Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 139

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 139

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place. He no doubt inherits much of his push, perseverance and integrity from his most esti- mable father, whose career as a business man is without a blemish. Our subject is at present manager of the Flushing Gas Light Company and he is a director in the Flushing Bank. Al! his interests are centered here, where he is well known and highly respected.

Our subject is a native of Flushing, and in this place he secured a good practical education. He graduated from Packer's Business College, and in about 1876 became a member of the firm of George B. Roe & Co., and soon after superin- tendent and manager of the Flushing Gas Light Company. This business was started in 1854, on a small scale, but it has since grown to large pro- portions. They manufacture from coal and the plant has a capacity of two hundred and fifty thousand cubic feet per day. The coal is shipped in by the boat load. Mr. Willets is a director in the Flushing Bank, having been connected with the same previous to its reorganization in 1892.

Mr. Willets selected his wife in the person of Miss Eliza L. Willets, daughter of ex-Supervisor Thomas S. Willets (see sketch). She is a native of Flushing and a most entertaining and intelli- gent woman. Three children have blessed this union and their names are as follows: Morris L., Eliza L. and Chester A. Mr. Willets is a member of several of the social orders and clubs in the village. Socially he stands as high as he does in the world of commerce, and among his friends are numbered those citizens whose live, have been characterized by strict integrity and honorable dealing with their fellow-men. Politi- cally in state and national affairs he is a sup- porter of the Republican party.

H. BOWRON. The life narrative of the head of a family is interesting,

W. · not only to his posterity, but also to the citizens of the section in which he has resided, and this truth is doubly true when such a man has established for himself and his children a reputation for integrity, character and ability, and has been of value in the development of his portion of the country. Such a narrative do we have in the sketch of W. H. Bowron, whose active life has ceased on earth, but whose influence is felt, and will continue to be, among all who knew him. He was one of the old settlers here, a most pleasant, affable and courteous gentleman,

and a most successful and popular business man.

Mr. Bowron was born in September, 1824, in New York City, where his father, Watson Bow- ron, had settled when he came from England, his native country. Later the father located in East New York and followed the dairy business at a place named for him, Bowronville, where he remained for some time. After that he followed dairying at different points, but finally settled at Brooklyn, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying when sixty-eight years old. He had married Miss Maria Field, a native of New York, of old Knickerbocker stock, who was of Quaker parentage. She is a highly educated woman and resides in Brooklyn with her son, Dr. Bowron. Although ninety years old, she is enjoying unu- sually good health. Her four children, two daughters and two sons, are all living but one.

W. H. Bowron, the eldest of this little family, received his early educational training in Flush- ing and Tarrytown and later attended the schools of New York City. When a young man he located in Long Island City, and about 1855 em- barked in the milk business, having five routes in New York and one in Long Island City. After being burned out, he engaged in the produce business at the corner of Third Street and Jack- son Avenue, and later, about 1874, he started in the express business, which proved a profitable one. His death occurred in August, 1892, when sixty-eight years old. He was a very public spirited and enterprising citizen, and was a mem- ber of the Board of Water Commissioners for some time. He, with Judge Pierce and Alton Raith, was the originator of the water works of Long Island City.

In New York City in 1866 our subject mar- ried Annie, the daughter of Edward Keron, who was a native of Dublin, Ireland. Her birth oc- curred in Elizabeth, N. J. Her grandfather, John Keron, was also a native of the Emerald Isle, and there passed his entire life. Mrs. Bowron's mother, formerly Miss Mary Slater, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and daughter of John Slater. She came to America with her father, who was a baker, and here was married to Mr. Keron. She died of cholera. .Their children were four in number, as follows: Thomas, a business man of Elizabeth, N. J .: Elizabeth, deceased; John, who was chief of police of Elizabeth for some time and is now in the livery business there, and Mrs. Bowron, who was the youngest of the family.

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In 1856 Mrs. Bowron was married to Ithamer B. Woodruff, an extensive farmer near Elizabeth, N. J. Later he entered actively upon the manufacture of sash and blinds, and in 1860 came to Long Island City, where he and his brother erected a sash and blind factory. Here his death occurred in 1864. To this marriage were born three children, viz .: John T., whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this work; Edith, Mrs. J. S. Towers of Montana; and Annie, who died young. Her union with Mr. Bowron resulted in the birth of four children: Watson, who is in the United States Express office in New York City; Josephine M., Mrs. F. D. Ed- munds of Long Island City; William H., also of Long Island City, and Frederick F., a plumber here. After the death of her husband Mrs. Bow- ron carried on the express business with the help of her sons until 1894, when she sold out. She owns a pleasant and comfortable home here and is active in all good work. She is a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and of all the societies of the Episcopal Church, of which she is a member.

W ILLIAM THOMAS, deceased, was for many years a prominent manu- facturer and influential business man of Hunter's Point. He was born in Wales, where he received his education, and on coming to America, when a young man, located in New York City, there learning the trade of a carpen- ter. After becoming an expert workman he re- moved to Cazenovia, N. Y., where he plied his trade very successfully for a number of years.

In 1870 our subject made his way to Long Island City and shortly thereafter formed a part- nership with one of its old-time residents, H. M. Thomas. After continuing together for a num- ber of years the connection was dissolved and our subject established a box factory, carrying on business under the firm name of Thomas & Weed. They erected a building in Vernon Ave- nue, near Flushing Street, and were rapidly build- ing up a prosperous business when their plant was destroyed by fire in 1874. Mr. Thomas was the owner of the ground on which the building had stood and he immediately set about the erec- tion of a large brick hotel. He did not live long enough to see this finished and in running order, for he died that same winter, when past his thirty- ninth year.

In politics Mr. Thomas was an influential Re- publican, although never using his influence for securing office, as his private affairs consumed all of his time and thought. He was an active member of the Congregational Church and a man of much more than ordinary ability and learning. Socially he belonged to the Island City Masonic Lodge and was buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery with the honors of that order.

The marriage of Mr. Thomas with Miss Jane Jones was celebrated in this city in 1872. She was likewise born in Wales, as was her father, Hugh Jones, a farmer of the North of Wales. The latter came with his family to America about the year 1845, and, locating in a good farming district in this state, gave his attention to culti- vating the soil until his death, when seventy-six years of age. He married Elizabeth Rowland, a native of Wales, who at the time of her decease was residing in Utica, N. Y. To them were born seven children, of whom six are now living, and of these Mrs. Thomas was the third in order of birth. She was reared to womanhood and received her education in the city of Utica, but after her marriage to Mr. Thomas took up her abode in a pleasant home in Hunter's Point, where she is still residing. She is a consistent member of the Baptist Church and is at all times ready to do what she can to further the work of the Master in her community.

Prior to his marriage with Miss Jones our sub- ject was the husband of Miss Jane Richards, who left three children at the time of her decease. They were Richard, now deceased; Hugh, who departed this life when eighteen years of age, and Ella, who married Capt. Frederick Russell and died October 28, 1895, leaving a daughter, Mil- dred.

E DWARD BLEECKER, M. D., is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Whitestone, where he conducts a lucrative practice. January 9, 1844, his birth occurred in Albany, his parents being William E. and Eliza- beth (Russell) Bleecker. The father, who at one time was one of the prominent and substantial merchants of that city, subsequently moved to New York City, where he resided until his death. He was descended from a long line of Dutch an- cestry.

After completing his studies in the Academy of Albany, where he was prepared for college, our

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subject entered one of the best institutions at Burlington, N. J., where he was a student for sev- eral years. While there he determined to lead a professional life, and after attending Albany Med- ical College one year, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, from which he was graduated in 1865. At first he made his home at Adams Center, Jefferson County, this state, and the following year, in October, 1866, was married to Miss Ellen H. Barton, a native of Philadelphia, and the daughter of Lieutenant Bar- ton of the United States navy and Anna (Hol- lingshead) Barton. The Doctor and his wife have four children, Anna, William, Rutger and Ed- ward.

In the year 1868 Dr. Bleecker located at White- stone, where he has ever since given his entire attention to the practice of his profession. He is recognized as a skillful and able physician, and as a surgeon he is regarded as among the best in the state, having been especially successful in treating appendicitis. The Doctor is a member of the Queens County Medical Society and is president of the board of trustees of Flushing Hospital, in which he is also one of the medical staff. Although in 1860 he supported Lincoln, he is now independent in politics. For many years he has been president of the board of village trustees and his interest in educational affairs led to his being placed on the school board, which he has served as president for over twenty years. Religiously he is an Episcopalian and is warden of his congregation. The Doctor has secured a substantial recognition of the genuineness of his merits in his professional capacity, and by his con- scientious discharge of duty, his skill and abili- ties, has won the confidence of the people and the respect of all with whom he associates.

OHN L. B. NORTON. Having spent almost his entire life in the southern part of the town of Hempstead, Mr. Norton has gained a large acquaintance among the people of this section and is one of the most prominent men of Law- rence, where he is engaged in the real estate business. His property transactions are exten- sive, and his deals in buying, selling and specu- lating have proved so remunerative to him that he is now numbered among the wealthy men of the county.

The father of our subject, Samuel R. B. Norton, who was born in New York City and died in Far Rockaway at seventy-two years of age, was

a large property owner of the latter village, where he owned considerable valuable land; he mar- ried Ann Gipson of New York City, who died at the age of seventy-nine. John L., our subject's paternal grandfather, was a business man and large land owner, who lived at Far Rockaway when there were but three houses there, in 1807. He owned all the land now comprised in what is called Wave Crest, one of the most beautiful and valuable properties along the entire coast, now covered with elegant residences or summer homes of wealthy New York people. In 1830, during the great cholera epidemic, he had shan- ties along the beach and the dread disease never appeared there.

The wife of John L. Norton was Sarah Frank- lin, whose father, Walter Franklin, formerly owned the property now known as Franklin Square, New York, also Washington's headquar- ters in New York and other pieces of property that have since become worth millions. The genea- logical record shows that this Walter Franklin, in company with three other brothers, came to New York at a very early period and bought large tracts of land, much of which subsequently became very valuable and some has been the occa- sion of extensive litigation.

Our subject's great-grandfather was a watch- maker in England, whence he came to America and acquired large possessions in New York. His wife, Martha Burrege, was a niece of John Leake, who owned what was called "The Her- mitage" in New York. In 1825 Mr. Leake, who owned many acres of land on what is now Broad- way above Thirty-ninth Street, New York City, sold by subscription forty lots at $150 per lot. No subscriber could take less than four or more than sixteen lots. He was connected with the old Trinity Church and was buried under that edifice, that being the only vault under the church. At his death he left a legacy by which fifty loaves of bread are distributed among the poor each Sunday. In recognition of his liberality, in 1730 Trinity Church gave him his choice of pews in the building and he selected the third pew from the front, which is still owned by his descendants.

The family of which our subject is a member consisted of eight children. He was born in Far Rockaway on the 16th of April. 1832, and received a limited education in a school two miles from home, to which he walked each morning. In youth he learned the carpenter's trade. Some of the property left him by his father was con-

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sidered of little value, and ten acres along the beach was sold for $10. A part of the same beach has since been sold at the rate of $1,000 per lot.

In 1862 Mr. Norton enlisted in Company A, First Regiment New York Mounted Rifles, and remained in the service nearly three years, being stationed most of the time at Norfolk under General Butler. About 1864 he was commis- sioned first lieutenant of the Thirteenth New York Cavalry. Among the battles in which he took part were those at Chickatuck, March 17, 1863; Blackwater Bridge, March 31; Edenton Road, April 15; siege of Suffolk, April 11 to May 4; and Scott's Mills, May 17, and in the last named engagement he was wounded in the hip. He was honorably discharged March 8, 1864. He be- longs to B. F. Middletown Post No. 500, G. A. R., and in national politics is a Republican. Socially, he is connected with the Odd Fellows and in religious belief is an Episcopalian. By his mar- riage to Mary I. Northrop of Dutchess County, N. Y., he had four children, but Amy Augusta is the only one now living.

R ICHARD SCOTT, who has been keeper of the Blissville and Newtown Creek bridge since 1867, and whose residence in Blissville covers a period of forty-two years, is a native of Ireland, born in County Armagh, in 1831. His father, Francis, who was a native of the same place, was a farmer by occupation, and in religious belief was identified with the Episco- pal Church. He died in the county of his birth in 1843, when sixty-two years of age. The fam- ily of which he was a member originated in Scotland, but fled to Ireland during the days of persecution in the former country.

The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Clark, was born in Ireland, and brought her family to America, where she remained until her death in 1864, at the age. of seventy-five years. Of her eight children, four sons and two daughters attained mature years, and four are now living. Richard was reared in Ireland until fifteen years of age, but as the schools of that country were conducted on the subscription plan, and as the family were poor, his advantages were few, most of the knowl- edge he now has being acquired by self-culture.

In 1847 Mr. Scott left Belfast on the sailing vessel "Standard," and after a voyage of eight weeks and three days arrived in New York. The

ship on which he made the voyage foundered when returning to Europe. His first work in this country was in the employ of a dairyman at Greenpoint, with whom he remained for three years. In May, 1852, he came to what is now Blissville (then the town of Newtown), where, for a few years, he was employed as a teamster for a general contractor. Later he was in the Queens County Oil Works, then coachman for a wealthy gentleman, and afterward with a dis- tilling company. In 1867 he was given charge of the Blissville and Newtown Creek bridge, be- ing appointed to this position by the supervisor of the town of Newtown, Charles Covert. His efficient service is shown by the fact that he has held the position ever since his first appointment. In a systematic manner he carries on all his work, and superintends his men, so that no trouble has ever arisen, and the bridge has al- ways been kept in good shape. Since he ac- cepted the position in 1867, two bridges have been erected, and the present structure is a draw bridge of one hundred and sixty-six feet. Dur- ing the first two years of his service he was alone, but now he has seven men, one gang for days, and the other for nights. Some of the men who were first with him have died, and others are decrepit, but he continues apparently as sturdy and rugged as ever, and, with the exception of one sickness, has never been off duty.

The residence of Mr. Scott, now at No. 65 Greenpoint Avenue, was formerly on the bank of the river, but when the new bridge was erected it was removed to make way for the abutments of the bridge. His first wife, whom he married in Blissville, bore the maiden name of Ann Rodgers. She was born in Ireland, and died in Blissville, having been the mother of three chil- dren. One of these died in infancy; another, Katie by name, passed away at seventeen years of age; and Eliza married James White, of Bliss- ville.

In 1867 Mr. Scott married Bridget Stephens, who was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, a daughter of John Stephens, who died in that county. The latter, who was a carpenter and builder, had seven children, but only three are now living, Mrs. Scott being second in order of birth. She came to America at the age of twenty- two years. Of her nine children, six attained years of maturity, and five are living, namely: Margaret, a teacher in the Second Ward school;

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Richard, Jr., at home; John, Jennie, and Mary.

One son, William, died in 1892 at the age of twenty-one. Mrs. Scott is a member of St. Raphael's Church, but Mr. Scott is a Protestant in his religious belief. Politically a Democrat, he is a member of the Jefferson Club, and an ardent admirer of the principles laid down by that exponent of Democracy.

C OL. WILLIAM REMSEN TAYLOR, A. B., A. M., M. D., a prominent physician of Astoria, Long Island City, is perhaps the oldest practitioner in the place. He takes an active part in the leading medical associations of Queens County and the state of New York, keeps himself thoroughly posted on all the latest dis- coveries and is constantly extending his knowl- edge in the line of his profession. Educational ideas and affairs in this city have few more en- thusiastic supporters than the Doctor. His beau- tiful home is located on the corner of Franklin and Remsen Streets.

Since 1864 Dr. Taylor has been engaged in the practice of his profession and has been a resident of Astoria since September, 1865. He was born in Middletown, Monmouth County, N. J., Feb- ruary 4, 1840. His father, Dr. Edward, and grandfather, Capt. Edward Taylor, were also na- tives of that county, as was likewise the great- grandfather, who bore the name of George Tay- lor. The family originally came from England, but for many generations back this branch has lived in America.

Dr. Edward Taylor was a graduate of the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, and after obtaining his diploma located for practice in his home town, where he was one of the most able practitioners until the day of his death, when eighty-one years of age. He was prominently connected with the New Jersey Med- ical Society and ranked among the most skillful physicians of his day and locality. His wife, prior to her marriage, was Catherine Louise Foreman, a native of Freehold, Monmouth County, N. J., where her father, Tunis Foreman, was a substan- tial farmer and large landowner. During the progress of the Revolutionary War he served as a soldier in the ranks. Mrs. Taylor's mother was the daughter of William and Agnes Remsen, the former for many years one of the prominent mer- chants of New York City. Later he removed to Freehold. The inother of our subject departed this life in 1889, at the age of eighty-one years.

With her husband, she was a member of the Re- formed Church in Middletown, and a most worthy and consistent Christian woman. Dr. Edward Taylor was a true blue Republican after the or- ganization of that party.

The parental household included five sons and two daughters, of whom six are now living. The eldest of the household, Edward F., is engaged in the practice of medicine in Middletown, having succeeded his father. During the late war he volunteered his services in defense of the Union, becoming a member of the First New Jersey In- fantry, and for three months was surgeon of a regiment. At the first battle of Bull Run he was taken prisoner and was confined in Libby Prison until exchanged. Afterward he became brigade surgeon and surgeon-in-chief of the Sixth Corps, General Sedgwick's staff.

William R., the fifth in order of birth in his parents' family, was reared in his native town, where he was prepared for college. In Septem- ber, 1856, he became a student at Rutgers Col- lege, in New Brunswick, N. J., and after taking a course of four years was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him.

After finishing his collegiate education William R. Taylor began the study of medicine in the office of his father and older brother, and in the fall of 1861 entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City. He was very soon thereafter compelled to abandon his studies on account of the outbreak of the Civil War, and in September, 1862, he enlisted, becoming a mem- ber of Company D, Twenty-ninth New Jersey Infantry, which he organized at Middletown. Of this he was unanimously chosen captain and was placed in camp at Vredenburgh. The fall follow- ing, however, he was made lieutenant-colonel of his regiment by Governor Olden, holding this responsible position when a young man of only twenty-two years. He was then ordered to Wash- ington, D. C., arriving there September 28. 1862, and encamped with his men on a site just east of Capitol Hill. From there they were sent to Ten- nallytown, remaining there until about the IIth of December. Their next move took them into Maryland, whence they afterward crossed Aquia Creek into Virginia and were ordered to guard the railroads running from Aquia Creek to Fal- mouth.

Just prior to the battle of Fredericksburg

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Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor and five companies of his regiment were placed on provost duty at that place under General Patrick, remaining there until the city was evacuated. They were the last to leave, and barely escaped capture by the troops of the enemy. From Fredericksburg they went back to guard the railroad, thence went to Belle Plaine, where his regiment was made a part of the First Brigade, First Division and First Army Corps under General Paul; Division Commander General Wadsworth, and Corps Commander General Reynolds. The following January W. R. Taylor was commissioned by Governor Parker of New Jersey as colonel of the regiment. The next spring he and his command took part in the battle of Chancellorsville, crossing the river five miles below Fredericksburg, and after two days recrossed the river and marched to the ex- treme right of the army, a distance of about twenty miles. They remained stationed there until the whole army was ordered to fall back to their former quarters. In June a forward march was ordered to intercept Lee's approach towards Gettysburg, but before reaching that place our subject, with his regiment, received his honorable discharge, his enlistment of nine months having expired, and in July, 1863, he was mustered out at Freehold, N. J.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 139

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