Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 45

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 45

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The subject of this sketch grew to manhood under the parental roof, and after he was of sufficient age attended the common schools for many years. During vacations he assisted his father in the management of the farm, and after his marriage, settled permanently upon the old place, which he now manages. The lady who became his life partner in 1872 was Miss Sarah Frances Miner, also born in New York City. To them were born two children, of whom Edward Franklin, a young man of nineteen years, is the only survivor. He is his father's able assistant in running the farm and is very highly regarded by all those who know him.

Politically Mr. England uses his influence and casts his vote in favor of Republican candidates. He has ever been interested in school affairs and for five years served the people of his district acceptably as trustee of the board. Socially he is a member of the Templars Liberty of America Lodge, also of the Providence Association.

M ICHAEL SEITZ, who is engaged in the brewery business in Brooklyn under the firm name of N. Seitz's Son, was born in New York City, October 16, 1844, and was one of seven children, three of whom now survive. His parents were Nicholas and Catherine (Stahl) Seitz, the former of whom, a native of Bavaria, Germany, born in 1810, emigrated to America in the year 1843. having previously learned the trade of a brewer. On arriving in New York he secured employment with the brewery firm of F. M. Schaeffer, with whom he remained for two years and nine months. He then embarked in business for himself, choosing the business title of Nicholas Seitz's brewery. As such he carried on the trade until 1871, and then retired from the business, from that time living quietly until his death in 1886.

The subject of this article was educated in a parish school in Brooklyn. At sixteen years of age he became connected with his father's brewery and soon gained a thorough knowledge of the business, to the ownership of which he and his

brother Joseph succeeded at the death of their father, the firm title being changed to N. Seitz's Sons. In 1873 a brother-in-law, F. X. Bill, who also had an interest in the concern, entered busi- ness for himself, retiring from the firm, and in 1878 the brother withdrew, leaving Michael the sole owner.

February 1, 1896, Mr. Seitz purchased the Jack- son property and here he intends to build, intro- ducing all modern improvements, so that the place will undoubtedly be one of the popular re- sorts of the north shore. In 1893 he purchased in Grand Street a place known as Washington Grove, also a plot now leased to the Maspeth Ball Club, situated in Grand Street, near Flush- ing Avenue. Through judicious investments he has become a large property owner and is num- bered among the wealthy real-estate men of Long Island. His business is increasing, and under his management the capacity has been increased to about one hundred thousand barrels per annum. Politically he votes for the candidates whom he deems best qualified to fill the positions in ques- tion, never having allied himself with any party. In religious belief he is a Catholic.

The marriage of Mr. Seitz, which took place in Brooklyn in 1878, united him with Miss Eliza- beth Huwer. Their eight children are named as follows: Mary, a graduate of St. Ann's Academy, of Wilkesbarre, Pa .; Michael, who is attending a college in Buffalo, N. Y .: Anna, a student in the academy at Wilkesbarre; Teresa, who is at- tending a parish school in Brooklyn; John and Catherine, also students in the parish school; Elizabeth and Joseph, who are with their par- ents. The family residence is at No. 280 Mau- jer Street, Brooklyn.

G EORGE H. BOWLEY. The products which sustain daily existence are con- stantly in demand by the ever-increasing population, and public providers are a necessity of the times. Meat is one of the most important articles of diet, and one of the most substantial men engaged in the meat business in Astoria is George H. Bowley. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1860, a son of Jacob Bowley, of Wurtem- berg, Germany, a more extended account of whom is given in the sketch of Frederick Bowley.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest of four children born to his parents, and from the

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time he was one year old his home was in the city of New York, at Harlem. There he re- ceived a good grammar school education in One Hundred and Fifteenth Street and Third Avenue, and when he had reached the age of fourteen years he was a butcher's apprentice in New York City for two and a half years. At the end of that time, however, he took up painting, which he continued for five years, then returned to his for- mer occupation in New York City and spent one and one-half years at Brande's Hotel at Forty- second Street and Fourth Avenue, as meat dresser. He then engaged in the butcher busi- ness with his brother Frederick, with whom he came to Astoria, and until 1892 was foreman of their establishment. In May of that year he opened business at No. 128 Flushing Avenue, con- tinuing there four years, and is now proprietor of the large packing house in Jamaica Avenue and Winans Street.

Mr. Bowley was married in Harlem, N. Y., to Miss Elizabeth Doyle, a native of that city and a daughter of James Doyle, a carpenter and builder by trade, who died in that city. His wife was Miss Rose Quinn, formerly, and she now lives in Long Island City, Mrs. Bowley being her only child. The latter has borne her husband one son, Edward. Mr. Bowley is a wideawake, enter- prising man of affairs, and is a Republican po- litically.

C HARLES DOWNING. As a man of sound understanding, of sagacious and prompt business methods, and known to be thoroughly honorable and reliable, Mr. Downing has been influential in the commercial and public life of East Norwich and the village of Jamaica. In his career may be found an illustra- tion of the worth of good principles and habits of industry and prudence. He did not inherit the wealth that falls to some men, but has fought his own way through life, provided only with the ad- vantages that a beneficent nature has granted him. While he has not become the possessor of a large fortune, he has secured a competency sufficient to provide his declining years with comfort.

The Downing family has resided in Queens County for several successive generations. Our subject's father, George S., was a son of Richard and Catharine Downing, and was born in the vil- lage of East Norwich, March 30, 1815. Upon at- taining manhood he entered upon his chosen call-

ing of an agriculturist, to which he devoted his attention through the succeeding years of his ac- tive life. A man of stirring activities and deep interest in public measures, he found a political home within the Democratic party, to which he has always adhered. At different times he has been chosen to serve in important public capaci- ties. From 1844 until 1848 he was collector of taxes. In 1850 he was appointed under sheriff of Queens County, from which he was promoted to the office of sheriff, serving in that capacity from January 1, 1853, to January 1, 1856. He was again appointed under sheriff and continued in that position until January 1, 1859. In 1860 he was chosen supervisor of the town of Oyster Bay and held the office for seven years. After a short interval he was again elected supervisor in 1875, serving until 1881. While his vote was always given to Democratic principles, he was popular with both parties, and often received the nomina- tion from both organizations, a fact which evinces his popularity among the people.

In addition to his interest in public matters of a political nature, George S. Downing was in touch with every enterprise that promised to develop the commercial interests of his section. Organi- zations for the purpose of advancing the welfare of the county received his hearty endorsement. To this day he retains his warm interest in pro- gressive affairs, though his advanced years com- pel him to relinquish to other hands the carrying forward of public plans. He was for years a di- rector in the Queens County Agricultural Society, of which organization he had the honor to be president for two terms. He is a director of the Roslyn Savings Bank and the Glen Cove Mutual Insurance Company, of which he was treasurer several years, or until he resigned.

By his marriage to Eliza Lewis, a native of Westbury, Queens County, George S. Downing had four children, namely: Charles, Ann E., Mary J. and Daniel L. The wife and mother died when our subject was six years old and the father sub- sequently married again, having by that union two children, Richard and Maria Louise. Of this family two sons and two daughters are still living, Charles, Richard, Mrs. Mary J. White and Mrs. Maria Louise Vernon. Daniel L. enlisted in Au- gust, 1862, in the Second New York (Harris Light) Cavalry and was killed in a cavalry charge at Aldie, Va., June 17, 1863.

The subject of this sketch was born at East Norwich, Queens County, December 20, 1838.

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He spent his early life on the home farm, but not caring to make agriculture his vocation, he secured a position as clerk in a country store, where he remained from the age of sixteen until he was twenty. Before he attained his majority he became a partner in the firm of Vernon & Co., at East Norwich, where he remained for four years. In 1864, with William McKay, he bought the interest of Mr. Vernon and H. H. Frost, and from that time until 1885 conducted a general country store business under the firm name of Downing & McKay.

December 1, 1863, Mr. Downing was united in marriage with Sarah Jane Hicks, who was born in Brookville, Queens County, May 9, 1844. Four children bless the union, namely: Mary Louise and Esther Hicks, who were educated at the Friends Academy, Locust Valley, Queens Coun- ty; George S., who is a student at Adelphi Acad- emy, Brooklyn, and Grace J., at present attend- ing the public schools of Jamaica. The oldest daughter is the wife of Halstead H. Frost, Jr., by whom she has two children. Esther H. is the wife of Joseph P. Stearns.

Raised in the faith of the Democratic party, Mr. Downing has seen no reason for changing the views implanted in his mind in childhood. He is interested in political matters and takes an active part in local elections. Under John H. Sutphin, county clerk of Queens County, he was appointed deputy county clerk, January 1, 1879, and has held this position satisfactorily ever since. From 1893 to 1895 he was a trustee of the village of Jamaica. At present he is a trustee of the Ja- maica Savings Bank and a director of the Bank of Jamaica. Socially he is identified with the Ja- maica Club, a prominent social organization. In the First Reformed Church of Jamaica, to which he and his wife belong, he is serving as an elder.

R OBERT F. MACFARLANE, M. D., is one of the leading citizens of Long Island City, and in the line of his profession has long been in the front ranks. He is especially skillful as a surgeon, though he has a large general prac- tice, and during the conventions of the various medical societies to which he belongs he has de- livered many addresses. Dr. Macfarlane comes of a very distinguished family in Queens County, and his father was at one time the editor of the "Scientific American." By his ability as a writer and by his energy and perseverance as a business

man he placed that journal in the front rank and achieved for it great success. He was obliged to resign this position several years later on ac- count of having severely strained his eyes writing in that gloomy room in the old Sun building in New York. This affliction later resulted in the loss of one of his eyes, and as it was impossi- ble for him to write longer, he established a dye house and for many years was at the head of a very successful business. Besides being a brill- iant writer, the father of our subject was a distin- guished orator and was well known as one of the most cultured and highly educated men of his day.

The subject of this sketch is a native of this state, and was born in May, 1842, in Orleans County. Grandfather Robert Macfarlane, who was a manufacturer in Scotland, during his early married life was very desirous of making his home in America, and accordingly came hither, taking up his abode in Orleans County, N. Y., where he afterward gave his attention to farming. He died in that locality firm in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, in which he had been reared from his earliest infancy. The father, Robert Macfarlane, was a native of Scotland, his early home having been at Rutherglen, on the Clyde. After carrying on the home farm for some time, he went to Albany and engaged in the dyeing business for himself. While a member of the Young Men's Association in Albany he was awarded the first prize as an essayist. After adopting the profession of a journalist he first became editor of a small paper which was published in Albany called the "Mechanics Mirror." His articles attracted so much attention and comment that he was called to the editorship of the "Scientific American," issued in New York City. At once he moved his family to the metropolis, and through his earnest efforts, made that journal what it is to-day. He was a distin- guished lecturer on scientific subjects and a fine speaker. He was an honorary member of some of the foremost scientific societies in the United States and Scotland and was a thoroughly good and honest man. He contributed inany articles of interest to Scotch and American journals and was an active member of the Albany Institute of Science. In political affairs he always voted for Republican candidates and in religious matters was an influential member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was elder for many years. In 1883, when sixty-eight years of age, he depart-

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ed this life. He was the first patent attorney of the country, and through his aid many deserv- ing men were enabled to get their inventions pat- ented. Through his influence Gail Borden, the patentee of Borden's Condensed Milk, which is used all over the United States, succeeded in get- ting a patent after he had spent a small fortune.

The mother of our subject was Annie Garth, a native of Glasgow, Scotland. She was the daugh- ter of William Garth, whose birth occurred in England, where the family originated. Her grandfather was a very prominent manufacturer of Scotland, having been for many years en- gaged in making the famous Paisley shawls, and was located in the city bearing that name. Mrs. Macfarlane died in 1894.

The parental family included five children who grew to mature years, of whom Robert F. was the eldest. He carried on his studies in the schools of New York and later in Brooklyn, and was graduated from the Williamsburg school of the latter city in 1854, when only twelve years of age. He then engaged in the dry goods busi- ness in the metropolis, where he was located on the outbreak of the late war. He volunteered and became a member of the Seventy-ninth New York Highlands, and later aided in the organization of Company K, Twelfth New York State Militia. He was mustered into service as second lieuten- ant. Going South with his regiment to the Val- ley of the Shenandoah, he remained in active ser- vice there until the expiration of his term of en- listment, when he was honorably discharged.

On his return home from the field of battle Dr. Macfarlane engaged in the wholesale tobacco bus- iness in Water Street, in New York City, and for several years thereafter conducted a very paying business. His father's health beginning to fail about this time, he closed out his establishment there, and, going to Albany, took charge of his dye house, which was known as the Macfarlane Dye Establishment. He continued as general manager until after his father's decease, when he settled up his affairs and then gave his attention to fitting himself to attend the Albany Medical College. He had studied a short time prior to the outbreak of the war and also attended lec- tures in tlie old New York Hospital, but was pre- vented from carrying out his plans until 1884, when it was his determination to take a thorough course. He was graduated from the above in- stitution in 1888, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and was valedictorian of the occasion.

Being ambitious to stand at the head of his profession in America, and knowing what the schools of the old country had to offer, our subject sailed for Europe that year and studied in Glas- gow, Edinboro, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, also vis- iting the hospitals of Paris. During the two years which he spent abroad he gave special at- tention to surgery, receiving instruction from some of the most noted physicians of the Old World. While in England he was made a fellow of the British Medical Association and also joined the Society of Physicians in Vienna. Being thoroughly conversant with the German and French tongues, he had the advantage of many who had to master those languages before rapid progress could be made in their studies. In the year 1890 he returned to America and located for one year in Albany. At the expiration of that time, however, we find him living in Long Island City, where he succeeded to the practice of Dr. Lyttle. His office is located at No. 429 Jackson Avenue.

Dr. Macfarlane and Miss Eleanor Moore, a na- tive of England, were united in marriage in 1877. Mrs. Macfarlane is highly cultured and a mem- ber of the Froebel Society. To the Doctor and his wife has been born a daughter, bearing the name of Florence. The Doctor belongs to the Long Island City Medical Society, is vice-presi- dent of the Queens County Medical Society, and while a resident of Albany was very active in the societies there. He is a forcible writer and has contributed many articles of importance and in- terest to the various medical and scientific jour- nals of the country. He is a Master Mason, holding membership with Island City Lodge No. 586. In politics he votes for Democratic candi- dates and in religious affairs is considered one of the most consistent and devoted members of the First Presbyterian Church of Albany, from which congregation he has never taken his letter.

G USTAVE HARMS has devoted his life almost entirely as a painter and decorator, with the result that he is now numbered among the progressive and substantial residents of Schuetzen Park. He was born in Mecklen- burg, Germany, in 1841, a son of Frederick Harms, also a native of the Fatherland, where he was a miller, distiller and merchant. He became well-to-do in this world's goods and departed this life when seventy-five years of age. Without

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waiting to be drafted into the service of his coun- try he volunteered, and for some time was a sol- dier in the standing army. Grandfather Frederick Harms was a finely educated gentleman, and dur- ing the years in which he was engaged in teaching school in Germany was known as Professor · Harms. The family were Lutherans in religion.

Mrs. Mary (Rambow) Harms, mother of our subject, was also born in the province of Meck- lenburg, where her father was engaged as a farm- er. She became the mother of a family of eight children and departed this life when in her fifty- fifth year. Only four of this household now sur- vive, and of these our subject, who was the young- est member, is the only one to make his home in America. He was reared in his native land and attended the model school until a lad of four- teen years of age, when he was apprenticed to a painter and decorator, whom he served for four years. Being pronounced an expert in this in- dustry at the end of that time, he traveled through various parts of Germany and Switzerland, en- gaged in his work, until 1868, when he embarked at Havre on the steamer "Atlanta," and after a voyage of eighteen days was landed in port at New York. He had no difficulty in obtaining work, and remained in the metropolis until May, 1870, when he located in Long Island City, and was one of the first to purchase a home in Broad- way. This he later lost on account of certain de- fects in the deed which he had overlooked, and in 1874 he became the owner of five lots in Eighth Street and Graham Avenue. On this property he erected a residence and shop, the former being one of the most conveniently arranged dwellings in the city. He was one of the first here to have private water works, erecting his own wind mill, which was connected with an artesian well on the premises.

After locating here Mr. Harms immediately commenced contracting in painting and decorat- ing, and about the first work he did in this line was for the North Beach Improvement Company. He also received the contract for the painting of the first and fourth ward school houses, the Steinway factory, besides scores of private resi- dences in Long. Island City and its suburbs. Dur- ing the busy season he gives employment to fron! eighteen to twenty-three men. Through his un- tiring industry and good business qualities he has acquired a handsome competency and it may be said of him that he is one of the most highly respected residents of the county. He is inter-

ested in the Long Island City Building and Loan Association and every worthy movement in the city receives his support.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Anna Brodbeck, a native of Switzerland, occurred in New York in 1869. To them were born two children: Emma, who died when fourteen years of age, and Gustave, who is now in Berlin, Ger- many, where he is perfecting himself in the trade which his father adopted in early life and which he has followed ever since. On the death of his first companion our subject was married in this city to Miss Catherine Schwinge, a native of Han- over, Germany. Of the children resulting from this union we mention the following: Frederick is engaged in the grocery business in Brooklyn; Tillie is working at the dressmaker's trade at home, and Henry departed this life at the age of eight years.

In social affairs Mr. Harms is a member of Ad- vance Lodge No. 635, F. & A. M., of Astoria, with which he has been connected since 1872. He is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias and belongs to Hermann Lodge, A. O. U. W. He is one of the workers in the Chosen Friends Society, the Harugari and the Turners' Society. Mr. Harms is quite a musician and takes great pleasure in meeting with the Frohsinn Singing Society and the Astoria Mannerchor, being a member of both organizations. In politics he is a Democrat and belongs to the Jefferson Club.

C APT. RICHARD BROWN is one of the best known and most successful pilots on East River, and owing to his faithful ser- vice and ability, has been rapidly promoted to his present position. He is now connected with the New York & East River Ferry Company. In April, 1861, he was born on Brown's Point, As- toria, his father being Capt. Joseph Brown, a na- tive of Connecticut. The latter came to New York with his brother Richard, who, in 1851, won the American cup with the yacht "America,"

owned by James Gordon Bennett, and later died in Brooklyn. Joseph Brown was but twelve years of age when he and his brother started some fish- ing smacks off the coast of Sandy Hook. This occupation he followed for a few years, then be- came inspecting superintendent of Webb's ship- yard, which position he held until about 1855, when he opened Brown's Hotel, on what is now

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known as Brown's Point, and at the same time was proprietor of the yacht "Chief." Succeeding this he followed the calling of a wrecking master for about seventeen years, during which time he rescued from total destruction about three hun- dred vessels. He was a skillful pilot and boatman and had a love for the sea that only ended with his life in 1888, when in his sixty-second year. His wife was Catherine Wood, a native of Staten Island, and a daughter of Samuel Wood, who was a well-known blacksmith of that place.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest in a family of four sons and two daughters. He was reared on Brown's Point and was educated in the Fourth Ward schools, but at the age of fourteen left school to become a deck hand on the yacht "Dream," owned by William P. Dangloss, where he remained two seasons. A like length of time was then spent on his father's yacht "Chief," after which he was on the steamboat "Shadyside" for. one season. Subsequently he entered the employ of the New York & East River Ferry Company as a deck hand and continued thus for two and a half years. In April, 1882, he became a licensed pilot, and to this calling his time and attention have since been given. So well does he under- stand his duties and so careful and painstaking is he that he has won a wide reputation and has never cost the company a dollar through any carelessness on his part. He is now the oldest pilot in point of service in Queens County, and is without doubt one of her most trustworthy ones.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 45

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