Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 149

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 149

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The mother of our subject, Margaret Newell, was born in Ireland, but reared in England, where her father, Andrew Newell, was a large contractor. At this writing she resides in Long Island City. Of her ten children seven are living, all of whom are sons and all masons, working in the employ of their oldest brother. The subject of this notice was born in West Seventeenth Street, New York City, September 7, 1866. In early boyhood he attended Grammar School No. 14, in East Twenty-seventh Street, and later was a student for two years in the College of the City of New York. From the age of eleven years he has resided in Long Island City, where he now has his home at No. 112 Academy Street. In

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1891 the accidental death of his father, with whom he had been associated in business, threw the entire responsibility of the firm's affairs upon himself. His present prosperity proves that he was equal to the emergency.

A man of strong opinions, on no question are Mr. Phillips' ideas more pronounced than on politics, and we find him a stanch advocate of united Democracy and a leader in his party. He is a member, among other organizations, of the Mechanics and Traders' Exchange of Brooklyn, the Manhattan Athletic Club of New York City and the Lotus Club of Brooklyn.

J AMES M. HIGGINS, a successful young business man of Flushing, was born here January 15, 1868. He is of Irish descent, his grandfather, Michael Higgins, having been a native of County Kerry, whence in early man- hood he emigrated to America and settled in Flushing, being the second Irishman to seek a home in this village. He was employed as a land- scape gardener until the arrival of his brother Daniel, when the two established the Higgins nursery. After a short time, however, Michael went to Whitestone, where he took a position as gardener. Later he was proprietor of a grocery store in Main Street, Flushing. In 1872 he re- moved to New York City, where he carried on a grocery trade on the East Side. His death occurred there in 1879.

The father of our subject, William D. Higgins, was born in Whitestone and in early life engaged in farming, but after a time gave his attention to the express business in Flushing. About 1872 he embarked in the grocery business, and during the years that have since elapsed he has gained a reputation as an upright and honorable business man. He is still proprietor of a store in Broad- way, and is numbered among the industrious and energetic men of his community. By his mar- riage to Ann O'Brien, a native of Queens County, Ireland, he has three children.

James M., who is the only son and youngest child, was educated in St. Michael's parochial school and the high school. At the age of four- teen he became news agent on the Long Island Railroad, but followed that occupation only a short time. April 1, 1884, he entered the real estate office of J. E. Carll, where he remained for five years, and then, with the assistance and en- couragement of that gentleman, he started a real

estate and insurance business of his own in 1889. This he has since successfully conducted. April I, 1890, he was elected assessor of the town of Flushing for three years, and in 1893 he was elected town clerk on the Democratic ticket for one year. For two years, while serving as as- sessor, he acted as deputy receiver of taxes. In 1896 he was again chosen assistant receiver and collector of taxes. At his office, No. I Jaggar Avenue, he carries on a general real estate and insurance business, representing the American, Pennsylvania and Hanover of Philadelphia. In addition to this, he does considerable business as an auctioneer.

Mr. Higgins was a member of St. Michael's Church and at one time was vice-president of the Catholic Benevolent Legion. He served his time in Rescue Hook and Ladder Company, and later was a member of the Flushing Hose Company No. 3. Fraternally he is identified with Council No. 6, A. O. F., is treasurer of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and at one time belonged to the Flushing Boat Club. All local matters receive his support, and while he always votes the Demo- cratic ticket, he is not a partisan in his views, but gives to others the freedom of opinion he claims for himself. He is connected with the West End Building and Loan Association, the Flushing Im- provement Society and Flushing Protective Gun Association.

R ICHARD H. WILLIAMS. College Point numbers among its rising young business men the subject of this sketch, who is a successful contractor and is also filling the posi- tion of assessor. He is a son of Robert and Mar- garet Williams, the former of whom, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America in early man- lood and settled in Flushing, but removed thence to College Point in 1840. At that time the vil- lage was in its infancy, and gave few indications of its present thriving condition. He was one of its early settlers and remained closely associated with its growth until he died at the age of sixty-three. Throughout life he followed the oc- cupation of a mason and builder, in which, while not gaining wealth, he accumulated a compe- tency. His wife is still living and makes her home in Twelfth Street.

The six children comprising the parental fam- ily were named as follows: Mary, wife of Richard E. Tracy, who is a builder by occupation: Lizzie,

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Mrs. Fred Bux; Maggie, who lives with her mother; Robert, deputy sheriff of Queens Coun- ty; Richard H., of this sketch; and Thomas, a builder by trade, and a resident of College Point. Our subject was born in this village August I, 1863, and was educated in the common schools and St. Francis College, New York City. Hav- ing a natural ability as a mechanic, he began to learn the machinist's trade in Flushing, but abandoned it to enter the building business, which he believed would prove more profitable. He continued thus engaged for a time, after which he turned his attention to his present busi- ness of contracting, his contracts including num- erous orders for excavating, road grading, etc.

By his marriage to May Hargreave, of Yonk- ers, N. Y., Mr. Williams has three children, Rob- ert Vincent, Richard Ambrose and Mary Irene. He is a Catholic in religious views and holds membership in the Catholic Benevolent Legion. In politics he is a leader in the Democracy, and for ten years has served as secretary of the Democratic Club. In 1891 he was elected as- sessor, which office he has since held. He is con- nected with the Foresters and is an honorary member of the Junior Hose Company.

J UDGE GEORGE T. BOWMAN, during his incumbency of the office of justice of the peace, has seen opened and broadened be- fore him a grand field of work for the good of his fellow-men. By means of his thorough study of the cases that have fallen within his jurisdiction and of the statutes of New York and the rulings of the common law, he has adjusted satisfactorily many cases that might otherwise have resulted in tedious, expensive and harassing suits at law, and he has thus exerted a beneficent influence in his community.

Now a resident of Winfield Junction, our sub- ject was born in Newtown December 31, 1854, and is one of five survivors among the eight chil- dren originally comprising the family of Peter and Bridget (Hay) Bowman. His father emi- grated from Europe to America in youth and set- tled in Newtown, where he engaged in gardening until his death in 1872. George T. grew to man- hood in his native place, and prior to the age of twenty-two was engaged in farming, but at that age he secured employment with the firm of Howard & Moss, wire weavers, in Brooklyn, with whom he remained for eighteen consecutive

years, receiving a gradual increase of salary in recognition of his faitntul and valuable services. His resignation was caused by his election to the office of justice of the peace, to fill the unexpired term of one year and nine months caused by the death of the former justice. At the expiration of this term, in January, 1895, he was again elected to the position, which he has since filled with honor to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituents.

The marriage of our subject and Miss Barbara Weber, of Newtown, occurred in 1876, and re- sulted in the birth of seven children, of whoni four are living: George L., Anna E., Arthur F. and Lucy. The wife and mother died in 1889. Mr. Bowman was again married November 14, 1895, his wife being Miss Louisa Timmes, of Newtown. The family are connected with the Roman Catholic Church and regular attendants at its services. Mr. Bowman is chancellor of the Catholic Benevolent Legion as well as state de- partment chancellor, and for six years served as president of Winfield Council N. 126.

The Democratic party has in Mr. Bowman one of its loyal supporters and local leaders. For many years he was president of a Democratic or- ganization in this district, and at this writing is treasurer of the town central committee. At the election in 1895 he headed the ticket and every candidate, with the exception of one constable, was elected by a handsome majority. For about six years he was a member of the board of educa- tion, and served for four years as its president, rendering in that position efficient service in the interests of the schools.

W ILLIAM H. DELAHANTY. Of the various divisions into which the opera- tions of the municipality are divided, there is none of which the citizens feel more justly proud than the active, well-trained, vigi- lant and excellently equipped fire department. William H. Delahanty, who is chief of the fire department of Long Island City, has served in his present capacity since 1893, and the notable efficiency to which the department has attained is in a large measure due to his thorough knowl- edge of the business and his careful training of the men engaged with him. He was born in Astoria, Long Island City, in 1856, and inherits much of his determination and energy from his Irish ancestors. His father, Dennis, was born

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in Ireland and came to this country in boyhood, subsequently becoming superintendent for the E. C. Smith Varnish Company. He continued with that concern until his death in 1869, when thirty-eight years of age.

The mother of our subject, who still resides in Astoria, bore the maiden name of Mary A. Too- mey and was born in Albany, N. Y., being a daughter of Michael Toomey, who learned and followed the trade of a varnish maker in Albany, removing thence to Astoria, where he held the position of superintendent in the Smith Varnisii Works until his death, at eighty-eight. In this position he was succeeded by his son-in-law, Mr. Delahanty. Of the latter's family of eight chil- dren five are living, William H. being second in order of birth. He passed his childhood years in Astoria, receiving his primary education in the First Ward and completing his studies in the Fourth Ward school.

The first position held by Mr. Delahanty was that of starter for the Steinway Railroad Con- pany, but later he became assistant superinten- dent and afterward for four years served as su- perintendent. After one year as supervisor of the city, in 1893 he was appointed chief of the fire department by Mayor Sanford and the board of fire commissioners. When he accepted this po- sition there were but two fire companies and two houses, but at this writing there are nine com- panies and seven houses and the department has been reorganized, equipped and cnlarged. Five new engines have been added, the number of men has been increased from fourteen to forty- two, and there are two of the latest improved trucks. Each house has an electric system and there are twenty street boxes, the system having been perfected through the efforts of Chief Dela- hanty, who devotes all of his time to the duties of the office and each day inspects all of the houses.

In Long Island City Mr. Delahanty was mar- ried to Miss Emma Hartel, a native of this city, and they are the parents of seven children: Kate, William, Emma, Mary, Nellie, Grace and James. From 1882 to 1886 Mr. Delahanty filled the po- sition of alderman and in the last namcd year he was president of the board. He was chairman of the fire and water committee and was active in the department. In the improvement of city property he is deeply interested. Fraternally he is a member of Long Island City Council No. 17, Order of Firemen, the International Board of

Fire Chiefs, and the Veteran Firemen's Associa - tion. He was assistant foreman and foreman and served as assistant engineer for two years under Chief Camisky. In politics he is a Democrat, is a charter member of the Jefferson Club and for a number of years before being made chief of the department served on the general committee.

L EANDER MORTIMER DE LA MAT- ER, secretary of the John Stephenson Co., Limited. From a perusal of the life records of successful men may be gleaned much that is interesting and profitable to readers of mature years, as well as many lessons worthy of emula- tion by the young. Mr. De La Mater's success proves what one may accomplish who is indus- trious, conscientious and determined. The re- sponsible position which he holds has been ob- tained through the exercise of sound judgment in business matters and through his efficient dis- charge of every duty in life. While his business requires his daily presence in New York City, lie has, since 1875, made his home in Flushing, where he is an influential and leading citizen.

The family of which Mr. De La Mater is a representative is of mingled French and Dutch stock. The name was originally, in France, Le Maitre, meaning "The Master," but has been changed to its present form since the settlement in America. The first of the name to come to this country was Claude Le Maitre, who, in 1652, settled in Flatbush (then Harlem) and there mar- ried, for his second wife, Hester Du Bois, of Am- sterdam, Holland. Since his time the descend- ants have been identified with the history of this part of the state and have been known as pa- triotic, honorable and law-abiding citizens.

The grandfather of our subject, Isaac De La Mater, was a resident of Sing Sing, N. Y., and had a family of twelve children by his wife, Abi- gail, who died at the age of ninety-two. During the war with England he entered the colonial service and fought valiantly for independence, being a member of the company to which be- longed John Paulding and Isaac Van Wart, the captors of Major André. During his service he fell into the hands of the British, by whom he was for some time imprisoned in the old sugar house in New York City.

Edward D. De La Mater, father of our subject, was the youngest of twelve children and was born in Sing Sing, N. Y. Engaging in the sash and blind manufacturing business, he was located first

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in Ninth, later in Twenty-third Street, New York City. He was a man who kept well posted upon current events and possessed a large store of in- formation, not only along business lines, but in almost every department of knowledge. In his early years he was identified with the Methodist Protestant Church and later became a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. After having been an invalid for three years, the re- sult of a stroke of paralysis, he died June 29, 1895, aged eighty-five years. His wife, Jane (Cheshire) De La Mater, was born near Oyster Bay, Queens County, daughter of Samuel Cheshire, and died in 1888 at the home of her son, when seventy- three years of age. Of her three children two attained years of maturity: Leander Mortimer and Jane M., Mrs. J. W. Tompkins, who died in New York City.

Born in New York October 5, 1835, the sub- ject of this record as a boy attended Ward School No. 2, located on the corner of Ninth Street and First Avenue. In 1849 he entered the New York Free Academy, of which he was one of the first pupils, and there he remained for three and one- half years. From the time he left school until he was twenty years old, he assisted his father in the sash and blind business. In 1855 he entered the office of John Stephenson, the street car builder, located then, as now, at No. 47 East Twenty- seventh Street. In 1867 he became a member of the firm of John Stephenson & Co., which con- cern was in 1875 incorporated as the John Steph- enson Co., Limited, and a few years later he was made secretary.

At the time of the war, Mr. De La Mater, who was then a resident of New Rochelle, was orderly sergeant of the Seventeenth New York National Guard and was called out for thirty days' service about the time of the battle of Gettysburg in 1863. The time was principally spent in guard- ing Rebel prisoners at Ft. McHenry. From the rank of acting adjutant Mr. De La Mater was promoted to be adjutant, and later was commis- sioned lieutenant-colonel by Governor Morgan, serving from 1861 until the regiment was dis- banded at the close of the war.

The first marriage of Mr. De La Mater took place in New York City and united him with Miss Mary T. Stephenson, who died in 1870. Of their eight children, only three attained mature years, namely: Annie S., who died at twenty-two years; Jennie L., Mrs. Austin Hicks, of Great Neck, L. I .; and Lillie Grant, who died at the age

of twenty-seven. The father of Mrs. De La Ma- ter, John Stephenson, was a man of such remark- able character that he deserves especial mention in this connection. Born in Ireland of humble parentage, starting in life without the prestige of wealth or the aid of influential friends, he never- theless attained a financial success that brought him world-wide renown. At the age of four years he was brought to America by his parents and grew to manhood in New York City, with the history of which his own was ever afterward identified. In early manhood he began to manu- facture omnibuses, making the first in the city. In 1831 he built the first street car line in New York and became the pioneer street car builder of the place. His factory was first in Elizabeth Street, later was removed to Harlem, and about 1842 was started in Twenty-seventh Street, where it has since remained. So rapidly did his busi- ness increase that in a few years he was filling orders from other parts of the world, and his cars were sent to every country on the globe ex- cept China. While engrossed with the responsi- bilities attached to his immense business, he did not forget religious duties, but ever maintained an interest in the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he belonged for many years. He at- tained an advanced age, dying in July, 1893, at the age of eighty-five.

During the Rebellion Mr. Stephenson sus- pended street car building to do government work and his factory was under government in- spection. In it he manufactured gun carriages, caisson and pontoon wagons. At one time an order was received for seventy pontoon wagons. There was no lumber in the shop, but he at once sent to New Brunswick, N. J., for logs, and in seventeen days a train of seventy pontoon wagons was sent to the headquarters of the army. The company now has the distinction of being the oldest manufacturers of street cars in the world and the largest in the East. Their facilities are unsurpassed for turning out first-class work in a short time, the capacity of their plant being about six hundred per annum. Employment is furn- ished to a large force of men, varying from three hundred to three hundred and fifty.

The present wife of Mr. De La Mater, with whom he was united in marriage at Jericho, Queens County, was Miss Sarah E. Duryea, a native of Brooklyn, and daughter of George Dur- yea, a farmer and builder of Jericho. Three sons blessed their union, namely: Merton Erving, Ros-

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well Alger, and Mortimer Sterling, who died at the age of seven years.

For eight years Mr. De La Mater was a meni- ber of the board of education and served as its president for one year; during the time of his connection with the board, the large addition to the high school was built. In 1852, at the age of seventeen, he united with the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which he has since been an active worker, having been a teacher or officer in the Sunday-school for forty years, and a member of the official board and class leader for thirty-eight years. His membership was first in the Rose Hill Methodist Episcopal Church in Twenty- seventh Street, New York; later he was connected with St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church at New Rochelle, and in 1875 joined the First Church of Flushing. Here he has been president of the board of trustees and superintendent of the Sunday-school. On four different occasions he has served as lay delegate to the conference of the denomination.

A Republican in politics, Mr. De La Mater cast his first vote for J. C. Fremont in 1856 and has since given his active allegiance to all the meas- ures of this party. He was one of the first pro- moters of Flushing Hospital and was president of the board of trustees at the time the corner stone was laid. In former years he served as president of the Queens County Sunday-school Association, of which he is still a member.

H ENRY O. AND GEORGE R. SUT- PHEN, operating under the firm name of Sutphen Brothers, are far-seeing and intelligent business men of Little Neck, which fact is shown by the success which has crowned their efforts. They are not only the proprietors of a large general merchandising establishment in this place, but are also prominent in both social and commercial circles. They are men of much practical and financial ability, and by ju- diciously investing their money have become well-to-do.

The brothers were born in New York City to Charles S. and Elizabeth (Whittle) Sutphen. Of their household of six children four now survive. Charles J. is manager of the Brooklyn branch of the H. J. Heinz Pickle Company; and Annie L., the only daughter, is the wife of R. Ellard, a resi- dent of Great Neck.

The father of our subjects was born in New

Brunswick, N. J., in 1831, this being the native state of his ancestors for many generations back. After attending school for a short period he be- gan very early in life to work at the carpenter's trade, which he mastered after attaining his nine- teenth year and began building and contracting on his own account in New York City. His shop at that time was located in Fortieth Street, where now stands the Metropolitan Opera House. The first contract of importance which was given him was the building of a row of dwellings in Twenty- third Street, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues. Succeeding in giving satisfaction, his efforts from that time on were accompanied by the most pleasing results, and for a period of thirty years he was one of the most prosperous contractors and builders of the metropolis, erecting many of its best business blocks and handsome residences, among the latter being that of a Mr. Bostwick, located on the corner of Sixty-second Street and Fifth Avenue, and the Knickerbocker residence, which stands on the corner of Sixty-fourth Street and Fifth Avenue. In the year 1875 Mr. Sutphen came with his family to Great Neck, with whose interests he has been identified ever since. His father, Grandfather Steadman Sutphen, and the great-grandfather, were also builders of prom- inence in their day and locality, so that Charles S. comes very naturally by his knowledge of car- penters' tools and the materials used in building. Steadman Sutphen constructed the first bridge which spanned the Raritan River and was known as the three-mile bridge.

Henry O. Sutphen, the senior member of the firm of Sutphen Brothers, was born February 25, 1860, while George R. is four years his junior and was born February 24, 1864. They both acquired good educations in the public schools of New York City and later learned the carpenter's trade under their father's instruction. Henry, after completing his apprenticeship, secured a position in a law office as copyist and for over six years devoted every spare moment to the study of law, which it was his intention at that time to follow. Withdrawing from the office at the expiration of that time he turned his attention to acquiring a knowledge of architecture and one year later we find him engaged in business for himself in Brooklyn. In this business he was remarkably successful and continued to make liis home in the City of Churches until about one year ago, wlien he came to Little Neck and entered into partner- ship with his brother.

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George R. Sutphen became a resident of this place in 1885, soon after completing his appren- ticeship at the carpenter's trade. He secured em- ployment as clerk in the store of Peter Walters and was his efficient assistant in business until 1895, when, with his brother, he purchased the stock of goods. By their enterprise and progres- siveness they have built up a paying patronage and are among the most prominent and influen- tial men of the place. They carry a stock of goods valued at $12,000, which they retail at popular prices, and are so thoroughly conscien- tious in the conduct of their affairs that their cus- tomers are invariably numbered among their best friends.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 149

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