The village of Cornwall-on-Hudson was incorporated in March, 1885, the first officers being: Thos. Taft, president; trustees: Wm. Fogarty, Charles W. Clark and Oren Cobb; treasurer, H. N. Clark; collector, Charles E. Cocks, and clerk, Daniel E. Pope.
In 1891 an excise board was elected, that refused to grant licenses, and since then the town has remained dry. Two reservoirs were built on the mountain, and the pure spring water carried through the town. The outlay was $67,000, but at present the water rents defray all expenses for interest. In 1906 a proposition was made to unite the two villages of Canterbury and Cornwall, but was defeated. The present board of trustees are: John Clarkson, president; Louis Velton, Charles Smith, Norman Chatfield and Ralph Quackenbush; clerk, James H. Ward; collector, John Noe.
CANTERBURY SCHOOLS.
A small building on one of the side roads was used for many years, after it was evident the days of its usefulness as a schoolhouse was over. In 1905 the people voted to raise $30,000 for a new schoolhouse. A lot on Willow avenue was purchased, and a building, complete in all modern appliances has been the result. There are twelve teachers under a most efficient principal, Mr. Woodworth. Both this and the one at the Corners, are high schools under the regents.
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
The Village Improvement Society was organized in 1900, when a public meeting was called in Mattheissen Hall. Dr. Harrison was chairman, and introduced the Rev. Lyman Abbott, who explained the object of the association, which was that each one should pledge themselves to take care of their premises, and use their influence to abate anything that would detract from the beauty and order of the village. Nearly everyone present agreed to become a member. The following day a meeting was held and officers elected. Mrs. Lyman Abbott was chosen president; Mrs. Seaman, first vice-president; Mrs. Hunter, second vice-president; Mrs. Furey, secretary; Miss Laura Currie, corresponding secretary, and Mrs. Dr. Harrison, treasurer. A handsome loving cup was purchased to be given to the person who, in the estimation of the judges, should show the best kept garden for the year. Anyone who should win it three years in succession would own it. Mrs. John Noe held it the first year, Mrs. Milton Couser the second, but the three following seasons it was held by Mrs. John Noe, who then became its permanent possessor. Almost the first work done by the society was offering ten cents a hundred for the nests of the tent worm. Seventy-two thousand were brought in by the school children, with the result that while the neighboring villages lost hundreds of trees the place was free from the pests. Trash cans were placed in different parts of the village, and thirteen hundred posters were removed from trees, fences and telegraph poles.
Many friends have made generous donations; among others Mr. Weeks who, during the past four years, has offered $50 each year as door-yard prizes. A boys' horticultural club has been formed, land rented and a portion assigned to each boy who owns all he raises. The two most successful receive prizes. Enough money has been subscribed to meet the expenses of this work for five years. The second year of the organization, it lost by death the efficient treasurer, Mrs. Dr. Harrison, and last summer the loved president, Mrs. Lyman Abbott, died beyond the ocean and sleeps in a little German graveyard. The present officers are: Mrs. Ernest Abbott, president; Miss Cocks, vice-president; Mrs. Seaman, second vice-president; Mrs. Fleming, secretary; Miss Josephine Youngs, treasurer, and Miss E. M. V. McClean, corresponding secretary.
PAPERS.
In 1877 Mr. John Lee, author of stories of the Hudson, started the Cornwall Mirror, but he died within the year. He was succeeded by Mr. Snelling, who changed the name to the Cornwall Reflector. Mr. Pendell succeeded him as editor, when the title was changed to Cornwall Local, the name which it retained when it passed into the hands of the present proprietor, Mr. Goodenough. Three or four efforts have been made to run a second village paper, but they have all proved a failure. Mr. Morehouse started the Courier, which passed into the hands of Creswell McLaughlin but it came to grief. It was resuscitated in 1905, but only lived a year.
INDUSTRIES.