USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 34
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Mr. Doern was born in Kreuznach, Germany, December 9, 1833, a son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Hahees) Doern, both of whom died in the old
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country. The father was a skilled mechanic, having learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years as a journeyman, but later became a boss carpenter and held that position for a period of thirty years. His parents were Baldeson and Mary Doern. After following the profession of school-teaching for many years, Baldeson Doern was appointed tax collector, and was killed by a French sacks, who robbed him of his money. Our sub- ject's maternal grandfather was John Hahees.
From the age of six to fourteen years, Valentine Doern, of this review, attended the public schools of his native land, and then learned the carpen- ter's trade with his father. After the latter's death, he traveled as a jour- neyman for six and a half years, visiting many of the principal cities of Ger- many and France. He then married Miss Anna Mary Bus, a native of Ger- many, and in March, 1869, sailed for the United States, landing at the port of New York. After spending a few weeks in that city he went to Tuckahoe, New York, where he found employment at his trade and remained there eighteen months. In 1870 he came to New Rochelle and soon started in business on his own account, as a contractor and builder. During the twenty-three years he engaged in business at that place he erected many of the finest dwellings, churches, besides two of the best school buildings, and many of the principal houses in Scarsdale, Larchmont, Yonkers, Mount Pleasant and Mount Vernon, New York, and also built the Columbus Catholic church at Newark, New Jersey. In 1893 he turned the business over to his two sons, Peter V. and Jacob R. Doern, and is now living retired, enjoy- ing a well earned rest. He and his family are members of St. Gabriel's church, of New Rochelle, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them. The family residence is at No. 11 Charles street, New Rochelle.
NATHANIEL B. VALENTINE.
In the old colonial days when much of the land of Westchester county was held under grants from the crown the ancestors of our subject resided in southeastern New York. Their home was here through the period in which the attempt was brilliantly and effectually made to throw off the yoke of British tyranny; when the new republic was being shaped and fashioned by some of the greatest statesmen and patriots that the world has produced they watched with interest the progress of the young nation; and through the epoch of latter-day improvement and development representatives of the name have taken an active part in promoting the welfare of both county and country. That the family has always been one of prominence and influence in the community is shown by the fact that the name of Valentine Hill was bestowed upon the highest plateau in this region, and there, on one of the
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most beautiful building sites in the whole Hudson valley, is located the home of Nathaniel B. Valentine.
He was born September 25, 1833, on the old homestead near Bronx- ville, now included within the present limits of the city of Yonkers. He is a descendant of the seventh generation of Benjamin Valentine, the founder of family in America, who was a dragoon in the French military service in Canada. In 1680 he came to Westchester county, locating on Chester Hill, now a part of Mount Vernon, where he owned a farm. He married Miss Odell and had four sons: Mathias, Thomas, Nicholas, and Joseph. Of these,. Mathias Valentine was born in 1698 and died in 1781, his remains being interred in the Eastchester burying ground. He located on what has since. become known as Valentine Hill, now a part of the seventh ward in the city of Yonkers, being the first person to establish a home there. He made it his. home by renting of the Phillipse family, who received a large manorial grant from King George of England. The Phillipse family, however, continued loyal to the crown, so that the grant was confiscated by the United States government at the close of the Revolution, by reason of Frederick Phillipse's violation of the military parole which would have permitted him to return to Yonkers had he been willing to take the oath of allegiance to the new republic. Refusing to do this a commission of forfeitures was appointed, in pursuance of an act of the legislature of New York, passed May 12, 1781, and the Phillipse grant became government property. Mathias Valentine then pur- chased two hundred and thirty-eight acres of the tract and carried on agri- cultural pursuits. He married Anna Ryche, a daughter of Balthazar Ryche, whose father, Ulrich Ryche, resided at Flaack, in the county of Kyburgh, Germany. An ancient document, dated 1699, is now in possession of our subject. It is a recommendation issued by the sheriff attesting the good character of a certain person, and sets forth the high estimate placed upon legitimate birth and moral character by the early Dutch emigrants. Unto- Mathias and Anna (Ryche) Valentine were born four children: John, Mathias, Samuel and Thomas.
The last named was born at the family homestead on Valentine Hill, where his descendants have since continued to reside. He and Gilbert Val- entine occupied the place during the war of the Revolution, and in the sum- mer of 1776 helped the American army throw up entrenchments on the sum- mit of the hill, remains of whichi fortifications may yet be seen. Thomas Valentine was an ardent patriot, and rendered effective service in the fur- therance of the cause of liberty. His residence was offered to and accepted by Washington as headquarters during his stay in this part of the country, and there the commander-in-chief formed the plans which resulted in the evacuation of New York by the British forces. The historic building was. 19
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torn down in 1840, at which time it was occupied by Elizabeth Valentine, who had sat upon Washington's knee when he was quartered there. She died in 1854 at the age of eighty-eight years, and was greatly revered in the community. Thomas Valentine became well acquainted with the noble leader of the American forces, and was talking with him in front of his resi- dence when Washington, sitting on horseback, discovered the line of march of the British army toward White Plains. On the Sunday morning preced- ing the battle, in October, 1776, he read the following appropriate and sig- nificant text at the family service: "The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord (save us not this day). "-Twenty-second chap- ter of Joshua, twenty-second verse. While the army was stationed near the Valentine Hill the troops were much exposed to the depredations of gangs of outlaws from both sides, known as "cowboys" from the patriot army, and as "skinners" from the British army. Such men committed all sorts of bar- barities. They forcibly entered the home of Thomas Valentine, and, after having met with a stubborn refusal to accede to their summary demand for his money, they dragged him to a cherry tree standing in the corner of the old garden and placed a rope around his neck. Suddenly throwing it off he exclaimed: "Don't be such d -- d fools as to hang a man who hasn't
any money." His evident sincerity and coolness so impressed his tormentors that they set him free. During the same evening his son Nathaniel was shot, sustaining a severe wound in the breast from burning powder, and carried the scar to his grave. Thomas Valentine married Isabel Lawrence, and their children were James, Nathaniel, Mathias, Elizabeth, Thomas and Margaret.
Nathaniel Valentine, the grandfather of our subject, was born in 1760, at the ancestral home, and by inheritance succeeded to the ownership of two hundred and sixty acres. He resided thereon throughout his life, and engaged in agricultural pursuits and in auctioneering, being for many years the only auctioneer in this part of the country. He held sales in New York city and all over Westchester county, and was widely and favorably known. He filled a number of town offices, was a warden of St. John's Episcopal church, and was a very zealous churchman. He married Sarah Briggs, of West- chester, and their children were: George B., Eliza, Thomas B., Mary A. and Elijah. The grandfather died in 1838, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away in 1853, at the age of eighty years.
On the 4th of May, 1801, occurred the birth of George Bishop Valen- tine, whose son is the subject of this sketch. Like the others of the family, he devoted his energies to the tilling of the soil, and was the owner of eighty acres of rich and arable land. His residence is still standing, near St. Joseph's Seminary, and a part of his farm is included in the college campus.
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He was a member of St. John's Episcopal church, held various town offices, was school trustee, and took a deep interest in the advancement of the cause of education. He married Susannah Lawrence, a daughter of William Law- rence, a farmer living in Yonkers, and their union was blessed with two chil- dren: Nathaniel B. and Harriet. The latter is now the wife of James E. Burtis, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Westfield, New Jersey. The father died October 10, 1880, and the mother's death occurred April 29, 1879, when she had reached the age of sixty-nine years.
Born and reared upon his father's farm, Nathaniel B. Valentine acquired his preliminary education in the common schools, and then attended Profes- sor Francis' Academy at Yonkers. At the age of seventeen he put aside his text-books, and for some time continued to assist his father in the cultiva- tion and improvement of the home farm. He there continued to reside until 1891, when he sold sixty acres of the land to Archbishop Corrigan, for the site of St. Joseph's Seminary. In that year he purchased his present home, on Valentine Hill, in Yonkers avenue. He has valuable realty holdings, being the owner of thirty acres, aside from his residence property, compris- ing thirteen building lots. No more desirable locations for homes could be secured. Mr. Valentine is now engaged in the real-estate business, and his well-directed efforts and judicious management have brought him a hand- some competency. He also has quite a number of residences for sale, and owns a number which he rents. His property is splendidly located on a broad table land, the highest eminence in Westchester county. From the summit of Valentine Hill the eye sweeps over a succession of lesser hills, varied by rolling plains, forest lands and picturesque vales stretching away toward Long Island Sound, while to the south and west the horizon is skirted by the blue haze of the hills, and the majestic Hudson flows past the classic palisades to the sea. Nature has made this an ideal place for beautiful country-seats, the bracing air and delightful views being unsurpassed in the entire Hudson valley.
On the 25th of January, 1860, Mr. Valentine was united in marriage to Miss Clara M. Burtis, and they had four children: George B., the eld- est, married Eureka Van Orden and had four children, -George B., deceased, Grace E., Elsie, Nathaniel and Clara. George B. died in 1896, at the age of thirty-five years. John, the second of the family, died August 11, 1890, at the age of twenty-seven years. Dudley F., who is engaged in the real-estate business and is the present alderman from the seventh ward of Yonkers, married Grace D. Richardson, daughter of C. C. Richardson, a retired ice dealer of Yonkers. They have one child, Charles R., born July 11, 1897. Edward W., the youngest of the family, is likewise engaged in the real- estate business in Yonkers.
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Mr. Valentine is a member and vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Eastchester. In politics he is a Democrat. He has served as a school trustee, tax collector and school clerk, holding office altogether for twenty-five years-a fact which indicates the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, whose record forms an important chapter in the history of West- chester county. Esteemed in social circles, trusted in public life, honored in business relations, he has a wide acquaintance in this locality and the number of his friends is almost that of his acquaintances.
FREDERICK W. KRAFT.
A well known manufacturer of piano and glove leather from deer skin, Mr. Kraft is a prominent and successful business man of Bronxville, New York. He established his present business in New York city in 1860, com- mencing operations in a small way, but later removed to Tuckahoe, West- chester county, where he remained for thirteen years, and then moved his tannery to Bronxville, where he could secure most excellent water, and at the same time he enlarged its capacity by putting in new and improved machinery. When he first began the manufacture of fine leather for pianos he met with most stubborn competition and opposition from the German manufacturers who shipped their leather to this country and charged twenty dollars per skin. Mr. Kraft, who imported these skins at different times to supply his customers, was compelled to sell them at twenty five dollars, and becoming satisfied that a superior leather could be produced in this country he embarked in the business and is now the leading manufacturer of piano leather in the United States, buying his hides in South America, different islands and in the north and western territories. By this means he is able to supply his customers with any desired quality. In his tannery he employs from fifteen to twenty men, and the greatest demand for his leather is from piano and glove manufacturers.
Mr. Kraft is a native of Hessen, Germany, born July 9, 1835, and is a son of Christopher and Elizabeth Kraft, his father being a fairly prosperous farmer. He was sent to school from six to fourteen years of age, and for a time assisted his father on the farm. He was then for two years in the wine business in the city of Hesse-Cassel, after which he was employed by the judge of court of appeals for three years. In 1857 he emigrated to the United States, embarking at Bremen on the sailing vessel Union, which was twenty-eight days in crossing the Atlantic to New York city. Being short of funds, he was variously employed for some time, after which he worked in a tannery for one year and then went to Tuckahoe, as before stated.
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In 1858 Mr. Kraft married Miss Elizabeth Lewis, a native of England, who came to New York city during girlhood. Her parents were Robert L. and Susana (Beaman) Lewis. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Kraft has been blessed with two sons. William F., the older, is an experienced tanner, now con- nected with his father in business, and is now serving as trustee of the village of Bronxville. He married Miss Elizabeth P. Reed, a daughter of Dr. James A. and Matilda Reed, and to them have been born two children, a son and daughter, -Beatrice and Frederick W. John, the younger son, is also in the tannery business with his father. He was born September 3, 1861, in New York city, attended school in Tuckahoe and later took a commercial course at Packard's Business College, New York city. In September, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah N. Densmore, of Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of William and Rachel (McKnight) Densmore, and to them have been born two sons, William D. and John.
William F. Kraft has been elected to several minor offices, -is now a trustee, while John is a member of the board of education, and is second assistant chief of the fire department of the town of East Chester.
The record of Frederick W. Kraft is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable business methods which he has followed have won him the support and con- fidence of many. He is one of the board-gauged men of the day and keeps fully abreast of the times.
HENRY J. QUALMAN.
This citizen of Mount Vernon was born in Germany, January 10, 1846, a son of Henry Joachim and Christina (Monroch) Qualman. His father was a native of Mecklenburg, in that country, was very young when his father died, received a common-school education, was a tailor by trade and came to the United States in 1853, locating at Mount Vernon. Subsequently he removed to New Rochelle, where he passed the remainder of his life. In his political views of affairs in this country he was a Republican, and in his religion he was an active member of the Lutheran church. By his first mar- riage he had five children, namely: Henry J., who is the subject proper of this sketch; Mary, who died at the age of eight years; Charles, who died at the age of two years; John, a grocer at New Rochelle; and Louisa Marsh. The mother of these children died about 1878, aged about fifty-two or fifty- four years; and the father afterward married Mrs. Anna Schwartz, who is still living, at College Point, this state. Mr. Qualman died September 11, 1895, at the age of seventy-four years.
Mr. Qualman, the subject of this sketch, received a limited schooling at
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Mount Vernon, attending only during the winters and having to be withdrawn altogether at the age of thirteen and sent away from home to earn a liveli- hood. He was the first boy to carry and deliver newspapers in the town of East Chester, now Mount Vernon. His first regular employment was as office boy and "general factotum" for Dr. J. S. Gregory. After remaining in his service a year he became a clerk in the grocery of Henry Lowman and continued there for three years, then filled a similar position in Bierman's grocery for two years, when he again served as clerk for Mr. Lowman for three years. Beginning at the age of twenty-one years he was associated with his father in the butchering business for two years, and continued in the same for two years longer after the termination of the partnership. About this time he was married, and engaged in the grocery business at Mount Ver- non, till 1874, when, owing to the hard times, he closed his business and soon engaged in teaming, draying and contracting.
In 1886 he was elected commissioner of public works at Mount Vernon and served in that office for three and a half years. Afterward he was ap- pointed sewer commissioner for one year, and the following year was elected commissioner of highways for the town of East Chester, and served in that position up to the organization of the city of Mount Vernon under its present charter. He then bought out the Vangasbeck bluestone yards and has since continued in the business of dealing in bluestone, of the North River and Pennsylvania grades, which is used for flagging, curbstones and trimmings for buildings. He contracts for flagging and curbing, at the present time having four contracts from the city. In the prosecution of his business he has employed as many as fifty men, including fifteen to twenty men in the office, at No. 10 East Sidney avenue. In the year 1897 he did work to the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars. Indeed, he has done the greater part of the contracting in Mount Vernon, in his line, for the past five years.
Mr. Qualman is a member of the order of the Knights of St. John of Malta and of the order of Odd Fellows. He is a liberal contributor to church and charitable enterprises.
June 3, 1870, is the date of his marriage to Miss Katie Spreen, daughter of William and Rebecca (Mertens) Spreen, and they have had five children, -Frederick W. H., John Hiram, Lulu, Annetta, deceased, and Alfred Fee. Frederick is married and resides at 211 North Fifth avenue, Mount Vernon.
CHRISTIAN BECKER.
In past ages the history of a country was a record of wars and con- quests; to-day it is largely the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles.
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The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not of man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive commercial interests. Christian Becker is one of the strong and influential men whose lives have become an essential part of the history of New Rochelle and Westchester county. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to every-day common sense, guided by great will power, are the chief characteristics of the man. At the head of one of the leading industrial concerns of the county, the place that he occupies in business circles is in the front rank.
Mr. Becker is a native of the kingdom of Holland and the date of his birth August 16, 1844. He acquired a good education in his native tongue, and in 1855 accompanied his parents, Christopher A. and Louisa J. (Marius) Becker, to America. His father was a practical manufacturer and con- structor of scientific instruments, following that business in Holland. He was, however, a native of Hanover, Germany, in which province he was reared and educated, later going to Holland, where he married Miss Marius, a native of that land. Crossing the Atlantic with his family he landed in New York and went to New Rochelle, in 1875, where he established himself in business as a scale manufacturer. His excellent workmanship and his honorable dealing soon won him a liberal patronage, and his trade constantly increased. This enabled him to employ a considerable force of skilled workmen, and his scales gained a wide reputation for accuracy, durability and fineness of finish. Christopher Becker continued to engage successfully in business until a short time before his death, in 1890, and his son Christian has continued in the same line. After coming to the United States he at- tended the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, where he acquired a good knowl- edge of the Anglo-Saxon tongue. On leaving school he entered his father's factory, and, one by one, mastered every department and detail of the busi- ness, thus becoming a practical workman in the manufacture of scales and balances. Gradually he worked upward, and when he had mastered the business became financially interested in the same. He is now at the head of the extensive industry, and the product of the factory is unsurpassed by anything produced in this country. The scales are used by pharmacists and in government assay work, and have been adopted in all the leading colleges of the United States. They are also shipped to every part of the civilized globe, and Mr. Becker has received the highest compliments concerning the accuracy and finish of his scales, which many regard as preferable to the finest London manufactures. The present firm of Christian Becker occupies a large brick building and employs several skilled workmen, while their manufactured articles find a ready sale in the most important markets of the
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world. The factory is located in New Rochelle, on what is known as Daven- port Neck, on Long Island Sound.
In 1870 Mr. Becker was united in marriage to Miss Anna C. H. Alker, of Jersey City, New Jersey, a daughter of A. Alker, a prominent citizen of that place. Mrs. Becker is a native of New York city, but spent the great part of her girlhood in Jersey City. They have five children: Christopher A., who is associated with his father in business; Cora L., Florence L., Anita E. and Frank C. The home of the family is a very pleasant residence on Davenport Neck, and commands a magnificent view of the sound, whose changing waters furnish a picture of never diminishing interest and beauty. One of the attractive features of their home is a very fine private library, con- taining the best works of ancient and modern writers, many of whom Mr. Becker regards as warm personal friends, whose companionship is always pleasing and enjoyable. In politics Mr. Becker is rather independent. He reads extensively and then draws his own conclusions, giving his support to the men and measures that he believes will best enhance the national wel- fare. His general information is broad and accurate. His has been a busy and useful life, and he to-day enjoys the reward of his painstaking and con- scientious work. Systematic and methodical, his sagacity, keen discrimina- tion and sound judgment have made him one of the prosperous manufacturers of the city, yet it is not in the business world alone that he is well known, for, owing to his pleasant, genial manner, kindly disposition and uniform courtesy, he is very popular with his friends and a social favorite.
HARRY P. McTAGUE.
Mr. McTague, the commissioner of public works for the city of Mount Vernon, New York, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Columbia, Lancas- ter county, December 3, 1862, and is a son of P. S. and Mary A. (Lee) McTague. His father was born in Strasburg, that state, and is now a resi- dent of Philadelphia. He is a member of the Columbia Historical Society, and a man of general intelligence and pubilc spirit. Our sujbect's mother was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Lee, of Easton, Pennsyl- vania.
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