Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 20

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 20

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Colonel Jones' record in the war was a remark- ably distinguished and brilliant one, the summary of which is as follows: He served with his com- mand all through the rebellion, and was in every engagement in which it took part-the battles of Suffolk, White's Landing, the siege of Ft. Wag- ner, Drury's Bluff, John's Island, Fair Oaks, Ber- muda Hundred, Petersburgh, Ft. Harrison and Ft. Fisher. Colonel Jones is made of the "stuff" of which soldiers are made. As a civilian Colonel Jones' record has hardly been less distinguished and brilliant than that of his war-life. In 1869 he was appointed amendment clerk in the naval of- fice on the recommendation of Vice-President Wheeler. He was soon after promoted to entry clerk, and then to deputy naval officer. In 1877 he became deputy collector of the sixth division, which position he held under Collectors Merritt and Robertson. For eight years Colonel Jones was deputy in charge of the public store and ap- praiser's department, and under Collector Erhardt was assistant cashier of the custom house. It will be seen that Colonel Jones has lost no time in his life thus far. His little more than sixty years have been crammed full of the busiest and intensest kind of work. A man of exceptional executive ability, he has started out in every en- terprise he has undertaken with the consciousness of his own individual power to win. In every emergency he has relied upon himself. Never has he had a "substitute" to fight his battles. After such an eventful and successful life the Colonel is now but in the prime of his years, so that the future must have something in store for him in the way of official trust, if he will but accept it. At present Colonel Jones is an im- portant member of the tax arrears commission.

He is not only a credit and an honor to his home village of Richmond Hill, but he is as well a credit and an honor both to the county of Queens and to the great Empire State. He has recognized his duty in every position that he has filled, and he has had in every instance both the ability and the courage to perform that duty.

In the year 1879 our subject became interested in real estate at Richmond Hill in company with the late Judge George Lester, and was one of the prominent factors in bringing about the won- derful development of this now booming little vil- lage. He occupies one of the most beautiful resi dences in the place and is the owner of considera- ble real estate here as well as in other parts of Queens and other counties in the state. His hop farms are located in Franklin County and are among the most extensive to be found in the state.

Colonel Jones was married in 1859 to Miss Su- san E. Abbott, who left at her decease two sons, William A., Jr., and Walter M. The older son is a graduate of Columbia College and is a suc- cessful lawyer of the New York bar; he makes his home in Richmond Hill. Walter M. makes his home in Havana, and is interested in the electric light business. In 1869 Colonel Jones was mar- ried in Malone to his present wife, whose maiden name was Sarah A. Beman, and who is a native of Malone. They have two accomplished daugh- ters, Anna Belle and Elizabeth L., both of whom were educated in Packer's Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn. Socially, the Colonel is a member of U. S. Grant Post No. 527, G. A. R., of Brooklyn. He also stands high in Masonic circles and in politics he is an ardent Republican.

J OHN F. RYAN. To successfully preserve life and property in any city, it is necessary that competent and reliable men should be at the head of the different companies of a fire department, and in this respect Long Island City is better equipped than the average city of like size. One of the most prominent and reliable of her foremen is John F. Ryan, who was born in the city of New York in 1863, a son of Michael and Margaret (Greene) Ryan, the former of whom was a dealer in wall paper in that city, where both parents eventually died. They left five children, all of whom are living in Long Island City.

John F. Ryan was the second of their children in order of birth and in the public schools of his

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native city and in Manhattan Academy he re- ceived a good practical education. After com- pleting his academic course, he came to Long Island City, which place has since been his home, and with whose interests he has identified hin- self. In Beekman he began learning the business of stamping with the United States Stamping Company, continuing with them until 1893, the last few years of his service being on contract work, with nine men under him.

On the 21st of September, 1893, Mr. Ryan was appointed to the position of foreman in the fire department of Long Island City, and was placed in charge of Truck Company No. I, continuing in this position until June 12, 1894, when he was transferred to the new engine company, No. 3. His engine is known as the old Hunter Engine No. 4, and was the first one introduced in Long Island City, notwithstanding which fact it is still one of the best engines in the place. For about thirteen years Mr. Ryan ran with it as a member of the old volunteer department, and his long service makes him especially useful in his present capacity.

In Long Island City Mr. Ryan was united in marriage with Miss Kate Frank, a native of this city, and to them two children have been given, Ellen and Joseph. Mr. Ryan has a pleasant and comfortable home at No. 222 Prospect Street, and he and his worthy wife are noted for their hospitality. They are members of the St. Pat- rick's Catholic Church and in his political views Mr. Ryan has always been Democratic, but has never had political aspirations.

F RANK V. BODINE. In a career, honor- able alike to himself and to the community, Mr. Bodine has shown those valuable traits of character without which success is unattainable, and by the citizens of Far Rockaway, his home, he is respected as a man of sound intelligence and high worth. While he has resided here for a comparatively brief period, he already is known as a skilled architect and has the principal busi- ness in his line, both for the village and the sur- rounding country.

John F. Bodine, father of our subject, is a lin- eal descendant of one of the five Huguenot broth- ers who first settled Staten Island. His home is still in Trenton, N. J., of which city he is a native. He married Miss Jane Lanning, also of that city,

and they became the parents of five children, namely: Frank V., of this sketch; Hattie, Charles, John F., Jr., and Enoch, all of whom remain with their parents. Our subject, who is the oldest of the family, was born in Trenton November 3, 1855. Early in life he was obliged to become self-supporting, as his father, who had enlisted in the Union army during the Civil War, re- turned home a physical wreck, in consequence of hard service and much exposure.

When only ten years old our subject secured employment in a grocery and later worked in a music store, afterward in a clothing establish- ment, turning his hand, in fact, to any honest means of earning a livelihood. It was in Febru- ary, 1868, when thirteen years old, that he se- cured a position as errand boy in a clothing house, where later he was promoted to a posi- tion of more responsibility. This brought him to consider what it was best to do in shaping his course for the future. He was advised to learn the trade of a merchant tailor and to fully understand every branch of the same, including cutting, fitting, sewing and finishing. This he followed about six months, but it did not prove congenial and he abandoned it. After two months' study in the Trenton Business College he worked with a surveyor and civil engineer for two years. This occupation seemed more nearly adapted to his tastes and led to the study of architecture. He possessed naturally a mechanical mind, and from early boyhood it was his delight to watch carpenters at the bench and in building houses. Imitating them in a crude way he built houses of various patterns from blocks and sticks, and seemed to have an intelligent idea of construc- tion but had no hand to guide him.

Entering the office of an architect in Trenton Mr. Bodine soon became a very valuable em- ploye and was depended upon for important work. For seven years he continued in that way, most of the time having an interest in the business, and while there he learned the art of architecture in detail, step by step. His natural ability soon found room for expression and he became ex- pert in the business. Upon the death of R. W. Gallagher, one of the principal architects of the city, he took his office and advertised as his suc- cessor. This was in 1875, and he prospered from the start. However, his health failed. and to recuperate he went to Asbury Park, N. J. Find- ing a demand there for first-class work, he located and erected a number of buildings that proved

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an excellent advertisement for him. After having spent five years there and having meantime se- cured considerable work for the Central Railroad, he removed to Somerville, N. J., in order to bet- ter control that work. There he came in compe- tition with the best architects in the country, par- ticularly in plans and for depot construction. Having original ideas and a keen sense of appro- priate surroundings or buildings that look well in peculiar environments, he was nearly always successful in the competitions, and some of the most attractive and convenient railroad build- ings in that locality are the work of his brain and hand.

From Somerville Mr. Bodine came to Far Rockaway in 1895, and at once took front rank among the architects along the south shore. He has made a study not only of appearance but convenience, and the best methods of ventilating and plumbing. Realizing the importance of sani- tary arrangements, he makes this one of his spe- cialties and also pays considerable attention to the heating apparatus and ventilation. He can- not always persuade builders to adopt his plans, as they are in advance of the old methods, and while his have passed the experimental stage yet they seem new to most persons. Wherever he has erected buildings his name is known and his reputation established, and his work is the best advertisement he can give.

Politically Mr. Bodine is a Republican, stanch and strong, but has never taken an active part in public matters, preferring to concentrate his at- tention upon his chosen occupation. At the age of twenty-six he married Miss Mary W. Kelley, of Trenton, a friend of his childhood and youth. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fra- ternity.

R OBERT B. TISDALE. An active and progressive system in any profession or line of business, when based upon prin- ciples of honor, is sure to bring success, and an illustration of prominence gained through these means is seen in the record of Robert B. Tisdale, who is engaged in the forwarding business at No. 13 Moore Street, New York City. In every re- spect he is a public spirited citizen, in harmony with advanced ideas and intelligent progress, and the success which has been accorded him in a business way is fully merited. He is a native of the city of New York, but his father and grand-

father before him, who both bore the name of James, were natives of the Bay State.

When a young man, the father of the subject of this sketch came to Astoria, but became a hard- ware merchant in Water Street, New York, a calling which he continued to pursue there un- til 1837. In that year he began dealing in coal and lumber in Astoria at the corner of Fulton Avenue and Boulevard, and there continued suc- cessfully in business for half a century. In 1880, after a long and honorable business career, his death occurred, at the age of sixty-seven years. In politics he was a Republican, and for many years he was treasurer of the village of Astoria. He was a member of St. George's Episcopal Church, in which he was for many years a vestry- man. His wife, who was formerly Miss Margaret A. Blackwell, was born in Astoria, where she was reared and educated. She died in 1892 at the age of seventy-three years, her home at that time being with her son, the subject of this sketch. Her father was also a native of Astoria, and he and his father both bore the name of Samuel. Nine children gathered around the Tisdale family hearthstone, but only four reached maturity, one daughter and three sons, of whom only one of the sons and the daughter are now living. Samuel died at Astoria, as did also Frank. Emily and the subject of this sketch reside here.

Robert B. Tisdale was reared in Astoria and was educated here and in the Woodstock schools of Westchester County, N. Y. At the early age of sixteen years he began his business career as a clerk for J. Lathrop & Co., flour merchants on Broad Street, and remained in their employ for sixteen years. In 1875 he started for himself at his present place of business, where he first followed the calling of a commission flour merchant. In 1885 he began in his present business, which has since received his undivided attention. He has done well financially and is in comfortable cir- cumstances. His residence is the ancestral home of his mother, which was built by her father, Samuel Blackwell, in 1826, at No. 134 Franklin Street, and although it has been in constant use all this time it is a fine old place and in a good state of preservation.

Mr. Tisdale's marriage with Miss Emily Halsey took place in Astoria, of which village she is a native. Her father, Stephen A. Halsey, is one of the leading residents of the place. Mr. and Mrs. Tisdale have one child, Edith. They are members of St. George's Episcopal Church, in

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which Mr. Tisdale is a vestryman, and he was formerly a member of the Hook and Ladder Fire Company of Astoria. He is one of the sub- stantial men of Astoria, is a genial and agreeable companion and numbers his friends by the score.

T HOMAS HENDERSON. The social, po- litical and business history of Queens County is filled with the deeds and doings of self-made men, and if by this word we under- stand that a man, solely through his unaided ex- ertions, has risen from an humble position to one of influence, then certainly Thomas Henderson may be called self-made. The family of which he is a member, while an old and prominent one, has never been wealthy, and in his youth he had few advantages, being obliged by force of circum- stances to earn his livelihood. It was in 1882 that he came from New York City to Far Rock- away, and here he has since resided, being en- gaged in the real estate and insurance business.

From his forefathers Mr. Henderson inherits the traits of perseverance and honesty that have ever characterized the Scotch nationality, as well as the thrift that is peculiarly English. His father, James, was born in Scotland, but emigrated to America and settled in Westchester County, N. Y., where he followed the occupation of a carpen- ter and builder; he married Ann Pettit, a native of England, who came to America in girlhood and afterward resided in Westchester County. In the town of Westchester, that county, our sub- ject was born November 1, 1841, and there he spent the years of youth, learning the carpen- ter's trade under his father's instruction and re- maining with him until of age. Later he was employed as a carpenter in New York City, and there remained until 1870, when he went to Liv- ingston County, Mich. During the eleven years he remained there he was engaged in the culti- vation of a large farm much of the time and was also in the grocery and produce business. Re- turning to New York City he resumed his former occupation, but in a short time came to Far Rockaway, where he built a carriage house and stables for Judge Aiken.

The winter after coming here Mr. Henderson erected a store building on Central Avenue and in the spring he opened up a stock of hardware, establishing the business now conducted by W. L. Starks, to whom he sold after having been proprietor of the store for twelve years. This

was the first hardware store ever started here, and in the venture he was discouraged by many, but he persevered and achieved a large success, selling an immense amount of goods and mak- ing considerable money. He married Miss Mary L. Kimball, of Jefferson County, N. Y., and they are the parents of a daughter, Maude E., in whose training and welfare they take the deepest inter- est.

Politically Mr. Henderson is a Republican, active, aggressive, and always interested in local and national affairs. Under the administration of President Harrison he was postmaster for four years, discharging the duties of the office with efficiency. Socially he is a charter member of Olympia Lodge, No. 808, F. & A. M., and the Oceanic Hose Company. In the organization of the Far Rockaway Bank he took an active part and is now one of its directors, holding a similar position in the gas company. While he is not identified with any denomination, he attends the Presbyterian Church and is president of the board of trustees, his services being especially valued in the financial matters pertaining to the church.

R AYNOR R. SMITH is justly deserving of being recognized as one of the progressive and successful tillers of the soil of Queens County, for in this occupation he has attained a degree of success that can only be accounted for in the fact that he has devoted the greater portion of his life to it. Nor is this all, for he has for many years been a dealer in oysters also and has found this enterprise to be profitable. Mr. Smith was born in the village of Freeport in 1842, his parents being William R. and Mary (Frost) Smith, the former of whom was a native of Free- port, and during his lifetime devoted his time and attention to farming on the bay, from which oc- cupation he secured a comfortable competency. After a useful but unpretentious life his earthly career closed in September, 1893. His widow is now seventy-eight years of age and is in the en- joyment of fair health for one of her years.

Raynor R. Smith was given such educational advantages as the schools of his youthful days afforded, but these were by no means of the best, and were limited to about three months during the year. However, by dint of application, he acquired a practical education, sufficient to trans- act the ordinary duties of life, and having thor- oughly learned the details of farming under his

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father while growing up, at the age of twenty- three years he left the shelter of the parental roof and began farming on his own responsibility, at the same time engaging in the oyster business, both of which occupations he has successfully car- ried on ever since. Mr. Smith has a commodious and comfortable residence in Freeport and is with justice regarded one of the representative citizens of the place.

In 1859 our subject married Miss Annie M. Story, a daughter of Jacob and Huldah (Terry) Story, natives and worthy citizens of Long Island. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, eight of whom are living at the present time and are as follows: Angelica, wife of William Plyer, of Hempstead; Raynor R., Jr .; Franklin M .; Elizabeth, wife of William Dunlop, of Freeport; William Harvey; Clara Bell; Mary and Percy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have long been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Free- port, of which Mr. Smith is steward. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and politically has always supported the men and measures of the Democratic party. He has creditably served his fellow-citizens as town assessor and is at present one of the trustees of the village of Freeport, having held the latter po- sition since the incorporation of the place. He is now treasurer of the Board of Water Commis- sioners of Freeport, and in everything pertain- ing to the welfare of this section he has always been interested and has given to it hearty and substantial support.

H ENRY P. LIBBY. No matter how crowd- ed may be the market in any particular calling, every person who possesses orig- inal and practical ideas, with the enterprise to push them to a successful termination, is bound to win success, both as regards reputation and the accumulation of the almighty dollar. Such has been the experience of Henry P. Libby, whose career as a real estate and insurance agent has been one of success almost from the time of his commencement in the business, and this is with- out doubt due to his thorough knowledge of realty, as well as to the fact that he always lives up to the letter of his contract.

Our subject was born in Rockland, Me., in 1855, a son of Henry G. and Laura W. (Tyron) Libby, who were also natives of the old Pine Tree State. The father was a superintending

machinist by occupation. The mother, who is in the enjoyment of good health, resides at Bridgeport, Conn. Henry P. Libby received his education in the Bridgeport public schools, but at the age of fifteen years he left school to accept a position as time-keeper in the Howe Sewing Machine Company's manufactory at Bridgeport. After leaving the employ of this company he attended Rev. Mr. Day's private school for one year, at the end of which time, when only seventeen years old, he began teach- ing school and continued in this occupation with marked success for one year at Newtown, Conn. He then began working under his father in the Howe Sewing Machine factory, at Bridgeport, and was thus employed for two or three months, when he took a contract from the company to fur- nish them with spiral springs, the making of which he superintended for about two years. The busi- ness then became depressed and the company closed down the works, thus throwing Mr. Libby out of employment, but he soon after came to Freeport, L. I., and was principal of the Free- port schools for about three years, from 1877 to 1880.

In 1880 Mr. Libby engaged in the clothing bus- iness, but one year later he accepted a position in the office of the Phenix Insurance Company in New York City, which he filled for a period of seven years, then embarked in his present busi- ness. He has prospered in this line and his ca- reer has been characterized by much business acu- men and unlimited energy, and since starting in business he has met with more than ordinary suc- cess. It was through his efforts that the Freeport Bank was organized in 1892, he being instrument- al in obtaining the subscription of stock, and the bank is now firmly founded and among the most prosperous institutions of Freeport. In 1893 Mr. Libby inaugurated the idea of the organization of the Freeport Land Company and obtained the capital stock of $100,000, after which he was made secretary of the company.

Keenly public spirited, Mr. Libby has done much to build up and improve the village of Freeport, and is accounted one of her most sub- stantial citizens. The cause of education has found in him a liberal and active patron and he is a member of the Board of Education. Politi- cally he is a stanch Republican, but has never been a political aspirant, and socially is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1880 Mr. Libby married Miss Mattie Holloway, a na-

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tive of Columbia, S. C., but who was reared at Freeport, and to them one son has been born, Harry H. Mr. and Mrs. Libby are members of the Presbyterian Church and he is one of the trustees.

E DWIN HENDERSON, a contractor and builder, resides one-half mile northeast of Port Washington. He was born in the village of Oyster Bay December 2, 1834, being a son of Robert and Elizabeth D. (Wilson) Hen- derson, natives of Long Island. His father, who was a wheelwright and millwright, also engaged as a house and ship carpenter, meeting with fair success in these various lines of labor. In 1842 he came to Port Washington and here he con- tinued to reside until his death. An industrious, persevering man, he was known and honored as a kind neighbor and accommodating friend. By his marriage to Miss Wilson he became the father of six children, of whom Edwin is the third in order of birth and the only survivor with the exception of Charles W., who is a carpenter, living near his brother. In his political views the father was a Whig and always cast his ballot for the principles advocated by that party.

Commencing his education in the common schools of Oyster Bay the subject of this record later prosecuted his studies in Port Washington, to which place he accompanied his father at the age of eight years. His boyhood years were passed uneventfully, and at the age of eighteen he began to learn the trade of a carpenter with Daniel Hegeman, with whom he remained for two years, receiving $36 the first year and $48 the second. For a time thereafter he was employed by the day at his trade and still later was engaged at journeyman work. About 1859, he and his brother began to take contracts for the erection of buildings, but after a time resumed work as a journeyman.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 20

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