Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 24

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 24

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In the village where he still resides our subject was born September 28, 1823, to Benjamin H. and Sarah A. (Mott) Willis. His great-grand- father, John Willis, a native of England, settled near what is now Old Westbury in colonial times. The grandfather, Cornwall, was born there and followed the occupation of a farmer. Benjamin H. Willis, though reared to agricultural pursuits and for a time engaged therein, removed to Ja- maica, where for fifteen years he was editor and publisher of the "Long Island Times." He died about 1861 at the home of a son in Coldspring, L. I. In early life he was a Henry Clay

Whig and later became a Republican. Twice mar- ried, he had by his first wife three children, of whom our subject is the oldest and the only sur- vivor. By his second marriage he had two chil- dren, both now deceased.

Until twenty-two years of age our subject re- mained at home. In 1849 he shipped on a sailing vessel for California, which he reached after a voyage of one hundred and sixty-five days, via Cape Horn. During the three years of his so- journ there he was greatly troubled by rheuma- tism, which, however, did not prevent him from engaging in business. For a time he served as agent for shipping companies. In 1852 he re- turned East, having made about enough to defray the expenses of the journey. On his return he began to work at ship and house carpentering and millwrighting, which he had picked up by himself, never having served a day's apprentice- ship.

At the age of twenty-eight Mr. Willis married Catherine Kelly, who was born in Ireland, came to the United States in girlhood and was living in Port Washington at the time of her marriage. She died in March, 1892, having become the mother of four children, namely: Sarah, William, James and Edward. William, who is engaged in the oyster business, lives in Port Washington and is married. James, who is similarly occupied here, is married and has five children. Edward, who is married and has one child, is a boat build- er and yachtsman of Navesink, N. J.

It is certainly to the credit of Mr. Willis that, while starting in life without means, he worked his way to prosperity and an influential position. He has designed and built some of the fastest racing yachts on the sound, among them the "Norlie," "Loner" and "Jennie Willis." When only eigh- teen years old he voted for Henry Clay, and later became an advocate of protection, being of the opinion that free trade would be ruinous to our home industries.

E LLWOOD VALENTINE TITUS, a prominent and successful farmer of Glen- cove, was born on the farm where he now lives January II, 1853, and there also his father, James Titus, was born in 1818. The great-grand- father was born in New Rochelle, Westchester County, N. Y., and there his son Henry, grand- father of our subject, was born. Later the great- grandfather moved to Westbury, in the town of

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North Hempstead, Queens County, where he bought a large farm. There Henry Titus grew to mature years and in 1822 bought a large farm of two hundred and forty-five acres, a part of which our subject now owns. This land was then uncultivated, but improvements have since been made on it and it is now one of the best farms in the county. After settling on this tract with his parents, James, who was then but five years old, not liking his new home, started out one day and made his way to the old place at West- bury, where he was found a few hours later.

Henry Titus well remembered Washington, for he saw him in Westchester County. Like his ancestors, James Titus selected agricultural pur- suits as his occupation in life. He married Miss Caroline Valentine, who bore him six children, as follows: Edward P., a resident of Glen- cove; Henry E., who resides in Plainfield, N. J .; Ellwood V .; Mary V .; Caroline A., who married John B. C. Taffan, and Emeline N., a graduate of the Medical College of New York City. The father of these children was a Repub- lican in politics, but was not an office-seeker. He was a member of the Board of Education for some time in Glencove, and was director in the Long Island Northshore Freight and Transportation Company. He was also a director in Fayette Fire Insurance Company of Brooklyn and of the Se- curity Insurance Company of New York. A life- long member of the Society of Friends and a man of upright, honorable character, his death, which occurred September 5, 1892, was the occasion of universal sorrow. His wife passed away Decem- ber 2, 1876.

Our subject became familiar with agricultural pursuits at an early age and grew to sturdy man- hood assisting in the duties on the old home place. He attended private school and when seventeen years old attended Cary Institute at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., for two years. Since then he has been on the farm and is classed among the progressive and substantial men of his section. He was mar- ried on the 2d of April, 1875, to Miss M. Louise Cox, daughter of Daniel D. and Mary (Leggett) Cox. They have two children, Helen L., born in Queens County, and Caroline Varrich, who was born on the old home place in 1880 and who graduated from the high school of Glencove in the class of 1894. Politically Mr. Titus is a Republican and his first presidential vote was cast for R. B. Hayes in 1876. He is a birthright member of the Society of Friends, but

attends the Episcopal Church. Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of which he has been secretary for four years and regent and chap- lain for two years.

S AMUEL M. TITUS. Before giving a de- tailed account of our subject's personal history we deem it best to make some men- tion of his ancestors, going back to Robert Titus and his wife, Hannah, who emigrated from Stan- stead Abbey, Hertfordshire, England, as early as 1635. They first located at Weymouth, Mass., and from there removed to Seekonk, whence a part of the family came to Long Island.

The eldest son of Robert and Hannah Titus was Edmund, whose birth occurred in England about 1630. He was married about the year 1657 to Martha Washburn, of Hempstead, L. I., and the eldest of their children, John, on attaining mature years, chose for his wife Miss Sarah Wil- lis. Their son Jacob married Margaret Germain, of Hempstead; L. I., while their son, also named Jacob, married Martha Keene. The eldest of their household, Jacob, our subject's father, mar- ried Hannah Mott.

The subject of this sketch, one of the promi- nent and influential farmers of Glencove, was born here May 31, 1819. His father, who was a native of Wheatly, L. I., in his youth learned the carpenter's trade, which business he carried on at that place. Many years ago he came to Glencove, where he embarked in the mercantile business. He was very prosperous in a financial way and was very liberal in his donations to all worthy causes in his community. His daughter, Mary Margaret, became the wife of Richard M. Bowne.

Samuel M., of this sketch, grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools of his native place. He was reared to a full knowledge of farm work, his parents making their home on a fine place in this county, and on the death of his father, which occurred when our subject was about thirty years of age, he came into his share of the estate, which was about one hundred and thirty acres. This he keeps under good cultivation and reaps therefrom a handsome income.

The marriage of Mr. Titus with Miss Hannah E. Willis, of Cedar Swamp, occurred about 1856. This lady was the daughter of Jacob B. and Phebe (Hewlett) Willis, well-to-do residents of

SAMUEL M. TITUS, OF GLEN COVE.

WILLIAM L. WOOD.

COL. ALFRED M. WOOD.

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that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Titus have continued to make their home on the old farm since their marriage and are recognized by their neighbors as peaceful and law-abiding citizens. Three chil- dren were born to them, Jacob W., who departed this life January 16, 1894, leaving a daughter, Eleanor; S. Townsend, whose sketch will also ap- pear in this volume; and Lewis, who died when yoúng.

Mr. Titus has been a stanch supporter of Re- publican principles ever since casting his first vote for Harrison, in 1840. Prior to the organiza- tion of that party he was appointed postmaster, holding the office for eight years, from 1844 to 1852. Although Mr. Titus favors the belief of the Society of Friends, he is not a member of that sect.

The father of Samuel M. Titus was one of the original founders of The Glencove Mutual In- surance Company, of which our subject is stock- holder and now holds the office of president. He has been a member of the Queens County Agri- cultural Society since its organization, and as sisted in surveying the ground for its permanent location at Mineola, L. I. For the past twenty years he has been a director of the society.

W ILLIAM L. WOOD, cashier of the Bank of Jamaica, was born at Colum- bia Heights, in the city of Brooklyn, October 31, 1857, being the only son of the late Col. Alfred M. Wood. His father, who won mer- ited distinction in the War of the Rebellion and later gained prominence in civic affairs, was born in the town of Hempstead, L. I., in 1826. In youth, after having received a fair education in the district schools, he went to Brooklyn, where he secured a clerkship in a dry-goods store, and so conspicuous were his talents even at that early age that he was promoted from time to time, finally purchasing the business from his employ- ers. In 1851 he removed to Queens, but after a short time returned to Brooklyn, though con- tinuing his summer home at Queens.

In 1850, when the Brooklyn City Regiment, of which Mr. Wood was a member, became the Fourteenth Regiment, he was chosen lieutenant- colonel, and six years later was appointed to com- mand the regiment. In 1860 he was elected presi- dent of the Brooklyn board of aldermen and was filling that position when the Civil War broke out. The Fourteenth Regiment at once volun-

teered to go to the front, but when the command was ready to move an obstacle was placed in its way by the refusal of Governor Morgan to allow it to leave the state. Colonel Wood promptly forwarded a statement of the facts to Washing- ton, and in reply received an order from Presi- dent Lincoln to proceed to the defense of that city. The regiment moved from Brooklyn on receipt of the order and for four years rendered valiant service in defense of the Union. How- ever, Colonel Wood's connection with it was of brief duration. At the first battle of Bull Run he was wounded and left on the field. His horse was shot from under him and he was fighting on foot when a bullet struck him. The course of the bullet was such that it would have been fatal had it not struck a package of visiting cards, which caused its deflection. The mutilated cards were in the colonel's possession until his death.

Spending the time of his illness in a Confed- erate hospital, Colonel Wood was, upon recov- ery, sent to join Colonel Corcoran and other Union officers who had been captured and were confined in Libby prison. When the Confederate authorities told the prisoners in Libby to select' from their number hostages for execution, should the Federal government execute a number of Rebel sailors captured on a privateer, Colonel Wood was one of those chosen. Twice afterward, when hostages were demanded, his life was placed in danger by the drawings. He was finally ex- changed and returned to Brooklyn, but with broken health. Being too ill to return to the front, he resigned his commission as colonel, and was retired with the brevet rank of brigadier- general. When the Fourteenth finally returned from the war at the close of the struggle, its first colonel reviewed it as mayor of the city of Brooklyn.

In 1863 Colonel Wood was appointed internal revenue collector for the First District of New York, and the next year was chosen mayor of Brooklyn, receiving almost eight thousand of a total vote of less than thirteen thousand. After four years in the mayoralty, during which time he rendered faithful and efficient service in the welfare of the people, he retired from the office. In 1878 he was appointed United States Consul at Castel-a-Mare, Italy, and served at that post for sixteen years, returning to America in 1894. From the time of his return he resided in Queens, L. I., until his death, which occurred July 28, 1895. A month prior to his decease he fell down

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the stairs at the Brooklyn entrance to the bridge, and although he apparently recovered, two weeks afterward fatal symptoms developed and all hope of his recovery was given up. Funeral services were held at the Reformed Church in Queens, and he was laid to rest, mourned by a large circle of devoted friends. He was twice married, and by his first wife, who was Sarah R. Kelsey of Queens, he had two children, now living, William L. and Mrs. Isaac Kellogg, of Hollis, L. I.

The education of our subject was largely ac- quired at the Alexandria Military Institute, White Plains, N. Y., from which he graduated. Later he was for several years connected with some of the large financial institutions in Wall Street, serving in various responsible positions until 1889, when the Bank of Jamaica was founded and his well known ability suggested him to the founder of the bank as the proper party to put in charge of its management. Under his able over- sight the concern prospered from the start. When the financial cloud of 1893 was seen in the distance by him he at once made arrangements for large sums of money in New York. At the time some of the stockholders thought this un- called for, but when the cloud burst the wisdom that he displayed in the matter was highly appre- ciated by all. During that period of depression, when many of the large banks in New York City and other places were not able to pay their checks in currency, the Bank of Jamaica was well sup- plied, and no check was presented that did not receive payment in cash. Even when the presi- dent of the bank, F. W. Dunton, was obliged to suspend and made an arrangement without a minute's notice to Mr. Wood, this did not affect the stability of the institution, for the conserva- tive management protected it from misfortune.

When the new bank building, a fine three- story brick structure, was erected at a cost of $40,000, Mr. Wood had charge of the arrange- ments, and it is due him to say that in no town of this size in the state could there be found a bank building better arranged than this. During the six years the bank has been in existence it has earned, besides paying dividends, a large surplus, and is one of the solid institutions of Long Island. Interested with him in the management are John H. Sutphin, president, and Abraham Van Siclen, vice-president.

In October, 1884, Mr. Wood married Miss Grace Doughty, daughter of Nicholas Doughty, of Queens. They have two children, Fred and

Margaret, the family making their home in the village of Queens. Socially Mr. Wood is con- nected with the Masons and the Veterans' Social Club of Jamaica. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican. At one time he was a member of the Twenty-third Regiment, New York National Guard, at Brooklyn. He is interested in every- thing pertaining to the welfare of Long Island, and believes that no spot in the world can com- pare with "Old Queens."

E LBERT VERITY. The name of this gen- tleman is a very familiar one in the busi- ness circles of Long Island, for he has been engaged in various occupations here throughout his life, and in each and every one of them he was always to be relied upon. He is now living in retirement from the active duties of life in Freeport. At Seaford, Queens County, he was born in 1817, a son of Samuel and Abigail (Hoff) Verity, both of whom were born on Long Island, where they spent their lives. The father was a very successful and skillful wheelwright, and at the same time was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was very unpretentious in all his ways and after a quiet but useful life passed away at the extreme old age of ninety-three years. His wife's death occurred about twenty years prior to his own, at which time she was sixty years old.

The early educational advantages of Elbert Verity were very limited indeed, for not only were schools scarce and those few poorly con- ducted, but his opportunities for attending these were quite limited. However, he obtained a fair knowledge of the three R's, and this was greatly increased in later years by reading in the rough but thoroughly practical school of business life. He became inured to hard work at an early age, and after a time learned carriage-making, at which he worked with his father for about five years, and then alone for a like period. At the end of this time he embarked in the general mer- cantile business at Seaford and followed this oc- cupation and millwrighting and carpentering un- til December, 1864, when he gave them all up and went to Brooklyn, where he obtained a situation in a lumber yard. Later the owner of this yard died, and after managing the business for six years Mr. Verity started in the same line for him- self. After following this with marked success until 1887, failing health caused him to dispose

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of his stock, since which time he has lived retired.

In 1886 Mr. Verity took up his residence in Freeport, and he and his worthy wife are spend- ing the twilight of life in comfort and happiness at their beautiful home in this village. Mr. Verity was first married in 1840 to Miss Mary S. Fleet, who was born in Queens County, and was called from this life in 1855. On the 18th of December, 1855, Mr. Verity was again married, his wife being Mrs. Elizabeth A. (Edmondson) Hart, daughter of Alexander Edmondson, a native of Scotland, but who came to the state of New York in early life. Mrs. Verity was born in Scot- land, and has borne her present husband three children: Elberta, wife of M. H. Mullenneaux, of Albany, N. Y .; Elbert W., of Freeport; and William E., of Brooklyn. Mrs. Verity has one son by her first husband, Alexander R. Hart, a resident of Brooklyn. Mr. and Mrs. Verity are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically he has ever been iden- tified with the Republican party, but is rather conservative in his political views. Although he is seventy-nine years of age he is hale and healthy, and looks many years younger than he really is, which is without doubt the result of temperate and prudent living, as well as due to the fact that he inherited a sound constitution. His wife also enjoys excellent health, and they are a very highly respected old couple.

S TOWNSEND TITUS. The Titus fam- ily is very well known in Queens County,

. as ancestors of the present generation set- tled here about the middle of the seventeenth cen- tury. For over two hundred years, therefore, they have been engaged in the upbuilding and progress of the county and have literally helped to change it from a wilderness to a garden spot. The subject of this narrative, who is one of the shrewd and representative business men of Glen- cove, is a member of the firm of Titus & Bowne, dealers in lumber, coal and building material. He was born here June 1I, 1854, and is the son of Samuel M. and Hannah E. (Willis) Titus, well known among the substantial farmers of this sec- tion and whose complete history the reader will find on another page of this volume.

After completing his studies in the public schools of his native place, S. Townsend Titus entered Swarthmore College and was present at

the dedicatory exercises of that institution. He was a student there for two years and on his return home he aided his father in carrying on the home farm until 1880, when he embarked in the livery business at Glencove. He bears an excellent rep- utation for strict veracity and upright conduct and for six years conducted a thriving business alone. At the end of that time he became associated with Mr. Bowne and engaged in his present business.

The marriage of Mr. Titus with Miss Julia Jackson occurred at Jamaica November 15, 1876. Mrs. Titus was born and reared in the beautiful little city of Jamaica and there obtained a splen- did education. Their union has resulted in the birth of three children, bearing the respective names of William W., Lewis H. and Etta Linda.

Mr. Titus is not a politician, if by that term we mean an office-seeker, but the Republican party always finds in him an able supporter, he having voted for its candidates ever since casting his first ballot for Hayes, in 1876. Socially he is a charter member of the Royal Arcanum, in which body he takes an active part. He is public spir- ited and in favor of everything which will pro- mote the welfare of his fellow-citizens, and his influence is always directed toward this end.

S AMUEL BLACKWELL TISDALE. This progressive and useful citizen of Astoria, L. I., passed to that bourne from which no traveler returns January 12, 1893, and his death was deeply deplored by all who knew him, either personally or by reputation. He was born on Washington Square, New York City, August 5, 1840, to James and Margaret A. (Blackwell) Tis- dale, the former of whom was a member of a prominent old Massachusetts family, and was a native of the city of Taunton. The Tisdales are of English and Welsh extraction and the ances- tors of Mr. Tisdale were in the shipping business on the Massachusetts coast.

In his early boyhood Samuel Blackwell Tis- dale was placed in the public schools of Astoria under the guidance of Professor Mason, and later completed his literary education in an academy of Westchester County, N. Y., under Professor Chisholm. Succeeding this he was clerk in a ship- ping office for some time, then filled a like posi- tion with a Wall Street firm, after which he formed a partnership with Butler, Evans & Co., produce commission merchants of Pearl Street,

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with whom he remained associated for three years. In 1876 this connection was dissolved, after which he became his father's business asso- ciate in Astoria, and after the latter's death he succeeded to the business, which had been estab- lished about 1853, on the site of the present busi- ness, at the corner of Boulevard and Fulton Ave- nue, back to the dock. This is the oldest coal and lumber business in the place, and through the upright and honorable business methods of its proprietors has always been liberally patronized. The death of Mr. Tisdale, which occurred in the prime and vigor of his manhood, cut short a use- ful career and one well worthy the emulation of the rising generation He was of a quiet and retiring disposition, content to pursue the even tenor of his way without caring for or desiring public preferment, although he was frequently solicited to run for various official positions. Po- litically he was an independent Democrat, and was an attendant of St. George's Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Tisdale is still a member. The marriage of our subject and his wife resulted in the birth of two children, Josiah B. and James, who are still with their mother.

Mrs. Tisdale, formerly Miss Emma L. Black- well, was born on Long Island, at the head of Newtown Creek, and her marriage with Mr. Tis- dale was solemnized in St. George's Episcopal Church, Astoria. Her father, Josiah Blackwell, was a dry goods merchant of New York City, but finally retired from active business pursuits and after spending some years on Newtown Creek located in Astoria, and here made his home until his earthly career closed. His wife was Miss Adelgeitha Vail, daughter of Thomas and Maria (Lawrence) Vail.

E RNEST ANKENER, who for many years has followed the profession of civil en- gineer, was until January 1, 1896, chief engineer for the General Improvement Commis- sion of Long Island City. He was born in Carls- ruhe, Baden, in 1847. After pursuing his studies in the common schools of his native city he en- tered Theck University, from which he was grad- uated with honors. The year he attained his ma- jority Mr. Ankener embarked on a vessel which landed him in due time in port at New York, where he found no difficulty in obtaining work. He was first engaged as draughtsman, making maps of various kinds, and later entered the

office of Joseph H. Corpt, a well known architect, working with him for some time.

Mr. Ankener was next made the assistant of Mr. McLean, then city surveyor of New York, and under his direction surveyed many of the irregular blocks of the city. His work was at all times most commendable and gave to his supe- riors entire satisfaction. In 1871 he located in Long Island City, still, however, continuing his business as civil engineer in the metropolis until some time in 1872, when he was appointed on the old survey commission of Long Island City for a term of one year. At the expiration of that time he was transferred to the First Ward Improve- ment Commission, serving with that from 1874 to 1881. During this period the locality which is now the site of Hunter's Point was filled up, sewers laid and bridges erected. Mr. Ankener was first assistant engineer and draughtsman for the first few years, when he was placed in charge of the work and remained as chief engineer until the town was laid out and the various improve- ments completed.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 24

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