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 26
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HON. JACOB STAHL was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 25, 1840. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Franz) Stahl. Our subject attended the school in his native place until he was fourteen years old, when he began working with his father, learning the mason's trade. He so continued until nearly his twentieth birthday, when, May 7, 1860, he sailed for America. After a short stay in New York City, he located in what is now Long Island City. Four years later he went to Williams- burg, where he established a milk route, running this business for one year on his own account. At the end of that time he sold out, and returned to Long Island City and engaged in farming. After following farming for four years he decided to go into the hotel business, and for five years conducted the Fifth Ward Hotel. In 1894 he disposed of his hotel interest, and engaged in his present business, that of mindertaking.
JULIUS VON HUNERBEIN.
In 1864 Mr. Stahl married Miss Margaretta Berbrich, of Astoria. Mr. Stahl was elected Alderman at large in 1876, and remained such until 1878. In 1895 he was elected Assemblyman on the Democratic ticket to serve two years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, the A. O. U. W., the Catholic Benevolent Legion, the Turners' Society, the Frohsinn Singing Society, Jefferson Club, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and the County Undertakers' and Livery Association.
MATTHEW J. GOLDNER, President of the Improvement Commission of Long Island City, was born in New York City, July 29, 1856. His father, Anthony Goldner, was a native of Germany, and came to America in 1852.
After attending the public schools for a time, our subject was sent to De La Salle Institute in New York City, where he completed his studies when sixteen years of age. He then entered his father's marble works, and when twenty-five he was taken in as a full partner, the firm becoming A. Goldner & Son. They continued to operate together until January, 1886, when the junior member disposed of his interest in the business, owing to the fact that he had been appointed Under Sheriff to John J. Mitchell. He served in that capacity for three years. In 1888 he received the nomination for Sheriff on the Democratic ticket. He was elected, and in January, the following year, he took the oath of office, his term expiring in 1892. On January 20, 1893, he was appointed City Clerk by Mayor Sanford. He continued to fill the latter position until July 20, 1895, when he resigned to accept the presidency of the Improvement Commission of Long Island City.
Mr. Goldner has erected several residences in the upper First Ward of Long Island City, and with his family resides at No. 153 Eleventh Street. He was married in New York City to Miss Georgietta Mahler. He has always been interested in politics, and is at present a member of the Democratic County Committee of Qucens County, and for the past fifteen years he has been a member of the Long
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Island City General Democratic Committee. He has been School Commissioner from the Second Ward, having served in 1883 and '84. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and St. Mary's Catholic Church.
HENRY C. KORFMANN, Supervisor from Long Island City, is of German descent, as his name indi- cates, but he is a native of this city, having been born in Astoria, November 13, 1860. He received his early education in the old village school that since the incorporation of the city has been known as the Fourth Ward School. There was no high school at that time in Astoria, and on leaving the public school he pursued his advanced studies in the parochial school connected with the German Second Reformed Church, which was under the care of the Rev. C. D. F. Steinfuhrer, who was then, as now, pastor of that church.
Leaving school at the age of fifteen, Mr. Korfmann started out to make his own living. He secured a position in Muchmore's drug store, where he remained five years. At the end of that time he gave up his position to accept a more lucrative one in the wholesale drug and chemical house of W. H. Schieffelin & Co., corner of Beekman and William streets, New York, the best known drug firm in the business. Mr. Korfmann's position was in the laboratory.
On account of ill health produced by handling chemicals, he had to resign his charge and accept a clerical position in the City Treasurer's office. Mr. F. W. Bleckwenn was City Treasurer at that time. In September following Mr. Korfmann was appointed Deputy City Treasurer, and held the office con- tinuonsly until the close of 1894, when Mr. Bleekwenn retired from the office. In the following month he was appointed chief bookkeeper and cashier in the Water Department, and held that position up to December 31, 1895.
Mr. Korfmann is a member of the Veteran Firemen's Association. In 1881 he joined Mohawk Hose Company, and continued as a member up to the time of the disbandment of the company to make way for the paid fire department in the year 1890. He was foreman of the company for two years. Among the other organizations of which he is a member are Island City Lodge, F. and A. M., Enterprise Lodge, K. of P., John Allen Lodge, A. O. U. W., Queens County A. C., Arion Singing Society and Order of American Firemen.
In politics Mr. Korfmann has always been a Democrat. For the past eight years he has been a member of the General Committee of his party, and for several years President of the Fourth Ward Democratic Association. He is also one of the charter members of the Jefferson Club. On receiving the nomination for the office of Supervisor, Mr. Korfmann made a vigorous canvass and was elected by a majority of 199 over Cornelius J. Jordan, the candidate of the Gleason faction, and a majority of 353 over Charles E. Burden, the Republican candidate.
Mr. Korfmann is married and has three children. He resides at 315 Broadway, Astoria.
Ile makes no pretense at being a public speaker, but is a young man with business ability, unblem- ished character, and one who can safely be trusted to look after the interests of Long Island City as a - member of the County Board.
JOHN H. SUTPHIN was born at Jamaica, Queens County, Long Island, in 1836, and received his education in the schools of that place. He has held many important positions, among them the office of County Clerk of Queens County, to which he was first elected in 1871. He is now serving his ninth consecutive term of three years each. Mr. Sutphin is an ardent Democrat and has been chair- man of the Democratic County Central Committee for many years. In business life he is President of the Bank of Jamaica, and Vice-President of the Jamaica Savings Bank; also a trustee of the Jamaica Normal School. In 1857 he married Miss Carrie M. Smith of Jamaica. Their union has been blessed with five children, all of whom are living.
FREDERICK BOWLEY was born in New York City, December 19, 1851, and is the son of Jacob F. and Rosanna (Drexzel) Bowley, the former of Stuttgart, Germany, and the latter of Austria. Of the four children born to his parents, Frederick is the eldest. He received a careful education in the grammar schools of his native city. When he was twelve years old, he was bound out to learn the butcher's trade and soon became familiar with every detail of the business. He then went West for one year and worked at his trade in several of the Western States, but subsequently returned to New York City, where he continued at his trade for a year, after which time he started in business for him- self, but owing to his giving too much credit, succumbed to the panic of 1873.
After his business reverses, Mr. Bowley again went to work on a small salary for the firm of
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Richard Webber of Harlem. After having saved the most of his earnings, in 1882 he branched out in business for himself again in One Hundred and Thirteenth street, New York, and carried on a retail meat market there until 1887. Then purchasing property in Long Island City, he started a branch store, conducting both until 1888, when he sold out his New York establishment. He now conducts and owns one of the largest packing establishments on Long Island, located at Nos. 202 and 204 Main street, Astoria, with branches at Jamaica avenue and Winans street, and at the corner of Freeman avenue and Radde street. Besides these, he has a branch at Flushing, where he also does a wholesale and retail business.
Mr. Bowley married Miss Anna Poies, who was born in New York City, but of Holland-Dutch ex- traction. They have no children living; but they adopted and reared the three children of Edward Bowley, a brother of the subject of this sketch, their mother having died two years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Bowley are both generous, and have done much in practical charity for the poor of Long Island City. In one instance they donated $1,000 to the poor and distributed tickets to clergymen of all denominations to give to all deserving people, so that they could procure bread and meat every other day, this good work to be carried on from April i to November 1.
Mr. Bowley was recently elected Alderman-at- large of the Second District on the Jefferson Demo- cratic ticket, and is also a member of the General Improvement Commission of Long Island City. He is, as a rule, independent in politics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and an honorary member of the Queens County Athletic Club.
JOHN W. PETRY was born in Paterson, N. J., January 9, 1860. His parents were John H. and Sarah (Tibby) Petry, both natives of that place. In FREDERICK BOWLEY. 1868, Mr. Petry came with his parents to Long Island City. Later on, he returned to Paterson, where he attended the public schools until he was fifteen years old. He then returned to Long Island City, where he began as a clerk in the employ of his uncle, George Petry. When that gentleman was elected Mayor of Long Island City, he became manager of the store. He continued in that position until 1894, when he embarked in business for himself under the firm name of John W. Petry & Co., which was dissolved March 1, 1896, when Mr. Petry purchased the interest of his partner.
Mr. Petry was married in 1885, to Miss Jennie Appleton, of Long Island City. Four children have been the fruit of their marriage: John A., Raymond, Curtis W., and Joseph K. Politically, Mr. Petry is a Democrat, and is a member of the Jefferson Club .. For two years, he was clerk of the Excise Board under the administration of Mayor George Petry. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.
GEORGE H. PAYNTAR is a descendant of a family which has long been identified with the history of Long Island City, and is the son of William, Jr., and Mary H. (Van Alst) Payntar. He was born at the old homestead in that place July 17, 1834. At the age of fifteen he secured employment as a clerk in the wholesale dry goods house of Greenway Bros. & Co., of New York. Shortly before the outbreak of the Rebellion he went to Abington, Va., as manager of the general store of John C. Greenway, but the Civil War coming on, he returned to Long Island. Since 1867 he has been engaged in the real estate business, his first venture in which was the laying out in town lots of the old home farm. Since then he has platted several additions in Jackson avenue and other streets, and has built up a large business in this line.
Mr. Payntar married Miss Irene U. Merkle, of New York City, a descendant of the Merkles,
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originally from Waldorf, Germany. Four children have been the fruits of their marriage, viz: Irene M., G. Augusta, Eliza D). and W. Elmer.
Politieally, Mr. Payntar is a Democrat, and among the positions he has held are those of Commis- sioner of Highways of Newtown, Assessor of Long Island City, Commissioner of Estimate of Assess- ments for Thompson avenue, and Commissioner on the division of the Margaret Gosman and the Manley estates. He is a member of Long Island City Lodge, No. 586, F. and A. M., and Banner Chapter 214, R. A. M. ; Columbian Commandery, No. I, K. T. ; Mecca Temple, No. 1, New York City, A. A. O. N. M. S. ; and in religious belief is identified with the Reformed Church, to which his wife also belongs. Until 1856 he was for some years a member of the Flushing fire department. May 4, 1858, he was appointed fireman of Brooklyn, E. D., and was a member of Friendship llose Company, No. 3, and received a certificate as exempt fireman in February, 1864, and is now a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association of Brooklyn, E. D.
FREDERICK P. MORRIS .- If it is any credit to be called a self-made man, the subject of this sketch is entitled to that honor. Born in Manchester, England, in 1852, he came to America at the age of sixteen and started as a newsboy on the Long Island Railroad trains. In 1869, after being at work on the trains for seven years, he was promoted to the position of Superintendent for the Union News Company, which place he filled with entire satisfaction until 1881, at which time the late Austin Corbin obtained control of the Long Island Railroad. He gave Mr. Morris the contract for news privileges over the entire system, which he has remained in control of since that time. Mr. Morris is now President of the Long Island News Company, and is justly proud of the company he organized and the position he holds.
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Very few now connected with the Long Island Railroad were there when he first identified himself on Long Island. His success has never changed him. He is never happier than when he is in the company of the boys, as he called the employees of the News Company.
Mr. Morris resides at Flushing, to which place he removed in 1876. He owns a comfortable home, where he resides with his interesting family. In 1891 he was elected a Trustee of the village, and re-elected in 1893. In 1894 was elected President of the village, a position of honor which any man may well feel proud of.
GEORGE I .. STUEBNER,
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Mr. Morris is a very prominent Mason. Initiated in Cornucopia Lodge, No. 563, in 1878, he has filled with dignity every office in the gift of his brethern. He was elected Master in 1884-85-86, and was appointed District Deputy Grand Master in 1885, and served for three years under Grand Master Frank R. Lawrence, during which time the sum of $9000 was raised in Queens and Suffolk Counties, through the earnest work of our subject, to be used towards liquidating the debt which then existed upon the building at Sixth avenue and Twenty-third street, New York. Ile has now served the Grand Lodge in different stations for over ten years, which is more than can be said of any other member con- nected with the fraternity in Queens and Suffolk Counties. At the present time he is Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Home at Utica, N. Y., and the HIall in New York. Last year he was treasurer in charge of a fund amounting to over $250,000. In politics Mr. Morris is a Republican. Hle was an elector for his district in 1892.
JonN P. MADDEN resides at 27 Ely avenue. He has lived in Long Island City fourteen years- since he was eighteen years of age. During the fourteen years he has been a resident of the above city he has been known as one of the leading politicians and occupies a prominent place in the councils of the Democratie party.
He was born inthe town of Scio, Alleghany County, N. Y., on the 22d of February, 18 -. After attending the public schools for several years he entered Riverside Academy, Millsville, N. Y where
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his education was completed. In 1882 he came to Long Island City. He held several responsible clerical positions and later became a journalist. From the time of casting his first vote Mr. Madden took an active interest in politics. For two years he was private secretary to Senator Floyd Jones and clerk to the State Senate Committee on the Affairs of Cities. While holding this position he rendered valuable service to Long Island City by defeating legislation inimical to the taxpayers, through his influence. In 1893 he was the nominee of the Democratic party for the First District of Queens County and was defeated by a few votes. Mayor Sanford appointed him to the responsible position of cashier in the Water Department and he held the position until about January 1, 1895. In the fall of 1894 he was a second time the candidate of his party for Member of Assembly and was triumphantly elected over two opponents. His term in the Assembly was made notable by the passage of a bill reducing the price of gas consumed by the residents of Long Island City. For this and other conspicu- ous service, Mr. Madden was welcomed home by his constituents at the adjournment of the Legislature by a popular non partisan demonstration-a compliment that had never before been extended a repre- sentative of this district in the Assembly. At the call of his party in the fall of 1895, Mr. Madden became the candidate for Mayor. He conducted a vigorous canvass against heavy odds and came within 31 votes of being elected Mayor of Long Island City.
In the early part of 1886 Mr. Madden returned to his occupation-journalism, and is now publisher of Electrical Doings, a monthly paper devoted to electricity. He is still an active political worker and is chairman of the Democratie General Com- mittee. He is a member of the Jefferson Club, Catholic Club, Ravenswood Boat Chib and Order of Foresters.
LEONARD C. L. SMITH, B. S., C. E., was born in New York City, May 15, 1868. He is the eighth living child born to his parents, Joseph L. T. and Elizabeth (Bilbrough) Smith, the former being a civil engineer of wide reputation. The subject of our sketch received his early education in the public schools of Long Island City, but when twelve years of age he began the study of civil engineering under his father. When sixteen years of age he entered the University of the City of New York, and in 1888 he was graduated therefrom with the degrees of Civil Engineer and Bachelor of Science. In a class of twenty-two he received second honors as salutatorian and was elected an honorary member of Phi Beta Kappa Society. In 1889 Mr. Smith took one year's post-graduate course and practiced with his father until the close of 1891. In 1892 he located LEONARD C. L. SMITH (C. F.) in Long Island City, which has since been his home. In March, 1893, he was appointed Engineer of the Water Department, and held that posi- tion up to January, 1896. He is also engaged in the general practice of civil engineering, and now does all the work for the North Beach Company, as well as for many other firms. His office is at No. 77 Jackson avenue.
Mr. Smith married Miss Mary H. Remsen, of Glenhead, L. I. One child has been born to this union, Leonard C. L., Jr. Mr. Smith is a member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity, the Alumni of New York University, and Phi Beta Kappa Society. He is a deacon in the Remsen Street Reformed Church, Astoria, and is Superintendent of the Sunday School, President of Boys' Brigade and Christian Endeavor Society.
Mr. Smith stood highest in the scientific department of his class all through his college course. He wasa member of the Lacrosse team in 1888 and contended in matches with other leading college teams. He resides at No. 59 Woolsey street, Astoria, in a new house planned by himself. Ile is an amateur elocutionist of considerable local reputation, his preference being in roles of humorous dialects. He was a post-graduate in geology.
AvGust HEATH, who has been a resident of Long Island City for the past twenty-seven years, was born in New York City, December 10, 1842, where he received an education in the public schools. His name in Long Island City is a household word, he being the manufacturer of the well-known Heath ice cream and a wholesale manufacturer of fine confectionery.
Mr. Heath is a member of Benjamin Ringold Post, G. A. R., and the Fifth New York Duryee Zouaves, Veteran Association. On December 16, 1870, he married Miss Mathilda Johnson (now
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deceased), to whom one son was born, Eugene, who is now associated with his father in business. On September 8, 1887, he married Miss Mina Fonstad. By the latter marriage, two daughters have been born.
JULIUS VON HUNERBEIN Was born in Julich, Rhenish Prussia, Germany, December 20, 1845. He was educated at the Imperial Military College in Berlin, and served in the German Army as an officer. After coming to America, he adopted the profession of a Civil Engineer and Surveyor. In 1872, Mr. Von Hunerbein came to America, and has resided in Long Island City ever since, where he has actively been engaged in his profession. He is a member of the Liederkranz of New York City, and the Ger- man Krieger Bund. In politics he is a Jeffersonian Democrat. For some time he has held the position of engineer and surveyor to the Water Works Department, and to the General Improvement Commission of Long Island City.
In October, 1871, Mr. Von Hunerbein married Miss Louise Nollet of the city of Hanover, Ger- many. Four children, viz. : Helen, Elsie, Arthur and Melanie, have been born to the union.
GUSTAVUS L. STUEBNER Was born in Reading, Pa., July 15, 1854. He received his education in the public schools of that city. For the past seventeen years, Mr. Stuebner has been a resident of Long Island City, and has been engaged in the manufacturing of coal handling appliances. Ile has an extensive plant, occupying the premises Nos. 168 to 176 (inclusive) East Third street, where he employs a large force of men.
Mr. Stuebner was married in 1876. He has five daughters and three sons. His favorite son, Augustus, who was associated in business with him, died in February, 1896, in the nineteenth year of his age. Mr. Stuebner is a member of the Lincoln Club. He is also a member of the Baptist Church.
GEORGE J. RYAN, an energetic and successful real estate and insurance broker of Long Island City, is one of the most popular and respected of its younger business men. He is one of a family long and favorably known in the above city for the uniform integrity and probity of its members. His father, the late George Ryan, for many years owned and managed the largest marble works in Long Island City, and his son has inherited many of his father's business characteristics.
GEORGE J. RYAN.
Mr. Ryan being born and having grown to manhood in Long Island City, he received his education in the local schools and subsequently acquired his business training in the real estate and insurance district of New York City, afterward embarking in business for himself, at No. 44 Jackson avenue, where he has succeeded in building up a constantly increasing and Inerative business. His temperament and characteristics are such that they have naturally led to his selection for the management of estates, and the placing of money in such properties as would best satisfy prudent and cautious investors, and in these connections he has had especial success. His life-long residence in Long Island City, his intimate familiarity with the surrounding districts, has given him quite a reputation as an appraiser of suburban property, and he has been very successful in the handling of it. In addition to these special features Mr. Ryan conducts a general real estate and insurance business, and his affability and conscientiousness in small matters have won him a host of friends and enstomers.
Mr. Ryan is as well known in social and intellectual eireles in the lower section of Long Island City, as in business, and this interest antedated his business virtues, and no entertainment for charitable or benevolent purposes is considered complete without him as one of the moving spirits. He is Sec- tetary of the Catholic Club, a member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, St. Mary's Lyceum, and many other societies. His home is in Twelfth street, where he resides with his sisters in a quiet neigh- borhood, and his business efforts may be said to have been greatly aided by the support and influence which a peaceful and Christian home brings coupled with a united and harmonious family.
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JOHN WOOD, JR., was born in Callicoon, Sullivan County, N. Y., October 16, 1853. He is the third child born to his parents, John and Mary (Porter) Wood, both natives of Ireland, and both of whom are living, aged seventy-three and seventy years respectively. Mr. Wood has resided in Long Island City ever since he was seven years old. The public schools of this place afforded him his educa- tional advantages. At the age of fourteen he became an apprentice in the tin manufacturing depart- ment of the Standard Oil Company, after which he was in the employ of George Petry until the latter's death, and rose to the position of manager of the business. In January, 1869, he opened an establishment of his own in Long Island City, at the corner of Seventh street and Jackson avenue. Six months later he took into partnership Mrs. George Petry, and up to May 7, 1895, the firm was known as A. A. Petry & Co. At that time Mr. Wood purchased his partner's interest, and since then he has been the sole proprietor of the business .
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