Mr. Ogden was educated in Warwick Institute and at Hartwell's Private School in Unionville. He married Miss Virginia R. Geraghty, of Warwick, in 1889, and is survived by her and one daughter, Mary, who is a graduate of the Warwick high school; also by two sisters, Alveretta, wife of Maurice Pelton, and Mary, wife of Dr. S. E. Holly. In 1889 he and his brother-in-law, Mr. Pelton, succeeded his father in the hardware business with the firm name of Ogden & Pelton. His father died in 1902. James Ogden was a member of the Warwick band for many years. He was one of the founders of the Warwick Athletic Association, and a member of the Warwick Club, in which last he served as trustee and treasurer. He was one of the charter members of the Warwick Gun Club, and a director in the First National Bank.
JOSHUA OLDROYD was born in Yorkshire, England, January 29, 1838. His early education was acquired while working in the woolen mills of that place, attending school one-half day and working the other half. He also attended night school for several years. His trade was that of a hand loom weaver. When eighteen years of age he came to America, and was employed in the woolen mills at Mechanicstown, Orange County, from 1856 to 1858. The following four years he was in charge of the woolen mills at Millow, Wawayanda township. He was later employed in mills at Newtown, Connecticut, and afterward owned woolen mills at East Granby, Conn. In 1875 he removed to Newburgh and took charge of a horse blanket printing machine manufactory, remaining there only a few months, when he returned to Mechanicstown, and operated woolen mills there for five years. He then conducted a felt boot manufactory at Howells for a period of twenty-one years. He sold his business at Howells, and went to Philadelphia and took the management of the Watkinson Felt Boot Factory Co., remaining there two years. He was obliged to remove back to Middletown owing to ill health, where he has since resided in retirement. He married Miss Hanna Newsome, daughter of James Newsome, of Mechanicstown, March 6, 1861. One child was born to this union, who died in infancy. In the fall of 1905 his townsmen of the Third ward nominated him for alderman. He was victorious and has since held the office. He was a delegate to the Republican state convention eight years. He attends the Episcopal Church and is a member of Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, F. and A. M., of Middletown, N. Y.
WILLIAM H. O'NEAL was born at Goshen, Orange County, N. Y., March 3, 1836. He acquired his education at various district schools in the county. At the age of sixteen years Mr. O'Neal began learning the painting and decorating trade. He married Sarah E. Stone, of Denton, N. Y., December 31, 1855. They had three children, Sarah Louise, Henry Lincoln and Charles Francis. His wife died February 9, 1881. He afterward married Lydia F. Hall of Goshen, N. Y., July 27, 1882. She died March 1, 1892.
Mr. O'Neal worked at his trade in New York City twenty years, going there in 1856. He worked at the navy yard for eleven years. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Goshen Lodge, No. 365, F. and A. M., and served as master of lodge two years. At the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. O'Neal enlisted in the 84th Regiment, entering as private and later being promoted to captain. He served in the defense of Washington and was honorably discharged. In 1863 he re-enlisted and served for some time in the Shenandoah Valley.
HON. JOHN ORR, former assemblyman from the first district of Orange County, was born in Cornwall, N. Y., March 5, 1859. He is a son of William and Margaret (Elliott) Orr, and is engaged in the flour and coal business at Orr's Mills, which is now one of the industrial landmarks of the town of Cornwall. Mr. Orr was educated at public and private schools, finishing with a three-year course at Leipsic, Germany. On his return home he became a member of the firm of William Orr & Sons, dealers in flour, feed and coal.
Politically Mr. Orr is a Republican, and has taken an active part in promoting the welfare of his party, not only in his native town but throughout the county. In addition to representing this district in the state legislature for four years, he was elected a member of the board of supervisors, where he served nine years. He has held public office in the town of Cornwall for a period of twenty years. Mr. Orr is particularly well posted on questions of taxation and parliamentary usage, and in close touch with the farming community, recognizing their needs and desires. He enjoys the reputation of being a pleasant after-dinner speaker.
Mr. Orr is prominently identified with various fraternal organizations, including Free Masonry. In August, 1900, he was elected great sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men, state of New York, and has also held the office of president of the Association of Tribes of the Hudson Valley.
In 1888 Mr. Orr was united in marriage with Miss Angelique Veith, of New York City. They are the parents of two children, Alice and Walter.
HERMAN OTTO was born in Saxon, Germany, February 22, 1848. He came to America in 1869 and married Emma Wolf, of New Britain, Conn. Nine children were born to this union: One daughter died at the age of seventeen years; Emma, wife of Ira Smith, of Monroe, N. Y.; Herman, who resides in New York City; Frank, of Windham, Ohio; Charles, of Monroe, N. Y.; Annie Mae, of New York City; Arlyne Elsie, Harry and Paul, residing at home.
Mr. Otto is a member of Luther Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Middletown, and of the Cigar Makers' Union of Middletown. His estate, comprising one hundred and eighteen acres, is under substantial improvement. Mr. Otto does not depend entirely on the products of his farm, for he has a well established cigar manufacturing business, which he has carried on successfully for many years. In politics he is a Republican and takes an active interest in local affairs.