Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 43

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 43

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In the subscription schools popular in the early days the subject of this notice gained a fair edu- cation, but his advantages were greatly inferior to those enjoyed by the boys and girls of the present generation. Having served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, he became his father's suc- cessor in the business, which he conducted suc- cessfully for about twenty-five years. Since re- moving to his present home he has at different times, with the shrewd judgment characteristic of him, purchased various pieces of property that have afterward increased in value, thus bringing him financial prosperity.

In 1837 Mr. Burdett married Miss Julia A. Ed- munds, an estimable young lady, and a member of one of the old New York families. Four daugh- ters and two sons were born of their marriage. of whom two daughters and one son are now liv- ing. They are as follows: Mary E., wife of Wil- lis Jackson, of Cypress Hill; Caroline M., who married O. C. Jackson, a well-known stock breed- er of the town of Flushing, and William Henry, who is unmarried and resides with his father. The faithful wife and mother, after a long wedded life devoted to the welfare of her family, passed from earth December 10, 1881, leaving behind her the memory of a loving, patient and affectionate help- mate and friend.

In his political views Mr. Burdett is liberal, with a leaning toward the Democratic party. While in Williamsburg he served for one term as trustee of the town. He is a man of sincere Christian faith, adhering to the doctrines of the Methodist Church. Although he is a quiet, unassuming man, the people among whom he has dwelt at peace and amity these many years hold him in high regard and have a high opinion of his per- sonal character, knowing him to be a man of prin- ciple and integrity.

J AMES W. CAIN, an extensive farmer of Bayside, town of Flushing, was born April 16, 1848, in the city of Brooklyn in what is now Fifth Avenue. The house in which he was born, a portion of which still stands, is one of the oldest on Long Island and was used by General Washington as headquarters during the Revolu- tionary War; iron figures, bearing the date 1735, adorned the wall on one end of the build- ing. This place was the home of our subject's parents, James and Elizabeth (Pangbourn) Cain, of whose seven children the following still sur- vive: Samuel, who is married and has four chil- dren, his home being in Brooklyn, where he is engaged in the trucking business; William T., of Flushing, married, and the father of three chil- dren; Agnes A., wife of Charles Daniel Law- rence, son of the late Cromeline Lawrence, who was a prominent public man and held many of- fices of trust; James W., and Hance, who is mar- ried and is employed as foreman by ex-Senator Childs.

At the age of four years our subject was brought to Bayside by his parents and here he grew to manhood. His education, begun in the common

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schools, was completed by a four years' course in Fairchild Institute at Flushing. While many promising business positions were open to him at the conclusion of his studies, he yielded to the wishes of his father and became his assistant on the farm. On the death of the latter he took charge of the estate, later purchasing the interest of the other heirs. The place consists of one hun- dred and seventeen acres and is one of the finest in this locality.

While Mr. Cain has been often tendered im- portant offices on the Democratic ticket, he has declined these, although he is one of the party's stanchest supporters. Prior to 1882 he was for twelve years a member of the school board, of which he was clerk for eleven years. In 1894, when the agitation arose in regard to a new school house, he was made a member of the board and one of the trustees; after accepting the plans, the new building, costing $13,500, was erected, and is regarded as one of the best buildings for school purposes in the county. He is a member and chairman of the executive committee of the Far- mers' Association, and has held the office of in- spector of elections ever since this election dis- trict was established. He has been content, thus far in life, to remain a bachelor. Among the peo- ple of the town he has many warm friends, who regard him as a capable farmer and progressive citizen.

I SRAEL W. VAN SISE. The occupation to which this gentleman has devoted his atten- tion throughout life has been known and fol- lowed since the world began. In addition to farm- ing, he has also been engaged in butchering, and in this business has become expert. He was born in the house in which he is now living, September 2, 1829, a son of Jeremiah and Maria (White) Van Sise, the former of whom was also born in the same dwelling. His father, Charles Van Sise, came to this country from Holland with a cousin, Cornelius Van Sise, and settled on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, which has been in the family for over one hundred and eighty years. Cornelius located in the same vicin- ity, on the place now owned by his grandson, George W. Van Sise. Charles Van Sise became an extensive land holder and very prominent citi- zen. His family consisted of the following chil- dren: Maria, wife of Cornelius Powell; Sarah A., wife of Thomas Velsor; Gretchen, wife of

Daniel Velsor; Cornelius, who married Rebecca Platt; James, who married Miss Othney Ketch- am; Jeremiah; and Charles, who married Doro- thea Mitchell.

Jeremiah Van Sise was reared on the old home- stead, and when the estate was settled it came into his possession and that of his brother Charles, whose share he later purchased, making it his home the rest of his life. He gave his attention to farming and marketing and was very success- ful in his business ventures. Besides the old homestead he owned several farms, and was quite extensively engaged in stock buying on different parts of the island, disposing of his purchases in the New York markets. In public affairs he took great interest, was a leader in the affairs of his section and held a number of local offices for many years, such as road commissioner, and dis- played excellent executive ability in the discharge of his duties. He was always a stanch Democrat politically, was highly respected, and his word was universally considered as good as his bond. He died on the old homestead after a well spent life, his wife preceding him to the better land. She was a worthy member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Of their children we mention the following: Iantha became the wife of D. P. Brown; Charles A., who lives at Huntington. was first married to Amelia Whitney and next to Elizabeth Van Cott; Sarah A. was first married to Jacob Bumstead and then to John Powell; Emeline became the wife of Jesse Whitney; Edna became the wife of A. Rogers; Israel W. is our subject ; Susan was married to Samuel Titus; and Margaret is the wife of Henry Oakley.

In the common schools in the vicinity of his present home, Israel W. Van Sise received a prac- tical education. He remained with and assisted his father on the farm until after his marriage, when he located on one of his father's other farms in the same neighborhood, where he remained about eleven years. He was first married April 25, 1849, to Hannah M. Blachley, a daughter of Henry Blachley. She was born in Suffolk Coun- ty but was of English descent, her father having been a native of the mother country. After the death of his father Mr. Van Sise settled on the old homestead of one hundred and thirteen acres, besides which he owned another farm of over one hundred acres in the same vicinity, and some valuable town property in Oyster Bay. About thirty years ago Mr. Van Sise took up the butch- er's business and this he still follows, in connec-

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tion with farming. Like his worthy father before him, he has taken an active interest in public affairs, and in 1880 was elected one of the three trustees of Oyster Bay. They had charge of the Jones trust fund, amounting to $30,000, left by Samuel Jones for the poor of Oyster Bay and North Hempstead.

For over thirty years Mr. Van Sise has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Woodbury, of which he has been trustee for twenty years and Sunday-school superintendent for ten years. He was a school trustee of his dis- trict for twenty years, or until he resigned, and like his worthy father he is a stanch Democrat and has taken an active part in the political affairs of his locality. He is a member of the Central Committee and has represented his party in vari- ous conventions. Mrs. Van Sise passed away August 25, 1887, and the high regard in which she was held is shown by the following eulogy by Revs. T. M. Terry and Benjamin Gilman: "I have known the family for twenty years, and the many acts of kindness I have received at her hands makes me feel that I ought to be sitting among you instead of standing before you, and when Mr. Gilman referred to her as a model mother he could have said no truer words. The affection between herself and children was deep and abiding, and although she was a sufferer for eight years she was ever hopeful and cheerful, and in her death a worthy church member and a lovely spirit passed away."

Mr. Van Sise was married February 19, 1890, to Elizabeth A. Smith, daughter of Daniel Smith, of Suffolk County. His first marriage resulted in the birth of five children: Jeremiah, in the butch- er business at Oyster Bay; Clarence S., a farmer and wheelwright of Woodbury; Caroline M., wife of Dr. I. C. Barnhart, of Bedford Avenue, Brook- lyn; Edward H., who is associated in business with his brother Jeremiah, at Oyster Bay; and Hannah M., wife of Daniel S. Whitney.

J JOSEPH S. FLETCHER is a man of much influence in his community, for he is highly respected and is justly regarded as a man of sound judgment in public affairs, as well as in matters relating to the farm. Although retired from the arduous duties of farm life, he still retains possession of his nice property, which is located in the town of Newtown.

One of the old and highly esteemed citizens of

Queens County, Mr. Fletcher was born in Belvi- dere, Vt., March 27, 1815. He was the elder of two children born to Stephen and Hannah Fletcher, and is the only survivor. The father was of English ancestry, being descended from one of three brothers, who left England in the year 1642. On landing on the shores of the New World two of them settled in Vermont, while the third made his home in the Bay State. Stephen Fletcher was reared to farm life, which vocation he followed with signal success until his decease, which occurred when he was only thirty-two years of age. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, while his father was a patriot in the Revo- lutionary War, and in one of the many battles in which he participated was quite seriously wounded.

The subject of this sketch was a lad of eight years when deprived of the care and protection of his father, and being kindly taken into the home of one of the neighboring farmers, he remained with his friends until reaching the age of fifteen. In the meantime he was permitted to attend the schools of the district, and being ambitious to be- come well informed, made the most of his oppor- tunities. At the age above mentioned he left the home of those who had cared for him so many years, and, going to St. Albans, Vt., apprenticed himself to a hatter. After working six years at this trade he completed his apprenticeship, and, coming to New York, secured work as a journey- man hatter. One year later he opened an estab- lishment of his own, and for a period of eighteen years conducted a flourishing business. This brings us to the year 1854, when he determined to take life easy, and, purchasing a farm in the town of Newtown, removed hither and from that time until about twelve years ago was actively engaged in cultivating the soil, which he found to be a very pleasant as well as remunerative vo- cation.

In 1842 our subject and Miss Ellen Slowey, a most estimable lady of New York City, were united in marriage. To them were born four sons and four daughters, of whom only one son and two daughters are now living. Josephine is the wife of James Hall, of Brooklyn, and they have one child; Ellen H. married Wellington Roe, of Flushing, who is now deceased; he was a member of one of the oldest families here and was enabled to trace his ancestry back to the year 1660. Mrs. Roe has one daughter, Ella W. One daughter, Emma J. Roe, died in 1893. George E. Fletch-

J. TYLER WATTS.

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er is a widower and has two children, Joseph S. and Ella. He is a resident of Flushing and is engaged in the real estate and auction business. The wife and mother departed this life in 1891, mourned by all who knew her. In religious mat- ters Mr. Fletcher is an ardent member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he votes the Republican ticket.

J TYLER WATTS. Men are to be judged by achievements, and it is usually safe to

· accept results as proof of the possession of the powers and capabilities that lead up to them. Of success in the business world, earned by the exercise of sound judgment, tact and ener- gy, an example is found in the career of Mr. Watts of Jamaica. Not alone in business, but in public affairs as well, he has wielded a large in- fluence and been an important factor in promot- ing the welfare of the people and the prosperity of the village.

Born near Far Rockaway, L. I., March 23, 1843, the subject of this notice is a son of William Watts, whose birth took place on the old family homestead at Valley Stream, then known as Watts' Mill. By trade he was a blacksmith, which occupation he followed until his death, March 5, 1884. He married Susan Tyler, a na- tive of Queens County, and daughter of Joseph Tyler, who was born in England, but emigrated to the United States and settled at Far Rocka- way, on what is now known as the Tyler proper- ty; she is now (1896) eighty-one years of age, and resides on the old home place at Woodsburgh, near Far Rockaway. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Joseph Watts, was born on Long Island and was the owner of Watts' Mill.

The only child of his parents, our subject was in boyhood given the best educational advant- ages the county afforded. For a time he attend- ed the common schools, after which he carried on his studies in Union Hall Academy at Jamaica. His first employment was that of clerk in the general store of Herriman & Van Zandt in this village, In 1862 he entered the United States navy and served on board the steamer "Sonoma," under Admiral Wilks, spending one year in the West India waters. In 1865-66 he worked in the Pennsylvania oil fields, where he was promoted to the position of assistant superintendent, but like thousands of others, the fortune he sought failed to materialize, and he returned to Jamaica.

For about seven years Mr. Watts was employed in the mercantile establishment of J. T. Lewis, and meantime learned the tinner's trade. The lat- ter, however, was not to his liking, and he turned his attention to civil engineering, which occupa- tion he followed with E. W. Conklin for seven years. During that time he assisted in surveying the entire town of Jamaica. In 1880 he embarked in the insurance business, which he has built up until it is now the largest in that line in the coun- ty. Other enterprises have also engaged his at- tention. For fourteen years he was superintend- ent of the Jamaica Gas Works, retiring from that position in 1894. At present he is one of the trus- tees of the Jamaica Savings Bank. For eighteen years he served on the board of trustees of Ja- maica, during eight years of which he was presi- dent, but resigned in the spring of 1895, refusing to accept the position again. While he is an ardent Republican, he received a large number of votes from among the Democrats, and is popular with all citizens, irrespective of political belief.

October 4, 1866, Mr. Watts married Miss Nan- cy Dawson, a native of Pennsylvania, and they occupy a comfortable and attractive residence in Union Avenue. The elder of their sons, James Fletcher, is married, resides in Shelton Avenue, and is engaged in business with his father. The younger, George Tyler, is also associated with Mr. Watts in business. Socially our subject is. identified with the Masons, and in religious con- nections he is a regular attendant at the Metho- dist Church.

The high commercial character, the discrim- inating judgment, the eye that sees and the execu- tive ability that is enabled to improve oppor- tunities are attributes possessed by Mr. Watts in a marked degree. His personal character is as high as his business reputation, his honorable de- portment in all the relations of life commanding the confidence and respect of all who know him, and his generous nature shows itself in frequent gifts to worthy charities.

C HARLES H. AERY is widely and favor- ably known in this county, and the fact that he is well spoken of by high and low, rich and poor, is sufficient indication of his char- acter. One of the influential farmers of this sec- tion, he occupies a pleasant home on the Jamaica and Flushing Road. Like many of the best resi- dents of this portion of the island. he was born

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in Germany, the date thereof being January 12, 1832. He is the son of Charles H. and Dorothy (Hartdagen) Aery, also born in the Fatherland. To them were granted four children, of whom our subject and Lizzie, the latter now the wife of Charles Ohl, of New York City, are the only survivors.

Charles H. Aery, Sr., spent his entire life in Germany, where he was engaged as an agricul- turist up to the day of his demise, which occurred when his son, our subject, was only four years of age. The latter remained at home with his mother until attaining the age of thirteen, when he em- barked on a vessel bound for the United States. Being without means, he did not delay in looking for employment, and soon obtained a position in a bakery, he having learned the business under his step-father in Germany.

In 1848 our subject became a pastry cook on board the "Falcon," a steamer plying between New York City and the Isthmus of Panama, which made stops at Charleston, Savannah, Ha- vana and New Orleans. This gave him employ- ment for some two years, and after remaining in the metropolis for a time he went to Williams- burg, where he was successful in business for a year and a half. He then returned to New York, and in 1853 became the proprietor of the bakery in which he first obtained employment when com- ing to America. For eleven years he conducted this establishment in a very profitable manner, and during that time laid by a handsome compe- tence.

In the year 1864 Mr. Aery came to his present home, which he had purchased two years pre- viously, and prepared to give his attention to farming. In this neighborhood he is widely known for his industrious habits, his courteous treatment of all with whom he has dealings, and his sterling integrity. The property is the result of his own earnings and of this fact he has every reason to be proud.

The lady to whom Mr. Aery was married in 1853 was Miss Mary Duffy, of New York City. Four children were born to them, of whom Ann Mary is the wife of Anton Fisher, of Flushing; Charles H. is married and is at present living in Boston, Mass., where he is conducting a bakery; Eveline is now Mrs. Thomas Sullivan, of College Point; and Henrietta died in April, 1896.

Mr. Aery has never been interested in politics in the sense of office-seeking, but never fails to cast a ballot during elections in favor of Demo-

cratic candidates. He has always taken an active part in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community and has been instrumental in pro- viding it with better schools during the thirty years of his service on the board of education, in which he has officiated for ten years as president and trustee.

I SAAC VAN RIPER. It is said that "a man's house is his castle," therefore it behooves one to see that his "castle" is well constructed, and if pleasing in appearance so much the better. The first, however, is almost a necessity, for the health of those residing within it depends upon its ability to withstand the constant wear of wind and weather. These desirable results are brought about in a great measure by the builder and con- tractor, and one who has been especially success- ful in this line of work is Isaac Van Riper, who is a representative of a fine old American family. He was born on Long Island in 1832 to Isaac and Huldah (Stout) Van Riper, natives of New Jersey, but who became residents of Long Island in their youth. The father was engaged in gen- eral woodwork, carpentering, wheelwrighting and cabinet-making, and was a quiet, unassuming and useful citizen. After a well spent life, he died in 1840. His widow survived him until 1884, when she, too, passed away.

The subject of this sketch had but limited edu- cational advantages in his youth, owing to the fact that his father died early and his mother was left with seven small children to care for. For about three months out of the year he attended the old time subscription schools in vogue at that time. At the age of seventeen years he started out to learn the mason's trade, after com- pleting which he began business as a contrac- tor and builder in New York City, where he suc- cessfully pursued his calling for fifteen years. At the end of that time he came to Long Island City and established a like business, which was con- tinued with marked success for thirty-one years, when his sons took the active management of the same off his hands and he practically retired, not so much from the fact that he had reached the age of three score and three years, but from an injury which he received in 1892 by an explosion, which occurred near his place of business, al- though his general health, at present, is excellent.

In 1853 Miss Deborah Talmage, daughter of John Talmage, of New Jersey, became his wife.

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Of their ten children, those living are: Frank, who is a business man of Long Island City; George, who resides at Freeport, but is also in business in Long Island City; Alice, wife of Dr. W. W. Miners, of Brooklyn; Laura, wife of John Higgs, of Long Island City; Edward H., of Jamaica; Albert M., of Freeport; and Irene L., who is still at home. Mr. Van Riper is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has been an active worker in the same for thirty years. All of his children are members of this church also. Fraternally he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, and politically he is a stanch Republican. Although he has never aspired to political distinction, he has creditably discharged the duties of trustee of Freeport for two years. Mr. Van Riper is a highly respected citizen, is a man of practical and intelligent views, and is in good financial circumstances.

R OBERT C. HASLAM, coroner of Queens County, occupies a very pleasant residence at Woodside. He is a native of the island, having been born at Greenpoint August 14, 1858. His parents were Peter and Julia F. Haslam, to whom there were granted nine children, of whom only two survive: Etta Frances and Robert C.

Our subject acquired a common-school edu- cation in the village of Newtown, and when sev- enteen years of age secured a position with the American Sardine Company, of New York City, with whom he remained for some two years. He was then hired as brakeman on the Long Island Railroad, and two years later was made messenger in the state senate, where he re- mained for two years. At the end of that time he was employed in the United States Public Stores in New York City, and the next we hear of him was four years later, when he obtained a position with the Brooklyn Wire Nail Company. After remaining in their employ for some two years he became bridgeman with the Metropoli- tan Ferry Company, ten months later was pro- moted to be gateman, and afterward ticket sales- man, serving this corporation in these various positions for some seven years.

About this time Mr. Haslam became the Re- publican candidate for the office of coroner of Queens County and his popularity is shown in the fact that, although the county is strongly Democratic, he was elected by a majority of twenty-seven hundred and fifty-six votes over

his opponent. The marriage of Mr. Haslam and Miss Charlotte A. Wagner, of Corona, occurred in 1884, and to them have been born three chil- dren: Lillian F., Robert W. and Gracie J. Fra- ternally our subject is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and he is also connected with the Woodside Fire Department. Religiously he is an Episcopalian.

E DWARD MOTT WEEKS, one of the prominent oyster planters of Port Wash- ington, was born in this place August 8, 1843, and is the son of Stephen S. and Abbie (Wilkie) Weeks. The former, who was also a native of Long Island, followed the occupation of a shoemaker during the early years of his life in Roslyn. Later, however, he removed to Port Washington, where he was similarly engaged for many years. He departed this life when seventy- eight years of age. His wife survived him for sev- eral years, being in her eighty-sixth year at the time of her decease.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 43

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