Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 151

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

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At the age of about nine years father also went to work in these mills, remaining two years, after which he entered a general store conducted by Samuel Jones. It was then the idea among all country families that, if the boys were placed in a store, their fortunes were made and besides they became the heroes of their households. My father did not think so. He remained in the store about three years and then, deciding to try his fortune in New York City, he left Coldspring Harbor by boat (the railroad not having yet reached there). I think he said the fare was about six cents and it took six or seven hours to cover the distance, some thirty-two miles; you can see time was not considered as valuable as it is now.

"Arriving in New York City, he did not find the kind of employment he was looking for, his original intention being to learn the trade of a wheelwright; so he accepted a position with a Mr. Wallace, a large hardware merchant in the Bowery. With the position in the city, of course, he sought a place to board, never having been away from home before. He found accommoda- tions in the home of a motherly old lady, who had a boy of her own. Father being older than Johnny, her son, was instructed by the fond mother to keep the sad-irons near the boy at night, as he was troubled with cold feet. After one night of this father had enough, so the next night he tied the irons to the boy's feet and in the morning early he left the boy, irons, moth- erly old lady and all. How long he remained with Mr. Wallace I do not know, but still wishing to learn a trade and no place as a wheelwright being available, he began to learn the trade of a car- riage painter, in which he succeeded. At differ- ent times he was employed as foreman for a num- ber of the most extensive and prominent car- riage builders in the city.

"Unfortunately, father started south with large expectations to Washington, D. C. It was then in the middle of the summer, when trade was dull. Unable to find work there and having very little money left, he walked down to Alexandria, Va., with no better results. Everything looked blue and discouraging, and his misfortunes seemed to reach a climax when his money gave out. Ou the advice of a builder, who thought work could be had in Richmond, he started to walk there, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles. He did not know what the distance was, and after walk- ing one day and almost all night, he expected to find Richmond in view, but was disappointed.

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Seeing a darkey, he inquired the distance to Rich- mond. 'Wall, boss, I reckon it is nigh on ten mile.' About an hour later, he inquired of an- other gentleman of color, and was told he 'Reck- oned it was two hundred and seventy-five mile.' Father concluded either there were wheels in that negro's head or Richmond was on wheels. Pres- ently another darkey came along and he asked him if he knew the distance between Alexandria and Richmond. 'Yes, yes, boss, five mile to the notch.' Just before he reached Richmond he came to a toll bridge and the fare was five cents. Father not having the money tried to explain matters, but without result. A gentleman loaned him the money with the advice, 'Never spend your last $5 until you know where the next is to come from.' Father always remembered that.

"After a tramp of four days, father reached Richmond and found work at once. He remained there, with the exception of an occasional visit to the North, until the war broke out, when he came back to New York and married, and mother not liking the South he never went back. While there he worked both in Washington and Alex- andria, according to the season. While I was in the South, he wanted me to look up an old friend of his in Alexandria. I entered a barber shop and after getting comfortably seated, inquired of the colored knight of the razor how far it was to Richmond. He was honest and said he did not know, but asked another barber, who said it was thirteen miles. I knew better than that from what father had told me. He then asked a gentle- man whom he addressed as 'Doctor' (I thought everyone down there was a colonel, but it seems not), and he replied it was ninety-eight miles by rail and that was the shortest route. The 'thir- teen-mile' negro 'done thought,' as he expressed it, 'there was another way to go.' I think father must have had that class of intelligence while en route to Richmond.

"On returning North, he was employed for a short time in Brooklyn, but the close confine- ment in the varnish room soon told on his health. He opened a cigar store in the same city and was successful, but the desire to travel was still strong in him, so he took Greeley's advice and went West. After a short time with his brother, William, in Saginaw, Mich., he went to Lyons. Mich., where he afterward purchased some prop- erty that proved a disastrous investment, not bringing one per cent. on the purchase price. From Michigan he went to Orange, N. J., where

I was born. In that place he started his brother, Joseph, in the manufacture of drum and banjo heads in 1860, a business that is now one of the largest of the kind in the state, if not in the entire country. In 1868 he came to Glencove and dealt largely in wool, being successful until 1872, when he met with heavy losses. He then started a car- riage shop here, but met with indifferent success. In 1873 he purchased his present property and opened a general store, seven years later opening the one adjoining, which he carried on success- fully until his death.

"He was a member of the board of education when the movement was on foot to erect the present $50,000 school building. Not only while a member of the board but at all times he took great interest in school work, and as he said in a talk to the children, 'They should be thankful they had such opportunities, for when he was a boy, he could attend school only three terms.' About that time he became affected with heart trouble, which eventually caused his death and which was due to the shock he received when on the burning ferry boat 'Garden City.' In politics he was always a Democrat, having cast his first vote, I believe, for Buchanan. He died as he had lived, a strict adherent to the Church of Rome. He was buried from St. Patrick's Church, of which he was a member. Mother, my brother Joseph and I are all that are left out of a family of nine children. Often I have heard father addressing mother say, 'Mother, if only we had all our children here, how grand it would be,' but bowing in submission to Him who ruleth all. God's will be done."

J OHN STOTZKY is self-made in the truest sense of the term, as he arrived in this coun- try with only $1.25 in money, and is now the well known and popular proprietor of Belve- dere Park, which is located at North Beach. He has done much toward enhancing the prosperity of his community in embarking in this enter- prise, and by his unceasing application to busi- ness he has secured a competency.

Mr. Stotzky is a native of Bohemia, and was born February 12, 1859. His parents were Charles and Josephine (Lank) Stotzky, to whom there were granted fourteen children, of whom ·only five survive. The parents were also born in Bohemia, where the father is still living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

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In early life Charles Stotzky was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, but later dis- posed of his factory and, purchasing a stock of dry-goods, was for many years the proprietor of a flourishing business in this line in Pisek. His son John, of this history, was reared to manhood under the parental roof and acquired a good edu- cation in the public schools. When a lad of sev- enteen years he bade his relatives and friends good-bye and set sail for America, landing in New York City after a tedious voyage. He had no difficulty in obtaining employment, and for some two years worked at gardening. He then gave the gentleman for whom he was working due notice of his intention to leave and began learning the cigar business, four years later open- ing a cigar store of his own. After conducting it for about a twelve-month he disposed of his stock and went to Tower City, Mich., where he became the proprietor of the same kind of an establish- ment. His stay in the Wolverine state was of six years' duration, and upon his return East he de- cided to locate in Astoria. Shortly thereafter he opened Belvedere Park, a popular resort for pic- nic parties. Three years later he purchased the place and has since made many improvements, so that it is now one of the most beautiful spots on the island. Mr. Stotzky has accomplished this result by unceasing industry and he is now reap- ing the profit of his years of sacrifice and hard labor.

In 1882 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Kittie Bachinsky, of New York City, and to them were born eight children. Of these five survive, namely: Tillie; Bertie and Tony, twins; Josie and Jennie. In politics Mr. Stotzky is Democratic, and always supports with his voice and vote the candidates of this party. Fraternally he is a member of the Foresters' Lodge No. 212, of New York City, and also belongs to Bohemia Lodge of the C. S. P. S.

P ROF. F. W. ZEINER. A well known in- stance of genius not to be quenched and ambition not to be defeated is furnished by the career of Prof. F. W. Zeiner, one of the celebrated composers of music in the East. This talented gentleman has a conservatory of music in Brooklyn, also one in Flushing, and is the author of an instrumental book. He has been uni- usually successful in this his chosen calling, and his ideas on the subject are clearly and ably de-

fined. He is a native of the land that has pro- duced many great composers, Germany, and was born in Breslau in 1840. His parents, John and Johanna (Gismaun) Zeiner, were born in the old country and both were well known in musical circles. The father was a merchant and far- mer, but was not so taken up with those pur- suits that he had no time for music. He was quite a genius in that line. The professor's maternal grandfather, John Gismaun, was a grand organ- ist (concert organist), and was also a teacher of music. The great-great-grandfather, Anton Gismaun, was a celebrated musician and concert leader. Mrs. Gismaun was also an excellent musician and vocalist.

Professor Zeiner, the only musician of the chil- dren born to his parents, grew to mature years in Breslau. He was educated in the gymnasium and seminary, and after graduating took up music under some of the best teachers, receiving in- struction from imperial music, Der Schnabel, and also played a violin in the orchestra of the cele- brated composer, Carl Faust. He holds a certifi- cate to be able to play on all organs. When nineteen years old young Zeiner began teaching in Breslau, and was thus occupied until 1866, when he crossed the ocean to America. He be- gan teaching in Long Island City, but one year later became first organist in the Presbyterian Church. Later he was organist in the Church of the Redeemer for five years, then in the First Reformed Church, and still later in St. Anthony's Church in Brooklyn. He then gave this up and started on his career as a teacher of music.

In 1890 Professor Zeiner started the conserva- tory of music in Brooklyn, at No. 706 Lconard Street, and in 1892 started the one in Flushing, in Main Street. He devotes his time to the two and has pupils from New York and New Jersey. In this he is assisted by his daughter, who re- ceived her musical education under her father, and who has inherited a decided taste for music. Success has followed the Professor in his chosen calling, and his class of one hundred or more pupils give annual concerts, which have become noted. He has been unusually successful in com- posing service masses, hymns, instruction books, practical instructors for the piano forte, violin instruction book, and he gives lectures on di- dactics at the New York Music Teachers' Con- vention, of which he was the first president. He is now a charter member.

Professor Zeiner was leader of a number of

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singing societies until his throat gave out. Once a week he has assembly playing by his pupils in Flushing and in Brooklyn. He is known far and wide for his great musical ability, and his papers on didactics are published in the reports of the Teachers' Convention, and are read with interest by all lovers of music. Professor Zeiner was mar- ried in Long Island City to Miss Georgia Fay, a native of New York and the sister of ex-Alder- man M. E. Fay of Long Island City. (See sketch.) Five children have been born to this union: Ed- ward J., organist of Grace Church, New Bed- ford, Mass .; Maria L., who assists her father; Eugene, a successful pharmacist; Francis and Henry, the last two in school. All are musically inclined and play different instruments. In re- ligion the Professor is a Catholic, a member of St. Anthony's Church.

P ETER KELLY. Long Island is fortunate in the possession of one of the shrewdest and most successful detectives of which this country can boast, one who has been the means of tracking down and bringing to justice many noted criminals of this and other coun- tries. Mr. Kelly is wily and shrewd and the possessor of an iron constitution and the strength almost of a Hercules. Although heavily built, he is said to possess the lightness and activity of a panther when necessary. In fact, it may be ' said that he was made for his calling.

Mr. Kelly was born in Cherry Street, New York City, November 4, 1854. His parents were natives of Dublin, Ireland, and were there reared, educated and married, and brought one child with them to this country. The father, Mat- thew, had learned the trade of a printer in his native land, and after his arrival in New York became superintendent of the printing establish- ment of Francis Hart & Co., which position he held until his death, at the age of sixty-one years. During the Rebellion he enlisted in the Twenty- fifth New York Infantry and was sent to the front. He was in the seven days' fight, in which his regiment was almost annihilated. As a con- sequence he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Fiftieth New York Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, when he returned home, bearing the scar of a wound which hereceived in the knee at Richmond, and a sergeant's com- mission as the reward of his valor. He located in Dutch Kills after the war, and continued in

the printing business until his death, which re- sulted from a cold contracted in the army. His wife, whose maiden name was Annie Rooney, died in Astoria in 1891, at the age of sixty-two years. The marriage of this worthy couple re- sulted in the birth of nine children, only the fol- lowing of whom grew to maturity: Mrs. Annie Maskell, a resident of New York City; Peter; and Henry, who was a member of the Volunteer Life Saving Crew at Rockaway Beach and then at Bowery Beach. The many brave and noble deeds performed by this man are worthy of a more extended notice than can here be given; suffice it to say that in the discharge of his duties he saved fifty-four lives, the last one being that of the son of a millionaire hotel keeper of North Beach. Mr. Kelly dived for him in thirty feet of water, found him at the bottom and brought him to the top apparently dead. After working over him for an hour and a half he restored him to animation, but had himself received severe bruises and scratches which resulted in blood poi- soning and he died in Astoria in November, in the thirty-first year of his age. Thus was cut short a useful and highly promising life, and had his death not occurred in some such manner he would in all probability have lived to old age, for he had a magnificent constitution. He was a noted swimmer, powerful and rapid, and pos- sessed wonderful staying power. In mourning his untimely death his mother undermined her own health and she soon followed him to his long home.

Peter Kelly's home was in New York City until he was nineteen years old, during which time he obtained a good grammar school education. He was afterwards apprenticed as a machinist in a shop in East Twenty-third Street, after leaving which he entered the employ of the Singer Sew- ing Machine Company. Ill health caused him to seek other employment, which he found in a wholesale commission house, remaining there seven years. In 1880 he came to Long Island City and entered the employ of Sylvester Gray, with whom he remained as driver, for the benefit of the outdoor life, until November 8, 1883, when he was made a policeman of Long Island City, and as such remained for nine years. He was then a commissioned officer for one year, and in 1893 was appointed detective sergeant of the po- lice department of Long Island City, and during this time was put on many important cases, in nearly all of which he was remarkably successful.

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By special request of William F. Hazen, he set his wits to work to capture the noted gang of counterfeiters, among whom was the notorious Dr. Dale, and in this was successful. This was a very neat piece of detective work, for it took him but three months to bring his men to justice, while the civil service men had worked for the same end more than ten years. He has captured more burglars, horsethieves and criminals of all classes than perhaps any other officer on Long Island, one of the secrets of his success being, no doubt, that he is strictly temperate in his habits, his mind being unclouded with liquor or the effects of other bad habits. Although he has been frequently shot at, he has thus far escaped mi- raculously, and it is to be devoutly hoped for the good of the people, as well as for his own sake, that his good work will long continue.

Mr. Kelly was married in New York City in 1874 to Miss Mary Morgan, a native of England, and a daughter of John Morgan, who is a con- tractor and builder of Harlem, N. Y. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly resulted in the birth of ten children, six of whom are living: Annie, a graduate of the Long Island City high school; John, who is in the employ of the Long Island Railroad; Albert, who has saved two boys from drowning; Lillie, who is in the high school; Peter, Jr., and Edward. Mr. Kelly is a member of John Allen Lodge No. 330, A. O. U. W., at Astoria; the Exempt Firemen's Association, and he and his family are Catholics. He has a com- fortable home at No. 678 Second Avenue. Politi- cally he is a Democrat.

T HE TOWNSEND FAMILY on Long Is- land was first represented by three broth- ers, John, Henry and Richard, who emi- grated hither from Norfolk County, England, about the year 1645. That year Governor Kieft granted a patent of the town of Flushing to the brothers. The eldest brother had previously taken up land near New York, but alarms from the Indians and other difficulties caused him to leave his improvements and commence the set- tlement of Flushing, where he was soon joined by Henry.

The Townsends were Friends and were soon at variance with the Dutch authorities, both as to religion and politics. On this account they left Flushing and went to Warwick, R. I., where they were a'l three members of the Provincial As-

sembly, besides holding municipal offices. In 1656 they determined to once more attempt a settlement on Long Island, and with other parties obtained a patent of Jamaica, then called Ras- dorp. Their religion and political zeal soon brought them into trouble again.

In 1657 Henry was sentenced to pay eight pounds Flanders or leave the province in six weeks, for having "called together conventicles." The people of Flushing addressed a remon- strance to the governor, written by the town clerk and signed among others by Tobias Feake, sheriff, and Noble Farington, both magistrates, and presented it to the sheriff. The clerk and magistrates were then arrested, together with John Townsend, upon the charge of having in- duced the magistrates to sign, and he was ordered to find bail in twelve pounds to appear when summoned. He was brought before the council January 15, 1658, and condemned to pay one hundred pounds Flanders, and to remain arrested until it was paid. Just how these matters were settled is not stated, but Henry's signature, as witness, on an Indian deed, proves that he was in Oyster Bay the same year. He seemed to be much more involved in troubles coming from "countenancing Quakers" than his brother John; yet in January, 1661, two of the magistrates furn- ished the names of twelve persons, including John and Henry Townsend and their wives, "who countenanced Quakers."

John Townsend settled in Oyster Bay between the middle of January and the 16th of September. 1661, and Henry must have settled there previous to that date, although he was not admitted as a townsman until the 4th of November. Nothing is known of Richard Townsend, the youngest of the three brothers, until he appears in Jamaica in 1656; his first wife was a sister of Henry's wife and daughter of Robert Coles. The descendants of these brothers have since been very numerous in the town and have held many positions of trust and honor.

We next have to do with one Solomon Town- send, who was born at Oyster Bay October 8. 1805. He was a grandson of Samuel, who in turn was the great-grandson of the first John Town- send, the direct line being Jolin, John, Jantes, Jacob, Samuel, Solomon, Solomon. Samuel, who was born at Oyster Bay in 1717, was the head of the great shipping house of Samuel and Jacob Townsend, who carried on an extensive trade with England and the West Indies prior to the

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Revolutionary War. He took an active interest in all the affairs of state, being a member of the first Provincial Congress, and a delegate from Long Island to New York State's first constitu- tional convention in 1777, and was one of the committee of thirteen appointed to draft the con- stitution. He was also state senator, and for thirty years before the Revolution had been jus- tice of the peace of Queens County. He died November 24, 1790. He was a zealous patriot and did not hesitate in the part he was to act in the great struggle between the mother country and his own.

Solomon Townsend, the eldest son of Samuel. was born in Oyster Bay in 1746. He early en- gaged in navigation and in his twentieth year was put in charge of a brig belonging to his father. When the war of the Revolution broke out he was in command of the ship "Glasgow," belong- ing to Thomas Buchanan, but owing to the in- terruption of trade between the colonies and England, she was left in London. Obtaining per- mission to leave England, Captain Townsend went over to France, and while at Paris made the acquaintance of his celebrated countryman, Dr. Franklin, by whom he was introduced at court, and when he was ready to leave France for his native land obtained a certificate of pro- tection signed "B. Franklin," which is now in possession of the family at Oyster Bay. Captain Townsend was also commissioned by Benjamin Franklin as a volunteer midshipman in the Con- tinental Navy, and for this purpose he obtained the neccessary equipments in Paris and sailed soon afterward for Boston.

Capt. Solomon Townsend followed the sea un- til thirty-four years of age, crossing the Atlantic thirty-six times without accident. After leaving the sea he engaged exclusively in the manufac- ture of iron, his works being at Augusta, River- head and a large anchor forge in New York City. He was married February 1, 1782, to Annie, daughter of his cousin, Peter Townsend, son of the fourth Henry Townsend, who resided in Ches- ter, Orange County. Peter Townsend was also largely interested in iron, his works being at Stirling, a few miles from his home. In his fac- tory the celebrated chain was made which was drawn across the Hudson River to prevent the British ships of war from going above the High- lands.

Captain Townsend was a member of the con- stitutional convention of 1801, and represented

New York City in the assembly of the state for six years. He died of apoplexy March 27, 18II, while still a member of that body.

The children of Solomon Townsend were: Hannah, Anne, Mary, Phebe, Samuel, Jacob, Peter and Solomon. It was with his brother-in- law, Edward H. Nicoll, the husband of Mary, that Solomon Townsend, the youngest son of the family, began his business in life. About 1820 the firm of Smith & Nicoll conducted the most im- portant and extensive grocery business in the city of New York, their yearly transactions amount- ing to about $3,000,000. Here for four years Solomon was taught all that pertained to com- mercial life, and when nineteen years of age was sent as supercargo on the largest American ship of the day, the "Washington," to Canton, China, where he aided in the purchase and shipment of the largest cargo up to that time imported from China, which was valued at $700,000. In 1828 he embarked in business for himself in a commission and distributing grocery trade.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 151

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