Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 117

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 117

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Politically Mr. Van Siclen is a strong Repub- lican. He is a man of devoted religious belief and holds membership in the Presbyterian Church, which he is serving as trustee. His suc- cess is largely due to his strength of mind and force of will. Attending to all the minutiae of business, he suffered very few losses, and his early success was such as to secure a constant increase of property. Though more than ordinarily suc- cessful, he has pursued no devious paths to ac- quire property, but has been strictly honorable and honest in all his dealings.

T HOMAS MANAHAN. The earthly ca- reer of this gentleman was marked by all that goes to make up good citizenship, and his death, which occurred May 29, 1893, was widely felt. He was born in Ireland, July 12, 1832, and when a lad of sixteen years came to America with a brother, James Manahan. Soon afterward he secured employment as a farm hand with James Pilling of New Brooklyn, and, being industrious, persevering and honest, he was re- tained in Mr. Pilling's employ for nearly twenty years. During all this time he had lived temper- ately, prudently and frugally and had saved suf- ficient means by 1868 to enable him to purchase in the town of Jamaica a farm one and one-half miles from the village of Jamaica (now in Lib- erty Avenue).

The marriage of Mr. Manahan to Miss Cath- erine P. Nicoll of East Brooklyn occurred Octo- ber 8, 1853. A family of six children was born to them, four of whom survive: William F., James P., Estella and T. Frank, who with their widowed mother reside on the home farm. Mr. Manahan was an ardent Republican politically, but never

sought or desired office for himself, and in every- thing that pertained to the welfare of his section he always manifested the greatest interest. In 1892 he sold the farm where he had lived for about twenty-five years, reserving only a small plot on which to build a residence, but shortly after it had been been started his death occurred and the house was completed by his widow.

William F. Manahan, the eldest of the family, was born June 29, 1856, and is engaged in the milk business. He is unmarried and makes his liome with his mother. James P., who was born September 28, 1862, is a blacksmith by trade and is engaged in that occupation in Brooklyn: T. Frank is in the employ of the Browning-King Clothing Company of New York City. These sons have followed in the footsteps of their father and are stanch Republicans. Mr. Manahan's mother was of Scotch origin, and his father was a native of the North of Ireland. The latter died when the subject of this sketch was a small lad and he was left to struggle in the world as best he could. How nobly and perseveringly he sur- mounted the many obstacles that strewed his pathway can only be guessed at by the result of his efforts and was never known to any one save himself. He founded a home and family in America and his life had its uses.

R EV. S. STEBBINS STOCKING. Through the course of a long life, covering the greater part of the century now closing, the subject of this sketch has been permitted to witness the marvelous improvements that have been wrought in the realms of thought and action. and, both by his educational and his ministerial work, he has been an important factor in elevat- ing the moral tone of mankind. Now in the even- ing of his days content has come to gently round off the afternoon of life with its golden twilight glow. He can look back over his active years with the satisfaction of one who has done his duty, and can look forward to eternity with a hope of enjoying the blessed fruition of his labors.

The family of which our subject is a member is one of the oldest in America. Its first repre- sentative, George Stocking, came from the west of England to this country in 1635 and first made settlement at Cambridge, Mass., but soon after- ward went to Hartford, Conn., where he died in 1683. His son, Deacon Samuel Stocking, was the first deacon in the first church built in Mid-

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dletown, that state. Our subject's father, Rev. Jer- emiah Stocking, was born in 1767 in what is now Portland, Middlesex County, Conn., and received excellent educational advantages, to which he added by extensive reading, so that he became one of the most learned men of his day. One of the founders of Methodism in Connecticut, for more than a half century he served as a local min- ister in that denomination, and at his own ex- pense built the little church in which he preached. His death occurred March 25, 1853, at the age of eighty-six. Active, energetic, earnest and faith- ful in life, he was mourned in death by the many to whom his noble qualities had endeared him. He married Mary Wood, a native of Haddam, Conn., and a descendant of Puritan ancestors; she passed away October 31, 1828.

There were nine sons and two daughters in the family of Rev. Jeremiah Stocking, all of whom attained mature years and filled honorable posi- tions in life. They were as follows: Sidney, a pioneer of Ohio, where he died; Solon, a Metho- dist minister, who died at Binghamton, N. Y., August 26, 1836; Septinius, a prominent physi- cian in Boston during the early part of this cen- tury; Samantha, who became the wife of Hazel Strong; Sophronius, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who removed to Illinois in an early day, invested in land there and became wealthy; Sevilius, an Episcopalian clergyman, who died in Maryland; Sevilla, wife of Rev. Amos Barker; Serenius, a farmer, who died in Massa- chusetts; Selah, a Methodist minister, who re- sided in western New York; Sabin, who was a prominent physician of Glastonbury, Conn .; and Sabura Stebbins, the youngest of the family.

Under the careful training of his parents and the teachers of the New England schools, the subject of this notice grew to manhood. He was baptized by the first Methodist Episcopal Bishop in America, and at an early age began to be inter- ested in religious matters. At the age of four- teen he left home to fit for college, which he accomplished in a few years without any financial assistance, meeting his expenses by teaching school. After leaving home he became a regular attendant at the services of the Protestant Epis- copal Church, and when qualified to enter the freshman class at college he called upon the bish- op of Connecticut, who was then president of Washington (now Trinity) College, at Hartford, and offered himself for matriculation. He was very kindly received by the bishop, and would

have entered that college had not his friends ur- gently requested him, for special reasons, to enter Wesleyan University of Middletown, then just opening under the presidency of Rev. Wilber Fisk, D. D. Accordingly he became a member of the first class of that now noted university, from which he graduated in 1835, being honored with the Latin salutatory.

Immediately after completing his collegiate course, Mr. Stocking was selected by the presi- dent of the university to fill the position of clas- sical teacher in the preparatory academy at Wil- braham, Mass., where he taught for one year, meeting with marked success. He then accepted the position of president of the Troy Conference Seminary at Poultney, Vt., remaining at the head of the institution until it was thoroughly organ- ized and widely patronized, when he resigned to enter on his course of theological studies in the divinity school of Yale College. There he be- came connected with Trinity Church, then under the rectorship of Rev. Harry Croswell, D. D. In 1837 he was confirmed in the Protestant Episco- pal faith by Bishop Brownell, and the next year was admitted as a candidate for holy orders while still a student at Yale Theological Seminary. He was ordained a deacon by the bishop of Con- necticut in Christ Church at Hartford, December 22, 1839, and for a time thereafter officiated as minister in Trinity Church, Newtown, Conn., to the pastorate of which he received a unanimous invitation from the congregation. Feeling, how- ever, that his inexperience would render it diffi- cult for him to discharge the responsible duties of the position satisfactorily, he, after careful thought, declined the offer.

The week after refusing this pastorate, Mr. Stocking received an invitation to take charge of St. Andrew's Church at Meriden, Conn., and at once entered upon the discharge of the duties connected with that position, his first sermon being preached there on the Sunday after Easter, 1840. On the 15th of the following November he married Miss S. S. Mallory, only daughter of Hon. Rollin C. Mallory, of West Poultney, Vt., who was a member of congress at the time of his death.

In February, 1841, Mr. Stocking was advanced to the order of priest by the bishop of Connecti- cut, in his own church. His pastorate at Meriden closed on Easter Sunday, 1841, and the follow- ing: Sunday he accepted the rectorship of Trinity Church at Newtown, Conn., and entered upon

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its duties, laboring with signal success until 1849. Owing to chronic laryngitis he became incapaci- tated for ministerial work, and resigning the rec- torship he removed to New York City to avail himself of the best medical treatment of eminent specialists. Unfortunately, he derived no ma- terial benefit from the treatment, and finally re- linquished all hopes of restoration and of resum- ing ministerial work. . He therefore decided to devote himself to the cause of education, and with this idea in view, founded an institution of learn- ing called St. Mark's Hall, at Orange, N. J. For ten years he gave his attention exclusively to educational work, but in 1860 his health became so impaired from constant application to his school that he was obliged to relinquish all con- nection with it. Going back to New York he again consulted the best physicians, and under careful treatment his health was entirely restored.

Receiving an invitation to officiate in Grace Church, South Oyster Bay, L. I., through the summer of 1862, Mr. Stocking was so well pleased with the work that he not only remained that summer, but was its rector for the following twenty years. By consent of the vestry, he con- tinued to live in New York until 1869, when he moved to Long Island, and has since made his home in Jamaica. With advancing years, he retired from the ministry, and he and his wife are spending their declining days in their pleas- ant home in Clinton Avenue. Through their married life of fifty-five years they have shared their joys and sorrows, and have been of mutual help and assistance. Now as the shadows are lengthening toward eternity, they spend their time quietly and happily, blessed by the friend- ship of those who know them and honored by all with whom they have an acquaintance.

B ERNHARD L. FABER. Few of the citi- zens of Jamaica can present such a varied career as the subject of this sketch- thrown entirely upon his own resources and in a strange land at the early age of nineteen, self- educated and self-made-showing what a brave and determined spirit can do in battling with the world. Difficulties and obstacles which arose in his path were each in turn overcome, and Mr. Faber stands to-day a representative of the en- terprising men of Queens County.

As the name indicates, Mr. Faber is of Teu- tonic origin. He was born in Luxemburg, Ger-

many, June 14, 1835, being a son of Anton and Margaret (Niederkorn) Faber. His father, who was born in 1792, learned the shoemaker's trade in early life and devoted his attention to it throughout his active years. He remained in his native land until about five years before his death, which occurred at the advanced age of eighty- eight. He was at that time living in the home of his son in Jamaica. The wife and mother was born in the village that was named in honor of her father, a man of note in his own country, serving with valor as a member of Napoleon's body guard, and living to attain the great age of ninety-nine, when he passed away on the an- niversary of his birth. Mrs. Margaret Faber clied when her son, our subject, was three years of age.

The parental family consisted of six children, of whom all but one came to America. John, who came in 1852, settled in Chicago, where all trace of him was lost; Maria was married in Ger- many to John Theis, a carpenter, and died in 1895. In 1854 our subject, his brother Michael, and sister Susan crossed the Atlantic. Michael went to Chatham, Canada West, where he en- gaged in the hotel business and died in 1877; his family now live in Chicago. Susan, who never married, is now living in New Jersey.

The educational advantages enjoyed by our subject were exceedingly meager, as at the early age of nine years he commenced to learn the shoemaker's trade under his father's instruction. He continued thus employed in his native land, and after coming to the United States, in New York and New Jersey. In 1856 he settled in Jamaica, where he started a small shop in Wash- ington Street, but in 1863 removed his store to the corner of Fulton Street and Herriman Ave- nue. For thirty years he continued in that place, and it is a noteworthy fact that for thirty-seven years he was tenant of one man. In 1893 he pur- chased the brick building in Fulton Strect, near the town hall, where his large store is now located, and here the business is carried on under the firm name of B. Faber & Son.

Mr. Faber and his family adhere to the Catho- lic religion, which has been the faith of the fam- ily for many generations. In his possession he has a German Bible, published in Germany in 1534, and cherished by the family as a valuable souvenir. In 1859 he married Miss Wilhelmina Kohler, who was a native of Baden, Germany, but came to this country in girlhood. They are

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the parents of two sons, Philip H. and Lean- der B.

Philip H. Faber was born April 10, 1864, and received a good education in the schools of Ja- maica, it being his father's ambition that he might have opportunities which were denied him in boy- hood. For two years he was employed in a dry goods store in this village, later was ticket agent for the Long Island Railroad at the Jamaica sta- tion, and then for several years was employed in the office of the county clerk. In 1892 he was taken into his father's business as partner and has since given his attention to the management of the store. In 1890 he was united in marriage with Miss Ida M., daughter of William H. Pear- sall, whose ancestors were among the first set- tlers of Long Island. They have had three chil- dren, but one died in infancy, the surviving son and daughter being Mabel Pearsall and Philip H., Jr.

Leander B. Faber was born November 5, 1867, and was educated in the schools of Jamaica, New York and Brooklyn. At the age of fourteen years he went into the law office of H. A. Monfort, the Jamaica attorney, under whom later he carried on his legal studies, and with whom he has now formed a partnership. He was admitted to the bar in September, 1892, and is regarded as one of the rising young attorneys of the county. From the age of fourteen he has remained in Mr. Mon- fort's office in one capacity or another, with the exception of one year, during which time he at- tended school in New York City. At the age of twenty-three he was elected police judge of Ja- maica. To him belongs the distinction of having been the youngest man ever elected to that of- fice on Long Island. He filled the position with marked ability until the spring of 1895, when he positively declined re-election, his private busi- ness having grown to such magnitude that it de- manded his whole attention. Socially he is con- nected with the Jamaica Club and the Chub Club of Jamaica. His marriage, January 26, 1892, united him with Miss Emma R. Quortrup, of Richmond Hill, this county, and they have two children, Madaline W. A. and Leander W.

Both sons and their families have fine homes adjoining each other in Alsop Street, built on land previously owned by their father. They are regarded as among the rising young men of the village, and are energetic in a marked degree, sys- tematic in looking after their personal affairs, in- dependent in their views on all subjects, and strict-

ly upright in all business transactions. Pos- sessing quick perception and sound judgment, they are meeting with deserved success, the one at the bar and the other in the management of the business interests which he holds in connec- tion with his father.

A UGUSTUS DENTON. Among the suc- cessful agriculturists of the town of North Hempstead stands the name of Augustus Denton, whose pleasant home is situated about four and a half miles east of Hydepark. Mr. Denton was born on the place where he now lives in 1843, a son of Charles and Louisa (Leon- ard) Denton, the father being a native of the same farm. This was purchased by the grand- father of our subject, Joseph Denton, who was a successful and prominent farmer. The latter reared a large family of children, as follows: Mary, Elizabeth, Abigail, Cornell, Joseph, Law- rence, Ann, Deborah, and the father of our sub- ject

The last named was reared on the old home- stead and devoted his life to farming. He was active in religious circles and was a member and senior warden of St. George's Church of Hemp- stead. His death occurred at his home in 1879, when seventy-nine years old. His wife followed him to the grave in July, 1890, when eighty-three years old. Their children were named as follows: Alvira, Leonard, Charles C., Oscar, George W. and Augustus. The latter grew to manhood in the house that sheltered his father and grand- father, and received a fair education in the com- mon schools. Like his ancestors he has a taste for agricultural pursuits, and was thus occupied until the year 1891, when he retired and leased his farm of one hundred and seventy acres. Since then he has given his attention to his official duties.

In his political views Mr. Denton has always advocated the principles of the Republican party, and he is an active worker for the cause of educa- tion, having filled the office of trustee of schools for some time. Like his father, he is a member of the Episcopal Church, succeeding him in the duties of vestryman, and for five years has been warden. In 1885 he received the nomination of his party and was elected to the office of super- visor of North Hempstead. So well did he dis- charge the duties of that position that he was re- elected in 1892, 1894, and again in 1896, thus

JOHN B. HOPKINS.

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showing his popularity. Formerly he was a stockholder in the Jericho Plank Road Company, and for some time held the position of treasurer.

Mr. Denton has shown his appreciation of se- cret organizations by becoming a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Morton Lodge No. 63, of Hempstead, in which he has filled all the chairs, and is now past master. He is also a member of the Shield of Honor of Hyde- park, Lodge No. 3, and is past master in that also. In the year 1870 Mr. Denton married Miss Sarah M. Allen, daughter of George W. Allen, of North Hempstead, and they have two children, Eugene W., now a student in the Columbia Law School of New York City, and Grace, a student in St. Mary's School at Garden City.

The founder of the Denton family on the island was Rev. Richard Denton, who came from Eng- land on account of religious trouble, and settled on Long Island. Samuel Denton, the great- grandfather of our subject, was a life-long resi- dent of the island, and our subject has a will drawn by him February 10, 1717.

W ILLIAM HOPKINS, a well-known and substantial resident of Jamaica South, was born on the place of which he is now the proprietor, January 31, 1859. His father was John B. Hopkins, whose birth oc- curred in Flatlands, April 1, 1837. The year prior to the birth of our subject he came to this section and took up his abode on the splendid farm which William now owns and where he was content to pass the remainder of his life. In addi- tion to this property he owned much other valu- able real estate in the town, but the greater part of his money was made in the sale of fertilizers on Long Island. He was one of the most lib- eral and public-spirited men of his day and no worthy cause was allowed to fail for want of sup- port on his part. In his advocacy of temperance principles he was always firm. He became one of the directors in the Bank of Jamaica, in which he was also one of the original stockholders, and in many ways aided in establishing and sustaining worthy, objects which were set on foot for the good of the community. He filled many offices of trust and responsibility in a most competent and worthy manner. The Methodist Episcopal Church regarded him as one of its most influen- tial members, and in his contributions toward its

support he was extremely liberal. His death, January 31, 1894, was a public loss.

Our subject's grandfather, William Hopkins, was born in Wales and on coming to the United States when a young man settled in the Flatlands, L. I., where he followed his trade of a black- smith and became well and favorably known to its early residents. John B. Hopkins married Elizabeth Eldert, who was born in Jamaica Town, Queens County, March 9. 1830. Her father, Luke Eldert, a patriot in the War of 1812, was born December 20, 1786, and was descended from one of the very old and honored families on the island. Mrs. Elizabeth Hopkins left at her de- cease three children, of whom our subject was the eldest. His brother John B., who is cultivating a portion of his father's estate, married Ella Rider and has three children, Mabel, Nettie and Ben- nem. Lillian I. Hopkins, the only daughter, makes her home with her brother William. The father of our subject married for his second wife Nellie E. Stillwell, who is at present a resident of Jamaica, and in that place their son, George S., also makes his home.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Jamaica, after which he settled down to farm life and has followed this vocation with unusual success. In his political faith he uses his influence and ballot in favor of Republican candi- dates. He was married in 1884 to Georgiana, sister of H. and J. Camden, large celery growers of this section. They are the parents of a daugh- ter, Florence A., whose birth occurred June 4, 1885. Previous to her union with our subject, Mrs. Hopkins had been married to Philip R. Howard, who at his decease left her with three children.

G EORGE C. MILLS, a feed and grain merchant of Dutch Kills, was born in New York City, October 22, 1848, a son of John S. and Sarah (McPhoren) Mills, natives of New York City and Staten Island respectively. The father was an iron rail finisher in his native city until he retired from the active duties of life, and is now residing in Long Island City. He was also born in the Empire City, but the grand- father was a native of England. The grandmoth- er of our subject, in maidenhood a Miss Sit- cher, was descended from French Huguenots, and both her people and Mr. Mills' were partici- pants in the Revolution, as members of the Co-

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lonial army. Robert McPhoren, grandfather of our subject, was born in Dublin, Ireland, was given the advantages of Dublin University, and later became a teacher. He married a Miss Story, a member of an old Staten Island family. The parents of George C. Mills, who are now aged about seventy years, have long been members of the Episcopal Church. Their family consisted of three sons and three daughters, but one of the latter is now deceased.

George C. Mills was the eldest of the family, and in the public schools of his native city was given excellent educational advantages up to the age of fourteen years, when he began working under his father at making iron railing. At the end of seven years he gave up this business to en- gage in merchandising and dealing in horses. In 1873 he came to Long Island City, making loca- tion in Dutch Kills, and here about 1887 he em- barked in business as a grocer and feed mer- chant in Jackson Avenue. He gave up the grocer's business, however, in 1894, and has since dealt wholly in flour and feed, in which he has built up a large business and has won the repu- tation of being reliable and upright. He is re- markably reasonable in his prices and is the cheapest dealer in his line in Long Island City. In connection with this business he makes a spec- ialty of handling horses, of which he is an ex- cellent judge, and which he has found profitable.

In the city of New York Mr. Mills married Miss Mary E. Summers, a native of that place, and their union resulted in the birth of eleven children, eight of whom are living: Adelaine, de- ceased; John S., who is employed in New York; Sadie; Elijah; Bornte, deceased; Tillie; Cath- erine, deceased; George C., Jr .; Mollie; Rebec- ca, and a baby boy unnamed. Mr. Mills has a comfortable home at No. 112 Barton Street, and he and his family attend St. John's Episcopal Church.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 117

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