USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume IV > Part 20
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Patrick Finley and his wife, Bridget (Welsh) Finley, had by their marriage the following named children: 1.
James, see forward. 2. Bridget, born April 15, 1844, married Morris Nugent, of Egbertville. 3. William, born March 26, 1846, died at sea while the family were emigrating to America. 4. Margaret, born May 12, 1848, died at Clifton, Staten Island, aged three and one-half years. 5. John, born April 15, 1851, married (first) Nora Sullivan, who bore him three children: Lilly, born May 21, 1876, died August 3, 1893; Margaret, born December 19, 1878; and Nora, deceased. Nora Sullivan Finley, mother of the last named children, died November 24, 1890, and Joli Finley married (second) Nora Guinan, who bore him three children: May, John and Nora Finley. The last named is an adopted daughter of her uncle and aunt, Lawrence and Cather- ine Williamson, of Egbertville. 6. Catherine, born January 31, 1856, married Lawrence Williamson; of this union there was no issue.
James Finley, the eldest child of Patrick and Bridget (Welsh) Finley, was born at Freshford, county Kilkenny, Ireland, March 4, 1840. He received but limited educational advantages in the schools of his native country, and was reared to manhood under the parental roof, having assisted his father at farm work, and upon attaining to manhood took up the prac- tical duties of life on his own account. He first engaged at farm- ing at New Springville, town of Northfield, borough of Rich- mond. In this undertaking he met with success, and by his econ-
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omy and practical management of affairs succeeded in accumn- lating sufficient capital to purchase land. In 1878 he inherited the Kreuser farm at Egbertville, where he engaged at farming, continuing thus employed up until 1883, in which year he also engaged in the dairy business, and in this line of enterprise has met with a marked degree of success, this being the logical result of his straightforward and honorable methods in conduct- ing all his business affairs.
James Finley was married by the Rev. Father Berry at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church at Rossville, May 4, 1862, to Catherine Fagan, born in 1838, danghter of Joseph and Rose (Jones) Fagan, both of whom were natives of county Meath, Ireland. Their children are as follows: 1. Joseph Patrick, born March 4, 1863. 2. James, Jr., born September 4, 1866. 3. Mary Ellen, born September 4, 1868. 4. John, born December, 1870, married Margaret Crooks, no issue. 5. Mortimer Benedict, born July 12, 1872. 6. William, born June 9, 1877. 7. Edward Ambrose, born December 10, 1881, married, Jannary 28, 1903, Margaret Tynan, born November 12, 1882, daughter of John and Mary Veronica (Mullen) Tynan, and has one son Raymond Aloysius Finley, born October 30, 1903. Mr. Finley and his family are faithful communicants of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, at Richmond.
JASPER M. ODELL.
Jasper M. Odell is a worthy and highly respected citizen of Williamsbridge, borough of the Bronx, where he has resided for a number of years. He is a son of Jasper and Lydia (Camp) Odell, and was born September 18, 1840.
Jasper Odell (father) was for a number of years a resident of Fort Montgomery, near Highland Falls, Orange county, New York, having resided there at the Odell homestead until about
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1845, when he removed to New York city, and here engaged in the hauling and transportation business. He became well and favorably known here by his honorable and straightforward methods in business transactions. Jasper Odell died in New York city, in May, 1849, and his remains were interred in the old Fort Montgomery burying ground. He married, in 1836- 37, Lydia Ann Camp, widow of David B. Havens, and a daugh- ter of William Camp, who built the first house at what is now known as Camptown, at West Point on the Hudson. Of this marriage were born to Mr. and Mrs. Odell three children: 1. Hiram Franklin, born 1838, married Mary Post, and had chil- dren as follows: Emma Elwood, Charles, Claude, Pearl, Lillian, Everett, Ira and Irvin (twins). 2. Jasper Mandeville, see for- ward. 3. Lydia Ann, born 1842, died in infancy. The mother of the aforementioned children, Lydia Ann (Camp) Odell, died April 21, 1879. After the death of her husband, Jasper Odell, she married (third) Augustus Hustace, an old and highly re- spected citizen of Williamsbridge. Of this union there was no issue.
Jasper M. Odell received his educational training in the schools of New York city, and upon taking up the practical duties of life learned the carpenter trade, which line of occupa- tion he pursued throughout the active years of his life until about 1900. He was for a number of years actively engaged in the building trade at Williamsbridge, where he aided by his progress and enterprise in advancing the material growth and development of the neighborhood. In addition to his building interests, Mr. Odell has taken an active interest in all such en- terprises as have had for their object the social good and wel- fare of the neighborhood wherein he resided. Mr. Odell has been active in the advancement of the educational interests of the village, and for some time served as a member of the school
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board. He was also one of the incorporators of the borough of Williamsbridge. Politically, Mr. Odell has always been an ar- dent supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
Jasper M. Odell married, October 12, 1869, Emily C. La- bussiere, born December 9, 1842, danghter of Ettiene and Cecile (Chevallier) Labussiere, widow of Jacques Haag. Both of these parents were natives of the city of Paris, France. They camo to the United States and took np their residence in New York eity. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Odell became the parents of three children : 1. Harriet A., born August 7, 1870. 2. Jas- per Felix, born July 11, 1872. 3. Florence Mandeville, born June 19, 1874, married, May 20, 1896, Walter J. Rose. Mr. Odell and his wife are both consistent members of the Method- ist Episcopal church at Williamsbridge.
CHARLES N. SOLHEIM.
Charles N. Solheim is a progressive and enterprising yacht and boat builder at Great Kills, town of Southfield, borough of Rielimond, where his establishment has contributed much to the welfare of the community. He was born in the city of Bergen, on the west coast of Norway, January 28, 1858.
He was educated in the schools of his native city, and as is the custom in the fatherland when he was sixteen years of age took up the practical duties of life on his own account, he first having entered upon a seafaring life, which he pursned for a number of years. In 1882 he decided to come to the United States, hoping here to find better opportunities for his skill and labor. Upon his arrival here he took up his abode in the seventeenth ward of the borough of Brooklyn, where he became engaged at learning the trade of a ship- wright, and upon aequiring a thorough knowledge of the various details pertaining to boat and yaeht building, he
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entered the employ of Cornelius and Richard Pollion, as a journeyman, they having their establishment at the foot of Bridge street, borongh of Brooklyn, where he remained thus employed up to 1891, in which year he began business on his own account, establishing himself at the foot of Twenty-sixth street, South Brooklyn, and there engaged in the boat and yacht building business. Having associated with himself Andrew Abramson under the firm name of Solheim and Abramson, this arrangement was successfully continued up to 1896, when the firm dissolved their interests and Mr. Solheim established busi- ness for himself at Bath Beach, borough of Brooklyn, where he was successfully engaged at yacht and boat building up to 1899, in which year he purchased shore-rights and lands at Great Kills, in the town of Southfield, borough of Richmond, where he estab- lished his present boat and yacht building plant, giving employ- ment to a number of skilled mechanics and laborers.
Charles N. Solheim was married in Brooklyn, December 15, 1882, to Mary A. Cooper, daughter of Philip and Hannah Cooper. Of this marriage was born one daughter Eva Solheim, who died aged four years.
WILLIAM CAMP HAVENS.
William Camp Havens, deceased, for many years a resident of Williamsbridge, Westchester county, New York, where by his progress and enterprise he contributed materially toward the advancement and interest of the neighborhood wherein he re- sided, was a native of West Point, Orange county, New York, born April 23, 1825.
David Havens, father of William Camp Havens, was for many years engaged in the carpentering and building trade throughout Orange county and the Hudson River Valley. By his straightforward actions in all business transactions he be-
afm & Havens
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came well and favorably known among the members of his call- ing, and was also held in respect by his many customers and patrons. He married Lydia Camp, who bore him the following children: William Camp, referred to hereinafter; Mary Ann, who became the wife of Samuel G. Sheldon, of New York city; Agnes Amelia, who became the wife of Solomon Scott, of New Jersey. Mr. Havens lost his life by accidentally falling from a building. There is a family tradition that his remains were interred in the old Bedford street churchyard in New York city. His widow subsequently became the wife of Jasper Odell.
William Camp Havens, of this review, was educated in the schools of his native town, acquiring such knowledge as quali- fied him for the duties and responsibilities of life. While yet in his teens he took up the practical affairs of life on his own account, and thereafter earned a livelihood for himself. Shortly after his marriage he settled at Williamsbridge, Westchester county, New York, on a part of the Augustus Hustace home- stead which was located on the Albany post road. At the corner of Eighth and White Plains road he erected a house at a cost of $1,100, and resided there up to the time of his death, the resi- dence since then being occupied by his family. Soon after his location at Williamsbridge he entered the employ of the New York police department and continued until the disbanding of the old police organization. He was a brave and very daring officer all through the draft riot (July, 1863), and at the time of his death the New York papers credited it to his memory. He then went west, settling in California, but after a short resi- dence in that state returned to his former home in the east. Shortly after his return he called upon Mr. Fernanda Wood, the then acting mayor, who placed him upon the city detective force, in which department he rendered efficient and valuable service and became well known to many of the leading and re-
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spected families of New York. In 1863 Mr. Havens resigned his position, and his resignation was finally granted by the de- partment, who were very loth to dispense with his valuable serv- ices. He then accepted the position of first superintendent of Woodlawn cemetery, in which capacity he assisted in the burial of the first body in that now celebrated burying ground. Dur- ing his active years Mr. Havens took a keen interest in the edu- cational affairs of Williamsbridge, acting as first president of the first board of education in what was then known as the village of Williamsbridge, and was among the first to advocate the es- tablishment of a school in that village. He also was foremost among the advocates for the building of the first church erected at Williamsbridge, and to him is given the credit of laying the corner stone. Mr. Havens for a number of years took an active interest in fraternal and other organizations that had for their object the good and welfare of the neighborhood wherein he resided. He was an active member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of the Knights Templar. Mr. Havens was a nephew of the well known and celebrated Bennie Havens, of Highland Falls, New York. Mr. Havens was a man of affable manners, pleasing disposition, charitable in a marked degree, but without ostentation, and was well known as a generous friend and neighbor. He died October 11, 1896, leaving to his family an unsullied and exceptional record for strictest integrity and uprightness.
Mr. Havens married, May 7, 1850, in New York city, Mar- tha Clinton MeTurek, born August 11, 1825, daughter of Robert and Rose (Canfield) MeTurek. At the age of seven Martha Clinton MeTurek became the adopted danghter of Hon. James Clinton, of Newburgh, Orange county, New York, who was a son of General James Clinton, who was a brother of Sir Henry Clinton, both of the latter named having won fame and distine-
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tion during the Revolutionary war. Three children were the issne of this marriage, as follows: David B .; Agnes Amelia; Mary A., married George Caterson. Mrs. Caterson died Feb- ruary 28, 1901, leaving no issue.
JOSEPH C. MERRELL.
For several generations the Merrell family have been dom- iciled on Staten Island. Abraham Merrell, the father of Joseph C. Merrell, was born on Staten Island, in 1794. He pursued the occupation of farming and, in addition to this, was a well known dealer in oysters. He married Elizabeth Lee, born in Newburg, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Merrell were the parents of five children: Ann Elizabeth, Charlotte, Abraham, Lavinia, Joseph C., see forward; Leonard, Mary Eliza, and John.
Joseph C. Merrell, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Lee) Merrell. was born at Bloomfield, Staten Island, October 7, 1835. He was educated at the public schools on Staten Island, pass- ing through them with credit to himself and his instructors. He followed in the footsteps of his father as an oysterman, and finding himself making a success of this business, continued at it all his life. He was quiet and retired in his manner, but his ready sympathy with any one in need of assistance that he was able to give, made for him many friends.
He married, Jannary 4, 1863, Sarah J. Decker, born De- cember 4, 1841, at Chelsea Heights, Staten Island, daughter of Moses J. and Priscilla (Jones) Decker. Moses J. Decker was born in New Springville, Staten Island, in 1813, and his wife was born at Mariner Harbor, Staten Island, in 1814. Mrs. Joseph C. Merrell's paternal grandfather was John Decker, and her maternal grandfather was Abraham Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Moses J. Decker had seven children: Edward, Ann
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Eliza, Rebecca, Sarah J., Lafayette, Priscilla, Moses. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Merrell were the parents of seven children: Lafayette, born March 17, 1864, died Angust 9, 1865. Emma Jane, born October 13, 1865, married Robert Ball. Ulysses (twin), born August 5, 1868, died Angust 25, 1868. Orville (twin), born Angust 5, 1868. Frederick W., born January 20, 1871. Olin B., born October 4, 1873. John H., born Jannary 11, 1881. James C. Merrell died February 1, 1887, and was buried in New Springville cemetery.
FERDINAND A. DUESER.
Ferdinand A. Dueser is the first member of his family to have settled in America. His father, Franz Anton Dueser, is a native of Germany. He was a man of great learning and was the editor of a paper called the City Paper. He married Eliza- beth Scheele. Mr. and Mrs. Franz Anton Dueser had children as follows: Edmund, Amelia, Emma, Sophia, Anna, Ferdinand A., of whom later, Marie, Elsa, Charles, Josephine, Clara C., and Wilhelmine.
Ferdinand A. Dneser, son of Franz Anton and Elizabeth (Scheele) Dueser, was born in Ansberg, Westphalia, Germany, October 30, 1859. He received an excellent education, attend- ing college and graduating therefrom. America seemed to af- ford better chances for advancement than were to be found in Germany, so he concluded to come here. He arrived in Amer- ica in 1882, and settled in Brooklyn, New York, and entered upon a life of trade, commencing a butcher business. His en- ergy, perseverance and methodical business habits soon bore fruit, and before long he was the possessor of an exceedingly profitable business. He continued this until 1902, when an out- door life seemed to him to be a more desirable undertaking. He thereupon purchased a farm and cultivated it as a farm and
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garden with a marked degree of success. Mr. Dueser is a man who is well informed on the political conditions of his adopted country, and takes the most lively interest in all concerning its welfare. He is public-spirited, and popular among his fellow townsmen, and always ready to forward any movement for the general well-being of the community.
Mr. Dueser married, September 10, 1892, Frederica M. Meyer, born December 2, 1859, in New York, daughter of George H. and Wilhelmine Meyer. Mr. George H. Meyer was born in Bremen, Germany, in 1816, and came to America in 1846. He concluded to remain in New York city, and commenced as a tailor, opening a shop for that purpose. He lived in New York until 1895, and then removed to Brooklyn, New York, and re- tired from business. He married Wilhelmine Momma, who was horn in Stolzenheim, Germany. Mr. Meyer was a very success- ful business man and amassed a considerable fortune, being the owner of a large amount of real estate. Mr. and Mrs. George H. Meyer have had six children: Jolin H., George H., Wilhel- mine, Anna C., Frederica, Alonzo P. Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand A. Dueser are the parents of one child, Elsie, born in Brook- lyn, New York, September 5, 1896.
WILLIAM MACREA.
William Macrea, a well known dairyman of Brooklyn, New York, is of Scotch descent. James Macrea, father of William Macrea, was born in Scotland in 1807. He was a farmer and dealt in meats in Scotland; he thought that better fortune await- ed him in the new world than in the old, so he emigrated to America in 1833 with his wife and an infant daughter. He pursued the occupation of farming here, and also entered the butcher business, with greater success than he had gained in Scotland. He had married, in Scotland, a Miss Richey, who was
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born in Scotland, in 1815, and who shared his views about emi- gration. They were blessed with six children: Mary, William, see forward; Susan, Charles, who lives in Brooklyn, New York; Isabella, James H.
William Macrea, eldest son and second child of James and (Richey) Macrea, was born in Brooklyn, New York, November 5, 1839. He received an excellent education in Cape Vincent Seminary, Jefferson, New York, and after leaving school turned his attention to farming. He continued this oc- cupation for several years, and then accepted a position on the New York Central railroad. He held this for about three years, and then entered upon the dairy business, in which he has been very successful, and in which he is still engaged. Mr. Macrea is a man of cheerful disposition, inclined to make the best of everything, and agrees readily to any proposition of friend- ship, believing all men as honest in their sentiments as he him- self is. He has a host of friends and is very popular with them.
He married (first) Mary Wylie, born in 1840, and by whom he had one child, Mary N. Mrs. Macrea died in 1887. Mr. Macrea married (second), in 1890, Charlotte Smith, who died in 1898.
DANIEL L. CROCHERON.
Daniel L. Crocheron is a representative in the present gen- eration of the Crocheron family which has made Staten Island its home for many years. Stephen Crocheron, father of Daniel L. Crocheron, was born on Staten Island and lived there all his life.
Daniel L. Crocheron, son of Stephen and Anna Eliza (Decker) Crocheron, was born at Chelsea, Staten Island, and received his education at New Springville, Staten Island. After leaving school he learned the trade of carpentering with his father, and continued at that occupation until 1900. He is a
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very capable man in his trade, and has met with undoubted snecess. He married Almira Adison, daughter of John and Catharine Adison.
JOSEPH DONGAN.
Joseph Dongan, a well known eitizen of Staten Island, was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, December 24, 1835. He received his education in the common schools of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and after leaving school worked in Perth Amboy until 1859, when he moved to Mariner Harbor, commenced an oyster business, and continued in this until 1862. He was then offered a government position on a sailing vessel called the "Sally Magee," commanded by Captain Platt. He also served on the steamer "Martha Spring." which was named after its owner. Both of these vessels were in the merchant line, and Mr. Dongan erossed the ocean in them several times. Mr. Don- gan was industrious and capable and was liked by his employ- ers and his associates.
He married, November 10, 1864, Margaret Duran, who was born in Ireland, but came to America when a child, and they have had four children: Joseph, Christopher, Mary, and Cath- arine.
ADAM SHARP.
The first representative of the Sharp family of whom we have any definite information is Jacob Sharp, father of Adam Sharp. Jacob Sharp was born in Germany, in 1800, and was a blacksmith by trade. He followed this line of work all his life. He married Elizabeth, born in Germany, in 1801, and they had three children: Jolm, Sophie, and Adam.
Adam Sharp, second son and youngest ehild of Jaeob and Elizabeth Sharp, was born in Germany, March 24, 1843, and arrived in America, March 12, 1858, when he at once proceeded
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to Staten Island and settled there. He received his education at the schools in Germany, and after leaving them he accepted work with a farmer, and was paid the munificent salary of six dollars a month. He remained with this man but one month, and then took a position as a gardener with a salary four times as large as his previous one. Since that time his earnings have been steadily increasing. Mr. Sharp understands his business thoroughly, and there is no reason why he should not in the near future be the possessor of a flourishing business of his own.
He married Albertine Battick, born in Germany, in 1852, and came to this country with her sister. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp were married in 1873 and they have three children : John, Lou- ise, and George.
LAWRENCE W. DARCEY.
Lawrence W. Darcey was the first of this family to come to the United States. He was born in county Wexford, Ireland, and was a son of Simon Darcey, and one of a family of five chil- dren. Upon his arrival here in 1851. Mr. Darcey at once took up his abode in Richmond county, where he found employment with the firm of Barrett Nephews Company at West New Brighton, where he remained for a period of seventeen years. By his in- dustry, thrift and economy Mr. Darcey, with the assistance of his dutiful wife, in 1861 established the dairy and milk busi- ness at Port Richmond. In this line of enterprise they met with immediate success, being the logical result of their straightfor- ward and honorable methods in conducting their business. In 1871 Mr. Darcey purchased about fifty acres of land at Willow Brook in the town of Northfield, where he took up his residence and continued the dairy business up to 1890, when he relin- quished his business, having sold his interest to his son, John W.
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Mr. Darcey died at Port Richmond, March 8, 1892. He was a faithful communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Port Richmond.
Lawrence Darcey married Mary Dorcey, and of this mar- riage had born the following children: James, died in 1892; he was twice married but had no issue. John W., born at Kings- town, a suburb of the city of Dublin, December 31, 1849, see forward. Mary, married Patrick Durkin, and resides at Dan- bury, Connecticut. Dennis J., see forward. Mary Darcey, mother of the aforementioned children, died June 15, 1878. Lawrence Darcey, the father, married (second) Margaret Me- Vey.
John W. Darcey, second child of Lawrence and Mary Dar- cey, came to America with his parents at the age of ten years, and with them took up his abode at Port Richmond. He learned the baking trade, and after serving an apprenticeship for three years worked for some time as a journeyman in various cities in this country. In 1867 Mr. Darcey enlisted in Company I, Twenty-fifth Infantry, United States Regulars, at Columbus, Kentucky, which same regiment was later consolidated at At- lanta, Georgia, with the Eighteenth Regiment, United States Regulars. After serving dutifully for three years Mr. Darcey returned home, in 1870, since which time he has been engaged at farming and the dairy business. In 1901 Mr. Darcey pur- chased fifty acres of land from Henry Vroom's estate, and has since made considerable improvements to facilitate the dairy business, which he has since conducted.
John W. Darcey married, December 8, 1881, Catherine M. Rogers, daughter of John and Catherine (MeVeoy) Rogers, and of this marriage has born to him a family of ten children: Mary Josephine, born June 5, 1883; Lawrence, born February 18, 1884, lost his life by accidental drowning, September 3, 1886; Vol. IV-18
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