Elting Biographies
From the History of Ulster County, 1880
Capt. Luther Elting 1815 - 1900
Capt. Luther Elting was born at New Paltz Landing, in
the town of Lloyd, Ulster Co., N.Y., Aug. 2, 1815, and was the forth child of
Capt. Abraham and Betsey Elting. 
At
the early age of fifteen he became an able assistant to his father in the
freighting business at New Paltz Landing. His adaptability to the demands of the
work soon became evident, for he proved to be an able coadjutor. He had good
judgment, and could dispatch with ease and with great accuracy the varied duties
of his position. All who did business with the establishment were involuntarily
drawn to him as one fully entitled to their confidence. No fault could be found
with his transactions in marketing the products placed in his hands; the cash
returns were always ready for the farmer when due. His mind was so absorbed with
his duties that he found little time for cultivating society, so that he had
advanced somewhat in life before his attention was given to the gentler sex.
When, however, his mind was moved to the consideration of a more permanent
settlement in life, he displayed his usual positive purpose. Upon becoming
acquainted with Miss Watkins he very soon discovered in her the lady of his
choice,-- one fully worthy. Their marriage occurred Jan. 26, 1853. (A more
extended notice of Mrs. Elting will be found on another page of this volume.)
The business which gave employment to his talents had been
made profitable by his assiduous care and attention. He became the owner of
property in the city of New York and elsewhere, and relinquished his business
after having been twenty-four years connected with the establishment. He
purchased the former residence of Hon. N.P. Tallmadge of Poughkeepsie. Thither
he and his companion moved and entered upon the duties to housekeeping. Their
home was improved and beautified. All the endearments of a well-regulated
household rested upon a firm foundation. Success in the employment of his
capital added to his means. He devoted much time to traveling with his wife,
both in the United States and abroad. They visited all the states lying between
the Great Lakes and the Gulf, --the Middle States, New England, and the Canadas.
Later, the States and Territories lying west of the Mississippi, and the Pacific
States, with all their wonderful natural curiosities, were included in a trip,
which enabled them to fully carry out their intention of gaining a thorough
knowledge of a wonderful resources and territorial extent of their own country
before going abroad. Their example in this respect is certainly worthy of
imitation by whose time and means will allow it. After these extended trips at
home they turned their attention, in 1872-73, to the Old World, visiting every
country in Europe except Spain and Portugal, also Asia Minor and Egypt. The
customs of the people, the natural objects of beauty, and the works of art as
they are to be seen in London, Paris, Vienna, Rome, Berlin, St. Petersburg,
Moscow, Athens, Constantinople, Smyrna, Cairo, and other cities were in turn the
subjects of their observation and study, their amusement and profit.
They have had three children, -- Theodore, Irving, and Eugene.
Theodore and Eugene died in infancy. Their second son, Irving, was born at
Poughkeepsie, May 1, 1856. They gave excellent educational; advantages to their
son, who proved himself an exemplary student; was prepared for college at
Riverview Military Academy at Poughkeepsie; graduated with honors at Harvard in
the class of 1878, and is now studying law at the Harvard Law School.
Note: Some of the genealogical information appears to be incorrect.
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