At the beginning of the year 1906 Dr. Mars returned to Florida, where he had spent his youth, and began the practice of his chosen profession. He soon identified himself with the Orange County Medical Society, the New York Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, in all of which he is actively interested.
His father, Stephen Mars, was born in Germany in 1843. When twenty-two years of age he came to America, located in Orange County, and engaged in farming. In 1872 he married Annie Mary DeGraw, a native of Orange County. Eight children were born to this couple, Jesse D., the subject of this sketch, being the fifth.
On December 10, 1907, Dr. Mars married Estelle Otis, the second youngest daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth W. Otis. The Otis family is among the earliest residents of Orange County, the ancestors of Mrs. Mars having come over in the Mayflower. Dr. and Mrs. Mars now occupy the property of the late James A. Boyd.
JAMES G. MARTIN, of Middletown, was born of Irish parentage in Dublin, Ireland, February 1, 1852. He is a son of John and Ann Martin. His father and also his grandfather were architects and builders in the old country. His father died in Australia about 1880. The subject of this sketch was educated at Clongeswood College in Dublin, Ireland. He came to America in 1869, settling in Middletown, Orange County. He identified himself with Howell Hinchman & Co., remaining there a brief period, and then worked as journeyman at the moulder's trade for four years. In 1891 he formed a partnership with Thomas H. Butler and under the firm name of Butler & Martin built the present commodious shops. After a year Mr. Martin purchased his partner's interest and has since continued the business alone. In November, 1871, he married Miss Mary A. Cunningham, of Middletown; her death occurred in October, 1886. Five children were born by this union. He chose for his second wife Mrs. Annie (Houston) Kilbride, of Middletown, and they are the parents of two children. In local politics Mr. Martin takes an active part. He is a democrat and has served as supervisor. He is a member of the Port Jervis B. P. O. E. No. 645, the Knights of Columbus, and is an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Middletown.
CAPTAIN THOMAS S. MARVEL, head of the iron shipbuilding and engineering works which bears his name, was born in New York City, May 16, 1834. His father, who was a shipbuilder, came to Newburgh in 1836 and established a ship yard. Thomas S. was apprenticed to the trade of ship carpentry and at the age of twenty-one began business for himself. When the Civil War was declared he quited his business and raised a company which was mustered in October 28, 1861, as Company A, 56th New York Volunteers, with Captain Marvel in command. After serving fifteen months he resumed business in Newburgh, and with the exception of a few years spent in Staten Island has continued to make that city his home. In 1877 he engaged with Ward, Stanton & Co., to superintend the construction of their vessels. After the failure of this firm, Captain Marvel formed a partnership with John Delany to operate a ship yard. The business developed rapidly and has for years been one of the most important industries in Newburgh, giving employment to about two hundred and fifty men. The present officers of the company are: Thomas S. Marvel, president; Harry A. Marvel, vice-president and treasurer, and T. S. Marvel, Jr., secretary. The capital of the concern is $300,000.
Captain Marvel in 1861 married Hattie, daughter of John Burns, of Monroe, N. Y. They became the parents of two sons and two daughters.
HARRY A. MARVEL, superintendent of the T. S. Marvel Shipbuilding Co., a sketch of which appears elsewhere, was born in 1865 at Staten Island, and is a son of Captain Thomas S. and Hattie (Burns) Marvel. Since finishing his studies at the Newburgh Academy Harry has been associated with his father in the important industry of steel shipbuilding. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity of Newburgh. He married Miss Katherine Vought, of Cornwall, and two children have been born to them.
F. N. MASON, a prominent business man of Port Jervis, N. Y., has resided there since 1860. After finishing his studies at the public schools he engaged with Mr. George Lea in the drug business and in 1875 entered the New York College of Pharmacy. He was subsequently in the employ of Mr. Lea, until 1888, when he became his partner, and in 1891 bought Mr. Lea's interest and continued the business alone until 1902, when his son became his partner.
Mr. Mason is a director of the National Bank of Port Jervis; president of the Port Jervis Telephone Co., and director of the Port Jervis Real Estate and Loan Association. He served two terms as trustee of the village and is now alderman of the city. In fraternal circles he is identified with the Masons, Elks and Odd Fellows. Mr. Mason married Miss Phoebe C. Everett and their son Mariner H. is the only child.
MICHAEL MAYER, manufacturer of cut glass in Port Jervis, N. Y., was born in the French province of Alsace-Lorraine in 1849 and came to America in 1866, locating in Brooklyn, N. Y. He operated a cut glass factory in that city until 1895, when he moved his plant to Port Jervis, N. Y., in the building formerly occupied by the Orange County Flint Glass Works. This concern is now one of the most important industries in the county. In 1871 Mr. Mayer was joined in marriage with Madeline Miller, a native of the same province as himself. The ceremony was performed in Brooklyn. Mrs. Mayer died in 1900. He chose for his second wife Mrs. Eva Krell in 1904, who died in 1906. By his first wife Mr. Mayer had four children: George, of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Edward, associated with his father as manager of the factory; Madeline, wife of John W. Kelley, of Port Jervis, and Josephine, wife of Wm. P. Gregg, of Port Jervis. In politics Mr. Mayer is a republican and holds the office of supervisor of the First Ward. He is a member of Port Jervis Lodge No. 645, B. P. O. E., and a director of the Port Jervis B. & L. Association No. 1. The family attends the Church of the Sacred Heart of Port Jervis.