$300 Check Returns to Rosendale after 128 years

Recently  a check written in 1876 by  Edmund Doremus, Superintendent of the Newark and Rosendale Cement Company, was donated to the Society.  How this check managed to survive destruction must be quite some story. Only the beginning and end of the story can be told with some assurance of accuracy. We can give a fairly detailed account of Edmund Doremus as supplied by Nathaniel Sylvester. It should be noted that Sylvester’s notes are as matters stood in 1880 the year the History of Ulster County was published.



 “Edmund Doremus, whose portrait appears in connection with this sketch, was born Sept. 26, 1821, at West Bloomficld, now Mont Clair, N. J. He was the fourth in a family of eight children, all of whom lived to mature years, reared families, and six of whom are still living. His father was Peter Doremus, a native of Pompton, N. J.; and his mother, Rhoda (Crane) Doremus, was born in West Bloomfield. Both of his parents are dead. His father was a successful farmer and merchant, and an extensive "shoe manufacturer of West Bloomfield. After the war of 1812 he left the tanning business, in which he had been engaged for a few years, and purchased the property now owned and occupied by Philip Doremus, where there has been a store continuously by the Doremus family since 1814.

The earlier years of Edmund Doremus were spent at home assisting his father, and acquiring the rudiments of his education in the common schools of the town. At the age of thirteen he entered Briar Hill Academy, at Caldwell, N. J., and remained there as a student two years. Subsequently he attended Mount Prospect Institute, near West Bloomfield, several terms.
Returning home, he assisted his father in business for one year, and then entered as an apprentice into the employ of Isaac B. Lee, a millwright, at Newark, N. J., where he continued until he was of age. He then spent one year in Michigan, engaged in teaching, and at the close of his labors returned home.

He married, May 18, 1845, Caroline, daughter of Isaac A. and Johanna (Ward) Harrison, of Orange, N. J. Their children are as follows:
Edmund Doremus was engaged after his marriage for seven years in the millwright business, as contractor, etc., during two years of which time be was mechanical director of the Watsessing Calico Print-Works and Bleachery at West Bloomfield.
In February, 1852, he moved to Whiteport, Ulster Co., N.Y., and became general manufacturing agent or superintendent of the Newark and Rosendale Cement Company, —–a position he still holds after a continuous service of twenty-eight years. The success of this company, its thoroughly systematized operations, the excellent quality of its cement, and its well-known popularity arc undoubtedly largely due to the tact, skill, and untiring energy of Mr. Doremus.

In polities he was formerly connected with the Whig party, but at its dissolution attached himself to the Republican party, and was one of its active organizers in the town of Rosendale. He has resolutely declined nominations for office, but his advice and influence have often been effective in political conventions.

In religious faith he is an Episcopalian, and is a member of the Church of the Holy Spirit at Rondout. Through his exertions a mission chapel has been established by that church at Whiteport, and a Sunday-school is maintained under his charge.
Mr. Doremus has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of the town, is universally respected by his fellow citizens, and is a representative of the most important business interests of Ulster County.”

The Newark & Rosendale Cement Company  was the successor to the cement works formerly operated by Hugh White.  [For a brief sketch of the early period of cement manufacturing at Whiteport see the article  ‘Hugh White’s Rosendale Cement’ in the Winter 2000 issue of Natural News.] It operated at Whiteport until 1902 when it became a part of S. D. Coykendall’s Consolidated Rosendale Cement Company.

Edmund Doremus lived and worked in Whiteport. As shown on the above map his  home overlooked the cement works.
When this check was written  Nathaniel Du Bois was employed by the Newark And Rosendale Cement company as cashier and bookkeeper. Twelve years later DuBois is listed in the 1888 Wallkill Valley Railroad  Directory as Postmaster at Whiteport and  School Trustee living on the Bloomingdale Road. 

[Biography and engraving of E. Doremus from Sylvester’s History of Ulster County. Philadelphia 1880. Map of Whiteport from Beer’s Atlas of Ulster County. New York 1875. The National Bank of Rondout Check and Newark & Rosendale Cement Co. advertisements are from Century House Historical Society Collections.]

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