Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 115

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 115

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The subject of this record was reared in Lau- denbach and for a time attended the Weinheim Institute. At the age of sixteen he was appren- ticed to learn the baker's trade in Manheim, and upon the completion of his term of service he went to Strasburg, where he worked for a time. In 1884 he crossed the Atlantic and secured work at his trade in New York City. August 21, 1893, he started in the baker's business at College Point, where he bought out Mr. Ostermeyer. His location at the corner of Twelfth Street and Fourth Avenue is a convenient one, and in his kitchen he has large ovens and every convenience for the proper management of the business. A delivery wagon is run for the accommodation of his customers. Socially he is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men at College Point and with the Steube Kosse. He is an enterpris- ing young man and will without doubt gain suc- cess in his chosen occupation.

F FREDERICK L. JOHNSON, M. D. Dur- ing the years of his residence in Corona, Dr. Johnson has become known as one of the skillful and rising young physicians of this portion of Queens County. For the successful prosecution of his chosen calling, he is admira- bly fitted by natural inclination and years of painstaking, assiduous study, and it is but reason- able to suppose that in the coming years he will be the recipient of added professional honors.

The Doctor's parents, Eldridge and Jane (Hughes) Johnson, were natives of New Jersey, and the former was a merchant in Cape May at the time of his son's birth in 1869. The boy was given excellent educational advantages, attend- ing a private school from ten years of age until thirteen, when he entered Rutgers preparatory department and there prepared for college. In 1886 his name was enrolled as a student in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, in which he continued his studies until his graduation two years later. His next step was to enter the med- ical department of the University of Pennsyl- vania, at Philadelphia, from which he graduated

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in 1890. Shortly afterward he began work as resident physician in St. Agnes Hospital, Phila- delphia, having received the position as the re- sult of a competitive examination among the students of the university.

One year was spent in that hospital, after which the Doctor accepted the position of assist- ant physician of the Pennsylvania Railroad, with headquarters at Jersey City, spending one year there. He then opened an office at No. 308 West Twenty-sixth Street. New York City, where he carried on a general practice in medicine for one year, and from which place, in April, 1893, he came to Corona, succeeding to the practice of Dr. George Brockway. In addition to his gen- eral practice, he holds the position of examining physician for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for the territory extending from Long Island City to Great Neck; and is also medical examiner for the Corona Council of the Legion of Honor.

While in Philadelphia, Dr. Johnson married Miss Emma J. B. Meyer, daughter of Augustus and Margaret (Watkinson) Meyer, their wedding taking place in 1890. The young couple have established a pleasant home in Corona and are popular among the best people of the village. Though taking an interest in everything that per- tains to the welfare of the community and the progress of the nation, Dr. Johnson has never allied himself with any political party, but has maintained an independence of thought and ac- tion in matters relating to the franchise. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church and is a firm believer in the cause of Christianity, but has never identified himself with any denomi- nation.

D ANIEL J. SULLIVAN, a plumber and gas-fitter in Astoria, was born here Jan- uary 1, 1850. His father, Patrick Sulli- van, whose birth occurred in County Kerry, Ire- land, was there reared, educated and marricd, soon after which event he took passage with his wife for America. In 1844 we find him located in Astoria, where he embarked in business for himself as a manufacturer and repairer of shoes.

Mrs. Mary (Brophy) Sullivan, mother of our subject, was likewise born in County Kerry, Ire- land, and remained the loving companion and helpmate of her husband until her death, which occurred in the spring of 1894, when she was

eighty years of age. Of the children born to them one daughter and four sons still survive.

Daniel J., of this sketch, acquired his educa- tion in the Fourth Ward school in this place, and when a lad of fourteen years was apprenticed to George Van Zandt, a plumber. After working for that gentleman for a time he went to New York City and completed his trade under Butch- er & Butler. Later he started out as a journey- man at his trade and continued thus until about 1879, when he started in business for himself in Main Street. He remained at the old stand until 1889, when, having purchased two good build- ing lots, he erected thereon the store which he now occupies. The structure is three stories in height and contains three stores fronting on Main Street. One of these he occupies, using the main floor for the display of his goods, while his shop is in the basement. He has all that he can do in the line of plumbing and gas-fitting and of late years has added metal and tin-roofing to his business. He keeps in his store every va- riety of heaters and ranges and has built up an excellent reputation for carrying reliable goods. Mr. Sullivan has been given the contract for the plumbing and roofing of hundreds of buildings in this vicinity, among them being the Astor House, Baab's Building and the Fifth Ward school house, as well as the large pavilions at Bowery Bay Beach and the Schuetzen Park Hotel.

In May, 1892, our subject was appointed by Mayor Sanford supervisor of the examining board of plumbers and plumbing of Long Island City. Two years later he was made chief in- spector of plumbers of the city, serving in this capacity until December 31, 1895, when he re- signed. He is still, however, an ex-officio mem- ber of the board.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary Smith, a native of Ireland, occurred in New York in 1873. To them were born two sons, of whom William was accidentally drowned in 1887 when nine years of age. John is still at home and as- sists his father in the business. He is a finely educated young man, being a graduate of St. Francis Xavier College of New York. He after- ward attended Walworth Business College of that city and received a diploma from the Plumb- ers' School of New York.

Socially Mr. Sullivan belongs to the Order of American Firemen, meeting with Council No. 17. He is also connected with the Veteran Firemen's

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and the Exempt Firemen's Associations, and for several years was foreman of Protection Engine Company No. 2.

Mr. Sullivan deserves great credit for the suc- cess which he has made of life, for he is entirely a self-made man. When only eleven years of age he started a paper route in Astoria and Ra- venswood and two years later, when he sold out, was given $300 for his customers. It was then that he made application for a position in the navy, as he was very fond of the water, but being too young he was rejected and turned his atten- tion to the plumbing business. He has risen step by step to a position of influence in the com- munity, owing to the exercise of industrious and persevering qualities. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and a prominent member of the Jef- ferson Club. He has been delegate to the vari- ous county conventions from time to time and takes great interest in the success of his chosen party.

M AJ. ELBERT HEGEMAN. The Civil War gave to our country many men of acknowledged valor, ability and military skill, of whom, had the Rebellion never occurred, nothing would have been known beyond the con- fines of their own homes. Such an one is the subject of this sketch, whose record during the late war was one of which his friends may well be proud. Though a mere youth at the firing of the first shot on Ft. Sumter, his patriotic spirit was kindled and he determined to help save the nation from disruption and disgrace. Enlisting in a New York regiment, he participated in many of the bloody engagements of the war and shared all the hardships, as well as the victories, of his company.

The world is always interested in the lives of war veterans, and our readers will undoubtedly peruse with pleasure this account of the career of Major Hegeman. He was born July 27, 1841, in the house at East Norwich where he still makes his home, and which has been the family residence for almost one hundred years. His pa- ternal grandfather, Elbert Hegeman, was born in Queens County July 5, 1771, and died Sep- tember 29, 1824, spending much of his life in the house now occupied by his grandchildren. Our subject's father, Jacob, was born July 7, 1803, in East Norwich, where he grew to manhood, and at an early age embarked in business in New

York City, remaining thus engaged until 1859. Meantime he retained his home in East Norwich, to which he retired at the close of his business life, and in which he died February 28, 1892. In re- ligious belief he was identified with the Society of Friends.

The marriage of Jacob Hegeman united him with Ann C. Coles, daughter of Thomas Coles, a prominent farmer of Glencove, and a Quaker by birth and training. Their children were as fol- lows: Amelia C., deceased; Elbert; Margaret; Thomas C., who died in 1881; and Sarah, who with Margaret and Elbert makes her home in the family residence. The boyhood years of our subject were spent at the old homestead, and he was given good educational advantages in the public schools and by private instruction.

The first event of especial prominence in the life of our subject was his enlistment, August 13, 1862, as a private in Harris' Light Cavalry, which was the Second New York Volunteer Regiment. After one year he was promoted from the ranks to the position of corporal and later became sergeant. The Thirteenth New York Cavalry Regiment was composed of com- panies raised in the counties of New York, Al- bany, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Erie, and mus- tered into service from February, 1863, to March, 1864. As a reward for meritorious service, our subject was promoted to be lieutenant, to which he was appointed June 9, 1863. September 16, 1864, he was commissioned captain, which was followed by his appointment April 4, 1865. The Thirteenth was later consolidated with the Six- teenth New York Cavalry, and he was assigned to service in it. June 23, 1865, he was trans- ferred to the Third Provisional Cavalry, and was brevetted major, in which capacity he was serv- ing at the time he was mustered out, September 21, 1865, having seen over three years of actual service.

The regiment to which Major Hegeman was first assigned was incorporated with the cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac. His first engagement was at Beverly Ford on the Rappa- hannock. This was followed by the battle of Fredericksburg and a second engagement at that place. In the spring of 1863 he took part in the battle of Chancellorsville. With a detach- ment of the corps he moved across the Rappa- hannock on what was known as the Richmond raid, in which the raiders flanked the entire force of the enemy and went within one and one-half

FRANCOIS RAYMOND.

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miles of the city of Richmond, destroying bridges and cutting off the Southern army's communica- tion with headquarters. His next engagement was at Brandy Station, which was a severe one for the cavalry forces. June 17, 1863, he was at the battle of Aldie, Va., one of the most serious cavalry engagements of the service. In this his regiment was ordered to make a charge on some hay stacks behind which the enemy were forti- fied. Obeying the order, they made a sweeping charge, the result being that one-half of the charging squadron was killed or disabled.

The next engagement was at Middleburg, June 19, after which there was a series of skirmishes with the enemy. The battle of Gettysburg was the Major's last engagement while in the old regiment. At Fredericksburg he joined the new regiment immediately after the memorable battle of Gettysburg, and afterward was at Aldie, Fairfax Station, Centerville, Culpeper and Pied- mont. He acted as escort for General Sheridan just before his famous ride to Winchester, accom- panying him from Piedmont to the railroad sta- tion at Rectortown. Though always in the thickest of the fight, he was never wounded throughout the entire period of his service, a re- markable record when the activity of his service . is considered.

Major Hegeman was in Ford's Theater on the memorable night of April 14, 1865, when Presi- dent Lincoln was assassinated. He has still in his possession the play-bill of the evening, set- ting forth the programme of the entertainment, which was so terribly and tragically changed by the action of John Wilkes Booth.

On returning to Long Island at the close of the war, Major Hegeman took a position with the Columbian Marine Insurance Company, and later was engaged in the dry goods business for three years. He then established a general mer- cantile store at Glencove, and this he conducted for five years, when failing health obliged him to retire from active commercial enterprises. While engaged in business, he was elected collector of taxes for the town of Oyster Bay, and after one year was re-elected. In 1878 he was appointed deputy county treasurer, which he held for six years. His experience in that position was of the greatest assistance to him afterward, as in 1884 he was elected county treasurer, and in this ca- pacity his services were so valuable that he was re-elected three years later, serving six years altogether as treasurer and being in the office

twelve years. The close confinement incident to the discharge of his official duties affected his health and as soon as released he went to Ber- muda, where he spent two months.

Politically Major Hegeman is a Democrat. He was influential in securing the organization of the Oyster Bay Bank, of which he has since been a director. For twenty-five years he has been a Master Mason and belongs to Glencove Lodge No. 580; Melchizedek Chapter No. 273, Glencove; and Clinton Commandery No. 14 at Brooklyn.

F FRANCOIS RAYMOND. This name will be at once recognized by the majority of our readers as that of one of the old resi- dents of the village of Woodhaven. He was born in the city of Clermont, in the center of the French Republic, March 27, 1833. For a few years he attended school, but when only eleven years old was apprenticed to learn the trade of a locksmith. Three years later he went to Paris, where he worked at his trade during the Revolu- tion of 1848, and in 1853 joined the army, par- ticipating in the Crimean War in 1854. During his army experience of seven years he was four times wounded, none of which resulted seriously.

When settling down again to the peaceful pur- suits of life, our subject plied his trade in his na- tive land until 1864, the year in which he emi- grated to America. For one year after coming hither he was employed as a locksmith in New York City, but in 1865 he came to Woodhaven and at once entered the Grosjean Works, which had just been organized and was running with a force of seventy-five or eighty men. He was given work in the mechanical department of the establishment, and being industrious and eco- nomical he was soon in possession of a snug lit- tle sum of money, with which he started in the hardware business on his own account. He was remarkably successful in this branch of trade and for twenty years was the proprietor of a well- stocked establishment and commanded a paying trade. During that time he also dealt in real es- tate, buying and selling property of great value in this vicinity. Although managing his own af- fairs in this prosperous manner, he still remains in the employ of the large agate factory, being contractor in one of the departments, and hav- ing under his charge a large force of men. He has witnessed the growth of these works from

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the time when eighty men were employed to the present time, when work is given to some fifteen hundred hands.

Mr. Raymond is very justly regarded as one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the village. On the organization of the Woodhaven Bank, he bought stock in the institution and is now one of its directors. Prior to making his home in America he married Miss Adela Vuil- liaumier, a native of Paris, France. They and their daughter, Adela, occupy one of the finest homes in the place, situated in Benedict Avenue. Mr. Raymond has become thoroughly Ameri- canized, even though he does speak the Eng- lish language imperfectly, which is accounted for from the fact that he has most of his life been associated with people of his own nation- ality. In politics he is a Republican of the strongest type.

P ROF. CHARLES W. GOULD, principal of the Fourth Ward school of Long Is- land City, and formerly superintendent of the city schools, enjoys the distinction of being, in point of years of service, the oldest educator in Queens County. During his long experience as an instructor he has had under him a large number who are now prominent in various avo- cations, and not a few of these deem their suc- cess due to the inspiration received while under his perceptorship.

Professor Gould has been so long and closely identified with the educational interests of the county that a sketch of his life will be of general interest. He was born in Masonville, Delaware County, N. Y., June 5, 1843, and is of English descent. His father, Asa, a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., was a son of John Gould, who was born in New Hampshire, removed thence to Saratoga County, N. Y., and at an advanced age settled in Delaware County. During the War of the Revolution he took an active part in de- fense of the colonies.

In Masonville, where his life from early man- hood was spent, Asa Gould engaged in farming and the lumber business until his death, which occurred there at the age of fifty-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Permelia Ly- on, was born in Chenango County, N. Y., being a daughter of William Lyon, a native of West- chester County, N. Y., who removed thence to Chenango County and settled on a farm. The

Lyon family is of English origin, its first repre- sentatives in America having come from Eng- land to Connecticut, but later removed to New York. Mrs. Permelia Gould died in Delaware County, after having become the mother of six children, four of whom now survive.

The subject of this article gained his primary education in the public schools of Masonville, later attended Cazenovia Seminary, and at the age of eighteen he taught a term of school in Chenango County. Returning to the seminary, he finished his education there, gaining the mon- ey for his tuition by teaching. After teaching one term in Masonville, he went to Cincinnati, where in a competitive examination he received the appointment of teacher in a suburban school. One year later, during the oil excitement in Pennsylvania in 1864, he went to Oil City, but a short sojourn satisfied him, and he soon went back home. In 1865 he accepted a position in Schuylkill County, Pa., where for five years he was principal of the school at Girardville. In 1870 he came to Queens County, where for three years he was principal of the Roslyn school. Afterward he was principal at Whitestone for two years, and then, in 1875, came to Long Is- land City, where he has since made his home. The first five years of his residence here were spent as principal of the old Fourth Ward school in Astoria, after which the board of education selected him to serve as superintendent of schools of Long Island City, in which responsible place he remained for three terms of two years each. While in that office he established a uni- form course of study in the schools which still exists. In 1887 he went to Glencove as superin- tendent and principal of the schools, and re- mained there for four years, though still retain- ing his property in Long Island City. In 1892 he became principal of the Fourth Ward school in Astoria, and still holds that important place, having here, as elsewhere, been instrumental in securing many needed improvements in the school work.

While the winter months are spent at his city residence, No. 550 Lockwood Street, Professor Gould and his family usually spend the summers in Masonville, where he owns a home. In all political affairs he is interested and well informed, and in national elections gives his vote to the Democratic candidates. While superintendent he organized a teachers' meeting, and of this association he is now vice-president. He has also

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been active in the state conventions of teachers.

In Delaware County Professor Gould married Miss Christie, daughter of Judge William Bixby, and an accomplished and cultured lady, who shares with her husband the respect of a large circle of acquaintances. They are the parents of four children, namely: Estelle, a graduate of the Glencove schools and now a teacher in one of the fourth ward schools; Effie, a graduate of the Glencove schools and a stenographer; Ida, who graduated from the fourth ward schools; and Charles W. J., a graduate of the fourth ward schools and at this writing a student in the Long Island City High School.

J' OHN H. ELDERT, junior member of the firm of Twombly & Eldert, large contractors in Queens County, within whose limits they have built many miles of macadamized roads, is one of the most substantial residents of Richmond Hill. He was born at New Lots, this county, February 1, 1853. His father, Henry Eldert, whose birth occurred at the same place in the year 1806, was for thirty years assessor of the town of New Lots. He followed agricultural pur- suits during the greater part of his life, but at the time of his decease, May 4, 1884, was living in a pleasant home in Liberty Avenue, in the town of Jamaica.

Grandfather Hendrick Eldert was also born on the farm in New Lots on which our subject and his father were born. During the progress of the War of 1812 the grandfather served as a soldier, and the gun which he then carried is now in the possession of our subject. The Elderts are de- scended from an old Dutch family which was one of the first to settle on Long Island, and its vari- ous members from that time have been people of prominence and have held various positions of trust and responsibility in their respective com- munities.

Our subject's mother, Cornelia Van Siclen, is a sister of Abraham Van Siclen, whose home is in Liberty Avenue, near Woodhaven, and a cousin of Abraham Van Siclen, vice-president of the Ja- maica Bank and one of the wealthiest residents of Queens County. For a more complete history of this family we refer the reader to the history of the above gentlemen, which will be published else- where in this work. The paternal grandmother of our subject was Sarah Emmons, the daughter of Hendrick Emmons, one of the leading far-

mers in his day and locality. Her birth occurred on the old South road in the town of Jamaica, in 1793.

The subject of this sketch was an only son, but he has one sister, Sarah Emmons Eldert, who married Henry Lott Rapeljc, now deceased. This lady is at present living in the city of Brooklyn, and is the mother of four children, namely: An- na, Henry W., David and Cornelia. Our subject continued to make his home on the old home- stead where his birth occurred, until 1882. Then he removed to the farm bought by his father in Liberty Avenue and continued to assist in the management of this place until 1889, when, hav- ing erected a fine residence in Morris Park, he removed thither. The same year he became asso- ciated with Mr. Twombly in the contracting busi- ness, and by giving strict attention to this under- taking they have built up the largest business in this line on the island.

Mr. Eldert has never aspired to political hon- ors, but was elected commissioner of highways in the town of Jamaica, which office he filled ac- ceptably for three years. He is very popular in his community and on the organization of the Chub Club, of Jamaica, he was chosen as its presi- dent, which position he still holds. He is also a member of the Richmond Hill Club and belongs to the Mounahan Gun Club, of Jamaica, of which organization he was the first president. In poli- tics he is a stanch Democrat. He is always ready to assist in all progressive movements and enter- prises of merit, and is widely known not only as an earnest and public-spirited citizen, but as a shrewd and thoroughly reliable business man.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Carrie M. Bergen, of Richmond Hill, occurred in 1882. To them have been granted two children, Henry G. and Cornelia J.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 115

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