Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 138

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 138

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Later our subject returned to Ft. Dodge and from there went to Ft. Hayes, where he remained until the treaty was made. Company E, of which he was a member, was called the Gray Horse Company and was chosen as the escort of Gen- eral Hancock. It was later ordered to North and South Carolina, where the Klu Klux were caus- ing trouble, and remained there about a year. In 1870, after five years' faithful service, our sub- ject was honorably discharged and returned to New York. He again began clerking in the grocery, but in March, 1871, he came to College Point, and was the first to engage in bottling beer at this place, where he also manufactured the first soda water. He engaged in the retail liquor business and also kept a hotel on Thir- teenth street until 1887, when he bought his present property on Flushing Bay. He handles all kinds of mineral water, manufactures seltzer, etc., and two teams are constantly on the road. Mr. Tewes resides on Flushing Bay and is the owner of fifteen or twenty boats.

Mr. Tewes was married at Greenpoint. Brook- lyn, in 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Gregor, a native of New York City and the daughter of Charles G. and Caroline E. (Globig) Gregor, the former of whom was born in Breslau, Germany, but who came to America and died in Greenpoint. Mrs. Gregor died early in life, leaving two chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Tewes are the parents of seven children. six of whom survive. Charles, Herman, Jr., and Henry, in business with their father: Frederick, Herminia and Clara. Mr.

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Tewes is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is a member of College Point Schuetzen, of which he has been captain and in which he has made some fine scores. In the cavalry com- pany he was one of the best shots. He is one of the prominent citizens and successful business men of the place and numbers his friends by the myriads.

E DWIN D. SEABURY. The man who wrote that "Music hath power to soothe the savage breast" had indeed a true con- ception of the human organism. There are few people in the world who are not susceptible to music and it certainly plays an important part in almost every walk of life. Wherever it is nec- essary or expedient to incite a concourse of peo- ple, or to arouse a degree of enthusiasm, music will always prove a powerful agent. Soldiers at the sound of stirring melody will rush into the heat of battle, utterly oblivious of danger. In the softer and more gentle paths of life music also plays an important part, and therefore the manufacturer of musical instruments and sup- plies confers a blessing upon humanity at the same time that he is providing for the wants of himself and those dear to him.

This important calling is followed by Edwin D. Seabury, who is engaged in the manufacture of pianoforte supplies at Rockville Center. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., August 4, 1847, a son of Thomas P. and Nancy (McClain) Seabury. the former of whom was born in Sag Harbor, N. Y., and followed the trade of a ship builder. He was also connected with the Greenpoint fer- ries for several years. He died in 1878 respected by all; his wife, who was a native of New Jersey, passed away the same year.

Our subject graduated from the Brooklyn pub- lic schools in 1863, after which he studied for one year under a tutor for the purpose of fitting him- self for college, but instead began learning the pianoforte action business with Jesse J. Davis in Sixth Street, New York City. After serving a five-years' apprenticeship and thoroughly learn- ing the business, he entered the employ of a nephew of Mr. Davis, who was conducting a like enterprise, and remained with him until embark- ing in business for himself in New York City, in First Avenue, in 1876. In 1878 he removed his business to Whitestone, L. I., but in 1882 re- turned to New York and established himself in

business at No. 348 East Twenty-third Street, removing in 1889 to No. 362 Second Avenue, where he conducted a successful business until 1891. In that year he built his present factory, in which he is carrying on a very remunerative business, as could hardly be otherwise, for his work is in every particular strictly first-class and . at all times to be relied upon. Twenty men are employed the year round and the supplies turned out by this establishment are used in all parts of the United States.

In 1868 Mr. Seabury was married to Miss Nel- lie E., daughter of Simeon Crooker, of Port Washington. Six children have blessed this union: Edwin D., Jr., Lillian I., Laura B., Ern- est C., Herbert Raymond and Harry W. The eldest son is married, as is also Lillian I., who is the wife of William Van Dusen, of Rockville Center. Mr. and Mrs. Seabury are members of St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Seabury is assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school and secretary of the official board. Fraternally he is a member of Morton Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M., in which he has attained the Royal Arch degree; also belongs to Rockville Center Lodge No. 279, I. O. O. F., and is dis- trict deputy grand master of Queens District No. 3. He is politically a Republican and his first presidential vote was cast for Gen. U. S. Grant. He has never been an official aspirant, but is at present serving as one of the trustees of Rock- ville Center and is secretary of the board of water commissioners. He has always been decidedly public-spirited and he and his family have always moved in the best social and business circles.

P ETER WILSON, foreman in charge of the works of the Flushing Gas Light Com- pany, was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England, November 6, 1853. His father, George P., who was a native of St. Andrews, Scotland, removed to England and was employed as a bookkeeper in Northumberland. In 1856 he brought his family to America and settled at Greenpoint, where he has since resided, being employed as foreman with the Methodist Book Concern of New York. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Ennis, was born in Scotland and died in young womanhood. Of their four children, a son and daughter' survive.

When three years of age our subject was brought to America by his father. His child-

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hood days were passed in Greenpoint, his educa- tion being obtained in the grammar schools of Brooklyn. At the age of sixteen he secured em- ployment in a box shop, later learned the trade of a steam fitter and afterward took a position as fitter with the Continental Iron Works of Brooklyn. Afterward for two years he was out- side foreman for the Martin Iron Works, having charge of gas construction in various parts of the city. In October, 1890, he came to Flushing to take charge of the Flushing Gas Light Works, in which responsible position he has rendered effective service. He is a practical man of busi- ness, well informed in his special line, and through his experience, covering a period of twenty-two years, in gas construction and the erection of gas works, has gained a breadth of information that makes his opinion valuable. The capacity of the works here has been increased to one hundred and ten thousand cubic feet. Since coming here he has laid about seven miles of pipe and has had a number of important con- tracts.

In Brooklyn Mr. Wilson married Miss Eliza A. Codner, who was born in Chicago, Ill., of English parentage. They are the parents of three children : George Adams, Susan Eleanor and Robert Ennis. In religious views Mr. Wilson is connected with the Congregational Church. He is a member of the American Legion of Hon- or and the American Gas Engineers' Associa- tion. Taking an interest in public affairs, he has served for two terms as inspector of election and has held other local positions.

J OHN T. WOODRUFF, of Long Island City, is a general contractor, and under his able supervision many of the finest build- ings and residences in this city and throughout Queens and Kings Counties have been erected. He has been remarkably successful in this line and is recognized as one of the most able con- tractors and builders who make their home or. the island.

Mr. Woodruff is a native of New Jersey and was born in Elizabeth in 1858. His father, Ith- amer B. Woodruff, was also a native of that place, while his grandfather, John T. Woodruff, likewise claimed New Jersey as his birthplace. The latter was a farmer, and by tilling the soil became well-to-do. The father of our subject, however, was a carpenter, which business he was

following at the time Ft. Sumter was fired upon. He enlisted his services in defense of the Union, joining a New Jersey regiment, and served faith- fully and well during several years of the Civil War. In the meantime his family removed to Long Island City, where he joined them on his discharge from the service. He then built a fac- tory on the site now occupied by the Long Island City Savings Bank and began the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, being the pioneer in this line in the city. He was very capable and a good business man, but by overwork in building up a good trade broke down his health and died. when only twenty-seven years of age.

Our subject's mother, formerly Annie Keron, was also a native of Elizabeth, N. J., and was the daughter of John Keron, a harnessmaker by trade. She devoted herself to training her chil- dren to occupy useful positions in life and when they were old enough to care for themselves she married W. H. Bowron; she still makes her home in this city. Our subject has one sister, Edith L., who is now Mrs. Towers, of Miles City, Mont.

The subject of this sketch was two years of age when his mother came to this city, and as soon as old enough to go to school carried on his studies until attaining his thirteenth year. His stepfather had a milk route in New York and young Woodruff assisted him in this busi- ness for two years, when he apprenticed himself to his uncle, John B. Woodruff, who was a ma- son 'and contractor. As rapidly as possible he learned all the details of the business and when his uncle retired he succeeded him. Previous to 1886, when he began general contracting for himself, he had been superintendent and fore- man for his uncle for a number of years.

Mr. Woodruff is perhaps one of the best known contractors on the island, as under his supervis- ion many of the prominent large public build- ings of Brooklyn and Long Island City have been built. He erected Pratt's Institute, the li- brary building, German Hospital, Chelsea Jute Mills, three schoolhouses and two churches, and the depot of the Long Island Railroad Company in Brooklyn, also the depot in this city. In Long Island City he erected St. Mary's Catholic Church and parsonage, the Long Island City Savings Bank, the Gauld, H. S. Kearney, Gray, Anable and Kelley flats, and indeed nearly all the large and well-constructed buildings of the city. His office is at No. 69 Third Street, although he makes his home in Flushing, having erected a

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handsome residence for his family on Broadway and Percy Street in 1894. Flushing is one of the ideal spots on Long Island, and for the most part is inhabited by New York business meil, who have built elegant homes there.

Mr. Woodruff is trustee of the Long Island City Savings Bank and is regarded by all who know him as a shrewd business man and one of the most reliable and substantial citizens of this section. He was married in this city in 1880 to Miss Mary McFayden, a native of Long Island City, and an accomplished lady, who moves in the best circles of society in Flushing. The life of our subject is one of the best exemplifications of one who commenced as a poor boy and by industry, ability and perseverance has achieved the position of a well-to-do and respected citizen.

J JACOB F. HAUBEIL. We strive for the acquisition of wealth or position, and if one is possessed of the first and has native abil- ity and ambition, the second falls to him as his natural heritage. In the acquirement of wealth fortune smiles on those alone who are watching for the opportunity she offers, and Jacob F. Hau- beil, who is a successful hotel man, has shown himself to be a wide-awake, systematic and much esteemed business man. He is the popular pro- prietor of the Fountain House and carries on the same with satisfactory results. Mr. Haubeil first saw the light in New York City in 1855, but was reared in College Point and there edu- cated. His father, Charles Haubeil, was born on the Rhine River, Germany, and after reaching manhood crossed the ocean to America. He here married Miss Wilhelmina Young, a native of Germany, and afterwards engaged in the hotel business, building the Washington Hotel at Col- lege Point in 1855. This he conducted most suc- cessfully the remainder of his days, a period of about thirty years. He was one of the oldest hotel and livery men in his section. In politics he was a Democrat. Mrs. Haubeil died at Col- lege Point in 1868. The seven children born to this marriage are all living, but scattered. Two of the four sons, Charles and Martin, were sol- diers in the Civil War.

Jacob F. Haubeil, fifth in order of birth of the above children, learned the trade of brass fin- isher during his youth and followed this for about fifteen years. After this he took charge of his father's livery business, which he conducted at

College Point until 1892. Selling out then he purchased the Fountain Hotel, which is one of the oldest in the county, having been built one hundred years. Our subject was married in Flushing to Miss Mary F. Forsyth, a native of Scotland. Mr. Haubeil has been quite active in politics, being a strong supporter of Democratic principles, and was elected by his party to the position of overseer of the poor of the town of Flushing. That position he held three terms of two years each, leading the ticket in the last al- most unanimous election. In 1892 he was a can- didate for the nomination of superintendent of poor of Queens County, but lost it by one vote.

Mr. Haubeil is president of the Liquor Deal- ers' Association of Flushing and was an organ- izer of the same. He was also an organizer of the one at Whitestone. He is a member of Anchor Lodge No. 729, F. & A. M., at College Point, and of Oaks Lodge, K. of P., in Flushing, Red Men, and a member of the Ancient Order United Workmen. He belongs to the boat club and fish- ing club here, and is a pushing, energetic young man.

W ILLIAM COLLINS, proprietor of Williamsburg Hotel, at Oceanus, Rockaway Beach, was born in Ireland May 3, 1844, and coming to the United States at the age of thirteen years, was for a time in the employ of oyster farmers and dealers in New York and Brooklyn. Later he was engaged in business for himself and built up a large trade, also established a wide acquaintance among the people of Queens County. From the oyster trade he turned his attention to the hotel business, and in 1882 established his home in Oceanus, where he has since resided. While in the main he has been prosperous, yet he has experienced his share of adversity, one of the most serious catastrophes that ever befell him being the burning of his hotel. He was then in Washington, and returned to find everything in ashes, but with the energy that has been one of his characteristics, he at once set to work again and soon had the original structure replaced by a new and substantial build- ing.

By his marriage to Bridget Murphy Mr. Col- lins had fifteen children, of whom the nine named are living: Mary, who is married and lives in Rockaway Beach; Martin, who is employed in New York City; Lawrence, Annie, Sarah, Cath-

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arine, Richard, Julia and Edwin, who are stu- dents in the home schools. Having had no edu- cational advantages himself, our subject is espe- cially desirous that his children shall be given the best opportunities possible in order that they may be the better prepared for positions of use- fulness in the world. Politically he is a Demo- crat, interested in public affairs and a firm adher- ent of the principles of his chosen party. So- cially he is connected with the American Legion of Honor, the Foresters and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In the matter of securing fire pro- tection and building up a first-class fire depart- ment, he has rendered excellent service, being a charter member of the department and one of its trustees for seven years. He is a member of Seaside Hose Company No. 1; was also trustee of the first engine company and its first foreman. His hotel is situated in Remsen (commonly called Seaside) Avenue, and is one of the popular re- sorts of the region.

G EORGE A. L'HOMMEDIEU. There is no class of business men who more surely rear up visible monuments to their industry and their enterprise than the contractors and builders of the sightly structures which be- come landmarks both locally and in a historical sense. Among those who have for years devoted their attention to this line of work is George A. L'Hommedieu, who traces his ancestry back to the French Huguenots. He was born at Man- hasset, L. I., July 8, 1863, a son of J. H. and Henrietta H. (Good) L'Hommedieu, to whom a good, old-fashioned family of sixteen children was born, of whom twelve are living at the present time. The father died December 5, 1893, at the age of sixty years, after an active and well- spent life, having built up a large building busi- ness at this place-Great Neck-under the firm name of J. H. L'Hommedieu.

Upon the death of J. H. L'Hommedieu, his son, George A. L'Hommedieu, succeeded to the business, and no one is more competent to carry on the same. About a year after the death of the elder Mr. L'Hommedieu his son organized the firm of J. H. L'Hommedieu's Son & Co. by associating with himself William E. Schlingen of Chicago and John C. Udall of Great Neck, L. I. At the time of this writing the firm em- ploys about four hundred and fifty men on dif- ferent jobs throughout the state, the most im-

portant of which is the Loomis Sanitarium at Liberty, N. Y., besides other large contracts at Westbury, Southampton and Great Neck. The firm has every facility, having its own yards and wood-working mill at Great Neck, where wood- work of every description is prepared and sent to the different jobs ready to be set up. Mr. L'Hommedieu received a good public school ed- ucation, is an intelligent young man, and a genial and agreeable companion, and as a business man possesses far more than ordinary ability.

I SAAC SHERWOOD, residing on the east side of Manhasset Bay, was born in Cliff Street, New York City, December 14, 1821, to Isaac and Elizabeth (McCartee) Sherwood, thie former a native of Maryland and of English de- scent, the latter born in New York City of Scotch ancestry. His first engagement in business was as clerk for his father, who was a tanner and currier. Later he was engaged in the leather business in "the Swamp," and for a year or two is an importing and commission house, after which for many years he was a dealer in hides in New York City.

May 22, 1845, Mr. Sherwood married Miss Martha P. Rogers, who was born in Jericho, L. I., but at the time of her marriage resided in New York City. She was the daughter of Dr. Morris M. and Sarah (Willets) Rogers, and had two brothers, Charles W. and Dr. A. W. Rogers, the latter now deceased. In April, 1853, after hav- ing resided for eight years in Brooklyn, Mr. Sherwood came to Queens County and bought a small farm, which he has since improved and upon which he resides, though he still continued his business in New York until 1862.

The only child of Mr. Sherwood, Morris Rog- ers, was born in New York City March 31, 1846, and received a common-school education. At Mineola, Queens County, May 24, 1871, he mar- ried Miss Sarah Cromwell Willets, daughter of Isaac U. and Mary (Cromwell) Willets. For six years he was engaged in the express business in New York, and since coming to Manhasset has been engaged in farming. He has two children. of whom the son, Charles W., was born on the homestead on Manhasset Bay May 5, 1872. re- ceived a good education, and is now in business in New York; the daughter, Mary M., who was also born on the home farm October 6. 1873. was married November 20, 1894, to Charles Oakley

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Conklin, of Lakeville, and they have one child, Edwin Willets, who was born at Bridgehampton, Suffolk County, in August, 1895. The wife of Morris R. died at Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, March 16, 1891.

Though our subject's early inclinations were Democratic, yet in voting for James Buchanan in 1856 he cast his last Democratic ballot, and since then he has supported Republican prin- ciples. He was elected justice of the peace, but declined to serve, having no desire to hold office. His son is also a Republican, and cast his first ballot for General Grant in 1868. At a very early age our subject became identified with the Society of Friends in New York, and now attends the Westbury monthly meetings. For twelve years or more he has been a speaker in the church. While in Brooklyn he became a mem- ber of the fire department and was thus relieved from serving on petit juries, but he has served on the grand jury. His son is a member of Nor- ton Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M., at Hempstead, which he joined in 1894.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were Henry and Elizabeth (Harwood) Sherwood, na- tives of Talbot County, Md. His great-grand- parents were Henry and Mary (Williams) Sher- wood, of Talbot County, Md. His great-great- grandfather, Henry Sherwood, was probably among, if not the first of the name who crossed the ocean from England and made settlement in this county. Our subject's father, Isaac, was born February 7, 1779, and was married in the Murray Street Church, New York City, July 21, 1808, Dr. John Mason officiating, to Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Mary (McDowell) Mc- Cartee. The family name of McCartee was orig- inally McEachin or McEachan, but so many mistakes were made in spelling and pronuncia- tion that it was changed to its present form about 1790.

Mrs. Elizabeth (McCartee) Sherwood, wife of Isaac and mother of our subject, had two broth- ers and four sisters, namely: Peter, who died unmarried in 1831; Rev. Robert McCartee, who married Jessie, daughter of Divie and Joanna Bethune, June 19, 1817, and died March 12, 1865, leaving ten children, Isabella G., Divie B., Mary M., Margaretta B., Jessie B., Peter M., Robert, George B., John M. and Charles M .; two of the sisters died in infancy, and Catharine January 18, 1831, aged thirty-eight; Margaret married David Beyson in February, 1819, and died April II,

1825, aged forty years; David died November 15, 1845, leaving four children, Sibella B., Peter Mc- Cartee, Andrew and Margaretta M.

Mrs. Elizabeth Sherwood was born at No. 12 Jacob Street, New York City, April 2, 1787, in the same house where her father was born, and . where her grandfather and grandmother died. Of her eleven children, eight grew to mature years, four were married, three having children. The oldest, Mary M., died single, as did also Lydia C. Henry married Abbie Davis and had five children; he lives at Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, and his children were named as follows: Elizabeth, who married Stephen E. Dearborn November 25, 1869; Emma Augusta, who mar- ried Ralph H. Kirk January 15, 1873, now de- ceased; Annie, who married John Ross Welch October 26, 1871; Henry, born April 12, 1854; and Walter, born January 8, 1873, married Blanche Scott July 20, 1893. Elizabeth became the wife of Andrew Coffin and died in California, leaving two children. Isaac S. is engaged in busi- ness in New York City. Elizabeth R. lives in Brooklyn. Peter 'M. died, leaving no children.

The maternal great-great-grandfather of our subject, Angus McEachin, was born in the Isle of Islay, a small island on the southwest coast of Scotland, and married Elizabeth Gillis, by whom he had four sons, Finley, Neil, Duncan and Peter. Coming to America, he settled at No. 12 Jacob Street, New York City. Our subject's great- grandfather, Finley McEachin, was born there and married Elizabeth, daughter of Duncan Tay- lor, of Scotland, and a native of Rockland Coun- ty, N. Y. Their son, Peter, married Mary Mc- Dowell, and their daughter, Elizabeth, became our subject's mother. The family is well estab- lished and honored, and has given to the world many men of prominence in business and the professions.

C HARLES A. WILLETS, JR. Nothing is more true than that good management, fair dealing and application to business will result in profit to the parties at interest. Failure rarely if ever comes unless as the se- quence of negligence, rash speculation or dishon- esty. Even in a village as large as Flushing it does not take long for a man with exceptional ability to become foremost in whatever he un- dertakes, and thus it has been with Mr. Willets, who is one of the foremost business men of the

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 138

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