Willliam Reynolds Beal (1838-1912)

His parents emigrated from Debtford in England to Newark, New Jersey, in 1833. William was born five years later and started his career with the Yonkers Gas Company. He rose from the factory floor up to eventually become the founding President of the Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation in 1911. When he was married in about 1865 he was living in The Bronx and by 1895 he bought Wilellyn at Newburgh. He was the father of six surviving children including the artists Reynolds and Gifford Beal.