Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 31

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 31

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While not a politician in the ordinary accep- tance of that word, Mr. Mackey is intelligently posted concerning public matters and the inter- national issues of the age, and in presidential elec- tions supports the Republican candidates. So- cially he is connected with Seawaninahaka Lodge

No. 670, I. O. O. F., in which he takes an active part. He is also identified with the Atlantic Hook and Ladder Company. The business in which he now engages was begun upon a small scale, but through prudence and industry he has increased it until now it ranks among the fore- most industries of the village.

J' JOHN J. MCDERMOTT, superintendent of the United States Mortar Company, at Port Washington, is a native of England, having been born in Lancashire, February 21, 1859. His parents, Patrick and Ann McDermott, were also born in England, where the father was chief en- gineer in various manufacturing towns for many years. John J. attended the common schools un- til reaching his thirteenth year, when he began working in a machine shop and was thus em- ployed for five years. He had seven brothers and one sister, Mary E., who is now deceased. Six of the sons became skilled engineers, and so pro- ficient were they in this business that they could take charge of a plant and operate it at a mo- ment's notice.

In the year 1876 John J., of this history, emi- grated to America, joining his uncle, Michael Mc- Dermott, who was a prominent politician of New York City. John was appointed to a position in the city department and very worthily transacted all the duties devolving upon him for a year and a half, when he resigned on account of his uncle's death. He then went to Jersey City and obtained the position of engineer in McDonough's coop- erage, remaining there for two years. He then enlisted in the navy as deck blacksmith. For three years and five months he was with the South Atlantic squadron, and during that time made many ports in South America.

On his return to New York after the close of his term of enlistment Mr. McDermott began work as a steam fitter, to which he very soon added the business of a machinist. He was thus employed for about four years, meeting with signal success in all his undertakings. In July, 1894, he ac- cepted the position which he now holds as super- intendent of the United States Mortar Company, which manufactures three hundred and fifty cubic vards of mortar per day. This article, which is machine-made, is all ready for use, and this proves a great convenience to builders.

July 11, 1886, Mr. McDermott and Miss Mary F. Williams were united in marriage. The latter

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is the daughter of James and Honora (Gerry) Williams, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of a daughter, Loretta, and a son, John J., Jr., both of whom were born in New York City in the same house in which their moth- er was born. In politics Mr. McDermott is not identified with any particular party, but during elections votes for the best man. Both Mr. and Mrs. McDermott are identified with the Catholic Church.

S ANFORD MURRAY is known as the own- er and proprietor of the large pavilion on Rockaway Beach at Oceanus P. O., Sea- side Station. This seaside resort is favorably known to many thousands of people, who make frequent pilgrimages during the summer months to enjoy the comforts and pleasures there af- forded. Erected by Mr. Murray at a cost of $40,- 000, it is elegant in its appointments and is the best of its kind on the beach, comparing favora- bly in every respect with similar places at fash- ionable and aristocratic summer resorts.

The parents of our subject, Charles and Sarah (Peets) Murray, died at the ages of seventy-two and fifty-six respectively. The former, who was a native of Orange County, spent the principal part of his life in Greenpoint, where he followed the trade of a ship joiner and carpenter. His family consisted of six sons and one daughter, but the latter died in infancy, and two sons are also deceased, the survivors being Charles, an en- graver living in Brooklyn; James E., who is en- gaged in the roofing business at Brooklyn; San- ford, and George L., who married Miss Buckridge at Morris Park and is in the employ of Smith, Grey & Co., of Brooklyn.

The subject of this sketch was born in New York City November 3, 1844. At the age of fif- teen he began to learn the plumber's trade, but this did not prove congenial and he abandoned it after one and one-half years. In 1860 he en- tered the employ of the New York Gas Light Company, and during the fourteen years he was with that concern held many positions of respon- sibility, including that of collector. While hold- ing the latter position he was on one occasion assaulted, it being supposed that he had consid- erable money with him. He was struck from be- hind with a hatchet, which inflicted a severe and dangerous wound under the ear and almost cost his life.

For one year Mr. Murray was manager of the pavilion at Islip, in connection with Mr. Wain- wright, after which he came to Oceanus, repre- senting the firm of Wainwright & Remsen, and took charge of the Seaside House, having an in- terest in the business for three years. In 1878, associated with Mr. Valentine, he leased ground in Remsen Avenue and built a hotel, which they owned for ten years, his partner then selling his interest to Mr. Datz. At that time there was no house between the hotel and Ocean Beach. The building was commodious, containing one hun- dred and fifty rooms, and its cost, including fur- niture, was $120,000. All was prosperous until the fire, which destroyed this with many other buildings and caused a great loss among the prop- erty owners here.

Meantime, in 1892, Mr. Murray had begun the erection of the Grand Ocean Pavilion, the finest on the beach. Of the men who were engaged in the business at the time he came here all have retired or are deceased excepting himself, so that he is the oldest representative of this line of work in the place. He is a widower and has one daugh- ter, Estella, Mrs. George H. Allan, of Park Place, Brooklyn. Politically he is a Democrat, inter- ested in local affairs, and fraternally holds mem- bership with the Masons. He assisted in the or- ganization of the fire department and has aided in other enterprises of a public nature.

R EV. ISAAC PECK, the popular pastor of Roslyn Episcopal Church, and a man of ability, was born in Flushing, L. I., Janu- ary 15, 1858, a son of Isaac and Abby P. (Beers) Peck. The father was a successful business man of Flushing and was special agent for a number of the largest insurance companies of New York. The early part of his life was spent in Brooklyn, but later he moved to Flushing, and there received his final summons in 1888. The first member of this family to settle in America was William Peck, who took passage on board the vessel "Hector," that left England in 1637. He was one of the founders of the New Haven colony. The sixth generation descended from William Peck was Jonathan Peck, who settled in Flushing in 1790. His son, Isaac Peck, was the grandfather of our subject.

The youthful days of Rev. Isaac Peck were spent in the Flushing Institute and in 1875 he entered Yale College, from which he was grad-

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uated in 1879. After this he took a year's course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York and then a course in Berkeley Di- vinity School at Middletown, Conn., graduating from the latter in 1883. He was then ordained deacon and the same year took charge of Christ parish at Laredo, Tex., where he remained one year, being obliged to give this up on account of ill health. This was the only Episcopal Church within a radius of one hundred and eighty miles. Subsequently he was appointed rector of Trinity Church, Tilton, N. H., and remained there one year, after which he was appointed rector of Em- manuel Church, at Washington, D. C .. Later he returned to New Hampshire and was in charge of All Saints Church at Littleton for three years.

After this he was rector of St. Paul's Church, Kinderhook, N. Y., for three and a half years, and in 1892 took charge of Trinity Church, Roslyn, where he has remained since. Mr. Peck is a Master Mason, a member of Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, Flushing. On the 2d of October, 1890, he was married in the Church of the Holy Com- munion, New York City, to Miss Mary Constan- tia Smith Heyward, daughter of William Hey- ward, who is a lineal descendant of Thomas Hey- ward, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

D WESLEY PINE. The name of Pine has long been actively and prominently identified with the upbuilding of Free- port, L. I., and the erection of many of her largest and most stately edifices. There is no more im- portant industry in a growing city or one in which its exponents are in greater demand, than the builder and contractor. Freeport's imposing bus- iness buildings and fine residences have proved this, while the builder may with truth at once be designated as one of the foremost and useful developers of a vicinity. D. Wesley Pine is one of the most prominent men engaged in this line of business in Freeport. He was born at Green- wich Point, January 5, 1846, and is a son of Ray- nor and Catherine (Edwards) Pine, both natives of the island, where their entire lives were spent.

The youthful days of Raynor Pine were spent in a paper mill and for some time he was engi- neer of the same. Later he engaged in farming and was thus occupied at the time of his death, which occurred in 1882. Mrs. Pine died in 1867. Our subject had only the ordinary advantages of

the district school during his youth, but under the admirable training of his father learned habits of industry and perseverance on the farm that have remained with him through life. When nineteen he began learning the carpenter's trade and five years were spent in this before he embarked in business for himself. In 1877 he formed a co- partnership with Carman Pearsall, of Freeport, and the firm of Pine & Pearsall has continued up to the present time.

This firm is one of the best known in its line in the community and the many buildings erected by Mr. Pine and Mr. Pearsall are fair samples of their handiwork. D. W. Pine was married in 1870 to Miss Laura E. Treadwell, daughter of Timothy Treadwell, who is a descendant of one of the oldest and best respected families of Long Island. Mr. and Mrs. Pine's only child, Murwin W., closed his eyes in death at the early age of fifteen years. For many years this worthy cou- ple have been active and earnest members of the Presbyterian Church and are leaders in all good work. For twenty-eight years Mr. Pine has been a member of the Odd Fellows' Order, and in poli- tics he is a Republican, faithfully supporting the platform and measures of that party.

Our subject has never aspired to any political position, preferring to give his entire attention to his business, which has grown to vast pro- portions under his admirable management. For many years he was foreman of Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company of Freeport, and is also a director in the Freeport Bank and in the Free- port Land Company. The village was incorpo- rated about the year 1892 and a fire department organized with Mr. Pine as chief. He is ever alive to the progress and interests of his village and vicinity and is a most worthy citizen.

W ILLIAM POST. Not only in the vil- lage of East Williston, where he re- sides, but throughout this section of Long Island, Mr. Post is known as an energetic and capable business man, who is especially qual- ified by experience and training for the work of which he makes a specialty. He is engaged as a dealer in and shipper of all grades of draft horses, carriage and road horses, and his judg- ment as to the merits and values of equine flesh is said to be unsurpassed.

In Westbury, where he was born. January 30. 1853, the subject of this sketch was reared to man-

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hood and educated in the public schools, his course being completed in a college at Easton, N.Y. At the age of seventeen his father died, after which for eight years he had the supervision of the home farm. While thus occupied he was mar- ried, October 16, 1877, to Mary J. Willis, daugh- ter of John H. Willis, who belonged to one of the oldest families of this community. Three children have been born of their union: Gertrude W., Frederick H. and Lillian E.

His father having established a stock and butch- er business, Mr. Post succeeded to this and car- ried it on at Westbury, but in 1878 he disposed of his interests in that village and came to East Williston. He at once entered upon the cattle business here, and after a short time also became interested in the horse trade, which he conducted upon a constantly increasing scale until it reached important dimensions. In 1888 he commenced buying from the western states, his purchases being largely from Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa. In 1886 he established the brick man- ufacturing business which is still conducted by himself and his brother. These two lines of work demand his close attention in order to secure the most profitable results. For this reason he has invariably declined public office, though he is a firm supporter of Republican principles. With his wife he belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Roslyn and contributes generously to benevolent and religious enterprises.

J OHN B. REBOUL was born in Warren Street, New York, in the year 1811. His father, John B. Reboul, was born in France. He left there and settled in St. Domingo, where he remained until the insurrection of the slaves, when he came to New York, where he lived un- til his death. John B. Reboul, the subject of this sketch, was thus left an orphan at the age of nine years. He resided in New York with his two sis- ters and received his education in that city. When twenty years of age he went abroad, and on his return engaged in the fur business, and was one of the largest shippers to the London sales.

Mr. Reboul came to Astoria when it was a small place and was one of the first to organize the school system there. Not alone was he active in educational affairs, but he was identified with every enterprise that had for its object the im- provement of Astoria. He was a member of St. George's Episcopal Church, and was both its

treasurer and clerk for many years. In the year 1839 he married Miss Almira W. Whittemore, daughter of Homer and Maria Blackwell Whitte- more. They had seven children, only one of whom is now living. He was active and strong until the last two or three years of his life, his death occurring February 25, 1894, when in his eighty-third year.

A just regard for the memory of those who have departed this life is cherished by all people of true sensibility and particularly so when their careers have been filled with acts of usefulness and kind- ness, for such was the life of John B. Reboul, whose memory is revered and respected, and who was one of the influential citizens of Astoria.

H ENRY J. NICKOLAUS, who is editor and publisher of the "Hicksville Press," also holds the responsible position of postmas- ter of Hicksville. He is a man of much influ- ence in the community and is regarded as an of- ficial of sound judgment in public affairs. He was born in New York City, November 12, 1866, to Henry and Barbara Nickolaus, natives of New York and Germany respectively.

When in his third year the subject of this sketch was brought to Hicksville by his parents and here received his education. When only thirteen, however, his father procured a situation for him as an apprentice in the printing business and for a short time he worked in the office of John N. Hydell, No. 104 Duane Street, New York. The education which he had received being a very meager one, he was not satisfied, and as soon as possible he made arrangements to attend Gas- kell's Business College of Jersey City, carrying on his studies there in the evening and working at his trade during the day. He rapidly advanced in his vocation and became quite an expert in set- ting type.

When nineteen years of age Mr. Nickolaus was married to Miss Catherine Augustin. In Janu- ary, 1890, the young couple removed from Jer- sey City to Huntington, L. I., where for eleven months Mr. Nickolaus was engaged on the "Long Islander." During the short time he was there he was instrumental in organizing Nathan Hale Council, Royal Arcanum, in which body he was an active and influential worker.

In November of the above year Mr. and Mrs. Nickolaus returned to Jersey City and made that place their home until November, 1892, when we

JOHN O'DONNELL.

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find them again residents of the island, this time making Hicksville their place of residence. In the spring of the following year our subject was appointed inspector of elections. He at once be- came identified with the leading movements of his community and became quite prominent in the councils of the Democratic party, of which he is a strong supporter.

May 3, 1893, Mr. Nickolaus engaged in busi- ness, opening a general and job printing office in Broadway, and March 10, 1894, the "Hicks- ville Press" made its appearance. This is a four- page Democratic weekly, of which our subject is editor and publisher. It is a live, newsy sheet, and devoted to advancing the best interests of the community. About this time the leading Demo- crats of Hicksville were looking about them for a man worthy to fill the office of postmaster, and after watching the editorial columns of the "Press" for a time, came to the conclusion that Mr. Nick- olaus was the man for the place. He forthwith received the endorsement of the county central committee, and April 28, 1894, was duly appoint- ed postmaster. He has earned a well merited reputation by the conscientious and efficient man- ner in which he conducts all matters entrusted to his care and is therefore most highly regarded by the people of Hicksville.

Socially Mr. Nickolaus is a member of Hicks- ville Council No. 1159, Royal Arcanum; Prim- rose Lodge No. 569, I. O. O. F .; belongs to two fire companies, the Mutual Aid Society, the Lutheran Aid Society and the Democratic Asso- ciation of the district.

J OHN O'DONNELL. As a leading citizen of Queens County, one who has for many years thoroughly identified himself with its best interests, his far-reaching enterprise, apti- tude for affairs, and broad public spirit being po- tent in advancing its welfare in various directions, the name of John O'Donnell is inseparably linked with its growth and progress. He resides on his farm situated on the Rockaway road and adjoin- ing the village of Jamaica on the south.

A native of Manhattan, the home where Mr. O'Donnell spent his early years was in the imme- diate neighborhood of the residence of Madam Cumel, the noted woman whom Aaron Burr mar- ried. His father, John O'Donnell, was born in County Down, Ireland, and about 1816 emigrated to America. In 1844 he came to the present home

of his son and here he spent his remaining years, engaged as a market gardener. He was success- ful in his enterprises, and at his death left a com- fortable fortune, and better still, a name highly respected by all who knew him. His wife, Mar- garet Laughlin, was a near relative to the late Bishop John Laughlin, of the Roman Catholic Church. In their family were three children, of whom James died when about fifty years old, leav- ing a widow and eight children. The only daugh- ter, Mrs. Lydia A. Shaw, is a widow and lives in Jamaica. She has one daughter, Mrs. Frances Bernardi.

The early years of our subject were not years of idleness. Throughout the summer months he worked hard on the home place, assisting his fath- er in the market gardening business. His school- ing was limited to the winter seasons, when he was permitted to attend the neighboring schools, and his education was completed in the famous Union Hall Academy of Jamaica. At the age of nineteen he went to Wisconsin to visit his sister, and while there her husband died. For four years ensuing he had charge of the large lumber busi- ness for the estate, and, liking the work, it was his fixed purpose to remain in the West, but yielding to the earnest solicitation of his aged parents, he returned to Jamaica, where he has since resided on the estate bequeathed him by his father.

When a young man Mr. O'Donnell began writ- ing articles for publication in the local journals. During the war these articles, which were written in a clear and forcible manner from the standpoint of a war Democrat, attracted much favorable comment. He was a member of Company A, Eighty-ninth Regiment National Guard, and be- came Quartermaster. The company tendered their services to the government in the early days of the rebellion, but were not accepted, as they were needed for a home guard within the boun- daries of the state.

His liking foi and success in journalistic work led Mr. O'Donnell, in 1868, to launch upon the stormy waters of public opinion the now famous "Jamaica Standard." From that time until Oc- tober, 1890, he guided its destinies, building it up as an independent paper. Through its col- ums he advocated every good cause with zeal and with equal ardor he condemned what did not meet his approval. The subscription list became large and the influence of the paper increased until it became a large factor in moulding public senti- ment. In April, 1869, the accident at Willowtree

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Station, on the Long Island Railroad, resulted in the killing of seven men and the wounding of many others. Among the killed were Mr. Rush- more, president of the Atlantic Bank, and Messrs. De Pryor and P. H. Stranahan. Mr. O'Donnell was made foreman of the coroner's jury, and in- vestigated the cause of the accident. In the "Standard" he published such full, clear and im- partial reports of the accident and its causes as to give the paper a permanent place in the con- fidence of the people. The fearless and intelli- gent position he took had the effect of causing the railroad authorities to place the road in proper condition. At that early period he stood for the rights of the people against a strong monopoly, and he continued it on that line ever afterwards. In 1890 he sold the paper to a syndicate that after- wards turned it into a Republican organ.

During all these years Mr. O'Donnell con- tinued to manage his farm, and much of his edi- torial work was done in the privacy of his quiet home. His public services have been of a most important character. For nearly twenty years he kept up a constant fight for a suitable market in Brooklyn for the gardeners on Long Island, wish- ing to establish it in Wallabout, on property con- trolled by the government. After much hard work and many conferences with officials in Washington he finally succeeded in establishing the well-known Wallabout market, where the Queens County products are principally mar- keted, the government ceding a portion of the river front for the purpose. He took an active part in the acquiring of lands for the Gansvort market, on Twelfth Street, New York. At his sug- gestion a portion of the land acquired is held for the exclusive use of farmers and market garden- ers, it being so stipulated in the bill.

When the question of selling farm products by weight was being agitated, Mr. O'Donnell took a bold stand against such action and made a fight for the standard of measure instead. By constant and hard work before the common council of the two cities, he succeeded in defeating the pro- posed law. Soon after the war an order was is- sued compelling all farmers to pay a produce tax of $10, and he was one of a committee sent to Washington to oppose it. Going to Albany, he obtained letters from several state senators to United States Senator Fenton requesting him to oppose the bill, and it was finally defeated. He has always been the champion of good roads on Long Island and the excellent system of macad-

amized roads in Queens County, upon which a half million has been spent in the town of Jamaica during the past few years, is largely the result of his work and influence, he being one of the com- missioners having in charge the construction of the roads. For five years he was superintendent of the Brooklyn water supply.

One of the most important labors of Mr. O'Donnell's life was in behalf of the State Normal School at Jamaica. For years a bill had been before the legislature for this purpose, but it was not until the election of Governor Flower in 1892 that the bill became a law. He was made a mem- ber of the local commission and made a continu- ous fight for its location at Jamaica. After years of effort, during which many interesting events occurred in connection with the bill before the leg- islature, the question was finally settled and the work of construction is now (1896) under way. In 1876 he originated the movement for a state ex- periment station and went to Connecticut to in- vestigate the method followed there, and through the influence of the State Grange had the bill passed authorizing the establishment, which was finally located at Geneva, this being the first state experimental station. Subsequently he served for five years on the board of control, and through his influence considerable work was done in the in- terest of horticulture. At a farmer's institute held at Mineola in 1886 he originated a movement for a sub-station on Long Island and has regularly attended the legislature to aid in keeping up the appropriation. A sub-station was established in the village of Jamaica in 1887. February 22, 1896, he had sole charge of the farmers' institute held in Jamaica, which was admitted to be the most successful meeting of the kind ever held in the state, bringing together the brightest men of the nation in that department.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 31

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