Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 148

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 148

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Selah B. Upham accompanied his parents on their removal to the metropolis in 1852 and after completing his education in the public schools, became clerk in a drug store. He continued. to be thus occupied until 1865, when he established a store of his own at the corner of Fifty-eighth Street and Eighth Avenue, which in that early day was considered to be almost the finest in the country. He had very little means with which to begin life, and although a comparatively young man, he soon built up an enviable reputa- tion in this locality, owing to his superior knowl- edge in compounding medicines and the indus- trious spirit which he manifested in his affairs. The store which he occupied at that time was rented from the noted "Boss" Tweed.

In 1885 Mr. Upham purchased property in Woodhaven and erected the first building in what is now Ozone Park. Two years there- after he moved here and made permanent loca- tion, having in the meantime disposed of his busi- ness in New York to good advantage. Although not tied down to any particular business, he is largely interested in Queens County property, owning many of the finest dwellings and business blocks in the Park, besides some three hundred acres of land in another portion of the county. He has honorably borne his part in sustaining the interests of Woodhaven since coming here and his intelligence, good citizenship and fine character entitle him to the esteem of his ac- quaintances.

H ENRY P. TITUS eomes of a well known and honorable ancestry, being descended from the Titus and Hieks families. He was born in Market Street. New York City, February 3, 1848, a son of Hon. Peter and Ma- tilda (Sulger) Titus, who were born in New York City in 1804 and Philadelphia, respectively. The father received a practical education and after reaching the age of sixteen years clerked for a time in New York, and upon reaching his major- ity embarked in the wholesale lumber business with a cousin, but later became a wholesale grocer in Water Street. At the age of forty years he withdrew from aetive business life and in

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1859 purchased his home at Astoria for a country seat, but was so pleased with the place that he located here permanently. He passed from life in 1893, when nearly ninety years old, having en- joyed excellent health up to within a short time prior to his death. In 1848 he was the Whig rep- resentative from the old seventh ward of New York City, in the general assembly of the state. For some years he was connected with the New York fire department. Although he came of Quaker stock, he was not an active member of that society. His wife was a daughter of Jacob Sulger, a native of Germany and a Lutheran in religious belief. She was reared and educated in Philadelphia, and died in July, 1894, in her eighty-fourth year. Her union with Mr. Titus re- sulted in the birth of two children: Mrs. Alice Morris, of Astoria, and Henry P., the subject of this sketch.

The Titus family tree, so far as known, first took root on American soil in 1635, at which time Robert and Hannah Titus, the former aged thirty-three and the latter thirty-one years, em- barked on the good ship "Hopewell" at London for America, accompanied by their two sons, John, aged eight, and Edmund, aged five years. Edmund came to Long Island, settled at Hemp- stead, where he engaged in farming, and was the founder of the family in this section. He married Martha Washburn, and their son Peter in due course of time married Martha, daughter of Col. John Jackson, of Jerusalem, L. I. Their son, Richard, wedded Mary, daughter of Dr. Charles Peters, and their son Peter married Eliz- abeth, daughter of Michael Mudge. Michael, the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Mudge) Titus, and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born at Old Westbury Station, L. I. He learned the harness makers' trade and opened a shop at the old home place, which had been built about 1646 or 1648. After a time he located in the city of New York and became a member of the firm of Hicks & Titus, where he remained in business until his death. He was married to Miss Alice Hicks, a member of the prominent old Hicks family of this region. Rob- ert Hicks was the first of the family to come to this country. He embarked at London on the ship "Fortune" for the New World and landed on the shores of Massachusetts November II, 1621. In 1640, with his wife Margaret, he removed to Rhode Island, and from that state, in 1642, John and Stephen Hicks came to Long Island. They

settled in the vicinity of Flushing, John being the lineal ancestor of Henry P. Titus. The Hicks and Titus families were of Quaker stock.

At the time Henry P. Titus was born his father was a member of the state assembly and his birth was announced in that body by the famous Mike Welch, who made an amusing speech when ask- ing for the absence of Mr. Titus to return home. Henry P. was educated in a private school of New York and the Flushing Institute and then entered the law department of Columbia Col- lege, from which he graduated in May, 1872, with the degree of LL. B. The next day he was ad- mitted to the bar, but did not at once take up the active practice of law, for his time was fully oc- cupied in looking after his various interests. His father was very fond of outdoor sports, particu- larly fishing, and much of his leisure time was spent on the water. Henry P. is partial to hunt- ing and angling and has caught trout in the mountains of Pennsylvania and New York and has shot deer in the Adirondacks.

Mr. Titus has been an exceptionally public- spirited citizen and for six years was a member of the board of education and one year its presi- dent. During this time he was the chief promoter in the building of the Steinway public school. He was one of the original members of the Steinway Hose Company No. 7, as was also his father, and he held the position of secretary. He was a director of the Queens County Agricultural Society for twelve years and did much to make the society the prosperous organization that it now is. He was one of the trustees of the Stein- way Reformed Church, and was one of those to attend to the erection of the fine new church in which he has since been a trustee. Not only has he been active in church work, but political cir- cles have also felt his influence, although he is not an official aspirant. He has ever been a stanch Republican and has been a leader in num- erous county and state conventions, as well as in various enterprises that have come up, and his influence has ever been on the side of prog- ress, justice and right. He has a fine residence at the corner of Shore Road and Purdy Street.

In 1891 Mr. Titus was married in Flushing to Miss Mary Moore Riker, a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., and a daughter of Joseph H. and Martha (Moore) Riker, granddaughter of Henry Riker, a native of New York City, and great-grand- daughter of Peter Riker, who. was a cooper by trade and was a member of the British army dur-

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ing the Revolutionary War. He afterwards lo -. cated on Riker's Island, which his father, Andrew, had purchased from the Indians. Henry Riker was a farmer on the island, but later sold this land and located at Painesville, Ohio, where he died. His wife, Deborah Cromwell, was born in West- chester County, and to them five children were born, and three are still living. George L. was captain of the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio In- fantry and now resides near Painesville. J. H. Riker was reared in New York and on the island and after learning the trade of a sash and blind maker, he went to Riker's Island and engaged in farming. Later he spent five years in Painesville, then farmed in the vicinity of Newtown, but since 1877 has been a resident of Long Island City. Mrs. Riker was a daughter of David Moore, a farmer of Long Island. She had only one child, Mary Moore, the wife of Henry P. Titus, who, with her husband, is a leader in the social circles of Long Island City.

J JOHN MACKEY. Born near the beginning of the present century, Mr. Mackey has lived, until almost the period of its close, a long and useful life, all of which has been spent in Queens County. As might be expected, he has a large acquaintance throughout this part of the island. Many of those who were associated with him in his active years have passed away; some have removed to other localities, and few remain to enjoy with him the improvements of the pres- ent generation. However, while his confreres have mostly passed away, he is well known among the younger men of the community, whom he has watched from childhood and in whose prosperity he has always shown great interest.

Now a resident of Port Washington, our sub- . ject was born May 7, 1814, at Dosoris, north of Glencove, in the town of Oyster Bay. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Wilson) Mackey, and a brother of George Mackey, whose sketch appears in this volume. Of the surviving members of the family, he is the oldest now living. In boyhood he accompanied his parents to Port Washington, where for a short time he attended a private school. Under the instruction of his father, who was a cooper, hc learned that trade, at whichi he worked for a few years, but not caring to make it his life calling he turned his attention to oyster farming. He was a pioneer in the industry

and being careful and energetic, made a suc- cess of the business, accumulating a sufficient amount to enable him to build a residence and lay aside a snug sum for future needs.

The marriage of Mr. Mackey, January 10, 1838, united him with Miss Jane Wright, who was born at Glencove November 20, 1817, being a daughter of Elijah and Freelove (Merritt) Wright. Nine children were born of the union, named as follows: Elijah, a carpenter, living in this village; Anna, who died at the age of twenty- three; Mary, wife of William Post, of Port Wash- ington, and the mother of five children; John, of Brooklyn, who has been twice married, but has no children; Freelove, Mrs. Jesse Lewis, who lives in this village and has four children; Jacob, who makes his home with our subject, is married and has five children; Alice, who has five chil- dren by her marriage to Robert West, of this village; Edgar, who lives here and is the father of five children by his marriage; and Ellen, Mrs. Samuel Johnson, of Brooklyn, who is the mother of a son, Noble.

When Andrew Jackson was the presidential candidate, Mr. Mackey cast his ballot for that renowned general and was delighted at his suc- cess. Adhering to the principles of the Demo- cratic party, he kept himself posted upon ques- tions of local importance or those affecting the welfare of the nation. At one time he was elected assessor and served with fidelity in that position. In his younger years he held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was an active worker in the home lodge .. In his old age he is enjoying the fruit of years spent in useful- ness and in well-doing. Those who know him best respect him most, and in the community of which his family is so prominent a factor, the family are held in the highest cstecm.

P ORT WASHINGTON WOMAN'S CLUB, for the entertainment and improve- ment of its members, and for philanthropic purposes, was organized in January, 1892, with twelve members. The officers clccted were: Miss Carolyn Hicks, founder and president: Mrs. I. P. Tredwell, vicc-president; Miss Charlotte Onder- donk, secretary, and Mrs. Amclia Cornwell, treas- urer. The club met at the houses of the inembers and began their work by founding a circulating library of twenty-five books, contributed by men- bers. The library was first establishicd at tlic resi-

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dence of the librarian, Miss W. M. Mitchell, who is assisted by Mrs. Lizzie S. Mitchell. In April, 1892, rooms were rented in the Baxter home- stead for the club meetings, and the library moved to them. An increase of books to over five hundred led to an application to the state for a free library charter, and a provisional one was granted in November, 1895. The library trustees are: Miss Carolyn Hicks. Miss W. M. Mitchell, Mrs. Ellen Stannard, Mrs. Adelia Weeks, Mrs. Ella Davis, Mrs. Catherine Nos- trand and Miss Charlotte Onderdonk.

The establishment of a relief fund by the club for the poor of the village and the furnishing of work for those desiring it led to an exchange for woman's work opened May 11, 1892, with Miss W. M. Mitchell as president and a board of managers. Sales for the benefit of consigners amounted the first year to $500.37. Annual mem- bers of the exchange pay a fee of $2. There are at present (May, 1896,) thirty exchange mem- bers, and over sixty consigners. The club has met its expenses and maintained the relief fund by the dues of its members ($2 annually), by donations and by entertainments in which or- iginal plays were performed. There are in the present year, 1896, twenty-eight members, and the officers are: president, Mrs. Anna Mott; first vice-president, Mrs. Kittie Messenger; second vice-president, Mrs. Ellen Stannard; recording secretary, Mrs. M. Eleanor Smull; correspond- ing secretary, Mrs. Amelia Cornwell, and treas- urer, Miss Margie Tredwell.

E ARL A. GILLESPIE. The business in- terests of Woodhaven have a capable and successful representative in the subject of this biography, who is at the head of the lumber interests in the place. He was born at Watkins Landing, on the banks of the Hudson River, February 22, 1850. His father, Lewis Gillespie, was a native of Schenectady County, N. Y., born in 1821, and was a prominent lumber dealer of West Troy up to the time of his decease, in 1885. Through years of industrious and honest toil he secured a good income and the respect of those who had business dealings with him from time to time. He was an active member of the Reformed Church and for many years was elder of his con- gregation. He had three brothers, of whom James went South prior to the outbreak of the late war and was never more heard from; George

was for many years a builder in Schenectady, N. Y .; and W. C., who started in life as a boat- builder at Havana, N. Y., was at the time of his demise president of the bank at that place.

The grandfather of our subject, James Gil- lespie, was one of the prominent agriculturists of Schenectady County and a leader in the Re- formed Church. The family is of Scotch origin, although the first of this branch to come to America, in 1760, emigrated from Belfast, Ire- land. They immediately made their way to the above county in this state, among whose resi- dents they became prominent.

The maiden name of our subject's mother was Ellen Valentine. Her grandfather, prior to the Revolution, was a blacksmith in the village of Jamaica, L. I. When volunteers were called for he entered the service and won distinction for his brave and fearless conduct. When peace was de- clared he settled in Saratoga County, and there passed the remaining years of his life. Mrs. Gillespie had two brothers and one sister. Mark was a carpenter and builder by trade; William ran away from home when a boy, and, going to sea, made a trip around the world; in 1849 he joined the train of gold-seekers and crossed the plains to California, where he made his perma- nent home.

Earl A. Gillespie, who was the only child of his parents, was educated in the schools of Troy, N. Y., after which he entered the office of his fa- ther's wholesale lumber yard and became thor- oughly acquainted with every branch of the business. In 1881 he removed to East New York, and, forming a partnership with his wife's brother, established a lumber yard and built up a large business, in which he is still interested.

Our subject remained in East New York for four years, when he left the management of the business to his partner, and, coming to Wood- haven, opened up another yard and is now at the head of one of the largest concerns of this kind on Long Island. In addition to the two lumber yards, he has recently established one of the most extensive ice manufacturing plants in the coun- try. It is located not far from his lumber yards at Ozone Park, and is said to be one of the most complete ice plants of its kind now in operation. There is probably no gentle- man in Queens County who has met with greater success than has rewarded his efforts. He is in- terested in many other enterprises of importance in the city, being director of the Woodhaven

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Bank and the owner of much valuable real es- tate in this place and East New York. He is a member of the Reformed Church in East New York and has been elder in this congregation for many years. He was one of the leaders in the es- tablishment of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation of the twenty-sixth ward, Brooklyn. He contributes largely of his time and means toward making this a success and is one of its board of managers.

In 1882 Mr. Gillespie married Miss Isabella Curtis, granddaughter of Captain Curtis of Revo- lutionary fame. This lady was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., and by her union with our sub- ject has become the mother of two children. The family occupy one of the finest residences in Woodhaven.

W ILLIAM E. KIRK. The record of the life of Mr. Kirk is that of an honest, in- dustrious, persevering man, who has followed his chosen occupation for a very long period and is still carrying it on in an energetic and methodical manner. His home is situated one mile west of the village of Locust Valley, in the town of Oyster Bay, where for twenty years . or more he has followed the blacksmith's trade, and for the twenty years previous he was simi- larly engaged in the village. In addition to that trade, until recently he was engaged in wagon making and repairing.

The father of our subject, John Kirk, was born in Glencove, Queens County, and in early life learned the trades of millwright and shipbuilder, which he followed for a number of years in the navy yard of New York. By his marriage to Mary Albertson, also a native of the island, he had three children who attained mature years, namely: William E., who was born in the city of New York on the 4th of July, 1822; Degrove and George, both deceased. When our subject was a mere child his mother returned to Long Island and here, as soon as old enough, he hired out to work on a farm. His educational advantages were exceedingly limited, but he managed to gain a fund of general information that has been of great assistance to him in business affairs.

At the age of sixteen Mr. Kirk entered a shop in Glencove, where he was employed for two years, and afterward he spent a similar period in the shop of Mr. Cox. For several years after- ward he worked for Mr. Weeks. On entering

business for himself, he opened a shop at Locust Valley, where he remained about twenty years, and then moved to his present location, one mile west of the village, where he built a shop and re- modeled the house. He has been three times married, his first wife being Jane Weeks, daughter of his former employer, and mother of one child that died in infancy. By his second wifc, Sarah E. Underhill, he had two children, but both died young. His present wife is a member of an old family of Long Island. Her father was born and reared in the town of Oyster Bay, where he followed the occupations of farmer and weaver. She is one of eight children, of whom four are still living, and by her marriage she is the mother of four children, namely: Isabelle; Jane; Annie, wife of Benjamin Downing of Glen- head; and William E., who for some years has been his father's right-hand man in the managc- ment of the shop.

In former years Mr. Kirk was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politi- cally he votes the Democratic ticket in national elections, but in local matters is inclined to be in- dependent. He is liberal in his views, conceding to others the right to their opinions, which he claims as his birthright. At no time in his life has he sought office, as his tastes and inclinations lead him to prefer a private life. He is indus- trious and persevering, and deserves the compe- tency which he has accumulated by hard work.

J. MAYNARD KISSAM. This public-

spirited citizen of the village of Queens

. holds the position of justice of the town of Jamaica, to which office he was elected in the fall of 1894. He is a native of this county, born at Flushing, August 15, 1865. His father, John R. Kissam, was also born in that beautiful old town and for many years prosecuted farming with success. He is now living in ease and comfort in the village of Queens. The Kissam family is one of the oldest and most highly respected on Long Island and its various members have al- most, without an exception, taken a leading part in the affairs of Qucens County.

The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of E. Amanda Remsen, was a mem- ber of a family that traced its anccstry to the early settlement of the island. Her union with John R. Kissam resulted in the birth of three sons and one daughter. Eleanor A. married W. P. Fos-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ter, who, at his death, left her with a daughter, Ethel; Richard A. and William A. are both living in this village.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Queens and in Brown's Institute, Brooklyn. In 1882 he accepted a position with the Imperial and Northern Insurance Company of New York, remaining in their employ until January 1, 1886, when he resigned and became connected with the Lancaster Insurance Con- pany, working in the interests of this concern until January 1, 1889. He then formed a partner- ship in the insurance business, having his main office in New York with a branch office at Queens, where he spends a portion of his time.

Judge Kissam is a leading Republican of the county and has always taken a very active part in local politics. He has been collector of school taxes of the village of Queens since 1890, and is at present treasurer of the fire department and secretary of the building and loan association. In the fall of 1894 his friends urged him to be- come a candidate for the office of justice of the town of Jamaica. He did so and was elected by a majority of nine hundred, that, too, in a Demo- cratic district. This fact speaks well for his pop- ularity as a citizen, and since entering upon the duties of the office he has given no less satis- faction as an official. He is prominent in Ma- sonic circles and is a member of the Royal Ar- canum, American Legion of Honor, of which he is a past commander, and the Shield of Honor, in which organization he is past senior master. He was one of the charter members of the Chub Club of Jamaica and also takes an active part in other leading clubs on Long Island. He has never married, and makes his home with his parents 11: Queens.

P ETER N. PHILLIPS. Of the many citi- zens of Long Island City who have chosen contracting and building for their life work, none is meeting with more success than Mr. Phillips, who, though still a young man, has had the contract for the erection of some of the miost substantial buildings in this locality. Much of his time is spent in New York, where he has an office at No. 143 Liberty Street, and in addi- tion he also has an office in Brooklyn. He has made a particular study of the construction of public buildings, and his familiarity with every detail is largely the secret of his success.

The business founded by his father and now conducted by Mr. Phillips has assumed large pro- portions, and its management requires his thoughtful oversight. Among the buildings he has erected may be mentioned the addition to the College of the City of New York and about sixteen large alterations in the public schools in New York City. In Brooklyn he had the con- tract for two houses for the fire department and the largest part of the buildings in block 3 of the Wallabout market. He also built the Newtown water works for the Citizens' Water Supply Com- pany. In Long Island City he had the contract for the fire engine house in Jackson Avenue, first ward; the two fire department houses in Flush- ing Avenue, near Steinway Avenue; the Fourth Ward school; and the rebuilding of the large brick chimney at the city water works, which is one hundred and fifteen feet in height.

The Phillips family originated in England. Our subject's father, John M., was born in Lan- cashire, and was the son of a contractor there. In youth he learned the mason's trade, serving an apprenticeship under the largest contractor of the shire. After his marriage he came to the United States and settled in New York, where he first followed his trade, but later became con- tractor for the W. H. Ellis estate. In 1877 he located at No. 112 Academy Street, Long Island City, but continued contracting, with his son as partner, under the firm name of J. M. Phillips & Son. In 1890 he accidentally fell from a building in Brooklyn and the injury resulted fatally. He was then fifty years of age. For many years before his death he was chairman of the general committee of the independent Democratic party. He was a Catholic and one of the leading mem- bers of St. Patrick's Church.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 148

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