Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 143

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 143

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In 1886 Dr. Hinkson came to America, and for three years devoted his time principally to teaching private classes in anatomy. He then en- tered Bellevue Hospital, and was graduated from its medical department in 1889, after which he opened an office in Hunter's Point Avenue, Long Island City, where he soon built up a lucrative practice. He is highly educated, and is a student and scholar of great depth. While engaged in general practice, he makes a specialty of surgery, and stands very high in the profession. Feb- ruary 12, 1891, he successfully performed the operation of laparotomy on a child ten hours old, for the cure of congenital umbilical hernia. Ether was administered to the child, who was under its influence for one hour and forty min- utes, the only case on record where ether had been administered to a child so young.

Dr. Hinkson is a member of the Queens County Medical Society, and is also associated with the Long Island City Medical Society. He contrib- utes many articles to the various medical jour- nals, which are of interest and importance to the profession, and has read numerous papers of which he is the author, before the societies to which he belongs. He belonged to the visiting staff of St. John's Hospital, and is the late senior surgeon to the Astoria Hospital. Indeed, few physicians and surgeons of Queens County rank higher than Dr. Hinkson. His chief aim in life is to do what he can to benefit humanity, and he is conscientiously and intelligently carrying out this conviction of his duty.

C APT. SYLVANUS MOTT. The history of Queens County would be incomplete without mention of Captain Mott, one of its old and highly respected citizens, who now makes his home in Freeport. He was born near this place in 1822, his parents being Joseph and Susanna (Gautier) Mott, natives of Long Island and New York City, respectively. The father for many years followed the trade of a mason, and subsequently engaged in the hotel business at Greenwich Point until his decease, which oc- curred in 1834. His good wife departed this life in 1852.

As soon as old enough our subject attended the schools in his home district, but when only a lad of thirteen years was compelled to make his own way in the world. His first employment

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was as clerk in a mercantile establishment in Babylon, L. I., afterwards at Hempstead and East Rockaway, in which capacity he remained al- together for four years. His love for the water then overcame every other desire and he went to sea, following this kind of life for twenty-seven years, during all of which time, with the excep- tion of the first two years, he was master of a ves- sel which plied between New York and foreign ports. While in command of his vessel he vis- ited the West Indies and Mexico. In 1868 he re- tired, continuing his residence in Brooklyn until the spring of 1878, when he located upon the old homestead in the suburbs of Freeport, where he has resided ever since.

Captain Mott was united in marriage in 1844 to Miss Rebecca R., daughter of Israel and Char- lotte (Clarke) Howell, natives of Sag Harbor. Only one son survives of their union, William Har- vey, who makes his home in Brooklyn. He mar- ried Augusta Porterfield and they have a daugh- ter, Leola R. Captain and Mrs. Mott hold mem- bership in the Presbyterian Church, with which they have been connected for several years. In politics the former is at all times and under all circumstances an uncompromising Democrat. The kind of life which he led for over a quarter of a century prevented his holding any positions of public trust and honor, although he would doubt- less have proved a satisfactory official.

May 13, 1894, the Captain and his wife cele- brated their golden wedding, and many of their old-time friends were present to congratulate them. Although seventy-three and seventy years old respectively, they are enjoying excellent health.

C HARLES W. HAYES. This substantial citizen of Rockville Center is now pass- ing the sunset of his life in a comfortable and attractive home within its borders. Honor- able and upright in every walk of life, his long career has been without a blot or blemish to mar its whiteness. Although well advanced in years he is still active and vigorous and many more years of usefulness are promised him. He was born in Connecticut in 1830, to Solomon and Deborah Ann (Lyon) Hayes. The latter came of a prominent old Revolutionary family, who for many years made their home in Westchester County, N. Y. Connecticut was the native state

of Solomon Hayes, and from the time he reached man's estate until his career closed by death, he followed the trade of a hatter. He was a quiet, unassuming citizen, and after a useful and well spent life died in 1880. His worthy wife closed her eyes in death about 1833. Ruth- erford B. Hayes, President of the United States, was descended from the same family as was our subject.

In the public schools of New York City, Charles W. Hayes received his early educational training. He was reared in the thirteenth ward, and in 1850 he went to Williamsburg, now a suburb of Brooklyn, and there engaged in paper hanging and decorating, occupations to which his atten- tion was successfully given in that place for thirty-five years. In this line he executed a vast amount of work, and such was the able manner in which it was performed that universal satis- faction was expressed. He thoroughly famil- iarized himself with the art of interior decorating, and became recognized as among the leading exponents of the art in that city.

In 1867 Mr. Hayes purchased property at Rockville Center, where he resided a few years, then changed his residence to Bayport, where he resided until 1888, when he returned to Rock- ville Center, and here he intends to spend the remainder of his days. He is one of the most progressive and thorough-going citizens of the place, and was one of the most active workers for the incorporation of the village, but at that time declined the office of president of the board, which had been proffered him. In 1894, how- ever, he was unanimously chosen to this office, was again elected in 1895, and is now discharg- ing the duties of this position. In 1895 a fine water-works plant was built, which is now ready for use, and the success of this venture has been in a great measure owing to the push and en- ergy of Mr. Hayes and his associates.

By an early marriage Mr. Hayes has a son and daughter: Charles H., who resides in Kan- sas City; and Ella L., a resident of Brooklyn. In 1890 he married Catherine A. (Cotte) Allen, daughter of John B. Cotte, one of the most pro- gressive citizens of Brooklyn, and one of the di- rectors of the Butchers and Drovers' Bank. Mrs. Hayes is a worthy member of the Episcopal Church, and fraternally Mr. Hayes is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. In 1863 he assisted in the organization of the Forty-seventh

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Regiment of Brooklyn (N. Y.) Militia, which was in active service for some time during the Civil War and of which Mr. Hayes was com- missioned first lieutenant and later commissary, holding the latter position until 1877, when he resigned. At one time he was an active mem- ber of the New York Fire Department, Phoenix Hose Co. No. 22; for fourteen years was also a member of the Brooklyn Fire Department, Good Intent No. 3, and was likewise foreman of Zephyr Hose Company No. 4 of that city. He is a member of Harry Lee Post No. 21, G. A. R., of Brooklyn, and politically has always been a stanch Republican, but in local affairs is rather conservative. He is a useful citizen and has many friends.

J OHN HANSON. It is a rule, with indeed few exceptions, that the prosperous and rep- resentative men of all flourishing cities are rarely ever natives of the same. It is likewise a notable fact that vast numbers of the successful men who do business in the states are foreigners by birth. This thought is brought about by the personality of John Hanson, a native of Armagh, Ireland, and now a prominent member of Long Island City's business circles. He was born on the Emerald Isle April 14, 1834, and his parents, Edward and Margaret (Gray) Hanson, were na- tives of that country also. The paternal grand- father was a native of Ireland, but of Danish origin.

The father was a man of more than ordinary activity and ability, and was interested in many enterprises. He was engaged in farming, was also in the grocery business, and, being a turner by trade, was interested in the manufacture of spinning wheels. Later he turned his attention almost wholly to agricultural pursuits and the grocery business, following both with much suc- cess until his death. He was a member of the Scotch Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Hanson's father, John Gray, was a native of Ireland, and he married a Miss Simpson, daughter of Joan Simpson, who was quite well-to-do. Mrs. Han- son died in Ireland. Of the six children included in the parental family, one son and three daugh- ters are now living, and our subject is the eldest of the family.

The youthful days of young Hanson were passed on his father's farm and in the subscrip-

tion schools. He remained with his parents until eighteen years old, and then came to America, crossing from Liverpool, England, to New York City on the vessel "Empire State" in 1852. Two years he remained in Harlem, N. Y., learning wood turning and scroll sawing, and then went to Chicago, where he followed his trade in Wells Street and State and Randolph Streets for some time. Later he was employed in the wagon inak- ing trade, and remained in that city for two and a half years.

Returning to Harlem Mr. Hanson followed his trade there until 1863, after which he branched out in business for himself. This he continued for some time, and was then engaged by Spring- meyer Brothers, and continued with them for eighteen months, after which he returned to the old business. After his shop was burned he lo- cated in Eighty-fourth Street, and built a shop of his own. This he later sold, and built a plan- ing mill in Ninety-first Street near the avenue, and still later built a two-story mill with seventy- five foot front in Ninety-third Street, where he was actively engaged in planing, sawing, and turning. This business was then incorporated as the East River Mill and Lumber Company, he being a trustee in the same. He continued with this company, and carried on his old business at 224 Ninety-second Street until 1892, when he re- moved his shop here, erecting a two-story mill, 34x58 feet, on Broadway, and has all the modern improvements and machinery. He manufactures mouldings and band and scroll sawing of every description, also dressers, wardrobes, washtubs, wainscoting and panel work, and employs about ten skilled workmen. This is the only planing mill in Astoria, and the largest in Long Island City.

In 1870 Mr. Hanson located in Long Island City, at Astoria, and built a good residence at No. 56 Halsey Street, although at the present time he resides at No. 987 Boulevard. He has erected residences all over the city, and furnished trimmings for most of the finest residences here.

Mr. Hanson was married in Twentieth Street, New York City, to Miss Letitia Painter, a native of Armagh, Ireland, who came, with her parents, to this country when but a girl. Nine of the eleven children born to this union are now liv- ing. Mary B. and George were drowned when eight and three years old respectively; James is in charge of the business in Long Island City;

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and the others are Martha J., Robert, David, Al- fred, Edwin, Letitia, Violet M., and Arthur R. Since 1894 Mr. Hanson's son, James, has car- ried on the business. Mr. Hanson is a demitted Mason, and has been a member of Architect Lodge for many years. In politics he is a Re- publican, and in religion is a member of the Ravenswood Presbyterian Church. For many years he was a deacon and trustee in the church at Astoria.

C HARLES W. HALLETT, a well known and public-spirited citizen of Long Island City, has been engaged in business here for many years, during which time he has made many sincere friends in the various walks of life. He was reared in Astoria, and is a representa- tive of one of the oldest and most prominent families of this section, his forefathers owning the site once known as Hallett's Cove and Hal- lett's Point. This tract of land was purchased by them from the Indians, who then inhabited the island, and was held by each succeeding gen- eration of the family for a long period of years.

The subject of this sketch is one of the most substantial and successful business men of the city. He is the proprietor of a very fine under- taking establishment, and by attending strictly to his own affairs and by the exercise of industry and correct principles, has acquired a fortune. He was born July 16, 1831, in New York City, while his father, William Hallett, was a native of Hallett's Cove, now known as Astoria. Grand- father Samuel Hallett was also born here, and was engaged in farming in what is now one of the beautiful suburbs of Long Island City. As far back as we have any record the family were agri- culturists of prominence, and people of weight in their community. The first of the name to come to America was one William Hallett, who chose Long Island as his future home, and was success- ful in effecting a trade with Chief Mattano. Our subject now has in his possession a copy of the deeds given by this noted Indian, and is also the owner of the only piece of land now held by any member of his family which was formerly in- cluded in the original tract.

William Hallett, father of our subject, was a carriage manufacturer of New York City, where his death occurred soon after the birth of Charles W. His wife was, in her maidenhood, Wilhel-

mina Fredericks, a native of Germany, and was brought to America when a babe by her par- ents. They made their home in the metropolis, where Wilhelmina made the acquaintance of her future husband. She died of cholera in 1832. Her family included seven children. five of whom grew to mature years, and only two are now living, Charles, of this sketch, and Adam F., a resident of Westchester County, N. Y.

Orphaned when only eighteen months old, our subject was brought to Astoria, and taken care of by his grandparents until their death. He then made his home with a paternal uncle, at- tending the private schools of this locality until a lad of sixteen years. Then, finding it necessary to look out for himself, he went to New York City, and clerked in a grocery store until 1854. About this time his brother-in-law, Richard Davies, of this city, died, and he was summoned hither to take charge of his business, with which he has been connected ever since. He continues at the old stand, No. 127 Fulton Avenue. Astoria, although he has found it necessary, owing to his increased trade, to erect more commodious quar- ters. He now occupies a building 25x100 feet in dimensions, containing three stories and a base- ment. Although when he first assumed charge of the business he handled only furniture and un- dertaking supplies, he now keeps a large and varied stock of hardware, and is recognized by one and all as among the most successful busi- ness men of the county. His is the leading un- dertaking establishment in the city, as well as the oldest and most reliable.

Mr. Hallett is trustee of the Long Island City Savings Bank, and, during his long and useful career, has been one of the foremost citizens of the community. He occupies a delightful home at No. 95 Remsen Street. His wife. prior to her marriage, was Miss Christina C. Ellison, a na- tive of New York City. To them were born six children, namely: Charles W., Jr., associated with his father in business, as is also Frederick T .; Walter Ellison, clerk in the Bank for Sav- ings in New York City; Alletta M .. now Mrs. John A. Stead, of Princeton. N. J .: Christina, at home: and May E., who died when eight years of age.

In his political affiliation Mr. Hallett is a stanch Republican, and in 1876 was elected alderman from the Fifth ward, which contains a large Democratic majority. So well and faithfully did

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he discharge the duties of the position that he was retained in office the following term, serving in all four years, and during two years of this time was president of the board. Under the first term of Mayor DeBevoise's administration he was ap- pointed a member of the board of water com- missioners, filling this position with great effi- ciency.

Socially our subject is an Odd Fellow, belong- ing to Astoria Lodge No. 155, of which he is past officer. Twice he has been past master of Advance Lodge No. 635, F. & A. M., at Astoria, and in this order takes great interest. He is one of the influential members of the First Presby- terian Church of the above place, and has been president of the board of trustees for many years. He has been president of various political clubs, and has been appointed a member of various im- portant committees, working for the good of his party. Mr. Hallett possesses a clear, keen intel- lect, and is a man of wide experience and extended information.

F REDERICK J. FEHN, who has been en- gaged in the bakery business at College Point since 1871, was born in Kehlbach, Bavaria, Germany, in 1834, to Joseph and Mary (Bauer) Fehn, natives of Kehlbach and Stem- bach respectively. His parents spent their entire lives upon a farm in Bavaria, where they died advanced in years. Of their six children, two are living, both in America. Frederick J., who was the youngest of the family, remained in his na- tive land until seventeen and one-half years of age. In 1852 he left Bremen on the sailing ves- sel "Alex. Edmunds," and after a voyage of forty- one days landed in New York, May 11, 1852.

The first employment secured by Mr. Fehn was in the bakery business, to which he served an apprenticeship, and in which, in 1856, he em- barked for himself, opening a shop in Hudson near Watt Street. Later he bought a bakery in Sixth Avenue, between Third and Fourth Streets, and this he carried on for ten and one-half years. In 1871 he came to College Point, and bought his present place at No. 62 Thirteenth Street, where he has since conducted a large and profit- able business, furnishing employment to two bakers, and catering to the best trade of the community.

The first marriage of Mr. Fehn took place in

New York in 1856, when Miss Theresa Brobeil, a native of Germany, becaine his wife. She died in New York, leaving five children: Frank J., Jr., of College Point; Sophia, who died here; Barbara, Mrs. Emil Witzel, who resides in this village; Henry, of New York City; and George, who is living here. In November, 1865, in New York City, Mr. Fehn married Miss Barbara Neus- baum, who was born there of German parentage. They had fourteen children, of whom the follow- ing survive: William, Louise, Alphonso, Jo- sephine, and Gussie, who reside in College Point. Mrs. Fehn is next to the eldest of three children, two now living, and at the age of eight years, in 1854, she accompanied her parents to College Point. There were then but twelve houses here, theirs being the thirteenth. Her parents, Joseph Frank William and Margaret (Beck) Neusbaum, were born in Bavaria, the former being a shoe- maker; the latter died in College Point at the age of seventy. Her father was one of the early settlers of College Point, and manufactured the first beer made here.

Politically, while not active in public affairs, Mr. Fehn always votes for Democratic candi- dates. He is a Catholic in religious belief, and holds membership in St. Fidelis' Church. Fond of sports, he excels as a marksman, and is one of the best shots in the Schuetzen Club of Col- lege Point.

W YCKOFF VAN SICLEN, who, with his brother, John R., is one of the largest farm gardeners of Queens County, was born in the town of Jamaica, on the tract of land which he is now cultivating, Feb- ruary 21, 1863. He has five brothers; Abraham D. is a veterinary surgeon of Jamaica; James C. is a prominent attorney of New York City; S. Remsen is in the employ of our subject; and Richard is bookkeeper in the office of Hendrick- son & Co., lumber merchants of Jamaica. Our subject also has two sisters, Maggie, who has never married, and is living with her mother in Jamaica; and Gertrude C., the wife of George Van DeWater, a banker of New York City, whose home is in Clinton Avenue, one of the finest streets in Jamaica.

The father of the above family, Ditmars Van Siclen, was born in New Lots, and about the time the Civil War broke out, came to the town of

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Jamaica, purchasing the property which our sub- ject and his brothers are now cultivating. He was very prosperous in all his undertakings, and, at the time of his decease, May 6, 1878, left a large estate to be divided among his children. Of his brothers and sisters we mention the fol- lowing: Abraham is living in East New York; Cornelia married Gilbert Eldert, and is now de- ceased; John W. is a retired farmer, making his home in Brooklyn; Albert H. W., who was for many years supervisor of New Lots and com- missioner of charities, is now vice-president of the Twenty-sixth Ward Bank of Brooklyn; James C. never married, and passed away about the year 1888; Jacob T., who was also a farmer of this county, is now living retired at New Lots; Maggie died in girlhood.

Grandfather Abraham Van Siclen was one of the old and influential residents of the island. In- deed, the family has lived here for many genera- tions, and many of those who bear this name are among its wealthy and honored residents. Abra- ham seems to have been a favorite name among the Van Siclens, for on Long Island they are about as numerous as the John Smiths in other parts of the country.

Mrs. Cornelia (Remsen) Van Siclen, mother of subject, was the daughter of John and Catherine (Schenck) Remsen, of Flatlands. Theirs was one of the old Dutch families of that locality, and its various members were honored with the confidence of the people in their respective lo- calities. Mrs. Van Siclen had four brothers. John, who is a retired farmer, is living in Flat- lands; T. Schenck, who made a decided success in tilling the soil, is very wealthy, and is now living retired from the active duties of life, in a pleasant home in Flatlands; Richard is living on a nice tract of land in Flatlands; and Peter, who is also a farmer of that locality, is meeting with success in his vocation.

Shortly after the death of her husband, Mrs. Van Siclen built a fine residence in Bergen Ave- nue, Jamaica, where she now resides with her daughter. Her sons, Wyckoff and John R., have the management of the large estate left by their father, and in its cultivation give constant em- ployment to some fifty or sixty men. They are thorough-going business men, in personal man- ner courteous and affable, and readily win and retain friends. The products of this estate are marketed in New York and Brooklyn, and the

Van Siclen brothers bear the reputation of doing the largest business in this line on the island. They are both single, and are wholly devoted to building up a name and a fortune for themselves. Wyckoff is a member of the Jamaica Club, and uses his influence in the promoting of all leading movements which have in view the upbuilding of his community. In politics he is a Repub- lican.

J OHN P. KARKHECK. Place the native German where you will, and he will make a living for himself and those depending on him, for in him are ingrained those qualities which go to make the successful man, chief among which may be mentioned energy, perseverance and un- doubted honesty. Although he was born in Han- over, Germany, October 10, 1830, and there made his home until twenty-two years of age, he is in every essential a loyal American citizen, and has identified himself with the interests of his adopted country as far as it has been possible for him to do so. His parents were John P. and Mary (Kan- selmeier) Karkheck, the former of whom was a farmer of his native province of Hanover. He was born in 1794, and died in 1836.

The subject of this sketch was one of five chil- dren born to his parents, and like the great ma- jority of German youths, he was given the ad- vantages of the common schools of his native land, where he made the most of his oppor- tunities. At the age of sixteen years he began working as a farm hand, continuing thus em- ployed up to the time he was twenty-two years old, when, being possessed of considerable pluck and ambition, he concluded that America af- forded him opportunities for rising in the world, which his native land could not do, and thither he came in 1852. He took passage on a sailing vessel on the 19th of May, and arrived in New York after a voyage of forty-nine days, and here soon found employment in a sugar refinery. At the end of fourteen months he began working for a brother-in-law, who was in the grocery busi- ness, with whom he remained for about fifteen imonths.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 143

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