USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume IV > Part 11
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
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
Charles C. Asmussen, fourth son of John Frederick and Mary (Meyn) Asmussen, was born in New York city, March 25, 1876. He received his education in the old Grove street school
143
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
honse, No. 3, and upon its completion entered the undertaking business of his father, and has followed the same since that time. He worked in association with his father until the latter retired from business in 1902, and since that time he has been the sole manager of the manifold interests connected with it. He is enter- prising and progressive in his ideas, and enjoys a great measure of popularity among a large circle of friends. He is a member of the following organizations : Atlas Lodge, No. 316, Free and Accepted Masons ; Court Our, Iroquois, No. 239; the Old Tongh C'lnb of Ninth ward, and Amt Hegener Club. He married, May 13, 1896, in New York city, Annie Mein, and has one living child : Jolın Frederick.
WILLIAM H. BARKLAGE.
William H. Barklage, an extensive dealer in coal and wood at Forty-fifth street and Ninth avenne, New York city, carries into his business transactions the thrifty habits, honesty and in- dustry of his German ancestors.
John H. Barklage, father of William H. Barklage, was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, May 24, 1821. He was the son of - and Katherine Burklage, both natives of Germany, who spent their entire lives in the land of their birth. John H. received a good education and at a snitable age was apprenticed to the trade of shoemaking in his native land. In 1846 he emi- grated to America, remained in New York, where he landed, and immediately took a position as a clerk in a grocery store. He continued in this business as clerk until he had thoroughly mas- tered the details of the grocery business in New York, and had obtained a sufficient command of the English language to warrant his undertaking a business venture on his own responsibility, when he commenced for himself, at the corner of King and Varick streets, where he conducted his business until 1862, when
144
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
he removed it to Forty-fifth street and Ninthi avenue and oper- ated it with much success until 1869, at which time he disposed of it and engaged in the coal and wood business, in which he con- tinned until his death, February 8, 1898. He was possessed of remarkable business qualifications, as was evinced by the suc- cess he attained. He was simple and unaffected in his manner, and his kindly disposition won for him a host of friends. He was ever ready to help those not so fortunately situated as himself, and was a liberal contributor to many charitable undertakings. He was connected with St. Luke's German Evangelical Lutheran Church from the time of its organization until his death, and was one of its trustees for many years. He was one of the board of managers of the Northwestern Dispensary, and was a member of the Gehrder Freundschafts Bund. He married, in New York, Wilhelmina Ahaus, a native of the province of Han- over, Germany. Mrs. Barklage resides at 402 West Forty-fifth street, New York city. Their children were: William H., see forward; John D., of whom later; Andrew G., died at the age of twenty-eight; Sophie, married L. B. Knickmann; Wilhelmina, died in infancy.
William H. Barklage, son of John H. and Wilhelmina (Ahans) Barklage, was born in the City of New York, July 29, 1861. He was educated in the public schools, where he was an attentive and diligent pupil. Upon the completion of his studies he accepted a position as clerk in a stationery business, and held this until 1883, when he entered the business of his father as clerk, and upon the death of his father succeeded to the bus- iness in connection with his brother, John D. Since the death of the latter, Mr. Barklage has conducted affairs alone. He is a practical, level-headed man of business, keeps well posted in the changes which are apt to affect his trade, and is ready to adopt new methods where their practical utility has been proved,
145
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
keeping well abreast of the times. His business is on a sound financial basis and is constantly increasing. He is a member and one of the trustees of St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church; is a member of the board of trustees, North American Dispensary; member of Bund; member of New York Council, No. 348, Royal Arcanum.
He married, November 25, 1890, at Jersey City Heights, Margaret E. Blohm, danghter of John and Margaret Blohm, and their children are: Hilda Wilhelmina, born March 30, 1892; John H., June 24, 1893; Walter W., July 30, 1895; Valeska S., February 1, 1901.
John D. Barklage, son of John H. and Wilhelmina (Ahaus) Barklage, was born in the City of New York, Jannary 24, 1863. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, and acquired an excellent education. He commenced his business career by accepting a position as a clerk in a grocery store and afterward a similar position in the store of his father, in the coal and wood business. Subsequently he became a partner with his brother in the business which his father had founded, and this partnership continned until his death, which ocenrred April 6, 1902. His death was deplored, not alone by the mem- bers of his immediate family, but by many friends and by those whom he had befriended in times of trouble and distress. He was charitable, open-hearted, and well beloved by all who knew him as a man of the highest moral character. He was a con- sistent member of the St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He married Josephine Korzendorfer, and had children, William E. and Mabel.
THEODORIC BRINCKERHOFF.
The Brinckerhoff family has been settled in America for a number of generations. John Brinckerhoff, the father of Theodoric Brinckerhoff, was born in Johnsville, Dutchess coun-
146
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
ty, New York, and followed agricultural pursuits. He married Caroline Hasbrouck, and they were the parents of five children, as follows: Benjamin, William Edgar, Susan Mary, Theodoric and Abraham J. Brinckerhoff.
Theodoric Brinckerhoff, son of John and Caroline ( Has- bronck) Brinckerhoff, was born July 25, 1825, in Johnsville, Dutchess county, New York. He received his education in the public school near Johnsville, and after leaving school accepted a position in a grocery store in Fishkill, New York. He re- mained there for some time and then determined to come to the city of New York as offering him a better field for advance- ment. He entered the feed and wool business and continned in that until 1862, when he removed to New Springville, town of Northfield, Richmond county, Staten Island, and engaged in the grocery business, in which he continued until the time of his death, which occurred February 13, 1896. He was a man prominent in his line of business and highly esteemed for his many good qualities. He served as postmaster of New Spring- ville for a period of about twelve years.
He married, August 30, 1868, Emma Jane Decker, born July 27, 1848, in New Springville, Richmond county, daughter of Daniel C. Decker and his wife, Catharine (Alston) Decker. Daniel C. Decker was born August 10, 1813, and was a car- penter until his death in 1857. Catharine (Alston) Decker was born in New Springville, Richmond county, Staten Island, July 9, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel C. Decker were the parents of three children: 1. Albert Alston, born July 15, 1841. 2. Char- ity A., born September 1, 1845. 3. Emma Jane, born July 27, 1848. Mr. Daniel C. Decker's father was James Decker, who was born near New Springville and was a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Theodoric Brinckerhoff have had three children: 1. Mand, born August 22, 1869, in New Springville, Staten Island,
147
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
married F. L. Rowe and had one child, Leslie Brinckerhoff Rowe, born July 18, 1889. 2. Jennie B., died in infancy. 3. Anna, died at the age of two years.
GERALD DARCEY.
Gerald Darcey was the first of his family to settle in Amer- ica. His father, Dennis Darcey, was born in Ireland and was a farmer there. He married Mary Lacy, who was also born in Ireland, and they had six children: John J., Dennis, Anne, Maria, Gerald, of whom later; Elizabeth.
Gerald Darcey, fifth child of Dennis and Mary (Lacy) Dar- cey, was born in county Wicklow, Ireland, August 14, 1868. Hle received his education in the national schools of Ireland, and when he reached the age of nineteen years came to the conclusion that America offered a better chance to attain pros- perity than he would be able to find in his mother country. He accordingly emigrated in 1888 and at once commenced business in the grocery line. He continued this for but six months, when he accepted a position as bar-tender and followed that occupa- tion until 1892. He then removed to Staten Island and went into the dairy business with his sister. He remained with her until May 20, 1901, when he started in business for himself and has continued in that up to the present time. He is indus- trious and painstaking and has the knack of retaining all eus- tomers who come to him. With these qualities he unites good business ability, and it is not remarkable that he has made a success of his undertaking. He is cheerful and pleasant in his intercourse with people and has made a great number of friends.
Mr. Darcey married Margret MeGroarty, who was born in the county of Donegal, Ireland, December 17, 1870, daughter of John and Mary (Bradley) MeGroarty. Mr. MeGroarty was a
148
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
farmer and both he and his wife were born in Ireland. They have eight children, as follows: 1. Edward, who came to America at the age of twenty-eight years and died here. 2. John. 3. Charles. 4. Margaret Mary, who came to America when quite young, and married Charles Friel, of Philadelphia, where they now live. 5. Catharine. 6. Marian. 7. Patrick. 8. Margaret, married Gerald Darcey. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Dar- cey are the parents of one child, Dennis Francis, born Septem- ber 17, 1903.
WILLIAM H. MESIER.
The Mesier family is represented in the present generation by William H. Mesier, a prominent resident of New Springville, borough of Richmond, Staten Island. James W. Mesier, father of William H. Mesier, was born in 1812, in the City of New York. He was a cabinet maker by trade, but when he moved to Staten Island, in 1840, he gave up cabinet making and turned his attention to the meat trade. This he followed very success- fully for about twenty years, and then retired, having acquired a snug fortune. He lived to the age of fifty-six years. He mar- ried (first) Harriet Conover, born in Cranberry, New Jersey, who died in 1849, aged about thirty-four years. By this wife Mr. Mesier had six children: James, deceased; William H., see forward; Henrietta; Annie; Emma, deceased; Harriet Lonise, deceased. Mr. Mesier married (second), in 1855, Gertrude Holmes, by whom he had one child, Sarah E.
William H. Mesier, second son and eldest living child of James W. and Harriet (Conover) Mesier, was born July 13, 1837, in the City of New York. He received a good education in the public schools of Staten Island, whither his father had removed three years after the birth of William H., and at the age of twenty-three he commenced business for himself. Hav-
149
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
ing a thorough knowledge of the butcher business, a knowledge which was gained in his father's business, he thought it the best plan to start in the same line. In this he proved his foresight. He soon acquired an excellent trade, and after following this up for forty years, he retired from business in 1900, a very prosperous man. He then turned his attention to enjoying the fortune his thrift and industry had accumulated. He started on a trip to Europe and traveled extensively over England, France and Germany for almost a year. He then returned to America for abont a year, at the end of that time again crossing the ocean, this time for an extended trip to the Orient, spending mnen time at Jerusalem, and in the vicinity of the Black and Red Seas and also the Mediterranean. Mr. Mesier is a man of progressive ideas and a narrator of no mean merit; his accounts of his adventures while abroad are always received with in- terest by a host of admiring friends. He is an active member of Richmond Lodge, No. 66, F. and A. M., of Port Richmond. He takes an active interest in local affairs and has always given of his time and substance for worthy enterprises.
Mr. Mesier married Charlotte A. Cortelyon, born April 3, 1837, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Winants) Cortelyou. Mr. Jacob Cortelyon was a prominent dealer in horses. Mr. and Mrs. William H. Mesier have had the following named children : 1. Lena, born October 13, 1858, now Mrs. James R. Dennis, has one child, Edwin Dennis. 2. Mary A., born October 12, 1860, now Mrs. Henry F. Decker and has children: Clarence D., Ella R., and Charlotte A. Decker. 3. Charles W., born No- vember 13, 1867, married Hannah Hunt, 1892, no issue; he is in the butcher business in New Springville, Staten Island. 4. Harry (twin), died in 1894. 5. Ida (twin), died at the age of about five months.
150
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
RICHARD J. DELANEY.
Richard J. Delaney, a well known, progressive and enter- prising undertaker, whose place of business is located at No. 69 Eighth avenue, was born in the old Greenwich village section, now (1906) known as the Ninth ward of New York city, Febru- ary 2, 1872. He is a son of Martin and Catherine Delaney, both natives of Ireland, still residing in New York city. Martin Delaney has been a resident of the city since 1860, and for more than forty years has lived in the Ninth ward, where he was continuously engaged in the ice business and at one time was on the premises now occupied by his son.
Richard J. Delaney obtained his education in the public schools, one in Horatio and the other in Thirteenth street, and in a school condneted by the Christian Brothers. Upon the completion of his education his business career was a varied one. he holding in succession the following positions: Hoisting boy in the ice business of his father, clerk in a jewelry store, driver of a wagon for tobacco dealers, messenger boy in the stock exchange, driver of a milk wagon, driver of a truek for a hardware firm, and in the livery business. He established him- self in the undertaking business August 4, 1898, at No. 115 Eighth avenue, and December 1, of the same year, he removed to his present location. He also condnets another undertaking establishment at No. 130 Greenwich avenne, formerly occupied by Owen Leonard & Son. He also owns and personally man- ages a livery stable at Nos. 343 and 345 West Fifty-sixth street, well stocked with fine horses and attractive equipages, for pleasure or funeral purposes. He received an appointment as notary public in 1902, and this has been of great benefit to him. He is a Tammany Democrat, takes an active part in the political councils of his party, and is a member of the following
151
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
organizations: St. Bernard's Lyceum; treasurer of Greenwich Council, No. 177, Knights of Columbus; Holy Name Society; Court Union, No. 258, Foresters of America; Columbian As- sembly; Tammany Hall; general committee of Seventh Assem- bly District; Jeffersonian Club and various other associations. He is very popular in the circles with which he is connected.
GEORGE GLAAB.
George Glaab, a well known wagon builder of Graniteville, Staten Island, is the first of his name to settle there. His father, Adam Glaab, was a native of Germany, and married Lizzie Lippat, by whom he had six children: 1. Joseph, who resides in Germany. 2. George A., who lives in Bavaria, Ger- many. 3. Eva, who came to America in 1881, and married John Miller, of Staten Island. 4. Adam, who came to America in 1879, and is a salesman. 5. George, see forward. 6. Frank, who came to America in 1890, and is in the beer bottling busi- ness.
George Glaab, fourth son and fifth child of Adam and Lizzie (Lippat) Glaab, was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 2, 1870. He received an excellent education in Germany, and learned the trade of wagon building. In 1890, when he was twenty years of age, he decided to emigrate to America. He arrived here in that year, and commenced working at the trade which he had learned in Germany, settling in New York. In 1891 he removed to Staten Island, settling at Graniteville, Rich- mond, where he established himself in business as a wagon builder. and soon had this in a flourishing condition, and is now engaged in building wagons of every description. He is a thorough master of his trade and his work gives universal sat- isfaction. Mr. Glaab is regarded as one of the most prominent men in his town, and is always in the foremost ranks when any- Vol. IV-10
152
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
thing concerning the welfare of the community is to be con- sidered.
Mr. Glaab married Caroline Bachmann, born June 10, 1878, in Germany, daughter of Daniel and Caroline (Reis) Bachmann. Mr. Bachmann was born in Germany and died there; his wife was born in Germany, June 28, 1850, and came to America in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Bachmann had three chil- dren: 1. Jacob, born March 1, 1873, lives in New York, and is a belt maker. 2. Caroline, born June 10, 1878, married George Glaab. 3. Charles, born July 20, 1888, in New York, lives there and is a wheelwright. Mr. and Mrs. George Glaab are the parents of one child. Lillian C., born May 21, 1900.
JAMES A. MORGAN.
The first member of the Morgan family to settle in Staten Island was John Morgan, the great-grandfather of James A. Morgan. John Morgan came to Staten Island from Morgantown when quite a young man, and concluded to make his home there. The family is of Welsh descent.
John Morgan, Jr., son of Jolin Morgan, was born and spent his entire life on Staten Island. He pursned the occupation of farming.
Peter Morgan, son of John Morgan, Jr., was born at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, December 12, 1804. He learned the trade of shoemaking and followed that with success all his life. He married Mary Decker, daughter of James and Betsey (Bal- tic) Decker, and they were blessed with three children: James A .; Mary E., deceased; and Alice J.
James A. Morgan, oldest child and only son of Peter and Mary (Decker) Morgan, was born on Staten Island. July 14, 1832. He was educated in the common schools of Staten Island, and at the early age of twelve years left school and learned the
153
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
basket-making trade. He accepted a position with Henry Mill- er and worked for him for twenty-five years, at the end of which time he commenced the business of a general contractor. In this he has been very successful, owing to his unremitting attention to his business and the care with which he attends to all details, however trivial. Mr. Morgan is prominent in his line of business in Staten Island, and has an excellent reputa- tion for reliability both in public and private life. He mar- ried Anna E. Petit, born in Carteret, New Jersey, October 14, 1836, daughter of William and Eliza (Hannan) Petit, and they have had four children: William H., David, Fremont and Anna E.
ROBERT FERGUSON.
Robert Ferguson, a prominent citizen of Linoleumville, Staten Island, is a descendant of sturdy Irish stock. His father, James Ferguson, was born in Ireland, 1801, and was a farmer by occupation. He married Mary Mccullough, who bore him ten children: Ann Jane, Martha, Mary, Sarah, James, Will- iam, John, Robert, Elizabeth, Matthew, who lives in New York.
Robert Ferguson, fourth son of James and Mary (McCul- lough) Ferguson, was born April 9, 1842, in county Down, Ire- land, and it was there that he received his education. He thought the new world held out better prospects of fortune than the old and so determined to seek it there. In 1870, at the age of twenty- eight, he emigrated to America and settled in Troy, New York. He lived there for two years, but not finding matters altogether to his liking, he removed to New York city, and worked there for another two years. Finally he made up his mind that Staten Island was the best place in which to settle down, and removed to that place in 1874. He found an excellent position in a fac- tory at Linoleumville, as foreman, and remained in that posi-
154
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
tion until 1888. He then thought it advisable to take up an occupation that would enable him to spend a great part of the time in the open air, and decided to enter the dairy business. He found this to be just what he had expected and has followed that business with a great deal of success up to the present time. Mr. Ferguson is a wide-awake man, displaying a good deal of interest in all the public questions of the day, and is the center of the social circle in which he moves. He is of a genial and hospitable disposition and makes friends readily wherever he goes.
January 2, 1872, he married Mary J. Speers, born June 19, 1845, in Ireland, daughter of William and Mary Ann (MeCul- lough) Speers. William Speers was born in Ireland, 1819, and his wife was also born in Ireland, 1815. Mr. and Mrs. Speers had four children: Alexander, Mary Jane, Anna. E. and Mar- garet. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ferguson have had four children: James, born May 18, 1873, died in 1879. A child, who died in infancy. Mary M., born September 25, 1878, married William B. Minto. William S., born September 11, 1883, died Decem- ber 11, 1886.
JOSEPH BARANOSKI.
Joseph Baranoski is the first member of the Baranoski family to settle in America. He was born in Poland, Russia, Europe, February 8, 1873, and came to America in 1890. He went to Newark, New Jersey, opened a bakery, which he con- ducted with a great deal of profit, and lived in Newark for several years. Then, having heard that the prospects for bus- iness were better on Staten Island than in Newark, he removed there with his family, and settled there permanently in 1900. He established himself in business there as a baker, and by his industry and close attention to business has amassed a con-
155
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
siderable fortune. He is considered a shrewd business man, a kind and obliging neighbor, and he has made many friends in the town in which he lives.
He married, August 20, 1897, Anna Taymon, and they have three children: Francis, born February 24, 1899; Joseph, born July 27, 1902; Antonia, born May 26, 1904.
W. H. JOHNSON.
W. H. Johnson is well known throughout the length and breadth of Staten Island as a keeper of an excellent livery and boarding stable. His father, William H. Johnson, was born in Mariner Harbor, Staten Island, and carried on an oyster and sea food business on a very large scale. He married Mary Matilda Carson, born in Staten Island, daughter of Captain Abraham and Rebecca (Drake) Carson. Captain Abraham Car- son was a native of Staten Island and spent his whole life there. He was engaged in the oyster and waterside business in gen- eral. He married Rebecca Drake, born on Staten Island, and they had the following named children: Garrett, John, Vander- bilt, Mary Matilda, married William H. Johnson; Josephine. Mr. and Mrs. William H. Johnson were the parents of five chil- dren: A. C., Jennie, Elizabeth, Joshua and W. H.
W. H. Johnson, youngest son and child of William H. and Mary Matilda (Carson) Johnson, was born in Richmond, Glouces- ter county, Virginia, December 29, 1855. He was but a few years of age when he came to Staten Island with his parents, and he received all his education in the public schools of Staten Island. He was a bright and painstaking pupil and passed through school with great credit to himself and all concerned in his education. After leaving school he worked for his grand- father, who had a livery business and many trucks and moving vans. He remained with him for some time, and then accepted
156
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
a position with the Singer Sewing Machine Company at Eliza- bethport, New Jersey, and continued with them for fifteen years. At the end of this period he removed to Staten Island, and commenced a boarding and livery stable at Port Richmond, a business which he conducted so successfully that he is still con- tinning it at the present time. Mr. Johnson is very methodical in his business habits, paying the strictest attention to the smallest details, and this he considers the secret of his success. He is broad-minded in his views and takes an active interest in all public affairs, being always ready to lend his assistance to any proposition which will further the interests of the town in which he lives.
Mr. Johnson married, December 29, 1884, Isabella Gillespie, daughter of Matthew, who was born in Scotland, and Maria Gillespie. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie had three children: Will- iam, Elizabeth, and Isabell. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Johnson are the parents of four children: Harry S., born October 31, 1885. Edward H., born January 2, 1888. Isabella, born October 31, 1891. Irene, born September 26, 1899.
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.