Personally, Mr. Richard M. Hoe is described by those who knew him intimately as having been a man of exceptionally cheerful temperament and gentle ways. He was devoted to his life-work, but at the same time was essentially domestic. He was a prominent member of St. Anne's Episcopal Church, situated near his residence. His name as an inventor, and the fame of the wonderful presses that he called into being, are known the world over. He died of heartdisease at Florence, Italy, in June, 1886.

WILLIAM REYNOLDS-BEAL.

William Reynolds-Beal, president of the Central Gas-Light Company of New Y''ork City, was born in Newark, New Jersey, May 18, 1838. His parents, Joseph R. and Elizabeth (Austen) Beal, were natives of England, and came to this country about 1830- His early life was passed in Newark, where he attended the school connected with Grace Episcopal Church, and graduated with high honor. His father, who was a man of education and intelligence, died at a comparatively early age, and the son, although ofi"ered a collegiate education, resolved to enter at once into active business. At the age of fourteen he became assistant in the office of the Newark Gas- Light Company, and afterwards removed to Elizabeth, where he was assistant to the engineer who built the gas-works. In 1855 he went to Yonkers, Westchester County, and took charge of the works of the Yonkers Gas Company, where he remained for eleven years, and left the company in a very flour-

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.