James Pronk (1822-1895)
James Pronk’s father, Dr. John Pronk was born and educated at medical school in Amsterdam, Holland and emigrated to the United States in 1811. He lived with his family in Boston until his retirement from law at which point he moved with his family to Middletown when James was 17 years old. Young James studied at Andover Teacher’s seminary in Andover, Ma. and then studied law in Middletown under Judge Wilkin. He was admitted to the bar and opened a law practice in Middletown in 1849. As a lawyer he was said to be “careful, systematic, and judicious, and his opinions are always given with the strictest integrity after a thorough analytical treatment of the subject at issue, and as an advocate of his retentive memory, his knowledge of the fundamental principles upon which the law is based, enable him to command the attention of judge and juror”. He was the elected the second president of the Village of Middletown, Stacy Beakes being the first. James Pronk is responsible for the creation and incorporation of Hillside Cemetery and served as its president for the first nine years of its incorporation in 1861. He was also responsible for the incorporation of several railroads and banks locally. During the war of the rebellion he served the union cause as provost Marshal for the eleventh congressional district of New York with his office at the county seat in Goshen.
James Pronk’s father, Dr. John Pronk was born and educated at medical school in Amsterdam, Holland and emigrated to the United States in 1811. He lived with his family in Boston until his retirement from law at which point he moved with his family to Middletown when James was 17 years old. Young James studied at Andover Teacher’s seminary in Andover, Ma. and then studied law in Middletown under Judge Wilkin. He was admitted to the bar and opened a law practice in Middletown in 1849. As a lawyer he was said to be “careful, systematic, and judicious, and his opinions are always given with the strictest integrity after a thorough analytical treatment of the subject at issue, and as an advocate of his retentive memory, his knowledge of the fundamental principles upon which the law is based, enable him to command the attention of judge and juror”. He was the elected the second president of the Village of Middletown, Stacy Beakes being the first. James Pronk is responsible for the creation and incorporation of Hillside Cemetery and served as its president for the first nine years of its incorporation in 1861. He was also responsible for the incorporation of several railroads and banks locally. During the war of the rebellion he served the union cause as provost Marshal for the eleventh congressional district of New York with his office at the county seat in Goshen.