Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 120

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 120

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).

CORNELIUS RAPELYE.

951

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

past three years. In political affairs he casts his vote in favor of the candidates of the Democratic party. He belongs to the New York Homeo- pathic Medical Society and has been visiting sur- geon to the Astoria Hospital since its establish- ment. The Doctor and his wife have many friends in this locality and are very popular in social circles.

C ORNELIUS RAPELYE. A volume of the biographies of representative citizens of Queens County would be incomplete without a sketch of Mr. Rapelye, whose career strikingly illustrates the force of well-directed energy, steadfast purpose and never-ceasing ef- fort for the accomplishment of noble results. He departed this life November 20, 1890, but for several years previous to that time lived retired from business of any kind.

A native of New York City, Mr. Rapelye was born November 16, 1833, and was the son of George Rapelye, a native of Newtown. Grand- father Cornelius Rapelye, who was the original owner of the beautiful home on the boulevard which the widow of our subject now occupies, was an agriculturist by occupation and for many years kept an inn on this place. He was one of the prominent men of the community and was respected by all who knew him. Two sons and one daughter comprise his family, George, James and Grace, of whom the former two served as sol- diers in the War of 1812.

During the early settlement of Long Island the Rapelyes, who were French Huguenots, came hither from their native land. Its various mem- bers have been prominent in the upbuilding of this portion of the island and rank among its best residents. George, the father of our sub- ject, became a wholesale grocer in New York City, where he lived during the winter months, but in the summer season moved with his family to their beautiful home in Astoria. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane M. Suydam, was born in Newtown and was the daughter of Adrian Suydam, who was classed among the oldest resi - dents and most substantial farmers of this place. On the death of Mrs. Rapelye, which occurred August 13, 1835, Cornelius, of this sketch, was cared for by his aunt, Mrs. Grace (Rapelye) Trafford, a most excellent lady and a worthy member of the Reformed Church. This congregation now meets in a beautiful church on

Remsen Street, in which our subject has placed a memorial window in honor of Mrs. Trafford and his father, George.

Mrs. Trafford was the only sister of George Rapelye; she became the wife of John Trafford, and to them was born a son, Cornelius R., who was one of the foremost men in advancing the interests of Astoria, where he lived. He depart- ed this life in 1872 and was buried in the ceme- tery of the Church of the Redeemer, which he pre- sented with its beautiful chimes.

Cornelius, of this sketch, was the only child of his parents, and he was given an excellent educa- tion, attending the private schools of New York until the death of his father, in 1853. That year he began to make his home in Long Island City with Cornelius R. Trafford, who was largely in- terested in what afterward became known as the East River Ferry Company. Mr. Trafford was a member of the board of directors until the time of his death, and Mr. Rapelye was president for many years, or until he too was called to the land beyond. They developed this port very largely and made the change from Eighty- sixth to Ninety-second Streets, New York.

Mr. Rapelve was a devoted member of the Reformed Church and was for many years elder of this church. He contributed large sums of money to the support of church work and in a business and financial way he was recognized as a citizen having much weight, and was held in high esteem. In 1870 he purchased a farm at Kidders, beautifully located on the banks of Ca- yuga Lake, in Seneca County, N. Y., and each summer the family made their home there. Being very fond of horses, he kept several fine-blooded animals on this place, also a number of the best breeds of cattle. Socially he was a member of the Holland Society.

In Newtown, December 14, 1857, our subject married Miss Lydia L. Hyatt, who was born in that place and was the daughter of John B. Hy- att. Her grandfather, Cornelius Hyatt. was a well-to-do farmer of Newtown, in which occupa- tion the great-grandfather was also engaged dur- ing his lifetime. The latter came to America from England and almost immediately took up land in the vicinity of Newtown, which was hand- ed down from father to son for several genera- tions. John B. Hyatt farmed the old homestead. which is now part of Winfield Junction, until his (lecease, which occurred when he was sixty-seven years of age. With his family he attended

952

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

St. James Episcopal Church. His wife was Miss Ann Burroughs, who was also born in Newtown, and whose parents were Thomas and Sarah (Wyckoff) Burroughs, from Flat- lands. The great-grandfather on the mother's side was also of English birth and parentage, and after coming to America continued his occupa- tion, which was that of a farmer. Mrs. Ann (Burroughs) Hyatt died when seventy-two years of age at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rapelye. Her family included five children, all of whom are living and named respectively: Cornelius, who resides on the Terrace in Newtown; Har- riet, now Mrs. F. D. Kouwenhoven, of Long Island City; Lydia L., the wife of our subject; Sarah B., who married James S. Burroughs, of Long Island City, and Thomas Burroughs, who is residing on the old homestead in Winfield Junction.

Although a native of Newtown, Mrs. Rapelye was educated in the excellent schools of New York City. She is the owner of much valuable property in the county and also retains posses- sion of her summer home on Cayuga Lake, which she continues to visit once a year. The place on which she makes her home in this county has been in the family for over a century and is one of the best located and most valuable in the place. She is a devoted member of the Reformed Church and her name will always be found at the head of every charitable enterprise, to which she con- tributes cheerfully and liberally.

N ICHOLAS RYDER is a representative of an old family in Queens County, and is numbered among its well-to-do farmers. He was born in the town of Jamaica, near Aque- duct Station, on the place which he now occupies, November 16, 1825. His father, James Ryder, was born on this place in 1802 and here spent his entire life, dying in 1858 or '59. He was prominent in affairs of a public nature and at one time was assessor of the town. He had two brothers, Jacob and Stephen, the latter of whoni resided on a farm in this town until his death, and Jacob went to the town of Hempstead, and departed this life at Farmingdale. There were two daughters in the family: Mary, who became the wife of Eldert Eldert, and lived to the remark- able age of ninety-two years, and Susan, who married Smith Hendrickson, and died in the town of Hempstead. The grandfather, whose birth

also occurred on the old place where our subject now resides, was of Holland-Dutch extraction, the family being first represented on Long Island many years ago. The Dutch Reformed Church embodies the religious principles to which both the father and grandfather of our subject adhered.

Mrs. Margaret (Smith) Ryder, the mother of Nicholas, of this history, was born at Springfield, L. I., in the year 1803. She is still living at the remarkable age of ninety-two years, making her home at Jamaica. She had three brothers, Dan- iel, John and Samuel, all of whom lived and died at Springfield. By her union with James Ryder she became the mother of seven children, of whom the eldest, Daniel, was a book binder by trade. He was of a roving disposition and at one time went to California. After several years he re- turned and at the time of his decease was living in Jersey City. James Ryder, who during the active years of his life followed farming, is now a resident of the village of Jamaica. Hannah M. married Isaac Duryea, who is now deceased, and she makes her home in Jamaica. Stephen was formerly engaged with the Bank of Jamaica. Jolin was for a number of years tax receiver of this town, but now makes his home in New Jer- sey. Almira married Nicholas Emmans and their place of residence is in one of the beautiful villages on the bank of the Hudson River.

Nicholas Ryder was married to Catherine Lott, of Flatlands, in 1847. Several years later she died, and he chose for his second companion Sarah E. Hulett, of Far Rockaway. To them has been born a son, William J., who is now a resident of Hillsdale, Columbia County, N. Y .; he married Sarah L. Wyckoff, of Flatlands, and they are the parents of two children, Sarah Eliza- beth and Nicholas. Both our subject and his wife are members in excellent standing of the Presbyterian Church.

P ROF. PAUL KYLE. This gentleman, dis- tinguished in the educational annals of Queens County and professor in the Mili- tary Institute of Flushing, was born in Sonders- hausen, Thüringen, Germany, May 13, 1854. His father, Günther Kyle, a native of the same place as himself, served in the German army with the rank of lieutenant-colonel and later was appoint- ed inspector of government railroads, continu- ing thus engaged until 1895, when he resigned. He participated in the Revolution of 1848, and in

953

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the war of 1866. Although now sixty-eight years of age, he is well preserved for one of his years. In his religious views he has long been an earnest Lutheran. His wife, whose maiden name was Mina Braun, was born in Germany. Their fam- ily consists of one son and three daughters, all living, but our subject the only one in America.

Professor Kyle's paternal grandfather, Fritz Kyle, was forester throughout his entire life for the Prince of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, and died in 1893, when ninety years old. The great- grandfather, Günther Kyle, was chief forester and lived to the advanced age of ninety-eight. In boyhood Paul Kyle received his education in the gymnasium of Sondershausen, from which he graduated in 1871. Subsequently he enlisted in the Nineteenth Artillery, Flying Battery, German army, and served for three months in the Franco- Prussian War, but after that he entered the Uni- versity of Leipsic. After graduating in the philo- sophical course he again entered the Prussian army and was appointed a corporal in the Garde Artillery, later being promoted to the rank of sec- ond lieutenant. He was stationed principally at Magdeburg and Erfurt, and served for four years.

About 1880 Professor Kyle came to America and settled in New York City. Soon afterward he began teaching in the English and Classical School at Providence, R. I., where he remained for three years. Later he started a school of languages in Newport, but after a time he went back to New York City, and taught there and in Brooklyn, in different schools and private fam- ilies (including the Vanderbilts, Sloanes and Liv- ingstons) until 1890. In that year he established the Kyle Institute at College Point, but after fif- teen months came to Flushing, where he bought out the Hicks estate, the former site of the Flush- ing Female Institute, and shortly afterward opened his school.

The Military Institute is situated at the cor- ner of State and Farrington Streets, the grounds comprising about four acres and containing the school building and teachers' residence. Forty- four pupils can be accommodated. From the opening of his institute to the present time Pro- fessor Kyle's popularity as a conscientious and faithful instructor has steadily increased, and in consequence of his judicious management of the institution in all its departments, it now enjoys the confidence of the people to an unusual extent. Five instructors are employed, three in English, the others in German and music, and annually a

large number of young people are sent forth well instructed in all the branches.

Professor Kyle is a member of the Dutch Re- formed Church, fraternally is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and socially is a member of the Knickerbocker Yacht Club. He married Miss Annie Hertgen, of Newport, R. I., and they have had two children, but both are now deceased. In 1895 the Professor and his wife made a visit to Germany to visit their rela- tives.

N ICHOLAS NEHRBAUER, a well known master plumber of Steinway, Long Island City, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1847. His father, George, who was a native of the same place, brought the family to America in 1850 and settled in New York, where he re- mained for a number of years, but at an advanced age he came to Steinway to make his home with his son, and here died in 1892. The wife and mother, who bore the maiden name of Magda- lina Starklauf, died a week after the demise of her husband. Both were devoted Catholics, with which church they were identified from an early age.

Nicholas, who was the only child of his parents, was reared in New York City from the age of three years and received his education in the Fortieth Street grammar school. When four- teen years old he began to work at the plumber's trade under Jean P. Rogers, with whom he spent the seven ensuing years, and afterward was in the employ of different parties. Having gained a thorough knowledge of the business, he started a shop of his own in First Avenue, between Fif- tieth and Fifty-first Streets. In 1870 he moved his residence to Steinway, and this has since been his home. In 1878 he became a plumber for Steinway & Sons' piano factory, having charge of the plumbing and gas work there for seven years. He then turned his attention to another line of business, and for four years kept a tavern in Stein- way. On retiring from that occupation he opened a plumbing shop at No. 683 Steinway Avenue, where he erected a two-story building, 20x56 feet, and here he has since made his business head- quarters. He has had the contract for a num- ber of important jobs and has gained a reputa- tion as a reliable plumber. He owns some prop- erty here, including a residence, and the old home adjoining the shop.

954

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In New York City Mr. Nehrbauer married Miss Augusta Gusse, a native of Germany. They have four children, namely: Nicholas, Jr., who is in the plumbing business with his father; Henry, Augusta and Matilda. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Nehrbauer is interested in party matters and well informed regarding party principles. For four years he represented the fifth ward on the board of aldermen, having been elected on the Democratic ticket, and during one term of his service was overseer of the poor. In 1893 he was appointed, for three years, a member of the ex- amining board of plumbers of Long Island City. He is a member of the Steinway Hose Company No. 7, in which he held every office. Socially he is connected with Eintracht Council No. 12, Order of Chosen Friends, the Catholic Benevo- lent Legion and John Allen Lodge No. 330, A. O. U. W.

P IERRE C. HOAG, M. D. During the years that Dr. Hoag has resided in Man- hasset he has built up a good practice and gained a reputation as a skillful, well informed and painstaking physician, one who keeps abreast with the latest discoveries in the science of medi- cine and gives to his practice the benefit of broad knowledge and ripened experience. He was born in Schenectady, N. Y., November 26, 1853, and is a son of Casper F. and Anna M. (Clute) Hoag. In boyhood he attended the high school and in- stitute of his native place, and later was a student in Union College until reaching the junior year.

At the age of nineteen our subject began the study of medicine with Dr. A. M. Vedder as pre- ceptor, having previously taken a special course in chemistry. After three years under the in- struction of Dr. Vedder, he entered the Albany Medical College and completed the course there in three years, later taking a post-graduate course in Bellevue Hospital College, New York City, and special instruction under the most thorough teachers. He also took a special course with Dr. Janeway, in the New York College of Phy- sicions and Surgeons, and a special course with Dr. Castle in the diseases of women at Bellevue. His position as attending physician of the out- door department for two years gave him the ben- efit of excellent practical knowledge. In addi- tion to this, he was assistant to Dr. William Lusk, professor of diseases of women, and for one year filled the position of visiting physician to Belle-

vue Hospital. He took a course on diseases of the eye and ear at Essex Street Dispensary. His work as a member of the board of health of New York was well and accurately done, giving proof of his painstaking skill and thorough efficiency in every department. During the period of his residence in New York he was a member of county and state medical societies and the Len- nox Medical and Surgical Society.

When Dr. Hoag came to Manhasset in 1891, he was fitted for his professional career by a thorough course of training. In fact, few phy- sicians have such opportunities as had he in the preparation for his life work. No pains were spared to gain a thorough experimental knowl- edge of every department of the science. So well has he succeeded that he is recognized as a phy- sician and surgeon of superior ability, one who in the diagnosis of disease and its treatment has proved to be accurate. Though never having had much time for political matters, he always votes the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Reformed Church and a gentleman of large phi- lanthropic spirit. By his marriage to Miss Laura Warner of New York City he has three chil- dren, Alice Warner, Lurana Blair and Margaret.

E LBERT DECKER, D. V. S. The prac- tice of veterinary surgery is even more in- tricate than that of medicine as applied to the human family, demanding in addition to a perfect knowledge of the anatomy of the horse and a thorough practical knowledge of drugs and medicines, also an intimate knowledge of equine habits under varying conditions, coupled with a quick, intuitive perception to grasp the seat and nature of the disease, since the patients can never tell their symptoms. The possession of these qualifications and endowments satisfactorily accounts for the success of Elbert Decker, the well known veterinary surgeon of Far Rock- away.

Lucas E. Decker, the father of our subject, was a resident and merchant of Springfield for many years. He married Miss Abigail Nostrand, who died when sixty-two years old, leaving three chil- dren, Lucas E., of Springfield; Smith N., and our subject. The latter was born in Springfield, Oc- tober 14, 1864. He received his education in the common schools and in Bryant & Stratton's Busi- ness College, and when nineteen years old en- tered a wholesale grocery house in New York

WALLACE H. CORNWELL.

957

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

City. He began the study of his profession un- dier an uncle who understood the business in all its details, and from him he gained a thorough knowledge of it. From the first he had a natural taste for the study and it did not take him long to master it.

Dr. Decker attended the American Veteri- nary College of New York, taking a regular course, and with the thorough training he had received with his uncle, he was enabled to finish the course in two years, graduating with honors. After practicing at Springfield for one year he came to Far Rockaway and for a time had his office in Wynn Brothers' livery stable. Later he built a place of his own, one well adapted for his business, and has met with unusual success. He thoroughly understands his occupation, and is well qualified in every particular. A genial, pleasant man, he is very popular and has a host of warm friends. November 20, 1895, he mar- ried Miss Helen R. Goodman of South Orange, N. J.

Politically Dr. Decker believes in the princi- ples of protection, but will not be bound by any party, and may be considered independent. However, he uses care in exercising his right of suffrage and insists on good men. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Olympia Lodge, and is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

W ALLACE H. CORNWELL. Among the native-born citizens of Queens County who have accumulated a com- petence in the oyster business and as a farmer, prominent mention belongs to Mr. Cornwell, who has followed these lines of work for many years. He was born in Baldwin, in the year 1854, and is the son of Charles B. and Sarah E. (Carman) Cornwell. The father was also a native of Bald- win and the mother's birth occurred in Canada.

The father of our subject was for many years actively engaged in farming in this community, making a specialty of market gardening, in the early days conveying the products to market. Later he became interested in the oyster business here, and for ten years met with success in this calling. For several years prior to his decease he spent his summers in retirement from work of any kind in a pleasant home and enjoyed many com- forts, which had been secured by his intelligent labors in the past. He was a true Christian gen-

tleman and thoroughly devoted to the Methodist Church, with which he had been connected for many years. He died very suddenly in 1895 of heart disease. His estimable wife is still living and is in the enjoyment of excellent health, al- though advanced in years.

The subject of this sketch first attended the schools taught in his district and sometime in his teens was sent as a pupil to the Freeport Academy, where he conducted his studies for several years. On completing his education lie turned his attention to farming and has ever since been interested in the growing of potatoes, lima beans, cabbage, etc., for which products he finds a ready market in New York and Brooklyn. His farm is one hundred and fifty acres in extent, and is one of the largest in Queens County. It is cultivated in an intelligent and profitable manner and is the source of a handsome income to its owner. His home is one of the finest farm resi- dences in the county, situated on rising ground and surrounded by lawns, gardens and an , orchard. Near by is a pleasant lake, which Mr. Cornwell has recently constructed at considerable expense. Taken as a whole, the place forms an ideal country home.

For the past eight or ten years Mr. Cornwell has given considerable attention to the oyster busi- ness, giving employment during the busy season to some twenty or twenty-five men. There are very few men in the county more familiar with this business than Mr. Cornwell. Not a single de- tail connected with the work ever escapes his at- tention, and there is nothing pertaining to it that he has not thoroughly mastered. Such has been his devotion to his various interests that he has accumulated a handsome competence and is very justly regarded as one of the substantial men of the county.

Mr. Cornwell was married in 1876 to Miss Isabel Raynor, the daughter of John C. Raynor, whose family is one of the oldest and most promi- nent in the vicinity of Freeport. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell three children survive. Nettie M., Arthur B. and James T. Both our subject and his estimable wife are worthy mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in whichi he is steward, trustee and treasurer. Fraternally. he belongs to the Odd Fellows, and in politics gives his support to the Republican party, in whose purity and teachings he has an abiding faith. While an active worker in the ranks of his party he has never desired or sought pontical

958

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

preferment, although he would doubtless have made an excellent official. He is treasurer of School District No. 10 and enjoys the respect and esteem of all with whom he has become ac- quainted. Mr. Cornwell is director in the Free- port Bank, of which he was one of the organizers, and is . also director of the Freeport Land Company.

F OSTER L. OAKLEY, dealer in carriages, wagons and agricultural implements of all kinds, and manufacturer of cart special- ties, was born at West Hills, near Huntington, L. I., December 15, 1862, to Charles and Lydia A. (Ludlum) Oakley. His grandfather, Israel Oak- ley, was born in the town of Huntington, where he resided until 1879, meantime engaged in farm- ing upon a large estate which he still owns. In that year, being disabled by rheumatism, he re- tired from active labors and moved to East Wil- liston, where he and his wife have since made their home with their only son, Charles. He was born on New Year's Day of 1811, and is there- fore quite advanced in years, but is still in full possession of his mental faculties. His wife bore the maiden name of Phoebe Bennett and was born in Huntington, L. I.

The father of our subject was reared on the old homestead, where he remained until twenty-four years of age. He then, in 1864, settled at Roslyn, where for fifteen years he leased the Samuel Ta- ber farm. In 1879 he bought the Cornell farm near East Williston, which has since been his home. Politically he is a Republican and in re- ligious affairs holds membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. His children are named as follows: Foster L .; Martha J .; Phoebe L., wife of William H. Griffin, formerly of the firm of Oakley & Griffin; Charles, Jr., and George I.

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 120

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