When the Walden Knife Company was organized in 1870 as a co-operative concern, Mr. Whitehead was one of the eighteen members, and held the position of superintendent. In 1874 the company was incorporated, at which time William G. Gowdy was elected president and Edward Whitehead secretary. In 1891 Mr. Whitehead was chosen president and the success of the industry since that time has been rapid. It is interesting to note that he is the only member of the original company now identified with this establishment, and his official connection with the cutlery industry stretches over a longer period than any other man connected with the business at the present time in this Sheffield of America.
Mr. Whitehead also occupies a prominent position in social and educational circles. In 1893 he was chosen school trustee and in 1896 president of the board of education, which position he held until his resignation in 1905. He is a director in the National Bank of Walden and of the Walden Savings Bank. Mr. Whitehead's success in life may, in brief, be attributed to perseverance, energy, keenness of judgment and constant devotion to an industry that has become one of the most important in Orange County.
HENRY L. WHITFORD, of Johnson, N. Y., who is prominently identified with the extensive creamery industries of Orange County, is a native of Connecticut. As a young man he learned the machinist's trade. For twenty-four years he has been connected with the Borden enterprises. He came to Orange County in 1891, and in 1895 was appointed superintendent of the plant at Johnson. He is now traveling superintendent, in charge of nine creameries.
Mr. Whitford married Miss Clara Root, and they are the parents of three sons and two daughters. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity.
JOEL WHITTEN, a highly respected citizen and retired merchant of Pine Bush, was born in the town of Crawford, October 8, 1818. A son of John and Mary (Moore) Whitten. He died at his residence in Pine Bush, April 29, 1904. Mr. Whitten remained on the home farm for a few years after his marriage to Miss M. Halstead Moore, of New York City, who died in 1872. He was for a time engaged in the mercantile business in New York City and also at Burlingham with his brother, Isaiah, until the establishment of the Pine Bush store, where he continued with Isaiah until his retirement from business in 1880. He served as postmaster of the village a number of years. Mr. Whitten was a man of keen discernment, sound judgment and sterling integrity. A firm believer in the principles of the Democratic party, he took an active interest in politics, but declined to hold public office. He united with the New Prospect Church in 1844 and organized the Sunday-school, in which he was active, either as a teacher or superintendent, for over forty years.
September 14, 1881, Mr. Whitten married Miss A. Emily McGowan, of Pine Bush, N. Y., daughter of Benjamin and Priscilla (Faulkner) McGowan, who survives him.
SAMUEL R. WHITTEN, son of Francis and Ophelia (Rainey) Whitten, was born in the town of Crawford in 1863. He was educated at the schools of Middletown and the Troy Polytechnic Institute. In addition to conducting a general store for eleven years, he was engaged in the lumber business and management of a farm. In 1907 Mr. Whitten formed a partnership with R. T. Brown, under the firm name of Brown & Whitten, dealers in general merchandise, carrying on an extensive trade at Pine Bush, N. Y.
GAVIN R. M. WILCOX, manufacturer, Newburgh, was born at Newtown Stewart, Whitonshire, Scotland, May 16, 1849. He is of English and Scotch ancestry, son of John and Jessie (McGregor) Wilcox, who came to America in 1866, settling in Newburgh. Here Gavin R. M. entered the employ of the Washington Iron Works, where he learned the trade of pattern maker and was later employed by the Severance Paper Machine Works; in 1871 he engaged with the Newburgh Steam Engine Works, holding the position of foreman until 1883, when the firm of Coldwell, Wilcox & Co. was organized, manufacturers of light machinery, steam heating apparatus, etc. In May, 1890, the business was incorporated as Coldwell-Wilcox Co., with a capital stock of $53,000, and Mr. Wilcox became secretary and general manager, which position he still occupies. He served three years as president of the Business Men's Association, and in 1902 was appointed by Mayor Wilson a member of the board of water commissioners, and at the following election was elected to that office and re-elected in 1905 to another five-year term. In 1872 he married Alice E., daughter of Henry O. Van Duzer. Five children have been born to them.
WALTER C. WILCOX was born at Wurtsboro, Sullivan County, N. Y. He is the son of Abraham and Marguerite (Lybolt) Wilcox, who had seven children. Mr. Wilcox obtained his early education at the district school at Wurtsboro and the high school at Monticello. After his schooling he moved to Middletown and identified himself with the Howell Hinchman Co., remaining with this firm about eight months. He afterward worked at the same business in Newark, N. J., for three years. In 1893 he removed to Middletown, and opened a grocery, which he has continued since. Mr. Wilcox was married to Miss Jennie Cameron, of Ellenville, N. Y., July 2, 1890. She is a direct descendant of the Cameron family of Scotland. To this union one child was born, Alonzo Potter Wilcox, born March 31, 1891, associated with his father in business. In politics Mr. Wilcox is a democrat. His brother Charles is a resident of Middletown, N. Y. Henry, of Port Jervis, is identified with the Erie Railroad; Anna is the wife of A. Dedrick, of Port Jervis; Ella, wife of Harry Miller, of Jersey City; Ada, wife of James Monagham, of Jersey City.
VICTOR AUDUBON WILDER, the only son of Mariner Ayers Wilder and Mary P. Smith, his wife, was born in Dennysville, Maine, on July 8, 1844, which was also the birthplace of his father. When but a few years old the son and his parents moved to Boston, Mass., where they lived until the outbreak of the Civil War.