CHARLES L. MEAD, LL.B., was born August 27, 1851, in the town of Wawayanda, Orange County, N. Y. His father, William H. Mead, was also a native of the town. The subject of this sketch, the eldest of the family, remained at home until fourteen years of age, when he became a student at the Wallkill Academy. He took a course at Claverack College, Columbia County, N. Y., from which he graduated in 1873. He then entered Princeton with the class of '77, where he was a student for two years. He entered Columbia Law School in New York in 1875, graduating in 1877 with the degree of LL.B., after which he opened a law office at Goshen, N. Y. In 1892 he was elected county treasurer.
Mr. Mead married Miss Fannie Tuthill, of Middletown, N. Y., June 5, 1878. He is a member of the Sons of the Revolution and a republican. He has represented his party in various conventions and was councilman for several years.
WALTER J. MEAD, president of the Montgomery & Erie Railroad, was born in Montgomery, February 16, 1824, a son of Walter and Elsie (Monell) Mead. As a young man he engaged in the grist mill business with his father and continued in that industry for forty or fifty years. Mr. Mead has been closely identified with the Montgomery and Erie Railroad, holding the office of superintendent, secretary, vice-president and president. He has also been very active in promoting educational matters in the village and served many years as trustee of the village school board, and president of the village board of trustees. Mr. Mead has been twice married; by his first wife, who was Laura C. Benedict, he had three children. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Ketura M. Miller, daughter of Henry W. Thompson, a prominent citizen of Goshen.
ALEXANDER MERRITT, a well-known undertaker and embalmer of Middletown, was born in the town of Blooming Grove, June 30, 1847. When fourteen years of age he came to Middletown and learned the carpenters' trade, which he followed seven years. In 1874 he engaged with his father-in-law, W. H. Knapp, as an assistant in his undertaking establishment, remaining with him until 1881, when he embarked in the cabinet manufacturing business. On March 1, 1891, he entered into partnership with W. Nelson Knapp in the establishment of an undertaking business, and eleven years from that time purchased Mr. Knapp's interest, and has since conducted the business alone. He is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M.; Middletown Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F.; Concord Council No. 1077; Royal Arcanum and Launcelot Lodge No. 169, K. O. P.
Mr. Merritt married Miss May A. Knapp, September 3, 1873, and they have three children: Clarence N., married Ella Groo, and resides in Paterson, N. J.; Lulu May, married Robert Terhune, resides at East Orange, N. J., and Walter K., who married Frances H. Darbee, of Middletown. Walter assists his father in the management of the undertaking business.
THEODORE MERRITT represents the fifth generation of George Merritt and Glorianna Purday, who located in the town of Newburgh, 1747. Homestead at Middlehope, purchased by Humphry Merritt, 1758, now in possession of Daniel H. Merritt. Theodore in 1853 entered employ of John R. Gorham as druggist's clerk. In 1859 he purchased the business of John F. Van Nort and became his successor. In 1866 he purchased the property at 40 Water street, where the wholesale and retail drug business has since been conducted. In 1898 Mr. Merritt retired from active management and the firm of Theodore Merritt & Sons continued, composed of George H., Hiram and Theodore A. Merritt.
On July 17, 1907, George H. and Hiram purchased the interest of Theodore A. in the business, and now conduct it under the name of Theodore Merritt's Sons.
CHARLES S. MILES was born July 19, 1870, near Lake Station, Orange County. His father was William J., and his mother Elizabeth (Doty) Miles. Four children were born to this union: George E., born 1862; Edward D., born 1867; Charles S., and Mary E., born 1874, the wife of James Fintze, of Newark, Ohio. Mr. Miles acquired his education at the Warwick public school, after which he learned the printers' trade. He was identified with the county newspapers, also papers in New York and Brooklyn. He has been connected with the O. & W. Motive Power Department and the Road Department. He was married December 7, 1892, to Miss Minnie E. Shove, of Middletown, daughter of George and Julia Shove. Two children have blessed this union: Victor Edward, died at the age of thirteen months, and George W., born September 17, 1895. Socially he belongs to the O. & W. Shop Employees' Relief and Benefit Association, and is recording secretary of the Jr. O. U. A. M., Wallkill Council No. 92. He is a member and usher of the Methodist Church of Middletown. Mr. Miles was elected city treasurer in 1907.
Dr. JAMES J. MILLS is a native of Orange County, N. Y., and one of its leading professional men. He was born at Mount Hope, May 9, 1851. He is a son of Hon. Andrew J. Mills and Maria (Green) Mills and a descendant of Timothy Mills, an early settler of Long Island, whose son Ebenezer, born in 1757, was probably the first of the family to settle in Orange County. He is of Revolutionary ancestry. His maternal grandfather was related to Nathaniel Green, and his maternal grandmother was related to Nathan Hale, the patriot who was executed by the British as a spy, and whose statue adorns the City Hall Park, New York. At an early age Dr. Mills clerked in New York City for Alex. Hudnut, and in the Astor House drug store. He afterwards turned his attention to dentistry, and since April 8, 1878, has followed his profession in Port Jervis, N. Y. The doctor has been influential in promoting public improvements and establishing business enterprises. He was a member of the Board of Education, Board of Health, village trustee, town assessor, and held various other offices. In 1902-1904 he received the democratic nomination for member of assembly. Dr. Mills is a member of the New York State Dental Society, the Dental Society of the Ninth Assembly District, No. 328 F. and A. M. of Port Jervis, Chapter No. 86 and the Mecca Temple, Knights of Pythias, B. P. O. E., Minisink Valley Historical Society as an officer; served in Delaware Hose Company No. 2 of the Port Jervis fire department twenty years.
NATHAN D. MILLS, a manufacturer of Middletown, N. Y., was born at Circleville. Orange County, November 3, 1867. He acquired his education at the district school and Middletown Academy. During one year he was in New York City with Crawford & Valentine, contractors, who constructed the Brooklyn waterworks. After returning to Orange County he managed a farm for three years, and in 1895 purchased the wholesale and retail cigar business of Robert Sayer. In two years' time the volume of business was such that Mr. Mills found it necessary to erect a large factory building, 36 x 60 feet. The concern now gives employment to forty-five men. Mr. Mills was twice nominated for sheriff by the democrats of Orange County. In his first candidacy he carried Middletown by 861 majority and in his second by 415 majority. It was not expected that he would overcome the continuous republican majority in the county. He was master of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M., two years; is a member of Midland Chapter No. 240, Cypress Commandery No. 67, Mecca Temple of New York, Jr. O. U. A. M., and B. P. O. E. of Port Jervis. He is an honorary member of the Middletown Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, worthy president of the Eagles of Middletown, and is identified with the Middletown Athletic Association, Old Orchard Club, Middletown Club, Newburgh City Club and Orange County Golf Club. He was married to Miss Mary Beakes, of Fair Oaks, N. Y., daughter of Howell and Anna J. Beakes, March 2, 1892. Their one child, Maurice, died when two and one-half years old. Mr. Mills' parents were Nathan J. and Julia Elizabeth Mills, and they had seven children, two of whom died in infancy and one at fourteen years of age. Those living are Anna M., wife of Charles E. Haight, of New York City; Lizzie J., wife of Virgil K. Carpenter, of Fair Oaks, N. Y., and Frank P. a resident of Bullville, Orange County. Mr. Mills is a descendant of an honored family and has achieved a success which ranks him with the solid financial men of his city and county.