Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 150

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1220

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The senior member of the firm was married in 1889 to Miss Alice Ida Smith, a member of one of the old and honored families of Great Neck. To them was granted a family of four children, all of whom are now deceased. George R. Sutphen was married in 1891 to Miss Nellie, the daughter of Peter Walters, his former employer. They have two children, Harold Steadman and Hazel Elizabeth. Religiously he is a devoted member of the Reformed Church, in which he has been deacon for the past three years. Henry O., while not a member of any religious body, attends wor- ship at the Episcopal Church. Fraternally the younger brother is a Mason of good standing, belonging to Cornucopia Lodge No. 563 of Flushing.

J OHN LACKNER. The nineteenth century will for all time be considered as the most remarkable era in the history of the sub- jugation of natural laws to the needs and require- ments of man. In the list of brilliant scientists, inventors and practical demonstrators to whom remarkable results are due, America is well rep- resented, better represented, perhaps, than any other country on the face of the globe. This great work of development is still going on, and in Long Island City we have several practical and experienced men who have devoted much of their time to such pursuits. Among them is John Lackner, the well known inventor and paper manufacturer whose genius brought forth the machine with which he manufactures his paper goods.

Mr. Lackner is a native of the Empire State, born in New York City in 1866, and is the son of John C. Lackner, who was born in Austria.

The family name was originally de Lackner, a Belgium title. His grandfather was a native of Belgium, but moved to Austria at an early date and held the position of surveyor of Pressburg. In the Hungarian Revolution he, being an inti- mate friend of General Kossuth, took a very im- portant part. He was dissatisfied with the form of government in kingdoms in general, claiming that most of the imperial houses were descended from robber barons and it was no honor to claim the ancestry. He renounced his allegiance to the crown and cast away his title and went into the fight for liberty. When success was within sight, all their plans were betrayed and with the help of Russia the Austrians defeated them. Most of the Hungarians were taken prisoners, among them Grandfather Lackner, who subsequently escaped. All of his property was confiscated and he had to travel under an assumed name. A number of years later he was recaptured and in- prisoned. After repeated appeals for his pardon, his wife met the king out driving and broke through the guards, demanding an audience with the king, who promised her that he would pardon her husband. She started home rejoic- ing and was congratulated on every side, but when she reached the place she found a message informing her of the death of her husband, who passed away before the supposed pardon reached him. He was called away by a higher tribunal, but it has never been the belief of his descend- ants that he died of natural causes.

The father of our subject, who was in business under an assumed name, shortly after the war was also captured, but owing to his age and title was confined for one year only. On his release he engaged in the paper business, waiting for the pardon of his father, and when the latter's death was made known to him, he sold out and came to America about 1863, vowing never to have any- thing to do with the monarchy, nor to seek any redress nor claim any right to a title from any royal government. He was a freeman there and he is a freeman here. In Austria he had carried on the manufacture of artificial flowers, and on arriving in New York City he began to manufacture paper flowers and paper goods of all kinds, being the first to introduce this industry in the United States. He built up an extensive business and became wealthy and influential. At the present time he lives in Asto- ria, retired from the active duties of life. His wife, whose maiden name was Anna de Buday,

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was a native of Silesia, Austria, and daughter of Judge de Buday who was a prominent man in that country. She died in February, 1895. Of their nine children, five sons and four daughters, all survive at the present time.

John Lackner, the fifth in order of birth of these children, attended the grammar school of New York City, later the College of the City of New York, and finished in the commercial course. Later he learned the paper goods busi- ness of his father, but had become familiar with his work when a boy, when all the goods were handmade. In 1887 he branched out in business for himself in New York City and established a plant in West Thirtieth Street. Here he invent- ed a machine for manufacturing these goods by electric power. This concern was subsequently burned out and he lost everything. After this he and his father were in business together until 1894, when the father retired and our subject suc- ceeded to the business. He erected a building in Astoria and moved the factory from New York to that place. The concern is 25x50, two stories in height and run by steam power. The manufac- turing establishment is one of the largest of its kind in the United States and the patents he has originated have been the foundation of his suc- cessful career. He sells wholesale to jobbers, makes his own designs, and attends strictly to business.

Mr. Lackner is a member of the Long Island City Building and Loan Association, also the Re- publican General Committee of Long Island City and Union League Club, and has been a delegate to different conventions. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Enterprise Lodge, and the Arion Singing Society. In re- ligion he is an Episcopalian and in politics a Re- publican. The Lackner family is a thoroughly musical one and the mother of our subject was noted in that respect.

C HARLES JULIUS FREYGANG (de- ceased). It is often difficult to advise even personal friends on the subject of hotel accommodations, for "different people have different tastes," and what may suit you may prove objectionable to another, and vice versa, but still we have no hesitation in recommending Freygang's College Point Hotel, Park and Pa- vilion in Second Avenue, between Sixth and Seventh Streets, for the simple reason that it is

a city hotel, run on metropolitan principles, and the policy of its management is consequently ac- ceptable to all classes of patrons. This noted hotel was established in 1874 by Charles J. Frey- gang and its excellent reputation soon called only the best class of people to it.

Mr. Freygang was born near Leipsic, Saxony, Germany, August 22, 1830, and was the son of Daniel G. and Wilhelmina (Deitz) Freygang, both natives of Saxony. The father was a tanner by trade and passed his entire life in the old country. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Freygang joined her children in America. This was in 1864, and she died in New York City when eighty-nine years old. Of her four children, three sons and one daughter, all are now living with the exception of our subject, who was the eldest. He was reared and educated in the gymnasium in his native country, and learned the machinist's trade in Saxony. In 1853 he came to America, located in New York City, and became foreman for Mitchell & Wentz. Later he was with the Singer Manufacturing Company as foreman, but soon after ex-Mayor Wentz sent for him and he again became foreman. He was an expert me- chanic and could always find employment.

In the month of September, 1862, our subject removed to Whitestone, vought Wolf's Hotel and renamed it Freygang's Hotel. This he conduc- ted successfully until May 23, 1874, when he lo- cated in College Point, bought the place now owned by his widow, and built it up, making the bowling alley in 1876, dancing pavilion and danc- ing hall, also the residence in 1879. He also owned and ran Point View Island until his death, February 13, 1888. For three years he was su- perintendent of the water works, but he then resigned on account of his business. He was a charter member of Company G, Fifteenth Regi- ment of Flushing, National Guard, State of New York, joining that organization in 1863, and was called out for thirty days' service to Ft. Rich- mond. Later he started the first hook and ladder company in Whitestone. Mr. Freygang was a member of Trinity Lodge No. 12, F. & A. . M., of New York. He was also identified with the Odd Fellows' lodge in College Point and was a charter member and past noble grand of the same. In politics he advocated the principles of the Democratic party.

Mr. Freygang was married in New York. Oc- tober 1, 1859, to Miss Maria Knab, a native of Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, born October 1, 1834. Her

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father, Franz Knab, was a farmer in the old country and died there when seventy-five years old. Her grandfather, Franz Knab, died early in life and his widow married a Mr. Wittemeyer, who was a soldier in Napoleon's army in its march to Moscow. Mrs. Freygang's mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Schoeffer, was a native of Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, and daughter of Adam Schoeffer, an agriculturist there. The mother died when seventy-three years old. Mrs. Freygang, the eldest of eight children, five of whom grew to mature years, came to America in 1855, on the sailer "Helvetia," settled in New York City and there resided until her marriage to Mr. Freygang.

Six children were born to this union, five of whom grew to mature years: Hermina, now Mrs. Charles P. Wagner, of College Point; Julius, who died in childhood; Hugo W., a manufacturer of Brooklyn; Paulina, Mrs. Charles Michel, of Col- lege Point; Charles J., assistant chief engineer of the fire department and in the hotel business with his mother; and Henry. The last named is in Enterprise Company No. 2, is also a member of Freygang's Court No. 177, and the College Point Station Life Saving Corps since its or- ganization. He and his brothers are good swim- mers, and his father also excelled in that line. Henry is a member of Aztec Tribe of Red Men No. 255; Flora Lodge, A. O. U. W., No. 428; O. A. Freemen Council, College Point, and is an active member of the Arion Singing Society, Long Island City. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Freygang is a member of Ladies' Circle of Pride of Woodland, a sister lodge of Court C. J. Freygang, and is also a member of the Lady Forester and Burial Fund Society. She is a member of St. Fidelis' Catholic Church. After the death of her husband in 1888, Mrs. Freygang assumed control of the business. The hotel is nearly new, being built in 1890, and is run on the European plan, rooms being had by the day, week, or month. A first-class restaurant is run in connection, where meals can be served at any hour, and with the very best the market affords, while guests are served with a prompt- ness and politeness that might very profitably be imitated at other places. The hotel is located on the water, fronting on Flushing Bay, and is surrounded by a beautiful park. Here may be found the best dancing hall in the place, 60x75 feet, and the dining-room is the same size. There are also bowling alleys, billiard rooms and a

shooting stand, and, taken all in all, it is one of the nicest places on the bay, and has the reputa- tion of being the coolest place in College Point. It has large accommodations for private parties and picnics, and there are plenty of pleasure boats for rent. Employment is given to from ten to forty assistants.

D ANIEL ALLEN CORNWELL, one of the substantial and well known citizens of the town of North Hempstead, inherited three hundred acres of land from his father's estate. The greater part of this, however, he has subdivided into building lots and disposed of at good prices. He was born on the north side of Cow Bay, June 5, 1827, his parents being Walter J. and Sarah (Allen) Cornwell. The father, who was also born near that body of water, was the son of Hewlett Cornwell, a descendant of John Cornwell, who located on the island early in the sixteenth century.

The subject of this sketch, who was the young- est of four children born to his parents, was early taught to be useful on the farm. During the winter months he carried on his studies in the district school and in this manner gained a good education. His brother, Charles W., was born January 17, 1820, and died February 9, 1888; he never married and passed his entire life in farm- ing in this town. Walter J., who was born Au- gust 18, 1822, was also an agriculturist of good repute and died September 26, 1846. Hewlett, whose birth occurred July 29, 1824, died Decem- ber 21, 1865; he too chose farming as his occu- pation in life. The father of the above family was born April 17, 1795, and was therefore in his seventieth year at the time of his demise, March 3, 1865. His good wife, whose birth occurred November 20, 1791, survived him until October 3, 1874.

Daniel Allen Cornwell and Miss Emeline Skid- more were married December 4, 1850. This lady was born at Roslyn September 20, 1829, and was the daughter of William and Martha (Burtis) Skidmore. At her death, October 20, 1879, she left three children. Martha was born in her mother's old home at Roslyn, May 27, 1856. June 27, 1883, she became the wife of Robert L. Mor- rell, and they have one son, Allen Cornwell, who was born March 15, 1885. Walter J. was born in the old house where our subject still lives, June IO, 1864. After pursuing a course in the com-

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mon schools he became a student in Swarthmore College, remaining a student in that institution for two years. He was married February 3, 1885, to Miss Amelia Godard Powell, of Brooklyn, where she was born January 26, 1864, her parents being William J. and Helen (Godard) Powell. Their union has resulted in the birth of a daugh- ter, Lillian Emeline Cornwell, born November 30, 1886. William Skidmore was born July 27, 1866. When fifteen years of age he entered Swarthmore College, carrying on his studies there for two years. June 1, 1887, he mar- ried Julia Estelle Smith of Port Washington, who was born at Tarrytown, N. Y. They have one son, Daniel Skidmore.

On the death of his father, the mother of our subject made her home with him until she, too, was called to the land beyond. As we have stated, the farm which he inherited originally included three hundred acres, but the greater part of it he has sold to those wishing choice building lots in this place.

In polities our subject has always affiliated with the Democratic party, on which ticket he was elected commissioner of highways, serving ac- ceptably for two terms. His son, Walter J., is very prominent in his neighborhood and for five years was road master. Fraternally he belongs to Seawanhaka Lodge, I. O. O. F. Our subject and his family attend the Episcopal Church, of which Walter J. and his sister are members, while the wife of the son belongs to the Dutch Re- formed Church.

· W. FUECHSEL is one of the most popu- lar young business men of Farmingdale and ranks high among his associates and fellow-citizens. He is one of the proprietors and stockholders in the Central Park Pickle Works, which has a branch factory at this place. Asso- ciated with him in business are his brothers, Ed- ward A. and George H. The company was incor- porated in 1894, although the brothers have op- erated together since 1891.

The subject of this sketch was born at Mt. Vernon, Westchester County, N. Y., November 7, 1866, and is the son of George E. and Mary (Schaad) Fuechsel. The former, who was born in Germany, came to America when a lad of six- teen years and not many years thereafter located at Mt. Vernon, where he was engaged in manu- facturing a fine brand of pickles.

George E. Fuechsel landed on the shores of the New World with only $6 in his pocket. With little difficulty he found work clerking in a store and after a few years thus employed began the manufacture of ladies' hair nets. This business he was obliged to abandon in order to take charge of the pickle works, he having been compelled to take this property in payment of a debt which the proprietor owed him. From 1864 until the day of his death, April 25, 1891, he was thus en- gaged, after which the works were carried on by his sons.

R. W. Fuechsel spent his boyhood days in Westchester County, where he attended school. After completing the grammar course he took a course in Packard's Business College, and when about fifteen years of age began assisting his father in the pickle works. He grew up in this business, and on the death of his father and the division of the estate, he and his brouiers took this as their portion of the property.

The marriage of our subject and Miss Mary Louise Ketcham, of Farmingdale, was celebrated June 18, 1889. They have a family of three chil- dren, namely: Clara Louise, born December 19, 1890; Lillian Viola, April 11, 1892; and George Edward, November 29, 1894. Mr. Fuechsel is in- dependent in politics and in 1888 supported Cleveland. He is a young man of integrity in his business efforts and numbers many warm friends in this locality.

The Central Park Pickle Works have a capa- city for making thirty-five million pickles per year and also manufacture into sauerkraut from six hundred to seven hundred tons of cabbages in the same length of time. The brothers have two factories, one being located at Central Park, from which it derives its name. They are both in a very flourishing condition, and during the busy season give employment to twenty-five men.

J I OSEPH W. HICKS. This gentleman, who is making a success of farming and market gardening, lives on the old homestead, near Little Neck, where his birth occurred December 3, 1853. He is the son of Joseph W. and Eliza- beth A. (Remsen) Hicks, the former of whoni was a native of the town of North Hempstead. He, too, was a farmer of considerable prominence in his community, but his life of usefulness was cut short when in the full bloom of manhood, as he died about the time of our subject's birthi.

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leaving besides him a widow and daughter. The wife and mother died when Joseph W. was about eighteen months old, and the latter was then taken into the home of his grandfather, Jacob Remsen, who occupied the farm which our sub- ject now calls home. While a member of his household he was given an opportunity for ac- quiring a good education, his indulgent grand- father even being willing to send him away to school had he cared to do so. He was, however, content with a common-school education and after gaining this he occupied his entire time in assisting in the management of the farm. H continued to make his home with his grandfather until the latter's death, and afterward lived with an uncle to whom the property was willed. His uncle, at the time of his decease, left him a por- tion of the old place, the same on which he still makes his home.

Our subject was an inmate of his uncle's house- hold until the time of his marriage, February 27. 1879. The lady to whom he was united was Miss Delia Williams, of Mineola, daughter of Joseph and Marion (Platt) Williams. To Mr. and Mrs. Hicks there have been born four children, named respectively George P., Elizabeth, Alice and Ade- laide.

Although never desirous of holding public office, Mr. Hicks is much interested in the suc- cess of the Republican party, whose candidates he has supported by his voice and vote since 1876, when he cast a ballot for President Hayes. Religiously he is a member of the Zion Episco- pal Church of Little Neck, which he has served as vestryman for five years, senior warden one year and treasurer for one year. He is at present junior warden of the congregation. He has al- ways been especially interested in the Sunday- school and for several years has taught a class.

H ON. JOHN P. MADDEN, assemblyman from the First District of Queens County, is justly regarded as one of its most lib- eral and public-spirited men. He has been of great benefit to his community since taking his seat in the assembly, and one of the most impor- tant measures which he has secured for Long Island City is the reduction of gas, the residents now being able to have that commodity at the same price it is supplied to the citizens of the metropolis.

Mr. Madden was born in Scio, Allegany Coun-

ty, N. Y. His father, Walter Madden, was for many years a general contractor of the above place. He is in business there at the present time and is regarded as one of the most public- spirited and influential residents of the place. His wife was a Miss Mary Brown, and of the eight children born of their union, John P., of this history, was the third eldest. Five of the family are now residents of Long Island City.

Our subject passed the first fifteen years of his life in Scio, after which he came to New York City and carried on his studies in the public schools. He began to make his own way in the world when eighteen years of age, and having learned the art of telegraphy was given a posi- tion with the Standard Oil Company, having charge of the delivery of the crude oil to the refineries in this section. He continued in that capacity until 1889, when he became reporter on the "Daily Star." Three years later, however, he accepted the position of secretary for Senator Edward Floyd Jones and clerk for the senate committee on cities at Albany. After filling these positions for two years he was nominated on the regular Democratic ticket for the assembly. Dur- ing the election which followed he was defeated by just one hundred votes. Later he was ap- pointed chief clerk of the water department and held this position until January 1, 1895, when he resigned.

In the fall of 1894 we again find Mr. Madden in this city and for the second time he was chosen by the Democrats of the county to represent them in the state assembly, and was elected by a plu- rality of three hundred and twenty-five. January I he took his seat in the assembly and during his term was a member of the committee on banks, gas, water supply and electricity and vil- lages. While there he originated and introduced the bill providing that no gas company, corpora- tion or individual should charge the residents of Long Island City more than $1.25 per thousand feet for the gas consumed, thus securing for them the same benefits accorded New York City. This was hotly contested by those whose interest it was to have the gas companies receive a large price, but after a long fight the bill was passed. The next bill which Hon. Mr. Madden intro- duced provided for the raising of money in order that the water mains might be extended and the water supply increased. This also became a law. He next tried to have passed a bill causing the owners of Thirty-fourth Street Ferry to reduce

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the fare from three cents to one cent during the commission hours, from 5:30 to 8 a. m. and from 5 to 7:30 p. m., and charge two cents during all other hours of the day. Although this was passed in the assembly it was defeated in the senate.

Mr. Madden is interested in the Electrical Sup- ply Company, doing business in New York City, and he is publisher of an electrical paper there. The John P. Madden Association, which is a large and popular outing club, was named in his honor. It takes no stretch of the imagination to say that Mr. Madden is one of the most influen- tial and prominent Democrats in the state. He was instrumental in organizing the regular or Jefferson Democratic Club, of which he was the first secretary, and has held the office ever since. Through the efforts of this club the three dif- ferent branches of the Democratic party have been amalgamated into the regular Democratic and they elect one general committee instead of three. It is now the strongest party in the city In religious affairs Mr. Madden is a devout Catholic.

In the fall of 1895 Mr. Madden was nominated by his party for mayor. There were three can- didates in the field and the result between Mr. Madden and Mr. Gleason was so close that the matter was thrown into the courts. After two months' litigation the courts decided in favor of Mr. Gleason, declaring Mr. Madden defeated by thirty votes.

J OHN DOWDEN. While looking up the business men of Glencove, the writer called upon the manager of the John Dowden es- tate. After stating the nature of the forthcoming Record, a request was made for a short account of the life of his father. After frequent interrup- tions (for Mr. Dowden is always busy, following the advice of Benjamin Franklin, "When you want anything done well, do it yourself; other- wise send some one,") the following recital of events of his life was obtained from his son:

"Father was one of nine children and was born at Coldspring Harbor in 1835. His father, Pat- rick Dowden, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, learned the trade of weaving, which I am told was a very profitable employment, receiving from £5 to £6 weekly, and about 1800 or 1805 came to Queens County; he was employed in the Jones woolen mills until they were permanently closed.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 150

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