He is active in social as well as business life, being a member of the Powelton Club, City Club and Newburgh Wheelmen, the Old Orchard Club of Middletown, and the Press Club and Republican Club of New York. He is a past exalted ruler of Newburgh Lodge of Elks; a member of Continental Lodge No. 287, F. and A. M.; Jerusalem Chapter No. 8, R. A. M.; Palestine Commandery No. 18, K. T.; New York Consistory, Scottish Rite, 32nd deg; Mecca Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; president of the Wilbur H. Weston Shriners' Association; president of the Newburgh Automobile Club, and a member of the New York State and American Automobile Associations.
Mr. Wilson resides in a handsome residence owned by him at 268 Liberty street, Newburgh.
RUTTENBER, J. W. F.—The editor of the Newburgh Telegram is J. W. F. Ruttenber, who was born at Newburgh, N. Y., December 14, 1857. After receiving a good education in the public schools of his native city, he became associated in business for several years with his father, E. M. Ruttenber. Subsequently he embarked in several newspaper ventures, and finally started the Newburgh Sunday Telegram in 1889. This is a non-partisan paper, and is especially devoted to local events and local characters, in the discussion of which a full opportunity is afforded the editor for the exercise of that wit and caustic humor, with which he is well equipped. The Telegram was a success financially from the start and has now developed into a very valuable newspaper plant.
In Middletown the Times-Press has as editor John D. Stivers; as editorial writer Alexander W. Russell, and as city editor Melvin W. Brown. On the Argus the editor is A. B. Macardell, ably assisted by Henry P. Powers and Horace A. MacGowan as city editors. The Signs of the Times is published by Gilbert Beebe's Son, with Elders F. A. Chick and H. C. Ker as editors.
On the Port Jervis Union is Fred R. Salmon, business manager; Merritt C. Speidel, assistant and formerly city editor; W. T. Doty as editor, and Albert L. Stage, city editor. On the Gazette is Evi Shimer, business manager; William H. Nearpass, editor; Mark V. Richards, city editor, and James Skellinger, assistant. The New York Farmer is edited by Henry A. Van Fredenberg.
In Goshen Frank Drake is editor and manager of the oldest newspaper in Orange County, the Independent Republican; and George F. Gregg, the editor and manager of the next oldest paper, the Goshen Democrat.
At Warwick the Advertiser's business manager and editor is Hiram Tate; while the Valley Dispatch has George F. Ketchum as editor and business manager.
At Montgomery the old Standard and Reporter has Lyman Taft as editor and proprietor, with Charles H. Miller as associate editor.
The Walden Herald's editor and proprietor is Ward Winfield; and the Citizen has a clergyman editor and publisher in the Rev. J. H. Reid.
At Cornwall-on-Hudson is the Local-Press, with L. G. Goodenough editor and proprietor.