USA > New York > Queens County > Long Island City > History of Long Island City, New York. A record of its early settlement and corporate progress. Sketches of the villages that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality. Its business, finance, manufactures, and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 20
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Mr. Smith moved to Hunter's Point in 1853, this was before the days of ferry communication, and when vacant lots and fields were the only things, where rows of. brick houses now stand. He located on the East River, where what is now known as foot of ioth street. While there he engaged in ferry- ing people across the river in small boats, and at the same time keeping a few boats and other necessities for the accommodation of fishermen. After a period of a year or two, Mr. Smith moved to his newly acquired property at and adjoining Vernon avenue and Third street.
On February 13, 1833, Mr. Smith married Catharine Ann Gibson, daughter of the late Sandy Gibson, of Bushwick, L. 1. Mrs. Smith still survives her husband at the age of eighty years, and is enjoying splendid health, and all her faculties. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born nine children, namely: Jane E., Adaline, Maria R., Mary Louisa, John A., Jr., and George F., now dead, and Frances C. (now Mrs. C. F. Ver Buck) of Binghamton, N. Y., Elizabeth J. (now Mrs. J. G. Sterner) of Allentown, Pa., and Amanda M. (now Mrs. New) wife of Alfred L. New (see sketch), a resident of this city.
Mr. Smith, in 1859, entered into the general grocery business at 39 Vernon avenue, remaining in the same until he sold out to J. N. New & Brother. Then Mr. Smith opened an oyster saloon in the
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basement of the building, later he removed to 35 Vernon avenue, two doors below, and remained there until the time of his death.
He was well known throughout his life and admired by many of those who knew him. It has been said that he was known by his peculiarities, and persons who did not know "Pop" Smith personally, knew of him through this cause. He never took any active part in political matters, not even when the city was chartered, on national issues and at nation elections he was a Democrat.
He was stern and of sharp temper, although he possessed a tender heart and felt keenly for the sufferings of humanity and especially that of his neighbors, and was always looked up to for counsel and advice. While Mr. Smith was never connected with any church, he adhered to the Baptist Faith and was a regular attendant at the East Avenue Baptist Church and a liberal supporter of the Gospel.
Fraternally he was not connected with many. orders. He believed a man's place was at home with his family and he adhered close to his belief. He was, nevertheless, a member of Island City, Lodge 586, F. and A. M. and of Banner Chapter 214, R. A. M., of which he was past High Priest.
Also an exempt fireman of the old New York Volunteer service, having served his time as a member of Engine Company No. 48. Mr. Smith died March 6, 1883, at the age of 74 years.
He was one of the charter members of the Long Island City Savings Bank and was a director from time of charter to his death.
J. RUFUS TERRY, who is a well-known contractor and builder, was born in New York City, in 1851, being a son of J. Rufus and Eleanor (Gardner) Terry, natives respectively of Riverhead and New York City. The subject of this sketch was the second child born to his parents. His childhood days were passed in Long Island City and Jersey City, and his education was obtained principally in the New York City grammar schools. About 1865 he came to Long Island City, where he grew to manhood and has since made his home. After gaining a thorough knowledge of civil engineering, he aided in the survey and construction of the old Midland Railroad, between Walton and Jersey City, and also assisted in a number of important contracts." Turning his .J. RUFUS TERRY. attention from civil engineering to a mercantile life, Mr. Terry accepted a position as salesman in a hat, leather and[trimmings store in New York City, where he remained for ten years. From that he
drifted into the real estate and building business. In 1883 he began to take contracts for building, and since that time he has constructed a large number of residences on Webster avenue and in that vicinity. While he has disposed of a number of these residences, he is still the owner of several houses and many lots suitable for building purposes. He is a skillful architect and excellent draughtsman, and takes contracts for general building. Among his real estate sales are some of the largest that have been made, either here or in New York, and he has been especially active in handling sales in additions.
In Long Island City Mr. Terry married Miss Mary E. Gardner, whose father, Thomas Gardner, was a prominent farmer of that vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Terry attend the Baptist Church, and are contributors for its support.
JAMES MOORE WHITCOMB, one of the oldest and most prominent residents of Long Island City, was born in Worcester County, Mass., January 11, 1824. He has been a resident of Queens County since 1845, and a resident of Long Island City since 1852. The subject of this sketch was the oldest child of his parents, and grew up on his father's farm, receiving about two months schooling each
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year until fifteen years old. He then took charge of the farm and carried it on until he had reached his twenty-first year, after which he removed to Long Island. In April, 1852, Mr. Whitcomb embarked in the livery business in Long Island City, in which he has continued ever since.
Mr. Whiteomb is a staunch Republican in his politics. During the years 1865-66-67, was Harbor Master. He assisted in starting the first Republican Club in Long Island City and at Winfield, and became prominently identified with his party. During the war he was lieutenant of the Hamilton Rifles of Astoria, and since then has been Deputy Sheriff of Queens County at different times. On the 6th of April, 1846, he became a member of Pacific Lodge, I. O. O. F., in Flushing, and is now a member of Astoria Lodge, and is the oldest Odd Fellow in Long Island City. Since 1865 he has been a charter member of Astoria Lodge, F. and A. M. He is one of the life members of the Queens County Agricultural Society, of which he has served as Director.
Mr. Whiteomb was first married in Flushing, L. I., to Miss Rebecca Thorn (now deceased). Five children were born to their marriage. Mr. Whitcomb's second marriage cceurred in New York, February 28, 1866, and united him to Miss Alta Goins. She died in 1887, leaving four children. Mr. Whitcomb served for twelve years as a member of the Board of School Trustees. He has resided at No. 54 Fulton avenue since 1855.
MRS. MARY J. R. NEWTON-STRANG, who, for the past fifteen years has held the position of school trustee in the Fourth Ward of Long Island City, and who recently declined to accept the renomination for the office, has the honorable distinction of being the only woman who was ever elected to an office in that turbulent municipality. She has held the position for five terms, being always elected by a hand- some majority, which is an evidence of her popularity among the voters and those interested in school work in the bailiwiek. Since her election, in 1880, she has been the Active Secretary of the Board of School Trustees, writing the minutes of their various meetings and petitions in the interests of the schools.
Although Mrs. Newton-Strang has been opposed by Republican and Gleason aspirants for the office, who invariably made a hustling canvass by visiting various saloons in the Fourth Ward and raising ban- ners and transparencies in all parts of the neighborhood, together with pyrotechnic displays and mass meetings to boom their candidacy, she was never defeated. She does not believe that candidates for public office should solicit votes, but gracefully submit to the choice of the people when they go to the polls. She firmly believes that a public office is a public trust, and should be religiously guarded by those persons chosen by the voters of the city. At no time has Mrs. Newton-Strang left her own fire- side to improve her chances for election.
Mrs. Newton-Strang was born in New York City, March 30, 1826, where she taught school for five years. In 1852 she became a resident of the Astoria section of Long Island City, and a year later became principal of the primary department of the new public school. Dr. S. T. W. Sanford, father of Mayor Horatio S. Sanford, was a member of the Board of School Trustees. She retired from her school duties in 1864, esteemed and respected by all of her pupils and their parents. A few months later she moved with her family to Bedford avenue, Brooklyn, where her parents and brothers, J. H. and S. I .. Rowland, resided.
In 1868, Mrs. Newton-Strang returned to Astoria and occupied her former residence on Lockwood street. At a meeting of those interested in woman's work associated with educational matter held at the Fourth Ward schoolhouse on October 16, 1880, she was unanimously nominated for school trustee of the Fourth Ward. Although inclined to decline the honor, her many friends persuaded her to accept, which she reluctantly did. She received the unsolicited nomination of the Fourth Ward Re- publicans for school trustee on October 28, 1880, and was elected. Her opponents were greatly chagrined at her success. A congratulatory meeting of the friends of the newly elected trustee was held in Washington Hall, Astoria, on November 8, 1880, when addresses eulogizing Mrs. Newton- Strang, were made by Mrs. Dr. Lozier, Mrs. Lillie Devereaux Blake, Mrs. H. M. Slocum, Mrs. E. G. Conkling, and many others. In 1883, 1886, 1889 and 1892, Mrs. Strang was successively re-elected to the office. She has held the office under the following mayors of the city: HI. S. Debevoise, George Petry, Patrick J. Gleason and Iloratio S. Sanford. During her term of office the following well-known residents have been school commissioners of the Fourth Ward: Messrs. Johnson, Smythe, Skene, Wingrove, Moulton, Beebe, Allen, Pitcher, Neisenger and Deans.
After fifteen years of faithful service as a school trustee, Mrs. Strang has declined a renomination for the office, which was recently proffered her by the Jeffersonian Democracy, on whose ticket she
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was elected in 1892. In writing to a friend recently, Mrs. Strang said: "A while ago I promised my dear husband and daughter that if I were spared to see January 1, 1896, I would then cease to perform any further duties as school trustee of the city. It is with a feeling somewhat of regret that I now decline the kind offer of the nomination for school trustec of the Fourth Ward of Long Island City. I have been identified with school work for a number of years, and enjoyed many pleasant associations with it, and I hope, while my life continues, I will always feel a deep interest in the public schools as a means of doing so much good for the present and future generations of those who will avail them- selves of their benefit."
It was chiefly through the indefatigable efforts of Mrs. Newton-Strang that a handsome school building has been erected on Kouwenhoven street, in the Fourth Ward. The property, which is one of the most valuable in the city, has a frontage of 125 fcet and a depth of 190 feet. The school build- ings and ground costing about $60,000.
She was also much interested in the selection of the plot and building of the High School on Fulton street, which is one of the finest localities in the city.
During the time that Mrs. Strang has been in office there has been crected a new school building in each of the five wards that compose Long Island City.
In 1858 Mrs. Newton-Strang united with the Presby- terian Church at Astoria, under the pastorate of the late Rev. B. F. Stead, D. D., where she taught in the Sabbath School for many years, and was treasurer of the Ladies' Society for the past twenty-three years.
Mrs. Strang resides in a pretty cottage at 307 Jamaica avenue. Her home is surrounded by a large garden and a well kept lawn, and some of the rarest plants are to be seen on all sides. Mrs. Strang is an enthusiastic horticulturist, and personally' looks after her collection of flowers, The exquisite taste in arranging her garden is admired by all who pass her home. Mrs. Strang's term of office expired with the advent of 1896.
ISAAC B. STRANG is one of the oldest living residents and native born citizens of Astoria, L. I. He was born Jannary 17, 1820, in the house at the corner of Remsen and Welling streets, Astoria. The residence has been occupied for many years by the Rev. P. Bartlett. His parents, Garrett S. and Susan (Bragaw) Strang, were also JAMES M. WHITCOMB. natives of Astoria. The paternal grandfather, Soloman S. Strang, was a native American, of French extraction, his parents having come to this country from France years prior to his birth. In 1775 he joined the American forces and fought bravely against the British for the freedom of his adopted country. In after years he became the owner of the farm located a mile from Ninety-second street ferry, and now owned by the late Francis Briell's heirs, which he sold and afterward purchased a farm in the lower part of Astoria, where he died. This farm was subsequently purchased by his son, Garrett S. Strang, a portion of which is now the heart of Astoria. In 1835 he sold it and bought land four miles from Newtown where he lived until his death, at the age of 78 years. For many years he was a Jacksonian Democrat. His wife was the daughter of Isaac Bragaw, who owned a farm of eighty acres between what is now Broadway and Jamaica avenue, Astoria. The earthly career of Mrs. Garrett S. Strang was closed in 1825.
. She was the mother of three sons, all of whom reached honorable manhood. Soloman, a carriage manufacturer, died in Jamaica, L. I.
Isaac B. is our subject, and Charles, who became a contractor and builder, died on the old home place, now the Boulevard.
Their father married again, and to his sceond union were given two daughters and one son. John Strang and his sister, Mrs. Conelin Woods, have passed from this life. Their sister Anna is still living
Isaac B. Strang was educated in Astoria in the subscription schools in vogue at that time .. The
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Whittemores and Blackwells were his schoolmates. In his early years he assisted his father on the farm and later he learned the carpenter's trade. In due time he commenced building and contracting on his own account, he constructed many residences in Long Island City, among which were those of Messrs. Blackwell, Freeman, Gen. Hopkins and many others. His own pleasant and commodious residence he built.
In Brooklyn, November 26, 1846, he married Miss Ann Bragaw, a daughter of John G. Bragaw, who was a farmer in the vicinity of L. I. City. She was an esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died December 3, 1885, leaving one child, Charles G., who was educated here and in New York City. He married Miss Annie Bergen, of Jamaica. They have two sons and a daughter.
Mr. Strang's second marriage occurred in Astoria, on March 15, 1887, uniting him with Mrs. Mary J. (Rowland) Newton, who was born in New York City, a daughter of William Rowland, a native of Huntington, L. I. He was an Attorney-at-Law, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he was an enthusiastic old line Whig. He died in Brooklyn, at the age of seventy- two years. His father, John Rowland, was in the American Navy during the war of 1812, he owned a large farm at Middle Island, L. I.
His wife, Mary Wareham, was born in New York, her father was an engraver and a member of St. John's (Masonie) Lodge, No. 1. Mary (Wareham) Rowland died in Brooklyn, at the age of sixty- seven years, beloved by all who knew her. She was the mother of four daughters and four sons. Two daughters and two sons are still living, the latter of whom, John H. and Sidney L., reside in Brooklyn.
Mrs. Strang attended Prof. De Yerell's school at Patchogue, L. I., and at the early age of fifteen years began teaching school, which occupation she thoroughly enjoyed. She was first married in New York to William Newton. He died in Astoria, February 16, 1884, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Ile left a widow and one surviving daughter, Anna A. N., wife of William A. Peal. She was educated here and in Brooklyn, and is the mother of four daughters and three sons. Mr. Strang is a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Astoria, also belongs to the Sons of Temperance, and has long been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been Trustee, Steward and Class-leader, besides Superintendent of the Sunday School. He is a Republican politically, and is the oldest living settler of Astoria, remembering many interesting events connected with its early history.
Ile has always been a useful citizen, and now in the autumn of his life is surrounded by a host of warm friends.
IION. JAMES A. MCKENNA, postmaster of Long Island City, was born in Westchester County, N. Y., February 17, 1857. He is of Irish descent, and is the son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Darby) MeKenna, the former having been born in New York City, and the latter in Ireland. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days in Long Island City, and when fourteen years of age graduated from the high school there, after which he secured a position as bookkeeper with a firm in New York York City. In 1871 he returned to Long Island City, and for six months was a elerk in the Finanee Department, and was subsequently promoted to the position of Deputy Treasurer and Recorder of Taxes. In the meantime, during the evenings, he devoted his time to a course of study at the New York Evening High School, from which he graduated in 1875. In 1876 he became managing elerk for Robert L. Fabian, a public accountant, of New York, by whom he was taken into partnersnip a few years later, and on the death of that gentleman he became sole proprietor of the business, which he has continued ever since. As an accountant he is well and favorably known all over the United States and Canada. A moderate estimate of his settlements of fire insurance claims places the amount at more than $50, 000, 000.
May 1, 1887, Mr. McKenna was appointed postmaster of Long Island City, and in April of the succeeding year he organized the free delivery department, consolidating the service, and doing away with the offices at Astoria, Ravenswood, Schuetzen Park, Steinway, Blissville and Dutch Kills, said offices becoming stations of the Long Island City post office. In 1879 he was removed by President Harrison, but in June, 1893, he was re-appointed by President Cleveland, and still continues in the office, and is popular with the patrons, irrespective of polities.
On May 12th, 1880, Mr. McKenna married Miss Catherine Kelly, a native of Wyndham, N. Y. Five children have been born to them, viz., James (now deceased), Catherine, Joseph, James and William. The family is identified with St. Mary's Catholic Church.
HILTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
Mr. McKenna is a prominent Democrat. In the fall of 1890 he was nominated for Assemblyman from the Second District of Queens County, then comprising Long Island City, Newtown, Jamaica, and Hempstead. He was elected by a good majority. During his term he was instrumental in the passage of the bill providing for the improvement of Jackson and Vernon avenues. He drew up and presented a bill to reduce the price of gas in Long Island City to $1. 25 per thousand cubic feet, which passed the House but not the Senate. His influence was felt in many bills benefiting his distriet. It
was due his energy and perseverance in the matter that the consent of the State was granted per- mitting incorporated villages to vote on the question with lighting their streets with gas or electricity. Of the thirty bills which he originated about one-half were passed. He is a member of the Insurance and Dem- ocratic Clubs of New York and the Jefferson Club of Long Island City.
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JAMESCA. MCKENNA.
HENRY A. CASSEBEER was born in New York City, at the corner of Broome and Orchard streets, October 14, 1844. His early education was obtained at the West Bloomfield (now Montclair), N. J., Academy. His professional studies he pursued at Frankfort - on - the - Main, Germany, and at the College of Pharmacy, New York City. After completing his education Mr. Cassebeer engaged in the apothecary business, being located at 255 and 257 Columbus avenue, and at the corner of East Seventy-second street and Madison avenue, New York City. He also has an extensive laboratory, which he established in 1894, at Steinway, L. I. His apothecary was originally estab- lished by his great grandfather in 1778. The products of his labora- tory are known all over the United States, Mexico and the West Indies. At his laboratory in Steinway, Mr. Cassebeer employs a large number of employees. He has resided in that place for the past twenty.six years, long before any improvements were made.
Mr. Cassebeer is a member of the Torry Botanical Club, the Linnaan Society, College of Pharmacy (of which he was secretary and trustee for more than seventeen years), Liederkranz, Deutsch Verein, and a number of other social organizations. Politically, he is one of the old-line Democrats, and was at one time a member of the Board of Health of Long Island City. He resigned that position after serving for six months.
Mr. Cassebeer married Miss Louisa Ziegler (now deceased), January 17, 1871, to whom four children were born. His second marriage occurred July 27, 1891, to Julia Schmidt Ziegler.
LUCIEN KNAPP, City Treasurer and Receiver of Taxes of Long Island City, was born at Strass- burg on the Rhine, in 1848. He is the son of John G. and Sophie M. Knapp, who came to America in 1855, settling in New York City, where the subject of this sketch gained his rudimentary education in the public schools, after which he completed his studies in the College of the City of New York.
Mr. Knapp has resided in Queens County since 1862 (excepting for a few years spent in Brook- lyn), and in Long Island City since 1890. For ten years he was connected with the extensive manu-
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facturing establishment of Lalance & Grosjean, located at Woodhaven, Long Island. Later on, with his father, he established the widely-known brass goods manufacturing plant, the Knapp Manufactur- ing Company, of which he is the President and Treasurer. In 1866 Mr. Knapp began the study of engineering, which he preferred to remaining in the counting room. At twenty-one years of age he began to do business on his own account, and for more than twenty-five years has devoted himself assiduously to his manufacturing interests. As a salesman and commercial traveler he has visited every city of note in the United States and Europe, introducing and selling his goods in the line of sanitary and plumbers' specialties, and machinists' supplies. In 1883, in addition to his other enter- prises, he assumed the general management of The Metallic Burial Case Company, and the Winfield Foundry Works at Winfield and Newtown, Long Island. These he successfully managed until 1889, when ill-health compelled him to resign from the company.
In politics Mr. Knapp is a Republican. In 1891 he was a candidate for Senator against Edward Floyd Jones. In 1894 he became candidate for City Treasurer of Long Island City and was elected for a term of three years. As City Treasurer he has attracted great attention by his stubborn and successful fight against a ring in the control of city affairs. He is a member of Commonwealth Lodge F. and A. M., and Sunswick Council Royal Arcanum. Mr. Knapp's family consists of his wife and two children, the latter being Louise, wife of Walter C. Foster, Attorney-at- Law, and Harry W.
SYLVESTER GRAY was born near Monticello, Sullivan County, N. Y., April 29, 1828. He was the fourth child born to his parents, Samuel and Lydia (1lill) Gray, natives of Connectient and New York, respectively. The subject of this sketch lived on the old homestead until a young man of twenty-one years. In the meantime he gained a splendid . practical education, and for three years, from the age of seventeen to twenty, taught school at Grahamsville, and Barryville. About this time he was employed by John T. Roebling, the builder of the Brooklyn Bridge, to work on the lock on the Delaware and Hudson Canal, and also assisted in building the lock at the mouth of the Lackawanna. This work consumed about one year, and in 1850 Mr. Gray went to New York City, where for another year he was engaged in house carpentering, of which trade he had a fair knowledge. About this time he obtained a position with John M. Smith, at that HENRY A. CASSEBEER. time the only manufacturer of refrigerators in New York, with whom he remained one year, during which time he gained a fair knowledge of the business. then accepted a position with L. II. Mace & Co., who had just established a similar factory, with whom he remained for twelve years as their superintendent. On resigning his position Mr. Gray was occupied as a shipbuilder during two years of the war, and in 1862 located in what is now Long Island City. Here he engaged in business for himself, establishing a factory in Fourth street, where he began the manufacture of refrigerators. He continued in business until July 21, 1893, when his factory was entirely destroyed by fire.
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