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 24
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inember of the Philomathean Society and of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was graduated in the class of 1878 with the degree of A. B., and subsequently received that of LL. B. from the Columbia College Law School in 1880.
Upon the retirement of his father, in 1884, Mr. Anable succeeded him as attorney for Union College, and manager of its real estate at Long Island City, but after three years resumed the general practice of law in New York City.
His surroundings from childhood naturally led him into real estate law, into projects for the purchase and improvement of land, and into acquisition of familiarity with municipal improvement, the law of assessment and taxation. He has served as counsel for Union College, Roswell P. Flower and other large landowners, in actions brought to test the validity of the tax laws of the city, and originated and secured legislation under which a comprehensive plan of street improvements was carried
out on Jackson avenue and Vernon avenue, Mr. Anable being of counsel to the commission carrying on the work.
Mr. Anable was formerly an active Republican, serving for years as a member of the Queens County Central Committee and of the General Committee of Long Island City. Mr. Anable married, in 1891, a daughter of the late Wm. G. Schenek, of New York, and has since taken up his residence in New York. In 1893 he left the legal profession and became inter- ested in the hotel business as proprietor of the West- minster Hotel, New York, of which property he subsequently became the owner.
. He is one of the executive committee of five of the New York City Hotel Association-the organ- ization through which the associated hotels of the Metropolis act upon all matters relating to their business. A member of the New York Board of Trade and Transportation. A Trustee of the Hahnemann Hospital of New York and a member of the University Club and New York Athletic Club and the Association of the Bar of New York City. And still largely interested as owner in Long Island City real estate.
. EDWARD J. KNAUER was born in New York City, December 7, 1855. His parents, Oscar and Catherine (Yost) Knauer, both natives of Germany, MATTHEW J, GOLDNER, the former born in Saxony, and the latter in Frankfort-on-the-Main. In 1837 they came to America and located in New York City. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of New York City, graduating from Grammar School No. 18, and in 1871 he entered the office of the late President Arthur as an errand boy, remaining with him and his successors until the present time. In 1882 he became and is now a member of the firm. He studied law with Mr. Arthur, and in May, 1877, was admitted to the bar in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Since the death of Mr. Arthur the firm name has been changed to Knevals & Perry. In August, 1876, Mr. Knaner became a resident of Long Island City, and resides in a pleasant home at the corner of Woolsey and Franklin streets. His wife was Miss Matilda Leonhard, a native of New York City, and a daughter of Frederick W. Leonhard, a merchant of that city. They have three children, Adelaide, Ransom and Florence.
Mr. Knauer is a Republican. He has served two terms as a member of the Board of Alder- men of Long Island City, representing the Fifth Ward, and was President of the Board one term. Mr. Knaner was active in the removal of Patriek J. Gleason, in his fight for the office of Mayor of Long Island City, several years ago. He is also active in educational matters, and, in fact, takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the advancement and welfare of the city. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of Advance Lodge, No. 635, F. and A. M., and one of its past masters.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
He is a member of Mecca Temple, of New York, and Jolin Allen Lodge, A. O. U. W. He is also a life member of Astoria Athletic Club, of which for several years he was President, a member of the Queens County Bar Association, besides other numerous societies in Long Island City.
CHARLES BENNER, a prominent lawyer and citizen of Long Island City, was born in Astoria, July 31, 1855. His education was obtained in Anthon's and Hull's schools of New York City, Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and at Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1876. After finishing his collegiate course he began the study of law, and has practiced his profession ever since his admission to the bar. He has resided in what is now Long Island City all his life. Mr. Benner is a member of the University Club of New York City, and St. George's Episcopal Church of Long Island City. Politically he is a Republican, and is a member of, and counsel for, the citizens' com- mittee of seven, which broke up the Debevoise ring. On October 28, 1885, Mr. Benner married Miss Gertrude Whittemore, to whom five children have been born.
CHARLES T. DUFFY; a prominent lawyer and Justice of the Peace of Long Island City, was born in New York City, March 4, 1859. He was the only child of Michael and Maria (Keon) Duffy, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the former having been deceased since 1892, while the latter still survives and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. Judge Duffy received his education in the public schools of New York, and was for two years a student of the College of the City of New York. When eighteen years of age he left school to engage in business in New York, securing a position in the dry goods house of Lord & Taylor, with whom he remained in different capacities until twenty-one years old. He then entered the law department of the University of New York, gradu- ating with the degree of LL. B. After that he was chief clerk in the law office of Maclay & Forrest. In 1886 he engaged in business for himself, and in connection with his law practice actively engaged in the shoe and leather business at No. 271 Broadway, New York. In 1885 Mr. Duffy located in Long Island City, and has made that city his home ever since. He was married to Miss Ella Keon, to whom two children have been born, Arthur and Ferdinand. In January, 1893, Mr. Duffy was appointed attorney to the Board of Health, and held that position until elected Judge in the fall of that year, he having received a majority of sixteen hundred votes. He is an active Democrat, and has been President of the Jefferson Club of Long Island City for the past two years. He was also President of the Ravenswood Boat Club for three years.
HENRY C. KOREMANN. WILLIAM E. STEWART, one of the most widely-known members of the legal fraternity of Long Island City, was born in New York City, November 9, 1852, where he was educated in Grammar School No. 3. After completing his education he began the study of law, a profession he has zeal- ously followed ever since his admission to the bar. For the past four years, Mr. Stewart has been a resident of Long Island City, where he is well and favorably known.
Mr. Stewart is a member of Advance Lodge, No. 635, F. and A. M., Manhattan Chapter, No. 252, Royal Arch Masons, Columbian Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U. S. A., Mecca Temple, Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, American Legion of Honor, Royal Arcanum, and the Order of Workmen. He is a Democrat, and was Corporation Counsel for Long Island City, from 1893 to 1896. He was special Counsel for the United States in the French and American Claims Commission during the year of 1882. On May 23, 1883, Mr. Stewart married Miss Harriet Godeffroy, to whom four children have been born, viz. : William E., Jr., Harriet, Dorothy and Alfred N.
IRA G. DARRIN was born in Addison, Steuben County, N. Y., August 5, 1858. He received his early education at Addison Academy, after which he entered the law department of Columbia College, graduating therefrom in the Spring of 1880. On December 13, 1879, he was admitted to the bar, being at that time twenty-one years of age. During the following four years he spent his time in the oil fields of Allegany County, N. Y. In 1886 he removed to Syracuse, and in 1887 to New York City, where he has ever since practiced his profession. For the past six years he has resided in Long Island
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City. He is a member of the Lincoln Club and the Ravenswood Boat Club. In politics he is a Re- publiean. On July 28, 1886, Mr. Darrin married Miss Mary S. Davies, of Durhamville, Oneida County, N. Y., to whom three sons have been born, two of whom are living.
In 1893, Mr. Darrin was chosen chairman of the Republican General Committee of Long Island City. Prior to his accepting that position, he was from May, 1892, to September, 1893, counsel to the Board of School Building Commissioners who had in charge the finishing of the uncompleted school buildings of Long Island City.
MATTHEW J. SMITH was born in Long Island City, August 24, 1867. His parents were Matthew and Mary (Sheridan) Smith, the subject of this sketch being the eldest of their four children. After attending a course in the grammar school of his native city, Mr. Smith entered St. Francis. College of Brooklyn, from which institution he was graduated in 1885, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Soon thereafter he began the study of law in the office of Judge Goldfogle, of New York City, with whom he remained for eighteen months. In 1886, or six months previous to leaving Judge Goldfogle's office, he entered the Columbia Law School and was graduated therefrom in 1888, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. After several years of practical work in offices of well-known law firms of New York City, Mr. Smith, in 1892, located for practice in Long Island City, opening an office in the Savings Bank building. His phenomenal success as a lawyer has brought him many valuable clients. He is coun- selor from Long Island City for a number of breweries and also represents the Merchants Protective Asso- ciation of New York, besides a number of wholesale houses in that city. Mr. Smith is attorney for the United States Building and Loan Association of Long Island City. He is a member of the Queens County Bar Association, the Jefferson Club and the Astoria Athletic Club. Politically, he is a Democrat.
JAMES T. OLWELL, attorney-at-law, was born in Hunter, N. Y., October 20, 1850. He received a careful education at St. Francis College, Brooklyn. After completing his education he began the study of law, and since his admission to the bar he has been actively engaged therein ever since. He is a member of the Queens County Bar Association, and filled the position of City Clerk under the admin- istration of Mayor Petry. He has been a resident of Long Island City since 1882.
THOMAS CHARLES KADIEN Was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., February 24, 1855, and is a son of Nicholas and Bedelia (Carliss) Kadien, both natives of Ireland. Mr. Kadien spent his early life in Parkville, N. Y., and in addition to a good practical education received in the public schools, he attended Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and afterwards St. John's College at Fordham. Following this he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar at Ithaca, N. Y., in 1881. For eighteen months he practiced his profession in Denver, Colorado, after which he returned and settled in New York City, where he practiced for two years. In 1887 Mr. Kadien located in Long Island City, where he has since been engaged in his chosen profession. He is at present Prosecuting Attorney and Assistant Counsel to the General Improvement Commission. He is a member of Ravenswood Boat Club and the Queens County Bar Association.
Mr. Kadien married Miss May Denen, February 12, 1889. Three children have been born to their marriage.
HARRY T. WEEKS was born in London, England, March 18, 1866; a son of Rev. William H. Weeks, pastor of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Ravenswood. Harry is the third of five children. When he was five years of age he was brought by his parents to the United States, and after one year spent in Philadelphia and two years in New Jersey, the family located in New York City. At this time the subject of this sketch was about eight years of age, and in the public schools of the latter city he received thorough educational training, and graduated from a well-conducted grammar school. After a completing his education he decided to study law, and entered the office of Owen & Gray, subsequently Owen, Gray & Sturges, at No. 71 Wall street, with whom he remained until he was admitted to the bar in Brooklyn, in September, 1880, after which he continued with them as managing clerk until the spring of 1891. He was then with the firm of Benner & Benner, at No. 62 Wall street, in the same capacity, meanwhile being engaged in independent praetice until April, 1895, when he opened an office at No. 95 Fulton avenne, Astoria, and has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession. In 1893 Mr. Weeks was appointed by Mayor Sanford as attorney to the Board of Excise. He is a member of the Jefferson Club of Long Island City, of Sagamore Lodge, No. 371, F. and A. M., Amity Chapter. No. 160, R. A. M., the Royal Arcanum and of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church.
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FREDERICK N. Surn was born in Portland, Maine, December 25, 1861. His father, M. C. Smith, was a native of East Hampton, Conn., while his mother, Mary E. (Cobb) Smith, was born near Port- land, Maine. Frederick N., our subject, was the youngest of four children born to his parents. His family located in Long Island City in 1872. Frederick attended the Fourth Ward school, after which he took a normal course and some years thereafter began the study of law in the office of Foster & Stevens of New York. He subsequently entered the law department of Columbia College, and in 1884 was awarded a diploma and admitted to the bar. Mr. Smith then entered the office of A. T. Payne, and remained with him as managing clerk for seven years. In December, 1892, Mr. Smith opened an office at No. 77 Jackson avenue, Long Island City, and has since that time successfully practiced his profession on his own account. For the past eight years he has been attorney for the Long Island City Building and Loan Asso- ciation, and for the past five years has filled the position of Secretary of the Queens County Bar Association.
On January 24, 1888, Mr. Smith married Miss Annie Patterson, at Amsterdam, N. Y. Two children have been born to their marriage: May C. and Oliver N. Mr. Smith is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Master of Records of Steinway Castle, No. 8, and is a member of Grand Castle, also past and district chief of Queens County.
JAMES DOWLING TRASK .- The Trask family, of English extraction, was among the pioneer settlers of Salem, Mass.
James Dowling Trask was born in 1821, at Beverly, Mass., of what would have been called " good New England stock " when those words stood, in a moral and physiological sense, for something very like race or racial distinction.
He was the oldest son of Oliver and Elizabeth Dowling Trask, and inherited intellectual tastes that manifested themselves at a very JOHN W. PETRY. early age. Entering Amherst in his fourteenth year, at nineteen he graduated and chose the profession of medicine, studying at first with Dr. II. J. Bowditch, of Boston, later being graduated with high honors from the Medical Department of the New York University in the class of 1844.
Dr. Martyn Paine, the President of the University, says of him, that " in the graduating class of the University for 1844, Dr. Trask occupied the highest rank," and Dr. Draper, at the time, bore witness " that he has passed the most brilliant examination in chemistry that has been known in the University."
In the same year he began the practice of medicine in Brooklyn, N. Y.
In 1845 Dr. Trask married Miss Jane Cruickshank O'Farrell, daughter of Thomas O'Farrell, K. C. B., and Mary O'Farrell, of Belfast, Ireland.
In 1847 he yielded to the urgent entreaties of friends and was induced to leave Brooklyn, to accept a practice at White Plains, N. Y. The heroism of the man, and his calm faith in following his sense
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of duty, are nobly shown in his record at this time. An epidemic of (typhus) ship-fever had broken ont in the White Plains distriet. One of the foremost physicians, Dr. Roe, had lost his life by the disorder. Dr. Trask was importuned by those who had known and loved Dr. Roe to come to their succor. Ile quiekly won the love and confidence of the community.
In the midst of a laborious country practice, he found time for critical and original research, and wrote valuable papers which brought him at once into the notice of the medical world.
The prize of the American Medical Association was voted to him in 1855, for his " Essay on the Statisties of Placenta Previa and Rupture of the Uterus."
Removing to New York City in the Spring of 1859, Dr. Trask, in the fall of that year, became a resident of Astoria, Long Island, which was his home thereafter.
The strong inducement that finally decided this determination seems to be found in his love of outdoors, and every living thing. The short experience of life in a city did not atone for the loss of the life among trees and flowers that he loved so dearly. The close proximity of New York and Brook- lyn kept him in touch with the leaders of his profession, who eagerly welcomed him back, and he accepted the chair of Obstetries and Diseases of Women and Children in the Long Island College Hospital, of which he was a founder. After four years of service in this capacity, his professional duties necessitated his retirement.
More than once the opportunity to change to the city practitioner was offered, notably, when he was urged to accept the chair of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children at the New York Uni- versity, his alma mater. His refusal was earnestly combated by the Faculty, and particularly by Dr. Gunning S. Bedford, the retiring professor.
He was a Founder and Fellow of the American Gynecological Society, and President of the Queens County Medical Society, also a member of the Queens County Visiting Committee. At the time of his death, he was deeply interested in the founding of a Home for children.
He was a member of the Citizens' Committee of Long Island City from its start.
A notice of this part of his life says: " By his coolness and courage, and by the wisdom of his counsel at every turn in the many perplexities and discouraging situations in which the members of the committee found themselves, during the long and memorable contest with the 'Ring,' Dr. Trask did valiant and invaluable service, that a grateful publie will not soon forget."
Dr. Trask's life as revealed in letters, from boyhood onward, showed absolute unity of purpose. This was the keynote of his character. Uncompromising toward evil or wrong, he was always charit- able and kindly in his judgments. " Always give him the benefit of the doubt " when the short comings of a delinquent were under discussion.
At the time of his death he was Senior Warden of St. George's Protestant Episcopal Church at Astoria.
His love of home, which was always strong in him, was intensified in the wise and loving father, and companion of his children.
At Amherst College he was happy in the friendship of Dr. Edward Hitchcock, by whom his inborn love for nature was stimulated and developed. He then began that research into the natural sciences, that through his whole life afforded relaxation to the tired brain.
For a number of years his health, at no time robust, had been failing, and a rest became a neces- sity ; he, however, accomplished some of the best work of his life during these years.
He died after a brief illness September 2, 1883.
His widow, two sons and a daughter survived him.
No one ever exemplified more fully than Dr. Trask the words of a wise and holy man-"it is impossible to estimate the large minded wisdom, the common sense, and the peculiar priestly kindness of an intelligent physician."
Rarely does one see or hear of a man so beloved by all sorts and conditions of men, and the secret was the reality of his own nature; he was what he seemed to be. The rule of his life was love to God and man. His influence for good no one can tell, and many a soul to whom he gave the ministrations of his profession, blesses him for the strength and consolation meted to his needs.
The New York Medical Record says: "It is seldom that the death of a physician is looked upon as a public affliction by the community in which he has labored. So it was, however, in the case of the late lamented Dr. Trask. The rich and poor erowded the church to pay their last tribute of respect to one who had served them so faithfully in life. There was an intensity of grief that is very
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND (II).
rarely witnessed. The several departments of the city government, the citizens' committee of fatty, the Law and Order Society, and various other bodies were represented. Distinguished members of the medical profession from New York City and other parts of the State were present. As an author, practitioner, citizen and Christian he did his work effectively, quietly, conscientiously and for the ' work's sake'."
MENZO W. HERRIMAN, M. D., visiting physician to St. John's Hospital, ex-police surgeon of Long Island City, and a general practitioner with office at No. 330 Steinway avenue, and one of the most influential and prominent physicians and surgeons of Queens County, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., in 1857, being the son of Richard and Alvirah (Hartson) Herriman, natives respectively of New Jersey and Schuyler Lake, N. Y. The subject of this sketch is the eklest child of his parents, and the only one who adopted a profession. He attended school for a number of years, and was graduated in 1877, from the Syracuse High School. The year after his graduation he entered the medical department of the University of Syracuse, and remained there until 1881, when he was given the degree of M.D. He began the practice of his profession in his native eity, and after about eight months received an offer from a relative, Dr. J. A. Lidell, to come to New York, which he did. In 1885 he was appointed surgeon for the United States and Brazil Steamship Com- pany, which position he held for four years, meantime making nine or ten trips each year between New York and Rio Janeiro. Resigning in 1889, he again began practice in New York City, but after six months, in September of that year, he removed to Long Island City and opened an office where he has since conducted a general practice. While he has been very successful in every line, his specialty is the treatment of diseases of children, in which his skill is universally recognized. While in Syracuse, he was physician in the dispensary connected with the university of that place. Since 1890 he has been connected with St. John's Hospital, and from 1892 to 1896 he held the position of police surgeon. In the Long Island City Medical Society he is a charter member, and is also a member of the Queens County Medical Society. Dr. Herriman's family consists of his wife and his son Rudolph. His wife, whose maiden name was Josephene Hirsch, was born in Austria, and who, while in girlhood eame to this country with her parents, settling in New York City. Doctor Herriman is a member of Island GEORGE H. PAYNTAR. City Lodge, No. 586, F. and A. M., Herriman Lodge, A. O. U. W., Order of Chosen Friends and Knights and Ladies of Honor, Enterprise Lodge, K. P., No. 228, Knights and Ladies of the Golden Star, O. F. S. and others, for all of which he is medical examiner. He is identified with the Church of the Redeemer.
BENJAMIN GRINNELL STRONG, M.D., Coroner of Queens County, is a physician of prominent standing. He was born in Reading, Hillsdale County, Michigan, September 19, 1860, and has resided in Long Island City for the past seven years, having removed from his native state in 1889. Dr. Strong is a descendant from Puritan stock and is a member of the seventh generation from John Strong, the first of the family in America. His father, Dr. Asahiel B. Strong, was born at Hunts- burg, Ohio, and was a physician of great prominence in the section in which he resided. Dr. Strong's mother, whose maiden name was Cornelia Grinnell, was a native of Evans Hills, N. Y., whose family was prominent in that section. When eighteen years of age, Dr. Strong graduated from the high school of his native town. He at once began his own support by elerking in a drug store in Reading, a position he held until 1880, at which time he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and was graduated therefrom three years later. He then entered into busi- ness with his father, and when the latter died he succeeded to his practice. In 1889, after his removal to Long Island City, wishing to gain more information relating to his profession, he took a course in the Post Graduate School of New York City, and in June of that year succeeded to the practice of Dr. Hiteheock, and has sinee continued at the old office, No. 434 Jackson avenue.
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