Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 27

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 27

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mrs. Dennler was born in Lyons, N. Y., a daughter of John Layton, and there and in Roch- ester Seminary she was educated. Her marriage with Dr. Dennler resulted in the birth of four children, two of whom are living. Adelaide L. became the wife of Alfred E. Turner, who was born in London, England. He is at the head of the drug business of Dennler & Turner and is an exceptionally skillful, accurate and reliable pharmacist. Philip Henry Dennler is studying medicine in the University of New York City. The two children who died were Burton D. and Zachariah. Mrs. Dennler is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, is an active member of the Epworth League as well as of all other so- cieties connected with that church; in fact is a true Christian and an active worker for the good of humanity. She is secretary of the New York Eastern Conference in the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society and was a delegate to St. Louis to the general executive board of the so- ciety in 1895. She is a member of the board of lady managers of the House of Refuge on Ran- dalls Island, devoting a great deal of her time to this work, and is also connected with the As- toria Hospital. She was a member of the State

Board of Lady Managers for the Columbian Ex- position at Chicago in 1893, from the second sen- atorial district of New York, and was one of its most active and useful members. In the Woman's Christian Temperance Union she is also interest- ed and all good works receive her encouragement and support. Her husband was a personal friend of Roscoe Conkling.

J JOHN I. DE BEVOISE is probably the old- est native-born citizen of Long Island City.

He is enabled to trace his ancestry back to his great-great-great-grandfather, Carel De Be- voise, a native of France, who at the time of the persecution of the Huguenots in that country fled with others to Holland, where he was afterward married. He continued to live in that kingdom for some time, but in 1659 came to America, locat- ing where now stands the city hall of Brooklyn, in Duffield Street.

Our subject was born in Long Island City, then Newtown, August 13, 1813. His father, John De Bevoise, was born in the same house, which is located in Hill Street. The latter was a farmer by occupation, engaging in this pursuit with very profitable results until the time of his decease, in 1822, when fifty-six years of age. In 1817 he re- paired his father's old home, which is in a good state of preservation, and is rented. The father was a devoted member of the Dutch Reformed Church and was active in all good works in his community. He married Miss Eve Van Allen, a native of Bushwick, L. I., and the daughter of Dr. Andrew Van Allen. The latter was of Hol- land extraction and in the early days was one of the skilled physicians of Queens County. Mrs. De Bevoise died about 1860. Of the family of children of whom she was the mother five grew to mature years. George is now deceased, as are also Ann, Mrs. Oakly; Nellie, Mrs. Van Alst, and Andrew, our subject being the only survivor of the family.

John I. De Bevoise has spent his entire life on the farm which was formerly occupied by his father. During his early years he attended a school in Skillman Avenue, which was conducted on the subscription plan, each scholar being com- pelled to pay a certain amount for the term. The teacher boarded around with the pupils and every- thing in and about the school was primitive. Quill pens were used by the scholars and during the winter they were made very uncomfortable

246

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

by the cold breezes which crept in between the cracks in the doors and windows.

John was only nine years of age when his fath- er died, and when a lad of fifteen years he started out to make his own way in life. At that time he was apprenticed to a tailor at Williamsburg, now Brooklyn, and after following this business for a period of six years abandoned it and gave his at- tention to farming, which occupation was more to his liking. In company with his brother he purchased the old homestead of sixty-eight acres and for two years they were engaged in its culti- vation. The property was then divided, our sub- ject taking as his share thirty-eight acres in Hill Street. On this he crected a large frame house which is now occupied by George McA. Gosman, and gave his attention to farming the land until the city assumed such proportions that his place became very valuable. He then disposed of it at a handsome profit, and in 1877 became the pro- prietor of the place whereon he now makes his home. This contains twenty lots in Academy Street and forms one of the most beautiful spots in the city. Mr. De Bevoise has been an eye witness of the wonderful development and im- provement of Long Island City and during his more active years he aided very materially in bringing about this marvelous result.

The subject of this sketch was married in New- town to Miss Jane De Bevoise, a native of Fresh Pond Junction, and a daughter of Jacob De Be- voise, also born in this locality. This lady traced her ancestry back to the same family in France as does our subject, but was very distantly related to him. Mr. and Mrs. De Bevoise became the parents of three children: Jacob, a farmer, whose home is near Richmond Hill, L. I .; Eva Annetta, now Mrs. Kolyer, of Long Island City, and John, who departed this life when young. The wife and mother is also deceased, passing away in 1883. Mr. De Bevoise is a regular at- tendant and member of the Dutch Reformed Church. During his younger days he was a Henry Clay Whig, but he now votes independ- ently.

J AMES DE ST. LEGIER. This well-known business man of Hicksville was born in the city of Limerick, Ireland, August 23,.183I. Though of Irish birth, he is a member of a French Huguenot family of noble lineage, his great- grandfather having been obliged to flee from

Paris during the religious persecutions that sent so many Huguenots, homeless and penniless, to seek refuge in other lands. He settled in Ireland and became the founder of the family in that country.

The family of which our subject is a member numbered many children, but with the exception of two all are now deceased. On leaving home they became widely scattered, some going to one country and others to another, so that they never met again in an undivided family circle. John, who was educated for the Episcopalian ministry, was for some time rector of a church in Devon- shire, England, but later had a pastorate in Wales, and while returning from that country in 1861 he was killed in a railroad disaster. Christopher came to America, enlisted in the Union Army at the opening of the Civil War, and fought with valor until he was killed at the first battle of Bull Run. Margaret, deceased, married Robert Smith and moved to Melbourne, Australia, where her family still reside. Catherine was married in Ire- land to Henry Baker and after his death she came to the United States, where she died. Ann, de- ceased, was the wife of Michael Conners, of Phil- adelphia. Eliza, Mrs. Samuel D. Wilkinson, died in Australia. Mary A., Mrs. William D. Alley, died in New York. Conrad, Adam, Philip and Michael died when young. Jane is the wife of Hopton Noland, who is extensively engaged in mining and is one of the wealthy residents of Vic- toria, Australia.

When only ten years of age our subject ran away from home and shipped as cabin boy on an American brig bound for New York, where lived a married sister. After visiting her for a short time he shipped to New Orleans, where he spent five years engaged in various occupations, being for some time employed as a compositor in the composing rooms of the "Picayune." From New Orleans he went to Europe, but did not visit his old home. On his return to New York he began an apprenticeship to the trade of a tinsmith, but afterward changed his plans and for a number of years was interested in the printing business. At the first call made by President Lincoln for volun- teers he enlisted in 1861 in Company I, Fourth New York Infantry, but soon after entering the service, during target practice in Central Park, New York, he received an injury which disabled him for life and which rendered active service in the field impossible. Desirous, however, of assisting in some way, he took a position as cook

DAVID HISCOX.

249

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

on a trading schooner freighted by the govern- ment and served in that capacity through the re- bellion, receiving an honorable discharge at its close. Notwithstanding the fact that he was dis- abled while in the service of the country and thereby incapacitated for active labor, he in com- pensation was allowed the munificent sum of $4 per month, which has recently been increased to $6.

Coming to Hicksville in 1873 Mr. De St. Legier embarked in business on a small scale and from year to year has increased the trade and stock, until he now carries a large and complete assort- ment of stoves of all kinds and a well-selected stock of general hardware. Besides this, he has a large trade in plumbing and tinsmithing. By his marriage to Emma Parsons, a lady of English birth, he has four children, namely: John C., who is engaged in business in Hicksville; Emma L., Carrie E. and Blanche F.

D AVID HISCOX. The life of this gentle- man proves what is within the power of everyone to accomplish, providing he possesses a strong physique, great perseverance and an indomitable will. Since boyhood he has had to depend entirely upon his own exertions, but with a determination to succeed he worked earnestly and constantly, and now, ere old age has come to him, he can rest free from care and anxiety, with the consciousness that his present prosperity is due to his industry and ability.

Now a resident of Long Island City, Mr. His- cox was born in Newfoundland, N. J., October 4, 1837. The family of which he is a member orig- inated in England and Wales, whence three brothers emigrated to America during the time of one of the early wars and established their home inMassachusetts. The name was originally Hitchcock, but was changed to its present spell- ing during the life of our subject's grandfather, David, who was a native of Woodstock, Conn., and a farmer by occupation.

The father of our subject, Freeman Hiscox, was born in Connecticut, grew to manhood upon a farm, and taught school in New Jersey, where he married Nancy Westerfield. Later he was engaged in business in California and also was a railroad contractor and lumber merchant. Un- der him there were a large number of men felling trees and hauling ship timber to mills. He made his home principally in New York, but died in

Newark when he was seventy-one. In 1866 he went to Virginia and bought a farm, but being ill and disabled returned to the North after one year. Politically he first identified himself with the Whigs and later became a Republican upon the organization of that party.

Our subject's mother was born in New Jersey and died at the age of fifty-three. Her father, David, also a native of New Jersey, was of Ger- man extraction and by occupation was a farmer. She became the mother of three sons and two daughters, who are now living, David being the eldest of the family. He was reared in Ft. Lee and New York City, attending Grammar School No. 15 in Fifth Street, where he graduated. He entered New York College, where he remained until his junior year and then, owing to ill health, gave up his studies. For several years he was clerk in his father's timber yard in Sixteenth Street, but the gradual abandoning of the use of wooden ships caused the business to be closed out. He then began the study of art, making a specialty of landscape painting, but his health again becoming impaired, forced him to change his occupation. Entering the wholesale drug house of S. R. Van Duzer, he was placed in charge of the manufacture of patent medicines, and in that way was led into his present business.

Resigning the position in 1875, Mr. Hiscox associated himself with other gentlemen and started in the manufacture of medicines in New York City, meeting with success from the start. He began the manufacture of Parker's Hair Bal- sam and Ginger Tonic, but has since added to his manufactures from time to time, his other specialties now being Hindercorns, Greve's Oint- ment and Greve's Horse Ointment. In 1868 he bought, and two years later built, at No. 382 Webster Avenue, and in 1890 erected a large brick building, 40x75, three stories in height, with elevator and other conveniences, and here he has his manufactory and storeroom. Business is carried on under the name of Hiscox & Co. His medicines are sold not only in the United States but throughout the world, and have built up for their energetic proprietor a wide reputa- tion.

In this city Mr. Hiscox married Miss Mary M. Van Velsor, who was born in New York City. Her father, Ebenezer, a contractor and builder, has for some years resided in Long Island City, where he is living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Hiscox are the parents of six children, of whom the two

250

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

eldest, Everett and Jesse, are associated with their father in business and are energetic, promising young men. The others are Fred, Hattie, May and Daisy. As a voter our subject is independent, never having bound himself to any party, but preferring to cast his ballot for the best man. He is a member of the Association of Proprietary Articles in the United States, also the Wholesale Druggists' Association. He has been prospered in business to a remarkable extent. In youth, when other boys were in college or whiling away their time in sports, he was assisting his father, who was heavily in debt, and before he was twenty he had accumulated about $10,000 in his own right. The larger part of this sum went to settle his father's debts and straighten out his affairs, after which he was free to provide for himself. The best years of his life have been given to the business of which he has made a success. In his social and domestic relations he is kind and thoughtful. To the needy he is ten- der-hearted and benevolent. In his character he combines those qualities of mind and heart that render him deservedly popular and secure to him the warm friendship of all who know him.

F REDERICK HOCHSTADTER, who is proprietor of a meat market at Far Rock- away, is an energetic and industrious busi- ness man, and since coming to his present loca- tion in 1889 has gained a profitable trade among the people of this locality. By birth a German, he emigrated from Darmstadt, his native place, at the age of seventeen years and settled in New York City, where he learned the butcher's trade. He was a poor boy at the time he sought a home in America, but he has been economical, prudent in his expenditures and judicious in his invest- ments. Saving his earnings, he opened a shop of his own in the metropolis, where he remained in business seventeen years. From there he came to Far Rockaway and opened his present store on Broadway, where he carries on a large wholesale and retail business. His shop is equipped with all the conveniences desirable for the trade, in- cluding a large refrigerator for the storage of meats. During the busy season he gives em- ployment to eleven men and uses eight horses, a fact which indicates the extent of his trade. In- dustry and pluck have brought him prosperity and he is now numbered among the well-to-do men of the village.

The three children born of Mr. Hochstadter's marriage are: Louis, who is interested in business with his father; Milton, who travels as salesman for a varnish house in the winter and assists in the meat market during the summer, and Mrs. Lena Block, who has two children, Sadie and Flossie, and resides in Brooklyn. In matters po- litical Mr. Hochstadter has never identified him- self with any party, preferring to exercise his right of franchise for the men whom he deems best qualified for office, irrespective of party ties. He has never sought office for himself, as his attention has been closely concentrated upon his business affairs, but he keeps well posted regard- ing current events and is a loyal citizen of his adopted country.

S AMUEL B. GUERNSEY. It is a grateful task to the biographer to tell the story of the bravery of the boys in blue who went forth to the call of the President and assisted in pre- serving the unity of our nation and the honor of the flag. No crisis in our country's history had so stirred the hearts of the people and so entered into the home life of every family as the events which are classed under the head of the Civil War, and for at least two generations the history of that period will bear a peculiar and personal value in the eyes of all who love their country.

Soon after the shot fired at Ft. Sumter had aroused every patriotic heart Mr. Guernsey en- listed in the Union Army at Ft. Madison, Iowa, in that fateful year-1861. On the organization of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry he was elected Second Lieutenant, and on the 4th of July, 1863 (the day on which his regiment entered Vicks- burg), he was made First Lieutenant. From that time he was engaged on staff duty. When the army proceeded to New Orleans he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, having com- mand of the Fourth Engineers for about six months.

An attack of illness obliged Mr. Guernsey to resign his commission, and going to Chicago, he remained there until his recovery, when he en- tered the service as First Lieutenant and Adju- tant of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Illi- nois Infantry. Obeying orders, he reported to General Prentice at Quincy, Ill., to assist in rais- ing a brigade. After the brigade was formed his regiment being incorporated with it, he was or- dered to the department of the Tennessee and

251

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was detailed on the staff of Gen. N. A. Dudley, of the regular army, in which service he remained until the close of the war. He was then dis- charged at Nashville, Tenn.

During the long period of his service Mr. Guernsey had many thrilling experiences. On one occasion he was captured by guerrillas and held by them about twelve hours, being taken to their camp, where a confederate flag was found in his possession. He was then liberated and found his way to Rolla, Mo., where he reported the whereabouts of the rebels. A cavalry detach- ment was immediately sent to the camp, the guerrillas surrendering without a struggle. While on the Red River expedition, at Alexandria, he was wounded by a piece of shell, and at another time received a flesh wound in the right hip.

Referring to the ancestral history of this pa- triot, we find that he is a son of Ebenezer and Maria (Cowles) Guernsey. His father, grand- father, Abijah, and great-grandfather, Ebenezer, were natives of Connecticut, to which state the great-great-grandfather, Joseph, had come with three brothers from the Island of Guernsey, being obliged to flee on account of the persecution of the Huguenots. Settling in Watertown in 1673, they obtained a tract of land almost equalling a township in size. In addition to their real estate, they owned a number of slaves, and among the possessions of the family are some bills of sale of slaves and other relics of early times.

For about three generations the family lived in Watertown, but when our subject's father was a young man he established a manufacturing in- dustry at Sharon, Conn. A man of considerable mechanical ability, he invented the small wooden mouse traps now in common use, and his partner, Asahel Hotchkiss, was the father of the inventor of the Hotchkiss gun. Grandfather Abijah Guernsey had the distinction of bringing the first wagon into Watertown, Conn., and was brave enough to take his family to church in it, although the general custom was to go on horseback. For this he was arrested and fined twenty shillings by the selectmen for making an unsual noise on the Sabbath day. This same man was, at the age of eighteen, drafted into the Colonial Army for service in the Revolutionary War, but in his stead sent a slave as a substitute, who died at Valley Forge.

The father of our subject remained a manufac- turer until his death in 1884, at the age of about eighty-four. At one time he was well-to-do, but

at the time of his demise was comparatively poor. Politically he was a Whig during the existence of that party, and afterward became a Republican, but never mingled actively in political affairs. He was a consistent Christian and held membership in the Congregational Church. Our subject was born in Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn., August 13, 1834, and in early boyhood he attended the public schools of his native place. At the age of ten he accompanied his father back to the old homestead at Watertown. In 1871 he married Miss Mary Hosier, of New York City, a descend- ant of Quaker ancestors.

From his forefathers Mr. Guernsey inherits considerable inventive ability and has patented a number of useful articles. Among them may be mentioned a door bolt, and when he was in Vicks- burg he was interested to find one of these in use in that far-away place. Purchasing it, he brought it home, and still has it in his possession. Anoth- er of his patents is a hollow rake tooth, which is quite useful. In 1856 he voted for J. C. Fre- mont, and is a loyal, firm Republican, but never an office seeker. At one time he held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but now be- longs to the Union Evangelical Church. Social- ly he united with Citizens' Lodge No. 625, F. & A. M., New York City, where he was made a Mason, and in which he served as senior deacon. A thoughtful reader, not only of current litera- ture, but of history and different peoples, he has frequently lectured on the manners and customs of our Puritan ancestors of the eighteenth cen- tury. His broad scope of knowledge makes him a companionable man, one from whom valuable information may always be gained and with whom many a pleasant hour may be passed.

C HARLES GOELLER, senior member of the firm of Goeller & Sons, manufactur- ers ana jobbers of wagons at Elmont, was born in Preussen, Germany, in 1847, and remained in his native place until attaining his majority. At the age of twelve he entered the blacksmith and wagon shop owned and operated by his fath- er, Frank W. Goeller, and there remained until he acquired a thorough knowledge of the trade. At the age of twenty-one, in company with his sister, Catharine, he came to America, joining his broth- er, William, who had preceded him five years and was established at Jamaica, L. I. There he spent six weeks, after which he secured employ-

252

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. -

ment in the shop of Thomas Weeks at Hemp- stead, remaining there for one year. For a similar period he engaged with Walter Weeks.

January 19, 1873, Mr. Goeller bought out the business of Albert Rakow at Fosters Meadow (now Elmont), and here he has worked up a good trade, until now he is proprietor of one of the largest shops of the kind on Long Island. He manufactures all kinds of wagons and carriages, furnishes wagons for jobbers in the different towns of the island, and also fills special orders for grocery, market and brewers' wagons in the city. So satisfactory is his work that his cus- tomers will buy nowhere else. In connection with the manufacture of wagons he does a general blacksmithing work, and in the two lines furnishes employment to from ten to twenty-five men. He uses the latest improved machinery and avails himself of everything that will enhance the pros- perity of the business. His success is truly com- mendable, when the fact is considered that he began without capital and has worked his way unaided to his present position.

August 10, 1875, Mr. Goeller married Miss Lena, daughter of Joseph Hoffman, a business man of New York, where she was born. In poli- tics he favors Democratic principles in the na- tional elections, but in local affairs votes for the one whom he deems best qualified for the posi- tion. With his family he holds membership in St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church. He has had seven children, and all but one are now liv- ing, namely: George, a graduate of Wright's Bus- iness College, Brooklyn, and a young man of superior ability; Mary; Joseph, now a student in the college at Wilmington, Del .; Anthony, Louisa and an infant. In addition to his business Mr. Goeller is the owner of thirty-five acres of land, which he devotes to agricultural purposes. He is well-to-do financially, and socially he and his family are esteemed by the best people of the locality.

A LONZO T. HARMER, of the firm of Har- mer & Hardenbrook, architects, at Ja- maica, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., No- vember 16, 1860. His father, George W., was a native of Staten Island and for thirty-five years was proprietor of a moulding mill in Brooklyn, where he made his home. He was one of the many thousands who, at the outbreak of the re- bellion, gave up business and left home and

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 27

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