USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume IV > Part 23
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ence and excellent business methods made this also an imme- diate snecess. He sold this business in 1863 in order to give his entire attention to the coal and wood business, in which he established himself, first at Forty-third street and Eleventh avenue, later in Forty-second street, between Tenth and Elev- enth avenues, where it is now carried on by his son, John, Jr., under the firm name of Jolm Rodenburg & Son, although Mr. Rodenburg, Sr., has not been actively engaged in the business for the past ten years. He is living in retirement at No. 428 West Forty-fourth street, enjoying the fruits of a well spent and well employed life. In all his business transactions he has been just and npright, and enjoys an enviable reputation for reliability and probity. He was one of the organizers of St. John's Evangelical Church in Christopher street, of which a. sketch appears in another part of this work, and is the only charter member now living. He is still in active membership and now (1907) holds the office of treasurer and is a teacher in the Sunday school. During thirty years he has not failed in his attendance at the church services more than five times. ITe has led a most exemplary, consistent Christian life, and is justly respected by all whom know him. He married, December 23, 1853, in New York city, Rev. Hearst officiating, Meta Kos- ter, also a native of Hanover, Germany, who died March 4, 1905. Their children were: Meta, married Emerson Schlater; John, Jr .; Doris; Charles, a civil engineer; and one child, who died in early youth.
JOSEPH HANNA.
Joseph Hanna, deceased, a worthy representative of an honored family of Ireland, was born in the county of Donegal in that country, August 3, 1832. He was the son of Robert and Susan Hanna, both natives of Ireland, and whose entire lives
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were spent in that country. At the age of seventeen years young Joseph emigrated to the United States, arriving in 1849 and locating in New York city. He was variously occupied for a short time and then found employment with the well known undertaking firm of Edward Senior, in whose employ he remained until 1858, during which time he mastered all the details of this line of business. In that year he established himself in the undertaking business at No. 7 Seventh avenue, condneting it successfully in that location for a period of twelve years. He then removed to No. 79 Greenwich avenue, where he continued in business up to the time of his death, May 30, 1893. He was one of the pioneer undertakers as far as making im- provements in this line of business was concerned, and upon his death the business was carried on by his widow. At her demise his daughter, Mary J., took charge, and later, another daughter, Mrs. Susan Hopper, undertook the management, and has continued it up to the present (1907) time. Mr. Hanna held the position of sexton of the Thirteen Street Presbyterian Church for forty-two years, to the entire satisfaction of the members of the congregation and all concerned. He was a member of various organizations, among them being: Excelsior Volunteer Hose Company No. 14, for many years; Veteran Firemen; Tough Club; and the Algonquin Gun Club. He was also a member of Acacia Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He was an honest, upright citizen, respected and esteemed by all who came in contact with him, a loving husband and a de- voted father. He was ever ready to assist those less fortunate than himself and was the center of a circle of loving friends. He married. in New York, January 13, 1859, Sarah A. Malloy, daughter of John and Mary (Mackelise) Malloy, and their chil- dren were: 1. Mary J., who died July 30, 1903. 2. Susan, who married, in St. Joseph's Church, New York, John Hopper, who
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is engaged successfully in the restaurant business. Their chil- dren are : Mary Agnes; Gertrude; Joseph, deceased; and Robert John. Mrs. Joseph Hanna died October 29, 1900.
HON. ABRAHAM BENJAMIN TAPPEN.
In the death of Judge Abraham B. Tappen, which occurred at his late home in Fordham, New York city, after a long life of usefulness and honor, June 1, 1896, the community lost a man of strong individuality and marked personality, who was a potent factor in all enterprises with which he was connected, and who wielded a powerful influence for good during his in- cumbency of high political offices. He was born at New Ham- burg, Dutchess county, New York, January 31, 1823. His parents were Archibald and Margaret (Bogardus) Tappen, whose family consisted of three children, namely: Abraham Benjamin, Susan Ann (Mrs. John V. Briggs), and Emily Coit, unmarried. Archibald Tappen (father) was a mason and builder by occupation. He spent the latter years of his life in New York city, where he became well and favorably known for uprightness in business transactions and probity of char- acter.
Abraham Benjamin Tappen was admitted to the bar, of which he was during his long life an honored member, and was elected a member of the legislature in 1851. In 1867 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention with Samuel J. Til- den and William M. Evarts, and previous to this was appointed inspector of prisons, also holding many local offices in West- chester county. He was elected a Supreme Court judge to the Second Judicial district, November 5, 1867, and served up to December 31, 1875. Although this was the time when the "Tweed ring" was in the height of its power, not the slightest shadow of corruption was ever connected with his name. Dur-
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ing his judicial career he displayed a high and clear apprecia- tion of the principles of jurisprudence and the law, and his de- cisions were marked with equity and fairness to all concerned. In 1891, after his retirement from the bench, Judge Tappen was appointed park commissioner by Mayor Grant, rendering therein valuable and efficient service. He was a Democrat in politics, exercised a potent influence in behalf of the party whose principles he advocated, and was chosen grand sachem of Tammany Hall. He was one of the directors of the Me- chanics' and Traders' Bank of New York city, being associated with Mr. William Floyd in the same capacity.
Hon. Abraham B. Tappen was married at the Staten Island Dutch Reformed Church at Tompkinsville, Staten Island, Jan- mary 30, 1851, to Susan S. Butler, born at Elmira, New York, Angust 25, 1830, daughter of Lewis and Lovicy R. (Wood) Butler, and their children were as follows: 1. Lewis Butler, born January 12, 1852, died December 18, 1852. 2. Emily J., born October 29, 1853, married, October 17, 1877, Samnel W. Fairchild, and has children as follows: Edith E., born No- vember 19, 1878, married William Kirkland; Grace Elise, born October 11, 1880, married Harry W. Butler and has one child, Jonathan Butler, born January 26, 1903; Benjamin Tappen, born January 26, 1886, a graduate of Yale College, and asso- ciated with the firm of Fairchild Brothers & Foster, of New York city; Emily Constance, born August 4, 1885; and Samuel William, born March 6, 1892. 3. Marian, born October 25, 1856, married, December 7, 1881, Benjamin F. Mills, and has the following children : Florence Tappen, born Angust 23, 1885, and Samuel Fairchild Mills, born January 31, 1887, died June 25, 1900. 4. Florence Vanderbilt, born September 9, 1860, died March 21, 1889. 5. Benjamin, born June 23, 1868, died Decem- ber 8, 1868.
Vol. IV-20
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OSCAR WINANT.
Oscar Winant is the popular and well known manager of a hotel at Linoleumville, Staten Island. He is of German parent- age, his father, Bernhard. Winant, being a native of Germany and still living there.
Bernhard Winant married Elizabeth Hamier, and they have had twelve children, all of whom are living in Germany except the subject of this sketch, Oscar Winant.
Oscar Winant, son of Bernhard and Elizabeth (Hamier) Winant, was born in Germany, February 2, 1863. He received a part of his education in Germany, but when still quite a boy he came to America, and completed his education in the public schools of New York city. After leaving school he learned the trade of harness making and soon started in that business, which he continued for about five years. He then went into the printing business and remained in that for twenty years with a very fair amount of success. At the end of this period of time he decided to move to Staten Island and make his perma- nent home there. He carried out this idea and is now settled at Linoleumville, Staten Island, and is the manager of Relcie Hiets Hotel. His genial, open-hearted manner has won him many friends, and has made the hotel a place of popular re- sort. His opinion in matters concerning the public interests of the town in which he lives is highly valued by his fellow townsmen. Mr. Winant married, October 22, 1890, Harriet Taylor.
WILLIAM A. SMITH.
William A. Smith, one of the most prominent real estate dealers on Staten Island, is of English descent.
James W. Smith, father of William A. Smith, was born in London, England, where he was educated and entered into business. He turned his attention to real estate speculations
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and followed that line of business all his life. He emigrated to America and lived in Newark, New Jersey. He married Charlotte Amelia Gilchrist, and they had two children: James J. and William A.
William A. Smith, second and youngest son of James W. and Charlotte Amelia (Gilchrist) Smith, was born in Newark, New Jersey, January 17, 1860. He received his education in New York city and at Mount Washington College. After his graduation from college he learned the manufacture of art metal goods and followed this trade until 1898, at which time he commenced real estate operations and speculated largely in that direction with much success. He has continued in this business up to the present time. Mr. Smith is a man of great determination and force of character, is very methodical in his business transactions. and is possessed of much foresight, and these qualities have no doubt tended to make him the pros- perous man he is at the present day. He married (first), Octo- ber 24, 1900, Mary T. McDonnell, born 1872, daughter of John and Mary McDonnell. Mr. McDonnell was a native of Ireland and was engaged in business as a tea merchant. Mr. and Mrs. McDonnell had four children: Mary, Josephine, Simon and Thomas. William A. and Mary (McDonnell) Smith were the parents of three children: Edward A. William J. and Wal- ter A. After the death of his first wife, William A. Smith mar- ried Martha M. Merrill, and they have one child: Jeannette. .
HENRY S. LA VAUD.
Henry S. La Vand, a progressive, enterprising citizen of New Dorp, borough of Richmond, was born at Rossville, July 16, 1853, and is a son of Camile and Clarissa (Moore) La Vand, both of whom were natives of New York city. The father of Camile La Vaud was a native of France, and was the first of
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the family to come to the United States. He took up his abode in New York city with his wife and two children, Camile and John La Vand. The latter married and spent the whole of his life's career in New York city, where he passed away, leav- ing no issue.
Camile La Vaud, father of Henry S. La Vaud, was edu- cated in the schools of New York city, and there reared to manhood years. Upon taking up the practical duties of life he became engaged in a seafaring life, and was for many years well known as a successful Sandy Hook pilot. He passed away at his home at Rossville, borough of Richmond. Mr. La Vaud was married in Richmond county, where he finally removed and for some years resided at Huguenot. The latter years of his life were spent at Rossville, where he conducted the Ross- ville Hotel, and became well known as a genial and hospitable host. During his professional career Captain La Vaud ren- dered to the merchant marine of New York city much valuable service, and during the long period of his career as pilot had not encountered any serious accident.
Captain La Vaud married Clarissa Moore, who was born in New York city, daughter of Richard Moore, of New York city. Of this marriage were born the following children: 1. Arnaud J., married Annie Jones, and has two children: Ar- naud J., Jr., and Estelle La Vaud. 2. Francis E., deceased. 3. Ida, married George Bloodgood, of Perth Amboy, New Jer- sey, and has one son, William Bloodgood. 4. Henry S., born July 16, 1853. The mother of the aforementioned children, ('larissa (Moore) La Vaud, died at Tottenville, borough of Richmond.
Henry S. La Vaud, youngest child of the above mentioned family, received his educational training in the schools of Ross- ville, where he was reared to the age of eighteen, and upon
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taking up the practical duties of life became employed in his father's store at New Dorp, and later with his brother, Arnaud J., remaining thus employed up to 1879, when he purchased his brother's interests and has since successfully conducted the business on his own account, meeting with a well merited degree of success, which has been the logical result of his straight- forward and honorable methods of transacting his business.
Henry S. La Vaud married, at Rossville, Imogene Hodge, danghter of Alexander and Susan Hodge, both of Connecticut. Of this marriage were born the following children: Camile, Clarissa May, Henry Stephen, Edward Camile. Mr. and Mrs. La Vaud are both consistent members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church at Rossville, of which organization his venerable mother was for many years an active member.
JOHN ELMORE DU BOIS.
John Elmore Du Bois was born at Greensboro, Alabama, October 8, 1842, and is a son of John and Louisa (Williams) Du Bois. His mother's ancestors, the Williams family, were natives of the state of Virginia.
John Du Bois, father of John E. Du Bois, was a native of Charleston, South Carolina. He was educated and reared to manhood in Charleston, and in 1833 removed to Greensboro, Alabama, where he became engaged in cotton planting and growing, later engaging in the manufacture of cotton gins, in which line of enterprise he became well and favorably known to the cotton dealers of this country. He was the inventor of the Du Bois flanged ribbed cotton gin, had this process patented and used the same method until a few years prior to his death. He was in many ways a remarkable man, taking an active in- terest in educational as well as religious affairs in the com- munity where he resided, and for some time was engaged as a
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local preacher during the later years of his life. He was united in marriage to Louisa Williams and had born to him the following children: 1. William W., who died in infancy. 2. Samuel Peter, who studied medicine at Charleston, South Carolina, and took up the practice of his profession at Mans- field, Louisiana, and later in the state of Texas. He married and had born to him a number of children who are now resi- dent in the southern states. 3. Rufus A., who was a graduate of a dental college, Baltimore, Maryland, and took up the prac- tice of his profession at Greensboro, Alabama. He married and had born to him several sons and daughters who are now residents of the southern states. 4. Joseph Cornelius, who was graduated from a college in Baltimore, Maryland, and now resides near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, unmarried. 5. Judith Ann, who married J. J. Grace and now resides at Russellville, Arkansas. 6. Martha Louisa, who married Rev. Thomas Arm- strong, D. D., and now resides in Alabama. 7. Sarah Jane, who married W. O. Monroe, editor of the Utah Whig and Ob- server, of Utah, Alabama.
John Elmore Du Bois, the subject of this review, was edu- cated in the schools of his native town and in the private school of Professor Henry Tutwieler, near Greensboro, Greene county, Alabama. At the age of nineteen years he volunteered in the service of the Confederate army and served throughout the entire period of the Civil war, participating in seventeen battles and numerous skirmishes, and was slightly wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge by a spent ball. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Greensboro, Alabama, where he later became engaged in the mercantile market and livery business. Mr. Du Bois engaged in cotton planting and farm- ing in 1867, and later was associated with his father in the manufacture of cotton gins. He engaged in building and con-
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tracting at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 1876, where he was also for some time identified with the milling business. He removed to Blount Springs, Alabama, 1886, where he engaged in the manufacture of lime, and later in the development of Wills Coal and Iron Company at Warrior, Alabama. Mr. Du Bois was elected president of the Birmingham Ensley Land and Improvement Company, serving for some time in this office and finally, owing to the impaired condition of his health, was compelled to relinquish his business cares. He came to New York city in 1893, where he has since been engaged in experi- mental and scientific work. He married, November, 1873, at Mobile, Alabama, Jane Rebecca Webster, daughter of John R. Webster, of Alabama, and had children: Clara, deceased; Samuel Webster, resides in New York city, where he is engaged in the advertising business; Julia Wynne, married H. H. Lee- land, assistant cashier of the Merchants National Bank of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and has one dangliter, Julia Du Bois Leeland; John Elmore, Jr., who died at the age of eighteen months.
THE FAMILY OF WEEKS.
This family, whose name is spelled by some branches Wickes, is descended from Thomas Weeks, who came to America in 1638 and settled at Wethersfield, Connecticut. He removed to Oyster Bay, Long Island, before 1654. In 1666 he was one of the patentees of the town of Huntington, where the remainder of his life was spent. He married Isabel, daughter of Richard Harcut, of Oyster Bay, and died at an advanced age in 1691. They were the parents of seven children: Thomas, born 1651; John, Rebecca, Martha, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah.
Thomas Weeks, son of Thomas Weeks, left four sons, Philip, Samuel, Joseph and Thomas, and these are the ancestors of all the families of the name.
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Thomas Weeks, son of Thomas Weeks, had a son Eli- phalet, born 1718.
Eliphalet Weeks, son of Thomas Weeks, married (first) Hannah Platt; (second) Jemima, daughter of Jonathan Scud- der. Children of Eliphalet Weeks were: Margaret, wife of Dr. Samuel Allen. Hannah, wife of John Brush. Mary, wife of Rev. John Close. Thomas, known as Captain Thomas Wickes.
Captain Thomas Wiekes was very prominent in the Revo- lution. He was chairman of the Committee of Safety for Suf- folk county, captain of one of the companies in Colonel Josiah Smith's regiment and took part in the battle of Long Island, after which he went to Fishkill and served in the quarter- master's department till the end of the war, and was the agent of Washington and Clinton. From 1776 till the end of the war he was a member of the legislature. During the war his property in Huntington was appropriated by a relative, who was a Tory, but was afterwards restored, though in a wasted condition. He then removed to Babylon, and was high sheriff of the county. In 1795 he went to Flushing, and from there to Jamaica in 1813, and died there November 30, 1819, leaving the reputation of an ardent patriot and a useful and honored citi- zen. He left four children : Van Wyck, Hannah, Eliphalet and Harriet.
The other branches of this numerous family, and who all descended from the sons of Thomas Weeks 2d, will be taken up in due order.
Jolın Weeks, a venerable and highly respected citizen of Bronxdale, borough of the Bronx, where he was born in 1820, is a son of Stephen and Lydia (Archer) Weeks, grandson of Stephen Weeks, and great-grandson of Abel and Rachel Weeks. He married and had a family of two sons and five daughters;
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one of the sons, Smith Weeks, became a minister of the gospel and preached in the Methodist church. He went west during the early pioneer days, but was never again heard from by the family.
Stephen Weeks, father of John Weeks, was born at Ford- ham, Westchester county, New York; he was for a number of years a resident of New York city, from whence he came to Bronxdale, where he acquired a small tract of land, upon which he resided the remaining years of his life, passing away December 25, 1849. Stephen Weeks married Lydia Archer, daughter of Anthony Archer, of Fordham, and of this mar- riage had born the following children: 1. Benjamin, married Ellen Hunt, and removed to Patchogue, Suffolk county, Long Island. 2. Polly, married Brewster Tucker, and removed to Michigan, where she spent the remaining years of her life. 3. Hettie, married William Sweezy. 4. Smith, married Polly Luierre, and removed to Patchogue, Long Island. 5. Stephen, married and removed to Brooklyn, New York. 6. Levi, mar- ried Mary Ryniersen, and removed to St. James, Suffolk county, Long Island. 7. Willit, married Mary Platt, and removed to Frankfort, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 8. John, see forward. 9. Phebe, married Merritt Willis, December 24, 1849, and has children: Frank A., married Josephine Van Courtlandt, no is- sue; Lydia A .; Harvey Platt, died in 1876, aged twenty-one years; Clarence Anderson, died young; Merritt Travers, mar- ried Minerva Hyat, and has children: Merritt T., Jr., Minerva and Clarence Willis. The father of the last mentioned children, Merritt Travers Willis, died January 21, 1894.
John Weeks was educated in the schools of Bronxdale, and was reared to manhood there. Upon taking up the prac- tical duties of life he engaged at farming and various other occupations, which he, pursued during his active years. Mr.
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Weeks has been an industrious and energetic man, striving at all times to render competent and dutiful services to his em- ployers, and has at all times been straightforward and honor- able in his business transactions.
John Weeks married Juliet E. Sherman, who was a de- scendant of an old Connecticut family, and of this marriage were born two children, both of whom died young. The dutiful and faithful wife died August 2, 1899.
TIFFANY FAMILY.
The name of Tiffany, according to the best authority, ap- pears to have originated in Italy about the time of the first crusade, and some member of the house returned in safety and settled in Brittany, France. Following the conquest of Eng- land by the Normans some families of this name appear to have left that region and found their way to England. An ancient English rhyme tells us that
William de Coningsby Came out of Brittany With his wife Tiffany And his maid Manfrass And his dogge Hardigrass.
This shows the antiquity of the name, whatever may have been its origin. The representatives of this race who went to England seem to have remained there for several generations, for the first settlers of the name who came to America were as thoroughly English as any of the Puritans who sought and found here a home. The ancestor of this family in America was Squire Humphrey Tiffany, who appears at Rehoboth, Mas- saelmsetts, as early as January 22, 1663. He had wife, Eliza- beth, and for a few years before his death he resided in Swan- sea. While riding on horseback with Frances Low, a daughter of a neighbor, from Swansea to Boston, ou Wednesday after-
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noon, July 15, 1685, a thunder storm arose and he and his com- panion were both killed by lightning, and in accordance with the views of that period it was called "the solemn judgment of God." We may add here that the title of "Squire," an abbre- viation of Esquire, was the popular title of a man who held the office of justice of the peace, and is continued down to the pres- ent day in rural districts. The widow, Elizabeth Tiffany, was appointed administratrix of her husband's estate by the court, October 27, of the same year. Their children were: James, see forward; Thomas; Ebenezer; Consider; Sarah, born July 6, 1683; and Hezekiah, who was drowned December 4, 1685.
James, eldest son of Squire Humphrey and Elizabeth Tif- fany, went to Attleboro, Massachusetts. He had wife, Bethiah, who died February 27, 1711. His second wife, Elizabeth, sur- vived him and married Andrew Grover, of Norton. He moved to Attleboro about 1690 and purchased a farm upon which he built a house, which was standing until the last few years, and in which many generations of the name were born and died. He died in July, 1732, and left a large family. Among the children by his first wife was a son.
James, born 1697, married, November 11, 1725, Elizabeth Allen, who was born in 1704, died Angust 1, 1796; they were the parents of seven children.
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