Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 44

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 44

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The parental family included nine children, all of whom grew to mature years, and four are now living, making their homes in Port Washington. As a boy Edward Mott attended school during the winter months and in the summer worked out on farms, giving his wages to his father in order to help support the family. A short time before attaining his majority he began learning the blacksmith's trade, getting wages from the start. After being two years thus employed he abandoned the business and in company with his brother began oyster planting, which business he has followed ever since.

Mr. Weeks was married December 29, 1869, to Miss Adelia McKee, of Port Washington. She was born in Jamaica and was the daughter of Thomas and Amelia (Allen) McKee, who are spoken of at more length in the sketch of Thomas J. McKee, which also appears in this volume. The young couple began housekeeping on the property which they still occupy and which Mr. Weeks inherited. They have two children: Eu- gene M., born April 4, 1871, and Charles R., born June 13, 1876. The elder son will graduate from the State Normal school at Newpaltz, Ulster County, in June, 1896. Charles is a student at Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pa.

In his political relations our subject gives his support to Republican candidates, which party he has supported ever since casting his first vote

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for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. With his wife, he is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has served as trustee, steward, class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday- school. His reputation for honesty and integrity is of the best, his social qualities are well known and appreciated, and he has hosts of friends whose confidence and esteem are his highest eulogium.

W ILLIAM HEINZE. Real estate values are apt to change rapidly in any town or city, but particularly is this true 'n a place like College Point, which is a summer resort as well as a prosperous mercantile and industrial center. The services therefore of a thoroughly well informed and absolutely reliable real estate agent are of almost inestimable value to the intending investor or to one who wishes to dispose of his property. No other man in this vicinity is better informed regarding the value of real estate than Mr. Heinze, who makes this his business. He is thoroughly devoted to the inter- ests of those doing business with him, and, being a notary public, is very often enabled to expedite matters considerably. He embarked in business in College Point in 1889 and from the very first was popular with its residents.

July 16, 1834, Mr. Heinze was born in Ger- many, where he received a fine education, and when a young man held the office of what corre- sponds in America to district attorney. His father, Diederich Heinze, crossed the Atlantic in 1836, and engaged as a shoemaker in Eighteenth Street, New York City. William, being desirous of join- ing him in the New World, settled up his affairs in Germany and emigrated hither. The father was fairly successful in all his undertakings, and lived to the advanced age of seventy-six years. The lady whom he married was Katrina Himmel, also a native of Germany, who bore him eleven children. Of this large family, only two are now living: Wilhelmina, who makes her home in New Jersey, and our subject, who was the young- est member of the household.

On landing in New York City Mr. Heinze accepted the first position which was offered him and for a period of ten years clerked in a grocery, after which he learned the painter's trade, work- ing at the same for a quarter of a century. Al- though he has only been engaged in his present business since 1889 he has made his home in College Point for the past thirty-five years, and

is therefore well known to the people of this com- munity, by whom he is held in the highest regard. When he first located here the town bore little resemblance to its now flourishing condition and in bringing about this state of affairs Mr. Heinze has been no unimportant factor, for he has always had the welfare of his community at heart and in various ways has materially added to its up- building. He is not only prepared to buy, sell, exchange and rent property, but also makes out policies of insurance in many of the leading com- panies of the East.

When twenty-four years of age Mr. Heinze was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Manck, and to them were granted eight children, of whom one is deceased. Maggie is the wife of Henry Draeger, of New York, and their house- hold includes Minnie, Etta and George; Mary was the second daughter born; Emma is now Mrs. Ivan James Quaid, of College Point, and they have two sons, James and Charles; George, John, Willie and Fred are at home with their parents.

Politically our subject is a stanch Democrat. For the past thirty-one years he has been a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows' fraternity, and in this organization has held many of the offices. He likewise belongs to Volunteer Eagle Hook and Ladder Company. Mr. Heinze's office, which is located in Fourth Avenue near Thirteenth Street, is often the scene of important councils and in- terviews when matters regarding the welfare of the community are being presented, and in all such meetings he is a prominent factor, using his influence at all times for furthering those measures which will tend to enhance the value of the property of College Point, and by so doing benefit its inhabitants.

W ILLIAM HENRY HEWLETT, whose home is on the east side of Manhasset Bay, in the town of North Hempstead, was born in the house in which he still lives, and is the son of William and Martha (Thorn) Hew- lett, the former of whom was reared to farm life in this county. Shortly after starting out in life for himself he occupied the farm now in the possession of a Mr. Morrell, and still later located upon the tract of land which is now the home of his son, our subject. This property includes one hundred and seventy acres and is one of the most productive tracts in Queens County. Wil- liam Hewlett became well-to-do in this world's

G. HOWLAND LEAVITT.

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goods, and until the day of his death, which oc- curred soon after the close of the Civil War, he was one of the most prominent residents of his neighborhood.

The father of our subject was twice married, William Henry and his sister Martha being the children of the first union. The latter is now the wife of John S. Morrell. William carried on his studies in the district school near his home until a lad of about twelve years, when his parents sent him to Flushing, where he enjoyed one year of uninterrupted study. He then returned to the home farm and assisted in its management until he fell heir to the property, when he assumed entire control. A saw and grist mill are located on the place, which is supplied with water power and all those modern conveniences which make it a pleasant home.

The lady to whom Mr. Hewlett was married was Miss Lena Fitchett, a native of Poughkeep- sie, N. Y. She survived her marriage but a few short years and died without issue. Our subject was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church. He takes but little interest in political affairs, but during presidential elections generally supports the candidate of the Republican party. He is a man of unswerving honesty, whose word is con- sidered as good as his bond, and the confidence of the entire community is his.

G HOWLAND LEAVITT. To write a history of Flushing and omit the name of Mr. Leavitt would be to do injustice to a man of rare intelligence, extended informa- tion, broad and liberal culture, with clear and concise opinions on all important questions, and one whose ability and success have won for him a high rank among the people of the county. In him the community has a faithful and judicious friend, ever alert to promote her best interests, and generous in his contributions toward every inovement tending to the general advancement.

Born in the town of Flushing in 1845, the sub- ject of this article is a descendant of an old Con- necticut family that originated in England. His father, Rufus, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., and was a son of Samuel Leavitt, a native of the same county, where he engaged in mer- cantile pursuits until his death. The former, also a merchant by occupation, went to New York in early manhood and assisted in building up one of the largest wholesale dry-goods houses in the

United States, that of J. & R. Leavitt, his brother John being in partnership with him. He became well known in commercial circles, and after many years of successful business enterprises he re- tired, well-to-do. Meantime he had established a summer home in Flushing, and about 1855 be- came a resident of this place, where he died in 1867, at the age of seventy-three. In religious belief he followed the faith of his forefathers and identified himself with the Congregational Church, in which he was an active member, and to which he gave with the greatest liberality. Po- litically he adhered to the principles of the Re- publican party.

The marriage of Rufus Leavitt united him with Annabella Edgar Howland, daughter of Gardner Green Howland, both natives of New York City. Her father was a member of the old and well- known firm of Howland & Aspinwall, shipping merchants of New York, who were pioneers in the California and China tea trade. Mr. Aspinwall, who was a cousin of Mrs. Leavitt, was the son of an Englishman and for many years held rank among the foremost shipping merchants of the world. In his honor was named the village of Aspinwall, on the Isthmus of Panama. Mrs. Leavitt still makes her home in Flushing and is in full possession of her faculties, though now (1896) eighty years of age.

The third among six children, all of whom are living, the subject of this article was reared in Flushing and New York City and received his education at Williams College, from which he graduated in 1864 with the degree of A. B. His first enterprise was the mercantile business, but in 1873 he became connected with the Cotton Exchange, of which he remained a member about five years. Since retiring from the exchange he has devoted his attention to the supervision of his large real estate, farming and stock interests in the town of Flushing. His winter residence is at No. 143 Bowie Avenue, Flushing, while his sum- mer home is at Bayside, on Little Neck Bay, ad- joining the military post of the United States en- gineering corps at Willet's Point. Here he has a commodious dwelling, erected in the colonial style of architecture, and admirably adapted for a country home. On the farm are a number of Hambletonian high-bred horses, also others of the best breeds, the fancy stock business being a department of agriculture in which Mr. Leavitt is particularly interested.

At Bayside, in 1878. occurred the marriage of

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Mr. Leavitt and Miss Amelia Willetts, grand- daughter of Samuel Willetts, the well-known Quaker merchant of New York City and at one · time president of the American Exchange Bank. Her parents, Robert and Margarett Willetts, were people of wealth and culture, and owned the place. "Shore Acres," at Bayside, now owned by Mr. Leavitt. They were members of the Society of Friends, to which Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt and their daughters, Sarah W. and Margaret H., also belong.

At the present time Mr. Leavitt is president of the Flushing Gas Light Company and a director in the Flushing Bank, also a member of the board of managers of the Niantic Club. For two years he was president of the Queens County Agricul- tural Society, one of the oldest and most success- ful organizations of the kind in the state, and he is still an active member of it. He is a de- mitted Mason, having been a member of the lodge and chapter at Flushing. Politically he is a stanch Republican.

C HARLES J. HALL, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Glencove, was born at Mineola, this county, December 27, 1846. His father, who was likewise a distin- guished physician, was Henry D., and his mother, Mary J. (Henderson) Hall. Charles passed the first nine years of his life in his native village, after which he accompanied his parents on their removal to Jamaica, where he attended the pub- lic schools, from which he was graduated with honors when fifteen years of age.

The subject of this sketch, after completing his studies in the schools of Jamaica, went to Poland, Herkimer County, N. Y., and began reading medicine in the office of Dr. Millington. After studying under the instruction of the latter for two years he went further West, attending lec- tures at the University of Michigan, from which institution he was graduated March 30, 1870, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

When looking about him for a suitable loca- tion, Dr. Hall found a good opening for a wide- awake young physician in Norway, Herkimer County, and, opening an office there, engaged in practice for a period of thirteen years. One year after making that place his home, or May 24, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Elvena Randall. Mrs. Hall was born and reared in Norway and was the daughter of Elisha and

Maria (Reynolds) Randall, well-to-do residents of that locality.

The Doctor was ambitious to stand at the head of his profession in his community, and in order to gain more information he entered Bellevue Medical College in 1881, taking a post-graduate course. The following year we find him located at Glencove, which has been the scene of his oper- ations ever since.

While in the central portion of the state Dr. Hall served two years as president of the Herki- mer County Medical Society, and ever since com- ing to Glencove has been an active member of the Queens County Medical Society. Although engaged in general practice, the Doctor is a skilled surgeon and makes a specialty of this de- partment of work. He has successfully performed many difficult operations and his skill and advice are sought from far and wide, as his reputation has extended far beyond the borders of Queens County. One remarkable case which he handled was in 1892, when he operated on a boy by the name of Cecil Yokum, who had fallen on a fence picket and not only tore open his abdomen but bruised the intestines. After a few days' treat- ment the Doctor found that it would be neces- sary to remove two inches of the intestine, which he did successfully. This case was not only re- ported in American but in the leading European journals and gave the Doctor a wide reputation among the various medical fraternities of the country.

Dr. Hall has voted the Democratic ticket for the past twenty-five years. In 1886 he was elected coroner of Queens County, holding the office for a term of three years. The Episcopal Church of Glencove numbers him among its most active and influential members. In social affairs he is a Mason, holding membership with the lodge at Jamaica. While residing in Herkimer County he took both the chapter and commandery de- grees at Little Falls. Although a very busy man, he has made it a point to attend the various meet- ings of the orders to which he belongs, and in 1883 attended the Knight Templar conclave, which was held at Washington, D. C. He holds membership with the Royal Arcanum at Glen- cove, and at one time was connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

In 1862, while the Civil War was in progress, our subject was attending school in Jamaica. Being fired with the spirit of patriotism he, with several other boys, ran away from home, and.

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going to Brooklyn, enlisted, being mustered in as members of Company B, Thirteenth Brooklyn Regiment, and with the other members of the company were sent to Suffolk, Va. Charles J. enlisted for a period of three months, but on account of the hardships and privations which he had to endure he was glad enough to return home at the end of that time. He is a member of George L. Downing Post as Glencove.

C HARLES HENRY GEORGI, a resident of Corona, whose place of business is at No. 21 Cortlandt Street, New York City, was born in Schornscheim, Germany, in 1854. At the age of two years he was brought to Amer- ica by his parents, Karl and Catharine (Büttell) Georgi, who settled in New York City, and there his boyhood years were passed in attendance up- on the public schools. In the home the German language was used in conversation, so that he became familiar with it as well as with English.

Commencing to work for himself at the age of thirteen, Mr. Georgi took a position in an office, and when fourteen began to work for Kuhn, Loeb & Co., bankers of New York, with whom he re- mained for a year. So satisfactory were his ser- vices that the firm promised to send him to busi- ness college if he would remain another year, but he refused the offer and began to learn the trade of a barber. On completing his apprenticeship he was employed as a journeyman for six months and then was offered an opportunity to run the barber shop of the old Washington Hotel, where he at once received a man's wages, though only sixteen. One year was spent there, after which he worked for his brother as journeyman for a sim- ilar period. When nineteen he took a trip to Europe as a companion for two wealthy English- men, remaining about four months across the water. Afterward he made several similar trips to the Old World, and when not thus engaged has followed his trade. For a few months he carried on the barber business on an Albany steamboat, which proved a profitable venture.

After his fourth trip to Europe Mr. Georgi established himself in business in New York City, where he remained for seven years. He then went on his last trip to the continent, after which he opened a shop at his present location in Cort- landt Street. In addition to his tonsorial business he carries on a trade in bric-a-brac, in which he became interested through his visits to the lead-

ing art galleries of Europe. In New York City, December 21, 1880, he married Miss Caroline Hague, a native of that place. They came to Corona in 1886 and have since made their home in this village.

The first presidential ballot cast by Mr. Georgi was for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, and from that time to this he has been a stalwart advocate of the Republican party. He served as commit- teeman in the seventh election district and has represented the district in the county convention on several occasions. In 1892 he was the dele- gate-at-large to the congressional convention. A friend of the public schools, he is now serving as a member of the school board. In religious be- lief he is a Lutheran and holds the office of trus- tee in the church. Socially he is regent of the Royal Arcanum and was treasurer of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, also past protector of the lodge. For a time he held the position of treas- urer of the Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company.

R ICHARD P. JEFFREY. Among the sub- stantial and well-to-do residents of the town of Hempstead is our subject, who for the past twenty-five years has devoted his energies to the business of a nurseryman and florist, although previous to that time he had been interested in general agricultural pursuits.

Mr. Jeffrey was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1822, and is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Perrin) Jeffrey, also born in that county, but who emigrated to America about the year 1827. The father was a farmer by occupation and fol- lowed this business during the greater part of his life in America. He died about 1845, mourned by all who knew him. His estimable wife sur- vived him many years.

Being a man of limited means the father was unable to give his children a very thorough edu- cation, but early in life trained them to use their hands as well as their brains. Richard was thus brought up to look out for himself, which fact he has never regretted, although in his younger days it often appeared hard and unjust. The greater part of his life has been passed on Long Island, where his parents located when he was quite young. He chose farming as his vocation in life, and for three-score years has been a resi- dent of his beautiful estate in this town. General farming occupied his attention for many years, but for the last quarter of a century he has made

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a specialty of raising and shipping flowers. He also keeps on hand a large number of ornamental shrub and shade trees.

In 1847 Mr. Jeffrey was married to Miss Mahala Valentine, the daughter of William Val- entine, of Long Island. To them were born two children, one of whom is deceased. William F., who is one of the enterprising young business men of the county, is his father's partner. He was educated in the schools of this his native county, and in 1875, when ready to establish a home of his own, was married to Miss Ida M., daughter of Isaac Williams, an old time resident of this section of the island. They had born to them two children, named respectively Ida A. and Eveline M.

In 1870 Mrs. Mahala Jeffrey departed this life, and three years later our subject was married to Amelia (Reeves) Williams, who is also deceased. Socially William F. Jeffrey is an Odd Fellow of good standing and also belongs to the American Legion of Honor and the Wautaugh Mutual Ben- efit Association. He is popular in his community, and as his father has now reached an advanced age, he takes much of the responsibility of the business on himself and is managing affairs in a most competent and satisfactory manner.

G EORGE W. HAYDEN. Some men can turn their attention to many things and carry on several businesses at the same time with pronounced success, and this is a qual- ity which especially marks Mr. Hayden, who is postmaster and a general merchant in the village of Great Neck.

Samuel Hayden, the father of our subject, was born at Great Neck and lived to be seventy-eight years of age. By trade he was a blacksmith, and after following this industry for many years es- tablished a general store at Great Neck and was a pioneer in this branch of business. He was a man of influence in his community and the repu- tation which he enjoyed, both as regards educa- tion and finances, was that of one who had over- come the difficulties of life and was self-made. He married Miss Susan Leacock, and to them were born eleven children. Of those living we mention the following: Benjamin F. and Emma J. both reside at Great Neck; George W., of this history, was the third born; Isabel makes her home in New York; Samuel A. is employed in our subject's store; Annie A. is assistant in the

postoffice; and James L. is working at the car- penter's trade in Great Neck.

George W. Hayden was born February 16, 1860, at Great Neck. After gaining a good edu- cation in the common schools he began the battle of life on his own account with the result that he is now regarded as one of the substantial business men of the place, and he numbers among his customers some of the best people of the com- munity. The building which he occupies is fitted up in a modern way and is filled with an extensive assortment of general merchandise and all those articles usually carried by a first-class establish- ment of this nature.

In politics Mr. Hayden is an enthusiastic Dem- ocrat, and on this ticket was elected collector of taxes of the town of North Hempstead. He is exceedingly popular in his community and was appointed postmaster under Cleveland's second administration. Socially he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, and in religious affairs he is an Episcopalian.

E DWARD Z. ENGLAND, who is one of the highly esteemed residents of Queens County, owns and occupies a pleasant home on the White Pot Road. He was born in New York City February 3, 1851, and is the son of Edward and Emily J. (Mills) England. The parental family included four children, of whom the eldest, Angeline, is now the wife of Daniel C. Conklin, and besides our subject, is the only sur- vivor.

Edward England, Sr., was of English birth and parentage, his home having been in Devon- shire, where he was born in the year 1815. He acquired a good education in his English home and when a young man came to America. Con- cluding to remain for a time in the metropolis, he established a news route, supplying a large number of people with the morning and evening papers. As soon as his means would allow he set up a news-stand and conducted the same for many years, or until coming to what is now Middle Village, and purchasing the property upon which his son, our subject, now resides. He made set- tlement here some time in 1853, taking up his abode in a house, a part of which had been used as a hospital for the wounded soldiers during the Revolutionary War. He had been reared to farm life, his father having followed that industry a portion of his life, and he now gave his atten-

MICHAEL SEITZ.

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tion to cultivating the soil, but as this kind of life did not agree with him he rented his farm and re- turned to the city, resuming his former business. The next we hear of him he is again living on his estate in Queens County, making this place his home for the remainder of his life. Mrs. England makes her home in Belmont, N. J.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 44

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