Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 137

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 137

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J I OHN B. BARRODY. The great common- wealth of New York is the home of many self-made men, but none whose lives afford a better example of untiring industry than can be found in the subject of this biographical sketch. Coming to America when a youth in his teens, unfamiliar with our language and insti- tutions, he had many obstacles to overcome in the pathway to success, but these he has van- quished, the result being that he is now num- bered among the well-to-do citizens of Wood- haven.

The South of France is the native home of Mr. Barrody, and May 29, 1846, the date of his birth. His father, Dr. J. B. Barrody, was a. veterinary surgeon in that country, where the larger part of

his life was spent, but in 1884 he came to the United States to spend his declining days, and three years later his death occurred in New York. In his native land he married Miss Kate Hermet, the youngest of the eighteen children of John Hermet, a prominent business man and member of one of the oldest families of the South of France; she died there in 1869, leaving three children, namely: John B., the only son; Leona, wife of August Genenard, a merchant in New York; and Emma, the widow of Louis Hanet, formerly a business man of New York, where she is living in comfortable circumstances.

The fact that Mr. Barrody early in life dis- played unusual mental capacity is proved by his graduation from college at the head of a class of eighty-nine. Soon after completing his edu- cation, in 1863, he came to America to visit his sisters, who had been in New York some time. On leaving France he agreed to return in order to enter the army, but when the draft was made his name was not included, so he was at liberty to remain, and he at once decided to do so. Soon afterward he came to Woodhaven, where for a short time he was employed; later he worked in New York one year, then went to Boston, and from there to New Orleans on his way to Cuba. An epidemic of yellow fever, however, prevented the consummation of his plans, and he went back to New York, where he was employed until 1868. Coming once more to Woodhaven in that year, he resumed work in the factory, where he re- mained until January 1, 1894. During twenty years of this time he was master mechanic. As he accumulated money he made investments in real estate, which, proving successful, render hin one of the wealthy men of the village. He as- sisted in the organization of the Woodhaven Bank and is now one of its directors. In 1894 he established a foundry in Brooklyn, where he gives employment to fifty or sixty men and car- ries on a large business.

In 1866 Mr. Barrody married Miss Arsene Lecompte, who was born in Paris, France. They lost one child, Hermet, at the age of eighteen years, and two in infancy, the only survivor being Emma, wife of Edgar Jones, who is in business with his father-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have five children, namely: John B., Arsene Irene, Edgar C., Beatrice M. and Irving C. The politi- cal belief of Mr. Barrody is in accordance with the declaration of the Republican party, in the prosperity of which he feels great interest. His

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residence is one of the handsomest and most comfortable to be found in Woodhaven, and everything is indicative of his financial prosperity. Socially he is identified with Lodge No. 288, F. & A. M., in Brooklyn, of which he was master for two years. He was one of the founders of the Woodhaven Water Company, of which he was superintendent for some years, and is now a stockholder.

A LFRED L. NEW. There is no more im- portant industry in a community or one whose exponents are in greater demand than the grocery business. An old and reliable concern engaged in this line of business is the firm of J. N. New & Co., one of the oldest in Long Island City. Alfred L. New, a member of the firm, was born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1844. He is an active, wide-awake and progressive man of affairs whose business is rap- idly on the rise, as a just tribute to his deserts as a clever business man. His father, James L. New, was born in England, as was also the grand- father, Moses New, who was a successful dairy- man there. The latter died in his native country when ninety-four years old.

James L. New was reared in England and at an early age learned the dairy business, which he carried on successfully in his native land until 1837. Then crossing the ocean to America he located in Greenpoint, L. I., where he followed his former occupation for some time. After giv- ing that up he ran a stage between Greenpoint and Williamsburg for some time, but sold this and started a stage in Bedford. In 1857 he sold this and went to California, where he was engaged in prospecting and mining for a time. Front there he went to Montana and is residing in that state at the present time engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is seventy-six years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Harriett Webb, was born in England and was a daughter of Robert Webb. Four of their five children are now living: James N. and Alfred L. are engaged in the grocery busi- ness; Levi W. is also a grocer of Long Island City; and Gertrude is married and resides in Brooklyn.

Up to the age of twelve years our subject at- tended the public schools of Greenpoint, and then for two years was in a drug store there. After this for nine years he was in a drug store in New York City under Jesse Sands, and in 1868 came

to Hunter's Point, where he formed a partnership with his brother, J. N. New, under the firm name of J. N. New & Bro., in the grocery business. In 1885 he began dealing in coal in connection, and started there a business office and yards. He handles everything in the way of coal and wood and is classed among the prosperous business men of the city. The coal is unloaded by steam derricks and Hunt's patent automatic car and track self-dumping arrangement is used. Our subject is in charge of the coal business and the brother is in the grocery.

Mr. New's residence at No. 92 Third Street is presided over by his estimable wife, who was formerly Miss Amanda Smith, daughter of the late J. Andrew Smith, who was a grocer of Long Island City and a pioneer settler of the place, carrying on business where our subject's grocery store now stands. Two children have been born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. New: Alfred N., who is attending a medical college in New York, and Gertrude E., at home. Fraternally Mr. New is a member of Island City Lodge No. 586, F. & A. M., of which he is past master. He is a member of Banner Chapter No. 214, Long Island City, R. A. M. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Greenpoint. For many years he has been a member of the East Avenue Baptist Church, is president of the board of trustees, and was superintendent of the Sunday-school for eighteen years. Politically he is a Republican.

W ILLIAM O'DONNELL, a prominent member of the fire department of Long Island City and an energetic citizen of that place, is now holding the responsible posi- tion of foreman of Engine Company No. 2. and is faithful to every duty. Like many other citi- zens of this place, Mr. O'Donnell is a native of the Empire City, born December 3. 1854. His father, Patrick O'Donnell, was a resident of that city for many years and died there when sixty years old. He enlisted in the regular army in 1861 and was stationed at Governor's Island for a short time. After that he was sent South into Georgia and Florida and remained there until the war closed. He had married Miss Catherine Accles, a native of Brooklyn, and of their eight children, seven are now living.

The childhood days of our subject, who was the eldest of the above mentioned children, were

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passed in New York and Brooklyn, and his ed- ucation was received in the schools there. In 1868 he was apprenticed to learn the granite and marble cutter's trade under Morton & Clancy, of Blissville, Long Island City, and later was with others until 1883, when he located here perma- nently. In the year 1889 he embarked in the granite and marble business in Bradley Avenue, Blissville, under the firm name of O'Donnell & Roach, and was thus occupied until 1893, when he sold out to accept the position of foreman with the fire department. He was appointed to that position in September of that year by Mayor Sanford. This was a new engine and company and he was the first foreman. The house is a fine brick structure and was previously occupied by Rambler Hose Company No. 3, of which he was a member. He was also foreman of the same for three years and treasurer for one year.

Mr. O'Donnell's marriage with Miss Marietta Smith, a native of New York City, occurred in Long Island City, and their union has been blessed by the birth of three children: Marietta, Irene and William. Our subject was inspector of the board of health under Sanford, but resigned to accept his present position. In religion he is a Catholic, and for two years was president of the Catholic Benevolent Legion. In politics he is a Democrat and was on the general Demo- cratic committee several years before he became foreman. He is a charter member of the Jeffer- son Club. He has had some narrow escapes in discharging the duties of his present position, but he is ever to be found ready for any experience. In February, 1894, while assisting in subduing a fire in Vernon Avenue he fell with a ladder on which he was standing and broke his leg, thus being laid up for two or three months.

H ON. JAMES A. McKENNA, postmaster of Long Island City, was born in West- chester County, N. Y., February 17, 1857. He is of Irish descent, his grandfather, Peter McKenna, having emigrated from County Armagh in company with two brothers, all of whom lived for a time in New York City. In 1835 he became a resident of Wyoming County, N. Y., where, retiring from his trade of stone mason and cutter, he engaged in farming. In 1855 he returned to New York City, and after a time established his home in Paterson, N. J., where he died at the age of eighty-five years.

At the family residence, corner of Hudson and Vesey Streets, New York City, Patrick McKen- na, father of our subject, was born February 25, 1831. In early life he was occupied as an iron moulder and later engaged quite extensively in the manufacture of brass mouldings. During the Civil War he was employed in the manufacture of iron shells, and at the close of the Rebellion, in 1866, he came to the island and established his home at Hunter's Point. He has since been engaged as foreman moulder in the shops here- about. He has always been deeply interested in the welfare of his community and for several terms has been a member of the school board, serving as trustee.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Darby) McKenna was born in County Down, Ireland, and after the death of her father she accompanied her two brothers and mother to America. Her brothers settled in the South and have become prominent citizens of their respective communities. Mrs. McKenna became the mother of ten children, of whom seven attained mature years, and six are now living. James A., who was third in order of birth, spent his boyhood years in New York and Long Island City, and when fourteen years of age graduated from the high school here, after which he secured a position as bookkeeper with a firm in New York. He returned here in 1871 and for six months was clerk in the finance de- partment, displaying such efficiency in this ca- pacity that he was promoted to the position of deputy treasurer and recorder of taxes. Although very busy during the day, he found time in the evening to carry on the course of study at New York Evening High School, planned for stu- dents who were able to attend only evenings. In 1875 he graduated from this institution at the head of his class, having meantime discharged the duties devolving upon him as an official. In 1876 he became managing clerk for Robert L. Fabian of New York, by whom he was taken into partnership a few years later, and on the death of that gentleman he became sole proprietor of the business, which he has continued ever since. As a professional accountant he is well known from ocean to ocean and from gulf to the lakes. A moderate estimate of his settlements of fire insur- ance claims places the amount at more than $50,000,000.

May 1, 1887, Mr. McKenna was appointed postmaster of Long Island City, and in April of the succeeding year he organized the free de-

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livery department, consolidating the service and doing away with the offices at Astoria, Ravens- wood, Schuetzen Park, Steinway, Blissville and Dutch Kills, said offices becoming stations of the Long Island City postoffice. At the time of his removal by President Harrison, in September, 1889, he employed thirteen carriers, and had in- creased the revenues from $5,200 to $17,000, also making it a second-class office. In June, 1893, he received his second appointment as postmaster under President Cleveland, his predecessor, Wil- liam Richardson, having resigned. August I, of that year, he entered upon the duties of the office, which then had fourteen carriers. The office now gives employment to nineteen car- riers and two deliveries daily are made to the distant portions of the city, while in the business district mail is distributed four times a day. The revenue at this writing (1896) is $36,000, in- creased from $21,000 in August, 1893. Mr. Mc- Kenna, on receiving his first appointment as postmaster, found that only four mails were re- ceived per day at the depot, but now there are thirty-six arrivals and the same number of dis- patches. In the office five clerks are employed, and here the mail is separated for the different stations of New York City, this work having been instituted by the present postmaster.

In Long Island City Mr. McKenna married Miss Catherine Kelly, daughter of a well-to-do farmer of Wyndham, Greene County, N. Y., who came to Long Island about 1861 and was an extensive stock dealer from that time until his decease, in 1866. The eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. McKenna was James, who died in infancy. The others are Catherine, Joseph, James and Wil- liam. The family is identified with St. Mary's Catholic Church.

In the ranks of the Democratic party Mr. Mc- Kenna is prominent. In the fall of 1890 he was nominated for assemblyman from the second dis- trict of Queens County, then comprising Long Island City, Newtown, Jamaica and Hempstead. He was elected to the office and served with efficiency. The principal measure adopted dur- ing his term was a bill providing for the improve- ment of Jackson and Vernon Avenues. He drew up and presented a bill to reduce the gas in Long Island City to $1.25 per thousand, which passed the house but was not supported in the senate. He used his influence for the passage of many bills benefitting Hempstead and Jamaica. It was due to his energy and perseverance in

the matter that the consent of the state was granted permitting incorporated villages to vote on the question of lighting their streets with gas or electricity, just as they chose. Of the thirty bills which he originated about one-half were passed, and the others would have been had it not been for the "dead lock" in the senate. He is actively connected with the Democratic Club of the City of New York and the Jefferson Dem- ocratic Club of this place, of which he was chair- man for four years. For years he was secretary and chairman of the county and city associations, and has been a delegate at various times to the congressional and state conventions.

T HOMAS CALLISTER, one of the promi- nent business men of the village of Queens, engaged as a wagon manufac- turer, was born on the Isle of Man December 21, 1828. There he was reared to mature years, and after completing his education in the common schools entered his father's wagon shop, and dur- ing the years in which he was in his employ gained a full knowledge of the business in all its details.

Our subject remained in his native land until 1847, when he went to Liverpool, where he worked at his trade until 1849, in that year com- ing to America. After working in New York City for a few months he came to Queens, where he was engaged to work for William A. Brush, then the proprietor of a small wagon shop. After three years Mr. Callister purchased the business, and with renewed energy set to work to increase his patronage. His skill as a workman soon be- came known and his venture was a success al- most from the first. He is now well known throughout this section and is recognized by all to be one of the largest manufacturers of market wagons in the state. Almost any day hundreds of wagons may be seen on the road leading to New York and Brooklyn which bear his name as the maker. His shops cover an acre of ground, and the business has grown to such proportions that a large force of men are given constant employment in the various departments. Mr. Callister may therefore be justly called one of the most prosperous business men on Long Is- land, as all he has of this world's goods has been accumulated since he established his present busi- ness at Queens. He has associated with him in business his nephews, William and John.

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Mr. Callister was married to Miss Ruth A. Golder, of Queens, but they have no family. Socially our subject is a Mason of high degree, and takes great interest in the meetings of Lodge No. 545, to which he belongs. During his long business career Mr. Callister has invented many articles which have come into general use, among them being a machine for killing potato bugs, which has met with large sales. He has led a very busy life and has never had time to devote to office-holding. He uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party and is a man who is well informed on general and current affairs of the day.

V ICTOR SEVERIN DORVAL, a florist at Woodside, is a native of the city of Lemain, France, and was born Decem- ber 8, 1834. He was orphaned by the death of his father when an infant, and friends placed him in an orphan asylum, where he remained until reaching the age of twelve years. About this time he secured employment in the country and leaving the asylum remained away a year. At the end of that time, however, he returned and for three years longer was under the care and protection of those who had been the friends of his childhood.

Having determined upon becoming a gardener young Dorval looked about him for employment of this kind when again leaving the asylum, but found his lot to be a very hard one, for when he found work he was only enabled to claim eighteen cents per day. He was thus engaged for differ- ent parties for a period of four years, when he made his way to Paris, and after some two years spent there in gardening he determined to leave his native land, and emigrated for Buenos Ayres, arriving in that port in September, 1856. After looking about him for three weeks he succeeded in securing employment at his former occupation, but did not follow it in that city but a short time when he was sent with three others to "Aroya Large" by a wealthy soap manufacturer, who had purchased a large tract of land which was devoted to raising garden stuffs for the Buenos Ayres market. The year he spent on the island was a very exciting one, as the place was in- fested with wild animals of almost every descrip- tion, and in order that an alarm might be given of approaching danger two men were kept on watch all night.

Through the efforts of a friend whom our subject had in Buenos Ayres he secured employ- ment at the end of the twelvemonth with a gentle- man who was a gardener as well as cabinetmaker. He was one day sent by this man to make a garden for one of the wealthy ladies of the city, and securing her confidence by the honest and able manner in which he performed his work, he was prevailed upon to enter her employ, and for four years rendered her most satisfactory service. During that period his wealthy friend made him a present of a ranch containing one thousand acres of splendid pasture land, stocked with one thousand head of sheep. Mr. Dorval purchased another thousand of these animals with the mon- ey which he had laid by, and at the end of the four years began sheep raising under the best of circumstances. Misfortune attended him, how- ever, for after eight months a revolution broke out and while his ranch was being devastated by the army he was compelled to flee for his life. He returned to Buenos Ayres and when the con- flict was over his benefactress wished to restock his farm and have him return to it. Mr. Dorval was so discouraged with the misfortunes which had attended his efforts that he kindly but firmly refused to accept anything more from her hands. Very shortly thereafter he took a trip across the Iron Mountains with a caravan and later went to Montevideo, and for a period of six months was in the employ of the ex-president. He re- turned to Buenos Ayres at the end of that time and took passage on a naval vessel as captain's boy and set sail for Havre, France. On arriving in his native land he went to Paris and secured work in the Botanique Garden (or jardin des Plantes), where he remained for six months. We next hear of him as florist of the Ville De Paris, whence two years later he went to Lyons, where for one year he worked in the city gardens.

Mr. Dorval next secured a position with a Catholic priest who was coming to America, his destination being Keokuk, Iowa. He accom- panied him to his western home and after six months came to New York City in answer to a newspaper advertisement, which proved to be a fraud. Our subject's life for the following six months was a battle for existence, but relief finally came when he made the acquaintance of Charle Patterson, who was general of the coast survey and whose family spoke French very flu- ently. He worked for Mr. Patterson for two years and during that time had been enabled to

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save $660. He then came to Whitestone, this county, and for the next three years worked for $50 per month, his savings at the end of that time amounting to $2,000.

Mr. Dorval made location at Woodside in 1872, first purchasing seven lots whereon he established himself in the florist's business. As the years passed by and he became prosperous he added seven more to his property, and finally bought a larger area, including fourteen lots. On this property he has erected ten greenhouses, heated with hot water and containing all modern im- provements.

The lady to whom Mr. Dorval was married in 1872 was Miss Kate Rogan, and to them have been granted five children, of whom four are living. They are Mary Agnes, Victor S., Jr., Edward and Gabriel. Edward and Victor are assisting their father in carrying on his exten- sive business, while the youngest son is engaged with John Ware, a florist of Brooklyn.

In politics our subject is independent, reserv- ing his right to support the man whom he con- siders the best. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is public-spirited and in favor of everything which will promote the wel- fare of his community and his influence is always directed toward this end.

H ERMAN TEWES. That beverage which for a long time enjoyed the distinction of being termed the national drink of Germany may now boast the greater one of being the distinctive drink of all Europe and America. The spread of beer in this country in the past thirty years has been extraordinary, and the amount made and consumed is largely on the increase year after year. There are a large num- ber of cities all over the country which claim to be foremost in the manufacture of beer, but be that as it may regarding quantity, in quality the Weiss beer, manufactured by Herman Tewes of College Point, L. I., outranks anything else made in any city in the land. Mr. Tewes also deals in mineral and soda water.

His birth occurred in Hanover, Germany, in 1849, and his parents, Deidrich and Margaret (Tewes) Tewes, were natives of the same place, and there spent their entire lives. The father was a wheelwright by trade. Of their four chil- dren, two came to America. Our subject, the youngest, passed his boyhood and youth in his

native country and remained with his parents until about sixteen years old, when he decided to come to America, and took passage on a steamer. Upon reaching New York City he found a position as clerk in a grocery and was thus engaged for three years. He soon learned the English language and his services became valuable to his employer. In the year 1865 he volunteered in Company E, Seventh United States Cavalry, at the time it was organized to go against the Indians and was sent to Ft. Riley, under General Custer. Later he was ordered to Ft. Hayes and remained there about five months engaging in scouting most of the time. At the battle of Washila he was wounded in the thigh and this laid him up at Ft. Dodge for some time From there the company went to Texas and our subject was in the fight at Rapohoe with the Dog Indians. In that engagement a bullet grazed his scalp.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 137

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