Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 156

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

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J OHN J. SIMMONS. No city in the country has buildings which have been brought to a greater state of perfection than those in Flushing. The vast amount of capital invested here and seeking proper field of operations at this point has led to the erection of numerous magnificent edifices and stimulated all the other branches of business connected with it. One of the successful builders and contractors of this place is John J. Simmons, who has carried on business in Flushing since 1875, during which time the people have had every opportunity to judge of his character and qualifications. He is a young man, full of energy of purpose, and un- derstands the business details of his calling in every particular. Mr. Simmons was born in Flushing February II, 1854, and is a son of Hugh and Alice (Mulcahy) Simmons, both na- tives of Ireland.

Hugh Simmons was a young man when he crossed the Atlantic to seek home and fortune in the New World, and he first settled in Westches- ter County, N. Y. There he followed farming until 1849, when he came to Flushing and here obtained employment with Parsons & Co., with whom he remained for nearly forty years. He is now retired from the active duties of life and en- joys a hearty and contented old age. The com- panion of his joys and sorrows passed away two years ago. The three children born to them are living at the present time.

John J. Simmons, the second child, grew to manhood here, attended St. Michael's School, and when sixteen years old he began serving an ap- prenticeship as carpenter, under John Donald, with whom he remained five years. In 1875 he began contracting for himself and this has con-

tinued to be his chosen calling since. He has met with well deserved success in this, as may be seen in the high class of his custom and the ex- cellent character of his work. He built Rescue Hook and Ladder House, added to the Flushing water works, also the opera house, built Fitz- patrick's residence, Tewhys' residence, also the Woodruff and Prigge residences, and many others, and employs from eighteen to twenty men. He owns considerable property in Flush- ing and his residence at No. 271 Lincoln Street is superintended with the greatest neatness by his wife, formerly Miss Mary A. Dougherty, a native of Flushing. By his first union, which united hin with Mary E. Delahunty, there were born three children: Mary, who is at home, and two boys who died in infancy.

Fraternally Mr. Simmons is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Catholic Benevolent Legion. He is a charter member of the Seventeenth Sep- arate Company of Flushing National Guard, which organization he entered as private, and after serving fifteen years, resigned, retiring as first lieutenant. He was a commander in the company for about nine months after Captain Miller resigned. For attendance in the Seven- teenth Separate Company he has the best record and has received more badges and medals than any other officer or citizen. For eighteen years he served in the Rescue Hook and Ladder Com- pany. Mr. Simmons is also a member of the Flushing Boat Club. In politics he is Demo- cratic, but is not radical. He and his family are members of St. Michael's Catholic Church.

C HARLES H. GARRETSON. This suc- cessful druggist of Flushing is descended from one of the oldest and most respected families of Queens County, and traces his an- cestry back to Gerritzen Wollfet Kouwenhoven, who came to this country from Holland and set- tled on the Flatlands, Brooklyn. For a further history of this family see the sketch of F. D. Kouwenhoven, of Long Island City. The father of the subject of this sketch, Garret R., was born in Somerville, N. J., and his brother, John, who was also born in New Jersey, was for many years judge of the Somerset County Court.

Garret R. remained in New Jersey until he was sixteen years of age, when he came to New York and became overseer in the nursery owned by William R. Prince and later had charge of

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Prince's nursery, the largest in the world. In 1836 he started in the seed business for himself, at which time there were but three other men in the business in the country. He had a fine seed farm of one hundred acres half way between Flushing and Jamaica and also a small farm in the former place. His seeds were sent all over the world, and particularly to all points in the United States. He died in 1887, at the age of eighty years, after which his son, Alonzo, became his successor and had charge of the business until his death, which occurred in July, 1893. Charles H. then assumed the management of the business and continues it at the present time. The mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Bloodgood, was born at Flushing, a daughter of Daniel Blood- good, who was born and reared here. His moth- er's farm comprised the oldest part of Flushing, but through fraudulent means she was cheated out of her property, which has since become very valuable. Mr. Bloodgood was a goldsmith, den- tist and jeweler, and he and his wife and eight sons are buried under St. George's Church, of which he was warden and his family active mem- bers for many years. He was descended from Franz Bloodgood, a French Huguenot, who first removed to Holland and from there to this coun- try in 1658. He died here and was buried at Whitestone. Mrs. Garretson, mother of the sub- ject of this sketch, died February 16, 1896, at the age of eighty-six years. At that time she was the oldest resident of Flushing and probably the old- est member of St. George's Church. Seven chil- dren were born to herself and husband, six of whom reached maturity. Alonzo was a lieutenant in a battery during the Civil War and was se- verely injured at the battle of Petersburg; Susan B. is married and living in Flushing. Imogene; Charles H .; Jane, Mrs. Fred Leavitt, of Flush- ing; and Frank, who died at the age of nineteen, complete the family.

Charles H. Garretson received a good high school education and at the age of sixteen years he began the study of pharmacy in Flushing. first with James L. Coutant and then with J. B. Whitson, and after a rigid examination was granted a diploma from the College of Pharmacy of New York City. In January, 1882, he estab- lished himself in the drug business in Flushing and here has since successfully continued. He keeps a general line of drugs, makes a specialty of retail trade and his establishment is the hand- somest and most completely fitted up in the place.

He has always been a stanch Republican in poli- tics and fraternally is a meniber of Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M. Since 1882 he has been a member of the Mercury Wheel Club, and also a member of the Queens County Druggists' Association. He keeps thoroughly abreast with the progress made in his profession and is a care- ful and accurate pharmacist. His place of busi- ness is located at No. 87 Main Street. Religiously he is a member and vestryman in St. George's Episcopal Church.

J OHN B. GARNER is engaged in general farming and market gardening on his de- sirable farm, which is situated in the town of Hempstead. Here the family have resided for many years and are noted for their sterling qualities and high principles. John B., of this history, was born in this community October 29, 1826, the son of John and Sarah (Birdsell) Garner, the former of whom was a native of Ireland. He was well educated in the Emerald Isle and remained there until attaining mature years, when he decided to try his fortunes in America. Coming hither he made his home on Long Island, and for many years was engaged in teaching school, being very successful in this vocation. He became well known and promi- nent throughout the town, and his death, which occurred when our subject was a lad of about eight years, was the occasion of universal mourn- ing. His estimable wife was a native of Long Island. She survived him a few years, when she too was called to the land beyond.

John B. Garner was thus deprived of the care of both parents when young in years, and as he had his own way to make in the world he took advantage of the opportunity given him to acquire a good common-school education. He was reared on the farm which his father owned, and has always been identified with agricultural pursuits. He had one brother and three sisters, all of whom, after the death of father and mother, were cared for by an uncle, John Birdsell, until that good man departed this life, when they be- gan in the world for themselves. All the mem- bers of this family with the exception of our subject have passed away.

By the practice of thrift and industry Mr. Garner soon found himself able to become a landowner on his own account, and purchased the farm which has since been his property, and

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on which he is still living. This is one of the largest tracts in Queens County, being two hun- dred acres in extent, and under his toil and attention has been made a model place in every respect. Mr. Garner takes great pride in keep- ing a high grade of stock and in making in- provements on his farm. He keeps constantly on hand about twenty-five cows, besides a nun- ber of blooded horses. He is without doubt one of the most prominent and substantial farmers on the island, which result has been accom- plished by his own efforts. He is in no sense of the word a politician, although he supports the candidates of the Republican party in na- tional affairs. He is a very busy man, as he personally superintends the carrying on of his large estate, but is never so taken up with his own affairs that he is not ready and willing to assist those who have not been so fortunate in life.

J OHN B. HARTWELL, M. D. The genial and health-invigorating climate of Queens County induced Dr. Hartwell, after having spent a week in Woodsburg, town of Hempstead, to select this place as his home, and here he has since remained, engaged in the practice of his profession. In addition to his work here, he still retains his practice in New York City, where he spends two or three days of each week. He is a talented physician, accurate and conscien- tious in professional work, and has gained a rec- ognized place in the medical fraternity of the county.

The father of our subject, David Hartwell, was born in Massachusetts in 1802, and engaged in the manufacturing business at Mansfield until his death, in 1860. His wife, Johanna Drew, of Dover, N. H., died at the age of ninety, and her father and mother attained the age of ninety- eight and ninety-nine respectively. Their five children were named as follows: Catharine, wife of E. Perkins, of Mansfield, Mass .; Mrs. Mary L. Bennett, and Emma, who reside in Washing- ton, D. C .; John B., of this sketch; and Helen, who lives in Washington with her sister. Our subject was born in Mansfield, Mass., February 21, 1845, and passed his boyhood years there until fourteen. He was attending school in Dover, N. H., when his father died, and it was then necessary that he should become self-sup- porting, so he was sent to Lowell to learn the

trade of a machinist. This not proving congen- ial he returned home on the second day, intend- ing to give up the work. His mother, who was a woman of great firmness of character, told him he could remain at home until. morning, but must then go back to the factory, which he did, re- maining three years. He developed into an effi- cient man in the business, and at times had charge of four hundred men, showing large ex- ecutive ability in this work, in which he con- tinued nearly ten years.

While a lad in his teens our subject lost his health and, being in a precarious condition, started out to travel, in the hope that a change would prove beneficial. He visited Greenland, Labrador, and other countries in the far north, and spent a year there, being among the Es- quimaux most of the time. At the time of the great Chicago fire he was in Logansport, Ind., and ran the engine from that place conveying the firemen to the burning city-a trip that is still considered remarkable owing to the un- precedented rapidity of the run. For some time he was clerk in the treasury department in Washington, D. C., and while thus engaged he devoted his leisure hours to the study of medi- cine, in which he made rapid progress. In 1876 he graduated from Howard University, and it was his intention to begin practice at once, but on the very day of his graduation he received word that the bank in which his money was de- posited had failed, and he was utterly penniless.

The spirit of his Puritan ancestors, who had breasted the waves of the unknown ocean in the "Mayflower," had descended to the young Doc- tor, and he refused to become discouraged, even in the face of such a sudden disaster. He ac- cepted the first opportunity for work that was presented to him, which was that of selling spring beds. He went from door to door at first, but in six weeks engaged in the business on a larger scale. By degrees he built up a large business, and in one year he sold over five thousand in the city of Washington, including the furnishing of the White House. At the end of a year he had saved some money, and retired from the work and entered the profession which he now follows. He made a tour of the Southern States, and later practiced in New York about a year. Failing health induced him to come to Woods- burg, where he has made his home since 1884.

By his marriage to Carrie Gatchell, of Massa- chusetts, Dr. Hartwell has two children, Fred

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and Emma. Socially he is a Mason and is con- nected with the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Honor and Legion of Honor. His present position in life he has acquired by his own un- aided efforts, and in the face of great obstacles and many hardships, but his indomitable spirit has enabled him to attain a success of which he may well be proud.

W ILLIAM H. FITZPATRICK is the junior member of the firm of T. F. Tuohy & Co., general contractors of Flushing. He is a native of this place, his birth occurring in Lincoln Street November 24, 1853, a son of John and Margaret (Ryan) Fitzpatrick, who were born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America at about the same time, in 1836, when twenty years of age. Mr. Fitzpat- rick located in Flushing, and was later joined by his mother, brother and sister. He soon be- gan driving a stage between Flushing and New York for Benjamin Byrd, but later turned his attention to the nursery business, and was in the employ of different men thus engaged until he retired from the active duties of life at about the age of seventy years. He died in 1890 at the age of seventy-five years. All his life he had been a Democrat, and during his residence here was a member of St. Michael's Church. He was left a widower in 1888. His wife bore him six sons and one daughter: Patrick, who died in childhood; John J., who died at the age of thirty- five, in New York City; Daniel, who was acci- dentally killed in Flushing at the age of seven- teen; Annie; James, who died young; William H .; and Michael, who also died young.

William H. Fitzpatrick was reared in Flush- ing and was educated in public and private schools. At the age of seventeen he was ap- prenticed to a carpenter, and after thoroughly learning the business, worked at it successfully for about fifteen years, after which he engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor business in Flushing, and conducted two stores successfully for about eleven years. In 1889 he sold out and engaged in general contracting with T. F. Tuohy, as junior member of the above men- tioned firm, and they soon became the largest general contractors of the place. Not only have they done important work of various kinds in Flushing, but also in surrounding villages and in the city of Brooklyn. Much of their attention

has been given to sewer work. In the fall of 1895 they purchased the coal business of E. F. Harris, and have since been engaged in a whole- sale and retail business in Lawrence Street, often selling many hundreds of tons by cargo. They keep from twenty-five to forty-five teams con- stantly at work and employ three foremen, one for coal and two for general contract work, but the greater part of the office work is done by Mr. Fitzpatrick, who has proved himself thor- oughly competent and a reliable and accurate bookkeeper.

Mr. Fitzpatrick has a beautiful and commo- dious residence at No. 288 Lincoln Street, with well kept grounds one hundred and forty feet square. He is largely interested in real estate and has more than twelve valuable pieces of residence property. He is also a stockholder in the Flushing Bank, and from 1883 to 1889 was a member of the board of trustees. He has served as chairman of the street committee, and also as chairman of the water committee, to all of which positions he was elected by a large majority each time. He is a member of the dis- trict, county and township central committees, and for years has been a delegate to county, congressional and senatorial committees. Politi- cally he has always supported the principles of Democracy. He was one of the organizers of the Seventeenth Separate New York National Guard, was a private in the Grays for five years, was commissioned first sergeant, and with his command was called out for service during the Hornellsville (Pa.) strikes.

Mr. Fitzpatrick was married here to Miss Eliza Brennan, a native of Flushing and a daugh- ter of James Brennan, who was one of the early settlers here, and died many years ago. Mr. Fitzpatrick and his wife are members of St. Michael's Church.

J OSEPH H. DOUD, holding the responsi- ble position of postmaster of Farmingdale, was born at Colchester, Conn., March 10, 1848. He is a son of Joseph D. and Abigail A. (Holdridge) Doud, who removed from their na- tive state to Brooklyn when our subject was four or five years old. They made their home in that city for a short time, when the records tell us they settled at Farmingdale, where the father, who was a harnessmaker, engaged in business.

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After completing his studies in the village school of this place, our subjeet went to Middle- town, Conn., and was graduated a few years later from the high school there. He then be -. eame a student in Chase's Academy at Middle- town, continuing in that institution for one term. His father being sick about this time he was called home in order that lie might look after the business. On the convalescence of his father he returned to Middletown, where he obtained a position as elerk for E. F. Chafee & Bros. He remained with this firm for two years, during which time, in addition to waiting on customers, he kept their books. Sustaining an injury about this time, lie returned home and began working in his father's harness shop, remaining with him for a period of six or seven years. There was a Dr. George E. Bell, who boarded with his par- ents, and Joseph H., becoming interested in medicine, spent his nights in studying text books which the Doctor lent him, and often went out as his assistant in eases where help was required.

Although very desirous of doing so, our sub- jeet did not adopt the medieal profession, but after leaving his father's employ began driving over the island selling drugs by the wholesale to the various houses which dealt in medicines. He continued thus for five or six years, when he abandoned this business for something better. Mr. Doud was married in 1870 to Miss Emily A. Colyer, of Plain Edge, now Centralpark, L. I.

Having been interested in selling drugs and medieines for so many years, upon leaving the road Mr. Doud opened a first-class drug store. This he continued to manage very successfully until 1894, when he turned the business over to his son. He has other interests which oeeupy his time and attention, perhaps the most impor- tant of which is his real estate business. He has handled property sinee 1884, and through num- erous speeulations has reaped handsome profits.

Mr. Doud has always voted the Democratie tieket, and in 1872 supported Greeley. He has been inspector of eleetions and lias also served as commissioner of highways, holding that office for the town of Oyster Bay for a period of twelve years, during which time marvelousehanges were wrought in the roads of the distriet. Mr. Doud has served the people as notary public for many years and has transaeted mueh legal business. He was appointed postinaster of Farmingdale in 1893 and is fulfilling all the requirements of this responsible position in a most satisfactory

manner. His political party recognizes in him one of its most active and influential workers, and as an earnest and publie-spirited citizen he commands the confidence and respect of all liis friends and neighbors. Mr. Doud has been greatly interested in schools, and has served as a member of the board of education ever since its organization.

Religiously our subjeet is an Episcopalian, and has represented his eongregation as treas- urer for a period of years. He also held the same position for St. Thomas' Mission under Dean Cox for a time. For four years he was the ineumbent of the office of assessor of Oyster Bay, and it was the wish of the voters of the community that he should hold it longer, but he refused to do so. Fraternally he is a member of Farmingdale Lodge No. 613, I. O. O. F., of which he was one of the organizers. He has filled all of the ehairs in this body and is now serving as noble and past grand. He is like- wise connected with the Mutual Benefit and Re- lief Association of Suffolk County.

Mr. and Mrs. Doud are the parents of three ehildren, of whom the eldest, Clarenee C., is in charge of the drug store; Ella A. married Perey Everetts and makes her home in Brooklyn; May is still with her parents.

D R. ROBERT SIMMEN is a native of Switzerland, born in Berne, in August, 1848. His father, Jaeques Gabriel Sint- men, M. D., was also a native of Switzerland and a graduate of the University of Berne. He prae- ticed his profession in Switzerland all his life and was one of the most eminent physicians of the country. He was also a prominent botanist and mineralogist and gained a wide-spread reputa- tion. He passed away when sixty-six years old. Grandfather Simmen was an attorney and eoun- sellor at law and a man of unusual learning. The mother of our subject, Sophia Simmen, was a native of Berne, where she passed her last days. Her father was a prominent attorney. To Dr. and Mrs. Simmen were born four children. all of whom are living, but only one in this country.

Our subjeet, the only son born to his parents, received his primary education in the public schools and when eleven years old attended the gymnasium and the agricultural school near Berne. After tliis lie attended sehool at Zurielı, then the veterinary sehool, and still later the Uni-

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versity of Berne, graduating with the degree of mund; Charles, now deceased; William and veterinary surgeon in 1869. Following this he Mary. The latter, who is a minister in the So- ciety of Friends, is also active in missionary and temperance work and is president of the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mrs. Post passed away in 1885. practiced medicine at Val d'Ruz for two years, or until 1871, and then crossed the ocean to New York City. He immediately began learn- ing the language and at the same time was in the hospital for a short time. Later he was on a farm in Queens County, near Glencove, and in 1874 began practicing his profession at College Point. About the year 1877 he located at Flush- ing, and has been engaged as a veterinary sur- geon here ever since. He has practiced his pro- fession all over the northern part of Queens County, and has also practiced in New York City and Brooklyn.

In the year 1880 Dr. Simmen was married in Flushing to Miss Louisa Stelz, a native of Queens County, and the daughter of George Stelz, who was a soldier in the Civil War. At the present time Mr. Stelz resides in College Point, and is a watchmaker and jeweler. To Dr. and Mrs. Simmen have been born three children: Robert, Jr., Louisa, and George. Fraternally the Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pyth- ias and the German-American Veterinary So- ciety. His parents were members of the Luth- eran Church and he also is a believer in that doctrine.

S TEPHEN W. POST, of the well known firm of S. & J. Post, at Westbury Station, is a native of Middlesex County, N. J., born in 1845, a son of Henry and Elizabeth C. (Wood) Post, both natives of New York. The paternal grandparents, Edmund and Mary (Rush- more) Post, were natives of the Empire State, as was also the great-grandfather, Edmund Post. On the mother's side the grandfather of our sub- ject was Rev. John Wood, a prominent clergy- man. The father of our subject was born in the town of North Hempstead, November 21, 1816, but at the time of his marriage he moved to New Dover, N. J., purchased a farm, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for fourteen years. Sell- ing out he returned to New York and bought another farm near Wheatley, where he made his home for thirteen years. Since then he has been retired from the active duties of life. In politics he has been connected with the Republicanparty and in religion he is a member of the Society of Friends. To his marriage were born the fol- lowing children: Stephen, John, Martha, Ed-

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 156

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