USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume IV > Part 7
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
Rev. Lilja was born in Sweden, 1845, and acquired his education in that conntry, coming to America in 1870. He engaged in mission work in Philadelphia until 1882, when he was appointed superintendent of New York missions. The same year he was ordained at Rock Island, Illinois, to the ministry. In addition to his mission work in New York, he has organized the Swedish Lutheran Church at Jersey City in 1890; the Swed- ish Entheran Church at Dover, New Jersey, in 1893; and the Swedish Lntheran Church at Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1888, besides attending to several other mission points in Connec- tient. The seating capacity of this mission is about one hun- dred and fifty, and services are held morning and evening and every Sunday afternoon.
BATTERY SWEDISH METHODIST EPISCOPAL MIS- SION.
The Battery Swedish Methodist Episcopal Mission at Twenty-fourth street, New York City, originally called Battery Park Mission, was organized in June, 1887. The first serv. ices were held at No. 27 State street, and at that date it was entirely an emigrant mission. The first missionaries were Rev James Mathews and his wife, who held services in English, and they were assisted by Rev. Charles Samuelson, who was ap- pointed to the work in April, 1888. Rev. Mathews remained in
89
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
charge until 1891, when he was succeeded by Rev. F. H. Car- penter, but in the fall of 1891 the full charge of this mission was assigned to the Rev. Mr. Samuelson, after which time it became entirely a Swedish Mission. In 1897 Rev. C. Samnel- son was succeeded by Rev. F. O. Logren, who conducted the mission until 1902, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Benedict Nilsson. Jannary 1, 1900, the mission was removed to the James Methodist Church on Forty-fourth street, where serv- ices were conducted until July 8, 1900, when it was removed to the Twenty-fourth Street Methodist Episcopal Church. The original mission was organized for the welfare of emigrants, but it subsequently developed into a regular Swedish congre- gation with a present communicant membership of about two hundred and seventy-five, with services every Sunday. The societies attached to this church are the Dorcas, with fifty mem- bers; Young Men's Club of thirty members. The Sunday school enrollment is one hundred and twenty-five.
Rev. Benedict Nilsson was born in the southern part of Sweden, September 16, 1863, and acquired his primary ednca- tion in that country. In 1884 he left his native land and came to America, locating in Gardner, Massachusetts, where he re- sided until 1891, when he moved to Evanston, Illinois, where he entered the Swedish Theological Seminary, from which he gradnated in 1894, then removed to New York and supplied the Lexington Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church for three months. As a student and during the fall of the same year was engaged in missionary work in Brooklyn, which resulted in the formation of the Elim Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church on Forty-seventh street of that borough. He remained in charge of that congregation until the end of five and a half years, when he again engaged in missionary work for a year in Yonkers, New York, and a year in Stamford, Connecticut,
90
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
in 1902 being appointed to Battery Swedish Methodist Epis- copal Church. He was ordained to a Deaconate, April 7, 1895. at Stamford, Connecticut, by Bishop Warren, and his final or- dination took place at Mt. Vernon, New York, April 9, 1899, by Bishop Vincent.
(EMIGRANT MISSION) NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN.
The Emigrant Mission for the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod of America was begun by Rev. O. Junl, in 1867, who occasionally visited Castle Garden in the interests of the Norwegian emigrants. The first emigrant missionary appointed was Peter B. Larsen. He worked from 1873 to 1877. After him came Rev. Olaf Mandt, who died in September, 1880. Mr. T. K. Skov was then appointed and served three years, during which time the emigration from Norway reached its highest figures. For the fiscal year ending June 1, 1881, there were 22,705 of these people came to our shores; in 1882 there were 29,101; in 1883, 23,398. On account of failing health, Mr. Skov resigned in 1883 and was sneceeded by the assistant pas- tor of Our Saviour's Church of Brooklyn, Rev. K. Seehuus, who served nntil 1886. After a vacancy of three years, Rev. E. Petersen was appointed in April, 1889, and has condneted the mission to the present time (1906). His field of labor has been the landing place at Castle Garden, Barge Office and Ellis Island, where he has distributed tracts and assisted the emi- grants in every possible way; he also has aided at the Lutheran Pilgrim house, where the Norwegian emigrants consigned to his care have been hospitably treated and cared for until they have been able to find snitable employment or joined their friends. During these seventeen years he has been in charge
91
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
of 23,147 Scandinavians (mostly Norwegians). During the vear 1904 he had 2,730.
Rev. Mr. Petersen was born in Rönne Bornholm, Denmark, January 24, 1854, and came to America when fourteen years of age. He acquired his education at Concordia College, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He graduated in 1875, and from the Theolog- ical Seminary at St. Louis in 1878. He was ordained in 1879, in Wisconsin, and first appointed as pastor of three Norwegian and two German churches at Kilbourn City, Wisconsin. From 1882 to 1887 he was a teacher in the Lutheran College of Decorah, Iowa. Since April, 1889, he has faithfully served in his present capacity, doing a very commendable and praise- worthy work.
JOHN McNIESH.
John McNiesh was for nearly fifty years a resident of Woodrow, borough of Richmond, where his father, John Mc- Niesh, settled with his family, upon leaving New York city.
John MeNiesh (father) was a native of Scotland, where he had learned the clock and watchmaking trade, which line of occupation he pursued for a number of years. He married Janet Drisdale, who bore him a family of six children, five of whom attained to years of man and womanhood. John MeNiesh came to the United States with his family, wife and five chil- dren, and upon his arrival in New York city took up his abode there and engaged at his trade, the watch and clock-making business, which he conducted in the house where he resided on Water street for a number of years. He finally took up his residence at Woodrow, borongh of Richmond, where he pur- chased a farm and homestead and settled there with his family, passing away there in 1846. His wife died at the homestead in 1852. Their remains were interred in the family burying
92
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
plot at Woodrow. Jolin and Janet (Drisdale) McNiesh had born of their marriage the following named children: 1. Jane, who died in infancy in Scotland. 2. Jane, married John Phyfe, of New York city. 3. Elizabeth, died at the age of eighty-six years, unmarried. 4. Janet, married John Ferguson, of New York city. 5. John, whose name introduces this review. 6. James, who died at Woodrow, in 1851, unmarried.
John McNiesh, fifth son of John and Janet (Drisdale) McNiesh, received his educational training in the schools of New York city, and learned the clock and watch-making trade under the tuition of his father. Upon attaining to manhood years he began business on his own account, having opened a store in Wall street, corner of William street, where he con- ducted a successful business up to 1842, in which year he re- moved to Brooklyn, where he became engaged in the mercantile trade. In 1844 Mr. MeNiesh retired from active pursuits and took up his abode at the family homestead at Woodrow, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He died at the MeNiesh homestead at Huguenot Park, January 12, 1882.
John McNiesh was married, at Woodrow, October 17, 1843, to Jane E. Morris, born October 4, 1824, daughter of Jacob and Ann (Van Iderstein) Morris. Both the latter are old families of New York city. Of this marriage were born children as follows: 1. John, born August 15, 1844, died in 1851. 2. John (2d), born January 28, 1854, married Sarah Jane Poillion, and had one daughter, Florence, who died in infancy. 3. Janet, born May 4, 1855, married Robert Rogers, and has one daughter, Janet Rogers. 4. Eliza, born July 19, 1861, married Gustave Goebel, and has five children living-Irene, Edgar, Ethel, Morris, Irvin Goebel. 5. James, born July 4, 1864, married Sarah Rose, and has two children-George Phillips and James MeNiesh. Jane E. (Morris) MeNiesh, mother of the afore-
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
mentioned children, survives her husband, and resides on the family homestead at Huguenot Park. She is a consistent mem- ber of the Dutch Reformed church, at Huguenot Park. She is a most estimable lady of the old school type and is possessed of many excellent qualities of mind and heart.
JOHN W. O'MEARA.
John W. O'Meara, a representative citizen of Richmond Valley, borough of Richmond, where he is noted for his pro- gressive and enterprising spirit, was born at West Farms, now borough of the Bronx, October 31, 1858, son of John, a native of Whitehall, New York, and Delia (MeGrath) O'Meara, a native of county Clare, Ireland, and grandson of John W. O'Meara, a native of Tipperary county, Ireland, who came to this country during his early manhood, and reared a family of children, all of whom are active and useful citizens of the United States.
John W. O'Meara, whose name heads this article, attended the school at Fourteenth street and First avenue, New York city, and the knowledge thus gained was supplemented by at. tendance at a private school conducted by Mrs. Peter Ashton, of Connecticut. He began the practical duties of life by serving an apprenticeship at the trade of weaver. In 1873, when fifteen years of age, he accompanied his family to New York city and there entered the employ of Owen Howard Bernard, with whom he remained until the death of the latter, and with his executors up to December 1, 1904, when he assumed the business on his own account and has since successfully conducted the enterprise, it being at the present time (1906) of considerable importance to the neighborhood, giving employment to about fifty skilled operatives, both men and women. The success he has achieved in his career has been the direct result of ambition, energy,
94
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
stability, integrity and perseverance, which characterize the highest type of the American citizen. In 1898 Mr. O'Meara went with Company H, Seventy-first Regiment of New York, to Cuba and served in that campaign with honor, having taken an active part in several of the principal engagements. He is a genial gentleman, and is held in the highest esteem by his neigh- bors and acquaintances.
Mr. O'Meara married, April 12, 1887, Eliza Jane Buck- ridge, born February 8, 1855, daughter of George W. and Kate (Donovan) Buckridge. Their children are: Julia, born Feb- rnary 27, 1888. John W., Jr., June 15, 1889. George W., No- vember 20. 1890. Eliza, September 18, 1892. Katie Winifred, March 7, 1894. Miles, November 29, 1898. Mr. O'Meara and his family are faithful communicants of the Church of our Lady Help of Christians (Roman Catholic) of Tottenville, Staten Island.
HENRY PETER HEITMANN.
Henry Peter Heitmann, a progressive and enterprising German-American citizen of Rossville, borough of Richmond, where he has resided for a period of nearly twenty years, and at present is successfully engaged in the mercantile business, was born in the village of Steinfeldt, in the court distriet Zeven, province of Hanover, Germany, March 7, 1864, and is one of a family of four children. He is a son of John and Margaret (Behrens) Heitmann. John Heitmann was for many years in the employ of the government in the capacity of keeper of the forests and was a highly respected and useful citizen. He died at Steinfeldt, November 24, 1904. His widow resides on the homestead. They had by their union in marriage the following children: 1. Henry Peter, whose name introduces this review. 2. John, who came to the United States and took up his abode in Richmond county, and at present resides at One Hundred
95
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Forty-ninth street and Third avenue, New York city. Hle mar- ried Gertrude Laught and has one child, Lulu Heitmann. 3. Frederick, who came to the United States and was for some time engaged with his brother Henry Peter at Rossville, borough of Richmond. He again returned to the fatherland, where he is successfully engaged in high grade stock raising. He married and has three children, as follows: Meta, Martha, and John Heitmann. 4. Heinrich, who came to the United States and at present resides in Jersey City Heights, New Jersey, where he is engaged in the confectionery trade. He married Meta IIel- mers, no issue.
Henry Peter Heitmann, eldest son of John and Margaret (Behrens) Heitmann, received his educational training in the schools of the fatherland and remained under the parental roof until the age of seventeen. In 1881, being desirous to improve his opportunities in life, he decided to come to the United States. Upon his arrival in New York city he at once took up employment in the grocery business, continuing in that line of work up until 1884, in which year he came to Richmond, where he entered the employ of Claus Holterman and was engaged in the baking business, remaining there for about eighteen months, and in 1886 he located at Rossville, where he engaged in the grocery and merchandise trade, and in this undertaking met with immediate success which was the logical result of his straightforward and honorable methods in conducting his busi- ness affairs. In this undertaking Mr. Heitmann was assisted by his brother Frederick, who later became associated with him in partnership, which arrangement was continued for about six years. In 1892 Mr. Heitmann purchased the old Wynant store at Rossville, where he established himself in the mercantile trade, and has since erected the commodious and modern new building and storerooms where he now conducts his business.
96
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Mr. Heitmann is a self-made man in the truest sense of the word, having begun business with but limited capital; he has by his in- defatigable and persevering energy and practical economy, suc- ceeded in establishing a successful and lucrative trade, and in commercial circles is everywhere regarded as a straightforward and reliable business man.
Henry Peter Heitmann was married at his home in Ross- ville, March 5, 1893, to Johanna Dorothea Ott, who was a native of Amoensberg, near the city of Meinz on the Rhine, province of Hesse, September 8, 1865, daughter of Johan Philip and Catherine (Seel ) Ott, both natives of the village of Orlan in the province of Nassau, Germany, and is the eldest of a family of four children and the only member of the family to come to the United States. Of this marriage Mr. Heitmann has had born to him a son, John, February 19, 1894. Right here it may. be stated that Mrs. Heitmann has rendered to her worthy hus- band important and practical help in his affairs by her indus- try and good business judgment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heitmann are consistent members of the German Lutheran Church at Kreischerville, borough of Richmond.
STEPHEN J. LAFORGE.
Stephen J. LaForge, a venerable and eminently respected citizen of Valley Forge, borough of Richmond, where he was for many years engaged in the mercantile business, and by his thrift and enterprise did much towards the growth and advance- ment of the material and social interests of the neighborhood, was born at the family homestead at Valley Forge, January 28, 1818. son of Henry S. and Catherine R. (Parlee) LaForge, both parents being descended from old Staten Island families. They had of their marriage born to them a family of thirteen chil- dren: 1. Henry Parlee, born July 31, 1816, married Catherine
97
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
A. Sprague, and spent his life on Staten Island. 2. Stephen J., whose name introduces this review, born January 28, 1818. 3. Bornt Parlee, born October 29, 1819, married Gertrude Simon- son. 4. John L., born October 31, 1821, died single. 5. Eph- raim J., born October 20, 1823, married Jane Segnine, and had two children, Emma and Catharine. He married (second) Johanna Pestel, no issue. Mr. LaForge died July 26, 1893. 6. llarmon B., born February 11, 1826, died in childhood. 7. Harmon B. (2d), born April 7, 1828, married Sarah Dissosway. 8. James A., born May 2, 1830, married Elizabeth Kaner. 9. John Theodore, born June 4, 1832, died April 5, 1838. 10. Catherine Mary, born July 31, 1834, married James Dissosway. 11. Emma Elizabeth, born November 5, 1836, died December 8, 1869; mar- ried David Pears. 12. John Leonard, born November 24, 1829, died December 6, 1879; married Sarah Disbrow. 13. Martha Jane, born March 4, 1841, married Philip Benham, and has one child, Clairemont Benham. The father of the aforementioned chil- dren, Henry S. LaForge, died August 5, 1887, aged ninety-seven years and four months. His faithful wife and mother of his children died December 30, 1888, aged ninety-three years and two months. Both were consistent Christian people and for many years were members of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at Richmond.
Stephen J. LaForge, whose name introduces this sketch, received his elementary educational training in the schools of the neighborhood where he was born. At the age of fourteen years he went to New York city where he became employed in a grocery and ship chandlery establishment. In 1839 the young merchant returned to Valley Forge, where he became engaged in the mercantile trade on his own account. In this line of en- terprise he met with a well merited degree of success as the " logical result of his straightforward methods of conducting his
98
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
business. He retired from active business pursuits in 1889, since which time he has been living in pleasant retirement at his home at Valley Forge.
Stephen J. LaForge married, June 11, 1845, Ann Oakley, born February 28, 1826, daughter of Israel and Mary (Totten) Oakley, and of this marriage had born to him one daughter, Ellen T., June 30, 1846. She died October 5, 1847. The mother, Ann (Oakley) LaForge, died February 28, 1849. Mr. LaForge married (second) Ann E. Hodge, December 18, 1851. She was born May 14, 1834. Of this union there was no issue. Mrs. LaForge is a consistent member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church at Rossville.
HANS M. MADSON.
Hans M. Madson is a progressive and enterprising Danish- American citizen of Richmond Valley, borough of Richmond, where he is successfully engaged in the dairy and milk business. He was born in the village of Oestrup, near the city of Horsen, on the peninsula of Ulang, province of Denmark (Germany), January 3, 1859, son of Maes Hansen and Anna Christina (Grene) Madson, and is one of a family of four sons and seven daughters, of whom five came to the United States, as follows: 1. Hans M., whose name introduces this sketch. 2. Anna, mar- ried Jans Thomasen, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, now deceased. She left a family of six children surviving her. 3. Hans Grene, settled in Tottenville, and at present resides in Perth Amboy, New Jersey; he married and has a family of five children. 4. Johanna, married Peter Michelsen; they removed to the north- west, and have not been heard of lately by the family. 5. Theodore, resided for some time with his brother, Hans Mad- son. He has not been heard of in recent years by the family.
Hans M. Madson, whose name introduces this review, was
99
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
reared and educated in the fatherland. He followed in the footsteps of his ancestors, and took up the tilling of the soil. At the age of seventeen he became apprenticed to learn the carpenter trade in the fatherland. In 1879 he decided to come to the United States, hoping here to find a broader field for his skill and labor. Upon his arrival here, June 28, 1879, he at once found employment at his trade and at ship carpentering work. In 1892 Mr. Madson became engaged in a limited way in the milk and dairy business, which line of enterprise he has successfully conducted up to the present period. He has be- come well and favorably known for the straightforward and reliable methods employed in the conduct of his business, and is highly respected in the neighborhood where he resides.
Hans M. Madson was married at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, December 18, 1881, to Amelia Petersen, born May 4, 1858, in the city of Laurvig, kingdom of Norway, daughter of Christian and Caroline (Anderson) Petersen. Her parents came to the United States, and upon their arrival here took up their abode at Tottenville, borough of Richmond, from whenee they removed to Minnesota, where the father, Christian Petersen, died in 1904. Mr. Madson has had born to him the following children: 1. Christian M .. born March 5, 1883. 2. Alfred, born April 6, 1885. 3. Clara Sophia, horn July 17, 1887. 4. Agnes, born September 26, 1889. 5. Charles, born March 24, 1891. Mr. Madson and his family are regular attendants of the Lutheran church.
CHARLES GOTTLIEB KUNATH.
Charles Gottlieb Kunath was an industrious and highly respected German-American citizen of Rossville, borough of Richmond, where he resided for a period of over forty years. He passed away May 9, 1894.
He was born December 17, 1829, in the village of Ober-
100
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
lichtena, near the city of Pulsnitz, in the province of Saxony, Germany, and was the only son of Charles Gottlieb and Kunath. Having been left an orphan at the early age of nine, he was reared among strangers and attended the schools of the fatherland till the age of fourteen. Upon tak- ing up the practical duties of life, he pursued various occupa- tions up to the age of twenty-three years, at which time he decided to come to the United States, hoping here to find better opportunities for his skill and labor. Upon his arrival in New York city, he at once located at Rossville, Richmond county, where he secured employment with the Winant family at farm work, and by his industry and economy was enabled to save sufficient capital to purchase lands in the village of Rossville, where he made improvements and established a comfortable home for himself and family. In 1870 Mr. Kunath engaged in the retail ice business, which he conducted up till the time of his demise, and in this undertaking met with a well merited degree of success. During the many years of his residence at Rossville, Mr. Kunath contributed much by his thrift and en- terprise to the material growth and improvement of the neigh- borhood wherein he resided. In 1852 Mr. Kunath became a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church at Rossville, and was a regular communicant up till the time of his demise. He was a just and conscientious man in all his business affairs, a good citizen, a devoted and loving husband, and an indulgent parent to his children.
Charles Gottlieb Kunath was married at Rossville, borough of Richmond, to Catherine Russ, and of this marriage had born to him three children, as follows: 1. Charles, married Minnie Thompson, and has children: Catherine, Charles, Jr., Annie and George Kunath. 2. Bertha, married James Gilpins, and has children: James, Agnes, Bertha, Sophie Hester, and
101
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Robert Gilpins. 3. George, who did not marry. Catherine (Russ) Kunath, mother of the aforementioned children, died in 1872. Mr. Kunath married (second), April 5, 1875, Licetta Wild, born December 25, 1850, daughter of John and Maria (Ammen) Wild, both natives of the Canton of St. Gall, Switzer- land, and is one of a family of six children, two of whom came to the United States, namely: Licetta, and George, who went to California in 1879 and died there in 1881, at the age of twenty-two years. Of this nion with Licetta Wild Mr. Kunath had born to him the following children: 1. Marietta, horn February 24, 1879. 2. Edward Charles, born November 18, 1882. 3. Oldwin George, born August 1, 1885. 4. Ivia Ilder, born Angust 1, 1888. 5. Robert Wallace, born September 30, 1891. The family attend St. Luke's Episcopal Church at Ross- ville.
JAMES PETER COLLINS.
James Peter Collins, an honored and highly respected citi- zen of the town of Westfield, borough of Richmond, where he had resided for a period of over twenty-one years, during which time he had become prominently identified with the public and material interests of the community, was born in New York city, April 10, 1840, only son of Patrick and Margaret (Scan- lan) Collins. There were three daughters, two of whom died in early life. Jane Elizabeth Collins was the third daughter of the aforementioned parents, a teacher in the public schools of New York city for a number of years. She married John Farrel, of New York city, but had no issue. Patrick Collins, father of this family, was for many years engaged in the prod- uce trade in Washington Market, New York city, where he had become well and favorably known as a straightforward and reliable business man. He died at his danghter's home in
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.