Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 26

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 26

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Our subject was one of the founders of the Freeport Bank, of which he has been president since its organization. He was instrumental in the building up of the school, of which the citi-

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zens of Freeport are so justly proud, and takes a deep interest in every movement of importance. Randall & Miller are now building a canal three- quarters of a mile in length from the mainland to the bay, and this will be of much benefit to the city. Mr. Randall is a very progressive citi- zen and no one has done more for Freeport, per- haps, in the short time he has been here, than he.

J OSEPH H. BURTIS, a retired farmer liv- ing in Hempstead, was born July 15, 1846, at the inn kept by his father at Grassy Pond, town of Hempstead, and was one of thirteen chil- dren, nine of whom are now living. His parents were James and Hannah (Combes) Burtis, the former of whom was a son of an extensive land- owner of Valley Stream, where he made his home until his death in February, 1896, when eighty- six years of age. In his younger years he took an active part in public affairs and held a number of local positions of trust and honor.

During his boyhood days our subject attended school three months of each year, while the re- mainder of the time was devoted to work on the home farm. He assisted his father until he was twenty-one, when he took a position with a whole- sale house in Franklin Street, New York. For sixteen years he made his home in that city, and during five years of this time was in the employ of others, but in 1873 established a milk business, which he conducted for ten years. In 1883 he closed out the business and moving to Valley Stream took charge of the farm owned by his father-in-law, George Watts, where he remained one and one-half years. He then bought a valu- able farm at Norwood, where he resided, engaged in its cultivation, until 1895, and since that time has made his home in Hempstead, where he owns a comfortable residence. In addition to this prop- erty, he still owns his farm at Norwood and an- other farm near Munson.

In April, 1875, Mr. Burtis married Deborah, daughter of George and Priscilla (Fowler) Watts. Politically he is a Republican, but has never man- ifested a narrow-minded spirit, conceding rather to others the same freedom of thought he de- mands for himself. In 1891 he was nominated, on his party ticket, for the position of overseer of the poor for the town of Hempstead, but failed to secure the election owing to the Democratic majority. With his wife he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Hemp-

stead, and during most of his life has been an officer, having served at different times as stew- ard, superintendent of the Sunday-school and treasurer. While a resident of the city he was an active member of the Young Men's Christian Association on Twenty-third Street. For a num- ber of years he has been associated with the Odd Fellows and has filled all the chairs in Hempstead Lodge, No. 141, being now past grand. It is fitting that after years of active labor he should now retire to spend his declining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his toil, surrounded on every hand by the evidences of esteem on the part of his acquaintances.

G EORGE C. ANDREWS. There is no more important industry in a flourishing city or one in which its exponents are in greater demand than the builder and contractor. The name of Andrews has long been actively and prominently identified with the building up of Long Island City, and the erection of many of her largest and finest residences, for not only is George C. Andrews one of the prominent build- ers and contractors of the place, but his father, Thomas Andrews, was also a most successful contractor there for many years. The latter was a native of Oyster Bay, L. I., and of English de- scent. During his youth he learned carpenter- ing, and in 1853 came to Ravenswood, Long Is- land City, and followed his trade here until his death in May, 1892, when seventy-one years old. He had charge of the building of Bodine Castle and many other prominent buildings. He mar- ried Miss Fanny L'Hommedieu, a native of Smithtown, Suffolk County, and of French origin. She is still living and finds a comfortable and pleasant home with her children, four in num- ber, but only two now residents of Long Island City.

The subject of this notice, the youngest of the above mentioned family, was born in Ravens- wood, Long Island City, in 1854, and secured a good practical education in the second and first - ward schools. From early boyhood he worked at the carpenter trade under his father, and when fifteen years old he was foreman on jobs. He continued with his father until 1880, when he be- came his partner, and they continued in business together until the death of the father, since which time George C. has carried on the business alone. Many of the strongest, best built structures in the

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city are the monuments of his handiwork, and he has erected residences by the score.

Mr. Andrews selected his life companion in Miss Mary McPhail, a native of Canada, and daughter of William McPhail, who was a con- tractor, house painter and decorator. Their union was celebrated in Long Island City, and has re- sulted in the birth of two children, Florence E. and Lillie May. Mr. Andrews always discharges his obligations according to his promises and has consequently gained a front place in the rank of contractors and builders, as had his father before him. The latter was one of the first contractors of Ravenswood and a man of unquestioned in- tegrity. Socially Mr. Andrews is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and po- litically he is a Democrat.

C APT. JOSEPH BROWN, now deceased, was formerly one of the best known resi- dents of Astoria, Long Island City, and won his title during his long years of service as one of the most noted wreckers on the New York Bay. The Captain was born in Mystic, Conn., in 1825, and was the son of Joseph Brown, a na- tive of Fall River, Mass. He was the owner of a ship yard at Mystic Bridge, where he made his home for a number of years and then came with his family to New York, where his brother, Sim- eon Brown, was the first housemover. The pater- nal grandfather of our subject also bore the name of Joseph. The maternal grandmother of our subject married Col. Jesse Maynard, an officer in the Revolutionary War. He participated in many well known battles of that period, and while in the fight at Stonington, Conn., was twice wounded.

Richard Brown, brother of our subject, was captain of the crew on the yacht "America," which won the cup from the English in 1851. Joseph was three years of age when his parents removed to New York, where many years of his life were spent. At the early age of ten he went on board his brother Richard's fishing smack and was en- gaged on the same for some time. For many generations back various members of the Brown family had been ship-builders, and when ready to engage in business for himself our subject adopted this vocation, becoming the proprietor of what was known as Brown's ship yard on Twelfth Street, New York City. He was an ex- pert builder and made his own models, from which were made some of the finest yachts ever

set afloat in New York Harbor. Mr. Brown low- ered the yacht "America," which won the Queen's cup, which we have mentioned above. He was the owner of six pleasure boats at one time, four of them bearing the respective names of "Chief," "Ciffie," "Mollie," and "Egeria."

In the year 1855 Captain Brown moved into the pleasant home now occupied by his widow on Brown's Point, which locality was named in their honor. For a period of twenty-five years our sub- ject was wreckmaster, being first appointed by Governor Morgan. During this time, before Hell Gate was removed, he saved from utter de- struction three hundred and eighty-four vessels, and was the means of rescuing thousands of men, women and children from watery graves. He had a large force of men under him and it was often necessary to have three crews at work tak- ing the vessels from the rocks. Ofttimes the ships were damaged to such an extent as to be useless to the company who owned them and the Cap- tain would then buy them and sell all the machin- ery and materials which could be at all utilized, and in this manner made considerable money. He was a true sportsman and sailed four races with the yacht "Fannie," which he built, and which won on every occasion.

The marriage of Captain Brown and Miss Cath- erine Wood occurred in Brooklyn in 1846. Mrs. Brown, who was born on Staten Island, was the fifth generation born in one house. She was the daughter of Samuel Wood, a blacksmith and wheelwright by occupation, who was engaged as a custom house quarantine officer for sixteen years. Grandfather Samuel Wood, who followed milling during the greater part of his life, was of English descent and during the Revolutionary War served as a soldier in the ranks. He mar- ried a Miss Nellie Barton, a native of France. Mrs. Brown's mother prior to her marriage was Aletta Burbank, a native of Staten Island, and the daughter of Jacob Burbank, a farmer by oc- cupation. This lady lived to be eighty years of age, as did also her husband. They were the par- ents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Brown was the oldest. She passed the first nineteen years of her life on Staten Island, and then removed to Brooklyn, which city was her home for five years. She is now residing in her pleasant home on Brown's Point, where she has resided for for- ty years. Of her five children we make the fol- lowing mention: William resides in Brooklyn and is captain on one of the vessels plying East

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River; Elizabeth is Mrs. Zimmerman, of Brown's Point; Joseph is a policeman of Long Island City ; Thomas is engaged as an engineer, also in the above city; Richard is captain on the East River ferry at Ninety-second Street. He was made pilot on one of the ferries when twenty-one years of age, and has been with one concern ever since.

In his business dealings Captain Brown's career was marked with honor and integrity to the high- est degree and the success which he achieved was due to those qualities, united with good financial management. He departed this life in January, 1888, firm in the faith of the Baptist Church, of which he had been a member for many years.

B ENJAMIN ZINSER BOYD. When the biographer attempts to chronicle events in the lives of those who are just starting out in prosperous careers, and who, in the prime of life may justly look forward to golden honors in future years, he finds the privilege a pleasant, though by no means an easy one. Indeed, he can do little more than briefly sketch the events which have so marked the life of the subject as to individualize it from the career of others, and leave all else to the future historian.

Mr. Boyd, who is foreman of Engine No. 5, has the distinction of being the youngest foreman on the paid fire department of Long Island City. He was born in New York City December 13, 1867, being a son of Albert L. Boyd, who for eighteen years had a hat store in the Coleman House, New York City, but from there removed to Long Island City, where for some time he was deputy in the office of the city treasurer. In April, 1895, he resigned that position and has since lived in retirement, though he still owns and gives some attention to the management of a hat store on Broadway, Long Island City. He is an expert accountant, rapid and accurate in such transactions. His father, Benjamin Boyd, a na- tive of Lorraine, France, accompanied his par- ents to America in boyhood and settled in New York City, where he had a barber shop on Eighth Avenue, near Eighteenth Street. On re- tiring from business he came to Long Island City, where he now resides on Broadway.

The mother of our subject, Caroline, was born in New York City, and was a daughter of Ben- jamin Zinser, a native of Alsace, who, coming to New York in boyhood, held a position as inter- preter at Castle Garden. His home is now in Long

Island City, where he is known as a linguist of ability. Benjamin Z. and his sister, Magdalene, are the only children of their parents. The for- mer was brought to Long Island City by his par- ents at the age of six years and gained a good education in the fourth ward school. For three years he served an apprenticeship to the trade of an awning maker, after which he clerked for Stern Brothers of New York for a year, and was then with J. & C. Johnson for two years, later with Ehrich.

February 29, 1892, Mr. Boyd was appointed fireman on the paid department. He was first assigned to duty at the first ward house, but in April of the same year was transferred to Astoria Engine Company No. 4, where he remained until December 8, 1894. The Steinway engine house No. 5 having been completed, he was appointed foreman of Engine Company No. 5, in which ca- pacity he has since served. On Sunday, February 25, 1894, in a fire on Vernon Avenue, he was caught by falling walls from the upper floor of a house and was covered by the debris. It was necessary to dig down beneath the brick to ex- tricate him from his perilous position, and when taken out he was unconscious and badly bruised. He was at once taken to St. John's Hospital, where his limb was placed in a plaster paris cast. After about six weeks he recovered sufficiently to resume work, though he still feels the effects of the injury.

At the age of eighteen Mr. Boyd became con- nected with Protection Engine Company No. 2, with which he was identified until it was dis- banded. He was a charter member of Long Is- land City Council, No. 17, O. A. F., and ,was its first delegate to a convention, representing it at Weedsport, N. Y., in 1894. He is also a member of the Veteran Firemen's Association. In politics he believes that the principles of the Democratic party are best adapted to the interests of the peo- ple and hence invariably casts his ballot for the candidates who, if elected, will uphold those prin- ciples.

M YRON C. COMBS, the well-known un- dertaker and funeral director of Inwood, is a member of a family that was repre- sented among the early settlers of this section and that has always been characterized by hon- esty, fidelity, patriotism and energy on the part of its representatives. He is a son of Gilbert D. and

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Margaret (Watts) Combs, natives respectively of Inwood and Valley Stream, of whom the former, an oyster planter by occupation, is now living re- tired from active business. There were two sons and two daughters in the family, of whom the three survivors, Leonard, Myron C. and Electa, all reside in this village.

Born here December 15, 1855, the subject of this notice received a common school education. At the age of seventeen he went to Bayshore to learn the trade of a blacksmith and remained there nearly three years, after which he returned to In- wood and established a shop of his own. He con- tinued in that business until 1888, and being fru- gal and industrious, able and competent, he ac- cumulated considerable property. His kind, sym- pathetic disposition, and his recognized efficiency, caused his services to be put into requisition fre- quently in the laying out of the dead and similar work. The undertaker of this section leaving the field, and there being no one in that business from Rockaway Beach to Hewlett, he thought it a fa- vorable opening for himself, and accordingly turned his attention to the undertaking business. Desiring to know everything in connection with the work, he studied at the United States College of Embalming, New York, from which he grad- uated December II, 1891. He also graduated from the renowned and special Embalming Col- lege of Prof. F. A. Sullivan, of Hartford, who for a time had a school in New York City. Thus he was fully prepared in every detail for his chosen work, to which he brought not only natural adap- tation but also thorough knowledge.

Though not a politician, Mr. Combs is a stanch Republican, and takes an interest in party matters. He is now serving his second year as Coroner, and has the distinction of being the only Repub- lican ever elected here, his popularity being evinced by the fact that he received a large major- ity. Socially he belongs to Hempstead Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M., of which he is master; Seaside Lodge No. 260, I. O. O. F., at Inwood, of which he is past grand; Court Westville No. 7616, An- cient Order of Foresters of America; Ancient Or- der of United Workmen, Royal Arcanum and Good Templars. At the organization of the Meth- odist Protestant Church he was chosen trustee and has since held that office, being the present treas- urer of the board of stewards and assistant class leader; at one time he was assistant superintend- ent of the Sunday-school. To his instrumentality was largely due the erection of the neat and com-

modious house of worship. He married Miss Maggie Soper, a native of Barnegat, N. J., and they have three children, Clara, Samantha and Gilbert.

The building occupied by Mr. Combs is the best in the village and proves his ability as an architect and designer. The third story is fitted up for a lodge room and provided with every convenience for its intended use. From the roof of the build- ing may be obtained a fine view of the surround- ing country and at night the lights on the Brook- lyn bridge may be distinctly seen. His residence, which adjoins his store, is a neat dwelling, repre- senting his own work in construction. In his barn he has good horses and vehicles of every kind, suited for the proper management of his business, while in his office he has a long distance tele- phone for the accommodation of those who may wish his services.

C HARLES T. DUFFY. As a young man whose reputation is firmly established and whose ability places him in the front rank of lawyers of Long Island City may be men- tioned Judge Charles T. Duffy. He has fought his own way in life, no doubt inheriting his ener- gy and ambition from his Irish ancestors. His father, Michael Duffy, was born in Dublin, Ire- land, and came to the United States when a young man, representing his father, who was a manu- facturer of calicoes in Dublin. His first location was in Canal Street, but after five years he be- came a reporter for a paper in New Orleans, La., remaining there until a few years before the war. Going to New York City, he was European buy- er for A. T. Stewart & Co. from 1856 to 1877, and afterward was with other firms until 1880, when he retired from the active duties of life. His death occurred in 1892, when seventy-eight years old. From about 1887 he made his home with our subject in Long Island City.

The mother of our subject, who bore the maid- en name of Maria Keon, was born in Ireland, but received her education in a female seminary in England. She came to the United States as a governess and taught music for some time prior to her marriage. She finds a comfortable and pleasant home with her son, Charles T., and con- tinued teaching until about 1894. Our subject, who was the only child born to his parents, was reared in New York, graduating from the schools of that city. For two years he was a student in

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the College of the City of New York. When eighteen he left the school room to engage in business in New York City, securing a position with Lord & Taylor, with whom he remained in different capacities until twenty-one years old. He then entered the law department of the Uni- versity of New York, graduating with the degree of LL. B. After that he clerked in the law office of Maloy & Forrest and was managing clerk until 1886. Immediately afterwards he started out in business for himself, and in connection with his law practice actively engaged in the shoe and leather business at No. 271 Broadway, New York City.

In 1885 Mr. Duffy located in Long Island City, and has made his home here since. He was mar- ried in this city to Miss Ella Keon, and they have two interesting children, Arthur and Ferdinand. In January, 1893, Mr. Duffy was appointed attor- ney to the Board of Health and held that position until elected judge in the fall of that year. He was on the Jefferson Democratic ticket with Judge Ingram, who was a Republican, and they were elected by a majority of sixteen hundred. On the Ist of January, 1894, Mr. Duffy resigned his position as attorney of the Board of Health and is now actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He is an active Democrat and has been president of the Jefferson Club for the last two years. Mr. Duffy was also president of Ravenswood Boat Club for three years, and still takes an active interest in making it a success.

M RS. ZACHARIAH PHILIP DENN- LER, the widow of Dr. Z. P. Dennler, is possessed of more than ordinary intelli- gence, push and enterprise, and is well known for the interest she has always taken in church work. Dr. Dennler was born in Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., September 9, 1838, a son of Philip Henry Dennler, A. M., D. D., a native of Alsace, France (now a province of Germany), and a member of a noble family of that name. Being a man of strong Republican views and very outspoken, he became unpopular in his own land and was com- pelled to seek an asylum in free America, and came thither with a letter of recommendation from Marquis La Fayette to Governor Schultz, of Pennsylvania. He was a fine linguist, was well educated and finally became pastor of the Lutheran Church at Lyons, N. Y., a position he was holding at the time of his death in 1867, when

over seventy years of age. His wife was Jane, daughter of Zachariah Moore, and a native of New York. Mr. Moore was a native of Kinder- hook, N. Y., and became an extensive farmer on the Hudson. He helped to forge the chain that rests in the Hudson River at West Point, for he was also a practical blacksmith as well as a far- mer. His father was of Scotch descent and a soldier of the Revolution.

Dr. Z. P. Dennler received his literary educa- tion in the public schools of Lyons and pursued his professional studies in the medical college at Geneva, from which he was graduated as an M. D. in 1860, being at that time twenty-two years of age. Soon after this he enlisted in the service of the United States and was placed in charge of the hospital at Washington, D. C., and later be- came surgeon of the Seventh United States Cav- alry Troops. When Lincoln was assassinated it was his surgical probe that was used to locate the bullet and this instrument is still with the relics of the martyred President in Washington. The Doctor was in that city at the Grand Review, but later, with the old Seventh Cavalry, went to In- dianola, Tex., and there remained eighteen months, when he was mustered out of the service. He then made his way to New Orleans, where he remained several months in private practice, but during his army career he had acquired a love for military life, and he re-enlisted in the regular service. His command was stationed at Jackson Barracks, La. At the end of one year he left the service, after having passed through a siege of yellow fever, and came North to recuper- ate, bringing with him a complimentary letter from his commander.

In Lyons, N. Y., in December, 1859, the Doc- tor was married to Miss Mary Layton, and upon coming to Ft. Hamilton, L. I., to recover his health, he was persuaded by his wife to resign his position in the regular army, after which he located in Long Island City and began the gen- eral practice of his profession. He became one of the foremost practitioners of the place, his pat- ronage being exceptionally large, and he was without doubt the finest surgeon of his day in Long Island. Always very charitably inclined, he was in every sense of the word "the poor man's friend," and was always very public spirited. For many years he was surgeon and physician for the Long Island Railroad and held that position un- til his death, which occurred in May, 1890. He was also physician at the jail at this place, was

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a prominent member of the Board of Health, in which he held official position, and filled other re- sponsible positions. For many years he was a member of the Medical Historical Society of New York City, the State Medical Society, the Queens County Medical Society, and for a long time was connected with the Grand Army post at this place, to which his wife presented the first flag. Social- ly he was a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Island City Lodge, Banner Chapter and St. Elmo Commandery.

The Doctor was for many years connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was an ac- complished and skillful musician, being particu- larly gifted as an organist and pianist, which ac- complishment he no doubt inherited from his worthy father, who was also a musician of no ordinary ability. The Doctor played the organ in the church at Lyons when he was but ten years of age. He could arrange and compose music; in fact was a natural musician. He constructed the block at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Fourth Street, which he leased for a drug store, but the lessee died and the Doctor then carried on a prescription drug store until his death, since which time it has been conducted by his son-in- law

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 26

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