[JOHN McCARTY] was born of Irish parentage in Westchester County, N. Y., and moved to Brooklyn when eighteen years of age. His early desires were for mercantile pursuits, but he eventually entered the service of the city of Brooklyn in the municipal board of health. He later became a clerk to Justice Walsh, which position he retained for some years, relinquishing this eventually to become alderman, serving on important committees while remaining in the board, and becoming also its presiding officer. He has dealt largely in Brooklyn real estate. He was nominated in 1891 to succeed John C. Jacobs, and was elected by over 16,000 plurality. Mr. McCarty was also a member of the committee on railroads, committee on insurance, manufactures, and was chairman of the committee on state prisons, and of the committee on public buildings. In politics he was a staunch democrat and represented the second senatorial district. He was a great admirer and owner of many fine horses, among them being Joe Patchen, which he purchased in 1889, since which time that noted horse has been kept at his stables at Goshen, N. Y. John McCarty was a son of Hugh McCarty, born in 1815 at County Down, Ireland, where he received a common school education. He came to America in February, 1834, and learned the mason trade at an early age. Returning to his native country he married Sarah Rogers, also of County Down, Ireland. He at once returned to America, settling in Westchester County, N. Y. He was largely identified with the building of High Bridge connecting New York and Harlem. Mr. McCarty was contractor for the masonry and personally laid the corner stone of the bridge. The trowel used in laying the cornerstone is now in possession of his daughter. Mr. McCarty owned his own quarries and the stone used in the High Bridge was transported on his own sloops for this as well as the Brooklyn navy yard and other contracts. He was a philanthropic man and gave large contributions to St. Mary's-on-the-Hudson at Cold Spring. There were five children born to the union, Ellen, John, Mary, Thomas and Sarah A. The latter now resides at their summer home in Goshen and in Brooklyn during the winter months. He married Marguerite I. Murphy, of New York City, and died October 20, 1905.
HON. BENJAMIN McCLUNG, mayor of the city of Newburgh, N. Y., and a prominent member of the Orange County Bar, was born in the town of New Windsor in 1867, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Upright) McClung. After finishing his preliminary education at the Newburgh Academy and Siglar's Preparatory School, he entered the law department of the University of New York, graduating in 1891 with the degree of LL.B. Mr. McClung practiced law in New York City for a short time, and in the same year, 1891, opened an office in Newburgh. He was for a time associated in practice with Hon. Russell Headley and in 1906 the law firm of McClung & Kohl was formed.
For many years Mr. McClung has been prominently identified with the affairs of the democratic party, which nominated him for member of assembly. In 1907 he was selected to head the democratic ticket in Newburgh, and November 5 was elected mayor by the substantial majority of 574 votes. Mayor McClung was inaugurated March, 1908, the first democrat to occupy that office in a period of eighteen years.
Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Elks, Foresters and the City Club.
JOHN D. McCOACH, chief of police of the city of Middletown, was born in Bethel, Sullivan County, N. Y., in 1876 and educated at the public schools in Bethel, where he graduated. He came to Middletown in June, 1896, in his twenty-first year, and after serving six years as driver of a mail wagon, which duty he faithfully performed, he was appointed patrolman on the Middletown police force. In 1907 he was appointed chief of the Middletown police, which position he now holds. Politically he is a republican. Socially he is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. and A. M., and Midland Chapter No. 240, R. A. M. He married Miss Lucy Barber, of Monticello, Sullivan County, and of this union two children have been born, Elmer E., born June 21, 1904, and Mildred O., born October 10, 1905. As befits one in his position Mr. McCoach is a man of varied learning and accomplishments, and withal a man of affairs, of keen perception and fair-minded. He is particularly well informed in local and Masonic matters.
ROBERT WORKMAN McCREADY, a prominent contractor at Tuxedo Park, is a resident of Sloatsburg, Rockland County. Mr. McCready was born at Belfast, in the North of Ireland, in 1862, a son of James and Mary (McIlveen) McCready, of Scotch descent. He attended the schools of Belfast and in 1882 received his certificate from the Government School of Art. He then spent a year with Harland & Wolf, shipbuilders, obtaining his certificate as joiner. In 1884 he came to Fall River, Mass., where he was employed as a carpenter one year. After a visit to his native place he again came to America in 1886 and was employed by Mead & Taft at Tuxedo. Two years later he formed a co-partnership with William M. Finch to conduct a general contracting and building business under the firm name of McCready & Finch. Their business developed rapidly and employment given to from three to four hundred men, erecting many of the most substantial buildings in Tuxedo Park, including the homes of Ambrose Monell, W. B. Densmore, W. B. Garrison, J. Henry Smith, a private school in the Park costing $35,000, and the $30,000 school in the village. He also rebuilt the Episcopal church. In 1905 Mr. McCready purchased Mr. Finch's interest in the business and is now conducting it alone. Mr. McCready has now under contract to erect in Tuxedo Park a residence for C. W. Clinton, of the firm of Clinton & Russell, architects, of Nassau street, New York; a Methodist church at Sloatsburg, an extension to William M. V. Hoffman's house, and alterations to A. D. Julliard's house, Tuxedo Park.
Mr. McCready is a member of numerous fraternal organizations, including Scottish Rite Masons and the Mystic Shrine. In 1889 he married Mary, daughter of John Finch, of Sloatsburg. They have two children—Olive and Robert Halsey.
JOHN W. McCULLOUGH, who for many years was engaged in the tobacco business in Water street, was born in Newburgh in 1819 and died in 1892. After finishing his studies at the high school he learned the tobacconist trade and engaged in the wholesale and retail business for himself at 93 Front street, in 1845, where he continued until 1873, when he purchased the premises at 68 and 70 Water street, where the business was continued by his son, John R. McCullough, up to the time of his death, July 31, 1907. Mr. McCullough was for many years an elder in the First Reformed Presbyterian Church, and also performed the duties of treasurer. In his long business career in his native place Mr. McCullough's name was a synonym for integrity and honorable dealings. John R. McCullough was born July 15, 1846. He was engaged in the drug business for a few years on Broadway, previous to engaging in the tobacco business with his father. He was a director of Quassaick National Bank, and Woodlawn Cemetery Association. He was treasurer of Union Church, and president of the board of water commissioners. He married Miss Marion Muir, who died September 18, 1900. Four children were born to them. John W., Jr., died November 6, 1888. Frederick R. continues the tobacco business in Water street.
FRED S. McDOWELL, supervisor of the town of Newburgh, was born in Newburgh in 1865; a son of James and Agnes (Frew) McDowell. As a young man he was engaged in the butchering business with his father and then entered the employ of Armour & Co. for two years as salesman, following which he conducted a meat market on Broadway three years. Since 1893 he has been one of the proprietors of the Newburgh Rendering Co.
Mr. McDowell is prominent in fraternal organizations. He is past master of Newburgh Lodge, F. and A. M., a member of Highland Chapter, Hudson River Commandery and the Mecca Temple. He is also past grand of Acme Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in 1907 was chosen district deputy of Orange District No. 1 of the Odd Fellows. He married Miss Jennie Whitaker, of New Windsor.