Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 52

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 52

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Our subject came at once to Great Neck, and after a stay here of three months was offered a splendid position by a lady who owned a beauti- ful home on the Hudson. He accepted, and for seven years superintended the laying out of her grounds and greenhouses, giving the best of sat- isfaction. While there, on Thanksgiving Day, 1874, he was married to Miss Catherine Potter, then making her home at Garrison, N. Y. She was, however, a native of Ireland, although her parents were English people.

Mr. Mathews was energetic and industrious as well as economical, and upon leaving the employ of Mrs. E. B. Underhill rented the farm of Hon. John Jay, which was located in Westchester County, this state, and operated this tract of land very successfully for two years. At the expira-

tion of that time we find him again located in Great Neck, where for a number of years he was engaged as landscape gardener for John Sneden. In 1877, however, he took possession of his pres- ent place and began in a modest way as florist. By strict attention to his affairs he has developed his business into one of the best of its kind in the county. His greenhouses contain twenty-five thousand square feet of glass and are fitted up with every convenience and appliance for raising choice flowers. Of these Mr. Mathews sends a handsome allowance each day to the market in New York and also supplies the exchange with an excellent variety of flowers in their season.

To our subject and his excellent wife there have been born three sons, of whom we make the fol- lowing mention: George was born at Garrison, Putman County, August 15, 1875; he is a well- educated young man, completing his studies in the high school at Flushing. William W., was born in Katonah, Westchester County, June IO, 1880; he is now attending the school of Social Economics in New York City. John James' birth occurred at Great Neck, June 20, 1881.

In the due course of time Mr. Mathews took out his naturalization papers and as soon as the law permitted cast his vote in support of Re- publican candidates which he believed to be in the right regarding political affairs. He is treas- urer of the Cut Flower Exchange of New York and in every good work in his community he takes a leading and active part. Religiously he is a member of the Episcopal Church.

C HRISTOPHER BESOLD. The close proximity to the large city markets as well as the advantages of soil and climate combine to make Long Island a choice location for a florist, and a man of energy and industrious habits can scarcely fail to achieve at least a certain measure of success in this occupation. Mr. Be- sold is already achieving an important position among the florists of Queens County, where he conducts a wholesale and retail business at Mineo- la. He is one of our prosperous German-Ameri- can citizens, whose thrift and enterprise are pav- ing the way to prosperity.

Born in Amberg, Bavaria, in 1867, Mr. Besold went to the city of Munich in childhood and there he was educated. There too he later learned the business of floriculture under the city gardener's board. In 1886 he left home and Fatherland and

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came to the United States, settling in Flatbush, Queens County, where he remained for three years. Thence he went to Cromwell, Conn., where he was employed by A. N. Pierson, a florist, with whom he remained until 1892, and then came to Mineola. Here he bought land and built a green- house, starting in the business which he has since conducted. As his trade increased he was obliged to secure additional room from time to time and enlarged the capacity until he now has a glass area of about twenty-five thousand square feet. His attention has been largely given to cut flow- ers of superior quality and he has supplied only the best trade. His sales are principally made by wholesale to New York dealers, though he also has a local trade of important dimensions and does a mail order business in bulbs and seeds. Carnations and lilies have been his specialties, and he is now arranging for the cultivation of roses also.

In Brooklyn, June 8, 1890, Mr. Besold married Lizzie W., daughter of Jacob Kilz, who was born in Brooklyn, and is now an engineer on one of the lighter boats of the harbor there. Politically Mr. Besold is independent, but inclines to Re- publican principles. He and his wife attend serv- ices at the Episcopal Church of Garden City. He is one of the enterprising young men of the coun- ty, and it may safely be predicted that future years will bring him increasing success.

H ENRY C. MORRELL, well known to the residents of Queens County, was born March 7, 1834, near Manhasset, where he at present makes his home. His parents were Henry and Matilda Ann (Sands) Morrell, the for- mer of whom is better known to the people here as "Colonel" Morrell. He too is a native of this portion of the island, his birth occurring July 30, 1791. He lived to be sixty-one years of age, departing this life February 21, 1853. He was justly entitled to the name of Colonel, as he filled this position in a regiment of militia and in his earlier years he had served in the War of 1812.

The mother of our subject was born at Flower Hill, December 10, 1796, and died June 25, 1870. His maternal grandfather, John Sands, was born at Sand's Point, January 1, 1766, and died Att- gust 21, 1842. His father, the great-grandfather of our subject, was also named John Sands, and during the Revolutionary War obtained the title of colonel for his brave services in the Continental

Army. His wife was Elizabeth Jackson. John Sands was likewise the name of the great-great- grandfather, who was also born at Sand's Point, the date thereof being January 1, 1709. He died November 22, 1760. His wife, Elizabeth Corn- wall, was born September 27, 1701, and died May 10, 1793. The great-great-great-grandfather, John Sands, was born at Sand's Point in 1684 and died August 15, 1763; his wife, Catherine Guth- rie, died February 10, 1769. Great-great-great- great-grandfather, John Sands, was born at the same place in 1649 and died March 15, 1711. His wife, Sybel Ray, was born March 19, 1665, and died December 23, 1733. Great-great-great- great-great-grandfather John Sands was a native of England and was born in 1622. He was a de- scendant of an archbishop of York, whose estates were confiscated, after which the family emigrated to America.

The father of our subject was a tanner by trade, his place of business being located at Man- hasset. He was also the owner of the place on which Henry C. now lives and carried on farm- ing with profitable results. His father, John Mor- rell, was also born at Great Neck and was of Eng- lish descent. He likewise made farming his busi- ness through life.

The parental family included eight children, four of whom are yet living. Henry C. obtained a good common school education by his attend- ance at the Manhasset Academy. He was six- teen years of age when his parents moved on the property which he now owns, and three years later, when his father died, he felt it his duty as well as pleasure to remain with his mother. He was married December 12, 1866, to Miss Kate Valentine, of Locust Valley, who was the daugh- ter of Henry and Anna (Willets) Valentine. They have continued to make their home here ever since and are well and favorably known to the best residents of the community.

Mr. Morrell cast his first presidential vote in 1860 for Bell and Everett and in 1864 supported Lincoln by his ballot. Since that time, however, he has been an enthusiastic Democrat and on this ticket was elected justice of the peace in 1873 in order to fill a vacancy, but so ably did he dis- charge the duties of the position that he has been retained in office ever since. He is a consistent Christian gentleman, and with his wife is a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church, of which he is ves- tryman. Socially he belongs to Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M., at Flushing. with

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which he has been connected for nearly a quarter of a century.

To Mr. and Mrs. Morrell there have been born six children, four of whom are living: Elizabeth is the wife of Rev. Joseph D. Evans, of Lynch- burg, Va. The three remaining daughters are named respectively Anna Willets, Grace Sands and Eloise Brown. The names of those deceased were Harry and John S.

J OHN BUHLER, proprietor of the East Wil- liston Hotel, situated on the Jericho turn- pike, town of North Hempstead, was born in 1850 in canton Berne, Switzerland, to John and Margaret Buhler. When he was an infant of nine months he was brought to America by his parents, who settled in New York. The father, who for a time followed his trade of a carpenter, in 1864 entered the United States service as a member of Company C, Sixth New York Infan- try, in which he served for three months. On being mustered out he resumed carpentering, later did considerable work as a contractor, and finally took up the coal business. Now (1896), at the age of seventy-six, he is living retired in New York City. His wife departed this life at the age of seventy-two. Of their family nine chil- dren are living, John being next to the eldest.

Educated in New York City, our subject com- pleted his studies in a private German college. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the barber's trade, which he followed until 1892. In 1873 he removed from New York to Garden City and established a barber shop, which he conduct- ed until 1878, going from there to Mineola and taking charge of the East Williston Hotel, lo- cated on the Jericho turnpike and Willis Avenue. In 1887 he built a new hotel on the opposite side of Willis Avenue and this he has since conducted.

Politically a Republican, in 1881 Mr. Buhler was elected constable on that ticket and has been re-elected every succeeding year, making a con- tinuous term of fifteen years. For six consecu- tive years he has been school trustee of District No. 10. In 1890 Governor Hill appointed him a notary public, which office he still retains. He is a Master Mason and belongs to Fessler Lodge No. 576, New York, with which his father has been connected for twenty-five years. He is also past grand of Protection Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F., at Roslyn, and is a member of Mineola En- campment No. 121 and Canton Crescent of

Brooklyn, in which he is now lieutenant. In the Shield of Honor he is an active worker.

For three years Mr. Buhler was treasurer of East Williston Hook and Ladder Company No. I and is at this writing its secretary. The Roslyn Benevolent Society numbers him among its char- ter members. Since 1889 he has held the position of court attendant to the county judge at Long Island City, which has occupied the most of his time. In 1870 he married Barbara, daughter of Frank Blust, of New York City, and they are the parents of three sons, John F., Edward E. and Albert T.

E DMUND H. BEIDERLINDEN, of Col- lege Point, has served as village clerk con- tinuously since January, 1884. In Decem- ber, 1883, he was elected police justice, assuming the duties of the position the following year, and since then he has been re-elected every three years, being the present incumbent of the office. As indicated by the name, he is of German lineage. His father, Nicholas Beiderlinden, was born in Germany, but at an early age emigrated to the United States, where he followed the occupation of a bookkeeper in New York City. He was also similarly employed with the Enterprise Works at College Point, and remained here until his death in 1888, aged seventy years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jeannette Georg, re- sides in this village and is now (1896) seventy- two years old. Of their six children, two are liv- ing, the other besides our subject being Gustavus Charles, a machinist in Twenty-sixth Street, New York City.

From New York City, where he was born June 9, 1852, the subject of this record was brought to College Point by his parents at the age of two and one-half years. His education was received in the grammar school here and Fairchild's In- stitute at Flushing, which he attended for two years. At the age of fifteen he secured a position as errand boy in a hardware store, where he re- mained one and one-half years. From that time until eighteen he was employed in the Enterprise factory, after which he was employed in painting, manufacturing jewelry, and other occupations in New York until twenty-two. Returning to Col- lege Point, he again secured employment in the Enterprise Works, but in the spring of 1885. work being dull in that line, he began in the paint- ing business, which he followed for eight years.

JOHN BUHLER.

COLES CARMAN.

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retiring from it in 1893. He is also an experi- enced paper hanger and a skilled mechanic, doing excellent work in almost any line.

At the age of twenty-three Mr. Beiderlinden married Miss Hannah Miller, of Great Neck, and they have two daughters, Lillian and Hattie, who are accomplished and well educated young ladies. Politically our subject always champions the poli- cy of the Democratic party, and supports its prin- ciples with enthusiasm. He was confirmed in the Episcopal Church, but is not an active member of the denomination. .

C OLES CARMAN. Throughout his long and active business career Mr. Carman retained the energy, industry and perse- vering disposition that characterized him in early life, when, with limited capital but large courage, he founded the business with which he was after- ward connected until his death. In 1838, when a youth of eighteen years, he embarked in the hardware and tin trade, which he conducted, on an increasing scale, until his earth life ended. A man of kind and generous impulses, he was con- siderate and thoughtful of those in his employ, and always retained their confidence and good will. One of his employes, Michael Kelly, re- mained with him for forty-two years.

The family of which Mr. Carman was a mem- ber originated in England, but emigrated thence during the early part of the seventeenth century and settled on Long Island. Caleb Carman was the first white child born on this island, with the history of which the descendants have since been identified. Through removals of some branches of the family the name has been disseminated throughout the entire country, and it is now the custom to hold an annual reunion.

The father of our subject, Richard Carman, was born in Hempstead September 2, 1785, and died in Brooklyn in 1855, aged sixty-nine years. He was known as the "father of Methodism" in Hempstead and the first meetings of that society were held in his house; throughout life he con- tinued one of the leaders of that church, in the welfare of which he was deeply interested. His father, Capt. Thomas Carman, was born Novem- ber 22, 1763, and died in 1851. Coles Carman was one of eight brothers and two sisters, all of whom are deceased, the others being Samuel, Isaac, Valentine, Elbert, Richard, John, Thomas, Caroline and Mary Ann. Thomas, who was a

wealthy citizen of Brooklyn, died April 16, 1896.

The birth of our subject occurred in Hemp- stead May 3, 1820, and here his education was obtained in the common schools. Aside from his business affairs he was prominent in local matters, and for several years was overseer of the poor. For some time he served as president of the com- pany having in charge the building of the Beth- page turnpike, and was also vice-president of the Hempstead & Jamaica Plank Road Company. In religious belief he found a home in the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. A lover of sports, he was an unerring shot and took great pleasure in hunting. He owned a fine yacht, and one of his most enjoyable recreations was a sail upon the water.

The business established by Mr. Carman is now conducted by his widow and son Isaac. The former, who resides in the elegant house erected by Mr. Carman in 1873, bore the maiden name of Frances A. Bennett and was born in Brooklyn September 20, 1820. Her grandfather, William Bennett, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Her father, Abraham Bennett, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, carried on a general mer- cantile business in Brooklyn, but removed from there to Hempstead in 1834 and died here in 1867, aged eighty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Car- man were united in marriage March 2, 1842, and they became the parents of eight sons and three daughters, viz .: Theodore A .; Isaac N .; William E., deceased; Andrew M .; Richard; Thomas, de- ceased; Samuel V .; Coles, deceased; Frances A., wife of Thomas H. Brush, of Brooklyn; Emma L., wife of Isaac Terry, of Sayville; and Julia O., wife of Milliard Gildersleeve. Their union was one of mutual happiness and helpfulness until his death, which occurred July 31, 1890. He is remembered as a man of noble traits of char- acter, generous impulses and kind disposition, and his course in life was such as to win the re- spect and confidence of his fellow-citizens.

J OSEPH D. ARMSTRONG was born Feb- ruary 9, 1835, on the homestead in the town of North Hempstead, where he has since resided. His father, Samuel Armstrong, was born in Bellamy, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1783, and was a weaver by trade. In 1816 he came to America and soon secured a position as superin- tendent of the Underhill woolen mills at Matine- cock, remaining there for a few years. In 1822

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he bought a farm in the town of North Hemp- stead, where he reared his family and spent his re- maining years. On this place is the old Queens County court house, built in 1780, and used un- til 1875, when the county seat was moved to Long Island City. Afterward the old court house was used as the county insane asylum until 1894, when the building was abandoned. The family resi- dence, which has been remodeled of recent years, was formerly, as early as 1756, known as the Three Ton Inn, and on the same farm was located the first race track course on the island. An article in the "Rider and Driver," a turf paper of Chicago, speaks of this race course as having been established two hundred years ago.

In connection with the hotel business, Samuel Armstrong also kept a country store until about 1842. After locating on the farm he married De- borah Denton, a native of North Hempstead, and daughter of Joseph and Rachel Denton, who died respectively in 1858 and 1866. In the family there were seven children, namely: John J., de- ceased, for many years judge of Queens County ; Deborah, Isabella, Joseph D., Martha, and Mary and Samuel, both deceased. Our subject was reared on the old home farm, where he has always resided. When beginning life for himself he took charge of the place, and becoming half owner at the death of his father. His share consists of fif- ty acres, and is devoted to general farming and market gardening.

For four years, beginning in 1874, Mr. Arm- strong served as justice of the peace. His first vote was cast for J. C. Fremont for President and he has since supported the Republican party. He and his family belong to the Presbyterian Church of Hempstead, in which he holds the po- sition of trustee. His marriage, which took place in 1876, united him with Matilda Morrill, who was born in Manhasset, Queens County.

M AX GLICKMAN, who is engaged in the hardware business at Corona Heights, was born in Poland, April 15, 1850, being a son of Isaac and Mary Glickman. At the age of about fifteen years he accompanied his parents to America and settled in New York City, where his father worked at the coppersmith's trade and he worked under him, gaining a good knowledge of the occupation. Later he was employed by a butcher about two years, and spent a similar period in a distillery. Going from New York to

Rochester, he bought a horse and wagon with money he had saved and began to drive a huck- ster's wagon, following that occupation about six years. From Rochester he went to Pittsburg, where he was engaged as a peddler of spectacles for two years.

Returning to New York, Mr. Glickman began to run a junk store, but one year later bought a push cart and peddled fruit and vegetables for more than a year. His next position was in a fish market, and he saved his earnings until fin- ally he started a shop of his own, but two years later sold out and again entered the employ- ment of his former employer. It was about that time he bought two lots in Corona, on which he built a house, and here he established his home in 1889. The same year he started in business as a hardware dealer, in which line he has built up a good trade.

Prior to leaving New York the first time, Mr. Glickman was married. He is the father of five children, of whom Libbie, married to Morris Jacoby, has one child and resides in New York. Henry is employed in a chandelier factory in Brooklyn. Joseph works for the Edison Electric Manufacturing Company of New York. Mary is with her father, and Eva, the youngest child, is a student in the Corona school.

I SRAEL HEWLETT, now deceased, was for- merly one of the old residents of Queens County, where his entire life was spent. He was the owner of a neat farm and to its cultivation gave his entire time and attention for many years. He came from one of the old and honored fami- lies of this region, where for several generations they have made their home.

Our subject was born in Merrick in the year 1814. His parents were George and Jane (Will- iams) Hewlett, also natives of Long Island, where they were content to pass their entire lives. Is- rael was the only child born to them and to him they gave the best educational advantages which were to be had in their district. He was reared to a life of usefulness, and by assisting in the farm work when not in school, grew up to a full knowl- edge of this vocation, and when ready to assume the management of the home place was thorough- ly competent to do so in a profitable manner. In every way he was identified with the upbuilding of his community and was made the incumbent of many positions of responsibility and trust. For

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several terms he was assessor of his town and for some time was president of the Turnpike road between Babylon and Hempstead. In religious belief he was a Quaker, which had also been the faith of his parents. In his death, which occurred January 22, 1889, the community lost one of its best and most highly honored citizens.

Israel Hewlett was married to Eliza Ann Hew- lett, October 31, 1832. This lady became the mother of several children, five of whom survive, and departed this life September 20, 1859. Her eldest son, Charles, is living at Little Neck; George W. is a resident of Brooklyn; John C. is pastor of an Episcopal Church in Boston, Mass .; Mary W. became the wife of Benjamin Woolley, of Little Neck, and William W. is a prominent physician of Babylon, Suffolk County.

The lady whom our subject chose as his sec- ond wife, September 23, 1863, was Margaret A., daughter of Thomas and Sarah A. (Eldred) Dor- lan, a native of Long Island. The children born of this union were respectively: Jane W., Eliza A .; Maria D., now the wife of Benjamin H. Wells, of New Jersey; Nellie C., Mrs. Samuel W. Rollo, of Brooklyn, and Sarah K. Mrs. Hewlett is a devoted member of the Episcopal Church and with her youngest daughter still resides at the old home.

J OHN DENNIS, a progressive business man of Springfield, Queens County, is a native of Far Rockaway, born December 24, 1845. He is one of four survivors of the six children originally comprising the family of Thomas and Bridget (Everst) Dennis, natives of Ireland, the former born in Dublin, the latter in County Cavan. In early life they came to the United States and settled in Far Rockaway, L. I., where they secured work in the employ of John Norton, a wealthy blind man; later they were married.

After having been for nineteen years with Mr. Norton, and having prudently saved his earnings in the meantime, Thomas Dennis bought eight acres of land from his employer. Soon, however, he traded this property for seven acres at Hungry Harbor. The eight acres which he originally owned at Far Rockaway were recently sold for $70,000. After leaving Mr. Norton, he was em- ployed by Father Nostrand for eighteen years, and then settled down on his garden plot, where he remained until his death, at the age of sixty- three. He never became wealthy, but being in-

dustrious, energetic and economical, he secured a competence that provided for his declining years.

When only twelve years of age the subject of this notice began to be self-supporting. His first position was that of cabin boy on a steamer, and for ten years he followed a seafaring life, being promoted from time to time until he finally be- came master of the vessel. As a sailor his voy- ages took him from Sandy Hook to the Gulf Stream and across to the West India Islands. After retiring from the sea he followed various lines of work until at last he turned his attention to the industry with which he has since been con- nected. He became an agent for a fertilizer man- ufacturer, representing the Clark Cove Company for nine years. On leaving their employ he rep- resented the Quinnipiac Fertilizer Company, with which he has since remained and for which he secures about $50,000 worth of business annually.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 52

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