David J. Auchmoody was a much-respected photographer located at the city of Kingston in Ulster County, New York from 1868 to circa 1893. He photographed thousands of Kingston’s citizens over the course of his 25 years in business. Auchmoody also published a popular series of stereoviews that included scenes of Kingston, Rondout, Rosendale, Rifton, Lawrenceville, Saugerties, Shandaken, Shokan and the surrounding Catskills region. After leaving the photography business Auchmoody worked in the insurance industry and for several fraternal organizations.

Continued from September 9, 2023.

Creek Cement Works, from Sleightsburgh Creek Cement Works, from Sleightsburgh.

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In 1884, as Auchmoody became more involved with various fraternal organizations, he founded the Fraternal Indicator. The publication was described as “a monthly journal devoted to the interest of Fraternal Societies. Official Organ of the Supreme Lodge, Knights of Columbia. An attractive journal, with a large circulation.” Auchmoody served as both editor and publisher. The publication was typically four pages long, sized 16x23. Annual subscription was 25 cents. Annual circulation was 2,000.

Reviews about the newly created Fraternal Indicator were quite positive. On January 19, 1884 the Kingston Daily Freeman wrote that “The ‘Knights of Columbia Indicator’ is the name of a new paper printed at the Freeman job printing establishment, by the Committee of Supplies of the Knights. It has four pages and is neatly printed on tinted paper, and is in every way creditable to its editors. The first number contains an excellent photograph of D. J. Auchmoody, the well known photographer, who was the first Supreme Governor of the Knights of Columbia. It will be published monthly, and its subscription price is only 25 cents a year.”

In another positive review, on August 8, 1884 the Kingston Daily Freeman wrote that “we have received the first number of a new monthly publication styled the Fraternal Indicator, the editor and publisher of which is D. J. Auchmoody of this city. It is an interesting four page paper, and besides what it contains in reference to mutual benefit and secret societies has a good selection of miscellaneous matter, and is ably edited. We bespeak for it a good reception among all interested in society matters.”

Throughout approximately 25 years as a photographer, Auchmoody’s gallery was located at several different locations. He was at first located at the corner of Garden and Ferry streets. He then worked at 29 Union Avenue, and was then listed at both 18 and 20 Union Avenue.

Luther, David’s son, seems to have assisted his father at the photographic gallery in the early years of his career, before becoming an automobile salesman. In 1890 L. M. Auchmoody, who would have been 19 years old at the time, submitted pictures of the family studio to Wilson’s Photograph Magazine, and those pictures were positively reviewed.

“Mr. L. M. Auchmoody, of Rondout, N.Y., sends a series of pictures which would be very interesting to any of our younger aspirants. They are of his studio, printing room, and reception rooms, showing their fitting an arrangement. As interiors they are excellent, not only pictorially, but also in the extreme order and regularity of appointments, and the cheerfulness of their aspect. Enlivened with plants and pictures, Mr. Auchmoody’s place seems a charming one to be in, suggesting good work; and even the printing room is not the well-lit den of rubbish and horror that it sometimes unhappily becomes, but contains a whole gallery of prints and pictures smiling from its sunny walls.”[1]

Auchmoody left the photography business around 1893 or 1894, according to the annual business directories for the city of Kingston. After leaving the photography business Auchmoody began to work in the insurance industry and became quite involved with a number of fraternal societies.

“He [Auchmoody] was a past grand chancellor of the grand lodge of Knights of Pythias of New York state and past state councilor of the United Order of Mechanics. He also served for many years as state deputy of the Knights of Pythias. He was a member of Hope Lodge, No. 65, Knights of Pythias, of Port Ewen, and Ulster County Council, United Order of American Mechanics, the Order of the Golden Seal and the Knights of Honor.”[2]

Auchmoody was a founding member of the Knights of Honor, lodge 791, at the city of Kingston. The lodge was formed on November 7, 1877. In 1880 Auchmoody was serving as “Reporter” for the lodge. The Knights of Honor organization was founded in 1873 in Louisville, Kentucky by James A. Demaree. The organization grew from its original 17 members to a membership of 120,000 by 1889, including 190 lodges in the state of New York.

The Knights of Pythias, in which Auchmoody served as state deputy and grand chancellor, was formed at Washington, D. C. in 1864 by Justus H. Rathbone (1839-1899), a federal government clerk. The organization began with 13 members, but grew rapidly, reaching a membership of 450,000 in 1895, and 1,000,000 in the early 1920s. Its cardinal principles include Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence, and their motto is “Be Generous, Brave, and True.” The rituals for the Knights of Pythias are based on the mythological friendship of Damon and Pythias. The Knights of Pythias were the first fraternal organization in the United States to receive a charter through an Act of Congress. The organization continues to operate today.

In addition to his work in the insurance industry and with various fraternal organizations, Auchmoody also served, for a time, as director and secretary of the S. R. Deyo Company. The company, which manufactured pure apple cider, was founded by Sylvester R. Deyo in 1886. The company had grown significantly over the years, producing 15,000 to 20,000 barrels of sweet cider and vinegar each season. “The business was one of the largest of its kind in this section of the country and annually filled large contracts, including many contracts with the United States Government.”[3]

The 1900 United States census listed 51-year-old Auchmoody as living in the city of Kingston, New York. He was living with his 48-year-old wife Elvina, who was shown as having been born in April 1852. They were married for 29 years. Auchmoody’s occupation was listed as “state deputy, K of P. [Knights of Pythias].”

D. J. Auchmoody published at least 320 different views of Kingston, Rondout, Saugerties, Shandaken and the surrounding Catskills region. Below is a summary of the 320 views, based on the imprints contained on the reverse side of some his stereoviews.

Road at Steep Rocks Road at Steep Rocks.

R.R. Depot at Rosendale, N.Y R. R. Depot at Rosendale, N.Y.

View of Lawrenceville Cement Works, from the hills, N.Y. View of Lawrenceville Cement Works, from the hills, N.Y.

1-16.      See above for Overlook Mountain House series.

17.          Cement Quarry at Creek Locks.

18.          Cement Quarry at Creek Locks.

19.          Cement Quarry at Creek Locks.

20.          Cement Quarry at Creek Locks.

21.          Cement Quarry at Creek Locks.

22.          Cement Quarry at Creek Locks.

23.          Esopus Creek near Shandaken.

24.          Deep Hollow in Shandaken.

25.          Shandaken Centre.

26.          Valley and Lost Clove Mountain near Shandaken depot.

27.          Esopus Creek south of Phoenicia, looking south.

28.          The Notch in Shandaken.

29.          N. Y. K. & S. R. R. Track at Shandaken.

30.          The Notch in Shandaken.

31.          Shandaken Village.

32.          Esopus Creek near Phoenicia.

33.          Esopus Creek near Phoenicia.

34.          The Notch in the Clove in Shandaken.

35.          Bushkill Creek and Valley in Shandaken.

36.          Bushkill Creek and Valley in Shandaken.

37.          Lament’s Hotel, Shandaken, front view.

38.          Lament’s Hotel, Shandaken, rear view.

39.          Mountains near Bushnellville, Shandaken, looking south.

40.          Rustic View near Shandaken.

41.          Steep Rocks Road.

42.          Steep Rocks.

43.          Bank of the Hudson near Steep Rocks.

44.          Bank of the Hudson near Steep Rocks.

45.          Bank of the Hudson near Steep Rocks.

46.          Lower Falls at Glenerie.

47.          Upper Falls at Glenerie.

48.          Upper and Lower Falls at Glenerie.

49.          Glenerie.

50.          Glenerie.

51.          Glenerie White Lead Works.

52.          Cement Works at Flatbush.

53.          Cement Works at Flatbush.

54.          On the Banks of the Hudson, horse in the foreground.

55.          Group of Men and Animals.

56.          Store at Flatbush.

57.          Hudson River near Flatbush.

58.          Private Residence at Malden.

59.          Private Residence at Malden.

60.          Private Residence at Malden.

61.          Carriage House.

62.          View at Malden.

63.          Private Residence near Saugerties.

64.          Private Residence near Saugerties.

65.          Private Residence near Saugerties.

66.          Flower Garden.

67.          Flower Garden.

68.          Saugerties.

69.          Saugerties.

70.          Esopus Lake near Saugerties.

71.          Rustic View.

72.          Rifton Falls on Wallkill.

73.          Rifton Falls on Wallkill.

74.          Rifton Falls on Wallkill.

75.          Buttermilk Falls on Wallkill near Rifton.

76.          Buttermilk Falls on Wallkill near Rifton.

77.          Dashville Falls on the Wallkill.

78.          Dashville Falls on the Wallkill.

79.          Maple Grove, Shokan.

80.          Maple Grove, Shokan.

81.          Pic-Nic Party at Maple Grove, Shokan.

82.          Pic-Nic Party at Maple Grove, Shokan.

83.          Croquet Party.

84.          Old Hurley Bridge.

85.          Old Hurley Bridge.

86.          Esopus Creek near Old Hurley.

87.          Esopus Creek near Old Hurley. (2 views.)

88.          Esopus Creek near Old Hurley. (2 views.)

89.          Baptist Church, Kingston.

90.          Interior of Dining Saloon, Kingston.

91.          County Clerk’s Office, Kingston.

92.          St. John’s Church, Kingston – Episcopal.

93.          St. Joseph’s Church, Kingston – Catholic.

94.          Corner Wall and North Front Streets, Kingston.

95.          Wall Street, Kingston.

96.          Wall Street, Kingston.

97.          John Street, Kingston.

98.          Fair Street, Kingston.

99.          Main Street, Kingston.

100.        Academy at Kingston.

101.        First Reformed Church, Kingston.

102.        Second Reformed Church, Kingston.

103.        Savings Bank, Kingston.

104.        Kingston Bank, Kingston.

105.        State of New York Bank, Kingston.

106.        Interior of St. John’s Church, Kingston.

107.        Interior of Baptist Church, Kingston.

108.        Interior of 2nd Reformed Church, Kingston.

109.        Interior of 2nd Reformed Church, Kingston.

110.        Interior of 1st Methodist Church, Kingston.

111.        Interior of 1st Methodist Church, Kingston.

112.        Moses’ Rock in Jacob’s Valley.

113.        Fly Mountain near Eddyville.

114.        Statuary (copy).

115.        Lilly.

116.        Road near Eddyville Bridge.

117.        Road near Eddyville Bridge.

118.        Bridge at Eddyville.

119.        Mill Dam at Eddyville.

120.        Looking up the Creek from Eddyville Bridge.

121.        Looking up the Creek from Eddyville Bridge.

122.        Looking down the Creek from Eddyville Bridge.

123.        Rondout Creek near Wilbur.

124.        Stone Yard at Wilbur.

125.        Stone Yard at Wilbur.

126.        Stone Yard at Wilbur.

127.        Rondout Creek at Wilbur.

128.        Wilbur Road and Rondout Creek.

129.        Rondout Creek and South Rondout.

130.        Rondout Creek and South Rondout.

131.        View from the Road between Kingston and Wilbur.

132.        Rustic View near Rondout.

133.        Entrance to Cement Quarry near Rondout.

134.        Entrance to Cement Quarry near Rondout.

135.        School House in Rondout.

136.        Bird’s Eye View of Rondout.

137.        Kingston Point from Sleightburgh.

138.        Rondout from Sleightburgh.

139.        Rondout from Sleightburgh.

140.        Rondout from Sleightburgh.

141.        Rondout Creek and Coal Docks.

142.        Interior of Washington Hall, decorated for a Festival.

143.        Interior of Union Church at North Haven.

144.        Interior of Union Church at North Haven.

145.        Organ in Union Church at North Haven.

146.        Private Residence at Sleightburgh.

147.        North Haven from Sleightburgh Hill.

148.        Kingston Point from Sleightburgh Hill.

149.        Rondout from Sleightburgh Hill.

150.        Rondout from Sleightburgh Hill.

151.        Light House and River.

152.        The Day Boat M. Martin leaving Rondout.

153.        Coal Dock, Creek, South Rondout, Hussy’s Hill, & c.

154.        Creek, Dry Docks, with Ferry Boat Lark, & c.

155.        Corner of The Strand and Union Avenue, Rondout.

156.        Fire Steamer Lindsley and Weber Hose Carriage.

157.        Ferry Street, Rondout.

158.        Private Residence on The Strand, Rondout.

159.        Private Residence in North Rondout.

160.        Cross Street, Rondout.

161.        Schooner Juliette Terry.

162.        Rondout and Sleightburgh Ferry.

163.        Methodist Church at Port Ewen.

164.        Reformed Church at Port Ewen.

165.        Interior of Episcopal Church, Rondout.

166.        The Strand, Rondout.

167.        Private Residence on Union Avenue, Rondout.

168.        Interior of St. Mary’s Church, Rondout.

169.        Interior of St. Mary’s Church, Rondout, with group.

170.        The Watch Dog.

171.        The Watch Dog.

172.        Dog Smoking.

173.        Union Hotel Road and Canal, Rosendale.

174.        Looking up the Creek from Rosendale toward Lawrenceville.

175.        View of Rosendale Village from near W. V. R. R. Bridge.

176.        The Bluff and West End of W. V. R. R. Bridge, Rosendale.

177.        W. V. R. R. Bridge, looking down Canal, 150 feet high.

178.        W. V. R. R. Bridge from near Depot, 876 feet long, 150 high.

179.        W. V. R. R. Bridge from near Depot, 876 feet long, 150 high.

180.        W. V. R. R. Bridge near end of Bridge, 876 feet long, 150 high.

181.        Creek and distant view of W. V. R. R. Bridge, at Rosendale.

182.        Canal and distant view of W. V. R. R. Bridge, at Rosendale.

183.        W. V. R. R. Depot at Rosendale.

184.        W. V. R. R. Track, looking south from Depot.

185.        Rosendale Bridge looking up the Creek.

186.        Rosendale from near Canal Bridge.

187.        Rosendale from near Drug Store.

188.        Lawrenceville Cement Works.

189.        Lawrenceville Cement Works.

190.        Lawrenceville Cement Works.

191.        Canal, & c., at Lawrenceville.

192.        Canal and Rocks in foreground at Lawrenceville.

193.        Looking up the Creek from Lawrenceville.

194.        Looking down the Creek from Lawrenceville.

195.        High Falls, side view.

196.        High Falls, front view.

197.        High Falls, front view.

198.        The Covered Bridge at High Falls.

199.        The Aqueduct at High Falls, front view.

200.        The Aqueduct at Hight Falls, side view.

201.        Looking up the Creek from under Aqueduct at High Falls.

202.        The Strand, Rondout.

203.        Birdseye view of Rondout from east.

204.        Birdseye view of Rondout and Creek.

205.        Birdseye view of Rondout from Catholic Church.

206.        Birdseye view of Rondout from Catholic Church.

207.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

208.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

209.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

210.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

211.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

212.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

213.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

214.        Island in Copake Lake.

215.        Falls at Philmont.

216.        Bashabe Falls.

217.        Centre Falls of Bashabe.

218.        Copake Island and Lake.

219.        Pond, & c., near Hudson.

220.        Birdseye view of Hudson.

221.        Birdseye vie of Rondout.

222.        Skeleton Leaves arranged on Cross.

223.        Skeleton Leaves arranged on Cross.

224.        Skeleton Leaves arranged on Cross.

225.        Basket of Shells and Flowers.

226.        Basket of Shells and Flowers.

227.        Wreath of Flowers.

228.        Purity (medallion).

229.        Rondout Creek, Hudson River, & c.

230.        Rondout Creek, Hudson River, & c.

231.        Mouth of Rondout Creek.

232.        Ship Yard, Stone Yard, Hudson River, & c.

233.        The Mocking Bird.

234.        The Mocking Bird and Trainer.

235.        The Beautiful Snow (taken April 29, 1874).

236.        Pic-Nic Part at Ellsworth’s Grove, Port Ewen.

237.        St. Mary’s Church, Rondout (Catholic).

238.        Christian Brothers’ House, Rondout.

239.        Priest’s House, Rondout.

240.        View of an Arbor and Group.

241.        St. Mary’s School House, Rondout.

242.        St. Mary’s School House, Rondout.

243.        Sisters’ House, Rondout.

244.        Episcopal Church, Rondout.

245.        Private Residence on Pierpont Street.

246.        Private Residence on Pierpont Street.

247.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

248.        Quarry Hill near Rondout.

249.        Cement Works opposite Wilbur.

250.        Skeleton Leaves on a Cross.

251.        Skeleton Leaves in a Frame.

252.        The Old Woman who lives in her shoe.

253.        Fair and Festival in Presbyterian Chapel.

254.        Fair and Festival in Presbyterian Chapel.

255.        Fair and Festival in Presbyterian Chapel.

256.        Home for Invalids (side view).

257.        Home for Invalids (front view).

258.        A cosy Retreat.

259.        A cosy Retreat.

260.        A House built about 1760 (side view).

261.        A House built about 1760 (end view).

262.        A farm scene in haying time.

263.        A Dead Beet.

264.        A Wreath of Flowers.

265.        Corner of Union av. and Strand.

266.        The Village Blacksmith.

267.        Private Residence in Port Ewen.

268.        Private Residence in Port Ewen.

269.        A Wreath of Flowers.

270.        Corner of Hone and Spring Street.

271.        Mary Powell (model).

272.        City Hall, Kingston, N.Y.

273.        Crow, Blue Jay, & King Fisher.

274.        Sparrow Hawk, & Parrott.

275.        Crane and Rail.

276.        Rock Eagle & Gray Squirrel.

277.        Quack & Rail.

278.        Crane, Quack, & Rail.

279.        Sparrow Hawk, Owl & Muskrat.

280.        Guinea Pigs, Squirrel & white breasted bird.

281.        Coatmundi and Muskrat.

282.        The Pelican.

283.        Catamount and Sea Gull.

284.        Catamount and Racoon.

285.        Sea Gull and Owl.

286.        The Fox.

287.        Taxidermist with Birds and Animals.

288.        Robin, Canary, Blue Jay & c.

289.        Corner Bowery and Furnace Street.

290.        Interior of 2nd M. E. Church, Kingston.

291.        Port Ewen, (Street near M. E. Church).

292.        Anthracite Fuel works from the River.

293.        Anthracite Fuel works from the Shore.

294.        Hudson River Light House Ferry Boat & c.

295.        Looking up the Creek from Cranes dock.

296.        South Rondout.

297.        Machine Shop & Round House R. & C. R. R.

298.        Cross of Flowers.

299.        Rapid Hose Carriage.

300.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

301.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

302.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

303.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

304.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

305.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

306.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

307.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

308.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

309.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

310.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

311.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

312.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

313.        Cement Quarry near Rondout.

314.        Birds-eye view of Rondout from opposite side of Creek.

315.        Birds-eye view of Rondout from Sleightburg in Winter.

316.        Birds-eye view of Rondout the Creek & South.

317.        Birds-eye view of Rondout the Creek & South.

318.        Looking up the Creek from Sleightburgh.

319.        North Rondout from near Catholic Church.

320.        Interior of Presbyterian Church, Rondout.

Legacy

The thousands of portraits of Ulster County citizens taken by Auchmoody over the course of his 25-year career as a photographer and his hundreds of scenic views from throughout the county both leave a lasting impression of the region in the late 1800s.

Upon his passing it was written that Auchmoody “was a man of many sterling traits of character and endeared himself to a wide circle of friends.”

David J. Auchmoody passed away at 58 years of age on January 11, 1907. He died at his home on West Strand several days after catching “a severe cold, which greatly weakened him and hastened the end.” Two funeral services were held, the first being a private service at his home at 11 West Strand, and a second public service was held at Pythian Hall at Port Ewen under the direction of the Hope Lodge, Knights of Pythias. David was survived by his wife and two sons, Luther Auchmoody, of New York, and Lester D. Auchmoody, of Albany, New York. He is buried at Port Ewen Cemetery.