Long Island; a history of two great counties, Nassau and Suffolk, Volume III, Part 85

Author: Bailey, Paul, 1885-1962, editor
Publication date: 1949
Publisher: New York, Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 922

USA > New York > Nassau County > Long Island; a history of two great counties, Nassau and Suffolk, Volume III > Part 85
USA > New York > Suffolk County > Long Island; a history of two great counties, Nassau and Suffolk, Volume III > Part 85

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).

Arthur C. Phillips was born at Southampton, on March 3, 1877, son of Daniel Young Phillips and his wife, the former Mary Elizabeth Corwin, born at Franklinville, on January 10, 1831, who lived to De- cember 18, 1903. Her husband was a native of Quogue, born on March 19, 1828, who combined coop- erage and farming on shore as an occupation, with sailing as a captain of whaling ships to the far quar- ters of the earth. Three times he circumnavigated the globe, but was always happy to make in safety with a full cargo, his home port, Sag Harbor. His death occurred on February 19, 1898.

The subject of this account attended local grade and high schools of his birthplace to about the age of eighteen, at the same time making himself useful on his father's farm. He then entered the Bryant and Stratton Business College and after completing the required courses he entered the employ of the Sprague National Bank, of Brooklyn, and two years later resigned as paying teller to go with the Cus- tom House. His further experience was with the brokerage firm of Tuzo Corbett and Company until 1915, when he tried his hand at selling automobiles, which were not yet the popular machine of today, be- coming a member of the C. T. Silver Company, in New York City. His cars were the Overland and Peerless, and he represented the makers for some five years. There followed five more years with the P. J. Durham Company, also in the American metro-

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polis, distributors of automotive and electric equip- ment and supplies, as agents of outstanding manu- facturers.

In the middle years of the nineteen hundreds, Arthur C. Phillips organized the Franklin Square National Bank of Franklin Square, Nassau County. He remained at its head through good years and bad as chairman of the board of this strong and im- portant financial concern. Elsewhere in this work is an account of the development from very small be- ginnings of the bank to an institution of more than $25,000,000 resources.

Banking, while the principal interest of Mr. Phillips, is by no means his only one in Nassau County. He has been general manager of the Franklin Shops, Inc., of Hempstead, greater Long Island's department store, since 1927; is a director of Central Nassau, Inc .; and is one of the founders of Hofstra College, a coeducational institution located at Hempstead, and continues to serve on its board of trustees. He is a former president of the Hempstead board of educa- tion; a member of the Hempstead Lions Club; and an influential figure in Republican party politics. Fra- ternally Mr. Phillips is a life member of Morton Lodge, No. 63, Free and Accepted Masons; a Past Master, and Past High Priest of Signet Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Past Commander of Nassau Commandery, Knights Templar; and is a Thirty- second Degree Mason. He is a member of Christ Presbyterian Church, in Hempstead.

Arthur C. Phillips married Sadie Wiseman, of Newburgh, New York, who died in 1921, leaving one daughter: Harriett Wiseman, who married Frank Pill, Jr., and is the mother of one son: Peter F. Pill.

ROBERT P. SCHUR, New York City and Hamp- ton Bays attorney, makes his home in Hampton Bays; is a director of the Hampton Bays National Bank, the Southampton Hospital and The Long Island As- sociation, a member of the Suffolk County Republican Club and the Suffolk County Bar Association, and otherwise takes a keen interest in the affairs of Long Island and of his community.

He was born in New York City, the son of Carl and Clara Schur. His father, Carl Schur was a mem- ber of the board of trustees of the College of Phar- macy of Columbia University.

Mr. Schur was educated in New York City. He is a graduate of Columbia University, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts and later that of Bachelor of Laws. Mr. Schur commutes to New York from Hampton Bays, carrying on his law prac- tice at 270 Madison Avenue, New York City, as well as at Hampton Bays.

Fraternally Mr. Schur is affiliated with Old Town Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Southampton Lodge of Elks, and also belongs to the Columbia University Club, the National Repub- lican Club, and many other societies.

He is married to Gula F. Howell, the daughter of Albert M. and Mary (Woodhull) Howell.

REVEREND FATHER THOMAS J. JUDGE- A native of Brooklyn, the Reverend Father Thomas J. Judge has served numerous Long Island parishes as pastor during the major portion of his clerical life. He is now pastor of St. Hugh's Roman Catholic Church at Huntington Station.

Father Judge was born on November 27, 1877, the son of James and Catherine (Lynch) Judge. His par- ents were natives of Ireland. The future priest began

his education in the public schools in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn. He prepared for the priesthood at St. Charles College, Ellicott City, Maryland, and St. Joseph's Seminary, New York, and was ordained from St. Bonaventure's Seminary, near Buffalo, New York, by Bishop Colton of Buffalo.

He first served the parishes of the Resurrection, the Holy Ghost, St. Rose of Lima, Our Lady of Victory, St. Peters, Port Washington and St. Francis Xavier as an assistant. Then he was at Our Lady of Grace, Fisher's Island, and St. John's, Center Moriches, as pastor, before assuming the pastorate of St. Hugh's in Huntington Station on July 8, 1943.

Father Judge is a member of the Knights of Co- lumbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Rotary Club.

HAROLD McGOWAN-In the rapid development of Long Island in recent decades as America's great- est area of suburban and country homes, Harold McGowan of Central Islip has played an extensive role, having become, in fact, by his energy, enterprise and far-sightedness, the most successful large-scale developer and builder in Suffolk County, a man whose impress is on many a community in the form of beautiful homes, together with the business centers that serve them, and in the form of industrial struc- tures as well.

Born in the state of New Jersey on June 23, 1909, Harold McGowan is the son of Sylvester and Grace (Kalbfleisch) McGowan. Harold McGowan grew up and attended school in Union City, New Jersey, graduating from high school there. Coming to Med- ford when his family settled there in 1925, he first took employment with William Hahn, a contractor in that villiage. He became skilled in carpentry and other trades connected with construction, and at the age of seventeen years he became associated with the firm of Cornell Brothers, contractors at Wood- mere, Long Island, as a foreman, earning $125 a week. With such an excellent income for one of his years, Harold McGowan used his savings to further his education, taking both day and night courses at Polytechnic Institute and Pratt Institute in the Borough of Brooklyn, New York City, and at New York University. During these years he also formed a partnership with John Levy of New York City, in a construction business doing principally alterations and repair work in that city and its vicinity.

Thus widely experienced in all the practical phases of the business, Harold McGowan returned to Suffolk County, where he foresaw the great possibilities just ahead, and established his own construction business at Central Islip in 1932. From the beginning he also began to engage shrewdly in the real estate business. In the sixteen years since then, Mr. McGowan has been outstandingly successful. During 1947 he sold over one million and a half dollars' worth of real estate. Since he began operations, he has built more than six hundred houses. His contribution to solv- ing the post-war housing shortage was the erection of one hundred and ten homes in 1946. In Central Islip Mr. McGowan has planned and developed the beauti- ful residential sections known as Wheeler Acres, Rolling Green, Brinsley Gardens, Maple Acres and Clover Green. He has also developed in that vicinity a unique and prosperous Colonial Store Community, and he has built several industrial plants and com- mercial structures. In December of 1948 Harold McGowan completed a project of two hundred homes with a flourishing store community, post office and professional offices. His work in Central Islip in

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Harold Mc Gowan

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the past three years alone has increased the population there approximately twenty-five percent. He has often made the statement that Central Islip in a com- paratively short time will be a large community and business center like Hempstead, and while people at first thought he was joking they now believe that his words should not go unheeded.

His plans for the future of Central Islip call for a well-rounded development of the town. The next program calls for the building of five hundred homes and a store community. Industry is not being over- looked for he has selected an area which shall be developed into industrial sites, and arrangements are now being made for new industries to settle on these locations.

During World War II Mr. McGowan devoted his entire time, energies and know-how to the con- struction of barracks, roads, power plants, ammunition warehouses, churches, prefabricated buildings, sew- age systems and other facilities for the United States Government.

Harold McGowan is an inventor of considerable stature having developed ways of building crack- proof walls of plywood. His patented inventions in- clude several special devices and machines for produc- ing plywood units for making crackproof walls. Because of his special knowledge in this field he has been offered large salaries by plywood companies to join their executive staffs.

At Central Islip on January 15, 1938, Harold McGowan was married to Ann Cecelia McTiernan of that village, the daughter of Frank and Sarah (Murphy) McTiernan. Of this union there are three children, all born at Southside Hospital, Bay Shore: I. Linda Ann, born February 9, 1942. 2. Harold Charles, born September 16, 1943. 3. Janice Marie, born April 23, 1946.

Mr. McGowan is fond of traveling, has visited most of the famous spots in the country including Yellow- stone National Park, Grand Canyon, Yosemite Park, Mesa Verde, and most of the principal cities and states of the Union. During the winters he is accustomed to find his recreation in Florida, Cali- fornia or Mexico. He is especially fond of deep-sea fishing and has several trophies to show his ability at this sport.

T. HAROLD FORBES-For some years T. Har- old Forbes has been a prominent figure in the field of journalism on Long Island. He was for eight years publisher of the Flushing "Evening Journal," and has, since 1942, been publisher of the "County Review," of Riverhead, in which village he now makes his home. Mr. Forbes achieved his status as journalist while still in young manhood, and has always chosen associ- ation with newspapers of suburban communities about the perimeter of the New York metropolis.

A native of New Rochelle, T. Harold Forbes was born September 27, 1885, son of George M. and Mary (Connor) Forbes. For many years his father was en- gaged in newspaper work as a writer, both in New Rochelle and New York City. T. Harold Forbes was educated in the public and high schools of New Ro- chelle, and upon leaving school secured employment with the "New Rochelle Paragraph," a weekly paper published by his brother, Robert Lucas Forbes. He did clerical and other minor work at first, then became a reporter for the "Paragraph." Several years later with what capital he possessed, he became publisher of the "Livingston Manor Times," at Livingston Man- or, New York, where he remained for three years. On January 1, 1920, he returned to New Rochelle, having L.I .- 36

purchased the "Daily Star" from Robert Lucas Forbes. Then came the chance which placed his newspaper interests in the front rank of Westchester's leading news sheets. On July 2, 1923, the "Evening Standard" and the "Daily Star" became the "Standard-Star," and under the able management of Messrs. F. A. Merriam, Mark D. Stiles, M. S. Porter and Mr. Forbes, all of the Westchester Newspapers, Incorporated, the "Stan- dard-Star" was issued. With it came the opening, on October 1, 1924, at 55 Rose Street, of one of the most palatial offices and newspaper plants in the country at that time, and also the incentive to a greater circulation.

Mr. Forbes remained with the New Rochelle "Standard-Star" from 1919 to 1928. During that period a history of the locality said, in appraisal of his achievements :

It would seem to the casual observer that on account of the nearness of Westchester County to the world's greatest center of newspaper distribution, New York City, that there would be little probability of the newspaper development which the county now possesses. Then, on the other hand, there is abundant rea- son to believe in the minds of keen newspapermen that the field here is sufficiently ample in its production of news topics to gain the support of an appreciative public. This last mentioned reason has been highly justified, because when one studies the history of the "Mount Vernon Argus" and the "Standard Star" of New Rochelle, both of which are owned by the Westchester Newspapers, Inc., these institutions are the result of the far- sighted vision of its official board of which Mr. Forbes is a member.

In 1931, Mr. Forbes left Westchester to become publisher of the Flushing "Evening Journal," which he published from that year until 1939. In 1942, he be- came publisher of the "County Review" in Riverhead, with which he has remained since. Professionally, T. Harold Forbes is a member of the National Edi- torial Association, the New York State Press Associa- tion, and the New York Associated Dailies. Locally, he is a member of the Wykogyl Country Club, the Larchmont Yacht Club, and the New York Athletic Club. While in Westchester, he was prominently affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce and several fraternal organizations, including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Colum- bus. Mr. Forbes is of Catholic faith.

Mr. Forbes' current publishing enterprise is oper- ated under the corporate name of Harry Lee Publish- ing Company, Riverhead, Long Island.

At Charleston, West Virginia, April 7, 1911, T. Harold Forbes married Caroline Bohrmann, daughter of Lee and Bertha Bohrmann. Mr. and Mrs. Bohr- mann are natives of the South, their daughter having been born in Atlanta, Georgia. In later life the Bohr- manns moved to New York City, where Mr. Bohrmann became engaged in the mercantile business. To T. Harold and Caroline (Bohrmann) Forbes, five sons have been born: I. T. Harold, Jr., who graduated from Colgate University in 1935, being while an under- graduate a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He was sports writer for the New York "Daily News" from 1935 to 1941, in the latter year enlisting in the United States Army. He attained the rank of cap- tain, and was attached to the Provost Marshall Gen- eral's office, aide-de-camp to Major General Archer L. Lerch, Military Governor of Korea. He returned to "The News" after five years in the service as assis- tant promotion director. 2. Clifford L., a graduate of Worcester Academy in 1938, who attended Yale, thereafter spent eight years in the advertising depart- ment of the "Flushing Star-Journal." He entered the service April 1, 1944, spending one year overseas with the 104th Division, First Army. Holding the rank of private first class, Clifford Forbes was awarded the bronze star for gallantry in action while under

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fire on the Aachen front in Germany. He is now in the advertising department of the "Herald-Tribune." 3. Frank C., a graduate of Colgate University in the class of 1940, and a Delta Kappa Epsilon. After being associated with the sales contract department of the Curtiss-Wright Company of Paterson, New Jersey, he entered the naval service, September 1, 1944, and was stationed at the Aviation Supply Depot in Philadelphia. He joined the "County Review" as business manager January 1, 1947. 4. Kenneth P., who attended McBurney Preparatory School, and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1941. He was a member of the cast of Moss Hart's play "Junior Miss," and also of the stage and screen versions of "Winged Victory." He entered the service January 10, 1943, was overseas with Mickey Rooney, in jeep shows, Special Service Unit, Marine Corps, doing impersonations. He is now em- ployed in stage and radio work. 5. Charles B., a graduate of Manhasset High School and of Rom- ford Preparatory School, Washington, Connecticut. He was graduated from Colgate University June 1948, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and spent three years in service, one of which was overseas duty. He entered the advertising research department of "The News," July 1, 1948. The Forbes family resides at Old Depot Road, Quogue, Long Island.

EDWIN GILES WRIGHT-Mainly self-taught in the theory and principles of the law, Edwin Giles Wright since his admission to the bar in 1900, has during a long and successful career covering forty- seven years, achieved high standing in his profession and in the estimation of his legal colleagues and of many grateful clients.

Mr. Wright was born in Rockville Centre, May 4, 1876. His father, Samuel Osborn Wright, was a pio- neer builder in the Harlem section of New York City, and reputedly one of the most extensive operators of his time in that part of Manhattan Island. The family lived in New York City during the winters, but from 1870 onward they spent the summer seasons in Rockville Centre, where Samuel Osborn Wright became very active in civic affairs. He served as a member of the Rockville Centre school board and supervised the erection of the first high school build- ing in that village, which incidentally was the first to be accepted by the Long Island regents, in 1891. His wife and the mother of Edwin Giles Wright was the former Maria Theresa Macord.

Edwin Giles Wright's education began in the pub- lic schools of New York and Rockville Centre, and he was graduated from the South Side High School, class of 1893. Having determined to become a lawyer, he entered the office of John Lyon, an attor- ney of ability, and here was employed for eight years. For one year in his spare time he studied law at New York University, New York City. In 1900, he passed his bar examinations and was admitted to practice. Growing with the phenomenal growth of Rockville Centre, which is one of the most progressive of the southern Nassau County villages, Mr. Wright ac- quired a lucrative practice.

At the early age of nineteen years Mr. Wright be- came treasurer of the Rockville Centre school dis- trict, a post he filled for several years. On the board of trustees of the village of Rockville Centre he served at the age of twenty-three years, and held the office of president of the village during the war years of 1917 and 1018. During World War I he was also chairman of the legal advisory committee for Rock-

ville Centre and adjacent territory, and in this con- nection he received a citation for meritorious service, from President Woodrow Wilson. During this period he was also foremost in all campaigns for the sale of Liberty Bonds. Justice of the peace of the Town of Hempstead is another office which Mr. Wright filled at one time in his early years, in fact when he was only twenty-four. For ten or twelve years he served as village counsel, and was long a member of the local fire department.

Mr. Wright is a life member of the Nassau County Bar Association, of which he was president in 1914; member of the New York State and American bar associations; and for seventeen years served as presi- dent of the local Exchange and Luncheon Club of Rockville Centre. In addition to his record as a pub- lic official, his activities in business and civic organi- zations and his law practice, Mr. Wright has been truly one of the builders of modern Rockville Centre. Having acquired considerable real estate holdings, he constructed both residential and business blocks to provide those services which a populous community requires. He has long been a factor in banking affairs in Nassau County, serving for twenty years on the board of trustees of the Roslyn Savings Bank, and at times director of the counsel for several banking insti- tutions. It can be said of Mr. Wright that he has touched and influenced the life of his village and coun- ty at many points, his influence always in the direc- tion of progress and prosperity.

At Rockville Centre, October 8, 1902, Mr. Wright married Mabel L. Brindley, of Brooklyn, daughter of Charles W. and Emma L. Brindley, and in her own right, prominent in the field of education. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of two sons: Allan Brindley, born July 15, 1906 (q. v.); and Giles Macord, born February 13, 1918 (q. v.). Both sons now prac- tice law with their father under the name of Wright and Wright.

ALLAN BRINDLEY WRIGHT-Inheriting a legal tradition from his father, and thoroughly grounded in his profession by study at some of the most notable institutions of learning in this country, Allan Brindley Wright, since his admission to the bar some fifteen or more years ago, has taken a promi- nent place among the attorneys of Nassau County and indeed of all Long Island.

A son of Edwin Giles Wright and his wife Mabel Louise Wright, Allan Brindley Wright was born at Rockville Centre, Nassau County, on July 15, 1906. His father is a lawyer as well as engaging in other work. Beginning his schooling at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, Allan Brindley Wright graduated from the South Side High School in his native Rockville Centre, and from there went to Am- herst College, at Amherst, Massachusetts. From this noted institution he graduated with the class of 1928. He was active in varsity athletics and all school and college events and traveled through Europe as a re- presentative of the American Young Men's Christian Association on that organization's first World-Y Tour in the interest of world friendship. The law was his early choice of a career, and following his pre-law studies at Amherst, he enrolled in the Brooklyn Law School, Borough of Brooklyn, New York City, a division of St. Lawrence University. From this he graduated in 1931. He was admitted to practice in 1932.

Allan Brindley Wright was formerly a member of the board of directors as well as general counsel of the County Federal Savings and Loan Association.

Edwin 9. wright 01.

Cillan B. Wright

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Among his important clients today is the Lynbrook National Bank and Trust Company, of Lynbrook, Nassau County, which he serves as general counsel. He is also a member of the board of directors of this bank. Mr. Wright is a member of the law firm of Wright and Wright, which has its offices in the vil- lage of Rockville Centre.

During the second World War Mr. Wright served in the United States Navy air force, with the rank of lieutenant senior grade in the United States Naval Reserve. Affiliated with the Delta Theta Phi and the Theta Delta Chi fraternities, and president of the Mu Deuteron Association of Theta Delta Chi, Mr. Wright is also known in fraternal circles through his member- ship in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In local business, professional, civic and social life he is very active, and popular in all these circles. He is a life member of the Nassau County Bar Association, at the age of thirty was chairman of its membership committee, at the age of thirty-one was elected to the board of directors of the organization, and at the age of thirty-two was chairman of its grievance com- mittee. He also belongs to the New York Bar As- sociation and to the American Bar Association. He is a member of the American Legion and of the Re- serve Officers Naval Services, popularly known as the RONS. He is a past president of the Northwest Civic Association of Rockville Centre and holds membership in the Rockville Country Club and the Lions Club as well as in the Rockville Centre Cham- ber of Commerce and in the Rockville Centre Lunch- eon Club. He was formerly a member of the Nassau Country Club. One of his interests is the South Nassau Communities Hospital, and of this worthy institution he is a member of the board of directors. His religious affiliation is the St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal Church of Rockville Centre where he is active as a member of the executive committee of its Country Club and also with its Boy Scout troops.

On January 14, 1933, Allan Brindley Wright was married to Constance Helen Dungan, the ceremony taking place at Rockville Centre. Mrs. Wright is a daughter of Harry Price and Eva Rose Dungan. Of this union there is one child, Allan Jeffery, who was born on March 13, 1943.

GILES MACORD WRIGHT-A native of Rock- ville Centre, Giles Macord Wright has chosen to make his birth place and home town the scene of his practice at the bar, in which an eminent career is predicted for him. Although he is one of the younger practitioners of the legal profession, his sound know- ledge of the law and his manifest talents have won him a secure place at the bar of Long Island.

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Long Island; a history of two great counties, Nassau and Suffolk, Volume III, Part 85

Author: Bailey, Paul, 1885-1962, editor Publication date: 1949 Publisher: New York, Lewis Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 922

Author: Bailey, Paul, 1885-1962, editor
Publication date: 1949
Publisher: New York, Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 922