Philip A. Rorty, of the Goshen bar, has gone rapidly to the front. The wide experience gained by him in the extensive business established by the firm of Bacon & Merritt, in which he is a partner, has been used by him to great advantage. He is entrusted with the preparation of important cases, in the trial of which also he takes a considerable and highly creditable part. He is an expert in railroad law and in the law of negligence.
T. Floyd Halstead, of Goshen, is the son of one of the most warmhearted, noble, honorable men who ever lived—the late John R. Halstead of Unionville. If he will but emulate in private and professional life the virtues of his most estimable father he will be sure to continue and confirm the success which has already in a large measure attended upon him.
J. V. D. Benedict, of Warwick, represented his district in the Assembly in the year 1877. His suavity of manner and moderation of speech are the sincere reflection of a kind, generous and affectionate nature.
His interest in various pursuits has interfered with the singleness of his devotion to the law, but his opinion upon difficult questions has often been sought and followed with the most satisfactory results to himself and to his clients.
Clifford S. Beattie, of Warwick, who is associated in business with his father, Judge Beattie, settled in his old home after a most valuable and enlightening experience as one of the legal staff of the Metropolitan Railway system in New York. He possesses an individuality, an independence and a strength of character which prevent his being overshadowed by the great reputation of his father. But if he did not have these qualities he would not be a Beattie.
Lewis J. Stage, of Warwick, who is associated in business with Mr. Kane, under the name of Kane & Stage, had the good sense to voluntarily resign the office of justice of the peace—that grave of professional ambition; that rock upon which so many a professional career has foundered. Since then he has made strides in reputation and influence.
Mr. Stage has always taken an active part in the educational, philanthropic, historical and religious interests of the community. His sincerity in this is manifest and unquestioned. He is free from all forms of cant and pretense, sham and affectation.
John Miller, of Cornwall-on-Hudson, whose memory goes back to the days of McKissock, is a veritable encyclopedia of the law; a storehouse of principles and authorities; a reservoir of unlimited capacity; a fountain of perennial flow. If he had been as able to apply, discriminate and assimilate as he has been to accumulate stores of knowledge his abilities would undoubtedly have been more widely recognized.
Thomas S. Hulse, of Westtown, has long enjoyed the advantage of being the only lawyer in town. He is often consulted upon the controversies arising in it and his influence is always for peace rather than strife, for settlement rather than litigation. His solid worth of character commands for him universal and unchallenged respect.
Frank R. Gump, of Highland Falls, signalized his entrance into practice at the Orange County Bar by bringing the unusual action of a man against a woman for her breach of promise in refusing to marry him. He has been the attorney for some most important interests involved in actions brought to determine priority of water rights. The ability shown by him in the management of these cases and especially in the examination and cross-examination of the witnesses in several trials has given him a recognized position at the bar of the county.