Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 103

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 103

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Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Emily T. Post, a daughter of Capt. Charles and Maria A. (Townsend) Post, and to their marriage two children have been given. Charles P. was educated in the Polytechnic Institute of Brook- lyn, after having graduated from the Friends' Academy; he is teller in the Glencove Bank. He was married to Miss Annie Laurie, November 12, 1895, and she and her sister own the old homestead of Elias Hicks, where she was born. The other child of Mr. and Mrs. Valentine is Helen T., who was born in December, 1881. Mr. Valentine is a birth-right member of the Society of Friends, and politically has always been a Re- publican, although he has never been an official aspirant. He served as general superintendent of Queens County Agricultural Society five years. In 1892 he was elected a member of the school board, was made treasurer of the same in 1894 and in 1895 president.

Capt. Charles Post, father-in-law of Mr. Val- entine, was born at Westbury, L. I., May 30, 1818, his parents being James and Phoebe (Wil- lis) Post, the former of whom was also born on Long Island and was a tiller of the soil by occu- pation. He was educated in private schools un- der the tutelage of the Society of Friends, to which his ancestors belonged, and continued in farm labor until he was twenty-one years old, when he and Elias Lewis each borrowed $1,000 with which they built a store on the old Post homestead and embarked in general merchandis- ing. A postoffice was soon established, of which Mr. Post was made postmaster soon after the in- auguration of Martin Van Buren, and the old building in which he first did business is still standing and used for business purposes.

After continuing thus in business for a few years Mr. Post sold out to his partner, and after his marriage, when he was about twenty-four or

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

twenty-five, he removed to Paterson, N. J., where rine, who lives in Paterson, N. J .; Matthew and he established himself in the grocery business. Elizabeth, who reside in College Point. with his brother-in-law. He remained there but a short time, however, owing to the ill health of his wife. Soon after he became captain of a sailing vessel and made weekly trips from North Roslyn to New York, carrying produce, but a few years later he embarked in the grain and feed business in New York City, and thither moved his family. Five years later he returned to Ros- lyn and became part owner of a steamboat, and in 1861 became captain of a vessel, which plied between that place and New York, and stopped at all the points of any importance along the coast. In 1862 he began transporting troops to the South for the government, but a few months later his business called him home, and for some fourteen years thereafter he was in the steam- boat business. In the meantime he had moved to Glencove and since his retirement from steam- boating he has been practically retired from the active duties of life. He and his wife became tlie parents of one child, who is the wife of Mr. Val- entine.

Captain Post was originally a Democrat in his political views and cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren in 1840. Although he has never sought office he has been highway commissioner of the town of North Hempstead about six years. He is also a birth-right member of the Society of Friends. He has always been a public-spirited man and was one of the found- ers of the Glencove Bank and is a director and chairman of the executive committee. Mrs Post was an exceptionally intelligent and amiable woman and after a happy married life died in De- cember, 1892.

N ICHOLAS CONZET, JR., postmaster at College Point, has spent his entire life in this place, where he was born November 16, 1861. He is the son of Nicholas Conzet, Sr., a native of Germany, who came to America in 1854, and at once settled at College Point. At that time there were very few houses here and the population was small; he has been a witness of the many improvements in the village, and has himself been an important factor in its growth. By his marriage to Catharine Jung, eight children were born, of whom five are living. namely: Lena, Nicholas, of this sketch; Catha-

The first employment of our subject was in a rubber factory, but the company failed and he was obliged to seek work elsewhere. For four years he was employed by the Enterprise Com- pany, and during that time gained a good idea of the business, which he left to accept a position in a rubber factory in Hoboken. Later he gave up that position to accept the office of deputy cattle inspector, serving ten months, or until the appropriation was exhausted. His next position was in the silk ribbon factory, where he remained two years and learned the trade. Entering the railroad business, he became the first motorman on the electric road at College Point, continuing in that capacity one year and two months.

One year was then spent in the ribbon works, after which, March 1. 1894, Mr. Conzet was ap- pointed postmaster by President Cleveland. He is an enterprising, affable and accommodating official, and is popular, not only with members of his own party-the Democratic-but also with those of other opinions. Socially he is connected with the Order of Foresters. His father's family are identified with the Catholic Church. He is a genial, companionable young man, and has a host of warm friends among his acquaintances in this part of the county.

J JOHN BECKER, a highly esteemed citizen of College Point, was born in Obernkirchen, Prussia, Germany, February 23, 1843, and is a member of an old Prussian family. His grandfather, John Becker, was engaged in farm pursuits in Obernkirchen throughout his entire active life. The father, Jacob, did not, however, choose a similar line of work, but learned the trade of a carpenter and builder, which calling he followed until his death. In the spring of 1854, having resolved to seek a home in the New World, he took passage on a sailer at Havre, which anchored in the harbor of New York twen- ty-eight days later. For one year he followed the carpenter's trade in Brooklyn, but June 5. 1855, established his home in College Point, which remained his place of residence as long as he lived. Being prospered in carpentry, he deter- mined to begin contracting and accordingly in 1866 began that line of work, in which he met with success. His death occurred in July, 1879. when he was almost seventy years old. In relig-

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ious faith he was a Catholic. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Thil, was born in Prussia and died in College Point at the age of eighty.

Of the parental family five children attained maturity, and four are now living, namely: Frank, a resident of College Point; Jacob and John, who comprise the firm of Becker Brothers; and Nicholas, a police officer in New York City. Our subject spent the first eleven years of his life in Germany, and after coming to this country was a student in the public schools of Brooklyn. At the age of fourteen he began to work in the Enterprise rubber factory, being employed in the soft rubber department. About 1867 he re- signed his position in order to work at the car- penter's trade, forming a partnership with his father and brother Jacob as Becker & Sons. On the death of the father the title was changed to Becker Brothers. The firm had the contract for St. Fidelis' Catholic Church, the finest building in College Point; also the contracts for the con- vent and parochial school, Funke's factory and residence, and a great many private houses.

In High Street, on a convenient location, Mr. Becker erected a residence for his family, and attached to it he has a greenhouse. He was united in marriage, at College Point, with Miss Mary Rheinhardt, who was born in Brooklyn. They are the parents of nine children, all of whom are at home, and named as follows: Caroline; John, Jr., and Nicholas, who are carpenters in the em- ploy of their father;' George, a silk weaver; An- nie, Dena, Lizzie, Rosa and Joseph. The Dem- ocratic party has in Mr. Becker a firm friend and ally, and he frequently attends local conventions. For one year he held the office of marshal, but refused to accept it for a longer time. He belongs to St. Fidelis' Catholic Church and Society and the Steube Kosse. For twenty-nine years he was a member of the Union Engine Company (now Union Hose Company No. I), and was its fore- man for some years.

C ARL LANKOW, one of the progressive citizens of Astoria, has been successfully engaged in the manufacture of cigars since 1873. He was born in 1836 in Mecklem- burg, Germany, which was the birthplace of his parents, Henry and Louisa (Sasz) Lankow. They were both zealous members of the Lutheran Church and are now deceased.

The parental family included fourteen children, of whom six are now living, three of this num- ber making their home in the United States. Carl, of this history, was reared on the farm which his father owned, and, as was the custom in his na- tive land, attended school until a lad of fourteen years. Thus early in life he began to make his own way and was apprenticed to a cigarmaker in Schwerin. After serving three years he was pronounced an expert workman and continued to be thus engaged in that place until he attained his majority. Two years later, however, he went to Hamburg, where he worked at his trade for several years.

July 31, 1863, young Lankow determined to try his fortunes in America and accordingly en- gaged passage on the sailing vessel "Bertha," which was landed in due time in New York. Mr. Lankow could not immediately find work at his trade, and as he was about out of money, he was variously employed for one year. After that he worked at his trade for others until 1873, when he embarked in business for himself in Astoria. With the exception of one year he has since been located at No. 91 Fulton Street, where he purchased a three-story building, 25x100 feet in dimensions. As his business did not occupy his entire time and attention he opened a boarding house in the upper portion of the building, and this is now managed by his son, Paul, who also runs a retail cigar store. Our subject attends to the factory and is doing a large wholesale and retail business. . He manufactures the "Sports," a five-cent cigar, and the "Schuetzen," sold for ten cents. He is the owner of four residences built in a row in Mark Place and is one of the promi- nent business men of the city. In all his dealings he has been honest and upright and has thus earned and gained the respect and esteem of his neighbors and friends.

The marriage of Carl Lankow and Miss Mary Freiershausen occurred in New York City in 1865. She was born in Hanover, and was the daugh- ter of John and granddaughter of John Freiers- hausen, farmers by occupation, who came of an old and respected German family. The mother of Mrs. Lankow was before her marriage known as Dora Steinfort. The family are Lutherans in religion.

To our subject and his excellent wife were born eight children, of whom only four are now liv- ing. Ernest F. holds a position with the Birk- beck Company of New York City, and resides in

D. L. VAN NOSTRAND.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Greenpoint; Charles makes his home in Astoria; Paul runs the boarding house and cigar store we have referred to above, and Delaware is still at home with his parents.

Mr. Lankow is very much interested in the welfare of his community and for two years was a member of the board of excise. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and besides being general committeeman has been a delegate to state con- ventions. He is a true Christian gentleman and for some time was an official member of the Ger- man Second Reformed Church of Long Island City.

D AVID L. VAN NOSTRAND, one of the leading citizens of Little Neck, is a man who combines energy and industry with excellent judgment, which traits have brought great success to his efforts and labors. He is the proprietor of a coal yard in this place and also deals extensively in fertilizers and agricultural implements, besides owning a prosperous feed store. He is in much demand throughout the community as an auctioneer, and as a business man he ranks among the foremost.

August 30, 1851, Mr. Van Nostrand was born in this place, his parents being Albert and Har- riet (Williams) Van Nostrand. The parental fam- ily included seven children, of whom one is de- ceased. In 1819 the father was also born at Lit- tle Neck, and on attaining years of maturity he adopted the vocation of a farmer, in which he was very successful. In business affairs he was well known and the influence of his noble life will long be remembered by those with whom he came in contact. He was very popular in the commun- ity and for some fifteen years held the office of town trustee. A worthy member of the Re- formed Church of Manhasset, he was for many years deacon and elder of his congregation, hold- ing the latter office at the time of his demise, which occurred in 1894.

The subject of this sketch attended the public schools from the age of six to seventeen years, when he began his career as clerk in a grocery at Mineola. During the three years of his stay there he learned the rudiments of success in busi- ness, which in after years were of great value to him. At the end of the three years he returned to Little Neck and for one year was employed as clerk in one of the grocery stores of this place. He then embarked in business in this line for him-

self and for two years stood at the head of successful grocers in this place. After dis- posing of his stock of goods he opened a coal yard, which proved successful from the first, and about one year ago he opened a branch yard, his interests in this line having increased to such extensive proportions that this move was necessary. By honesty and fair dealing he has gained a splendid patronage and is numbered among the wealthy residents of Little Neck. His feed store has also netted him a good income and about ten years ago he became agent for fertil- izers.

In the year 1880 Mr. Van Nostrand was elect- ed to the office of justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket and so well and faithfully did he discharge the duties of this position that he was retained in this capacity for nine years. In 1889 he was the nominee of his party for super- visor and his popularity was such that he was elected by a handsome majority. He is now serv- ing his fifth successive term in that office, and his second term as president of the board.

The utmost confidence is reposed in Mr. Van Nostrand's ability and honesty as a business man, and on the death of Albert Benz, he was made ex- ecutor of his valuable estate. He is also assignee of the livery business of G. B. Mickle. Socially he is a member of Cornucopia Lodge, F. & A. M., of Flushing, and takes great pleasure in the meetings of the Niantic Club of that place, with which he is also connected. In religious affairs he is a devoted member of the Reformed Church.

The lady to whom our subject was married in 1883 was Miss Mary E., daughter of Luke Fleet of Mineola. To them has been born a daughter, Viola, who is now eleven years of age. Few men in this community are better known or more highly respected than Mr. Van Nostrand.

F RANK WILEY, superintendent and direc- tor of the Norton Can Company, of White- stone, was born in Macomb, Ill .. August 23, 1859, being a son of Thomas and Mary (Treudley) Wiley. His boyhood days were spent in his native place, and after the death of his father, a machinist, which occurred when he was twelve years of age, he was obliged to make his own way in the world. Coming East with his mother, he spent more than a year in this part of the country, and upon his return to Macomb he began to learn the tinsmith's trade, at which

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he served an apprenticeship of three years. On concluding his term of service, he continued to work in the same shop for eighteen months, after which he went to Chicago and took a posi- tion with Norton Brothers, manufacturers of cans.

The efficiency of the young workman was soon recognized, and from the bench Mr. Wiley was promoted to be foreman. In 1890 he came to Whitestone and has since been superintendent of the works here, managing his responsible duties in a manner highly satisfactory to the members of the company. He is also a stockholder and director of the company. While in Chicago he was united in marriage, December 28, 1882, with Miss Katie E. Potter, of Sandwich, Ill., daughter of Theron and Sarah (Bacon) Potter. Mrs. Wiley was born in Sandwich, and there attended the public schools, receiving a good education and making that village her home until the time of her marriage.

The first presidential ballot cast by our subject was in support of James A. Garfield, in 1880, and from that time to this he has been a loyal, en- thusiastic Republican, always firm in his allegi- ance to party principles. At different times he has represented his party as delegate to local con- ventions, but is not a politician in the ordinary usage of that word, preferring to give his time and energies to his business matters. Fraternally he is connected with Anchor Lodge No. 729, F. & A. M., at College Point, in which he is a lead- ing worker.

H ON. RICHARD C. McCORMICK, M. C., known and honored as one of the promi- nent men of Long Island, has a fame that is not merely local, but national as well. His talents, ripened by travel and study, his political experience, his well tried patriotism and his faith- ful service while occupying the many important trusts committed to his care, prove him to be a man eminently worthy of his present distin- guished position.

The life which this article sketches began in New York City May 23, 1832. There, under the careful training of his parents, Richard C. and Sarah M. McCormick, and of the best instructors in private institutions of learning, the boy grew to manhood, fitted by natural gifts and educa- tion to sustain his part in the battle of life. He first came to Queens County in 1850 as a visitor in his father's summer cottage at Woodhaven,

and a few years afterward he established his home in Jamaica, where he now resides. In 1854-55 he traveled extensively in Europe, spending some weeks in the camps of the allied forces before Sebastopol, from which place he wrote letters that were published in the New York papers and subsequently in book form.

Upon returning to the United States, Mr. Mc- Cormick entered business in New York with his father. Having a taste for journalism, in 1860 he became a member of the staff of the "New York Evening Post," and as its special corre- spondent during the first and second years of the Civil War, he was stationed at Washington and with the Army of the Potomac. In 1862, in a Republican convention presided over by ex- Governor John A. King, he was nominated to represent the Long Island District in Congress. His competitor for the nomination was George William Curtis, who, with Horace Greeley and other prominent men, supported him in the cam- paign. He ran considerably ahead of his ticket in the district, which then included Queens, Suf- folk and Richmond Counties. In 1863 he was appointed secretary of Arizona by President Lin- coln, and in that territory it is a saying to this day that Richard C. McCormick was the best governor they ever had, for to this position he was appointed by President Johnson in 1866, at the request of William H. Seward and others. He was active in the development and defense of the southwestern frontier. In 1869 he was elected to represent the territory in Congress and was twice re-elected, the last time without opposi- tion. During his service of six years his record was so praiseworthy that James G. Blaine, who was Speaker of the House for the same period, states in his "Twenty Years in Congress" that "In Congress Richard C. McCormick became distinguished for the zeal and ability with which he guarded the interests of his constituents." While in Congress he was appointed United States centennial commissioner by President Grant, and for several years spent much of his time in Philadelphia, where he rendered import- ant service in connection with the Centennial Exhibition.

President Hayes, in 1877, tendered Mr. Mc- Cormick the appointment of minister to Brazil, but this honor he declined. In the same year he was appointed assistant secretary of the United States treasury, at the request of the secretary, Hon. John Sherman. Upon his resignation a

o Montauk Point-Gathered Special Correspondents.

BAITING HOLLOW.

gregational Church in this vil- eceived a new coat of paint ap- Mr. Reeve, of Calverton. Ed. , of Centreville, has also heen he paint brush with fine results handsome new residence of W. .

B. W. Benjamin, Mrs. G. F. Mrs. A. M. Warner were ap e committee on entertainment Association of Congregational which will meet here, Novem- nd 15th. With so ahle a com- charge no one need fear of a at direction.

ara Young, of Sag Harbor, is extended visit with friends in

. N. Edwards, of Riverhead spent Sunday at M. H. Smith's. nry Corwin and family, of New re making a visit with relatives

mers are busy with their cauli- p. Prices are more encouraging yeather became cooler.

Theospans 1/05-3194

BRENTWOOD.

W. Kellam spent a portion of visiting ber mother, Mrs. A. C. hile here many of her old friends her. Mrs. Kellam is greatly the Presbyterian church of was a member.

reagh was in town on Saturday well and happy, and his appear- greeted with pleasure by his host here.

or and report are correct the to open November 15th. C. T. am, of the Surf Hotel, Fire

-. atOU iHCvULUSS wILL be uela every week during the winter and spring.

EAST SETAUKET.

A party of friends from New York city tendered Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Carman a . surprise to welcome them at their new home, Gassin Manor, at Richmond Hill, L. I.

Mrs. G. W. Fordbam returned on Wed- nesday from a visit to her daughters at Richmond Hill.

GREENLAWN.

Invitations are out announcing the mar- riage of Miss May Pierson to Rev. C. S. Osborne, of Chester, N. J., at the Presby- terian church in this place, on Wednesday, November 7tb, at 1 o'clock p. m.

William Goodale and wife drove to Baiting Hollow on Saturday last.

Rev. Mr Downs, of Princeton Seminary preached in the church on last Sabbath, both morning and evening. His sermons were very interesting and the congrega- tion was pleased with his discourses.

The regular Christian Endeavor month- ly consecration service will he held next Sahbath evening, commencing at 7 30 p. in., and will be led by Miss Carrie Baylis.

Mrs. Samuel Smith had the misfortune to penetrate a rusty needle into her hand one day last week, the wound has been very painful, hut it is hoped it will not re- sult seriously.

Mrs. Henry Brown, of Huntington was visiting relatives here during the past week, tbe guest of Mrs. George S. Brush.

Mrs. Bell has moved into Mrs. Howarth s cottage.

LOCUST VALLEY.

Our new school principal, Mr. Rapelyea, is a graduate from Oneonta. The school children are to be congratulated on having a thoroughly competent teacber.

Regular monthly meeting of the Hook

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HON. RICHARD C. MCCORMICK.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

year later the "Washington Post," a Democratic journal, paid him this tribute: "The retirement of Hon. R. C. McCormick from the assistant secre- taryship of the treasury, while it deprives the pub- lic of as efficient an officer as ever filled any po- sition, is a matter of peculiar personal regret to ourselves and to the entire guild of journalism. We choose to speak of Mr. McCormick as a gen- tleman, and, independently of political considera- tions, to say of him that there is no position in the gift of the administration which he is not quali- fied to honor. He is a conspicuous exception to the rule of men whom a little brief author- ity puffs up. He is the same unobtrusive, af- fable gentleman in office and out of it; and he was as entirely non-partisan in the administra- tion of treasury affairs as he was devoted to his party when secretary of its national committee."

Two weeks after resigning the assistant secre- taryship of the treasury, Mr. McCormick was ap- pointed commissioner general to the Universal Exposition in Paris by the President and con- firmed on the same day by the Senate. So ju- dicious was he in the management of the financial part of the work that he returned to the govern- ment an unexpended balance of $10,000, from the Congressional appropriation. His service continued until the close of the exposition, and received the commendation of the United States government and he was decorated by the French Republic.

In recognition of his efficient services in Paris, Mr. McCormick was offered the Mexican mis- sion, but declined the post. In 1881 he returned to the family homestead at Jamaica, where he has since resided. Taking a lively interest in local affairs, he served as president of the board of education from 1884 until 1889, and later be- came the first president of the board of managers of the State Normal School. In 1886 he was nominated for Congress against Hon. Perry Bel- mont, whose majority of 4,000 in 1884 he re- duced to less than one thousand, including Rich- mond County, and to less than two hundred in the present Congressional district of Queens and Suffolk Counties. This was regarded by both parties as a remarkable run, reflecting much credit upon Mr. McCormick. It was, however, surpassed by the election in the fall of 1894, when he was chosen to Congress by a majority of six thousand, a record never before gained by any Republican candidate in the district. This over- whelming majority proves, better than words

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 103

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