybody in Greene county knew the Colonel and what? more they regarded him as the most wonder- ful man the county ever produced. The view of Prattsville taken about 1850 which is from an old picture furnished us by Supervisor Elmer Krieger of Pratts- ville, and which is found on another page in this book, shows the old tannery and also the famous white horse which was one of the span he drove to Catskill on a Fourth of July, which we have re- ferred to. The old grist mill and the church are to be seen in the picture also. 148 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Visitors to Prattsville today are shown with pride the rock carvings which he caused to be made in 1844. Carvings that have been photographed ten thousand times. They are on a ledge of rocks that tower 500 feet above the Schoharie creek. These carv- ings show busts of Zadock Pratt, and a view of the great tannery he built, with the announcement that he had tanned a million sides of sole leather in 20 years. There is a life size bust of his son, Col. George W. Pratt, and the inscription "Hon. Geo. W. Pratt Ph. D., Col. XX Regt. N. Y.S.M. Ulster Co. Born April 18, 1832, wounded Aug. 30, 1862 at battle of Manassas. Good, brave, honorable.'' A horse, coat of arms, an arm and hammer, and a mass of inscriptions. These are visible for a considerable distance. There is also a monument which contains the names of horses and dogs that belonged to him, with their ages. The descendants of Col. Pratt many of them are still found scattered throughout the mountain section, as well as throughout the country. The tanning business has entirely passed, as well as the asheries and distilleries. The town of Windham had many of these early distilleries. So later did Ashland and Durham, and the whiskey jug was a regular companion of the men in the fields and the preachers appear not to have been adverse at all to the little brown jug. One of the popular airs of the early day was ' 'Little Brown Jug How I Love Thee.'' And it was all too true that the little brown jug went under the arm, when the farmer went to work upon his land or crops. Charles L. Beach One of the time honored landmarks of Greene county was Charles L. Beach, whose name is inseparably connected with many of the important enterprises of the county. He was born in what is now Lexington in 1808 in one of the old log houses that shelter- ed his grandfather and father who with about 40 families moved 149 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Catskill Mountain House. from Goshen, Ct. in 1795 and settled in Lexington being the first settlers. [n 1813 he moved to Catskill with his father Erastus Beach and in 1823 commenced staging it to the Catskill Mountain House, which 21 years later passed to him as owner. On the oc- casion of General Lafayette's visit to Catskill his father drove the carriage which contained the illustrious general. His stage lines covered a distance of about 1500 miles. They made trips between New York and Catskill on either side of the river and connected with a line also that reached over the mountains to Delhi and to Ithaca. We understand that the ferries at Catskill and also at Athens were driven by horsepower. Mr. Beach was prime mover in the Catskill Mountain railroad, m which he invested over $100- 000. His nephew Charles A. Beach was president of the road. The Catskill Mountain House is still in the possession of the Beach family, with George H. Beach conducting it. The Mountain House has been pictured by artists the world over and is one of the few pictures to be seen in the books of the early 20's. Judge Chase has among his collection pictures of the Mountain House, of North and South Lakes owned by the Mount- ain House, and of Kaaterskill Falls which he is preserving because of their antiquity. The Mountain House for long years was visited by tourists from abroad, who regarded the view at that point as the greatest in the world. It had no rivals, and the great generals and statesmen considered that when they had been to the Mountain House there wasn't much else left worth the while. WO DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Exit Tannery E,r\ter Gemenl Of the early industries of Greene county it appears the greatest was tanning. It was in every section and some of these were timed to take care of 40,000 hides a year- Millions of cattle were slain for their hides, hundreds daily at the Point in Catskill alone. Great hemlock trees in dense forests made music for the woodmen's axe, and the bark peeler. Great droves of oxen haul- ed these logs and bark to the markets and saw mills. Some of the timber found its way into the charcoal pits, and some into the homes of the pioneers. Old. taverns even in Catskill, drew patrons to their hostelries by the hanging out of Bulls Head signs. There were tanner's stores, tanner's and trader's supply houses and even banks. It was the tanning industry that furnished the incentive to name Catskill's bank the Tanners Bank. Near the head of Main street in Catskill may still be seen the remains of tanning vats in what was the Jones and Bagley tannery The brick industry has remained, and is on the up grade yet, but tanning, once the subject for poetry and song has passed. The cattle industry has passed. But other industries have come, and the-capital that represents them runs into the millions. The last decade however has added what is destined to be- come the greatest of all industries, that of cement making. There are three great plants in Catskill, each costing millions of dollars, and each capable of turning out thousands of barrels of the finest cement in the world. The Seaboard plant is still in process of completion, south of Catskill. and will likely get running this year. The Alsen plant at Alsen is a German concern and has been doing a great business. Reference will be found elsewhere to the allied industry of brick making, of which the several river towns have many im- portant yards, and to the manufacture of vitrified paving brick at the great Catskill plant. 151 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. View of Alpha Cement Works. The above illustration is a view of the Plant of the ALPHA Portland Cement Company as it appears with improvements com- pleted. This plant, located at Cementon, is one of the largest in- dustries tributary to the town of Catskill. The original plant was built by the Catskill Cement Company, which was in- corporated in August, 1899. The officers of this company at that time were P. Gardner Coffin, President, James W. Kittrell, Secre- tary and Treasurer, both of whom are residents of Catskill. These gentlemen operated this plant, gradually increasing its capacity from 350 barrels per day to something over 1000 barrels per day in 1909, at which time the control of the Catskill Company was purchased by the Alpha Portland Cement Company of Easton, Pennsylvania. The Alpha Company immediately started in to extend the plant and since their control began in October, 1909, they have practically rebuilt the mill. They have also very greatly increas- ed its capacity, having spent, at this point in the last five years, over a million dollars. The capacity of the plant at the present time is about 4000 barrels per day. It enjoys unusual shipping facilities, having private docks located directly on the Hudson River and also a, private siding from the West Shore Railroad, IB? DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. An increasing quantity of the cement made in this mill is now being sold in South America the European War having cut off to a large extent the importation of Portland Cement from European countries and opened the way for a larger sale of Port- land Cement made in the United States. The product of this cement plant enjoys a distinctive place in the engineering world because of the fact that the percentage of alumina is very much lower than that in most Portland Cements. A low-alumina cement is regarded as preferable for concrete work that is exposed to sea-water. Very large quantities" of cement from the ALPHA Catskill plant have been used in building docks and wharves for New York City and for U.S. Government con- structions along the coast. Some idea of the growth of the increase in the use of Port- land Cement may be gained from the fact that in 1900 only about eight and a half million barrels were manufactured in America, while the present yearly output is close to one hundred million barrels . Originally Portland Cement was used mainly in the con- struction of great engineering jobs, such as bridges, dams, etc During recent years the use of cement in making home and farm improvements has developed into an enormous field for the cement companies. The use of Portland Cement in the building of concrete roads has opened another great field. The ALPHA Portland Cement Company follows an educa- tional policy in in its advertising and sends out free literature of various kinds to persons contemplating the use of cement in any way. The general offices of the Company are at Easton, Pa. The present officers are G. S. Brown, President, J. M. Lockhart, First Vice-president, F. G. McKelyy, Second Vice-president, F. M. Coogan, Secretary, and J. J. Matthes, Treasurer. N- D. Colburn, who is well known in this part of New York state, is the Superin- tendent of the Catskill ALPHA Plant. 153 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Courts and Records — The ?Bar. Greene county has always been wealthy in the array of legal talent that has come to the front to represent the several towns or fill the most important of the stations where much knowl- edge has been required. Some of these men have been legal giants to judge from their records. Men of the stamp of Judge A. Melvin Osborn, Judge Sanderson, Sidney Crowell, RufusH. King, Lyman Tremaine, Danforth K Olney, Lucius Robinson, Malbon Watson, John A. Griswold, Lewis Benton and others were very conspicuous during their life time. Of the old time lawyers we have mention of but two who held important State positions, and Lyman Tremaine, was one. He was born in the town of Durham and represented the county as speaker of the assembly at one time, and filled many important positions. He was one of the great lawyers of the state. John Adams and James Powers were among the early pleaders. Later on we note Ruf us King, Peleg Mattoon, Mitchell Sandford, D. K. Olney at onetime was considered the head of the bar in Greene county. Adams and Powers, and Olney and King, and then King and Hallock. This firm later changing to Hallock, Jennings and Chase, and upon the election of Mr. Chase to the Supreme Court, to Osborn and Bloodgood. Later Mr. Wilbur be- ing admitted to the firm. Mr. Osborn was conspicious in the trial of a number of very important cases, the Quinn murder trial being one of them. Mr. Wilbur became district attorney and Mr. Chase has gone to the court of appeals bench. These men have all,been connected with the banks of Catskill. Hon. A. Melvin Osborn was another Greene county man who bore great distinction as a lawyer and who was soon elevated to the higher courts, where death claimed him in the prime of his work. D. K. Olney, James B. Olney, Hon. John Olney, Hon.John A. Griswold, Hon. John Sanderson, Manly B. Mattice, Sidney Crowell, Pierre S. Jennings, Addison C. Griswold were among the lawyers who gained distinction and political honors, all passed to their rewards. 164 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Hon. Jas. B. Olney. Other talented lawyers of the county who have passed are William E. Leete, Sidney Crowell, Addison C. Griswold, Henry Mott, Sheldon Givens, Charles Givens, Charles F. Bouton, Herman Winans, Lemuel C. Bennett, Charles H. Porter, Ebenezer Haight, J. C. DeWitt, Augustus R. Macomber, Joseph Hallock, Arthur M. Murphy, Jacob I. Werner, Henry D. Shores, Charles G. Coffin, Augustus Sherman, Augustus Hill, A. Cowles,- John B. Bronk, and Cicero C. Peck. Among those who have gone to other fields areL. B. Cornell, Spokane, Frank H. Burroughs, New York, Jesse W. Olney, San Francisco, Eugene Raymond, Brooklyn, Herbert Niklewicz, New York, Fred Werner, Conneticut. The most notable of the men who have been honored in recent years, is the Hon. Emory A. Chase who has for the past 17 155 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. years been a judge of the supreme court, and for aconsiderable portion of the time justice of the highest branch of the court — the appelate division. Pierre S. Jennings, former Dist. Atty. Among the lawyers of the recent years perhaps the most successful has been Judge Tallmadge who for many years has been county judge and who handling thousands of cases that have come before him not only in the Greene county courts, but also in the courts of New York has never yet been reversed on a decision. Senator Bloodgood is another lawyer who has gained distinction in the courts and been honored with high official stations Attorney Judson A. Betts, also has been very successful and has held the office of county treasurer a number of times. At present he is associated with his son Lee F. Betts, who was sergeant at arms in the legislature under Gov. Sulzer. William W, Bennett is another X66 b^Afe OLb GR^EtfE COtJNTV. rising young lawyer. He gained distinction by taking his command the 16th Sep. Co. to the front at the time of the Spanish American war. Attorney Frank H. Osborn is regarded as one of the greatest pleaders in the state, and invariably successful in im- portant cases. But for the fact that the district is heavily republi- can, he would years ago have found his way to the highest courts. Albert C. Bloodgood of the same firm is regarded as a law yer of exceptional ability. Then there is 0. T. Heath, who has served Catskill in many ways. H. Leroy Austin has risen to an important railroad lawyer with offices in Albanv, and he was a partner with former District Attorney Pierre S. Jennings, whose untimely death from consump- tion is still mourned. Another once brilliant lawyer was Egbert Palmer, who served as district attorney, and who in his last years gave way to the attack of disease. J. Lewis Patrie has risen to the legislature and had the best record perhaps of all men who have represented Greene County. A natural born orator, and one whose opinion was foremost in the legislature for years. Attorney H. Leroy Austin of the younger men who have risen fast has served the county as district attorney, and be- coming a great corporation lawyer was last fall elected to serve as a member of the State constitutional revision committee. G. Howard Jones made a capable Distrist Attorney and has a fine practice. Cl arence FnwlanH a kn has a splendid record and is doing well. E. A. Gifford. of Athens, has risen to deputy at torney general. Nor should we fail to mention Charles A. Nichols, election commissioner and former member of assembly. Hon. Ira B. Kerr the silver tongued pleader, and the brilliant D. H. Daley and E. C. Hallenbeck of Coxsackie, of the older men. 157 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. George L. Rifenburgh, of Oak Hill, has had to extend his practice to Albany. Of the young lawyers who have forged to the front and who are doing excellent, and very successful work, are Howard C. Wilbur, who has risen to district attorney, Seth T. Cole to state tax examiner, George W. Plusch to referee in bankruptcy cases, and James Reill'y to an important position in the surrogate's office. Percy W. Decker, John L. Fray, and J. Lewis Malcolm, of Catskill are doing well. William E. Thorpe has been corporation counsel for Cats- kill, and is regarded as a very brilliant lawj*er. Curtiss and Warren of Coxsackie, Michael and Edward Lackey of Tannersville are rated very high. So also is Benjamin I. Tallmadge of Windham, brother of Judge Tallmadge. We understand that no Greene County women have ever been admitted to the bar, although there have been a number who are doubtless competent, Miss Jackson, Miss O'Brien, Miss Sim- mons are stenographers of ability and Miss Simmons is doing court work right along. Greene county was represented in the several constitutional conventions that have been held. In 1801 Martin Schuneman and David Simmons were named. 1821, Jehliel Tuttle and Alpheus Webster. 1846, Robert Dorlon and James Powers. 1867, ManleyB. Mattice and Ezekiel Moore. 1873, Joseph B. Hall, editor Recorder. 1894, Hon. John A. Griswold 1915, H. Leroy Austin of Catskill. The first Court of Common Pleas was held in the academy at Catskill and at the residence of John R. Vandenburgh at Cox- sackie. The first county officers were: Leonard Bronk, judge James Bill, clerk George Hale, sheriff John H. Cuyler, surrogate John R. Vandenburgh and Thos. Croswell, coroners. 158 DEAft OLD GttEliiNfi COUNTY. Another View of tlie Court House. The Judges of the county have been : F. James Fitch 1855 John A. Griswold 1863 John Olney 1867 A. Melvin Osborn 1870 Manley B. Mattice 1870-82 John Sanderson 1888 Josiah C. Tallmadge 1900-15 ogates Dorance Kirkland 1808-11 John Adams 1810 Through the courtesy of Judge Chase we are able to present likenesses of most of the judges. A few are missing and will be for all time. It is interesting to note that the early surrogates purchased their own books of record, and these subsequently were sold to 159 Garrett Abeel 1810 Moses I. Cantine 1818 John V. S. Scott 1821 Dorrance Kirkland 1828 Perkins King 1838 Lyman Tremaine 1847 Alex. H. Bailey 1851 John H. Cuyler our 1800 fcEAR OLb GREENE COtTNfY. their successors. Dorrance Kirkland refused to purchase the un- used portion of Book A. of Wills, from John H. Cuyler who was removed from office, and Cuyler thereupon took his knife and cut out all the unused leaves. This certified statement may be seen in the book today. Those who have held the office of district attorney in th county are: Date Alex. Frasier Lewis Benton Lucius Robinson Lyman Tremaine DanforthK. Olney John A. Griswold A. Melvin Osborn Sidney Crowell Eugene Raymond Augustus Sherman Josiah C. Tallmadge Charles E. Nichols Pierre S. Jennings Orin Q. Flint Washington Hunt, born at Windham, Aug 5, 1811, was Member of Congress 1843-1849, State Comptroller 1849, Governor 1850. Lyman Tremaine was born at Durham and Attorney Gen- eral in 1846. County Judge 1847. Attorney General 1857. Malbon Watson was justice of the supreme court 1848. Lucius Robinson, also born at Windham, Nov. 4, 1810 was the only other man from Greene county who served the state as governor Mr. Robinson was District Attorney in 1837, Master of Chancery 1843, Assemblyman from Chemung county in 1859, Comptroller of State in 1861, 1863, 1875, and elected Governor Nov. 1876. 160 of Election Date of Election 1819 Erastus Barnes 1821 1824 Malbon Watson 1832-7 1838 Danforth K-. Olney 1840-5 1846 Rufus Watson 1847 1850 Peleg C. Mattoon 1853 1856 James B. Olnev 1859-62 1865 William E. Leete 1868 1871 Addison C. Griswold 1874 1877 G. Howard Jones 1880 1883 Frank H. Osborn 1886 1889 Edward A. Gifford 1882-5 1898 Egbert Palmer 1901 1904 H. L. Austin 1909 1910 Howard C. Wilbur 1911 b&Afe OLD GREEJNE dOUNT^. A very successful lawyer who has retired from active prac- tice is W. I. Jennings, who for a number of years has devoted his time entirely to the Catskill Savings Bank of which he is prisident. Dorville S. Coe is another Greene county boy who went out from Greene county and who is doing well in New York. The present members Austin, H. L. Bagley, Charles J. Bennett, William W. Betts, Judson A. Betts, Lee F. Bloodgood, AlbertC Bloodgood, Clarence E. Boyne, Harold J. Chase, Emory A. Cole, Seth T. Decker, Percy W. Fray, John L. Heath, Orliff T. Howland, Clarence Jennings, W. Irving Coxsackie Calkins, N. A. Curtis, H. McK. Daley, D. Henry Hallenbeck, Edwin C. Hiseerd, James W. Warren, Leonard A. Cairo Chadderdon, Miles A. Van Yechten, Francis H. Hunter Cartwright, C. M. Prattsville Daley, James B. of the Greene county bar are: Catskill Jones, Ambrose Jones, G. Howard Kerr, Ira B. Malcolm, J. Lewis Nichols, Charles E. Osborn, Frank H. Palmatier, Willliam Patrie, J. Lewis Philip, James P. Plusch, George W. Reilly, James H. Tallmadge, Josiah C Thorpe, William E. Van Gelder, James H. Wilbur, Howard C. Tannersville Dibble, Flavius Lackey, Edward W. Athens Flint, Orin Q. GjgaidJSdward A. Porter, 0. Gates Durham Gardner, Harrison I. Taylor, Frank Oak Hill Rifenburgh, George L. Windham Tallmadge, Benjamin I.^a 161 dear old greene county. Senator William P. Fiero. MAR OLt) GREiEiNE} COtfNfV. The Hon. William P. Fiero who was elected to the State senate from Greene county in the fall of 1910 was one of the grand old men whom the county loves to honor. For more than 33 years he was a leading lawyer in the Westchester courts and assistant district attorney in the federal courts, where he had universal success winning over 400 cases. He had a wonderful interest in the county of his birth, and on the court house lawn may be seen the grand fountain given by him to the county. He carried Greene County by 1124 votes. Charles G. Coffin, Lawyer, Fireman, Musician. Mr. Pinkney says he well remembers the Hon. Malbon Watson, of a very distinguished Catskill family, who was very slow and dignified in manner, but who had a fund of humor on occasion. It was in a case in justice court, where his opponent had been'speaking in a very loud voice and earnest manner as though the trivial case was of the utmost importanc3. Watson came to the close of his summing up and said, "And now, gentlemen of the jury I leave my case in vour hands and give you a chance to listen to a blast from the fountain of minds." 163 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. JUDGES OF GREF.Nb COUNTY COURTS FROM 1800 to 1915. Photographed and Reproduced by- Courtesy of Judge Chase. Of Judge Bronk there is but one other picture in existence. Some of these pictures are from oil paintings, hence not very distinct. It was necessary to photograph them through glass, and three attempts were made to get them. 164 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY, Greene County Judges from 1800 to 1915. 165- DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Notable Women. Greene county has not produced many women who have achieved notoriety in the various fields of activity. The one who stands out pre-eminently however is MaggieVan Cott, who passed away in 1914 at her home in Catskill bordering on 90 years of age. She was the first woman who was ordained to the ministry of the Mrs. Maggie Van Cott, Evangelist. Methodist church, and pretty much all of her life was devoted to revival work. She went from one end of the country to the other and her converts are said to have numbered over 100,000. Her commanding appearance, remarkable voice, and personal magnet- ism with an appeal that was irresistible made her a great power for good. So late as 1901 she held a great reviyal at Lebanon Springs and three brass bands turned out to assist in the work. There are few if any places in Greene county where she has not held successful revivals, and some of these places she visited during the last year or so of her life. Around 1900 she had a big tent and for several weeks held meetings on west Main street, Catskill. Mother Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers, a sect of the Quaker church, a denomination still having adherents in Greene county, was buried at Watervliet where her grave may still be pointed out. She made a great stir in her crusade in which she 166 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. declared that Marriage was the root of human depravity, and forthwith she was sent to prison and then to the mad house. She secured her release however, and in 1776 was arrested on a charge of high treason, by the British and confined at Pokeepsie. Gov. George Clinton pardoned her and she went about establishing churches. Finally in 1784 she died at Watervliet. Churches in many sections included in Albany county, now Greene, were estab- lished by her. Squaw Owned Old Catskill —Chief of Tribe — From histori- cal matter furnished us by the Hon. Clarence E.Blooflgood, form- er senator from Greene county, we learn that "Director Brandt Van Slechtenhorst, for the Patroon (Van Rensselaer) bought of Pwasck, a squaw, chief of Catskill, and her son, Supahoop, a kil named Katskil, accounted to be 9 miles and that the consideration was seventeen and a half ells of duffels, a coat of beaver and a knife. Aepkje, the interpreter, who brought about the sale got five and a half ells of duSels for his service. This was in 1649, and is a part of the Fort Orange records. Among the old residents of whom we find mention in other works Dame Van Schaack of the early Dutch of the Coxsackie dis- trict was a strenuous character who lived in the old Van Schaack homestead near the village. During the Revolutionary period this old house was bombarded by the British, and they ransacked it and carried off what they thought was of value. Dame VanSchaack who appeared to have been very brave, and relentless gathered up certain of the belongings that she had an attachment for and an- nounced that she wouldn't give them up, and she did not either for the leader relented and let her keep what she wanted. This old house is still standing and has many pieces of furniture of the colonial period. Wood is still burned in the old fire places. At the Greene county Alms House for the past few years Mrs. E.C. Judson, wife of Ned Buntline, the great American Scout and Sea Fighter, as well as one of America's greatest writers of fiction, has been making her home. Col. Judson who was in the employ of the government during the latter years of his life, crip- . 16? DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. pled and scarred from the many battles in which he participated, lived at Stamford, Delaware county, in a mansion that he built, and was supposed to be wealthy. As a writer of Indian and Scout or Sea Faring life he had no equal, and many of his stories were printed in the New York Weekly Madam Jumel also was one of the wives of Aaron Burr. She died at the age of 98 years, and Mr. Burr was her third hus- band. The madam was the wife of Col. Croix of the British army in an elopement at 17, then she married Stephen Jumel, and spent a great part of his vast fortune. Burr was 78 years of age when she married him. They separated. The Jumel mansion is a historical museum in the city of New York. Madam Jumel in company with her husband frequently visited this section and was often a guest at the Prevost man- sion at Greenville. She was one of the most talked about women of her period, and many women attempted to follow the styles she set in dress. Those who have represented the county in charity work are : Mrs. Emory A. Chase, Mrs. Percival Goldin, Mrs. W. I. Jennings, Mrs. P. S. Decker, Mrs. F. H. Osborn, Mrs. Charles A. Elliott, Mrs. J. Lewis Patrie, Mrs. H. L. Boughton, Mrs. James P. Philip, Mrs. Benjamin Wey, Mrs. Ella M. Grout, Mrs. J. S. Henderson. Catskill; and Mr3. Sherwood H. Holcomb, Palenville. Mrs. Harriet Penfield, Mrs. George H. Penfield and Mrs. Isaac Pruyn are among the prominent workers deceased . Mrs- Cornelius Du Bois at Palenville was for many years at the head of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Greene county, and Mrs. Harvey Brown and Mrs. G.N. Brandow of Cats- kill and Miss Brandow of Coxsackie have been conspicuous in this work. Mrs. Egbert Beardsley of Catskill has been doing Sunday School work and attained considerable distinction as a lecturer. Mrs. Benjamin Wey of Catskill has been among the leaders in school, missionary, church and library work in Greene county. A grand woman in eyery way. 168 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. In the Suffragist work Mrs. Joseph Malcolm, and Miss Gertrude B. Linnell have been very enthusiastic workers, and the movement has shown great progress. For a list of other workeis who have been connected with this movement see article on the Suffragist Movement. Mrs. Joseph Malcolm, Suffragist Leader. Among those who have taken the lead in the work of the Old Ladies Home, are. Mrs. J. P. Phillip, Mrs. Emory A. Chase, Mrs. H. L. Boughton, Mrs. Jeremiah Day, Mrs. Orrin Day, Mrs. W. I. Jennings, Emily Becker, Margaret Bedell, Georgiana Jack- son and Miss Whitbeck. Mrs. Ira T..Tolley matron of the county house has also been prominent in charity work. 169 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Reference will be found elsewhere to the several clubs of the county which have been formed and presided over by women. Probably the oldest woman of whom we have any record in Greene county was Lavina Allerton, a former resident of Cairo, who was born in a log house near that place in 1809 and who died at Newark, N. Y., in 1914, being 105 years old. She survived her husband by 40 years. Her generations are scattered all over the county and state. Another old resident who died at Coxsackie last fall was Hannah Mackey, who had passed 90 years of age. Mrs. Maria Doane of Catskill was another aged resident of the county who lived to the century mark. Of the Darringer family Mrs. Dorothy Darringer of Catskill passed away at the age of 94 years. Laura G., wife of the late Judson Wilcox died at her home in Catskill, Jan. 1900, from the effects of her injury two months before, when she fell and fractured her hip. During most of the time she had been a great though patient sufferer. She retained her remarkable mental faculties up to the last, reading from the papers, signing checks, etc., writing her name in regular and plain manner . She was 95 years and 5 months and the physici ans declare that every organ of her body was was in a perfectly healthy condition and had not the accident occurred she might have lived to 100 years. She had been a member of St. Luke's church over 50 years and was always deeply interested in the welfare of that society. Truly she went down to the grave full of years and and good works. Mrs. Wilcox was born at Cortright, Delaware county, July 13th, 1804, and was united in marriage to Judson Wilcox Aug. 18, 1825, by the Rev. Elder Hobbie at Cortright With her husband she came to Catskill in May, 1826, where she had since made her home and for more than 60 years had lived in the house where she died. Mr. Wilcox who was an authority on early history of Catskill was for more than 50 years in the grocery business on the corner opposite Geo. C. Fox's store. He died June 7th, 1879. 170 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. ■ VI HI ft ■' ■r J ■.--— n w * ; i \m ^ ■" ■«tftjPi ! Wi *M? PT-,:;» : B mW ^ .vjw tito l8l&!iffnBM The Oldest House on William Street, 3 798. Occupied by the Wilcox family since 1826, and where in 1836, Howard Wilcox was born. Judson Wilcox died in this house, 1879, also his wife, Mrs. Wilcox in 1900 at the age of 95. Among the inscriptions gathered from the local cemeteries by the writer of this book, which among is a considerable number of others was that of Ruth Croswell relict of Dr. Thomas O'Hara Croswell, one of the publishers of the Catskill Packet, to which we have referred. She died Jan. 7th, 1862, at the age of 96 years and 10 months. She was born in New England, saw George Wash- ington, and her husband honored by him with the appointment of postmaster. Miss Georgiana Jackson has taken Humane Society of which she is a leader. 171 great interest in the DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. ROWENA SCHOOL AT PALENVILLE. The greatest monument ever erected to the memory of a woman in this state doubtless is the Rowena Memorial School building at Palenville, which was dedicated in 1900 and cost ovei $50,000. The building is of picture or shell granite from the quarries of George W.Holdridge of Catskill,who erected the build- DEAR OLD GREENE COTJNTV. ing. It is. a beautiful structure and will stand for all time. It was the gift to Palenvilleof L.W. Lawrence a NewYork man, who with his wife for many years spent their summers in that section. Mrs. Lawrence was greatly interested in the cause of education and the young, and as a beautiful and lasting tribute to her memory the school building was erected. It was also partially endowed. The Story of Rip Van Winkle— A Heartless Woman. An Imperishable Romance in Fiction. Washington Irving gave to the Catskill region, a romance that has come down as one of the great pieces of fiction of the age, and has added much to the allurements of the grand old Gatskills Rip in his sleep of 20 years, and his pitiful return to the region of Sleepy Hollow, is not more pitiful than Gretchen, who was the personification of the Vixen in womankind. An artist of 20 years ago has pictured the story so complete that we reproduce it above. 173 DEAR OLB GREENE COTJNTt. 'Women Ai\d The Franchise Suffrage work was begun some forty years ago in Catskil], when a club was formed for the purpose of study, rather than of practical work. Speakers were brought to Catskill at that time Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, and Miss Harriet May Mills . Four or five years ago Mrs: Joseph Malcolm was appointed Leader for Greene County, by the national American Woman Suffrage Association, but no active work was done at that time. The next Suffrage meeting in Greene county was held , I think, at the home of Miss Margaret Bedell, on William street, in the Spring of 1910 or 1911, at which Mrs. Raymond Brown and another out-of-town Suffragist spoke. In the Summer of 1911 Mrs. William Spencer Murray of New Haven, formerly Miss Ella Rush of Catskill, arranged and conducted a meeting at which she was the only speaker, at the_Y. M. C. A. hall. It was very well attended and the receipts were more than satisfactory. In September Mrs. Florence Maule Cooley spoke at the home of Mrs. Linnell in Jefferson, to about thirty people. Inspir- ed by Mrs. Cooley's able talk, an informal club was organized, which met once or twice at the Heidleberg Inn as guests of Mrs. Beardsley. In the absence of Mrs. Malcolm Mrs. Linnell presid- ed at these meetings. In October Mrs. Murray held another small meeting at her former home on William street, when she gave a very interesting account of Suffrage in England, and told some of her own exper- iences in London and elsewhere. About the third of January "General'' Rosalie Jones and her little army of Suffragists marched through Catskill on their way to petition the legislature to pass the bill permitting women to watch at the polls during the election when their enfranchise- ment or non-enfranchisement should be decided. Mrs. Rose Liv- ingston, called the Angel of Chinatown, who is not regularly a 174 DEAR OLD GREENE COtTNTSf. Suffrage worker, but a rescuer of young girls from the dives of Chinatown, told her own tragic, and unfortunately not singular, story to a crowd in front of the Court House, and awakened many to the necessity of Woman's place in the regulation of these things. On January 14, -1914, the newly formed club secured Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association as a speaker and arranged a meeting for her at the Y. M. C. A. Hall, which was well attended, and which more than clpared expenses. County Sealer Adin E. Ballou was chairman of this meeting, and the numbers of the Sun* nagists were greatly argumented afterward. About the first of March, the National American Woman Suffrage Association sent Mrs. Frances Maule Bjorkman to Catskill to organize a formal club, this consisted primarily of the appoint- ment of a chairman for each of the eleven districts into which, for the purpose of the campaign, New York State was divided. Mrs. Joseph Malcolm was appointed Leader for Greene county, and Mrs. Wardle, Miss S.Joseph, Mrs. E. Lasher, Mrs. John Salisbury, and Mr?. Linnell Captains. A club, to l« called the Equal Franchise League of Catskill was formed, with a constitution drawn up and duly signed at a meeting at which Mrs. Stuart Bentz was elected President, Mrs. Wardle Vice-President, Miss Emily F. Becker Treasurer, and Miss Antoinette Weed Secretary. At a subsequent meeting Miss Gertrude Linnell was elected President and Miss lone Schubert Treasurer. Regular monthly meetings have been held at the library on the last Friday of the month since that time, for the discussion of plans, and the ar- rangement cf work. On May the second, which was kept as Suffrage Day all through New York State, Catskill had an open air celebration at which the Rev. Mr. Hamm presided, and Miss Garrison and Mrs. Bjorkman spoke. A large collection was taken. 175 DEAR OLD GREEJNE COTJNT'Sr. About this time Headquarters were established on Main street, next door to the express office, where a large amount of literature was on sale, and a fine window display of posters and Current Suffrage News was shown. On June the 5th the Greene county Suffrage Convention was held in the Y, M. C. A. Hall, presided over by Mrs Carrie Chapman Catt, President of the International Woman Suffrage Alliance and Chairman of the Empire State Campaign Committee. At the evening meeting Mr. E. C. Hocmer, County Superintend- ent of Schools was Chairman, and made a warm address, which was followed by a Suffrage song rendered by the Eighth Grade Girls' Chorus. Afterwards Miss Linnell read a description of some Suffrage lantern slides, and Mrs. Catt made the address of the evening. Mrs. Bjorkman followed Mrs. Catt with a short talk The following day, June the 6th, the Eastern New York State Suffrage Parade was held at Albany, andCatskill sent a dele- gation, headed by Master Nathan Bentz in a yellow and white Colonial costume, earring a banner with the inscription ' 'Taxation Without Representation is Tyranny." A Suffrage Bridge and Tea Dansant for the benefit of the Equal Suffrage League was held at the Grant House on July 31, at which about twenty dollars were cleared. A booth was secured at the Cairo Fair which was presided over by Mre. Bjorkman, assisted by delegations from theCatskill and the Tannersville Suffrage clubs. A great number of people were reached in this way who had no idea of the meaning of the slogan, "Votes for Women!" Mrs. Francis Thurber of New York spoke on the second day. A reception was held in honor of the Tannersville Equal Suffrage Club, on September 24, 1914, at the Heidelberg Inn, at which a large number of Suffragists turned out to welcome the ladies from Tannersville. About the first of October Miss Edna Post was appointed Press Chairman for Greene county to succeed Miss Linnell, who had previously resigned from that post. 176 frfTW iti ggga Carrie Chapman Catt, Suffragist. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. ANOTHER REPORT OF SUFFRAGE. In addition to the foregoing matter.on the Suffragist move- ment we have received from Mrs. Joseph Malcolm a very interest- ing account, which we are giving in full. The Suffragist movement is showing great gains all over the country and it appears to be only a matter of a little time when the franchise will be extended to the women. The Catskill Recorder of February 29th, 1884, contains the following, under the caption of Mrs. Blake's lecture. The Mrs. Blake to whom the article refers probably was Lillie Devreux Blake and this as far as is known was the first work for Woman Suffrage in Greene county. "The world really does move and Woman Suffrage, a sub- ject which but a few years ago was mentioned only to be ridiculed, is today exciting the interest and engaging the attention of men and women who can easily remember the time when they would have been ashamed to be detected countenancing the "woman's rights" movement in any manner. Evidence of the change the public mind has undergone and is undergoing is furnished in the manner and the character of the audience that met Mrs. Blake on Monday evening. Instead of the Corporal's Guard that form- erly constituted the listeners when the occasion was the hearing of the story of woman's wrongs and rights, was a houseful, for the most part people of intelligence and refinement, the seats of the court room were all occupied, men and women stood in the aisles during the entire lecture, and many persons were turned away. For an hour or two Mrs. Blake addressed her audience con- versationally, speaking without notes and with no affectation of the rhetorical art of the stump speakers. She made a number of telling points in the course of her argument and the minds of the many present had presented to them, we trust convincingly, the harsh injustice and the outrageous wrongs which man since the creation has complacently regarded the natural lot and portion of women. 178 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The women who are engaged in this agitation for the suff- rance do not desire to unsex themselves and their sisters. "We do not wish to be men " said Mrs. Blake, "God forbid!" The leaders in this movement have been cruelly misrepre- sented and caricatured by would be wits : they are womanly women and thoroughly in earnest but not in the least ambitious to don the bifurcated garments of the sterner sex, or to assume any of the distinctive belonging or to ursurp any of the special rights pertaining to masculinity. They believe that the sphere of woman's usefulness and her opportunities for self support should be enlarged. They believe that this can best be effected through the ballot, arguing that if woman had a vote she would be politic- ally of much more consideration, and there is solid ground under the argument. Mrs. Blake held the closest attention of her large audience throughout— not a person, not even one of those standing in the aisles, leaving the room till the lecture was over." About ten years after Mrs Blake's address the NeW York State Woman Suffrage Association began an active campaign in preparation for the constitutional convention, earnestly working to have the word ' 'male" dropped from the constitution. In March, 1894, there was held in the old opera house of Catskill, a convention in charge of Harriet May Mills, at which Susan B. Anthony and Dr. Anna Shaw spoke. At that time there was no suffrage organization in the county but Greene county is reported as having sent a petition to the convention of 2,904 names. Of these 2,085 were the names of men and 819 the names of women. In the spring of 1895, the Political Equality Club of Cats- kill was organized, auxiliary to the State Association and for a period of four years paid dues to it. In the autumn of that year representatives from other towns in the county joined the club, which was then called the Greene County Political Equality Club. Mrs. Benjamin Wey, Mrs. Lizzie Fitch, Miss Fannie Wilcox, Mrs. L. Beach, Mrs. Hazard, Mrs. Root, Miss Hattie Root, Miss E. G. 179 DEAR OLD GREENE! COtfNf¥. Root, Mrs. H. Brown, Mrs. W. B. Phillips, Mrs. F. C. Hall, Miss Georgiana Jackson, Mrs. Anna B. Hill, Mrs. Charles Beard- sley, Mrs. Robert Selden, Mrs. Richard Van Hoesen, Mrs. Joseph Malcolm of Catskill and Mrs. "Wakely of Greenville, Mrs. Rufus King of Cairo and Mrs. Mc Ray of Coxsackie formed the active membership. The semi-monthly meetings were usually held in the par- lors of the women belonging to the club or in the Presbyterian lecture room. Fiske's Civil Government was studied and discuss- ed and lectures by Miss Mills and other workers in the cause were of frequent occurrence. A petition was circulated about town and ■when a member of the club asked a well known citizen of Catskill to sign it, he exclaimed, "No indeed! I will not sign any such paper and in ten years time you women will be so ashamed of having put your names on it that you will want to hide your heads.'' Twenty years have passed by since then,, and all of the members who are living are still keeping up the fight, and one at least of the members often proudly claims the honor of being a pioneer in the cause. Afier being in existence four years and after the failure of the constitution convention to grant the request of the women of the state, the treasurer's report of the Equality Club pathetically states, ''There is no *money in the treasury, so the club died December 31st, 1898." Until the time drew near for another convention to amend the State Constitution, very little interest was shown in Greene Co. An occasional talk by Miss Mills, who has always expressed a most hearty interest in this, one of the first fields of her life work, was the extent of the work for suffrage. In the summer of 1912 the campaign work was begun by Mrs. Florence M. Cooley who talked to an interested gathering of representative women and a few men in Jefferson. Miss Rosalie Jones and Martha Klatschkeus, with others, on one of their auto- mobile tours through the state, stopped and held a large, out-door mass meeting before the new court house. On the following day 180 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. they appointed a leader for suffrage work in the county and a committee for campaign work in the election districts in the town. The following winter Dr. Anna Shaw gave one of her inimitable lectures in the Y. M. C. A. building and the Brotherhood' of the Reformed Church challenged any two suffragists to meet two of the "brothers'' in a debate on the subject. Mrs. Charles Wardle and Miss Gertrude Linnell bravely entered the contest. Although public speaking was an entirely new experience for them, the judges, Mrs. James P.Philip, the Rev. Mr.Tetley and Mr. Hocmer — declared the women winners by several points. The success of the debate started a demand for a permanent league, and the Equal' Suffrage League of Catskill was organized. The summer of 1914 was indeed a busy time for suffragists all through the state, and Catskill valiantly worked to do her part in spite of discouragements. Much literature was distributed, through the mails, at meetings, left at public places, and handed out to passers-by on the street. A Sunday in May was named as a Woman's Sunday and every minister of the gospel got a letter requesting him to urge women to work more earnestly for the betterment of women and children and especially wayward girls. In June a Greene County Suffrage Convention and school of methods was conducted by Mrs; Catt, chairman of the Empire State Campaign Committee. A very successful league was formed at. Tannersville by Mrs John Jay White, Mrs. Alexander and other cottagers at Onteora Park. They worked all through the mountain towns and had a booth at the Cairo Fair. Delegates from both leagues appeared before the Greene Co. Republican Convention at Tannersville, and Mrs. Raymond Brown, president of the State Woman Suffrage Associ- ation addressed the convention . The Catskill league sent delegates to the State Democratic. and Republican Committees ,at Saratoga Springs. During the boarding season headquarters were ; opened on Main Street of Ca'tekilL and in the afternoon talks would be giyeri and tea, would. s be v . served. The Catskill. v Daily Mail,. The Examine^, The Recorder; and, the Enterprise .helped in every way/ ,19! DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Meetings were held in New Baltimore, Coxsackie, Leeds, West Catskill, Cairo and many other places. If the enfranchisement of the women of New York State is accomplished at the coming constitutional convention, or if there is another twenty years work ahead of us, we are ready for the future. We are better organized, have more money and more de- termination than ever before . Every year teaches women more politics, makes them better co-workers with men and women. There has never in the world's history been such a large, intelli- gent and enthusiastic body of citizens ready and eager to give of their time, and their means for the betterment of their govern- ment. They are ready now for the vote. The opponents of the cause are the politicians with big money and little work, the graft- ers who fear women's well known economical use of money, and the white slavers who wish to keep good women out of all public places. M. A Grand Charily In the northern end of the village of Catskill, at the corner of New and High streets stands the Home for Aged Women of Greene County. It is the house known to old residents as the Wellington House which later became the property of Hattie Cowles Catet from whom it was purchased on the 2d day of Nov. 1908, by the corporation above named. The house is on high ground yet easy of access, and is well adapted to the purposes of the Home, and when the necessary alterations were made, and a new system of lighting and heating were installed it became a model dwelling for those whose active years are passed and who need and deserve care and attention in their declining years. Our Coupty is small, and not wealthy. It was thought by many, therefore, that the dream of a Home to be supported by voluntary gifts was an idle dream indeed. Yet in the latter part of 1907 a small but earnest band of men and women saw the vision, and the way to its fulfillment, and on the 13th day of 183 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. July 1908, a certificate of incorporation was granted to the" Home for Aged Women in Greene County." In order to secure funds for the maintenance of the Home a committee was sent to each of the fourteen towns in the county for the purpose of forming auxiliary boards, each to have its own officers, and each board to solicit contributions of a small but stated sum of money from individuals in the respective towns, pledged for three consecutive years. This plan met with a most hearty response and the result enabled the incorporators to pro- ceed confidently with the work of establishing and furnishing the Home. Early in the year 1909 it was opened, and.was quickly filled with those who had long since applied for admission. From that time until the present moment the list of applicants has been far in excess of the number that can be cared for. There has been from the first, general recognition that the Home has attained a worthy success in its efforts to meet a real and urgent need. This success is due to the wise and careful inception of the undertaking to legal advice freely given — to busy men and women who have laid aside their pressing duties to aid those less fortunate , and to the generosity of doctors, merchants, tradesmen and farmers, none of whom has ever failed to respond to the call for help. A small but promising endowment fund has been started, and when that becomes large enough, the Home will be supported by its in- come. In the meantime it is largely dependent upon voluntary gifts. The managers and directors look forward hopefully to the time when on this foundation of the year 1908 a Home of greater capacity may be established. Perhaps the next History of Greene County will record the erection of a Home for Aged Couples. The Gatskill Monday Glvb ' One of the foremost social organizations of Catskill and of Greene county as well, so far as the women are concerned, is the Monday Club. This was organized in 1894 or 1895 and has represented the leading women of Catskill in social and literary effort. W9 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The charter members were Mrs. Benjamin Wey, Mrs. Samuel Penfield, Miss Mary B. Penfield, Miss Sarah Beach, Miss Georgiana Jackson, Mrs. Adelaide Elting Harris, Mrs. E.E. Elliott, Mrs. F. H. Osborn, Mrs. A. L. Fitch, Miss Emily Becker. Seven of these are still members, and to that number as the years have passed has been added a large number. During the winter season each year a literary program is taken up and the interesting and instructive papers that have been written would form a great vol- ume. Miss Mabel V. Root is president of the organization. The winter program comprised papers by Miss Root, Miss Gertrude Gardner, Mrs.Solloway, Miss Mary Hale, Mrs. S. H. Root, Miss Elizabeth Chapman, Mrs. J. Lewis Malcolm, Miss Louise Driscoll, Mrs. E. E. Elliott, Miss Edith Root, Mrs. J. A. Dykstra, Mrs. F. H. Osborn, Mrs. G. P. Grout, Mrs. Benjamin Wey, Miss Charlotte DuBois, Miss Elizabeth Fitch, Miss Emily Becker, Miss Georgiana Jackson, Mrs. Clarence Howland, Miss Anna B. Phelps, Miss Sarah Beach. „ , Order Eastern iStar There are a number of other organizations in the county in which the women are at the head . They are successful in their work and without doubt fill an important place in the welfare of the county. In the absence of detailed information we give the facts that are at hand. Probably the most flourishing is the Order of Eastern Star, an affiliation of the Masonic fraternity, with or- ganizations at Catskill, Cairo, Oak Hill and Windham. Catskill Chapter 293 was organized in August, 1903, with 21 members, and at present has over 100. The charter officers were: Mrs. Fannie C. Mott, worthy matron, Geo. F. Mott, worthy pat- ron, Mrs. E. M. Post, assistant matron, Annie E. Banks, treasurer, Mrs.R. L. Horton, secretary, Gretta D.Thorpe, conductress, Vic- toria Hallenbeck, assistant conductress, William E. Thorpe, con- ductor, Miss Conklin, organist, Mrs. N. E. Hill, warden, Geo. N. 184 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Hill, sentinel, Esther Hallenbeck, Adah, Sarah J. Hill, Ruth, Elise Hansen, Martha, Mrs. M. E. Maguire, Electa. The present officers are: Mrs. Alice P. Magee, worthy matron, Lewis R. Magee, worthy patron. Miss Mabel G. Hill as- sociate matron, Mrs. Middle D. Haines, treasurer, Mrs. Emma S. Barnard, secretary, Mrs. Jennie A. Whitcomb, conductress, Miss Martha J. Ernest, associate conductress, Mrs. Fannie 0. Mott, trustee for 3 years. The New Year Club One of the new organizations of 1915 was the New Years Club of Catskill. One thing appears certain and that is whatever their aims may be they are always up to date: Mrs. Geo. Egnor, president, Mrs. C. W. Overbaugh, vice-president, Mrs. H. R. Hinman, secretary, Mrs. L. K. Austin, treasurer. Daughters of Rebekah-413 I. O. O. F. The officers installed are as follows: P. N. G. Mrs. Rachel Smith, N.G. Mrs. Mabel Beare. V.G. Mrs. Helen Bates, Sec. Mrs. Sarah Hill. Treas. Mrs, Mary Camff, R. S. N.G. Miss Antionette Bloom, L.S.N. G. Mrs. Alice Egnor, R.S.V.G. Miss LenaConklin, L. S. V. G. Mrs. Ella VanDyke, Warden, Miss Josephine Castle, Conductress, Miss Eva Hard wick, Chaplin, Mrs. Winifred Travis, I. G. Mrs. Lena Delamater . 0. G. Mrs. Kate Lampman, R. A. G. Miss Mildred Myers, L. A. G. Mrs Jennie Hughes, Organist Miss Goldie Cuer, Degree Master, Mrs. Winifred Travis. Ladies of The Maccabes No 138 The officers of the Ladies of the Maccabes are: — Com., Mrs. Luella Brandow ; Lieut. Com., Nancy Youmans; Past Com., Mrs. Elizabeth E. Klepser; Chap., Mrs. Mary Hammer; Record Keeper Mrs. Mabel Hallenbeck; Lad y-at- Arms, Hattie Carpenter; Finance Auditor, Ruth Carpenter; Sergeant, Mrs. Catharine Gehbauer; Sentinel, Mrs. Alice Egnor; Picket, Mrs. Chas. Cummings; Official Prompter, Mrs Katharine Cummings; Musician, Agnes Youmans; Capt. of Guard, May Smith; 1st Color Bearer, Olive Smith; 2d . Color Bearer, Hazel Carpenter. 185 DEAE OLD GREENE COUNTY. Ladies Catholic <©ei\evolent Association The Ladies Catholic Benevolent Association of St. Patrick's church is a fraternal organization similar to the Knights of Colum- bus, and has been doing a good work. It was organized in Catskill about 1900, and has 50 members. The officers are: Mrs. P. D. Hitchcock, Pres., Mrs. Ellen Cooney, 1st V.P., Mrs. Joseph Hoy 2d V. P., Mrs. Medard Pierre, P Pres., Miss Mary Shade, Treas. Miss Katharine O'Conner, Fin. Sec, Mrs. Mary Tynan, Eec, Miss Catharine Quinn, Ass't Rec, Mrs. Nora Hass, Guard, Mrs. Elizabeth Gaffney, Marshal. Cairo has a chartered organization of Camp Fire Girls, starting off with eighteen members, and Mrs. Ira Tolley as Guard- ian. ^Royalty a1 Leeds One of the most sightly and imposing structures in the Catskill Mountains was completed last summer on the Potic Mount- ain near Leeds and overlooks the valley of the Catskill. It is the property of two London women. The building has the appearance of bne of the old Rhine castles- It was built under the direction of John Benn, a former member of Parliament of Greenwich, who has been conspicuous in the English navy, being a lieutenant com- mander. The Misses Benn are ladies of culture and their beauti- ful home is furnished with antiques representing the early English and continental orders. Catskill has two fountains erected by women. The first one was the Frances Willard memorial fountain, erected by the W. C. T. U. of Catskill, in honor of the greatest of all temperance work, ers and orators, Miss Frances Willard, who was at the head of the Woman's Christian Temperance work in the United States, and who helped to organize the Union in Greene county. The date of the organization is uncertain, but it was about 1880. The fountain is located on Main street, near the postofnce, and gets a supply of the best and purest water from the spring on the H. L. Bough ton place. 186 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The second fountain is located near the head of Main street and was the gift of Mrs. H. L. Boughton who has always taken a great interest in Catskill. The water is from the spring on her place and a gift. Madam sTane Goelet "Dige Madam Jane Dise, Courteousy of Robert Story. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Before we leave the subject it would seem that further re- ference should be made to Madam Jane Dise, wife of John Dise, a major in the English army. He is said to have been a deserter, and that he fled from New York and came to Catskill around 1762 with his wife, and to have secreted himself in a secret chamber in the old house when the British made a search for him. He was said to be very intemperate. Jane Dise was the child of Jacob Goelet of Albany and later of New York. She died in March 1799 and the grave once on the farm of Huybartus Du Bois at Cauters- kill is now marked on the Du Bois plot, where F. N. Du Bois on the old farm has gathered together the Du Bois generations. A complete list of these generations will be found under the article in reference to F. N. DuBois. The old house in which-' she lived was known as Dise Folly, and later as the Old Stone Jug. It was built of sand stone imported by a sloop from the quarries at Nyack. The picture of Jane Dise which we show was taken when she was about 16 years of age. Though beautifully dressed for the period in which she lived she was bare footed. John Dise is said to have built one of the first saw mills and grist mills at Gilboa. The date and place of his burial is not known. John Dise to whom we have referred came to New York in 1743. Some Of The Old Dutch -' f Johan Wilhelm Brandow to whom several hundred families in Greene county trace was a Palantine and came to this country in 1710, settling on the Loveridge Patent. He had four sons and two daughters. Nicholas, who lived at Cauterskill, Johannis who settled at Athens, Frederick who settled at West Camp, Godfrey who settled at Athens, Ann Elizabeth settled at West Camp and married Peter Schumecher, Anna married Hannes Schermerhorn. From the first generations of these children there were 51 descendents. All having raised large families. Nicholas 8, Anna 8, Frederick 8, Johannis 9, Godfrey 9, Elizabeth 9. Then we get the Overbaughs, Schumakers, Lohmans, Van- 188 bEAfe 0L±> GREJENEi dOTJNTt. denburghs, Defours, Welshs, Grooms, Coyns, Aliens, Webbers, Ecklers, Lampmans, Bogarduses, Planks, Ostranders, Dedericks, Becker.-?, Hallenbecks, and a great many families of Brandows. Brandows in Catskill, Athens, Coxsackie, West Camp, Greenville, and all over the county. The great Brandow printing house in Albany is run by descendents of the Greene county family, and Sheriff I. W. Brandow traces to the same source. Col. B. B. G. Stone. Col. B. B. G. Stone, frequently pictured as Rip Van Winkle, was many years a land mark of the Catskill section, and was famous as an artist, and a man of great literary ability. He served in the Rebellion, and was connected with the Du Bois family. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Jan Wilhelm Dederick was also a Palantine and came t" this country from Wurtenburg in 1710. He settled at West Camp., and the Dedericks rival the Brandows for generations, and are still in Catskill and various sections of the county. Jan had three children, but his daughter Maria married Heinrich Graatand had 10 children, his son married Eva Graat and had 9 children, Jurry William did not believe in unlucky numbers and had 13 children. There were two families of the original stock of the Halen- becks, Casper Jacobus, 1654, but where they came from we have not learned. They settled in the town of Athens and have a host of descendents. Abraham Person settled on the Loveridge Patent in 1733, and he had 11 children. Their generations remain and have great- ly increased. Sylvester Salisbury came from England in 1664 Their generations remain. Reformed (Schunemati) Church at Old Catskill (Leeds). Herman Schunemann, Captain of the Palantines, came to this country from Hamburg, Germany in 1708, and his children found their way to Catskill: Martin Schunmann, Catherina, Hen- drick, Wilhelmina and Johannes. Johannes became pastor of 190 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. churches at Catskill and Coxsackie, and preached in them for over 40 years. Elsewhere we present a picture of the old parsonage, at Leeds occupied by him. Familiar Insignia of the Old Dutch. * Martin Garretsen Van Bergen came from the New Nether- lands in 1640, and located at Rensselaer wyck. He was a great man and a member of the Government's Council. He was very wealthy and occupied a mansion on the west side of the Hudson. He had lands on the Catskill Patent, Coxsackie Patent and Cor- larskill Patent. He was shot and killed by the Indians in 1696, while occupying the Van Rensselaer place. He had 12 children, and the Van Bergens remain a great family. The Van Ordens came on the Loveridge patent in 1746, from Kingston. William Van Orden had 7 children. A great family and it would take many pages of this book to trace them. They are all about the county and state. Dirk Tunisse Van Vechten was among the first settlers and he came to this country in 1636, settling at Greenbush. He came from Norway or Holland and had 12 children, and they prospered in every way. All these early families appear to have raised families of stirring qualities as well as numbers. Abraham and Catharine Schuyler had 15 children. Samuel and Sara Overbaugh had 10. Nicholas and Maria Spoor had 10. Isaac and Sarah Collier had 10. Martje Van Vechten had two husbands and had 11 children. And 8 to 10 appears to have been the average family. 191 DEAR OLD GREENE) COUNTY. Frederick Nelson DuBois The picture of the Du Bois Mansion -and Portrait of Mr. Du Bois will be found in the front of the book, Frederick Nelson Du Bois was born October 6, 1829, and was the son of John D. Du Bois to whom we have referred. He was born in Catskill, and learned Ihe trade of a silver smith with his brother at Buffalo. In 1855 he moved to Chicago, and in 1862 was working in the gold mines of Colorado, having with him his wife and two children. He was foreman, builder and conductor of several mines, but lost everything when the works were destroy- ed by fire. In 1871 he went into business in New York. Most wonderful has been the transformation during the past years on the property known as-the Du Bois place owned by F. N. Du Bois well known to every resident of Catskill. The old home- stead which was one of the early landmarks, near the mouth of the Catskill creek, has been rebuilt and changed into a place of great beauty. On the flats where formerly the tides swept a marsh field, a great sweeping terrace keeps out the floods and encloses a sunken garden, with flower beds, tennis court, driveways, etc. The frontage is securely docked and has a fine boat house - and an ice house, cold storage, and a very pretty cottage and barns. Under the trees in a quiet plot near the entrance to this place have been gathered by Mr. Du Bois in a well kept enclosure the generations of the Du Bois family. The farm has been trimmed and garnished with all the beauty of skilled landscape men, and seems like a great park with its roadways and drives set with shrubs, cairns, statues, etc. Topping the hillside at the East end of Grandview avenue is the sightly and beautiful mansion of Mr Du Bois which over- looks the Hudson for many miles, and which catches the eye of all who pass up and down the river. This was built in 1898 by Edwin Lampman . It is furnished in keeping with the exterior, and shows much that is valuable and beautiful. One of the choice gems of his library is the costly and voluminous family history 1.92 DEAR OLD GREENE COtlN^. which covers several hundred pages and contains much early and valuable history and records. Adjoining the mansion are the barns and farm buildings, bowling alleys, and the commodious homestead building occupied by Mr. T.J. Reilly, a nephew, the head farmer and his family. The Du Bois place forms a part of the original patent to Mr. Loveridge, embracing about 6000 acres. The Du Bois family has had a long and honorable record, See generations on another page. Tracing down to the present owner F. N. Du Bois who on Tuesday, October 6th, 1914 celebrated his 85th birthday, he has occupied the place for the past 23 years and has become an inte- gral part of Catskill history and society, and he has expended in improvements on the place probably $100,000. Clinging like an ivy vine to a sturdy oak, he has entwined his affections about the interests and life of Catskill. Whether it was a new and better water supply, village improvement, church extension and main- tenance, schools or charity he has steadfastly stood at the front unassuming and unostentatious but always liberal and generous to a fault. It was his love for the young men of Catskill and the upbuilding of the moral iuterests of the town that prompted him to turn over to Catskill $ 30, 000 for a Y. M. C. A. building, which a credit to all, and a beautiful structure, complete and commod- ious adorns Main street. Nor has his giving since been other than bountiful for its maintenance. It was his careful planning and energy that saved to the business life of Catskill the street railroad, into which he put a large sum of money on several occasions. First several years ago, and then again in 1914 when it went into the receiver's hands. Under his plans maturing the creditors of the road will not lose a dollar. Mr. Du Bois has been for many years at the head of a suc- cessful plumbing supply business in New York. 193 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. DU BOIS CEMETERY. Generations of the Du Bois's, interred in the Du Bois plot on the Du Bois Homestead, gathered from many points by Frederick N. Du Bois, of Catskill. Joel Du Bois, born May 25, 1762, died April 29, 1844. (A Minute Man in the Revolution. Cornelia, wife of Hybarius Du Bois, died August 25, 1795. Aged sixty-eight years. Emily Ann, daughter of Isaac J. Du Bois, born January 10, 1817, died April 2, 1841. Annaetje, daughter of Col. Cornelius Du Bois and Catharine Vanderpoel, wife of Joel Du Bois, born Mar. 17, 1769, died May 11, 1846. Edward B. Manning, died February 22, 1861, aged two months and nine days. Joel Du Bois, born Nov. 6, 1803, died Nov. 3, 1890. Sally J. Hunter, wife of Joel Du Bois, born Jan. 12, 1810, died April 17, 1858. Marry Ann, daughter of Joel and Sally Jane Du Bois, born July 22, 1845, died Nov. 7, 1848. Catherine Du Bois, wife of John Du Bois, died August 24, 1850, aged eight-five years. Gitty Du Bois, died October 16, 1814, aged fifty-two years. Caty Du Bois, died August 3, 1796, aged thirty-three years. John Du Bois, born March 25th, 1760, died July 30, 1841, aged eight-one years. Pennet Du Bois, died May 15, 1794, aged thirty-four years, four months and fourteen days. Isaac Du Bois, died October 8, 1795, aged sixty-four years, four months and eight days. Lanah Du Bois, died Feb. 25, 1795, aged sixty-four years, nine days. James Du Bois, born March 17, 1786, died January 4, 1871. Esther, child of. Robert F. and Esther Story, died October 17, 1877, aged thee years and tv/o months. Little Frank, aged one month and twenty-six days. 194 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Esther Du Bois, wife of Robert P. Story, born August 28, 1833, died August 16, 1891. Elizabeth Abeel, wife of N. Hunter Du Bois, died September 17, 1898, aged sixty-five years. N. Hunter Du Bois, died October 13, 1892, aged sixty-four years. (BIG TABLET.) Lewis Du Bois, born at Wigcres, near Lille, France, 1626. A Huguenot refuge to American. Settled at Esopus, now Kingston, N. Y., 1660. First Elder of French Reformed Church, New Paltz, 1663. Died at Kingston 1695. Solomon, fifth son of Lewis Du Bois, born at Kingston, *N. Y., 1669. Purchased land of about 900 acres at Catskill 172Q. Died at New Paltz 1757. Bejamin, second son of Solomon Du Bois, born at New Paltz, 1697. Settled upon his father's land at Catskill in 1728 and made additional purchase of over 500 acres. Died at Catskill 1767. This Tablet was placed in the cemetery by F. N. Du Bois in June, 1907. William, son of John D. and Rebecca Du Bois, died October 2, 1834, aged eighteen years, three months and twenty-four days. John D. Du Bois, died June 3, 1845, aged sixty-one years, two months and thirteen days. Rebecca Ovetbaugh, wife of John D. Du Bois, died March 14, 1869, aged eighty-two years. Jane Dise, wife of John Dise, died March 5, 1799, aged seventy- eight years. James Goelet, son of John Dies and Rebecca Du Bois, born July 2, 1818, died February 25, 1898. Jane, wife of James G. Du Bois, died December 12, 1848, aged twenty-eight years. Lewis Du Bois, born July 15, 1809, died May 23, 1876. Elizabeth B., wife of Lewis Du Bois, born June 15, 1807, died May 5, 1864. Lewis, son of Lewis and Reuhamay Du Bois, born February 15, 1870, died July 23, 1900. Peter Schutt, born April 24, 1789, died December 28, 1863. Rachael Rightmyer, wife of Peter Schutt, died August, 18, 1870, aged eighty-two years and seven months. The cemetery is forty-four feet by eighty feet. First interment was Mrs. Isaac Du Bois, 1793. 195 DEAR OLD GREENE dOUN$T. Gapt. (Jacob Dunham Among the remarkable characters who have resided in Greene county, perhaps no man ever had a more exciting life than Captain Jacob Dunham, and if we had the space to tell fully his experiences it would be very interesting matter. Captain Dunham was a sea going man and had experiences that read like creations of Mayne Reid. Living in the time when pirates sailed the seas and when the English war vessels were blockading the coasts of this country he encountered all the varied exeriences that have made the foundations of marine fiction. Captured by the Englibh war vessels on two occasions, and cap- tured by pirates and by Indians, running the blockades success- fully, and making no less than nineteen sea voyages, he finally died a battered piece of humanity in his home town Catskill, hav- ing lost every penny of his fortune. He was a wonderful man and when near the close of his 196 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. life an effort was made to have the government compensate him for the piratical robberies on the ocean that had taken his all, his character was vouched for in a certificate that was signed by Thomas O'Hara Croswell, postmaster of Catskill, Hon. Malbon Watson, Hon- John Adams, Caleb Day, Orrin Day, Zadock Pratt, T. B. Cooke, Jacob Haight, Robert Dorlon, James Power and other great men of Greene county. Captain Dunham came to Catskill in 1785, with his father who was an officer in the American Navy during the Revolution- ary war, and who followed the sea all his life. * In his book of voyages he says that at that time there were only seven houses in Catskill, and that his father purchased a half acre of ground where the Greene County Hotel now stands. This was on what is now the court house lot, as may be seen by refer- ence to the map of the burned district in 1851, found on page 61 of this history. In 1793 he was an apprentice in the office of the Catskill Packet, published by Mackey and Thomas Croswell, printers. He then went to Charlestown, S. C, where he was employed in a printing office, returning to Catskill in 1800. Then he went to boating on the Hudson, Then back to the printing business. He married Fannie Morgan of Catskill, 1801, made sea voy- ages to Charleston, Savannah and to St. Croix. Then he was fourth owner of a packet sloop with T. B. and A. Cooke between Catskill and New York and he made money. In 1813 however he purchased the seagoing sloop, Rover, a condemned vessel in New York, which had broken timbers, no top mast and rotten planks covered with leather patches to keep out the sea water. Into that tub he put 500 barrels of flour and 70 barrels of bread and ran the English blockade to Providence. He loaded with lumber and started to return. At Stonington he was taken by three war ships and after being allowed to go on shore and raise $100 as ransom he was permitted to sail back to New York, the English captain having taken pity on him. Not only that but he 197 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. was given a passport for another trip. This stood him in good when a few weeks later the same man of war captured him again. Later on after having made a lot of money he sold the Rover for $450, the boat haying cost him $125. And the boat went to ^ieces at once. He then had a half interest in the Sloop New York with the Co'okes of Catskill, and took a cargo of potatoes, onions, salt, cheese, ropes, etc. from Catskill to Norfolk, Va., and while he reached Norfolk all right after a rough experience, the boat was captured by a man of war, the Sophia 20 guns, and the Acton 16 guns. The capture of Captain Turner of the American brig com- mander put them in good spirits and Capt. Dunham and his men were put ashore and returned to Catskill. Capt. Dunham lined up before the Pirates, and informed that he is to be shot. Picture by courtesy of Judge Chase. Then he took charge of the Cyngus of New York and made a trip to Bermuda and Turks Island for salt. At Musquite Island they fell in with a privateer named Capt. Mitchell, and with him made an attack on Gov. Gonzales at St. Andrea's island. They captured the governor and Mitchell caused him to be hanged from 198 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. a yard arm. Captain Mitchell at that time boasted that he had killed 100 Spaniards with his own hands, because of ill treatment they had given him. Dunham after having made a very successful trade at St. Andrea's was captured by the Indians and lost his ship. It was a long time before he found his way back to Jamaica. In February 1817 he took charge of the sloop Governor Tompkins and again sailed for Old Providence. This trip was a success. In 1821 he was again in partnership with Apollos Cooke of Oatskill and sailed the Combine, was captured by Portugese pirates who robbed them of everything, beat them and finally set them adrift. The last voyage made by him was in 1842 in the sloop First Counsel, but this boat sunk, while at anchor near Pokeepsie, and after being raised, the wreckers charge not being met the sloop was siezed and sold for less than the charge. Famous "Wooden Bridges The old bridge at Catskill was authorized to be built in 1801, by an act of the legislature, and was 550 feet in length, and 20 feet in width. It was a wooden structure, and a portion of the footpath was covered. The red store of Jacob Bogardus, now occupied by Grocer Fred Woolhiser, was on one side, and the residence of Terrance Donnelly on the other. Dr. Porter, of the Presbyterian Church, officiated at the opening of the bridge. There was a draw on the side next to the Raynor elevator, which swung on a pivot, or hinge. Foot passangers were required to pay 3 cents, and teams from 25 to 31 cents. It was torn down in 1881.. and for a year the crossing was made on oil barrels, which formed a pontoon bridge. Hiram Van Steenburgh built this strange pontoon bridge. The new iron bridge was completed in 1882, and cost $52,000. The upper iron bridge was built in 1869, and cost $22,500. This bridge was finally condemned, and the structure dynamited to make room for the $40,000 concrete bridge. 199 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Judge Chase has some of the old bridge tickets in his possession. One of these reads, "Catskill Bridge Company. This will pass two-horse wagon one way, 25 cents." Charles A. Post. The Post Family While we are dealing with the early residents of the river section of Greene county, there are none that have figured more favorably, than the Posts. Just when they came to this country we cannot say, and all that we know is that Abram Post settled in the Embocght about 1800, and was the father of Abram Post who was born in Catskill in 1808. Abram Post, father of Charles A. Post occupied the farm in the Embocght and was a model farmer in every way. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Post homestead is situated about 4 miles south of Cats- kill and had been in their possession over 100 years, when Charles A • Post consented to the taking over of the property for the great million dollar cement plant at Alsen.He moved to the old historical Storv farm which he purchased of Robert F. Story, and has lived there ever since. The old homestead farmhouse is occupied by the cement people. Steady going, honest and honorable in everyway Posts have forged to the front and written nobly on the historical fabric of the county. Ex-Sheriff Charles A. Post, many times supervisor of Cats- kill was born on the old farm in 1837. He was married April 7, 1859 to Hannah Winans, who passed away Sept. 19, 1914. They had 6 children, Mary M., who is dead, Edith P. who married Wm. G. Trumpbour, Annette, Charles E., Willis W. and Abram, the last named being sheriff of Greene county and also under sheriff under Hardy Stewart, his father-in-law and also under his father. It is interesting to note that during the life of Abram Post father of Charles A. Post, on the night of October 17, 1873, at, the old homestead occurred the great robbery that filled the news columns of the. press of that period. It was one of the boldest robberies of the period. Mr. Po3t and his wife, and Edward Post and Sarah Post were at home, and they were the victims of the masked men, 6 in number who bound them and proceeded to take whatever they could find Of value. They got gold watches, spoons, $400 in bonds, a check of $1200 and $400 in cash, and departed. Detectives trailed them for some time and finally after the gang had robbed a family named Ford in Connecticut, another named Sutton on Staten Island and Judge Emmett at White Plains, the gang was located in a house on Canal Street, New York City which they had made their rendezvous. They watched them by the aid of glasses for some time, and finally made a descent in in which the robbers were rounded up at the point of the revolver. 301 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. They were convicted and sentenced to long terms in prison. Most of the property taken from the Posts was recovered. Mr. Post is one of the few men who has been said to have carried the vote of Greene county in his pocket- And all of this was because of his personal magnetism, generous and whole souled nature. If "Charlie Post'' — always unassuming and retiring, modest to a fault — could b'e prevailed upon to become a candidate for office his election was only a question of how big his friends would make the majority, and the fact that the town was political- ly against him made not the slightest difference. As supervisor of the town of Catskill he gained the distinction of being the friend of all and the town profited immensely by his being at the helm. He would have been continued as sheriff indefinitely had the law permitted. In fact he could have had mo3t any office within the gift of his party had he desired it. The Gaiskill Improvement Association. The Catskill Association was formed in 1837 for the purpose of improving Catskill and "other purposes'' according to the an- nouncement of the organization. It had a capital stock of $746, 000 and $74,600 was appropriated for improvements of land of the association and the officers were George S. Doughty president, Evan Griffeth treasurer, L. B. Woodruff counsellor, and Thomas Duguid secretary. The first object named and duly mapped was a railroad from Catskill to Canajoharie, work of which was under way. And the second object was a proposed canal to connect with the Erie Canal at Canajoharie, and this is duly mapped in the papers that have been loaned to us. It was stated in the plan that Catskill had 3000 inhabitants, 40 shops and stores, 20 sloops and other river craft, and unlimited docking facilities. It was also announc- ed "That a steamboat would be able to go to New York and back the same day.' - " The canal would be 65 miles in length and the railroad 80 miles. A meeting at the court house in the interest of this project was held and a resolution passed in favor of this project, being signed by Thomas Cooke, John Adams, Orrin Day, 202 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Ezra Hawley, Jacob Haight, Peter Breasted, Hiram Comfort, Isaac "Van Loan, P. T. Mesick, Amos Cornwall, John M. Donnelly, Francis Sayre, Malbon Watson, Caleb Day, S. L. Penfield, Luke Kiersted, F. N. Wilson, Horace Willard, J. R. Greene, Joshua Atwater, John Thompson, Caleb Hopkins, Robert Dorland, Fred- erick Hill, Tuzar Buckley, S. Sherwood Day, Judson Wilcox, John R. Sylvester, Leonard Kingsley, Edmund Hatfield, John Van Vleck, Robert Harrison, Edgar Day, J. W. Baldwin, Geo. Har- denburgh, Wilkes Hyde, Henry Mc Kinstry, Francis Marvin, Ira Du Bois, Nathan Farrell, Peter Schaurman, George Marvin, Caleb Crosswel, John Abeel, T. C. Atwater, John Rowe, Stephen Bos- worth, Ephraim Beach. Greene Gounty's Constitutional ^Revisionist H. X,eroy Austin. There are few young men in the State of New York who DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. have risen to prominence and have a more brilliant career before them than H, L. Austin, of Catskill, and there have been many- men who have been conspicious in every way. He is a favorite son of Greene county and it is with pleasure that we are able to in- clude him in the list of brilliant men who have made the county what it is. Barely past the 40 year line, he has become one of the greatest corporation attorneys in the state, representing the great New York Central Lines the past three or four years, and just at present is conspicuous as having been selected by a splendid ma- jority to represent the Empire state in the Constitutional Conven- tion. Broad minded, public spirited and capable beyond the average man, he is of all others the one to fill with credit the post of responsibility. He served eight years as chief of the finance bureau, State Comptroller's office; District Attorney of Greene County, by ap- pointment of Governor Hughes; conducted investigations into municipal affairs in Westchester and Broome counties by designa- tion of then Comptroller Martin H. Glynn, and in Schenectady county by designation of Comptroller Williams. As a result of his investigations a judgment for over $60,000 was recovered for fees illegally taken from the County of Westchester; in Broome county the County Treasurer and Clerk of Board of Supervisors convicted of misappropriation of county funds and over $25,000 recovered by the county; in Schenectady county, members of the Board of Supervisors and others convicted and about $10,000 recovered from a former sheriff. In 1910 Mr. Austin was designated by Governor Hughes to investigate the purchases of lands in the Adirondacks by the State, and unearthed great frauds, leading Governor Hughes to appoint him Forest, Fish and Game Commissioner of the State. It was during this sweeping reform that Mr. Austin brought about while he was at the head of the Forest, Fish and Game Com- mission that he had occasion to meet out a little justice in Greene county of the sort that has always stamped him as a great man. £04 bi^AR oib green^ dotfNtV. Just about the time he went into office there was a poor lumber- man named Walter Dederick of Leeds, who had cleared a piece of land and because of sickness had not been able to take care of the tops. Some game warden got in line and a fine of $200 was levied upon Mr. Dederick, who had the double misfortune of having lost his leg in a lumber camp. It was a graye injustice, and the first thing that Mr. Austin did was to proclaim it as such, and then he went down into his pocket book and paid that little fine. And there you have the calibre of the man who is going to go a good deal higher in the political field before he is through. He is at present associated with Messrs. Visschnir & Walen of Albany, under the name of Visschner, Walen & Austin. Individual Money It may be interesting to know that there was a very great scarcity of money in Catskill and all through. Greene county dur- ing the period of the Rebellion, and that while the country was overrun with coins of the size of pennies, that became known as tokens, individual firms had shin-plasters and many issued tickets that went as money. Judge Chase has in his collection of curios, 167 varieties of these early tokens, and a collection of tickets that went as money. Some of these read: Due the Bearer : Good for 2 CENTS : : 2 CENTS : At Wicks Market ; : At Meech & Bagleys Store : Good for 2 CENTS : ^pnts At My office in Leeds ; 3 \? N l *> , Or at the Fiero Stores : At J ullus Sauls He also has a collection of script of the Old Greene County Bank, and the Catskill bank: in denominations from One Dollar and a Half to $100. 205 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. He also has one of the tickets used at the time of the Walsh ■ trial. This read: Supreme Court, Greene County, Admit Bearer Piatt Coonley, Sheriff of Greene County A Gjreal Iiwentor From Prattsville Wm. Bullock, we are informed was born at Greenville and subsequently removed to Prattsville where he worked iu a printing office. He was a great genius and invented while at that place the first roatry perfecting printing press in the country, which printed from a roll and finished both sides at once. This was the greatest'invention in printing and many others have taken up the Bullock idea. In 1849 he i3 said to have removed from Pratts- ville to Catskill and to have been connected with a naper publish- ed at Prattsville and moved to Catskill. It is likely this paper was the American Eagle, though the historian has it that he pub- lished the Banner of Union in Catskill. The Eagle was changed to the Banner of Industry, also Democratic Herald by Lyman Tremaine, and subsequently merged with the Recorder. In 1867 Mr. Bullock was hurt while putting up one of his presses at Philadelphia, his death being the result. William Bullock married Emily Rundell, a Greenville woman, and he had two sons, one of whom, William, was at Prattsville last summer, on a visit to the Maces, who are related to him. The other son is Harry Bullock. After the death of William Bullock, Mrs. Bullock moved to Prattsville, and sub- sequently married Danforth Frair. Through Sidney Crowell, she was able to recover $5000, and Mr. Crowell got $500 for getting it. The facts in regard to the suit, we do not know. He was born in 1814 and died in 1867, and Mr. Crowell who recovered the money for the heirs was at that time practicing law at Prattsville. Mr. Bullock tried in vain to have the patent on his press renewed. At the time of the invention he was operat- ing a foundry at Ashland. 206 DtiAR OLD GREECE dOUNTY. First Catskill (Steamer Geo. Halcott of Catskill was engineer. A man of considerable note, the town of Halcott being named after him. The representation below of The Frank which we are in- formed was the first steamboat running from Catskill to New York and it was around 1837. The drawing is from a picture in the possession of Judge Chase and is prized by him, as there are few if any other pictures of the boat. This boat ran semi-weekly trips to New York. The first ferry was a scow propelled by oars, and then after many years that was succeeded by a horse power ferry, and then the A. F. Beach. ip> ? C\ — J^rrjr-— ' -— j^nfifieef- .**V B M^» ^ The Frank 1837, Talk about Longfellow and Bryant and all the other great poets, in 1837 there was printed a big volume of poems entitled the "Farmers Muse" written by Benjamin Hine of Cairo. A well bound leather covered volume of 273 pages. And the book was a seller. Mr. Hine we find was a celebrated character in his native town, and familiarly known as Big Ben Hine, and also as Old Ben Hine. 207 t>EAR OLb GREENES COUNTY. Gholera in Gatskill Catskill was visited by the cholera in 1832, 1834, 1849 and again in 18S4, and the plague was laid to the conditions that were permitted to exist in the neighborhood of the Hoponose and along Greene street. There were several slaughter yards in that section, and the enormous catches of herring, which were stored there, were allowed to rot. and create a very filthy condition. Captain John H. Bagley, in his reminisence says that in 1854 there were 300 cases of cholera in Catskill, and a very large pro- portion of that number died. There was no rain from May to September, and the cholera period extended over a part of May, June, July, August and September. A great many people left Catskill and went into the mountain section, and were safe. Ministers and doctors were among the number leaving the place, though Dr. George A. Howard, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, is said to have return- ed to Catskill to assist in the funeral work. Of the physicians who remained, Dr. Bell was stricken and died. He revived, how- ever, after he had been placed in a coffin, and climbed out and got a gun to shoot the persons who had laid him out, but soon passed away. Men were walking the street, and a few hours later were dead. One woman, Mrs. Philip Brown recovered after being in her coffin, and lived for years. Cholera, yellow fever and small pox, appear to have been disease of filth, and made terrible ravages. Harmony Lodge was organized in 1795, and Stephen and Ira Day were second and third on the record. There was another man named Whittemore, and the early scribe thus writes his immortal epitaph, possibly epithet: "Mister Whittemore, Axed sixpence to bore a small gimlet hole thro a mop pole." This certainly was shocking. In 1718 an act was passed granting freeholders and inhabi- tants of the precincts of Catskill and Coxhackey in ye county of Albany the privilege of choosing yearly a supervisor. 208 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. In Times of the Gatskill Whig From the Catskill Messenger, published by Ira Du Bois in 1830, a copy of which was preserved by the late Judson Wilcox, we are able to secure a number of interesting matters. The paper was 4 pages of 6 columns and the subscription price was $2 . 50 per year. One of the most conspicuous matters advertised was Whea- ton's Itch Ointment, 25 cents "Cures in an Hour," The itch was called a loathsome disease. Also a cure for "Fever and Ague.'' Croswell and Brace, druggists, of whom we are afjle to pre- sent pictures, sold "Jaundice Bitters." "Davenport's Celebrated Eye Water,'' and "Bilious Pills.'' Henry Mc Kinstry sold "Hy- giean Medicine" which was guaranteed to cure Small Pox, Kings Evil, Apoplexy, Palsy, Consumption, and other ills including St. Vitus Dance. This medicine was alleged to have been recommend- ed by a lot of Royal Eminent Gentlemen. $2 per packet. The shipping was done by Penfield and Day who operated the sloops Buck Tail and Shakespeare. The steamers Champlain and North America between Al- bany and New York landed at Catskill running day trips and the Dewitt Clinton and the Ohio and Robert L. Stevens night line on same route did not stop at Catskill. T. C. Atwater sold saw mill cranks, iron and steel. Griggs and Bullock sold ploughs. J. W. Hunter sold crowbar drafts. S. Bosworth and J. Gebbard sold satin beaver hats. T. C. Atwater sold bark mills, H. Comfort sold prepared floor plank. Francis Sayre offered $1000 for any stove that beat his in- vention. S. W. Bullock and Co. sold leather rollers. Riesdolph and Van Kuren took care of the horse shoeing. C. Trowbridge opera-ted a soap and candle factory. Thornis Reed taught a select school on William street, dis- trict school building. 209 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Dr. Abel Brace. The block of stores occupied by William L. Du Bois, How- ard Smith, the Examiner and the old building on the Hasselman lot since remodeled, wa- built by Mackey Croswell, and the Cros- wells and Dr. Brace had their oflices on Greene street. Here the first Catskill Packet was printed and this building was later moved to the corner where the express office now is where they opened a drug business. In 1*22 they built the brick block, where they continued. Later Benjamin Wey and Wm. L. DuBois at the same stand, Mr. DuBois over GREENE COtfNfY. he took in a partner named Whitney, who robbed the firm and it took. Mr. Baldwin 20 years to recover from the financial blow. He was in business where the public library now stands, and was suc- ceeded by his son Charles who moved to Water street and later to Main street near the Commercial Hotel. He died in 1898 at the age of 85 years. He was one of the leading men in the First Baptist church and superintended the building of the presen church in 1871. He was also a member of the Board of Educa- tion for 20 years. Charles Baldwin conducted the business until his shop was torn down to make room for the village building. As a marble cutter he was an artist. George Elliott had a marble business in Jefferson in 1863. C. A. Noble commenced operations in 1882. One of the oldest men of Catskill who but recently passed was Henry Limbrick, of Livingston street. From 1836 to 1864 he was in the employ of Mr. Beach and in the 70s was in the harness business at the corner of Thomson and Main streets. The first bakery was started at Catskill by a man named Kendall, whose brother had the distinction of being postmaster General under Andrew Jackson. Amos Kendall was the most ef- ficient postmaster of his day. Baker Kendall did a living busi- ness, near the Saulpaugh. He was succeeded by Reuben Pennoy- er father of Capt. William A. Peqnoyer, who later was in the jewelry business and who somewhat eccentric is well remembered by some Catskillians. Pennoyer had a motto on his wagon an- nouncing that "Our Country Wants Bread." This was around 1836. John Ashley came into competition with Pennoyer about this time. He was also a trustee. John Ashley a son succeeded him as dough man, and later his son Edward Ashley, who took up the practice of menicine and moved to Athens. John R. Hicks took up the business and was later on succeeded by Mc Laughlin and Carey. Other bakers were Henry Selleck, Selleck and Brown, Willis Selleck and during the 80s Edward Ashley who occupied 222 1>EAR OLf> GREECE COtfNfY. the Bloom building on lower Main street and was burned out. And the interesting incident that is vouched for concerning one of the old residents of Leeds, who recently passed away is that on a certain occasion he called upon the young lady who after- wards became his wife, and was invited to tea . At the table he noticed that his hair had not been combed as he was seated op- posite the looking glass. This flustered him and he dropped his fork. Reaching to pick it up he tipped a cup of tea down his back. Getting straightened around finally lie noticed a flap of the table cloth in his lap and thinking that it was a part «Me €o o p-l J2 3 ■a o lH Pi « a a i— i p. 3 -ed- people. Houses owned by Van 'Derjsen, in tbt I'par of the Dutch Church, occupied by Mr. Cnrgill, and Mr. Clark — insured. H. Brown, proprietor .of the Hourly Stages, loses 4 horses, carriages, and considerable .house furniture, loss $1000, no insurance. Independent of the losses sustain^, the furniture is considerably injured in every place. , Mr. John R, Sylvester will occupy tha building one door below Mr. Charlei Willard's, as a temporary Telegraph Of- fice, until the 1st of May. The above estimates may not be cor- rect, as wa have been obliged to collect vhjm hastily. They will not vary much, "however. Two Fire Companies from Hudson, kindly volunteered their services. They have the thnnlts of the community for their assistance. It was supposed at one time, that all the buildings on the west aide of Broad Street would be destroyed. BEREA AXD WO VA SCOTIA GRIND- STUN ES.— The subscriber offcrsfor. sale, at ihesipn of the An vil,an assortment of Grind- stones, aithe lowest rates. F. 8AYRE* Cau'rfill, February 10, 1549 . &GU DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Another very old stand is the Hill paint store. This was built in 1821 by Peter Breasted, He died in the 50s and was suc- ceeded by Eaton Dunham, and later by H. K. Hill who with his son-in-law, Wm. B. Donahue still continue. It was Mr. Dunham who stationed at his door the iron dog in 1849, which has been the object of curiosity ever since, and which as the result of Hal- loween pranks was finally chained fast to prevent the dog from migrating to other points. Steamboats and stage coaches were the subjects of their art. « George C. Fox on the East side is one of the veteran grocers and has only lately retired in favor of his son Arthur P. Fox who is at the old stand. There have been more changes in the grocery business than any other business in Catskill. Conklin Brothers, F H. Russ, Vernon Ford, Geo. C. Cowles, W. E. Minkler, have passed with many others but P V. R. Timmerman who succeeded Jones and Bagley still remains after 50 years at the upper Main street stand. Among the earliest grocery firms were Alfred Foote on up- per Main street, Foote and Grant, French and Ethridge, Wilcox and Givins, Meach and Beach, Cowles and Meach, Elias Pen- field, Meach and Edwards, Shaler and Fox. Mr. Shaler and Mr. Fox alone are living. More than 85 years ago John Lusk was in the hardware business on Main street. The firm of Mann and Cooke was form- ed about 1840 and John T. Mann, and Frederick and J. Atwater Cooke were the members of the firm. Frederick Cooke continued the business and was followed by John T. Mann, and later on by Day and Holt, and later the Day and Holt Co. Jeremiah Day, Samuel E. Holt, Philip Walsh, and P. Dewitt Hitchcock many years clerk of the village of Catskill, comprieing the firm. Another early hardware dealer was Francis Sayer and John T. Powers, later on Russ and Beach, and Mattice and Wessell. and now the Catskill Hardware Company. 225 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. M. H. Johnson, and the Brooks Brothers, Adams and Spencer, H. T. Jones and Son, Conkiin and Lattimer are well re- membered in later years. There have been tailors and tailors, and the great Andrew Johnson was once a tailor. So was Seldon A. Givens one of the early illustrious lawyers of Greene coonty, but he threw the sad iron away for the lawbook and he made his mark. Another carv- er of cloth in the early days of Catskill was A. N. Hinman, better known as Deacon Hinman. Later came Charles H. Pierson and William Hunter, estimable craftsmen, followed by F. S. Lynes whose long and helpful life was spent in making good clothes, and his son later in business with him, continued the work at his death several years ago. Mr. Lynes was also one of the pioneers of the First Baptist church. Of the later clothing men.there were F. A. Stahl, and James Wallace an eccentric character who had a penchant for running for nominations, which occasionally he landed. Clothier Abram Joseph has also been here for many years, succeeding Samuel Marks in the 80's. J. L. Goldberg built the foundations for a fortune in the little store at the end of the town bridge, now oc- cupied as a candy store by Mr. Cunningham. The first large boarding house in this section was the Pros- pect Park Hotel, situated at Catskill overlooking the Hudson. It was built in 1809, and the men who were its projectors were: Edwin Croswell, Jo!in Breasted, Marcus and George Beach, Robert Seaman and William Scutt all characters of note in early history of the county. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1914. Among the hotel i of the earlier period that are not remem- bered by the present generation are the old Catskill House and the Franklin House, the former on the site of the present opera house owned by Terrence Donnelly, and the other where the Irving House stood and the Court house now is. These buildings were destroyed in the great fire of 1851, when the Baptist church, Re- formed church and many other buildings were destroyed. The 226 DEAR OLl) GREiENB COUNTY. West Catskill Hotel was built over 100 years ago by John Plank. He was succeeded by a man named Feeney, Peter Martin, John Bascom, Andrew Overbaugh, Rockerfeller, Ryan and Connerty and now Frank Ryan. The Windsor hotel was built in the 60s by Enos Gunn, and he was succeeded by William Hahn, and Albert Saulpaugh who built the present stately edifice, now conducted by his sons Albert Saulpaugh and Samuel Saulpaugh. The Irving house was built by the Persons and was destroy- ed to make room for the new Court house in 1908. The Commercial Hotel was built by Enos Gunn who sold to Philip Gay, who was succeeded by his sons, Ira and William Gay, who sold to William Bell who enlarged the property. The present proprietor is C. Clement. We do not know when the Smith House was built, but it is very old, and was enlarged and improved by Martim Smith, and later by his son William Smith a very popular hotel man, and is now conducted by his son Ed. Smith. John Smith another son is also in the hotel business conducting the Jefferson Hotel and the Irving Cafe. In the early 30's there was the Brossenham hotel near the West Shore Bridge on Upper Main street, conducted by Foote and Grant, two conspicuous men of their day. This was a drover's hotel. The building is still standing. Bull's Head. Sign, by Artist Cole. Just beyond this was the Bull's Head, kept by Wm. Salis- bury. The sign was painted by Thomas Cole the great painter and poet, father of Theodore Cole of Catskill. 227 DftAH OLD GREECE: COtJNft. «6*>- »» y ■•■ sii^illllilillll^ The Old Arcade, Early landmark in Catskill (1798.) The illustration above will be familiar to some of our read. ers. It was torn down in 1902 and gave place to the Young Mens Christian Association building, which certainly is a very great improvement. The Old Arcade as it was called, had four tene- ments on the second floor, and the street floor was used as a market and cigar store. Henry Fredenburgh the owner occupied it as a fish market, and before that time John Hulbert around the 80s. The building had never received a coat of paint and was in a weather beaten condition. It was built as near as we are able to find out around 1812. Its appearance would indicate that it was among the first frame buildings in Catskill. August 15, 1901 F. N. Du Bois placed in the hands of W. I. Jennings a check for $25,000 which was given for the purpose 228 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. of building a Young Mens Christian Association building. Shortly after the Fredenburgh Arcade was purchased and the grand build- ing that stands as a monument to Mr. Du Bois, generosity and philanthropy was erected. Saddle ai\d 3tage Coach The first pleasure party to Pine Orchard, the point where the Catskill Mountain House is located was made in 1823, and comprised a number of ladies and gentlemen of note on horse back, and they spent the night under some shelving rocks. At this time work had been commenced on the mountain house. Mr. Beach who afterwards became owner of the Mountain house, conducted the party over the bridle paths all the way to Utica. It took three weeks. During 1831, the Mannings conducted a stage line from New York to Ithaca, and Catskill was the principal stop on the way. From Catskill there was a stage line that went as far as Delhi, and we believe that Charles L. Beach was connected with that line, and had later on in 1837 the contract for carrying the govern- ment mails, between New York City and Albany during the winter season when there was no steamboat travel. In this con- nection the reader will be interested in the old poster which we have reproduced and which refers to the establishment of the first stage line between Catskill and Albany. This poster was found among the curios preserved by Judge Chase, and the engraver has given us a copy that is very excellent. This line was started in 1833 . Trips were made daily. Through horse relays we are told that the distance between New York and Albany was covered daily. 829 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. There appears to be much uncertainty in regard to the location of the first school house in Catskill. One building it is certain was converted into the old county jail. There was another school later on William street, near what is Mrs. Avery's place. There was still another on Thompson street, which in the 50's was occupied by the Methodists as a place of worship. There was also the academy on William street, now the Fiero residence. There was a colored school on Bridge street, which shows in the picture of Catskill in 1839, and still another on the West side which is now the hose house. It was in this building that F. N. Du Bois went to school in the 30's, and he tells of riding down hill on an old door and that the door was usually loaded with pupils, who when the bottom was reached always got a spill. The academy was incorporated in 1804. This was a stock corporation and^ there Broom Stick School, Now Hose House. were 520 shares of 4 pounds sterling each. James Du Bois, Cornel- ius Du Bois, Caty Du Bois, Sally Du Bois, Priscilly Adams and Sally Spicer and many otheis. Elisha Bishop was at the head of this school. This building was sold to, the Fieros around 1870 and raised up_one story for a dwelling. ,<>:$? , 830 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. A strange coincidence in the construction of the several school buildings in Catskill in the past 50 years: Contractor Geo. W. Holdridge who is one of the oldest of the old time business men, Charles Beardsley for over 40 years with Lampman firm, and Architect George Warner were all employed by L. S. and William Smith who had the contract to build the brick school- building. They were apprentices at that time. On the next building which was the Grandview school, Mr. Holdridge had the contract, and Charles Beardsley was foreman for the Lampmans who did the carpenter work. When the Irving school building was erected, Mr. Holdridge had the contract for the mason, Charles Beardsley was employed as foreman by Wm. Lampman who had the carpenter_work and George H. Warner was architect. Early Manufacturing Among the early industries of Greene county which have passed there was a glue factory at Durham, a mill at Oak Hill for grinding land plaster, a printing press manufactory at Windham, byNewbury & Morse, and a number of paper mills, at Woodstock and Windham, a carpet bag and satchel factory at Windham, and at the same place a factory for making wooden combs and tin and wooden buttons, conducted by Hunt and Matthews. Hay rakes and chairs were made at Windham. Paper at Big Holloa. There was a distillery at Red Falls and another at Windham, and still another at Durham. There was a' potash factory at Lexington, also a distillery. Oak Hill had two foundries making hardware supplies, and Palenville had a big wooden mill. Seyeral old grist mills are still in operation. Near High Falls was located a powder mill owned by Mr. Lafiin, and this latter developed into the great firm of Laflin and Rand as it now is. The powder mill employed a considerable number of men, and on a number of occasions it blew up. Once 7 persons were killed and at another time three. The men made from $80 to $100 per month. This mill was at one time Laflin, Smith and Boice. This mill blew up a number of times. The last time was in 1875, John 231 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Merritt being the only man killed. After this the mill was moved to New Jersey. Rufus T. Smith, one of the old residents of High Falls, in- forms us that one of the industries at High Falls (or Great Falls as the name is on one of the old maps drawn by George Smith, who removed to Ohio before Mr. Smith's recollection, has it) was the saw mill erected by the late Comfort K. Smith below the Falls, doing custom work and also for working up the timber on his own place. Christopher Teetsel of Quarryville was boss carpenter, John Shultis, Peter Van Hoesen, Alex. C. Whitney and R T. Smith did the carpenter work on this mill. Reuben Towner of Hunter, was the millright. He put in the saws and the Ferguson water wheel to run the sash or gatesaw. This mill was built in 1867-8. The mill was enlarged later and circular saws for slitting up slabs, and blocks for shingles added. Smith's Greene Mountain shingle machine was put in and considered a great invention. Reuben Towner installed this ma- chine and it was driven by a wooden center discharged water wheel. Two years later a turning lathe, planer and matcher for dressed lumber was added. Then the building was further enlarged, William Shoemaker of Vineland N. J. doing the stone work. After several years the old wooden water wheel was discarded, a Rich wheel being put in, and then later on an Alcott turbine, by R. T. Smith, son of C.K. Smith, assisted by Alex. Whitney and John B. Smith. Hemoyed to Brooklyn, but inherited the mill property and not wishing to operate it he sold to Levi Richtmyer of Kaatsban. Richtmyer sold to Dederick and Sterritt, and they disposed of the business to T . P. Cowhey of New York. The dam is gone and the mill a heap of ruins. Around 1818 Marvin and Co. built a large factory above the falls for the manufacture of chisels, augers, and other tools, 232 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. and even at this date there may be found chisels marked Marvin &Co., Catskill. There was also an old factory standing above the Falls bridge, which during the 50's in the heavy fall of snow was crush- ed in and never repaired. Right at the edge of the falls was an old grist mill. This was in disuse as long ago as Mr. Smith can remember. A. short distance up the stream was another saw mill. The old grist mill was burned in the 60's and at that time was being used as a spoke and handle factory by Willis Davis. Mr. Smith says that he has heard his grandfather tell how they used to attend worship at the Caatsban church when they took their guns along and left them out side, while one person was left to watch. They had no stoves in the churches and the women carried foot stoves and warming pans. Zachariah Trumpbour who built the old stone house near Smith's Mills, 1768, was great grandfather of R.T. Smith of High Falls. The old barn east of the Kaatsban church, standing today was erected just after the close of the revolution, the lumber being gathered before the war was decided. The owner, a man named Celie, was a Tory and he did not dare to go ahead until he knew whether the Colonies or King George would win out. The covered bridge at Cauterskill, and the covered bridge at Great Falls, were built previous to the period of 1860. We have not been able to find any record, however. Several of the old wooden covered bridges were built in 1857, after the great freshet which carried off the older structures. ■ v . ,, Project of a railroad from Catskill to Athens was boomed, and application made to the legislature to have same incorpor- ated. The Du Bois mill at Wolcotts was destroyed by a freshet in 1809. 233 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Values Iivcreasinjsf From the assessment roll of the town of Catskill for 1850 we discover that the entire town tax amounted to $7,076, and so far as we can discover there is not a single individual tax payer of that date down on the tax roll except Peter Timmerman $3.55, and of the three incorporated companies, one the Catskill Bridge Company paid a tax on $5000 which amounted to $39.30. The rate was .0071 The Tanners National and Catskill National Banks were assessed at $93,700 and $110,500 the tax being $661 and $780. Senator Jones was assessed for $1300 at that time. Of the list of town officers there is not a man living: This land today is valued at about $2,500,000 and the town taxes are $100,000. The state, school, village and water tax amount to more than $100,000 per year in addition. Rufus H. King was Supervisor, George Peck, town clerk, William Dodd, Lindsey Beach, Robert Dorlon and John Van- Vechten were justices. Charles Austin, town superintendent. Peter Saxe, Peter Van Vechten and Joel Comfort, assessors. Phineas Chidester, commissioner of highways. Francis Dunham and John Wardle, overseers of the poor. Egbert Bogardus, collector. Samuel A. Baker, John France, Isaac Lara way and James Cash, constables. In 1807 there were 24 licenses issued to Catskill dealers to sell liquors, and the fee was $5. Among the dealers were Hiland Hill, Philo Day, Orrin Day, Thaddeus Luddington, and some to- day may remember Luddington's Oyster Bay at the corner of Bridge and Main street, torn down with other buildings to make room for the court house and jail. Today there are in the liquor business in Catskill about 15 persons. The license fee is $200 for hotels and there are no saloons, these baying been voted out several years ago. Most of these are modern up to date hostelries, well conducted, and the traveler finds a pleasant host and good food. 234 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Smith House, The Saulpaugh, Clement's Commercial and Loud's Hotel at the Point are the leaders. On the west side are Ryan's WestCatskill Hotel, Deidling3, Oberts, and Wadonolos. The first supervisor of Catskill was Hezekiah "Van Orden, who represented the Imbogt. Then followed Henry Oathout, Samuel Van Vechten, Garret Abeel, Martin Schuneman, Samuel Haight, Johnathan Keyes, Thomas Hale, William Seaman, Aaron Hall, Jacob Haight, Robert Dorian, Ira Du Bois, Malbon Watson, Rufus H. King, Wilson Paige, Atwater Cook, Henry Johnson, Addison P. Jones, Alexander Wiltse, JohnH. Bagley,*Hiram Van Steenburgh, Sherwood Day, Samuel Dewey, Robert Austin, John A. Griswold, William Smith, John Breasted, William Donahue, H. C. Bulkley, James B. Olney, George S. Stevens, A. P- Jones, W. S. C. Wiley, P. G. Coffin, Charles A. Post, Henry Van Orden, and J. Henry Deane complete the list of Supervisors. Bounty on "Wolves Jewett and Lexington appear to have been overrun with wolves, long since extinct, and there was a bounty of $40 on every wolf killed. Jacob Van Valkenburgh of Lexington had the fences near his place ornamented with hundreds of wolve's noses, to show that the bounty bad been paid on them. There were also many panthers and wild cats in that section. There were many great bears, and plenty of deer. There are still some bears, and a few mighty bear hunters. Barney Butts at East Windham was a great bear hunter and always had bears on exhibition. Another great hunter was a man named Holdridge at Lexington. Ernest Chad- derdon of Cairo captured 3 bears in February of 1915. The bounty is now on hedgehogs, and the bear has no terrors at all for the hunter. 235 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Destructive Fires irv County The old mill in Austin's Glen was built in 1800, burned in 1807, rebuilt by the Austin family in 1815. Great fire in Catskill 1851, loss over $50,000. The Samuel Harris woolen mill at Leeds was burned with three dwellings in 1862, the loss being $80,000. In 1883 Leeds had a most destructive fire, and 13 buildings were destroyed with a loss of $30,000, and several smaller fires since that time, the fire in 1914 being the most destructive. Bell's Facing Mill and ice house 1882, Foote and Cumming Lumber yard. Summit Hill House, Catskill, 1908, loss $20,000, the barn burned in 1899. Block of buildings and storehouse at Athens in 1871. Knickerbocker Ice house fire at New Baltimore, loss $26,000 1900. Ship Yard fire A.J. Vanderpoel, at New Baltimore in 1894, damage $25,000. 236 DEAR OLD GREJEfcE (JOUNTt. The Ice house and coal depot of Raymond Smith, Catskilll was burned 1913. The Little Falls House at South Cairo was destroyed in 1914 the loss being $7,000. Among the very destructive fires that have visited the county we note: Haines Falls House, 1911, loss $75,000. Squirrel Inn at Haines Falls, 1910, loss $10,000. Prospect Park Hotel, Catskill, 1914, loss $50,^00. Jenning's Hotel, Cairo, 1913, loss $15,000. The Hart House at the Point, 1908. West Shore Depot, Catskill, 1909. M. P. Mc Cabe's West Shore Hotel, 1909. Steamboat storehouse, Catskill, burned twice, 1899, 1912. Machine shop of the Catskill Mountain Ry. at Point. Twilight Inn at Haines Falls $4,500 damage, 1914. Hotel of Matutinoich at Alsen. Ice house at Cementon. Coxsackie like Leeds has been fire swept. The most des- tructive were the West Shore freight house, Wm. Perry's hotel and barns, Jansen's dock property and coal sheds at the Lower Land- ing in 1913. J. H. Goodwin & Sons Coal yard West Coxsackie, 1914. Joseph Holdridge, an Ashland man, had a rather unusual experience. Over the door of his barn was a hornet's nest and these pests were in the habit of stinging his horses and men. One day he thought it would be a brilliant idea to burn the nest out, and so he got a torch and set fire to it. Some of the hornets got away and some of them were burned to death, and the nest was as might have been expected destroyed, but so also was the barn. The surprising part of it all was that knowing the facts the insur- ance company paid him $250, the amount of their risk. 237 tlteAR OLt) GREENE COUNTY. Horton Brother's barns, Smith Hay buildings, I. W. Brandow barn, J. Person's shop, S.Fontanella building, A. Yan- none's shop and M. E. Church sheds, loss $200,000, 1913. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Lennon'sMill at the Forge, Cairo, destroyed in 1911, loss $7000. Store of C. E. Whitcomb at Purling, 1913, loss $10,000. Shady Glen House, Durham, loss $20,000, 1900 and again in 1913. Twin Pine House in 1914. Athens has had a number of destructive fires, the White Elephant railroad property, 1874. Osborn House and other buildings, 1878. Destructive fire of 1913. Apke's Hotel at Palenville, 1899. Examiner office fire, 1900. Store of Nicholas D'Onifro at Athens, destroyed by fire in 1907. Residence of Peter Fitchett at Coxsackie destroyed by fire 1908. Residence of'George Cleveland, at Norton Hill, loss $1200, in 1903. Residence on Ingalls place at East Jewett, loss $3000, 1903. Apartment house of B. K. Van Valkenburgh, Catskill, loss $3000, 1903. Hotel of Henry Smith, South Cairo, loss $4000, 1903. Jacob's Bottling Work, Cairo, loss $10,000, 1899. The fire at the Smith House, Catskill [was one of the latest fires in Catskill doing any considerable amount of damage. Great work by the local fire department kept the building from being destroyed. The First Baptist Church, Catskill burned in 1871 . St. Luke's Church, Catskill was destroyed by fire in 1839. ^ Simmons house in Jefferson, erected around 1800 was-burn- ed in 1913. Boarding house A. Amman burned near Catskill, 1891, loss about $7000. The record of fires up to March 1, 1915. \ 239 DEAR- OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Boston Store Fire, Post's Building and Church's store. Also Smith's store and Daily Mail, the loss approximating $100,000 in 1913. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Catskill Academy, 1869. Addition Built, 1882. Catskill Schools One of the earliest events in the history of the sphools of Catskill village, is recorded in a subscription paper, dated August 23, 1793 "for the purpose of raising the sum of four hundred pounds for the erection of an academy at Catskill Landing. It would appear that this sum was not sufficient for at a meeting May 10, 1795, it was resolved that 120 shares should be added to the number already subscribed for the purpose of erecting and maintaining an academy. The trustees at this time were: Stephen Day, George Hale and Caleb Street. DEAR OLD GREEKS COtiNfY. The first teacher of this school was Elisha Bishop, whose register contained the following names of pupils attending for the term beginning August 17, 1797, and ending March 17, 1798. Arastus Stephns James Bogardus George Brosnahan James Du Bois John Brosnaham Lina Bogardus John Rimph Wessel Van Orden Edward Hayns Henry Van Orden Jesse Pratt Jacob Stephens Betsy Stodard Henry Stephns Elisha Bishop Benjamin Van Orden Sally Bishop Harriette Day Polly Bishop Elizer Root Caty DuBois Betsy Drake Sally DuBois Anna Drake Cornelius DuBois Charles Cammel Peter Schoot Sally Cammel Jacob Schoot Joel Persons Ginna Van Gorden Precilla Addoms John DuBois Sally Spicer It is not known at what time other schools were established, however in 1803, there were three schools in the village. The village school was located a few yards southeasterly from the Old Court House. It is described as an unpainted, square building, with its windows placed directly opposite each other The teachers in the village school were, usually persons who were pursuing their theological studies under the direction of Dr. Porter. On March 12, 1804, the Catskill Academy was incorporated by the Board of Regents. It was about 1814 that another school, often referred to as the Academy, was located on the north side of Thomson Street. This edifice was built partly of wood and partly of brick, and en- joyed the distinction of having the only bell in town, except that on the Old Court House. It was this bell which was rung on Sundays to call the congregation of St. Luke's together.* The bell 242 bftA.it oLb greJejne cotrNfV. on the Old Court House performed a similar seryice for those who were accustomed to worship at the Presbyterian Meeting House. Other schools contemporaneous of these times were the Catskill Lancasterian School Society, incorporated by the Legisla- ture of 1817; and the Catskill Female Seminary, incorporated in 1820. The charter of the former was revoked by the Legislature of 1830. Of the latter it is claimed that it was never organized. After a time the Village School came to be looked upon as "too sectarian and the Academy as too promiscuous" and the con- servative part of the community resolyed to establish »another in- stitution. A building for this purpose was erected near Franklin Street. Of this school, the first teacher was Kobert K. Moulton of whom it is said, "that aside from his penmanship he possessed very few qualifications as a teacher and that he did not long re- main." Mr. Moulton was succeeded by one Leguire, who is des- cribed as, "a half crazy individual, with a red wig. He too was a splendid penman, but instead of imparting a knowledge of the art to his pupils, he made use of his talent in that line by writing love letters to his female scholars." From the best authority it appears that District Number One was organized in March 1823 and that Joseph Simmons was the first teacher. His salary was $25.00 per month and thirty pupils were in attendance. The Union Free School was organized in 1856 and in 1861 the school was advanced to the grade of Academy, of whom Prof. H. B. Howe was the first principal. The front part of the present high school building was built in 1869 by Amos Story and S. W. Smith at the cost of $25,000. In 1882 an appropriation of $6000 was voted for an addit- ion to the academy. The work was done by Mull and Fromer. It is in this addition that the eighth grades are now located. It was in 1893, at the suggestion of Prof. E. S. Harris, Principal of the Academy, that an enumeration of the inhabitants 243 DEAR OLt) GtREiENE! COUNT 1 *. of the district was taken and it being ascertained that the district had the required population, the Office of Superintendent of Schools was created and Prof. Harris became the first Superinten- dent of Schools. The next important step in the progress of the elementary schools was erection of the Grandview School in 1896, at a cost of $20,000. This is a beautiful two story brick building of eight grade rooms. The Grandview School The Irving School High School By 1907 the village had grown to such an extent that the school facilities, for grade pupils, were inadequate. To meet the demands the Irving School was erected at a cost of #45,000. This DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. is one of the finest school buildings on the Hudson River. It has nine grade rooms and the offices of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools. The building is provided with a mod- ern heating plant and a mechanical system of ventilation. This school system provides for the kindergarten and eight grades below the high school. Each grade is in charge of a competent teacher. Special teachers give instruction in Music, Drawing and Domestic Sci- ence. The people of this district are much interested i» the schools and give them generous and hearty support. The Catskill Schools are the best to be found along the Hudson river and furnish a complete education, taking up the college preparatory course, the academic and commercial courses of study— art, science, stenography, language, and music. There is also a Teachers' training class, with free tuition. The pupils also have the advantage of three special prizes, the Mary Howard, J. P. Philip and H. L. Austin prizes for effic- iency. The death of Charles A. Nicoll, trustee, occurred after this article was ready for the press. The instructors are: Henry C. Thomas, Ella L. De La Mater, Henrietta Lewis, Marian E. Wheeler, Mildred F. Stone, Louise A. Hull, Myrtle E. Waugh, Kathrine G. Slattery, Edna Clark, Mary L. Hale, H. May Ford, kindergarten. The instructors in the High School are Harriet D. Jackson, principal; English; Mabel V. Root, Latin; Gertrude R. Gardner, History and Algebra; Gilberta Wallace, German and French; Ellen M. Dewey, Science; Evangeline Bartlett, Commercial Sub- jects; Mollie C. Gilbert, Mathematics; Frances M. Wood, Domes- tic Science; Jennie Robson, Training Class; Margaret E. Place, Music and Drawing. — — ___» The instructors of the Grand view School: Elizabeth E. Burhans, principal; Alice Babcock, Ildah Thompson, Ruth I. 245 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Board of Education: Frank C. Clarke, Howard C. Smith, Wendell S. Sherman, George W. Irwin, and Albert C. Bloodgood. School Officials: Frank C. Clarke, president; Wendell S. Sherman, clerk; John H. Story, treasurer; Frederick Becker, collector. Bostrom, Alice L, Adams, Bernice E. Hammond and Mary B. Story. Prof. E. C. Hocmer, Superintendent. Through the courtesy of the Catskill Examiner we show a line drawing of the Catskill High School building as it appeared in 1869, and 1882 with the addition. Also on another page a picture of the old academy, located on William street. We are sure they will prove of interest. Some Catskill Landmarks Captain John H. Bagley was one of Catskill's most honored citizens, who dropped dead at the corner of Bridge and Main streets, in October 1902 at the age of 70 years. He had been intimately connected with many of Catskill's enterprises and for a long term of years was in the grocery business with A. P. Jones, and also in a flouring mill known as the Catskill Steam Mill which later became a part of the woolen mill now occupied by the Union Mills Company. From 1860 to 1864 he was a member of the Board of Supervisors, and in 76-78 and 83-85 represented his district in Congress, In 1888 he was Member of Assembly. For years also village trustee, and for 35 years a director of the Catskill National Bank. President of the Catskill Building and Loan Association, vice-president of the Catskill Mt. Ry., a director of the Co-Operative and Mutual Fire Companies, a member of F. N. Wilson Fire Company, Catskill Lodge, and of Lafayette Com- mandry of Hudson. He was a vestryman of St. Luke's Episcopal church. Shortly after the death of Capt. Bagley came almost as suddenly that of Oliver Bourke, esq. who is inseparably connected 246 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. with Catskill's history. He was born at Bellana County, Ireland in 1830. His mother and step-father moved to Quebec in 1836, and in 1840 came to Catskill, where his step-father, James Laville engaged in butchering, and that was continued by Mr. Bourke until the time of his death in November 1802. He served Catskill as trustee and also as police justice. Another octogenarian who was connected with Catskill business life was Noble P. Cowles, who came from the Puritan Stock of Southington, Ct., where he was born in 1818. And first at Windham he embarked in tailoring, and later at Catskill in the grocery business, the firm being Meech, Sage and Cowles. For years he was Loan Commissioner of the county being succeeded after his death Dec. 4, 1902 by Kobert Story. Benjamin Wey is another of the grand men of Catskill who filled out a long and useful life, in Catskill, having touched the 83d milestone when he passed suddenly while taking an afternoon ride in October 1910. He was connected with many Catskill enterprises, including the Banks, Mountain railroad, and up to 1875 was in the drug business. For more than 20 years he was treasurer of Christ's Presbyterian church. Senator Addison P Jones who served Catskill in many official stations was for 87 years connected with the history of Catskill, and is best remembered as a partner with Captain Bagley in grocery and other enterprises, including a big tannery at the head of Main street, as supervisor, county superintendent of poor, senator, etc. He was conspicuous in the political field. He was connected with the local banks and prominent in church work. At the time of his death, May 5, 1910, he had retired to his farm, but was engaged in the manufacture of barrels. John Hard wick, an old time brick manufacturer with Robert Ferrier and J. Atwater Cooke, died in September, 1900. In October, 1900 the Rev. Wm.C. Oliver drove off the bank into the creek at Prattsville and his dead body was found under wagon in the morning. ?47 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Major William Plimley. Major William Plimley is another one of the historical characters of Greene county not to be lost sight of in making up the record of men whose memory its residents have been pleased to cherish. Major Plimley was a Cal skill boy who for many years made his way by setting type in the office of the Catskill Recorder. Responding to his country's call he went to the front and served with distinction being in many battles and rising to the rank of major. He was a close friend to Senator Piatt and many of the leading men who gained national repute, and was Department Chief of the Board of Elections of New York City. For 28 years Superintendant of the Money Order Department of New York City. He left Catskill in 1861 and went to the front as a volun- teer. He was the originator and for two years the president of the Greene County Society. He died in 1913, dropping dead at his post ofjabors. Mrs. Plimley who was also a Greene coupty 248 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. native was born at Athens, and was one of the descendents of the honored Hallenbeck family. Her father held many import- ant positions in town affairs. Mrs. Plimley for the past few months came to Catskill and made her home at the Heidelburgh, where she died on Sunday, March 7, 1.915. It was during the pastorate of William J. Finneran, that St. Patrick's church gained great prominence in the community and he erected the beautiful church in 1886, and in 1890 opened the parochal school. His death followed after a mqst successful work, in April, 1900. At his funeral every business place in Catskill closed and the most impressive service was attended by a great crowd, among the number being 50 priests from other places. Sidney Crowell was one of the well known lawyers of the county. He started out at Prattsville, and in 1871 being elected District Attorney, moved to Catskill. The famous Joe Walsh trial was during his term and he was assisted by John A. Griswold with whom afterwards he formed a law partnership. In later years he was associated with Hon. Ira B. Kerr. He died in March 1900. Hon. James B.. Olney, leading lawyer of Greene county, died at Catskill, Dec. 11, 1900. One of the organizers of the Kip Van Winkle Club. Peter Timmerman, one of Catskill's oldest business men was born at Catskill, May 8, 1830, and for many years was employed in the store of Jones and Bagley. He went into busi- ness for himself in 1884, and in 1906 purchased the property on upper Main street where he moved his grocery and feed business. The business has mostly passed into the hands of his son, Clarence Timmerman. Hon. Geo. S. Stevens, former world's fair commissioner, engineer Mallory Line steamers, postmaster of Catskill under Cleveland, and editor of the Recorder, died Jan. 1901. 249 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. William H. jStewart One of the most prominent men of Greene county who passed away Aug. 11, 1915, was William H. Stewart, of Athens, known the county over as "Hardy" Stewart, former sheriff of Greene county, who by sterling character and ability forced his way from grocery clerk in the store of his uncle David Whiting, to the ownership of the largest hotel in Athens which for 38 years he conducted successfully, and being honored with trusteeship of the village of Athens, school trustee, and for 3 years sheriff of Greene county getting a splendid majority. He was a prominent fireman of the village and one of the organizers of Morton Steamer Co . 260 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Also honorary member of Macawomuc Engine Company and the Hook and Ladder Company. He was a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association, and prominent in the councils of the Elks, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He was also an honorary member of the Citizens Hose Company of Catskill, and a member of thp Rip Van Winkle Club. At the time when Mr. Stewart took possession of the hotel in Athens it was regarded as a difficult place to manage. He at once asserted the genial power that follow- ed him through life, and the Stewart House took a position at the front. On the occasion of his death the order of Elkg took charge of the last rites and the service was attended by hundreds from all quarters of the county. The floral display was noteworthy. Mr. Stewart was born at Urlton in 1850, his parents being William Stewart and Margaret Hardwick Stewart. He was married to Elizabeth I.Hallenbeck of Guilderland. There were three children, one died in infancy, Wilford, at the age of ten years, and Harriet W. wife of Abram Post is living and Mr. Post ha3 charge of the hotel business. Mr. Post was deputy sheriff under Mr. Stewart, and assisted him in many ways. The men who served as deputy sheriffs were: A. Blenis, Greenville, Martin Chamberlain, Pratts- ville, S Coffin, Athens, Michael Lackey, Tannersyille, Bert Dewell Windham, S. Bareley, Jewett, D. S. Smith, New Baltimore, Ed. Griffin, Lexington, Seymour Taylor, Durham. Among the great artists that Greene county has turned out are Thomas Cole, Col. B. B. G. Stone, and Herbert Faulkner. H.K.Hill, another of Catskill's business men commenced business in 1872, and has since continued at the old stand on Main street. His father Oliver Hill came from Keene, N. H. in 1818 and started a paint store in 1832 . George Wilcox died at the Commercial Hotel, Catkill, March 4th, 1915, at the age of 84 years. He was a brother of Howard Wilcox who died a few days before and was for over 60 years in business in Catskill. Horace Van Aken, prominent Catskillian, killed by trolley car near his shop, Feb. 1901. ■m DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Mary Robiuson Doty who died at Windham in December, 1900, was a sister of Governor Lucius Robinson, and mother of Lucius R. and William Doty of Catskill. H. T. Jones whose placj of business is opposite the Com- mercial Hotel has been in business in Catskill since 1870, coming here some 13 j'ears previous to that date, from Greenville, and engaging in the tinning business at John T. Mann's store. At that time there was a great boom in Catskill. He was formerly from New York. No history of New York state would be complete without reference to Isaac Jogues, 1607-1646, a French Jesuit Missionary who labored in this section and who was a martyr to the cause he represented. He was captured by the Indians and tortured, once being compelled to run the gauntlet, and in 1646 he and his com- panion were tomahawked by the Mohawk Indians, after Jogues had been tortured by having strips of flesh cut from his arms and back. The Chapel at Auriesville erected in his memory is regard- ed most sacredly. Previous to this he had returned to Albany (Fort Orange) with a special commission from Pope Innocent XL Church Or jEfanizatioivg The first church organized in Greene county was the Zion Lutheran Church at Athens, which had the distinction of being one of three churches between New York and Albany. This church organization shows a set of records from 1704, and the Rev. Justus Faulkner was pastor at that time and up to 1723, when he died. This church was located in "Loonenburgh" and entries concerning it were made in the New York Church book. The Rev. Willhelm Christoph Berkenmeyer was the second settled pastor and became the "settled minister of Albany and Loonenburgh" 1723, and in 1727 it was agreed that he should come twice a year to the Church at West Camp, then organized as the Church of the Palatines. The Rev. Berkenmeyer died in 1751, and was followed by the Rev. Knoll 1777, John Christian Leps 1783, Frederick Wal- 252 DEAR OLD GREENE COtfNtV. German Lutheran Church, Athens, Oldest in County. burgh 1791, Frederick Ernst 1800, Frederick H. Quitman 1803, Philip F. Mayer 1813, Adulphus Rumph 1833, and he moved to the West Camp church. Thomas Lape 1838, Lysander Curtis 1854, Matthew Waltermeyer 1848, Augustus Bridgmen 1851, Isaac Kimbell 1853, William H. Emerick 1855, a native of West Camp, W. M. Scholll858, Henry Keller 1865, Wm. Hull 1866, Philip Stroebel 1869, Wm. H. Emerick 1872, William Travers 1875, Philip Graib 1883. The present pastor is the Rev. Jacob S. Paul. The old church seal shows a square edifice for the first building, and the present structure was a remodeling of the old one in 1856. The original communion set is in posses- sion of the church. The records show names of parents and bap- tisms from 1704, and these names run into the thousands. They show that the pious generations of the Hudson valley for a great many miles found their way to this church for membership and baptism. We have Kocksshaky, Kostverlooren, Kinderhook, Klaver- ack, Tackanick, Klinkenberg, Tarbosch, Hunterstown, Newton Kiskatamesy, Flatke, Albany, DeGroet, NottenHoek, Hoogelandt, 253 DEAR OLD GREECE COUNTiT. Oost Camp, as the places down to 1730, an assortment of places from which some of the present villages may be selected. Among the names recorded are some still familiar and others that are not familiar in Greene county. The generations of these people would be a sight that include people from all quarters of the globe. First Church in New York (New Amsterdam) 1650. A man named W- D. Coons who has found his way from Greene county to Alta Loma, Texas, wrote us that the list of names we should get complete and that is the only sort of history that would be valuable. If we got them all he would be willing to purchase a book. Our hands are up, Mr. Coons, hut pray don't shoot. We honor the ancient records but we have neither the space nor the disposition to print them all. Of the early names there are Alversons, Van Hoesens, Halenbecks, Colliers, Dekkers, Haas, Klaews, probably now Clow, Lagrangies, Faulkners, Overbags, Worms, Lassings, Vosbergs, Van Loons, Schmidts, Kuhns, Keiffers, Hoogabooms, Hannesses, Bronks, Van Schaacks, Brandows, Boughards. Von De Karres, Haydoons, Millers, Hardicks, Carters, Scherps, Lehmanns, 254 tlEAfc. OLD GREEKS! COUNTY. Jansens, Beckers, Wormers, Evertse, Minklers, Kloppers, Straubs, Silbernagles, Wodkoks, Brandaus, Schumacker3, Valkenburgerp , Deihls, Moons, Milius, Dingmans, Klauws, Kurtzs, Martins, Lampmans, Salsburgers, Bennets, Frees, Ostrandes, Rockfelders, Maccays, Braseys, Rosmans, Moor3, Stopplebeans, Brandauws and Rauws, and so on indefinitely. We spell these names differently now. The New Baltimore Reformed church was organized in 1923. For other church organizations see towns. Reformed Church and Parsonage, Catskill. The Reformed Dutch Church. It was not until 1733 that the Reformed Dutch church was established in Greene county, and three churches were started at the same time, one at Coxsackie, Leeds, then old Catskill, and Claverack. Garret Van Bergen, and the Rev. George Weiss served all three of these churches. The church at Coxsackie was at the Upper Landing and was torn down in 1798, when Henry Van Bergen gave land for a new church and this structure was torn down in 1861, and the 255 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. present structure erected. Dominie Schuneman to whom we have referred preached at Catskill, and Coxsackie 1752 to 1794. It was not until 1833 that regular preaching services in the new Reformed Church took place, and the Leeds church became known as the Reformed Protestant Church of Leeds and Kiskatoin and the new church was known as the First Reformed Church of Catskill. Later in 1843 the Church at Kiskatom was organized separately. The Reformed church at Athens started in 1826. The Coeymans Reformed church originally a part of Cox- sackie district was organized around 1736. The Catskill Reformed Church has been a yery prosperous organization, and has not only had a strong line of great preachers and broad minded men who have carried on the work very ably. The Rev. Peter Lebangh was the third preacher on the Catskill charge 1798, Henry Ostrander 1810, Peter Wynkoop 1814. Isaac N. Wyckoffl817-36. ■ -■*" It should be borne' in mind that the church at Catskill shares equally ' with the church at Leeds the honor of being descended from the old "Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the Town of Catskill." f - ' Dominie JVyckofi continued to minister to the newly organ- ized church at Catskill until 1836, when he was succeeded by the Rev. James Romeyn, who continued pastor until 1841. For about a year, Mr. Romeyn was assisted by Rev. D. D. Demarest, father of two subsequent pastors. Rev. David Murdock next served the church from 1842 to 1851, his successor being Rev. Acmon P. Van Gieson, D. D., who was pastor from 1853 to 1855. Rev. Ransom Bethune Welsh, D. D., LL. D., who was minister from 1856 to 1859,. was followed by Rev. John A. Lansing, D. D., who served from 1860 to 1866. He was succeeded by Rev. Francis A. Horton, who remained from 1867 until 1873. Mr. Horton was followed by Rev. John B. Thompson, D. D., who was pastor from 1874 to 1884. Rev. Evert Van Slyke, D. D.. was then pastor from 1884 to 1896, he being succeeded by Rev. W. H. S. Demarest, D. D., in the following year. Rev. Alfred H. Demarest, D. D. succeed- 256 1>BAR OLD GREENE COUNlT. ed his brother in 1901, remaining until his death in 1904. He was followed by Rev. I. H. Berg, and the present pastor is Rev. J. A. Dykstra. The first church was burned in the fire of 1851. The present structure is very commodious and the interior shows artistic decorations and beautiful memorial windows. The build- ing has been remodeled and the grounds beautified by a cut stone retaining wall, similar to that in front of the court house. The parsonage was visited by fire a number of years ago during the pastorate of Mr. Berg was remodeled and is a splendid building. .* John A. Dykstra the present pastor came to Catskill from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has done grand work here. On Sunday, March 7th, there were taken into he church 117 new members, the record of the church. A strong preacher and a whole souled pastor. He was married in 1913 to Miss Irene J. Staplecamp of Holland, Michigan, and she is of great help to him in his church work, being at the head of the Woman's Society. The present organization includes: Elders: William Van Orden, John D. Ahreet, Amadee Raynor, George C. Fox, W. I. Jennings, and Charles H. Van Orden. Deacons: C. Edsal Fiester, Henry R. Hinman, Frederick Fiero, Eugene Faulkner, Thomas J. Reilly. Women's Missionary Society --Mrs. J. P. Philip, president. Women's Improvement Society— Mrs. Frank H. Kortz. Women's Society— Mrs. John A. Dykstra. Brotherhood— Charles Richtmyer. Sunday School - Rudolph W. Plusch, superintendent. Christian Endeavor: Junior Society — Mrs. Clarence J. Travis, Supt. Intermediate — Mrs. John A. Dykstra, superin- tendent. Senior — Miss Martha Ernst, president. Organist - Miss Winifred Wardle Chorister —John J. Ahreet, since 1880, 35 years. 257 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Catskill. The Episcopal Ghxirch The Protestant Episcopal church was established along the Hudson river in the early part of. the last century, and it appears likely that the first church was established by the Rev. Ammi Rogers, in August 1801, when that Reverend gentleman was mak- ing a trip from Ballston to Bradford, Gt., leaving the former place where he had been established to go to the latter, a new charge. Going down the river on a sloop the boat was becalmed at Catskill and he improved the opportunity to start a church organization. The first church- in what is Catskill was erected by the Episcopalians, as the Reformed church was at Old Catskill. The first building was erected in 1804, and the second in 1841. This was following the fire of 1839. This church was built of brick, and was located on Church street where on June 6th, 1899 the last service was held, and the building placed on the market. It was in use for a short time as a dance hall, and a factory, and now is DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Post's garage. We present a picture of the old structure as it now appears, and of the beautiful picture granite structure erected by Contractor Geo W. Holdridge, and dedicated June 6th, 1899. First Episcopal Church, 1804. Now Post's Garage. This building cost $55,000, and is probably the finest church along the river. The stained glass windows are works of art and the interior is commodious and beautiful. The present pastor is the Rev. G. H. Grout, who succeeded the Rev. M. Miller who went into the Western Missionary field. Mr. Grout came to Catskill from Delhi, N. Y., and it is certain that a more popular rector never was in charge of the work, which is going forward in splendid shape. 269 DEAR OL±> GREENE COtN^V. The early supporters of the first church in 1804 were Ter- rence Donnelly, proprietor of one of- the early hotels to which we have referred, James Pinkney who wrote Sketches of Catskill, Mackey Croswell, publisher of the Catskill Packet, John Doane who lived to the century mark and a great man in Catskill, Barnet Du Bois, O'Hara Croswell, Peter Bogardus, Nathaniel Hinman, Stephen Calkins, Henry Selleck, Isaac Van Loan and Thomas Wright. During the history of St. Luke's church there have been 13 rectors: Ammi Rogers, John Reed, Joseph Prentis, Joseph F. Phillips, Louis L. Noble, Thomas Richey, E. Polsom Baker, William S. Chad well, Robert Weeks, William H. Harison, Wm. L. Woodruff, Elmer P. Miller and G. H. Grout. The officials of St. Luke's church are: Wardens— Charles Trowbridge, Dr. Robert Selden; Walton Van Loan, treasurer; Addison P. Jones, assistant treasurer; George Harding, financial secretary. Vestrymen— Edgar Washburn, Samuel C. Hopkins, Chas. Hopkins, J. M. Knap, George Purdy, David M. Post, Thomas E. Jones. Women's Sewing Society — Mrs. Geo. H. Grout, president; Mrs. Geo. Harding, vice-president; Mrs. Addison P. Jones, secre- tary; Miss Emily Marquit, treasurer. Women's Auxiliary — Miss Ruth Hall, president; Mrs. C. M. Crook, vice-president; Matilda Jackson, secretary; Mrs. Chas. E. Willard, treasurer. Altar Society — Mrs. Joseph Spoor, president; Mrs. Dr. Goodrich, secretary; Anna Gardner, treasurer. Men's Society- Dr. Robert Seldon, president; Fred E. Craigie, vice-president; Mortimer Du Bois, secretary and treasur- er; Thos. E. Jones, L. W. Richardson, Chas. J. Bagley, Arnold Grobe, advisory committee. Donald Craigie, chorister; Margaret Craigie, organist. Edgar W. Hall, commander of Boy Scouts. Sunday School— Dr. Walter Conklin, superintendent; Miss Gertrude Gardner, secretary. 260 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The second Episcopal church in the county was organized at Athens in 1806, at Greenville in 1825, Cairo 1882, Prattsville 1845, Windham 1850, and at Coxsackie in 1853. See towns for further reference. Methodist Episcopal Church, Catskill . The Methodist Episcopal Church The first Methodist Episcopal church in this section was erected at Coeymans, a stone structure in 1791, and it is likely that the other churches in this section trace directly to the church at that place, where the Rev- John Crawford was stationed. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 1800 to 1806 there was DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. formed at Catskill a church which had as its pastor Robert S. Barrett who was not only a carder of wool and an expert at dying but appears to haye been a preacher when he was not otherwise employed. His first sermons were in the Episcopal church and later on at the court house. The first church of the society was on Thomson street near the Irving school, and the building which cost $100 was used during the week as an "academy" and on Sundays as a house of worship. This was around 1824. In December of 1834, $600 having been raised a building 34x40 was erected on this lot and the society commenced to flourish. In 1846 the preaching circuit was Catskill and Coxsackie, and each place raised the sum of $155 for the pastor's salary. In 1852 High Hill, Leeds and Catskill were the preaching circuit, and in 1855 Sandy Plains came in. In 1864, High Hill was cut off the circuit, and the present church at the head of Main street was erected. Since that time the church has been enlarged, and the Sunday School room and church parlors added. The grand Steere and Turner pipe organ being a great improvement, brought about by the Atheaneum, at the head of which was John A, Foote. The church has had a number of extensive revivals when large numbers were added to the membership, one under the pastorate of Alfred Coons, and another during the Chapman work here, but the greatest of all has been under the Rey. J. W. Tetley who added about 100 at a single service in 1915. The Rev. Charles A. Holla, and the Rev. R. E. Bell were great preachers. The line of pastors has been: J. Tackbury, D. Poor, EbenHubbell, Abraham Davis, Philip Hoyt, Samuel G. Steyens, James Burch, William Hale, and Mr. Hale made his home in Coxsackie, 1852, Thomas Lodge., J. W. Macomber, William Steyens, C M. Egglestone, O. P. Matthews and S,. I. Ferguson down to 1864. Since that time they are Revs. Z.N. Lewis, J. Millard, J, 262 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. K. Wardle, Edmund Lewis, Angelo Oatrander, David McCartney, Those living are Revs. George Clark, Thomas Lamont, Alfred Coons, Charles A. Holla, Richard E. Bell, Edmund L. Hoffecker, Prank Beale, Robert Knapp, Clark Wright, H. V. Murkland, and J, W. Tetley. The officers of the Methodist Episcopal Church are : J. Clark Salisbury, church treasurer. B. C. Sanford, treasurer. William H. Thorne, financial secretary. Trustees: Charles E. Bassett, John A. Foote, George W. Iioldridge, J. Clark Salisbury, Orliflf T. Heath, Richard Van Hoesen, Willis A Haines, J. Lewis Patrie, Cyrus E. Bloodgood deceased . Stewards: Henry Van Bramer, Euberto Austin, B. C. Sanford, William H. Thorn, Elias Lasher, Herbert W. Terwiliiger, Raymond E. Smith, Elmer E. Whitcomb, H. G. Bates, Edwin C. Hocmer, N. L. King, Silas Embree, 0. A. Freer, George F. Moon. Sunday School Superintendent, Addison C. Myers. President Epworth League, Ruth Marshall. President Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs Nelson Mattice. President Women's Foreign Missionary Society, Mrs. Van Gelder. President Women's Home Missionary Society, Mrs. Geo. W. Holdridge. Organist, Mrs. William Driscoll. Chorister, George Parks. The first Christian Church was organized at Coeymans in 1812. From that center Jasper Hazen, the local preacher went out and organized churches at Freehold 1812, and later on at South Westerlo, Stephens ville, Medway and Medusa. The chur.ch at Freehold is still regarded as the strongest of the number men- tioned, and ail are flourishing. The Quaker church at Stanton Hill was built in 1833 by Jonathan Head of Oak Hill. The Friend's or Hicksite church near the same place was erected in 1840. 363 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Christ's Presbyterian Church.Xatskill;* 1808. The Presbylerian Church It is uncertain just when the first Presbyterian church was organized in Greene county. There was an organization at Dur- ham in 1793 and at Greenville in 1789, and the Rev. Beriah Hotchkin the first American Missionary to cross the Hudson river from the New England settlements formed these societies. The Greenville Presbyterians met in a barn . The church at Catskill was incorporated in 1803, and it may have been that the Rey. Beriah Hotchkin visited Catskill before the places mentioned first. The first organization at Cairo was in 1808. Ashknd 1799, then Old Windham. It is certain that the" Presbyterian churches of Greene 364 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. county organized in the early 1800's are still energetic and thriving and a great power for good. We have referred to the churches in a number of these towns elsewhere. The church at Catskill, has always been a lead- in- in religious work, and strong in the mission field and bible work. The first church was built in 1808, and in 1853 the build- ing was remodeled as it now appears. No other church in the state can boast of having had so few pastors. There have been but five men, towering giants in the religious work, who have remained long years in honored prosperity and loved by all. The first was the Rev. David Porter, 1803-1831, Theodore M. Smith, 1831-39, Gideon N. Judd, 1840- 49, Dr. Geo. A. Howard, 1850-1890 and pastor emeritus to LS98, and lastly the Rev. Christopher G. Hazard. 1891-1915. And under these men the church has prospered. Pastor Hazard has also been at the head of the Greene County Bible Society. He is regarded as one of the finest pulpit orators that the church ever had. The first meetings were held in the court house, and the first church had a double row of windows, as may be seen from the picture of Catskill taken in 1839, which we show elsewhere. The building adjoining the court house property. The great Chapman revival occurred during the pastorate of the Rev. George A. Howard in 1890, and Dr. Howard had other prosperous revivals. Dr. Hazard has continued to build up the church, and the revival of 1915 added about 100 to the church. Following a fire which broke out under the floor in 1896 and did much damage, very considerable improvements were made in the building, and the new organ, gift of Miss Helen Mackey was built into the structure. New stained glass windows were installed and the church wonderfully beautified. Among the men who have gone out from the church are the Rev. Charles O. Day, of And over College. ._The Rev. Charles 265 REV. GEORGE A. HOWARD. DD., LLD. Deceased. 50 Years Pastor of Christ's Church, Catskill, New York. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Hawley, the Rev. Geo. L. Weed and Edgar T. Doane to the missionary field. The gifts of the Catskill churches to the mission field have been noteworthy. The officials of this church are : Trustees— Orrin Day, J. Henry Deane, John L. Driscoll, Josiah C. Tallmadge, Albert C. Bloodgood, Harmon P. Pettingill, Emory A Chase, J. W. Kittrell, George S. Lewis, the latter being treasurer. Elders Orrin Day, George S. Lewis, L. Carleton Austin, Charles A. Elliott, James D. Hopkins. Sunday School Superintendent, Herman C. Cowan. Christian Endeavor Society, Herbert Knapp, pres. Women's Home Missionary Society, Mrs. Harry Morris, Women's Foreign Missionary Society, Mrs. F. F. Hender- son, pres. Women's League, Mrs. E. M. Sedgwick, pres. Chorister, Charles J. Bagley. Organist, Lisle Embree. Gloria Dei Church, Palervville. Gloria Dei Protestant Episcopal church at Palenville was organized in. 1878, and the artistic stone church was [erected .the following year, the ground being a gift as well as portions , of the structure. The Rev. Robert Weeks of Catskill supplied the pulpit during the summer season. 267 REV. WILLIAM J. FINNERAN, Deceased, Former Pastor and Builder of St. Patrick's Church, Founder and Builder of St. Patrick's Academy, tlEAtt OLt) GREENE COUNTY. Catholic Church The first organization of the Roman Catholic church ap- pears to have been made by the Rev. Father Farrell in 1830, at Hunter, and it was not until 1837 that the first church was erec- ted. Among the pastors were Fathers Constantine, Carroll, Myers, Grattan, Reilly, Murphy, Cannane, and Delehanty. The Roman Catholic church at Coxsackie was organized in 1845 and the first priest was the Rev. William Howard. The Roman Catholic church at Athens was organized in 1871. St. Patrick's church, Catskill, was organized in 1854, and the church, a low wooden structure on William street was on the lot in the rear of the present church. During the pastorate of the Rev. William Finneran, the new church was built, and • he was instrumental in building the church at Cairo, in 1895. History of this church and St. Patrick's School elsewhere in book. The church at Leeds was built during the pastorate of the Rev. Father Driscoll around 1870. The church at Cementon was built during the pastorate of the Rev. Father Fitzgerald. At one time there was a flourishing Reformed church at Oak Hill in the town of Durham. It was started previous to 1800, but about 1840 the building was torn down and the organization passed. The Rev. Pietrus Van Vlierden, was pastor, going later on to the church at Catskill. The Baptist Church The Baptist church was first organized in Greene county in the town of Durham, at Hervey Street in 1788, and at Greenville Center in 1793. The preacher was Deacon Obed Hervey; who who was an ordained minister but devoted most of his time to agriculture. Gayhead, Westerlo, Acra and Greenville Center worshippers held their meetings in barns in the several sections. The last named built a church, the first erected in 1817. The New Baltimore church was organized in 1825- The Baptist church in Athens was organized in 1832. 269 DEAft OLD GREENE COUNTY. First Baptist Church, Catskill. The First Baptist Church was organized in Catskill in 1803, and services were held in the kitchen of one of the members, Ketnra Hill. Later on in the school house and court house. The first church was erected in 1823, and John J. Ashley was at the head of the project, and he gave the ground upon which the present building stands. The first church proved too small and in January, 1840, a new church was dedicated. This building was in the great fire of 1851, and was destroyed. 370 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The society'was not'so easily disrupted and soon had another church, which also on the 8th of August 1871 was a victim of the flames. Still the ardent church enthusiasm prevailed and from the ashes came the stately and artistic building that is after a lapse of 41 years a grand building for any denomination to occupy, This building cost about $25,000. The debt last remaining was wiped out under the pastorate of the Rev. R H. Rollin, John D. Rockerfeller contributing a considerable portion of that amount. It certainly through all its tribulations merged as # the most pros- perous Baptist Church in Greene County. John J. Ashley was superintendent of the Sunday School for 84 years, and Frederick Lynes one of the early supporters of the church was superintendent about 25 years. The present head of the Sunday School is Robert Fenton, and C. K. Thompson is at the head of the Junior department. The Sunday School is in a very prosperous condition. The Revival of 1915 brought a great number of accessions to the church, and it also brought Pastor Hamm to the front as a strong pulpit orator and earnest worker. The church has had the following pastors: Truman Bee- man, Peter Thurston, John M. Peck, Reed Burrit, Richmond Taggert, Bartholomew Welch, Peter Simonson, John Dd'wling, Thomas Dowling, Henry Whitman, Samuel Wilson, Samuel B. Willis, George Webster, E. F. Piatt, J. M. Hope, A. J. Chaplin, George Webster, William C. McCarthy, A. C. Williams, P. Frank- lin Jones, Barney B. Gibbs, Horace J. Baldwin, James A. Fisher, Horace J. Baldwin, Robert H. Rollins, Robert W. Elder, George W. Rockwell, Charles J. Burton, and the present pastor, Maurice R. Hamm. To Mr. Hamm must be given the credit for the organizaton of the Boys' Brigade, which has a complete uniform, and under the" command of Wm. Heath, is an inspiration to the 271 DEAR OLb GREENE CotJNtV. older members of the church. The Roster of the Brigade as shown in the cut which we print of the boys, is as follows: Names of early members of Boys' Brigade. Front row — Left to right: Arthur Quick, Cecil Daniels, Norman Finch, Ser- geant Warde Heath, Corporal Louis Plank, Floyd Hough, Cor- poral Albert Hock, Arthur Stewart. Center row— left to right:. Frank Doebler, Frank Knight, Leroy Yager, Arthur June, Arthur Scott, William Brandow. Back row— left to right: Commandant and Chaplain Rev. Maurice R. Hamm, Earl Gardner, Bruce Brandow, Emund Reed, Corporal Leroy Tiffany, First Lieutenant Lester Butler, Corporal Warde Stewart, Sergeant Charles Beach, Captain Wm. Heath. Officers of the First Baptist Church : Senior Deacons— E. D. Green, Edgar Selleck, George 0. Van Hoesen, Robert Fen ton. Junior Deacons— Ward Mc Laugh lin, William Heath, Al- fred Jewett. 272 DEAR otb aRBtitoBi COUNTY. Trustees — Robert Fenton, Clarence Travis, C. K. Thomson, Ward Mc Laughlin, E. D. Green, Amin Smith. Clarence F. Travis, treasurer. M. K. Brooks, clerk. Mrs. Maurice Hamm, benevolence treasurer. E. D. Greene, chairman Board of Deacons. Robert Fenton, chairman Board of trustees. Mrs. John P. Russ, President Ladies' Union. Mrs. Maurice R. Hamm, Leader Helping Hand Circle. Robert Fenton, Sunday School Superintendent. C. K. Thompson, Junior Superintendent. Miss Eva Smith, Primary Superintendent. Mrs. F. A. Jewett, Home Department Superintendent. Alfred Jewett, Secretary. Ward Mc Laughlin, Treasurer. William Heath, Capt. Boy's Brigade. Officers of the Baptist Young People's Union of America — President, Alfred Jewett; Vice President, Miss Irma Brandow; Secretary, Floyd Hough; Treasurer, Fred Teator. C. K. Thompson was for 20 years secretary of the Sunday School. Mrs. Egbert Beardsley, as superintendent of the junior de- partment for many years, has attained distinction as a lecturer. Mrs. Rosa Person, as organist, has served the church for a long term of years. The church never was in a more prosperous condition and is a power for good in the community. American Bible (Society The American Bible Society like the early eyangelical church early appeared in the Greene counly field. It was not many years after Freeborn Garretson, and the early circuit riders began to make their regular appearance in this section that the 273 DEAE OLD GREENE COUNTY. Bible Society made its appearance. Catskill, Cairo, Durham, Coxsackie and Windham were represented and the prime movers were the Rev. David Porter, the Rev. Peter Wynkoop, Orrin Day and others of Catskill. Rev. Beriah Hotchkin of Greenville, Ezra Post of Durham, Daniel Sayre of Cairo and Samuel Baldwin of Windham..- That was in 1815. Rev. Beriah Hotchkin was made president, Elisha Wise secretary, and Orrin Day treasurer. S. Sherwood Day succeeded Orrin Day, and George H. Penfield followed him. The society flourished and raised about $1000 yearly for their work which was the distribution of bibles free. It is still doing splendidly and under the direction of the Rev. C. G. Hazard, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Catskill. The Catskill Y. M. G. A. The Catskill Young Men's Christian Association was organ- ized in 1890, following the Chapman revival, rooms being fitted over the store occupied by C. L. and B. K. Van Valkenburgh, now owned by F. C. Mott. The first secretary was H. F. Stander- wick of New York. H. L. Boughton, W I. Jennings, Jeremiah Day, E. A. Chase and Orrin Day, being among the prominent backers. In 1902, the present building was erected on the lot of the Old Arcade at a cost of upwards of 140,000, of which about $30,000 was a gift of Frederick Nelson Du Bois, who has been its most prominent supporter. The general secretaries have been II. F. Standerwick, Geo. Geyser, F. H. Russ, Jacob H. Osterhoudt, A. H. Miller, Edward Tarring, Charles Cunningham, E. A. Ehrensburger, George Irwin and William Canivan. The present officers are Albert C. Bloodgood president, T. J. Reilly secretary, P. Gardner Coffin treasurer. Directors: L. C. Austin, Geo. B. Austin, Herman C. Cowan, Howard C. Smith, Willis A- Haines, Orliff Heath, E lias Lasher, James P. Philip, David M. Post, Egbert Beardsley, and Josiah C. Tallmadge. Trus- tees: Emory A. Chase, P. Gardner Coffin, Geo. W. Holdridge, Josiah C. Tallmadge and William E. Thorpe. 274 US w M >- s n ■SS ja H o H oi WO o HI a o 4-» a j3 O he -M eilly and James Fitzsimmons leading the Pageant, DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Notaries Public For Greene Gounly Appointed 1915. Ashland— Francis L. Dodge. Athens -Sarah M. Hyer, 0. Gates Porter. Cairo — Richard A. Austin. Catskill— William W. Bennett, Lee F. Betts, Beulah W. Blood- good, '.P. Gardner Coffin, Seth T. Cole, John L. Fray, Geo. S. Harding, Orliff T. Heath, CJa_renceJiaffilajad J James L. Malcolm, Charles E. Nichols, William Palmatier, Harvey S. Scutt. WendellS. Sherman, Myrtle E. Smith. Coxsaekie -larthe M. Carter," Wellman R. Church, Arthur J. Collier, Harrie McK Curtiss, Daniel H. Daley, Ernest Miller. East Jewett— Cyrus W. Van Valkenburgh. Freehold R. D. 1 -Alton D. Gibson. Greenville— Orrin C. Stevens, E. Lyman Wood. Greenville Center — Leander W. Hallock. Haines Falls — Joseph K. Burkle, Christopher A. Martin, Samuel E. Rusk. Hensonville— Theodore H. Merwin. Hunter— George F. Ferris. Leeds — Louis F. Teich. ] Lexington— P'rank E. Beggs, George B. Van Valkenburgh. Med way —William N. Miller. New Baltimore— Melvin P. Hotaling. Oak Hill— Fred S. Anthony, Isaac U. Tripp. Prattsyille— Elmer Krieger, George R. Laverick, Thomas J. O'Hara. Palenville — Adam A. Pelham. Tannersville— Edward W. Lackey, Cyrus Showers. Urlton— Augustus V. Simmons. West Coxsaekie — William B. Townsend. Westkill- Sherwood Clawson, Robert S. Tuttle. Windham— Ellsworth E. Sharpe, Ernest E. Myer, Jr., Benjamin I. Tallmadge. 310 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. EDWARD REYNOLDS Greene County Society The Greene County Society, which is made up of men who hailed from Greene county or who are still residents of Greene county was organized in 1904, in New York city and every year since an annual gathering has been held in that city with a banquet, excepting in 1915. One of the principal men to promote this organization was Senator William P. Fiero, Charles L. Eickerson and Commodore Van Santvoord. At the head of the society is Edward Reynolds and roster of men all prominent in the business world: President- Edward Reynolds, 1st. Vice-Pres. — E. B. Van Deusen, 2d Vice-Pres.— J. H. Thomas, 3d. Vice-Pres.— Dorville S. Coe, 4th Vice-Pres.— Chas. E. Russell, Secretary-Treasurer — C. E. Rickerson, Registrar— Peter Fiero. DIRECTORS Edwin H Snyder, Dr. Geo. F. Madigan Fred B. Dalzell 311 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Wm. J. Minor 0. L. Youmans E. H. Dunham Allen R. Hicks Peter Fiero Chas. E. Russell Dr. Wm. B. Snow Irving W. VanGorden 7 . B. DeLamat er Wm. H. McCaBe D. G. Cornin Peter S. Jennings Raymond H. Fiero L. W. Mower Hon. J F. Hylan Dr. W. B. Chase Andrew Colvin E. B. Van Deusen Henry W. Showers Dr. Wm. Stevens Edward T. Dalzell Assemblymen, of Greene Go\mty from 1800 The first assemlbymen to represent Greene county then newly formed in 1800 were Thomas E. Barber and Caleb Benton, William Beach and Philip Conine, jr. in 1802. 1803 George Hale, 1804 Stephen Simmons 1805 Pat. Hamilton M Schuneman Stoddard Smith Daniel Say re 1806 John Ely 1807 J Thompson 1808 C T Hotaling J Thompson Samuel Haight Perez Steel 1809 James Gale 1810 Ben Chapman 1811 William Beach E Reed Ira Day Jonas Bronk 1812 John Ely 1813 John Adams 1814 Willian Fraser Simon Sayres Perez Steel A Van Dyke 1815 James Gale 1816 James Powers 1817 Levi Callender Martin Van Bergen Jacob Roggen Justus Squire 1818 John I Bronk 1819 James Foster 1820 Piatt Adams Jairus Strong Isaac Van Loan Aaron Reed 1821 James Powers 1822 Reuben Hosford 1823 Caleb Coffin Jacob Roggen William Seaman Edward Daley 1824 Gilbert Bedell 1825 Addison Porter 1826 Perkins King A Bushnell William Seaman William Tuttle 1827 Elisha Bishop 1828 Moses Austin 1829 J Miller Wm Faukner Castle Seeley H Quackenboss 1830 Lewis Benton 1831 E Hamilton 1833 Henry Goslee John Brandow Dumah Tuttle Wm Pierson 1834 B Bagley 1835 D Ingersoll 1836 S Tryon S Nichols A Van Bergen John Watson 1837 Thos Cooke 1838 Piatt Adams 1839 Gilbert Bedell Peter Hubbell Thos Cooke S Nichols 1840 Turhand Cooke 1841 Aaron Bushnell 1843 John Laraway D Quackenboss Philip Teats A Van Slyke 1844 Robert C Field, 1845 D Hervey 1846 N Lawrence rj . r L C Stimsou G W Sager P Van Bergen 312 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. 1847 Win V Adams 1848 A Palmer 1849 A Bailey A Marks F A Fenn Albert Turtle 1850 Alonzo Greene 1851 J A Cooke 1852 N H Gray Theo Prevost Henry Kinsley T Bedell, Jr. 1853 Darius Winans 1854 Joshua Fiero, Jr. 1855 M LRickerson E P Bushnell G Robertson ' John C Palmer 1856 Buel Mabin 1857 David Whiting 1859 Daniel Strong M B Mattice . H Baldwin 1860 A R Macomber 1861 Gilbert Bedell 1862 J Coles 1863-4 Lorin Green 1865 Prentiss Hallenbeck 1866 E P Moore 1867 Thos A Briggs 1868 James Loughren 1869 B Griffin 1870 1 H Van Steenburgh, 1872 3 Augustus Hill, 1874 Horatio Lockwood, 1875 Benjamin F Barkley. 1876 Burton G Morse, 1877 Oscar T Humphrey, 1878 Cicero C Peck, 1879 George S. Stevens, 1880 Albert Parker, 1881 Orlando L, Newton, 1882 Samuel H Nichols, 1883 Frank S Decker, 1884 Bradley S McCabe, 1885-86 Stephen T Hopkins, 1887 John H Bagley, 1888 Francis G Walters, 1890-1 Omar V. Sage, 1892 Edward M Cole, 1893 Capt. James Stead, 1894 Ira B Kerr, 1895 Daniel G Greene, 1896-7 Newton Sweet, 1898 John J. Ellis, 1899 D Geroe Greene, 1900 Sylvester B. Sage, 1901-2 William W Rider, 1903-4 Charles E Nichols, 1905-6 7-8 9 William C Brady, 1910-11-12-13 J h Patrie, 1914-5 George H Chase. These men from various sections of the county served their terms with signal ability, and some of them were returned term after term, W. C. Brady of Athens, and J. Lewis Patrie of Catskill having the longest terms. Jacob Haight of Catskill in 1834 was state treasurer, and in 1861 Edward Hand of Catskill was banking superintendent. Notable Events and Men Cyrus W. Field, layer of the Atlantic Cable, was bom at Durham in 1782, and was the son of Ambrose Field, a pioneer of that town. Lyman Tremaine, the great lawyer and judge of Greene county, was born at Oak Hill, in 1812. He was attorney general of the state in 1857; he was also a member of the legislature 1865, and defended Edward S. Stokes, tried for_ the] murder of_James Fisk. Uncle Barney Butts was the greatest bear hunter of Greene 313 DEAK OLD GREENE COUNTY. county. He wa3 born near Windham in 1799, and his father and mother each lived to be 100 years of age. He died at the age of 75 years in 1874, and had killed over 100 bears, getting as many as 3 in a single day. Anson P. Wright, of Durham, lived to be 95 years of age, and was a musician in the Revolution. He was born in 1792, and his wife was a daughter of Col. Bullock, an officer of the Revolu- tion, who died at the age of 94 years, Col. Piatt Adams wa s born at Durham in 1792, and he represented Greene county in the legislature 1821-24, and in the senate in 1848-49. He was also colonel of the 49th regiment, holding that position for 10 years. He was supervisor of Durham 1825-28-34-38, and sheriff of Greene county 1828-30. Col. Ezra Post, of Durham, was colonel of the 49th regi- ment in the war of 1812. His son William was also a colonel. Capt. Aaron Thorpe built one of the first saw mills in the town of Durham in 1790, on Thorpe Creek. He served in the Revolutionary. Capt. Ashiel Jones, of Hervey Street, was an officer in the Revolution, and settled in Durham, in 1788. Moses Austin, of Durham, was a judge of the court of Common Pleas He settled at Cornwallsville in 1806, and was an assemblyman in 1829. Capt. Charles Johnson, of Durham, served in the Revolut- ion, and a relative of Mrs. W. F. Lamont, of Catskill. Thomas E. Barker, of Cornwallsville, settled at that place in 1790. He was a member of the legislature 1898-99, 1800; supervisor of Durham 1822-24 ; also judge of court of Common Pleas. Caleb Benton was also from the town of Durham and was a judge of the court of Common Pleas. Capt. Hinman, of Durham, was in the French and Indian war, 1755, and was with General Braddock at the time he was trapped by the Indians. 314 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Timothy Munger, of Durham, also served in the FreDch and Indian war, 1755. ^fl ' '.■' ' as -'■'■' ' *mt ■ ffp* -49^ 1 Wm ml .^iV 1 TwA* "~~. M ^r v ^ [ t Jl\ \ . Ml MMW AW W M MACKEY CROSWELL Publisher of the Catskill Packet, 1792, now Catskill Recorder. He retired from printing to the more strenuous occu- pation of village tavern keeper. His brother, Dr. A. H. Croswell, took up the duties of postmaster, being appointed by George Washington. Mr. Croswell was in the drug business with Dr. Brace. 315 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. THE GALLT FAMILY In the search of old books and documents that came into our possession while writing this history of Greene county we find mention made of William Gait great-great-grandfather of the writer, F. A. Gallt. Referring to the Linzey patent Fitch says in his history: "David Ramsey, James Campbell, William Gait and William Dixon from Ireland settled on the patent in 1742 at the village of Cherry Valley.'' At that time there were but 8 people in the entire township, and owing to the fear of the Indians there but 60 in 1752. Among that number was the Rev. Samuel Dunlop who taught a classical school, said to b?, the fir3t one west of the Hudson river. Nov. 11, 1778 the Indians descended on the town and murdered the inhabitants, burning every building in the place. 16 continental officers and soldier were among the slain. William Gait was among the number slain, but his sons John Gait and Joseph Gait escaped . He was one of 6 brothers who came to this country from Ireland, having fled from France during the persecution of the Huegenots. From the old family bible printed in 1728, which was in the possession of William Gait at the time of the massacre in 1778 and in the handwriting of William Gait we find that William Gait, son of William Gait was born in the Parish of Kilragh and county Enbron, in the Kingdom of Ireland. Came to America in Nov. 1740. Was married to Margaret Harper, daughter of John and Abigal Harper, at Cherry Valley, August, 1765, by the Reverend Mr. Dunlop. John Gallt, oldest son of William and Margaret Gait, was born at Cherry Valley, July 24, 1766. Was baptised by the Rev. Mr. Dunlop. John Gait escaped at the time of the massacre. Joseph Gait, born 1773, also escaped. The Gallts settled later at Cato, Cayuga Co., moving to Harpersfield, and then to Jefferson where in 1869 Frank A. Gallt was born. The old bible lacking 13 years of being 200 is in his posses- sion as are also a number of books that were the property of the Rev. Mr. Dunlop. Two of these books were printed in 1793, and 316 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. have written in them the names of William Gallt and Joseph Gallt, "his book''. They were called "Dessertations of the Prophesies" by Thomas Newton DD, 10th edition. Edinburgh, MDCCXIIL and dedicated to 'his Grace, the Lord Bishop of Canterbury." The books are bound in heavy leather and yellow with age. > The Harper family were conspicious in the early colonial history of Schoharie county, Mrs. James Gallt being a Smith, and her mother a Harper, also tracing to Tim Murphy, the Indian fighter. The record also shows the births of William Gallt, May 1, 1767, Minerva Gallt, James Gallt, Margaret and Matthew Gallt, all of whom were baptised by the Rev. Mr. Dunlop at 'Cheryvaly.' The name of William Gait is among those carved on the Tr.yon county monument at Cherry Valley. Showing the names of the persons who were massacred by the Indians and Tories under Brandt. William Gait was knocked on the head with a gun, scalped and left for dead. He lived for a day or two. Frank A. Gallt, Publisher of the Catskill Enterprise, established October 1898. Born Jan. 1, 1859, at Jefferson, Scho. County, N. Y. Father and mother James and Hetty V. Gallt, of Harpersfield, Delaware county. Married Oct. 26, 1882, to Carrie E. Pratt of Oak Hill, N. Y. Learned the printing business a Jefferson Courier office, and was educated at Stamford academy. Studied art at Paterson, and came to Catskill in March 1882. Employed on the Catskill Recorder, later with the Examiner. Served 5 years Company E., Honorary member of Citizens Hose Company. Formerly secretary and treasurer of company, and member of the running team. Has five sons, William, Robert, Frank E., Joseph, Raymond, and one daughter, Reba M., wife of marketman Fred E. Field. James Gallt, father of F. A. Gallt, was born and his early ife spent in a log house and the first pair of shoes that he had to wear was after he was big enough to make them himself. August 12, 1862, J. Gault received a patent and put in 317 i)EAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. circulation encased postage stamps which were used all over the country as money. These consisted of a stamp with a layer of mica over the face framed in a round metal case. They were 1. 2, 3, 5, 10, 12, 30 and 90 cents. And all of these stamps enclosed are at a premium today of from 75 cents to $12. Sir John Gait was a member of the British Parliament. Dr. Robert Gait established the Fox Memorial Hospital at Oneonta. Col. Fox who married his daughter, being shot in the Rebellion. CLAUDE H HEATH Claude H. Heath, Worshipful Master of Catskill Lodge 468, F. & A.M. year 1914. Was born at Cooksburgh, Albany, Co., on August 12th, 1876 and came to Catskill April 1st, 1898. Married Jessie L. Moore of Mackey, Schoharie Co. on June 14th, 1899. Have no children . Employed, as miller at the Rushmore mill, Catskill Moun- tain RyCo. and by the Atlantic Coast Line R. R. Co. as locomotive engineer and on May 19th, 1911, was appointed Railroad Fire Inspector in the Catskill Forest Preserve, on June 5th, 1912, was appointed Chief Inspector for the Conservation Commission, State of New York, which position he now holds. He is a member of the Reformed Dutch Church of Catskill, Catskill Lodge 468, F. & A. M., Catskill Chapter R. A. M. 285, Lafayette Commandery 7, Hudson, N. Y., Cyprus Temple A. A. 0. N. of the Mystic Shrine of Albany, N. Y. Catskill Chapter 0. E. S. 293, Catskill, N. Y. Catskill Masonic Club, (Past President) also a member of Citizens Hose Company No. 5. of Catskill N. Y . Ex-Member of Co. E. N. G. N. Y. MAJOR AUGUSTINE PREVOST Major Augustine Prevost, owner of a patent of 7000 acres of land at Greenville, was born at Geneva, Switzerland, and serv- ed in the French and Indian wars, in the Royal American regiment, of which his father was colonel. He moved to Green- ville in 1794, and occupied the old house of which we show a picture elsewhere. He died at Greenville in 1821. 318 bttAR OLt) GREENES COtTNTY. Prominervt Greene County Men. FREDERICK GOSLEE Frederick Goslee, who represents the town of Jewett in the Greene County Board of Supervisors, is one of the leading men of that town, and having served several terms in the board naturally is regarded by his fellow townsmen as the right man in the right place. The town of Jewett has certainly been well looked after by him. The Goslees were among the early settlers of that town, coming to this country from Connecticut soon after the devolution. Frederick M. Goslee was born at Jewett in 1866, and is the son of Milton Goslee. His mother was Esther L. Goslee. He was married to Frances E. Brainard in 1897 and has four children, Milton B., H. Reginald, F. Howard and Helen Esther. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Jewett, and Mountain lodge, No. 529, Windham. Various members of the Goslee family have served the town and county in official stations. Munsion Buell, great great grand- father of Frederick Goslee, had the distinction of being county judge, and Henry Goslee, a great uncle, was also county judge. Henry Goslee, great greatgrandfather, was one of the early settlers of the town of Woodstock, later Windham and then Lexington, and finally now Jewett, being the different arrangements of the original territory of Woodstock, Ulster county. He bears the very considerable distinction of having been a soldier in the Revolution, and having been one of the guard over Major Andre, who was captured by the American forces with plans of West Point fortifi- cations in his possession, that had been given to him by Benedict Arnold for delivery to the British. He was shot in the leg in the fight at Stony Point, and for years carried the bullet. The doctors were unable to locate it, but one day he took his pocket knife and performed the operation for its removal himself. Other members of the Goslee family are scattered all through the towns of the county, and the state as well. Edgar B. Goslee, of Tannersville, an adjoining town, served in the Board of Supervisors for a number of years, being in the Board with Frederick Goslee. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. LEWIS HOOSE The Hoose family "were among the early settlers of the town of Greenville, and the Hooses have always stood for progress and the welfare of the community in which they lived. Supervisor Lewis Hoose of Greenville is no exception to the rule. Unassuming and retiring he never pressed himself into politics, and naturally enough it was with great reluctance that he yielded to the plead- ings of his party to represent the town in the Board of Supervisors, for his election was taken as a matter of course. His work in the Board was very gratifying to his friends and the town profited by his wisdom. The affairs of the town at home were never better looked after than since they have been in his hands. Lewis Hoose was the son of Wm H. Hoose and his mother was Miss Lucinda Webb, of Urlton, town of Coxsackie, and they had a family of two children. Lewis Hoose was born on Feb. 5, 1858, and was married March 1st, 1879 to Fannie J. Hotaling of Coeymans Hollow, Albany County. The members of his family are three sons, Eugene, Arthur and Charles. He attends the M. E. church at Greenville. Is Charter Member of Lyman Tremaine Lodge No. 265 I. 0. 0. F. Oak Hill, N. Y., also Charter Member Park Green Council Royal Arcanium No. 684 Greenville N. Y., and member of Zeus Lodge No. 360 Knights of Pythias, Greenville, N. Y. He served the town of Greenville as Highway Commissioner during the years of 1894-1895-1899-1903-1904-1905-1906. OMAR V. SAGE Omar Van Leuven Sage, Former Warden of Sing Sing Prison, was born at Catskill, N.Y. December 17, 1834. He was for several years employed as a bookkeeper in New York City and later with his brothers conducted a general store at Prattsville, N. Y. 320 DEAR OLD GREENE CJOUNTY. From 1865 to 1872 he was in the commission business in New York City. In 1880, he established the coal business at Catskill, which he now conducts. He has served as Supervisor of Prattsville, as County Clerk of Greene County, and in 1889 and 1890 was a member of the State Assembly. From October, 1894 to May, 1899 he was Warden of Sing Sing Prison; and from October, 1899 to July, 1904, was Superintendent of the House of Refuge on Randall's Island. In July 1863 he enlisted in Company A 86th. Regt., N. G. N. Y. : was made captain, August 22, of the same year; Ordinance Officer 8th. Brigade, July 8, 1867: Assistant Adjutant General, 8th, Brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel, October 8, 1874; his CDmmission expiring February 11, 1875; re-enlisted, 16th. Separate Company, October 8, 1879; Ordinance Officer Fifth Brigade, and captain, January 31, 1883;and Major, Apr. 23, 1883. Major Sage is a Mason a director of the Catskill National Bank, and president of the Co- operative Fire Insurance Company and of the Commercial Mutual Fire Insurance Company. H e married Julia F. Houghtaling, February 15, 1868. . - Col. 0. V. Sage traces to David Sage, who was born in 1639, in Wales and was one of the first settlers at Middletown, Ct., in 1652, where the stone marking his grave is still standing. From his generations come 90 per cent of the the Sages in the United States, a very large and honored family. Benjamin and Daniel Sage were with Arnold at Quebec and also with General Gates at the time of Burgoyne's surrender. Among the 20 members of the Sage family in the Revolution Com- fort Sage was a colonel. David Sage was killed in the fighting at- Quebec. William Sage was killed in the fight at Bunker Hill. Moses Sage was killed in the fight at Lexington . Hosea Sage died at West Point. 321 JOBAfe otb GfeiEiirtj dOtJNT?^. James Sage was with General George Washington at Mon- mouth, N. J. Captain Nathan Sage was a privateer and had the distin- guished honor of capturing an English transport loaded with ammunition at a time when the colonies were in great need of powder. Later he was a judge, and died in 1833, at Oswego, where he was collector of the port , Moses Sage was impressed into the British service, but jumped overboard and escaped after swimming about three miles. Sparrow S. Sage, in 1812, found that during his absence from home his wife had been taken captive, and he trailed the party, having only an axe as defense. Coming up with the Indian who had the captives, he rushed at him with his axe, and the savage attempted to shoot but the flintlock missed fire, and Sage's axe did its deadly work. He returned home with the Indian's scalp, gun and tommyhawk, and his wife and another woman who had been captured. Miles Sage was captured by the British at Hadden field, N. J., and after being bayoneted was left for dead. He recovered. The. Hon. Russel Sage was a congressman many years, and a great "railroad man. David Sage had two sons, David, born 1665 and John, born 1668. John Sage had one son, born 1696 and his son, Benjamin, was born in 1703." Benjamin had 5 sons, Benjamin, Daniel, Harleigh, Selah and John, and 4 daughters, Sarah, Chloie, Lucia and Elsie. Daniel Sage, his son, was born in 1756, and he had 8 sons, of whom Jewett was born in 1793, and had 6 sons and 4 daugh- ters. He lived at New Berlin and was 5th from David. Nelson Sage, son. of Jewett, was born in 1836, and had 2 sons and 2 daughters. Daniel Sage, was grandfather of Omar V. Sage. He was m MAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. born at Conesville, N. Y. in 1785, and had 3 sons and 5 daugh- ters. His oldest son, Hart C. Sage, was father of Omar V. Sage. He had 3 sons, Omar C. 1834, Omar V. 1834, and Sylvester B. 1836. Omar V. Sage was 10th generation from David and has had 3 children, Clarissa H., Elizabeth H., and Mary A. Sylvester B. Sage was for many years in business in Cats- kill in the Meech building, and his son, Clarence, is in the coal business with Omar V. Sage. John Sage died at the age of 88 years and had 15 children, 120 grand children, and 40 great grand children, according to the tablet in the old grave yard at Cromwell, Ct., 1752. Salisbury House, Leeds. The Salisbury Manor house is still'standing practically the same as when it was built, on the heights west of Leeds. It was built in 1630. 323 v. o C o GO p P. o Pi .2 o p o P. « John Roe, Former Superintendent of Poor. Rev. Geo. W. Thompson, Publisher of Faith & Works. John jvciny, Former CJerk of Catskill, DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. There have been some remarkable changes near the Hop-o- Nose. Here was located the famous old Stone Jug mansion with its colonial times history. This mansion gave way to the continu- ous kiln of the shale brick plant. The headland opposite the point of rock was blasted out and carted away and gave place to the big machinery building of the shale plant, which was commenced in 1882. On this headland in that year the Steamer Emaline of Pokeepsie, bearing a number of fire companies was sunk. The continuous kiln and the great stack that surmounts it were a grand piece of mason work built by Contractor George W. Holdridge. The big stack has been struck by lightning a number of times but stands erect and almost without a scar, except a few bricks at the summit. Mr. Holdridge also built the big stacks on the lower plant that now does the burning of the brick. Little Falls House, South Cairo, Destroyed by Fire 1914. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTT. M. EDW. SILBERSTEIN. M. Edw. Silberstein, publisher and editor of the Catskill Daily Mail, was born in New York city 38 yeare ago. When yet a young man he became intensely interested in newspaper work, his initial appearance in that field being in 1895, when he became manager of the "Show ,'' a little journal published by the Madison Square Company of New York city. Here his duties were to take care of the advertising, a responsibility he assumed with but scant experience, but with a determination to learn the business from the ground up. The years 1898 and 1899 found him a little further advanced, his connection at that time being as«one of the publishers of the Society Journal, of New York and the Far Rock- away Guide. A little later he joined the advertising staff of the New York American, representing that great Metropolitan daily as its solicitor for summer resort advertising in the Catskill moun- tains. In this capacity he remained 10 years, and while employ- ed on the American he became interested in street car advertising, and for some time controlled the advertising of the street railroad companies in Catskill, Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Peekskill, New Paltz, Highland, Hudson and Albany. He finally disposed of his interests to Ward and Gow, of New York city and, in the year 1906, purchased the Catskill Daily Mail. During his residence in Catskill, a period of about 15 years, Mr. Silberstein has proven that there is an exception to every rule, for he is one New Yorker who loves the open, and no inducement could lure him back to the city. All his interests, his business, residence and social affiliations are so closely allied to Catskill and Greene county, that in the fullness of time he will be written down, an old timer, almost a native. WILLIAM JOESBURY William Joesbury has been assessor of the village of Catskill for twenty-five years. In 1890 to 1894 he .was postmaster of Cats- kill under President Harrison. In 1865 he became a member of F. N. Wilson Fire company, leaving it in 1869 to organize Citi- zens' Hose company. He has been chief of the fife department, postmaster and clerk of the village of Catskill, r-«?7 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Militia We do not find much in regard to the early wars so far as Greene county is concerned. Representative men from the section came into prominence and among them were Col. Pratt, Major Prevost, General Haight, Colonel Dubois, and others and a good many men were in the ranks serving during the campaigns along the Mohawk river, upper Hudson River and in the Champlain section, Benjamin Tryon of Coxsackie is said to have come to this country with Captain Kidd the great pirate, and served in the revolution. Capt. John Pratt, George Wright, James Utter and Augustus Pratt, of Durham were veterans of the revolution, and Captain Hinman and Timothy Munger also of Durham served in in the Indian wars. Capt. Electus Pratt also of Durham lost his arm at the battle of Gettysburgh. Reuben Stebbeps of Greenville, Silas Rockwell of Durham, and Col. Ezra Post served in the war 1812. Col. Ashiel Jones of Durham served in the Revolution. The old Indian trail ran from Catskill to Oak Hill, Preston Hollow and Middleburgh and on to the Mohawk valley. During the revolution the Mohawk Indians in this section became hostile and some of their prisoners, the Abeels, Henry Plank of Oak Hill and a few others were taken over this route to Canada. The Abeels returned but Plank did not come back. A man named Howard was also carried to Canada. In the Hermance Library at Coxsackie has been preserved a number of matters in regard to_the revolutionary period that are most valuable. These show that as early as 1740 John L. Bronk was commissioned a captain in the llth regiment of which Anthony Van Bergen of Coxsackie was Colonel. A remarkable number of men, population considered, saw service in the revolution from the district of Coxsackie, which was designated in 1772, and em- braced sections now Greenville, Durham, New Baltimore, Cairo, and from the names that appear it would seem that Catskill men must have been in the list. In Anthony Van Bergen's regiment 1777, John L. Bronk, adjutant. W. J. Van Orden, quarter master. Joachim Tryon, -328 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. lieutenant. Cornelius Conine, ensign. Derrick Leyerson, sergeant. John Van Buskirk, fifer. John Whitbeck, capt. Wessell Salisbury lieut. Henry Van Bergen, ensign. John Van Veehten and John Du Bois lieutenants. John Wigram 2d lieut. In Captain Henry Van Bergen's company there were Peter Bronk, Richard Bronk, Matthias Bloom, Jacob Bogardus, Henry Bogardus, Manning Bogardus, John Baptiste, Ephraim Bronk, John G. Bronk, Philip Bronk. Peter A. Van Bergen, Godfrey Brandow, John Brandow, John Boom, Cornelius Conine, Peter Conine, Jeremian Cgnine, Peter Conyn, Hermanius Cuyler, Michael Colier, James Chichester, Daniel Clarke, Samuel Chichester, John Carle, Christopher Dise, John Dise. Samuel Folton, Leonard Fore, Caleb Foster. John Garrett, Samuel Garrett, Isaac Garrett. Thomas Houghtaling, Henry sHoughtaling, Richard Houghtaling'. Peter Joans, Thomas Joans, John Jans. Stephen Lantman. James Magee, Samuel Mott. Joachem Van Pelt, Stephen Parmun, Jacob Parmun, Solomon Parmun. Edward Roberts. Cornelius Sluyter, Nathan Stanton, Ebenezer Stanton, Joseph Stanton, James Stanton. Lawrence Tead, Robert Trips, Wilson Ostrander. Richard Vandenburgh, Peter Van Pelt, Teunis Van Slyke, Peter Vandenburgh, Joechem Van Pelt, Baltus Van Slyke, Lucas Van Deusen, Teunis P. Van Slyke, Jacobus Van Slyke, Hendrick Van Slyke, Dirck Van Slyke, Tunis Vanderzee, Peter Van Slyke, Anthony Van Bergen, Peter A. Van Bergen, Robert Vandenburgh. Richard Vandenburgh, Martin Vandenburgh, Samuel Van Pelt. Nicholas Wells, William Wells, John Wagoner, Adam Wood, John Wigram, John Watson, Solomon Wiggs. In addition to the above list there were some nine months men listed for 1776. 329 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Johannes Brandow, Godfrey Brandow, Casperus Bronk, Ephraim Bronk, Philip P. Bronk, Peter Bronk. Jeremiah Conine. Christopher Dise. Peter Shaddon, Richard Sherman, Stephen Lantman. John Vandenburgh, Robert Vandenburgh, Richard Van- denburgh, William Vandenburgh, Peter Van Slyke, Albert Van- derzee. A good many of these families are represented today at Coxsackie notably the Van Bergens, Bronks, and Van Slykes. The men who served in Capt. Samuel Van Vech ten's Com- pany formed in 1776 were: Samuel Van Vechten, captain. John Hoodghkirk and John Ball, lieutenants. Daniel Everts, ensign. Ralph Cole, Charle Shaver, Isaac Overbaugh, Joseph Bettes and Teunis-VanWagonen, seargents. Andrew Dunlap, Justus Valkner, Ambrose Tuttle, Gilbert Van Debogart and Stephen Mason, corporals. David Floyd, fifer. Elijah Manrole, drummer. The privates were: Moses Akine, Valentine Asken, Jacob Asten. John Barnett, Joseph Bettes, Atchison Bullock. Abraham, Cammer, Robert Cannada, William Caniff, Joseph Conklin, Michael Coombs, Peter Coombs, Peter Crapo. William Evans, John Emerigh. Jacob Farrington, William Flangler, Francis Flamin. William Grimsey, James Giers. John Griffeth. Matthew Halenbeck, Michael Harp, James Halstead. Nathaniel James. William King, Peter Laraway, Jacob Livingston, John Low. Isaac Marick, Stephen Mason, David Miller, John Mcllmol John Mizner. Peter Ostrander. Joseph Parker. Edward Ray, John Roberts. 330 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Benjamin Samons, Solomon Scutt, Thomas Staats, Francis Smith. Cornelius Taylor, John Taylor, Ambrose Tuttle. Jacob Van Tesley, Christian Van Vorst, Gilbert Vandebo- gart. Jeremiah Wolfe. John Young. Of the above 17 deserted. They carried guns, pistols and tommyhawks. » The first regiment that went out from this section in 1861 was under command of Col. George W. Pratt, and from that time to the end of the war there was a stream of volunteers from Greene county and Companies D. K. and F. of the 120th New York were from here, the 5th heavy artillery had more of our men, and the draft of 18(52 covered a list of over 1800 men. Many of these men were unfit for service and some found substitutes. Various bounties up to $750 were offered to volunteers. The report of the county treasurer in 1864 showed that $822,502 was raised on the County bonds to pay for volunteers. The total number of men furnished was 4190. Showing in a faint manner the awful drain of war .upon this section. Many of these men never returned, and others came back crippled and maimed for life. A few still remain scat- tered over the county. During the Revolution, 17 regiments were raised in New York and in 1777 the Colonel of the 11th regiment was Colonel Anthony Van Bergen of Coxsackie,. and the lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Du Bois, whose picture we have shown on another page in connection with the history of the Du Bois family. The cottage of Cornelius Du Bois is also shown on another page. Cornelius died in poverty. Though up to the last of his life he used to sit by the old fire place, with his pipe and tobacco and narrate his campaigns against the Indians in the Mohawk valley and along Lake Champlain. The last of the war bonds were paid in 1909. .331 Armory of Co. E., before recent Improvement The history of company E. which was organized in 1880 as the 16th Separate Company, completes the military record of Greene county. The first drill hall was over what is now Waggoner's store and the law offices in the Sage Building at the comer of Main and William streets, and Col. Omar V. Sage was the first commanding officer. The company had in its ranks such staunch men as Emory A. Chase, Clarence E. Bloodgood, Judson A. Betts, Arthur M. Murphy, George W. Holdridge, and others. The successive commanders of the company have been Col. 0. V Sage, Arthur M. Murphy, William W. Bennett., Lieut. Searles, H. W. Cowlbeck, Albert Saulpaugh, Percy W. Decker, Daniel J. Cassidy. 332 Company V,. Personel of l..;08 The present armory was built in 1884 at a cost of $40,000, George W. Hold ridge doing the work. It has since been greatly improved at an expense of many thousands of dollars. It has a great drill shed, parlors, pool room, officers rooms, mess hall, kitchen, reading room and library, locker rooms rifle range, bowl- ing alleys, and is equipped for active field service in time of need. The company forms a part of the regular militia, and is drilled annually in state camps by the officers of the regular army. i The company was called out to quell riots at Lime street and in the great railroad strike at Buffalo. It has also a fine rifle range at Leeds. The roster of the company is 60 men, who serye without compensation, except that during attendance at state camp, the men get $10. The armory is under the personal care of Lieutenant 327 btoAft oti> GRBiJ^te ciotJNty. Charles A. Vrooman, armorer; Sergt. William Hock, assistant; and William E. Daniels, engineer. It has generally led in target practice and fine general attainment. The 16th separate company was represented by a full com- pany in the Spanish-American war, Captain William W. Bennett commanding at that time. The men who formed Company K., Catskill, 203rd regi- ment, who served in the Spanish- American war were: Capt., William W. Bennett, Catskill; 1st Lieut., James G. Hanna, Glens Falls; 2nd Lieut., Walter I. Lyman, Watertown; 1st Sergt., Edwin W. Knoll; Quarter Master Sergt., Edward W. Mallory. Sergeants: William Hock, Michael J. Murphy, Robert W. Bowen, Albert Saulpaugh Jr. Corporals: John E. Bassett, Fred J. Dwyer, Leroy Palmer, Frank J. Brook, AlbertusB. Cumming, John E. Crowley, Paul B. Mattice, Charles Beaucamp, George E. Hewitt. Musicians: Eugene A. Chilson, Ray Goodfellow. Artificer: George Osterhoudt; Wagoner: Lyman Huntley. Privates: Fred Bigelow, Joseph Bigelow, Melvin Baker, James Burns, William R. Burns, Roscoe Barber, Wallace J. Bell, Stephen Beesmer, Edward Coffee, John Cleary, Michael Connolly, Edward Callnan, Bernard Casey, Augustus Cargill, dec'd, Charles H. Carpenter, C. R. Diefendorf, Harry Distin, William E. Dwyer, dec'd, Joseph Ellis, John E. Flynn, James T. Fitzgerald, John B. Fitzgerald, Michael Fitzgerald, John B. Fritzen Jr., William L. Foote, Wesley E. Garrison, dec'd, Albert E. Guthrie, dec'd, Christopher Granger, Dennis E. Hartnett, Robert H. Hathaway, Frank M. Harvey, Charles E. Holbrook, George H. Hood, Frank D. Hughes, William Humphrey, J. O'Brien, George W. Ish, J. H. Judd, Jacob Johnston, Paul Kock, G, W. Long, Fred C. Legg, John W. Losty, H. M. McCarthy, John McCall, Peter Miller, John Maher, Arthur Myers, George Mason, Adam Rutz, Michael Madigan, dec'd, Arthur Palmer, Frank Rowan, Patrick Madigan, James Reardon, John McNary, dec'd, Neil Ross, John Mattice, 334 trtiAfe otb grbbinM dotjNtflr. James Sullivan, Geo. A. Morrison, James A. Sonn, dec'd, Thos. Marshall, William Shear, Eobert Newman, William Wood, Frank Norton, George C. Wood, Clyde Oringer, Michael T. Welsh, Geo. M. Phillips, Charles E. Wilbur, Thos. J. Phillips, dec'd, John C. Webster, dec'd. The company comprised 106 men. They went first to Camp Black, July 21, 1898; Camp Meade, Sept. 12, 1898; Camp Conewago, Oct. 1, 1898, where they were isolated on account of fever, and to Greenville, South Carolina, Noy. 1898. They were mustered out March 25, 1899. They had roses at Christmas time, and in February the flaps of their tents froze in zero weather, and stoves were installed in the tents. The men slept in all their clothing and overcoats, and even then they suffered very much from the cold. Charles A. Vrooman was promoted from 2nd Lieut, of K. to 1st Lieut. Company 3, at Greenville, S. C. Other Catskill men who saw service in the war were Edgar Johnston, who enlisted in Co. A. Batallion U. S. Engineers, Regular Army, and was stationed at Manila in 1898 and '99. Edgar K. Williams was with the 7lst New York regiment and died in the service, his monument in the Catskill cemetery being the finest in the county. Paul Whitmarsh was also in the regular army. Also Arthur Freshwater. Those who served going to Honolulu were in Compdny M. Kingston. Charles M. Becker corporal, deceased. Leroy Overbaugh, Willis Overbaugh, Van Ness Ploss, Fred Lynes, Harry Hicks, Burton G. Nasholtz, deceased, Fred Brown, Alex King, Lee F. Betts, Harry Lydecker, Lewis Holdridge, „Al«x Plusch, Clayton Bump deceased, John Hess, John Cook, Harry Fleming, Warren Miller, Oscar Dederick, who later served at Cebu, Fred Keiffer, Abram Brandow, James Barber formerly of Catskill, Albert Thompson, W. J. Potter. Chauncey Minkler and Oliver Minkler, of th« 11th U. S. Vol. were in fights in the Philippines and Chauncey Minkler was 335 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. shot through the arm by a Manser bullet, Marshall Smith and Harry Smith were at Porto Rico with the regular army. John Basselt, Frank Hannan and Wyckoff Smith were in the Philippines. Frank Norton was with Co. H. 81st Coast artillery, and. so was Tod Shear. Harry Kirchner was at Porto Rico with the 11th U. S. The men who went to Honolulu were mustered in May 1st. Left Fort Hamilton June 11, in camp at Presidio, Cal. Arrived in Honolulu, Aug 14. Made atrip to the famous volcano. Sailed for home Dec. 8. Arrived in Kingston Dec. 27. Lieut. Jomes G. Hanna, formerly of the 16th was shot in leg, at Marong, Philippines, Henry Millington was also shot in the leg at Bayan, Philippines, Frank Thorne Co. K. 17th Inf- was in the fight at Jolo, in the Philippines. J. H. Finley was with H. U. S. Cavalry. Bert Conklin 19th U. S. Inf. served at Cebu Charter Members of 16th Separate Company: Fred W. Werner, Joseph E. Aldrich. Dwight Boughton, W. Myron Allerton, Spencer C. Phillips, Jesse T. Rundell, George R. Olney, Peter Welsh, A. K Hill, Wm. H.Owens, Frank P. Hicks, Wallace M. Hunter, William. P. Cowles, Peter J. Regan, Lucius R. Doty, John W. Shufelt, Egbert Palmer, Charles A. Spencer, Marcus K. Halcott, Frank E. Van Gorden, George D. Boughton, Wheeler Howard, Sylvester B. Sage, Chas. Flanigan, John H. Hulbert, James M. Beach, Herbert Niklewicz, Edwin Ashley, Geo. F. Tolley, Joseph Obert, Minis Plank, Granville R. Person, Frederick Clark, Jacob W. Kelley, William Rider, Frank Lynes, Albert Saulpaugh, Wm. H. Minnick, John Wince, Sidney Austin, C. A. Laun, Philip Smith, Emory A. Chase, James Holdridge, James S. Smith, Eugene Wayne,. George H. Brandow, Frank H. Burroughs, Wm. L. Mead, Gottleib Eromer, James H. Salisbury, Clarence Van Valkenburgh, R. A. BroWere, Carlton E. Coffin, Clarence Bloodgood, G. Howard Jones, Henry T Jones, R. L. Rosselle, Wm. H. Adams, Frederick Seldon jr., Donald Brauleigh, Louis E. Deer, J. S. Bamforth, William P. Mc Claury, Louis W. Richardson, William E. Thorpe, Ira Gay. 386 DEAR OLD GBJiEJNB COUNTY. Other members shortly after were: Albert Saulpaugh, Herman Behm, W. J. Soper, Harry C. Vedder, Thomas E. Jones, Win. A. Pennoyer, J. Frank Boughton, Wm. H. Palmer, Wilson Thomas, Thomas Jackson jr., Albert R. Austin, George Fitchett, Charles E. Butler, Wm. H. Brundage, John F. Callahan, John J. Ladeau, Thomas Carney, George Egnor. William L. Gunther, Anthony Von Pieper, George A. Englert, Joseph Bell, Julius Kircher. The first captain was Col. Omar V. Sage, who was followed by Arthur M. Murphy, Harry M. C. Vedder, William W. Bennett Albert Saulpaugh, Percy W. Decker, and Daniel Cassidy now at the head of the command; H. W. Cowlbeck and F. R. Searles were in charge for a time, the former taking the company to New York where they participated in the Dewey parade. Dr.Wm. P. McClaury, E. E. Elliott and F. R. Searles served as assistant surgeons. The lieutenants of the 16th. Arthur Murphy, Emory A. Chase, Irving Osborn, Augustus R. Hill, R. L. Rosselle, Bornt W. Stryker, Robert J. Beach. The present officers of the company are: Capt. — Daniel J. Cassidy. 1st Lieutenant— Lucius H. Doty. 2d Lieutenant —William Heath. Sergeants -Wm. J. Scott, M.J. Carl, David E. Cole. Quarter Master Sergeant -Wm. E. Daniels. Corporals -Percy H. Doty, W. W. Comfort, J. R. Cole. Roster of Men — Privates -J C. Brooks, H. W. Becker, Wm. E. Clark, Norman Cole. Wm. Delanoy jr., P. G. Doty, D. M. Downes, Louis C. Fiester, Omar Frayer, R. H. Freer, W. H. Graf, R. P. Hallenbeck, E. E. Hallenbeck, John Heath, H. E. Knapp, F. E. Knapp, M. H. McGovern, Raymond R. O'Brien, A. W. Phillips, An toine Peterson, E. B. Robb, Ernest Saxe, A. A. Scott, A. P. Shield, H. R. Sigwarth, W. J. Shufelt, Ivan Slater, Clarence Smith, Wm. Teetsell, Alger Van Hoesen, 0. I. Webber. 337 DBAfe OLD (JREflNlE COUNTY. Charles A. Vrooman has been armorer for many years assisted by William F. Hock, who was sergeant of the company. William E, Daniels has been clerk. J. W. WATSON POST 514 G. A. R. John W. Watson Post No. 514, Department of New York G. A.R. was organized Sept. 23, 1884, at Number 5 engine house, Catskill, with a charter membership of 20, and Joseph F. Joesbury Commander He died during his second term of office, January, 28, 1886, and George W. Holdridge completed his term. JohnB. L. Oakley was commander for 3 years 1887-89, W. R. Vedder 1890, Charles A. Vrooman 1891-2, W. R. Vedder 1893, Theodore B. Beach 1894-5, William H. Adams 1897-8, Benjamin W. Grant 1899, to 1910. He was succeeded by J. Hubbard Wilcox the present head of the organization. Shortly after organization Odd Fellow's hall was rented and is still used by the post as headquarters. Of the charter members Wm H. Adams and George W. Holdridge are living. The present officers of the Post are: John H. Wilcox— Post Commander. William C. Tice— S. V. Commander. Solomon J. Mott— J. V. Commander. A. S. Castle— Adjutant. Henry G. Myers— Quartermaster. James B. Rouse - Surgeon. William H. Hull -Chaplain. William Caniff- Officer of Day. George W. Holdridge -Patriotic Instructor. William J. Reed-Officer of Guard. Benjamin W. Grant- Quarter Master Sergeant. Wm. H. Adams - Sergeant Major. Trustees John N. King, David D. Ostrander, William Caniff. Relief Committee— William W. Hull, John N. King, Wm. ■H. Adams. DEAR OLD GREENE COtJN*Y. The muster roll shows the following members : Wm. H. Adams, James Akeley, John H. Brandow, Chas. ,C Beauchamp, Wm. P. Bell, Theo. B. Beach, Nelson R. Benton, Geo. A. Bogardus, Andrew D. Berry, Geo. H. Coons, A. Sidney Castle, William Caniff, Marion Couchman, Fred 0. Friar, Benj. W. Grant, Calvin Goodwin, Geo. W. Holdridge Joseph Hert, Wm. W. Hull, Albert Hansen, John N. King, Albert H. Kelsey, Wm. H. Lee, Joseph H. Lounsbury, Solomon J. Mott, Henry G. Myers, Edmond R. Martin, John Mc Cormack, Maj. Geo. S. Nichols, Peter Overbaugh, David W. Ostrander, Jameg B. Rouse, Mortimer Rockerfeller, Nicholas Russell, Nathaniel F. Roe, Albert E. Rider, Aaron V. S. Rouse, Peter H. Scribner, Geo. D. Spoor, Wm. S. Swart, Robert Snyder, James Stevens, Richard Sisco, Wm. C. Tice, A. Sidney Thomas, Charles Trowbridge, Wm. H. Teal, John W. Van Leuven, Chas. Vroman, Chas. Vedder, John John H. Wilcox, Geo. W. Winans, Wm.R. Weddel, John Young, Charles Wildey, Wm. Brandow, Aaron C. Betts, H. C. Becker, Enoch Walters. Those who have been mustered out by death are: Isaac Benton, Samuel Brandow, Geo. N. Brandow, Alfred R. Cole, Jacob Carl, Jeremian Connolly, Martin B. Cross, J. H. Carpenter, Harvey Delamater . Henry Darling, Lucas Decker, Chauncy Dickerson, Cornelius Du Bois, Geo. W. Edwards, M. A. J. Edwards, Thomas Edwards, Stephen Ennist, Joseph Embree, Edgar Elmendorf, Wm.H. Fuller, Columbus Frey, Michael Foley, Aug. Goeller, James Gardner, Jas. Hallenbeck, Albert Hadden, Wellington Howell, Asa Holmes, John M. Hannon, John Hood, Alexander Halicouse, Geo. Halicouse, Simon Hock, John Jones, Joseph Josebury, J. A. Kellerhouse, Wm. H. Losee, Wm.Laverty, John Long, James Lake, Geo. S. Ludington, Andrew Overbaugh, J.Malcolm, James B. Mitchell, Chester S, Morgan, David C. Mower, A. E. Miltimore, Harmon Melius, Patrick Madigan, Geo, Meeker, Chas. P. Myers, Geo. Markel, Wm. P. McLaury, J. H. McChesney, J. B. Oakley, Egbert Post, David S. Preston Wm. A. Pennoyer, Geo. Powell, Walter Parsells, Wm. J. Reed, Robert A. Scott, James W. Sonn, John Spahn, James H. Stewart, George 339 DfeAlt OLti OftEEiNE COtlNfY.' Saxe, John C. Shear, Wm. Selleck, J. C. Shiller, Ahram Spoor, J. Frank Story, Chas. L. Santer, Wm. Sharpies, John Sherlock, Frank Swartwout, James Henry Snow, John Secord, John Snyder, J. K. Thompson, Chas. Thornton, Wm. Van Steenbnrgh, Isaac Van Loan, M. S. Van Loan, Wm. H. Whitcomb, John N.Wilson, W. L. Woodruff, Luther S. Wright, Jonathan B. Webster, Stephen Webster, Alexander Young, Jacob L. Yates, Geo. Sears. There are now buried in the different cemeteries in Catskill of the Revolutionary, the Civil, and the Spanish- American wars, 250 soldiers. At the entrance of the Catskill Cemetery there is a soldiers' monument and on this plot are buried 26 veterans. There were also connected with the Post a Woman's Relief Corps and an encampment of Sons of Veterans, but these organi- zations have disbanded. Watson Post is in good financial condition and has been the means of bringing assistance to many veterans and their needy families. HOLLISTRR POST, COXSACKIE Hollister Post No. 27, G. A. R. was organized and its first set of officers installed by Lew Benedict Post of Albany. At the organization of this Post there were 70 members. Now there are only 16 survivors, and Col. Van Wie has been com- mander continuously for 26 years. The present officers are: Commander— John B. Van Wie; senior vice commander— Dayid Hoffman ; junior vice commander— George Jones; chaplin — Isaac Nebhen burgh; surgeon— Jacob Wentworth; quartermaster— Chas. E. Van Valken burgh; officer of the day— Joel B. Cole; officer of the guard— John S. Hiseerd; adjutant— Newton J. Cal- kins; delegate to State encampment— Warren P. Smith; alter- nate — John S. Hiseerd. 340 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. A, N. BALDWIN POST 263. HUNTER A. N. Baldwin Post 263, Hunter, N. Y. was organized in 1882, by Major J. H. Everett of Pratt Post, Kingston. At one time there were about 60 members, but at the present time, there are only about a dozen members. J. H. Wilcox who is inspecting officer found a bare organization on the occasion of his recent visit. The Army Post at Cairo passed out of existence a number of years ago. {School Directors, Trustees ai\d Teachers of Gounty First District, Greene County Directors— Hon . Clarence E. Bloodgood, Catskil], Chair- man; Claude Witing, Athens; David T.Jerome, Andrew P. Freese, Cairo: Thomas C. Perry, dist. supt., Catskill; Dr. E.H. Van Den- burgh, Arthur Powell, Coxsackie; Dr. J. B. Rouse, Leeds. Trustees of the town of Athens — Daniel W. Saunders, Orin Q. Flint, John J. O'Grady, Rueben B. Quick, 0. D. Van Valken- burgh, Athens; Edward Gonnerman, Catskill; Ira B. Kerr, Cats- kill. Teachers— Charles D. Coutant, prin., Elizabeth Slattery, Isabella Rainey, Marion Lewis, Ruth Harris, Ella Gallup, C. Louise Miller, Fanny Leworthy, Mrs. Helena Wood, M. Blanche Wood, Emily Horn, Margaret Van Woert, Athens; Esther Rowe, Leeds; F. LenaMcCarthy, Mrs. Elsie Mauterstock, Catskill. Trustees of the town of Cairo— George W. Squires, A. H. Rocker, Cairo, Guy Meddaugh, Acra,. W. Benjamin Roe, Free- hold, Jos. Morison, South Durham, J. W. Fiero, Round Top, Amos Rose, Clarence Arnold, Purling, John Rouse, Charles Bas- sett, South Cairo, Isaac Powell, Leeds. Teachers — Edward Richmond, Hope L. Farnham, Mary Halloran, Grace Timmerman, S. Edna Story, Melville Bulmer, m DEAR OLD GREENE GOUNTT. Cairo, Willard C. Van Dyck, Ethel Chadderdon, Acra, Orloff Story, Josephine O'Hara, Freehold, Jane Miller, Round Top, Theodore Whitcomb, Purling, Mrs. Elizabeth Jump, Mrs. Alma Clay, Judge R. Haner, Leeds. Trustees of the town of Catskill— Dr. F. C. Clarke, pres., James Sterritt, Percy Holmes, F. D. Overbagh, Edgar Saxe, S. C. Sutton, Charles Story, Luther Saxe, T. J. William, Ciarence Mar- tin, Catskill, B. David Guth, Alsen, John Hinman, Palenville, W. R. Vedder, Leeds, Scharken Stewart, South Cairo, Mrs. S. A. Craft, Cementon. Teachers — E. C. Hocmer, supt., M. Alice Saxe, Mrs. Anna Molloy, Mrs. Harriet Pflegi, M. Geneva Garling, Mrs. Hattie Maher, Carrie Bogardus, Mrs. Lottie Holmes, Beulah Timmer- man, Catskill, Herbert DeLong, Nellie Lawrence, Annabel Rose, Frances Timmerman, Palenville, Arthur Lewis, Julia Vedder, Pauline Davis, South Cairo, Edward Keeley, Saugerties, M.Agnes Ellinger, Mary O'Brien, Helen Buckman, Alsen. Trustees of the town of Coxsackie -L. A. Warren, A. A. Collier, B. G. Townsend, Wm. Youmans, Elmer Van Valken- burg, Coxsackie, Wm. R. Palmer, Charles Lampman, William Townley, Urlton, Charles Martin, Climax. Teachers — Henry R. Soper, principal, M. Sophia Fuller } Ella Morgan, Annie Craigie, Mae D. Link, Anna Spoor, Edith Van Denburgh, Eliza Green, Jennie Whitbeck, Amy Smith, Char- lotte Olmsted, Laura Bailey, Grace Van Schaack, Marian Mackey, Harriet Conklin, Coxsackie, Ethel Robbins, Bessie Lezatte, Url- ton, Reginald Van Woert, Louis Lounsbury, Athens, Matie Jones, W. Coxsackie, Grace Cbeeseman, Mabel Youmans, Coxsackie, Mary O'Brien, Climax. Second District, Greene County Teachers — West Coxsackie — Mabel Vosburgh. New Baltimore Station— Sarah Robbins, Marion Van Hoe-. sen, Grace Looney, Ada Powell. 343 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Ravena— Maoini Vroman. New Baltimore — Edna Hotaling, Harry Ostrander, Alida Mulder, Alice Sidlake. West Coxsackie— Evelyn Austin. Urlton — Gertrude Tryon. Windham — Alda Miller, Florence Marquit, Clarence Powell, Ada Smalling, Beatrice Steele, Harriet McLean, Christine Wood, Kittie Doolittle, Blanche Miller. Hensonville— Edith O'Conner, Abner Woodworth. Norton Hill — IvanJjjffnrH . Freehold— Mrs. Minnie Beers, Hazel Highney. *ldson Gib- son, Katherine Beichman. Greenville— Annie Coonley, C. L. Cook, Julia Rider, Mrs. A. D. Townsend, Charlotte Story, Julia Hallenbeck, Eva Hoose, Mrs. Edith Abrasis, Hattie Green, Clara Minkley. Surprise— Jessie E. Boyd. Gayhead — Robert Webber, Edith Losee. Cornwallville — Florence Beach, Mrs. Anna Smith, Edna Brainerd. Durham— Maude Stryker, W. D. Hull. East Durham — Frank Paddock. Cooksburg — Mrs. Erne Bates. Oak Hill— Ermon Stewart. Sunside— Clara Paddock. Third District, Greene County. Directors Stewart Tuttle, Haines Falls; C. B. Bronson, Ashland. Trustees of the town of Ashland -Sternes Clark, John C. Campbell, Ashland, Lambert Cooke, Windham, Dwight Tuttle, Ashland, Lewis Case, Prattsville. Teachers — Raymond Moseman, John Hayes, Kathryn I. Lynch, Etta Payne, Ashland, Warguerite Van Orden, Winham, Ida France, Prattsville. Trustees of the town of Halcott— John Ballard, Travis Faulkner, W. K, Crosby, Leo J. Deamer, Halcott Center. 347 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Teachers — Sadie Rose, Martha Whitney, Deborah Morse, Nathanial Bleekman, Halcott Center. Directors of the town of Hunter — E. V. Ballo, Hunter; E. Darius Lindsley, Platte Clove. Trustees— F. B. Kerr, James Jackson, F. B. Wilcox, Ar- thur Higgins, Hunter, Harvey Lane, Lanesville, David Showers, J. Frank Lackey, Tannersville, Michael Shield, Elka Park* Uriah Haines, A. Holdridge, Haines Falls, Elmer Kerr, Edgewood, G. W. Byrnes. Teachers — Elizabeth Fountain, John Kay, H. Margery Felter, Minnie Hunting, Louise Webster, Marion Orr, M. Emily Hayden, Hunter, Mrs. A. Crosby, Lanesville, C. L. Bailey, Anna V. Dempsey, Frances A. Formans, Josephine Swift, Mrs. Jessie Showers, Annie Glennon, Tannersville, Herbert Dimond, Elka Park, Stewart Tuttle, Mary Dowd, Mrs. Anna Tuttle, Haines Falls, Mrs. M. E. Lester, Edgewood, E. Delmar Smith, Platte Clove. Trustees of the town of Jewett — Martin Garvey, Tanners- ville, E. A. Sweet, E. C. Miles, Frank Carr, Hunter, William Mead Jewett, R. L. '.Towner, Andrew Sweet, Jewett, George Bar- num, Frank Woodworth, East Jewett, Teachers— Raymond Cronk, Orpha Kelley, A. L. Coons, Edith Sweet, East Jewett, Helen Witte, Josephine Park, Renssel- aer Reynolds, Hunter, Nina Lee, Emory Dunham, Wilhelmina Olmsted, Jewett. School directors of the town of Lexington — Daniel Kirk, Westkilf; Ransom Hogaboom, Lexington. Trustees — Arnold Van Valkenburgh, Spruceton, Harrison Ostrander, E. E. Sharpe, Romaine Van Valkenburgh, Westkill, Frank Beggs, Manley Howard, Arthur Jenkins, Lexington, H.Du Souchet, Bushnellsville, W. Charles Maben, Leland Tompkins, G. D. Rappleyea, Prattsville, George Ennist, Allaben. Teachers— Mrs. Edith Orlando, Leon Peters, Otis Hender- shot, Weskill, J. M. Osman, Lulu Patterson, Mary Merchant, E. D. Lewis, Lexington. Pearl Cole, Bushnellsyille, Iva Rappleyea, 844 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Mrs. H. K. Huggans, Prattsville, Kathleen Kelly, Allaben. ' I Directors of the town of Prattsville— James Mc Williams, Perry Newcomb, Prattsville. Trustees— Andrew Carman, George Peckham, B. G. Morss, J. H. Brandow, John Jenkins, 8. R. Cammer, Prattsville. _ Teachers— Mrs. E. C. Hummell, Myrtle Myers, Mrs. Grace Huggans, Mrs. Flora Howard, Kittie Layman, Helen Johnson, Mary MucCoubrey, Prattsville. FRANK C. CLARKE • Dr. Frank C. Clark, of Catskill, is a member of the Sons of the Revolution , a direct descendant of Colonel Randall Spencer, whose granddaughter was Dr. Clarke's paternal grandmother. Colonel Spencer was born at West Greenwich, Rhode Island, but, when a young man, removed with his family to Berlin, Rensselaer county, where he resided until his death. He fought with distinc- tion with the American forces throughout the Revolution and was esteemed for his devotion to the cause of patriotism. Dr. Clarke who has been engaged in the drug business in Catskill for many years, is president of the Board of Education, Catskill. An Early Ashland Saw Mill. % i * $ -Jr. .'■"-'.-*'■" " ' ■"•J, -i -A r !S - •• < 3 '.:' '."' . ji y ■•,■.■»■;:.• ■■■ ' - *%-*'''' •■ " • ■'-■■:•' >■*•"■. jy i •- ■tgir. •■•.*' ,f- ."-■*IK Si 1 ' S V: ' ., : v * . r VI 51' PS. 1 1' J 1 f > ..." J » 1 - 1 r 1 i 'jMn : '*% 1* 1 ■* »- ^^^V — r^^^M *.A» urn .^-.^.ta-- DEAR. OLD GREENE COUNTY. Ashland It was not until 1848 that the boundaries were set for the town of Ashland and portions of Prattsville and Windham were taken to form the few thousand acres that com- prises the town. The principal vil- lage or hamlet is Ashland and the section is devoted chiefly to dairy- ing, some summer hoarders being taken. The earliest settlers to whom reference is made by the old resi- dents comprise the Stimpsons, Mar- tins. Prouts, Ponds, Ferrises, Lees, Tuttles, Disbrows, Dodges, Hitch- cocks, Brandows, Smiths, Buttons, Boughtons, and while in years H. Clay Ferris later many of their representatives have drifted towards the eastern centers of population adioining the river many of the time honored names are conspicuous. Peo- ple of Ashland have always been remarkable for longevity, and the spirit of religion has always predominated in this section. In 1799 was built at Old Windham, now Ashland the Presbyterian church which is doubtless the oldest church on the mountains. The first pastor was Henry Stimson who preached for six months, alternating with an appointment at Jewett Heights. The church at Ashland has always been regarded as one of the strong organizations of the county. The society was incorporated in 1801. The record of pastors is incomplete. The present pastor is Samuel Warrender. The Episcopal church at Pleasant Valley appears to have been organized in the same year, 1799, the articles being filed in Ulster County. The church building was erected in 1814. The first pastor however was the Rev. Philander Case, and the number of men who have served the church has been remarkably small. 347 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Rev. Joseph Berry from 1803 to 1817, the Revs. Samuel Fuller and James Tompkins seived from that period to 1831, the Rev. O. F. Holcomb to 1843, Rev. Thomas Judd to 1863. The present pastor is R. R. McDonald Bleeker. The early industry was the getting of hemlock bark for the many tanneries that nourished along the Batayia kill. Gideon Brainard established a woolen mill, and a man named Bidwell had a carding and fulling works. There was a grist mill at North Settlement and a number of saw mills. Lyman Morse and Jarius Strong conducted tanneries. Cider mills also flourished. The first public tavern as they were known was built by Medad Hunt at Batavia, John Tuttle, Jacob Benham, and Jehliel Tuttle also had taverns of the early period. There are many of these old time taverns all in disuse the past 30 years scattered along the roads that reached from the rural sections to Catskill. And these accommodated the drovers and freight wagons that found their way to the river markets. The town of Ashland has been on a steady decline in popu- lation since 1850, when it had 1290 inhabitants. In 1865 there were 1080, in 1875, 935, in 1880, 899, in 1900, 647, and since that time the population has lost about 40 persons. The entire county has shown a decrease of 4 per cent in population in the past ten years, and a loss from 1850 of about 3000. The popula- tion in 1850 was 33,126. It is now just under 30,000. The men who have served Ashland as supervisors are: John Ives, Daniel B. Strong, Joshua Draper, Sylvester B. Hitchcock, William S. Boughton, Lyman Robinson, Isaac Van Schaack, Wm. Myers, Austin Smith, Peter Stanley, Nathaniel O. Ormsbee, Albert Tuttle, Jonas Smith, Albert Steel, Egbert B. Dodge, 1868, Edgar Smith, Joseph Saxe, Archibald Tompkins, Hiram B. Clark, Wilbur F. Lee, now of Catskill, Giles Sutton, Darius B.Prout, Clinton D. Ferris 1885, '88, Wilbur F.Lee 86-87, Daniel W. Hyatt 89-90, Thomas W. Jeralds 91-92, Giles Sutton 93, Frank Finch 94-95, Samuel A. Barlow 96-97-98, Herbert R. 348 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNfY. Steele 99-1900, Levi Tompkins 01-02-03, Homer Tompkins 04-07, Francis L. Dodge 08-11, H. Clay Ferris 1912-15. A remarkable giant willow tree standing on the Prout farm is the production of a willow whip which was stuck into the ground in 1798. In 1913 a ton of cement was used in tilling a cavity that had decayed into the tree. The Methodist church at Ashland was organized in 1841 and meetings were held in the school house. A church was erect- ed in 1843. A. S. Lakin was the first pastor. The Rev H. L. Seaman is the present pastor, and he also supplies the pulpit of the church at North Settlement. The Catholic church which building is fast falling into decay has not been used for religious services in the past 20 years. One of the old landmarks that was formerly the Old Ashland House is owned by Christian and Lee and is used as a farm house. Many years ago one of the first seminaries in this section was located at Ashland in 1853, but was burned in 1861. There has been no big fires during the past 30 years. Among the industries of the town the principal one is the big creamery of the Sheffield-SJauson-DeckerCo. and practically all of the milk in the town is taken to this creamery. Another industry is the saw mill and grist mill of D. D. Tompkins. The business of the town is taken care of by F. L. Dodge, score and postoffice. A. B. Munson, hardware store, hotel. No license. S. L. Lee, general store. John Jordon, blacksmith. There is a mail route from Ashland to Hunter. Free Rural route from Prattsville to Ashland . D. D. Tompkins carries the mail and Vernon ChatfMd the free rural. 349 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. There are three cemeteries in the Sutton Hollow, and West Settlement. town, Pleasant Valley The oldest house in Ashland is that of Darius B. Prout. The farm occupied by Supervisor H. Clay Ferris has been occupied by five generations of Ferrises, and the first house was of logs, and constructed by the great grandfather of Mr. Ferris, and who was one of the pioneers of the town. Athens Reaching Athens from Catskill over the state road the first place that comes into prominence is a large brick structure that was built by , General Haight in 1812, and which is known as the Gantley House, being the property of Daniel W. Gantley, another war veteran, who came up from New York and spent most of his life at Athens, passing to the other side in 1881 at the age of 94 years. The marble steps, the old brass knocker on the front door, and the entire interior are exactly as Mr. Haight construc- ted them. The interior of the man- sion has the exqusite charm of the most elaborate architecture and furnishings of the Colonial period. The place is owned by Thomas Van Loan, and occupied by Eugene Van Loan and family, and it was the courtesy of Mrs. Van Loan which gave the writer access to the building, and a description of it. The beauty of the interior is heightened by the display of 105 paintings, the work of the world's great artists. The first parlor has its' old time red velvet carpet, and the rear parlor or gallery floor a beautiful mosiac of inlaid work of highly polished wood of 350 Frank Nichols DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. different colors. The winding stair case at the end of the great hall is most impressive. The brick were brought from Holland. The General Haight House. Mrs. Haight was Jane Van Loan, one of the well known family, 30 closely interwoven with all the history of Athens. For the Van Loans, the Nichols, Spoors, Hallenbecks, Van Woerts, have the honor place among the ffarly comers to the county. Early as 1800 Athens village was simply a farm, owned by the Van Loons. The old stone house, of which we present a view was the first structure in 1726, and it is at the upper end of the town, and was in modest proportions to the Gantley house. The present occupants are Nelson Hotaling and Lester Kisselburgh. John Van Loan paid $3000 for the farm that is now the village of Athens. A burying ground being reserved from the land, Condrai Flack was buried in Episcopal ground May 4, 1789 at the age of 76 years. He operated a ferry across to Hudson. Teunis Van Vechten, Johannes Brandow and Joachim Jansen owned Lot one, of what was the town of Alliens. 351 DEAlt OLt> G&EENEJ COUNTY. Van Vechtens deed was dated October 15, 1757, and the lot extended from the Hudson River nearly to the Potic creek. The Van Vechtens appear to have gone south as far as far as the Catskill creek, where the Van Vechten house now stands. In 1780 there were about 20 families settled in the entire town. The Hallenbecks and Van Loons predominated and remain today. Also.Cloughs, Brandows and Van Bergens. The town Esperanza was projected before and a part of this land was Dooper Island upon er Swallow was wrecked in April, 1845, 40 lives present a picture of the wreck from an old print, iland built the first house in Esperanza. John the brick industry, followed by Wm. P. Alcott had a hotel in Esperanza and Samuel Hamilton in 1811. He died in 1851. Athens village, which the steam- being lost. We Benjamin Hav.- G. Voogd started Joseph Colson was a magistrate The Old Brick Row, Athens. In 1801 John Spoor made a map of a portion of Athens which is in existence at Washington. Joseph Se«ley built the first hotel in Athens and his son, Castle Seeley, was postmaster of Athens for 20 years. 352 btiAtl Ott) QRBBNte COTJNft. In 1802, and for 12 years, Russell Leffingwell carried on a distillery near the ship yard, and he also erected a dwelling about the time that the Haight house was erected. The first supervisor of the town' was Isaac Northrup in 1815, then came Henry Wells, William Tolley, Sylvester Nichols, Castle Seeley, Eli Pierce, John Clough, Benjamin Haviland, Casper Van Loan, Wm. Morton, Henry Van Loan, Alonzo Green, Isaac Whitbeck, Geo. S. Nichols, 1851, Isaac Whitbeck, David Whitein, John I. Hallenbeck, Isaac VanSchaack, Prentisl Hallen- beck, Wm. K. Reeves, Dr. John H. Wheeler, Joseph Robbins, Enos Edwards, John Beardsley, John Pennington, Henry Straban 1871-73, Harmon Van Woert 73-83, Clark. Porter, William T. Nichols, Thomas H. Briggs, Harmon Van Woert, Jere Brooks, W. C. Brady, H. I. Van Loan, John K. Van Woert, W. C. Brady, Elmore Mackey now Sheriff, and Frank Nichols. The village officials are Frank S. Howland president Claude Whiting, Mark Brennan, James Lynch and Frank Beards- ley trustees. Henry R. Van Woert clerk, W. C. Brady treasurer, Nelson Clow collector. Assessors, the board of trustees. The first clerk of the village of Athens was Henry Wells. So far as the church organizations are concerned the first church was the Lutheran and that was organized in 1704 and was one of the few between New York and Albany, and the Rev. Justice Faulkner was the preacher. The particular spot being known as Loonenburgh, after the Van Loons undoubtedly. The church of the Palentines at West Camp was in this circuit. Albert, Matthias and Jan Van Loon in 1721 gave deed to the church lands. The first church was erected in 1724. This building was square and had four roofs shaped to a V and with a spire steeple. This building gave place to the present structure. The Rev. Jacob S. Paul is the present pastor. The Trinity Episcopal church was organized in 1806, at Loonenburgh, and the building was erected in 1813. The Rev. Mr. Prentice was rector and General Samuel Haight was the 353 DiiAR OLD GREENE COUtt#Y. principal contributor, $275 being for pew rent. Dominie Prentice was killed in 1837 when a stage tipped oyer at Coxsackie. From 1833 to 1835 the Rev. John Griggs was rector. Rev. Howard Whitney is now rector. The Methodist church was organized about 1820. The Rev. W. A, Greenleaf is the present pastor. The Dutch Reformed Church was organized in 1826. The Rev. David Abeele was the first pastor and he went out as- the first missionary to China. Other pastors were the Rev. C. Von Kleef, Joseph Wilson, Jefferson Wynkoop, Edwin Holmes, Joseph Wilson, Wm. A. Cornwell, J. R. Tallmadge, Rev. Mr. Betts, W. D. Buckalew, C. Spaulding, Allen D. Campbell, Herman Vanderwoert. The Rev. H. G. Hergie is the present pastor. The Baptist church was Organized in 1832, and its full list of ministers has not been preserved. The present pastor is the Rev. Walter C. Bishop. The Roman Catholic church was organized in 1871. Rev. Father Gillin, present pastor. The old burying ground on the Northrup place contains the mortal remains of Jan VanLoon, Matthias Van Loon and many of the early settlers. The Athens Rural Cemetery is a part of that lot, and was incorporated in 1847. Mt. Hope Cemetery is also a part of the same lot on the Esperanza purchase. More of the Van Loons are buried here, and it is announced on one of the stones that Albertus Van Loon departed this life with a cancer. The Clark family, honored residents, trace back to Samuel Clark 1615, William Clark 1712, Reuben Clark 1743, Nathan Clark 1787. He started a pottery at Athens in 1808. His partner Ethan Fox founded the Baptist Church at Athens. Edward Clark 354 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. was born in 1811, and he became a part owner of the Singer Sew- ing machine company, the copartnership being I. N. Singer & Co. and to Mr. Clark goes the credit for organizing the Singer Sewing Machine Company with a capital of $500,000. Nathan Clark died in 1891. The brick industry of Athens is conducted by three pros, perous firms. William W. Kider whose plant has a capacity of 100,000 brick per day, and who has had the plant since 1875, * N. Gladfelter has a plant of 50,000 capacity. Joseph Moyonne has a patent dryer with a capacity of 50,000. Wm, C. Brady and his father before him, an undertaking firm of long standing, have conducted the interment of more tha D 3000 persons mostly in these cemeteries, and W C. Brady has buried more than the entire present population of Athens. He has a complete alphabetical record with dates and ages which is most remarkable. Morton Steamer Company, of Athens, has the following officers: President, Charles Hitchcock; vice president, Charles B. Miller; forman, Ray Weeks; 1st ass't, Alex. Fyfe; 2nd ass't, Leonard Ford; secretary and trustee, Theodore Gritman; treasur- er, James Holmes. The Ice industry is one of the most important. The big houses are: American Ice Company, Willis A. Winne, Hudson River Ice Company, J. Brooks Co. Theo. Evory Ice Company, E. E. Briggs, F. R. Howland and Son, Dwyer Brothers and Rafferty, Arrow Ice Company, and Avery & Eichhorn. The Athens Textile Company employs a large number of persons. The H. F. Dernell Company manufactures ice tools, and Mr. Dernell invented the ice plow. Travis Brothers operate a foundry. C. F. & M. G.Webber also have a foundry. 355 bEAtt oLd greSenIs County. Howland and Son, Marine railway. Richard Lanahan, ship yard and marine railway. Henry I. Van Loan, wholesale fruits. T. A. Briggs and Son, barrel'mirs, and garage. John Self, motor builder. Wm. C. Brady, undertaker. M. Harvey, newspaper. Estate W. H. Stewart, hotel, Abram Post. Alvin Brooks, Norman Cooper, and Frank S. Rowland are grocers. Henry DuBois, Henry Edwards, druggists. F. W. Leek, dry goods. Thomas Low, hotel. Gifford & Porter, law. Orin Q. Flint, E. C Van Deusen, physician. law. Evert's Memorial Library, Athens. One of the splendid buildings that attracts attention in Athens is the Evarts Library, of which we present a very good engraving. This building costing, a large sum of money, is com- plete in every way and endowed to the extent that it. costs the 356 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. village not a penny in any way. It was the splendid gift of Daniel Evarts and wife of Norwich, Ct., both of whom are deceased, and were formerly residents of Athens. The fund is in bonds that produce every three years a surplus of about $500, and this amount is further invested by treasurer Win. C. Brady as it comes in. The building was constructed by Keilly & Acker, of Utica. The Librarian is Mrs. Mary B. VanLoan, and the trustees are Frank Nichols, Emory E. Briggs, W. C. Brady treas., Henry R.Van Woert, clerk. Previous to 1862 the crossing of the river at Athens had been by means of primitive ferries the first of which were*operated by large scows, and up to 1862 the locomotion for the ferries was obtained by means of a horse power similar to that used on thresh- ing machines. The J. T. Waterman was built by W. A. Fletcher and the engine of that date is still in use on the J. T. Power which was built in 1872 and is the oldest ferry boat on the river. The Power in 1914 carried 2862 automobiles across the riyer. Frank Beardsley is captain, Martin Cooke, engineer, Herman Lanfare, pilot. One of the big fires was that of 1874 in which the White Elephant property was destroyed. Another big fire in 1870 wiped out a block of frame build- ings which may be seen in the cut presented elsewhere. Still another large fire occurred in 1913. The Osborn House which was one of the old time hotels was destroyed in the fire of 1878, and the Brooks opera house building was'erected on_the site of that hotel. Among the prominent residents. '-.who have passed since 1883: Went worth Allen, ship builder 1884, Abram Bedell, 1890. Col.] John Beardsley graduate of the', West] Point .Military academy, a veteran of the Mexican and Seminole war, Col. 9th 35? DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Cavelry in the Civil war. "v He 'was one of the West Shore Railroad Commissioners who apprised the lands during the construction of the road. He laid out Fort Worth. Died in 1906, aged 89 years. George C. Brady, father of Win. C. Brady. Died 1880, aged 89 years. Capt. John Benjamin Briggs, oldest river pilot, and was on the old Vibbard. Died 1903, aged 78 years. Thomas_Brasier,^1905. Caleb Coffin,' glue manufacturer, president village, died 1885, aged 60>ears. Nathan Clark in_pottery business, and early settler, part owner Singer Sewing machine business. Died 1891, aged 72 years. Two Nathan Clarks.are still honored residents of Athens. Capt. Ira Cooper, died 1903, aged 80 years. He was a brick manufacturer and operated a fleet of sloops around 1820. Enos R. Edwards, ship builder with his brother, and also supervisor and postmaster. Died 1898, aged 76 years. Theodore Evory, built half the ice houses in Athens. Died 1908, "aged 62 years. Augustus Goeller, justice and police justice 30 years. Died 1914, aged 73 years. Charles W. Howland , firm Howland and Son, hardware, groceries, lumber etc. Died 1905, aged 70 year3. Woodbridge Little King, a prominent farmer, died 1905, aged 93 years. Richard G. Low brick manufacturer, old line Democrat, died 1896, aged 85 years. Peter Magee, ship builder, sheriff.] for 3 years, died 1899, aged 61 years. 358 DflAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Wm. Mackey, father of Sheriff Mackey, died 1903, aged 80 years. Samuel H. Nichols, justice of peace, village clerk, assessor, member of assembly, member of Governor's commission to con- demn W. S. Lands. Died 1911, aged 89 years. Prosper Peloubst, pres. Mt.Hope Cenutery Assn., President of trustees, and Old Line Democrat, died 1884, aged 76 years. Joel W. Porter, brickmaker, died 1889, aged 61 years. Wm. S. Rainey, died 1876, aged 75 years. Robert Titus, pres. of village, brick manufacturer, died 1901, aged 73 years. Lewis Wolf, builder, pres. of village, trustee, director of Evening Line Steamers, also Hudson River Ice Co , died 1904, aged 75 years. The Athens Casualty List of 1914: Charles Smith engineer Storm King crushed to death April Martin McDonald, strangled in coal bin, August 14th. Charles Destadio, a brick kiln caved in on him Aug. 19th. W. Ray Hallenbeck, shot to death by Worthy Tolley, Sept. 13th. 15th. Louisa Kroll, killed in auto accident Oct, 13th. and her husband died under operation Aug. 13th. In 1814 it was discovered that the middle ground between Athens and Hudson was very inconvenient to river travel and an act was passed by the legislature granting to Athens and Hudson the right to establish a lottery for the purpose of raising $10,000 which was to be used in removing the middle. The middle ground is still there. Mrs. M- E. Harvey conducts the Athens News, 359 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Cairo The town of Cairo was formed in 1803, portions of Catskill, Cox- sackie and Freehold being taken, and it was called Canton up to 1808 when the name was changed to Cairo. The town contains over 36,- 000 acres of land and a considerable portion was held under the Balis- bury, Van Bergen and Barker pat- ents, the Barker patent being over 6000 acres of land. This extended from Woodstock to Durham, and Mr. Barker figured very largely in the early history of the town. He t> lived to be 93 years of age and his ^^^^^ descendants the Taylors, Dedericks, Floyd F. Jones Whites, Olmstead, Salisburys, as well as the Barkers are to be found throughout Greene county today. The Barker burial ground was located in a meadow on the McWilliam's farm north of Cairo. James Barker, who is great, great grandfather of Mrs. Ira T. Tolley, matron of the almshouse, was given a grant of land under Governor Andros in 1680 of 6000 acres of land which now forms a large part of Cairo. There were other patents arid sub- divisions of land but James Barker was the only one to settle on the grant. James Barker was a member of the English bar, and came to this country previous to the Revolution. He settled first at Catskill and later on went to Cairo. Abram and Francis Sal- isbury had lands to the east of the Barker patent . James Barker was a patroon, and a slave owner, and it was he who defended one of the Salisburys, who was accused of the murder of one of his slaves, and he secured an aquittal. Barker died at the age of 93 years. There were 23 families that came^to this country with Mr. Barker. Their names we are unable to state. 860 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The old graveyards may have some of them in the follow- ing list : Samuel Earle died 1858, aged 100 years. Benjamin Upham died 1799. John Balis died 1789. David Brewster, born 1758, aged 83. Hannah Brewster, his wife, aged 96. Catherine Earle, born 1764, aged 92. John Pine, born 1773. In 1823 there was made up a list of the slaves in the town. There were 11 of them, all minors. • The Strope family, who lived in the first log house, were murdered by Indians. Early industry comprised chiefly getting out hemlock bark for the tanneries. One of the most conspicuous of Cairo men was Judge Daniel Sayre, who was born at Southampton in 1765. He owned 1000 acres on the Shinglekill and organized a church at Acra in 1804. He was a member of the Assembly in 1804 and in 1806 judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Greene county. Four of his child] en were burned to death in a fire that destroyed his home in 1808. One of the honored families of Cairo is the Schermerhorn. Frederick in 1780 was captured by the Indians after the massacre of other members of the family (Stropes) and carried into captiv- ity, was sold to the English and was forced to enlist. He served With 50 whites and 100 Indians and finally managed to escape, returning to Cairo. He lived for a time on the Barringer place at Kiskatom and erected a log house near Round Top. He died in 1846, aged 76. His son went into the cattle business and then into mercantile lines at -Cairo. In 18B2, Col. Ira Day and John Palen had tanneries that turned out 18,000 sides of leather annually. The Forge, Wood- stock and Acra were the points of these industries. The grist mill, wood turning of mountain souvenirs and saw mill are about all that remain. Hon. Lyman Tremaine was the owner at one time of the mill at Woodstock. 361 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Columbian, H. K. Lyon, prop., Cairo, and Falls in Vicinity. Men living in Cairo today still cherish the memory of the Hon. Augustus Hill, who was born in 1810 and died in 1899, an old line Democrat and a member of the legislature in 1871. His grandfather, Obadiah Hill, witnessed the execution of Major An- dre, the British spy, who had plans of the fortifications at West Point, given him by Benedict Arnold. Cairo has no regular fire company although it has an or- ganized effort of citizens that has as its headW. Burr Hall as chief, and Gaston Wynkoop and Druggist R. A. Austin are assistants. Fire protection is from water works and a hand engine of the old times, and good work is accomplished. The school system is excellent , and at the head is Edward E. Richmond, principal, Hope L.Fordham, preceptress, Mary D. Halloran, pre-academic, MaryC. Timmerman,4th and 5th grades, 362 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. and S. Edna Story, primary. Geo. W. Squires, Andrew P. Freese and N. M. Howardare trustees and R. A. Austin, treas- urer. Little^Falls, South Cairo. The Cairo Electric Light company gets its power from the large dam at Woodstock, which furnishes power for Catskill, Tan- nersville, Palenville, Haines Falls and other places. *" The Greene County Agricultural Society which has been the great county fair of generations was organized in 1819, and John Bagley of Durham was its first president. Daniel Sayre of Cats- kill was one of the first exhibitors of premium grade cattle. Th 363 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. first premium award was $149. The organization leceived from the state $200. The organization has been uniformly prosperous and has a splendid plant accommodating about 10,000 persons, and the annual fair is still a red letter event, with the horse trot a feature always. There is but one landmark of the period of 1867 left in the Cairo business world and that is O. Post who has been conducting a harness shop since that time and for 43 years in the building where he. now is. The business of Cairo at that time comprised Ed. and Jason Stevens, general stores, Tremaine and Weeks, store, George Person, hotel, now Walter Brothers, Benjamin Wal- dron, hotel, David Grannis and Elijah Wells, wagon shops, Har- low Hine, painter, Henry Steele, shoemaker, Charles Nailor, blacksmith, Henry Hotchkin, undertaker, Dr. King, physician, Dr. Noble, physician. One Hotaling ran a stage line of four horse coaches fromCatskill to Cairo and there were two lines from Cairo west, one to Windham and the other to Gilboa. Later on these lines were operated by Churchill. The Hon. Luke Roe was supervisor of Cairo 5 years, 1858- 70 and 1866-67. Also Loan Commissioner of County. Dr. Levi King was famed the county over for his medical skill. He had 9 children, and practiced in Cairo for 52 years. He celebrated his golden wedding in 1876. His father served in the Revolution. Dr. King was born in 1799 and was 7S years of age. Francis G. Walters, whose death occurred last fall, was 82 vears of age, and was for many years with his brother Ambrose Wajters, owner of the hotel that bears their name. He was sher- iff of Greene county and also member of assembly. Samuel Earle built a log house in Cairo in 1793. He lived to be' 100 years of age and owner of 900 acres. Other of the old timers were John Howell, Haryey D.Peck, Orman Burhans and JohnJRouse. Born in the 1700's and round- ing out the century. The father of Thurlow Weed, later of Catskill, is said to have been one of the early settlers. 364 X M-< o . U ■r< Vh~ .* (U W ^4 4-* ctf v-. o Ph i-T a; a o I- < tu <% «" 1 c ^ OT c i=> o i~< o a 3 ffi u a 03 X XJ ^ Vrt II (=5 ^r 0) "o «U -4-» o u H >< B H H g CS 55 P o u O w o « o w is o > u u 4) S a QJ .^M O CO < § uu >. oo a> tH s -4-1 S "o H tn H ■o 11 u 1— ( 1> £ .5 2 "5 -t-i* 53 U •a a '3 pq tn i — i S3 53 'u a a; CS 3 w t» tJEJAR OLt) GREENE COTJNft. The Greene county alms house is located at Cairo. It is in line with the other splendid buildings that stand as a credit to the county. The situation is not only charming, but everything that could lend a charm to the place and make it attractive for those whose last days are to be spent as the wards of the county, has been done by the men who have represented the county in the board of supervisors, and the very capable man who for the past seven years has had the management of the place. The beautiful grounds and entire premises are swept and garnished as for par- ade, and throughout the house everything is as snug and inviting as the best home to be found in the county. Erom the reports that are filed every year by the several committees, local, county, and state, there isn't an institution of the sort that makes a better show. Mr. Ira T. Tolley and his estimable wife, who is matron of the institution, deserve lasting praise for their care and pains- taking effort. The house usually has from 74 to 90 inmates, who are well housed, well fed, contented, and happy. Our view of the building shows the splendid shape it is in. And it is most re- markable that the care of these people, and of the dairy of 12 cat- tle and the tilling of 196 acres, should be taken care of by 4 per- sons outside of Mr. and Mrs. Tolley. One farmer, and one assis- tant, one cook and a woman to assist Mrs. Tolley, do it all. The annual report shows that the farm produce goes a long ways toward paying for the upkeep of it all. The house has electric lights, fire protection, fine water, sanitary plumbing, and com- modious and well kept outbuildings, and the evidence of great care is everywhere. Mr. Tolley was elected in 1906 and took the office in 1907. He was re-elected in 1909 by about 600 and in 1912 by over 1200. Mrs. Tolley, in addition to the cares of the place, is very active in church work. She is organist for the Pres- byterian church, and a worker in the Sunday School, as well as the King's Daughters. Mr. Tolley is also a member of the Pres- byterian church and a contributor to every worthy object . Before he was chosen superintendent of the county house he was for 25 years in charge of the business of the Catskill Mountain railroad at Cairo, and for 12 years a justice of the town. Religious services are held at the county house every two weeks by the Rev. Mr. 366 DEAR OLD GREENE tiOUNTV. Edgeton, rector of the Episcopal Church. It may be interesting to note that James Barker, who was great great grandfather of Mrs. Tolley, held the original grant of land, some 6000 acres, ex- tending from Cairo to Durham. The Great Shinglekill Falls at Purling. There were several factories started at the forge, and at that place is standing at the present time a very old mill of which we have not the date. Several of these mills have been destroyed by fire. Frank S. Decker of Catskill formerly owned one of these mills. Capt. Byington had a wooden clock factory for making the Grandfather clocks. There was a factory that made spinning wheels and looms, a nail factory, and Lucius Byington had a saw mill that has been operated by many generations of Byingtons. It was built in 1808. Anson Wright had a furniture factory, Egbert Paddock made grain cradles, and Egglestone, Porter and Ackley made buckets, of which they made 5000 per year. Paul Raeder for 20 years had a scythe factory and a grist mill. 367 DEAR. OLD GREENE COtTNTY. The first Methodist organization was at Sandy Plains, in the house of Henry Weeks. The church at Cairo was organized in Cairo in 1814, and these two churches were supplied by circuit riders who also preached at Leeds. Benjamin Hine deeded the lot on which the Cairo church was built in 1819, and this building, now occupied by the Schermerhorns as a feed store, is in good repair. The organizers of the church were Edward E. Stevens and Sally, his wife. The early records were lost. The present church has as its pastor the Rev. H. D. Chace, who also preaches at Round Top. The Sandy Plains church was erected 1837, and since rebuilt. The Presbyterian church was organized by the Rev. Beriah Hotchkin in 1799, and had three members. The Rev. Richard Williams was the first pastor. The records were three times destroyed by. fire. The Rev. A. P. Freese was for many years pastor of the church. The Rev. Mr. Steelman was the last pastor in 1914, but resigned. Calvary Episcopal Church was organized in 1832. The Rev. Ephriam Punderson was the first Rector, and for several years the membership was 8 persons. The Hon. Henry Meiggs and George Wicks were among the contributors in the 70's to wipe out the last of the church debt. The present rector is Octa • vins Edgelow. Kadema Lodge 693, F. and A. M. was organized 1859, with William Freese as master. Has about 100 members, and has iust finished new lodge building known as Masonic Hall. Knights of Pythias meets in Masonic Hall. Claude J.Goff is chancellor commander. It has about 60 members. Odd Fellows. Meet at Wicke's Hall. Maccabees Lodge, reorganizing. Eastern Star. Mrs. Charles M. Smith, matron. About 70 members. George W. Squires conducts the Cairo Herald. 368 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Gatekill The town of Catskill was con- stituted in ^792, and was a part of the county of Ulster, according to an act of 1798. Upon the formation of Greene county in 1800, it was taken from Ulster with porlions of Woodstock, and all that part of Catskill that lay west of the Moun- tain line was attached to Windham. Further territory was taken Irom Athens in 1815. Hezekiah Van Orden was the first supervisor and William Van Orden, Jr., clerk, in 1789. There were about 80 persons who were on the rate list, of what was called, Great Imbocght. They included the Abeels, Van Ordens, Persons, Dumond, Overbaugh, Bur- ger, Sax, Trombour, Musier, Fiero, Dederick, Mower, Acker, Fox, Richtmyer, O'Brien, Hallembake, Brant, Sax, Britt, Strope, Duwit, Moore, Spaan, Woolf, Schram, Hill and others, antece- dent of the present families. Many of these people were also slave owers. Reference to the schools, churches and tayerns are found elsewhere in this record. Also reference to many of the early industries and persons. Catskill Village had 5 dwellings in 1787, but in 1792 it had increased to such importance that a newspaper was established by Mackey Croswell, called the Catskill Packet, a facsimile of which, through the courtesy of the Catskill Recorder, we have repro- duced. The growth was very rapid, and the village was soon the most important along the Hudson River, and around the year 1800 there were 2000 inhabitants, and it was announced that Catskill was to become the third, if not the second city in the 369 J. Henry Deane ±)iJAR OLD GREtBtofc COUN'ft. state. In 1803 there were 12 wharves and a great trade had sprung up, which comprised freighting to New York and the ship- ping of goods to the interior of the state. Catskill village was incorporated in 1806, and Stephen Day was the first president. The trustees were Garret Abeel, James Pinkney, John Blanchard, Caleb Benton, Hiland Hill, Stephen Root, Isaac Nichols; Orrin Day and John Du Bois were assessors; [saac Du Bois was treasurer, and James Benton, collector. A seal was adopted which resembled a potato bug with an x for a head. Corporation bills for money were adopted in 1815. Catskill was on the direct line to Ithaca, Delhi, and Bing- hamton. The building of the Schoharie and Susquehanna turn- pike which started from Catskill and extended to Wattle's Ferry on the Susquehanna river was one of the greatest events next to the building of the New York Central railroad and the Erie Canal, and for a great many years Catskill was the outlet of trade from the interior of the state. At the head of the turnpike project were Stephen Day, Pres., Martin Schuneman, Benjamin Van Orden, George Hale and others. This road had a capital stock of $12,000 and it was operated until 1856 when the line was operated only as far as Durham. Many other turnpikes were built and operated, of which the Albany and Greene, Schoharie, Athens, Little Delaware, Blue Mountain, Cauterkill, Bristol now Maiden, had turnpike roads, and the Canton Bridge company had a toll bridge a toll bridge at Canton, 1805, near F. C. Plusch's. These turnpikes brought into existence many stage lines. Terrence Donnelly operated the first of these, under an act of the legislature, 1803. One of these lines was from Catskill to Unadilla, another to Ithaca, and all this help- to make Catskill the most important place on the Hudson. The Catskill Agricultural and Horticultural Association was formed in 1865. Addison P. Jones, Isaac Pruyn, John H. Bagley, J. B. Hall, John T. Mann, Theodore Cole, Jacob Meech 370 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. and Edgar Russell were the directors, the John B. Foote farm, in Jefferson, orchard. The last fair was in 1873, The fair grounds were on The grounds are now an Catskill has four fine and well kept cemeteries: The vill- age cemetery on Thompson and Spring streets, Catskill Rural, St. Patrick's and Jefferson cemetery. sin i0t:c»-gar.it?..3 Village Building. V ii^The present members of the Board of Trustees of the Cats- kill village are: Clarence Travis, Pres., Willis -A. Haines, Philip Walsh, Henry R. Hinman, Oscar A. Freer. Clerk, Louis B. Dec- ker; Collector, L. R. Magee; Assessor, William Joesbury; Cor- poration Counsel, Louis B. Malcolm. 371 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNt't. The first organization of a fire department was in 1806 when a hand engine was in use, and all owners of property were compelled to have at least two buckets for fire purposes. In 1825 Engine Company No. 2 and Engine Company No. 3 were organized. Two new engines were purchased in 1853. Seven c isterns were built in 1836, and these were filled up a few years since. Ever Ready Company was organized in 1654, and Wilson Fire Company, Old Home Week parade. F. N. Wilson Company the same year. ProtectionJSngine Com- pany, now Number One Hose and formerly Wiley Hose, was or- ganized in 1855. F. J. Silsby Company, now Osborn Hose, was organized in 1871. Citizens Hose Company was organized in 1869. Citizens Hose Company and the Number 1 Hose Company own two of the finest parade carriages in the state. Citizens Hose Company was first to appear with a dazzling white dress uniform 672 No. 1 Hose Company's Auto Truck. which has been widely copied. In fact the several companies of Catskill have a uniform that leads all other fire companies. Each company occupies a splendid house, and own much of their equip- ment. Number 1 Hose has an auto fire truck, which is of great service in getting the apparatus quickly to a fire. The Wilson Fire Company, Geo. Webster, forman, has in their possession one of the hand engines first used in this section. They got it in 1900 from Stephen Vining of Windham, and it was built in 1783, and is known as the Yankee. We show a picture of this curious little fire fighter, and it will be seen that it is still ready for business. Not least of the fire companies is the Bomptje Hook Com- pany Number .50, with a truck and hose house at the Point. John Fitzsimmons is president of this organization and the annual ban- quet is always an occasion of note. The chief engineer of the fire department is Henry Place. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Building of No. 1 Hose Company. There is also a hose house on Broome street and a small house on Depot street equipped with cart and apparatus. In fire fighting Catskili leads the volunteer companies of the state. 374 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The telegraph fire alarm system of boxes was installed in the 80's and the alarm is a bull whistle at the electric light station. Foreman Webster and the Old Hand Engine. The Catskili water works were commenced in December, 1883 and finished in April, 1884, a pumping system, which with the mains and hydrants cost about $160,000. There are over 13 miles of mains, and about 130 hydrants. The water pressure is 80 pounds, and affords a fire protection that is unsurpassed. The plant has a good revenue and the outstanding bonds amount to only $37,000. They are due in 1916. The members of the Catskili water board are: M. Edward Silberstein, Eugene Wayne, P. Gardner Coffin, E. A. Bennett and and J. Clark Salisbury. In 1914 the board installed a hydro- chlorite system for the purification of the water, which has since tested 100 per cent pure. The superintendent is Egbert Beardsley, who succeeded William Comfort about ten years ago. Mrs. Beardsley is book- keeper; William Shufelt, chief engineer; John E. Norton, night engineer; Patrick Dwyer, night fireman. 37§ DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Catskill village has two fountains supplied with water from the spring on the H. L. Boughton lot, very excellent water for drinking purposes. The police system of Catskill has Roscoe Miller D. Miller as justice, Ira B. Gay as chief of police, Joseph Reilly patrolman, and in addition special officers are appointed for special seryice and important occasions. At the head of Main street is located Pruyn Park, the very generous gift of Bank President James P. Philip, and this has been very well equipped and is well patronized in the summer. The village fathers also arranged a miniature park at the head of William street. The children of the schools are equipped with an out door gymnasium, the gift of J. P. Philip. Catskill has a number of Insurance Companies. These are the Co-Operative, the Commercial Mutual, the Hon. 0. V. Sage being president, and Hon, C. E. Bloodgood, secretary. The Cats- kill Mutual has William J. Hughes, as president, and Geo. Hard- ing, secretary. These companies do a large business. The Mercantile Co-Operative has William W. Bennett at the head. The Catskill Savings and Loan Association was organized in 1889 as a building and loan association. It has an investment of $174,282. At the head of the corporation is Percival Goldin, pres.; Josiah C. Tallmadge, vice-pres.; Thomas E. Jones, sec'y; P. Gardner Coffin, treasurer, and William W. Bennett, attorney. Among the Social Organizations of Catskill which have not already been mentioned are: The Rip Van Winkle Club, Catskill, was organized in IS the Hon. James B. Olney being president. The club has flourished ever since and now owns a fine property on lower Main street. Willet C. Hunter is present. Hendrick Hudson Lodge, I. 0. of 0. F, was organized in 376 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. 1846. The present officers are : N. G., Frank Packer; V. G., Isaac R. Fitchett; Fin. Sec'y, J. G. Miller; Rec. Sec'y, Robert E. Brant; Treas., Clarence Travis. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Columbus, Protected Home Circle, Royal Arcanum, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Modern Workmen of America, Deutscher Understeutungs Verein, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Catskill Gun Club, Catskill Fish and Game Club. The prominent business houses and dealers are: Bottling Works— Bove & Coglianese. Bakers— V. DelaMorte, William Klepser, William Deitz, Waldorf. Banks — Catskill Sayings, Tanners National, Catskill Nat- ional. Barber Shops— F. A. Kline, William E, Brooks, Dominic Disantis, Con. Hammer; August Franz, Amin Smith, Alex Yan- noni. Blacksmiths — Willis A. Haines & Son, John Person, Theo. M. Smith, D. Delong, Harry Gehbauer. Books and Stationery — L. R. Magee, Van Gorden & Co. Brick Mfrs. — Tidewater Paving Co., Washburn & Co., Per- cival Goldin & Son. Butchers — C. C. Bloom, Chas. Ernest, Wm. Conine, Geo. Drumgold. Candies —Catskill Candy Co., A. Cunningham. Catskill Building & Loan Assn. Cider and Vinegar — Amos Post, Signor & Nicoll. Cigar Manufacturers— Frank Knolls, G. Knoll, W. R. Ma- guire, P. A. Obert, C. Schaller, Con. Hammer. . 377 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Carriage Repository — Willis Haines & Son. Catskill Glass Works. Cement -Alpha Company, Alsen Co., and Sterling Corpor- ation. Clothiers— Abram Joseph, J. L. Goldberg, F. A. Stahl, Butler's. Coal Dealers— Wm. J. Hughes, Wm. H. Henderson, Chas. E. Place, 0. V. Sage, Raymond Smith. Dentists— W. A Conklin, G. A. Englert, E. A. Bennett. Electrical Contractor Fred B. Home. Electrical Supplies— Electric Light Co. Facing Mill -Bell's. Fish and Motorcycles— Field & Field. Flour and Feed— A. Raynor, Salisbury & Austin. Foundry— Catskill Foundry & Machine Works. Florist — Henry Schmidt, Geo. Person, Henry Hansen. Furniture and Undertaking — William Kortz, Deane & Deane. Druggists -F. C. Clarke, L. B. Decker, E. M. Sedgwick, William L. Du Bois. Garage— Amos Post, Peerless, Vermilyea Brothers, Catskill Automobile Co., Easton Beahr. General Stores— The H. L. Bough ton, L. R. & W.A. Doty, E. C. Church, Philip Richman, A. Richman, Fred Conklin, Geo. C. Church. Groceries— Britt Brothers, Fred Woolhizer, William Davis, Howard C. Smith, Charles Ernest, Schubert Brothers, Hallenbeck Brothers, Frederick Palmatier, P. V. R. Timmerman, Clarence Travis, Geo. Swartwout, B. Coglianese, J. Battagalino, Matthew Shield, Etta Webber, Claude Garling, Waggoner Brothers, James Reardon, Lewis Van Loan. Hardware— Day & Holt Co., Catskill Hardware Co., Frank Martin, Beardsley & Son. Horses— Horton Brothers. Hair Dressing— E. Mink. Harness— William Earle, J. M. Rouse. 378 DEAR OLD GREENE! COUNTY. Hotels- Central, Columbia, Commercial, Exchange, Hotel Dicarlo, Golden Stairs, Lynes Hotel, Germania, Rudolph, Hoy's, Loud's, Smith House, Saulpaugh, West Catskill, West Shore, Temperance Hotel, Irving Cafe. Ice Cream— Pruyn Brandow, J. Valente, Arthur P. Fox, D. Mamaris. Ice and Hay— Willis Hjines, Ray Smith. Junk and Second Hand Goods — C. W. Ray. Jewelers— J. A. Hill, Prentiss Hallenbeck. Knit Goods— Union Mills Company. Laundry -Catskill Hygiene. Liverymen — Bogardus & Son. Lumber— Catskill Supply, Crawford & Smith. Notions — Harry Smith, Wright's, Florence Joesbury. Marble Dealer-C. A. Noble. Masons and Builders — Geo.. W. Holdridge. Music Store-H. N. Warden. Optician— Hiram Wilcox. Photographs— Clark's Kodak Store, Paul R. Morrison, C. E. Van Gorden. Physicians — Geo. L. Branch, Frederick Goodrich, Wm. M. Rapp, L. B. Honeyford, Charles E.Williard, Robert Selden, Geo. Warren, Dr. DeSilva. Plumbers — Adams & Spencer, J. F. Barnard, Day & Holt, Harry Boyne, Henry Hinman, H. T. Jones & Sons. Printing -Daily Mail, Catskill Examiner, Catskill Enter- prise, Catskill Recorder. Restaurants ^Exchange, New York, Smith's. Real Estate— O'. T. Heath, J. L. Patrie, Geo. Harding Shoe Parlor— Harper Brothers. Shoe Manufacturers —Louis Di Caprio, Camile Yannoni, Tony Peppi. Shoes— Ahreet & Cussler, John J. Henderson, F.P. Smith, Welsh Est. Sporting Goods —Michael Cimorelli. 379 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Transportation— Catskill & N. Y. Steamboat Co., Catskill Ferry, Catskill and Albany Line, Saugerties and Hudson Line, Catskill Mtn. Ry., West Shore Ry., N. Y. C. & H. R. Ry., Cats- kill Street Ry. Tailoring S. Fontanella, I. Schmuckler. Tea and Coffee -Union Pacific Tea Co., Atlantic & Pacific Co. Telegraph— Postal Cable, Western Union. Telephone— New York, Catskill Mountain. Theatres — Irving Theatre, Nelida Theatre. Union Mills Company. Veterinarian— Dr. Parker. Well Digger — Amos Post. Wholesale Grocers — Salisbury & Austin. Hudson Fultorv Celebratiorv The greatest celebration ever held in Greene county was the Hudson-Fulton, Sept. 25 to October 9, 1909. The crowd was variously estimated at from 10,000 to 12,000. The expense was borne in part by the state and the balance between $3000 and $4000 by Catskill. The flotilla was met about two miles from Catskill, and escorted to the landing while the war vessels fired salutes, and the military bands and parade bands filled the air with their music. The fire alarm and all steam whistles were also tooted. This naval demonstration started in New York City, and wound up by visiting Newburgh, Pokeepsie, Kingston, Catskill, Hudson, Albany and Troy. Some of the great war vessels and some of the world's greatest floats failed to reach Catskill on ac- count of the depth of water being too shallow. Program for the Day: 10:00 A. M.— Committee met and escorted the flotilla to Catskill. 10:00 A. M. — Erection of flag pole and raising of flag at Greene County Home for Aged Women. Address by the Hon. Wm. P. Fiero. "11:00 A. M.— Arrival off Catskill of the Half Moon, Cler- mont, naval squadron, merchant marine, excursion boats and 380 DEAR Otb GREENE COUNTY. pleasure craft. Reception of the Half Moon by Athabasca Tribe of Red Men in canoes, bearing gifts of corn, etc. 9:30 to 11 A. M— Concert by bands. 11 :00 A. M. - Reception of all naval visitors. 12:00 noon— Address by Hon. Charles E. Hughes, Gover- nor of the State of New York. 2: 00 P. M.- Grand Parade. 3:30 P. M. — Special excursion to Catskill Mts. under the auspices of the Holland Society . 4:00 P. M. — Baseball, Catskill against Coxsackie, for cham- pionship of the Hudson Valley. Catskill 7, Coxsackie 4. 4:00 to 5:00 P. M.-Band concerts. 4:30 P. M. —Reception to Governor Hughes. 8:00 P. M.-Pyrotechnical display. 9:00 P. M. — Military subscription ball at the Armory, un- der the auspices of Company E. The Parade First Division— Visiting Marine and Sailors. Second Division— Company K, N. G- N. Y., Pokeepsie, Company M, N. G. N. Y., Kingston, Company E, N. G. N. Y., Catskill, Morris Guards of Atlantic City, N. J. Third Division— Geo. H. Scott Hook & Ladder Company, Coxsackie, D. M. Hamilton Steamer Company, Coxsackie, Cox- sackie Hose Company No. 3, D.W. Morgan Hose Company, Cox- sackie Osborn Hose Company, Catskill. Fourth Division— Hunter Hose Company, Jacob Fromer Hose Company, Tannersville, Junior Hose Company, Tanners- ville, Citizens Hook & Ladder Company, Tannersyille, Hose Com- pany No. 1, Catskill. Fifth Division — Cornell Hook & Ladder Company, New Baltimore, Laflin Hose Company, Saugerties, Windham Fire Company, F. N. Wilson Fire Company, Catskill. Sixth Division— Rescue Hook & Ladder Company, Athens,; Morton Steamer Company, Athens, Makawomuc Engine Com- : pany, Athens, Citizens Hose Company, Catskill. Seventh Division — G. A. R., Athabasca Tribe of Red Men, Carriages, Business Men's floats. 381 o X biJAfe oLb greje!n£: dotTNtfV. Next to the great Hudson-Fulton celebration, the greatest celebration ever held in Greene county was that of Old Home Week, Oct. 4 to 7, 1908 in Catskill.The ball was set rolling on Sun- day with services in the several churches and St. Patrick's church had a parade in memory of the Rev. William P. Finneran, unveil- ing his monument. Attorney William E.Thorpe made the address at the cemetery, several thousand persons leing present. The church parade was half a mile long. The Rev. C. G. Hazard, the Rev. R. E. Bell, the Rev. E. P. Miller, the Rev. Mr. Rockwell, the Rev. Clark Wright the Rev. W. H..S. Demarest, were among the Sunday speakers. Monday was devoted to a business men's parade. There were in line: Ashland Band, Greene County Society, Watson Post, G.A.R., W. B. Grant, com., Hudson City Band, Athabasca Tribe of Red Men, with float, Catskill Council K. of Columbus, with floats, Knights of Maccabees, with floats, Protected Home Circle, with float, Pruyn Drum. Corps, Holy Name Society, Floats of all the leading business houses. Tuesday was devoted to School Parade and Carnival. Catskill Schools pupils dressed in white carrying flugs and banners, St. Patrick's school with two floats, children carrying large flag. Wednesday— Military Day. 10th Regt. Band, Albany, 3d Battalion 10th Regt., Company E, Catskill, Capt. Saulpaugh, com., Company F, Hudson, Company K, Pokeepsie, Hudson Band, Jacob Fromer Hose Co. , Tannersville, 383 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Hunter Hose Company, Pruyn Drum Corps, Hose Company 1 of Catskill, Veteran Firemen, Athens Band, Morton Steamer Co., Athens, Saugerties Band, Osborn Hose Co., Catskill, Co. F. Drum Corps, Hudson, Mackawomuck Engine Co., Athens, F. N. Wilson Fire Co., Catskill, Rogers Drum Corps, Hudson, Rescue Hook and Ladder Co., Athens, Cornell Hook and Ladder Co., New Baltimore, Gartland's Band of Albany, Citizens Hose Co., Catskill. At the armory, 2000 peonle listened to addresses by Pres. Charles A. Elliott, Ira B. Kerr, Wm. E. Thorpe, and others. The Trojan Quartette entertained. Exercises at the Nelida theatre comprised addresses by Hon. William P. Fiero, Mr. Colvin and others. The list of home comers ran into the hundreds. All were handsomely entertained by relatives or the committee. \1 1 : HI l W - ' ■-- JR*s 1 f -I tfi-T 1 1 H i l/ mk M^^^J^L Laying Brick Pavement, West Bridge Street. 384 Pavilion of William Welker at Kiskatom. Boarding House of Frank Rasher at JSiskatom, Herrnan^C. Cowen, Catskill, Supervisor elect. William B.Donahue, Catskill, County Clerk elect. John C. Welsh, Catskill, m r*i i_ Geo. W. Swartwout, Catskill, Town Clerk elect. Addeixda The elections for November, 1915, resulted in the election of George H. Chase, Assemblyman, over John Sanfo^d, Charles A. Post for Sheriff, over Frank D. Overbagh, both of Catskill, and of William B. Donahue for County Clerk, over Geo. B. Van Valken burgh, both of Catskill. The Board of Supervisors was carried by the Republicans by 9 to 5. Ashland— H. Clay Ferris, R. Athens Harold R. Evory, R. Cairo — Floyd F. Jones, R. Catskill — Herman C. Co wen, R. Coxsackie— Albert W. Pierce, D. Durham — William C. Latta, D. Greenville— Lewis Hoose, D. Halcott Eli C. Morse, R.' Hunter— Elmer E. Pelham, R. Jewett— George E. Lockwood,_R. Lexington— George D. Rappleyea, R. New Baltimore — Dale S. Baldwin, D. Prattsville— Elmer Krieger, R. Windham — William J. Soper. Perrt Motive ^1 Annex. Boarding House at Green Lake, and a party of guests from house sport- ing in the lake. Near burial place of John Jacob Overbaugh,' whose grave, the fiist ia Catskill section, is the first marked stone on the Linzey Patent. galisbury House, jCatskill, a popular resort. Henry Place, Chjef of zxemy nace, v^njei 01 » >- ■«u«,™ Cate&U Fire Department, JK^ Eigt, A"?- Howard C. Wilbur, Catskill. mi Mi 18] DAY & HOLiT GO. We have it, will get it, or it isn't made HARDWARE AND HOUSEFURNISHINGS TOOLS We sell all the noted makes of guaranteed tools. Disston Saws— Maydole Hammers— Stanley Planes- Star- rett Machinist Tools- Kraeuter Pliers. FARM MACHINERY We are agents for The International line of Farm Impli- ments. PAINTS AND OILS We carry a full stock of Sherwin-Williams Paints— Oils of every description. RED CROSS STOVES AND RANGES We have sold "Red Cross" stoves and ranges for 35 years and can show a list of 3500 satisfied local users. Wpodenware— Crockery & Glassware -Tinware— Aluminum Ware— Enameled Ware. Plumbing and Heating. |]ig.,..,.....,..»t....*.."f7.»»»»»»"»"»"»"»"»»»"»^^^^ M •••!§! Scenes in Austin's Glen, Catskill, Scribner House, Palenville. Destroyed by fire, 1904. Residence pf A. Timmerman at Palenville. SMITH HOUSE Head of Main St. - Catskill, N. V — Oldest Stand in Greene County — Enlarged -by Martin'F. Smith 1880; Rebuilt by Wm, M. Smith; Im- proved and Up-to-date under Edwin H. Smith, present proprietor. Modern in Every Way. TRAVELERS' HOME THE NEW SACILPAUGH Oa,ts]^iii 7 3NT. "y. ABSOLUTELY MODERN ^ LIMITED, 1915 — NEW TO SAN FRANCISCO FOUR DAYS. VIA THE PANAMA CANAL. 1914 New York to San Francisco: 1860 Five months. 1889 Twenty days. 1915 Four days. Via Panama Canal 18 days. Via telephone 1915, 1 second Tlie Union Mills, Catskill. Texido House, Catskill. Odd Architecture. j**' JfllKHI^H -Mr-- V% '* ' KtK JJ^K w* fell ■La « ■ KW r 1 : "Champion Wiley HoseBasket Ball team. Left to right. Top Row— Shulelt, Carney; R. Roe, Bottom Row~-Place, P . Roe, Hines. « w o O T3 V o 01 t3 O o CO [^■•■■•"•■••••••'•"•"••■•■••"•.•••.•..•..•"•..•..•-•..•..«»»:.t,.«.Sl |}£.«..a»«..«««M««» H «..a..«..«..«H«..a»a..«M«..eH«<.t M «..«M*..«^j L«l B 347=349 Main Street - CatsKill, N. Y. lai '«' THE TAIIEBS HAT10ML BARK OF CATSKILL. i 1831 1865 1915 & Capital $150,000 00 I Surplus and Undivided Profits $188,000.00 Deposits .$777,801.22 September 22, 1915 i t [g].B»a»aM»*>*>f«f»ai4<4»»»«»«Ht»t»s..a.^ is Boarding House ofW. M. Saxe, Palenville.'and Falls Opposite. ■ S^b b^aL. • HS flBHHH ^ . ■ ■»* Ahm , T" - n |0B6 ^C^- *n n X/i o 3 o "*> D d m ?? a n a ? >=* » a XSi n 2 DEAR OLD GREENE COtJNTV. J. HENRY DEANE J. Henry Deane was born Nov. 22, 1855, at New Balti- more, at the place called Deane's mills. His father, Francis W. Deane, was a miller at that time and continued at that profession in the town of Westerlo, Albany county, between Indian Fields and Dormansville, until 1866, when he gave up the mill and mov- ed to a farm at Greenville, which is still owned by J. Henry Deane. On Nov. 22, 1876, J. Henry Deane married Mary C.Losee, daughter of Stephen A. Losee, and in the spring of 1879, moved to Austin, Illinois, where be entered the employ of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, with office at Chicago. He remained with the company and on a visit to his old home he was induced by his father to return to the farm, which he did in 1884. He remained on the farm for 4 years, but prices for farm produce were so low (hay selling for from $8 to $10 per ton) he decided to give up farming which he did in 1888, and moved to Catskill, where he entered the employ of the Catskill Mountain Railroad Company. He remained with them for 2 years, when he gave up railroading and became a clerk in the furniture store of Post & Deane, after first going to New York City and taking a course in embalming, with Prof. A. Raymond, recognized as the best tea- cher of the art in this country. In 1892 he purchased the interest of W. A. Post in the furniture and undertaking business, and the firm of Post & Deane was changed to Deane & Deane, Dr. J. A. Deane, an uncle, being the senior partner. In 1910 George A. Deane, his son, purchased the interest of Dr. J. A. Deane, and the father and son became partners. Their increasing business demanding more room in 1914 they moved to their new store No. 439-441 Main street where they have one of the largest and finest furniture stores in the state. During nis residence in Catskill, J. Henry Deane has serv- ed as president of the Rip Van Winkle Club, president of the Board of trustees of the village of Catskill, coroner of Greene county for 4 years, and is now serving his third successive term as supervisor of the town. Mr. Deane is associated with the Masons, Rip Van Winkle Club, Red Men, Protected Home Circle, and is a trustee of the Presbyterian church. 430 Gatskill jSavitvgis feaivk CATSKILL, N. Y. This institution which is the only one of its kind in the county was incorporated by Chapter 96 of the Laws of the State of New York, passed April 1, 1868. Its first Trustees were its incorporators, none of whom sur- vive, namely: S. Sherwood Day, John Breasted, Samuel Harris^ Rufus H. King, Jacob H. Meech, George Griffin, Elijah P. Bushnell, Fred- erick Cooke, John H. Bagley, Jr., Burton G. Morse, John A- Gris wold, Luke Roe, Edwin N. Hubbell, Sheldon A. Givens, Charles L. Beach, George Beach, George Robertson, Isaac Pruyn, John M. Donnelly, Francis N.Wilson, Nelson Fanning, Manly B. Mattice, Edgar Russell and Joseph Hallock. Its present Trustees are Orrin Day, Jeremiah Day, W. Ir- ving Jennings, Emory A. Chase, William Palmatier, Lucius R. Doty, Charles E. Bassett, George S. Lewis, William H. Van Or- den, Frank H. Osborn, Albert C. Bloodgood, William J. Hughes, Omar V. Sage, Addison P. Jones and James Lewis Malcolm. The following Trustees have served as President since the bank's organization in the order named: John Breasted, S. Sher- wood Day, Rufus H. King, Joseph Hallock, Manly B. Mattice and W. Irving Jennings. The executive officers for many years have been and are : W. Irving Jennings President, Emory A.Chase 1st Vice President, Jeremiah Day 2nd Vice President and Secretary, and Orrin Day Treasurer. From its organization until June, 1909, the business of the bank was conducted in the banking room of the Tanners National Bank of Catskill, since which time it has occupied its new build- ing,' shown on the head of this page, No. 343 Main Street. The bank's total resources January 1, 1915, based on in- vestment or amortized value of securities were |3,797j400.55, which are carefully invested as required by Law and subject to the supervision of the State Banking Department. bBJAR 0L±> GREENfc COtlNTt. GEORGE W. HOLDRIDGE George W. Holdridge was born in the town of Catskill, Greene county, October 20, 1847. His father was James Hold- ridge and his mother, Sarah Lane. James Holdridge was a son of Isaac Holdridge and Hannah Pettit. The Holdridge family was of English descent and moved from Connecticut to Lexington, Greene county where they lived until 1814 when they moved to Catskill and purchased a tract of land situated at the foot of Round Top Mountain, part of which is now owned by the shale brick company. The Pettit family came from France and settled on Long Island. Later they moved to Hurley, Ulster county, and from there to Lexington. Hannah Pettit had two brothers, Amos and Hezekiah, who resided in the town of Lexington. Hezekiah was born in 1779 and died in 1852. For fifty years he was pastor of the Baptist church on Lexington flats, being widely known as Elder Pettit. He served without pay most of the time. 432 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Andrew Lane, father of Mr. Holdridge's mother came from England and settled in Dutchess county. About 1800 they moyed to Ulster county. He served in the 2d regiment during the Rev- olutionary War. At the age of 13 George W. Holdridge came to Catekill and was apprenticed to A. & B. Wiltse in the foundry that is now the Catskill Machine Works, and was to receive $50 per year until he became 21. But after 8 months he received $4 and went to work for John Hard wick and Robert E. Ferrier, where he ran the en- gine for 3 years, doing his own firing, and shoveling daily 16 loads of sand into the pit. He received $1 per day and 'board. At the close of the brick season he went to work for William H. Finch, to learn the mason's trade. In 1865 he listed in the U. S. navy, going first to the Ver- mont and later the Shenango. The boat was sent south and ar- rived at ; Charleston, Feb. 18, 1865, the morning following its evac- uation by the Rebels. The city had been set on fire, and he help- ed put it out. Later on they captured a Rebel boat, the Oliyia, laden with cotton, Sailing down the Black River they dispersed 300 Rebel Guerilla Cavalry and took a large quantity of provisions from them. Being transferred from the Shenango to the Kansas they were^ordered to the West Indies, later to Brazil and the Falkland Islands. They had many rough and exciting experiences, and plenty of hardship, and at one time for 15 days were on an allow- ance of a half pint of water per man. April 13, 1867, he was paid off and discharged from the navy. In 1868 he started to work for L. S. and William Smith at Catskill, and in 1870'formed a partnership with William Ruland as contractor and builder. In 1881 he went by himself and since that time has forged to the front as one of the best builders of brick and stonework in Greene county. Among the many splen- did structures that he has erected are the Catskill Armory, St. Luke's church, the Young Men's Christian Association building, the Carnegie Library, the Irying School building, the Grandview School building, St. Patrick's Academy, Parochial residence, num- 433 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. ber 1 and number 5 engine-houses, and the Rowena Memorial School building at Palenyille, a picture of which is to be seen else- where in this book, and many other structures. He was a member of the Catskill fire department from 1871 to 1888, and 2 years chief. He served the town of Catskill as col- lector 1872-3, trustee of the village 1894-96, being president of the Board in 1896. In 1897 he was honored by the county by elec- tion as sheriff, serving with distinction during 1898-1900, the jail being then as it was at the time Mrs. Beardsley purchased the property. (See account Heidelberg. ) Mr. Holdridge has always taken an active part in the upbuilding of Catskill, and has been a trustee of the Catskill Meth- odist church since 1892 , He was married to Hannah M. Dederick Jan. 4, 1871, and had 5 children, Frank, who died at the age of 13 years, Harry, who was killed by the cars at Alsen, Jan. 16, 1910. Harry was married to Anna May Richardson, Sept. 6, 1905, and they had one son, George Frederick. There are now living'; Walter H., Florence and May Holdridge. Walter married Adaline Craigie of Catskill'and they reside in New York where he has a fine medical practice. They have one son, Walter Henry. Florence'married Frank H. Cooke. They are living in Catskill and have one child, Marie Holdridge. May is still living at the old home. On July 1, 1908, Mr. Holdridge married] Marie Burger, who takes an active interest in church, Y. M. C. A. and fireman- ic work as well as her home on Division street. Mr. Holdridge has a large and well equipped contracting supply plant on the West Side, and employs a large number of skilled mechanics who are generously paid and always take great interest in his work . The residence of Mr. Holdridge Ion Division street, adjoins his supply plant, and is a very handsome building, located on a well kept terrace and surrounded by a flower garden. 434 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Temporary Depot at Catskill, built in two days after the destruction of the old depot at West Shore Station. View of first depot will be found elsewhere in book. All'that remained of St. Anthony's School, formerly Pros- pect Park Hotel, Catskill, after the fire. Building is to be re- placed by the Francescan Society, in the near future as a monas- tery. 435 DEAK OLD GREENE COUNTY. Free_and Accepted Masons The institution of Masonry early appealed to the prominent citizens of Catskill, and within ten years of the close of the Revo- lutionary war, when a time of settled peace had giyen opportun- ity to the people in the long harrassed Hudson river valley to turn their minds to other things than war, on the 11th of December, 1792, to be exact, a petition bearing ten names asking for organi- zation of a Masonic lodge at Catskill was forwarded to the Grand Lodge. The petition was granted, and Harmony Lodge No. 31, F & A. M., was instituted by charter dated' September 3, 1793, signed by Robert R. Livingston, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. The charter members of the lodge were Jacob Bogardus, Stephen Day, Samuel Haight, Rufus Stanley, George Taylor, Dr. Thomas Thomson, Hezekiah Van Orden, and W- W, Wetmore, men whose names suryive as land- 436 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. marks of an earlier time in Catskill history. Samuel Haight was the first master^of the lodge, Stephen Day senior warden and Dr. Thomson junior warden. The lodge increased in membership up to the year 1800, when it numbered 48, after which it declined and probably went out of existence in 1805. The second Masonic lodge organized here was Catskill Lodge No. 302, F. & A. M., by charter dated March 4, 1818, signed with the illustrious name of M. W. DeWitt Clinton, then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. There were thirteen charter members, and the first officers *were: Caleb Benton, W. M. ; Cornelius DuBois, S. W.; Thomas Hale, J. W. This lodge occupied rooms which had been fitted up for the pur- pose by Francis Botslord, in the third story of the building now known as the Selleck building, at the corner of Main and Thom- son streets. These rooms were plainly but substantially furnish- ed and at that time were considered ideal lodge rooms. No. 302 held together during the height of the anti-masonic wave that swept over tke country from 1827 to 1830, having an active mem- bership of 40 in June, 1829, but it declined after that date, be- coming extinct on the 4th of June, 1835. It was another generation that again revived Masonry in Catskill, a quarter of a century having elapsed before the institu- tion of another lodge here. This took place in 1859, when by dispensation granted February 10th, Catskill Lodge No. 468 was organized with the following charter members: John H. Bagley, jr., James Becker, Peter Baurhyte, Samuel DuBois, David S. Manchester, George L. France, Luke Kiersted, Kufus H. King, A. Melvin Osborne, T. C. Palmer and Isaac iPulver. The lodge first met in a hall in the Cook building at the ^corner of Main street and Bank Alley, now occupied by the Grand Army of the .Repub- lic, and here it was formally instituted June 27, 1859, with the following officers: John H. Bagley, jr., W/M.; T.C. Palmer, S. W. ; James Becker, J. W. ; Samuel DuBois, secretary; Rufus H. King, treasurer; Isaac Pulver, S. D. ; A. M. Osborne, J. D.; D. Manchester, tyler. 437 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. On the 1st of May, 1863, the lodge room was moved to Martin's hall in the building now occupied by Beardsley's hard- ware store. Some five years later Charles E. French erected a building further up Main street, nearly to the corner of Church street, and the lodge leased the third floor of this building from the 1st of January, 1869. Ten years later, on the 1st of May, 1879, another move was made, to the Oliver Bourke building, in the hall now used by the Knights of Columbus. The stay here was longer, but in 1894 another move was made to what is known as Cowles hall, which was in fact the old location in the French building, over the present location of the telephone exchange. But as the lodge grew in numbers and influence the ques- tion of owning a building was brought to the front, and a building fund was started and added to each year up to 1907, when it was used in the purchase of the Irving House property at the corner of Main and Clark streets. This property was, howeyer, soon after taken by the county as part of the location for the new court house, so the matter rested for another year. In 1909, on the advice of the trustees of the lodge, Ira B. Kerr, I. Wheeler Bran- dow and William H. Hallenbeck, and of the worshipful master, J. Henry Deane, the old court house property, at the corner of Franklin and Bridge streets, was purchased from the county. Ex- tensive alterations were made in the building to fit it for Masonic purposes, with the result that here is one of the finest lodge rooms along the Hudson river. The new rooms were first occupied at the communication of September 1st, 1910, and the building, now properly designated the Masonic Temple, was formally dedicated to the uses of Free and Accepted Masonry with impressive cere- monies on the 7th of February, 1912. Howard C. Wilbur, wor- shipful master, made the presentation, and the dedication ceremo- nies were conducted by M. W. Robert Judson Kenworthy, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, and the following staff: John J. MacCoun senior grand warden, Christo- pher C. Molienhouer junior grand warden, John H. Sanford De- puty Grand Master, William E. Stevens Grand Chaplain, H. Greeley Brown Grand Secretary, Mayhew W. Bronson Grand Treasurer, Jacob C. Klinck Grand Marshal. There were more 438 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. than 400 Master Masons present on this occasion, members of Catskill lodge and visitors. Under the uspices of Catskill Lodge No. 468, F. & A. M., the corner stone of the new Greene Co. court house was laid with proper ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 12, 1908 (A. L. 5908), at 1 : 15 P M., by the Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York. The acting officers of the Grand Lodge present were: R. W- Charles Smith Grand Master, R. W. Samuel Stern Deputy Grand Master, R. W. Ira B. Kerr Grand Senior Warden, R. W. Richard A. Anstin Grand Junior Warden, R. W. Sanford W. Smith Grand Treasurer, R. W. Henry Hudson Grand Secretary, R.. W. William W. Chace Grand Marshal, Bro. Clark Wright D. D. Grand Chaplain, Bro. William J. Beardsley Grand Architect. Lafayettee Commandery No. 7, Knights Temp- lar, of Hudson, Edward W. Scovil, E. C, served as escort to the grand officers. There were in attendance representatives from the following Masonic lodges: Ark Lodge No. 48, Coxsackie; Oasis Lodge No 119, Prattsville; Cascade Lodge No. 427, Oak Hill; Catskill Lodge No. 468, Catskill; Mountain Lodge No. 529, Windham; James M. Austin Lodge No. 557, Greenville; Kede- mah Lodge No. 693, Cairo; Social Friendship Lodge No. 741, New Baltimore; Mount Tabor Lodge No. 807, Hunter. The successive worshipful masters of Catskill lodge have been: John H. Bagley, jr., Charles C. Givens, John H. Bagley [2d time] , James E. Nearing, Jacob S, Philip, James E. Nearing [2d time], A. Melvin Osborne, John H. Bagley [3d time], James Becker, Charles H. Pierson, John F. Sylvester, George C. Fox, Charles H. Pierson [2d time], Stephen M. Bagley, William J. Hughes, Charles H. Pierson [3d time] , Orrin G. Selden, Abram P. Kerley, Will R. Post, Charles H. Bennett, Robert Selden, William W. Bennett, George H. Warner, William R. Maguire, Henry T. Jones, Samuel B. Doty, Charles G. Coffin, Charles E. Carey, William R. Maguire [2d time] , Ira B. Kerr, Frederick A. H. Dewald, J. Rodney Magee, W. Piatt Fisher, J. Henry Deane, George H. Terns, Howard C. Wilbur, Archie D. Clow. 439 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Catskill Lodge is in the 15th Masonic district, of the State of New York, which comprises Greene and Ulster counties. It has produced two grand lodge officers, R. W.John H. Bagley and R. W. Ira B. Kerr, both of whom held the position of District Deputy Grand Master. The lodge grows steadily in influence and membership, its active list in 1914 carrying 236 names. The lodge officers for 1914 are as follows; Claude H. Heath, W. M.; John Henry Felter, S. W.; George A.. Deane, J. W.; R. D. Mil- ler, Secretary; James P. Philip, Treasurer; Frank L. Vedder, S. D.; Lewis R. Magee, J. D.; Earl C. Sandt, S. M. C. ; George W. Parks, J. M. C. ; Jeremiah E. Crawford, Edward M. Sedgwick, Stewards; Rev. G. H.P. Grout, Rev. J. W. Tetley, Rev. Wallace J. Gardner, Jay D. Hopkins, Chaplains; J. Lewis Patrie, Mar- shal; Frederick Becker, Tyler. Regular Communications of Cats- kill Lodge are held every Wednesday evening at 7:30. Later — Officers for 1915, John Henry Felter, W. M. ; Frank L. Vedder, S. W. ; Lewis R. Magee, J. W.; Roscoe D. Miller, Secretary; J. P. Philip, Treasurer; EarlC. Sandt, S. D. ; George W. Parks, S. D.; Seth T. Cole, S. M. C. ; Euberto Austin, J. M. C; Frank S. Mackey, Elmer E. Whitcomb, Stewards; Rev. G. H. P. Grout, Rev. J. W. Tetley, Rey. Wallace J. Gardner, Jay D. Hopkins, Chaplains; J. Lewis Patrie, Marshal; Clarence A. Noble, Tyler; William H. Hollenbeck, Ira B. Kerr, I.W. Brandow, Trustees. Catskill MasonicIClub was organized in 1912 to give mem- bers of the order greater adyantages for social intercourse. All master masons are eligible to membership and can become mem- bers of the league of Mason Clubs on payment of a small fee . The club rooms are.located on'the ground floor of the Masonic Temple and are open every day and evening in the year. Its past presi- dents are James P. Philip, Jay D. Hopkins and Claude H. Heath. Present officers: Archie D. Clow, president; Clarence A. Noble, J. Henry Felter, vice-president; Euberto Austin, treasurer; Earl C. Sandt, secretary; Frank L. Vedder, collector; George H. War- ner, George S.jLewis, Jay D. Hopkins, J. Henry Deane, Howard C. Wilbur, Howard C. Smith, Charles H. Arbogast, governors. We are indebted to F. E. Craigie, editor of the Examiner for the history of the Masonic lodges of Greene county. 440 p a CO n o y. to V, DEAR OLD GRBJENE COUNTY. Coxsackie The town of Coxsackie or dis- trict as it then was regarded was taken from Albany county in 1788, and included New Baltimore, Free- hold, Athens, Cairo, Durham, Greenville, stretching as far as Gil- boa. It was made up of many ori- ginal grants of which Peter Bronk's in 1662, was the first. Naturally therefore Coxsackie figures very largely in the colonial history. Ref- erence has been made elsewhere to these patents. The Bronks, Van Bergens, Van Slykes, Hallenbecks, Smiths, Van Loons, Houghtalings, Spoors, Van Schaacks, were among the first sett- lers, and Counsellor E. C. Hallen- beck, and the Rev. Lewis Lampman have among their possessions many of the original deeds and historical documents. The commodity of the early date appears to have b_en wheat and ''schepels of good and merchantible wheat'' took the- place of money. At the present time the town comprises 38,000 acres, and the value of the real property is over $2,000,000, and the taxes for 1914 were over $47,000. Coxsackie has no bonded indebtedness and is one of the most prosperous of the river towns. The first ferry was operated by Ephraim Bogardus and in 1800 there is a record of a license to him to run a ferry. The Dutch Reformed church was organized at Coxsackie in 1732, and a church was erected around 1738, and this building was pulled down in 1798 when Henry Van Bergen gave a lot for a new church on the opposite side of the road. This building stood until 1861, when the present church was built. Michael 442 Dayton B. Smith. DEJAR OLD GREENfe COTJNTY. Weiss is given the honor of first minister. He was followed by Johannes Schunemann, who preached also at Catskill, 1752-1794. Later Coeymans was included in the circuit. The Second Reformed Church was organized in 1833. The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1836, and Coxsackie and Coeymans were the preaching places. The Protestant Episcopal church was organized in 1853. The Roman Catholic church was organized in 1845. The Coxsackie High school is a splendid institution with a large and commodious building, and a teaching corps that is sec- ond only to Catskill in point of numbers. The first schools were established in the town just prior to 1800, Anthony Rogers teach- ing the school at Coxsackie village. The Rev. Henry Ostrander is also said to have been a teacher in 1801 to 1810. The Coxsackie cemetery was incorporated in 1826, and contains the mortal remains of many of the early residents. The Riverside cemetery was not incorporated until 1873. Coxsackie village was incorporated in 1867. Coxsackie has a well equipped fire department with a grav- ity water system, the supply being taken from streams in the neighborhood. The village is lighted by electric lights. There are many fine stores and a number of manufacturing concerns. The first National Bank was organized in 1865. The hotels are the Park Hotel, Frank Vermilyea, proprie- tor, an old and well equipped stand at West Coxsackie, the Cob- blestone Inn, a very pretty hotel also at West Coxsackie, the Lar- abee House, the Eagle Hotel and the Cummings Hotel at the landing. William P. Franklin conducts the Coxsackie Union, which in 1867 he started as the Coxsackie News. It is still printed in the same building where it was started by Mr. Franklin. Coxsackie Lodge No. 50, F. & A. M. was organized at a meeting held at Foot's Inn in that village on the 24th of Decem- ber, 1796. The first officers were: Philip Conine, jr., W. M.; Isaac Rosa, S. W. ; Benjamin Moore, J. W.; John Barr, secre- 443 . DEAR bLD GREENE (JOUNTt. tary; Jesse Wood, treasurer. The other charter members were John Bostwick, Giles Gridley, John Mclntyre, Solomon Palmer, Storm Rosa and Stephen Truesdell. This lodge continued until 1804, when its charter was surrendered. Ark Lodge No. 271, F. & A. M. was organized in 1816, with Talmadge Fairchild, W.M.; Amariah Foster, S.W.; William Bliss, J. W. Other officers and charter members not on record. It lasted for ten years, going out of existence during the anti- mason wave that started in 1826. Ark Lodge No. 48, F. & A. M. was organized in 1846 with the same worshipful master, Talmadge Fairchild, who started with the lodge of thirty years before. Succeeding him as W. M. there have been Philip Conine jr., Isaac Rosa, Jesse Wood, Solo- mon Palmer, Adonijah Miner, W. V. B. Hermance, John Bedell, Gilbert Bedell jr,, Henry M. Beach, John B. Bronk, Alexander Reed, Albert Parker, Jacob Houghtaling, William K. Reed, A. Webster" Van Slyke, Samuel C. Bennett, A. V. D. Collier, Henry J. Hahn, Henry .Van Dyck„Rev. Eugene Hill, Schu3'ler C. Bis- hop, Geo. W. Barber, Oakley L. Fenton, William I. Sax, R- H. Van Denburgh, Austin W. Barber, W. Ralph Church, Henry R Soper. Officers of 1914: W. Ralph Church W. M., Henry R. So- pher S. W., Collins C. Whitmore J. W., W. R. Church Treas. , Geo. W. Barber Sec, Leonard A. Warren S. D., Francis L. Wor- den J. D., Wm. H. Salisbury S. M. C, Chas. F. Colvin J.M. C, Jerome E. Browne, Tyler, Rev. Samuel T. Clifton, Chap. At Fort Orange, on the 14th of January 1662, Sisketas and and Sichemoes, two Indians sold to Pieter Bronck the first parcel of land in what is now Greene county, and which under Governor Knolls in 1667 became known as Bronck's patent. This tract of land was called by the Indians Kioxhacking, and this land after- wards passed to Jan Bronck and south of this patent was the Loonenburgh patent which extended to what is now the Catskill line, and on the north.it extended into the Coeymans district. A part of the Loonenburgh patent became the property of Marte Garritse Van Bergen known as the fountain flats, 1861. The Korlarskill Patent was owned by Jan Bronck and Marte Gerritse 443 DfiAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Van Bergen, and became in 1687 the Coxsackie Patent. The Bronk house, which is still standing and which is in the possession of the Rev. Lewis Lampman, was erected in 1736. Judge Leonard Bronk, who was born in 1752, was undoubtedly the foiemost man of his period . Not only was he appointed first Judge of the Court Common Pleas for Greene county, 1800, a position which he held for ten years, but he was the first lieutenant Governor of the State of New York, 1777, 1778, was major of infantry in 1793, lieuten- ant Col. in 1796. Previous to that time he had served 9 nine terms as member of assembly, and state senator, in 179,6, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1803. For many years he was "justice of the peace of Albany county. He died in 1828 at the age of 76 years. Many of the deeds covering the early lands are in possess- ion of Mr. Lampman, and still others of the Van Bergens are in the possession of Judge Hallenbeck and Lawrence Van Bergenof Coxsackie, son Henry Van Bergen. The Houghtaling patent was west of the Bronk patent and bears date of 1697, a grant to Matthias Houghtaling. One of the oldest industries in Coxsackie is the Marble and Granite works. Just when the works were started we do not know, but they were started by William E. Leigh at West Coxsackie, later Levi Bedell was connected with the enterprise. D. Meade and W. G. Fox succeeded them and conducted the business for about twelve years. Messrs. Titus and Shufelt have been at the helm for 22 years, and they have a model plant with electric equipment, 30 horse power, and a large number of men busy cut- ting fine monumental work. Their patronage extends over a large field. They have erected some of the finest stones in the county. A notable piece of artistic work is the sarcophagus that marks the last resting place of John N. Briggs at Coeymans. The Coxsackie Malleable and Grey Iron Company establish- ed a plant at Coxsackie in 1866, and these buildings were destroy- ed by fire in 1871, entailing a loss of $50,000. The A. B. Newbury Machine Works, originally established 445 bfcAk oLb GfeiiEiNte county. The Last Old Toll Gate, at Climax. at Windham Center in 1851, were moved to Coxsackie in 1866, manufacturing printing presses. This business was very prosper- ous for many years, and several offices in Greene county are using presses of the Newbury's. The Coxsackie Flour, Feed and Plaster Mill was established by E. D. Hallock. The Kennedy Valve Manufactory was one of Coxsackie's greatest industries, and employed a large number of men, but after a number of years they moved most of their machinery out of town and the works have gone into a state of delapidation. The American Valve Company established a few years later has a pay roll of $1,400 per week and employs from 60 to 120 men, and is still doing a good business there. 0. L. Whitman is superintendent. They are building an addition of 50x40 to their plant. The ice industry was started at Coxsackie by Hiram Van Steen burgh of Catskill, in 1850. The canning industry was established in Coxsackie by E.H. Lounsberry in 1872. 446 DEAR OLD GREENE COtTNTlT. Among the principal business men of Coxsackie are: E. S. Anthony ice dealer, Levi Bedell miller and shipper, Myer Bresky clothier, N. A. Calkins attorney, E. H» Merriam pres. Trolley Wheel company, D. H. Daley attorney, C. H. Delameter cooper, C, Dolan butcher, William P. Franklin publisher, E. W. Gardner optician, G. B. Gardner jeweler, John Goodwin lumber dealer, D. Geroe Greene ice dealer, Oscar J. Greene grocer, W. R. Church hardware, Frank Hadley grocer, E. C. Hallenbeck attorney, Wm. H. Hallenbeck builder, John Hoag barber, Frank C. Hoag nurs- eryman, George W. Hood grist mill operator, George* Hubbard grocer and liveryman, Harry A Jordan druggist, George W. Lamb insurance. James H. Lampman undertaker, John Loutfian phys- ician, E. H. Miller Shirt and Collar Mfg., W. C. Brady & Son undertaker, Piatt Coonley pres. National Bank, J. G. Newbury iron works, Albert Parker cashier bank, Teunis Petchel merchant, William J. Perry hotelkeeper, E. B. Raum supt. Trolley Co., Mark C Richtmyer and Nelson Richtmyer clothiers, Irving W. Saxe dentist, Paul Schaad propr. West Shore hotel, Frank R. Shufelt and Irving Titus marble dealers, F. H. Sutherland sec. Reed & Powell Co., Wm.B. Townsend clerk Board of Supervisors, Frank Tremmel hardware dealer, C. W. Van Alstyne pres. Union Wheel Co., R. H. Van Denburgh physician, I. E. Van Hoesen physician, Andrew Van Slyke physician, J. H. Whitbeck presi- dent Whitbeck Co., Curtiss and Warren attorneys, Frank Vermil- yea propr. Park Hotel, W. C. Wilson dentist, Bagley Brothers grocers, Dayton B. Smith supervisor and newsdealer, S. B.Corey milk dealer, P. V. Washburn & Son coal and lumber. Haas Brothers garage, F. T. Bennett and C. Durand pho- tographers, Smith 5 and 10 cent store, I. Gardner moving pic- tures. The pastors of the several churches are : First Reformed, W. A. Dumont, Second Reformed, Samuel T. Clifton, Methodist, T. W. Mackey, Catholic, Father Gregan. 447 DEAR OLD GREECE COUNT*. The Hermance Memorial Library was the gift of Miss Eleanor Hermance of Coxsackie in 1908. It is fully endowed and the value of the property, furnishings and books amounts to" about $11,000. The income from the endowment was last yeas $3,509. The building is open daily except Sundays, 10 to 12, 3 to 5, and 7 to 9. The trustees are A. W. Van Slyke, pres., Arthur E.Pow- ell, treasurer, J. C. McClure and W. R. Church. George H. Scott Hook & Ladder Company was the first fire organization, as the Hudson River Engine Company in 1860, with the Old Deluge hand engine. They still have in their hose house a hand engine of a later date. This company was disbanded in 1880 having been robbed of its funds, and on Feb. 7, 1881 was reorganized as the Geo. H. Scott Hook & Ladder Company, with George H. Scott, Scotty as he has been familiarily known ever since, as president, and A. G. Case as vice president, J.E.Brown, jr. foreman, R. C. Hallock first asst., Alfred Smith 2d asst., W. H. Salisbury, jr. secy., E. W. Stone treas. The present officers are E. W. Gardner pres., Charles Par- slow foreman, W. H. Parslow secy., Dr. W. I. Saxe treas. D. M. Halmilton Hose Company No. 2 was organized Feb. 18, 1871. George Carter is president and foreman. Number 3 Hose Company is located at West Coxsackie with Frank J. Collier as foreman and president and has a fine record for fire work. Number 4 Hose Company is located at the Upper landing and David Wallace is foreman . The officers of the 1. O.O. F. of Coxsackie are: N. G.Hen- ry Seaney, V. G. Haskel Jones, Rec. Sec'y Charles Parslow, Fin. Sce'y Jas. Whitaker, Treasurer Chas. Collins, Trustee W. H. Par- slow. The officers of the Modern Woodmen of Coxsackie are: Worthy Consul Wm. G. Rommel, Worthy Advisor Myron Case, 448 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The village officers are: W. Ralph Church Pres., Fred P. Aley and Samuel T. Burroughs trustees, Wm.H Salisbury Treas., Abram Spoor collector Banker Wm. W. Doherty, Escort James F. Stacy, Clerk J. W. Tolley, Managers S. T. Clifton, Cyrus Countryman and George Overbaugh. Durham Durham formed a part of Al- bany county, district of Coxsackie, and retained the name of Coxsackie up to 1790, when a portion was taken off and the town ol Freehold formed. And this section known as Freehold took in Greenville, Cairo, Windham, Ashland and Prattsville, and all of the town of Conesville in Schoharie county, about 150,000 acres. The balance of 31,000 acres was called Durham. Many of the early settlers came from Durham, Conn., and that fact L brought about the name of the town. ^^^^^^ Lucius De Witt is said to haye been John E. Huyck the first settler about 1770, and among those who followed were Hen- drick and John Plank, Augustine Shue, Frederick Gruyslaer, Johnathan Baldwin, Augustus Pratt, John Hull, Eliakim Strong, Timothy Munger, Jairus Chittenden, and others whose names are still in living generations. Oak Hill was originally Dewittsville. Most of these people found their settlement at New Durham, and made their way from Connecticut. After reaching Catskill by sloop, they took a pack on their backs and with axe, gun, and blankets went into' forests on foot, all prior of 1784. ThelBaldwins trace their generations back to Flanders, 44? in DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. 864, and allege that Baldwin IX was emperor of Constantinople in 1204, and that five successive Baldwins were kings at Jerusa- lem. Johnathan Baldwin who settled at Durham, died at the age of 91. Selah Strong, another of the early settlers, was a lieu- tenant in the French and Indian war. He occupied the place where Horace Strong died in 1915. Eliakim Strong was one of the organizers of the Presbyter- ian church at Durham, and died in 1800. John Bagley built a grist mill on Thorpe creek near East Durham. Capt. Eliakim Stannard was a soldier in the Revolution, and his son Silas was in the war of 1812, and Lyman Stannard was a supervisor of the town. The Wrights were among the early settlers .Deacon George Wright was in the Revolution. James Utter, another settler, was a Revolutionary soldier. Utters are still thriying. Addison Utter built a mill at East Dur- ham. Capt. Thorpe had a saw mill near the same place. The Pratt family, Johnathan and Abija, came from Say- brook, Conn., and Captain Pratt served in the Revolution. Abija Pratt was the father of Ezra Pratt, who lived on the old home- stead up to the time of his death in 1912, at the age of 82. He was father of Mrs. F. A. Gallt, wife of the publisher of this his- tory. Icabod Olmsted had only a gun and an axe "when he went to Durham, and he cleared all the land on his farm, and died at the age of 95 years. George Fowler built a saw mill at Oak Hill, Dewittsville. Jesse Rose was by profession a grave digger, but the natives never died, and so he had nothing to do. The Corn walls came from Connecticut in 1788, and Corn- 450 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. wallsville was named in their honor. Capt. Daniel Cornwall serv- ed in the Revolution and died at the age of 90 years. Amos Corn- wall moved to Catskill. Dr. William Cook was the first physician and he served in the Revolution. West Durham was'settled by John Clover, William Rood, and Captain Daniel Shepherd. Clover was frozen to death while taking food to his family. Captain John Newell served in the Revolution, and among the early settlers at Durham. This family traces to 163^. Deacon Coe, Elihue Moss, Deacon Cleaveland, Deacon Chapman, William Ingraham, Thomas Adams, Col. Ezra Post, were early settlers. In 1800 James Thompson of Durham, Garret Abeel of Catskill, James Bronk of Coxsackie, and William Beach of Cats- kill met and organized the first Board of Supervisors, with Mr. Abeel, chairman. Jacob Roggen settled at Durham in 1806, was supervisor of Durham 1812"21, assemblyman 1816-22. Daniel Peck built the first tannery at Oak Hill. Of the early industries, Levi Tremaine built a tannery, Lucas Dewitt a grist, Joseph Wright a grist mill, Stephen Piatt a grist mill, Jared Smith a saw mill, Asa 'Jones and John Jerome fulling mills. Jermiah White, Daniel Peck, Judge Barker built tanneries. Around.1840 the Cheritree's established a plow factory at Oak Hill and later a grist mill. This plant was destroyed by fire in 1865, and this business was continued up to about 1900, when it was discontinued. Calvin Adams had a factory in Oak Hill for the manufact- ure of corn shellers, coffee mills and door trimmings. 45.1 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. iFalls on Thorpe Creek, j In 1807 the yillage of Durham was swept by the most dis- astrous fire in its history, a big cabinet making establishment and a number of dwelling houses being destroyed. The Presbyterian church at Durham'was destroyed by fire in 1894. The Reformed church was established in Durham in 1787, the church being located at Oak Hill. The building was finally torn down and the society discontinued. The Presbyterian church was organized at New Durham in 1792, by the Rev. Beriah Hotchkin. The first church was built in 1796, and a new church in 1821. The present church was erected in 1895, following the fire in 1894. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Baptist church was organized in 1809. The Methodist church was organized about 1800, at East Durham and later diyided.and a separate church was organized at Durham and Cornswallville. St. Paul's Episcopal church was organized at Durham in 1809. Second Presbyterian church was organized at West Durham in 1815. The Presbyterian church at Centerville in 1834. There are traditions of the existence of a Masonic lodge at Durham many years ago, but we have found no record of it. The only one in the town now is Cascade Lodge No. 427, F. & A. M., which was instituted March 16, 1857, with the following officers: D. B. Booth, W, M.; Luman Ramsdell, S. W.; John H.Baldwin, J. W.; A. H. Hayes, S. D.; Amos Sear, J. D.; Calvin Adams, treasurer; Manly B. Mattice, secretary; 0. T. Humphrey, S. M. C; H. J. Peck, J.M. C; Wellington Peck, orator; Elihu In- galls, tyler. This lodge owns the Masonic Hall in Oak Hill, where communications are held on the first and third Monday in each month. It has an active membership of 137. It has pro- duced one Grand Lodge officer, R. W. Emerson Ford, district deputy grand master for the 15th Masonic district in 1906. The present officers of the lodge are: Charles A. Shultes, W. M. ; L. G. Chamberlain, S. W. ; Potter A. Scott, J. W. ; Leroy Brandow, S. D. ; C. Warwick Newell, J. D.; Ernest L. Ford, treasurer; Paige T. Hoagland, secretary; Elmer Borthwiek, S. M. C. ; Alfred Hulbert, J. M. C; Omar Hallock, Orville Hull, stewards; George F. White, marshal; Elisha N. Parks, chaplain; George Burhans, tyler, Trie town of Durham has never had' many criminals. Pat- trick Flynn, in 1846, murdered James Roberts, a drover, for his money, and he was the first murderer executed in the county, 453 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Gireeivville ^^8 ^^^ The town of Greenville was mk n^v taken from Coxsackie and Freehold /jM^ \ in 1803. The town of Freehold subsequently was changed to Dur- ham. Barent Petersen under a grant by Governor Lovelace and confirmed by Queen Anne, was owner of pretty much all of the town. Lieutenant Colonel Augus- tine Prevost had a grant of some 7000 acres and the grant was ac- companied by a certificate from General Gage indicating the valua- ble services of Col, Prevost and his L* son. This patent was dated 1767, ^ ^^^ ^ and another grant of lands extend- Lewis Hoose ed south of the Prevost grant to John French, Thomas Lynot, Mar- Van Bergen and others, that extended from the Coeymans patent to Freehold or Durham . Col. Prevost built on the road west of what is now Greenville, a very picturesque mansion of the early colonial period, of which we a,re able to give a fine view. The writer has passed this old homestead a great many times and al- ways to admire its sturdy lines. And always with complimentary though of the very honorable family that occupied it. It is still one of the most picturesque houses in the town of Greenville, as well as the oldest. The earliest settlers were the Ramsdells, Rundells, Sherills, Waldrons, Shaws, Kings, Losees, Storys, Calhouns, Barkers, Bots- fords, Lampmans, and Bogarduses, names and generations still honored. So far as we know there are none of the Prevost fami- ly remaining except as they may be under another name. Major Prevost was born in 1744 and served in the English army with distinction in the French and Indian war. He first 454 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. came to Catskill, then known as Katskill and in 1794 he moved to Greenville. He was a man of great energy and built a number of houses and several mills for sawing lumber and grinding grain, and was back of a number of business enterprises. The Presby- terian church, the first school in Greenville, which afterwards became the Academy, and a school near his residence in which he employed a teacher for the benefit of his own children, were among the tangible evidences of his beneficence. At one time he is said to have been in partnership with Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr his legal adviser. The Major died in 1821. He had three sons, one of whom was lost on the Albion, and another dur- ing the peninsular war, leaving Theodore L- , whom the writer of this book remembers, his sole heir and an occupant of the place. Theodore was living on the place when the writer was living at Greenville in 1880. Benjamin Spees, Edward Lake and Eleazer Knowles made their way from Connecticut on horseback in 1781. Knowles built a cabin on Budd hill, and Spees and Lake built north of Green- ville. The first settler was Godfrey Brandow, a Dutchman from the Saugerties section, he having married one of the Oyerbaughs of that section. He built a log house and was followed by Stephen Lampman, who became his neighbor. Brandow died in 1795 and his graye is unmarked. Peter Brandow, a son of Godfred Bran- dow, married Hannah Bogardus of Coxsackie and raised a family of 11 children, most of whom settled in that section and rounded out the century. Jacob Bogardus moved from Coxsackie to Green- ville in 1772, Nanmng Bogardus settled in Greenville in 1684, Simon Losee settled in Greenville in 1790, Obadiah King in 1791, The latter lived to be 80 years of age and in 1801 built a saw mill on the Potic Creek, near the place where water for the Catskill water supply was to be taken. Abel Wakely, Edward Wooster, and Reuben Rundell settled near the present village of Greenville, and Nathaniel Fancher at Greenville Center, members of the Nor- ton family at what was afterward called Norton Hill, and Thomas Place at Place's Corners. 4&5 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Prevost House at Greenville, 1798. Reuben Rundell was another of the pioneers who came from Connecticut, and served as lieutenant in the Revolutionary war. He landed at Catskill and followed the early trail to Green- yille and built a log cabin on the Frank Deane farm. He was killed in 1850 while crossing the Hudson river at Athens, being hit by flying stone, dislodged by a blast on the New York Central railroad . Dr. Amos Botsford and John Ely were the first medical practitioners in the town, the former passing in 1864. Isaac Hal- lock and Edmund Blackmore had the first hotels in 1818 and 1820. The latter hotel was located near Gayhead and Elder Stew- ard, one of the first pastors of the Baptist church, conducted a hotel, Jacob Flansburgh and Benton Hallock also had hotels in the town. The village of Greenville is the most populous of the sever- al villages and hamlets in the town. Ransom Hinman was the first merchant, around 1803. The Coonley hotel on the corner was built by Ezra Holley and Jotham Smith, and is quite old. The Bentley store was started in 1842 and operated by Mr. Bentley for 456 dear old Greene county. many years, he being part of the time postmaster. There has been no manufacturing in Greenville village. It is one of the prettiest places in the county and has many handsome residences. Greenville academy was incorporated in 1816, and the Rev. Beriah Hotchkin, Dr. Amos Botswick and Col. Augustine Prevost, and a number of others were among the incorporators. Sylvester Eaton was the first principal, and James V. D. Ayers, another instructor of note, was later at the head of the Citskill schools. The Rev. Beriah Hotchkin, mentioned above, was the pio- neer of the early church work, and he came from the settlements of New England and had the distinction of founding the first church west of the Hudson river north of Pennsylvania. His first sermon in Greenville was in Benjamin Spees barn, April 5, 1789, and it is likely that he came at the invitation of Col. Prevost. He was installed pastor in 1793. Later the building was used as a tayern and a new house of worship erected in 1801. The Rev. Beriah Hotchkin was pastor of the church until 1824, He died at Plattsburgh in 1829 at the age of 72 years. Reuben Rundell, to whom we have referred, organized the Episcopal church in 1825, the site being donated by Major Pre- vost. The present structure was built in 1857. We are unable to say who was trie first rector. The Methodist church was organized in 1825 at West Greenville and the church cost about $1,500. Later it was moved to Greenville village and in 1856 rededicated. This building was destroyed by fire in 1873, and the present handsome structure rose in 1874, having cost about $10,000. About this time the writer was located at Greenville, and has pleasanc recollections of the then pastor Rev. J. H. Phillips, Bradley S. McCabe, late member of assembly, Pierce Stevens, Alfred Steadman, Arch Stone, Ham- ilton McCabe and Reuben Gedney, who have passed to the church celestial. The Rev. J. B. Stead is pastor. The Baptist church at Greenville Center was organized in 1793 and its communicants were scattered from New Baltimore to 457 DEAIt OLD GREENE COUNTY. South Westerlo. Elder William Stewart was first pastor. He had a farm, and, aside from what he raised, received 3 pecks of buck- wheat for his salary during one year. He died at the age of 90 years. The church was built in 1817. Among its pastors was the Rev. Mr. Bronk, who became a great revivalist. Among those who have stood well in the history of the church, we remember David Losee, Sherman Sanford, William Stevens, G-eorge William- son and Russell Townsend, who have gone the way of the earthy. Another old church of somewhat scattered denomination is the Christian at Freehold. Organized in 1812 by the Rev. Jasper Hazen. It is a model church and has prospered in its century of activity. One of its pastors, the Rev. John Spoor, is said to have baptized 15,000 persons, and to have married 1000, and attended 1500 funerals. He went to Freehold in 1819, and died in the harness in 1864. The Methodist church at Old Greenville was built in 1812, and one of the early pastors was John Bangs, rated as one of the great preachers of the denomination. The Norton Hill Methodist church was organized in 1878, and the Rev. John Wood was first pastor. The Rev. W. F. Al- brecht during his pastorate was also principal of the Greenville Academy. The Gayhead Baptist church was organized in 1853, and had as its first pastor the Rev. George Slater. Among the organ- ized were Cyrastus Betts and Maria Betts, and many others of the same family name. One of Greenville's foremost citizens was Alexander N. Bentley. Born at Westerlo in 1814 and he took possession of the corner store in 1856, and for 30 years was village postmaster. His wife was a daughter of Josiah Rundell, a pioneer of the town. Another family intimately connected with the history of Greenville, the Stevens', and it was Reuben who first set foot in the town, after having turned his back on Catskill creek land at $2.50 per acre. He died in 1804 and his son, Reuben, was a sol- dier in the Revolution. His son, Orrin C. Stevens, had 9 chil- dren, and the oldest of the family, James Stevens, known as Cap- 458 D^Afe OLD GREENE COtfNtft. tain Jim, served with distinction in the Civil war. He was super- visor of the town in 1874, and 1881-82 clerk of the board of sup- ervisors. Samuel Stevens was killed at Petersburgh in 1864. Ebenezer Jennings moved to Freehold in 1809 and built a grist mill. Henry Martin Snyder who settled near Freehold raised a family of 14 children, and ten of the boys served in the war of the Revolution. Abel Wakeley served in the Revolutionary war and 'was located at West Point at the time of Arnold's treason. The Rev. Jasper Hazen also organized the Christian church at Medway, the first of that denomination in the state of, New York. That was in 1807, but no building was erected until ,1832. And the church of the same denomination at New Baltimore was organized by him. James M. Austin Lodge No. 557, F. & A. M. was organiz- ed with thirteen charter members in July, 1865, in the Bentley building, Greenville village. Its first officers were: John W. Hoff- man, W. M, , Electus Ramsdell, S. W. ; Humphrey Wilber, J. W. ; E. Wackerhagen, secretary, David Turner, treasurer;; James Stevens, S. D.; B. F. Hisert, J. D.; Piatt Coonley, tyler. It has had a prosperous career, its membership being reported at 90 on December 31, 1914, and it owns Masonic Hall, where meetings are held on the 2d and 4th Monday of each month. Two grand lodge officers have gone out from this lodge: R. W. William A. Wasson, district deputy grand master in 1892 and 1894, and R. W. John H. Sanford, district deputy master in 1911 and 1912. The lodge officers lor 1914 were: Peter R. Stevens, W.M. ; Wm. P. Seabridge, S. W. ; Chauncey Spalding, J. W.; William S.Van- derbilt, treasurer; George L. Cook, secretary; Eugene Sisson, S. D.; John W. Story, J. D.; James L. Wheeler, tyler. Successive W. M. have been: John W. Hoffman, John B. Teats, Darius Rundell, Albert Wilber, James Stevens, D.M. Woo- ster, Afred Stedman, W. A. Wasson, John Roe, Arthur Hartt, Chas P. McCabe, George E. Smith, Albert W. Baker, E. L.Wood, John H. Sanford, Eugene Spalding, Jahleel L. Bogardus, John Lampman, Peter R. Stevens. 459 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Earle W. Jenkins Halcott This sturdy mountain town was originally a part of Woodstock, Ul- ster county, and is the smallest in acreage of any town in the county, having 11,122 acres, and the total assessed value of its property is about $65,000. In 1798 it was taken" to form a part of the town of Windham, and in 1813 it was called New Goshen. This name gave way to Lexington, and was so known up to 1853,, when Halcott was set off by itself, and named after George W. Halcott, son of Thomas Halcott of that town. Emigrants from Connecticut were the first to make clearings for homes and farms in the forests of the section. The records are broken and scarce, and it was after 1800 before there were any settlers. Nathan Stanton and James Simmons were among the number around 1805, and then followed John P. Van Valkenburgh and his brother, Peter Van Valken- burgh, Jehoiachim Van Valkenburgh, Jacob Miller, Peter Van- denburgh, Nathan Covel, Joseph Brooks, Aaron Garrison, and others whose names we have not been able to note. The long and honorable list of residents includes such names as among the later comers, John P. Van Valkenburgh, Buel Maben, John M. Todd, Benjamin Crosby, Isaac T.Moseman, William D. Ford, Rev. Daniel Van Valkenburgh, Nathaniel Ellis, Lawrence Brooks, Russell Peck, Silas Lake, Conger Avery. Conger Avery was the first supervisor of the town, also postmaster. Joseph B. Brooks in 1813 built the first frame house. The first school was in a log house, in 1816, and Sally Kline is said to haye been the teacher. 460 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The'town of Halcott bonded in 1874 for $10,000 for the purpose of apsisting in the building of the Rondout and Oswego railroad, which was projected but never built. The bonds however were all paid, while the road Jwasr old under mortgage. Outside of farming Halcott has had few industries. There have been seyeral saw mills, Fred Banker in 1824 erecting the first one. The Morse Stores at Red Falls. The first church organized in the town was in 1822, of Baptist denomination and Elder James Mead was the pastor up to 1856. The first meetings were held in private houses and it was not until 1847 that a church was erected. This church was abandoned later on and the meetings were held at the school house. The Methodist church was organized in 1829, with the Rev. John P Van Valkenburgh as pastor, and it was not until 1849 that a church was built, the meetings being held in private houses and barns. The principal village is Halcott Center. It is on the main road from West Kill to Griffin's Corners. 461 BEAR OLD GREENE COUNT?. The present supervisor of the town is Earle W. Jenkins, whose picture appears in connection with this article. We are indebted to Mr. Jenkins for the picture of the beautiful grave yard at Halcott Center, which is one of the finest in the county. sFewett The first settler of Jewett is said to have been William Gass, who located on the East Kill in 1783. Later came Zaphaniah Chase, Chester Hull , the Andrews family, the Pecks, Johnstons. Henry Gos- ]ee, grandfather of Supervisor Fred Goslee, was one of the most prominent of the early residents, who represented the town officially a number of times. Laban Andrews built a grist mill in 1795, and also a saw mill. Zadock Pratt and his son, Zadock Pratt, were promoters of the first tannery. They also had a mill that was operated by horse power. The Andrew mills were wiped out by freshets. Ezra Pratt had a tannery which was destroyed by fire. Fred Goslee Most of the early settlers came from Connecticut and were of Puritan stock. So far as we have been able to learn Jewett was the only portion of Greene county that ever was represented by a whipping post and stocks, a custom that was brought by the Con- gregation alists from Connecticut. The whipping post was located near the Presbyterian church. This institution of the old blue laws was used but once and then the whole apparatus was torn down and carried away by parties unknown. There were no clocks in that period, and the only method of getting the time was 462 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. by sun dials, and those who had 'no dials made noon marks. Jewett, like other~towns of the county had the early acad- emy fever, and an academy was built in 1818, with Professor Douglass as instructor. This building, which was 2 stories, was used also as a meeting place by the Methodists. It was finally torn down and the lumber put into another academy. Old Stone House at Drumtnond Falls . The Presbyterian church was early in the field, but the first building about 1800 was not finished and the present structure was erected in .1848. The Rev. Mr. Stimps.on was first pastor and he later on became a missionary. The present pastor is James Hewett. The Methodists built churches at Jewett Heights, at South Jewett and East Kill. We are unable to discover from the con- ference records that any of these churches have pastors at the present time. Local preachers have been in the habit of supply- ing them. The Buel brothers had a saw mill and grist mill in 1800, and later on they put in machinery for carding wool. Then they added a great smithy with a trip hammer that was operated by water power. 463 t>EAR Ol±> GREECE COtNft. Lexirvglon The town of Lexington was formed from Windham in 1813, and it was all of Great Lot 22 and part of 23. In 1777 it was owned by Robert Livingston, and he con- veyed a portion of it to John Darl- ing and the latter sold it to theKipp family, who still reside on a portion of it. Among the earliest resident's of whom we have any mention are: John Maben, Samuel Peck, Derrick Schermerhorn, the Showers, Sopers, Hesses, and Bronsons, prior to 1800. A little later came the Van Valken- burghs, Faulkners, Rowleys, Petite, Abram V Roraback Barbers, Chamberlains and others. ■ John Maben settled in the town in 1777. David Foster is referred to as a hero of the Revolution. Another of the early settlers was Daniel Angle, and he came to this country with the Hessian troops and was among the number captured at the battle of Saratoga. He was in Burgoyne's army, but soon after capture re-enlisted in the Continental army, and later on he settled-in Lexington. He died at the age of 107, and his grave is still pointed out on the Angle place. His son, Christopher Angle, saw service in 1812 at Plattsburgh. He was captain of the Lexington artillery company. Henry Cline was also a Hessian soldier, and re-enlisted in the Continental army, settling at Lexington after the war. Captain Aaron Bushnell, also a Revolutionary character built a tannery in 1830. He employed 60 men. Later settlers in Lexington were John Roraback, Decker, James Deyo and John Bonsteel. 464 A. H. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Captain Monroe Van Valkenburgh, father of County Clerk George B. Van Valkenburgh, was an early settler, and reference to him will be found elsewhere in this book. John Bray built the first tannery at Lexington in 1X19, and he added a grist mill and a saw mill and did a great business. Bruce Smith built a grist mill and a distillery in 1823. The first woolen mill was erected by Derrick Schermerhorn and Richard Peck established the first inn. « Col. Zadock Pratt orginized a military company at Lex- ington in 1820. This organization was continued up to the open- ing of the Civil War. It was then reorganized by James Munroe Van Valkenburgh, who was commissioned captain Edwin Ford was 1st lieutenant. The company formed a part of the 86th regiment. It was disbanded in 1872.- Eder Barnum is said to have been the first physician in the town. The first settler in the West Kill section of the town was Jerome Van Valkenburgh, 1780. William Dryer built a woolen factory, which was operated up to 1869 when a freshet carried it away. Hiram Wheeler and Jacob Van Valkenburgh built a grist mill in 1847 and this was operated for many years. Philo Bushnell also started a tannery, which was burned down later on, and rebuilt to the size of 300 feet. Iratus Bush- nell later owned this property and built another one at Bushnell- ville. The first supervisor of the town of Lexington was Henry Goslee, grandfather of the present supervisor of Jewett, Freder- ick M. Goslee. The Methodist church of West Kill was organized in 1866- 465 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Westkill Baptist Church was established in 1827, and here Elder Petit officiated for 30 years. The old school Baptist church at Lexington was organized in 1790, and Thaddeus Bronson was the first pastor. Elder Hez- ekiah Petit was preaching in this church in 1801, and was for 50 years and more pastor of this crngregation. The Petit family came from Prance, and Hannah Petit, a sister of Hezekiah Petit, mar- ried James Holdridge, father of George W. Holdridge of Catskill. Elder Petit preached most of the time without pay. The New School Baptist church at Lexington was organized in 1870. Meetings were held in the arsenal of the town. The Methodist church was organized in 1845 and the pres- ent pastor is Paul Ford, The first school teacher was Sally Cline. The teachers at the present time may be found in the list of teachers of entire county elsewhere in this book. Huivter Thomas Seifferth, Jr. 466 The town of Hunter is par- of a grant of land by Queen Anne, to Johannes Harden- burgh and six others in 1708, and this patent contined 1,- 500,000 acres and extended as far as Popaghtunk, Delaware county. Hunter comprised 5 lots of the patent, over 47,000 acres, assessed at a million and a quarter. It was formerly a part of Ulster county. It was taken from the town of Wind- ham in 1813, the section be- ing known as Greenland. The earliest settlers were the Haines family, Samuel, John, DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. and Elisha, who came from Connecticut. were few settlers prior to 1800. Among the first comers were the Greenes, Goodsells, Lanes, Dibbels, Merrits, Baldwins, Showers, and Roggens. Bears, wolves and panthers ranged the woods and bounties as high as $40 were paid for their capture. The first postoffice route was established by the Government in 1830, from Prattsville to Catskill, passing through Hunter and Lexington. In 1851 Hunter had 151 persons liable for military duty and several early residents were in the war of 1812, Aaron Had- den, William Greene and Asa Lord being among the number. Tanning and milling has given place to summer boarding, and the largest and finest houses in the county are to be found at Tannersville and Haines Falls. Tannersville is the Mecca of the city people in the summer. The first supervisor of the town of Hunter was Daniel Bloomer, and the present supervisor is Thomas Seifferth, Jr. Hunter village was founded by Col. William Edwards, and was called Edwardsville. The Colonel was born at Elizabethtown, N. J. in 1770. In 1818 he came to Greene county and settled at Hunter, where he established the New York Tannery, a plant that had a capital of $60,000 and could tan 5000 hides a year. This tannery was destroyed by fire in 1830. Johnathan Palen of Cats- kill had another big tannery in the Clove and that place is said to have been the original Tannersville. Hunter has been proverbial for excellent roads and Michael O'Hara of Tannersville is at the head of the county road system. The town of Hunter industries have been lumbering, still going on, manufacture of chairs, and mountain souvenirs, C. O. Bicklemann and Burt Howard having been very successful. Mr. Bicklemann was also the finest photographer in the country. One of the old landmarks still doing a fine business is the Roggen House, now Martin's hotel, C. A. Martin, proprietor. Tannersville has several of the largest stores in the county, and 467 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. the largest garage, that of Robert Lackey on Main street. J. Frank Lackey has a large grocery business, John H. Gray garage and livery, Schryver & Webster livery, S. R. Hommell electrical store, Irving Goslee electrical store, Oscar Langer jewelery, 0. H. Perry coal and lumber, Bert Baker plumbing, Mrs. A. Allen hardware, Lackey & Dibbel attorneys, F. R. Raensch notions, Owen Bowes plumbing, Haines Brothers meats, Fred Penrose cafe, M. Gold- stein cafe, Jacob Fromer real estate, Fred Campbell blacksmith. Main Street Tannersville, 1905, now built up. The village officers of Tannersville are: President Robert Y. Hubbard, Trustee Louis P. Allen, Treasurer J. Frank Lackey, and Collector Clarence Fowler." At the annual commnnication of Mt. Tabor Star Chapter No 284, 0. E. S. the following officers were elected: Ella Joslyn, Worthy Matron; Peter Joslyn, Worthy Patron, Minnie L. Kerr, Associate Matron; Blanche Milier, Conductress; Annabelle Good- sell, Treasurer; Howard V. Vedder, Secretary; J. G. Edwards, Trustee. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Hotel Martin, formerly Roggen Mt. Home. At the annual election of the Lockwood Lodge No. 653, L. O. 0. F., the following officers were elected: N. G.,jR. G. Win- ters; V. G., John J. Kay; Secretary, George E. Sweet; Treasurer, Albert B. Taylor; Trustee, Charles Quick. The following is the roster of officers of Hunter Fire Co. No. One: Pres. W. J. Decker, Vice-Pres. W. H. Ingalls, Rec. Sec. H. V. Vedder, Fin. Sec. Geo. P. Howard, Forman A.B.Tay- lor, Asst. Foreman James Fromer. The officers of the year of Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 are: Pres. CM. Cartwright, Vice-Pres. Charles Shuman, Rec. Sec. C. A. Mooney, Fin. Sec. Benj. Sturtz, Treas. P. H. Conerty, Fore- man V. S. Baldwin, 1st Asst. Forman Benj. Sturtz, 2d Asst. Foreman Harry Smith. In all Greene county there is_no place that has built up more rapidly than Haines Falls, in the past twenty years. It isn't so long either back^to the period when there were most Haines in 469 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. that section. There were seven Haines families who joined lands all in a row, and one of the early residents was Christian Charles W. Haines, who conducted the Haines Falls House for a long per- iod of years. He also owned the Falls that have ever since borne his name. He had the Falls fenced in and 30 years ago when the traveler wanted to see the mighty mountain cataract, he*was con- ducted down a long stairway with many a caution about slipping, and then the water was turned on for the sum of 25 cents per visitor. This grand old man was regarded as one of the great men of his day. He died in 1903. The Haines Falls House was destroyed by a fire Nov. 17, 1911, that started in the kitchen. The loss was upwards of $75,000. The place has not been re- built. But we started to tell of the new buildings. First mention should no doubt be given to the Twilight, Santa Cruz and Sunset Parks, where no less than 250 cottages have been erected, all commodious and artistic, and some of the houses worth many thousands of dollars. Twilight Inn, property of the Park- Association, is the fin- est of the large mountain hotels. It cost rr.ore than $100,000. It has been in charge. of L. P. Schutt the past two years. It was damaged by fire last summer at a loss of $4500. Sunset Inn is the most sightly, managed by Joseph Bryne, accommodates 100 guests and is modern in every way. The Squirrel Inn is another fine structure. Santa Cruz Inn is conducted by Mrs. French. The Ledge End Inn is conducted by the Misses Albertson. The park has a water system with 5 steel tanks, 50 feet in diameter and costing a large sum. They were built by E.A. Hues- ton. Among the proment men who own cottages in the park are E. E.^Olcott of the Day Line, Gen, George F. Wingate, Bliss Car- man, A. F. Hue3ted of Coatsville, Pa., a wealthy steel manufact- urer, Mrs. F.W. Picard, Prof. F. R, Hutton of Columbia College, Major W. H. Wiley, Robert Fulton, a descendant of Robert Ful- ton, who built the first steamboat navigated on the Hudson river, 470 DEAR OLD OKBKNB COUNTY. John G. Underhill, Mrs. A. C. Benedict, Raymond Gorges, Dr. W. N. Hubbard, Charles P. Hathaway, Dr. Lester M. Hubby, E. R. Crowe and most of the other cottages are the property of the association and are rented during the season to persons from New York and other cities. L,ox- Hurst, Haines Falls, C. A. Martin, propr. General Geo. Wingate, president of the Twilight Rest Com- pany, was the originator of the park company and built the Inn. His cottage is the finest in the park. There are two handsome churches in the park. The All Angels Episcopal and the Union Chapel. Undenominational, St. Mary's church is a fine edice with stained glass win- dows, has parsonage abjoining and also a commodious hall built last summer. The Methodist church has been rebuilt also. Miss A. Ely, who conducts the Vista, has a block of fine stores. Henry Smith and Company have an extensive livery busi- ness with fine buildings in the Park. They operate some 50 rigs in the summer, 2 autos and employ 18 men. 471 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. -Among the other houses that have been erected, the Antlers ia the largest and probably worth $75,000. On this road leading to the Mountain House are at least 75 houses, mostly new and a number of buildings. E. E. Pelham has made a remarkable change at the top of Clove notch, and has spent $25,000 on his big boarding house, with a garage 40x20 feet. Fred Pleham, his son, has just com- pleted a handsome cottage overlooking the Clove. C.A. Martin has expended 130,000 on the Lox-Hurst, new cottage and enlargement of the house. Samuel E. Rusk has built the Claremont, a splendid summer house worth $50,000. The Vista adjoins, and Mrs. Ely, the proprietor, has built a block of stores. Rusk and Andrews have put up the largest theatre in the Catskills, known as the Wauwanda. Frank Smith has built a big store, and cottage. One of the improvements is the handsome depot of the U. & D. Ry. in the rear of the Lox- Hurst. The Renner Mountain Inn has been transformed like the palace of a dream and R. W. Renner, the proprietor, boasts, a hostelry second to none in every way. The property of the Haines Falls Coal and Lumber Com- pany has all new buildings and is very valuable. This business was started by W. I. Hallenbeck, one of the grand men who has represented Greene county in many ways. The Fenmore owned by him is commodious and beautiful and he has completed a fine new cottage opposite. The Polischners conduct a big garage near the corners, J. B. Myers' has a fine grocery and general store. S. E. Rusk has built a new postoffice building. The Falls has 700 population estimated, and during the summer about 6000. At that period, Postmaster Rusk informs us, that he handles 10,000 pieces of mail daily. Mr. Rusk was the man who negotia- ted the postoffice for Haines Falls and Samuel P. Sch.utt was the first postmaster. The building was 8x14 feet. The successive m dear old gre^ne cotJN^t. postmasters were S. E. Husk, W. I. Hallenbeck, C. A. Martin, Albert Kerr, and from 1907 to 1914 S. E. Rusk, and now Her- bert O'Hara. S. E. Rusk, in 1892 wrote the first money order, and the M. O. business now amounts to $30,000 per year. Mr. Rusk built the Lox-Hurst in 1894 and the Claremont in 1905. It may be interesting to know that the first postmaster in Tannersville was Bird Gray and that the office was located for years in the Layman house near the corners. This postoffice had a bar room, and a store and the principal articles of sale were powder and shot. At that time the postmasters had to send a way bill with the mail and that contained a list of the packages and letters as addressed. The early industry was mostly getting out hemlock bark for the great tannery that was located in the Clove and that was the original Tannersville. Just at the top of the mountain was an old house that was destroyed by fire a number of 3 - cars ago, and it was one of the first houses in the section. We referred to Bird Gray as the first postmaster of Tanners- ville. Aaron Roggen succeeded him, then William Ellis, Michael Lackey and Charles Voss, who has held the office for many years. The first deed of land in the Haines Falls section was to Aaron Haines and that was in 1847, up to that time the land had been leased or sold without deed. Charles W. Haines, a son of Aaron Haines built the Haines Falls House in 1864 and it was burned Nov. 17, 1911. Prentiss Hallenbeck had a large boarding house near where the Antlers stands but that was burned and he lost everything. The Laurel House, on property formerly and originally Peter Schutt's, father of L. P. Schutt of the Twilight Inn, is owned by Jacob Fromer and is one of the early houses. A. C. Ing"- lesse, has been making a success of the house. The Antlers is conducted by Simon Friedburgh. 473 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Charles Layman lost his life in fighting a fire near the ■Laurel House and on the spot a monument has been erected to his memory. It is narrated of Peter Schutt that he drove a deer off the Red Rocks into the Clove, a distance of 250 feet and that on an- other occasion he drove a deer into the stream and over the falls which later oh that account became known as Fawn's Leap. We have a picture of the Old Tannery in the Clove from a drawing by the late Col. B.B. G. Stone, a Catskill artist who died at his home in Catskill. He made hundreds of pencil drawings of the mountain section in the 60's and also in the 80's. The Col. who had a fine war record, wore a long flowing beard, and was many times penciled and photographed as Rip Van Winkle. Aaron Haines was the first settler and found his way from Connecticut following the mountain house trail on horseback. Samuel E. Rusk, the present postmaster, lias a wireless station, the only one in this section of the state, and takes mes- sages from all along the Atlantic coast He was a professor at the old Clauverack college, a historical institution now torn down; conducted the Bordentown, N. J. School and has been able to demonstrate that pictures can be taken through solid substances and in the dark. Haines Falls has a public library in which much interest is taken. Mount Tabor Lodge No. 807, Free and Accepted Masons, was instituted at Hunter in September, 1892, under a charter granted June 8, 1893. Its charter members were Dwight L. Bur- gess, Louis Mansfield, Warren Todd, Charles Lake, Willis Bald- win, J. Leipold, Frank Conerty, A. Traphagen, E. Myers, W. H. Mansfield, C. Traphagen, Horace Biddel, George Haner, William Bolles, George Ploss, H. Leaycraft, Wm. Ellis. It has produced two grand lodge officers: Dayton Slater, assistant grand lecturer, 1908-1909. and Peter Joslyn, assistant grand lecturer, 1914-1915. Regular communications are held Monday evenings in Slater Building, Hunter. The membership is 102. The officers for 1914 were: Frederick B. Wilcox, W.M.; Frank Barkley, S. W. ; Geo. Miller, J. W.; Dayton Slater, treasurer; Arthur Baldwin, secre- 474 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. tary: John Kay, chaplain, Fred Campbell, S. D.; Fred Scher- merhorn, J. D.; Lewis Smith, S.M.C.; Ernest Graham, J.M'C; James Fromei 1 , Wesley Gripman, stewards, Wallace Burroughs, marshall; Howard Vedder, tyler. WILLIAM B. MARTIN William B. Martin, proprietor of the well known Martin's Hotel at Tannersville, was born in Lexington in 1856. His father was Frederick Van Orden Martin, a wagon ironer, who learned his trade at Catskill, being bound out as an apprentice. He died Jan. 2, 1895 at the age of 84 years. His wife was Elizabeth Saxe, and she was born at Saxton, and died in 1892, at the age of 77 years. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNT*. William B. Martin was married to Louisa" Van Valken- burgh of Eodout in 1877, and she died March 22, 1907. They had six children, George W. Martin, born in 1878, who was a graduate of Cornell law college, and who after practicing law for a time at Tannersville, was compelled on account of his health to go to Den- ver, Colorado, where he was quite successful, finally being com- pelled to returned to Tannersville with his family where he died in 1910. The other children were Robert Scott Martin and Cath- erine Maria Martin, now Mrs. Geo. Longyear of Red Hook, Fred- erick Van Orden Martin, Mary Louise Martin, and Elizabeth Martin . Mr. Martin's second wife was Laura Edna Bach of West Saugerties, whom he married Nov. 23, 1914, and with whom he is now living. Mr. Martin was for ten years operating a stage line between Lexington and Shandaken and also between Lexington and Hun- ter. In 1884 he purchased a hotel at Lexington, and in 1901 he purchased the Roggen House at Tannersville where he is now lo- cated and has greatly improved it, so that it is one of the finest hostelries on the mountains. This place one of the first inns in the town, was first conducted by Wm. Anthony, an anti renter, and then by Norman Gray about 60 years ago. His son, Bird Gray, a Southern sympathizer in the war period, was locked up in Fort Lafayette, and later was killed in an accident in the Clove, 1865. Samuel Mulford, former supervisor of Hunter, operated the hotel, also Frank B. Lament, ex-sheriff of Greene Co., who sold it to Aaron Roggen in 1867. He enlarged it and for 35 years ran it as Roggen's Mountain Home. He was a relative of Martin Van Buren, president of the United States, and ran a line of sloops from Albany to New York. He also dealt in whiskey, grain and flour and his old cash book and records are still in the possession of Mr. Martin, and they show consignments that would make the dealers of today sit up and take notice. For instance on April 24, 17, 1834, his sales were : whiskey $7114, April 10, 200 bbls. of flour $1062, May 6th, rye $4270, flaxseed $166, whis- key $633 for 42 barrels, $2188 for potash, barley $2090, rye $2255, 129 bbls. flour $575, 10 tons peas $100. 476 DEAR OLD GREENE COtJNfY. JACOB FROMER Jacob Fromer, who has been one of the potent factors in the history and progress of the town of Hunter and Greene country, was born at Wittenburgh, Germany in 1848. He went to Hunter with his father, Daniel Fromer, in 1853. Few men have ever been more intimately connected with the welfare and interests of their own town than has Mr. Fromer. For he not only built a considerable portion of the town, cottages, stores, boarding houses, including such structures as the Laurel House of which he is still owner, but for 6 years he represented the town of Hunter in the Board of Supervisors, and succeeded in getting a largely reduced assessment for the town. He built no less than 10 iron bridges in the town, and was instrumental in bringing about the purchase of the toll roads and toll gates of the county. The Fromer store was the largest and best stocked store in the county, and his residence on Main street is the finest in Tannersville. He started the livery business now conducted by Schryver & Webster, organized the Tannersville Water Company, of which he is presi- dent, in 1901, and in 1902 organized Jacob Fromer Hose Com- pany. He presented the company with the lot for their building, and a contribution of $500 at their fairs is not unsual. He con- tributed largply to the building of the local churches, was owner of the Roggen House, gave the ground for the parsonage of the Methodist church. He contributed to the organization of the band at Tannersville, and has always been a liberal supporter of all local improvements. He is at present conducting a successful real estate and insurance business. He is a director of the Tan- nersville and Catskill railroad. C. A. MARTIN C. A. Martin of Haines Falls is one of the most successful boarding house keepers in the mountain section and his place is favorably known from one end of the country to the other. He purchased the Lox-Hurst in 1899, of Samuel E. Rusk, who built 477 DEAR OLD GREEjte' COtrkT*. C. A. Martin Within easy walk of Mr. Martin's place are the fam- ous Kaaterskill Falls, and Haines Falls, two of the great cataracts of the moun- tain section, Fawn's Leap, Santa Cruz Falls, Profile Rock, Sunset Rock, a view of which is shown on this page, Twilight and Sunset Parks, Catskill Mt. House, Hotel Kaaterskill, and the wonderful North and South Lakes. . Also the Otis Elev- ating Ry., which operates to the summit of the moun- tains. the hotel, and has since built the Claremont adjoining. Upon this property he has spent $25,000 in improyements, so that he has a summer] hotel that is modern in every way and accommodates over 100 guests. His place is us- ually well filled. Mr. Martin was born at Hunter and has taken an active interest in the affairs of the town as an individual and as an office holder elected by the people. For 5 years he was postmaster at Haines Falls. The Lox-Hurst is located near the great Clove Slide. 6flAR OLt) GREENE COUNT?*. Frank Layman was burned to death near the Laurel House in 1900, while attempting to put out a fire that threatened to burn the hotel property, and a monument has been erected to his memory. The station of the Catskill Mt. Ry. was burned in 1915 and is now in process of being rebuilt. R. W. RENNER R. W. Renner, familiarly known throughout Greene county as"Wally Renner," proprietor of Renner s Mountain Inn, located at the corners, Haines Falls, and formerly Hotel Hallenbeck, has been very largely influential in bringing this well known summer fresort into prominence. He has made his hotel property very attractive, and has the reputation of catering to the taste*s of the traveling public with a menu that is unexcelled. Travelers from every section aim to put up at Renner 's. Some idea _pf the beauty of Mr. Renner's hostelry may be had from the view which we present on this page showing the hotel property and the bridge and mountain stream that courses near the hotel affording fine fishing. Meurw $ywm Hou^e Mrs. M. I> Tracey, Proprietress Haines Falls, N. Y. Terms $8 to $15 per week. Transient Rates $2 per day. Accommodations for 40 guests. Electric Lights, Bath and Modern Conveniences. Central to all points of interest. Pure spring water. Ample shade. K ■ '•' ■*£■ ::_ ; 4^f^ 5* en ; -ir "ir' ..J3 1 ' "'. r : B- ■- >3 =-^--» wmm THE KENWOOD HAINES FALLS, N. Y. ELMER E. PELHAM, Propr. Open from June 1 to October 20. Delightfully Located at Elevation of 2,000 feet at the head of the famous Kaaterskill Clove. House Lighted by Gas. Up-to-date Sanitary Arrangements. In the midst of the most important points of interest in the Catskill Mountains. 'Bus meets all trains. Liox-fiurst and Gottage Haines Falls, N. Y. G. A. MARTIN, - Proprietor On a Commanding Elevation at the head of Kaaterskill Clove Hot and cold water baths and modern conveniences. Central to all points. House bus meets all trains, DEAK OLD GREENE COUNTY. New Baltimore Dale S. Baldwin New Baltimore was originally a part of the district of Coxsackie, and it was not until 1911 that it was set apart as a township. The original occupants of the town were Indians. The town comprises 24,- 189 acres and the valuation is about an even million dollars. The rec- ords of the town previous to 1854 have been lost. The first settlers were the Van Slykes, Van Dei zees, Hotalings, Garrets, Millers, Greenes, Powells, Wheelers, Smiths, Bedells, Searles, Hotalings, Vandepoels and Van Or- dens. Many of these were Quakers and they set up a standard of wor- ship that still remains, and the gen- srations of the early family are among the first citizens of New Baltimore. Most of these early families settled in the district in the period just preceding 1800, about 1790. The old Van Bergen mill of which we present a picture elsewhere -was probably the first grist mill in the county, and was erected by Peter Van Ber- gen, 1780. The writer landed at New Baltimore Station and in com- pany with mail being delivered by Uncle Sam, a big box of mill- inery and a very mysterious package weighing 100 pounds the contents of which were not indicated passed, slowly in the one horse rig to the heart of New Baltimore's great business center. We haye to thank a number of people here for the information that we received. People of New Baltimore live long and well and die happy unless the records are misleading, From 1903 to 1914 according to the records 55 persons died in that town, and 42 of the deaths, were people over 80 years of age. 9 were over 90 and 483 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. one person 105 years of age. That was Mary Van Derzee. She died in 1907, and was born in 1802, being without doubt the old- est person in the county. This entire list of deaths will be found a little further on. We are indebted to Stephen A. Burlingham for much of the information we received. Charles Titus, a Hicksite and Quaker preacher, built a mill near Medway in 1818 and many other mills followed for sawing lumber. Men named Dodge, Coney, Delamater and Van Bergen built mills. Formerly a large amount of shipping was done from New Baltimore village and it was not an unusual sight to see lines of teams and loads of straw reaching from the landing to the top of the hill and for half a mile. With the burning of the big store house of Andrew Vanderpoel this business was lost. Nei Baltimore in 1915 from River In 1815' Paul Sherman started the building of boats for river traffic and that resulted in the great ship yard that has since been supplying substantial sailboats, tugboats, and larger steam- boats. Around 1850 John Burlingham, an uncle of the inform- ant, and William Wheat took the business and they built a num- ber of annex ferry boats that .were used in New York harbor, as well as the first double deck barges. Then Goldsmith and Teneyck 483 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. got the business and they let it run down. Then J. R. and H. S. Baldwin purchased the business and commenced to make yessels that were staunch in every way. William H. Baldwin, the present proprietor went to work for them and grew up in the business. He purchased it in 1879 and has spent a fortune in adding every improvement known to the shop builder's art. Great ways, heavy hoisting and lifting apparatus, steaming apparatus, saw and tram- ways and material and tools of every sort, has made the yard per- fect. Forty three years this faithful builder of barges, steamboats and pleasure yachts has turned the lock of his office door. His son, Dale S. Baldwin, now supervisor of the town, is associated with him in the business. From the river New Baltimore well displays its well kept residences, its splendid brick school building, a hose hose that is a credit to the donor, Mr. Cornell, after whom the company is named, and to the village as well; a number of large hotels of which two are in operation, and three prosperous churches. The oldest of these churches is the Reformed. This organ- ization dates to 1823, but the name of the first pastor does not appear to be known. The Rev. Staats Van Santvoord held ser- vices at New Baltimore and Coeymans in 1833. The Rev. W. R. Torrens is the present pastor. The Baptist church was organized in 1868, by the Rev. Foster Hartwell and Rev. A. B. Palmatier. First worship was in the school house and in 1780 a church costing $4000 was built. The Rev. G. D. Merry is the present pastor. The Methodist church was built in 1856 and later on re- modeled at a cost of $8000, and among the contributors was the Rev. James A. H. Cornell, pastor of the Reformed church who later on built the fine hose house of Cornell fire company. The early records of the church were lost. In 1876 John Crawford was pastor and the present minister is Rev. J. E. Parker. The Quakers as early as 1803 built a church at Stanton Hill and the Bedells and Halsteds were the chief backers of this organization. The Rev. Ebenezer Wicks started the Baptist church at Grape ville, and the Palmers of that section were among its many communicants. 484 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Methodist Church at Medway was built in 1832. How- ever there were no early records kept. We are informed that the Smiths, Garrets, and Van Derzees were early and later supporters. The old Methodist church and school house annex have been altered and John Wagner owns and occupies the church prop- erty and Bertha Parsons the school house. New Baltimore has a number of prosperous social organi- zations : Social Friendship Masonic Lodge 74 1 , was organized in 1874. Barney Gardenier is at the head of this organization as worship master. The Odd Fellows organization has discontinued. The graded school to which we referred has at its head as principal H. B. Ostrander, Miss Alice Biglake, intermediate, Miss Alida Mulder primary. Cornell Hose Company occupies a fine large building on the site of its old house destroyed by fire. William Henry Bald- win is president of the organization, Richard Chapman foreman, William Mortimer secretary and William R. Gay, sec. The school trustees are Dr. G. Waller, Martinus Mulder, and Byron Mansfield. Dale S. Baldwin is supervisor of the town and L. G.Nelson clerk. Social Friendship Lodge No. 741 , Free and Accepted Mas- ons, New Baltimore, was constituted July 9, 1874, under a char- ter issued June 5 previous, with the following charter members: Robert H. Bronk, Isaac Burns, James H. Case, John Colvin, Ed- win S. Colburn, John A. Davis, Dewitt A. Fuller, Anthony H. Holmes, Benjamin Hotaling, John Hotaling, Jacob B Holmes, George H. Jackson, L. A. Marshall, James Miller, Stephen Mead, Horace Rennie, George Smith, Stephen Springstead. A.V.S- Van Derpoel, A. J. Van Derpoel, Ira Willson. Its past masters have been the following: Anthony Holmes, John Colvin, Augustus Sherman, Sam. Colvin, Jacob Carthart, Warren Wolf, L. Colvin, William Gay, William Fuller, Howard Lomax, Wessel Van Or- den, Byron Mansfield, Martienus Mulder, Jacob Van Fleet, Eu- gene Wolfe, Barney Gardenier. The present worshipful master is Dale S. Baldwin. The membership is 64, and regular commun- ications are held on the first and third Fridays of each month, 485 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. ^raltisville x^ ^fex Prattsville was named after Col. ^f \ Zadock Pratt, and the territory, something over 1300 acres valued at $250,000 was taken from the town of Windham in 1833, and it is one of the most picturesque in the county, with a splendid stream, the Bataviakill splitting the town in half. Just below the beautiful vil- lage of Prattsville is located the great Devasego Falls, one of the most notable waterfalls in the coun- ty, and which has made the town famous as a boaiding section. I WW Prattsville village will be seen ^^^^^^ from the picture taken in 1843 is Elmer Krieger located in a fertile valley with mod- el surroundings. The home of the greatest man that the country ever produced, and who gave to the county the great tanning industry, and whose lasting monuments are to be seen in the world— wide pictured rocks bearing the names of many of the Pratt family. [See sketch on page 146.] Like many of the other towns Prattsville had a greater population in 1800 than it has in 1915, and unless all sign fail the building of the great water plant which is to supply New York City will in the course of the next few years cause the inundation of a consid- erable portion of the town, and lose to it practically all of the population now remaining. Prattsville had 1115 residents in 1800 and 713 according tp the last census. Prattsville was settled by early comers from the Schoharie valley, and on the valley flats at Prattsville was fought an en- gagement of some importance between the settlers and the Tories and Indians, headed by a British officer, named Captain Smith, who was shot and. killed and whose remains buried near the creek were washed away in later years during a freshet. These early settlers came from Germany in 1710, and it took them. t,w,o years 416 o ft a »-* 00 o 3 p 3 O < a C "o ft W W (X) ft DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. to reach the Hudson river, after a great many had died on the way. They proceeded up the Hudson to Albany and thence found their way by Indian trail to the valley of the Schoharie. The Laraways, Van Alstyns, Van Loans, Deckers, Shoe- makers, Derricks, Austins, Distins, Atwaters, Tompkins, Bran- dows, Mores and others were among the early comers, and these families many of them are still in that section. The first supervisor of the town was Hezekiah Dickerman in 1833, and the present supervisor, honored year after year, is Elmer Krieger. Zadock Pratt was supervisor in 1863, and Omar V. Sage, now of Catskill, was supervisor in 1861. Prattsville has produced many men who have stood well in the history of the county, and among them were Daniel C. Scud- der, F. James Fitch, Henry Chatfield, Burton G. Morss, Hiram Cronk, Hiram Bought on, and others whose names we may have omitted. Col. Pratt contributed very largely the money that was used to build the academy at Prattsville. The first school was in log house near the Pratt rocks. The Reformed Dutch was the first church, and that was organized in 1802, with the Rev. Lapaugh as preacher. The pres- ent church was erected in 1834. The Methodist church was organized in 1823 and the first church built iu 1834, with Thomas S. Barrett as preacher. Dur- ham was in the preaching circuit. Col. Pratt gave most of the money to build these churches. The Protestant Episcopal church was organized in 1833, Prattsyille, Windham and Hobart being the preaching circuit. Zadock Pratt was a warden of this church. This church cost about $2000 and Mary E. Pratt gave $500. The first president of Prattsville village was Dr. Thomas Fitch. The Prattsville bank was organized in 1843, with a capi- tal stock of $272,266. It went out of business in 1852. 488 DEAR OLD GREENE COtJNft. Prattsville was the home of the great tanneries and Zadock Pratt their promoter, the town being at that time Windham. The first tannery however and a grist mill and saw mill was operated at Devasego falls by Thomas Bell, who disappeared from Prattsville and was captured and hanged as a pirate. The mill property was destroyed by fire in 1825. The view which we present of Prattsville shows the great Pratt tannery which discontinued operations in 1845. Further reference to this industry will be foun^ in the sketch of the life of Col. Pratt on pages 146-149. The first physician at Prattsville was Dr. Smith, 1790, followed in 1800 by Dr. Curtis, and in 1825 by Dr. Benham, the later being largely responsible for the arrest and conviction of John Kelly who murdered Lucretia Lewis at Prattsville, and who was hanged at Catskill in 1847 . Burton G. Morse, next in line of Prattsville's great men, was born at Windham in 1810. His grandfather Asa Morse had a family of 14 children, and the oldest son. Poster, was the father of Burton G. He had tanneries at Red Falls, Windhand, Ashland, Carbondale and a grist miii on White Brook, a foundry at Red Falls, and also a cotton factory. These buildings cost $20,000 and the machinery $50,000. The dam which had a head of 32 feet cost $6000. He had 11 grist mills, one at Hobart being twice burned, his plow factory was burned, and in the great freshet of 1869 he lost all his milling property at Red Falls, Hobart, Gilboa, and Schenevus, valued at $100,000. Two tanneries, foundry and one grist mill were burned at a loss of 153,000. He was supervisor of Prattsville, 1869 to 1878 and assem- blyman 1876. Elmer Krieger stands third among the important men of Prattsville, and has represented that town in the board of super- visors since 1883. See sketch on page 489 DSJAR OLD GREENE COTJNTT. Work is now proceeding at Prattsville on the great dam, which will be 150 feet high and wipe out 40 large farms in addi- tion to the entire village of Prattsville. The famous Pratt farm and its pictured rocks, the Platner farm, with its $20,000 barns, Sheriff Churchill's farm, Sheriff Conine's farm, Higgin's farm, the Hull farm, the Devasego Falls House and other big boarding houses, 3 schools, 2 creameries, 7 stores, 4 churches, 3 hotels, 3 cemeteries, foundry, and 100 residences will go to make room for the great reseryoir. The mountain will be tunneled to get the water to the Ulster county water shed. The work is estimated to take 8 years. Aurora Lodge F. & A. M. was organized in 1827 with Thomas Benham, W.M.; Sidney Lovejoy, S. W.; C. K. Benham, J,W. But its existence was very brief, public feeling at that time being too anti-masonic, so that'it did not outlast the year. Oasis Lodge No. 119, F. & A. M. was instituted June 5, 1847, with Cornelius K: Benham, W. M.; Matthew C. Boughton, S. W. - T Robert Scanling, J.'.W. There is no record of other officers or charter members. This lodge has prospered. It occupies its own building, where communications are held on the 2d and 4th Tuesday of each month. Its membership December 31, 1914, was 73. The officers for 1914 were: Austin Hummell, W. M.; Ed- win A. Alberti, S. W. ; Willis Lutz, J.W.; Dwight Conine, treas- urer, Albert Newcomb, secretary; Orville Hummel, S. D.; Edwin Moore, J. D.; Claude White, chaplain; Fred. Will, S. M. C; Franklin Marquit, J.M.C. ; James C. McWilliams; marshal]; De- witt Chase, tyler. Its succeeding worshipful masters have been: C. K. Ben- ham, James Gregory, G. S. Cotton, E. P. More, A. P. Myers, Theodore Rudolph, Cornelius Platner, Wm. F. Fenn, Sidney Cro- well, James McWiHiams, Albert Clark, Albert Newcomb, J. H. Chatfield, M. G. Marsh, A. S. Cammer, James Richtmyer, Dewitt Chase, Charles Rose, E. A. Alberti, Claud V- White, Gould Grif- fin, Austin Hummel. 490 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. "Wiivdham _^j i^. Windham was formerly a part of Woodstock, Ulster county, and is one of the most prosperous of the mountain towns. It has many splendid and well tilled farms, and a great many prosperous boarding houses. While there are few of the early industries that remain there are evidences of thrift everywhere. In manufacturing there is nothing left. Farming and the entainment of summer guests who desert the city for the pure air are the chief occupations . Windham has always stood at the front in furnishing strong men who have occupied high positions in state and county affairs. Wash- ington Hunt and Lucius Robinson of Windham were both gover- nor of the state. Rufus King and Zadock Pratt were members of congress, Lyons Tuttle, William Steele and Hon. C.E. Blood- good were state senators, and Edward M. Cole was member of assembly . A great many of the prominent men of Catskill, New York City and other places have gone out of Windham. Jcsiah Tall- madge to be county judge for along term of years, Cyrus E. Blood- good to be county^ clerk, and a great many lawyers, among whom are Frank H. Osborn, -Judge Chase, Leonard B. Cornell and others. For many years. Windham has been the temperance strong- hold of Greene county. Strange to say the early industries of Windham included a distillery operated by Bennett Osborn and another the property of William Tuttle, 1822 to 1830. Windham whiskey was regarded as better than £ne Blue Grass kind. The most important industry industry was tanning, and Zadock Pratt, 491 Dr. Sidney L. Ford CHAR. OLD QREBlNtt COtJNTY. Samuel Reynolds, Clark Twist, Friend Holcomb, Tertius Graham, Bennett Osborn, Abijah Stone, Col. George Robinson operated tanneries. Jared Matthews conducted a button factory. Jared Matthews in 1822 manufactured shaving boxes and later a carding mill and saw mill. Hunt and Matthews operated a collar factory. Matthews and Hunt made harness to supply the New York city trade. William Tuttle ran an ashery and distillery. Morse and Newbury manufactured printing presses. Bennett Osborn and Abijah Stone operated a grist mill. Bennett Osborn was the first postmaster at Windham, be- ing commissioned by Andrew Jackson. The first settlement was at Osbornville, now Windham, but the Osborns are still there in force, and George Osborn at Brook Lynne, better known now as Brooklyn, has one of the largest and most successful boarding house interests in the Cats- kills. Back in 1822 Asa Osborn represented the town as its sup- ervisor, and Merritt Osborn, 1847," Barnard Osborn 1864, M. C. Osborn 1879 and George Osborn 1905, represented the town in the Board of Supervisors. Noble P. Cowles, John Olney, Erastus Peck, Cyrus E. Bloodgood, are among the Windham men who have become not- able characters in the county's history. There was Captain Robinson who in 1812 volunteered and his personality was so great that he took his company almost to a with him. David Lamoreau settled at Windham in 1817, and raised a family of 11 children in a log house. Solomon Munson came to Windham in 1802, and he was killed building a frame building to take the place of a log house. Silas Lewis was the first of that family and he erected a grist mill. " George Stimson settled in the Batavia valley in 1785. 492 ttDAfe OLfo GRHBJNii COtJNtt. Eleazer Miller, Elias Clark, and Cornelius Fuller were early settlers, and the latter kept an inn, 1812. He had 8 sons and 8 daughters, all of whom lived to raise families. At Fuller's tav- ern religious services were held every Sunday, and there was a pulpit erected in one of the rooms for religious purposes. Mr. Fuller is said to have been very kind and benevolent. Lemuel Hitchcock settled near Big Hollow in 1785 and raised a family of 10 children, all in a little log house. Abel Holcom from Granby. Ct., located at Jewett, 1820 and built a sawmill, a brick yard, a tannery and established a store. Col. Pratt started the tannery business. Eli Robinson, father of Governor Robinson built a log house around 1800. Sanford Hunt, father of Governor Hunt, manufactured potash . Ambrose Chapman, 1820, started a chair factory and made band hay rakes. Isaac Payne built a saw mill, 1810, Lemuel Anson started a paper mill, 1850, Jared Clark built a saw mill, Roswell Bump, 1810 raised a family of 9 boys and 4 girls in a log house at Wind- ham. Decon Elam Finch organized the West Durham Presby- terian church and brought up a family of 11 children. These sturdy pioneers of the stirring early town liyed long and were happy and full of religious zeal. They died at 80 and 90 and raised families of from 8 to 14 persons. There were no child's welfare clubs, no eugenics, no great health boards and rules of hygiene, no fly swatters, and no tabooing of water cups, but they lived, all of them and the inference that health comes unsought under the proper surroundings may be had. Men work- ed, and women also. Their food was simple and their hardships many, and the secret of most of the healthy children is that there were no nursing bottles and the mother raised her offspring. Bennett Osborn had a grist mill at Windham in 1810, a 493 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. tannery in 1823. Henry Osborn later erected the building that became the Methodist church, and for a time ran a newspaper called the Centennial 1867. Bennett Osborn was postmaster. The Big Hollow Presbyterian church was started in 1822. The Windham Presbyterian church was established in 1834. The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1843. The Episcopal Mission in 1850. The Free Methodist church at Big Hollow in 1871. The Hensonville Methodist church in 1874. The Windham Journal was started in 1857 by William R. Steele. Edward M. Cole, published the paper up to the time of his death in 1915. Windham was visited by a most destructive freshet in 1870. Colonel George Robertson was one of the most prominent men that Windham has produced. He was born in 1805, and was one of a family of ten children. His father was ako a Col- onel. He was born at Troy and moving to Windham opened' 'a temperance hotel, the first in the country. Col. George Robertson operated a tannery, and a saw mill. When his tannery was burn- ed in 1853, in the space of six days he performed the greatest building feat that has been known. Timber was cut from the woods, and a building 40x210 and 3 stories in height, main part., with addition 21x120 feet, was erected and ready for use. There is nothing to equal this even today with greater facilities at hand. Free Masonry gained an early foothold in Windham, where Revival Lodge No. 117, F. & A. M. was instituted in 1804 by these eminent grand lodge officers present: R. W. Jacob Morton, G. M.; Martin Hoffman, D, G. M. ; C. Colden, S. G. W.; Dan- iel D. Tompkins, grand secretary; Philip S. Van Rensselaer, J.G. W. The lodge was organized at the house of John Tuttle, at Batavia, and its first officers were: Samuel Gurin W, M., Thos. Benham S. W., George Robertson J. W. There were 87 members, all early settlers of Windham and vicinity. A prize possession of the lodge, still in the custody of Mountain Lodge, its successor, 494 DiDAR OLD GREENE COtTN't'ir. is a set of jewels, regarding which the record reads: "Memorandum under date of April 22d, 1805. Donation of the jewels by Constant A. Andrews to the lodge. But if it should so appear that this lodge, No. 117, should lose its charter or warrant, the said jewels, or the amount of them, which is twenty-two dollars, shall revert back to the said Andrews or his heirs or assignees." The charter of the lodge was surrendered, however, and on the 3d of February, 1807, Harmony Mark Master Lodge No. 31, F. &A. M. was organized with Constant A. Andrews W. M., George Stimson S. W., Thomas Benham J. W. This probably existed some years but finally went out of record. Mountain Lodge No. 529, F. & A. M. was organized in October, 1862, and its charter received June 8, 1863. Its first officers were: C. V. Barnett W. M., Milo Osborn 8. W., A. New bury J. W., B. B. Osborn secretary, J. S. Miller treasurer. There were eight charter members. From this time regular communi- cations have been held, and the lodge- has grown to a membership of 108, and it owns the building it occupies, known as Masonic Hall. The officers for 1914 were: Charles R. Jennings W. M., Cyrus R. Tibbals S. W., W. S. Cammer J. W., Irving Brockett treasurer, Arthur Roach secretary, HylieD. RatcliffS. D., Harold Hitchcock J. D., Lewis Munson S. M. O, Rev. J. Markarian chaplain, George W. Osborn marshal, Wilber M. Sanford, Osweli R. Coe stewards, Sanford J. Osborn tyler, Levi W. Bloodgood, George R. Winchell, Irving Brockett, trustees. BENJAMIN I. TALLMADGE Benj. I Tallmadge, born at New Baltimore, Greene county, New York, November 1st, 1869, the son of Thomas D. and Helen M. Tallmadge. Was educated in the common schools of New Baltimore and by private study at Albany, Oneonta and Wind- ham. Studied law in the office of his brother, Hon. Josiah C. Tallmadge, and was admitted to bar February, 1893, entered into DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTt. a co-partnership with his brother at Windam under firm name of J. C. & B. I. Tallmadge, which firm existed until the removal of Josiah C. Tallmadge to Catskill in 1897, and from that time he has continued the practice of law alone at Windham. BENJAMIN I. TALLMADGE He was married on December 24th, 1895 to Rose B. Gra- ham, the daughter of Lucius S. Graham of Windham, and three children were born of this marriage: Dorothy M., born May 26th, 1897, Helen R., bom Nov. 27th, 1899 and Marjorie G., born June 25th, 1906. His wife, Rose B. Tallmadge, died on the 9th day of November, 1913. 496 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. He has been President of the Board of Education of Wind- ham High School and is now Secretary of that Board ; is Presi- dent of the Windham Elgin Creamery Company.of : Windham, is Secretary and Treasurer of Windham Village Water Company, past Piesident of Windham Hose Company, Past Master of Moun- tain Lodge No. 529 F. & A. M., Past High Priest of Mountain Chapter No. 250, R. A. M; is a member of Rondout Commandery No. 52 and of Cypress temple A. A. O. M. S. BURDETTE G.l DEWELL Burdette G. Dewell, Chairman of the Board of Equaliza- tion Commissioners of Greene County, appointed December, 1914. A prominent resident of Windham and one of the Democratic leaders of that town. Born at Jewett, Greene County, New York, Sept. 2nd, 1874. Was'at.one time a member of the Board of Education of Windham High School, is a member of Mountain Lodge No. 529, F. & A. M., of Mountain Chapter No. 250 R. A. M., of Rondout Commandery_No. 52, and of Cypress Temple A. A. 0. M. S. He is a member of the firm of Dewell & Moore, the propri- etors of the popular Windham Garage. o o .a a tn u o T3 U as § -a a a < o 1- 3 ■S U en Ah CO DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. SI. Patrick's Church, Gatskill Something oyer thirty years ago the venerated Father 0'- Driscoll laid down his burden as pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Catskill. He had labored zealously and well in guiding the little flock entrusted to him and never flinched before the obstacles that constantly crossed his path. These duties were taken up by the late lamented Rev Wm. Finneran who in frail body brought an amount of energy not of- ten found. At once he turned his attention to the general up- lifting of his people. With an undaunted purpose in mind, he showed them the necessity of raising to the living Grod, a temple more worthy of their Faith. Although there was only a small amount in the Church treasury, he laid the foundation of the new St. Patrick's Church and with unflagging efforts in every direction, succeeding in raising the present structure. Ever anxious about the lamb3 of the flock, he spared no pains in gathering the children for instruction in their holy re- ligion. And as religion and science go hand in hand, he never ceased to advise the young to grasp every opportunity to increase their store of knowledge. In May 1890, circumstances led him to consider seriously the idea of a parochial school. Hitherto he had put it aside as he dreaded the debt which such a step would entail. But once the necessity showed itself, no difficulty was too great to be surmounted. It did indeed increase the church debt, but the school was built,. In September 1890, it was opened for the children of the parish. With accustomed foresight the reverend Pastor provided for the various grades of pupils and within a year and a half had the school' chartered by the University of the State of New York. To provide for the course of study, the good Father took upon himself the instruction in Latin, made proper provision for science equipment and with his own books, formed the nucleus of the library. The first pupil was graduated with a State regents diploma in 1894 and that requirement has continued the'stand- ard for graduation until the present^time, 499- DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. In 1896, the Church of the Sacred Heart was built in Cairo to accommodate the summer visitors and has been always well attended from Catskill. The addition of the village of Athens in 1897 required an assistant priest and Rev. Wm. H. White ably aided in the work of the sacred ministry. The members of the congregation not being blessed with the goods of the earth in abundance, it was apparent that many sacrifices must have been entailed in supporting their pastor in his strenuous labors. Father Finneran succumbed to an attack of pneumonia in April, 1900, and faithful soldier of Christ as he was, he calmly laid aside all his work at the Master's call. His memory is held in reverence by all who knew him and all the people of the vill- age irrespective of religious opinions, mourned his loss. But the work went on and was ably taken up by the pre- sent Pastor, Rev, Wm. P. Fitzgerald. Gradually without noise or bustle he swiftly lifted each thread of the church concerns and has since carried them on unostentaciously but firmly. The accumu- lated floating debt was cleared away and not Withstanding many dubious headshakings, the school expenses were promptly met and cleared. No less than his predecessor does he labor for results and a high standard. Contenting himself for several years with the poorest parish house in the diocese, in 1903 Father Fitzgerald built the fine rec- tory adjoining the Church. Feeling that the Church property was not complete without a convent, he was on the alert for a suitable site or building. Two years later, the Olney house was purchased and has since been the Sister's home. During the same time St. Patrick's Church has been fres- coed, three magnificent marble altars have been set in place, to- gether with various other decorations and appurtenances which go to complete a handsome church edifice. In 1907, the Papal Delegate, now Cardinal Falconio, paid a visit to the Church and school. The pupils, in simple regalia 500 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. and bearing appropriate banners, formed in line, met His Excell- ency and escorted him to the Church where he held a reception for the people. In no unstinted terms, he praised the simple but beautiful reception and congratulated Father Fitzgerald on his care of the parish. At the opening of the famous "Old Home Week" of Cats- kill, the Father Fitzgerald had the beautiful monument to mem- ory of Father Finneran unveiled, forming a fitting prelude to the ensuing week of exercises commemorate of "other daya.'' The out-missions have claimed much time and attention. Athens now glories in having one of the best appointed country churches in the state. It now stands central in the village and is the pride of the Catholics of Athens. The people of Cementon have also built a commodious base- ment of concrete which can be easily enlarged as soon as its needs make it evident. The last two years have witnessed a noticeable diminution of the church debt. The co-operation of Pastor and people have brought these material results, but the great bond is the spiritual one which unites them, heart and soul in endeavoring to further the interests of the Divine Master. A purpose tried in the furnace of opposition on one hand, and sacrifices on the other has been theirs and they will hold to it faithful and unwavering until call- ed to lay down their arms and receive their reward. The Galskill National <©ai\k The Catskill National Bank is one of the oldest banks in the United States. Chartered in 1813 as the Catskill Bank, it entered the National Bank System under the National Bank Act, as The Catskill National Bank, and has steadily gained in strength and influence. Through all the years of its existence as a Bank it has proved a bulwark of security to its depositors, and to its stockholders it has paid generous dividends and profits. The Catskill National Bank has always been closely identi- 501 M a o •r-> "A M DHAR OLD GRHBNB COUNTY. fied with the interests of the territory served by it, and it affords every facility and accommodation for the prompt and systematic conduct of business. This bank is a member of the new Federal Reserve System, and as correspondent, or depository there is no better, safer, more satisfactory k bank in this section today than the Catskill National Bank. It is essentially a Commercial Bank — alive to the requirements and necessities of its customers and their business , and accustomed to give to the smallest detail that care and attention which should recommend it to the small as well as large depositor. Its present commodious and beautiful banking room was completed and occupied in 1911 following extensive alterations in the Bank Building, at which time new burglar and fire proof vaults and safe Deposit boxes were installed, and fully equipped with the most modern appliances for safety, which are claimed to be the most elaborate example of steel vault construction between Albany and New York — and are absolutely fire, burglar and mob proof. Its Presidents have been since entering the National Bank System, Rufus H. King 1865-1868, Addison P. Jones 1868-1871, Isaac Pruyn 1871-1903, James P. Philip 1903 to date. The records show but three secretaries to the Board of Di- rectors viz John H. Bagley elected July 19, 1869, Thomas E. Ferrier elected Jan. 12, 1876, P. Gardner Coffin elected February 16, 1903. The present Officers and Directors are James P.Philip Pres- ident, Judson A. Betts Vice Pres., P. Gardner Coffin Cashier, John H. Story Asst. Cash., Omar V.Sage, Robert F. Story, Josiah C Tallmadge, Percival Goldin, Samuel C. Hopkins, George W. Holdridge, Herman C. Cowen, Harmon P. Pettingill. The officers and directors of The Catskill National Bank have always been men of influence and standingjin their commun- ity, and in them the depositors of the bank have reposed confi- dence, and to them they have looked for advice and direction in financial matters. 603 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The prosperity of a bank is closely allied to the prosperity of the community it serves, and The Catskill National Bank which has served the community and its depositors so many years in loyalty and sincerity has, in addition to its honorable record, the following guarantee fund to safeguard the funds of its depositors. Capital $150,000.00 Stockholders Liability 150,000.00 Surplus and Profits 125,000.00 Total $425,000.00 JAMES P. PHILIP James P. Philip was born in the Village of Catskill and is a son of the late Jacob S. Philip M. D., the well beloved Homeo- pathic physician of local fame. He was educated at the Catskill Academy and graduated from Rutgers College with honor in 1882 as President of his class, receiving an appointment to Phi Beta Kappa for scholarship and in 1885 his Alma Mater conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts. He was admitted to the New York bar in 1886, having pursued his legal studies at the Albany Law School from which in- stitution he graduated as President of the class of 1886. Mr. Philip began the practice of law in New York City in connection with the Title Guarantee and Trust Company and subsequently moved to the then City of Brooklyn where he suc- cessfully continued the. practice of law until his return to his na- tive town in 1903 when he assumed the Presidency of the Cats- kill National Bank, which position he now occupies. Mr. Philip has never sought political preferment, although active in his party affiliation, but has given of his time and means to advancing and deyeloping the varied interests of his Town and County. At various times he has been a director or officer in The Catskill Building and Loan Association, Catskill Foundry and Machine Shop, CatskUl Chamber of Commerce, The Hudson River, DEAR OLD GfcElENfi COUNTY. Ice Company, The Catskill Mountain Railway Company, Catskill Young Men's Christian Association, and the Catskill Nationa Bank. JAMES P. PHILIP Mr. Philip is a 32 degree Mason, a member of Catskill Lodge F. & A. M., No. 468, The Crescent Athletic Club of Brook- lyn, The Chi Psi Fraternity, Long Island Country Club, The Uni- yersity Club of Brooklyn, The Universities Club of London, Eng- land, Catskill Rip Van Winkle Club, President of the Republican Club of Greene County, and Life Member of The National Geo- graphical Society of Washington, D. C. Mr. Philip married Sarah Louise Pruyn June 15th, 1898 and resides at Catskill, N. Y. and both he and Mrs. Philip have travelled extensively. DEAR 0I±> GREENE COtJNlfr. ISAAC PRUYN Isaac Pruyn was long identified with the business affairs of Catskill. Born in Kinderhook, Columbia County,' November 25, 1816, he graduated at the Kinderhook Academy and studied law in the office of Judge Julius Wilcoxson. After being admitted to the New York bar he went to New York City and practised law with Judge Moore, but loving nature and[the[Hudson River Valley with its scenic beauties of river and mountains he soon after re- moved to Catskill and entered upon the practise of his profession with the late John Van Vleck. Mr. Pruyn took an early interest in the business affairs of Catskill. With the late C. L. Beach and George H. Penfield he engaged in the freighting busness which preceded the establish- ment of The Catskill Evening Line. He was one of the Directors of the Catskill Mountain Railway Co., and almost every business enterprise established in Catskill having any prospect of success was assured of his financial support. After the organization of The Catskill National Bank he became a stock holder and in 1872 was elected President, an office he continued to fill without inter- ruption until the summer of 1903 when his failing health caused him to resign. For the young men he always had a kindly feeling as was illustrated by his many donations to the Drum Corps named after him, the members of which were thereby enabled to realize their ambition. He died June 2, 1904 at the age of 87 years, survived by a daughter, Sarah Louise, wife of James P. Philip, President of The Catskill National Bank. Mr. Pruyn was married to Mary Wilcoxson, a niece of Ex- President Martin Van Buren and daughter of Judge Julius Wil- coxson by whom he had five children and after her death he mar- ried Sarah Ann Wilcoxson, sister of his deceased wife. 506 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. HERMAN C. COWAN Herman C. Cowan, of Catskill, was born at Emporia. ^Kan- sas. He organized the Catskill Cement Company, and built there an extensive plant at Cementon, which is. now being operated as the Alpha Cement Co. He has been actively connected with many Catskill interests, being at the head of the Catskill Supply Com- pany, and the Catskill Hardware Company. He helped to reor- ganize the Catskill Street Railroad, being president of the Com- pany and also president of the Rip Van Winkle Club, and super- intendent of the Presbyterian Sunday School, since 1912. The Catskill Supply Company built the Catskill-Saugertiei state road and the Cairo village state road. WILLIAMS. C. WILEY William S. C. Wiley was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, 1854 and came to this country in 1861. In 1887 he took up his resi- dence in Catskill as the head of the Wiley Manufacturing Com- pany being also president of the Aiken Knitting Company of Philmont. He was very successful and was honored with many official positions, serving as president of the village, supervisor of the town. He was presidential elector on the Harrison & Reed ticket and also on the McKinley and Roosevelt ticket. He was quarter master general on Gov. Levi P. Morton's staff. He was a member of the Hudson-Fulton Committee. Moving to Elmira in 1913 he became connected with a knitting company at that place. He has now returned to Catskill. SETH T. COLE Seth T. Cole was born in the village of Catskill on February 12, 1886, and has resided there since birth. He was educated in the public schools of Catskill, graduating from the Catskill High School in the class of 1901. In 1907 he entered the Albany Law School and completed the course in that institution in 1908, being admitted to the practice of law in Novemeber, 1908. On August 1, 1907, Mr. Cole was appointed to the position of stenographer in the State Tax Department at Albany and has advanced rapidly in the service of that Department, holding at the present time the important position of State Mortgage Tax Clerk. . DlSAfc OLD GfcBEittfc COtJNTt. In firemanic circles he is widely known and has been high- ly honored. He is a member of Hose Company Number One of Catskill, was Secretary of the Greene County Firemen's Associa- tion for six years and President of the organization for two years, is now President of the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's Asso- ciation and a member of the Law Committee of the Firemen's Association, State of New York. , SETH T. COLE. Mr. Cole was general secretary of Catskill's Old Home Week Committee in 1908 and general secretary of the Greene County Hudson-Fulton Celebration in 1909. He is a member of Catskill Lodge, No. 468, F. & A. M., Catskill Chapter, No. 285, R. A. M., Lafayette Commandery, No. 7, K. T., Cyprus Temple. A. A. 0. N. M. S., Hudson Lodge, No. 787, B. P. 0. E., Catskill Tent, No. 869, K. 0. T. M., and is President of Catskill Circle, No. 311, P. H. C. In politics Mr. Cole is a Republican. „ieut. Col. Albert Saulpaugh N.G.N.Y; Capt. Percy W. Decker N.G.N\Y ?irst Lieut. Lucius H. Doty N.G.N.Y. Capt. Daniel J. Cassidy N.G.N.Y. All of Catskill. DEAR OLD GREENE COTJNTT. FRANK D. OVERBAUGH Frank D. Overbaugh of Catskill has come to be regarded as the man of Roads. As superintendent of the town of Catskill since 1909 he has given the town a service that hitherto was not known, and in addition to building bridges, and roads that are practically of state road quality, he has saved the town many thousands of dollars in the purchase of materials and highway machinery. He has built for a nominal sum the big tool house at Cauterskill and there is not a shovel or hoe that is not accounted for. The Overbaugh family was one of the first in this section. Frank D. Overbaugh traces to John Peter Overbaugh, who settled on the Loveridge Patent below Catskill in the 1700's. He was born Oct. 25, 1853 on the old farm in the Embocght. His father was William Overbaugh, and mother, Ophelia Dewey. He was married to Alice J. Fiero, and they had two children, Florence, who married School Com. Wm N. Anderson, and Susie deceased, who was the wife of Geo. Legendre. He attends the Reformed Church. HORACE WILLARD Horace Willard came to Catskill from Lenox, Mass. and opened a Jewelry Store where the present Rectory of the Dutch Reformed Church now stands. He married Susan Sophia Kemper of Hudson and soon afterwards moved up Main Street to the site now owned and occupied by Dr. Honeyford, where he continued the jewelry business until he died . His son, Charles S. Willard, bought out the business and in 1851 moved it into a new store built by him on the adjoining lot, No. 380 Main street, where he conducted the business until he died. From that time on the busi- ness was carried on by Howard Wilcox until he died February 1915, and in April 1915 was taken up by Prentis W. Hollenbeck, who is at present conducting it. CHARLES E. WILLARD, M. D. Charles E. Willard, M.D., son of Horace Willard to whom previous reference has been made, was born at Catskill, August 14, 1846, and was graduated in 1868, from the college of Physi- cians and Surgeons of New York City. During most of the period 510 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. since that time he has practiced medicine successfully in Catskill and had for many years been at the head of the Health Board of the town and at present is the state representative for this section. His first wife was Anna E. Willard and his second wife with whom he is living in the old homestead on Main street, Catskill, was Marcia C. Cole, to whom he was married in 1897. In 1874 he was elected vestryman of St. Luke's Church, holding the posi- tion for many years. He is still an active member of that church. THOMAS C. PERRY This life sketch of Thomas C.Perry is here presented for those who are less familiar with the sterling qualities of his man- hood than his associates and friends of long and intimate ac- quaintance. He was born in the town of Olive, Ulster county, N. Y. in 1867, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the subjects taught in the public schools. Later his parents moved to the town of Marbletown. While living in this town he not only gained a practical knowledge of agriculture, but the necessity of individual responsibility strengthened the springs of his moral purpose. Consciously or unconsciously he had learned that socially and industrially the first duty of man consists in making the most of himself. With this thought supreme and a desire to fit himself for teaching, he entered Kingston Academy where he studied for his chosen pro- fession His preparation was further continued in Spencer's Business College. Previous to this he had been granted a license to teach in the schools of New York, and his first school was near Stone Ridge. He taught other rural schools, and later accepted the principalship at Tillson. Here he taught the higher branches and supervised the work in the grades, resigning at the end of the third year to become principal at Wallkill, where he remained four years and brought the school to a high state of efficiency. In fact, it ranked among the best in the county, and from this school Mr. Perry turned out some of the best prepared students for the higher branches of learning. He believed the business of teaching 511 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. to be a serious and important enterprise. Serious because of its responsibilities, opportunties and obligations;! important because t.be demand of the day is for teachers disciplined .and equipped to interpret the world of truth. In 1898 Mr. Perry was united in marriage with Mks Tes- sa Decker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Decker, of Granite, N. Y. Mr. Perry cherishes a pardonable pride in being a descend- ant of the line which gave to our young nations Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. By the prowess of this heroic naval officer the British were driven from Lake Erie in 1813 and forced to eyacu- ate Detroit. Like his progenitor he believes in simplifying his work by avoiding waste of words, waste of material and waste of time. In 1905 Mr. Perry was elected by the people of third com- missioner district of Ulster county to the office of school commis- sioner. He analyzed conditions, thought out a plan, studied di- rections, summoned his abilities, insight and courage. He gave hope to teachers, helped them across hard places, and he was hap- py in this loving service. He organized round table conferences and brought prominent educators to these conferences to impart professional impetus and enthusiasm. The teachers of his district fully appreciated his efforts. Thoughtful for the highest personal welfare not only of the teachers, but of the individual pupils in the schools under his care, he will long be remembered for his courtesy, his ability and his efficient service. In 1912 the board of school directors of the first supervis- ory district of Greene county, elected Mr. Perry superintendent of the schools in the towns of Athens, Cairo, Catskill, Coxsackie to succeed Randall N. Saunders resigned. His actual experience, his thorough knowledge of rural school problems, his sincerity and tact are the attributes and qualities which enable him to super- vise the schools of this district with intelligence and in the spirit °f,the leader. Without domination, the true leader "gets things done" by his presence, by his attitude, and by his unassuming participa- tion. 512 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. George H. Chase is a na^^e of the mountain section of the county, born and reared on a farm in the town of Jewett, where the high altitudes and surrounding mountain peaks breed not only pure air and good health but study charac- ters and lofty ideals as well, and he is thoroughly repre- sentative of that section, hav- in bis veins the blood of the Chase, Baldwin and Pratt families, the pioneers of our mountain settlements and pro- genitors of a race that put Greene county on the map When a young man he pur- chased the mercantile business of the late Alfred Peck at Jew- ett Heights and for many con- ducted this in connection with his summer hotel business at that place, retiring from the mercantile business two years ago. In all of his business career he maintained a high standard for upright methods, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of all who had dealings with him. His location has been the center of life for the town and he the mov- ing spirit in most of its successful enterprises. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Jewett Heights. As a man of such prominence in his section, Mr. Chase was naturally drafted into the official life of the town, and he success- fully served as town auditor, town clerk and justice of the peace, and for eight or ten terms was supervisor of the town, thus bring- ing him to Catskill as its representative in the county legislature, where he served with credit and distinction, thereby gaining a, 513 George H. Chase DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. large experience that enabled him to better serve his constituents in the state legislature at Albany, Mr. Chase, being a broad minded Republican, has always stood loyally by the principles of his party, with the spirit of which he was imbued in its earliest and best days, with a liberal interpretation of same, and has always manfully supported bis position. He was nominated for the Assembly by the Republicans of Greene county in 1913 and was elected, receiving 3698 votes to 3282 cast for J. Lewis Patrie, Democrat. He was re-nominated and re-elected in 1914, receiving 3364 votes to 2683 cast for Dr. Sidney L. Ford, Democrat. Mr. Chase is a member of Mountain Lodge No. 529, F. & A. M. of Windham, N. Y. Hop-O-Nose Mill,;Catskill, N. Y. Operated by the Union Mills Company. 514 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. I4st of Greene Gotmty Poslnvaislers—Apr. 1, 1013 Acra Marion Chadderdon Alsen Margaret A. King Ashland Francis L. Dodge Athens Harold W. Every Big Hollow Romaine Low Brooksburg David Davis Bushnellsville Barnet Rider Cairo Claude J. Goff Catskill Lucius R. Doty Cementon Chris Schlenker Climax Emma V. Jackson Coxsackie Francis Worden Durham A. Z. Smith East Durham Grace 0. Meloy East Jewett Margaret E. Wood worth East Windham W. J. Griffin Elka Park P. A. Carr Freehold W. I. Hunt Gayhead G. A. Story Greenville N. W. Avery Greenville Center C. W. Palmer Haines Falls Herbert O'Hara Halcott Center James M. Moseman Hensonville Geo. R. Winchell Hunter Albert Taylor Jewett Clifford H. Baldwin Lanesville Frank G. Crosby Leeds Frank L. Vedder Lexington Lucielle T. Chatfield New Baltimore Piatt S. Wheat New Baltimore Sta Martin M. Clow Norton Hill Peter R. Stevens Oak Hill Ernest E. Ford Palenville Chester J. Hinman Piatt Clove Theodore Kessel 515 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Prattsville James E. Mc Williams Purling Manly B. Conklin Round Top J. W. Fiero, Jr. South Cairo Ambrose Jones South Durham W. G.Van Orden Sunside Burton A. Synder Tannejsville Charles Voss Urlton M. W King West Coxsackie C. A. Winans West Kill C. C. Jenning3 Windham Keeler M. Cole Tremaine Loud's Flying Ice Boat. Remarkable Ice Craft invention of Tremaine Loud, Catskill Point, equipped with 32 h, p. Chalmers engine, and propeller from Charles K. ' Hamilton's Aeroplane, that was used in his trip to Philadelphia from New York. Boat built in Cafe at Loud's Hotel. Speed of boat 80 miles per hour. 516 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. JOSEPH A; HILL Ooe of the progressive men of Oatskill, whose energies and push have brought him to the front is Joseph A. Hill. He came to Catskill in May 1894, and was employed in the jewelry busi- ness, later on branching out for himself in a small venture, which under wise direction has become one of the leading jewelry stores in this section. He was born at Cohoes, N. Y. in 1874, his father, Joseph Hill coming to America in 1861 from England. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, Athabasca Tribe of Red Men, and attends the Reformed church. He was married June 25, 1902 to Sarah W. Mitchell, and they have one child Geo. Odgen Hill. His present store is in the Van Gorden building. % R. Y. HUBBARD, M. D. There are few men in Greene county who are better or more favorably known than R. Y. Hubbard of Tannersville, who is one of the young men who has pushed his way to the front within the past few years. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. on October 10, 1877, and graduated from the Stamford Seminary in 1899, Cornell University in 1901, Long Island College Hospital in 1907, Fitch Military Hospital in 1909, and commenced the prac- tice of medicine at Hunter village where he remained for 4 years. He then removed to Tannersville, in order to better accommodate his extensive and growing practice, which covera every section within range of Tannersville. He is a coroner of Greene county, President of Tannersville, health officer, president of the fire de- partment, and getting into the newspaper field is vice president of the Tannersville Record publishing company. He occupies a fine residence and has just completed an office adjoining the same. His wife wa3 Elizabeth Hummell of Hunter to whom he was mar- ried in 1907. They have one daughter, Myrtle. Addenda Frederick Nelson DuBois died July 8, 1915. Ice House of Jeremiah Brooks at Athens burned Aug, 22, 1915, loss $14,000. 517 wm§§ Harry Hall, Publisher Recorder. M. E. Sillberstein, Pub. Daily Mail. Frederic E. Craigie, Pub. Examiner. Frank A. Gallt, Pub. Enterprise. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. The Newspaper Field Greene county has always been well represented in the newspaper field. The Catskill Recorder was first on the scene in 1792. It was then 10x12 inches in size and was called the Cals- kill Packet. The Catskill Packet and Western Mail, and then it shone as the Western Constellation, and in 1804 assumed the name of Catskill Recorder. Since 1862 it has been published by representatives of the Hall family following the death of Mr. Hall in 1874; George S. Stevens, deceased, Frazer Hall, deceased, be- ing its editors, and since the death of Frazer C. Hall, Harry Hall has been at the head managing the paper for the estate. Some of the journalist efforts that have passed were: The American Eagle, 1808, The Catskill Emendator 1813, The Zectic, 1814, The Greene and Delaware Washingtonian, 1816, Greene County Republican 1814-16, The Catskill Democrat, both papers being absorbed by The Recorder, Prattsville Advocate, 1846, The Mountaineer, 1853, Prattsville, and The American Eagle, 1854, started at Prattsville, and owned by Lyman Tremaine and later by Henry Baker This sheet also, went to The Recorder in 1860. George Mitchell printed the Catskill Journal for a time. Mr. Mitchell, who is now the oldest printer in the state setting type, is in the employ of The Recorder. The Catskill Examiner has had a splendid record. Started as the Catskill Messenger in 1830, by Ira DuBois, continued by Wm. Bryan and C. H. Cleveland, who were succeeded by Trow- bridge and Gunn. It was The Whig in 1849 and Marcus Trow- bridge in 1857 changed it to The Examiner. For a time after his death Mrs. Trowbridge was assisted by Eugene Wayne. She then associated Frederick E. Craigie with her in the business. While she lived the paper was Trowbridge & Craigie, and it then passed into the hands of Fred E. Craigie, who has continued the business to the present time, enlarging and improving the paper, putting in new machinery, etc. The Athens News was started by W. G. Harvey and follow- ing his death Mrs. Harvey is still at the helm, §19 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. John D. Smith started the Catskill Independent in 1879, as a Greenback paper, changing later to the Daily Mail, Republi- can, and in 19 he sold out to M. E. Silberstein, who changed the political end to Democratic, and after equipping a new plant, his office was burned in 1913, and the office then moved to its present quarters on the corner of Main and Bridge streets. He has increased the circulation from 260 daily to over 2500 daily. Plant modern in every way. In 1898 The Catskill Enterprise was started by F. A. Gallt, the first paper being printed on a hand press which broke down before the first number was finished . The type was old and he had much trouble with it. It was 4 pages at first and later on modern equipment was put in and the paper enlarged to 8 pages. The publisher has been ably assisted by his sons, William, Robert, now machine man at the Mail office, Frank, Joseph and Ray- mond; also by his daughter, now Mrs. Fred Field. The Enter- prise has at the present time a model equipment in presses, fold- ing machine, electric power, etc. The Catskill Mountain Zephyr was published first by Geo. A. Dykeman as a summer paper. He sold out to M. E. Silber- stein, who for a time printed the Athens Review, for a couple of years. Then the Zephyr passed to W. N. Coriell, and for the past 6 years has been issued by F. A. Gallt. The Kingston District News, started in 1898, had A. J. Walker, E. L. Hoffecker, and F. L. Wilson as publishers, Its office of publication was Catskill. It was discontinued several years ago, after obtaining a circulation of 2500. In 1878 Myron Dings of Oak Hill started the Gilboa Moni- tor and after several years moved the paper to Gilboa, where he sold to A. J. Shaver and moved west. Paige T. Hoagland moved from Jefferson, where he sold the Jefferson Courier to W.S.Jones, now publisher of the Minneapolis Tribune, and started the Oak Hill Record in 1892. His son, Scott is now running the paper. The Mountain Gazette was published for a time at Wind- ham byG. W. Riggs, but the paper failing to receive political patronage failed. 520 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Cairo Herald, published by Geo. W. Squires, established in 1890, newsy and well conducted. Power presses and good plant. Greenville Local, published by Peter Winne & Son, estab- lished 1876, by Peter Winne, who is still at the helm. Since 1861 Edward M. Cole has published the Windham Journal. He served the town of Windham in various ways politic- ally and represented the county in the assembly in 1892. His death occurred last winter. t The Prattsville News, published by M. G. Marsh was start- ed in 1858. For 50 years Mr. Marsh has been at the head of the paper. He has associated with him M. G. Griffin. The Hunter Review was started in 1883 and is still pros- peious with A. L. Baldwin at the head, and is ably assisted by Mrs. Baldwin. The Tanners ville Times was started A. G. Powell in 1901, but he discontinued the paper and after a year or so the business was commenced again by Mr.Disbrow, who has gone along nicely. Another paper of the county is The Coxsackie Union, pub- lisher, Wm. P. Franklin, established 1857. The Coxsackie News was published for a time and later on merged with the Coxsackie Union. The Evening News was published daily by George Harding, 1898, in the building at the corner of Main and Bridge streeb. The News soon ceased to be issued. Another paper that was issued daily by George L. Gaynor and Rudolph W. Plusch was The Catskill Press. The latest bow in the newspaper field is the Tannersville Record, 8 pages, neatly printed on book paper, well edited and has every evidence of great success. It is published by the Record Corporation, with Burgess Howard as managing editor. M. G. Marsh of Prattsville and William P Franklin of Coxsackie are two veteran publishers of the county, having been jn the business for 50 years, '521 Chas. Ernst, Killed by Joseph Waltz F. D. Overbagh, Sup't Highways. C.O.Bickelaiann ( £roted Photographer A., -J R; Yj Hubbard, Coroner Greene Co. Page Page Assemblyman Geo. H. Chase . . 513 Coxsackie 441 Assemblymen of Greene County Cholera in Catskill 208 from 1803 312 Court House 63-65 Ashland 347 Court Buildings, removed 61 Athens 350 Court Fire 1851 62 Abram V. Roraback 288 County Jail 66 Ashland Collegiate Institute . . . 276 Day Line Palaces 80-81 American Bible Society '273 Dale S. Baldwin 283 Baldwin Post 341 Daughters of Rebecca 185 Benjamin DuBois House 114 Dayton B. Smith 304 B. I. Tallmadge 495 Destructive Fires 236-240 Burdette G. Dewell 497 Dr. Abel Brace 210 Capt. Jacob Dunham 196-198 Dr. F. C. Clarke 345 C. A. Martin, see Hunter. Dr. Sidney L. Ford 285 Charles E. Willard 510 Dr. Wilbur F. Lamont 296 Catskill Landmarks 246 252 DuBois House, Cauterskill 110 Catskill Schools 240-246 DuBois Generations . . t 117-118 Cairo 360 Durham 449 Capt. Percy W. Decker 509 Early Manufacturing 231 Capt. Daniel J. Cassidy 509 Early Staging 229 Catskill 369 Eastern Star 184 Catskill 1839 3 Early Churches 275 Catskill 1915 9 Elmer Krieger 287 Catskill Bridge 97 98 100 Elmore Mackey 290 Catskill Even. Line Steamers . 82-85 Floyd S. Jones 286 Catskill Improvement Assn. . . 202 Emory A. Chase 4 - 141-145 Catskill National Bank 501 p. H. Osborn, see courts. Catskill Monday Club 183 First Lieut. L. H. Doty 509 Catskill Public Library 278 Frank D. Overbaugh 510 Catskill Savings Bank 431 Frank Nichols 289 Catskill Y. M. C. A 274 Frederick E. Craigie 518 Catskill Supply Co Advt. Sec. Frederick Nelson DuBois Cemetery at Halcott Center . . 345 11-12 108-112 215 Census Figures of 1915 517 Frank H. Kortz 296 Company E, Catskill 332-337 Frederick Goslee 319 Chronology 530-565 Geo. B. Van Valkenburgh 301 Church Organizations 252 272 George C. Fox 303 First Church in New York . . 254 George W. Holdridge 432 First Baptist, Catskill 270 Greene Co. Society 311 German Lutheran, Athens . . . 253 Greenville 454 Gloria Dei, Palenville 267 Greene Co. "Whig 224 Methodist, Catskill 261 Halcott 460 Presbyterian, Catskill 264 Harry Hall 518 Reformed, Catskill 255 Heidelberg 68-71 St. ..Luke's, Catskill 258 Herman C. Cowan 507 St. Patrick's, Catskill 269 History Fabric 101 Claude Heath 318 h. Clay Ferris 284 Clermont 76 H. Leroy Austin 203 Colonel Cornelius DuBois 115 Home for Aged Women 182 Col. Albert Saulpaugh 509 Hollister Post 340 County Jail 13 Howard Wilcox 297 Page Page Hudson Fulton Celebration . . . 480 Robert M. MacNaught 293 Hunter 466 Rev. Benjamin DuBois 116 Isaac Pruyn 506 Rowena School, Palenville . . 172 Judson A. Betts 525 R. W. Renner 479 Jacob Fromer, see Hunter. Salisbury House 121 323 James P. Philip 504 Schuneman Parsonage, Leeds . 125 Jewett 462 Steamboat Wrecks 86-87 J. Henry Deane 369 Reformed Church, Leeds 190 John DuBois 215 School Directors, etc 341 Josiah C. Tallmadge ... 5 - 299-300 Senator William P. Fiero 162 Judges of Greene County . 164-165 Seth T. Cole 507 Judson A. Betts 280 Steamer Frank 207 John E. Huyck 283 St. Patrick's Academy 498 Joseph Malcolm 300 Supervisors .... 1 6-7-8 Josiah C. Tallmadge 299 Supreme Court Terms . . Advt. Sec. J. W. Watson Post 338-340 The Brandows 188 I. Wheeler Brandow 281-282 The Chase Family 138-144 Ladies of the Maccabees 185 The Bronks 133-137 Ladies' Catholic Benevolent The Post Family 200 Lewis Hoose 320 The Van Schaacks 167 Loud's Hotel Advt. Sec. The Wilcoxs 170-171 Lawyers of Greene Co., see Bar. The Day Family 280 Lexington 464 The DuBoises and Overbaughs . 108 Madam Jane Dise 187 The Gallt Family 316 M. Edw. Silberstein 327 Thomas C. Perry 511 New Baltimore 482 Thos. Seifferth 303 Mrs. Joseph Malcolm 169 Times of Greene Co. Whig 209 Major Jas. Monroe Van Valken- Town Officers 1914-15 50-55 burgh 302 Teachers of County 341 Map Loveridge Patent 129 The Military 328 Masonic History, see towns. The Big Trout 106 Michael O'Hara . . , 279 Van Ordens and Overbaughs . . 119 Newspapers of County 517 Villages 1859 57-58 Notable Men 313-315 Villages 1915 59-60 Notaries 1915 310 Van Bergen Mill 137 New Year's Club 185 Van Vechtens ..'. 121 Association 186 Van Bergen House 122-125 Old Posters 211-212 Van Vechten House 103 Omar V. Sage .' 320-323 Women and the Franchise 174 - 182 Orrin Day 221 Walter J. Decker 305 Official List of Officers 49-50 William J. Finneran 268 Organization of Towns 57 Wiley Hose 291 Patent Lines 56 William Kortz 295 Population of County 60 Willis A. Haines 298 Postmasters 1915 515 Wm. A. Bullock, great inventor 206 Prattsville 486 William B. Martin, see Hunter. Railroads 88-93 William S. C. Wiley 507 Patrons Hall, Kiskatom 130 William Smith 216 Peter Schutt 131 William Joesbury 327 Reminiscent 212 William H. Stewart 250-251 Rev. Geo. A. Howard 265 Windham 491 Road Building 107 Zadock Pratt 146-149 Chronological Events 1808 - 1913 The Earlier Happenings are Referred to through the Book. CHRONOLOGY 1898. Warden Sage, of Catskill, made great repairs to prison at Sing Sing. Luke Smith, of Catskill, died at the age of 87 years. Theodore Roosevelt, hero of San Juan Hill, visits Catskill, the occasion being made a holiday. Alexander King returns from Honolulu. Harry Hicks, Albert Thompson and Harry Lydecker return from Honolulu. Charles W. Webster, of Cairo, in the fight of block house 14 at Manila, Philippines. Daniel Meech died of pneumonia at Catskill. William Henry Hotaling sentenced to five years for murder of Bobbie Walsh at Coxsackie. Lewis Hallenbeck, of Coxsackie, on navy furlough presents Enterprise with relics from the Spanish battleships, Viscya and Oquendo. CHRONOLOGY 1899. Luther Holdridge, of Lanesville," shot four bears and they brought him $35.00 each. A calf was born on Dwight McQueen's farm at Hensonville having DEAR OLb GREECE COUNTY. eight legs. Big Masonic celebration at Ooxsackie. J. H. Whitbeck store at Coxsackie robbed of $750, safe blown. St. Patrick's fair netted $1210. Bicycle path built from Catskill to Palenville. Failure. 203rd regiment mustered out of service. Jacobs' Bottling Works, Cairo, destroyed by fire. Gatskill cat show nets Y. M. C. A. $70.00. Margaret Fletcher died at Catskill, aged 99 years. St. Luke's church, costing $35,000, G. W. Holdridge builder, dedicated June sixth. Sergt. Edgar Johnston, engineer, repaired bridge at Malolos, Philippines, while the Spanish bullets were flying all about him. Theodore Haines, of Catskill, died suddenly after being injured. Col. Omar V. Sage, of Catskill, made warden of house of refuge, Randall's' Island. Capt. Henry Nicholls, commander of the monotor Monadnock, TJ. S. N., Admiral Dewey's squadron, died at Manila. Born in Athens in 1845. Body shipped to United States. Tannersville railroad opened from Otis Junction. Smallpox in Athens brick yard. Geo. W. Holdridge brought the old St. Luke's church for $2700. Geo. W. Holdridge commenced work on Rowena school at Palenville, a $40,000 structure. Melvin Wynkoop drowned at Coxsackie. William Bigelow, Crawford Owens, William Henzel and Antonio de Batiste crushed to death in cave-in of brick kiln at Catskill. Jas. Busbee committed suicide at West Camp. Lewis Hadden, war veteran, died at Big Hollow, aged 65 years. Dominic Crommis drowned at New Baltimore. Howard Cohn killed by accidental discharge of gun while hunting at South Cairo. Sixteenth Separate Company participated in Dewey parade at New York, Lieut. Searles commanding. 37,000 men in line. All the war vessels in parade also. Walter Finch killed in electric light station at Catskill. Mrs. Judson Wilcox, aged 95 years, fell and fractured her hip. Accident resulted in her death. She was for over 50 years a member of St. Luke's church. Murder at Kiskatom — Elizabeth Baer, an old woman, cut the throat of Catherine Wolvin, a helpless invalid. She then took Paris- green. Dr. Lamont saved her life. Tried and convicted of murder in the second degree. Socialists polled 300 votes for A. C. Fancher for supervisor of Catskill. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNT*. Good Templar convention at Tanneraville. Fire in Conklin store, Catskill. Store house of Catskill & New York Steamboat company destroy- ed by fire. Apkes hotel at Palenville burned. Summit Hill House barns burned. Democrats elect ten supervisors. S. B. Sage, assemblyman. Pierre S. Jennings contests the result. Wiley Hose Co. fair netted $1000. Hon. J. Leroy Jacobs, former assemblyman, dropped dead at Cairo, aged 55 years. M. L. Newcomb died at home of Dr. Lamont, Catstftll. Former member of assembly and school commissioner, also supervisor from Windham. Catskill town audit $5,862, budget $15,185. Mike Madigan crushed to death in Bridge street sewer, Catskill. The Rev. William S. Chamberlain, missionary to India, given purse of $100 by Reformed church, Catskill. Former Sheriff Peter Magee died at Athens. Marry Edith Ingersoll, of Catskill, burned to death at Doane home. Conradt Stevens died at Catskill, aged 83 years, former whaler. The single vote of the Spanish war veterans cost Greene county $1000. Albert Post, of Lanesville, celebrated his 55th anniversary by shooting his 55th bear. CHRONOLOGY 1900. Trolley promoted from Coxsackie to Greenville. Mother Van Cott held revival at Jefferson. Monument erected to memory of Edgar K. Williams. Dewitt Decker, of Prattsville hung himself. Case Hallenbeck of High Hill, aged 80 years, found dead in bed. O. T. Humphrey, former Catskillian and member of assembly from Greene county, died at Johnstown. State Comptroller in his annual report paid tribute to Warden Sage, of Randall's Island. Conditions best ever and a saving of $13,000 over his predecessor for a year's work. William T. Conine committed suicide while deranged at Catskill. Barnet Palmer, 83 years; Catherine Wolvin, 82 years; John Rider, 77 years, and John Saxe, 72 years, died at Kiskatom. St. Mary's church fair at Coxsackie netted $5000. Sidney Crowell, of Catskill, former district attorney, died from stroke of paralysis. Catskill Examiner office and store of Peary and Lobdell damaged by fire. DEAR OLD GREENE coItntV. Mrs. Harry Decker, of Athens, inherits a fortune of $48,000. Solomon Cornwall, died March 22, at Coxsackie, aged 94 years. School moneys for town of Catskill were $3,165. George A. Dykeman put 10,000 trout in Palenville streams. Justice Emory A. Chase presided at Greene county term of Supreme court, April session. War veteran James Lane found dead in bed at Lawrenceville. Oscar Merwin, of Hunter, committed suicide, taking laudanum and whiskey. The Rev. William Fitzgerald appointed to St. Patrick's church at Catskill. Forty priests officiated in mass for the Rev. William J. Finnegan, deceased. John Bassett and Oscar Dederick of Catskill in the big fight at Cebu, Samuel Austin, of Leeds, fined $50 and sent to the penitentiary for six months for whipping his wife. Residence of Robert Seaman, Catskill, destroyed by fire. Great parade in Catskill Memorial Day, occasion of the unveiling of the Edgar William's monument. Company E, Catskill Band, Squad 31st Regiment, G. A. R. Veterans, Po'keepsie Drum Corps, Citizens, Wileys, Wilsons, Osborns, Pruyn Drum Corps, three Athens compan- ies, clergymen and trustees in line. Address by Rev. R. E. Bell. L. T. Beach census enumerator for Catskill. James McLean died at Windham, aged 89 years. Survey made for trolley line from Catskill to Cairo. Justice Chase presided at the June term of Supreme Court. Frank Norton, Co. H, in fights against Philippines. Maggie Van Cott conducted revival at Lebanon Springs. Samuel Mallory, of Catskill, died at the age of 88 years. Mrs. Robert McGifEert died in the arms . of her husband while going from the boat to the hotel in Catskill. Douglass B. Thorpe, of Catskill, died at Manorkill, where he was visiting his brother. Greene County Firemen's convention held at Catskill Labor Day. $8000 pledged towards public library in Catskill. Work commenced on Catskill trolley. Contractor George W. Holdridge commenced work on Wiley Hose house. Frank Layman burned to death fighting fire at the Laurel House. J. F. Gaylord, Frazer C. Hall and Gen. Coster had their pockets picked at the Greene county fair. John Van Tassell had his leg broken in a horse race. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Office of J. A. Betts at Catskill damaged by fire. Sheriff Holdridge ran down three pickpockets who worked at Cairo fair. Rowena school at Palenville dedicated. Greene County Sunday School association met at Ashland. Frank Cherowsky and William Mattice killed at Smiths Landing while at work in an ice house. 2000 people saw the laying of the corner stone of St. Mary's church at Coxsackie, a ?25,000 structure. Catskill trolley commenced operation September 20th. General W. S. C. Wiley elected president of Republican club at Catskill. Supervisor P. Gardner Coffin sent $100 to Galveston sufferers. The Albany Burgesses Corps celebrated their 67th 'anniversary in Catskill. Company E paraded with them. William Jennings Bryan visited Catskill October 29th. J. C. Tallmadge elected county judge; General W. S. C. Wiley, senator; W. W. Rider, assemblyman; Cyrus Bloodgood, county clerk; Henry Van Bergen, sheriff. McKinley carried county for president. Large barn of Andrew Overhaugh, Catskill, destroyed by fire. Roof of shale brick building at Catskill collapsed and Erasmo Casseragolio was killed and others injured. Elmer Krieger elected chairman of Board of Supervisors. Company E paraded at Hudson. Thomas Daglish, of Catskill, died from an over dose of laudanum. Hon. James B. Olney died at Catskill, aged 67 years. Albert Saulpaugh, veteran 203d regt., elected captain of Co. E. CHRONOLOGY 1901. Hon. Geo. S. Stevens, assemblyman from Greene county, died at nis home in Catskill. Horace Van Akin killed by Catskill trolley. Hannah Lynan, aged 72 years, burned to death at her home in Catskill. John Robb, aged 85 years, died at his home in Kiskatom of pneumonia. Judge Marcus Beach, a former Catskillian, died at his home in Jersey City, aged 82 years. The Rev. Anna Shaw and Harriet May Mills lectured in Catskill. Chauncey Richards, of Athens, walked off the dock at Catskill and was drowned. James B. Person, of Catskill, found dead in bed. Diphtheria broke out in Catskill kindergarten, a number of deaths following. Frank H. Russ lost two children. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Co. E in camp at Lake Mohegan, Capt. Saulpaugh in charge. Arthur M. Terns, of Kiskatom, crushed to death in an accident on the Catskill Mountain railroad. Alvert Van Santvoord president of the Day Line and also inter- ested in the Catskill Mt. and Otis Rys., died on his yacht. Dominic Petrol, employed on the Webber bridge, Catskill town, drowned in the creek at that place. Estimated expenditures of Catskill schools, $21560. Myrtle Wood, of Oak Hill, struck by lightning and killed. Citizens Hose Co. purchase new mirror parade carriage. Finest in the country. P. N. DuBois presents Catskill with Y. M. C. A. building. Clarence Garrison, of Catskill, killed by live wire, while working on the line near Broad street. Geo. W. Holdridge gets contract for public library. Three story boarding house of A. Amman destroyed by fire at Catskill. Mr. Amman and wife were at Valdez, Alaska. Big Firemen's fair at Catskill netted $1200. Ten Democratic and five Republican supervisors elected. Will- iam W. Rider, assemblyman; Judson A. Betts, county treasurer; Egbert Palmer, district attorney. Hotel license carried in Catskill by 42 votes. Hunter no license. Supervisors elected: Athens — W. C. Brady; Asland — Levi Thompkins; Cairo — Solon W. Stevens; Cats- kill — Charles A. Post; Coxsackie — D. Geroe Greene; Durham — Almerin Moore; Greenville — Orrin Stevens; Halcott — Lemuel Kelly; Hunter — Michael O'Hara; Jewett — Franklin Woodruff; Lexington— Clarence Tompkins; New Baltimore — C. V. Elmendorf; Prattsville — Elmer Krieger; Windham — Osborn Cole. Vincenzo Fragola killed by the cars at the West Shore depot. Abigal Crosby, aged 88 years, died at Catskill. Chauncey Smith dropped dead on Main street, Catskill. Farmers Telephone Co. organized in Cairo. CHRONOLOGY 1902. The Mountain Gazette published at Windham suspended. Fred Miller found dead in the barn at the Mower House, Cairo. John Townsend, of Greenville Center, found at his home so badly frozen that he could not recover. In a Washington's birthday reception at the Presbyterian church Justice Chase represented Washington and Judge Tallmadge Philip Schuyler. Fifty other Colonial characters were represented by Cats- killians, Charles G. Coffin, Judson A. Betts, Clarence Sage, Lucius Doty, Charles A. Elliott and Percy W. Decker being among the number. Hon. John A. Griswold died at his home on William street, Cats- kil, aged 79 years. Justice Sewell presided at March term of Supreme. Court, DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. High water on March 1st did great damage in Catskill. A pine tree cut on the Pratt farm at Oak Hill, measured 18 feet at the base, 65 feet to the first limb, 175 feet in height and rings indicated age of 235 years. Albert H. Ford kill at Athens by a falling derrick. Catskill public library opened. Thomas E. Ferrier died at Catskill, aged 81 years. Former sup- ervisor and county treasurer. Joseph Keeler died from chloroform accidentally spilled upon his bed during his sickness. He was an old resident of Catskill. Potter Palmer, uncle of Mrs. H. L. Boughton, of Catskill, died at Chicago, and remains were interred at Potters Hollow, his birthplace. He was born in 1826, conducted store at Durham, owned 95 houses in Chicago at time of great fire in 1870, all destroyed. He was worth $25,000,000. Bishop Burke confirmed class of 150 at St. Patrick's church at Catskill. 40,000 people burned to death in volcano eruption at St. Pierre, Martinique, greatest disaster of modern times. Catskill Shale Brick plant in hands of receiver. Geo. W. Holdridge given contract to build Catskill Y. M. C. A, Esquire Cowles died suddenly at Durham, aged about 76 years. Judge Sanderson died sitting in his chair, at the home of his daughter in Catskill. County judge in 1882 and in 1888, defeating M. B. Mattice each time. Firemen's convention in Catskill, June 17-18. Great days. William H. Tolley, of Athens, committed suicide by hanging. Sherwood Selleck dropped dead in the Nelida theatre while at- tending commencement exercises. Catskill firemen returned $500 to board of trustees. Sherman Sanford, of Greenville, cut his throat and was found dead. Barn of Charles Sherman at Leeds struck by lightning and destroyed. John Allen died at Acra, aged 83 years. John Eggelheimer drowned at Tannersville while fishing. One hundred people from Catskill made pilgrimage to Auriesville, the shrine of Father Jogues, the martyr of the Christian faith. Walter Fish killed by a fall from the West Shore bridge. Barn and stables of John Cunningham at Leeds destroyed by fire. Lee Betts, R. A. Obenaus, Van Person, Chief Henry R. Hinman and Mike Foley won prizes at State Firemen's convention at Hudson and Citizens Hose Co., of Catskill, a keg of beer. Steamer McManus, of Catskill Evening Line, destroyed by fire at her dock in New York. Tug boat Laurida burned at Athens, DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Greene County Firemen's convenion held at New Baltimore on Labor Day. Frank Nichols, of Athens, elected president. Frazer C. Hall, editor of the Recorder, died of brain hemmorhage. Teachers' Institute held at Cairo. Ice house of Nicholas Russell, Catskill, burned. Christ's church, Catskill, repaired, new windows put in and new pipe organ presented by Helen Mackey. Frank Cariglo was murdered by Peter Berzino at Coxsackie. William Graff, of Catskill, was drowned in the creek while at- tempting to pull up the boat anchor. Charles L. Beach died at his home in Catskill. He was born in a log house in Lexington in 1813. Autobiography on another page. Peter Conover, Robert Bonner's great horseman, committed sui- cide in Catskill by shooting himself. He trained Dexter. Albert Chase, of Hensonville, stricken with paralysis and died. Deceased was father of Judge Chase, of Catskill. He was 84 years of age. Other notice elsewhere. Bernard Smith held for attempt to murder Win, Friend at Urlton. Marco Luckich ground to death in a conveyor at the Catskill Cement company's plant. Capt. J. H. Baley, of Catskill, dropped dead on the street. Notice elsewhere. Charles A. Nichols elected assemblyman, Orin Q. Flint, school commissioner; J. B. Longendyke, coroner. County Republican by about five hundred. Remains of Kitty McLaughlin, of Catskill, found in river at Hyde Park. Her father was killed in a quarry, brother shot at Huntsville. Wardwell Van Bergen shot to death at Catskill Point by a darkey named Long. Oliver Bourke, of Catskill, died suddenly. Notice elsewhere. Carl Becker, of Alsen, murdered at Saugerties. Justice Herrick presided at November term of Supreme Court. Charles A. Post elected chairman of Board of Supervisors. Last of county bonds, $150,000, paid. Dr. Levi King died at Cairo at the age of 90 years. Bernard Smith and Robert Burns escaped from Catskill jail. CHRONOLOGY 1903. George Harding, of Philadelphia, built Hotel Kaaterskill. Edward Lampman, of Catskill, contractor. Otis Griffin, of Halcott, plowed up a gold watch. Charles G. Coffin, of Catskill, broke leg but continued to work, Hattie Borst, of Hunter, obtained a divorce. I. 1$, Baker, of Coxsackie, went into bankruptcy. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Rural delivery in Catskill May 1st. William O'Brien, Harry Lydecker, David Egnor, Tril Lynes and John Butler, carriers. Harry Lee coughed up a four-inch lizzard. Mrs. Charles Herdman, of Hunter, died under an operation. Philip Smith, of Catskill, veteran of the Franco-Prussian war, dropped dead. Great propeller launched from Baldwin's shipyard at New Balti- more. Peter Verzein shot and killed Frank Gargolio at Coxsackie. Robert Burns and John Smith escaped from Catskill jail. They hooked the keys from the wall by means of a long stick. Smith was recaptured. Andrew Johnson died at Coxsackie. Maggie Van Cott had 100 converts in a revival at Charlotteville. Trolley line projected from Catskill to Cairo and Middleburgh. James Hallenbeck shot a bear that crossed the Hopkins' place in Catskill. Methodist church at Centerville celebrated its 100th anniversary. Mrs. Van Cott assisted. First Baptist church at Catskill celebrated centennial. Herbert Day drowned at Coxsackie. Charles H. Cummings started paper at Palenville. Fred Trumpbour, of Palenville, built electric light plant at that place. William Steimitz fell off the high cliff at the Mountain House and escaped alive. George Williams, of East Durham, fell heir to $600. Jacob Fromer, of Tannersville presented the hose company with a lot for hose house. Old Maids' convention at Greenville netted $100. The Rev. C. G. Hazard, of Catskill, delegate to the General Assem- bly at Los Angeles, California. Catskill Foundry and Machine Works incorporated capitol $50,000. Robert Brink, an inmate of the Alms House, got $800 back pension. James Kiveland drowned at Catskill. Fifty Smiths from Greene county attended reunion of five hundred Smiths at Peapeck. Christ's Presbyterian church at Catskill celebrated centennial. The Rev. Chas. O. Day preached the sermon. Lionell R. Long tried for murder of Wardwell Van Bergen, shot at Catskill Point on steamboat. E. Palmer for people, G. H. Jones for defendant. Acquitted. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Samuel Austin, of Catskill, found dead in creek by Nieland brothers, fishermen. William Johnston committed suicide. Boiler exploded at Holcomb's saw mill in Palenville. Great wreck but not one killed. Catskill Y. M. C. A. dedicated on April first. New windows presented to St. Luke's church. Mrs. Van Cott conducted revival services at Ashland and Westerlo. Jeremiah Vosburgh, of Coxsackie, found dead in bed, aged 87 years. Ambrose Greene, of Urlton, aged 90 years, found dead in bed. Charles Garrighan, of Coxsackie, found dead in bed. Albany and Catskill Trolley Company organized. Charles E. Haines committed suicide at Cairo. John Richards committed suicide at Purling. Jacob Fromers' horse and wagon fell into the clove Canyon, six feet and escaped serious injury. William Ellis, war veteran, aged 87 years, found dead in bed at South Cairo. Kingston district conference of the Methodist church held in Catskill. Catskill town bridge carried away. Michael Moran, captain of barge and William Dwyer drowned. Patsey Williams, Fred Bigelow and Jack McNary carried down with the structure, but escaped alive. The flood did great damage throughout the county. New span cost $10,000. Ben Plusch built temporary structure. Windham village six feet under water. Marshall Day, West Athens, dropped dead, aged 55 years. Benjamin Brenn, of Catskill, committed suicide in cistern. Thomas Hall drowned at Four Mile Point. James Little, of New Baltimore, sent to Dannemora for 20 years for rape. Fred Van Dyke unearthed skeleton of indian on the Milton Palmer farm, near the indian fording place. Skeleton was in sitting posture. Frank Krom, of Purling shot when rabbit stepped on trigger of his gun which he had laid on the ground. Hunters with blood hounds killed a bear at Hunter. Durham creamery burned. Loss $4000. George A. Van Valkenburgh died at Lexington, aged 65 years. John R. Hicks, of Catskill, found dead in bed, aged 79 years. Henry F. Olmstead died suddenly, aged 89 years. Caroline Palmer, died at Greenville from cancer, aged 62 years. P. Clinton Lewis, formerly of Catskill, died at Boston, under an operation, DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Matthew Griffin died at Griffins Corners, aged 93 years. Joseph Keeler died at Catskill suddenly, aged 79 years. Sally Smith died at Catskill, aged 84 years. Mrs. R. H. Van Bergen died at Coxsackie, aged 86 years. Frederick Knowles died at Coxsackie, aged 91 years. Steven Bnnist, war veteran, died at Palenvillle, aged 79 years. Isaac Van Schaack died at Coxsackie, aged 84 years. Mrs. Mary Calhoun died at Greenville, aged 81 years. Daniel T. Lennon died at Palenville, aged 83 years. Sarah M. Fowler, aged 80 years, died at Clintondale, mother of Hon. Frank S. Decker, of Catskill. Mrs. A. N. Bentley, of Greenville, found dead in bed, aged 82 years. Oscar Edwards, of Catskill found dead in bed. Susan Nelson Fitchett, formerly of Catskill, died at Coxsackie, aged 92 years. George Roraback, of Westkill, died suddenly, aged 85 years. Joan Christopher Klepser, of Catskill, died at age of 81 years. Harvey Delamater, of Catskill, found dead in bed. Romantuds Lake, war veteran, died at Greenville. Lawrence Benton, war veteran, died at Durham. Remarkable death record — There were eighteen persons buried in Locust cemetery near Norton Hill during the past year. There was one over 100 years old at her death, three between 90 and 100, two between 80 and 90, four between 75 and 80, two between 60 and 70, two between 50 and 60, one between 40 and 50, two between 30 and 40, and one, the youngest, 23 years. CHRONOLOGY 1904. Boiler exploded in Hop o' Nose mill, several hurt. Percy Pindar, Charles Kiefer, Al Cole, George and Fred Pfiel and Harold Russ among the number. Mrs. Ellen Post, of Catskill, left $1500 to Carnegie library, $1000 to Y. M. C. A. and the income of $3000, $1000 to the First Baptist and $500 to the Reformed churches of Catskill. Mrs. Van Cott, aged 74 years, conducted two weeks' revival at Windham. Hudson River Ministerial Association met at Catskill. Capt. Charles Hallenbeck, pilot of the steamer Katterskill, drop- ped dead in New York. Mrs. Andrew Moore, aged 78 years, burned to death at Cornwall- ville. Justice Emory R. Chase entertained Greene County Bar Assn. Justice Howard presided at February term of Supreme Court. Rev. W. G. Price opened Business College at Freehold, also published Christian Echo. Failures, DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Assemblyman Charles A. Nichols fathers new equalization board law for Greene county. Justice Chase elected president Bar Association. Charles Sickles, aged 90 years, died at Athens. Robert Seaman, formerly of Catskill, died in New York at the age of 82. InVentor of the iron clad milk can and a millionaire. Happy Jack Kilroy fell from a piazza at Haines Falls and was killed. James H. Snyder died at Kiskatoni at the age of 82. School money, town of Catskill, $3775. Lyman Chidester died at Leeds at the age of 78. Lake Kiskatom Water Works Company incorporated. Hezekiah Dederick, aged 89 years, died at Drummond Falls. Captain George Edwards died at his home in Athens, 69 years. Abram Harkness, a war veteran, who suffered the horrors of Libby prison, died at his home in Hunter. Mrs. H. M. Mace, principal of the Catskill High school, succumbed to typhoid fever. Dr. Nelson Fanning, of Catskill, fell down stairs and was killed. The steam yacht of Frank Leek was dynamited at Athens. Geo. L. Arbanasius, paymaster at the Alsen Cement works, died as the result of blood poisoning from colored stockings. Robert Conine, of Catskill, was killed by C. M. Ry. train at Catskill Point. Milton J. Snyder, of Catskill, shot himself in the Landa woods and was missing ten days when found. Hon. Isaac Pruyn, aged 88 years, died at his home in Catskill June 2d. President of Catskill National bank for thirty-three years. Practiced law with John Van Vleck. Engineer B. E. Conklin, of Catskill, of the fated steamer Slocum, stuck to his post while hundreds were burned to death. Cyrus C. Ballou, of Catskill, fell from a cherry tree and was killed. Conrad J. Droogan, a Catskill lawyer, found dead in bed at the Smith House. Addison S. Hayes, of Hensonville, a one-armed veteran, died sud- denly at that place. Estimate expense of Catskill schools, $23505. Frank Lampman drowned in the creek at Catskill. Barns on the Martin Van Sylke place at Coxsackie destroyed by Are. Charles Prediger, of Catskill, drowned in creek. Frank Deane died at Greenville, aged 79 years. Father of Super- visor J. Henry Deane, of Catskill. Alexander Pausley died at his home in Athens, aged 71 years. Hudson River Holiness school opened by the Rev. W. Albrecht DEAR OLD GREENE tiOTJNTt. at Catskill September 6th. Dismal failure. Bills still unpaid. For- mer principal of academy at Greenville. Harry Overbaugh, of Catskill, killed in a sewer cave-in at Saug- erties. Frank Smith, of Athens, drowned in the river at Hudson. Victor Brandeis committed suicide at the Salisbury Manor, Leeds, blowing his head off with a shot gun. James J. McDermott found dead in the woods near Green Lake. Company C encamped at Binghamton. Hudson River Baptist Association met at Catskill. Thomas Reilly, of Coxsackie, had the top of his head blown off by the accidental discharge of his gun while hunting, rabbits. Daniel H. Link saved coupons from tobacco packages and got a $300 piano. William Walters and wife slashed to the point of death by Jack and Charles Deer, who also threw stones through the windows and shot-up the house George Proctor killed while operating a threshing machine near Catskill. One foot was cut off and he bled to death. Charles Truesdell, of Prattsville, was killed by a companion while shooting at a target. St. Patrick's academy at Catskill received gold medals from the St. Louis exposition for excellent work of pupils. Company E celebrates its 25th anniversary October 3rd. Ad- • dresses were made by Col. Sage, A. M. Murphy, Senator Bloodgood, Justice Emory A. Chase, Alderman Thorpe, Postmaster Doty, Judge Tallmadge, Supervisor P. G. Coffin, County Treasurer J. A. Betts and Dr. Englert, former members, and by Contractor George W. Holdridge, who built the armory. Last great races at the Catskill driving park. Kingston district conference held at Coxsackie. Peter and Fred Cornell, of Catskill, shot 71 partridge and 33 woodcock on a hunting trip. Carrie D, Hotchkiss, of Catskill captured a big owl measuring 24 inches. Republicans swept Greene county. Roosevelt 700. William J. Hughes elected county treasurer. Justice Kellogg presided over November term of Supreme Court. The Rev. Alfred Demarest, former pastor of Catskill Reformed church, died suddenly while getting ready to go abroad. John Seers, of Leeds, sentenced to four years imprisonment for bigamy. John Ageo killed by the cars at Alsen. Lewis Wolf, steamboat man, died suddenly at Athens, aged 76 dear old grEene cotJntY. years. Treasurer Evening Line, president of Hudson River Ice Co. County indebtedness reduced to $80,000. Michael O'Hara chairman of Board of Supervisors. Henry S. Van Orden supervisor from Catskill. Citizens Hose company's fair netted $1200. CHRONOLOGY 1905. Nile Linzey drowned in the Catskill creek while skating. Isaac Van Loan died suddenly at Athens from paralysis. Annual meeting of Bar Association at Catskill. Justice Emory A. Chase presided. William Brandow died at South Jewett, aged 80 years. Justice Howard presided at February term of Supreme Court. Richard Jones, 82 years, and wife, 78 years, died at Greenville in same week. The Newkirk house at Sandy Plains destroyed by fire. H. Leroy Austin, of Catskill, appointed chief accountant in comp- troller's office at Albany. Art exhibition at Carnegie library at Catskill. Palenville and Kiskatom Telephone Company organized. Vernon E. Ford, of Catskill died following an accident at his saw mill in Catskill. His leg was amputated. "Alone in London" by Cairo amateurs, netted $250. St. Patrick's fair at Athens was a great success. Frances Wilcox, bTdest teacher in the county, died at the age of 76 years at Catskill. Jane Johnson, the last slave in Greene county, died at Catskill, having been a servant in the Mann family over 30 years. Three cases of spotted fever appeared at Palenville. All three died. Catskill fishermen captured many carp weighing from 24 to 44 pounds in the creek. Charles A. Gumier committed suicide by jumping into the river at Catskill Point. School money for Greene county, $27,725. John H. Brink, of Haines Falls, killed by the cars at Alsen. Thomas F. Botsford, a prominent resident of Catskill, died suddenly. Frank Knoll elected president of the Deuter Untersteutungsverein of Catskill. Maggie Van Cott in great revival at Jefferson, Iowa. Woodbridge King, aged 92 years, died at his home in West Athens. Frank Schmidt, of Catskill, champion at gun practice on the battleship Illinois. District Attorney Pierre S. Jennings passed through successful appendicitis operation. SflAR OLD GREENE COUNtf*. Albert Boshardt drowned at Smith's Landing. Charles Vedder, of Coxsackie, fell overboard and was drowned from the City of Hudson. Henry S. Mace died at Catskill at the age of 89 years. Four men terribly injured in a dynamite explosion at the Cats- kill Cement works. Charles Waterman died at Ashland at the age of 90 years. Enos V. Smith, of Coxsackie, found dead in his wagon. Joseph Hertack, of Windham, walked off the dock and was drowned at Catskill. Had been missing about ten days from home. S. B. Sage died at his home in Catskill, aged 68 years. Born in Prattsville 1836, educated there. Assemblyman from Grfeene county 1897-8-9. Also under-sheriff in 1880. Judge Cochrane presided at June term of Supreme Court. Citizens Hose Co. of Catskill wore new white suits at Mt. Vernon and were headed by the Astor drum corps of New York, 35 pieces. Peter Dambrowski committed suicide at the hotel of A. Allulis in Catskill. Catskill public library reports 6261 volumes. New Methodist church at South Cairo dedicated. Charles E. Smith, of Coxsackie, jumped from his motor car and struck on his head killing him. Margaret Herrick, oldest women in Greene county, died at Catskill, aged 96 years. Estimated expenditures for Catskill Schools, $24,484. Company E qualified 25 men on the state rifle range. John Gill, aged 79 years, died at Athens. Greene county fiermen's convention held at Catskill Labor Day. Hensonville band, Hunter band, Hudson band, Catskill band, Pruyn Drum Corps, Hudson, Hunter and Catskill companies represented in parade. Jacob Promer elected president of association. Isaac Spoor died at West Coxsackie, aged 84 years. Emerson Ford, of Durham, James Hughes, of Stuyvesant Palls, and Eugene Wayne, of Catskill, appointed Equalization Board for Greene County. POUR DROWNED— Mary C. Bedell, Jennie L. Bedell, of New York, Sarah Brown, of Brooklyn, and Margaret McKay, of Coxsackie, drowned at Hudson when the Powers ran into the Young America, the boat being sunk. Henry Van Valkenburgh, of Coxsackie, was killed at that place by the cars. He was driving a manure spreader. DEAR OLD GREECE COUNTY. Otis Stevens shot Edward Griffin at the Golden Stairs hotel at Catskill. Greene County Sunday School convention held at Cornwallville. The remains of William Wilkinson, of Catskill, were taken from the river at Maiden. Case a mystery. William Wood, of Coxsackie, committed suicide by drowning. Atlantic City Guards encamped in Catskill. The Presbytery of Columbia met at Tannersville. Henry Layman, of Catskill, caught a carp weighing 75 pounds. William Layman, of Catskill, fell from a ladder at Oak Hill while picking apples and was killed. Harry E. Norton killed by a Catskill trolley car. Daniel Glennon, of Catskill, died at the age of 93 years. Supervisors Board a tie, seven Democrats, seven Republicans. Wm. C. Brady elected to assembly. Leslie Tompkins and William N. Anderson elected school commissioners. Cairo Electric Light Company building $80,000 plant at Woodstock. Catskill Mountain and Mohawk Valley Railroad incorporated. Justice Hasbrouck presided at November term of Supreme Court. Michael O'Hara chairman of Board of Supervisors. George B. Van Valkenburgh clerk. Greene County equalization, $12,762,677. Morrison Brooks, of Athens, found dead in bed, aged 71 years. The Supervisors elected are — Ashland, Homer E. Tompkins, R; Athens, J. K. Van Woert, R; Cairo, Chas. Jones, D; Catskill, H. S. Van Orden, R; Coxsackie, W. T. Haswell, R; Durham, T. I. Smith, R; Greenville, Henry Botsford, R; Hunter, Renwick Dibble, D; Halcott, L. J. Deamer, D; Jewett, Geo. Chase, R; Lexington, Geo. Moore, D; New Baltimore, B. Van Slyke, R; Prattsville, E. Krieger, D; Wind- ham, S. D. Ford, D. William S. Berrs burned to death. Howard Boughton, one of Catskill's foremost citizens died as he was about to retire for the night. Born at Windham 1849, came to Catskill in 1865. Was in business with L. R. Doty. Very successful business man. Waldo Schmidt found dead in the lots near Summit Hill House, Catskill. He had been hunting, and shot himself by accident. Capt. Geo. R. Benter, formerly of Catskill, died in >lew York. Julius Colwick, of Alsen, was buried in a bin of cement at that place and killed. George Trumpbour, aged 69 years, died at Palenville. Sally Davis, aged 92 years, died at Oak Hill. Ch 16 DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. CHRONOLOGY 1906. William Ford, of Cairo, enlisted and went to Philippines. Nelson S. Bloom died from stroke of paralysis at Oak Hill. Oscar Greene dropped dead at Coxsackie. Hart House at Catskill Point destroyed by fire. Bolivar Newbury, one of the early manufacturers of power presses for printing, died at Coxsackie, at the age of 82 years. A crazy man called on the Rev. I. H. Hoag, at Leeds, and an- nounced that God had sent him to kill him. The pastor side stepped him, and the sheriff got the quarry. Ned Mirles, of Catskill, killed by the cars at Alsen. » Justice Howard presided at February term of the Supreme Court. Greene County Bar Association met at the Palmer House, Catskill. Justice Chase presided. Arthur M. Murphy read paper on Judge Osborn. Dr. Henry L. Whitbeck, a former resident of Greenville, killed his wife, Emmaline Haight, of Freehold with a tack hammer and then blew the top of his own head off with a rifle. John Paige died at the home of his daughter in Coxsackie at the aged of 87 years. Abram Sickles, aged 65 years, tried to cross the river on the ice at Coxsackie and was drowned. Truman Gillett, a former Catskillian and private secretary of Thurlow Weed, died at his home in Chicago, aged 87 years David Davis, of Union Society, died at the age of 82 years. John Slattery, a prominent resident of Athens died at that place following a stroke of paralysis. George H. Vedder, of Leeds, a graduate of Harvard college pub- lishes magazine at La Hacienda. William Raney died at Coxsackie of pneumonia. The Rev. John W. Gorse, aged 80 years, died at Catskill. Tev. Rev. C. G. Hazard, the Rev. E. P. Miller, The Rev. Wm. Fitz- gerald, the Rev. Robert Knapp, William Van Orden, F. S. Lynes, Orrin Day, James P. Philip, William Palmatier and P. Gardner Coffin com- mittee to raise funds for San Francisco earthquake sufferers. Arthur Coggswell, of Athens, killed by the cars. Antonio Gentillio killed by the cars at Coxsackie. Ransom Thome, oldest resident or Freehold, died from heart trouble. The Presbytery of Columbia met in Catskill. Large attendance. Norman Francis, of Oak Hill, found dead in his room. Walter Dederick, of Catskill, fell against buzz saw he was operat- ing in lumb camp at Leeds and had his leg cut off. He recovered. Charles Thatcher dropped dead on Mansion street at Coxsackie. 17 DEAR OLD greeiJe COUNTY. Mrs. Margaret Ensign, formerly of Coxsackie, lost all her posses- sions in the San Francisco disaster. Elder E. P. Pratt, of Oak Hill, representative to General Assembly at Des Moines. Jacob Promer, of Hunter, passed through serious operation at Albany hospital. Amount sent from Catskill to San Pranscio by committee, $2829; other sources, St. Patrick's church, 150 and Reformed church, $59. Albert Hoffman, of Coxsackie, committe d suicide by taking strychnine. Joseph Ostrander ,of Tannersville, committed suicide by taking arsenic. Charles Young drove to Oak Hill, tied his horse and then went into the barn and cut his throat with a jack knife. He died. The body of Joseph Pulaski, of Catskill, found in the river. Willis S. Post died at Palenville at the age of 71 years. Albert Chase, father of Justice Emory A Chase, died at Henson- ville, aged 84 years. William Garrison, aged 77 years, while hunting rats shot himself and died instantly. Buildings of J. G. Newbury at Coxsackie destroyed by fire. Loss 118,000.00. Justice Pitts presided at June term of the Supreme Court. Citizens Hose Company, of Catskill, paraded at Rensselaer. Ninety-first annual meeting of Greene County Bible Society at Catskill. Lucius E. Tuttle and Mrs. Tuttle were shot July 4th as the closing event of a celebration. The shot was fired by Italians on Water street, and they were never apprehended. Mr. Tuttle died instantly and Mrs. Tuttle finally recovered. The bullet passed through her body. Company E spent 10 days in camp at Fleischmans. The upper town bridge at Catskill blown up by dynamite. Hiram Bogardus, former school commissioner of county, died at Coxsackie, of gangrene. He was 74 years of age. Mrs. Edgar Poole found dead in her home on Broome street, at Coxsackie. Clayton Bump, a Catskill veteran of the Spanish war committed suicide at Albany, using gas and chloroform. Hendrick Hudson steamer, of the Day Line, made first trip on August 23rd. Commodore William B. Nelson died suddenly at Catskill. Great firemen's celebration at Hunter on Labor Day. Teachers' Institute held at Catskill. W. N. Anderson and Leslie Tompkins, commissioners. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. David Layman killed at Washburn brick yard at Catskill by a falling derrick. Jacob Fromer elected president Greene County Firemen's Assn. Barns of Omar Mackey at Oak Hill destroyed by fire. Kingston District Conference held in Catskill Methodist church. Greene County Sunday School Convention held at Palenville. Sixty-three schools in the county. Alvin Brewer found dead in bed at his home in Catskill. John Post, of Catskill, celebrated his 97th birthday. Ice house of New Jersey Company, at Smith's Landing destroyed by fire. George Burleigh, a Civil War veteran, died at AtheriB, at the age of 72 years. Steamers Adirondack and Saratoga in collision below Catskill. Two dead, many hurt. Kennedy Valve Works at Coxsackie, damaged to extent of $9000 by fire. Morris Guards encamped at Catskill. John W. Rusk, of Haines Falls, invents steam wagon, also process of printing 50 photographs a minute. Greene county gave Hughes for governor plurality of 500. W. C. Brady elected member of assembly; E. A. Gifford, district attorney; J. C. Tallmadge, county judge; Ira T. Tolley ,sup't of county house, and Hardy Stewart, sheriff. Henry S. Van Orden elected chairman and Geo. B. Van Valken- burgh clerk to Board of Supervisors. Board — Ashland, Homer Tomp- kins; Athens, J. K. Van Woert; Cairo, Charles P. Jones; Catskill, Henry S. Van Orden; Coxsackie, W. T. Haswell; Durham, T. I. Smith; Greenville, Henry Botsford; Hunter, Renwick Dibble; Halcott, L. J. Deamer; Jewett, Geo. H. Chase; Lexington, Geo. Moore; New Balti- more, Brand Van Slyke; Prattsville, Elmer Krieger, and Windham, Sidney L. Ford. Thomas Brown, aged 78 years, a war veteran, an old time whaler, died at Freehold. Work commenced on new concrete bridge at Catskill. Maggie Van Cott held revival meetings at Pittsfield and Baltimore. J. B. North, of Tannersville, a brakeman, was killed by a fall from his train. Company E entertained Board of Supervisors. Thomas Regan fell off a high bank at Alsen in the night and was killed. Greene county Board of Supervisors vote unanimously for state roads. CHRONOLOGY 1907. Edward Butler, of Coxsackie, was murdered on the road near Troy. tlEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. J. T. Henderson died suddenly at the Smith House, Catskill. Jane Walsh found dead in bed at Woodstock. Catskill Trolley Company went into hands of a receiver. Hiram Goff, of Catskill, committed suicide at his boarding place, taking carbolic acid. William H. Denton and Laura Denton, old people, burned to death in a fire that destroyed their residence near Cairo. James Van Tran, a civil war veteran, died at Prattsville, from gangrene in his foot. He lived four years after the disease set in and one by one he cut off his toes with a pocket knife. The Rev. C. G. Hazard, of Catskill, attended the Hague Tribunal. Frank Norton drowned in the creek at Catskill. Monroe Truesdell, of Lexington, youngest soldier in federal army, being fourteen when he enlisted. He was a' member of Warrens and Sheridans staff. Wounded at Winchester. In lumber business at East Jewett. Eleanor C. Heermance endows Hermance Memorial Library at Coxsackie, leaving $60,000 for that purpose. William G. Plank, Grand Army veteran, of Cairo, passed away, aged 70 years. Chauncey Dixson, of Catskill, rounded out 100 years. War veter- an. Mrs. Dixson died at the age of 103. Kate Dunlap, of Windham, tried to deal in liquors at that place and it cost her $200 fine, ana not having the money she went to Jail. Tenth annual convention of the American Zionists held at Tan- nersville. Ribbel Hess drowned in the river at Catskill. Robert Scott, of Catskill, a Grany Army veteran, died at Cairo at the age of 87 years. Jacob Makeley, a Cairo farmer, committed suicide by taking laudinum. Walter Mott, of Catskill, died of strangulated hernia at his home in that place, aged 76 years. The new concrete bridge at Catskill opened with a celebration and fireworks in the evening. Barn of Burton Van Derzee at Coxsackie destroyed by fire, the building being struck by lightning. Cooper shop of Howard Carey and dwelling of Edward Dixson at West Coxsackie burned. Store of Nicholas D. Onifrio at Athens destroyed by fire. success. Major Leroy Palmer, a Catskill boy, returned to the Philippines. The council tree of the Mohican Indians, located on the Casper Hallenbeck farm at Coxsackie, struck by lightningand destroyed. It was under this tree that the Indians met to sell land to Jan Bronk, DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Martee Genisee Van Bergen and Jan Jacobse Hallenbeck. William Curtis, of Kiskatom, died from gas poisoning while at work in a well at his place. Forty-ninth annual convention of the Greene County Sunday School Association held at Catskill. Store of C. I. Collier, at Coxsackie, partially destroyed by fire. The Rev. John B. Thompson, former pastor of the Catskill Re- formed church died at Trenton, aged 77 years. The Greene County Firemen's 19th annual convention was held at Coxsackie. Hanah Pierce died at Kiskatom at the age of 95 years. Ford H. Clegg, of Leeds, died as the result of injuries when he jumped out of a window at his home, during his sleep. Annual meeting of the Greene County Bible Society held at the Reformed church in Catskill. The first horseless wagon said to have been made by Peter Van Hoesen, of Leeds, who lost all his money trying to perfect the machine. Morris Guards encamped at Catskill. Thomas Whitlock, of Brooklyn, in his 92nd year visits Catskill. A friend of General Lafayette. Past master Odd Fellows over 53 years. Order of Forresters organized at Catskill. Angelo Sission first chief. Levi M. Francis, a veteran of the civil war, suicided at his home in Catskill, taking strychnine. St. Patrick's church at Athens dedicated. Bishop Burke officiated. Thomas Bell, of Catskill, died suddenly at the age of 81 years. Edward Smith dropped dead at his home in Athens. Mrs. Jennie Olm, of Catskill, gets verdict of $9000 for death of her husband who was killed by the cars near Hudson. Ten Democrats and four Republicans elected supervisors. The Board: Franklin Finch, Ashland; Elmore Mackey, Athens; Charles P. Jones, Cairo; Charles A. Post, Catskill; William B. Townsend, Coxsackie; W. S. Borthwick, Durham; N. Sanford, Greenville; Ren- wick Bibble, Hunter; L. Van Valkenburgh, Halcott; Geo. H. Chase, Jewett; V. R. Kirke, Lexington; Ezra H. Palmer, New Baltimore; Elmer Krieger, Prattsville; Dr. Sidney Ford, Windham. Judson A. Betts, County Treasurer. Pierre S. Jennings, District Attorney. Wm. C. Brady, Member of Assembly. Durham no license by six votes. James B. Mitchell, wat veteran and 13 months in Andersonville prison, fell down stairs and died a few hours later. Justice Fitts presided over Dcember term of Supreme Court. Maggie Myers, aged 60 years, indicted for keeping house of ill repute. Sixty days in prison. E. S Hay dropped dead in the office of the Catskill Recorder. County budget for the year $82,206. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Jeremiah Dean died at New Baltimore. He was 76 years of age. Was for three years on awhale vessel. In California during the gold excitement. He was an uncle of Supervisor J. H. Deane, of Catskill. CHRONOLOGY 1908. Aaron Wynkoop, of Cairo, drowned in the creek at South Cairo, attempting to cross the stream while intoxicated. The new school building on the West Side in Catskill completed by Contractor Geo. W. Holdridge, at a cost of about $30,000 Rene Rowlinson, of Windham, burned to death at the Smith House in Catskill, his clothing catching fire in some unknown manner. Charles A. Post, of Catskill, elected chairman of Board of Super- visors; George B. Van Valkenburgh, clerk. The barn of Newton Spoor, at Coxsackie, valued at $3,000, de- stroyed by fire. Residence of Peter Pitchett, near Coxsackie, destroyed by fire. Supervisor Franklin Pinch, one of the leading citizens of Ashland, passed away at his home after his return from a meeting of the Board of Supervisors. He was 63 years of age. Marry E. Garrison found dead in her home at Indian Ridge. Mrs. Catherine Goodwin, aged 82 years, died at Palenville. Philip Preese, died at Purling, at the age of 80 years. Tannersville and Cairo want county seat located at these places. Judge Clearwater presided at February term of Supreme Court. Wilbur Brown died at Catskill, aged 58 years. Tannersville offers to raise $100,000 to have county buildings located there. Trustee Charles A. Elliott offers site for court house in Catskill. Frederick S. Lynes, a prominent Catskillian died at the age of 84 years. Forty years sup't of First Baptist Sunday school. Greene county Board of Supervisors met at Catskill and decided to locate building there and to spend $150,000 for new court house. The vote to locate in Catskill was 11 to 3. It was also decided to locate the buildings on Bridge and Main streets, and Messrs. Post, Krieger, Dibble and Chase, of the Board of Supervisors were appointed a committee to secure plans, etc. Mass meeting of Citizens of Catskill held at court house in the matter of new buildings. New sites proposed. Estimated that site of lands will cost $47,000 on Bridge and Main streets. Emory A. Chase re-elected president of Bar Association. Burton Whitbeck shot and killed his wife, Maude B. Whitbeck in front of their home at West Coxsackie and then committed suicide in the barn of his uncle, John Curtin. The remains of Fred Brandy were taken froni the Catskill creek DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. below the bridge. He had been missing for six weeks. Emanuel J. Hill, former resident of Catskill, and steamboat man, died in Brooklyn at the age of 84 years. Philip Spencer fell from the dock at the pumping station in Cats- kill and was drowned. Celebration of Old Home Week in Catskill, October 4-7. Great parades, carnival, fireworks, athletic sports on race track, and ball game following day. Hon. Wm. P. Piero made the principal address. Catskill was thronged with guests all the week. Michael Doherty found dead in his home at Coxsackie. Governor Hughes given a rousing welcome in Catskill. The committee passed a resolution of thanks to Chairman J. P. Philip for his services and zeal which made Old Home Week a great success. William H. Taft, president, carried Greene county by 478; Hughes, governor, 263; Brady, assembly, 290; Tompkins, commissioner, 488; Longendyke, corner, 488. Justice Pitts presided at November term of Supreme Court. The Malcolm Mill went out of business at Catskill. District Attorney Pierre S. Jennings had 30 cases before grand jury. Jas. Cartan, of Catskill, held for attempt to poison his wife. Sentenced to 18 years imprisonment. Henry Limbrick, Catskill's oldest resident, died, aged 93 years. Elmer Overbaugh, of Palenville, went after pitch to make gum and did not return. His body was found in the creek. Set of resolution presented to Bank President J. P. Philip by Old Home Week committee. Addresses made by Rev. Clark Wright, Will- iam E. Thorpe, Village President Charles A. Elliott and Senator Bloodgood. Shops of the Catskill Mountain railroad at the Point destroyed by fire. Charles A. Elliott attends session of Hudson Pulton committee in New York. Michael O'Hara, of Tannersville, appointed county superintendent of highways. $150,000 appropriated for Pulton Celebration; $5,000 for Catskill. Bonded indebtedness of town of Catskill, $73,500, of which $42,- 000 was for concrete bridge. Work commenced on steamer Robert Pulton. Company E entertained Board of Supervisors. Prank Packer, of Catskill, successfully treated for lock jaw, being first case on record. Catskill Civil Organization expended $1072 for the year. Omar V. Sage president. Mrs. Mary Griffin burned to death by the explosion of a lamp at Ashland, DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. CHRONOLOGY 1909. Dominic Sabbatani drowned at Catskill Point New Years Day attempting to cross on the ice. Charles Paddock found dead in bed at his home in Purling. He was 78 years of age. Bank President J. P. Philip and wife, of Catskill, leave on a three- months' tour of Europe, January 31, 1909. J. P. Philip and wife sailed for Egypt. Sarah Timmerman died at Palenville at the age of 86 years. John Costigan, aged 77 years, dropped dead at the residence of Joseph Malcolm. John Huested died suddenly at Cairo, aged 77 years. Barn of Silas Finch at Cairo destroyed by fire. Mrs. Willis A. Haines elected Worthy Matron O. E. Stars. Harry Boyne, of Catskill, received 15,000 volts of electricity from Woodstock high tension wire, rendered unconscious but recovered. Charles R. Howard, a prominent resident of Tannersville died at that place. Eight hundred people attended his funeral. Justice Howard presided at the February term of the Supreme Court. Eugene Kurau, foreman of grand jury. Annual banquet of Bar Association held at Catskill. Catskill Gun Club held banquet at Smith House, Catskill. Catskill Masons held annual banquet at Y. M. C. A. hall. Rip Van Winkle Club held annual banquet at Smith House. Asbury Ringman, driver on the Oak Hill stage, was killed at Eagle Bridge in a runaway accident. Rig went off the bank into the creek. Mrs. Z. A. Pratt had hip broken. Three other people hurt. A number of liquor dealers fined $200 each for violation of the tax. law Annual banquet of Brotherhood of Reformed church at Catskill. Mass meeting held at Catskill on water question. Nothing settled. William Hamm killed by fall at the ice house of Smith and Haines at Catskill. Maggie Van Cott, aged 89 years, closed successful revival at Claverack, Columbia county. George Doyle, a workman, was ground to death in a machine at the Catskill Cement works. Corporation counsel Arthur M. Murphy died suddenly from blood poisoning. A very successful lawyer and prominent member of St. Patrick's church at Catskill. Citizens Hose Company celebrated 40th anniversary. Catskill Millenial Dawnists decide that the world will come to an end in 1914. Justice Fitts presided at April term of Supreme Court DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Rip Van Winkle produced in the woods at Palenville. A great The grand jury had but three cases to consider. George W. Holdridge appointed receiver of the Catskill Trolley Company. Jacob Miller, of Hunter, committed suicide by taking Paris green. Lydia P. Millard, aged 80 years, died at her home in Catskill. Mystic Five basketball team played 59 games, winning 33. The Arch Deaconry of Albany met at St. Luke's church, Catskill. Barns and residence of John Lind at Sandy Plains destroyed by fire. Famous stone house, erected in 1751, on Cauterskill road, torn down. Catskill Savings Bank's new home finished and opined for busi- ness. W. I. Jennings, president. Jacob June, war veteran, aged 70 years, died at Lime Street. Company E encamped at Fort Ticonderoga. Eddie Shepard thrown from a horse in the races at Cairo and injured so badly that he died. Sanford Overbaugh walked off the open end of the Catskill draw bridge, escaping with a broken a r m. Town settled for $250. G. W. Holdridge awarded contract to pave Main street at Cats- kill for sum of $10,769. Citizens Hose Company attended State Firemen's Convention at Po'keepsie and got a very raw deal. The Wiley mill at Catskill closed on account of hard times. Maria Clute died at Coxsackie at the age of 86 years. Wilbur Funk, conductor of the Catskill trolley, killed by a fall while boarding his car at Leeds. Richard Phelan, a Grand Army veteran, died suddenly at Leeds. Washington Kennedy, a former resident of Catskill, died at Kingston at the age of 84 years. Joseph Porter hanged himself in a shed at Athens. Democrats elect entire county ticket: J. Lewis Patrie, member of assembly; Abram Post, sheriff; George B. Van Valkenburgh, county clerk; Ira T. Tolley, superintendt. Democratic Supe r visors: Elmore Maekey, Athens; Charles P. Jones, Cairo; J. Henry Deane, Catskill; Lorenzo Van Valkenburgh, Halcott; E. B. Goslee, Hunter; W. H. Woodworth, Jewett; Herbert Kipp, Lexington; H. J. Miller, New Balti- more; Elmer Krieger, Prattsville; S. L. Ford, Windham. Republican Supervisors: Frank Dodge, Ashland; Dayton B. Smith, Coxsackie; W. S. Borthwick, Durham, and Truman L. Ingalls, Greenville. Seven barns burned in town of Jewett, incendiary. Detectives employed to get evidence. Four men arrested. No one convicted. William McManus, of Drummond Falls house, Palenville, died at the age of 80 years. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Charles A. Post, chairman Board of Supervisors, George B. Van Valkenburgh, clerk. Frank Sanger killed at Alsen cement works. West Shore station at Catskill destroyed by fire. Catskill Board of Trade organized December 7th. Catskill's league basketball team, with Ma tthe ws, G r obe, Deer, Hallenbeck and Boyne, defeated Newburgh, ^aterson, Hudson, Yon- kers, Po'keepsie and Troy, winning their first six games. Mrs. Hannah Osborn, of Windham, fell down stairs while walking in her sleep. She was 88 years of age. The accident resulted in her death. She was the mother of Counselor Frank H. Osborn, of Catskill. CHRONOLOGY 1910. Board of Supervisors appropriated $35,000 for jail, court house and grounds. Ann Overbaugh, aged 91 years, died at her home in Catskill. Emauel and Carl Nufia burned to death in. tool house of West Shore railroad at New Baitlmore. Atlas Cement Company's buildings at Hudson destroyed by fire. Loss $100,000. Catskill Trolley line sold to Wm. C. Wood for $33,000. Hotel of M. P. McCabe burned. Loss $9,000. Harry Holdridge, of Catskill, killed by hte cars at Alsen. Dr. Sidney L. Ford elected chairman of Board of Supervisors, William B. Townsend, clerk. J. Holmes King committed suicide at Palenville, taking chloroform. William H. Bogardus commenced action against Catskill village for $10,000. Miss May Hoy voted most popular young lady in Catskill. Charles Roorke, of Catskill, smothered in a bin at the Alsen cement works. Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Philip presented the Catskill Reformed church with $500. William Shryver, son of William Schryver, of Tannersville, killed by the cars at Saugerties. Hotel of Stephen Shufelt burned at Haines Falls. Hotel of Charles Speenburgh burned at Catskill. . Harry Van Valkenburgh was killed by the cars at West Athens. Nellie and Lewis Desco, of Catskill, completely recoved from malformation after operation made possible by County Clerk Geo. B. Van Valkenburgh. Both would have been cripples for life. Daniel J. Barnaby, of Coxsackie, run down by automobile and killed in New York city. Stanley Luciskis murdered at Cementon by parties unknown. A million dollar improvement wiped out by fire at the Burden iron mines opposite Catskill. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. William Freese and Elias Lasher elected trustees of Catskill. Assemblyman J. Lewis Patrie gets teachers' pension bill passed. Dominic Leone, of Cairo, killed while attempting to get on train at Cairo. Barn of Sylvanus Story at Gayhead struck by lightning and destroyed. Hon. O. V. Sage elected president of Catskill Civic Society. Justice Le Boeuf presided at April term of Supreme court. Egbert Bogart, an old time resident of Palenville, died of cancer. Bank President J. P. Philip and wife visited the West Indies and the scene of the great disaster at' Martinique. Citizens Hose Co. produced the Passing Show. Receipts $1200. Contractor Geo. W. Holdridge laid pavement in Main street. Moses Covel killed in runaway accident at Catskill. Mrs. Giles Sutton dropped dead at her home in Leeds. Chauncey Wolcott, of South Cairo, died following an operation. Senator Addison P. Jones died at his home in Catskill, aged 87 year. He started business in Catskill in 1840. Fred Lewis, of Saugerties, Nettie Naylor, Mabel Van Valkenburgh and L. B. Decker, of Catskill, all badly injured in automobile accident. All recovered. John and Richard Doyle and Harry Abeel playing with matches in a barn at Saugerties set fire to the building and were burned to death. Steamer Po'keepsie burned to the water's edge at Highland. Loss $100,000. The Misses Bedell present Baptist church at Catskill with $1200. Stephen Edwards drowned in creek at Catskill while swimming. Seaboard Cement Company organized with capital of $7,000,000. Plant not finished and company failed. Harold McKenzie pitching for Catskill shut out Albany Troy, Hudson Fultons and Hudson Professions, two games 1-0 and 0-0, thirteen innings, and let Stottville down with one run, six successive games. Barn of Charles A. Vedder at Leeds destroyed by fire. Loss $3000. Joseph Steele fell overboard at Coxsackie with a bag of coal and was drowned. Residence of Norman Van Hoesen of Leeds destroyed by fire. He fell down stairs with a lighted lamp which exploded. Wiley Knitting Co. at Catskill, went into hands of a receiver. Residence of Hiram Wilcox on Allen street, Catskill, destroyed by fire. H. Leroy Austin, of Catskill, appointed game commissioner of state. He thereupon resigned the office of district attorney of Greene county. Orin Q. Flint appointed in his place. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Liquor tax money from Greene county, $24,847. Morgan Brookfleld killed by trollev car near Spooky Hollow. William P. Fiero elected senator; Judson A. Betts, county treas- urer; J. Lewis Patrie, member of assembly; Howard C. Wilbur, district attorney, and Sidney L. Ford, coroner. Philip Van Orden found dead at his home in Catskill. Storehouse of Catskill Evening Line gutted by fire. Egbert Dodge, aged 88 years, died at Ashland. A pioneer of that town. CHRONOLOGY 1911. Emerson Ford, equalization commissioner of Greene county, died suddenly at his home in Oak Hill. Dr. J. B. Longendyke, coroner of Greene county, died in the hospital at Kingston. Charles G. Coffin, prominent citizen of Catskill passes away. The Rev. S. W. Roe died at Cairo, at the age of 84 years. Chauncey Dixson, died at Catskill at the age of 103 years. He was born at Greenville and was a veteran of the G. A. R. Barn of James Majilton at Catskill burned. Eugene Campbell frozen to death near Coxsackie. Catskill Poultry association organized. Vitaliano Trepas tried for murder of Joseph Genoveso at Alsen. Verdict was not guilty. Emory A. Chase re-elected president of Greene County Bar Assn. The parsonage of the Christian church wrecked by dynamite bomb. House completely wrecked but every member of the pastor's family escaped injury. Pierre S. Jennings, former district attorney, died at the age of 37 years, death being due to consumption, Residence of B'enelon C. Kniffen at Catskill destroyed by fire. Bank President J. P. Philip and wife made trip to the Sandwich Islands, visiting the great volcano. William B. Mattice died suddenly at his home in Catskill. Robert T. Martin, of Ashland, committed suicide. He placed the muzzle of a shot gun in his mouth and fired. John Cornwall, a former Catskill shoe dealer, committed suicide by shooting himself. Fred P. Derne died suddenly at Athens. The Rev. Acton Civille, of Coeymans, knelt down to pray and committed suicide by shooting while in that position. Hanah B. Osborn, mother of Attorney Frank H. Osborn, of Cats- kill, died at his residence in Catskill, at the age of 89 years. William J. Reed drowned in the Catskill creek near the' West Shore railroad bridge. John Hagewater was drowned at Athens. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. George Kelk, a New York policeman, was struck by lightning at South Cairo and killed. Walter S. McClelland, pastor of Trinity Episcopal church, drowned at Athens while canoeing. William M. Smith, of Catskill, passed away at the age of 54 years. Robert Cole, a vaudeville actor, committed suicide in the creek at Catskill. Lulu Hover, a Catskill girl, prevented the Kingston hospital from burning up, by closing the doors and getting to work with the hand grenades. Joseph Henske, Nona Meany and May Jarvis, city boarders, drowned at Green Lake, theb odies being recovered three days later. William Carter, of Catskill, committed suicide by drowning at Tupper Lake. Kissel Kar put on the route between Leeds and Cairo. Frederick W. Brink, a former Catskillian, drowned at New York. Greene County Firemen's Convention held at Catskill. Benjamin Myers, of Catskill, was killed by the cars near the West Shore bridge. Barns of John E. Overbaugh at Catskill destroyed by fire. The Rev. William S. Winans died at Catskill, aged 87 years. Gustav Schlenker, of Catskill, killed by a live wire near the Holdridge quarries. Maria S. Doane, of Catskill, died at the age of 98 years. Democrats carried Greene county for Patrie, assembly; Branch, coroner, and elected eight supervisors. John "Van Wie, of Athens, killed by a trolley car in New York. Felix Moroffski fell down stairs at Coxsackie and broke his neck. Greene County Bar Association held banquet at the Saulpaugh. New York and Hudson Steamboat Co. property burned in a $200,- 000 fire at Hudson. Mrs. Bert Howard died at Tannersville, following an accident in which her scalp was torn off. Seventy operations for engrafting skin failed to save her life. Last $10,000 of Greene county bonds paid off. CHRONOLOGY 1912. Mrs. Chauncey Goodwin died at Palenville at the age of 84 years. Hiram Case died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clarence E. Bloodgood, in Catskill, at the age of 92 years. He was the last of a family of fourteen children. Edward Broussau, a former resident of Smith's Landing, died at the age of 92 years. Residence of William L. DuBois in Catskill destroyed by fire. Supervisors for 1912-13: H. Clay Ferris, Ashland; Elmore Mackey, DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Athens; Floyd F. Jones, Cairo; J. Henry Deane, Catskill; Dayton B. Smith, Coxsackie; Almeron Moore, Durham; Truman I. Ingalls, Green- ville; Wallace K. Crosby, Halcott; Edgar B. Goslee, Hunter. Frederick M. Goslee, Jewett; John Kelly, Lexington; Henry J. Miller, New Balti- more; Elmer Kreiger, Prattsville; and Dr. Sidney L. Ford, Windham. Edward J. Ashley f.aith of Mrs. I. Wheeler Brandow, of Catskill, died at the age of 75 years. Former resident of Catskill and chief of the fire department. Mrs. Ezra P. Pratt died suddenly at Oak Hill at the age of 79 years. William H. Hayes, a civil war veteran, died at Cairo, 68 years. Justice Samuel Edwards died at Hudson, aged 72 years. Mary Whiting, aformer resident of Athens, burned to death at Chicago. . i Eugene Van Loan, a prominent resident of Athens, died at the age of 69 years. Augustus Post died at his home in Catskill at the age of 81 years. Was formerly in the furniture business with Dr. J. A. Deane. Joe Zebratis drowned in the river at Coxsackie. B. F. Bogardus, a Coxsackie farmer, hanged himself. Frank Fruger, of Leeds, committed suicide with a shotgun. Michael Gavigan, of Catskill, suffocated to death in a hot house at Newburgh. Mrs. Sarah Abrams, of Coxsackie, aged 85 years, burned to death. Justice Rudd presided at April term of Supreme Court. Henry T. Hotaling died at Coxsackie at the age of 94 years. Dana Simpson, a Coxsackie farmer, committed suicide by hanging. William K. Thompson, a war veteran, died at his home in Cats- kill at the age of 83 years. Howard Sanderson, formerly of Athens, died at Milwaukee, at the age of 76 years. Boarding house of Joseph Carnack, Coxsackie, destroyed by fire. Loss $6,000. Mrs. William Jordan, of Prattsville, dropped dead. John Rogers, a Catskill farmer, dropped dead. Charles R. Polo drowned at Green lake. Farm house and barn of Dirk Schmidt at Palenville destroyed by fire. Body of Miss Dorcas Snodgrass found in DuBois creek at Catskill. Murder suspected and an investigation was made by District Attorney Howard C. Wilbur. Residence of Edward Win at Tannersville burned. Shady Glen House at Durham destroyed by fire. 85 guests nar- rowly escaped with their lives. William G. Alcott, employed on the steamer Ursula, fell over- board at Hudson and was drowned. DEAR, OLD GREENE COUNT*. Charles Faubel drowned while In swimming in Austin's Glen at Catskill. The Rev. Frazer Metzger, a former Catskill minister got big vote for governor of Vermont, making it necessary for the legislature to appoint a governor. John E. Newkirk dropped dead in Leeds. John Henderson, aged 75, died at Catskill. Arthur Reed committed suicide at Haines Falls. Dr. Geo. C. Gulick, former Catskillian, died in New York of cancer. Dr. DeSilva, of New York city, located in Catskill. Jeremiah M. Day dropped dead at Green's Lake. Remains of Robert DuBois found in Catskill creek* Remains of Ruth Hellmud found in river at Coxsackie, by Lewis Vogel, of Catskill. Lyman M. Donald, a prisoner in the jail at Schoharie, elopefl with the daughter of Sheriff Dutton, and was married to him by Rev. Kerr. Harriet T. Penfleld, prominent Catskillian, died after brief illness at her home in Catskill. Barn on the Nelson place at New Baltimore destroyed by fire. Ezra P. Pratt, of Oak Hill, dropped dead at Watertown, N. Y., where he had gone to attend a convention. He was 80 years of age. For 50 years he was an elder of the Durham Presbyterian church. Senator William P. Fiero passed away at his home in New York. Democrats elect Josiah C. Tallmadge, judge; J. Lewis Patrie, assemblyman; Elmore Mackey, sheriff; Geo. B. Van Valkenburgh, county clerk; Ira T. Tolley, county sup't; Dr. Van Hoesen, coroner. Judge Tallmadge withwith oppositoin. Majorities 1,000 to 1,600. Catskill Cement Company's plant damaged to the extent of $20,000 by Are. Justice Cochrane presided over November term of Supreme court. Wilson for president carried Greene county by 932 votes. Mackey for sheriff, 2960. Attorney F. H. Osborn won remarkable case in Supreme Court in which it was shown like an Argosy story that defendant had set fire to his boat for the purpose of getting insurance money. He was against Howard Chipp, of Albany, and what looked likei a hopeless case. He let the prosecution prove too much for their own welfare. Charles McMenamy, of Catskill, died of cancer. Charlotte Westland, of Tannersville, committed suicide by jump- ing from the Manhattan bridge in New York. Thomas J. O'Hara and Charles E. Nichols appointed elections commissioners for Greene county. Michael Taylor, a boiler maker burned so badly at Alsen that he died. DEAR OLD GREENE COtJNTY, CHRONOLOGY 1913. Stores of Lysle Nelson and Stephen Hitchcock at Nejw Baltimore destroyed by fire. Adelbert E. Dunham, of Spruceton, cutting off the butt of a tree that had blown down was crushed to death underneath the stump when the main part had bejen cut off and the stump snapped back into the hole in the ground. Gilbert Greene, of Hunter, suffering from cancer, hid in a cave and then took carbolic acid, causing his death. Charles Smith, of Rouse & Smith, passed away after short illness at his home in Catskill. Charles A. Beach, president C. M. R. R., died suddenly of apoplexy. Stephen Vining, an eccentric Windham teamster, found dead by the highway. William H. Henderson, former trustee of Catskill, died of blood poisoning following an injury to his little finger. George H. Bump found dead in bed at his home in Catskill. Cassius Simpson, of South Cairo, killed by a fall from his wagon at Leeds. Ice house and coal sheds of Raymond Smith at Catskill destroyed by fire. Loss ?15,000. Judge Chester presided at February term of Supreme Court. Barn and stables of William Perry at West Coxsackie destroyed by fire. J. A. Betts and W. W. Rider made trip to Panama. The two sons of Andrew Rosenburgh of Coxsackie, were drowned while out fishing on . Snday with their father. Athens Knitting Company goes bankrupt. Truman I. Smith committed suicide at his home in Catskill. John T. Heath passes away at his home in Catskill, aged 70 years. Zobles T. Cater, of Catskill, plunged into the Catskill creek and saved the life of little Jimmie Smith. John H. Cornell died at Catskill, aged 74 years. Gilbert Goes, aged 85 years, committed suicide at Hunter, taking laudanum. Assemblyman Patrie introduces bill to pave West Main street, Catskill, which passed and was signed by the governor. Paving laid by the Catskill Construction Company. Nathan Richards, of South Cairo, killed by the cars at Athens. Alexander Wilbur, prominent Catskillian, died suddenly at the age of 69 years. $10,000 fire on dock at Coxsackie. Frederick T. Beach died suddenly at his home in Catskill. 32 bfeJAR OLD GREENE COUNtt. Ashes of George Howland, of Athens, scattered at sea. He died at Geonoa.. Worth 11,000,000. Patsey Wlweke killed in accident at the Cementon crossing. Hudson Valley Firemen's Convention held at Catskill. There were in the parade 60 fire companies and brass bands. Famous old Simmons house in Jefferson destroyed by fire. Residence of Oscar Showers at Onteora Park destroyed by fire. Eoarding house of F. W. Cole near Coxsackie destroyed by fire. Big fire on Main street, Catskill, destroying Horton Brothers' sale stables, Person's shop, barns of Brandow, Horton, Yanonni, Hay and Linzey, Fontnella's house, Tynan's shop, M. B. church sheds, on July 10th. On the Sunday morning following the Boston store was destroy- ed and the building of Amost Post in which was the Smith store and Daily Mail office, and the Church store were gutted by fira On Mon- day the barn of George Bates on Water street was burned. Loss $200,000. Joseph Butler, of Athens, committed suicide by drowning. Remains recovered at Catskill. Residence of Perry Tompkins at Leeds destroyed by fire. Louis Baucusco murdered at Athens. Sheriff Mackey arrested the murderer, Joe Vots. John Sefers, a Catskill darkey, killed by the cars at the Athens crossing. Cornelius DuBois, war veteran, died, at Palenville. Residence of Elmer Dederick at Athens destroyed by fire. West Shore freight house at Coxsackie, destroyed by fire. Loss $30,000. Herbert Lanfare drowned in the river at Athens. Greene County Sunday School convention held at Athens. B. S. Mulford found dead in bed at his home in Catskill. Gov William Sulzer impeached by vote of 51 to 1. Bank President James P. Philip presents Catskill with park at the head of Main street, which has been killed up by the village and called Pruyn Park. Casper Clough, aged 94 years, died at Coxsackie. Judson A. Betts elected county treasuer; Howard C. Wilbur, dis- trict attorney; George H. Chase, member of assembly. Supervisors elected — Jones, Cairo; Huyck, Durham; Smith, Cox- sackie; Ferris, Ashland, Republicans; Nichols, Athens; Deane, Cats- kill; Hoose, Greenville; Seifferth, Hunter; Baldwin, New Baltimore; Krieger, Prattsville, Roraback, Lexington; Goslee, Jewett, Ford, Wind- ham, Democrats. Justice Cochrane presided at November term of Supreme Court. John Rhume, a Coxsackie lad, out hunting skunks, killed when his companion accidentally dropped his gun which went off. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Lumber yard of J. H. Goodwin at Coxsackie destroyed by fire. liOBS $10,000. Jennings Hotel at Cairo destroyed by fire. Loss $15,000. Nelson murder trial at Catskill resulted in verdict of guilty. Joseph Bosco tried for murder. Wm. E. Thorpe for defendant. CHRONOLOGY 1914. Henry Dixon killed at Coxsackie by collapse of shed. Residence of Mary Phelan, Phelan Hall and residence of Paul Lynan, at Leeds, burned. St. Anthony's School, Catskill, burned January 14th. Hamilton Smith, of Athens, died from exposure. Twin Pine House, Cairo, burned. Loss $10,000. James Ott, of Tannersville, blew his head off with gun. Charles J. Smith crushed to death on Storm King. H. Leroy Austin, of Catskill, gets verdict of ?1,700,000 for New York City Railroad. Albert Van Hoesen, of Catskill, committed suicide. Several men killed in accident at logging camp at Haines Palls. Prank Freeman, of Coxsackie, drowned while in swimming. Former Sheriff Hardy Stewart died at Athens. Abram Lewis, of Catskill, killed by kick of his horse. Paul Deyo committed suicide at Hunter. Cyrus E. Bloodgood, former county clerk, died at Catskill Aug. 10. Floyd Overbaugh and Harry Rose killed in motorcycle accident at Alsen. Worthy Tolley, of Athens ,shot and killed Leroy Hallenbeck. Tried and found guilty of murder in the first degree. Sentenced to be electrocuted. Sentence appealed. James Reardon killed in automobile accident at Windham. Mrs. Charles Crohl killed in automobile accident near Catskill. Tony Canape, a Catskill child, burned to death while playing with matches. George Mason dropped dead in Catskill. George Hawver, of Lawr'enceville, cut by buzz saw so badly that hf died a few days later. Smith House badly damaged by fire. CHRONOLOGY 1915 TO JULY FIRST. Great revival in Catskill. Howard Wilcox died suddenly of heart disease. Peter Welsh died suddenly at his home in Catskill. John D. Smith, former postmaster and founder of Daily Mail, died suddenly at his home in Catskill. Omar Hotaling, of New Baltimore, murdered at Highland. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. Catskill Mountain Ry. depot at Haines Palls destroyed by fire. Residence of T. J. Nolte at Cairo destroyed by fire. Loss $7000. John Black sentenced to Dannemora prison for the murder of Pardy Shoemaker at Lexington. Receivers appointed for Catskill Mt. Ry. Ruth Hammer and Ida Beach, of Catskill, murdered by Henry Long, of Albany, a gardner in the employ of Henry Hansen. He shot the girls while they were out gathering wild flowers and then com- mitted suicide. Residence of Nicholas Worrell, valued at $50,000, burned at Onteora Park. Peter Saxe, a war veteran, hung himself in a barn near Cairo. Oscar Ford, of Tannersville, committeed suicide by shooting. Eagles Nest, summer residence of Frederick Buckinburger near Catskill, destroyed by fire. Nicholas Lauria, proprietor of Salisbury House, Catskill, died suddenly. Michael Cimorelli's Motorcycle Ice Boat. The illustration above shows the novel and ingenious ice craft constructed by Michael Cimorelli, the Catskill sporting goods dealer jn his repairs department, Craft made over 60 miles per hour. DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY. FRATERNAL AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. Catskill Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. Catskill Chamber of Commerce; Hon. Prank S. Decker, president. Catskill Y. M. C. A. Catskill Fish and Game Club. Catskill Gun Club; Wm. Schubert, president. Catskill Hive, Lady Maccabees; Commander Mrs. Luella Brandow. Greene County Agricultural Society, of Cairo, organized 1819. Still prosperous. Greene County Bible Society; organied 1815 by Rev. David Porter of Catskill. Rev. C. G. Hazard, of Catskill, President. Greene County Sunday School Association; Rev. Maurice R. Hamm, Catskill, president. Organized 1883. Deutcher Untersteutungs Verein, Catskill. Greene County Medical Society organized early in 1806, and has been several times reorganized. It is still actively engaged in medical research and prosperous. Dr. Thomas O'Hara Croswell was the first president of the organization. The present officers are: Dr. Charles P. McCabe, of Greenville, president; Dr. Geo. L. Branch, of Catskill, vice-president; Dr. C. E. Willard, of Catskill, treasurer, and Dr. Robert Selden, of Catskill, secretary. Hendrick Hudson Lodge, I. O. O. P., was organized in 1846, at Catskill, and is still a very prosperous organization. Holy Name Society, St. Patrick's church, Catskill. Improved Order of Red Men, Athabasca Tribe, 2551, Catskill. L. C. B. A. of Catskill; President Mrs. P. Dewitt Hitchcock. Protected Home Circle, 311; President, Seth T. Cole, of Catskill. Knights of Columbus, Catskill. Laurel Lodge, A. O. U. W., Catskill. Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association, St. Patrick's church. Malaeska Lodge, K. of P., was organized in 1873 and is still prosperous. Onteora Council Royal Arcanum; Regent Robert Stewart, Catskill. PrattSTille Agricultural Society; organized 1882, Plant of the Alsen Cement Company. One of the largest cement plants in the country. Located at A.lsen, . n the town of Catskill. = L0UD'£ HOTEI^ = P. Tremaine Loud, Proprietor Catskill Landing CATSKILL, N. Y. EUROPEAN PLAN Our new "DAYLIGHT. STORE," is the most modern, up-to-date Hardware Store along the Hudson River with Three Stories and Basement, designed and built for our business, with Special equipment throughout, we are prepared to give you the best possible seryice. We carry a very complete stock of SHELF and HEAVY HARDWARE, BUILDERS HARDWARE, FARM MACHINERY, HOUSE FURNISHING GOODS of all kinds, ROOFING, FARM and LAWN FENCING, TIN WARE, PLUMBING SUPPLIES, MECHANICS TOOLS, PAINT and VARNISH, WHITE LEAD, OIL, GLASS, etc. We are prepared to furnish estimates for WATER SUPPLY INSTALLATION, HEATING SYSTEMS, and SANITARY PLUMBING. CATSKILL HARDWARE COMPANY, INC. (the store that saves you money.) 437 Main St. Catskill, N. Y. Telephone 24. We carry a very complete stock of all kind3 of BUILDING MATERIAL, LUMBER, LATH, SHINGLES, BUILDERS HARDWARE, PAINTS, OIL and VARNISHES, PORTLAND CEMENT, LIME, PLASTERING MATERIALS, PLASTER BOARD, INTERIOR TRIM, SASH, DOORS, BLINDS, etc. We have the only PLANING MILL and DRY KILNS in Greene County. Kiln Dried Finishing Lumber on hand at all times. Fine Hardwood Floorings a Specialty. Estimates furnished for any kind of Contract Work at any point. CATSKILL SUPPLY COMPANY. 62 Water St., Catskill, N. Y. Telephone 66 s SUPREME COURT TERMS. GREENE COUNTY TRIAL TERMS, 1915. Third Monday in February Chester Second Monday in April Hasbrouck Second Monday in November Cochrane SPECIAL TERMS. First Saturday every month except July and Aug., Kingston Hasbrouck Second Saturday every month except July and Aug., Albany . . Chester Third Saturday every month except July and Aug., Hudson . Cochrane Fourth Saturday every month except July and Aug., Albany Rudd Fourth Saturday of July, at Albany .*.... Hasbrouck Fifth Saturday of January ,at Albany Rudd Fifth Saturday of May, at Albany Cochrane Fifth Saturday of July, at Albany Hasbrouck Fifth Saturday of October, at Albany Chester Special terms are open for ex parte business at Judge's Chambers in Albany, Kingston and Hudson whenever a Justice is present. Special Terms will be held in connection with Trial Terms, subject to limitations of Rule 38, but said limitations do not apply to Trial Terms held in Rensselaer County. Equity causes may be noted for trial in the county of their venue at any Special Term held by a Justice resident in such county. APPELLATE DIVISION. First Tuesday of January, in its Court Rooms on the corner of State and Chapel streets, in the City of Albany. First Tuesday of March, in the said rooms in the City of Albany. First Tuesday of May, in its said rooms in the City of Albany. Second Tuesday of September, in Town Hall at Saratoga Springs. Second Tuesday of November, in its said rooms in City of Albany. COUNTY COURT TERMS. Second Monday of May and December, at 2 o'clock p. m., at the Court House in the "Village of Catskill, N. Y. Second Tuesday of each month, except May, August and Decem- ber, at 10 o'clock a. m. at the Chambers of the County Judge, in the Court House in the Village of Catskill aforesaid. A Trial Jury will be summoned to attend the terms appointed to be held on the second Monday of May and the second Monday of December No Grand Jury will be drawn to attend any of the above appointed terms. TESTS EVERY HOUR KEEP ALPHA STRONG *VJ\ The strength of Portland Cement y^ depends upon the quality of the raw material, the formula and the care used in the making. It must be mixed right, ground right, and burned right, and then properly aged before shipment. In the six great ALPHA plants, exactness is the first rule. Chemists test ALPHA every hour, day and night. They see that the mixtures are alike every time, meeting the ALPHA formula founded on 23 years' experience. They reject instantly all defective material ; they guard the strength and fineness of the product, and insure uniformity of setting time. This unusual watchfulness makes ALPHA THE GUARANTEED PORTLAND CEMENT stronger, finer, and more uniform than cheaper Portland cements. With ALPHA, quality, not quantity, is the watchword. ALPHA is warranted to more than meet the United States Government's standard. Because every ounce is pure, live and active, the binding power of ALPHA is unusual; it goes further than cheaper cements and hence it is more economical. You may be offe.ed substitutes, but insist on ALPHA and be sure. Portland is the kind ; ALPHA the name to remember. 112-Page Concrete Farm Book Sent FREE Tells how to make scores of farm improvements with ALPHA, the Guaranteed Cement. Regular price 25 cents. Sent free if you mention this puhlication and tell us what you plan to build. ALPHA PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY gffS'Easton, Pa SPECIFY ALPHA AND BE SU>REL SiHsSS ::.