HECTOR W. MILLSPAUGH was born January 29, 1866, at Wallkill, Ulster County, N. Y. He was a son of Henry and Mary E. Millspaugh, there being five children in his parents' family. He received his early education at the district school. At an early age he identified himself with the New York Knife Co., of Walden, N. Y., learning the business in detail. He worked diligently for the interest of the company, remaining there twenty-five years. He married Miss Rosina Stickles, of Walden, daughter of Steven and Hanna Stickles, March 11, 1886. Two children were born to this union: Charles, born September 21, 1892; Etta, born April 4, 1888, both at home. In politics Mr. Millspaugh is a republican. He is at present supervisor of the town of Montgomery. Socially a member of No. 170 I. O. O. F., Freeman Lodge No. 310, Mohonk Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, Henry Gowdy Council, American Mechanics of Walden, Court Orange No. 8, Foresters of America. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church of Walden.
THERON L. MILLSPAUGH, who has been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business for fifty years, is an honored citizen of Walden, N. Y. His ancestry in America dates back to Philip Millspaugh, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Theron L. was born in 1838, a son of Gilbert S. and Jane (Clineman) Millspaugh. At the age of seventeen he began his apprenticeship as cabinetmaker and in 1858 purchased the business from the widow of his former employer. His floor space at present covers over 10,000 square feet and is one of the finest furniture houses in Orange County. In 1862 he married Miss Eleanor D., daughter of Hon. David H. Smith, of the town of Montgomery. Two children have been born to them, Hattie C., now the wife of Dr. J. E. Sadlier, of Poughkeepsie, and Gilbert S., in business with his father. Mr. Millspaugh has served as deacon and elder of the Reformed Church, also on the Board of Village Trustees.
JOHN CLINTON MINTURN, of Bellvale, was born in the town of Warwick in 1853. In 1876 he opened a general store at Bellvale, which he is still conducting as well as one at Greenwood Lake, which he established several years ago. On January 11, 1877, he married Mary Ellen Hunter, of Greenwood Lake, and three children have been born to them, two of whom are living, John C. and Mamie E. John C. is assistant in his father's store. Mr. Minturn has served as school trustee several years. His father, James Minturn, was a farmer and mason and a descendant of Captain John Minturn, of Revolutionary fame.
EDGAR O. MITCHELL, M.D., Newburgh, N. Y., was born in New York City in 1864. When five years of age his parents removed to Newburgh. He was educated at Siglar's Preparatory School, Phillips (Exeter) Academy and Harvard University. He graduated from Harvard Medical College in 1892 and has since practiced in Newburgh. He is a member of the City and Powelton Clubs. Dr. Mitchell is a son of John James Mitchell, M.D., who has been one of Newburgh's foremost physicians for nearly forty years, and ex-president of the Homeopathic Medical Society of New York State. The family is of Puritan ancestry and direct descendants of Thomas Mitchell, who settled in Block Island, R. I., and bought one-fourteenth of the original share of the Island in 1677.
GEORGE R. MITCHELL, of Newburgh, who carries on an extensive business as a plumber and tinsmith and dealer in stoves and tinware, was born in Islip, L. I., in 1859. He came to Newburgh in 1871 and learned his trade with J. D. Mabie. He started in business for himself in 1886, opening a shop in Smith street. His present commodious quarters are located at 73 Second street. Mr. Mitchell married Miss Anna E. Campbell, of Newburgh, and has one son. He is trustee of the Associate Reformed Church and a member of Hudson River Lodge, F. & A. M.
BENJAMIN MOFFATT was born in the town of Blooming Grove, Orange County, N. Y., a son of Nathaniel and grandson of Samuel Moffatt, the first of the name who came from County of Antrim, Ireland, and settled in Blagg's Clove, Orange County, where he died May, 1787, in his eighty-second year.
Benjamin Moffatt, who inherited the strong, sterling characteristics of his Scotch-Irish ancestors, moved in 1840 to the then far West, Milwaukee, Wis., accompanied by his wife, who was Elizabeth Hulse, and their two infant daughters. Later the family moved to Illinois, where they resided many years and where the bright, beneficent influence of Mr. Moffatt reflected on all around him. He was an upright, honest, conscientious man, and every act of his life manifested the religious teachings of his younger days. In his hospitable home were entertained many travelers passing through the then frontier line of our country.
Mr. Moffatt was a charter member of the First Congregational Church of Milwaukee, Wis., and of the Second Congregational Church of Rockford, Ill. He was influential in the establishment of Beloit College, Beloit, Wis., and Rockford College, Rockford, Ill. He died June 9, 1857, in his sixty-sixth year, leaving his wife and three children, Melissa, Josephine and Gilbert, and the memory of a life which had a moulding influence for good in the home of his adoption.
GEORGE E. MORAN, SR., superintendent of the paper mills owned by the Diamond Mills Paper Company, located at New Hampton, N. Y., has been engaged for fifty years in the manufacture of paper. The Diamond Mills occupy the site of an industrial landmark in this section and is the property of Col. G. W. Thompson, of New York City, who bought it from E. Rosencrans in 1875. The plant has been greatly improved and additions made from time to time, including a one-hundred-foot addition across the creek in 1900. Employment is given to thirty persons, and the product averages two tons of finished tissue paper daily. An artesian well is on the premises and the plant is equipped with large and modern machinery.
Mr. Moran, who is an expert in the manufacture of fine paper, entered the employ of Col. Thompson some forty years ago and by energy and industry acquired his present responsible position. He is assisted by his son, George E., in the management of the business.