Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 112

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

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the old flag. He became a member of the first volunteer regiment organized in Brooklyn, en- listing with the First Long Island (or Sixty-sev- enth New York) Infantry, but was honorably dis- charged by certificate of surgeon. December I, 1861, he enlisted in the United States service, on board the United States ship "Onward," on which he traveled southward and took part in the Charleston blockade. Later the ship cruised after privateers along the South American coast until the close of the war, when our subject was honorably discharged June 20, 1865, having served nearly four years.

While still a boy, Captain Sarvis was appren- ticed to the ship-calker's trade, which had been his father's occupation and at which, after com- pleting. he worked for a time. He was then ap- pointed on the fire department, as a member of which he served for three years. Later he became policeman on duty in the eleventh, seventh and twenty-fourth precincts, and while filling that po- sition became interested in the detective service. Resigning from the force in 1885, he came to Long Island as a member of the Steinway police. The following year he was appointed chief detec- tive of the Long Island Railroad, in which ca- pacity he has since been engaged. His connec- tion with the capture of the notorious Dobbins gang reflects high credit upon his ability, and he pursued them tirelessly until he secured their sentence to prison for seven and one-half years. The Stock, Stacey and McDonald gangs he also had sentenced for periods between six and one- half and eight and one-half years. The negro, Williams, who robbed and then fired the dwell- ing of Mr. Baldwin, at Flushing, he succeeded in capturing, convicting and sending to the state prison for ten years. Train wreckers and station robbers have been captured, and crimes of all kinds against the law have been unearthed. Among his most famous arrests was that of the Wilson and Palmer gang, in New York, who were robbing the safe in a jewelry store at No. 67 Di- vision Street, New York, and through Wilson sev- eral other robberies were brought to light.

For more than twenty years Captain Sarvis has given his attention to detective work, for which occupation his peculiar qualities admirably fit him. He is keen, fearless and energetic, quiet and non-communicative in his investigations, and almost invariably successful in results. His ef- fective work in securing the arrest and conviction of many of the most hardened criminals of this

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locality has brought him the confidence of the people. In addition to his work as detective, he is captain of the uniformed police at Rockaway Beach and railroad state detective for Queens, Suffolk, Kings and New York Counties. While in New York he was a member of Reno Post No. 44, G. A. R., and the Ancient Order of United Work- men. In national matters he is a Republican, but in local affairs reserves the right to vote for the best man, no matter what his party ties may be.

In New York City, in 1869, Captain Sarvis mar- ried Miss Emily Morris, who was born there and died in New Jersey. Of her five children only two are living, namely: James, who is in the em- ploy of the Long Island Railroad Company; and Emily, who is at home. The second marriage of Captain Sarvis took place in Brooklyn and united him with Miss Mary A. Keough, by whom he has one child, William.

J OHN A. HALPIN, of Long Island City, is a native of this place, his birth occurring in Third Street, July 19, 1865. His father, George H. Halpin, who was born in Brooklyn, was employed on the Thirty-fourth Street Ferry for the East River Ferry Company, being one of its first employes. His death occurred in 1870, while he was still in the prime of life. His wife, Adeline Smith, was born in Forty-eighth Street, New York City, her father being John Andrew Smith, also a native of that place. He was a cooper by trade, but after locating in Long Is- land City opened a general store where J. N. New & Bro. are now located, and conducted a successful business for many years. He finally opened a restaurant in Vernon Avenue, between Borden Avenue and Third Street, and after con- ducting it successfully for some time retired. He died at the age of seventy-two years, after a well spent life. "Old Pap" Smith, as he was familiarly known, was one of the oldest settlers of the · place and was universally respected. Mrs. Hal- pin, his daughter, died here April 10, 1894.

John A. Halpin was the only child born to his parents and in Long Island City he was reared. The public schools of the place afforded him a practical education, but at the age of six- teen years he laid aside his books to engage in clerical work in the various stores, which occu- pation he followed for some time. He next en- gaged in railroad work and was a brakeman on a passenger train of the Long Island Railroad

between Long Island City and Patchogue for five years. By this time he had become tired of the life and decided to devote his attention to other pursuits, and in November, 1885, he be- came a clerk for William Brady, a successful hardware merchant, and remained in his employ up to 1894, thus acquiring a thorough and prac- tical knowledge of the business On the Ist of May of that year a business partnership was formed with John W. Petry, and a large and se- lect line of hardware was purchased, in the choice of which Mr. Halpin's former experience stood him in good stead. A profitable business at once sprung up and has continued to increase up to the present time. Mr. Halpin possesses keen com- mercial instincts and in the treatment of his patrons is thoroughly reliable and honorable, thus proving that "honesty is the best policy."

Mr. Halpin's marriage with Miss Lulu Prince, a daughter of Charles Prince, was celebrated in Long Island City and they have a pretty and comfortable residence at No. 105 Fourth Street. In his political proclivities Mr. Halpin is a Demo- crat.

P HILIP FERRIS, proprietor of a meat mar- ket in Flushing, was born October 6, 1847. on the corner of Ridge and Riverton Streets, New York, being a son of Philip and Letitia Ferris. For several generations the fam- ily resided in New York City, having removed there from Dutchess County, which was the orig- inal place of settlement of the Holland-Dutch an- cestors. His grandfather, who also bore the name of Philip Ferris, was born in Delancy Street, New York, and for years was employed as a butcher in the old Essex Street market; his death occurred in the metropolis when he was eighty-eight years of age.

Our subject's father, who was born in New York, was for some time engaged in the butcher- ing business in the Essex Street market, but later removed to the corner of Ridge and Riverton Streets. In 1852 he went to Williamsburg and opened a market, where he carried on a large business. His death, which occurred at seventy- four years, was the result of injuries received in a fall. In religious belief he was an Episcopalian and hield membership in a church in South Street. Our subject, who was the only child of luis parents, was orphaned by his mother's death when he was only two years old. He was reared

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in Williamsburg and attended the grammar school in Second Avenue and Tenth Street, Dis- trict No. 2, from which he graduated at an early age. Under his father he learned the butcher's trade and when nineteen began for himself as the junior member of the firm of Mccullough & Ferris, their shop being on the corner of Leon- ard and Devoe Streets, Williamsburg. After six ycars the partnership was dissolved and he came to Flushing November 5, 1871, since which time this village has been his home.

Purchasing property on the corner of Union and Lincoln Streets, Mr. Ferris built a market and began in the meat business. At that time all the business houses were in Main Street, and the surrounding country was considered a wil- derness; many declared he could never make a success at his location, but timc proved the wis- dom of his judgment and foresight. In addition to meats he keeps on hand different varieties of game and is the largest dealer in poultry in the placc. Besides this he sells butter and eggs, also sausages of his own manufacture. For the con- venience of his business he has a large refrigera- tor. The business is next to the oldest of this kind here, and its success proves the ability of the proprietor.

In Devoe Street, near Humboldt, Brooklyn, Mr. Ferris marricd Miss Clara Lewis, daughter of William B. Lewis, who was an engraver resid- ing in Brooklyn and employed in New York. They are the parents of three children, namely: Philip, Jr., who is in business with his father, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum; Elizabeth B., a well educated and accomplished young lady ; and Harry L., who is his father's assistant in busi- ness. Socially Mr. Ferris is connected with Lodge No. 997, Royal Arcanum, and in politics he adhcres to Republican principles. He is lib- eral in his religious views, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Upon all matters of public interest he is well in- formed and ranks among the patriotic, public- spirited men of the village.

J ALBERT JOHNTRA, a leading grocer of Flushing, was born in Lakewood, Ocean - County, N. J., January 12, 1873, being the eldest among the six children of Joseph A. and Mary E. (Adams) Johntra, natives respectively oi New York City and New Jersey. His father, who is a man of superior ability, is now engaged

in the grocery business at Astoria and is a well- known and successful business man, having at- tained a competence through the exercise of good judgment in all his transactions.

In the schools of Chester, Pa., the subject of this notice gained the principal portion of his edu- cation, though for a time he studied in the schools of Lakewood. On leaving school he was em- ployed in a drug store for one year, after which, in January of 1889, he went to Long Island City, and became connected with his father in the grocery business, assisting in the management of the three stores, which the latter had there at one time. At the age of nineteen he opened a store in Fulton Street, Astoria, and carried it on until it was sold. He then managed another establishment until June, 1895, when he came to Flushing and opened his present grocery, form- ing a partnership with H. E. Miller, under the firm name of Johntra & Miller. In April, 1896, he purchased Mr. Miller's interest in the business.

The business location of Mr. Johntra at Nos. 28-30 Main Street is advantageous for the pur- poses of trade. His entire time is devoted to his business, in which he has met with flattering success at the outset. As he buys in large quan- tities, he is enabled to sell at lower prices than others, and while the profits on each sale are small, yet the aggregate of the business is so large that the remuneration is proportionately heavy. Two delivery wagons are used to accom- modate customers. The trade is not limited to Flushing, but extends into Bayside, Whitestone, College Point and other neighboring places.

G USTAV A. HAUCK, who is engaged in the bakery business at College Point, was born in Musbach, Bavaria, Germany, September 14, 1863. He is a son of Philip Hauck, a baker of Musbach, and a grandson of John A. Hauck, who also followed that occupation. The former, who for some years operated a farm in addition to the management of his bakery, mar- ried Caroline Burger, daughter of a glazier of Heilbrom, Wurtemberg. In 1892 the parents joined the other members of the family in Amer- ica and now make their home in Philadelphia. They are faithful members of the Baptist Church and possess honest, energetic and industrious dispositions. It is a noteworthy fact that all of their family, consisting of twelve children, still survive.

JOHN R. CARPENTER.

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Gustav A., who was fifth in order of birth, spent the first thirteen years of his life in Mus- bach and then came to America, being the first son who left Germany. He took passage at Ant- werp on the steamer "Zealand" in 1877 and landed ir Philadelphia after an uneventful voyage. The two years following his arrival were devoted to learning the baker's trade with a brother-in-law. In 1879 he went to New York, where he was em- ployed at his trade for a number of years. In May of 1893 he came to College Point and built his present place in Thirteenth Street, opposite First Avenue, where he has his store, bake shop and residence. His specialty for the past ten years has been the baking of fancy cakes, and his reputation in this line makes his services in con- stant demand for weddings and large parties. He uses one wagon for delivering goods to custom- ers.

In New York Mr. Hauck married Miss Mary A. Dresell, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and is a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Lang) Dresell. Her father, who was a farmer in his native land, came to America and settled in Brooklyn, where he died; her mother resides with Mrs. Hauck. The latter was seven years of age when she came to the United States. By her marriage she is the mother of five children: Charles, Henry, William, Lizzie and Gustav. Politically our subject is a Democrat. The family belong to St. Fidelis' Catholic Church and So- ciety, and Mr. Hauck is a member of St. Francis Society of New York, the Steube Kosse and Harmonic Society at College Point.

J OHN R. CARPENTER. Perhaps no citi- zen of Jamaica has been more closely iden- tified with the development of its commer- cial interests than the gentleman who forms the subject of this article. He has for years been en- gaged in the lumber and coal business, which he has carried on with such success that his sales now reach an annual aggregate of $200,000. By industry, fair dealing and prompt attention to all the details of his business, he has built up one of the largest trades on Long Island.

The Carpenter family was among those that early settled in Queens County, and successive generations have been honorably connected with the growth and progress of this section. The first of the . ime to come hither was Jacob Carpenter, the great-grandfather of our subject, who came

here in the middle of the eighteenth century. The grandfather bore the name of Nathaniel. On the old Carpenter homestead, situated at Springfield, in the town of Jamaica, our subject's father, also Nathaniel, was born in 1794. and there his early years were spent. He displayed the patriotic spirit that has always been a family characteris- tic, and during the War of 1812 enlisted in the defense of American liberties. In his early years he followed the trade of a shoemaker, but later engaged in farming. In religious belief a Pres- byterian, he was for a long time an elder in the church at Jamaica. The closing years of his life were spent on the old homestead, and there he died in 1869. In all his thoughts and actions he was governed by a sense of rectitude, for he had so trained his mind to right thinking, and his will to right feeling and right doing, that it became a part of his moral nature. His life was a busy and useful one, and in his death he was mourned by hosts of friends.

The mother of our subject, Elizabeth, was born in the town of Jamaica, and was a daughter of John Rider, well known as an architect and builder. He drew the plans for the rebuilding of the Presbyterian Church and assisted in the con- struction of other large buildings of his day. At his death, he left a property valued at about $50,- 000. Mrs. Elizabeth Carpenter was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and in that faith passed from earth in 1867. Her brother, James Rider, was a man of prominence and rep- resented his district in the legislature for two terms.

By his first marriage our subject's father had four children: Tuttle. Elias, Priscilla and Eph- raim. The latter died in 1895. leaving two sons, James Tuttle and Nicholas Smith, now residing in Springfield. Of the second marriage there were born Phebe, Rebecca, Patience Anna and John R. Patience A. married Isaac C. Hendrickson, one of the leading citizens of Jamaica, being pro- prietor of a lumber yard, director in a bank and a member of the board of control of the Jamaica Normal School.

At the family homestead in the town of Ja- maica, the subject of this notice was born Janu- ary 17, 1842. His education was gained in the district school and Union Hall Academy of Ja- inaica. Soon after the opening of the Civil War he left the home farm, where he had been assist- ing his father, and became an active participant in the struggle for the Union. Joining the Thir-

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teenth New York Independent Battery, he served for two years and eight months, being on de- tached duty the most of the time. In recognition of his fidelity he was commissioned third lieu- tenant.

After returning home from the war, Mr. Car- penter was for two years engaged in the butcher business, and then went back to the home farm. In 1887 he embarked in the lumber and coal busi- ness in company with his brother-in-law, Isaac C. Hendrickson, under the name of the Jamaica Lumber and Coal Company. They remained to- gether until 1890, when Mr. Carpenter estab- lished his present large business, taking as part- ner his nephew, Robert W. Higbee, who retired from the firm February 1, 1895. Since that time his sons have been associated with him in the business.

In 1861 Mr. Carpenter married Miss Adeline, daughter of Tredwell Davison, a farmer and stock-raiser of the town of Hempstead. Of their three sons, Frank N. died in infancy. Tredwell at an early age went into a wholesale house in New York, but is now with his father; he married Elizabeth Wasson, a native of Canada, and they have one child, Marguerite. Alexander, the youngest son, was cashier in a wholesale estab- lishment in New York until March 1, 1895, but is now associated with his father in business. The family occupy a pleasant home in the village, near the yards, where they have a comfortable resi- dence surrounded by four acres of land.

Identified with the Methodist Church, Mr. Carpenter was for twenty-five years a member of the official board at Springfield, and for seven- teen years served as superintendent of the Sun- day-school. Notwithstanding his close attention to business, he has devoted much time to read- ing and self-culture, and has also found time for active religious work. A man of pleasing ad- dress, social and hospitable, generous and lib- eral in his sentiments, and broad in his views, his life reveals the success that may be attained by self-reliance, integrity and persevering industry.

F REDERICK N. SMITH. Few profession- al or business men of Queens County have been more active in supporting its indus- tries in a substantial way that this gentleman, who is a leading member of the Queens County bar. He is a man of great public spirit and for some time has been counsel for the Long Island

City Building and Loan Association, as well as secretary for the Queens County Bar Association.

Mr. Smith was born in Portland, Me., Decem- ber 25, 1861. His father, M. C. Smith, was a na- time of East Hampton, Conn., which was also the birthplace of the grandfather, Nathaniel C. Smith, who was a prominent iron manufacturer of that portion of the Nutmeg State. The latter during the War of 1812 was color sergeant, or ensign, of Connecticut home troops. He lived to an advanced age, dying when past the age of ninety years. This branch of the Smith family first located in Massachusetts, whither they had come from England. Later they removed to Connecticut, where the grandfather passed his entire life, and where also M. C. Smith lived for many years. The latter afterward moved to Portland, Me., where he engaged as an iron mer- chant.

The father of our subject after spending many years in the Pine Tree State located in New York City, where he was employed as superin- tendent of the iron works of Schriver & Co. However, when Mr. Steinway established his fac- tory for the manufacture of pianos in Long Island City, Mr. Smith was engaged as superintendent of the foundry, having charge of this department for many years, or until he resigned the position He is now a resident of Astoria, having made his home in this village since 1872. During the late war he served as a member of a Maine vol- unteer company, rendering his country valuable aid during the entire period of his enlistment.

Mrs. Mary E. (Cobb) Smith, mother of our subject, was born near the capital of Maine and was the daughter of Samuel Cobb, a blacksmith by trade. The latter was a cousin of Sylvanus Cobb, the author. Her union with M. C. Smith resulted in the birth of four children, of whom Frederick, of this history, was the youngest. When the family located in Long Island City in 1872, our subject became a student of the Fourth When the family located in Long Island City in 1878. He then took a normal course and some years thereafter began the study of law in the office of Foster & Stevens of New York. After the usual amount of reading he entered the law department of Columbia College, and in 1884 was awarded a diploma and admitted to practice at the bar of New York State. Mr. Smith then en- tered the office of A. T. Payne, at that time cor- poration counsel, and remained with him as his managing clerk for about seven years, during

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which time he also practiced on his own ac- count.

In December, 1892, Mr. Smith opened an office at No. 77 Jackson Avenue, Hunter's Point. He has been especially successful in handling civil cases and has been identified as counsel in many suits involving large amounts of real estate. For the past eight years he has been attorney for the Long Island City Building and Loan Asso- ciation, and for the past four or five years has filled the office of secretary of the Queens County Bar Association.

Mr. Smith was married in Amsterdam, N. Y., in 1888, to Miss Annie Patterson, a native of New York City. She is the daughter of Culver Pat- terson, now deceased, who was for many years a prominent attorney of the above city. Mrs. Smith is a very accomplished lady and was edu- cated in the schools of Astoria. She is the mother of a daughter, May E., and son, Oliver N. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a beautiful home in Astoria, where they are surrounded by every comfort that the age can suggest, and here it is their delight to entertain their many friends from far and near. In politics our subject is a stanch Republican and has been a member of both the city and judiciary committees. Socially he is a Knight of the Golden Eagle, master of records of Stein- way Castle, No. 8, and is a member of Grand Castle, also past and district grand chief of Queens County. Mr. Smith is a thorough Chris- tian and for many years has been a member and deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church of Astoria.

W ILSON LAWRENCE, proprietor of a boarding and livery stable at Flush- ing, was born in this village December 8, 1823. The first of his family to locate here was his paternal grandfather, Benjamin, Sr., who was born near Albany and removed thence to a farm near Flushing, where his closing years were spent. The father, Benjamin, Jr., was born here and on arriving at maturity entered upon the oc- cupations of farmer and stock dealer, buying stock in different states and selling it on Long Island. He died in Flushing when about sixty- five years of age. His wife, who died at about sixty years of age, was in maidenhood Phoebe Rowland, and was born in Flushing, where her father, David Rowland, engaged in general farm pursuits.

The subject of this record, who is the only sur- vivor of two children, received his education in the Flushing schools, and from early boyhood assisted his father in the stock business. In 1853 he located here and embarked in the livery busi- ness in Broadway, which he continued until the close of the war, when he disposed of it. Later he was employed as clerk in New York and for a time also carried on a transfer business there. On the death of his father he returned to the home farm, which he superintended for more than ten years, later disposing of the place.

In 1891 the firm of Bort & Lawrence started the Madison Avenue Stables, and the connection has since been continued. The stables occupy 70x100 feet on Madison Avenue and Union Street, where are box stalls for fine horses and accommodations for forty horses. Through energy and judgment in the management of the business success has come to the firm in the shape of a reasonable pecuniary profit. In addition to boarding horses, livery rigs are kept, a large busi- ness being done in that line. Their place is the headquarters for horsemen, Mr. Bort being a professional trainer and an acknowledged author- ity in that line, and frequent use is made of the one-half mile track, which is situated near the stables.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 112

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