BIOGRAPHY: Nicholas Demerest; Chester, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

NICHOLAS DEMEREST, who is living on a fine farm of one hundred acres in the
town of Chester, has been a life-long agriculturist, as was his father before
him. In every detail of farm life he is thoroughly practical, and the neat
appearance of his place bears testimony to the thrift and industry of the
owner.

Mr. Demerest was born in the town of Warwick, this county, August to, 1844,
being the eldest of the family comprising the household of Abraham and Eliza
Jane (Smith) Demerest, also natives of this portion of the state, within whose
bounds they passed their entire lives. The father, who was a quiet and
unassuming man, was prominently identified with the agricultural interests of
the county, and was highly regarded for his upright manner of living. He
departed this life in 1887, and a year later was followed to the land beyond
by his wife.

Nicholas Demerest first attended the schools of his district, and later became
a student in Chester Academy. After completing his education, he re-turned to
the home farm, and has ever since de-voted himself to the cultivation of his
land. His place is one of the best in point of improvement in the county, and
is classed among the many beautiful farms of the town. In addition to raising
the usual amount of cereals, Mr. Demerest is interested in the dairy business,
making a specialty of this branch of agriculture.

The lady to whom our subject was married in 1864 was Miss Isabelle B.,
daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Van Keuren) McNeal, natives of the town of
Montgomery, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Demerest there have been born three
children, namely: James S., Isabelle B. and Sarah Edna. They are all well
educated, and at present are at home with their parents. Although not members
of any religious body, the family attend services quite regularly at the
Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Demerest has been for years an enthusiastic and prominent member of the
Masonic order, having been initiated into the secrets of this fraternity in
March, 1869, when joining Goshen Lodge No. 365. He later became identified
with Lodge No. 711, which was organized at Chester, July 27, 1871, but which
is now stationed at Mon-roe. Of this he has been Warden, and for several years
was Master. In 1881 he was appointed District Deputy of the Tenth Masonic
District by Horace Taylor, Grand Master, and on the expiration of his term of
office, two years later, was made his own successor by J. Edward Simmons,
Grand Master. He is also connected with Mid-land Chapter No. 240, R. A. M., of
Middletown, N. Y., is a Sir Knight of Hudson River Commandery No. 35, of
Newburgh, and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine of Mecca Temple in New York City.

In politics our subject is a Democrat, and is an influential worker in the
ranks. He has been called by his fellow-citizens to fill several import-ant
positions of trust, among them those of High-way Commissioner and Inspector of
Elections. In 1889 he was elected Supervisor of his town, and served
creditably for five consecutive terms, being Chairman of the board during the
last year. He was a very active member of this body and rendered efficient
service as a member of almost all the committees of importance. As a citizen
he is progressive, able and honorable, and the record of his life, both public
and private, is blameless.