USA > New York > Nassau County > Long Island; a history of two great counties, Nassau and Suffolk, Volume III > Part 49
USA > New York > Suffolk County > Long Island; a history of two great counties, Nassau and Suffolk, Volume III > Part 49
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DAVID HILL-Among all the suburbs which have grown up in recent decades in the areas of Long Island adjacent to New York City, to take care of the overflow of the metropolitan population and
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provide homes for workers in the great city and their families, few have had a more rapid develop- ment than Floral Park; and few men have con- tributed more to this development than David Hill.
A native Long Islander, born at Islip on February 5, 1877, Mr. Hill may be said to have inherited the constructive urge, for his father, Adam Hill, who married Catherine Ritchie, was a carpenter and builder in Islip. The young David Hill, after receiving his formal education in the public grade and high schools of Islip, turned to his father's trade of carpentry, being first employed in Westbury, and subsequently for two years by the L'Hommedieu Construction Company at Great Neck. In 1899, attracted by the great activity in construction at Ozone Park, the young carpenter took employment with a succession of contractors in that vicinity, and in 1909 set up in business for himself at Ozone Park as a general con- tractor. In 1921, when much of Ozone Park had been built up, Mr. Hill moved to Floral Park, which had become a new center of construction. In 1927, with one of his sons, he incorporated the business as David Hill & Son. This firm has been since that time a large factor in construction work and general contracting in the Floral Park neighborhood, having constructed such buildings as the First National Bank and Trust Company Building in Floral Park, the Methodist Church, the Masonic Temple and over one hundred homes in the village of Bellerose. With David Hill still active in its management, it looks forward to unprecedented activity in the post-war period.
As the community of Floral Park grew, the need of local banking facilities was felt. David Hill was one of the organizers of the First National Bank and Trust Company of Floral Park in 1923, and was elected president of the institution, an office which he has continued to fill since that time. This was not his first participation in banking activities, as he had been one of the organizers of the Richmond Hill Savings Bank, adjacent to Ozone Park, in 1921, and of this bank Mr. Hill remains a member of the board of trustees and vice president.
In addition to helping to build Floral Park, David Hill has been deeply concerned with the conduct of its public business and the development of its civic spirit. In 1923, 1924 and 1925 he served as president of the village; the name of the office has since been changed from president to mayor. During the second World War Mr. Hill was active in all endeavors con- nected with the national war effort, and in particular, served as chairman of the first three war loan drives in 1943 and 1944. He was one of the charter members of the Floral Park Lions Club, and served as presi- dent of the group in 1930-1931. Mr. Hill is a member of the American Institute of Banking, and serves on the advisory board of that organization for Nassau County.
Mr. Hill is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and serves on its board of trustees, on its board of stewards, and on its finance com- mittee, as well as on other bodies which govern the affairs of the church and carry forward its good works. He has long been an ardent Mason, being now affiliated with Floral Park Lodge No. 1016, of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Scottish Rite Con- sistory of Rockville Centre; and he is also a member of the council of the Royal Arcanum of Richmond Hill.
At Tom's River, New Jersey, David Hill was mar- ried on August 6, 1897, to Anna Pine Applegate, a
daughter of Charles S. Applegate and Caroline Stoud. Of this marriage there are two children: I. Leland Halsey, born on March 8, 1899, who married Helen Wolfram of Ozone Park, New York and they have one son, Leland, Jr., now a student at Cornell Uni- versity and who served in World War II in radio communications with the United States Army over- seas. 2. Melvin Leroy, born February 6, 1903 and who died May 5, 1946. He was married to Dorothy Jaquiss of Floral Park, New York and had four chil- dren: Barbara Ann, Joan, David, and Melvin L., Jr.
C. ELLIS SCHIFFMACHER-Within five years after he had begun the practice of law, and two years after he had established himself in Great Neck, C. Ellis Schiffffmacher had achieved such prominence that when the Kiwanis Club of Great Neck was chartered by Kiwanis International, he was made its first president. Formerly in practice in Man- hattan, he has been in Great Neck since 1937, at first with a partner, now alone.
Mr. Schiffmacher was born at Lynbrook on No- vember 9, 1908, the son of Joseph Louis and Edith May Schiffmacher, the former a retired building con- tractor. He first went to grammar school in his native Lynbrook and afterward to the New York Military Academy, from which he was graduated in 1927. The following two years he spent at Trinity College. In 1929 and 1930, he was at New York Uni- versity. He then went to St. Lawrence University and Brooklyn Law School, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1933.
Admitted to the bar in 1934, Mr. Schiffmacher entered practice as a member of the staff of Weller, Rogers, Bergen and Rochford, attorneys for the Bank of the Manhattan Company. He remained with this law firm until 1937. The year he formed the law partnership of Dodge and Schiffmacher at Great Neck. This continued until 1940, when he went into independent practice. His reputation is extensive and his clientele large. Aside from the Kiwanis Club, Mr. Schiffmacher is a member of the Great Neck Republican Club, the Sands Point Beach and Tennis Club, the New York State Bar Association and the New York State Title Association.
He married Rita Aletha DeVoe, daughter of Wil- liam F. and Marian Luyster DeVoe, at Baldwin, on August 18, 1934.
THE SIRLIN FAMILY-Prominent throughout New York State for founding and developing the Lakeville Manufacturing Company, of Lindenhurst, which produces a complete line of wooden kitchen fur- nishings, the Sirlin brothers, Jack, Morris, and Louis Sirlin, have contributed substantially toward the beautification and simplicity of the American kitchen.
Prior to moving to Lindenhurst in 1939, the brothers operated their growing enterprise at Great Neck. However, in 1939, they came to Lindenhurst and established the Lakeville Manufacturing Com- pany, which has steadily grown and prospered. The company, consisting of a large plant in Lindenhurst, and a branch office at Floral Park, produces kitchen units adaptable to any home. Regardless of whether one wishes compactness, accessibility, flexibility, or streamlined beauty, Lakeville can provide any or all of these qualities. The company makes many styles of cupboards, dinette sets, kitchen cabinets and other useful items.
Morris Sirlin was born October 1, 1907, at Sheffield,
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Massachusetts, son of Samuel and Fannie (Hyman) Sirlin. He attended public schools at East Canaan, Connecticut. He is a member of B'nai B'rith of Great Neck and Sunrise Lodge No. 1069, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, Freeport.
On November 7, 1932, Morris Sirlin married Shirley Kaufman, daughter of Max Kaufman of Brooklyn, New York, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children: I. Barbara, who was born March 21, 1933. 2. Sandy, who was born July 29, 1939, at New Hyde Park, New York.
Jack Sirlin was born October 7, 1908, at Canaan, Connecticut, son of Samuel and Fannie (Hyman) Sirlin. He received his education at Canaan High School. He is active in the life of the community, and is a member of the Lindenhurst Chamber of Com- merce, the B'nai B'rith of Bay Shore, the Lindenhurst Hebrew Congregation, and the Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 1069 at Freeport.
In 1931, at Brooklyn, Jack Sirlin married Natalie Hillowitz, daughter of Herman and Elizabeth Hillo- witz, and they became the parents of one child, Phyllis Sirlin, who was born October 9, 1943, in Brooklyn.
Louis Sirlin, the youngest of the three brothers, was born in 1913, at Canaan, Connecticut, son of Samuel and Fannie (Hyman) Sirlin. He attended the Sewanhaka High School, and is a member of Sunrise Lodge No. 1069, Free and Accepted Masons at Freeport.
Louis Sirlin married Minnie Geller of Hempstead, and they became the parents of the following children : I. Norma. 2. Marchia.
E. CLINTON TOWL, after many highly contribu- tory years to the progress of the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, is now a vice president and director of that company.
Born October 26, 1905, in Brooklyn, Mr. Towl is the son of Allan T. and Mabel Estelle Louis Towl. Allan Towl is a native of Brooklyn Village, Cleve- land, Ohio, and Mabel Towl, who died in April 1930, was a resident of Brooklyn.
Mr. Towl was graduated from the Richmond Hill High School in Queens in 1924 and one year later from St. Paul's Preparatory School in Garden City. Following two years at Cornell University, he was employed by W. E. Burnet and Company, Wall Street brokers, for three years. In 1930 he began his outstandingly successful career as one of the founders and original employees and stockholder with the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, one of the world's foremost airplane manufacturers. Be- cause of his excellent work there, he became assistant treasurer, then on April 19, 1940, a vice president and finally a vice president and director, the positions he now fulfills .to the complete satisfaction of the com- pany.
He is a member of the Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club, the Shelter Island Yacht Club and Huntington Golf Club. He attends the Episcopal Church. Mr. Towl finds recreation in sailing and fishing.
On January 20, 1936, E. Clinton Towl married Christine Koempel, the daughter of Edward C. and Madeline (Cronyn) Koempel, of Montclair, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Towl are the parents of two children: 1. Sandra, born April 30, 1938. 2. Forest Clinton, born May 12, 1940.
PAUL G. SCHUMAN-The career of Paul G. Schuman, prominent banker and civic leader of Baldwin, parallels the story of the development of
the Peoples State Bank of Baldwin. This banking institution began operation December 2, 1927 in a store at 90 South Grand Avenue in Baldwin with the following officers: president, Wesley B. Smith; vice president, Frank E. Hurley; and vice president, Paul G. Schuman. Wesley B. Smith died in October, 1931, and was succeeded by Frank E. Hurley until his death in September, 1936. The resultant reor- ganization was headed by Paul G. Schuman as president, and Herbert Toulmin, previously cashier of the bank, as vice president and cashier. Under the competent guidance of Mr. Schuman the bank moved in 1937 to the present location, a fine example of a modern banking and office building, which is located at Sunrise Highway and Grand Avenue.
Paul G. Schuman was born in Brooklyn, Sep- tember 2, 1888, the son of Conrad A. and Sarah (Martin) Schuman. Both parents, who were born in Brooklyn, are deceased.
The early formal education of Paul G. Schuman was received in the public school system of Baldwin where he was graduated from high school in 1906. He continued his studies at Pratt Institute, major- ing in engineering and later accepting his initial position in business with the engineering department of the Long Island Railroad. When World War I occurred Mr. Schuman left this position and enlisted in the United States Army serving in the Army Trans- port Service for two years and receiving an honor- able discharge with the rank of captain. Upon his return to the business field he was affiliated with an international steamship company for twenty years. Mr. Schuman has officiated as president of the Peoples Bank of Baldwin since 1936 and continues in this post and as a director of the Baldwin Savings and Loan Association.
In public life he served for four years in the comptroller's office in the town of Hempstead and was then elected town councilman. After fulfilling his duties for the original term of four years and recog- nized for his efficient work and his integrity, he has been re-elected twice to this office. During World War II Mr. Schuman again offered his services to his country and functioned as a deputy sector air warden and as a member of the war bond committee.
Fraternally, Mr. Schuman is an active participant in many organizations: past master and trustee of the Baldwin Lodge No. 1046, Free and Accepted Masons, member of the Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree; a member of the Kiwanis Club of Baldwin; and a member and organizer of the Baldwin Post No. 246, of the American Legion where he served as adjutant for six years. Mr. Schuman is a trustee of the First Methodist Church of Baldwin, and in politics is a Republican. His hobby is gardening and he has an intense interest in flowers.
On September 26, 1916, Paul G. Schuman married Meta Barth, daughter of Vincent and Amelia (Bode) Barth of Brooklyn. They have two sons who are now returning to college to complete their formal education after serving in the United States Army. I. Vincent B. who served, in World War II, com- missioned as captain, in the Army Air Forces in India. 2. Robert C. who served as a sergeant in the Signal Corps in the Pacific theater of war. He is married to Katherine S. Wink of Baldwin.
HENRY P. VIELBIG-After practicing law for about twenty years in the borough of Brooklyn, Henry P. Vielbig changed the scene of his professional activities, setting up his office in the busy suburb
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of Freeport, Long Island in the year 1928. Here he quickly achieved at the bar of Nassau County the standing he had formerly enjoyed at the Kings County bar, and with a busy practice and many important clients, has at the same time served his adopted community in public office and has taken a prominent part in civic, political and fraternal affairs.
Born in Brooklyn on May 15, 1886, Mr. Vielbig was a son of the late Balthasar Vielbig, a native of Brooklyn also, and a cigar maker by trade, and his wife Philomena (Klueg) Vielbig, a native Brook- lynite who is now also deceased. The young Henry P. Vielbig attended public schools in Brooklyn and New York Preparatory School, and having deter- mined on the law as a profession, enrolled at St. Lawrence University, from which he graduated, re- ceiving his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1907. In October of that year Mr. Vielbig was admitted to the bar, and from then until 1928 he remained in practice in his native borough.
In Freeport Mr. Vielbig, practicing under his own name, quickly became a factor in public affairs as well as in the legal profession. In 1943 he was appointed counsel of the village of Freeport, an office which he held until 1946. He also served his community as an associate police justice. A com- municant of the Roman Catholic Church, Mr. Vielbig is a member of the great fraternal order of that de- nomination, the Knights of Columbus. He is parti- cularly active in the affairs of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and served in 1945-1946 as exalted ruler of Freeport Lodge, No. 1253. He belongs to the Freeport Exempt Firemen's Associa- tion, Nassau County Bar Association, New York State Association of Magistrates, Northwest Civic Association and Freeport Republican Club. Mr. Viel- big's hobby is baseball.
GEORGE W. CLARK, one of the ablest practi- tioners at the bar of Nassau County, was born in the borough of Brooklyn, New York City, on January 12, 1902, but was educated in the public schools at Roosevelt and Hempstead, graduating from high school in the latter town with the class of 1920. He was a son of the late John W. Clark, a compositor in the printing craft, and his wife the late Annie G. (Grant) Clark, who was a native of Brooklyn. Mr. Clark's grandfather, Daniel Clark, was a lawyer in Hempstead and was also the first commissioner of education of Queens County about 1860. His grand- mother, Cornelia Arnold Clark, wife of Daniel Clark, was principal of the Hempstead school.
George W. Clark early formed the ambition to be- come a lawyer, and to that end he attended the Brooklyn Law School, graduating in 1924 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In 1926, he was admitted to the bar and entered on the practice of his profes- sion at Freeport, Nassau County, where he has con- tinued in independent general practice since that time, representing many important clients. He is counsel for the First National Bank and Trust Com- pany of Freeport.
A member of the Nassau County Bar Association, Mr. Clark is a Republican in politics, and an Episco- palian in religion, being affiliated with the Church of the Redeemer. For recreation he enjoys membership in the South Bay Golf Club at Brightwaters and the Merrick Tennis Club. He calls all sports his hobby, but tennis is his particular enthusiasm.
On May II, 1932, George W. Clark married Patricia
Bermingham of Brooklyn, a daughter of George Ber- mingham. Of this union there is one child, a son, George B., who was born on January 24, 1936.
EARL LYNN VANDERMEULEN-The com- munities of Long Island, from Kings and Queens boroughs of New York City on the western end to the villages of Suffolk County where it juts far out into the Atlantic Ocean on the east, are noted among other things for the high level they maintain in the education of their youth. Among the learned and ex- perienced educators who uphold these standards is Earl Lynn Vandermeulen, supervising principal of the public schools of Port Jefferson for nearly a quarter of a century, and one of the most respected citizens of that North Shore Village.
Born at New Haven, Connecticut, on December II, 1892, Earl Lynn Vandermeulen is a son of the late Abram Vandermeulen, a native of Rose, in northern New York State, and his wife the former Elizabeth R. Fisher of East Palmyra, New York, who is still liv- ing. Abram Vandermeulen, who died in 1946, is buried at his native place. The young Earl Lynn Vander- meulen began his education in the public schools of New Haven, but graduated from high school at Wol- cott, New York. His collegiate studies were pursued at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts up- on graduating with the class of 1916. Following post- graduate work, Mr. Vandermeulen received his Master of Arts degree from his alma mater in 1938.
Upon leaving college, Mr. Vandermeulen entered the field of education at once, his first position being that of vice principal and teacher of mathematics in the high school at Bay Shore on Long Island, during 1916 and part of 1917. The entrance of the United States into World War I in the latter year called him to the colors and he became a regimental sergeant- major attached to the headquarters company of the 30th Infantry. His unit became a part of the American Expeditionary Forces to Europe, and he served over- seas from December, 1917, to August, 1919. After his honorable discharge, Mr. Vandermeulen promptly re- turned to pedagogical pursuits, becoming a teacher of mathematics in Union City, New Jersey, in Septem- ber, 1919, and remaining there until January, 1921. At that time he accepted an appointment as teacher of mathematics in the White Plains High School at White Plains, Westchester County, New York.
Mr. Vandermeulen remained at White Plains until June, 1923, when he came to Long Island a second time to accept the position offered by the educational authorities of Port Jefferson, as supervising principal of all the public schools of that place. Recognized as an outstanding educator by his colleagues in the profession, Mr. Vandermeulen is a past president of the Long Island zone of the New York State Teach- ers Association. He is one of the most active leaders in American Legion affairs in his section, and is a past county commander of that organization in Suf- folk County, as well as past state chairman of the Americanization committee and past state chairman of the oratorical committee. During World War II Mr. Vandermeulen served as chairman of the local Selective Service board No. 702, located at Patchogue, and later became county chairman. He is now the executive director of the Northern Brookhaven War Memorial Foundation.
A Presbyterian in religion, Mr. Vandermeulen is an active and widely-known Mason, holding membership in Suffolk Lodge No. 60 of the Free and Accepted
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Masons, of which he is a past master; in the Suasset Chapter No. 195, Royal Arch Masons, of Patchogue, where he is a past high priest; and in the Patchogue Commandery of the Knights Templar. Mr. Vander- meulen also continues active in the Suffolk School- men's Council, of which he is a past president. His favorite recreations are fishing and gardening.
At Elmhurst, on March 28, 1920, Earl Lynn Van- dermeulen married Margery Roberts, who is a gradu- ate of Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio. Of this mar- riage there are two children: I. Jean, who is now Mrs. Edwin Hickman, was born in New York City on June 9, 1921. She is a graduate of Indiana Uni- versity. She is the mother of one child, Earl Edward. 2. Lynn Roberts, who was born at Port Jefferson, on January 9, 1932.
THOMAS FRANCIS DALTON-It is more than twenty-two years since Thomas Francis Dalton en- tered the field of undertaking with the establishment of the Thomas F. Dalton Memorial Hall at Floral Park, one of the fastest-growing of the Long Island suburbs of New York City. During that time he has not only helped by his tactful and sympathetic conduct of funerals to ease the sorrow of numerous fellow-villagers taking leave of departed loved ones, but he has been a useful and respected participant in all phases of the life of his adopted community. His personal qualities make him popular, and his success in business earns the esteem of his neighbors.
Mr. Dalton was born in New York City on July 8, 1899, a son of Bartholomew Henry and Mary Jane (Bradley) Dalton. His father was a stationery engi- neer and also engaged in boiler construction. Young Thomas Francis Dalton secured his elementary edu- cation at St. Joseph's School, from which he went on to Stuyvesant High School and to New York University, all in his native city. The opportunities alike of service and of profit in the undertaking busi- ness attracted him, and he chose Floral Park, a pleasant and growing home neighborhood, as a suit- able field for his entrance into that business. At first he conducted business from rented desk space in a spare room at a coal and fuel office, until he was able to open a chapel at 41 Atlantic Avenue in 1926. In 1937 he acquired his present premises at 29 Atlantic Avenue, and at this time he is planning to build a new and enlarged memorial hall at 17 Verbena. The projected building will be a tasteful example of Georgian architecture, and will be equipped, as indeed the present Dalton Memorial Hall is, with the most modern facilities for funeral serv- ices. Mr. Dalton maintains branches at Franklin Square and Hicksville, both in Nassau County.
During the second World War Thomas Francis Dalton was chosen as the contracting funeral director for the United States Government in charge of fun- erals arising from the air service, at Mitchel Field and subsidiary air bases in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Mr. Dalton is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the New York State Funeral Directors Association, and the Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association. His participation in local business and civic affairs is largely through the Lions Club of Floral Park, of which he is a past president. A Roman Catholic in religion, Mr. Dalton was one of the organizers of the parish of Our Lady of Victory, and is now a trustee of the church of that name. He is a supporter of the Friends of
Mercy Hospital, and a member of the Catholic chari- table Society of St. Vincent de Paul. His fraternal interests are centered in the order of the Knights of Columbus, of which he was formerly deputy grand knight in Floral Park Council No. 2345.
In the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Brooklyn, Thomas Francis Dalton was united in marriage, on October 10, 1922, with Irene Marie Harper, a daughter of George Madison and Christina (Dowdell) Harper. Of this union there are two children: I. George Edwin, who was born on July 13, 1923. 2. Thomas Francis, Jr., born on October 13, 1928. Both are now associated with their father in the funeral directing business.
WILLIAM H. KNIFFIN-To William H. Kniffin of Rockville Centre deservedly go all laurels and esteem as one of the veteran bankers of Nassau County. Starting in a most humble capacity in a financial institution when hardly more than a boy, he has been associated actively since with several banks down through the larger part of a long and emi- nently useful life. He has been an executive official of the Bank of Rockville Centre Trust Company for the past three decades after more than a quarter of a century's experience with other institutions.
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