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 27

Author: Kelsey, J. S; Long Island Star Publishing Company
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [New York] Issued by the Long Island Star Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 420


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 27


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 | Part 26 | Part 27


Mr. Wood was united in marriage in New York City to Miss Alice MeNulty, and of this union six children were born, two of whom are dead. Mr. Wood was a member of Empire Hose Company for sixteen years. Mr. Wood has shown that he possesses considerable inventive genius, and has patented an invention for quickly and firmly crimping a cap on an oil can or other receptacle. It is a simple hand tool, does the work effectually, and saves a great deal of time and labor.


AUGUST MURRAY was born in New York City in 1839, where he was educated in the public schools. After leaving school he learned the trade of a monumental sculptor. He has erected some of the largest and most costly monuments in Calvary cemetery; prominent among them is a vault constructed for William Murray, ex-Superintendent of Police of New York; and for ex-Senator John Fox. He has also made a fifty- foot monument for John Lovejoy, JOHN WOOD, JR. besides many handsome tombstones for a number of other prominent people. Mr. Murray is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Demoerat. In 1866 he married Miss Ellen Conlen, of New York City. Six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living, have been born to the marriage. John, the youngest son of Mr. Murray, is engaged


in business with his father.


JOHN CHAPMAN was born in the parish of Cashill, County Longford, Ireland, where he received an education in the schools. After leaving school he learned the trade of a carpenter and builder, but of later years he has devoted his attention to the real estate and insurance business. He has resided in Long Island City for twenty-seven years, and is well and favorably known. He was for four years an Excise Commissioner, and for nine months of that period was chairman of the Board. He was also for one term Alderman-at-Large, and has been Overseer of the Poor. On May 10, 1886, he married Miss Ellen Nolan.


ب


201


HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.


ANDREW G. APPLEGATE Was born in Freehold, N. J., January 21, 1870, and came to Long Island City to reside in 1891. After locating in the above place he accepted a position as foreman of the Queens County Herald, where he remained until 1893. In the spring of that year he engaged in the bicycle business at 127 Jackson avenue. In 1895 his business had assumed such extensive proportions that he removed to his present commodious quarters, 139 Jackson avenue. He is associated in busi- ness with Mr. Charles J. Harvey.


On November 1, 1895, Mr. Applegate was appointed enumerator of school census of Long Island City by Mayor Sanford. In 1889 he married Miss Amy Sherman, of New York City. Mr. Applegate is a member of the Lincoln Club, the Ravenswood Boat Club, the Long Island City Wheelmen, the League of American Wheelmen and the Associated Cycling Club.


WILLIAM H. SIEBRECHT was born at Berka, province of Hanover, Germany, December 27, 1852, and is a son of Henry and Georgina Siebrecht. In 1870 he came to America, locating in New York City, where he remained for two years working at his trade (that of a florist) in the employ of his brother, Henry A. Later on Mr. Siebrecht engaged in business on his own account in a small way in Astoria. So successful was he that he now has one of the largest and finest pieces of property in Long Island City devoted to the culture of flowers and plants. Mr. Siebrecht married Miss Annie R. Heim of New York City. Four children have been born to her: Pauline, Henry, William and George In 1894 Mr. Siebrecht was appointed a member of the Fire and Water Committee by Mayor Sanford. He is president of the New York Cut Flower Exchange, of which he was one of the principal organizers and was its treasurer until appointed to his present position. He is also a member of the New York Florists' Club and a trustce of the Long Island City Savings Bank.


HARRY H. HUNT was born in Schooley, N. J., February 22, 1868. He received [his education in the schools of Hackettstown, N. J., and afterwards took a full professional course at the New York College of Dentistry. For the past seven years he has resided in Long Island City, where he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. Hunt has built up a large and growing business in Long Island City and vicinity. He is prominently identified with the Presbyterian Church.


CHARLES S. SCHWARZ, senior member of the firm of Schwarz & Son, was born in Germany, January 28, 1834, and was educated in his native place. In 1852 he came to America and located in New York City. In 1860 he located in what is now a part of Long Island City, where he began his present business with Thomas Taylor, the firm being Taylor & Schwarz. In 1889 he sold out and started in business alone. In 1890 he took his son Frederick into partnership under the firm name of Schwarz & Son. On September 17, 1860, Mr. Schwarz married Miss Helen Taylor, of Astoria, to whom seven children have been born, viz. : Nellie, Frederick, Anna, Charles, Ernst, Florence and Etta.


THOMAS H. SNEDEKER was born in Jamaica, L. I., September 20, 1835, his ancestry dating back to about 1646. He received an education in the common schools of his native place, after which he learned the trade of a saddle and harness maker. For the past forty years he has been a resident of Long Island City. He is a member of Anchor Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is District Deputy Grand Master for Queens District No. 1. He is also a member of East Avenue Baptist Church. In politics he is a Republican. On November 25, 1855, he married Miss Henrietta Consin, to whom ten children have been born, five of whom are now deceased.


CHARLES A. WILLEY was born in Cabot, Washington County, Vt., in 1859, being the third of six children born to Curtis A. and Caroline (Williamson) Willey. Our subject spent his boyhood days in Vermont, where he received a practical education. When fourteen years old he was apprenticed as a coach painter, in which capacity he worked four years. In 1877 he went to Merrimac, Mass., where he worked as a master coach painter for three years. In 1880 he located in New York, where he was a traveling salesman for a large color manufacturing firm. After filling similar positions in various parts of the country for several years, in November, 1890, he started in business for himself in Long Island City. His present establishment, at No. 91 West avenne, is one of the most important industries of the city. In Fitchburg, Mass., Mr. Willey married Miss Julia A. Perkins. Socially Mr. Willey is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Merrimac Blue Lodge and of Boston Commandery.


202


HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.


O. DEMAREST & Co .- One of the largest and most influential business concerns in Long Island City is that of O. Demarest & Company, who occupy the large three-story building at the corner of Jackson avenue and Fifth street, and familiarly known as the New York Department Store. The establishing of this store has filled a long-felt want to the residents of Long Island City. The firm carry a general stock of goods that would be found in any of the largest department stores of New York City. Their prices are just as low, and shoppers are spared the time and trouble that would be ineurred in a disagreeable trip by ferry to New York. Among some of the more important lines that will be found in this mammoth emporium, the shopper will find a large stock of dry and fancy goods, notions, earpets, rugs, shoes, housefurnishings, etc., etc. Mr. O. Demarest has had an extensive experience in the general dry goods trade, and is an energetie and indefatigable worker. The name of this firm in connection with any goods they carry is a satisfactory guarantee of quality.


LUDWIG Senior, proprietor of the Greater New York Hotel, at Nos. 29 and 31 Borden avenue, Long Island City, was born in Germany, July 9, 1862, where he was educated. He has been a resi- dent of Long Island City for the past three years. Mr. Schmidt is a prominent member of a number of secret and benevolent orders. In February, 1894, he married Miss Dora Meier. Mr. Schmidt has been unusually successful in conducting the Greater New York Hotel. It is the most conspicuous hostelry in Long Island City, in faet the only first-class hotel, and the tables are supplied with all the delicacies the markets afford. Its location is superb, being almost opposite the station of the Long Island Railroad Company and the ferries.


INDEX.


A


PAGE.


Anable, H. S ........ 27, 28, 72, 155


Eliphalet N. . . 28. 103, 182 and Dutch. ... 9-11 Homestead, Astoria, Co .. . . 56


Andrews, W. II ..


131


. .


Applegate, Andrew .J 201 1) 02-95


Associations, Firemen's ... 136 C'orbin. Austin .. .. . . 77, 78, 82


Astoria, First Settlement of. 9


= Incorporation of .... 221


= Origin of Name .. ...


Homestead Co .... 56-58


B


Bar Association, Queens Co . 106


Bar of Long Island City . . 101-106


Bank, School Savings ... 73


Long Island City Sav- ings. 123


Queens County. 124


24


Baylies, Henry Gustavus 109, 110


Beach, North .. 75 Ditmars, Dr. Don .. .110, 111


Belden, Rev. Charles 87


Abramı D. 101


Dominie's 1look.


.. 9-12


Duffy, Charles T' ..


.103, 184


Duleken, Ferdinand Q. 176


Duryea House ....


19


Dutch Kills.


12, 13, 59


Dykes, JJoseph


171


E


East River Gas Co 82


Education Early


70


.. Board of. 72


English, Congnest by


11


Evans, Rev. Geo. MI 97


F


Farms, Early, in Blissville .. 19


l''erry, Horne's Hook 23


Co .. N. Y. and East River .. 78. 79


Finances.


Fire Department.


Firemen's Associations. 136


Forbes, George. 189 7


Forssell, John W


173


103


l'o-ter. Walter J Walter C 103


Edgar P 103


20


Frew. Walter E. 124, 167


Frey. W. G ..


113


Froeligh. Dominie. 18


G


G. A. R. 116


Garretson, Garret .J 177


Gas C'o., East River 82


German Second Re. formed .... 88 Geology .. . 92 Gleason, Patrick J .. 65


Goldner Matthew .J 194


Government, City 139-143


firay, Sylvester .. 165


Gregg, George A 103


Gulick, Rev. N. D. 99


57


H


Ilallett, William 9,11


William, Jr., Mur-


der of ... 16


St. Patrick's. R. C .. 97 Hallett, Joseph .12, 70


Charles W. . 158


89 Hallett's Cove ... .9, 12, 20, 71 llalsey, Stephen A .. . . . . 23, 71, 152


87 Harmensen, Hendrick 9


Harronn, Gilbert K. .28,29


Ilayden, Capt. Levy. Ileath, August . 198


Ilell Gate, Removal of Reefs = 83-84


I:25 lliscock, David 159


H


PAGE.


Hitchcock, Dewitt


.


111


Debevoise


19


Old Washington


15, 19


Block


21


Hospitals, St. John's


Astoria


85,56


Ilunt, Harry Il 201


1Iunter, George and Anne .. 20 Hunter's Point .. . . . 9, 12, 24, 27, 20


1


Incidents, Historical


. . 136-138


Indians, Rockaway


1-


Title of, Extin-


Ingram, James


172


J


Jansen, Tynan


K


Kadien, T. C.


103, 185


Knapp, Lucien


164


Knauer, E. J ..


. 103


Koehler, Theodore


153


Korfmann, Henry C


195


Kuebler, Frederick


50


Kuehn, Rev. Mr.


08


L


Lawrence, Jonathan .


19


Thomas


11, 13


Lent, Family .. 14


Library, Free Circulating . .


Public .


Litigation Important ... .1 4-106


Lockwood, John E 152


Long Island City.


59


Incorporation


61


Rycken, Family


Luyster, Peter


Lyttle, H. G. . 111


M


Mac Farlane, R. F .. 113, 189


MacMillan, Rev. Jas. A .... 100 Schmidt, Ludwig .. 20:


Madden, Jolin P.


197


Schools, Ilist. Sketch


70-73


Manley, Lucius N 103, 150


John R. 103 .6


Manufactures .. .125-134


Mayoralty Elections. .64-66


McGuire, Rev. John. 96


McGrane, John J .. 192


McKenna, James A 163


Medical Profession 107 Slavery .. 114


Society, Queens Co. 113 Smedley, JJ. Harvey .123, 167


Mencken, lleury . 168 Smith, Frederick N 103, 186


..


Leonard C. L ..


198


Matthew J. .103, 185


John Andrew 159


Snedeker, Thomas HI. 201


Societies .. 134-136


Moore llouse ... 16 Stahl, Jacob. 104


Morris, Frederick P


197


Star, The L. I. City


125, 144


Murray, Angust


200


. Publishing Co.


159


N


New, Alfred 1 .. 174


James N 175


Newspapers 125


Newton, Gen. Jolm 81


New York, Capture of.


18


Stevens, A. Gallatin 24, 101


..


Alex 11


110


..


Ebenezer


20


.. John.


110


Sammel. 101


Fort. 20


Stewart, William E. 103, 184


25


Storms, Remarkable


Strang, Mrs. J. R. N


IG1


. Isaac B 162


Strong, Benj. G


1×8


.. George E 175 Stnebner. G. L.


P


PAGE.


Payntar, George H1. 196


Pearse, William E


103


House, Moore.


16


Petry, George ..


65


" John W 196


Physicians, City


113


Piano Factory, Steinway & Sons 33


Platt, Clarence N 190 Police Department .. GS Poor, Bowery 9,14


Population, Early 15


Post, Sheridan. 117 Ringold 118


Power House 70


Praa, Captain 12


Prentiss, Robert S 191


guished


10


Printing Ink Co., Wilson


133


Q


Queens Co. Medical Society 113 Qno Warranto Proceedings 104


R


Railroad, Long Island . 76


Railways, Street


73


Rapelye, Cornelius


154


Jacob. 18


Ravenswood


9,14, 15


Relies. .18, 19


Revolution, Queens Co . in. . 17-20 Revision of Charter 64,65


Riker, Abram 19


.. John B 109


..


John L


101


Jolin HI .. 101


Samuel


101


Ryan, George J


199


14


S


Sanford, Iloratio S ..


Samuel T. W


111


Season, A Memorable. 20)


Settlements Early Shaw, Alexander


8, 9


Chapman, John 200


Charter, Village of Astoria .. 21


Church. Astoria Presbyterian 00


Kast Ave. Baptist ... 96


97


First German M. E .


Grace M. E ..


91


of the Redeemer


of Our Lady of Mit. ('armel ..


Reformed, Steinway 00


Reformed, Sunny-


side ...


St. George's, Epis .... St.John's, Prot. Epis. St. Joseph's, German Catholic ...


96


66


St. Mary's. R. ( ...


St. Thomas, Prot. Epis


The Reformed, of


Astoria.


Third M. E


.. Trinity M. E 100


City Government 139


Clay, George E College, I'nion ..


Commission, Survey 73


D


Daimler Motor Co .. .54-56


Darvin, Ira G ... . 103, 184


Debevoise, Henry S. . 65. 104, 105


Demarest & Co., O. 202


Department, Fire ..


Finance


66


Police 68


Discoverers, Early .. .. 7,8


Benner, Charles. 184 .. Robert .. 101


Bennett, William


12


.. Jacob. 26


Bennett's Point.


12 14


Berrien, Cornelius Island. 14


Blackwell, Jacob .... 12, 15, 19, 71


.. Richard 15


= Frank E 103


Bleckwenn. F. W


. 65,


156


Block House .... 21


Bogardus, Everard


9


Bowley, Frederick 195


Brennan, Francis E


190


British at Ilallett's Cove. 20 Bridge, The Ravenswood. .. 79-82 Brutnall, Richard . 9, 11


Browne, Edward. 101


Burglary, The Masked 20


Bumster, P. Il .. 192


Burns, John Francis 189


Burke, Thos. P 104 Burnett. W. J .. .113, 123, 1:0


C


Cassebeer, Henry A. 164


Cassidy. Joseph. 171


Cemeteries, National 116


Chapel, St. Matthews. 95


First Reformed.


Mespat Kills .


Messenger, John .:. 173


Meyer, Cord. 178


Michon. Godfrey I. 190


Mitchell, Rev. James 11 182


Stibbins, Julins M .. 191 Steinfuhrer, Rev. C. D. F. 88, 169 Steinway, Village of .30-33 33


.. Henry E ..


43


..


C. F. Theodore .. . William


47


Noble, Daniel Solomon B. 102


Nott, Dr Eliphalet. .25-27


N. Y. & L. I. Bridge Co.


0


Olwell, James T 103, 185


Out Plantations .9,10


Park, Charles. 90


Payne, Alvan T.


.102, 179


Jr. 104


..


Stimson, S. E ..


16


173


Herriman, Menzo W. 1×8 Company, Standard Oil. ..


C PAGE.


Controversy between English


Cooper, D. D., Rev. Edmund


Court House, Queens Co. 105, 106 Covert, Charles G .. 179


Cunningham, Rev. Edward ..


Curtis, Rev. E.


97


Customs. Early .. 15


..


95


Fort Stevens ..


Formation of Land


Fourth Ward. Savings Banks. 73


Schwarz, Charles S 201


Siebrecht, W. H 201


103, 18I


183


50


S


PAGE.


Survey Commission 73


Sutphin, Jomm H. 195


Suydam, Family . 41


T


Terra Cotta, Architectural .. 126


Terry, J. Rufus .. 160 Block House 23


Thiry, John H.


.73, 165


Thomas, H. M.


168


Todd, Thomas H. 125, 144


Trafford, C. R ..


.24, 92, 154


Trask, James D .. 111, 186


" "James D., Jr. 111


Trowbridge, Frederick C .... 173 Trust, Nott and Hunter's Point ... 26


Tunnel, East River.


82


U


Union College. ... .24-26


V


Van Alst, Family and Man- sion ...


13


Van Alst, Peter G .. 154


Van Pelt, Rev. Daniel. 88


Van Riper, Firm of I. and J. 175 Varnish Works .. 126-131


Virgil Practice Clavier Co. .. 57


Von Bernuth, Louis ...


..


56


Von IInnerbein, Julius. . .... 199


W


Wadley, Charles A 103, 181 War of 1813 20


" The Civil. 114


Washington House. 15,19


Weeks, W. Il .. 89


Harry T. 104, 185


West, George .. 96


Whitcomb, James M.


160


16


Payntar


21


Bowley, Freder ck. 196


28 Brennan, F. E. 115


Bumster, P. H. 116


Burns, John Francis.


Cassebeer, Henry A.


165


Von Bernuth, Louis.


Von Ilunerbein, Julius 194


Wadley, Charles A. 104


Darrin, Ira G .. 110 Weeks, Harry T 110


Duffy, Charles T. 106 Whitcomb, James M. 162


Dulcken, F. Q .. 174 Wingrove, Benjamin 65


Dykes, Joseph ... 170 Wood, Jr., John. 200


Protestant Un. Church .. ... 45 Forbes, Dr. George. 112 Wriglit, William W. 172


PORTRAITS . PAGE.


Garretson, Garret J. 101


Goldner, Matthew J. 183


Gray, sylvester. 125


S Scene, Main Street, Astoria 8 Harroun, Gilbert K ., opp 26 14


North Beach 49 Halsey, Stephen A.


66 Shore Road. 23 Heath, August. Herriman, M. W


Steinway Ave., ..... 30, 52


Vernon and Jackson Aves ,. 61


66 River Front. 62 Ingram, James.


66 Third Ward ... 71 Knauer, E. J ..


66 German Settlement .. 72 Koehler, Theodore. 179


Lockwood, John E ... 25


Madden, John P. 154


Manley, Lucius N. 104 116 164 McGrane, John J ..


McKenna, James A.


Meyer, Cord. ...


177


Morgan, Thomas.


128


27


College, Union, South Col- lege Building, opp. . 27


6 Newsp'r Press Rooms 149 Court House, Queens Co 105 .6 Job Press Room .. 149 Daimler Motor Works 54


Dry Goods Est. of Demarest & Co .. 137


Elevator, Morgan's. 129


Ferries, L. I. R. R. 75 135


Gasometer, E. R. Gas Co.


Greater N. Y. Hotel. 61


Hospitals, Astoria 63


St. John's. 63


Henry Mencken's Business House.


136


Lowenstein .. 131 Varnish Works, Pratt &


Lambert .... 134


Washington House .. 12


PORTRAITS.


Mansion-Bragaw 20


Debevoise.


18


Anable, E. N ... 106


Henry S. Dec'd ... 59 Sutphin, John H.


Andrew's, W. H. 133 Terry, J Rufus


Bleckwenn, F. W 65


Thiry, John H.


Thomas H M ..


Trafford, C. R ..


Trask, James I)., dec'd.


Willey, Charles A ... 201


Williamson, George HI . 171


Wingrove, Benjamin, 157


Wood, Jr., John .. 200


Woodruff, John T. 172


Charles Curtis. 173


Woods, Anthony S. 69 Woolsey, cstate ... 13


Wright, William W 175


A View of Long Island City . Frontispiece PAGE. Banks, L. I. City Savings .... 123 Queens Conty 124


Bodine Castle .... 60


Bridge, Ravenswood. 78


Church, Astoria Reformed .. 87


Our Lady of Mt. Carmel .. 89 School, High. 71


Totten, Abram R .. 159 66 Presbyterian, Astoria 90


of the Redeemer ... 91


St. Mary's, R. C .... 95


66 East Ave. Baptist .. 97


St. Raphel's, R. C .. Trinity M. E .... ..


100


Star, Daily and Weekly .. 146


Present Building of .... 144


26


Editorial Office ... 145


.. Counting Room .. 147 Job Composing Room 147 Newspaper Composi-


tion Room 148 Noble, Daniel ... 107


Steinway Free Library 48 Payntar, George H.


T


Terra Cotta Works, N. Y. 130


Tunnel, E. R. Gas Co. 80


66 Cross Sec- tion ..... 81


V


Smith, Matthew J Smith, J. Andrew, dec'd. Stall, Jacob ..


110 158 181


88


Steinway, Henry E. 31


Steinway, C. F. Theodore .. 37


Steinway, William .. 41 109 197 Stewart, William E


Stuebner G. L.


Strang, Mrs. Mary J. R. N ... 70 111


Strong, Benj. G.


66


Gosman


06


Moore


13


White, Edwin 'T.


Whitney, Josiah M.


23, 74


66


Stevens.


22


Steinway


Van Pelt.


21


Woolsey 10 Cassidy, Joseph ... 168


P


Piano Factory, Steinway & Sons ...


34


PAGE. Railroad Station, L. 1


R. T. SMILEY & CO., PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.


192


114


Hiscox, David.


Houghton, Hadwin.


132


Knapp, Lucien.


108 153 108


Korfmann, Henry C 184


First Ward. 72


Fifth Ward. 73


Stein way 46


College, Union, North Col- lege Building, opp.


College, Union, Memorial Hall and Washburne Building, opp ..


Morris, Frederick P. 190


Payne, A. T. Noble, Solomon B. 103 Petry, Jolm W. Prentiss, Robert S. 102 188 186 119 199 127


Ryan, George J. Smedley, J. Harvey Smith, Frederick N. Smith, Leonard C. L.


109 198


Varnish Works, Mayer


M


Map of L. I. City 44


Duryea


17


19


Wild, Robert T. 102


173


Rapelye.


50


66


Cooper, Rev. E. D. 93-94


112 Van Alst, Peter G ..


69 160 127 128 27 24 64 56


Steinfuhrer, Rev. C. D. F


156


3779


ILLUSTRATIONS. R


7259 1





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.