Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 30

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 30

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Notwithstanding the fact that his early oppor-

GEORGE S. DOWNING.

OBITUARY,

GEORGE S. DOWNING.

George Silas Downing died at his. residence in this village on Wednesday morning, January 2nd, 1901, primarily from senility, with which was associated acute bronchitis. He was born in East Norwich village on the 30th day of March, 1815, consequently he was in the 86th year of his age. He had been in- disposed several weeks before his death, but no alarming symptoms developed until just before Christmas. His illness was fairly free from suffering and his mental faculties were bright, elear and active, until a few minutes before he died. His wife, all of his children, and several of his grand-children were with him, ministering to his few wants, as. best they could, until he had passed on to the "Great Beyond."

George S. Downing left surviving him his wife, Rachel, daughter of the late Isaac Bedell; a son, Charles, Deputy County Clerk of Queens County during the last twenty-one years, and who was j ------ sworn into the said office for another term of three years on January 1st, 1901; Richard, another son, who resides upon the homestead, and Maria Louisa, uow a resident of Brooklyn. Charles ! Downing married Miss Jenny Hicks of Oyster Bay village; Richard, married . Mariana Vernon of this place, and Maria Louisa married William Vernon, formerly of East Norwieh.

There are ten grand-children of the deceased who survive him: Mary Louisa, Esther H., George S. and Grace J., children of Charles Downing; Mabel, James Elward, and Richard, jr., ehild- ren of Richard Downing; Daniel D., son of the late John and Mary (Down- ing) White, and John and William Ver- non, children of Maria Louisa (Down- ing) Vernon.

There are seven great-grand-children; Holloway Halstead, Esther May, and Charles Lawrence Frost, children of Mary Louisa (Downing) Frost; Ethel and Joseph Prestou Stearns, children of Esther H. (Downing) Stearns, and Gor- don and Rachel Downing Hayward, children of Mabel (Downing) Hayward. Charles Downing's daughter Mary Louisa, married H. H. Frost, jr., of Nostrand avenue, Brooklyn; another ;

daughter, Esther H., married Joseph Preston Stearns, of Bushwick avenue, Brooklyn, and Mabel, daughter of Rich- ard Downing, married Harry Gordon Hayward of this village who is receiv- - ing teller in the Oyster Bay Bank.

No one could have been npon intimate terms with the late George S. Downing without being forcibly impressed with his strong will, undaunted perserverance and unfaltering courage, rugged self- respect, high aims, sound judgment and an uncorrupted and ineorruptible con- science. Underlying all these grand attributes of character there was ab honesty that was absolutely impervious to temptation; honor that abhored meanness and double dealing, and that exalted type of truthfulness which des- pised falsehood in any, and in all, of its treacherous forms ... His was no verneer- ed character. . He had genuine manhood, and those honored bim most who knew him best. He had an undisguised dis- gust for those who pretended to be other than that they really were. No one needed to have been great, wealthy, or renowned to have obtained his respect, but all had to be absolutely truc. There was an imposing ruggedness in the com- position of his character; something that was firm, solid, strong; something that had the vital virtue of the gripping and of the holding power.

With this rugged, determined, and aggressive character of our deceased friend, there was blended a softer and a tenderer side, which reflected the amenities of his domestie life with no ordinary brightness. His was kindly spirit, a helpful disposition, and frugality and liberality were part and pareel of his nature. He was systematic in his charities, intelligent in his bene- fieenee, a benedietion in the homes of sorrow, and a wise counselor to those in perplexity. If, in a life so well-rounded and proportioned as his, any one part seemed more perfect than another, cer- tainly his home life was the one.

"Our cherished friend is dead;

And yet how far removed from death is he!

"Tis true, the spark of spirit life has fled Has burst its prison walls, but now is free

To roam in bright Elysian fields; instead Of earth, he shares God's vast eternity."

Enterprise Jan 3, 1901

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tunities for acquiring an education were very lim- ited indeed, Mr. McKenna is nevertheless a man of good judgment and of much native intelligence and shrewdness and can give the figures on grades, yards of dirt to be removed, etc., with mathematical precision, in fact, he is extremely accurate and skillful in this respect. His educa- tion is thoroughly a practical one and in every way sufficient to fit him for the duties which he performs. He takes plots of ground in the wild state and soon has them attractively arranged, and so well pleased are many of his patrons that he is employed by them to keep their lawns and premises in order the year round. He is a thor- ough master of his business and the financial re- sult of his labors has been satisfactory.

Mr. McKenna was married in Ireland to Miss Bridget McDermott and of the six children born to them four are living: Mary Ann, Francis Xavier, Catherine Elizabeth and William A., who fills the position of village clerk. Mr. McKen- na is a Democrat in his political proclivities and he and his family are connected with the Roman Catholic Church.

G EORGE S. DOWNING. The subject of this sketch is perhaps one of the best known residents of Queens County, which he has served in the official capacity of sheriff. For many years he was engaged in tilling the soil, but is now retired from active duties in this line and is living in that peace and comfort which his earlier years of toil and hardship have made pos- sible.

Mr. Downing was born March 30, 1815, in East Norwich, and is the son of Richard and Catherine (Snedeker) Downing. Grandfather George Downing was, during his lifetime, one of the prominent residents of Littleworth, now Glenwood, where he was a wealthy farmer and large land owner, some of his possessions lying within the village of Seacliff. His children were as follows: Richard, the father of our subject; Mary, the wife of Samuel Allen ; Henry, Silas and Jacob.

Richard Downing was born November 3, 1780, and died January 21, 1849. When a young man, starting out in life for himself, he located on a farm in East Norwich, where he spent the active years of his life. He was a man who attended strictly to his own affairs and the success which blessed his efforts was owing entirely to his ener-

gy and businesslike methods. He was first mar- ried to Mary Wright, by whom he had two chil- dren, Charles W. and Phoebe W., both deceased. By his union with Miss Catherine Snedeker there were born the following-named children: Maria, George S. and William L., all of whom are de- ceased excepting our subject.

George attended the schools of his district, thus gaining a fair education, and remained at home assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm until the death of both parents, when he pur- chased the old homestead, giving his undivided attention to its improvement until elected sheriff of the county in 1853. During the three years in which he served the people in this capacity, and the succeeding three years as under sheriff, the work on the farm was carried on by hired help, Mr. Downing remaining almost the entire time in his office in the Mineola court house. He was brave and fearless in the discharge of his duties and arrested many noted criminals in this locality, among them being a man named Atchi- son, who, on being found guilty of some dreadful crime, was sentenced to be hanged, and Mr. Downing, acting as sheriff, was compelled to car- ry out the orders of the court.

In 1860 our subject ivas elected supervisor of the town of Oyster Bay, giving such satisfaction to the people that he was retained in office for eight years in succession. After an intermission of about ten years he was again the successful candidate for this office, serving for six years, when he refused to accept it any longer. Prior to his election as sheriff he had been constable and also filled the office of collector of his town.

Mr. Downing, who is one of the most enterpris- ing and prominent citizens of this portion of the county, has been for a period of thirty-five years a director in the Glencove Mutual Insurance Company, and from 1878 to 1892 was treasurer of this organization. For many years past he has been kept very busy settling up estates, and by tact and discretion scarcely ever fails to give satis- faction to all concerned.

Mr. Downing was first married January 3, 1837. to Miss Eliza, daughter of Daniel Lewis. Their son Charles is now deputy county clerk of Ja- maica; Ann E., now deceased, was married to James R. Voorhees, of the town of Oyster Bay ; Daniel was a soldier in the late war and was killed June 17, 1863, in a charge made by the Harris Cavalry of New York, at Aldie, Va .: Mary J. is the widow of John C. White, who died at Say-

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ville, December 15, 1894. Mrs. Eliza Downing departed this life November 13, 1843, and March 18, 1849, our subject married Miss Rachel, daugh-

ter of Isaac Bedell. This lady was born at Babylon, June 10, 1828. Their son Richard is now a resident of East Norwich; and Louise is the wife of William Vernon, also of East Norwich. The mother of our subject died October 2, 1872, when aged ninety-three years, three months and nine days.

In politics Mr. Downing is a Democrat, and although not a member of any church himself, his wife is identified with the Reformed Church as one of its most worthy and consistent members.

J JOHN MORRISON. Long Island City may well be proud of the amount of brains and energy possessed by her representative busi- ness men, for, taken as a whole, there are none brighter, more intelligent, or with more ability and push in any direction, and among them are the members of the firm of J. & D. Morrison, stone-cutters and contractors, at the corner of Harris and Vernon Avenues. The senior mem- ber of the firm, John Morrison, was born in Lochee, Scotland, in 1845. His father, Andrew Morrison, came of a fine old border family, and by trade was a practical machinist. While in the prime and vigor of manhood he was called from this life, leaving a widow, who was formerly Mary Scott, a native of Montrose, Scotland, and two children, Andrew, at Lochee, Scotland, and John. The mother died at Lochee in 1892, at the age of seventy-six years, having been almost a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church.

In the pay schools of Lochee, Scotland, John Morrison obtained a thoroughly practical educa- tion, or at least such an education as could be ac- quired prior to his eleventh year, for at that ten- der age he was compelled to commence the battle of life for himself and do all he could to provide for his physical wants. Until fifteen years old he followed carpet-weaving and then for four years was apprenticed to the stone-cutter's trade, thor- oughly learning every detail of the business. When his apprenticeship had expired he began traveling over Scotland and England as a jour- neyman, and in 1872 came to America. In the city of New York he followed his trade until 1881, since which time Long Island City has been his home, although he still continued to work in New York.

In 1883 Mr. Morrison formed a partnership in the stone business with William Gauld, the firm name being Morrison & Gauld, and their place of business was first at Newtown Creek, then in Seventh Street, and there continued until 1888, when the firm was dissolved. Our subject then became associated with his nephew, David G. Morrison, and the firm of J. & D. Morrison was established, first in Seventh Street and then on Harris and Vernon Avenues, having a one hun- dred foot frontage on the latter street and ex- tending back five hundred and two feet. The building is 100x50 feet in dimensions and is op- erated by steam power, the boiler being eighty and the engine forty-five horse power They have diamond and gang saws, rubbing bed, plan- ers and derricks, two of the latter being able to handle twenty tons with an eighty-five foot sweep. Tracks are laid to the different sheds, and from forty to fifty men are given constant employment.

Owing partly to the excellence of the stone handled, and partly to the superior ability and methods of the company, the business has grown to large proportions and shipments are made to many parts of the United States. The stock com- prises stone from Connecticut, Indiana, Ohio, Nova Scotia, the Wyoming Valley, the South, and from Scotland, the product of which famous quar- ries is in great demand by builders and contrac- tors. The firm supplied the material for a fine row of flats in Fifth Street, besides that of many other buildings mentioned in the sketch of the junior member, David G. Morrison. Mr. Morrison owns a fine residence at No. 125 Fifth Street. He was married in his native land to Miss Cath- erine Methven, and of four children born to them, one is living, Martha. Mrs. Morrison died in November, 1895. Mr. Morrison belongs to Is- land City Lodge, F. & A. M., in which he has held various responsible positions, and politically is a stanch Republican. He attends the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.

O BED L. LUSK, M. D. Man when well boasts that he has no need of the doctor, and is pleased to indulge in jibes and sneers concerning the skill of the members of the profession, and those who rail the loudest are the first to send for the physician at the sound of danger. At least that is true in many cases, and the long suffering physician, anxious to benefit

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mankind, responds to all calls, no matter what the weather may be, and often endangers his own health in caring for that of others. Dr. Obed L. Lusk, an active medical practitioner, has been successful in his efforts to relieve the sufferings of mankind, and as a natural result, his services are largely in demand. For the past nine years he has resided in Rockaway Beach, Oceanus, L. I., but previous to that was a resident of Chicago. His father, George W. Lusk, is a well-to-do lum- ber manufacturer, living at Fond du Lac, Wis. The mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Pal- mer, was a native of New Hartford, N. Y. Their children were named as follows: George H., of Thorp, Wis .; Obed L., our subject; Clessen S., of Fond du Lac, Wis., and Louis P.

Obed L. Lusk was born in Edgerton, Wis., October 1, 1859, and no doubt inherits much of his determination from his Scotch ancestry on the paternal side. He received a good practical education in his native village and when seven- teen years old entered the college at Evanston, Ill., where he took a three-years course, and grad- uated. After that he entered the medical depart- ment of the same institution, called Northwestern University Medical School, at Chicago, and, hav- ing a natural taste for the study of medicine, made rapid progress in his studies. He read medicine with his mother's only brother, Henry Palmer, and graduated March 29, 1882. Soon after he began practicing in Chicago with George Abbott, at the corner of Monroe and State Streets, and remained there about a year.

From there the Doctor went to Texas with state troops as surgeon, and afterward traveled around for about two years, visiting among other places South America and nearly all parts of the United States, after which he returned to Chicago. From there he soon after went to New York City and took a special course in Bellevue Medical College, thus perfecting himself in all details. Subsequently he came to Oceanus, L. I., and as business increased and a demand for his services arose, he moved here permanently.

Dr. Lusk is a Western man and his ideas have been broadened by Western associations. Since April 14, 1886, he has been health officer for the town of Hempstead, filling the office most cap- ably. The Doctor is also examiner for the Equit- able Insurance Company, New York Insurance Company, and the Mutual Reserve Insurance Company. He is a member of the National Life Association of Hartford, the American Legion of

Honor, and Star of Hope Lodge No. 430, F. & A. M., at Brooklyn.

While fully prepared for general practice, the Doctor has made something of a specialty of dis- eases of women and children. He has the pat- ronage of the large hotels here in the summer and is one of the most successful practitioners of the island. His duties as health officer call him to many places and he has gained a wide-spread rep- utation. He is surgeon for the New York and Rockaway Beach Railroad. At the rate of twenty tons per day during the summer months garbage and refuse from the streets of Oceanus were de- posited into the ocean, but through the efforts of the Doctor the practice has been discontinued. He says garbage can and must be cremated and he has taken the contract for five years to dispose of it in this way. He expects to be ready by June 1, 1896, with his cremating furnace, the plant costing him $10,000. He is a public spirited citizen, well up with all advanced ideas, and is respected by all. He married Miss Carrie Weber, of New York City. Politically the Doctor is in- dependent.

D AVID G. MORRISON. One of the in- dustries always in demand, and daily in- creasing by reason of the rapid growth of cities and villages, is that of the stone dealer. A casual glance about us is all that is required to gain a conception of the immense amount of stone required in the construction of a city, and this enterprise is well represented in Long Island City by the firm of J. & D. Morrison, who are general contractors of cut stone, with offices and yards at the corner of Harris and Vernon Avenues.

The junior member of this well known firm, David G. Morrison, was born near Dundee, Scot- land, January 31, 1860, his father, Andrew Mor- rison, having been born at Lochee, Scotland, where he learned all branches of the stone-cut- ter's trade while growing up. Later he became superintendent of the stone yards of Sturock & Sheriff, a position he ably filled for many years, but at the present time is filling a like position for John H. Sharp & Co., at Dundee, although his home still continues to be at Lochee. He was united in marriage with Miss Ann Watt, also a native of Lochee, and her death he was called upon to mourn in 1893. Six children were born of this union, five of whom are living. The subject of this sketch, who is the second in order

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of birth and the eldest son, is the only member of the family now in America. His youth was spent at Lochee, and there he acquired a practical education, as did also his brothers and sisters, who were as follows: Helen, Mrs. Andrew Wil- son, of Kirkwall, Scotland; John, an extensive contractor and builder at Lochee, Scotland; Bar- bara, Mrs. Hutton, of Perthshire, Scotland; Mary, of Lochee; and Jennie, who is deceased.

David G. Morrison pursued his studies until he had reached the age of fifteen years, then be- gan learning stone-cutting under his father, re- maining for five years. He then decided to seek his fortune in America, and on the 9th of April, 1882, landed in New York, where he soon se- cured work at his trade. While there he became connected with the United Presbyterian Church, in Forty-fourth Street, near Ninth Avenue, in which he afterward held the position of chorister until December, 1885, when he returned to Scot- land. While at his old home at Lochee, he was married, January 18, 1886, to Miss Janet Young, a native of that place and a daughter of John Young, the station master at Lochee for the Cal- edonia Railroad of Scotland. With his young wife Mr. Morrison returned to the United States March 5, 1886, and again took up his residence in New York and became chorister of the United Presbyterian Church once more.

In August, 1886, Mr. Morrison engaged in the stone-cutting business on his own account in New York on West Forty-fourth Street, where he con- tinued to transact business until 1889, at which time he sold out and formed a partnership with his uncle, John Morrison, and they engaged in the general contracting of cut-stone in Seventh Street, Long Island City. Here they established a very extensive plant, operated by steam power, but in 1891 sold it to a syndicate and purchased the Henchman estate, at the corner of Harris and Vernon Avenues, Ravenswood, where a large plant was erected and fitted up with all modern improvements and appliances, their dock on East River being very conveniently located about one hundred feet away. They have established a very large and remunerative trade and supplied the material for the building of the fine Majestic Hotel at Seventy-first and Seventy-second and Eighth Streets, New York; seven residences ad- joining this hotel, owned by Mr. Crawford; pub- lic school buildings in New York and other cities ; numerous apartment houses and many private residences and other buildings in Long Island

City. From the character of the production and the standing of this firm, it may be inferred that these gentlemen are firmly entered upon a busi- ness career of the highest usefulness.

Mr. Morrison and his family reside in a beauti- ful residence at No. 14 Ely Avenue, Long Island City, besides which he owns other valuable prop- erty. His children are as follows: Louisa, Mag- gie, Andrew, Janet, and David G., Jr. In his political views Mr. Morrison is a Republican and is a member of the general committee of the Re- publican party. He has been a delegate to va- rious conventions, and has always been quite actively interested in political matters. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of For- esters, Crescent Lodge No. 402, F. & A. M., of New York City; the Scotch order, St. Andrew's Benevolent Society of New York; the Brooklyn Master Stonecutters' Association; the New York City Master Stonecutters' Association, and the New York Mechanic and Traders' Exchange. For some time Mr. Morrison has been connected with the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of Long Island City, being one of its trustees. He is a fine tenor singer and has held the position of chorister. In trade circles he is regarded as an honorable business man, who has gained the en- tire confidence of his numerous customers, and once to form business relations with him is to be a permanent customer.

E LBERT H. MACKEY, JR., was born Sep- tember 14, 1851, in the village of Port Washington, where he now resides. He is a son of Capt. Elbert H. Mackey, a native of Glencove, L. I., born October 19, 1821, to James and Elizabeth (Wilson) Mackey. When between twelve and fifteen years the Captain accompanied other members of the family to Port Washington, where, at the latter age, he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, and upon the completion of his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman, afterward starting a shop of his own. From this village he moved to New York and for a number of years carried on a general store there.

In that city Captain Mackey married Mrs. Rhoda (Hendrickson) Baldwin, a native of Glen- cove, and daughter of Stephen and Catharine Hendrickson. Closing out his business in New York, he purchased a farm of about sixty acres and for some years engaged in agricultural pur- suits, after which he embarked in the fish business

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and in the manufacture of oil, being one of the men who established that enterprise here. Later he turned his attention to oyster farming, at first getting his own seed, but since then the business has grown to such an extent that the seed is bought. In addition to other work, he has also carried on a freighting business.

By his marriage Captain Mackey became the father of five children, but only two are now liv- ing, viz .: Elbert H., Jr., the subject of this record, and Stephen, who first married Maria Louise Seaman, by whom he had one child, Eva Louise, and after her death was united in marriage with Carrie, daughter of Elbert and Deborah (Hulsart) Burr, of Coldspring, L. I., this union resulting in the birth of two children, Maude H. and Ralph Elbert. Politically Captain Mackey is a Repub- lican and voted for Henry Clay in 1844, that being his first presidential ballot. For two terms he was collector of taxes, and for many years served as trustee of schools and overseer of the poor. In the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a member, he has been class leader and trustee. Socially he is associated with the Ancient Order of Druids and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of the encampment.

The education gained by our subject was such as the common schools of Port Washington af- forded. Reared to a knowledge of the oyster business, he adopted that as his life calling and has followed it with success, being with his father until his marriage, since which he has been in business alone. February 10, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Cornelious, daugh- ter of John D. and Mary (Baldwin) Cornelious, of Merrick, L. I. Four children were born of the union, but three died in infancy, the only survivor being John D. C., who was born in Port Wash- ington, December 1, 1877, and graduated from the Flushing High School in 1896, completing the regular four years' course in three years. Mrs. Mary E. Mackey died June 4, 1895, mourned by a large circle of friends, to whom her noble attributes of character had endeared her. She was a sincere Christian, a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Mack- ey has belonged since boyhood.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 30

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