The History of Orange County New York

by Unknown

RALPH L. McGEOCH, M.D., a successful physician, residing and practicing in Goshen, N. Y., was born at Shushan, Washington County, N. Y., December 1, 1867. He was educated at Cambridge Washington Academy and Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. He entered the New York Homeopathic College in 1891 and graduated May 3, 1894, after which he came to Goshen, where he has since practiced. Dr. McGeoch is a member of the New York State Homeopathic Medical Society, the Tri-County Homeopathic Medical Society, the Orange County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Association, and the New York Homeopathic Alumni Association. On June 9, 1897, he was joined in marriage with Sarah W. Coleman.

JAMES D. McGIFFERT, clerk of Orange County, N. Y., was born and educated in Newburgh. As a young man he was employed by the Oakley Soap Co., in Washington street. Since he became a voter he has manifested an active interest in politics, the first office to which he was elected being that of assessor from the First Ward. He served as city collector of Newburgh from 1897 to 1906. In his dealings with the public in this capacity he was uniformly courteous and considerate. He was for two years master of Newburgh Lodge No. 309, F. and A. M., and its secretary ten years. He is excellent high priest of Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.; also a member of Hudson River Commandery No. 35, Knights Templar. He is prominently identified with the Odd Fellows and firemanic circles. He was elected to the office of county clerk November, 1906, running over a thousand votes ahead of his ticket.

HENRY JAMES McKINNEY, was born at the family homestead in the town of Crawford, Orange County, April 10, 1854, and died at his residence in Pine Bush, N. Y., September 24, 1907. He was the third son of Luther and Maria (Morrison) McKinney. Following the death of his father he bought the homestead and continued thereon until 1892, when he removed to Pine Bush. In 1895 he engaged in the lumber, feed and coal business, which he conducted with much success for nearly twelve years, his business career being marked by courtesy and sterling honesty. On September 7, 1892, he married Miss Kate Woodworth Kapelye, who with three daughters survive him.

Mr. McKinney always manifested an active interest in the moral and intellectual advancement of his community. His death entailed the loss of a public-spirited citizen and Christian gentleman.

JOHN L. McKINNEY, postmaster at Pine Bush, was born on the homestead farm in the town of Crawford, Orange County, March 6, 1856; a son of Luther and Maria (Morrison) McKinney. He attended the schools of his native town and two terms at Professor Bank's private school in Newburgh. He has been engaged in business at Pine Bush since 1886. His first venture there was in conducting the flour mill, in which he continued five years. In 1891 he became a member of the firm of Armstrong & McKinney, dealers in general merchandise and drugs, where he remained about eight years. He then formed a partnership with Mr. J. E. Ward in the conduct of a hardware store. In 1904 he purchased Mr. Ward's interest and continues the business alone. Mr. McKinney, who is prominent in republican politics, received the appointment of postmaster under President McKinley, June 28, 1897. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as elder for many years.

WILLIAM L. McKINNEY, a respected citizen of Montgomery, N. Y., has been identified with the affairs of that village for nearly half a century. He was born in the town of Montgomery in 1825, a son of Benjamin W. and Hannah (Hunt) McKinney. He has resided in the village since 1845 and in 1854 married Eliza Tindall, a member of one of Orange County's old families. One child, who died in infancy, was born to them. In 1860 Mr. McKinney was elected trustee of the village and in 1862 was appointed president of the corporation, holding that office three years, when he was appointed clerk of the village, which position he faithfully occupied for thirty-six years, resigning in 1901, since which time he has lived in retirement. His counsel is frequently sought in matters pertaining to the village. Mr. McKinney has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1867.

ROBERT J. McVOY, deceased, was one of the prominent agriculturists of Orange County. He was of Irish parentage. His father Hugh and mother Martha (Glascow) McVoy came from Ireland at an early period. Robert was born July 12, 1847, at Jackson's Corners, what was then Goshen. He attended the district and public school at Goshen, and assisted his father on the farm until the age of eighteen years. He rented farms at Bullville, Stony Ford, and Hamptonburgh successively for twenty-one years. He then purchased the late Theodore Jackson's farm, remaining there until his death, which occurred April 26, 1895. Mr. McVoy was united in marriage to Miss Alnetta Pierson Gillespie, of Montgomery, June 10, 1885. Two children were born by this union, Charles Felter, born August 21, 1886, and Sarah Maretta, born September 14, 1888, both residing at home. Mr. McVoy was a member of Wallkill Lodge, F. and A. M., and Court Wallkill, Foresters of America. He was a democrat and served as town collector several terms.

EDWARD MAIDMENT, of Warwick, was born at Shropshire, England, in 1840, and came to America with his parents when six years of age. The family located in Albany, where his father, Edward, established a bakery and confectionery business. He built up a large business and during the Civil War supplied the government with his goods.

Edward graduated from the Seward Institute as a civil engineer and for many years was in the engineering department of the N. Y. C. R. R. He later became manager for the Raritan Woolen Mills Co. and resided in Chicago. Since 1904 he has lived in retirement on his farm, the old Galloway homestead, in Warwick. He married Louisa Galloway and has three children, Alexander H. G., a lawyer of Hackensack, N. J.; Edward P., manager for Krause Milling Co., Milwaukee, Wis., for eastern New York and northern New Jersey, who resides at the homestead and also conducts a dairy business.

Alexander H. Galloway, Mrs. Maidment's father, was for many years one of Warwick's most important and progressive citizens, and promoted many financial institutions. He established the first creamery in Warwick, known as the Warwick Valley Milk Association. He was also interested in all social and religious projects. He died in 1884, survived by his wife, Hannah Louisa, who died March 9, 1907, aged ninety years.