History of Pleasant Valley, (Dutchess County) New York United States of America

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Biographies:

Thomas Thorn Flagler, representative, was born at Pleasant Valley, N.Y., Oct. 12, 1811; son of Abraham and Sarah (Thorn) Flagler. He attended the common schools until his twelfth year when he began work in a bark mill. In 1827 he was apprenticed to the printing trade in the office of the Chenango Republican, Oxford, N.Y., and in 1829 became half owner in the business. In 1834 he sold his interest and removed to Lockport, N.Y., where he started as a journey man printer. In September, 1838, he purchased the Niagara Courier, through the columns of which he introduced himself into politics. He was a member of the state legislature in 1842 and 1843, and in the latter year sold his paper and engaged in the hardware business. He served for several years as treasurer of Niagara county. He was a Whig representative in the 33d and 34th congresses, 1853-57, and while in congress was one of the one hundred who voted against the Kansas-Nebraska bill. In 1860 he again served in the state legislature, and in 1867-68 was a member of the state constitutional convention. In 1859 he organized the Holly manufacturing company and was its president during the rest of his life. He held positions of honor and responsibility in Lockport, and was president of the board of trustees of the Presbytery of Niagara, 1875-97. He married, in 1838, Huldah M. Barrett. He died in Lockport, N.Y., Sept. 5, 1897.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Gilbert Dean, jurist, was born in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, N.Y., Aug. 14, 1819. He was descended from the Deanes and Gilberts of Taunton, Mass., who settled in the town in 1637. He was prepared for college at Amenia seminary and was graduated at Yale in 1841. He studied law in Pine Plains, N.Y., and began the practice of his profession in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in 1844. He was a representative in the 32d and 33d congresses, resigning in June, 1854, to accept the position of justice of the New York supreme court by appointment of Governor Clark. He served for a time on the bench of the court of appeals and on the expiration of his term in 1856 he removed from Poughkeepsie to New York city, where he continued the practice of law. He died in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Oct. 12, 1870.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor