The following is excerpted from articles in the Newtown Register and New York Times:
Major James Cating was born in Brooklyn on the 1st of January 1840. Prior to the Civil War, he followed the occupation of rope maker in Jersey City and resided in Jersey City Heights. He enlisted in the army under the first call for troops April 26, 1861, and joined Company A commanded by Captain Garrett D. Van Ripen (subsequently mayor of the city) attached to the 2nd regiment New Jersey Volunteers. He served until the expiration of his term of three months service.
On the 9th of September 1861 he enlisted in B Company; Captain Frank B. Nettler, 6th New York Cavalry, as private, subsequently promoted Sergeant and spent some weeks in drilling his company. He participated in the engagements at Rappahannock River, Stafford, C.H. Acquia Creek, Antietam and Fredericksburg. For distinguished gallantry during these engagements, he was honorably mentioned by his superior officers and promoted second Lieutenant and during the same year was promoted first Lieutenant. He was much of the time absent from his regiment on detached service at different periods on the staffs of Generals Pleasanton, Buford, Fitzhugh, Devin and Lapier. While serving on the staff of General Pleasanton he was associated with Colonel (afterwards General) Custer whose friendship he enjoyed up to the day of Custer’s death.
In 1863 he participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Beverly Ford, Aldie, Upperville, Middleburg, Gettysburg, Williamsport, Boonsboro, Funkstown, Beaver Creek, Hagerstown, and Falling Waters. Also at New Market, Bilton, Rappahannock Station, Culpepper, Morton’s Ford, Rapidan, Madison Courthouse, Germania Ford, Wilderness, Mine Run and several smaller engagements. In 1864 he participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Travillian Station, Gordonsville, Deep Bottom and Ream’s Station.
In August 1864 he was detailed as aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Devin commanding Second Brigade First Cavalry Division. He participated in several important engagements and on the 28th of September was ordered by Generals Merritt and Devin to carry a dispatch to the first regiment New York Dragoons commanded by Colonel Gibbs, then on reconnaissance. He was attacked by the rebels and after a hotly contested hand-to-hand fight was severely wounded and his horse shot under him. Both of his orderlies were killed and he with his men was captured and taken to Richmond. He was confined in Libby Prison for several weeks and after being exchanged was sent to the hospital at Annapolis, MD. He joined his command soon after and participated in several important engagements in 1865.
At the battle of Five Forks, he was placed by General Merritt in command of the lead horses of the cavalry corps, a most important and responsible position, while making a tour of observation in front of the enemy he observed a regiment of raw troops in retreat while trying to rally them and prevent the lines from being broken. He was wounded by a ball in the left ankle. It was then about midday he continued on duty, however, until late in the afternoon, he was subsequently removed to the hospital and was absent from duty for several weeks during this time he received the appointment of Brevet Major, United States Volunteers and was assigned to the command of Company C, 2nd Provisional New York Cavalry stationed at Louisville, KY. He was made chief of staff under General Lapier and appointed Inspector of Cavalry for the Department of Kentucky. He remained there until he was mustered out of service with his command.
Upon returning home, Cating moved to Maspeth, met and married his wife Catherine, and in 1866 founded the Cating Rope Works. He was also a master builder. Among the houses he constructed were three along 69th Street north of 53rd Avenue – one for himself, one for his brother and one for his sister. (photo, left)
Cating’s Obituary – The Newtown Register, Thursday, February 9, 1893
Major James Cating, of Fisk Avenue, Maspeth, died last Monday morning, after a long and painful illness, in the 54th year of his age. Major Cating was a war veteran and at the time of his death was president of the association of New York State Volunteers of the Sixth New York Cavalry. He was also a member of Mansfield Post No. 35, GAR, and belonged to the Royal Legion. He was a faithful soldier and bore a most honorable record. After the war, Mr. Cating settled in Maspeth, where for many years and up until the time of his death, he carried on an extensive ropeworks. The funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Church, Winfield, and were largely attended, delegations from the Royal Arcanum, Mansfield Post and Maspeth Fire Company Number 4, of each of which Mr. Cating was a prominent member, being present, in addition to a considerable number of his friends and other fellow citizens. High Mass was celebrated, and the Rev. Father Daufenbach made a few brief remarks in which he spoke very highly of the departed gentleman, and fervently wished that Newtown had more such upright and public-spirited citizens. There were many beautiful floral tributes to Mr. Cating’s memory. The interment was at Mount OIivet Cemetery.
In 1934, James and Catherine’s son William moved the rope works operation to 64th Street, atop a hill in a former office building vacated by the Sampson Oil Cloth Factory. The business was quite successful for many years and was passed down to William, Jr. who had no heirs and ended up selling the company to Cordage Group in 1961. The Maspeth factory continued to produce rope through the 1970s but by 1980 had folded up shop as manufacturing of rope shifted to the Philippines and all of Cordage’s American operations were consolidated at the company’s HQ at Auburn, NY.
In 1998, the Victorian era homes built by Cating on 69th Street were demolished and replaced by modern rowhomes. The site of the former rope works now houses a commercial printer.
