Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 102

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1220

USA > New York > Queens County > Long Island City > Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York > Part 102

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The father of our subject was born near Wood- haven in 1799 and grew to manhood in his na- tive place. When he was about fourteen years of age he was orphaned by the death of his father, Johannes S. Lott, from whom he inherited the valuable estate forming the principal part of the present village of Woodhaven. In 1834 he dis- posed of his interests in and about this place and removed to the town of Newtown, purchasing the farm now owned and occupied by Abraham V. S. Hcre he continued to reside the greater part of the time until his death, which occurred in Jamaica South February 14, 1871.

After completing his education in the Union

Hall Academy of Jamaica, our subject gave his attention to farming and assisted his father in the cultivation of the home place until the death of the latter. September 13, 1864, he married Miss Cornelia DeBevoise, an estimable lady residing at Dutch Kills. Shortly after his marriage he and his brother, John Henry, rented the homc- stead, their father removing to Jamaica South. A little more than a year later the senior Mr. Lott died and our subject then assumed the en- tire control of the place, operating it for himself until the settlement of the estate. The home place (now called Viamede) became the property of A. V. S. Lott and here he has since resided.

Mr. and Mrs. Lott are the parents of seven children, one of whom is deceased. Those who survive are Stephen I., who acquired his educa- tion at Fairchild's Institute; Gertrude V. S., a graduate of Flushing high school; Joanna D. B. V., who also completed her studies in that insti- tution; Cornelia R., who attended Flushing high school and Barnard College; Sarah E. and Ellen S., students in the school at Flushing. In public affairs Mr. Lott has always taken a commenda- ble interest, and for five terms held the position of road overseer. He is a Democrat on national issues, but in local politics is independent, voting for the best men. He and his family attend the Dutch Reformed Church of Newtown.

C ORNELIUS V. SEAMAN is one of the men-of whom the number is not few- who have worked their way from poverty to independence, from want to competence. Now a resident of Port Washington, he is known as one of the honest, industrious business men of this village, and as a public-spirited citizen, inter- csted in progressive measures. Hc was born in the town of North Hempstead, Queens County, July 24, 1838, and is a son of Daniel P. and Phoebe (Pearsall) Scaman.

The first of the family to locate in North Hempstead was our subject's great-grandfather, a shoemaker, who owned land in what is now called Old Westbury. Grandfather David Sea- man, also a shoemaker, made his home in Ros- lyn, where he died at an advanced age. The father, Daniel P., who was a mason and plasterer, lived during much of his life in the town of North Hempstead, where he died at the age of seventy ycars. Of his eight children, five arc still living. In ante-bellum days he was a Democrat, but in

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1860 he cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln and ever afterward maintained Republican principles. His birthplace was at Old Westbury, and the date of his birth April 1, 1815. Though a de- scendant of Quaker ancestors, he was not himself identified with any church. He died in Manhas- set in June, 1886, and his body was interred in Van Zandt's Churchyard at Little Neck.

Between the years of three and ten our sub- ject lived in Port Washington, where he attend- ed the subscription schools. From here he ac- companied the other members of the family to Manhasset, where he spent two years. At the age of twelve he commenced work at the ma- son's trade, remaining thus engaged for one year, and receiving fifty cents a day for his services. Next he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he served for eleven months. April 11, 1853, when he was not quite fifteen, he began to work for William Place, of Manhasset, where he en- tered into articles of apprenticeship for six years, making his own contract. During that entire period he lost only three and one-half days, and they were upon the Fourth of July and Christ- mas. The first year he was paid $2.50 a month, and the amount was increased $5 per year every year afterward. On the expiration of his ap- prenticeship, he secured a position with Henry Mackey, at Port Washington, and was paid $14. which was the best wages given anyone in the vicinity at that time.

October 26, 1859, Mr. Seaman married Miss Nancy Jane, daughter of David and Maria (Car- man) Stivson, and a native of the town of North Hempstead. He remained with Mr. Mackey un- til the spring of 1860, after which he followed the bay for a few months. He then moved to Man- hasset, rented a shop and carried on his trade for more than a year. Going to Freeport, town of Hempstead, he became proprietor of a shop there. It was while thus engaged that he was drafted into the army and being in poor health, unfit for service, he hired a substitute. On his return to Port Washington he worked for Mr. Mackey for a time, then opened a shop of his own and has during much of the time since fol- lowed his trade of blacksmith and horse-shoer. For a short time he followed the bay and hauled oysters to Jamaica, also engaged in the grocery business for a few months, but the results not being satisfactory, he returned to his trade. March 4, 1866, he bought two lots and two years afterward built on them. Later he bought an-

other lot, on which he built. His present home was bought about 1886, and is a neat and com- fortable abode. He and his wife have no chil- dren, but adopted a child, Grace, who since the age of eleven has made her home with them; she was born in Port Washington and is a daughter of William and Margaret Ann Carman.

Since casting his first Presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, Mr. Seaman has ever been a stanch Republican. For three years he served as constable, but on the occasion of his fourth election refused to again accept the posi- tion. He was a candidate for overseer of the poor for the town of North Hempstead and though the town is largely Democratic, he lacked only nine votes of winning the election. With his wife he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as steward and was Sunday-school teacher for two years. His wife, who has been a teacher in the Sunday-school for fourteen years, is also a prom- inent member of the Ladies'Sewing Circle and at one time served as vice-president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, being an active worker in all religious and philanthropic enter- prises.

Mr. Seaman was a charter member of the At- lantic Hook and Ladder Company of Port Wash- ington, in which he is now serving the second time. He was treasurer of the building commit- tee and raised most of the money for building the fine hall now used by the company. Socially he is connected with Pembroke Lodge No. 73. I. O. O. F., at Glencove, and is a member of Warren Encampment at the corner of Second Street and the Bowery, New York City. At one time he was an active member of the Sons of Temperance, and his wife was also associated with the organization.

A DAM C. STEVENS, who is engaged in farming and the dairy business on the Wil- liam P. Willet's estate, town of North Hempstead, was born in Orange County, N. Y., September 15, 1855, being a son of John and Lu- cinda Stevens. His paternal grandfather, Da- vid, was a son of Jonathan Stevens, one of six brothers who came from Connecticut and set- tled in the town of Chester, Orange County, on the farm now owned by John Stevens. The country was then a wilderness, in almost the primeval condition of nature, and it was his task

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to assist in placing it under cultivation and ren- dering it more valuable. In business and relig- ious affairs his descendants were so prominent that the locality where they lived was always de- nominated the "Stevens neighborhood."

The father of our subject was born November 14, 1822, and still resides on the family estate. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is prominent in religious matters. His first wife, our subject's mother, was Mrs. Lucinda (Seely) Jaques, widow of Francis Jaques, and they became the parents of five children. The three now living are Adam C .; Charles, who resides in Orange County; and Mary, who is with her brother. Mrs. Lucinda Stevens passed away in July, 1890, and in November, 1893, our subject's father was again married, his wife being Mrs. Margaret Reynolds, of New York City.

Commencing his education in the public schools, our subject later attended the academy at Yonkers, from which he graduated. At the age of twenty he began to teach in Orange Coun- ty, remaining thus engaged for eighteen months, after which he took charge of the home farm un- til 1892. He then removed to Queens County and rented the place he now occupies. His at- tention is given to the dairy business and retail milk trade, his route extending to Roslyn, Min- eola and Hempstead. Usually he has on hand sixty or seventy cows, and each year makes ship- ment to Long Island City and Great Neck. Po- litically he is a Republican.

September 3, 1879, Mr. Stevens married Lydia, daughter of John and Laura (Parsels) Bush, and a native of Orange County. They are the par- ents of an only daughter, Flora. The family are members of and influential workers in the Pres- byterian Church of Roslyn, in which Mr. Stevens has taken an active part. Prior to coming to this county, he had served as superintendent of the Sunday-school and in other positions of re- sponsibility, at his former place of residence.

R EV. WILLIAM SCHOENFELD, pastor of the Trinity German Lutheran Church at Schuetzen Park, is a finely educated gentleman and deserves especial credit for the faithful manner in which he has labored with the congregation at this place. The Lutheran Church wields a mighty influence for good in the community, and Mr. Schoenfeld is devoting

his best efforts to advancing his Master's cause by zealous work in His vineyard.

Our subject is a native of the great state of Illinois, having been born at Niles, Cook Coun- ty, May II, 1869. His father was John A. Schoenfeld, a native of Saxony, where his parents, who were farmers, were the owners of consider- able property. John Schoenfeld was reared to man's estate in his native land, coming to Amer- ica prior to his marriage and locating in Cook County, where he was engaged in farming until the year 1870. He then moved into the World's Fair City, making his home there until his death, which occurred seven years later, when he was aged fifty-four. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, to which he firmly ad- hered all his life. In politics he became a straightforward, uncompromising Republican, although never considered a seeker after office.

The lady who became the mother of our sub- ject was in her maidenhood Miss Dorothea Brandt, a native of Hanover, Germany, and the daughter of William Brandt, a farmer of consider- able means in the Fatherland. He crossed the At- lantic with his family in 1852 and after landing on the shores of the New World continued his west- ward way until he reached Elkgrove, Cook County, Ill., where he invested his means in a good farm. He continued to reside there until late in 1876, when he removed to Fillmore County, Minn., where he took up a tract of raw prairie land which he improved and resided upon until his decease, when advanced in years. His wife was Catherine (Boesche) Brandt. The family were all members of the Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Dorothea Schoenfeld was in her fifth year at the time her parents came to America. She remained the loving companion and helpmate of her husband until his decease and is now an in- mate of our subject's household. She became the mother of three children: Emma. now Mrs. Louis Ploss, a resident of Chicago: William, of this history; and Robert, also living in the Gar- den City: he is buyer in the trimming depart- ment for Marshall Field & Co.

The subject of this sketch was an infant when his parents moved to Chicago. As soon as old enough he was sent to the parochial schools and also received private instruction in the Latin lan- guage. In 1882 he entered the Concordia Col- lege at Fort Wayne, Ind., from which institution he was graduated in 1887. In the fall of the same year he became a student in Concordia

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Seminary at St. Louis, Mo., and three years there- after, having taken the full course, was gradu- ated. August 24, 1890, he was ordained in Schuetzen Park Håll, whither he had come to be- gin his labors. A church had been established here in February, 1890, by Rev. F. Koenig, of New York, with a membership of ten. Our sub- ject was called to take charge of this congrega- tion by the Mission Board of the Eastern Dis- trict of the Missouri Synod and on taking up his residence on Long Island was ordained as we have stated above. The first Sunday he held services in the basement of the church and the third Sunday the building was completed and dedicated. The congregation now own and oc- cupy a large frame edifice in Eighth Avenue, which was erected for them. The building is 80x50 feet in dimensions and the membership has grown to include fifty-seven families, represent- ing six hundred souls. The Lutheran Church have a Ladies' and Young People's Society, also a society for young men, and in December, 1894, established a mission at Whitestone, L. I., which is now presided over by Rev. F. Kroencke. Later, in the fall of 1895, another mission was started at Woodside, of which Mr. Schoenfeld, with the assistance of Mr. Kroencke, has charge.

In the fall of the above year our subject also took an active part in establishing an English Lutheran mission in West Forty-second Street, New York City, which is now in a very flourish- ing condition. Our subject was secretary of the New York local conference for over two years and has always taken a very active part in estab- lishing new churches in this locality. Trinity Church is one of the most influential congrega- tions in Long Island City and its numerous mem- bers are doing everything in their power to win souls for Christ.

The day after the dedication of the new church building Mr. Schoenfeld started the parochial school, which he taught himself until Christmas, when he called the first teacher, J. Wambsganss, who remained his assistant until the work grew to such proportions that it became necessary to have another man who could give his entire time to the work, and A. Beyer, now of Albany, was called on this occasion.

The Lutheran Church of this city is very for- tunate in having for one of its members a very wealthy and benevolent gentleman in the person of Jacob Miller, through whose liberality the members have been enabled to erect and pay for

their present comfortable building. It was erect- ed at a cost of $16,000, of which Mr. Miller paid $10,000. He is at the present time residing in Brooklyn, although he is very much interested in the work and progress of Trinity Church and attends services here whenever possible.

Since he began preaching Mr. Schoenfeld has received three calls from Mt. Calvary Church, of Buffalo, and has also been petitioned to take charge of the English Lutheran Church, of Mil- waukee, Wis. He speaks both the German and English languages and is presiding with great success over his congregation. The Sunday- school, which was organized many years ago, now numbers three hundred scholars and is one of the best in the city.

E DWARD BRICK, who is a contractor and builder in College Point, was born in Bris- tol, England, to Edward and Elizabeth (Sullivan) Brick, the former of whom was for some time in the British army and later was a pensioner of the government. Educated in the schools of London, the subject of this record left school to learn the mason and plasterer's trade, which he followed for a time in his native country. In 1854 he came to America on a sailing vessel, and after working at his trade in New York City for a short time, in the fall of the same year he removed to Flushing, where he was employed by Henry Bartow. In 1856 he began as a con- tractor in College Point, and has since resided here, though business duties frequently call him to other places. He assisted in the erection of the National Capitol and the Treasury Building in Washington, D. C., returning to College Point in 1870, and resuming work here. Among the contracts he has had are those for the erection of the residences of James A. MacDonald, Rob- ert Parsons, W. H. Fitzpatrick, T. F. Tuohy, Messrs. Coxe and Osgood, the postoffice build- ing and a number of business blocks. While his principal contracts have been in College Point, he has also had important contracts in Flushing and other parts of the county.

In Flushing Mr. Brick married Miss Catherine Carroll, a native of Ireland, who died in College Point in September, 1895. Their nine children are named as follows: John, who is a carpenter; Mary; Lizzie; William, a mason by occupation, at this writing with his father; Katie; Edward, Jr., a carpenter by trade; Ella, Agnes and Fannie.

JOHN HEPBURN.

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The family residence, which was built by Mr. Brick, stands in Fifteenth Street near Sixth Ave- nue. In religious views our subject is connected with St. Fidelis' Catholic Church. Politically he is a Democrat and has represented his party in numerous local conventions, also serving on the grand and petit jury at different times.

J OHN HEPBURN. As a citizen and sub- stantial business man no one stands higher in his community than Mr. Hepburn. Since he came to Flushing in 1870, he has been closely identified with the business interests of the vil- lage and has also been a prominent factor in the development of its material resources, giving liberally of time, means and thought to secure the welfare of the people and promote every line of activity. His place of business is located at No. 103 Main Street, where he keeps in stock a full assortment of medicines and druggists' sundries. In addition to the local trade he does considera- ble jobbing business, and employs six assistants to aid him in clerical work and in the sales.

The success which has come to Mr. Hepburn is largely due to qualities of thrift, honesty and industry, inherited from a long line of Scotch ancestors, who were of the Covenanter faith. His father, William C., was born in Dumbarton, Scotland, where he grew to manhood on the home farm and learned the trade of a landscape gardener. With the hope of securing more prof- itable employment, he came to America and set- tled in Pelham, near New Rochelle, Westchester County, N. Y., where he had charge of the Pel- ham Priory estate. He continued in that posi- tion until advancing years rendered it necessary for him to give up active work, since which time he has lived retired in Flushing. He is now (1896) seventy-five years old, but is hale and hearty for one of his age. In religious belief he adheres to the faith of his forefathers and wor- ships with the Presbyterians. His wife, Mar- garet, was born in Inverary, Argyleshire, Scot- land, and died in New Jersey. She was a daugh- ter of John Macdonald, a mechanical engineer and member of a family noted for skill in me- chanics.

The parental family consisted of ten children, and all but one of these are still living. John, who is the eldest, was born in Cantire, Scotland, June 8, 1849, and spent his early childhood prin- cipally in Argyleshire. In 1856, accompanying

other members of the family, he took passage on the sailing vessel "Java," which anchored in the harbor of New York after a voyage of nearly seven weeks. The family home was established in Westchester County, and his studies were con- ducted in the high school of New Rochelle. From an early age it was his desire to become a pharmacist, and he availed himself of the first favorable opening that presented itself, entering the wholesale and retail pharmacy of Eimer & Amend, on the corner of Eighteenth Street and Third Avenue, New York. Later he entered the employ of S. G. Welling of New Rochelle, and when that gentleman opened a branch store in Flushing in 1870, Mr. Hepburn came here to take charge of it. Two years later, with W. T. James as a partner, he purchased the business, the two continuing the connection until 1890, since which time our subject has been the sole proprietor.

In this village occurred the marriage of Mr. Hepburn and Miss Emma J., daughter of Sam- uel and Sarah (Hopcraft) Carpenter, the former a native of England, but for many years a promi- nent business man of Flushing. Their three chil- dren are Claudine E., Alex M. and Kittie E. (twins). As the candidate on the Citizens' ticket, Mr. Hepburn was elected a member of the board of village trustees in the fall of 1894 and on the first day of the following year he took his seat for a term of two years. At this writing he serves as member of the police committee, and chairman of the committees on printing, assess- ments, and wells and pumps.

All enterprises which have for their object the good of the town or county always find in Mr. Hepburn an advocate and friend, ready to give them substantial aid. Among those who worked for the success of the Electric Street Railroad, he took a prominent part, and served as director un- til the road was completed and in running order, when he disposed of his interest in the concern. Aiding also in the organization of the Flushing Electric Light & Power Company, he is still con- nected with that enterprise as a director. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Royal Arcanum and Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M. For twenty years he has been a deacon in the Re- formed Church and has rendered especially valu- able services while on the building committee.

For ten years Mr. Hepburn was connected with the Seventeenth Separate Company, Na- tional Guard of New York, of which he was com-

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missioned second lieutenant by Governor Rob- be used without stooping and for which he re- inson and first lieutenant by Governor Cornell. ceived a medal from the American Institute. On this he has received a royalty from the Central Stamping Company, since 1888. As an official member of the company, he was active in all its affairs and took a leading part in securing the erection of their fine armory. At Mr. Valentine has always been greatly inter- ested in horticulture and on his beautiful home place of twenty-two acres he annually raises a large amount of fruit. In 1872 he built his fine home on the sound, which he called Cedar Knoll, and to the beautifying of this place much of his leisure time is given. Mr. Valentine is quite an expert wood carver, which he does for pleasure and not for gain. this writing he is treasurer of the ex-Members' Association of the Seventeenth Separate Com- pany. He was a prominent factor in the organi- zation of the Business Men's Association, and is now its vice-president. When at leisure, he finds pleasure in sports and takes part in the plans and workings of the Flushing Boat Club; also the Mercury Wheel Club of Flushing and the Flush- ing Fishing Club, whose clubhouse is on the South Side. The Y. M. C. A. has from the first had in him a firm friend, who in the capacity of trustee has rendered efficient service. By elec- tion he is a member of the New York College of Pharmacy, and since 1873 has been identified with the American Pharmacists' Association. In national affairs he always supports Republican candidates, and during the Hayes campaign he was treasurer of the Republican Club and an ac- tive worker for the success of the party's chosen candidate.

W ILLIAM M. VALENTINE is de- scended from good old Quaker stock and is a substantial and reliable citizen, one whose life has not been one of idleness. He was born in the first house built in Glencove, L. I., April 7, 1840, to John T. and Elizabeth (Mudge) Valentine, and his boyhood days were spent in the healthful occupations of the farm, and in attending the district schools which were conducted in the vicinity of his home. He re- mained with and assisted his father until he was twenty-five years of age, when he formed a part- nership in the grocery business with a Mr. Hege- man, but the calling proved distasteful to him and he sold his interest and embarked in lumber- ing, his partner in this enterprise being Mr. Luys- ter. After continuing in this business a number of years, in connection with his father-in-law, Capt. Charles Post, he rented the Glencove Mills and carried on an extensive business for many years; they finally sold out, however.

Mr. Valentine is possessed of more than ordi- nary inventive genius and in addition to pursuing his daily occupations gave much of his attention to various inventions and has received patents on three. The first was a dust pan which could

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 102

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers Publication date: 1896 Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1220

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1220