General Editorial Review
Vail & Brink, Hardware & Orange County Furnace. Prominent among the leading business firms of Orange County is that of Vail & Brink of Middletown, although they are perhaps better known through the Orange County Furnace, than through their hardware business, although the latter is by no means a small business. The furnace, which is the principal one in Middletown, was established by Wheeler, France, Madden & Lemmon in 1842. After numerous changes in proprietors, Mr. A. L. Vail its present proprietor took possession in 1877. The building which is located on the cor of King & Foundry Sts., is 90 x 300 ft. on Foundry St., and 90 x 100 on King St., forming an L. There are employed at present some thirty hands in the shops, which are manufacturing agricultural implements chiefly, yet are prepared to make to order steam engines, water wheels and railroad supplies, consisting of car trucks, switch gates, head blocks, bridge work, frogs, etc., together with all manner of castings for builders, stoves and hollow ware and casting in general. In 1865, Mr. Vail entered into partnership with Mr. Scott in the hardware business and continued with him until 1877, when Mr. Brink purchased Mr. Scott's interest and the firm of Vail & Brink was formed. Theirs is the oldest hardware business in Middletown. The senior partner, Mr. Vail, is one of the directors of the Middletown Savings Bank, also of the Middletown National, which position he has held for the past eighteen years. He has also served as trustee of the village, finding time in the hurry of his own business to devote some thought to municipal affairs. There are few firms in Orange County with a record and standing, they may take a juster pride in than that of Vail & Brink of Middletown, and there are few men who have done more to advance the real interests of Middletown than A. L. Vail.
Wickham & Terhune, Midland Steam Mills. In mentioning the business men and interests of Orange County we must on no account fail to speak of the above firm. Mr. S. S. Wickham the senior member of the firm has been a prominent business man in Middletown for almost forty years, has been identified with the growth of the village ever since his boyhood, and no measure looking to the improvement and welfare of the place, but has received his earnest support. In 1846 Mr. Wickham commenced business by purchasing the tannery and boot and shoe store of Mr. Dill, and under the firm name of Wickham & Houston, a gentleman with whom he formed a partnership, began business. Four years thereafter Mr. Wickham took entire charge and continued for another four years, when he sold out the entire business, and soon thereafter opened a lumber yard, which he conducted successfully until 1866, when having accumulated a comfortable competency, he sold out and retired from business. Being a thorough business man he could not remain contented in idleness, and in 1870 he erected the large building which he now occupies on Montgomery St., south of the Erie R. R. crossing, and opened a flour and feed store, together with a coal and lumber yard. His storehouse is 40 x 100 feet three stories and basement, and his coal and lumber yards are 247 X 265 ft, occupied by buildings for storing the coal and lumber. In his yards is a track connecting with the Erie Railroad, for his exclusive use. In 1877 Mr. Wickham erected a flouring mill, having become convinced of the inadequacy of the one in the village for supplying the wants of the community, in this connection he associated with him Mr. J. L. Terhune, a miller of long experience and gave him charge. They have the finest mill at present in this part of the state it is 40 x 50 feet, four stories, built of brick entirely fire proof, is supplied with all the latest and most approved machinery, power supplied by a fifty horse Wright Engine. The mill is a model of convenience, everything being done by machinery that is possible to do, and it is the most complete mill it has ever been our good fortune to inspect. The mill is situated immediately adjacent to Mr. Wickham's store, opposite to the Midland R. R. Passenger Depot. This mill is destined to be a great advantage to the farmers living near, while it brings hundreds of dollars into Middletown, which would otherwise be compelled to seek supplies and exchange in some other market. S. S. Wickham, during his long life in Middletown, has won the respect of her citizens in a degree accorded to but few men, while his business tact and energy is admired by all. Mr. Terhune, his associate, is a gentleman of large experience, is thorough master of his trade, and it requires no prophet to predict a certain success for these two gentlemen.
F. M. Pronk, Druggist. Although as a business man, the name of Ferris M. Pronk is a later acquisition than that of many in Middletown, the business he conducts is one of the oldest in the drug line in the village, while the name of Pronk is one long known in Middletown, the father of Ferris M., James N. Pronk, has long been a representative man in Middletown, having long been in public office, and is a lawyer of standing. F. M. Pronk began business as clerk for Mr. Levi Starr, and in 1875 he succeeded him in the business. His store, on the corner of Main & North Sts., is one of the “land marks” of the village. Mr. Pronk deals in drugs and patent medicines, paints, oils and glass, carrying a very heavy stock of the latter. Mr. Pronk has been for a number of years connected with the Middletown Fire Department, of which he is at present chief, and to his influence, energy and good judgment are due many of the improvements that from time to time have been made in the Fire Department, and which place the Middletown Fire Department among the best to be found in any village of its size in the country. Our space compels us to simply mention leading business men or we would be pleased to make more extended notices of many. We shall close this with the advice to the citizens of Middletown to retain as long as possible in office so efficient and energetic an officer as Ferris M. Pronk.
Gordon & Hill, Coal and Lumber. The business was established in 1874 by the firm of Gordon & Stanton and consisted of wholesale and retail coal and lumber. They continued in business until Jan. 1st, 1877, when Mr. Robert Hill purchased Mr. Stanton's interest and the firm of Gordon & Hill was formed. Their business has been very successful, increasing constantly until they are now the heaviest coal and lumber dealers in the village. Their business consists of coal and lumber, plaster, lime, and cement, flour and feed, paint, building paper, etc. They do a large wholesale business, giving special rates upon carload lots. They have a switch from the Erie running into their yard which allows them great facilities for handling goods; they are sole agents for the “Globe white lead and mixed paints.” of New York. They have a large flour and feed trade, and are prepared to fill all orders and contracts for building. Their yard and office is upon Henry street near James. This is one of the leading firms of Middletown. C. K. Gordon has long been known in Middletown where he has long resided. Mr. Hill is a thorough business man and well adapted to make success certain. Such firms as Gordon & Hill are the ones that give to any place, its standing and rank among sister towns; they are too well known to render further comment from us necessary.
Halstead Sweet, Prop. “Old Homestead Hotel.” Prominent among the business men of Orange County appears the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this article. Mr. Sweet came to Middletown in 1844, and located at his present place on John street at the crossing of the Erie RR. Mr. Sweet has been prominently identified with the growth and development of the village of Middletown, and is at present serving his third term as President of the same he was elected in 1872, again in 1874, and the last time in 1878. In the days of staging Mr. Sweet was owner of the stage line from Newburgh to Monticello, and ran the same successfully until the steam car supplied more rapid transportation and so crowded the stage coach out of existence. Mr. Sweet conducts his hotel, which is one of the few reminders of the olden times that yet remain to the village, and he manages this, as he does all his business successfully. The “Old Homestead” is still a popular resort, traveling men, as they meet at various places speak of the good cheer found there, and advise others to try the same. In his long public life Mr. Sweet has served the people well and faithfully, higher praise no man can win.
Geo. A. Swalm, Hardware. This business was established in 1856, under the firm of Dill & Swalm, at this time Middletown was only a small village with a population whose wants were limited, the business at that time was necessarily small. With the growth of the town and development of the farming interests surrounding, came increased demands, this firm keeping pace with this, added to their stock of goods, enlarged their store and shops until they occupied a building 25 x 150 feet, three stories in height, fronting on North street forming an L with 100 feet upon King street. The business besides general hardware, consisted of agricultural implements, builders' and carriage hardware, stoves, cutlery, and the manufacture of tin, sheet iron and copper ware, the latter furnishing employment to a number of mechanics. In 1876, Mr. Swalm took sole charge of the business, and has since conducted the same. He now has a trade second to none in the village. Prompt and energetic in business, offering a large stock of goods for customers to select from, with prices low, and goods of the best quality, there is little wonder Geo. A. Swalm has built up a fine trade, and is today counted among the best men, and first citizens of the village of Middletown. Middletown has been fortunate in many things financial and commercial. Her business men are noted for their public spirit, tact and energy, but in no one line of trade has she been wore fortunate than in the men who conduct her hardware business.