BIOGRAPHY: William McCauley, Jr.; Haverstraw, Rockland 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

WILLIAM McCAULEY, JR., who is engaged in the practice of law at Haverstraw,
was born in Stony Point, August 5, 1856. His paternal ancestors were of
Scotch-Irish origin, and his grandfather, Daniel McCauley, was the first of
the name to settle at Stony Point, where he married Miss Call, a member of one
of the old families of Rockland County. William, our subject's father, was
born in Stony Point, where he owned and operated a blacksmith-shop. In local
matters he was active and held a number of town offices. His death occurred
April 29, 1891, at the age of seventy-nine.

The mother of our subject was Caroline Rose, daughter of James and Sallie
(Dykens) Rose, natives of Stony Point. This family has long been prominent in
the county, among its influential members being Capt. James H. Rose and Capt.
George Rose, brothers, and cousins of Caroline, both of whom were early river
captains. The father of our subject was twice married, having by his first
wife, who was a Miss Brooks, one child, Sarah Jane, who died at the age of
fourteen. Of his second marriage three children were reared, namely: Sarah,
Mrs. S. Alonzo Smith, a resident of Hempstead, L. I., where her husband is
engaged in the mercantile business; William, Jr.; and Lewis, who lives in
Hempstead.

Commencing his studies in the public schools of Stony Point, our subject, at
the age of fifteen, entered a private school conducted by Rev. E. Gay, Jr. ,
at Benson's Corner, N. V. Later he was a student at the normal school at
Millersville, Pa., when Prof. Edward Brooks, formerly of Stony Point, was
President of the institution. After leaving the normal school he entered
Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn., where he remained until ill-health
compelled him to abandon his collegiate course. After leaving college he
taught in the public schools of the county until in 1879, when he entered .
the law office of Judge Wiant at Haverstraw, N. Y., remaining with him until
he was admitted to the Bar, in 1882, and afterwards continuing his practice in
the same office for six years, since which time he has been alone. For some
years he filled the position of Corporation Counsel of the village where he
resides, and in 189o was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of
District Attorney of Rockland County, which office he held from January 1,
1891, to January 1, 1894. His practice has been a general one and he has had
charge of a number of important cases, in which valuable interests have been
involved.

Since coming to Haverstraw Mr. McCauley has erected a comfortable and
commodious residence on Hudson Avenue, and here he and his wife and children
make their home. He was united in marriage, March 14, 1880, with Miss Ida M.,
daughter of Marvin and Mary (Travis) Garrison, of this city. They have two
sons, Frank W. and Harry S., aged, respectively, thirteen and eight. Mr.
McCauley was reared in the Methodist faith, but usually attends the Central
Presbyterian Church, to which his wife belongs. Socially he is a Mason and
holds membership in Stony Point Lodge No. 313. He is also connected with Iona
Lodge No. 124, K. of P.