Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 40

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1220

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The father of the above family was born in 1819, and departed this life in 1885, while his good wife, who was also born in 1819, survived him one year, dying in 1886. The former was the son of Seaman and Ann (Pearsall) Willets, by whom he was reared to a life of usefulness. He adopted the occupation of a farmer when beginning life for himself and in this line became prominent and well-to-do, and it may be truly said of him that he was one of the most highly esteemed men in the county. The reputation which he enjoyed was that of a man whose word was at all times considered as good as his bond. For many years he was trustee of the town, for several terms filled the office of assessor, and for two terms he served as supervisor. He was a very capable business man, which fact was fully recognized by his many friends and neighbors, and it was no unusual thing for him to be intrusted with important busi- ness affairs. In the Flushing Turnpike Road and Bridge Company he was one of the leading spir- its, and was director and treasurer of the same for many years.

As soon as he was old enough, the subject of this sketch was sent to a private school at Bay- side, and after completing his education returned home and assisted his father in the management of the place. As the years passed by, however, he gradually assumed more control, until the entire oversight of the business virtually rested on his shoulders. In 1880 he erected a stable and began boarding horses. This business became so popu- lar with city people that it was not long before

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he was compelled to erect more commodious quarters for the accommodation of the animals which were entrusted to his care during the win- ter months. His stables have been enlarged from time to time since then and he is regarded as one of the best business men in this line in the county.

The lady to whom our subject was married in November, 1882, was Miss Almy R., daughter of J. B. Hoover, for many years a resident of New York City. To them have been granted three children, of whom Almy R., who is now attending the seminary at Flushing, and Thomas S., Jr., are the only survivors. In politics Mr. Willets, while in no sense of the word an office-seeker, supports the candidates of the Republican party. He is a member of the Society of Friends, in which faith he was reared, and Mrs. Willets is a consistent member of the Congregational Church.

J OHN HENRY TAYLOR, one of the lead- ing horticulturists of New York State, is well known to the residents of Bayside and vicinity, where he has made his home for many years. He is energetic, persevering, capable and judicious, and it is largely due to these qualities that he owes the prosperity which has attended his efforts in business. He was born in the metropo- lis August 28, 1857, and was the eldest of the family of seven children comprising the household of John and Elizabeth N. (Gilson) Taylor.

When only three years of age the subject of this sketch was brought by his parents to Bayside, where they remained for seven years. In 1867 they took passage on a steamer for Europe, spend- ing the following ten years in traveling through different portions of the Old World. John Henry, who accompanied them on this tour, studied in Switzerland, Italy and Berlin, Germany, and on his return he entered Harvard College, graduat- ing from that institution with the class of 1881, and having conferred upon him the degree of bachelor of agricultural science.

After completing his education our subject spent one year traveling in Europe, and on his return at the end of that time assumed charge of his father's horticultural business. On the death of the latter he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the place and since 1882 has had entire control of the business. He resides in one of the palatial homes on the north side of the island and is recognized as one of the stirring and progressive business men of Queens County.

His greenhouses, which are fitted out with all the latest appliances and conveniences for heating, lighting, etc., cover some five acres of ground and in them may be found a splendid collection of roses and orchids. Mr. Taylor has a large whole- sale trade in New York City.

John Henry Taylor and Miss Julia, daughter of James Armstrong, of New York, were united in marriage in that city in 1883. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Adele A. and Reginald Dodge, both of whom are at- tending Schuler's Seminary in Flushing.

Socially Mr. Taylor belongs to the University Club, the Lawyers' Club, the New York Athletic Club and the Douglaston Yacht Club, and fra- ternally is identified with Cornucopia Lodge, F. & A. M., at Flushing. In everything pertaining to floriculture he takes a warm interest and is ac- tively connected with the New York Florists' Club and the New York Horticultural Society. He is likewise a fellow of the American Geographical Society of New York City and belongs to the Niantic Club of Flushing. Having always the welfare of his community at heart, he does what he can to further its best interests and has rep- resented this locality very efficiently as president of the town board of trustees. For the past five years he has been president of the school board of this district and has been an active worker in rais- ing the standard of scholarship. Politically he is a stanch Democrat and has held the honored of- fice of president of the Democratic Club, of Bay- side. He belongs to the Episcopal Church, to the support of which he is a regular and liberal con- tributor, and is justly numbered among the sub- stantial and valued residents of the county.

J ORDAN WRIGHT, a retired farmer of the town of Flushing, makes his home in a beau- tiful place on the Whitestone Road, just off Broadway. His accurate judgment and superior ability have been displayed in the successful man- agement of his affairs and he is now living retired and is regarded with the highest respect and con- fidence as a man of unimpeachable integrity. He was born in this town March 29, 1817, and was the son of Abraham and Susan (Wright) Cock. He was the favorite grandson of his mother's father, a very wealthy resident of this section, and it was owing to his wishes that his name was changed, by a special act of the legislature, from Cock to Wright.

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The paternal grandparents of our subject were Benjamin and Hannah (Prior) Cock, and their son, Abraham, was born in Flushing in the year 1779, and departed this life in 1827. After com- pleting a limited education in the schools of his district, the father of our subject gave his atten- tion to learning the milling business, and for years operated the old Bowne mill, which still stands near the junction of Lawrence Street and Mill Road.

The Cock family is one of the oldest on the island, its various members here being enabled to trace their ancestry back to one of three broth- ers who emigrated hither from England some time in the sixteenth century. One of this trio settled in Pennsylvania, another in New York State, and the third made his home at Norwich. Grandmother Hannah (Prior) Cock was a cousin of John Bowne, who came from Holland in Colo- nial days and, as history tells us, was the first Quaker to make his home on the island, and because of his faith suffered many persecutions.

The mother of our subject was a daughter of Jordan Wright, for many years one of the wealthy merchants of New York City. On retiring from business he made his home in Flushing, owning the property which is now in the possession of Captain Hinman. His wife, prior to her mar- riage, was Miss Elizabeth Titus.

At the time of his father's death the subject of this sketch was a lad of ten years, and his grand- father, who was very fond of him, prevailed upon his daughter to let him have the boy to rear and educate. He finally became so attached to him that it was his earnest desire to have him bear the name of Wright, and by a special act of the legislature this change was effected, so that he is now known to his many friends as Jordan Wright. The latter attended an academy at Wil- mington, Del., for a time, after which he carried on his studies in a private school in Westchester County, N. Y. It was the wish of his grandfather that he should fit himself for an active business life, and accordingly, when a lad of sixteen years, he went to New York and obtained a position as clerk in a commission house.

In 1842 our subject, together with Messrs. Baker and Cox, organized a wholesale dry goods establishment, the firm name being Baker, Wright & Cox. The venture not proving a success, how- ever, they dissolved partnership four years later, Mr. Wright investing his interest in the business in a nice tract of land in this town. Thereafter he

gave his attention to farming, and for fifty years his efforts in this direction were attended with good results.

The lady to whom Mr. Wright was united in marriage June 14, 1843, was Miss Mary P. Wil- lets, the daughter of Seaman Willets, whose fam- ily is spoken of at length in the biography of Thomas S. Willets, elsewhere in this volume. Thomas S., the eldest son of our subject and his wife, is clerk in the Mechanics Bank of New York; he is married, and the father of a daughter, Elinor, and son, John J., who was educated in Fairchild Institute. Charles H. was for twenty- eight years employed in the Mechanics Bank, but is now a member of the New York Stock Ex- change; he is also married and has two children, Mazie and Robert. Maggie P. married Sidney S. Eadie, an insurance broker of the metropolis, and their children are named respectively, Sidney and Millie. In politics Mr. Wright is a Repub- lican. Religiously he and his family are members of the Society of Friends.

J AMES DEMAREST, A. M., D. D. Heredi- ty and environment, two great agencies, show their results in the development of character and ability, as well as in the growth of a physical organism. If the assertion of Dr. Oli- ver Wendell Holmes be true, that the time to be- gin medical treatment of a sick man is a hundred years before his birth, it is also a fact that no biography is complete without some reference to ancestors and progenitors. Dr. Demarest's fath- er, Rev. James Demarest, spent the best years of his life in the Christian ministry, as did his grand- father, Rev. John Demarest. Both were pastors of the Reformed Dutch Church, to which denom- ination the Demarest family has been attached for many generations. The first ancestor of the family in this country, David Des Marest, was born in Beauchamp, Picardy, France, about 1620. He came to America in 1663 and figured promi- nently in the early history of Harlem, N. Y. In 1677 he purchased of the Tappan Indian chiefs two thousand acres on the Hackensack River, in New Jersey, and thither removed, accompanied by his children and grandchildren. He with four other families that came with him organized a church for which a building was erected on Des Marest's land.

Rev. John Demarest, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born near Newbridge, N. J. He was but

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a boy during the Revolutionary War and was seized and carried off by a troop of Hessians. He was placed on a horse behind one of the soldiers, and as they rode along he noticed that the man was drunk. Arriving at the foot of a hill, the horse stopped to drink from a brook, while the rest of the troops pushed on and disappeared from sight. This was young Demarest's opportunity and he improved it. With a sudden ef- fort he threw the drunken Hessian from his horse, and turning, made his escape with the horse and saddle. This gentleman be- came the owner of a farm at Tappan, where Major Andre was buried. When the latter's body was to be taken back to England the following oc- curred: In August, 1821, the British govern- ment, at the request of Andre's sisters, sent a man- of-war to transfer the remains to England. The Duke of York was on board and was entertained by Mr. Demarest. Being very much pleased by his entertainment, he presented Mr. Demarest with a gold-lined snuff box made from the cedar tree whose roots were found entwined about the skeleton. On it was this inscription, "From his Royal Highness, the Duke of York, to mark his sense of Rev. John Demarest's liberal attention upon the occasion of the removal of the remains of the late Major Andre at Tappan, on August 10, 1821." Andre's sisters also sent him a silver com- munion service designed for the use of a Roman Catholic priest under a mistaken idea that he was such. This he returned with explanations and it was replaced with a large silver cup appropriately inscribed. He was a minister in the Reformed Church, but during the secession movement in 1822 he, with his old preceptor, Rev. Solomon Froeligh, resigned from it and formed the True Dutch Reformed Church. He was a profound scholar and noted linguist.

Rev. James Demarest, M. D., father of the Doc- tor, was born near Albany, N. Y., and was a grad- uate of the old College of Physicians and Sur- geons of New York City. As a physician he prac- ticed in New York City and subsequently began the study of theology in the theological seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., from which he was graduated in 1829, and ordained for the Reformed Church the same year. His first charge was in the First Church of Williamsburg, now Brooklyn. After a number of years he took charge of a church at Wawarsing, Ulster County, and subse- quently was superintendent of the Leake Watts Orphan House, New York City. Later he settled

at Manhasset, Queens County, and was pastor there until he retired. He spent his last days in Belleville and Newark, N. J., but died at the home of a daughter in Illinois when ninety years old. He was an able minister and preached even in his advanced age. In politics he was originally a Whig, but later became a Republican. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Schoonmaker, was a native of Flatbush, Kings County, and the daughter of John Schoonmaker, who died in early life. Her great-great-grandfather, Rev. John Schoonmaker, was pastor of a Dutch Reformed Church and his charge covered the whole western part of Long Island. He was of much service to the patriot cause on Long Island during the Rev- olutionary War and had a narrow escape from being imprisoned.

Springing from such a lineage, and with tinc- tures of Schoonmaker, Van Beuren, Christie and Bassett blood in his veins, mingling with the Huguenot strain, it is not strange that Rev. James Demarest, D. D., our subject, should prove to be a diligent, efficient and successful pastor in the Reformed Protestant (Dutch) Church in Ameri- ca. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. After prep- aration at a classical school in Ulster County, and at the Albany Academy, he entered Union Col- lege, from which he was graduated with the high- est honors, although one of the youngest in his class. He pursued his theological studies in New Brunswick, N. J., at the seminary of the Reformed Church. Immediately upon the conclusion of his theological course he was ordained to the ministry and installed as pastor of the Second Reformed Church at Hackensack, N. J. While there he received many calls from other churches, and fin- ally accepted an invitation from the North Re- formed Church of Newark, where his work was so prosperous that he was selected to undertake the saving, consolidating and building up of the Livingston Reformed Church, of Chicago, Il1. He accepted this, but the climate of Chicago was too severe for him and he returned to the East.

Dr. Demarest became successively pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, of Peekskill, N. Y., and of the Fair Street Reformed Church, of King- ston, N. Y., where his health soon improved. While at Kingston, Dr. Demarest received the degree of D. D. from his alma mater and was prominently mentioned in connection with a pro- fessor's chair in a theological seminary, and also with the presidency of an important college. His next pastorate was at Ft. Plain, N. Y., where, be-

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sides securing a large addition to the member- ship, he was instrumental in building a large new church-the handsomest in the Mohawk Valley -which was dedicated free of debt. From there the Doctor went to Flushing, in December, 1890, to a small and struggling church, with an inade- quate building most unhappily situated. The parish, to the ordinary observer, seemed to offer a most unpromising field. None but a pastor of great courage and faith and rare executive abili- ty could have assumed direction of the work with any hope of success. Such a pastor was found in Dr. Demarest, who accepted the call with the proviso that the church should erect a new build- ing upon valuable and well-located property long in its possession. A new church, of Romanesque style of architecture, is the result.

Dr. Demarest's personality is characterized by composure, that suggests-and rightly-depth of thought and conviction, sturdiness of purpose and singleness of devotion. He is erect and easy in carriage. His manner, while dignified and for- mal, is natural and urbane. He is moderate in the use of gestures and of facial expression. His voice is strong and orotund and possesses a wide range. It is tender and sympathetic to an un- usual degree, and is skillfully used. He preaches without notes almost invariably, or with very brief ones. His enunciation is clear, his pronuncia- tion scrupulously accurate, and his delivery im- pressive and deliberate. His sermons give evi- dence of careful preparation, and are logical and finished productions, in which unity of plan and development of climax, together with felicity in his choice of words, are noticeable to the critical hearer. There is no approach to sensationalism, no discussion of useless themes, no introduction of thoughts and ideas which might unsettle the weak or cause doubt or indecision. Under the leadership, fostering care and evangelical minis- try of Dr. Demarest the Reformed Church of Flushing has indeed entered upon a new period of its history.

W ILLIAM CASS BAKER, a well known business man of Jamaica and the pres- ent under sheriff of Queens County, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., October 16, 1853, and is a descendant of German ancestry. His father, Frederick Cass Baker, was born in Germany, but emigrated to this country at an early age and settled in Oneida County, where

he met with success in his labors as a farmer. After coming to the United States he married Miss Phoebe Drexel, a relative of the senior mem- ber of the great banking house of Drexel & Mor- gan. Mr. Baker died when his son was sixteen years of age, and the wife and mother is also deceased.

William Cass Baker, who was one of four brothers, spent his youthful years on the home farm and obtained his education in the common schools. At the age of seventeen he secured em- ployment as a traveling salesman, his salary at first being small, but he worked his way steadily and perseveringly until his ability was recognized by a salary of $1,500 per annum. He came to Jamaica for the purpose of engaging in the nur- sery business, and going to a boarding house con- ducted by Mrs. Napier inquired if he could secure board there. In the conversation that ensued she inquired what his business was, and when told that he was a nurseryman she promptly said that it was useless for him to come to Jamaica, as two men had just left who were unable to make anything out of that line of work. Failing to see why their ill fortune should mean that it was impossible to build up a trade here, he replied that he had come to do business and he was going to do it, but even if he did not, he had a sufficient amount of money to pay his board.

As might be imagined, the pluck, energy and determination exhibited by Mr. Baker brought him success. The money which he made he care- fully and shrewdly invested in real estate, buying property at what is now the village of Dunton. In that place he built the first house. He was instrumental in interesting F. W. Dunton in the property in that locality, and as a consequence the village of Dunton was established. Some years ago he commenced to deal largely in fertil- izers and is now one of the most extensive dealers on Long Island. In fact, it may be said that every enterprise that he has been connected with since coming to Jamaica has been successful, and as a result he is numbered among the wealthy men of the place.

Politically Mr. Baker is a Republican, and a stanch advocate of the principles of the party that has done so much toward promoting the welfare of the nation. For three years he has been a member of the board of highway commissioners of Queens County and is now its chairman, hav- ing been elected in the spring of 1894, on the Re- publican ticket, by a majority of nine hundred

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WILLIAM C. BAKER.

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JOEL FOWLER.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in a Democratic town, which fact shows his pop- ularity among all voters, irrespective of party. January 1, 1895, he was appointed under sheriff of the county, a position which he is now filling with much credit to himself, and to the satisfac- tion of the general public.

In 1883 Mr. Baker married Miss Helen Napier, daughter of the lady with whom he boarded on first coming to Jamaica, and whose father, An- drew Napier, was a member of one of the old- established families of the island. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have three children, Edna, Elmer Wayne and Fred Dunton, the youngest being a name- sake of F. W. Dunton, a warm friend of Mr. Baker. The family residence is a comfortable abode and is situated in Herriman Avenue. So- cially Mr. Baker is a member of the Chub Club of Jamaica, the Jamaica Club, the Royal Arcanum and the Masonic fraternity, and the Tamaque Wheelmen.

J I OEL FOWLER is an enterprising business man of Richmond Hill, where he is exten- sively interested in real estate. He was born at Guilford, Conn., in 1848, the son of Oliver B. Fowler, who was born in the same town about the year 1820. The latter, who was a manufac- turer of iron and various kinds of machinery, made some of the first hard-coal stoves in that section, and, indeed, was the first to engage in this line of trade at Guilford.

John Fowler, ancestor of Oliver B. Fowler, was named among the list of gentlemen desig- nated upon the colonial records of Connecticut with the prefix of "Mr.," previous to the union of that colony with New Haven, in 1665, includ- ing those who bore military titles of nearly equal rank. He came to Milford, Conn., in 1639, and is mentioned on the first list of planters made in that town. He went to Guildford before 1648, was one of the seven pillars of the church, was made a Freeman, and from that time he and members of his family were members of Colonial house of Burgesses and of the State Legislature.

In 1869 Oliver B. Fowler came to Richmond Hill, being solicited to take charge of the real estate interests of A. P. Man and Edward Rich- mond. He became one of the leading spirits of this place, favoring all measures having for their object the upbuilding and betterment of the com- munity. He had much to do with the laying out of this now thriving village and was one of its

substantial and prominent residents until 1882, the date of his death. Religiously, he held mem- bership with the Episcopal Church, of which he was vestryman. His life was most exemplary and was devoted to upholding and promoting the best interests of his fellows. He was in favor of having the best schools which the place could afford and rendered efficient service during the years in which he was trustee of Richmond Hill School Board.

Oliver B. Fowler was an only son, his father having been killed by a runaway team when he was an infant of a few months. The grandfather was a manufacturer of hats, and when ready to establish a home of his own was married to Catherine Thomas, who, after the death of her husband, made her home with her father. Oliver was given a good education, and after attaining mature years was married to Jane M. Landon, also a member of one of the old families of Guil- ford. On her mother's side she is descended from two colonial governors, Welles and Leete. Her father became a prominent merchant and trader, owning vessels which made trips to the Bermuda Islands. He was a wealthy gentle- man and became influential in political circles in his state, being elected to the legislature, the state senate and also serving as probate judge. His family comprised two sons and three daugh- ters, Mrs. Fowler being the only member of this household who is now living. We quote from the New Haven register at the time of Mr. Lang- don's death: "Honorable George Langdon, aged eighty. Mr. Langdon was one of the most sub- stantial and intelligent of men, remarkable for his purity of character, dignity of person and upright- ness of life. He served his town in several ca- pacities and in the Legislature with ability and credit."

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 40

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