Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 33

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 33

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).

R ICHARD THOMAS TURNER. Great Britain has contributed many sterling busi- ness men to the population of the States, and among those in Hunter's Point, Long Island City, the name of Mr. Turner is deservedly num- bered. He is a member of the firm of Turner Brothers, sheet iron workers, and during his busi- ness career has executed a great amount of work, not only in the state of New York, but in other states as well. Possessed of the cool, deliberate clear sightedness that is so characteristic of men of English origin, Mr. Turner saw a fine opening for his present business in Hunter's Point, and availed himself of the opportunity.

Mr. Turner was born in London, England, Sep- tember 1, 1859, and his father, George W. Tur- ner, was also a native of that city. For many years the latter was superintendent of the large firm of Brown, Green & Gray, manufacturers of ranges, and he died in that country on the 18th of August, 1866. His wife was a Miss Harriet Emes, a native of London and daughter of Thom- as Emes, who was a prominent manufacturer of London. After the death of her husband she brought the family to America and settled in Long Island City in 1867. She is still a resident of this city, and now, at the advanced age of sev- enty-five years, finds a comfortable home with her son, our subject. Thomas Turner, grand- father of our subject, was a prominent business man in London for many years. He was with the English army at Waterloo.

The seven children born to the parents of our subject were named as follows: Thomas F., Susanna M., Harriet, Sarah, George J., Alfred E., and Richard T. The last named and the youngest of the family remained in his native city until

seven years old and then came to this country with the family. He attended the public schools of Long Island City until twelve years old and then entered the employ of ex-Mayor George Petry, with whom he continued for one year, when he commenced to learn the tinsmith's trade. He remained with Mr. Petry for twenty years and was foreman the greater portion of the time.

In 1890 Mr. Turner started in business for him- self and with a partner, under the title of Van Riper & Turner, for about a year was engaged in the hardware business, also doing tin and sheet iron work. At the expiration of that time the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Turner has since continued the business with his brother, under the firm name of Turner Brothers, at No. 106 Jackson Avenue. They manufacture varnish and oil tanks (pressure blow pipes), stove and furnace works, and employ from ten to fourteen hands.

Mr. Turner was married in Long Island City to Miss Lucy Witham, a native of Astoria, Long Island City, and daughter of Joshua Withanı, deceased, who was a florist here. Four children have been born to this union: Richard Witham, Lucy Harwood, Robert Kyle, and Alfred Emes. Mr. Turner is a member of the order of American Firemen of Long Island City, and of Council No. 17. He is vice-president of the latter and was the second man to be elected to that position. For seven years he was a member of the Franklin Engine Company. For a number of years he has been a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is steward and assistant su- perintendent of the Sunday-school. Politically he is a Republican.

J JUDGE FRANCIS B. TAYLOR, who is justice of the town of Hempstead, is also a . successful legal practitioner in the village of Hempstead, and in many ways has been instru- mental in promoting the interests of the place. He is a native of Bergen, N. J., his birth occurring April 17, 1864. His father, Joseph M. Taylor, a native of Charleston, S. C., removed to New York in later life, and there for many years was successfully engaged in farming. At the present time he resides in Georgetown, S. C.

The ancestors of our subject came from Eng- land and settled in South Carolina prior to the Revolutionary War, in which conflict the great- grandfather took part. The great-great-great-

SOLOMON B. NOBLE.

JUDGE DANIEL NOBLE.

29I

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

grandfather of our subject, Henry Middleton, of South Carolina, was a member of the Continental Congress and at one time president of that body. During the Civil War the relatives of the Taylors, who were living in the South, joined the Confed- erate army.

Mrs. Sarah (Bergh) Taylor, the mother of our subject, was a native of New York City, and was a relative of the great shipbuilder of that name. She departed this life in March, 1895, when ripe in years. She reared two sons, the brother of our subject being Arthur M., now engaged in farming in West Virginia. Francis was a lad of eight years when his parents went to Germany and there remained four years. He was sent to the model schools of the empire, and on his return to America took a course at St. Paul's, of Garden City, L. I. After completing his education he found a position in a coffee importing house of New York, remaining with this firm for six years. During all this time it had been his desire to enter one of the professions, and, choosing law, he en- tered the New York University, from which he was graduated in 1890. He then became con- nected with Silas M. Stillwell, a prominent lawyer of New York, and continued with him until the death of Mr. Stillwell. During all this time he made his home in Hempstead, and now confines his practice for the most part to this vicinity.

In the spring of 1893 Mr. Taylor was elected justice of the peace of the town of Hempstead on the Democratic ticket, which fact speaks well of his popularity, for this is a very strong Repub- lican town. He makes one of the ablest judges in the county, and when his decisions are ren- dered the case is very seldom carried to a higher court. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Democratic Club of this place and is also a member of the Sons of the Revolution.

J UDGE DANIEL NOBLE, District Attor- ney for Queens County, is a native of Long Island and for many years has been one of its leading attorneys. He is active in the ranks of the Democratic party and has served in politi- cal positions of influence. During his profession- al career in this county he has made many warm friends and is highly esteemed as a lawyer of more than ordinary ability.

The Noble family is one of the oldest Puritan families in the country and includes many dis- tinguished names. The progenitor of the family,

Thomas Noble, landed in Plymouth Colony soon after its settlement in 1620, and his descendants are numbered by thousands. In the last four generations of the family there have been many attorneys. Daniel Noble, great-grandfather of our subject, was a justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, and two brothers of Solomon B. Noble, the father of the Judge, were clergy- men.

Solomon B. Noble was born in Williamstown, Mass., under the shadow of Williams College, May 22, 1819, and was eighth among the nine children of Daniel Noble, a prominent lawyer of the Massachusetts bar, and at one time justice of the Supreme Court. He attended school and fitted for college in his native town, and at the age of fourteen entered Williams Col- lege as a freshman. Notwithstanding his com- parative youth, he took high rank and was grad- uated with honors four years later with the Class of '37, when eighteen years of age, being at that time the youngest graduate Williams College ever had.

For three or four years after finishing his edu- cation Solomon Noble taught school, and in 1841 came to New York and entered the law office of the late Judge Betts. In three years he completed the course of reading and was admitted to the bar. Deciding to open an office for the practice of his profession in the metropolis, he located at No. III Nassau Street. His place of residence at this time was in Thirty-fifth Street. He took a very active interest in politics as a Democrat and became a member of Tammany Hall. The ability which kept him at the head of his pro- fession throughout his long career was recog- nized by his political associates and he was twice elected to the Assembly from the district covering Thirty-fifty Street. For nearly a quarter of a century he practiced his profession in New York, and finally, in 1868, he came to Long Island City and occupied a fine mansion in Ravenswood.

After practicing by himself for a time, Mr. Noble formed a partnership with the late Judge Pearse, and a few years later the two partners were candidates against each other for the office of judge of the City Court, which preceded the present Police Court and had superior powers. Mr. Noble was defeated by a very narrow ma- jority. His next partner was Isaac Kugleman, but on that gentleman becoming counsel for the George Ringler Brewing Company of New York, the connection was dissolved. Mr. Noble then

292

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

continued by himself until 1884, when he asso- ciated his son, Daniel, in business with him. He took a very conspicuous part in politics, and the last public office which he held was that of dis- trict attorney, having been appointed to that posi- tion by his son, our subject. In January, 1894, he entered upon the duties of his office, and was actively engaged in the same when stricken by paralysis in his office. He died at the home of his son, Daniel, in February, 1895.

For ten years after entering upon the practice of his profession Solomon Noble remained a bachelor. In 1854, however, he married Miss Agnes, daughter of John Nicolson, a member of the firm of Nicolson & Lindsey, at that time one of the largest dry-goods firms in New York. Af- ter his marriage he resided in Brooklyn until coming to Long Island City, as before stated. Mrs. Noble died in Ravenswood in 1874. Of their family five sons and one daughter survive. Nicolson, the eldest, lives at Hot Springs, Ark., and is connected with the Standard Oil Com- pany. Our subject was the second in order of birth. Miss Jessie makes her home with the Judge; John is managing a large farm at Nyack; Wolcott is engaged in the real estate business in Oregon; and Paton is well known in this city and is a practicing attorney about the Police Court.

Having had a college education himself, the father of our subject was a firm believer in a liberal education and was anxious that his sons should receive as good an education as could be obtained. Three, Daniel, Wolcott and Paton, were sent abroad and spent five years studying in Germany. Our subject was born in Brooklyn on Christmas Day of 1859. On his mother's side he is of Scotch descent, as his maternal grandfather, John Nicolson, was born in Scotland. After re- tiring from business life in New York City, he made his home at Yonkers and there died when advanced in years. He was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church and a man who com- manded the respect and esteem of all who knew him.

The subject of this sketch attended the private schools of Brooklyn until the year 1870, when, accompanied by two brothers, he crossed the Atlantic and began his studies in Germany, re- maining there until 1876. On his return at the expiration of that time he became a student of the Columbia College and soon thereafter entered the Columbia Law School, from which he graduated in 1881 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

About this time he entered into business with his father in Long Island City, the firm being S. B. & D. Noble, and their office was located in Third Street. They continued together until the death of the senior member of the firm, since which time our subject has carried on the busi- ness alone.

In 1892 Mr. Noble was elected judge of Long Island City, and in the fall of 1893 was nomin- ated and elected district attorney on the Demo- cratic ticket, also receiving the endorsement and nomination of the Republican party. In 1894 he took the oath of office, and by the wise and shrewd manner in which he disposes of the cases brought before him, he has gained the good will of the entire county. He has one of the most attractive homes in the city, which is located at No. 45 Woolsey Street.

Judge Noble was married in New York to Miss Annie Moran, a native of Jersey City, and the daughter of Alexander Moran, for many years a prominent politician of this community. He is a stanch supporter of Democratic prin- ciples and a member of the Episcopal Church. Socially he is a prominent and influential Ma- son, holding membership with Advance Lodge at Astoria. The Judge is librarian of the Queens County Bar Association and belongs to the Knickerbocker Yacht Club of College Point, also the Williamsburg Yacht Club of Long Island City. He meets with the Astoria Athletic Club of this place, is an enthusiastic wheelman and a member of the Long Island City Wheelmen. In personal manners he is affable and courteous, and readily wins and retains friends.

J ULIUS VON HUNERBEIN comes of a fine old Saxon family who trace their line- age back to the fourteenth century, at which time the family was raised to the nobility. Nearly all of the male members of the family have been military men and many of them have become distinguished soldiers and held high official rank. The great-grandfather, Julius A. Von Hunerbein, was a colonel under Frederick the Great, and his son, Gen. Julius Arthur Von Hunerbein, was a celebrated general of the Prussian army. He was in the War of 1812-15 against the great Na- poleon, and was in the engagement at Leipsic and in other noted battles. At the time of his death he was commander-in-chief of the Sixth Army Corps in Silecia. The father of the sub-

293

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ject of this sketch, Baron Julius Arthur Von Hun- erbein, was born in Berlin, and he finally gradu- ated from the Royal Military Academy of that city. He became a soldier of the Prussian army and rose in rank until he became a major, when he resigned, received an honorable discharge, and settled in Mecklenburg, where he became the proprietor of a large landed estate. There his earthly career closed in March, 1870, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife was Agnes, young- est daughter of Peter Sievers, a wealthy landed proprietor of Mecklenburg. She died when only thirty-two years of age, having become the mother of six sons, of whom Julius was the sec- ond in order of birth.

The subject of this sketch was born in 1845 in Julich, Rhenish Prussia, where his father was at that time stationed. His brothers are all offi- cers in the German army and are prominent mili- tary men. The eldest brother, Julius A., is now retired, however, and is a royal forester of Al- sace. The boyhood days of Julius Von Huner- bein were spent in Mecklenburg, and until he entered the Royal Military Academy of Berlin his education was carried on at private schools. He graduated from the above mentioned noted institution in 1864 and was at once appointed second lieutenant in the Fourth Regiment of guards stationed in Berlin, after which he took part in the Sleswick-Holstein War of 1864-65. In 1866 he was in the Austro-Prussian War, and from 1870 to 1871 was a participant in the Franco-Prussian War, and rose to the rank of first lieutenant in October, 1871. At the close of the last war he received an honorable discharge, and in December of that year he came to the United States with his young bride, and located in Rye, Westchester County, N. Y., where for one year he filled the position of assistant civil engineer.

Very soon after this Mr. Von Hunerbein came to Long Island City and secured the position of assistant with P. G. Van Alst, with whom he con- tinued until 1874. He then became connected with the water works of the city in the capacity of draughtsman and engineer, and with marked abil- ity discharged the duties of these positions for eleven years, at which time Mr. Gleason was elect- ed mayor of the city, and he resigned. He con- tinued to follow civil engineering and surveying until July, 1893, when he was appointed assist- ant civil engineer of the General Improvement Commission of Long Island City. However, lie

has been principally engaged as a draughtsman, in which capacity he has shown marked skill, taste and ability. Mr. Von Hunerbein, who is really a German baron, is a Lutheran in his re- ligious belief and all his people have been Prot- estants since the days of the Reformation. He is of a genial, social disposition, finely educated and a thorough scholar, and since locating in this country a host of friends has sprung up about him, and he is in every way worthy the respect and honor which is accorded him.

Mr. Von Hunerbein is a member of the Leid- erkranz, of New York City, is an active and pop- ular member of the Jefferson Club, and politically is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type. His mar- riage occurred in Hanover, Germany, in October, 1871, uniting him with Miss Louise Nollet, a daughter of a prominent merchant of Hanover. They have four children: Helen Louisa, Elsa Bertha, Mellani and Julius A., Jr. Mr. Von Hun- erbein has a beautiful residence at the corner of Theodore Street and Old Bowery Bay Road.

C APT. THOMAS E. WEBB. The public services rendered by Captain Webb, as well as his uprightness in private life, make it fitting that some record of his career should appear in this volume. Now a resident of Port Washington, he was born at Kingston, Ulster County, N. Y., May 29, 1832, being a son of John M. and Julia (Smith) Webb. His grand- father, Henry Webb, was educated for the priest- hood, but deciding not to enter that profession, followed various occupations for a time, and eventually accepted an appointment in the Brook- lyn navy yard as an accountant, for which his fine education especially qualified him. He went to Washington to have an account settled and it is thought that he was murdered, as he was never heard from again. His wife had died some time before, so that the children were thrown upon their own resources.

The father of our subject was born in New York City, but spent his boyhood days in Brook- lyn. Being one of the older children, he took it upon himself to look after the younger ones when his father's death so suddenly orphaned them. Entering the Brooklyn navy yard he learned the trade of a shipwright. About 1831 he married Miss Smith and soon afterward left Brooklyn on account of the cholera epidemic there. They went to Kingston, where our sub-

294

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ject, their eldest child, was born. At times the father, who was employed by the navy depart- ment, was obliged to go to sea, but in later life he became a warrant officer in the navy yard, which place he held until his death in 1847. Po- litically he was a Whig, and in religious belief belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife was also a member. For some years he was associated with the Sons of Tem- perance. Of his six children, all but two are living.

In the public and private schools of Brooklyn our subject gained his education, and at an early age he began to learn the trade of a shipwright in the Brooklyn navy yard under Samuel H. Hart, the man with whom his father had learned the business, and the son of the builder of the "Constitution," which he himself rebuilt later. Our subject finished under Benjamin F. Delano, and secured employment in the navy yard. In 1866 he was appointed assistant naval construc- tor, with the rank of lieutenant. He had learned the architect's work, spending five years in the drawing room and thus becoming a master of the business. After a year or more he was sent to the Bureau of Construction and Repairs at Wash- ington, D. C., and thence a few months later was sent to the navy yard at Norfolk, Va., as chief of the construction department, remaining there three years. A similar period was spent in the navy yard at Kittery, Me., after which he was sent to Brazil, South America, to assist in a court of inquiry under Admiral Leroy, returning to the United States by way of Europe and reaching home after an absence of four months. Next he was transferred from place to place, being sta- tioned twice at Washington, D. C., Norfolk, Va., Boston, Mass., Kittery, Me., and Brooklyn, N. Y. In addition to the Brazilian trip he was sent to Japan to survey the United States steamship "Yantic," and was gone four months. On his recommendation the ship was sent home and rebuilt in the home yards.

The last service rendered by Captain Webb was as superintendent at Cramp's ship yards in Philadelphia, where he had charge of the build- ing of the "Yorktown," "Baltimore" and "Vesu- vius." His health, meantime, had become im- paired as the result of his laborious efforts in the service, and he was retired on three-fourths pay. April 29, 1854, when twenty-two years old, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Richard and Susan (Bennett) Southard, and a native of Sea-

ford, Queens County. They have two sons, the older being John R., who was born in Brooklyn, and is an engineer; he is married, and with his wife and two children lives in Jamaica. The younger son, who was born at Norfolk, Va., is a draughtsman by occupation, is married and has one child; he makes his home at Bayridge.

Though not a member of any denomination. our subject is a friend of religion; his wife is iden- tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In April, 1889, he bought his present home, known as the Cornelia Moore place, which occupies an admirable location, commanding a fine view of the bay, Hart's Island, and the palisades. Socially he has been a Mason since 1864. Though a Re- publican in principle, he has always been a man who believed in letting every man follow his honest convictions, whether they agreed with his own or not; and when he had the power to appoint men to positions, he inquired only re- garding their ability, and never questioned their political views. That plan, however, did not suit the politicians, who tried to prevail upon him to appoint only partisans, but when they found they could not control his actions they secured his re- mnoval to another place. Later, when he was sta- tioned at New York, the department desired his services at Norfolk again in order to bring sys- tem out of confusion, but he objected to return- ing. When he was assured that it was to be viewed as a compliment and not as a censure he consented to go. As he was about to land he was surprised by being saluted with the firing of one hundred guns, and was met and welcomed by a large number of his old friends-a tribute to his ability and recognized worth more eloquent than mere words would be.

C HARLES A. WADLEY. In every de- partment of human activity Long Island City has contributed successful and emi- nent men, whose superior talents and researches have promoted the world's progress, whose abili- ties have won wide recognition and whose culture has brought them the admiration of many to whom they are personally unknown. Such an one is Mr. Wadley, assistant district attorney of Queens County, and it is therefore fitting that in this volume mention should be made of his event- ful career.

Our subject was born in Clyde, Wayne County, N. Y., June 8, 1859, the son of Martin Wadley, a

295

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

native of South Butler, that county, whose birth occurred in October, 1832. Grandfather Nathan- iel Wadley was born in Vermont, whence he later removed to Watertown, N. Y., where for many years he followed contracting. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and, being captured at the battle of Sackett's Harbor, was held a prisoner of war in Canada for six months. Later he be- came one of the earliest settlers of South Butler, N. Y., continuing his contract work there until his removal to Clyde. At one time he was in the employ of General Adams, who had the building of the Sodus Bay Canal, by which project it was intended to connect Lake Ontario with the Erie Canal, but the canal was never completed. The grandfather lived in Clyde until ready to retire from active life, when he located on a farm near that place, remaining thereon until his decease, in 1878.

The Wadleys are an old New Hampshire fam- ily, and many years ago the name was spelled "Wadleigh," but it was changed by the grand- father of our subject. The latter is able to trace his ancestry back to England, from which coun- try two brothers set sail for America, first living in Boston, Mass. One of them later made his home in New Hampshire, and subsequently drifted to Vermont, finally settling in this state. From this branch our subject is descended.

When young in years Martin Wadley began life for himself, working on the Erie Canal, first as tow-boy. His worth, however, was soon rec- ognized and he was promoted step by step until he had a good position and commanded reason- able wages. On leaving the state he went to Ohio, and at Ravenna learned the glassblower's trade. This brings us up to the time of his mar- riage, May 15, 1853, soon after which event he returned to New York and obtained his old posi- tion on the canal. Being industrious and eco- nomical, he later became owner of a boat which he commanded until the outbreak of the Civil War. He then sold his vessel and in August, 1862, volunteered, being mustered into service as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth New York Infantry, under Col. Joseph Welling. During the winter of 1862-63 the regiment was incorporated with the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, commanded by Col. Fred Seward. Mr. Wadley was in the service for a period of three years, or until the establishment of peace.

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 33

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