Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 114

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 114

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At Flushing in 1861 occurred the marriage of J. J. Wright and Isabella Todd, daughter of Adam Todd, formerly a gardener here. They have four children, William, Samuel A., Elmira and Belle. In national politics Mr. Wright is a Democrat, always voting that ticket at Presiden- tial elections. He was one of the first members of Island City Lodge, F. & A. M., with which he has since been connected.

C HRISTIAN RAU, a mason and contrac- tor residing in College Point, was born near Cologne, Westphalia, Germany, in 1834, being a son of Arnold Rau, who devoted his attention to farming in his native land throughout his entire life. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the mason's trade in Elber- feldt, Germany, and upon the completion of his term of service began to do journeyman work, traveling throughout all of Germany. After a time he settled in Elberfeldt, where for nine years he followed his chosen calling.

Having resolved to come to America, in 1865 Mr. Rau took passage on the sailing vessel "Liz- zie" at Hamburg, and after sixty-one days upon the water landed in New York City. During the same year he came to College Point, where he began work at his trade. In 1866 he commenced to take contracts, and in this way he has since carried on business, having met with fair suc- cess in his enterprises. He has had contracts for much important work in his line here, both in the erection of public and private buildings, and his work has been invariably satisfactory to the par- ties concerned.

The family residence, erected by Mr. Rau,

stands in Fourteenth Street, near Seventh Ave- nue. It is presided over hospitably by his wife, whom he married here, but who was born in Bre- men, Germany. She bore the maiden name of Albertina Youngman, and is the mother of four children, Anna, Lizzie, Martha and Oscar. The family attend the Lutheran Church and are in- terested in all religious work. While Mr. Rau has never sought public office, he lias firm opin- ions upon all political questions and uniformly gives his allegiance to the Republican party.

O LDFIELD HENDRICKSON. Surely and rapidly the brave and hardy men who first settled in Hollis are passing to their graves, and among them Oldfield Hen- drickson is now numbered. The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age and the duty that men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity, demand that a record of their lives and deeds should be made. Mr. Hendrickson, one of the respected and influential citizens of Queens County, was born in this county, across the street from where his widow now resides. He was the son of James and Catherine (Oldfield) Hendrickson, who were the parents of three chil- dren, all now deceased.

James Hendrickson was a native of Spring- field, L. I., and spent his life in this vicinity. For many years he was a prominent and active men- ber of the Dutch Reformed Church and was also active in other enterprises of moment. Oldfield Hendrickson received good educational facili- ties, attending Union Hall Academy of Jamaica during his youth, and after reaching man's es- tate settled down to agricultural pursuits on the home place. Industrious and persevering. he miade a success of life in his chosen calling, and his fine farm attests by its appearance the thrift and energy of its former owner.

On the 16th of December, 1835, Mr. Hendrick- son married Miss Margaret Van Alst of Dutch Kills, Long Island City, and after this union re- sided on the home farm, assisting in its manage- ment until after his father's death, when he erected the fine residence, now owned by his widow, and there passed the remainder of his days, dying December 16, 1871. Like his father he was a worthy member of the Dutch Reformed Church, holding membership in the Jamaica con- gregation for years. When that church burned

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down he assisted in building the church at Queens, and for years afterward was an elder in that organization. Mrs. Hendrickson is a mem- ber of one of the prominent old families of Queens County. Her parents, John G. and Al- etha (Polhemus) Van Alst, had eight children, only two of whom survive at the present time, Mrs. Hendrickson and James L., the latter a resi- dent of the village of Newtown. Mrs. Hendrick- son's grandparents were George and Ann (Mes- serole) Van Alst.

T HOMPSON LAYTON. In the course of his active and useful career Mr. Layton has earned an enviable reputation as an enterprising agriculturist, efficient citizen and self-reliant man. He is numbered among the most prosperous farmers of Oyster Bay Town, where he owns over one hundred acres of valua- ble and well improved land. The farm upon which he resides and which has been in posses- sion of the family since 1824 lies near the village of East Norwich, thus affording all the advan- tages of rural life together with the conveniences of the village.

The son of Peter and Emeline (Pintard) Lay- ton, the subject of this sketch was born February 7, 1833, on the homestead he now owns and oc- cupies. The family has been represented in this locality for several generations. His grand- father, John Layton, was a native of the town of Oyster Bay and devoted his entire active life to agricultural pursuits here. The father of our subject, soon after his marriage, settled on this farm in 1824 and here he continued to reside un- til his death in April, 1865. His children were named as follows: Margaret, who died in child- hood; John, who located in Connecticut; Charles. who died in boyhood; Mary, Mrs. Townsend Monfort, deceased; Thompson; and Charles, a sailor, of whom all trace was lost years ago.

From the time he was twenty-one years old until the death of his father, our subject operated the home farm on shares, and afterward he be- came the owner and proprietor of the estate. May 10, 1865, he married Mary E. Van Nos- trand, who was born in Roslyn August 29, 1841, and was a daughter of Cornelius and Sarah R. Van Nostrand. Unto their union were born the following-named children: Jennie; Peter, a blacksmith living in the village of Oyster Bay; Thompson G., Jr., who assists his father in op-

erating the farm and resides in the new house on the homestead; Ida, wife of Benjamin Morgan, of Port Washington, Queens County; Sarah R .; Emeline, who died in infancy; Nellie L .; Charles W., who died in boyhood; Mary M., Lottie B. and Gertie A. The older children were educated in the Friends' Academy at Locust Val- ley, and the younger members of the family will, at the proper time, be given such advantages as will fit them for positions of usefulness in the world.

The Democratic party has the hearty allegiance of Mr. Layton, and he supports its candidates at every election, local or national. In 1871 he was elected assessor of the town of Oyster Bay, a position which he filled for twenty years, with the exception of an interim of two years. For a number of years he has served as school trustee. In every position to which he has been called, he has done all in his power to advance the in- terests of his fellow-citizens and promote the wel- fare of the community. He and his family are highly esteemed wherever known. They are genial and hospitable, and all visitors to their home (even those to whom they are personally strangers) receive a hearty, cordial welcome and an invitation to come again. Naturally, these qualities make them popular among the people of the town, and their list of friends and acquaint- ances is a large one.

R ICHARD TRACY came to College Point April 23, 1870, and has since made this place his home. Prior to locating here, he learned the mason's trade, in all its branches, at Brooklyn, and he was thus prepared to success- fully conduct a business of his own. After work- ing at the trade for years, he began in 1891 as a general contractor in mason work, which line he has since carried on diligently and with success. Among his most important work was the opening and grading of the streets in College Point, also the erection of I. E. Klinert's brick factory, the stone edifice in which St. Fidelis' congregation worships and Hugo Funke's silk mills.

In ornamental plastering, of which he makes a specialty, Mr. Tracy has been very successful, and his reputation in this line is unexcelled. He also has many contracts for putting in boilers and engines and does all the heavy trucking work in the village. His pay roll each season amounts to $750. In addition to building residences for

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others, he built the one on Whitestone Road which he owns and occupies, and erected the shop in Eleventh Street, between Fourth and Fifth. After coming to College Point he established a home of his own, his marriage uniting him with Miss Mary Williams, an estimable lady of this place. Nine children were born of their union, of whom all but two are living.

While Mr. Tracy gives his attention closely to his contract work, he nevertheless finds time for social engagements, and is one of the popular residents at College Point. He is a charter mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Catholic Benevolent Legion and is con- nected with the Adelphi Social Club. In religious belief he is a Catholic and holds membership in the St. Fidelis Church.

W ILLIAM RUHL, proprietor of College Point Saenger Hall, was born in Har- burg, Hanover, Germany, June 8, 1859, and is a son of John Ruhl, a native of Hil- desheim, Hanover, and by trade a carpenter and builder, which occupation he followed until his death. At one time he was a corporal in the German cavalry. After his demise his widow, Elenora S. (Rose) Ruhl, brought her two sons, William and Edwin, to the United States and set- tled in New York City, where she remained un- til death. Edwin is now a resident of Jersey Heights.

William, who is the younger of the two sons, was less than ten years of age when he accom- panied his mother to America in 1869. He at- tended school only six months during the year, his education being acquired principally in the night schools. At an early age he learned the cigar maker's trade, at which he worked until 1880. Then, in partnership with his brother, un- der the firm name of E. Ruhl & Co., he em- barked in the wholesale liquor business at No. 1522 Third Avenue. On dissolving this part- nership, he carried on a general trucking busi- ness in New York about seven years, and mean- time, in 1888, he started a soda water business in Fourth Street, between D and Lewes, where he remained for two years. In 1890 he removed to No. 227 Lewes Street, where four years were spent.

In 1893 Mr. Ruhl located in Flushing, and soon afterward started a grocery business in Mad- ison Avenue, Murray Hill, where he built a store

and two residences. Later he engaged in the manufacture of soda water until February, 1895, when he sold out and purchased his present place on Second Avenue and Twelfth Street, College Point, where he has a building 50x100 feet, with summer gardens. His ball room, 50x75, is the finest in the village and more balls are held here than any other place in College Point. He has places also for lodge meetings, accommodations for societies, turn-vereins, clam-bakes, picnics and coaching parties. Besides this, he is engaged in bottling beer and runs two wagons in filling orders.

In New York City, in October, 1893, Mr. Ruhl married Miss Katie Hughes, who was born there, and is the youngest of the three children of Edward and Margaret (Connelly) Hughes, na- tives respectively of Counties Monaghan and Cavan, Ireland. Her father, after his marriage, settled in New York City, where he engaged in business as a dealer in meats; her mother died in that city in February, 1896. Socially Mr. Ruhl is connected with Puritan Lodge No. 399, F. & A. M., and Eagle Hook and Ladder Company No. I at College Point. He and his wife are a genial, pleasant couple, and have many warm friends in this locality.

S AMUEL A. WRIGHT, D. V. S., son of J. J. and Isabella (Todd) Wright, was born in Long Island City in November, 1871. His education was received in his native place and the high school of Brooklyn, and on com- pleting his studies he began to learn the trade of a horse-shoer, at which he was employed about two years. From that he naturally drifted into veterinary surgery, an occupation for which he had early in life displayed a natural inclination. In 1890 he entered the American Veterinary College of New York City, where he conducted his studies with diligence and success, gradu- ating in March, 1893, with the degree of D. V. S. While in college he was the class secretary and also secretary of the College Medical Society. During his vacations he continued work at horse-shoeing until the last year of his college course, when he practiced veterinary surgery with his brother, Dr. W. H. Wright, in Long Is- land City.

Upon graduating our subject opened an office at No. 68 Broadway, Flushing, where he has since conducted a general practice as veterinary

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surgeon, for success in which his former thor- ough experience as horse-shoer is of the utmost · value. In his business transactions he is enter- prising yet cautious, honest to the smallest de- tail, painstaking and skillful, a man who will un- doubtedly succeed in his chosen work. He is a member of the Vigilant Athletic Club of Long Island City, and takes an active part in various fraternal and social organizations.

E RASMUS D. SKINNER, M. D., of Min- eola, was born in Greenport, Suffolk Coun- ty, N. Y., in 1838, to Dr. E. E. D. and Mary B. (Read) Skinner. His grandfather, Dr. Ezekiel Skinner, was born in the town of Glastonbury, Conn., and in early manhood studied medicine, but later entered the ministry. The father, who was born in Connecticut in 1807, graduated from a medical college and com- menced practice at Greenport in 1828, remaining there until his death in 1875. He was a member of the Baptist Church of Greenport. For years he was chairman of the Republican Central Com- mittee, and prior to the organization of that party upheld Whig principles. In 1844 he was toasted by the Clay Whig Club of New York City as the "lone Clay Whig of Suffolk County." In addition to successful practice as a physician, he was noted as a skillful surgeon. In his fam- ily there were six children, namely: Annie E .; Jane M. A .; Erasmus D .: Benjamin Rush, who entered the legal profession: Dr. Barton D., a physician of Greenport; and Ezekiel D., a mill- wright at Greenport.

In the spring of 1858 the subject of this rec- ord entered the Bowdoin Medical College, where he remained a few months. In the fall of the same year he became a student in the Berkshire Medical College of Pittsfield, Mass., from which he graduated in November, 1858. He com- menced practice at the old home of his grandfath- er Skinner in Westford, but at the end of three years failing health induced him to return to Greenport. In 1875, with invigorated strength, he removed to Mineola and established a practice which he has since conducted. In 1888 he was appointed physician to the temporary Home for Children, located at this place. He is a member of the Queens County Medical Society, of which he was formerly president.

A Republican in politics, Dr. Skinner in 1872 was elected coroner of Suffolk County by a large

majority, and for twelve years served as health officer for the town of North Hempstead. With his wife he holds membership in the Baptist Church of Hempstead, in which he has held the offices of deacon and trustee. For a number of years he was a member of the executive commit- tee of the Queens County Sunday-school Asso- ciation, and for a time was superintendent of the Union Sunday-school of Mineola. Socially he is identified with Protection Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F., at Roslyn, of which he is past grand, and is also officially connected with Mineola En- campment No. 121 and past district deputy grand patriarch. At this writing he is district deputy grand master of Queens District No. 2.

In April, 1862, Dr. Skinner married Anna E., daughter of Alanson Hallock, a prominent farm- er of Cutchogue and a leading Republican of his locality, his death occurring in 1894, when he was ninety-three. The three children born of this union are Henry W., residing in Mineola and a traveling salesman for a drug house of New York; Erasmus D., Jr., who is with R. M. Bowne's Son, of Glencove; and Isabella C., wife of L. C. Under- hill, of Mineola, a dealer in lumber and coal at Locust Valley.

Dr. Ezekiel Skinner, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Glastonbury, Conn., and by diligent effort gained a good education. At an early age he began the study of medicine, with the intention of entering that profession. When the War of 1812 broke out, he left his practice and family and went into the army as a private but was almost immediately made field surgeon. On his return he resumed practice and also took up ministerial work, which divided his time with his profession. His son, Benjamin R., had be- come a missionary to Africa and in less than six months had, with his wife and one child, suc- cumbed to the unhealthful climate. Undaunted by their sad fate, the father, though then an old man, resolved to take up his son's work. He went to Africa, where for about three years he labored for the physical and spiritual uplifting of the poor natives. He was the first governor of Liberia. Failing health at last obliged him to return to America. He resumed here his labors as clergyman and physician, but for a number of years before his death he was entirely blind. After his death our subject's father took into his home the widowed mother, who also was totally blind for a number of years.

Of Alanson Hallock, the father-in-law of Dr.

JAMES F. MCLAUGHLIN.

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Skinner, the following mention was made in an obituary notice: "He was in his ninety-fourth year and belonged to one of the oldest families of the town. With vigorous mental powers and by reason of sturdy health, he outlived nearly all of his own generation. He was an upright man, prompt, intelligent, prudent, judicious and to the last degree firm, yet pleasant and cour- teous withal, though he hated sham and fraud and denounced them in emphatic speech. He was bold in his convictions and upheld and followed them without fear or favor. Those who consid- ered him obstinate misunderstood him and failed to recognize the fact that his integrity of prin- ciple and steadfastness of purpose rendered it impossible for him to yield to public clamor or private influence against his own conviction. His loyalty to his friends as well as his likes and dislikes was marked. He was an honest, stead- fast man, deserving and receiving the respect of his townsmen."

J AMES F. MCLAUGHLIN. Having gained through careful study a thorough knowl- edge of the law, Mr. McLaughlin has be- fore him a useful and honorable career in the pro- fession of his choice. The bar of Queens County has among its representatives a large number of men of superior intellectual attainments, profound knowledge and keen insight into human nature. To stand side by side with these lawyers and to elicit from them words of praise and admiration, proves the possession of large mental powers. This has been done by Mr. McLaughlin, who, though one of the youngest attorneys practicing at the bar, is also one of the best known and most highly respected.

In the village of Jamaica, where he now has his law office, the subject of this notice was born Oc- tober 10, 1868, being a son of the late William A. McLaughlin. The family genealogy is given in the sketch of his brother. John J., who holds the position of engineer of Queens County. He was reared in this village and after gaining a good education in the public schools. he entered the law office of Hon. James W. Covert, ex-Con- gressman of New York, where he commenced his legal studies. Later he entered the New York Law School, from which he graduated in 1888. The following year he was admitted to the bar and for one year remained with his former pre-

ceptor, after which he was in the office of J. J. Gleason of New York.

Opening an office in Jamaica, Mr. McLaugh- lin soon became known as a rising attorney. A thorough student of the profession, he started in practice with a determination to excel in the profession, and already he has had charge of some important cases. His interest in whatever concerns the moral or material well-being of his fellow-men has always been actively shown in such ways as occasions have offered. Since at- taining his majority he has never failed to cast his ballot for Democratic principles, whenever an opportunity has been offered. In the local coun- cils of the party he is prominent, but his influ- ence has never been given to secure personal ag- grandizement. Instead, he has favored those measures that will best promote the interests of the party, without regard for personal prefer- ences. In 1894 he was elected town clerk and served one term, after which he again gave his entire attention to his chosen profession. He re- sides with his brother and sisters at the family homestead. Socially he belongs to the Chub Club of Jamaica, also the Jamaica Club, and is a welcomed guest in the best homes of the village.

J OHN P. KRAEBEL, German interpreter for the Queens County Court and a resident of College Point, was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, July 14, 1852, and in 1856, when less than four years of age, was brought by his parents to this country, settling with them in New York. His educational advantages were limited, as he was obliged to support himself from an early age. His father, Peter, who was a basket-maker by trade, followed that occupation in New York and Brooklyn, and later, in 1861, went to East New York, of which place he was an early settler. By his marriage to Elizabeth Motsch. who died March 4. 1893, he had four sons, namely: Paul, who is engaged in the basket-maker's business in Brooklyn: Peter, who is foreman in a basket factory in New York: John P .. of College Point: and Jacob, of Brooklyn.

Coming to this village February 9. 1875, the subject of this record has resided here since, with the exception of one year. Since that time he has been identified with many important meas- ures and enterprises. He is now (1896) serving his third term as deputy sheriff, and for five con- secutive years served as constable. Early in

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

908

life he learned the trade of basket-making, which he followed at various times. For five years he was employed by the Enterprise Rubber Com- pany. July 16, 1884, he began in the coal and wood business, which he has since carried on suc- cessfully.

Both as a writer of German and English, Mr. Kraebel has gained quite a reputation, and for some time he was connected with the "Long Island Reporter," the proprietor of which also published a German paper. While working in the factory, he attended night schools and thus and by observation he obtained an excellent busi- ness education, receiving a first-grade certificate in bookkeeping from the Poppenhusen Insti- tute. For his work as interpreter he is peculiar- ly and especially adapted; he speaks both lan- guages fluently and understands all varieties of German idiom, being also an expert at giving in English the exact shade of meaning, so that his services as interpreter are appreciated and in de- mand.

The first wife of Mr. Kraebel was Margaret Schreiner, who died May 22, 1888, having had four daughters, Anna Elizabeth, Carrie Margaret, Christine Anna and Margaret Catherine. In March, 1889, our subject married Margaret Schafft, and they have three sons, Joseph James, John Peter and Edgar Paul. Though a Demo- crat in politics, Mr. Kraebel favors protection in- stead of free trade. In religion he is a Catholic. The Adelphi Social Club, as well as various sing- ing societies and social organizations, number him among their members. He is district dep- uty state commander of the American Legion of Honor. He is connected with the Enterprise Hose Company and is president of the local or- ganization of the American Firemen's Associa- tion.

S TEPHEN HILDERHOF, who is engaged in the bakery business at College Point, was born in Laudenbach, Baden, Ger- many, June 23, 1863, and is a member of one of the old families of that locality. His father, Ja- cob, who was a son of Jacob, Sr., a miller by occupation, was born in Hembsbach, Baden, and took an active part in the Revolution of 1848. Throughout his entire life, which was passed in his native land, he followed the calling of a mil- ler. His death occurred in February, 1896, when he was sixty-six years of age. He married Cath-

erine Kessler, daughter of Stephen Kessler, who was a miller by trade; she was born in Lauden- bach and continued to reside in her native prov- ince until death. In religious belief she and her husband were devout Lutherans. Seven of their children are living, of whom Stephen is third in respect to age.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 114

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