History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683, Part 110

Author: W.W. Munsell & Co., pub; Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather); Cooper, James B. (James Brown), 1825-; Pelletreau, William S. (William Smith), 1840-1918; Street, Charles R. (Charles Rufus), 1825-1894; Smith, John Lawrence, 1816-1889
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 677

USA > New York > Suffolk County > History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683 > Part 110

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Before leaving New York Mr. Goldsmith took an in- terest in the Peck, Stow and Wilson General Hardware and Manufacturing Company which has steadily pros- pered and enlarged its operations. Of this company he has been one of the directors ever since its organization. In 1858 he was elected president of the Southold Sav- ings Bank, and he has been annually re-elected ever since. The success of this institution, located in an in- land town, has been remarkable. It was conceived and has been managed by a number of clear-headed, compe- tent men, to whom the people owe its existence and its benefits. Its deposits at present are about an even mil- lion of dollars, and are secured by investments ample and available.

Mr. Goldsmith has with great good sense so lived as to preserve his vigor and vitality, to such a degree that he looks many years younger than his family register indi- cates. He has that enviable birthright of tempera- ment and balance of faculties that enables him to extract great satisfaction from the everyday blessings of life- pure air, sunlight, good sleep, good appetite, exercise, useful occupation and the the delights of permanent friendships and a beautiful home. The destructive crav- ings for sensation in youth and excitement in after years, that consume and shorten so many valuable lives, he has entirely escaped. The comfort such men take is rational and real, and the example they set of practical justice and common sense is a benefit to their generation and to those who may follow them.

Charge H. Aleavec,

GEORGE H. CLEAVES.

George H. Cleaves, the youngest child of Julia A. and the late Orange H. Cleaves, was born at Greenport, Suffolk county, on the 19th of June 1846. On both sides he is descended from old Long Island ancestry, his father having been born at East Marion (then known as Rocky Point) in 1805, and his mother at Middle Island, town of Brookhaven, in 1804; the latter is now living at Greenport, and, although venerable in years, enjoys to a marked extent both bodily and mental vigor. His father, who died June 9th 1875, possessed notable qualities of mind and character, which have been trans- mitted to the son and are the sources to which his pres- ent prominence in the community may chiefly be attrib- uted. Of the father this extract from an editorial notice in a local newspaper printed soon after his death will convey a sufficiently clear and correct idea to establish the truth of the foregoing statement:

" 'Boss' Cleaves, as he was familiarly known, has been identified with the history of Greenport almost from its foundation, and his death, expected though it was, will be felt by our citizens as with a sense of per- sonal bereavement. In his avocation of architect and builder he has largely contributed to the material progress of the village and its vicinity, while in all the relations of life his character has been illustrated by an

exhibition of the most sterling integrity, the most hon- orable fidelity to every trust, the fullest exercise of those traits and virtues which go to make up the world's estimate of what constitutes an 'honest man.' His mental vigor and clearsightedness was noteworthy, and for judicious counsel and sound discretion no one ever looked to him in vain. The public confidence in the fairness and solidity of his judgment, as well as in the rectitude of his action, was strikingly shown in his unan- imous election to the office of village trustee, which he held at the time of his death."

Mr. Cleaves has always resided in Greenport. His only facilities for acquiring an education were furnished by the district school of the village, where, under numer- ous teachers, he acquired proficiency in the elementary .branches and laid the foundations for that higher and broader culture which subsequent diligent study and constant attention to this great object have enabled him to acquire. His career affords another illustration of the truth that men are mainly what they make them- selves. In this foremost respect of intellectual and moral progress he may fairly and truly be termed a self- made man, having, with no adventitious help and with few of the opportunities common to many of the youth of America, risen to a commanding position in the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.

While yet a youth he entered the drug store of George

76, 76, Caso

THE TOWN OF SOUTHOLD.

H. Corwin, where he served for some time. After at- tending a course of medical lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, he became as- sociated with Mr. Corwin as a partner, which relation has remained unbroken since 1867.

In political faith Mr. Cleaves early in life embraced the cardinal tenets of the Democratic party, and, while not active or demonstrative as a partisan, he has ad- hered tenaciously to the doctrines and views of public policy which that party upholds. At a time when for some years previous the town of Southold had been giving large Republican majorities, and was regarded as a Republican stronghold, he was nominated on the Dem- ocratic ticket for town collector, and was elected by the noteworthy majority of 212 over the Republican and Prohibition candidate. Later he was elected justice of the peace for a term of four years, but resigned before the expiration of the term.

In the fall of 1881 he was named by the Democratic con- vention for the office of school commissioner for the Ist commissioner's district, composed of the towns of East Hampton, Southampton, Shelter Island, Southold and Riverhead-each of which is ordinarily Republican in federal elections. The district gave a majority of 565 for the Republican State ticket, yet Mr. Cleaves carried it and was elected by a majority of 28. On the Ist of January 1882 he entered upon the performance of the duties of this office, and he is now discharging them with a degree of fidelity, intelligence, zeal and discretion which cannot fail to reflect additional honor upon him- self and to subserve the educational interests of the peo- ple of the district. Before accepting the nomination to this office, and for many years, Mr. Cleaves had taken a warm and watchful interest in the subject of educa- tion, and, keenly appreciating the lack of advantages for mental improvement which he had himself experienced, he labored earnestly in all practicable ways to secure better school facilities for the youth of his native village. For a number of years he served with entire acceptance

After having received a first-class English education" Mr. Case spent much of his time in his father's store. When he was still young the war of 1812 broke out, and as a member of the board of education of the Greenport |he went as a drummer to Orient with Captain Noah Terry union school, and by voice and pen he contributed ef- and his company of soldiers. Thence he went to Sag Harbor and served in the company under the command of Captain Satterly; then, still at Sag Harbor, he was in Captain Bailey's artillery company about a year. fectively to the movement which resulted in securing the noble building in which that school is now domiciled. His membership of the board was only terminated when his election as school commissioner made it legally im- possible for him to hold the office of school trustee. No small share of the credit for the greatly improved posi- tion and higher standard of scholarship now enjoyed and maintained by the school is due to him.

At an early age Mr. Cleaves was attracted favorably toward the principles of the masonic order, and began a careful study of its history, precepts and ritual, which has been continued until few of its brotherhood can be

In 1877 he was appointed district deputy grand master for the first masonic district, composed of the counties of Queens and Suffolk, and was reappointed for a second term, serving with an efficiency which won him high favor from the fraternity throughout the district. For several years he has been high priest of Sithra Chapter Royal Arch Masons, of Greenport, and a member of Morton Commandery Knights Templars, of New York city.

Mr. Cleaves is now but 36 years old, in the prime of life, with faculties expanding and strengthening as the years go by; it is reasonable to predict for one so happily circumstanced a long and honorable career of yet greater usefulness. Of a genial, jovial. disposition, with a natu- ral aptness for kindly, humorous and witty observations, he easily makes friends and as easily disarms enemies. In social and personal not less than in public and official relations he is quickly recognized as, in western phrase, "a man to tie to."

Mr. Cleaves married Miss Catharine S. Betts, daughter of William M. Betts of Cutchogue, N. Y., and has three children. He owns and occupies a comfortable and handsome residence on First street, and is as happy in his domestic life as he has been fortunate and successful in his public career. Few men of his years have achieved more solid and enduring results, or have estab- lished a surer claim upon the confidence and esteem of the community, than George H. Cleaves.

HUTCHINSON H. CASE

was born at Southold, August 17th 1794, and is of the sixth generation from the first Henry of Southold. His father, Matthias, was the son of Lieutenant Moses Case and Mary, daughter of Colonel Elijah Hutchinson. His mother was Juliana, daughter of Dr. Micah Moore, and a half sister to John Ledyard the traveler.

In 1816 he married Charity W., daughter of William Albertson, of Hashamomack. They had three children: Oscar L., who died in 1850, aged 33; Francis, who died an infant, and Julia M., who married T. B. Worth, and died in 1863 at the age of 39, leaving one child, a son, T. O. Worth, of Bridgehampton.

and cheerful. His wife, like himself, though feeling the weight of years, retains full possession of her memory and a goodly share of the health and vigor of her youth.

In 1836, on the organization of the Suffolk County Mutual Insurance Company, Mr. Case was made a

During the year 1817 Mr. Case became a permanent resident at Cutchogue; and there, with the time divided between his farm, his store and the discharge of official found more thoroughly informed upon the subject than duties, he has passed the last 65 years of his life, robust himself. When but a little past his majority, in 1868, he joined Peconic Lodge, No. 349, of Greenport, and by rapid promotion, due to his unusual qualifications, he became in 1870 its master. This position he continued to hold by successive yearly elections for seven years.

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director, and in 1844 he was elected president and treas- urer of the company. In 1843 he was chosen clerk and treasurer of the incorporated company of "the Com- moners of Suffolk," and he yet holds the same offices. In 1858 he was chosen a director in the Southold Sav- ings Bank, and he is still one of the directors. At the annual election of the Suffolk County Mutual Insurance Company held at Southold May Ist 1882 he was unan- We find him next, during the Mexican war, in Texas, imously re-elected president and treasurer, making 38 where he bought a schooner and was employed by the consecutive years that he has filled these two offices. He has filled various town offices-supervisor, assessor, etc.

Exemplary in his character, exact and punctual in his dealings, both private and official, he is left among us in the ripeness of his years, a connecting link between the past and the present age, and of the history and tradi- tions of Southold a richly stored encyclopedia, to which we may refer sure to find rich historic treasures.

J. W. C.

THERON BUNKER WORTH.

About 150 years ago John Worth came to Nantucket, Mass., and settled. To him were born sons Paul, Jon- athan and Thomas. . Jonathan, grandfather of Theron B., made a voyage as captain of the whaling ship "Seine," from Dunkirk, Scotland, in 1791; and subsequently a voyage from Nantucket. He then came to Long Island and bought the water mill at Wading River, in Southold; married there, and had sons James, David and Thomas. David, the father of Theron B., continued to occupy the old mill premises after the death of his father.

and became a perfect wreck. The officers and crew were saved. Captain Worth with his characteristic energy immediately commenced the construction of a small craft, and in six weeks launched her and embarked with a part of his crew for Honolulu; arriving there in 40 days he returned in a schooner to the reef and took the remainder of his men to Honolulu.

U. S. government in freighting stores and goods on the Gulf of Mexico. After the war he came home and settled on his fine farm at Cutchogue.

In 1849 he was sent to San Francisco with instructions to take charge of the ship "Thames," which was in- volved in difficulty to sell the cargo and the ship, and report to the agents and owners. This arduous undertak- ing he accomplished successfully and satisfactorily to the owners. Before leaving San Francisco he with Na- thaniel Miller of Brookhaven bought the ship "Aziland," and loaded her with freight. Captain Worth went with the ship to Australia, sold the ship and came home. Here, upon his farm, he was busily employed for several years.

In 1852 he married Julia M., daughter of H. H. Case. They had several children, all of whom died early except the youngest, Theron O. Worth, who resides at Bridge- hampton, and is now the only surviving member of his father's family.

In :858 he was elected a director of the Southold Savings Bank and also vice-president of the same. About the year 1860 symptons of bronchial and lung diseases began to manifest themselves; to cure or at least to check them became the care and the study of Captain Worth. In addition to the ablest medical counsel he re- sorted to changes of air and climate; he spent a winter at St. Paul, Minn., and two at Madison, Wis .; he jour- neyed long in California and the adjacent southern States.

But he obtained little relief and no cure. Then re -. turning he quietly rested at his home in Suffolk till he died, on the 3d of August 1867, aged 53 years.

Here was born Theron B. Worth, on the 16th day of September 1814. When 16 years old (in 1830) he shipped on board the " Phenix," of Sag Harbor, on a whaling voyage. In 1832 he sailed as boat steerer with Captain Harry Green in the ship "Hudson," and in 1834 repeat- ed the voyage. In 1836 he went out as second mate of the ship " Hamilton," Captain Jones, and was gone two . seasons. He then made four successive voyages as cap- tain of the ship "Gem," all his voyages thus far being highly successful. His last whaling voyage was made in He never violated a trust; and no temptation ever 1845, in the " Konohasett." The ship struck on a coral swerved him from his fidelity to his employers, nor from reef in the Pacific Ocean, northwesterly from the Sand- an open, manly course in all his business transactions. wich Islands and not correctly laid down upon the charts,

J. W. C.

B Goldsmith Hallock

BENJAMIN G. HALLOCK.

Benjamin Goldsmith Hallock, whose productive farm and attractive home are situated about two miles west of Mattituck village, was born January 6th 1807. His wife, Betsey Ann Hallock, to whom he was married February 12th 1828, was born July 17th 1806. They both enjoy good health for people of their age, which greatest of all blessings has attended them throughout their long lives. Mr. Hallock and his father, James Hallock jr., and his grandfather, James Hallock, were all born and spent their lives as farmers here on the old homestead, and here the last two died, in peace and plenty, surrounded by kindred and friends.

Mrs. Hallock belonged to a distantly related branch of the same family. Mr. Hallock's grandfather on his mother's side was Rev. Benjamin Goldsmith, a Presby- terian minister of Riverhead. The latter's son, John Goldsmith, was also a Presbyterian minister and preached in Newtown.

The name Hallock is about as old as any in this town, but in this case the exact genealogy has not been pre- served, although it is certain that the subject of this sketch is a lineal descendant of the original stock. When a boy Mr. Hallock enjoyed the benefits of the district school, and later he was in attendance at a select school for a single winter. Like thousands of other men he has proven in his own experience that a useful life may be lived and all its battles successfully encountered with the aid of a good common English education. He says that his father advised him not to seek or receive office, and though public positions have been offered him he has always remained true to his good father's advice. Such counsel as this from a father is proof in these times, when office seeking and office holding ruin so many, that James Hallock was a man of rare good sense; and it is a compliment to his son that he heeded his words. He was for a few months nominally paymaster in the early militia, by appointment, to fill a vacancy caused by death; otherwise he has led a strictly quiet,

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private life, showing the excellent results which follow minding one's own business.

Mr. Hallock's mother, who was Amelia Goldsmith be- fore marriage, was born in Riverhead, in 1768, and died |lock, his father; Fannie C., born March 16th 1839, now in Southold, October 11th 1854. His father was born in 1762, and died March 5th 1852. Their children were: George, who went to Ohio when about 18, became a The old farm that has thus been retained so steadily merchant, and later a farmer, and died there; Charles, | in this family contains about 200 acres, and is naturally who went to New York city when about 16, and worked into the dry goods business, in which he was successful, but died very suddenly some thirty years ago; Benjamin Goldsmith, the subject of this sketch, and three sisters, Mary Ann, Helen and Amelia.

The children of Benjamin Goldsmith and Betsey Ann Hallock were: Josephine, born October 5th 1828, now

Mrs. Dennis K. Halsey, of West Hampton; James, born August 21st 1831, who married Mary J. Reeves, December 28th 1869, and lives on the old homestead with Mr. Hal- Mrs. David R. Dayton, of Riverhead, and Mary E., who was born January 19th 1841, and died October 18th 1846.

adapted to all the staple crops. Of late years strawber- ries and cauliflowers have been raised by Mr. Hallock and his son quite extensively and profitably. If the next three generations of Hallocks be as prosperous and happy, and leave as good a record as is herein briefly recorded of the last three, they will worthily carry the family history to those who may follow them.

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