USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume III > Part 19
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of the house is a cemetery, called the Alpine cemetery, and this is the resting place of the generations of this family.
Freeman Bloodgood, youngest son of William Bloodgood, was born in Perth Amboy township, New Jersey, June 4, 1820. He acquired such limited education as was obtainable during the winter months in the primitive schools of his early life, the summer months being spent in duties pertaining to the farm. On April 5, 1838, he abandoned farm work and went to New York and lived with his brother Matthias, at No. 101 Wooster street, and later at No. 140 Wooster street. Together they carried on the business of masonry and building until 1849, when Mr. Freeman Bloodgood began business on his own account. At this time New York was, to use the language of Washington Irving, "a little city, where everybody knew everybody." The monuments of his skill and ability as a builder are everywhere to be seen. Among these may be mentioned the Berkeley House, at Fifth avenue and Ninth street; the house of Hon. Orlando B. Potter, at the corner of Astor Place and Lafayette place. He built for James E. White the first fireproof store in the city, on the southeast corner of Broadway and Franklin street. Also a large and conspicuous building on the east side of Greenwich street, between Harrison and Jay streets. He was also the builder of a large building on the corner of Bridge and State streets, on the ground where the new Custom House now stands. The first building erected by Mr. Bloodgood was No. 204 Chat- ham street (now Park Row), nearly opposite Division street. The next was No. 203 Fulton street. The erection of all these buildings was executed with careful exactness of detail, which rendered them monuments of his skill. Since 1899 Mr. Blood- good has enjoyed pleasant and well earned retirement at his comfortable residence in Westfield, New Jersey.
He has been a member of the General Society of Mechanics' Vol. III-17
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and Tradesmen for over fifty years. For over thirty years a consistent member of the Baptist church, and withholds his support from no movement or measure which he believes will prove of public good. He is a gentleman of unfailing courtesy and kindness, and his sterling qualities have endeared him to all who have come in contact with him, and it is safe to say that no man in the community is held in more sincere regard.
Mr. Bloodgood married (first), in New York, October 22, 1845, Matilda W. Raynor, daughter of - and Eliza Ann (Stansbury) Raynor, who was born at Flushing, Long Island, 1821, died November 4, 1860. Three children were the issue of this union: Eliza Matilda, Mary Louisa, wife of Charles C. Alexander, and has three children: William Edgar, born Oc- tober 20, 1853. Mr. Bloodgood married (second), June 1, 1864, ANT Eliza Ann Curtis, born in Warminster, England, October 25, "" : : 1830, died October 25, 1900. Their children are: Martha C., born April 16, 1866, wife of Walter L. Day; Freeman, Jr., born March 3, 1868; Ezra S., born February 11, 1871.
William Edgar Bloodgood, only son of Freeman and Ma- tilda W. (Raynor) Bloodgood, born October 20, 1853, acquired his education in the public schools of New York, after which he gained a thorough knowledge of the mason and building trade under the tuition of his father. He then turned his attention to architecture, made himself proficient in this branch, and is now engaged lucratively in this profession. He is a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist church at Montclair, New Jersey. He mar- ried, January 20, 1880, Ida Stillwell Bailey, who died October, 1885. Mr. Bloodgood married (second), March 20, 1889, Jeanette Low, and their children are: Ethel Raynor, born March 12, 1897, and Jeanette, born February 9, 1902.
Freeman Bloodgood, Jr., eldest son of Freeman and Eliza Ann (Curtis) Bloodgood, born March 3, 1868, was educated in
N. Paulson
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the public schools of New York, and afterwards acquired a prac- tical and thorough knowledge of the mason and building business under his father's efficient tuition, and since 1899 has success- fully conducted the business formerly carried on by his father. He was married January 29, 1891, to Sarah A. Ellis, a native of Wales, Great Britain, and their children are: Edward Ellis, born January 19, 1893. Miriam, born June 5, 1898. Elizabeth, born September 20, 1902.
Ezra S. Bloodgood, youngest son of Freeman and Eliza Ann (Curtis) Bloodgood, born February 11, 1871, like his brother acquired a good public school education in New York city, and thereafter made himself proficient as a mason and builder under his father's tuition. He has followed this line of business continuously since early life, and since 1899 in con- nection with his brother Freeman has conducted the business formerly carried on so successfully for half a century by his father. He married Grace F. Smith, of Westfield, New Jersey, February 11, 1897, and they are the parents of one child, Earle A., born January 30, 1898.
NIELS POULSON.
The small country of Denmark has furnished many citi- zens to the new world who have made their mark in the com- mercial, financial and industrial circles, and among the most prominent of these nmust be mentioned the name which heads this sketch.
Niels Poulson was born in Denmark, February 27, 1843, and in that country learned the trade of architect and builder. He came to this country in 1864 and was employed as a mason for about two years, becoming an expert in that line of work. At the end of this period he was engaged by the government as a draughtsman in the office of the supervising architect in Wash-
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ington, District of Columbia, and resigned this position after two years, as he desired to locate in New York city and make a study of architectural iron work. He found employment with the Ar- chitectural Iron Works of New York, remained with them eight years, for seven years of this time having charge of the archi- tectural and engineering department connected with the works. He started in business for himself on a very small scale in 1876, with a view of introducing a higher grade of work than had previously been prevalent. Mr. Charles M. Eger, who had been with Mr. Poulson as draughtsman at the Architectural Iron Works, came to him in a similar capacity, and about one year later was taken in as a partner and the firm name changed to Poulson & Eger. The firm of Poulson & Eger was incorporated under the name of Hecla Iron Works in 1897, Mr. Poulson now being president and Mr. Eger vice-president. The Hecla Iron Works, or, more correctly speaking Poulson & Eger, was the first concern to introduce electro-plating, galvano-plastic work, the Bower-Barff process and plastic patterns, and by economy in construction were able to make metal work compete in price with other materials in the construction of stairways, elevator enclosures, elevator cages, windows, doors, etc. The School of Mines, a few years ago, made a comparison between the iron work of Europe and America, and came to the conclusion that in work of this kind this country is far ahead of the rest of the world, and they were good enough to give this concern full credit for establishing in this country the present high class of work. Mr. Poulson is the originator of many improvements in construction, few of which he has had patented, as he preferred to make them public property. He improved the methods of building fireproof stairs, elevator enclosures, elevator cages, book-stacks for libraries, etc. He furnished to the government. free of charge, modes of construction for the congressional
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library in Washington, which have proved so practical and suc- cessful that this style of construction is now universally adopted in all large libraries. He has often acted in the capacity of con- sulting engineer and architect in connection with public improve- ments. He is a member of the following organizations: The Brooklyn Club, the Manufacturers' Association, the Brooklyn League, the Crescent Athletic Club, and the Bay Ridge Citizens' Association.
Hecla Iron Works, located at No. 118 North Eleventh street, Brooklyn, New York, was incorporated in 1897 and has a cap- ital stock of five hundred thousand dollars, and mortgage bonds of five hundred thousand dollars. It was founded by Niels Poul- son and C. M. Eger, as previously stated, and the original nature of the business was architectural metal work. The present officers and members of the firm are: Niels Poulson, president ; Charles M. Eger, vice-president; Francis D. Jackson, second vice-president ; Fernand S. Bellevue, treasurer; Robert A. Mc- Cord, secretary; Frederick W. Smith, in charge of the designing and construction departments ; and Charles Dipple, superintend- ent. These names also constitute the board of directors. The company now manufacture all kinds of ornamental and architec- tural work in all metals, and has departments for designing, modeling, monlding, pattern making. grille working, electro-plat- ing, etc. For many years Hecla Iron Works had practically no competitors in the higher grades of work, but since then many young men who learned the business with this firm have started for themselves or have been engaged by other concerns, until this high class work is now universally established. Hecla Iron Works was the pioneer in introducing better metals and better workmanship, and they have been well rewarded in their efforts to improve the business in which they engaged. The factory is located at North Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth streets, from
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Wythe avenne to Berry street, Brooklyn, New York, covering forty-one city lots, and when in full operation employs one thousand men. The yearly business amounts to over one million dollars, and they have agencies in Boston, Baltimore and San Francisco.
WILLIAM FRANCIS ELLIS.
William Francis Ellis, widely and favorably known as an inventor, as well as for his great practical ability as a general machinist, is a descendant of an honored Colonial ancestry. The Ellis family is of English and Scotch extraction, and its members were among the earliest settlers of Vermont.
John Ellis, paternal grandfather of William F. Ellis, was a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolution. By his wife Sarah he had a son Alfred, born in Brattleboro, Vermont, who passed his entire life there as a farmer and machinist. He was a man of ability and high character, and was proferred various important publie offices, which he persistently refused, preferring the duties and responsibilities of private citizenship. He married Elizabeth MacNash, a native of the same town with himself. a daughter of Moses MacNash, and of Scotch ancestry. Of this marriage were born two sons: Charles C., deceased; and William Francis.
William Francis Ellis was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, September 28, 1828, and was educated in the common schools of that place, then a mere village. After leaving school he was apprenticed to a machinist, and became so proficient in his chosen calling that on completing his term he secured employment in the United States Arsenal at Springfield, where he labored ef- ficiently until he removed to Boston to take employment in the locomotive works. About 1875 he located in New York city and engaged in the manufacture of book backing, stamping and trim- ming machinery, and for twenty-six years past has been estab-
E. D. Newink
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lished at his present location, 17 Center street. His shops are unsurpassed for their equipment for their purpose, much of the machinery being of Mr. Ellis's own invention. His talent for machinery invention was evidenced in his early youth, and when only seventeen years old he produced an entirely practicable side-hill plow, while among his more recent inventions is a potato harvester which has found wide use.
Mr. Ellis married, in New York, Miss Elizabeth McAffrey, of Brattleboro, Vermont, and of this marriage were born three children: John F., residing in St. Louis, Missouri; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Cornelius W. Bogart, residing in New York; and Anna Maria, who is the wife of Charles W. Dickerson. The mother of these children having died, Mr. Ellis married (second) Miss Agnes Wheatley, a native of Brooklyn, New York. There are no children of this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are both consistent members of St. Thomas (Protestant Episcopal) Church, Brooklyn.
ELIPHALET SMITH NEWINS.
Eliphalet Smith Newins, a highly respected citizen and a member of the old firm of Floyd & Newins, formerly of 177 Sonth street, New York city. was born at Setauket in the town of Brookhaven, Suffolk county, New York, September 13, 1825, the only child of Eliphalet and Sarah Woodhull (Jayne) Newins, whose deaths occurred at Setauket, Long Island, August 30, 1825. and February 13, 1869, respectively. Eliphalet Newins (father) gained his livelihood by the tilling of the soil.
Eliphalet S. Newins received his elementary training in the schools of Setauket, and at the early age of thirteen began to depend upon his own resources to gain a livelihood. He came to New York city and at once secured employment with William Floyd, who was then engaged in the grocery trade at No. 4
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Goerck street, and continued the same for a period of six or seven years, during which time he succeeded by his industry and fidelity to duty in impressing upon his employer the importance of his usefulness and business capacity. At the expiration of the above period of time he was admitted to partnership with Mr. Floyd and for some time they conducted the business at the old stand, but subsequently, owing to the increasing demands of their trade, removed to more commodious quarters at No. 15 James Slip, New York city. Here they engaged in the wholesale gro- cery and provision trade, and by their persistent efforts built up a large and profitable business. Later they engaged in the ship- ping and marine trade, owning their own ships which they had built in conformity to their ideas, and for a number of years engaged in the coastwise and foreign trade, in which line of undertaking they achieved a marked degree of success. In order to secure better facilities for their constantly increasing trade they finally removed to No. 177 Sonth street, where they suc- cessfully continued the mercantile business up to within a short time of the death of Mr. Floyd, which occurred July 11, 1903. The firm of Floyd & Newins was widely and favorably known in commercial and marine circles, and everywhere was recognized as being synonymous with straightforward and honorable bus- iness methods. The confidence reposed in him by his fellowmen is evidenced by the fact that he was chosen a member of the board of trustees of the East River Savings Bank of New York city, one of the leading financial institutions of the metrop- olis. He is a member in good standing of Pacific Lodge, No. 233, Free and Accepted Masons, of New York city.
Mr. Newins married, October 19, 1852, Sarah C. Delamater, born November 6, 1832. daughter of William B. and Saralı (Fel- ter) Delamater, the latter of whom was a native of Orange county, New York. One child was the issne of this marriage,
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Charles Mortimer, born September 21. 1853, referred to herein- after. The faithful wife and mother died July 3, 1885. Mr. Newins married (second), March 30, 1887, Adelaide Z., daughter of Hamilton and Harriet Jane (Allen) Jayne, no issue.
Charles Mortimer Newins acquired his education under the private tuition of Professor Marshall and in public school No. 40 in New York city. At the age of seventeen he entered the office of Floyd & Newins and under the direction of his father learned the various details of the business, with which the lat- ter had been so many years identified. He is a worthy represen- tative of the name and family, and has proved himself a worthy son of a worthy sire. Ile is identified with Ridgewood Lodge, No. 710, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past mas- ter. Mr. Newins married, at Keyport, New Jersey, October 19, 1876. Eleanor Meserole Luqneer, born July 13, 1856, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Van ('ott) Lugneer, and their children are : Floyd Smith, born August 9, 1877, died November 28, 1877. Grace Eleanor, born June 6, 1879, became the wife of Wilson W. Brown, of Brooklyn, New York, and has one child, Grace Eleanor Brown. Lillian Van Cott, born August 3, 1881, became the wife of Charles B. Van Leer, of Brooklyn, New York, and has one child, Charles Newins Van Leer, born March 22, 1902. Edward Mortimer, born February 22, 1883. Charles Meserole, born November 3. 1887.
JAMES J. POWERS, JR.
James J. Powers, Jr., who conducts a large and important real estate and insurance business at No. 109 West Twenty- ninth street, New York city, and who in the course of his busi- ness career has handled millions of dollars worth of property in this city, traces his paternal ancestry to Newfoundland, and his maternal to Ireland.
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Joseph Powers, grandfather of James J. Powers, Jr., was a resident of Newfoundland, where he married Ann Burns, and had children: Matthew, Joseph John, and James J., Sr., of whom see forward.
James J. Powers, Sr., was born in Carbonear, Newfound- land, October 16, 1826. He left Newfoundland in 1846 and went to Boston, Massachusetts, and from thence to New York, where he remained for three years. During this time he learned the trade of shoemaking, and in 1849 returned to Newfoundland, taking up his residence at St. Johns, where he worked at his acquired trade for a period of fifteen years. He returned to New York in 1864 and again took up his trade of shoemaking in that city, subsequently engaging in the retail shoe business for a number of years, but he retired from active business life some years prior to his death, which occurred June 10, 1904, having amassed a competency. He married, in St. John's, Newfonnd- Jand, Eliza Simms, born in St. Johns, February 28, 1831, daugh- ter of Henry and Mary (Meagher) Simms. Henry Simms was born in the county of Waterford, Ireland, emigrated to New- foundland, and taught in the schools there for the long period of fifty years. He then removed to New York, where he re- sided for many years. He married Mary Meagher, who was born in Newfoundland, went to Ireland with her father, when she was a child, was educated there, and then returned to Newfoundland, where she was married. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Simms were: Eliza, who married Mr. Powers; Julia, deceased; Mary, deceased; William, deceased; Ellen, and Francis. Mr. and Mrs. James J. Powers, Sr., had children: 1. James J., Jr., see for- ward. 2. Mary Ann, a Sister of Charity. 3. Ella, married Patrick H. Ryan, of Brooklyn, New York. 4. Margaret, married . William J. Smith, of Brooklyn. 5. Julia. 6. Agnes, a Sister of Charity whose pious labors are with the New York Foundling
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Institute. 7. Joseph Henry, who resides in Brooklyn. 8. Hen- rietta.
James J. Powers, Jr., son of James J., Sr., and Eliza (Simms) Powers, was born in St. Johns, Newfoundland, October 13, 1856. He was eight years of age when his parents came to the United States, and his education, which was well begun in his native city, was completed in New York city in St. Bridget's Parochial School, at Avenne B and Eighth street. He left school with an excellent foundation for an active business career, and at once took employment as a clerk, and later, in 1874, in the same capacity was connected with the William Repenile estate, to which he rendered acceptable and trustworthy service for the long period of twelve years. For a number of years afterward he had charge of the property of Michael Coleman, and is now entrusted with the large interests of the Samuel Babcock estate, which were committed to him several years ago. For thirty years past he has been continuously engaged in a general real estate business, and during that time has handled some of the most valuable property in his section of the city, and much of which has been greatly improved as a result of his bringing it to the attention and into the possession of discerning men with means sufficient to enhance its value by liberal building operations. As an almost necessary incident to his real estate operations, he has at the same time carried on an insurance business which has expanded to large proportions. Throughout his career he has enjoyed an enviable reputation for progressiveness, wise discernment, and unsullied integrity, and he numbers among his clientele many of the foremost active business men of that great center of city business in which he is situated. Mr. Powers is a Catholic in religion, a communicant of St. Gabriel's church, and is an active member of the social and benevolent order of Knights of Columbus. In politics he is
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a Democrat. He married (first), in New York city, Josephine Partello, who died. He married (second) Amelia Miller. Both marriages were childless.
GEORGE FOX.
George Fox, until his death the head of the oldest boiler works in the city of New York, was a native of England. He was born in Dewsbury, son of Isaac and Sarah Fox, both natives of England, the former spending his entire life in that country.
George Fox was educated in his native land, and was there apprenticed to the trade of boiler making, in which he became proficient. In 1849 he came to the United States and located in the city of New York, working at his acquired trade as a journey- man until 1853. In this year he removed to Paterson, New Jersey, where he held the position of foreman for the Danford & Cooke Locomotive Works for a period of three years. He then returned to New York, and in 1856 established boiler works at No. 511 West Thirty-fourth street, which are still in operation at the present time, under the supervision of three of his chil- dren. This business is the oldest of its kind in the city, and has a well established reputation. Mr. Fox was a man who thor- oughly understood not alone his business, but business condi- tions in general; ready to take advantage of every opportunity which presented itself and make the most of it, and this was in all probability the main cause of his remarkable success. He was quiet and unassuming in his manner, and held in high es- teem by all. He was a member of Corinthian Lodge, No. 488, Free and Accepted Masons, and attended the Methodist Epis- copal church.
Mr. Fox married, at Bradford, England, Martha Thorpe, and they had nine children: John, married Emeline Carr, had two children, Walter and Emily, and died in 1875, survived by
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his widow and two children. William, died in infancy. George, born December 2, 1847, in Liverpool, England, came to America with his parents at the age of two years, was educated in the public schools of New York, learned the trade of boiler making in his father's business, and since the death of the latter has been a member of the firm of George Fox's Sons. He married, December 21, 1870, Jennie P. Owen, daughter of Jasper and Susan Owen, and has three children: Edith J., Mabel E., Lil- lian S. He is a member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the office of steward. Benjamin, mar- ried Lavinia Flandreau; children : Benjamin, Mattie and George. Martha, wife of Robert H. Law ; has three children : Marion F., Robert H., Jr., and Martha. Henry, deceased, married Rosania Schnieble; widow and two children, John and Frank, survive him. Elizabeth, died in childhood. Charles, died in childhood. Mary, died in childhood.
WILLIAM H. TAYLOR.
William Taylor, father of William H. Taylor, was born in Virginia, and was a sailor. He married Sarah Marshall, born in Accomac county, Virginia, and a few years after his marriage he removed with his family to Staten Island. This was in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of four children: Samuel E., William H., Southard, May .J.
William H. Taylor, second son and second child of William and Sarah (Marshall) Taylor, was born August 11, 1850, in Accomac county, Virginia. He lived there until he was ten years of age, when, in the fall of 1860, his parents removed to Staten Island. It was in the public schools of Staten Island that he received his education. After leaving school he turned his at- tention to a seafaring life, which had always possessed great attractions for him. He followed the occupation of a sailor for
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several years, and then worked in an oil business for four years. On December 12, 1896, he took charge of school No. 20, as janitor, and has remained in that capacity up to the present time. The same earnestness of purpose which characterized Mr. Taylor as a boy at school, and which aided him to gain success there, has attached to him throughout his career. He is painstaking, am- bitious, and has great force of character.
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