USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 99
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The Hicksville people had to go to Jericho for mail until 1855, when a post-office was established, and David Sammis appointed postmaster. He held the office till 1857, and E. H. de Languillette from 1857 to 1861. David Sammis was then appointed postmaster, but soon afterward his house with the post-office papers was de- stroyed by fire. In 1862 the office was under the charge of John H. Bonnihr, and it was kept at F. Herzog's store for two years. It was then transferred to the store of E. H. de Languillette, who was postmaster till 1869, since which year Ernest Liebke has held the office.
The hotel is a very extensive one, owned by F. Herzog and kept by Charles Gottert, under the name of the American House. Every convenience may here be found for man and beast.
Hicksville is 24 miles from the city of New York, 712 miles from Long Island Sound and 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean; it is 126 feet above sea level.
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Fredrick Herzog
FREDERICK HERZOG.
Frederick Herzog was born in the village of Wilhel- mine, Prussia, May Ist 1825. He was the son of a farmer. His education was obtained at such schools as were fur- nished to the common people at that time. At the age of 15 years he adopted the life of a sailor, shipping before the mast, in which station he remained nearly ten years.
In the year 1849 he shipped from Hamburgh for the new world, and arrived in New York after a long and tiresome passage of fourteen weeks. He was very poor, but in less than a year after his arrival in New York he was made the second officer on board a merchantman in the New Orleans trade, under Captain Ward. He is next found under Captain Singer on board of a mer- chantman engaged in the European trade. Here he learned the first elements in the science of navigation. The next year he studied it with Captain Thompson, of Cherry street, New York, who was principal of a school of navigation. Having attained proficiency in this di- rection he again essayed to take his place as a sailor. His increased knowledge of the science now commanded a better position, and he shipped in the year 1854 as first officer on board the "Lexington."
that here was a possible reward for all his searchings, and immediately made up his mind to settle down to busi- ness. He reasoned that, as the railroad ran through the center of the then scantily populated village, there must in course of time be sone commerce, and by persever- ance and energy the place could soon be made to take a brighter appearance. His capital was limited, but re- turning health inspired him with new zeal and courage, and with the assistance of his wife (whose business quali- ties are excellent) he was encouraged to rent the place where he is now located, which the former owner claimed that he could not make pay. Being located opposite the depot, he could observe the traffic of the railroad and see freight trains pass day after day without leaving a pound of freight, which was not encouraging. But, know- ing that the railroad had given Hicksville the best facil- ities for traffic of all places on the island, he determined not to let them go unused. Accordingly he, in addition to his grocery business, began shipping brewers' grains from New York, and dealing in all kinds of fertilizers, besides establishing a coal and wood yard. In this way he soon built up a trade, and in a few months purchased the property and commenced to make additions to it. The work of addition was continued until he now has a building, including his dwelling, with a front of 85 feet and a depth of 20. In addition to this, he has a store- house on the opposite side of the railroad track, besides grounds for his wood and coal yard. He also owns the large hotel at Hicksville and the barns connected.
During this year he took to himself a wife-Wilhel- mine Braas, a native of Eberfeld, Prussia. This led to his quitting the sea, and before the close of the year 1855 he was busily engaged in the retail grocery trade in New York city. His career as a grocer was prosperously con- tinued until 1863, when he sold his business in New York Mr. Herzog tells of his first aspirations for emigration to America as follows: When a boy on board of a Prussian ship, with sails all reefed on account of stormy weather, he saw a vessel heave in sight with full sail and moving very rapidly. The Prussian captain hailed by a sign, when the fast ship ran up the stars and stripes. The boy immediately conceived the idea that he should like on account of ill health and removed to Long Island. Previous to Mr. Herzog's settling on the island he traversed nearly the whole of it on a tour of inspection, going down on the south side and returning on the north side, but could find no satisfactory rest for the sole of his foot until, turning his steps toward the interior, he reached the village of Hicksville. He saw at a glance | to live in a country where they do business in that Way.
55 I
Jahre M5 Heity
JOHN F. HEITZ.
John F. Heitz, whose portrait appears in connection with this sketch, was born February 21st 1818, at Neuen- kirchen bey Melle, near Osnabrueck, Germany, and is the son of John Frederick Nicholas Heitz. His mother's name was Anna Maria Elsa Hanhardt. The father, who died when the son was but six years of age, desired him to become a minister. Accordingly he studied diligently for this object, acquiring more than a common educa- tion. Changing his purpose, he left his studies at the age of 16 or 17 and commenced an apprenticeship as a watchmaker. At this he served four years, and he after- ward traveled several years in different parts of Europe to perfect his knowledge of the trade. Returning home he commenced business for himself in the manufacture of watches and clocks. He continued at this business until 1847, when he with his widowed mother and her children decided to come to America. Arriving in New York he spent a few months as a workman in order to better learn to speak the English language. Then, hav- ing some means of his own, he started the business of watchmaking again in a small way for himself. He had become proficient in his chosen work, and by his thrift and energy was soon enabled to pave the way to fortune and an honorable position among his fellow men, owning valuable real estate both in New York and Brooklyn.
In the year 1850 he invested a portion of his surplus funds in the village of Hicksville, and in the year follow- ing erected a small dwelling and made Hicksville his
home. Gradually, as his funds increased, he purchased more lands in and around the village, until at the time of his death he was the largest landholder in the place. In 1863 he retired from business in the city, intending to live a private life. He followed farming for a time, but being restless in his new life he again entered business in 1869 at Hicksville, as a dealer in dry goods and cloth- ing, in which business he continued until his death. Mr. Heitz, being one of the first business men who came to Hicksville, was one to take a strong interest in the future development of the village. He was a great admirer of trees, and to him the village must render thanks for her wide, shaded streets. He donated thie sites of the pub- lic school building, the Lutheran church and the union church. He was also the originator of the "Heitz Resting Place," a cemetery on Mannetto Hill avenue, which was incorporated in 1870. It contains two or three acres of land, with more adjoining which may be added as necessity requires; is nicely ornamented with shade trees, and is neatly laid out with walks and drives.
Mr. Heitz was at one time an officer in the Lutheran church, and at the time of his death was secretary and trustee in the union church, and also vice-president of the Oyster Bay Town Agricultural Society.
On the occasion of his death this society met and passed these appropriate resolutions:
"WHEREAS, this society has learned with sorrow of the death of John F. Heitz, one of its originators and founders, and his death has caused a shadow to pass over our village; therefore be it
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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
"Resolved, That by his death the community has lost a valuable citizen and friend, his family an honored mem- ber and a good husband and father.
"Resolved, That the deceased, though quiet and modest in his bearing, fully exemplified the highest type of man- hood in his truthfulness, his integrity, his practical charity to all. He fully demonstrated the poet's motto: ' An honest man's the noblest work of God.'
"Resolved, That we tender to his beloved relatives our earnest sympathy, to the society this evidence of the great loss it has sustained, and to the community this memento of one who made the world brighter by his life and precepts.
"Resolved, That this preamble and these resolutions be engrafted upon the minutes of this society, and a copy thereof, signed by the president and secretary, be for- warded to the widow of our beloved member; and that these proceedings be published in the Signal."
Mr. Heitz was married August 10th 1861 to Jane Sutton Norris, and at his death, August 14th 1881, left a family of three children, viz .: Olma Maria, now a pleas- ing young lady of 19 years; Frederick N., born Novem- ber Ioth 1864, and Arnold, born September 15th 1870. Two others, William Alexander Norris and Nicholas Heitz, are deceased.
COLD SPRING.
Cold Spring, called also Cold Spring Harbor, to distin- guish it front Cold Spring on the Hudson, is a pretty village lying at the head of Cold Spring harbor and mostly within the limits of the town of Huntington. It has a number of fine residences on the Oyster Bay side of the line. The Indian name on the west side of the creek was Wawepex, that on the east Nachaquatuck. The place has been a port of entry for many years. William and Benjamin Hawxhurst about the middle of the last cen- tury were actively engaged here in importing goods from England and elsewhere. They also owned a store and grist and fulling-mills. The present mill was built near the close of the last century. The Hewlett and Jones families have been largely engaged in fitting out whaling ships, and to some extent in the manufacture of woolens.
An Episcopal church, standing a few rods west of the town line, was erected in 1836 by the aid of Trinity Church, New York. The number of communicants in 1845 was 18. The society is now active and self-sup- porting.
Woodbury, formerly East Woods, is an old settlement, and is now the railway station for Cold Spring, which lies about a mile north.
THE JONES FAMILY.
This family may be classed among the older and most numerous families that Long Island has produced. Perhaps none has furnished a greater number of men who have left the impress of strong character and in- dividuality. From the date when its founder settled here until the present time the Jones family has not been without one or more distinguished representatives in business and political life.
Thomas Jones was a major in the army of King James II. The king being dethroned and his army defeated, Major Jones sought a home in the new world, emigrat- ing to Rhode Island from Strabane, Ireland, in 1692 .. Soon afterward he is found in Oyster Bay, where he married Freelove, daughter of Thomas Townsend. Mr. Townsend presented the newly wedded pair with his Fort Neck estate, under a deed dated June 16th 1695. The old brick house was built by Major Jones from brick burned on this estate. During his life here he was called upon to occupy several of the important offices of the county. He left a family of seven chil- dren, viz .: David, Thomas, William, Margaret, Sarah, Elizabeth and Freelove.
David, the eldest son, known as Judge David Jones, left two sons, neither of whom left male descendants. The estate of his eldest son, Judge Thomas Jones, passed by entailment to the children of his sister Arabella, the wife of Colonel Richard Floyd. These children, in order to fully conform to the terms of entailment, added the word "Jones " to their name, and they with their de- scendants have since been known as Floyd-Joneses.
Thomas, the second son of Major Jones, was drowned in crossing the sound while yet a young man.
Thus it was left to William Jones, the third son, to raise up a family to perpetuate the name, and he may therefore be regarded as the head of the Jones family. Unlike his brother David, who devoted his time to poli- tics and the law, William was obliged to apply all his energies to the management of his estate in order to pro- vide for the wants of his large family. In this he was blessed with success, and of his sixteen children fourteen came to be heads of families. His wife was Phœbe Jackson, a daughter of Colonel John Jackson. The names of their children were David, Samuel, William, Thomas, Gilbert, John, Walter, Richard, Hallet, Free- love (married Benjamin Birdsall), Elizabeth (married Jacob Conkling), Margaret (married Townsend Hewlett), Phœbe (married Benjamin Rowland), and Sarah, who married John Willis.
Samuel, the second son, came to be a distinguished lawyer and statesman; his son Samuel was no less dis- tinguished as a lawyer and judge; and he in turn was succeeded by a son, Judge Samuel T. Jones.
John Jones, the sixth son of William and father of a branch of the Jones family to which this article is spec- ially devoted, was born on his father's farm at South Oyster Bay, June 27th 1755. He was married May 2nd 1779 to Hannah Hewlett, a daughter of John and Sarah Hewlett, of Cold Spring. Purchasing a farm of his father-in-law, he removed from the south side and settled upon it. Here he built a new house and pursued the cultivation of his farm. He was the father of nine chil- dren-a family no less distinguished in business and com- mercial pursuits than his brother Samuel's family was in law and politics. His children were: William H., born October 14th 1780, married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Hewlett; John H., born May 18th 1785, married Louretta, daughter of Divine Hewlett; Sarah, born July 22nd
Charles He Jones 7
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THE JONES FAMILY OF COLD SPRING.
1787, not married; Mary T., born June 4th 1790, not married; Walter R., born April 15th 1793, not married (named Walter Restored, in lieu of a son born in 1783, who was killed by an accident when six years of age); Phœbe J., born December 13th 1795, married Charles Hewlett; Elizabeth H., born December 9th 1798, mar- ried Jacob Hewlett; Joshua T., born July 10th 1801, not married; Charles H., born November 6th 1804. married Eliza G. Gardiner, a daughter of Jonathan Gardiner of Eaton's Neck, L. I.
At Cold Spring the father and his sons Williamn H., John H., and Walter R. established and successfully carried on extensive woolen manufactories and flouring mills. During the prosperous years of the whaling bus- iness the sons fitted out from that port eight vessels of their own. Later in life Walter R. founded and organ- ized that most successful institution the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company of New York, of which he was the head through life. This institution is now managed by his nephew John D. Jones, a son of John H. Jones, and is the largest and wealthiest of its kind on the con- tinent.
CHARLES H. JONES.
Charles Hewlett Jones, the youngest child of John and Hannah (Hewlett) Jones, was born on the farm where he last resided, and where he died on Monday, January 23d 1882, aged 77 years. He was of the third generation from Major Jones, the founder of the family on the island. The house in which he was born was built by his father. It is still standing, about thirty rods southeast of his late residence, in a fair state of preser- vation, and is now occupied by laborers on the farm. Mr. Jones took pleasure in showing his friends the old house, which awakened in him many fond and tender remembrances of the days of his childhood.
He married Eliza Gracy Gardiner, daughter of Jona- than Gardiner, and granddaughter of John Gardiner of Gardiner's Island, who removed therefrom about 1793, having purchased the whole of Eaton's Neck from Robert Watts of New York city. The marriage took place July 12th 1838. They established their home on the farm, and reared a family of four children, viz .: John G., born June 22nd 1839; Fanny Hannah, born April 18th 1842; Phobe Jackson, born August 20th 1845; and Mary Elizabeth, born July 5th 1854.
Mr. Jones attended the district school at Cold Spring, but was early called from the school-room to hard labor on the farm. Here he spent his life. Although largely engrossed with the cares of his farm, yet by his indus- trious habits he found time to engage in other pursuits. During the prosperous days of whale fishing he was inter-
ested with his brothers in that business. In 1836 he commenced operating in brick, starting yards on the east side of Cold Spring Harbor. In this business as in whaling he was connected with one or more of his brothers. His next elder brother, Joshua T., was the principal manager and owner of several brick yards up the Hudson River, but Charles H., after the death of his brother, had the entire management of them. The four yards at Green Cove and Caldwell on the Hudson he rented, but of the two at Cold Spring Harbor he retained a personal supervision. He had also large amounts of property in New York and Brooklyn. He was always busy, and yet had time to give a kindly greeting to those he met, causing one to feel that he was in the presence of a man possessing a noble and generous heart.
The Jones family has generally been allied to the Episcopal church, as was C. H. Jones, with all his family. The wife united with that communion after her marriage, having been brought up in the Presbyterian faith.
Mr. Jones was very unfortunate in the loss by death of nearly all his family, and had left to him in his latest years only his youngest child, Mary Elizabeth, who lived in and presided over his house, though married Novem- ber 5th 1873 to Oliver Livingston Jones, M. D. Dr. Jones was born May 4th 1850, and is a son of Oliver H. Jones, a son of William H., the eldest brother of the subject of our narrative. Dr. Jones is a graduate of Bellevue Hospital Medical College, receiving his degree at 21 years of age. Pressure of business in managing his estate prevents his practicing in his chosen profes- sion. He is a grandson of the late James Duane Liv- ingston, of Livingston Manor. Dr. and Mrs. Jones have a family of three children-Louise E., born September 18th 1875; Charles Herbert, born December 18th 1877; and Oliver Livingston jr., born April Ist 1880.
Their residence, which stands on a farm of 700 acres, was erected in 1855 by Walter R. Jones, president of the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company, six acres having been set apart to him by the brothers and sisters for that purpose. The building was made with natural braces, the posts being trees brought from the forest with a part of their branches remaining. It is one of the largest residences on Long Island. Its builder made his home here with his brother Charles H. until his death. The walls of the rooms are hung with portraits of the Jones family. There are also preserved here many relics of their ancestors, among which is an ancient punch bowl, with these words inscribed in the bottom:
" Herolek Britons, Holdly strive, Renown of Old Maintain : Your ancient Fathers When ulive Oft humbled Franco und Spain."
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David Us Jones
DAVID W. JONES.
In the preceding biographical sketch of Charles H. Jones, Samuel Jones is casually mentioned as the second son in William Jones's family of fourteen, and from this point in the family history we trace the line of descent to a branch which has also reflected its share of credit on the family name. Hon. Samuel Jones was born at West Neck, South Oyster Bay, July 26th 1734. He was a distinguished lawyer and jurist. Among the many students who studied in his office and afterward rose to distinction was Governor De Witt Clinton. At the dawn of the Revolution he was called into the public councils and served his country's cause with much zeal and capacity. He was chosen in 1788 as a member of the convention in which New York adopted the consti- tution of the United States. The revising of the stat- utes of the State of New York in 1789 was principally executed by him. He was also appointed, the same year, to the position of recorder of the city of New York. In 1796, at the request of Governor John Jay, he organ- ized the office of comptroller, and was the first to fill that office in this State." He was twice married. His second wife was Cornelia Haring, of an ancient Dutch family of the province of New York. This marriage was blessed with a family of seven sons, five of whom, Samuel, William, Elbert Haring, Thomas, and David S., lived to old age. Hon. Samuel Jones died on the 21st of No- vember 1819, at the advanced age of 85 years, and is by
common consent remembered as the " father of the New York bar."
The eldest of his five sons, afterward Judge Samuel Jones, became quite as noted as his father, and at his death left a son known as Judge Samuel T. Jones.
William, the son next younger than Samuel, was born in the city of New York, October 4th .1771. By living in the country with his aunt he acquired a taste for farming, and after his marriage (October 14th 1790) to Kezia Youngs, daughter of Captain Daniel Youngs, of Oyster Bay, he commenced life as a farmer at South Oyster Bay. In April 1793 he purchased and removed to a farm on the western border of Cold Spring Harbor. All of his children except the first were born here. Their names were: Samuel W., David W., Cornelia Haring, Susan Maria, Elbert W., Eleanor, Hannah Amelia and Daniel. All of these grew up and raised families except Elbert W., who died aged 22.
In the year 1800 Wiliam Jones erected a large and commodious mansion on his estate, beautifully situated, with lawn extending down to the harbor, surrounded by ornamental trees. The grounds are under a high state of cultivation and abound in fruits of all kinds. Soon after his settling at Cold Spring a military organization was formed by the young men of the vicinity, and he was appointed by the governor as captain. He was after- ward raised to the rank of major, by which title he has since been known. In the year 1816 he was elected a
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THE JONES FAMILY OF COLD SPRING
member of the State Legislature, and was, with the ex- ception of one or two years, annually re-elected until 1825, when he positively declined renomination. In this capacity he formed the lasting friendship of many of the leading men of his State. He was a kind and charitable neighbor and an indulgent husband and father. He died September 16th 1853 leaving behind a name of which his descendants may well be proud.
The portrait which appears in connection with this sketch is that of David W. Jones, the second son of Major William Jones. He was born May 3d 1793, on the paternal estate, upon a portion of which he lived and died. His education was but little more than that afford- ed by the common schools in the vicinity. His mind mind was active and his judgment singularly sound and reliable. As a farmer he was successful; but to succeed in that vocation drew largely on his physical as well as mental powers, absorbing.all his energies. After gaining a competence he lessened somewhat his labors on the farm and employed some of his time in other directions. He was a frequent contributor to the Spirit of the Times, under the nom de plume of "Long Islander." He in- herited from his father a great admiration for the " blooded horse." Among the fruits of his practical knowledge in that direction is his contribution to Henry W. Herbert's great work on the horse, which stands in the book precisely as he wrote it. All his writings are so comprehensive and so graphically and gracefully written that they show a high order of thought as well as cul- ture and taste.
He was married on July 4th 1822 to Dorothy Adams, who was born in England, December 30th 1792.
His death took place July 6th 1877, in the 85th year of his age. To his family he has left, in addition to a handsome estate, something which is far more valuable, and which money cannot buy-a character with no dis- honoring stain, honest and faithful.
His family consisted of five sons, viz .: Edmund, un- married; Robert, who died, unmarried, in 1868; Charles and Elbert W., who married sisters, Clara and Margaret Foster of Waupun, Wis .; and David, who was married August 2nd 1870 to Julia W. Neilson, a great-grand- daughter of General Nathaniel Coles. David was edu- cated at the common school and at Jamaica Academy. He and his wife reside at the old homestead.
WALTER R. JONES.
Queens county is closely connected and largely identified with the commercial interests of the State. The names of Woolsey, Sands, Lawrence, Townsend, King and other prominent merchants and bankers will occur readily to the memory of our readers. At present many of the leading citizens are actively engaged in conducting various branches of commerce, and hence are deeply interested in marine insurance. Some of the
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