Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 110

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

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H ERMAN KRAEMER, founder and pro- prietor of Kraemer's North Shore Ex- press, and a well-known resident of Col- lege Point, was born in this village July 18, 1859, and is a son of Henry and Mary E. (Strabe) Kraemer. His father, who was born in Germany, emigrated to America in early manhood and set- tled in College Point, where he is employed by the India Rubber Comb Company. By his mar- riage he has five children living, namely: Henry,

who is employed in Brooklyn; Mary, residing in College Point; Herman, of this sketch; Theodore and Lily, who reside in this village.

The first work of our subject was as an em- ploye in the India Rubber Comb Mills, where he remained about three years. He then began to learn the cigar manufacturing business, but it was not congenial and as soon as possible he turned his attention to other lines. For one year he was employed by the superintendent of the waterworks, after which he worked for Wes- cott's Express Company, being a driver at first, but soon receiving a more lucrative position. Be- ing observant and intelligent, he soon learned the business, and remained with the company from 1876 until 1882.

Desiring to engage in business for himself, Mr. Kraemer bought and established the North Shore Express, fitting up an office and stables at No. 145 Ninth Street, where he has first-class accommodations. In addition to the office here, he has one in Whitestone, while in New York customers may leave orders at No. 109 John Street, No. 45 Church, No. 3 Mercer or No. 312 Canal Street. The express runs daily between College Point, Whitestone and New York.

Politically Mr. Kraemer is a Democrat, but not a partisan. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, his parents being members of that church. He married Katie Rech of College Point and they have three children, Frank, Florence and Walter.

G EORGE GEMUNDER, JR. It is not al- ways that the peculiar genius of the father descends to the son, that the talent which brought fame to the one is inherited by the other. Such, however, is true in the history of the subject of this article. He is a member of a family possessing high artistic gifts, not alone. as musicians but also as makers of musical in- struments, and the name has been brought into a world-wide renown through the ability of its representatives.

In no instance can it more worthily be said that the "mantle worn by the father has fallen upon the shoulders of the son" than in the life of George Gemunder, Jr., who, receiving his fath- er's name, also received much of his wonderful talent. As a violin maker his reputation is es- tablished and his fame more than local. Recog- nizing the peculiar qualities that go to make up a perfect instrument, it has been his aim, first

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under his father's instruction and now alone, to so combine the different features as to make one sympathetic and harmonious whole. The violins which he has manufactured are greatly admired and considered very valuable. The greatest mu- sicians have used them and testify to their purity and sweetness of tone. So accurate and thorough is his knowledge of the violin that he is frequently consulted and his decision sought in disputed vio- lin cases, where he gives expert testimony that is considered authoritative.

While Mr. Gemunder is himself a native of the United States, born in New York, October I, 1858, he is of German parentage and descent. His father, George, was born in Ingelfingen, Wur- temberg. April 13, 1816. The paternal grand- father, Johan George, was born in the same prov- inve and was a member of a family established there early in the seventeenth century; in youth hc learned the wagonmaker's trade, but drifted into the manufacture of guitars and violins. Pos- sessing artistic tastes, he was himself a skillful performer on the flute and violin, and all of his sons inherited his love for music.

At the age of nineteen, our subject's father be- came a journeyman and traveled throughout the German provinces, finally going to Paris, where he became a pupil of Vuillaume, the great copyist of the old Italian violin makers, and a pupil of Lupot, the latter in turn having been a pupil of Stradivarius, the author of the common system. After some years he came to the United States, where he has had an active and useful career in his chosen occupation and now, crowned with the world's praise and the reverent esteem of the greatest violinists of the century, he is passing the twilight of his life at his cottage in Astoria, Long Island City. His wife, who was in maidenhood Anna M. Kieser, was born in Baden, Germany, and died in Astoria in 1894, aged fifty-six years.

The family of which our subject is a member consisted of twelve children, all but two of whom are living. They reside on Long Island, and the four sons are all well known violinmakers and musicians of Astoria. Our subject, who is the eldest of the family, was reared in New York until 1872, when he accompanied his parents to Long Island City. He was educated in the gram- mar school in Thirteenth Street and in Heiden- felt Institute, from which he graduated in 1873. From early boyhood his attention was given to the manufacture of violins, and as soon as his education was completed, he studied the system

which his father had given to the world. Since the retirement of the latter in 1885, he has car- ried on the business, which engrosses his entire attention. Artists, both in this country and abroad, are numbered among his personal ac- quaintances and in his home may be found pho- tographs and autographs of many whose names are world renowned. Skilled in the playing of the violin, he plays in public only for charitable enterprises, when his talent is always available for the benefit of the suffering. The Amacitia, to which he belongs, is the finest amateur orchestra in the country. For twenty years he has been a member of the Astoria Mannerchor, of which he was secretary for six years. He is one of the first tenors of the Arion Society of New York, and at present is a member of its board of trustees.

At Astoria, in April, 1885, Mr. Gemunder mar- ried Miss Anna Mencken, who was born in New York and educated in this city. Her father, Hen- ry Mencken, is a well-known resident of Long Island City and is represented elsewhere in this volume. One child, Anna Matilda, blesses their union. Mr. Gemunder has had neither time nor inclination to mingle in public affairs, but in na- tional elections casts a Republican ticket, while in local matters he is independent. For years he and his wife have been the leaders of the choir of the Dutch Reformed Church, to which they belong and in the work of which they are active. He has served in Astoria Hook and Ladder Com- pany No. I. Among the instruments he has sold are some of great value, including a few that were valued at $6,000. He is an expert both in the construction of the violin and in judgment as to the merits of an instrument, and his ability is widely recognized and is bringing him a large success.

C HARLES VANDERVEER LOTT, a prominent and much esteemed citizen of the town of Jamaica, is a worthy representative of one of the oldest families on Long Island. For many years he was the owner of a large portion of the old homestead, located on the Jamaica plank road, where his birth occurred October 19, 1846. As the years passed by and the property became more valuable he divided his farm into city lots, which he disposed of readily at a handsome price. He is now living a retired life on a few acres of the old place which he retained for his own use.

WILLIAM RASQUIN, JR.

WILLIAM H. SCHWALENBERG.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Stephen Lott, father of our subject, was also born on the old farm, July 20. 1820. The latter was an only child, and on attaining years of ma- turity took up the calling in which his father had been engaged and followed farming for the re- mainder of his life. He was a thorough Chris- tian, and for many years was deacon in the Re- formed Church, of which he was a member. He took great pleasure in teaching in the Sunday- school and for some time was assistant superin- tendent.

The marriage of Mr. Lott took place Septem- ber 12, 1872, when Miss Sarah Leah Suydam be- came his wife. She is the daughter of Capt. Daniel R. Suydam and the sister of John T., who is one of her near neighbors. (A full sketch of her parents will be given in the latter's sketch, found on another page in this volume.) To our sub- ject and his estimable wife there have been born five children, namely: Sarah Suydam, Cornelia Vanderveer, Phebe Johnson, Charles V., Jr., and Gertrude Jeanette.

In his business undertakings Mr. Lott has displayed good executive ability and has been very successful. Both he and his estimable wife have hosts of sincere friends who hold them in the highest esteem. For a more detailed sketch of his parents we refer the reader to the history of his brother Nicholas, which is published else- where in this volume.

W ILLIAM H. SCHWALENBERG. Although the earthly career of this gentleman closed on the 9th of July, 1885, he will be long remembered as one of the foremost business men of Long Island City, where he established a reputation for all that was honorable and upright in business life, and won, by the exercise of both brain and brawn, a com- petency for himself and family. He was born at the corner of Monroe and Jackson Streets, New York City. His father was a native of Hanover, Germany, in which country he was reared and educated, and upon his arrival in America in his early manhood, he established himself in the grocery business in New York, first in Elm Street and afterward at the corner of Monroe and Jackson Streets, where he prospered financially and continued to do business until 1860. In 1859 he erected a hotel at Hunter's Point, Long Island City, and in 1860 came hither and assumed its management, which occupied his time and at-

tention up to his death, December 3, 1876. He was in every way fitted to successfully carry on this business and his establishment was always popular and well patronized. Upon his arrival in Hunter's Point, the place was coming into notice as the terminus of the Long Island Rail- road and the Thirty-fourth Street ferry was es- tablished about that time. Mr. Schwalenberg foresaw that the place would become import- ant and his predictions were verified by later events. His wife was Elizabeth Stephan, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and their marriage resulted in the birth of two sons, William H. and Frederick, and one daughter, Fannie, who grew to maturity.

The initiatory training of William H. Schwal- enberg was acquired in the public school in Madi- son Street, New York City, but in 1860 he ac- companied his parents to Hunter's Point, and continued his studies in the old stone schoolhouse here. Later he attended school at Greenpoint and the Thirty-seventh Street School, New York, of which William H. Wood, since superintendent of the public schools of New York, was then principal. Mr. Schwalenberg finally graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College of Brooklyn, after which he immediately embarked in business as the assistant cashier of the Kings County Savings Bank of Brooklyn, but Septem- ber 1, 1869, he returned to Hunter's Point and became his father's assistant in the hotel which was rapidly increasing in patronage and import- ance. In 1873 he was made a partner in the business, at which time his father visited Europe, and when the latter died he became the sole proprietor.

In his political views Mr. Schwalenberg was always a stanch Democrat, and at all times advo- cated the measures of that party and gave his hearty support to its candidates. In the fall of 1880 he was elected supervisor of Long Island City for a term of two years, at the end of which he was re-elected, but before his second term had expired the angel of death visited him, and his useful earthly career was closed. He was one of the most useful and active members of the board of supervisors the county ever had, for in the discharge of his official duties he brought to bear his sound judgment, unbounded energy and progressive, but always practical, views. He was a director of the Long Island City Shore Rail- road, and in other respects was connected with the business affairs of this place. Socially he was

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a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he had attained to the Knights Templar degree.

November 12, 1879, Mr. Schwalenberg was united in marriage to Miss Carrie J. Steffens of New York. Her father, August Steffens, a mer- chant of New York City, now deceased, was born in Hanover, Germany, and there married Caro- line Björn, a native of Holstein, Germany. She was of pure Danish blood and one of her lineal ancestors on the paternal side was one of the first explorers of Greenland. She died at her home in New York at the age of sixty-six years, having been a well read and highly intellectual lady. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Schwalenberg resulted in the birth of a son and daughter: William H., Jr., and Jeannette. Mrs. Schwalenberg is a member of the Greenpoint Lutheran Church, of which both the Schwalenbergs and Steffens have been members since the time of the Reformation. She is active in church work, liberal in its support and very charitably inclined. She is a graduate of the Normal College of New York City and is giving her children excellent educational advantages.

R OBERT MARK. As a representative of the successful business man, the name of Robert Mark deserves honorable mention among those of other citizens of Long Island City. Industry and energy have brought him prosperity, and his well-known ability as a mer- chant tailor has secured for him a large trade among the best people of the place. The art of cutting and fitting he learned from his uncle, who was court tailor and tailor to King Francis II. of Italy. In September, 1895, he opened his pres- ent establishment in the Kelly Block, at No. 45 Jackson Avenue, corner of Fourth Street, where he has commodious rooms, stocked with a full line of imported and domestic suitings of the latest styles. Twice, when in Europe, he pur- chased a complete line of goods, which he brought back to this country with him. It has ever been his aim to keep in touch with the latest designs in tailoring, and he is thoroughly familiar with every change of fashion, so that his customers place the highest confidence in his judgment and taste.

The Mark family is of Italian origin. Our sub- ject's grandfather, Robert Mark, was born in Italy, where for many years he was a successful merchant tailor. He was a prominent man and

served as alderman; later became deputy sheriff of Naples, which position he held until his death. The father of our subject, Michael, was born in Naples, and for a long time engaged in merchant tailoring, but is now engaged in mercantile pur- suits, in which business he has gained wealth. For many years he has filled the office of alder- man. Though now advanced in years, he is hale and rugged and attends personally to the man- agement of his business affairs.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Carmelite Barilo and was a daughter of Johan Barilo, who was in his time considered the finest tailor in Italy. Her brother, Frank Barilo, who was a sergeant in the Italian army, was a first-class tailor and made the garments for King Francis II., of Italy, until he retired from the business. Like his father before him, he was considered the best tailor in the country, and it was his high reputation in this regard which led to his selection as court tailor. He is still living, though for some years he has not been engaged in active labors.

Michael and Carmelite Mark had ten children, and of that number six are living, namely: Anna M., Mrs. A. Cristiano; Robert; Theresa, Mrs. Robert Cristiano; Johan Baptiste, an officer in the Italian army and now engaged in business near the old home; Vincent, who spent three years in America and is now a merchant tailor in Naples ; and Antoinette, who is with her parents. Our subject was born near Naples in 1864 and was educated in the public schools and in private institutions of learning. At the age of eleven he began to learn the merchant tailor's trade under his uncle, Frank Barilo, with whom he remained until eighteen. He then started in business for himself, remaining in Italy one year, and then emigrating to America in 1883. After having worked in a shop in New York City for a time, he began in business for himself in East Seventy- second Street, and while there learned the new French system of cutting under the best cutters of the city.

· Being called to Italy to serve in the army, Rob- ert Mark sold out his business and returned to his native land, where he volunteered, but not coming up to the required measurements, he was rejected. After a visit of five months, he started back to America on the steamer "Adriatica" of the White Star Line, but when four days out a storm arose, the vessel was rendered unsea- worthy, and put back into Liverpool for repairs.

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The trip was then made on the steamer "Ger- manic," which anchored in New York after a voy- age of nine days. On reaching that city he se- cured employment as a cutter, remaining thus engaged until 1886. He then came to Long Island City and opened a shop at No. 55 Jack- son Avenue, where he soon built up a large trade. In 1892, leaving the business in charge of a man, he took his family back to Italy and spent four months there, then returning and resuming busi- ness here. In July, 1894, he sold out and again went to Italy, hoping that the change of climate would benefit his wife, who was in ill health. Eight months were spent there, and then, the in- valid having been restored to health, the family returned to the United States. Soon afterward Mr. Mark opened his present establishment, where, during the busy seasons, he gives em- ployment to about eighteen hands, his entire at- tention being devoted to the business.

In Long Island City Mr. Mark married Miss Annie Gill, who was born near Naples, Italy, but was reared and educated in this city. Her fath- er, Vincent Gill, brought his family here, and for more than twenty-five years was employed as a foreman on the Long Island Railroad. They are the parents of three living children, Millie, Jennie and Madeline, to whom they are giving the best of training. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Mark is a member of the Jefferson Club and an expon- ent of the doctrines of which the famous states- man was the originator. He is also a charter member of the Aurora Club, which he is now serving as president.

M ATTHEW LEPAGE, a prominent archi- tect of. Woodhaven, was born in Ri- mouski, in the province of Quebec, Can- ada, September 20, 1831. His father, Paul Le- page, was also a native of that place and during his lifetime followed the profession of a civil en- gineer. The Lepage family is one of the oldest in Canada and traces its ancestry back to the time when the French Huguenots first discovered the St. Lawrence River. Many of this name have been prominent in the history of the Dominion and without exception have been influential and respected residents of their community.

Our subject's mother, formerly Sophia Perrin, was also born in Canada and was descended from one of its old French families. She reared

a family of six sons, of whom only three are now living, those besides our subject being Joseph, a carpenter and builder of Woodhaven; and Zephyrin, who also follows the occupation of a builder ; he still resides in Canada. Aude was liv- ing at Sheepshead Bay at the time of his decease and was one of its well-to-do hardware mer- chants.

The subject of this sketch received a good edu- cation in the schools of the Dominion, making a special study during the last years of his school life of civil engineering and architecture. When nineteen years of age he crossed into the States and for a time made his home in East New York. The following nine years he was a resi- dent of Jamaica, where he followed his profession with signal success until the year 1864, when he came to Woodhaven. A lifetime of earnest en- deavor in pursuing his business, coupled with strict integrity, honesty of purpose and liberality, has tended to place him among the highly hon- ored and successful business men of the county. It is due to his skill that many of the public buildings and private residences of this place have been built and to him is also given the credit of laying out the parks of this vicinity. He is one of the best known architects in this region and has drawn the plans for many of the beautiful residences which are to be found in the city of Brooklyn.

While a resident of Jamaica Mr. Lepage was married to Miss Jane, daughter of William Am- berman, who has followed the occupation of a builder all his life, and it was with him that our subject was associated in business while living in Jamaica. Mr. Amberman comes from good old Revolutionary stock and is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the oldest families on Long Island.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lepage there have been born seven children, of whom Joseph A. is a conductor on the Long Island Railroad; Matthew is associ- ated in business with his father: Kate is the next in order of birth; Georgiana married Grant Moore of Jamaica, and now lives in Brooklyn; and Flora, Matilda and Eva are all at home. The family occupy one of the finest and pleasantest homes in Woodhaven and number among their friends some of the best people in Queens Coun- ty. In politics Mr. Lepage is an ardent sup- porter of Democratic principles, although he has been too busy with his own affairs to seek or care to hold office.

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DONNELLY'S

MAMMOTH PAVILION AND PARK

BOULEVARD HOTEL .

RESTAURANT

MEALS AT ALL HOURS.

COLLEGE POINT, L.L.

J OSEPH M. DONNELLY, proprietor of the Boulevard Hotel, at College Point, was born at New Utrecht, Kings County, N. Y., being a son of M. J. and Ann (McCardle) Donnelly. His father, who was engaged in farm pursuits, died at New Utrecht, and afterward the mother made her home with our subject until her death, which occurred at the age of eighty- eight. Joseph M. was the youngest of eight children, of whom three are living. The first twenty years of his life were passed on Y. DON the home farm and in attendance at the Bayridge schools. In February, 1860, he went to California, via the Isthmus of Panama, and on reaching San Jose, Santa Clara County, he engaged in the hotel busi- ness with an uncle, William J. Donnelly. After three years the uncle retired and he then started in business in Santa Cruz, where he was pro- prietor of the Pacific House.

Selling out in 1866, Mr. Donnelly traveled through the Western states and territories, then returned home on a Pacific mail steamer, but soon went back to California and was in San Francisco at the time W. H. Seward headed the procession connecting the Atlantic Railroad with the Pacific road. On settling his business in the far West, he went back East and for a time re-

sided in New York, but in 1868 came to College Point, and was the first to build here a large summer hotel and pavilion. Upon the death of Mr. Stoiber he bought his present place, where he has a main pavilion, with a seating capacity of over three thousand; also bowling alleys, dancing halls, large grounds, convenient landing and fine water front. Even in the warmest weather a cool breeze blows here, thus making the place especi- ally desirable as a summer resort. The grounds cover about ten acres and offer splendid facilities for the accommodation of picnic parties. In the bay and adjoining waters every opportunity is afforded for boating and bathing. There are four large dining-rooms and a large corps of waiters. Base ball and foot ball grounds, photograph gal- lery, swings and shooting gallery are connected with the hotel.

At New Utrecht, L. I., Mr. Donnelly married Miss Sarah Crecy, and they are the parents of three sons and one daughter, namely: Joseph T., a graduate of Manhattan College, now with his father; George, an electrical engineer in New York City; Jerome and Sarah, who are attending school. In 1890 Mr. Donnelly went abroad, visit- ing the principal cities of Great Britain and the continent, and this trip was rendered more de- lightful by the fact that he speaks fluently Ger- man, Spanish and English, and was thus able to converse with the people of the various cities which he visited. He is a member of the Knick- erbocker Yacht Club and the Orion Society of New York. While he is interested in public af- fairs, he has always refused to run for office, pre- ferring to give his attention to business matters.

GEORGE H. WILLIAMSON.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

G EORGE H. WILLIAMSON. May 20, 1894, there passed from earth a gentle- man who had been long and favorably known in the business circles of Long Island City; one who had, by his enterprise and ability, contributed to the progress of this place and gained a name as a skillful, efficient builder. There are standing, in and around Steinway, a large number of buildings erected under his supervision, which are monuments to his taste and conscientious work. Among them may be mentioned the dye works, Steinway Railroad depot, a number of frame houses for William Steinway, many residences for private parties, and the grand pier at the beach. The latter is a fine structure, 180x110, roofed, and exceedingly handsome in appearance. It is constructed in such a substantial manner that it seems able to defy the elements for a century. Equipped with all the improved facilities for the accommodation of visitors, it is considered one of the best piers in the vicinity of New York, and speaks well for the skill and efficiency of the builder.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 110

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