Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 15

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 15

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In 1876 Professor Shimer married Miss Mary C. Hannum of Allentown, Pa., and they have . two daughters, Mabel H. and Maude C. In 1878 he came to Jamaica, where he has since made his home, and where he has taken an active part in local affairs. There being no Lutheran Church here, he united with the Presbyterian Church, and for many years has been superin- tendent of the Sabbath school, and deacon in the church.

J AMES K. DAVIS, postmaster at Roslyn, and a builder and contractor by occupation, was born in Wheatly, town of Oyster Bay, in November, 1844, being a son of Samuel J. and Mary (Seaman) Davis. His father, who was a native of Jericho, L. I., settled at Wheatly in early manhood and engaged at his trade of stone ma- son and plasterer until his death, which occurred at the family residence in 1893; his wife had passed away one year prior to his demise. In their family were the following-named children: Judge Edgar Davis, of Hicksville; John, who lives at Wheatly; Lydia A., wife of Joseph Lay- ton, of Jericho; James K .; Lavinia; Phoebe, wife of David Layton, of Wheatly; George W., of East Williston, and Thorn, of Wheatly.

When about sixteen years of age our subject entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, having spent two years previous in the store of William Valentine, of Roslyn. At the expiration of his term of service, at the age of twenty-one, he began to work at his trade, which he has since followed with the exception of a

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short period. October 24, 1876, he was united in marriage with Eliza, daughter of John Charlick, a hotelkeeper at Roslyn, where she was born. Her father's brother, Oliver Charlick, was at one time president of the Long Island Railroad Company

After his marriage Mr. Davis came to Roslyn as a permanent citizen, beginning work as a build er and contractor. In 1877 he became interested in the meat business in Roslyn, being thus en- gaged for five years, when poor health induced him to retire from business. In 1892, on the Democratic ticket, he was elected collector of taxes for the town of Hempstead and was re- elected the following term. Since 1879 he has been a member of the Board of Education, of which he was secretary for some time, and has been president since 1893. In 1893, under Presi- dent Cleveland, he was appointed postmaster at Roslyn, in which capacity he has served efficiently. Socially he is connected with Glencove Lodge No 580, F. & A. M., and Melchizadek Chapter No. 73. He is also a member of the Roslyn Benevo- lent Society. In his family there are six chil- dren: Frederick C., assistant postmaster; Eu- genia, Nellie, Bruce, Margery and Lois.

B ERNARD EARLE. The subject of the following sketch can look back upon a busy life and feel that his labors have not been in vain. When success crowns any victor, reward is his due, and Mr. Earle feels that he receives his reward in the peace and plenty which surround his declining years and the rest he can now take after the weary and long struggle upon the battlefield of human activities. He was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1820, and received a good education in his native place. At the age of sixteen he began an apprenticeship to the car- penter's trade at Castle Ballingham, and for sev- eral years thereafter his attention was closely devoted to his chosen work.

Having resolved to seek a home in the United States, Mr. Earle, in 1843, took passage on the "City of Oxford," and after an uneventful voyage landed in New York, where he at once began to follow his trade. In 1846 he took up contract work, and, meeting with success in that line, he followed it for twenty years. With the money he earned he made investments in real estate, watch- ing the market closely and taking advantage of special bargains in property. So successful was he that at the close of the war he was the owner

of thirty-two houses in New York. In 1871 he invested in real estate in Queens County, near Hicksville, and has retained large interests here since.

In 1888 Mr. Earle donated the grounds and buildings now occupied by St. John's Asylum, which is under the auspices of the Catholic Church and is a branch of the Catholic Asylum of Brook- lyn. At this writing there are about one hun- dred and fifty inmates of the institution. In 1895 he also donated ninety-two acres to the Papist fathers, and on this property, which is located at Mannetto Hill, arrangements have been made to erect buildings and found a home. He has long been a member of the Catholic Church, and takes a great interest in its welfare. Among the leaders of the church he is very popular, his kind- ness of heart and the munificence of his gifts con- ducing to increase the high position which his up- right life has created. His realty includes a num- ber of houses in Hicksville, Brooklyn and other places, and while he has ostensibly retired from business, yet it requires a considerable portion of his time to direct and superintend the manage- ment of his property.

J OHN D. CROSBY, postmaster at Inwood, took a prominent part in securing the es- tablishment of a postoffice at this place, and in 1888 was chosen the first postmaster, which position he has since held. He came to the vil- lage in 1884 and for two years had charge of a drug store for Dr. Schmuck, after which he bought the business and has since been the pro- prietor, carrying on his drug trade in connection with his official duties.

Anton T. Crosby, a farmer of Deerfield, Oneida County, married Margaret Holmes, of North Gage, this state, and five children were born of their union, namely: John D., the subject of this article; Lottie, wife of John Cook, a resident of Voss, Walsh County, N. Dak .; Mary, Mrs. Charles Greene, of Torrington, Conn .; Emma, who married James Fuller, of North Gage, and Edith, a teacher, residing with her parents in Oneida County. Our subject was born on his father's farm at Deerfield, N. Y., May 23, 1858, and grew to manhood on the homestead, meantime attend- ing the common schools and Whitestown Semin- ary. At the age of twenty-four he left home, and, going to Utica, was employed in a drug store for three years, after which he came to Inwood, his

JOHN KELLUM.

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present home. He is a licensed druggist, familiar with every department of his chosen work, and has built up a large trade in this locality.

November 20, 1889, Mr. Crosby married Miss May V. Croft, a lady of intelligence and refine- ment, who soon after their marriage began the study of pharmacy and graduated from the New York College, receiving a druggist's license. Both are sincere Christians and hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lawrence. Po- litically our subject has identified himself with the Democratic party, and uniformly votes that tick- et. In fraternal relations he belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Masonic Order and Court Westville No. 93, Order of Foresters.

J OHN KELLUM. Of the many master minds whom the village of Hempstead has given to the world, few equalled and prob- ably none surpassed, in depth of discernment and keenness of intellect, the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch and who was for many years one of the most prominent men of Queens County. The son of poor parents, receiving in youth but a limited education and having none of the advantages now considered indispensable in the training of youth, he nevertheless achieved marvelous success and at his death left a large fortune, accumulated by his own achievements.

Born at Hempstead, August 27, 1809, the sub- ject of this notice spent his early years upon a farm, but in youth learned the carpenter's trade. Going to Brooklyn, he became connected with a prominent builder, and step by step he mastered every branch of the business, through his own exertions becoming one of the most expert archi- tects in the country. The firm of King & Kellum, of Brooklyn, had the contract for many of the leading business blocks and churches in that city. However, it was mainly through his connection with the merchant prince, A. T. Stewart, that Mr. Kellum gained his greatest fame and the bulk of his fortune. He had the entire charge of building Mr. Stewart's mansion on Thirty-fourth Street,

now the property of the Manhattan Club, and also built his wholesale store and his mammoth retail establishment on Broadway and Tenth Street. In fact, Mr. Stewart gave him charge of all buildings erected by him. When he desired a new building or an addition to an old building he simply laid his plans before Mr. Kellum and

gave him absolute control of the work. It is doubtful if even Judge Hilton had the confidence of Stewart that Mr. Kellum enjoyed, and to Mr. Kellum's credit be it said that while the oppor- tunities to take advantage of this confidence were unlimited, it was never betrayed.

In later years Mr. Kellum had his summer resi- dence in Hempstead, the place of his birth. It was through him that Stewart became interested in Long Island property, and on his advice the merchant purchased large tracts of land in the vicinity of Hempstead. Under Mr. Kellum's per- sonal direction the now famous village of Garden City was platted and laid out, but just as the work of constructing the many buildings under contem- plation was begun and unlimited means placed at his disposal, the mind that designed these great improvements, the man to whom Mr. Stewart looked for the consummation of his plans, was stricken by death, and passed from earth July 24, 1871.

The death of Mr. Kellum was a serious blow to Garden City, for the hand that had planned the great undertaking was not there to direct its con- struction, and the death of Mr. Stewart soon after- ward further retarded the development of the scheme. When Judge Hilton succeeded to the management of the estate it seemed as though it was his intention to still further cripple the project; but when Mr. Kellum made the plans he must have considered the possibility of his own and Mr. Stewart's death before the work was completed. To him the place is largely indebted for the two colleges, St. Paul's and St. Mary's, and the beautiful cathedral, which, while not large, is one of the most elegant churches in the country, the organ alone costing $75,000. While it was Mr. Kellum's connection with Stewart that made him famous, yet he gained an enviable reputation as the builder of many of the most substantial structures on Broadway, including the great store of Tiffany and others of equal prominence.

May 28, 1831, Mr. Kellum married Hannah Raynor, who was born in Hempstead and died here June 10, 1877. They were the parents of five children, namely: Benjamin, who was con- nected in business with his father, but died in early manhood; Hiram, who is married, has one daugh- ter and lives in Brooklyn; Annie E., who died in young womanhood; John, who at his death left a widow and two children, and Hannah, the youngest of the family, who in 1878 became the wife of Dr. Gerrit D. Van Vranken.

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Dr. Van Vranken was born July 2, 1841, in Saratoga County, N. Y., not far from Saratoga Springs. The old homestead upon which he and his father John were born has been in the family since 1640 and is now owned by William H., the Doctor's only brother. The family is of Dutch ex- traction. Dr. Van Vranken was educated in Un- ion College, Schenectady, N. Y., graduating in 1863. Four years later he graduated from the medical department of the University of Philadel- phia, and at once commenced practice in Sara- toga County, where, for several years, he was on the staff of Dr. Strong's Sanitarium. He then married and located in Hempstead, where, giving up the practice of medicine, he turned his atten- tion to business pursuits and became proprietor of a large lumber yard in this village. He has since retained his connection with this yard, is also interested in the Hempstead Bank and va- rious other enterprises.

In their religious views Dr. and Mrs. Van Vranken are identified with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which he is a trustee and steward and has for fifteen years been superintendent of the Sunday-school. With his wife and two chil- dren, John Kellum and Anna K., he occupies the stately mansion which was the home of Mr. Kel- lum from the time he came to Hempstead until his death, and which, with its beautiful grounds and attractive surroundings, is one of the most charming homes near the village.

A UGUST FLEISCHBEIN, proprietor of the Grand Central Hotel at Hicksville. was born in Bavaria, on the. Rhine, May 23, 1838, being a son of Jacob and Julia T. Fleisch- bein. The family of which he is a member resided in that locality as far back as the genealogical record can be traced, and his grandfather, Jacob, was a man of influence, and for years tax collector of a town on the Rhine. At the age of fifteen, in 1853, August, in company with an older sister, Mary, started for America on a sailing vessel, and after an uneventful voyage landed in New York, where he secured employment in the butcher bus- iness. This trade he followed for nineteen years, being in the employ of various parties. In 1870 he embarked in business for himself, and for ten years was proprietor of a meat market, after which he carried on a liquor business for eighteen years, discontinuing in 1889.

Always firm in his allegiance to the Republican

party, Mr. Fleischbein in 1880 was nominated, on that ticket, for alderman of New York City, but in the election was counted out. In 1881 he was again nominated and this time was elected by a large majority. In 1882 he was again chosen to occupy the position, and con- tinued in the office until 1884, when he retired from politics. In 1861, at the first call for troops, he volunteered in the Eighth Light Artillery and served for one year, meantime taking part in the engagements at Fairfax Courthouse and German- town; also the first battle of Bull Run. At the expiration of his term of service he was mustered out and returned home.

In 1885 Mr. Fleischbein took a trip to Europe and visited the principal points of interest on the continent. His principal object in crossing the ocean was to see his mother, then an aged woman, and whom he had not seen since he left home, a boy of fifteen years. In visiting the old home and renewing the associations of youth, he spent sev- eral happy weeks. It was the last time he ever saw his mother, as she died soon afterward. Dispos- ing of his business in New York City in 1889, he bought his present property and has since been proprietor of the Grand Central. Besides this, he invested in town property, buying a house and lot on Main Street, and in 1894 erecting a resi- dence, and another in 1895. In 1894 he was chosen fire commissioner, which office he now holds.

August 26, 1862, Mr. Fleischbein married Miss Mary Staude, who was born in Bavaria, in a local- ity near where the Fleischbein family lived, but the two did not meet until after coming to Amer- ica. Of their nine children, five are living: Nich- olas, Frederick and August died at an early age; Lena is the wife of Charles Fauspender, who is engaged in business in Brooklyn, and is also connected with the Hicksville Bottling Company; Frank follows the butcher's trade in Brooklyn; Mary, deceased, was the wife of William Staude, a member of the Hicksville Bottling Company; Katharine, Julia and Matilda are with their par- ents.

The Grand Central Hotel is well known throughout the island and is a favorite resort for tourists, summer boarders and pleasure seekers, who, having once visited the place, are always enthusiastic in its praise. The rooms of the hotel are commodious, and in addition to the reception, sleeping and dining apartments, there are bowl- ing alleys, a ball room and summer garden. To

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accommodate hunters dogs are kept on hand, and no pains are spared to secure the comfort and pleasure of guests.

Socially Mr. Fleischbein is connected with Primrose Lodge No. 569, I. O. O. F., Knights of Honor, in New York City; Gramercy Lodge No. 309, A. O. U. W., New York City, of which he is a charter member; Hicksville Council No. 1159, Royal Arcanum; Post No. 62, G. A. R., New York City, and the First Ward Beneficiary Department, Nos. I and 2.

L AWRENCE FAY. A large proportion of the population of the New World is either of foreign birth or parentage, almost every country of the world being represented among our naturalized citizens. While there are com- paratively few residents of Long Island who were born in other parts of the world, yet a number may be found, and among them mention belongs to Mr. Fay, of Port Washington, an industrious farmer, who owns and occupies a tract of twelve and one-half acres of valuable land.

The subject of this record was born in Trim, the county seat of County Meath, Ireland, the date of his birth being July 15, 1831. He is a son of John and Eliza (McDonald) Fay, and a brother of Thomas Fay, whose sketch will be found on another page of this volume. In boyhood he walked three miles each morning to a subscrip- tion school, where he studied diligently, and in that way he gained a fair education. He well remembers the great famine in Ireland, when thousands were destitute, and from all parts of the isle went up the pitiful cry for bread. His father, fortunately, not only had enough for his family, but was able to give relief to many poor people.

When about thirty-two years of age our sub- ject determined to leave his father's farm and seek a home in America, where he believed he might achieve success. Accordingly, in April, 1863, he took passage on a sailing vessel for the New World, and after a voyage of twenty-nine days, landed in New York City May 17, 1863. He secured work in the employ of Augustus Taber, No. 713 Water Street, New York City, being an employe in his marble works for five years and also having charge of his private home a part of the time. In 1876 he came to Port Washington and built a house, where he made

his home for a time, but in 1886 bought his pres- ent place.

While in the employ of Mr. Taber our subject married Miss Mary Quinn, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, and was a daughter of John Quinn. Two daughters bless the union, both of whom are educated, refined, and popular in the best circles of society. Louisa is a dress- maker here, while Frances A., who graduated from the high school of Flushing in 1890, has for five years taught in the Port Washington pub- lic school, and is considered an able and efficient instructor. The family belong to the Catholic Church at Manhasset, Mr. Fay having been con- firmed in the church at the age of fourteen. Polit- ically he is a Democrat, and since casting his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley, in 1872, he has always upheld the principles and candi- dates of that party.

M STUART CALDWELL, M. D., a resi- dent physician of Far Rockaway, was · born in Canada, September 8, 1848, and is a son of Matthew and Mary (Shields) Caldwell. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, con- tinued to reside in Canada until his death, at the age of forty-six; the widowed mother is now liv- ing in Detroit, Mich. Five children comprised their family, as follows: John, who lives in On- tario, Cal. ; Robert, deceased; M. Stuart; Lucy, whose home is in Detroit, Mich., and James, re- siding in Tonawanda, N. Y.

During boyhood the subject of this sketch at- tended the schools of his locality. At the age of fourteen he thoroughly understood the work of the farm and was able also to run the engine in his father's sawmill. Early in life he was attract- ed by the study of anatomy, physiology and kin- dred sciences, and following out his natural incli- nations, he took up the study of medicine. For two years he read with Dr. Denton and attended medical lectures, after which he entered the med- ical department of the University of New York, remaining there until his graduation in 1879. His thorough theoretical knowledge was supplement- ed by two years of hospital work, where much of his superior practical knowledge was gained.

Opening an office in Brooklyn, the young doc- tor soon built up a good practice, but as he did not desire to make that city his permanent home, he removed to Far Rockaway in 1885 and from the first was successful in general practice. It has

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been his desire to gradually retire from active practice, but as yet he has not succeeded in mak- ing much headway in that direction. At the or- ganization of the village he was tendered the posi- tion of Health Officer, and this he has since re- tained, with the exception of a supposed interval of nine months. By his marriage to Emma Frances Twibille, of New York, he has two sons, Harold and Kenneth. In politics, as in all im- portant matters, he has firm and pronounced opin- ions of his own. While adhering to the original principles of the Democratic party, he has not coincided with the views of the leaders of the par- ty nor has he been pleased with its management. His ideas in regard to political economy are ad- vanced and he has no patience with legislation enacted solely for political effect. Socially he is identified with the Masons and Foresters, in re- ligious belief belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and by the people in general is respected as a genial, whole-souled and upright man.

I NGNATZ AUGUST HAUSER. Among those of foreign birth who are associated with the business interests of this county, we should not fail to present an outline of the career of Mr. Hauser, for he has fully borne out the reputation of that class of industrious, energetic and thrifty men of German nativity who have risen to prom- inence in different portions of this country. He is the owner and proprietor of the Hicksville Hotel, and as "mine host" has a large number of friends among the traveling public.

In the city of Cologne, Prussia, our subject was born September 1, 1848, to Theodore August and Josephine Hauser, the former of whom was a wealthy broker of Cologne. There were ten chil- dren in the family, five sons and five daughters, and of these Ingnatz A. was the fifth in order of birth. Reared in his native city, he attended the public schools, and at the age of fourteen became a student in a college, where he remained for two years. When sixteen, he was apprenticed to the watchmaker's trade in Cologne, and after a ser- vice of four years entered a school in Switzerland to complete the trade. This he finished in eighteen months, but afterward remained in the same city (Neufchatel) for three and one-half years, engaged as a journeyman.

From Neufchatel Mr. Hauser went to Brussels, Belgium, where he spent a year, then to Paris, where he followed his trade for two years, and

later spent three months in Switzerland. In 1876 he came to America for the purpose of visiting the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, but not with any intention of remaining, his plan being to go on to the West Indies. However, he was persuaded to remain in the United States, and for a time followed his trade in New Jersey. When the factory in which he was employed dis- continued business he went to Jersey City, where he spent several years working at his trade.

March 6, 1878, Mr. Hauser married Mrs. Mar- garet Batchelor, widow of Charles Batchelor, and daughter of Henry Fried. She was born in Ba- varia and came to America in girlhood, remain- ing here until her death, November 1, 1889. Four children were born of the union: Emma, Lulu, George and August. While in Jersey City Mr. Hauser established a business of his own, which he continued for a time. On removing to New York City he followed his trade on Seventh Ave- nue, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets. In 1881 he came to Hicksville, where he was sim- ilarly engaged, with success. In 1888 he built the Hicksville Hotel, and this he has since con- ducted in addition to his business. August 3, 1891, he married Miss Ida, daughter of Herman Bishop, an old and influential citizen of Hicks- ville, where she was born. They are the parents of one child, Henry.

In religious belief Mr. Hauser is a Roman Catholic. Politically he is liberal, not binding himself to either party, but maintaining independ- ence in his ballot. Since 1890 he has served as school trustee and has been interested actively in educational matters. At present he is assistant chief of the fire department. He was instrumental in the organization of the Royal Arcanum, which was founded here July 3, 1889, and was one of its charter members. In the local lodge he has filled all the chairs, and has been delegate to state and general conventions. Besides this he has held all the important offices in Primrose Lodge No. 569, I. O. O. F., and was formerly identified with the Knights of Pythias, but of recent years has not maintained his active connection with this organization.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 15

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