Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 42

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 42

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Deeming his presence in the provincial con- vention, of which he was a member, to be of little importance, now that Queens County was over- come by foreign troops, he returned to Newtown, trusting to the assurances of protection contained in the proclamation of Lord Howe. But the privations and pecuniary losses that he continued to suffer from the enemy are believed to have has- tened his death. (Annals of Newtown.)

Previous to returning to Newtown seeking Lord Howe's protection he was a delegate to the first provincial convention held in New York, April 22, 1775, but was not permitted to vote, as the other towns of Queens County had refused to send delegates. However, he and other delegates from the county wrote and signed a letter, up- holding the action of the convention. His son, Samuel, by his second marriage, is the grand- father of the few that bear the name in Astoria. He was twice married. By his first marriage to Sarah Moore he had one child, Sarah. His sec- ond marriage was to Mary Whitehead Field, by whom he had sixteen children, Jacob, Lydia, Eliza, Maria, Samuel, Charity, Henry, Robert, John, Margaret, Josiah, Anna, Patience, Francis, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. These were the grandfathers and grandmothers of the families now residing in Astoria.

F RED W. DUNTON, president of the Bicy- cle Railroad, with office in New York and residence at Hollis, was born in Newport, N. H., June 9, 1851. He is the son of William and Lois (Corbin) Dunton, the former a native of Massachusetts and a manufacturer of local note; the latter a sister of Austin Corbin, the well- known millionaire president of the Long Island Railroad. In youth his educational advantages were very meager. In fact, it is said that he never went to school after he was twelve years of age. About that time he started out to make his own way in life and became a clerk in a coun-

try store at Millbury, Mass. At the age of fifteen he was employed in the postoffice in that place, and a year later came to New York, where he entered the office of his uncle, Austin Corbin.

It was not long before the shrewd financier saw in the boy the making of a thorough busi- ness man and he reposed in him the utmost con- fidence. In a few years Mr. Dunton was given charge of the business in the West and in Europe, and crossed the ocean on many different excur- sions in the interest of his uncle's business, dis- playing in that capacity an unusual amount of tact, discernment and judgment. In 1883 he became interested in the devel- opment of real estate on Long Island, seeing in advance that the time was near at hand when the business men of New York and Brook- lyn must seek homes outside of those two great cities, and that there was no reason why the tide should not be turned to the territory adjacent on Long Island. Locating at Morris Park, he started a substantial boom that spread to all the adjoining villages; even the staid old village of Jamaica, that had stood still for half a cenutry, caught the fever a few years later and started on a boom. The villages of Morris Park, Richmond Hill, Dunton and Hollis were but little more than ordinary farming lands when his magnetic hand touched them, but under his direction the farms gave way to thriving villages; beautiful homes were built by him and sold to desirable citizens on easy payments. It was an unwritten law with him that he would build none but good houses and sell them to none but good people. This attracted a desirable class of buyers to the neighborhood, and thousands of the better class of business men found in these convenient sub- urbs a desirable location for a home.

From the time that Mr. Dunton turned his at- tention to Long Island real estate he commenced to advocate good roads as one of the prominent factors in attracting attention to the locality, but the people did not take kindly to the project of voting a heavy debt to improve roads that had been good enough for them and their ancestors for several generations back. He met with a strong opposition from the class who were con- tent to jog along in the old ruts made by their ancestors before the American Revolution. They were anxious to share in the boom, but not will- ing to aid its coming. However, in spite of oppo- sition, he worked up no small amount of interest in the project, and from year to year the feeling

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grew apace that good roads were what the county needed. By his logical reasoning he was able to convince many that it would not only enhance the value of their property but would be a great saving to the farmers in getting their products to the New York and Brooklyn markets.

In 1889 Mr. Dunton was elected a member of the board of supervisors and served as chairman. Previous to this he had declared that, if elected, he would run the people in debt $400,000 and expend the amount on the roads. He kept his word good, the full amount was appropriated and has been spent, with the result that Queens Coun- ty now has a most excellent system of macad- amized roads, for which he is entitled to the greater part of the credit. It is also noteworthy that those who at first opposed the improvement are now enthusiastic in its praise, for they see that it has proved of lasting benefit to Jamaica and other villages of the vicinity. He was a second time elected supervisor of Jamaica, April 7, 1896, against the "machine" and the local press.

While Mr. Dunton made money rapidly, he spent it lavishly. From $25,000 to $35,000 was expended annually for special trains on the Long Island Railroad to take home-seekers to the vari- ous villages of the county, and in this way tens of thousands were shown the advantage of a home on Long Island. Among other things that proved a boon to the village of Jamaica was the establishment by Mr. Dunton of the Bank of Jamaica, which kept in the village hundreds of thousands of dollars that formerly went to the banks of New York and Brooklyn. Of this in- stitution, now one of the most solid in the county, he was the first president. While at the height of his prosperity differences arose between him and his uncle, who was president of the Long Island Railroad, and the latter, without a moment's warning, refused to let him charter any more special trains. This came to Mr. Dunton like a clap of thunder out of a clear sky, and, his whole future being dependent upon the success of these places, he made an assignment in order to avoid disaster. His obligations were not large, and as one man of large means said, he could have raised in two hours every dollar that he needed.

Fortunately, the financial embarrassment was only temporary. It does not require many months for a man of Mr. Dunton's energy to surmount difficulties and secure success in spite of apparent failure. He is president of the famous Bicycle Railroad and is ready to put the same under con-

struction as soon as permitted by the courts, to which his company has appealed from the iniqui- tous decision of the railroad commissioners. When this wonderful invention is put in active operation throughout Long Island it will revolu- tionize this section completely.

With his wife and four children Mr. Dunton lives in one of the finest mansions of Long Island, situated on the high hill north of the village of Hollis, and commanding a view of the beautiful country, as well as the ocean, far away to the south. He is now in the prime of life, and what he has accomplished in the past is but a precur- sor of what will result from his labors in the fu- ture. While many with like opportunities for success have sunk beneath the waves of unpro- pitious circumstances, never to rise again, he, by an indomitable will, has advanced step by step, until he has attained his present honorable posi- tion and can hand down the noblest legacy man can bequeath to posterity-a successful life.

A UGUST H. EBERHARDT. The travel- ing public is well acquainted with the Charlotteville Hotel at Woodside, and those who have once visited it never fail to make it their headquarters whenever returning to this place. The popularity of the hotel is due to the genial manners and excellent management of the proprietor, Mr. Eberhardt, who is ably seconded in all his labors by his amiable wife. Not alone by those who are entertained by them, but also by those with whom they meet in social circles, they are held in high esteem for their worth of character.

In the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, the subject of this notice was born September 8, 1846, being the son of Philip and Rosina (Haüsler) Eberhardt. The parental family consists of nine children, all living. The father, a native of Wur- temberg, born September 16, 1807, grew to man- hood in the land of his birth and on completing his education took a trip through France and Germany, his mind being broadened by contact with the world and observation of the customs of people. This trip he was enabled to take through an ample allowance from his father, who was a well-to-do miller, while his grandfather, Karl Hausler, was for many years comptroller of the city where he lived. On the completion of his trip he settled in the north of Wurtemberg and established a flouring mill. For the eleven en-

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suing years he did a remunerative business and also engaged extensively in contracting. His wife's health failing in that locality, he decided to seek another home, so disposed of his business and removed to Mezingen, Wurtemberg, where he opened a bakery and restaurant. In the years that followed he carried on an extensive and lu- crative business. He was a man of sterling quali- ties and for years was a member of the common council of his city. He lived retired for some ten years prior to his death, which occurred Febru- ary 24, 1885. His wife, who was born December I, 1821, died June 5, 1893.

In the common schools of Germany our sub- ject began his education, which he finished in col- lege, becoming fluent in the German, French and English languages. On graduating from the col- lege at Mezingen, he was awarded the second prize of Wurtemberg for proficiency in drawing and carving. While attending college he served an apprenticeship at building and at the age of seventeen began work as a journeyman. After working about two years he took a trip through Germany and France, then went to Southampton, England, and took passage on the steamer "Sax- onia" for New York City, arriving at his destina- tion July 8, 1866, after a voyage of eight days, a record at that time unprecedented.

Though without means, on his arrivel in Ameri- ca Mr. Eberhardt had the advantage of being conversant with the English language. He se- cured employment with Herter Brothers, cabinet makers, but after six months in New York City he went to Winfield Junction and secured work with Adam Kessler. There he attended the Luth- eran Church, and becoming acquainted with the congregation, he was asked one day to draw plans for a new church building. This he did, and the plans were accepted. He was then asked to bid on the building, but refused, saying that if his bid was accepted he would have no money with which to build the structure. Some members of the church told him to bid and they would back him, which he did, the result being that he secured the con- tract and built the church.

September 27, 1868, in the church which he had erected the previous year, Mr. Eberhardt married Miss Elizabeth Dengler. Soon afterward he formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Adam Dengler, and erected his present hotel at Wood- side, which the two conducted together until 1873. Mr. Eberhardt then took charge of the business and has since carried it on successfully. Active

in public affairs, he was largely instrumental in having Jackson Avenue macadamized, which in- provement has greatly increased the travel on that thoroughfare. He is justly proud of his hotel, his wife and children, and there are very many who agree with him in his opinion that his wife has not an equal, as a cook, on the whole island.

A friend of public education, Mr. Eberhardt has served on the school board continuously since 1880. A stanch supporter of the Republican par- ty, he has repeatedly been tendered nominations for some of the important local offices, but has al- ways declined. Socially he is a member of Miz- pah Lodge No. 738, F. & A. M., of Newtown; Long Island City Lodge No. 395. I. O. O. F., and Newtown Council No. 717, Royal Arcanum. He and his wife are the parents of eight children, of whom five are living, namely: Elizabeth, wife of C. H. Plate, superintendent of F. Oppermann, Jr.'s, brewery; August F., who is engaged with his father; Clara M., a student in Packard's Busi- ness College in New York City; Paulina, who is an accomplished and talented musician, and Rosa, who is attending the Woodside Academic School. Emma C. died April 16, 1896.

S EYMOUR CARLL, who resides upon a portion of the old Carll homestead in the town of Flushing, was born here February 4, 1855, and is a son of Alonzo S. and Mary A. (Buffett) Carll. His paternal grandfather, John Carll, who was a prominent citizen and large landowner of this section, at one time owned the farm, half of which is now occupied by James Cain, and consisting of two hundred acres near Bayside. Alonzo Carll was born in the town of Flushing and here spent his entire life engaged as an agriculturist, his death occurring at the old homestead in 1884; his wife passed away April 3, 1888.

The parental family consisted of ten children, of whom seven are living, as follows: Lewis B .; John H., a civil engineer of Toledo, Ohio; Ianthe, Marianna, Seymour, Frederick and Addison B. The oldest son, Lewis B., graduated in 1879, hav- ing among his classmates Seth Lowe, afterward mayor of Brooklyn, Felix Adler, and a number of other men who became prominent in New York and Brooklyn. At his graduation from Colum- bia College he received the second honors of his class and later accepted the position of a professor

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in the post-graduate course of that institution. He is widely known in scientific circles as the author of "Carll's Calculus of Variations," which ranks high as a mathematical work.

After receiving his education in Flushing Insti- tute, the subject of this sketch commenced the cultivation of the home farm. It had been his intention to take a mathematical course with the hope of becoming a civil engineer, but circum- stances were such as to oblige him to take up farming instead. To this occupation, including both general farming and market gardening, he has since given his attention. In March, 1881, he married Lydia A., daughter of George W. Ed- wards, who has been in business in Christie Street, New York City, for fifty years, his home being in Newtown. The mother of Mrs. Carll was Ann Maria Wilkinson, whose ancestors came to America in the "Mayflower." Politically our subject is a Republican. He and his wife, with their children, L. Adele and S. Edwards, occupy a comfortable and conveniently arranged resi- dence erected by Mr. Carll in 1894.

W ILLIAM L. CORNELL, secretary of the board of highway commissioners of the town of Flushing and of the joint board for the towns of Flushing and Newtown, also one of the most extensive growers of small fruits on Long Island, was born July 24, 1841, where he now lives on the East Alley Road, town of Flushing. He is one of six children, of whom five are living, those beside himself being Jolin H., of Bayside, and Benjamin H., of Whitestone, who are twins; Catherine, widow of John Foster, of Little Neck, and Jane, widow of Jeremiah Val- entine.

William H., our subject's father, was also born on this place, which has been in possession of some member of the family since 1740. He was a son of Lewis Cornell, a prominent farmer of this section and at one time sheriff of the county. His birth occurred January 8, 1800, and he grew to manhood on the home farm, becoming one of the respected farmers of this locality. Politically he supported Democratic principles. An Episco- palian in religious belief, for years he was a ves . tryman of the church. He passed from earth November 19, 1876.

At the age of nineteen years our subject went to Flushing and was employed in the engine house of the Flushing & New York Railroad.

Under the instruction of Mr. Frazier, an engineer, he was beginning to prepare himself for that oc- cupation, when the breaking out of the war in 1861 changed his career. He enlisted in Com- pany I, Twenty-second New York Infantry, un- der Capt. Asa B. Gardner and Col. James Monroe. In later years Captain Gardner became attorney- general of the United States army and a Demo- cratic politician of New York. Our subject was mustered out of service in New York in the spring of 1862, and about a year later he embarked in the produce business in West Washington market in New York, but his father's enfeebled health obliged him to dispose of the business and return home to superintend the farm. At the death of his father he inherited the estate, where for some twenty years he has given his attention to the growing of small fruits.

April 27, 1871, Mr. Cornell married Emily A., daughter of W. J. Bennett, of Bayridge. The only child of this union, Lewis H., born July 19, 1874, graduated from Eastman College at Pough- keepsie, also from Graham's School of Phonog- raphy, in New York City, and holds a number of diplomas, including an academic diploma from the University of the State of New York. He is now official stenographer for the receivers of the Union Pacific Railroad, a position which takes him all over the United States. In 1881 our sub- ject was elected to the board of highway commis- sioners and for fifteen successive years has filled this office. Other positions have been tendered him, but these he has declined. Socially he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and in religion is a member of the Episcopal Church.

L OUIS DIETZ, proprietor of Metropolitan Park, has fitted up his place with every de- vice for amusement, including shooting galleries, rifle ranges, swings and a commodious and elegant dancing pavilion which was erected at a cost of thousands of dollars. He also has a well-appointed dining-room, capacious enough for the accommodation of several hundred per- sons, and a large kitchen containing every mod- ern convenience for facilitating the work.

Born on the last day of the year 1848, the sub- ject of this record is one of seven children (all liv- ing) of Charles and Mary (Schnabel) Dietz, all na- tives of Bavaria, Germany. His father, who was born about 1825, at an early age learned the

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butcher's trade, which he followed constantly un- til his death in 1888. Our subject gained his edu- cation in the common schools of Germany, and at the age of fifteen years, determining to come to America, he took passage on a vessel at Bremen and landed in New York City, August 29, 1863. At once proceeding to Brooklyn, he secured work at the butcher's trade, which he had learned un- der his father's instruction. Three years were thus spent, and he then went to New York City, where he worked at the same business for some time.

In 1870 Mr. Dietz established himself in the butcher business in Johnson Avenue, Brooklyn, where he remained in charge of a large trade for twenty-four years. Then selling the business, he came to East Williamsburg (now Metropolitan) and purchased from Gustav Schomacher the place which he has since conducted. January 15, 1870, he married Miss Louisa Beekman, of New York City, and seven children were born of their un- ion, of whom three are living, namely: Mary, wife of George Berger, of Brooklyn; Charlotte, and Louis, Jr. Politically Mr. Dietz is a Repub- lican, and socially belongs to Herter Lodge No. 698, F. & A. M., and the Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the volunteer fire department and was captain of the E. D. Butcher Guard, Brooklyn, New York State Militia. He holds membership with several singing and benefit so- cieties and is also one of the charter members of the Newtown Liquor Dealers' Protective Asso- ciation.

R ICHARD M. BELL, a member of one of Long Island's old and influential families, was for many years actively engaged in farming. He is now living retired from work of any kind, with the exception of looking after his real estate interests, and is residing in a very pleas- ant and comfortable home at Bayside. Mr. Bell is a native of this place and was born February 20, 1842, to Robert M. and Catherine H. (Lawrence) Bell. He had six brothers and sisters, and was third eldest of the family. Lydia A. is now the wife of J. W. Ahles of this place.

In 1807 Robert M. Bell was born in Maryland, where he was reared to the age of eighteen years. At that time he came to Bayside and assumed the management of two different farms, which he worked for the owners, continuing thus engaged for about eight years, when he was married to

Miss Lawrence and purchased a farm of his own. This property included a quarter section of excel- lent farming land, to the cultivation of which he gave his entire time and attention, and it was not long before he was classed among the progres- sive and influential farmers of the neighborhood. He spent the remainder of his life here, and a portion of this estate is now owned and occupied by our subject. Mr. Bell was prominently iden- tified with all matters of moment in his commu- nity, and for two years was vice-president of the Queens County Fair Association.

Mrs. Catherine H. Bell was the daughter of Henry Lawrence, who was the original owner of the farm which the father of our subject pur- chased. One of his sons, Cornelius W. Lawrence, was for many years a prominent business man of New York City and was chosen the first mayor of the metropolis. Joseph Lawrence, who was likewise one of the influential residents of the city, was for a long time president of the Bank of the State of New York.

After completing his education in the public schools near his home, and Flushing Institute, the subject of this sketch undertook the manage- ment of the old homestead. All his ventures in farming were attended with such good success that he continued to give this vocation his undi- vided attention for about fifteen years. At the end of that time he rented the property and has ever since devoted himself entirely to looking after his valuable real estate interests in this sec- tion. He is the owner of several houses in Bay- side, besides much unimproved property, which is increasing in value every year.

The lady to whom Mr. Bell was married in 1874 was Miss Julia, daughter of John Black, a prominent farmer making his home in Mt. Holly, N. J. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children, three of whom survive: Lillie B. is an accomplished lady and a graduate of Schuler Seminary of Flushing; Henry L., a graduate of the Columbian Institute of New York City, is now employed by the dry goods firm of Lawrence, Taylor & Co., which business was es- tablished by his great-uncle, Joseph Lawrence; Emily Newbold is at present a student in Shep- hard's private school in Flushing, having pre- viously attended Schuler Seminary, of the same place.

Politically speaking. Mr. Bell is independent, supporting the man who in his judgment will best discharge the duties of the office. He still

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adheres to the faith of the Friends, which was the religion of his parents, while his wife and daughters belong to the Episcopal Church. He is prominently identified with all affairs of public moment, and for two years was trustee of the town. Since then, however, when other offices were tendered him, he refused. He is a man of unswerving honesty, whose word is considered as good as his bond, and the confidence of the en- tire community is his.

J OHN A. BURDETT. The older members of a community are doubly entitled to the respect and esteem of their neighbors when their whole lives have been replete with acts of kindness, and their career marked by integrity and uprightness. The venerable gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is one who enjoys the regard of a wide circle of acquaintances and whose closing years are being spent in the enjoyment of an ample competence gained through years of judicious effort. He owes his present circumstances solely to his own industry, and in his career he has shown himself to be pos- sessed of those faculties that are requisite to suc- cess-sagacity, far-reaching forethought and practical tenacity of purpose.

The property owned and occupied by Mr. Bur- dett is situated two miles northwest of Jamaica, in the town of Newtown. Though much of his life has been spent here, he is a native of New York City, born there in April, 1810. He is the only survivor of six children comprising the fam- ily of John and Abigail (Lester) Burdett, the for- mer of whom was born in Hackensack, N. J., about 1764, grew to manhood there and learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he afterwards fol- lowed in the city of New York until his death in 1832.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 42

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