USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume I > Part 13
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THEOPHILUS FRANCES DU BOIS.
The active business career of the late Theophilus Francis Du Bois, a dry goods merchant of New York city for more than three decades, gained for him a reputation in commercial circles as a man of reliability. integrity, ability and worth. He was born in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, October 21, 1832, the only child of Nicholas and Amanda ( Lartigue) Du Bois, who were highly respected in the community by all with whom they were brought in contact. Nicholas Du Bois was a mason and builder by occupation, and a man of exemplary character, ful- filling each duty in life to the best of his ability.
Theophilus F. Du Bois was educated in the public schools of his native city, and at the early age of fourteen he took up the practical duties of life on his own account. He spent his early manhood years in the city of his nativity, and at the break- ing out of the Civil war enlisted in the Confederate army in the ninety days' service. being a member of the New Orleans Gnards, which organization took an active part in the first battle of Shiloh. Mr. Du Bois was wounded upon the second day of his engagement. after which he was sent to the hospital and then returned home. After the surrender of New Orleans to the Union forces he was given the privilege of taking allegiance to his country. but his loyalty to the cause of the Confederacy prevented him from so doing. and he was held in captivity for
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some time, but was finally paroled. He again joined the Con- federate army and served until the termination of hostilities, having taken part in many of the principal engagements in the south during the latter part of the conflict. Upon his return home to New Orleans he engaged in mercantile pursuits and continned the same until 1866, during which time he made mmerons trips to the city of New York to purchase goods for the southern trade. He then opened an office in New York city and continued in the wholesale dry goods trade up to his death, which ocenrred May 8, 1898.
Mr. Du Bois was married, December 22, 1855, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Evalina Pene, born January 13, 1837, one of the two daughters of John Fleuryn Pene. Seven children, five sons and two danghters, were the issue of this marriage, as follows: Alice, died at the age of six years and ten months. Henry Pene, a prominent art critic of New York city; he mar- ried Laura Hayne, who bore him two children: --- and Guy Du Bois. George Joseph, married Blanche Hayne, who bore him four children: Rita, Nina. George and Robert Du Bois. Edmund John, married Clara Gildemeister, who bore him two children : Ella and Peter John Du Bois. Lillian Marie. Leonce Francis. Sidney Albert, married Alice Vallet.
GEORGE J. DUBOIS.
Among the representative business men of the city of New York whose zeal, integrity and ability have brought to them large returns for labor expended may be mentioned the name of George J. Dubois. who was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 22, 1861, the third child and second son in the family of Theophilus and Evalina (Pene) Dubois, also natives of New Orleans.
George J. Dubois attended the schools of his native city
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until the age of twelve years, when he came to New York with his parents and for three years thereafter was a student in the schools of Brooklyn, New York. He gained his first experience in the practical duties of life by entering the employ of Cazade, Crooks & Reynaud, wholesale wine merchants of New York city, and while serving in the capacity of clerk acquired a thorough knowledge of the various details of the importing as well as the domestic trade of the wine business. In 1886, upon the dis- solution of the firm of Cazade, Crooks & Reynaud, Mr. Dubois entered the employ of Emil Schultze & Company, remaining for a period of two years, and at the expiration of this time became an employe of F. Arnault, the renowned California wine dealer. with whom he remained about nine years, and during all these many years of his connection with this particular line of business gained a vast amount of knowledge which aided him materially in conducting his own business. Upon the death of Mr. Arnault, Mr. Dubois succeeded to the business, which con- sisted of a successful importing and domestic trade, and since then to the present time (1905) has been the sole proprietor of the same.
Mr. Dubois married, January 20, 1883, Blanche Hague, born March 29. 1863. daughter of Joseph and Marie ( Duelos) Hague, the former of English and the latter of French extraction. Their children are: Rita L .. born July 27, 1884; Nina M., born June 20. 1886: George ,1 .. Jr .. born April 5, 1894; Robert Sidney. born November 30. 1896.
JULES DU BOIS.
Jules Du Bois is a splendid example of the progressiveness and enterprise of the French-American citizens who have con- tributed much to the commercial interests of New York city. Mr. Du Bois was born in Asnieres, a suburb of Paris, France.
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August 14, 1863, and is one of a family of three children of Jules and Antoinette (Robert) Du Bois. His brother Edward. married Laura Cook and resides in Brighton, England. The third child of this family, Charles Dn Bois, died February 8, 1895. at the age of twenty-three years. The father died Au- gust 20, 1905, at the age of seventy-one, at Brighton, England. The mother still survives and resides with her son Edward at Brighton, England.
Jules Du Bois received his educational training in the schools of Paris, where he also studied chemistry for some time. . Upon attaining his majority in 1884. he decided to seek his for- tune in the United States, and accordingly sailed for New York city, landing here in May of the same year. Having been acens- tomed to an active life, he at once took up employment, and has by his industry, thrift and fidelity to duty advanced himself to positions of responsibility and trust. In 1902 he was instru- mental in incorporating the New York Moulding Manufacturing Company, and at present is vice-president. secretary and man- ager of the corporation. Mr. Du Bois is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, having become identified with the order in London, England.
Jules Du Bois married, March 3, 1888, Cecile Zemp, a native of Switzerland, born April 2, 1868, daughter of Jean and Christine (Bienz) Zemp. Their children are: Jules, Jr., born July 3, 1890; Charles E., born October 18, 1892; and Helene, born December 14, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Du Bois attend St. Jolm's Episcopal church in West Hoboken, New Jersey, where they reside.
GEORGE W. DU BOIS.
The first of this branch of the Du Bois family to come to America was Francis Du Bois, who was a native of Switzerland,
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born in the Canton of Neufchatel, reared and educated there, and pon attaining manhood years learned the trade of watch making, an art in which the Swiss people have long been re- nowned.
In 1831 Franeis Dn Bois came to America and settled in New York, which city as a center of trade and commerce afforded him splendid opportunity in his calling. Soon after his arrival here he engaged in business with his brother Frederick, and finally established an office and store at the corner of John and Gold streets. In this undertaking the two brothers met with immediate success. the result of their skill and straightforward business methods, and the name of Du Bois was everywhere regarded in the jewelry trade as a synonym for honest business dealings. In 1837 Franeis Dn Bois purchased a fine residence on First street, between South Ninth and Tenth streets. in the Nineteenth ward, Brooklyn, and later purchased the premises at the corner of South Ninth and Roebling streets, where the family resided for many years and which became known as the Du Bois family homestead. and here Francis Du Bois and his wife both passed away. He was a splendid type of the American citizen. Born and reared in a land of liberty, he always was loyal to the institutions of his adopted country. He was quiet and reserved in his habits, and was highly respected by his neighbors and friends. He took an active interest in the material growth and development of Williamsburg, now a part of Brook- lyn. He was a member of the board of directors of the Williams- burgh Fire Insurance Company, and was also instrumental in the establishment of the Williamsburg ferries. He was one of the organizers and founders of the "Societie. Generale Suisse." He passed away April 9, 1879.
Francis Du Bois married Elzire Leuba, who bore him four children, three of whom attained years of maturity: Francis,
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who at present resides in Paris; George W., of this review; and Lucy, unmarried. died April 23, 1903. The mother of the afore- mentioned children died March 20, 1876. Both parents were regular attendants of the Bedford Avenue Reformed Church in Brooklyn.
George W. Du Bois was born at the family homestead in Brooklyn, March 15, 1850. He acquired his early mental train- ing in the schools of the Eastern District, Brooklyn, and then entered the Polytechnic Institute, which he attended for some time, and then entered his father's office at 36 Maiden Lane, New York. Here he acquired a thorough knowledge of the various details of the trade, domestic as well as the importation of fine Swiss watches and jewelry. He took an active interest. in the material welfare of the neighborhood, and for a number of years was a director of the Lafayette Fire Insurance Com- pany of Brooklyn. He closely emulated the policies and prin- ciples established by his father, and in every way proved himself a most worthy scion of a worthy sire. In 1879 he purchased a honse and grounds at Ehn Place, next to the residence of his father-in-law, Rev. E. S. Porter, both places now belonging to Mrs. Du Bois. He spent the latter years of his life at the family homestead in the Nineteenth ward. Brooklyn, where he passed away, March 14, 1887. During his brief and useful career he had traveled considerably both in the United States and in Enrope, where he had a wide circle of friends. He was a chris- tian gentleman, a regular and staunch supporter of the Bed- ford Avenne Reformed Church, a member of the Consistory and a teacher in the Sunday school. His untimely death was mourned by a large number of friends in trade circles as well as in the neighborhood of his home. At the time of his death it was justly said that he was an upright man, a good citizen, a lov- ing husband and an indulgent father.
-
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George W. Du Bois was married in Brooklyn by Rev. El- bert Stothoff Porter, D. D., December 10, 1874, to Miss Susan Rathbone Porter, born June 1, 1853, daughter of Rev. Elbert Stothoff and Eliza Kittle ( Wynkoop) Porter. Of this marriage were born three children : 1. Francis Elbert, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. 2. Susan Porter, born Septem- ber 7, 1876. 3. Lucy Elzire, born June 15, 1879, died at Vevay, Switzerland, February 3, 1884. The mother of the aforemen- tioned children survives her worthy husband and resides in Lex- ington avenue. New York City. She is a member of the Hen- drick Hudson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revo- Intion, also her daughter, Susan Porter Du Bois, is a member of the same chapter. Mrs. Du Bois is a consistent member of the South Reformed church. She is a manager of the Woman's Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church in Amer- ica, and of the Settlement of Christodora House at No. 147 Avenue B, New York City.
The armorial bearings of the ancient house of Du Bois are thus described: Bois (du) de Dunilae-Neufchatel (An. 24 Sept. 1855). D'azur a trois fasces d'or (du Bois) ; au fr .- q. d'or, ch. de trois pals d'azur (du Terranx). L'ecru borde d'or. Cq. cour. C .; un lion iss. d'or tenant de ses pattes une banniere aux armes du fr .- q. S. : deux lions d'or.
REV. ELBERT S. PORTER, D. D.
Rev. Dr. Elbert S. Porter was born in the town of Hillsboro, New Jersey, October 23, 1820. His early studies were at a select school at Ovid, Seneca county, New York, where he was sent at six years of age, and at a school in the city of New York kept by the father of the late distinguished lawyer, James T. Brady. When between eleven and twelve he went into a store at Millstone, New York, for one year. After this he attended
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the Academy at Somerville, New Jersey, where he spent three years. He entered the sophomore class of Princeton College in his sixteenth year, and was graduated three years later, in 1839. He studied law for a short time, but did not seek admission to the bar. He was graduated in theology at the Theological Sem- inary at New Brunswick in 1842. In the same year he was licensed by the classis of New Brunswick, and in the following year was installed at Chatham, in Columbia county, New York. as pastor of a small missionary congregation. This point is now known as Chatham on the Harlem railroad, and the junction of the Boston and Albany railroad. At the date of Dr. Porter's going there it was a small settlement of a poor and to a con- siderable extent vicious population. Filled with zeal in the ministerial work, he commenced his labors and met with great success. He remained seven years and built up one of the most flourishing of the country churches of the Reformed denomina- tion. He next accepted a call to his present church, then known as the First Reformed Dutch Church in Williamsburgh, of which he became the pastor November 1, 1849, and has now officiated for many years.
The history of this church is very interesting. Its growth shows the wonderful changes which seventy-five years have pro- duced in the entire section now included in the city of Brooklyn. In the first year of the last century, Brooklyn contained only three thousand and two hundred and ninety-eight inhabitants, and in 1834 was erected into a city with a population of about twenty-four thousand. It then had but one Reformed Dutch church, whereas now there are a number of them. In the year 1817 a ferry was established between the foot of Grand street. New York. and the foot of what afterward became Grand street, William sburgh. Prior to that period the inhabitants crossed the river by sail or paddle boats. The ferry soon contributed
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to the establishment of a considerable settlement along the shore from Grant to North Second street, through which ran the turn- pike to Newtown. A village charter was obtained in 1827, when the population amomited to abont fifteen hundred. At that date the shore from Wallabout Bay to Newtown Creek was dotted with comfortable farm houses, ocenpied by the old Dutch fami- lies. Williamsburgh became a city January 1, 1852, and it was consolidated with Brooklyn and Bushwick under one charter, January 1, 1855. At the date of the consolidation Williams- burgh had a population of abont fifty thousand, and Brooklyn about one hundred and twenty thousand. The entire population at this time is about four hundred thousand.
The church in Williamsburgh grew out of the First Re- formed Dutch Church of Bushwick. On the 28th of September, 1828. the cornerstone of a church edifice was laid on a site which is now on the corner of Fourth and South Second streets. It was dedicated on the 26th of July, 1829, the Rev. Dr. Broadhead, of New York, preaching the sermon. The congregation was or- ganized as a separate church by the classis of Long Island on the 1st of November, 1829. Immediately after its organization the (Imreh received into its service the Rev. James Demarest, who for the first six months served in the capacity of a missionary. and was supported in part by the Board of Domestic Missions. On the first Sabbath of his labors he preached to sixteen people. on the second to eighteen, and on the third to twenty-four. At that date the building was remote from the village, which was forming around and above the foot of Grand street. Fourth street was then but a farmer's lane --- rough, uneven with boul- ders and studded here and there with stumps or with trees of the original forest. Flagged sidewalks and pavements as yet there were none. Rev. Mr. Demarest labored as missionary and pas- tor for nine years and nine months, when he resigned. The pas-
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torate was next filled by the Rev. William H. Van Doren, who remained until the spring of 1849, about ten years. In the spring of the same year important improvements of the church edifice were completed. The installation of Dr. Porter took place on the third Sunday of December, 1849, and his ministry has been the most noted in the history of the church. In 1849 Williamsburgh was still a small place. The streets were un- lighted by night save only when the moon relieved the dark- ness. Since then every one of the local institutions has been established, such as banks, markets, libraries and associations for public beneficence. The churches were few and their mom- bership not large.
From an early date the First Church contributed its mem- bers and its means to found other churches. The First Presby- terian Church of Williamsburgh grew out of it; in 1848 twenty- three members were dismissed to form the church at Greenpoint : in 1851 several were dismissed to aid in the organization of the South Bushwick Church, and in 1854 members were dismissed to found the Lee Avenue Church. For several years contribu- tions were made to the salaries of the ministers of both the last named churches. In 1855 a Mission Sunday school was estab- lished in Ninth street, which has since been maintained in great vigor and efficiency at an expense of never less than five hundred dollars per annum. The church has repeatedly given its assist- ance, pecuniarily and otherwise, in other practical efforts of religious usefulness.
In 1854 the spire of the church was prostrated by a tornado. Subsequently the edifice was enlarged and improved at a cost of about five thousand dollars in all. In 1860 a contract was made for the purchase of a new site for a new edifice, when the war arrested further movements. In July, 1866, the church on Fourth street was sold to the Central Baptist congregation, and
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in September, 1867, the foundations of a new edifice were com- meneed on the site purchased in 1860. This site consists of seven lots, four on Bedford avenne and three on Clymer street, one of the most select and highly improved neighborhoods of the city at that time. The cornerstone was laid in July, 1868, and the completed church was dedicated in October, 1869, and cost, with a chapel adjoining, one hundred and thirty thousand dollars. The building is in the Romanesque style of architecture, and is one hundred and ten feet long (exelusive of the chapel) by seventy feet wide. The whole front on Bedford avenue, inelnd- ing towers, is eighty-two feet. On the northwest corner there is a tower ninety-eight feet high, and on the opposite corner is a large turret seventy-eight feet high. The basement is built of Belleville stone and the walls above the basement are faced up with Philadelphia pressed brick, and trimmed with Dorchest- er stone. The audience room is eighty-seven feet by sixty-seven in the clear. The windows are filled with enriched glass. The first floor is seated with walnut pews of the most approved pat- tern. There are galleries on three sides having handsome open- work fronts made of walnut and butternut woods. These are unlike most galleries in that they are construeted with one level floor the entire width, in place of the usual style with platforms graded one above the other. This level gallery is divided into spaces of about eight by eight feet each, with light open baluster railings, carpeted the same as the first floor, each space furnished with walnut upholstered chairs and a small center table, thus making the gallery the most attractive portion of the house. These spaces have been rented for an aggregate sum of three thousand dollars. The building is provided with a new system of ventilation. The walls and ceilings are richly tinted with deli- eate hues. The church seats fifteen hundred and the chapel ac- commodates six hundred. Three hundred and twenty-five dollars
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premium was paid for the choice of the first pew at the sale of them. Taken as a whole, this is one of the most elegant and commodions edifices of the kind to be found in the United States.
During the day of dedication three imposing and largely attended services took place in the church. Dr. Porter preached the principal sermon, the Rev. Dr. De Witt delivered an address and the dedication sentences and prayer. and Chancellor Isaac Ferris delivered an affecting and appropriate address to the congregation. There are now about four hundred members and each of the two Sunday schools has about two hundred scholars.
Dr. Porter received his degree of Doctor of Divinity from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, in 1854. For fourteen years he was the editor of the "Christian Intelligencer," the organ of the reformed denomination. His career as an editor was bril- liant in the extreme, and when he resigned this position both the religious and secular press nited in an expression of the highest regard for his character and talents. Besides his editorial writ- ings he has published in serial form a " History of the Reformed Dutch Church in the United States, " the " Pastor's Guide, " and other small volumes and various occasional sermons. One of these latter is a "Historical Discourse," delivered on the final services in the old church, and is of much value from its historical information. Dr. Porter was the president of the first General Synod held after the name of the denomination was changed from the Reformed Church to the Reformed Church of North America. He had a beautiful farm of sixty acres at Claverack, in Columbia county, which was well managed and made profitable by the person in charge.
Dr. Porter had an equally proportioned figure of the aver- age height. He had a quiet plain appearance, but his whole manner assured you that he was a man of both dignity and force of character. His head was long with a sharp chin, but much
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fullness in the upper portion. The features were prominent and expressive. His head and face proclaimed three distinctive and strong qualities in him. In the first place, he was a thor- oughly conscientious man in the performance of every duty in life; second. he was strong in his own self-reliance; and third, his mind was clear, comprehensive and practical on all occasions and on all subjects. He was never found wanting in any place that duty called him and in the church and everywhere he was one of those who naturally take the position of a leader and example to other men. In his conversation, in his calmness and method, which, after all, was not unmixed with cantion, you obtained a vivid insight into the moral and physical power which was inborn in him. He was not demonstrative or presumptuous, but quiet, unobtrusive and modest. Agreeable, cordial and frank in his manners, they were not of a kind to draw any special atten- tion upon him. But when work was to be done, when cool, prac- tical judgment was wanted, when a champion and a hero were re- quired, then he came to the front with his strong nerve, his will- ing mind and hands and his brave and hopeful heart.
His work in the ministry stands nobly conspienons in the religious record of his times for its fidelity and snecess. It has not been a work of show and boastfulness, but one which will speak through all denominational history for its usefulness to the church and the community. His sermons excelled in both learning and literary ability. He wrote in an elegant, compact and foreible style of composition, showing the ready pen and enlarged and brilliant mental powers. Whatever he displayed appeared in thought and argument which were peculiarly his own. There was no seeming effort and no display, but his pleas- ant flow of tender language and his logical and sensible views never failed to arrest all ears.
Rev. Elbert S. Porter served as chaplain of the Forty-sev-
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enth Regiment of Brooklyn, New York, Volunteers, under Col- onel Jeremiah Meserole. Rev. Elbert S. Porter died February 26, 1888.
Rev. Elbert S. Porter married, 1845, Eliza Kittle Wyn- koop, daughter of Rev. Peter Sylvester and Margaret (Gosman) Wynkoop, and of this marriage were born six children: Mar- garet. died in infancy ; Mary Joanna, Sylvester Wynkoop, Susan Rathbone. Eliza Gosman, and Elbert Stothoff, who became a minister of the gospel. The mother of these children, Eliza Kittle Wynkoop Porter, died October 7, 1889.
THE SHIRLEY FAMILY OF ENGLAND AND AMERICA
During the eleventh century, the first recorded owner of land of Etendone (a place of some note prior to the Conquest) was Susnualo, of English origin and founder of the ancient fam- ily of Sirlai. The most remote ancestor being Saswalo, Castel- lan of Lisle, Flanders, etc., 1000, 1039, who founded the Abbey of Palempian-his son, Robert. had Roger I, whose grandson went to erusade 1096 and from his brother, Hugh, descended the renowned "Castellans of Lisle."
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