USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
974.701 Su2p pt.2 1774423
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
L:
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02233 6355
Gen
60 5 %3
...
PORTRAIT AND.
BIOGRAPHICAL
RECORD
OF
SUFFOLK COUNTY, (LONG ISLAND) NEW YORK / pt. 21
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Gounty.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States.
NEW YORK AND CHICAGO: CHAPMAN PUBLISHING CO .. 896.
563
-
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/portraitbiograph02unse
553
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Jefferson, a Democrat, seemed to have a clear field. H. T. Clock, a delegate from Bay Shore, rose and made the remark that they were there to noninate a ticket, and he did not believe in leav- ing any place on it vacant for a Democrat. The consequence was that W. W. Hulse was nominat- ed, much to that gentleman's surprise. He was subsequently elected by a clear majority of two hundred and sixty-five. While serving two terms in that capacity he did much to purify that depart- ment of the county government. The second term as Superintendent he ran against John S. Ilavens, an excellent man in every way, but our subject carried the day by six hundred and fifty.
Our subject has also served as Assessor and for nearly a score of years was a member of the Board of Education, being President of the same a large portion of that time. He is at present president of the Great South Bay Steamboat Com- jony and vice-president of the Long Island Chau- tauqua Assembly Association, representative of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chil- dren, president of Veteran Association of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment, New York State Volunteers, and commander of Wil- liam Gurney Post, G. A. R. He is past regent of Bay Shore Royal Arcanum, and is also a Free Mason, having taken his degree in Brooklyn Lodge, No. 403. In his youth Mr. Hulse was li- censed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but of late years he has become intensely interested in the Church of the New Jerusalem (known as Swedenborgian), and services are held regularly at his house. He is well posted, a ready speaker, a strong debater, and has an intel- ligent grasp on all public questions. In fact, he stands to-day among the foremost men of Suffolk County. He is an eloquent speaker on the ten- perance question and takes exceptionally strong grounds against the tobacco habit. He has read the statements of many able physicians and oth- ers, and from these and his own careful observa- tions for many years firmly believes that this vile. filthy habit causes more physical suffering and death and ruins more souls by far than the drink habit, as it makes its subjects the more abject slaves. He says the time is surely coming when > now living at that place.
to sell the deadly poison will be a crime in the eye of human law as it now most surely is when viewed from the "higher law."
Mr. Hulse is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and to what thorough and masterly development modern business methods have brought real estate and insurance interests in this country can be readily seen at the widely known bureau for that business which for the past fifteen years has been conducted at Bay Shore by our subject. His thoroughly equipped offices are on Main street, opposite Park avenue, and for the period indicated have been the center through- out this section of Long Island for all matters of that kind. The wide and valuable business con- . ducted is solid evidence of first-class facilities af- forded by Mr. Hulse. For many years he has made a special study of these important lines. He can, therefore, speak with authority, and his judg- ments are all attested by the confidence now given to them, not only by the most experienced busi- ness men of this section, but also by a large num- ber of outside parties. He handles every kind of real estate business, and can present in brief, com- prehensive form the scope of the local market. He represents the most important fire insurance companies of this country, and he also is the gen- eral agent for the Prudential Life, and the Lloyd's Plate Glass Insurance Company.
1774423
JOHN Z. O'BRIEN. the popular and efficient Sheriff of Suffolk County, and a resident of Riverhead. was born at Port Henry, Essex County, N. Y., April 14, 1850. His father. John O'Brien, was a native of Cork, Ireland, and came to this country when a boy. locating at St. Albans, Vt. In mature years he was a merchant at Bur- lington, in that state, and died at Port Henry in March, 1850, just a month before his son, our subject, was born. His wife, Mary Kiley, was a native of Burlington, and the daughter of a well- to-do farmer in that region. After the death of Mr. O'Brien she was married to Mr. MeNancy, who was a merchant at Port Henry, and she is
-اليد .gH
554
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The subject of this writing was an only son, but he had two sisters. He attended the Port Henry schools until he was fourteen, his last years there being in the high school under the direction of Prof. Newel, now a prominent teacher at West- port. From there he went to the Polytechnic Institute at Ticonderoga, from which institution he was graduated in 1867. The young collegian then read law with the firm of Waldo & Tobey at Port Henry, but his failing health compelled him to abandon close study, and he turned to the work of civil engineering as affording the varied exercise that his physical condition demanded, and which he had already studied in college. He accordingly entered the employ of Packham H. Green, of Saratoga, and was an assistant engineer in the survey of the Rensselaer & Saratoga Railroad. In the fall of 1870 Mr. O'Brien went into the service of the Long Island Railroad Com- pany, and soon won the position of chief en- gineer of the Smithtown & Port Jefferson branch, a line of twenty-one miles, which was completed under his direction, with eight iron bridges and presenting many troublesome problems. He then built the Flushing branch, and subsequently became chief engineer of the Long Island Rail- road.
Mayor Havemeyer recognized our subject's capacities, both in executive and scientific direc- tions, and called him to be inspector of the street cleaning system of New York. There he was engaged for four years, resigning in 1877, and then he surveyed the Kings County farm for the city of Brooklyn. In 1887 he removed to Say- ville, where he followed his profession. There he was elected Justice of the Peace, being the only Republican elected in the town. He served his term of office, lasting four years, and was chosen a second time to this position. In the fall of 1893 Mr. O'Brien was nominated as the Republican candidate for Sheriff of this county, and was elected, after a hot campaign, by a large majority. While at Sayville he was one of the executive committee of the Brown's River Improvement Company, making a survey for a waterway, for which an appropriation was made, and one of the best harbors on the bay secured.
Mr. O'Brien was at one time second lieutenant in the old Seventy-first Regiment of New York, and was also foreman of the Sayville Hook and Ladder Company for four years. He is a promi- nent Mason and Odd Fellow, being closely as- sociated with the work of both orders. November 4, 1871, he was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Wheeler, who is a daughter of Lyman Beecher Wheeler, a merchant of Smithtown. They have no children. In the discharge of his official duties Mr. O'Brien has a high reputation among the Sheriffs of the State.
H ARRY M. BREWSTER. Exchange and barter are two of the world's most impor- tant factors, and without these the public would indeed find itself in a sad plight. The calling of the merchant is one of the oldest, as well as one of the most honorable, of all lines of industry, and one of those engaged in it is Harry M. Brewster, a popular young business man, who, with his father. Henry D. Brewster, is doing business under the title of Smith & Brewster at Bay Shore. The grandfather, Harry Brewster, was born on the island and went to Islip many years ago. He was a school teacher, School Commissioner, Justice of Peace and Postmaster. Henry D. Brewster is a man of excellent educa- tion and a thorough business man. He is well known throughout the length and breadth of the island and has many friends. He married Miss Clotilda T. Smith, of this city, and of the five chil- dren born to their union Harry M. is the eldest. The others are: Eugene V., of Brooklyn ; Carlton E .; Marie, and Olin.
Our subject first saw the light in Bay Shore. July 7. 1865, and secured a good practical educa- tion in the district schools, supplementing the same by a two years' coarse in a well-known school in New Jersey and a course in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie. With a good business education and with a natural taste ior merchandising, young Brewster went to work with his father in the store, and by his geniality and agreeable business methods has made a com-
555
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
flete success of this industry. Politically he is a Democrat, and for a number of years has been Secretary of the Board of Education. In religion he is a Methodist, and is steward of the church and secretary of the Sunday school.
Mr. Brewster is an enthusiastic yachtsman. owning the yacht "Avocet," and for six years has been commodore of the Bay Shore Yacht Club. !!! nice residence on Ocean avenue is presided wer by his wife, who was formerly Miss Anna woon, daughter of Samuel Gibson (see his biog- raplist. They are the parents of one child, a bright little boy, Roy M. Mr. and Mrs. Brews- ter are popular young people and are widely
R EX. FREDERICK v. d OSTEN- SACKEN, the popular pastor of the Con- gregational Church at Jamesport. Suffolk County, was born July 13. 1862, in Goldingen, Kussia. His parents were George and Caroline Osten-Sacken, who reared a family of seven chil- dren, of whom our subject was the fourth in order . i birth.
Whens an infant Frederick was taken by his parents to Saxony, Germany, and there his boy- hood days were spent. He first attended the pub- lie schools of that country, but on attaining his tenth year was sent to a private school in Ham- burg. There he prosecuted his studies for four years, when we find him enrolled as a student in the Leibnitz College, of Hanover, from which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1882.
Mr. Osten-Sacken was very desirous of seeing something of the New World, of which he had heard so much, and the same year in which he completed his studies he set sail for America. July 2Ist he arrived in New York City, and was there engaged as teacher of languages in one of the private schools. After holding this position for about three years he resigned, in order to carry en his theological studies in Newark, N. J. He en- tered the college of that city in the spring of 1885. and in the fall of the succeeding year entered the Springfield (Ill.) Theological School. He was a
very hard-working student, and, after one year spent in this institution, he was obliged to aban- don his studies on account of failing eyesight. In order that he might rest from his studies, he engaged in the electrical business in Schenectady and New York City, and later on, or until the spring of 1892, devoted his energies to teaching modern languages, when he again devoted his attention to his theological studies in the seminary at Newark. He was ordained in July, 1802, at Guttenberg, N. J.
Rev. Mr. Osten-Sacken remained in charge of the church at the above place for one year, when he was called to Warrenville, N. J., preaching to the congregation there until February 1. 1894. That year he received a call to this place, and his labors in behalf of the people here have been at- tended with good results. While at Guttenberg and Warrenville he delivered his sermons in the German language, but since taking charge of this congregation he has preached in English.
March 1, 1888, our subject was married to Miss Cornelia Michel, a native of Bloomfield. N. I .. and to them have been born three sons, namely: Walter, Otto and Fedor. Rev. Mr. Osten-Sacken is a thorough scholar, and, in addition to his du- ties as pastor, holds the professorship of modern languages at the Long Island Latin School at Patchogue. He has endeared himself to hosts of friends since coming here, and has proved him- self to be a tireless and efficient worker in the vineyard of the Master.
R EV. WILLIAM INVERARITY CHAL- MERS. The life history of the one whose name heads this sketch most happily ilhis- trates what may be attained by faithful and con- tinued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. It is a story of a life whose success is measured by its usefulness-a life that has made the workl brighter and better. Rev. William I. Chalmers. pastor of the Congregational Church at River- head, was born in the city of New York, October 14, 1850, and is of Scotch parentage. His father.
-
· 5.56
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
William Chalmers, was born in Edinburgh. Scot- land, October 5, 1813, and was a cabinetmaker by trade. He came to America in 1836 with two brothers, Thomas and James, and first settled at Richmond, Va., while his brother Thomas went to Charleston, S. C. James settled in Savannah, Ga., and before the war was a prominent mer- chant. William later went to New York City and followed his trade there for many years. He was a worthy representative of the sturdy Scotch char- acter-rugged, upright and industrious-and for inany years was prominently associated with the Presbyterian Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Jenet McCormack, died October 15. 1888, and he followed her to the grave May 8, 1891, in New York City.
Our subject was an only son, but had two sis- ters, Isabella M., who died in 1861, and Margaret Jane, who was a teacher in the public schools of New York City until October 15, 1884. He re- ceived his early education in the Ninth ward grammar school, No. 16, and graduated from old No. 35, in the Fifteenth ward, February 13. 1865. Subsequently he entered the College of the City of New York and was graduated July 1, 1869. In September of the same year he entered Union Theological Seminary, of New York, from which he was graduated May 6, 1872. During his theo- logical studies for one year he filled the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church at Port Jefferson. and July 1, 1872, was called to the pastorate of that church, but instead accepted an invitation to preach at the Congregational Church at River- head. At a parish meeting of the Riverhead Con- gregational Church, held March 25, 1873, a call to the pastorate was extended, and June 17, 1873. at a special meeting of the church, the call was en- dorsed, and the same was accepted June 30. He was ordained in this church, October 22, 1872.
that place, and a relative of President Cleveland. She was of the seventh generation from Moses Cleveland, who came from Suffolk County. Eng- land, in 1635. Her father, grandfather and great- grandfather have all been ardent Masons, and her grandfather, James P. Cleveland. Sr., is now living, being the oldest Knight Templar Mason in Vermont. Her great-grandfather, Stephen Cleve- land, was removed from the office of Justice of the Peace during the Morgan trouble because he would not renounce his faith in the ancient order. She was also of the seventh generation from Thomas Flint, her mother being Martha Flint. Thomas Flint came from Wales in 1640.
On the 25th of September, 1872, Mr. Chalmers and Miss Cleveland were married. They have no children. In November, 1872. Mr. Chalmers was made a Mason in Riverhead Lodge, and served as chaplain until 1880. He was senior warden from 1881 to 1884, and master of the lodge from the latter date until 1888. He was also district deputy grand master of the First Masonic district from June, 1889. until June. 1891, and grand chaplain of the State from June. 1892, to June, 1893. As district deputy he took part in the laying of the corner stone of the Masonic Home at Utica. N. Y., and as grand chaplain took part in the dedication of the same.
Mr. Chalmers took the Royal Arch degree in 1890, and since 1892 has been master of the lodge (Blue Lodge) and is one of the brightest Masons in the State. He was formerly president of the County Sunday School Association, is an honor- ary member of the American Board of Foreign Missions, and is an honorary and life member of the Suffolk County Historical Society. He is also a member of the Long Island Bible Society and a life member of the Home Missionary So- ciety, of the Congregational Building Society and of the American Missionary Association. Mr. Chalmers is a thorough student, a deep thinker and reasoner. and, like most of those with Scotch blood in their veins, is careful and methodical.
In this village our subject has labored for near- ly a quarter of a century, and has accomplished much good work. During his college life he went to Vemont, and at Braintree filled the pulpit formerly occupied by Rev. Aaron Cleveland, When not at work on his sermons Mr. Chal- 1 mers applies himself to some work in which there is method, and has completed a most complete grandfather of President Cleveland. While there he formed the acquaintance of Miss Jennie A. Cleveland, daughter of James P. Cleveland, of : history of the Masonic Lodge of Riverhead, with
557
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
all its members, from the time it was organized. He is also at work on something of the kind for 1 ... church, and has kept a very complete journal ": every day's work of his life for the past twenty- 'e years. In a moment's time he can tell what Transpired on any day in his life. That he has re- mained in this church for so many years speaks for itself as to the esteem in which he is held.
G FORGE S. SHAW. Suffolk County is the home of a number of enterprising and energetic farmers who are making a suc- cess of their vocation. Among this number is Mr. Shaw, a well-to-do resident of the town of River- . l.cad, where he is the owner of a splendid tract of land, which he devotes to raising grain and the smaller fruits. This property formerly comprised a portion of the old homestead, and includes fifty acres.
Mr. Shaw was born in the above town, January 22. 1844. His father, Daniel Shaw, was at that time holding the position of Overseer of the Poor, hence our subject was born in the poor-house. The parental family included six children, of whom he was the eldest but one. Mary J., the first born, is now the widow of Edward A. Smith, and makes her home in Brooklyn; Samantha Jane is the wife of George W. Hazzard, and the family make their home in New Haven, Conn .; Josephine G. married Charles Woodruff. and they are living in Waterbury, Conn .; Alice became the wife of Frank O. Reeve, whose history is given elsewhere in this volume; Ella is now Mrs. Charles H. Aldrich, of Mattituck.
The father of the above family, who was born near Aquebogue, was there reared to a life of in- dustry, and when young began working on a farin, following farming during the active years of his life. He has always lived in the town of Riv- erhead, and is at present residing with his daugh- ter, Mrs. Reeve. He is in the seventy-eighth year of his age, and although unable to longer participate actively in the affairs of his cominu- nity, is numbered among its best citizens. A number of years ago he was elected to the office 1
of Superintendent of the Poor, and so efficiendy did he discharge all the duties of the office that he was retained in that capacity several terms. He has also been Trustee of Schools, and in fact took an active interest in the local progress and all the leading movements of his home neighbor- hood.
The father of Daniel Shaw, Josiah, was also a native of this town, and was in turn the son of one Francis Shaw, who, it is supposed. came from England. On taking up his abode on Long Island he built a wharf at Orient and also constructed the first sealed house in the same place.
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Sarah Jane Benjamin, was also born in the town of Riverhead, and is still living. Her son. George S., of this history, has always lived on the home place. As a boy he received his education in the schools which were carried on in the dis- trict, after which he began to earn his own money by fishing on the sound and in the ocean. For a period of seven years he followed this calling. after which he settled down to farm work, and ever since has been engaged in the cultivation oi his present farm.
February 13, 1873, George S. Shaw and Miss Amelia Reeve were united in marriage. Mrs. Shaw was born here and has become the mother of a son, Lewis F., who is still at home. In his political views our subject is a Prohibitionist. and has been very influential in aiding in the work in the vicinity of his home. Religiously he holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Riverhead.
C HARLES G. SANDS. A noted writer has said: "The present is the child of all the past, the mother of all the future." Ii this be true, where will the generations of the fu- ture find a more impressive lesson or faithful guide than in the study of the lives of those men who have achieved a successful prominence in the busy walks of life? There is in the intensified energy of the business man, fighting the every- day battle of life, but little to attract the attention
-
558
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of the careful observer; but to the mind fully awake to the stern realities of life there are noble and immortal lessons in the life of the man who, without other aid than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers adversity and wins for himself honor and distinction among his fellow- men. Among such men we may mention Charles G. Sands, who is one of the active business men of the town of Islip, being at present superintendent of the Great Bay Shore Water Company, which was established in 1889.
Henry Sands, the father of our subject, fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer and was a popu- lar and much esteemed citizen in his section. He; was born in Sweet Hollow, and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Smith, was also a native of the island. She died four years ago, when sev- enty-one years old, and the father died when he had reached the age of seventy-two. The four children born to this estimable couple are. in the order of their births, as follows: Smith, a Metho- dist minister of Bridgeport, Conn: Annie E .: Charles G., and Minnie, of Bridgeport.
Our subject was born at Islip July 16, 1852. He first attended the public schools and then entered a private school taught by Amos Doxsee, and thus secured a thorough education. Following this young Sands began teaching school, contin- uing this for seven years, and during vacations clerked in a store, thus obtaining some knowledge of business. After this he opened a general store at Islip under the firm name of Ketchum & Sands. and continued the same for seven years, when he purchased his partner's interest and conducted the business alone for five years. He then sold out, and one year later was elected superintendent of the water company, which position he fills in a very capable manner at the present time. Mr. Sands married Miss Annie C. Betlenges, of Islip. and their union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Howard B. Mr. Sands is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership with Owexa Lodge, No. 574, at Islip, of which he was a charter member. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, Home Cir- cle, and of Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. A Republican in politics, Mr. San.ls
was supervisor of his town two terms. and has held otlier local positions. He is interested in all enterprises calculated to advance the interests of his community, and was a member of the School Board for years, and for some time was its President. He is a good business man and is pushing and enterprising.
E DWARD WEBB LATHAM, a leading cit- izen of Orient, is a representative of one of the well-known families of the village. His father, Daniel Terry Latham, was born here. Sep- tember 3. 1815, and still makes this place his home, as does also the wife and mother, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Webb, and was born in East Marion, February 22, 1817. Of their seven children we note the following: Lydia M. is the widow of Thomas D. Fordham. who was a sailmaker by occupation and died in Green- port: Fannie W. passed away at the age of three years: Edward Webb is the subject of this arti- cle: Frank Terry is a clergyman in the Baptist denomination, and is now pastor of the church at Medina, N. Y .; Howard Sherrill is a farmer in Orient; Emma B. is at home, and Arthur Daniel resides in Orient, making agriculture his occupa- tion. Born in Orient, May 23, 1847. Edward Webb Latham remained on the home farm until 1883. His education was obtained chiefly in the district schools and in the Connecticut Literary Institute of Suffield, Conn., where he spent two years. For several terms during the winter months he taught school, but with that exception he has made farming his life work. His mar- riage, which took place in Orient October 22. 1874, united him with Miss Addie E. Mulford. who was born in this place November 19. 1851. being a daughter of Benjamin King and Sarah D. (Bowditch) Mulford. They are the parents of three children, namely: Maude Mulford, who was born February 6, 1876; Fannie Lucilla. April 29. 1878, and Daniel Terry, October 16. 1885.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.