General Editorial Review
Wood T. Ogden, Sporting Goods, Sewing Machines, etc. Mr. Ogden is a gentleman well known to the people of Middletown, as he has been engaged in business here since 1868, when he opened a general Sewing Machine Agency at No. 30 West Main street; soon thereafter he removed to the corner of Main and James street. His business increased both by his successful management and by the addition of sporting goods which he made, and some time thereafter he removed to No. 31 West Main, the place he now occupies. Connected with the Sewing Machine Agency is a store for sale of sporting goods, embracing guns, ammunition, fishing tackle, etc., where will be found the largest and best selection of such goods in Orange County. Mr. Ogden also deals in musical instruments, pianos, organs, etc., together with sheet music; and he is also a pension agent, making the securing of pensions, bounty and pay of United States soldiers a specialty. Mr. Ogden is a thorough, live business man, and any person desiring anything in his line of business or trade will certainly find it to their interest to call upon him. Among his latest novelties in sewing machines is the “Wonderful White Sewing Machine,” for which he is agent. Mr. Ogden entered the army as a private in the 124th Regiment N. Y. V. He served with distinction, being wounded four times in the various engagements in which he participated with the “Orange Blossoms,” and when mustered out he had his commission as 1st Lieutenant.
John S. Lyon & Son, Coal and Lumber. The gentlemen composing this firm came to Middletown in 1877, and purchased the business of L. Bonnell, coal and lumber dealer, located cor. Main and Mill streets. Being thorough business men, and having had an experience of eight years in the coal business in New York city, they soon infused new life into the business they had purchased, and they are rapidly building up a fine trade in this village and vicinity. They handle large quantities of lumber and have lately connected a flour and feed department to their business. Although having been in Middletown a short time, these gentlemen have demonstrated fully that they are live business men, and that they will spare no efforts to satisfy the wants of customers, and are rapidly winning their way to popular favor.
C. N. Predmore, Grocers. Mr. Predmore began business in 1865 and has in that time built up a fine trade, and a reputation as a thorough business man. He is located on the corner of James and King streets where he is prepared to supply the people of Middletown and vicinity everything in the line of groceries and provisions. He makes it a point to purchase all goods, for cash obtaining thereby extra discounts, which enables him to offer customers fine goods at low prices; he makes a specialty of choice butter and cheese, being constantly in receipt of consignments of Delaware County as well as Orange County butter. Mr. Predmore handles large quantities of goods on commission, thus securing an advantage of first choice in buying. He sells only first class goods over his counter, makes it a rule to please customers, allows trial of all goods which if they do not suit, money will be refunded in all cases, and by this course it is easy to see how he has built up the leading grocery trade of Middletown. Customers will find a full line of choice family groceries, flour, fruit and vegetables in season, canned fruit, teas, coffee, etc., in short every article that will be found in any first class grocery establishment. Goods sold either wholesale or retail.
S. W. Millspaugh & Co., Books and Stationery. There are few residents of Middletown that do not know the establishment of the above firm, located at No. North street, it being the oldest book store in the village. Mr. Millspaugh has had a wide experience in his line of trade, understands fully the wants of customers, spares no efforts to supply the same, and while he makes blank and school books a specialty, the other departments are not neglected. Any one wishing a fine gold pen cannot do better than to step into his store and examine his stock of Aiken's pens. He deals in pianos and organs, also tuning and repairing the same. Besides books and stationery he deals largely in children's toys, has connected with the store, (although lately opened) a circulating library, and is prepared to supply books by rental of single copies or by the year. At his news stand will be found the leading papers and publications of the day.
Dr. F. M. Barnes, Dentist. Among the men who have won their way to popular favor and appreciation, by unremitting labor and application to their profession is Dr. F. M. Barnes, who came to Middletown in 1873, and has built up a fine practice upon the merit of his skill in his calling. His office is over the Middletown Savings Bank, opposite Franklin Square, where he has fitted up elegant dental parlors, and here he may be found during regular office hours prepared to perform any operation in his profession. The doctor makes operative dentistry a specialty, and we can give no better testimony of his skill and success than to state the fact that he numbers among his patients numerous members from the wealthiest families of the village and vicinity. He is an enthusiast in his profession, devoting all his time and thought to the study of the same and to perfecting himself in his practice, and that he should be successful could not well be otherwise. We heartily congratulate the doctor for the favor he has won and cordially recommend him to the public.
B. C. Woodward, Dry Goods, Etc. Mr. Woodward came to Middletown in 1868, as a clerk for the firm of Hayt & Adams, where he remained until 1871, when having won the confidence of his employers, and their appreciation of him being such he opened a branch store at No. West Main St., under the name of B. C Woodward & Co., the firm above mentioned being the company. Two years thereafter he purchased the entire business and has since continued the same in his own name. His business has been a success, steadily growing under his efficient management. He deals largely in dress goods, white cotton goods, woolen cloths, underwear and fancy goods. He has won a reputation as a gentlemanly salesman, and a reliable business man. In 1877 he caused a large improvement to be made in the store he occupies, tearing away the entire front with its small windows, and substituted large plate glass windows, remodeled and improved the interior of his store until he now has one of the finest salesrooms in Middletown, adding very materially to his own and his customers convenience. During his residence here, Mr. Woodward has won a reputation as a straightforward business man, made many friends, and built up a fine trade which he spares no pains to retain, employing only courteous, gentlemanly salesmen in his store, and trying by all fair means to satisfy customers. We advise our readers, ere purchasing dry goods, to step into B. C. Woodward's, No. 5 West Main St., and look over his stock.