The History of Orange County New York

by Unknown

He has spent one year in practice in New York City, connected with the Lawyers' Title Insurance Company.

SAMUEL H. GARISS, ex-president of the village of Port Jervis, was born in Sussex County, N. J., in 1849, and died at his home, December 10, 1907. At the age of nineteen he came to Tri-States and entered the employ of W. A. Drake as bookkeeper. During the twenty-two years that he occupied this position he was able to conduct a livery business in partnership with Hiram Marion, also operating a grist and saw mill in Flatbrookville. From 1884 to 1888 he was postmaster of Tri-States. In 1890 Mr. Gariss came to Germantown and established a grocery store. In 1901 he retired from this business and it became the property of his son, Samuel Emmet Gariss and S. G. Blackman.

Politically Mr. Gariss was a staunch Democrat; he served as trustee of Port Jervis village and in 1903 was elected village president and re-elected in 1905. He was elected a member of the board of supervisors in 1907 by a large majority and would have assumed his duties January 1, 1908. He was one of the elders of the Second Reformed Church since its organization.

In 1875 Mr. Gariss married Charity Estelle Cole, and they were the parents of two children, Samuel Emmet and Olive Zadie.

ASAHEL B. GARRISON, dealer in coal, feed, farm implements, etc., at Walden. N. Y., is numbered among the progressive young business men of Orange County. He is a son of Gerow and Elnora (Seymour) Garrison, residents of the town of Newburgh, where Asahel B. was born in 1884. His education was obtained at Claverack Institute and Hackettstown Seminary. The business to which Mr. Garrison succeeded was established by Taylor & Bateman early in the 70's. They were followed by Hasbrouck & Sloan, who disposed of their interests to Mr. Garrison January 1, 1907.

JOHN Y. GEROW, son of Justis Cooley and Phoebe H. (Young) Gerow, was born in 1856 in Ulster County. N. Y. When he was three years of age his parents removed to the Thomas Pope farm in the town of New Windsor, Orange County. It was here John Y. grew to manhood, aiding his father on the farm. He is now the owner of the Pope farm of 170 acres, the Barnet farm of 125 acres and the David Wright farm of 100 acres at Washingtonville, where he has resided since 1904. Mr. Gerow is senior member of the firm of Gerow & Felter, large cattle dealers. As past master of Pomona Grange Mr. Gerow enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the state, and the flourishing condition of that organization in Orange County to-day is largely due to his untiring efforts as an organizer and promoter, demonstrating clearly to the farmer wherein he can better his condition. A review of the Grange in Orange County, which appears elsewhere in this work, was furnished by Mr. Gerow.

JOSEPH C. GEROW, a representative citizen of the town of Blooming Grove, was born in the town of Hamptonburgh, Orange County, in 1854. He is the youngest son of the late Elias and Sarah M. (Cooper) Gerow. The ancestors of the Gerow family settled in Plattekill, Ulster County, N. Y. Gilbert H. Gerow, grandfather of Joseph C, was the first of that name whose birth occurred in Orange County. His parents had located on what is known as the Crawford farm in the town of Blooming Grove. It was here that Gilbert H. grew to manhood and married Annie Cooley. Seven children were born to them, of whom Elias was the eldest. He was born in 1813 and lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years. He resided for a time in Hamptonburgh, but most of his life was spent in his native town, where he was successfully engaged in farming. Joseph C. Gerow, after finishing his studies at public and select schools, remained on the farm assisting his father. His farm of 150 acres is located in one of the best agricultural regions of Orange County. He deals extensively in agricultural implements, wind mills, etc. By appointment of the court he has charge of the George Washington Tuthill estate. He married Miss Jennie, daughter of Rev. Warren Hathaway, and they have eight children living. Their son, Percy, assists his father in the management of his business. As school trustee Mr. Gerow has been active in promoting educational interests in the town of Blooming Grove.

THOMAS B. GIBSON, who is serving his third term as postmaster of the village of Walden, was born in Newburgh, N. Y., in 1859; a son of Thomas and Sarah (Eager) Gibson. He learned the tailor's trade and in 1883 accepted the position of cutter for the firm of Wooster & Stoddard at Walden. In 1895 he was elected town clerk and re-elected in 1897, resigning to accept the postmaster-ship under President McKinley's administration. He has been twice reappointed by President Roosevelt. He is a member of the Republican County Committee and active in promoting the interest of his party. Socially Mr. Gibson is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Order of American Mechanics.

WILLIAM H. GILLESPIE, of Walden, is a descendant of one of Orange County's old families. He was born May 28, 1855, a son of Renwick and Caroline Augusta (Smith) Gillespie and is engaged in the cultivation of the farm which was a portion of the Gatehouse patent. This farm contains the trotting course and part of the land has been divided into building lots. Renwick Gillespie, who died in 1904 in his eightieth year, was one of Walden's most respected and influential citizens. He was born in the town of Montgomery, a son of Abram Gillespie and grandson of Samuel Gillespie, who with his father David came from Scotland and settled near Pine Bush, Orange County, previous to the Revolutionary war. David Smith, who was the first settler on the Gatehouse patent, was grandfather of Mr. Renwick Gillespie's wife, and in 1859 Renwick Gillespie purchased seventy-three acres of this land and erected a commodious home. He is survived by his wife and three children.

W. STANTON GLEASON, M.D., was born at Sag Harbor, L. I., July 24, 1860; academic education at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass., and at Amherst College; graduate University of New York, 1866; he began practice, Newburgh, N. Y., 1887; member County, Newburgh Bay and State Medical Societies; American Medical Association and New York Academy of Medicine. Attending physician St. Luke's Hospital; consulting physician Highland Hospital; president Board Pension Examining Surgeons; member Masonic fraternity and Knights Templar; ex-member Newburgh Board of Education. He is a son of Rev. W. H. Gleason, D.D., for several years pastor of American Reformed Church, Newburgh. In 1888 Dr. Gleason married Grace, daughter of the late Senator J. W. Hoysradt, of Hudson, N. Y. He has one child, Charles B. Gleason, born June 22, 1900.