Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 116

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 116

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

W ILLIAM LEHR, who is a prominent factor of Qucens County, as was his father before him, is successfully car- rying on the business of contractor and builder. He was born in New York City, January 22. 1865, and is the son of Henry Lehr, whose birth oc- curred across the waters in Germany. He at- tended the schools of the Fatherland for several years, after which he learned the shocmaker's trade, working at it in Germany until scventeen years of age, when he accompanicd his parents on their emigration to America.

916

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Henry Lehr followed his trade for a time in New York, after which he took up carpentering, becoming an expert in the use of tools. In 1866 he located in Dutch Kills and began contracting and building on his own account. He attended strictly to his own affairs and became prominent in this line, having all the work he could do un- til 1893, when he retired from active business life. He married Wilhelmina Walters, also a native of Germany, and to them were born four children, one son and three daughters.

With the exception of a few months, the en- tire life of our subject has been spent in Long Island City. His education was acquired in the third ward, but instead of the nice modern building which the youth of to-day attends in that district, the school was conducted in a pri- vate house. When a lad of thirteen years he began working for his father, and in 1892 began contracting for himself, making estimates on the carpenter work and also drawing plans for many of the buildings. He is the owner of a very beau- tiful place at No. 250 Prospect Street, which he occupies with his family.

Mr. Lehr was married in New York to Miss Annie Sell, a native of that city, and they have one son, Walter William. In politics our sub- ject is a true-blue Republican and is greatly in- terested in the success of his party. He is a member of the Third Ward Republican Club, in which organization he has many warm friends. Although never seeking or desiring office, he was appointed inspector of elections on one occasion. He is closely identified with all matters pertain- ing to the upward growth and advancement of his village, which numbers him among its enter- prising and progressive citizens.

H ENRY MENCKEN. The enormous de- mand existing in this section of the United States for the best qualities of coal, wood, brick, etc., is now being fully met by the ably directed efforts of the popular dealer, Henry Mencken, who has been a business man of As- toria for over thirty-five years. Like many of the other wealthy citizens of this place, Mr. Mencken is a native of Germany, born in Hanover in Sep- tember, 1826. His father, Henry Mencken, was also a native of Germany, and followed agricul- tural pursuits there all his life.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed on his father's farm in the old country,

and owing to the duties of the same he received but an ordinary education. He remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, when he decided to seek his fortune in the United States. In 1845 he crossed the ocean to America and located in New York City, where he clerked in a grocery store. Four years later he had saved sufficient means to enable him to embark in busi- ness for himself, and although he started on a small scale at first, by industry and economy he soon had a number of branch stores and met with most excellent success.

In 1860 Mr. Mencken came to Astoria and started in business here. In 1862 he built his present residence and store at the corner of New- town Avenue and Henry Street. He opened a grocery and carried it on successfully until 1888. Previous to that, however, in 1880, he started his present business, buying out Squire Morris, and since then he has erected many of the best busi- ness houses in the city. He built a frame build- ing at the foot of Main Street and a brick build- ing in Boulevard Avenue, where he does busi- ness. He has met with well deserved success in all his ventures and is one of the most practical, far-seeing and intelligent business men in the place. He has a frontage of one hundred feet on the boulevard, it extending to the river, and he gets all the coal by boat, having an engine to hoist the wood. He handles all kinds of coal, soft wood from Vermont and hardwood here, and also handles all kinds of building material.

Mr. Mencken was married in New York City to Miss Annie Wilschieben, a native of Germany, who died August 31, 1895. Their four children were as follows: Henry, Jr., engaged in the flour and feed business in Astoria; Annie, now Mrs. Gemunder, in Astoria; Augusta, Mrs. Weishar, who is with our subject; and Sophia, Mrs. Suckow, who resides in Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Mencken was alderman of the fourth ward for a number of years and has held other positions in the city. For years he has been an elder in the Dutch Reformed Church and has assisted very materially in its building up. In politics he is a Democrat.

R OBERT H. NEVIN, ex-assistant chief of the Long Island City Volunteer Fire De- partment, is one of the old and respected residents of Queens County. He was born in New York City October 5, 1832, and was the

JOSEPH ALLEN.

919

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

son of Thomas Nevin, whose birth occurred in Astoria in 1783. The locality was known at that time, however, as Hallett's Point. Grandfather Robert Nevin was a native of Ireland, and after coming to America during the early period of its history, served as a minuteman in the Revolu- tionary War. He was afterward employed by Colonel Rutger, one of the wealthy residents of New York, as his gardener and florist, and re- mained in that position until his death. He was an Episcopalian in religious affairs and a promi- nent member of St. Paul's Church.

Thomas Nevin was a cooper by trade and at the time of his decease, when eighty-five years of age, was the proprietor of a shop in Dey Street in New York City. During the War of 1812 he served as a member of a volunteer company which was ordered to build sand forts at Sandy Hook. His brother John, who was also in that conflict, fought in the battle of Plattsburg. The lady whom Thomas Nevin married was Dorcas Walker, a native of the Emerald Isle. She also lived to advanced years, passing away at the age of eighty-six. She became the mother of two sons, Robert Harrison, of this history, and Matthias W., who has charge of a large book bindery in Hartford, Conn.

The subject of this sketch was reared in the tenth ward of New York City and acquired a good education in its grammar schools. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to learn the business of a moulder in the Novelty Iron Works of New York, remaining there for four vears, when he went to West Point, Putnam County, and secured work in a foundry. After a time he returned to the metropolis, resuming work at his trade, in which he was engaged until accepting the position of shipping clerk for the Downer Oil Company of New York. In 1870, however, he resigned this post and came to Long Island City, where he has resided ever since.

In 1861, at the first tap of the drum, Mr. Nevin joined the Second New York Militia, and, in going South, went through Baltimore after the riot. He participated, with his company, in the first battle of Bull Run, and, his term of enlist- ment expiring soon after that, he received his honorable discharge and returned home. Pre- vious to this he had conferred upon him the title of first sergeant. On coming to this locality he engaged in work at his trade and was thus em- ployed until 1890, when he accepted the position of janitor for the residences owned by M. J. Gold-

ner in Hunter's Point. With this he combines the duties of sexton of St. John's Episcopal Church, of which he is a devoted member.

The marriage of Mr. Nevin and Miss Margaret Monde occurred in New York in 1854. This lady was born in the Emerald Isle, and by her union with our subject became the mother of seven children. Rebecca married James Murphy and is now deceased; Thomas H. is engaged in the manufacture of tin cans, and makes his home in this city ; James W. is deceased; Emma is at home with her parents; Robert H., Jr., is a traveling man, living in Dutch Kills; Margaret A. and Frederick B. are at home.

For three years during the administration of Mayor Petry, our subject held the position of health commissioner, thus rendering his fellow- citizens faithful and efficient service. While in New York he was connected with Engine Com- pany No. 15 from 1850 until the time it was dis- banded, three years later. For ten years he was a member of Engine Company No. 4 of Long Island City, and for three years following was assistant engineer of the volunteer fire company for the second district. He was a delegate to the State Firemen's Association, which met at Kings- ton, N. Y., and was also sent as a representative of his company to the meetings which were held at Troy and Cortland. In his political faith he uses his ballot in favor of the Democratic party.

J OSEPH ALLEN. Biographies of success- ful men furnish interesting and instructive reading for the young, and especially is this true when, as in the career of Mr. Allen, the one whose history is recorded has early in life been orphaned and thrown upon his own resources. The struggles which they have successfully en- countered, the hardships which they have bat- tled undismayed, and the victories they have en- joyed, render their examples worthy of emula- tion.

In the life of which we now read, there was much of hardship, yet in the end much of suc- cess. It was the good fortune of the orphan boy to find friends, who gave him a home and good counsel and through whose assistance he was enabled to get a start in life. There is an an- cient maxim which says, "Call no man happy until he is dead." Of Mr. Allen we may say that he was happy in life and happy in death, for he

920

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

passed tranquilly, calmly and contentedly from this world to the one above, trusting in the grace of Him whom he had served throughout life.

The last years of Mr. Allen were spent on his farm, situated on the Rockaway road two and one-half miles south of Jamaica, where his widow and family now reside. He was born in England about 1815, being a son of John and Lydia Al- len. After the death of his mother, he was brought by his father to America, being then a child of five years. He was one of six children (all now deceased) of whom only himself and two sisters came to this country. Shortly after the family came to the United States the father died in Brooklyn, and Joseph was reared to man- hood under the guidance of his uncle, William Al- len. Under that gentleman he learned the trade of a boilermaker, which he followed for a short time in Brooklyn.

Early in the '40s Mr. Allen went to Philadel- phia and secured employment at his trade. After some ten years spent there he went back to Brooklyn and, giving up work at his trade, estab- lished himself in the milk business, in which he was engaged for nineteen years. In 1868 he came to the farm where his widow still resides, and here he remained. until his death in 1888. While a resident of Brooklyn, he served as pound master for a number of years. In religious be- lief he was a Methodist and held membership in that denomination. At his death he left, besides his family, many warm friends and acquaintances who mourned his loss as that of a good and true man.

March 7, 1848, Mr. Allen married Miss Mary M. Oxley of Carbon County, Pa. This estimable lady is the only survivor of the eleven children of Peter and Eve (Morgan) Oxley, the former of whom was a prominent citizen and for many years an alderman in Hazleton, Luzerne Coun- ty, Pa. Like her husband, she is a loyal and con- sistent member of the Methodist Church, and has showed the sincerity of her religion by the purity of her life. Of her ten children, eight are living. Mary M., the eldest, is the wife of John J. Ward and the mother of one child; Joseph, who is man- aging the home farm, is married and has two children; Frances Malvina was first the wife of Albert Spalding, by whom she had two chil- dren; by her present husband, Thomas Lewis, she has one child; Louisa, wife of John Goodale, has two children; John Stephen is a painter by trade and resides in Brooklyn; Etta married

John Higbie Hendrickson, by whom she has one child; William Chapman, who is married and has one child, is engaged in the railroad business and makes his home in Brooklyn; Grace, the young- est of the children, is the wife of William L. Fred- ericks of Queens.

H ON. JACOB STAHL, a newly elected member of the assembly, has been for many years engaged in business at Schuetzen Park, and is the proprietor of one of the finest undertaking establishments in Queens County. Mr. Stahl was born July 25, 1840, in Bavaria, Germany, in which country his father, Jacob Stahl, was born some time in 1804. He was a builder and continued to work at his trade, with the exception of the time he served in the German army, until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-eight years of age. He was a devout Catholic in religion and reared his chil- dren in that faith. Grandfather Jacob Stahl was also a builder in his native land and lived to the remarkable age of ninety-five years.

Mrs. Mary (Frantz) Stahl, mother of our sub- ject, was orphaned by the death of both parents when quite young, hence the biographer is un- able to give any facts relating to this side of the house, with the exception that it is known her father, Prof. Joseph Frantz, was a finely educated man. Mrs. Stahl was very studious, and for many years prior to her marriage taught school. She died when sixty-eight years of age. The parental family included six children, of whom five grew to mature years and four are living at the present time, most of them in Long Island City.

According to the custom in Germany, our subject attended school until fourteen years of age, when he began working with his father, learning the mason's trade. He remained his assistant until nearing his twentieth birthday, when, May 7, 1860, he left Havre on the sailing vessel "Germania," and June 19th of that year was landed on the shores of America. He did not remain in the metropolis but a short time when he came to Long Island, within two blocks of his present place of residence. Four years later we find him in Williamsburg, where he es- tablished a milk route, running this business for one year on his own account. At the end of that time he sold out and returned to Long Island City, which was very sparsely settled at that time,

921

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and engaged in farming on a small tract of land within ten blocks of where he now lives. He was thus engaged for four years, when he became the proprietor of the Fifth Ward Hotel, running this hostelry for five years in connection with his farming interests. Finding that he would have to give one or the other up, he sold his farm and gave his entire attention to conducting a first- class hotel. He is well known to all the traveling men who visit this city, as for twenty-five years he was the popular "mine host" of the Fifth Ward Hotel. He disposed of the building and furniture in 1894 and prepared to give his whole time to his undertaking business, which he had established in December, 1892. He has been eminently suc- cessful in this line, and in addition to the large supply of undertaking goods which he keeps con- stantly on hand, has built barns in which are kept a number of fine carriages. As an under- taker Mr. Stahl has all that he can do and his services in this line have been such as to win the respect of all whom he encounters.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Mar- garetta Berbrich occurred in this city in 1864. This lady, who was born in Newtown Avenue, Astoria, is the daughter of Joseph Berbrich, a native of Bavaria, Germany. He was a farmer in the Fatherland, emigrating to America when nineteen years of age. On making his home in America he located in Brooklyn, where he was engaged in the furniture business. He sold out in 1844 and purchased a farm on Newtown road, and was engaged in its cultivation until his de- cease, when sixty-one years of age. His father, grandfather of Mrs. Stahl, also made his home in America. Mrs. Maria Berbrich was also born in Germany and was in her sixteenth year at the time she crossed the Atlantic. She was of French descent and could speak the language of that country better than German. By her mar- riage with Mr. Berbrich she became the mother of two children besides Mrs. Stahl, Catherine, Mrs. Rubruss; and Magdalena, both of whom reside in this city.

Our subject was elected alderman at large in 1876 and remained such until 1878, when he re- fused further honors of a public nature until his friends prevailed upon him to accept the nomina- tion of assemblyman in 1895. He was elected to the office on the Democratic ticket by a ma- jority of one hundred and three votes. Socially he is a demitted Odd Fellow, belongs to Her- mann Lodge No. 341, A. O. U. W., and is a

member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion. He is a charter member and has been connected with the Turner's Society for a period of twenty-four years, and for thirty-four years has taken an act- ive interest in the Frohsinn Singing Society. He is a talented musician, singing first bass in the various musical societies to which he belongs. Mrs. Stahl is connected with the Lady Washing- ton and Benevolent Societies; also the Ladies of Honor and Henrietta Lodge. Mr. Stahl is a charter member of the Jefferson Club, of which he has been treasurer, and has been on the gen- eral committee for many years. Both himself and wife are devout Catholics and attend service at St. Joseph's Church. Our subject is a member of the County Undertakers' and Livery Association, and is regarded by all who know him as one of the substantial and highly honored residents of the county.

M ATTHEW J. GOLDNER, president of the improvement commission of Long Island City, has also been sheriff of the county and city clerk. He was born in New York City July 29, 1856. His father, Anthony Goldner, was a native of a town located on the banks of the Rhine, in Germany, and there, until 1852, when he determined to come to America, worked as a sculptor. While still single he came hither and located in New York. Being very efficient in his line of work he found no difficulty in obtaining a position, and until 1865 worked for other firms. That year, however, he embarked in business for himself at Calvary Cemetery, in Long Island City, where he is still located. His marble works are among the most extensive on the island, and Mr. Goldner receives some of the largest orders ever given to any one man. He is well known to the residents of this section, as he has been employed in business near the cem- etery since 1858. He is a valued citizen and takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community, which he represented for one term in the city council.

After attending the public schools for a time our subject was sent to De Lasalle Institute in New York City, where he completed his studies when sixteen years of age. He then entered his father's marble works, and when twenty-five, so efficient had he become in this line of work, he was taken in as full partner, the firm becoming A. Goldner & Son. They continued to operate

922

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

together until January, 1886, when the junior member disposed of his interest in the business, owing to the fact that he had been appointed under sheriff to John J. Mitchell. He served thus for three years and in 1888 was nominated on the regular Democratic ticket for the office of sheriff. In January of the following year he took the oath of office and entered upon the duties of the office. His term expiring in 1892, he vacated in favor of his successor, and January 20, 1893, was appoint- ed city clerk by Mayor Sanford. He discharged the duties of the office in a most satisfactory man- ner until July 20, 1895, when he offered his resig- nation in order that he might accept the presi- dency of the general improvement commission of Long Island City, receiving this appointment also from the mayor. To this he gives his entire time and attention, managing affairs in such a manner as to show the people that their confi- dence is not misplaced.

Mr. Goldner has erected several residences in the upper first ward, and with his family now occupies a beautiful home at No. 153 Eleventh Street. He was married in New York City to Miss Georgiette Mahler, a native of the metrop- olis. At all times since attaining his majority our subject has been interested in politics, and is at present a member of the Democratic County Committee of Queens County. For the past fif- teen years he has been a member of the Long Island City General Democratic Committee, and has been sent as a delegate to state conventions. He was appointed school commissioner from the second ward by Mayor Petry, and rendered efficient service as a member of that body in 1883 and 1884. Socially he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in religious af- fairs is a devout Catholic, holding membership with St. Mary's Church.

A BRAHAM VAN SICLEN, vice-president of the Bank of Jamaica, was born October 5, 1824, on the farm where he now lives, one mile south of Jamaica. He is a member of one of the old Holland-Dutch families that were pioneer settlers of New Lots. There his grand- father, Abraham Van Siclen, was born and raised and there his life was spent. In addition to the cultivation of his farm, he was the owner of a tan-yard and also engaged in other branches of business, being a man of prominence in his day.

The three sons of Abraham Van Siclen, Sr.,

were John and Abraham, both prominent farmers in Kings County, and James, our subject's father. The last named was born in what is now Van Siclen Avenue and was a farmer throughout his entire life. During the early '20s he moved to the place now occupied by our subject, and here he remained until his death, which occurred short- ly before the breaking out of the Civil War. He was survived for ten years by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Ida Kouwenhoven, and was born at Flatlands, Kings County. Like himself, she was a member of an old Long Island family and spoke the Dutch language.

In the parental family there were the follow- ing children: Abraham; William, who died in early manhood; James, a farmer residing on a part of the Van Siclen estate, just across the street from our subject; Garrett, a farmer living in Flushing; Peter, a wealthy retired farmer whose home is in the village of Jamaica; Cornelia, wid- ow of George Nostrand, of New York; Johanna, widow of William H. Wooley, and a resident of New York; Gertrude, who married Joseph Skill- man, and lives in Flushing; Matilda, who mar- ried James C. Hendrickson, but is now deceased, and Margaret; she was first the wife of Jacob Bergen, and after his death was married to James C. Hendrickson, whose first wife was her sister, Matilda.

While attending school at Union Hall Acad- emy the subject of this sketch displayed consid- · erable talent and fondness for mathematics, which gift, being developed, has served him well throughout life and has aided him in securing large success in the financial world. He began for himself as a farmer on the old homestead, and at the outbreak of the Rebellion he engaged ex- tensively in market gardening, having extensive hot houses. In that way he made money rapidly, laying the foundation of his present fortune.

Besides being interested in several New York banks and holding the position of trustee in the Jamaica Savings Bank, Mr. Van Siclen is vice- president of the Bank of Jamaica, which he aided in organizing. He is the owner of several farms in the neighborhood of his home place, but the active management of these he has given over to his sons, though he still maintains their over- sight. His hot houses are the most extensive in the vicinity of Jamaica, and of this feature of his work he is justly proud. In public affairs he takes commendable interest, but has always refused to accept office, preferring to give his attention to

THOMAS MANAHAN.

925

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

private affairs. Though one of the largest tax- payers in the county, he has never opposed public improvements for the purpose of reducing the amount of his taxes; on the contrary, his influ- ence and co-operation have been given to all en- terprises tending to secure the welfare and pros- perity of the people.

In 1863 Mr. Van Siclen married Miss Martha A., daughter of Peter Nostrand, a representative of an old Long Island family. Our subject and his wife are the parents of six children, namely : Annie, Peter, Ida, James, Samuel and Cornelia. Samuel and the daughters are with their parents; Peter and James are married and occupy farms adjoining the old homestead.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 116

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