Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 129

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 129

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C ARROLL F. NORTON, cashier of the First National Bank of Hempstead, was born in Erie, Pa., August 20, 1852. His father, Christopher F. Norton, was a descendant of an old Connecticut family and one of the larg- est lumber and iron manufacturers in the coun- try. He removed to Plattsburg, N. Y., when our subject was quite young, and became the leading lumber and iron manufacturer in the Adirondack Mountains: While engaged in this business he amassed a large fortune, but during the panic of 1873 was obliged to suspend, and the greater part of liis wealth was swept away. During his residence in New York he was elected from the sixteenth congressional district to the

state senate of New York as the candidate of the Democratic party. This was in 1871, and being in a district that was largely Republican he de- clined renomination. Finally, moving to Colo- rado, he remained there engaged in business un- til his death, in 1880, when he was fifty-nine years of age. His wife, Sarah Chase, was a niece of the late Salmon P. Chase, chief justice of the United States supreme court, and a prominent candidate for the presidency, and was a half-sister to the mother of Austin Corbin, president of the Long Island Railway Company. She died in 1869, when in her forty-eighth year.

Christopher F. and Sarah Norton were the parents of six children, of whom five are living: Benjamin, formerly vice-president of the Long Island Railroad Company, is a resident of New York City and a large stockholder in the electric railroad at Newburgh, N. Y., which he built and equipped. Interested with him in this enterprise is his brother, Harry C., also a man of wealth and a resident of Newburgh ; Sarah makes her home in Plattsburg, and Helen Chase Norton is in Albany, where she is connected with the state banking department.

The carly life of Carroll F. Norton was spent in Plattsburg, where he obtained a good educa- tion in the public schools. This was supple- mented by a course in the Albany Business Col- lege, after which he became his father's confiden- tial clerk, aiding materially in the manage- ment of his large enterprises. He was with him in the same capacity in his lumber and stock in- terests in Colorado, but after the death of his father he returned to New York City. For three years he was connected with the Long Island road, and in 1884 located in Greenport, estab- lishing the People's National Bank and remain- ing its cashier for three years. He then came to Hempstead and assisted in organizing the Bank of Hempstead, which proved one of the greatest financial successes the place ever had. He con- tinued as cashier of this institution until 1893. when a difference of opinion arising between him and some of the smaller stockholders resulted in his disposing of his interest in the concern. He was encouraged by many of the leading citizens of the place to organize another bank, and in less than twenty-four hours he had raised on sub- scription a capital stock of over $100,000, when only $50,000 was needed. August Belmont tias elected president of the institution and Mr. Nor - ton cashier. Sidney Dillon Ripley and many of

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family homestead at Cold Spring, April 26, 1837, and he married, November 29, 1859, Ann E. Brush, a native of New York City and daughter of David Brush. In 1878 he removed from the homestead to the Brush place in Woodbury, and there he has since made his home. Of his family of five children, four are still living, namely: Annie A., wife of Charles O. Smith, living on the old Doughty farm; Dr. David B., of this sketch; Frederick S., who resides with his parents, and Addie M., wife of Henry A. Gilman, of Brooklyn. The next to the youngest daughter. Carrie B., died on New Year's Day of 1895, aged twenty- three years.

On the Brush homestead then owned by his maternal grandfather, but now occupied by him- self, the subject of this sketch was born, and here he has always made his home. His early educa- tion was received in the district schools and the union school of Huntington. In 1888 he entered the American Veterinary College of New York and remained there until his graduation in 1891. Immediately afterward he commenced the prac- tice of his profession in his native county, making his home with his parents as before. His skill and ability have been recognized and in justice to him it may be said that he has worked his way to his present position. Many valuable animals are entrusted to his care, and his practice extends over a large area. While a firm Republican in politics he is not active in local affairs, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs

J OHN M. PHILLIPS. Among the, many prominent contractors of Astoria, Long Island City, is John M. Phillips, who shows much fitness for his vocation in that he is wide- awake, experienced, reliable and energetic, and that he has a thorough knowledge of his busi- ness. Although young in years, his birth having occurred in New York City in 1872, Mr. Phillips has already won an enviable reputation in his chosen calling.

Until the year 1883 Mr. Phillips remained in his native city, attending the public schools, and then came to Long Island City, where he en- tered the third ward school. In 1884 he took up the mason's trade under his father, John M. Phil- lips, Sr., and after completing it continued with him until the latter's death in 1891. After this our subject and his brother, Peter N., began con- tracting, and have continued this since. All their

work is on a large scale and is always conducted to a successful and satisfactory termination. Mr. Phillips is painstaking, industrious and strictly honorable, and as a natural consequence his ser- vices are in demand. In politics an ardent Dem- ocrat, he has ever been deeply interested in the welfare of his party and is a member of the gen- eral campaign committee of the Jefferson Dem- ocratic Club. He was senatorial delegate in 1895. Previously he had served as ward, city and coun- ty delegate, and has been a member of the gen- eral committee since the age of twenty-one. In 1895 he went to St. Louis, Mo., as a delegate for St. Peter's Lyceum, and is a member of St. Patrick's Church and the Catholic Benevolent Legion. He is active in all good work and is one of the promising young men of the city.

C HARLES BROWN, manager for Swift Brothers, at Flushing, was born in Little Compton, R. I., in 1871, and is a son of John C. G. and Maria (Brownell) Brown, also natives of Rhode Island. His father, who was born in Narragansett, spent his early years there and in other villages of the state, but later went to Chicago, where for fourteen years he was em- ployed as stock buyer, and he is now sheep buyer for Swift in that city.

Of five children, Charles Brown is next to the youngest. He was reared to manhood in Little Compton, receiving his education in the public schools of that place and the Friends' Boarding School in Providence. Later he was a student in Bryant & Stratton's Business College. He was in the employ of Swift & Co., Chicago, where he worked his way from an inferior place to one of responsibility. During his connection with the firm there, he was employed in the sheep department. In 1891 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he was employed by the New England Dressed Meat & Wool Company. The following year he went to New York City where he took a position in the wholesale depot in Thirty-ninth Street, and later was transferred to Thirty-fifth Street, where he had charge of a department for Swift's Sheep & Provision Company. Next he was transferred to the management of the sheep department for the Harlem Beef Company, re- maining with that concern until April, 1895, when he became manager for Swift Brothers at Flush- ing

This place, which is the only one owned by

ST. IGNATIUS' CHURCH, HICKSVILLE, N. Y. REV. LAWRENCE FUCHS, PASTOR.

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Swift Brothers on Long Island, was established by them in August, 1894. Ice and meat are de- livered every day in carload lots and then for- warded to different parts of Queens County. In the building there is a large refrigerator that has a capacity of one hundred and fifty to two hundred head of animals at one time. The tem- perature is maintained at thirty-eight to forty degrees, and the entire business is carried on in a systematic, accurate manner.

R EV. LAWRENCE FUCHS is pastor of St. Ignatius' Church at Hicksville. The Catholic population living in his village and vicinity was organized as a parish in the year 1859, and the corner stone of the old church was laid August 21 of that year, occupying the same ground which is now the site of the new edifice. The land was presented by Henry Pasker, father of Adolph Pasker, who is at present an efficient worker in the congregation. Both of these gen- tlemen collected funds in the city, the population here being too poor to contribute a sufficient amount to erect the building. As Mr. Pasker was a carpenter he helped to build the church.

Rev. Ignatius Goetz, who passed to his eternal reward February 8, 1879, was the first pastor in charge of the parish. He was succeeded by Rev. Casper Muller, who died October 29, 1881. In those days the people were few in number, but faith was strong, and under Rev. Joseph Hauber, the next pastor, who attended from Foster's Meadow, the finances and membership grew. A plat of ground for a rectory was purchased in 1870 and the building was erected in the same year. Rev. L. Schneider succeeded Rev. Joseph Hauber, but remained only a short time, resigning on account of ill health, and his death occurred August 24, 1883.

The church remained without a pastor for two months, then the Rt. Rev. John Laughlin, bishop of Brooklyn, sent Rev. Lawrence Fuchs, the sub- ject of this sketch, to take charge of the parish. For three years he had been assistant priest in a large German parish in Brooklyn, and he said his first mass in Hicksville in the old church, September 1, 1872. Under his charge the church has prospered, the attendance outgrowing the ac- commodations, so that it became necessary to erect more commodious quarters, and land was purchased with this end in view. Father Fuchs has been an earnest worker during his pastorate

and the members of the church both love and re- spect hint. After much hard work and by perse- vering he succeeded in collecting enough money to have a large and handsome church erected, and on the 12th of May, 1891, the old church edi- fice was removed to a lot south of the old site, and the work of excavating for the foundation of the new building was commenced. the greater part of the work being done by volun- teer labor of members of the parish. All was soon ready for the carpenters, and by July 2 the frame was raised. The corner stone was laid by the Rt. Rev. John Laughlin July 4. The work progressed rapidly, and December 15 of the same year the church was dedicated by the above named gentleman, it being the last dedicatory functions which he ever performed. The morn- ing he arrived in Hicksville he was taken ill. He returned home, but never recovered, and Decem- ber 29 he was called to his reward.

St. Ignatius' Church is a well-built structure, 40x96 feet, and has a spire one hundred and ten feet in height. The interior is handsomely decor- ated, and the seating capacity is about five hun- dred. Everything was done in the most satisfac- tory manner and the best material to be had was used in the construction of the building. The edifice cost over $20,000. The church grounds are ample, as the plat includes nearly half a block, and large horse sheds have been erected for the accommodation of the members who drive to church.

L OUIS C. OTT, who resides at Rockaway Beach, Oceanus P. O., is engaged in the bottling business, making a specialty of the "Standard" and "Superb" brands of beer. Prior to embarking in this business, which he has con- ducted since 1893, he carried on a hotel business here for ten years during the summer seasons. His home before coming to Oceanus was in Brooklyn, where he was born August 1, 1855. In boyhood he received excellent opportunities for a practical education in both German and English, and became well informed upon mat- ters pertaining to business.

When only nineteen years of age Mr. Ott be- gan in the hotel business at Brooklyn, remaining thus engaged for nearly five years. Possessing a genial, companionable nature, he made many friends and soon drifted into politics. His first position was in the revenue office, where he ren-

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dered efficient service from 1884 until 1889, and later he held the position of under sheriff for two years under Sheriff Courtney. In 1892 he was elected to represent his district in the legislature, and as a member of the assembly showed . the utmost fidelity to the interests of his constituents as well as a thorough knowledge of public affairs. He was regarded as one of the leaders of the Democratic party, and held a high place in the estimation of those identified with that organiza- tion. Among the measures which he championed was the market bill, which originated in the sen- ate and was presented by him in the assembly. Through his untiring efforts he secured its pas- sage. He was also the champion of the Long Island Railroad bill, which was intended to re- duce fares to a rate of two cents per mile. This was a popular measure among the people and he worked hard to secure its passage, but the mon- eyed influence of the railroad company was mani- fest upon the committee, and notwithstanding a brave fight the bill was defeated.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Ott is connected with the Star of Hope Lodge No. 430, F. & A. M., and is also identified with the Literary Union of Rockaway Beach. He takes an active interest in all local matters and is a member of the En- terprise Hook and Ladder Company.

D ANIEL A. HARRISON, M. D., joint proprietor with Dr. John A. Arnold, a resident of Brooklyn, of Breezehurst Ter- race, a private asylum at Whitestone for the treatment of mental diseases, was born in Strat- ford, Ontario, Canada, August 31, 1852, being a son of William Dyne and Lucy (Tye) Harrison. His boyhood days were spent in Stratford, where, after attending a private school for some time, he took a course in the high school, graduating at the age of eighteen. After completing his studies he visited relatives of his father in Somerset and Devonshire, England, where he spent a year, and on returning to Stratford became secretary and treasurer of a gas company, where he remained for two years. From an early age he had a taste for medical work, but was not financially able to carry out his desires until an uncle, who had taken a fancy to him during his visit to England, left him some money with which to attend medical college.

After gaining a knowledge of the fundamental truths of the science under private preceptorship,

our subject entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York, from which he graduated in 1882. Immediately afterward he accepted a position as assistant physician in the City Asylum at Ward's Island, and had charge of the hospital there for three years. He was then offered a more lucrative position in the depart- ment of charities and correction in the Kings County Asylum, where he remained as assistant for nine months, and was then promoted to the position of superintendent of the Kings County Asylum at St. Johnland, remaining there for four years. In 1890 he bought the place where he now is with a view to starting his present busi- ness, and has since given his attention to the private asylum he has established here. In order to perfect his knowledge of this line of work, he visited England and Scotland, studying the meth- ods adopted by the different asylums and hos- pitals. The building which he occupies has a capacity for twenty-five patients, and his skill in the treatment of mental diseases is bringing him a wide reputation.

While at St. Johnland, September 16, 1887, Dr. Harrison married Miss Harriet Moore Ridgely, of Dover, Del., daughter of Edward and Eliza- beth Frazier (Comegys) Ridgely. Her father, who is a prominent attorney of Dover, has for years been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion and, although blind, he is regarded as one of the best counselors in the state of Delaware. Two children, twins, were born to the Doctor and his wife, but one died in infancy; the other is named Edward Ridgely.

In political matters Dr. Harrison is independ- ent, never having allied himself with any party. He and his wife are identified with the Episcopal Church, which is the religious belief of his fath- er's family. Fraternally he is connected with Alcyone Lodge No. 695, F. & A. M., at North- port, L. I. At this writing he is serving as sec- retary of the board of health at Whitestone, and member of the board of trustees of Flushing Hos- pital. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine in New York City.

G BYRON LATIMER. "Save the pen- nies and the dollars will look after · themselves," is undoubtedly an excel- lent motto, and the practical working of it is found in the institutions organized, whereby small amounts of money can be deposited in the bank

Hon. Frederick W. Geissenhainer.

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for safe keeping. There is no more true saying than that money will burn a hole in a person's pocket, and it is for this reason that institutions of this kind are of paramount value. The subject of this sketch is secretary of the Irving Savings Institution, located at No. 96 Warren Street, New York City, which institution is firmly founded and decidedly popular with all classes, especially with the working people.

Mr. Latimer was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1861, to Edmund H. and Hester Ann (Cannon) Latimer, natives of the state of New York, where they lived and died. The father was for more than thirty years connected with the "Journal of Commerce" in New York. He was a public- spirited citizen, of fine intellect and excellent edu- cation, and he wielded a wide influence in the community in which he lived. He passed from life in Brooklyn in 1891, the death of his worthy wife having occurred in 1885.

The initiatory education of G. Byron Latimer was received in the Brooklyn public schools, but he subsequently attended School No. 3 of that city. At the age of thirteen he laid aside his books to become a clerk in a notion house of New York City, where he remained four years, after which he entered the Irving National Bank as a clerk. So ably and faithfully did he discharge every duty assigned him that he was promoted from time to time until he occupied the position of note teller. In 1893 he was appointed to his present position, which is one of great responsi- bility, but Mr. Latimer is proving fully equal to its duties. He possesses a keen and practical mind well fitted to cope with far more difficult problems than come under his notice at the pres- ent time, and his future is bright with promise. The bank with which he is connected is in a very thriving condition and at the present time its assets amount to more than six millions of dollars.

In June, 1887, his marriage with Miss Jennie C. Purdy was celebrated, and has resulted in the birth of one son, Milton Purdy. Mrs. Latimer is a daughter of John J. Purdy, a substantial citizen of Rockville Center. Immediately after his mar- riage Mr. Latimer took up his residence at this place and here his home has since continued to be, although his business requires his daily jour- neying back and forth to New York City. Frater- nally he is district deputy grand regent of the Royal Arcanum of Queens County District and he is also past grand of the Independent Order

of Odd Fellows and one of the founders of the Rockville Center lodge. Politically he is a Demo- crat, but he has never aspired to office.

Although comparatively a young man Mr. Latimer has been active in the affairs of his sec- tion and has done much to make the town the prosperous place that it now is. Upon assuming the duties of his present position, the control of six million dollars' worth of funds was placed in his charge, his management of which has been eminently successful and satisfactory. He had the misfortune to lose his residence by fire May 13, 1895, but he has just completed a beautiful modern residence on the site of his former resi- dence, which he now occupies.

G I EORGE W. HAVILAND, SR., who re- sides at No. 299 Bayside Avenue, Flush- ing, was born in Little Neck, L. I., Sun- day, July 10, 1825, and is of English ancestry. The family of which he is a member traces its lineage back over one thousand years to Neuren- berg, whence some of the name went to England prior to the time of William the Conqueror. One of the first representatives in America was a sea captain. Grandfather William Haviland was born on Long Island, where he engaged in farm pur- suits.

The father of our subject, Roe Haviland, was born in the old family residence at Little Neck. and throughout life engaged in farming, his death occurring in 1856 at the age of fifty-eight. His wife, who was also his cousin, bore the maiden name of Mary Elizabeth Haviland and was a daughter of Roe Haviland, a veteran of the War of 1812 and a wealthy farmer. Both the father and mother of our subject were twice married. The former, by his first marriage, had five chil- dren: George W .; Caleb, deceased; Mrs. Mary Hicks, deceased; William R., deceased; and Mrs. Julia A. Cornel of Little Neck. Of the first mar- riage of the mother three sons and two daughters are living. Bloodgood Cutter, the farmer poet of Long Island, is a half-brother of our subject : another of the family is John Cutter, a brave soldier of the Rebellion, who marched with Sher- man to the sea, and now resides in North Hemp- stead; there is also a half-sister, Mrs. Susanna Purchase.

Reared on the home farm at Little Neck, our subject at the age of eighteen began to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1845 he came to Flushing,

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where he completed his trade under Benjamin L. Fowler, and then became foreman in a steam mill operated by J. M. Peck, remaining with that gentleman for the long period of thirty years. When death removed the owner of the mill he continued with the son, who succeeded to the business, being in one place for more than forty years. Since the failure of the firm he has lived somewhat retired, though he represents the New York Life Insurance, and J. B. Nelles & Co., nurserymen of Rochester.

The marriage of Mr. Haviland occurred in Lit- tle Neck and united him with Mary E. Roe, who was born in Hempstead and died at Flushing July 6, 1895. Her father, Charles Roe, was a farmer of Bayside. Of their marriage there are four living children: George W., Jr., who is a civil engineer; Clara B., Mary E. and Charlotte B., who are with their father. From the organi- zation of the Republican party to the present time Mr. Haviland has adhered to its principles and supported its candidates. He is a member of the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, of which he was at one time treasurer. It is a note- worthy fact that he has served as treasurer of the Sons of Temperance, Temple of Honor, and the United Americans. He was a member of the old "Know Nothing" party, with which he was formerly identified and in which he took an active interest. In politics he is a Republican.

J OSEPH L. SMITH, a contractor and build- er residing in Flushing, was born here No- vember 25, 1840, and is a son of William B. and Eliza (Collins) Smith, natives respectively of Long Island and New Jersey. His father, who was a son of Caleb Smith, was for years the only cooper in Flushing, but finally abandoned that trade, and for nineteen years served as receiver and collector of taxes for the town of Flushing. He died in 1855, aged sixty-five years. His wife died in this village at the age of eighty-five. Both were twice married, Joseph L. being the only child of their union. Politically the father advo- cated the doctrines of the Whig party.

At the age of seventeen our subject was ap- prenticed to the carpenter's trade, at which he served for three years under Benjamin L. Fow- . ler, becoming by painstaking effort a practical workman. For five years he was employed at journeyman work, after which he was contractor for West for five years. In 1870 he began to

take contracts for himself, in which line he has since continued with success. He has been very busy and has erected a large number of resi- dences here and in other places, his work in every instance being efficiently and satisfactorily done.

The marriage of Mr. Smith took place in Flushing and united him with Miss Marcelia Hockaway, a native of Schuylkill County, Pa. Six children were born of their union, of whom the five named are living: Mrs. Nellie Nichols, of New York City; Minnie, Maude, Fronie and Harry, who are with their parents. Mr. Smith served his time as a member of Mutual Engine Company No. I, of which he was foreman. For two years he was assistant engineer of the Flush- ing fire department under Capt. Charles Hance. In his political faith he is a Republican.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 129

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