General Editorial Review
Palmer & Harding, Boots & Shoes. The business conducted by the above firm was established in 1871, by Moore & Wisner, one year thereafter Mr. Palmer purchased the interest of Mr. Moore and the firm became Palmer & Wisner, and so remained until 1874, when Mr. Harding purchased Mr. Wisner's interest and the firm became Palmer & Harding. and has remained the same ever since. This is the leading boot and shoe house of Orange County. They have one of the finest stores, located in Bull's Opera House on West Main St., to be found outside of New York City. They make a specialty of fine hand-sewed work, also dealing heavily in leather and findings. On their shelves will be found all the styles and changes as soon as they are brought out by the manufacturers, and their customers can rely fully upon the representations made by this firm. Both members of this firm are energetic, thorough business men, fully alive to whatever is of interest to the trade, and also to the interests of the village of Middletown. Their success is due to this fact and a thorough understanding of the wants of trade, which they spare no effort to meet. There needs but few words from us to call to mind to the residents of Middletown and vicinity this popular firm, who will fully endorse all we have said regarding them.
S. R. Morgan & Co., Booksellers & Stationers. The business conducted under the above mentioned firm name was established in 1871 by the firm of Morgan & Sloat, and was succeeded by the firm of Morgan & Roosa, and this by the present firm of S. R. Morgan & Co. Mr. T. E. Hanford purchasing the interests of Mr. Morgan's partner. This firm is located at No. 6 North St., and the business consists of books, stationery, blank books, law blanks, school books, inks, among which we mention Thomas' Jet Black Ink., music, etc. They have an extensive news department, being agents for all of the leading periodicals and publications of the day. A short time ago this firm opened a circulating library, loaning books by single copies or by the year, and were so successful as to have at present several thousand volumes on their shelves. It is unnecessary for us to speak of the standing of this firm, as there are but few better known in the village of Middletown. They keep pace with the demands of the times and in their store will be found all the leading publications as soon as issued.
J. R. Van Duzer, Furniture. Prominent among the numerous firms and business houses of Middletown is the furniture establishment of J. R. Van Duzer, located at No. 41 North street. This is the oldest furniture house in the village and is among the best known here. In his spacious warerooms will be found a complete supply of handsome furniture, embracing fine parlor suits, chamber suits, couches, lounges, easy chairs, tables, spring beds, mattresses, and all the latest novelties in furniture ornaments. Mr. Van Duzer makes a specialty of easy chairs and in his establishment can be seen many very elegant styles and models; he also deals largely in wall paper and window shades, pictures and picture frames. His store is three stories in height with a basement and yet furnishes insufficient space for the display of his goods. During his long residence in the village of Middletown, Mr. Van Duzer has built up a trade among the first families of this place, and the surrounding country. He is known as an enterprising, reliable business man.
Matthews Bros., Carpet Bag Factory. The business at present conducted by Matthews Bros. was established in 1843, at Windham, Greene Co., N. Y., by J. M. Matthews & H. H. Hunt. Their sales that year realized only $4 000, but continued to increase until in 1851 their sales amounted to $100,000. This increase of business demanded enlarged facilities and in 1853 the firm removed to Middletown, having purchased the brick building they now occupy, cor. Roberts and North streets, at the crossing of the Erie R.R. Their business has been a success, their sales reaching as high as a quarter of a million dollars in a single year, and they have given employment to fully two hundred hands. Later years machinery has taken the place of hand labor to a great extent. Their manufacturing business consists of carpet bags, traveling bags, satchels and valises, and they may properly be counted as among the first `carpet baggers,' at least so far as the manufacture of these is concerned. They are also extensively engaged in the sale of carpets, oil cloths and mattings, mats, rugs, stair rods, etc., devoting the entire first floor of their establishment to the sale of the same, making a specialty of this department late years. Mr Hunt retired from the firm, which continued business until 1874, when Mr. J. M. Matthews died and his interest was purchased by the present firm J. F. & J. E. Matthews. They have a large store in New York located at 92 Church street for the sale of carpets and carpet bags. There is no better firm doing business in Orange County than that of Matthews Bros., of Middletown.*
Sease & Kernochan, Jewellers. This is one of the old and substantial houses of Middletown and is composed of Mr. S. A. Sease and F. D. Kernochan. Mr. Sease has been engaged in the Jewelry business since 1842, and for upward of fourteen years has been located at his present place 24 North St. cor of King street. He has been in public office as trustee of the village and has been prominently identified with the Masonic brotherhood for years. His partner Mr. Kernochan learned his trade of him, and worked for him a number of years, being eventually taken into partnership with him. Both members of this firm are practical workmen, understanding fully the demands of the trade and are prepared to supply the same. They make a specialty of repairing fine watches, in which department they are second to none in the county. They deal extensively in clocks, watches, jewelry and silverware, guaranteeing satisfaction for all goods sold by them.
Adams & Weller, Dry Goods, etc. The business conducted by this firm was established in 1877, by the firm of Hayt & Adams, who continued the business until 1875, when Mr. Weller succeeded Mr. Hayt, and the firm of Adams & Weller was formed. Finding their store too small to accommodate their trade, in 1876 they built the one they now occupy, which is three stories high, x 125 feet with 12 feet ceilings, finished in black walnut, and is one of the finest stores in the village. They deal both wholesale and retail in dry goods, hosiery, fancy goods, underwear, ladies suits. etc., also largely in carpets, oil cloths, mattings, rugs, etc., having a room especially furnished for the exhibition of carpets. They make a specialty of selling goods by sample, and by this means have extended their trade over an immense section of country. Their store is complete in all its appointments, and they are acknowledged as the leading dry goods house of Middletown. The senior partner Mr. Adams superintends chiefly the purchasing of goods, and Mr. Weller the sale of the same, thus dividing labor and expediting the transaction of business.
Royce & Foote, Dentists. The senior member of this firm came to Middletown in 1854 and begun the practice of his profession. The doctor is a graduate of the Baltimore Dental College, the oldest college in the United States. For a quarter of a century Dr. Royce has followed his profession in Middletown, and during that time has not only won a reputation for skill in his calling, but made a host of personal friends. Thoroughly alive to the demands of the profession he has spared no effort to keep pace with the progress of the age, availing himself of the developments of science, until to-day he has few equals in Dental Surgery in the County. His partner, Dr. Foote, is a student of Dr. Royce, and at the close of his studies attended lectures at the Philadelphia Dental College. For several years he practiced in Middletown before entering into partnership with his former tutor. In 1878 the two gentlemen entered into partnership and opened a branch office in Ellenville and also in Monticello. Of their success we need say little, their extended practice is sufficient evidence that they are fully competent in their profession, and is a better recommendation than anything we might say. They are located over the American Express office opposite Franklin Square. Their practice extends through all the western part of Orange County, into Sullivan County and the States of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Both gentlemen are well known professionally and socially in Middletown, and this community will endorse fully all we have said concerning them.
*Since the above was in type, this firm has changed to Matthews & Co., Mr. J. F. Matthews retiring.