Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 133

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1220

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Socially Mr. Haviland is a member of the Royal Arcanum and other orders, and is promi- nent in the Jamaica Chub Club, which has for its members the most prominent of the younger business and professional men of the place, and of this organization he is the treasurer. In his official position his sterling worth is recognized, and he has made for himself hosts of friends. Fortunate in his undertakings, prompt and en- ergetic in business, he is a fitting example of what is in store as a reward for enterprise and direct- ness of purpose.

The father of Mrs. Haviland, who was a lead- ing business man of New York City, died De- cember 20, 1891. He owned the farm on which the village of Hollis was built, and there his birth occurred. The farm had been in the family about

HON, JOHN FLEMING.

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one hundred years. Mrs. Haviland's mother passed away April 11, 1883. Her grandfather, John Skidmore, was born on the old South Road in the town of Jamaica, and was a farmer throughout his entire life. Her great-grand- father, Capt. Michael Skidmore, was also a native of this town, and was the owner of the greater part of the land now included in the village of Hollis; his wife bore the maiden name of Jane Oldfield. The grandfather, John Skidmore, mar- ried a sister of Increase Carpenter, who was the father of Daniel and George Carpenter, now of Jamaica. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Hav- iland was George W. Ostrander, a soldier in the War of 1812 and a prominent man in his com- munity; after his death a pension for his services was given to his widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Golder, and whose grandfather, John Covert, was one of the first settlers at Springfield. George Skidmore, the only brother of Mrs. Hav- iland's father, is now one of the wealthiest men of Jamaica. He has one son, Ellsworth R. Mr. and Mrs. Haviland lost one son, Clarence E., at the age of six years, and have three living chil- dren, Charles R., Hattie B. and Harry E., who with them occupy a pleasant residence in Clinton Avenue.

H ON. JOHN FLEMING. Queens County numbers among its citizens many men eminent in the annals of the state, men of ability, energy and honor, who, in the duties both of private and public life, have ever been true and loyal. Such a one is the subject of this sketch, whose service as district attorney brought him into prominence and who is recognized as one of the most able citizens of Jamaica. It may well be a matter of pride with him that his fortune has been of his own making; his hands and brain have been busily employed in its upbuilding, as he had no other capital when he started out in the world for himself. In him Jamaica finds a loyal citizen, whose public spirit prompts him to aid in pushing forward every movement for the benefit of the community.

John Fleming was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, June 1, 1842. As a boy, seeing before him in his native land only a life of unsuccessful toil, he longed for the freedom and possibilities to be found in America. Through the assistance of his four sisters, who were in Jamaica, his am- bition was realized in 1856, when he was twelve

years of age. His frank, open face and bright, piercing eyes, coupled with his sound common sense and a good supply of native Irish wit, made him an interesting youth, and some of the leading citizens of Jamaica took more than ordinary in- terest in him. For two years he attended the public schools and then became a clerk for Wat- son & Mears, where his ability and energy were recognized, but the dissolution of the firm threw him out of employment. He then attended for a short time the private school of Rev. Matthew Huntting.

Through the advice and influence of Judge Armstrong, who took considerable interest in Mr. Fleming, the latter was enabled to take up the study of law, which he carried on in the office of Armstrong & Fosdick. The Civil War, how- ever, caused an entire revolution of his plans, and with the patriotic spirit that has always char- acterized him, he determined to sacrifice his per- sonal interests for the good of his country and the preservation of the Union. Accordingly, early in 1862 he started out to fight for his coun- try, accompanied by some of the best young men of Jamaica, among whom were Andrew Napier, A. G. Mills, George E. Cogswell, a son of Judge Cogswell, and Alexander Fosdick, a nephew of Judge Fosdick. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth New York Infantry, afterward known as the Second Battalion of Duryee's fa- mous Zouaves. For more than three years, un- til the close of the great conflict, he served with marked distinction, giving many evidences of bravery. As an instance of his valor it may be said that he was one of the first to volunteer in the forlorn hope at Port Hudson, where death seemed imminent. A history of the Nineteenth Army Corps, recently published, mentions his name in connection with this daring act. On the discharge that was given him at the close of the war is this complimentary endorsement: "First Sergeant Fleming has been an excellent soldier, has participated in all the battles of his regiment from the time it was organized until the close of the war." These battles included the various assaults on Port Hudson, the Red River expedi- tion and the subsequent expedition of the Shen- andoah Valley.

At the close of the war Mr. Fleming again en- tered the office of Armstrong & Fosdick, where he completed his law studies. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1866, but remained in the same office until 1870, when he made a visit to his

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native country. On his return he opened an office and has since carried on a general law prac- tice. One of the first offices to which he was elected was that of village trustee, in which ca- pacity he served six consecutive years. In 1883 Benjamin W. Downing, who had been district attorney for several years, was nominated by the Democratic party for state senator, but previous to his nomination charges of bribery were made against him to Governor Cleveland, and he, being satisfied as to his guilt, removed him from the office of district attorney, and at the same time, October 27, 1883, appointed Mr. Fleming to the position. At a convention held a few days later he received the nomination of the Democratic party for election to the office to which the gov- ernor had appointed him. In this contest his opponent was William J. Young, one of the most prominent attorneys in the Republican party, but Mr. Fleming was elected by a good majority.

Immediately upon taking the office under the appointment of Governor Cleveland, Mr. Fleming found upon his hands a large amount of business of an unusual character. For instance, on the 17th of November occurred the terrible double murder of the Maybee women at Oyster Bay, and within a few months came the murderous assault upon Mr. and Mrs. Townsend of the same place, which was followed by the attempt to mur- der Seeley Sprague of Hempstead. Through a long and interesting chain of circumstantial evi- dence it was found that one Charles Rugg, a negro, was known to have been connected with the last-named crime and was found to have com- mitted the assault on the Townsends. Making a still closer investigation, Mr. Fleming was satis- fied that he was the party who murdered the May- bee women. This fact being established without a question of doubt, it exonerated other parties who were at the time under arrest for the crime. Mr. Fleming prosecuted the negro, who was de- fended by ex-Judge Richard Busteed, Charles J. Kurth, William E. Shields, of Brooklyn, and J. F. Quarles, a very prominent and able colored lawyer of New York. Against this array of legal knowledge Mr. Fleming, unaided, prose- cuted the case and secured the conviction of the man, who was afterward hung for the crime. The great skill with which he handled this case re- ceived favorable comment from all parts of the country, and his ability as a prosecutor of crimi- nals was at once established,

About the same time many other crimes were

committed. In fact, at no other period in the history of Queens County have there been so many murders. Among them was the killing of Police Sergeant Comisky, of Long Island City, by Patrick Casey, one of the force, who was tried, convicted, and is now serving a life sentence in the penitentiary. Another murder was that of Peter McCormick by Patrick Kiernan of Long Island City, who was convicted and is now in prison. At the same time occurred the murder of George E. Frewen by Colonel Waring, his brother-in-law, who was convicted of man- slaughter.

These and many other cases were crowded upon Mr. Fleming during his first term in office, and so skillfully did he handle them that his name became a terror to evil-doers in the county. At the next convention a strong fight was made against him, and he did not receive the nomina- tion, which was given to Thomas McGowan. The latter, who was at the time supervisor of the town, was elected district attorney, but a few months later it was found that he was a defaulter as supervisor in the sum of $40,000. He ab- sconded, which left the office of district attorney vacant. At the next term of the criminal court Judge.Bartlett, of the court of oyer and terminer, appointed Mr. Fleming to take charge of the criminal business at that term. The defalcation of McGowan, and the abetting of his crime by others, were brought before the grand jury. It was an interesting question with the attorneys as to who should be appointed by the governor to succeed the absconding official, and they, with many of the leading business men, petitioned Governor Hill to appoint Mr. Fleming. August 10, 1887, he received the appointment and at the following election was again chosen to the office. In 1890 he was re-elected by a large majority.

During this term Mr. Fleming made a hard fight against pool selling and gambling in Long Island City, and took the ground that Mayor Gleason ought to break up the gambling dens, but this he refused to do. Not only so, but Mr. Fleming was given to understand that if he pros- ecuted the case against Long Island City his action would count against him in the future. Determined, however, to do his duty, let the results be what they would, he proceeded to enforce the law. The fact that he had Gleason himself arrested for an assault, convicted and sent to jail, caused the "boss" of Long Island City to use all his influence against him in the

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election in the fall of 1893, the result being that he was defeated by one hundred and sixty-three votes. The better class of citizens stood by him nobly, but he well knew, when he made the fight against the thugs of the country, he was sacri- ficing his own personal interests for the good of the public. To do his honest duty has ever been his aim, and for this he is admired and esteemed by the better classes in all parts of the county.

From the above account it will be seen that Mr. Fleming is one of the most prominent men of Queens County as well as a leader in his party. His work in behalf of the people entitles him to a high place in their regard, while his services in the army will cause his name to be perpetuated as a loyal, patriotic citizen. He has never mar- ried. Socially he holds membership in the Jamaica Club and in various organizations out- side the county. In religion he is a Roman Cath- olic.

The ability of Mr. Fleming as an orator has brought him into prominence, not only in his profession, but also in all matters affecting the welfare of the people. He was especially inter- ested in securing the erection of the soldiers' monument, in memory of the men of the town of Jamaica who fought for the Union in the Civil War. Upon the occasion of the unveiling of the monument, May 30, 1896, he delivered the prin- cipal oration, of which this mention is made in the "Long Island Farmer" of June 5: "The ora- tion by Col. John Fleming was one of the most effective and eloquent efforts of his life. He spoke as one inspired. Indeed, he was inspired. For it was then and there in that proud moment of achievement that Col. Fleming saw and deeply felt the full realization of what he had so long desired, and for which he had so long and pa- tiently labored, namely, a substantial and lasting tribute to the memory of Jamaica's dead and liv- ing, who had so nobly done their part, both upon sea and land, that the nation might survive. The memory of many a battlefield unquestionably came back to the Colonel as he stood almost un- der the very shadow of that monumental emblem of peace and discoursed so earnestly of the tri- umphs of that war which saved the country and redeemed a race. And all this secured for him such an infusion of the spirit of the occasion that he rose to heights of impassioned eloquence. He did himself distinguished honor in the glowing words spoken of our public schools, our church organizations, and of the open Bible. His en-

tire address was made radiant with that patriotism and love of country which everywhere recognizes the brotherhood of man. From now on, Col. Fleming is substantially part and parcel of the monument itself. His name will be forevermore associated, and rightfully so, with this emblem of peace and good will."

G EORGE BENNETT. In this country, where so many young men are thrown upon their own resources, it cannot always be expected that the most suitable or most congenial occupation will be selected as a life occupation, therefore he is to be congratulated who chooses a calling which is agreeable to him. The business to which George Bennett is de- voting his attention, that of bottling mineral wat- ers, is one with which he is familiar, and he has found it both remunerative and pleasing. He is a native of the city of Brooklyn, born March 15, 1860, a son of Jacob and Mary (Scheffel) Bennett, residents of Brooklyn, where the father is connected with the North Amsterdam Brew- ing Company, but was previously engaged in the cider and vinegar business. To them was born a family of ten children, eight of whom are living at the present time: George; Katie, Mrs. Kraus- en of Brooklyn; Frank and Jacob, residents of that city; Barbara, Mrs. Hartman; and Chris- tina, Mrs. George Graff, both of Brooklyn; Liz- zie, who makes her home with her parents; and Theodore, who is in business with the subject of this sketch.

The early educational opportunities afforded George Bennett were quite limited, but for some time he attended a parochial school and there acquired a fair knowledge of books. At the early age of eleven or twelve years he began assisting his father in his cider and vinegar establishment, and continued to thus occupy his time until he was twenty-one years of age, when he came to Oceanus, and here established his present busi- ness, which was the first of the kind to be opened at Rockaway Beach. Mr. Bennett has been suc- cessful in this enterprise and is deservedly con- sidered one of the prominent and substantial busi- ness men of the place and a factor in her colli- mercial circles. He has been steady and perse- vering, and his upright and honorable methods of conducting his affairs have made him popular with all classes.

Mr. Bennett was one of the organizers of the

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Rockaway Beach fire department and has acted as president of its board of representatives two terms. He was also president of the Oceanus Hook and Ladder Company five years, which organization he assisted in forming nine years ago. Politically he is a Republican. He was united in marriage with Miss Laura Thompson, a native of England. and their union has resulted in the birth of two children, Helen and George.

J ACOB F. WIENERS, JR. The family of which this gentleman is a member is well known throughout the town of Flushing, being especially prominent in College Point. His father, Jacob F., Sr., was one of the early settlers of this village, coming here in 1851 at a time when settlers were few and improvements scarce- ly inaugurated. To his influence were largely due many of the measures adopted for the pro- motion of the welfare of the people and the ad- vancement of the interests of the place. His ability received due recognition from his fellow- citizens, and he was, at different times, called upon to occupy almost every local office within the gift of the people. While the incumbent of various village and town offices he projected and carried out plans that resulted in an increase of business along every line. He still retains an interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the people, though advancing years prevent him from the active participation which he for- merly maintained in public affairs. He is now (1896) sixty-nine years of age and is the pos- sessor of a competency, derived from his indus- trious efforts in earlier life.

By his marriage to Fredericka Heindel, a na- tive of Baden-Baden, Germany, who came to America in girlhood, Jacob F. Wieners, Sr., be- came the father of four children, namely: Jacob F., Jr .; Godfried, a book publisher of New York City, located in Sixth Avenue, between Thirty- eighth and Thirty-ninth Streets, and also the present adjutant of the Ninth Regiment; Freda, who married C. E. Van Sothen, a government photographer stationed at Willet's Point; and Selma, who is with her parents.

In New York City our subject was born Au- gust 29, 1865. He was educated in the public schools, institute and military academy, and while still quite young secured a position with the Bradstreet Agency, but was taken ill and obliged to resign from the work. While convalescing, he

bought a small machine and took pictures. From that small beginning he has built up his present photographic studio, where he does as good work as can be secured in any studio in the county. He has a natural talent for art and won every diploma offered by the Poppenhusen Institute, while he was a student there. By constantly experiment- ing, he aims not only to keep abreast with the times, but also to introduce valuable improve- ments. One of his specialties is crayon work, in which he has had remarkable success.

Aside from photography, Mr. Wieners takes considerable interest in the growing of plants and on his premises has a fine greenhouse, with a variety of the best plants and heated by hot water. The florist's business is a hobby with him, and he has excellent taste and judgment in this line of work. For his studio he erected a small building, paying especial attention to securing good light. Here he has the best of lenses and all materials that belong to first-class photographic work. His quarters are small, but he expects to enlarge them as soon as the business justifies. Socially he be- longs to the Adelphi Social Club and in religion belongs to the Dutch Reformed Church.

T HEODORE BRIELL, a market gardener of Long Island City, was born in Jersey City, January 18, 1837. His parents, Francis and Phoebe (Barnes) Briell, were born in New York City and Pennsylvania respectively, and were Protestants in their religious belief, al- though the paternal grandfather, Christopher Briell, was a Roman Catholic. He was born near Frankfort, Germany, where he was reared, and after his marriage came to the United States. Francis Briell was reared principally in Philadel- phia, Pa., and followed the occupation of a mar- ket gardener and florist, but finally located in Jersey City, N. J., which continued to be his home until 1848, when he took up his residence in As- toria. Here he purchased seventy-six acres of land, which he devoted to market gardening until his death in 1892, at the advanced age of fourscore and three years. He had been village and school trustee in Astoria, and politically always sup- ported the principles of the Democratic party. His wife, a daughter of Joseph Barnes, of Penn- sylvania, was called from this life in 1889, when eighty years of age. Of the ten children born to herself and husband, eight grew to maturity: Hannah, Mrs. Jordan, of St. Louis, Mo .; Theo-

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dore; David, a resident of Long Island City; Isaiah, who died in youth; Theresa, Mrs. Fisher, of Columbus, Ohio; Emma, who died in Long Is- land City; Lydia, a resident of this place; Frank, who died in St. Louis; Josiah, who died in youth in Jersey City. N. J., and Phoebe, a resident of Long Island City.

Until he was eleven years of age, Theodore Briell attended the schools of Jersey City and New York City, then attended the pay schools of this section, and finally the public schools of Long Island City, thus acquiring a practical common school education. He continued to make his home with his father until his marriage, Novem- ber 21, 1860, in Whitestone, L. I., with Miss Sarah M. Weaver, whose death occurred in Long Island City in 1893. After his marriage Mr. Briell started life on his own account and began devoting his attention to that calling with which he was familiar, market gardening, and has suc- cessfully pursued this occupation where he now lives since 1865. A considerable portion of the land owned by his father was laid out in town lots and some of the principal streets are: Grand Avenue, Flushing Avenue, Second Avenue, First Avenue, Academy Street, Jamaica Avenue, Briell Street and Third Avenue, all of which are pretty well built up. There are over three hundred lots still in possession of the Briell family, but our subject and a brother devote this to market gar- dening, and find a ready market for their produce in the city of New York.

Mr. Briell has five children living: Frank, who is a' prosperous business man of Long Island City; Arthur, who is a member of the police force of this place; Hattie, Mrs. Smith, of this place also; Harvey, who makes his home with his father; and Sadie, who is also at home. Mr. Briell attends the Reformed Church, is a Democrat in national politics and is with justice considered one of the leading and progressive citizens of Long Island City.

H ARRISON S. MOORE. A traveler jour- neying through the section bordering on Flushing, L. I., would pause and "doubt if Eden were more fair" when viewing the lovely surroundings and scenery attached to the fine home of Harrison S. Moore, one of the most noted of Flushing's many talented attorneys. The house is colonial in style, with large pillars, etc., and is one of the finest in the vicinity. The

grounds, so attractive and beautiful, and laid ont by an expert landscape gardener, are shaded here and there by large native trees, real giants of the forest, and the view of Little Neck Bay, imperfectly seen through the trees, is lovely in- deed. It is an ideal spot. Mr. Moore is a native of Waterford, Saratoga County, N. Y., and the son of Lewis K. and Lucinda J. (Bassett) Moore, both natives of Rensselaer County, N. Y.

The Moore family is an old Puritan one and its descendants have ever been worthy and repre- sentative citizens. Mr. Moore's grandfather, Josiah Moore, married Miss Alvira Steadman, and farming was his life-long occupation. His father was a Revolutionary soldier. Although a native of Braintree, Mass., Josiah moved to Rens- selaer County, N. Y., soon after his marriage, and there passed the remainder of his days. He had two brothers in the War of 1812. Lewis K. Moore was married in his native county, but subsequent- ly moved to Orleans County, N. Y., where he followed farming until 1857. From there he moved to Waukesha County, Wis., where he was engaged in wheat farming until the breaking out of the Civil War. He was a strong Abolitionist, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G. Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, as a private. Later he became orderly sergeant and served until the cessation of hostilities. A few months before the close of the war his wife and children came from Wisconsin to her relatives in Rensselaer County, N. Y., and afterwards he joined them there. He died within thirty days after leaving the army and was buried at Still- water, N. Y., when thirty-nine years old.

Mrs. Moore was the daughter of James Bassett, who was of French origin. The great-grand- father, James Bassett, was a Revolutionary sol- dier and also took part in the anti-rent strug- gles. The family is an old and prominent one in this country. Mr. and Mrs. Moore were the par- ents of five children, as follows: George W .: Har- rison S., our subject; Lewis, who is a Methodist minister in Brooklyn; Hazen and Mary. Young Harrison was reared in Albion, N. Y., and in Wisconsin, making his home in the latter state until 1864, when he came with his mother to New York. He attended the public schools of Prospect Hill, Wis., and after settling in the East graduated from Half-Moon Academy in Middle- town, Saratoga County, in 1868. Later, or in 1872, he entered the Albany Normal School, from which he graduated in June, 1874. He then

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 133

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