Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 54

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1220

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VALENTINE W. SMITH.

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siding on the old home place. The other son, William, died in New York City, where he was in the employ of the Standard Oil Company.

Sanford H. Kepner was reared and educated at Hartford, Ohio, graduating from the academy there when seventeen years old, and later went to Youngstown, where he was in business for some time. In 1880 he went from there to Cleveland, Ohio, and was in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, manufacturing paints. One year later he was transferred to the plant in Long Island City, and here he has learned all that pertains to the business. In 1882 he was made superintendent of the paint mill here, under the proprietor, George H. Hopper, and has charge of the whole establishment, which is one of the largest of its kind in the city.

Mr. Kepner was married here to Miss Rosena Gerry, and they have an interesting family of six children, as follows: Annie, Rosa, Laura, Florence, Maude and William. They have a pleasant and comfortable home at No. 14 Pearson Street, and are well respected in the community. In his political views Mr. Kepner is a stanch ad- vocate of Republican principles.

V ALENTINE W. SMITH. Although this county has much in the way of natural resources and commercial transactions to commend it to the public, the chief interest cen- ters upon the lives of those citizens who have achieved success for themselves and at the same time benefited the community in which they re- side. Prominent among these men is Valentine W. Smith, who, while one of the youngest busi- ness men of Far Rockaway, is also one of the most judicious and efficient. Since 1893 he has held the responsible position of cashier of the Far Rockaway Bank, and has by his efforts added to the reputation which this bank has of being a safe and solid financial institution.

While engaged in business at Far Rockaway Mr. Smith makes his home in Freeport, where reside his father, J. Gilbert Smith, a retired far- mer, and his mother, Mary (Powell) Smith; also his only brother, Charles P. Smith, proprietor of the leading drug store of Freeport. Valentine W., the older of the two sons, was born at Mer- rick (Freeport P. O.), October 6, 1868, and re- ceived in boyhood such educational advantages as the common schools afforded, also was a stu- dent in Brooklyn for three years, and finally fin-

ished his education by a course in Bryant & Strat- ton's Business College. Being naturally bright and quick at figures, he gained a thorough knowl- edge of every department of commerce and finance, and was fitted for the position to which he was afterward called.

On leaving college Mr. Smith became book- keeper for the Far Rockaway Bank, then a pri- vate institution, and was found to be a valuable, trustworthy employe. His ability led to his pro- motion to the position of cashier, which he now holds. He is still young and it may safely be predicted that the future years will bring him in- creasing and deserved honors. It was on the 25th of July, 1888, that he came to Far Rockaway, and the bank was incorporated in January of the following year. In addition to his work in this connection, he is agent for the Westchester Fire Insurance Company at Freeport and Far Rock- away, and does a good line of business for that company.

Fraternally Mr. Smith is identified with Olym- pia Lodge No. 808, F. & A. M., and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a mem- ber of Hempstead Bay Yacht Club. He is not an active participant in political affairs other than to vote the Republican ticket, preferring to give his attention to his business. As a notary public he has already had quite an extensive experience in drawing up wills and in the settlement of estates. A wide-awake and progressive young man, the best interests of the community receive his sup- port, and he aids in worthy public enterprises. In religious views he is connected with the Pres- byterian Church of Freeport, of which he has been treasurer and trustee for a number of years, and is also an active worker in the Sunday-school.

J OHN J. DONNELLY, general yardmaster of the Long Island Railroad and a well- known citizen of Long Island City, was born in Moate, County Westmeath, Ireland, July 8, 1852. His father, John, was the son of a farmer and grew to manhood in the land of his nativity, becoming at an early age a soldier in the English army. With his regiment he was assigned to ser- vice in New Zealand, where he took part in a number of skirmishes, and held the rank of color- sergeant. During his life in that far-away coun- try he had many thrilling experiences and was often afterward accustomed to narrate to groups of interested listeners some of the incidents con-

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nected with his army days. Upon retiring from active service, after twenty years in the army, he was placed in the government civil service, where he remained until the infirmities incident to age compelled his retirement. He now makes his home in Moate, Ireland, being at this writing (1896), eighty-four years of age. His wife, Cath- erine, daughter of Thomas Murray, a brewer, was born in Mullingar, capital of the county of Westmeath, and died in Moate in 1893.

Of seven children comprising the parental fam- ily, all but one are still living, John J. being third in order of birth. His brother, Thomas F., who enlisted at the opening of the war as a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth New York Infantry, became first lieutenant of his company and remained in the army until the close of the Rebellion; from that time until his death, in 1893, he made his home in Brooklyn, where he was manager of A. S. Barnes' large publishing estab- lishment.

At the age of twelve years our subject came from Ireland to the United States and joined his brother Thomas. In 1865 he entered the employ of A. S. Barnes & Co. as errand boy and remained with them for four years. A portion of his time during boyhood was spent in the Bermudas, where his father was then stationed and where he attended school. In 1866 he came to Long Island City, and four years later secured a posi- tion as car cleaner with the Long Island Railroad Company. From that he worked his way up to the position of brakeman, his run being between this city and Great Neck. Later he was conduc- tor, first on a freight, then on a passenger train, between the same points. In 1885 he was made yardmaster, in which capacity he has since been employed. The yards extend from this city four miles to Woodside in one direction, and from Long Island City to Blissville, a radius of ten miles. During the summer season over three hundred trains are run in eighteen hours. Five branches come in here, the three roads, which were formerly separate, having been merged into one. While the position of yardmaster is one of great responsibility, Mr. Donnelly fills it to the entire satisfaction of the road officials, and has his work so systematized that everything runs along smoothly, without accident, trouble or in- convenience.

In 1876 Mr. Donnelly married Miss Johanna M. Dunn, a native of Ireland, and a devout mem- ber of St. Mary's Catholic Church, to which he

also belongs. Their eight children are: Cath- erine, William, John, Joseph, Nellie, May, Frank and Clarence, all at home. The duties incident to his position are of such a nature as to require Mr. Donnelly's entire attention, and he is there- fore not actively interested in public affairs, nor has it been his desire, even if his business duties permitted, to enter into politics. He is connected with the Catholic Benevolent League, and is a charter member of the Long Island Railroad Mu- tual Relief Association.

F RANZ KROMBHOLZ of Astoria, Long Island City, was born in Vienna, Austria, and is a son of Nicholas and Josephine (Moeller) Krombholz. His father, who was a native of Saxony, Germany, was a descendant of ancestors who removed from Holland to Sax- ony in 1340. The paternal grandfather, who was born in Saxony, removed thence to Vienna, where he was employed as a government contractor un- til his death. With his son, Nicholas, and an Eng- lishman, under the firm name of Ruston & Co., he started the first steamship line on the Elbe River between Dresden and Leitmeritz, Austria. Later our subject's father became proprietor of a stage line running from Leitmeritz in various direc- tions, and in the management of this extensive enterprise he owned over one hundred and eighty stage coaches. In addition to this business, he was employed as a government contractor on a large scale. For a time he was also proprietor of Hotel Krebs, one of the best known hotels in Vienna. His death occurred in Leitmeritz in 1877, when he was seventy-five years of age.

By his marriage to Josephine Moeller, a native of Austria and daughter of a miller there, Nich- olas Krombholz had ten sons and four daughters, but only five of the number are now living, and all remain in Austria except the subject of this sketch. He was reared in Vienna, where he was educated in the private schools and gymnasium. On the completion of his education he began to take railroad contracts, the business being carried on under the name of Krombholz & Co. from 1862 until 1875. He . was prosperous from the first, and his contracts extended through all parts of Austria. In 1875 he abandoned the occupa- tion, and the following year brought his family to America on the steamer "Klopstock," Captain: Meyer commanding.

Settling on Staten Island, Mr. Krombholz re-

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sided upon a farm for one year, after which he was employed for a short time as collector for George Ehret. In 1877 he became collector for Jacob Ruppert, and in addition to this position, he represents the concern on Long Island. March 1, 1878, he removed to Long Island City, and has since rebuilt the property at No. 205 Grand Avenue, where he now resides. He owns some valuable realty in this city and is one of its prosperous residents. Socially he is connected with the Turn Verein, both of New York and Long Island, also the Arion of both places. Prior to leaving Vienna, he was married, May 6, 1862, to Miss Priska Edle von Kleinmeyer, daugh- ter of a noble family of Austria. They have four children, as follows: Ernest, who has been a col- lector for Joseph Ruppert for a number of years; Pauline, wife of Paul Richter, who is bookkeeper for Ruppert's brewery; Mary and Frank, who are with their parents.

F ERDINAND H. BATTERMAN, D. D. S., secretary of the board of health of Long Island City, is one of the most popular and prominent dentists in Queens County. He was born in New York City February 22, 1856, and is the son of Christopher H. Batterman, a native of Hanover, Germany. The latter, who is a cabinet- maker by trade, continued to follow this line of work after his emigration to the United States, and is at present living in Astoria, where he has a beautiful home. In addition to this place he is the proprietor of a farm containing fifty acres, located at Massapequa, this county, where he spends his summers. He has been very success- ful in life, and through energy and persistence, which are some of the characteristics of his race, this result has been attained.

Mrs. Gesche (Fesenfeld) Batterman, mother of our subject, was likewise born in the Father- land, in the province of Hanover. Of the six sons and two daughters born to herself and hus- band, five grew to mature years. Ferdinand H., the subject of this sketch, acquired his education in a private school in New York City, after which he spent three years in the employ of a publishing firm. In 1874 he began the study of dentistry with Jules Marcelin, and after reading under his in- struction for some time entered the New York College of Dentistry, from which he was gradu- ated in 1883 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Before completing his course, how-

ever, he left college and spent two and one-half years with his former instructor, Dr. Marcelin, in Geneva, Switzerland. At the expiration of that time he crossed the Atlantic and again pursued his collegiate studies, graduating with his class. Soon after receiving his diploma he opened an office for the practice of his profession in New York City. After leaving that city he located in Astoria, Long Island City, by whose professional men he is highly regarded.

In October, 1895, Dr. Batterman formed a part- nership with Dr. J. F. H. Kuyper, and since that time they have operated on the corner of Fourth and Vernon Avenues under the firm name of Batterman & Kuyper. The latter gentleman has been engaged in practice here for some time. He stands very high in the profession and is a grad- uate of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Dr. Batterman was for several years demon- strator in the department of operative dentistry in his alma mater, in fact held the position until re- signing in order that he might give his entire at- tention to his private practice. He is at present a member of the staff as dentist to the Astoria Hospital and holds the same position in St. John's Hospital.

April 4, 1892, Dr. Batterman was appointed clerk of the board of health of Long Island City, and in March, 1894, when the office of registrar of vital statistics was abolished, he was appointed secretary of that body, thus combining the two. offices. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat and an enthusiastic worker in the Jefferson Club. For several years after joining this organization he served as a member of the general committee. In religious affairs he is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church and contributes liberally of his means toward its support.

The Doctor keeps himself well informed re- garding all the latest improvements and appli- ances used in dentistry, and makes a specialty of crown and bridge work. He is a finely educated gentleman and speaks German and French with fluency.

W ILLIAM C. KELLY. The time has gone by when the worst tasting medi- cine was supposed to be the most effectual in overcoming disease. In fact, many people have become convinced that medicine is an excellent thing to leave alone as much as possible, and they have learned to depend more

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upon nature and less on drugs when finding themselves a little "under the weather." There is no question but that many who suffer from headache, indigestion and other common troubles would get more good out of healthful out-door diversions than they can out of drug stores, and of these none is more generally beneficial than riding or driving. A good horse and a com- fortable carriage are capable of affording a great deal of enjoyment and doing wonders toward increasing one's appetite and general well being. In order to get this "prescription" properly filled, it is only necessary to visit the establishment con- ducted by William C. Kelly, in the Kelly Block, Hunter's Point, Long Island City.

Our subject was born on the site of the build- ing in which he is now doing business, in 1869. His father, Michael Kelly, was born in Ireland, and when a young, unmarried man came to the United States, and secured work as a drover and stock dealer in New York. He was one of the first to locate and buy property in Long Island City, his purchase being made at what is now the corner of Jackson Avenue and Fourth Street, and here he continued dealing in cattle and also dealt in milk. In 1869, while in the prime of manhood, he died of cholera. His wife, Cath- erine Fleming, was also born in Ireland and died in this country in 1881, having borne a family of seven children, six of whom are living at the present time; David died at the age of thirty- nine years; Jennie is Mrs. McCarthy of New York City; Katie is the wife of J. A. McKenna, the postmaster of Long Island City; Mary F. is next in order; Michael is connected with the Long Island Granite Company, the main entrance of whose marble and granite works are at Cal- vary Cemetery, with branch works at Paterson, N. J .; Amy C. and William C. complete the family.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the grammar school on Sixth Street, where he com- pleted the course. About 1883 he embarked in the milk business on the site of his present estab- lishment, and here later he opened a livery stable, which he conducted successfully up to 1893, when his building was consumed by fire. Nothing daunted, he at once began the work of rebuilding, once more opened a livery stable, and keeps on hand a large number of horses for livery pur- poses, as well as comfortable and stylish car- riages, coupes, surreys, etc. He, with his two unmarried sisters, built the Kelly Block, one of

the finest and largest business blocks of the city, which has a one hundred foot frontage on Jack- son Avenue and about the same on Fourth Street. No expense was spared to make the building ornamental and substantial, and its four stories and basement are profitably utilized. Three large store buildings and a private flat are on the main floor, while the upper floors are also in flats and are fitted up with dumb waiters, hot and cold water and other modern conveniences. Mr. Kelly is a pushing man of business and has met with success in the business affairs of life. He was one of the incorporators of the Granite and Monumental Company of Long Island City and has been president and general manager of the same. The Kellys have always been of the Catlı- olic faith. Politically our subject is a Democrat, and socially is a member of the Brooklyn Under- takers and Liverymen's Association.

F RED KERN, proprietor of the Astoria As- sembly Rooms, is an enterprising business man of this place and is popular with all who know him. He was born on the River Rhine, in Baden, Germany, in 1849. His father, Michael Kern, was also a native of that province and was engaged in building there until late in life, when he came to America, dying in Long Island City.

Mrs. Catherine (Bopp) Kern, mother of our subject, was of German birth and is also now deceased. She reared a family of three sons and one daughter, of whom Fred, who was the eldest of the household, is the only member who makes his home in this city. He was reared and edu- cated in the common schools of the Fatherland, and after completing a course in the business college engaged in work at his father's trade, as- sisting him for some time. He then started out as a journeyman, traveling through parts of Alsace, Wurtemberg, Bavaria, Hesse and many provinces in Switzerland and Austria.

As soon as he attained his majority, our sub- ject, according to the custom of Germany, be- came a soldier, serving in the Fourth Baden Regiment, No. 112. He enlisted in 1870 and therefore participated in the German and French War, fighting at the battle of Strasburg. After a service of four years he was honorably dis- charged and continued working at his trade until 1881, when he crossed the Atlantic and made his home in America. He found employment

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in New York City and remained there for two years, when he came to Astoria and engaged in contracting and building on his own account. He prosecuted his business with great vigor and continued to improve and sell property until 1891, when he became the proprietor of the Astoria Assembly Rooms, since which time he has given the greater part of his time and attention to the management of the same. It is a famous old pleasure resort which was established in 1877. The edifice is located on Flushing Avenue and extends back to Newtown Avenue, occupying fifteen lots on each street. Adjoining is the Queens County Athletic Hall, which Mr. Kern also owns. In the assembly building are to be found a bowling alley, shooting gallery, large dancing hall, billiard room, dining room and fine meeting room, while the athletic rooms con- tain the gymnasium and ball rooms. A large summer garden surrounds the whole, and during the hot months of the year it is filled with pleas- ure seekers. Mr. Kern has erected a large plat- form out of doors which accommodates those who wish to dance. Our subject was one of the organizers of the Queens County Athletic Club, which now numbers over two hundred members.

The marriage of Mr. Kern and Miss Mary Ihle occurred in Germany in 1875. The latter was born in Baden in 1851 and by her union with our subject has become the mother of five chil- dren, Emil, Eugene, Fred, Jr., Annie and Bertha. The three sons assist their father in his various business enterprises, each seeming to be pecu- liarly adapted to the department which he man- ages.

Mr. Kern was a member and treasurer of the Board of Police Commissioners from 1888 to 1891, resigning this honored office when he pur- chased the pleasure garden. Socially he belongs to the Astoria Maennerchor and Arion Society, also the Harmonic Singing Society. He is like- wise connected with the German Soldier Asso- ciation and meets with the members of the Inde- pendent Bowling Club. In political affairs he is an uncompromising Democrat.

ter cause him to mingle with all classes, the high and the low, the rich and the poor, and to gain their confidence in no limited degree. Such, at least, has been the experience of Rev. Father P. Kearney, who is the pastor of St. Raphael's Cath- olic Church of Blissville, Long Island City. He was born in County Longford, Ireland, in 1839, a son of Thomas Kearney, who was a worthy til- ler of the soil. He was educated in the national schools of Ireland and was fitted for college at Bellmocue, County Cavan, under an eminent lay- man. In 1863 he entered All Hallow's College in Dublin, where he pursued his theological studies for four years, and from which he was graduated in 1867, and was ordained for the dio- cese of Brooklyn.

The year 1867 found Father Kearney in Brook- lyn as assistant to Father Corcoran of St. Joseph's Church, but at the end of five years he became priest of St. John's Church of Riverhead, L. I., and held a like position in St. Michael's Church of Patchogue and St. Patrick's Church of Smith- town and Port Jefferson. During this time he started a mission in a hall at Quogue and it was through his efforts that a new church was erected at Smithtown. He also hired a hall and estab- lished a mission at Port Jefferson, in fact, his time was so fully occupied in his noble work that hc was home but two days in the week. He had charge of half of Suffolk County for about six years, after which he came to Our Lady of Loret- ta at Hempstead, at the same time had charge of St. Bridget's Mission at Westbury, and there re- mained actively at work for four years. He was next placed in charge of St. Luke's Church at Whitestone, where his good work continued for ten and a half years. In the meantime he had succeeded in paying off the mortgage on the church, which had existed for about twenty-five years, improved the parish house and succeeded in accumulating considerable money in the treas- ury.

November 17, 1895, our subject was appointed priest of St. Raphael's Church of Blissville, Long Island City, by Rt. Rev. Bishop McDonald, which congregation was formed about twenty-five years ago as a mission, but now numbers over eighteen hundred souls. The first congregation was very small, and he is the fourth priest. The church, which is an imposing structure, is beautifully lo- cated on the heights, and the parish house is com- modious and well appointed. Father Kearney

R EV. FATHER P. KEARNEY. The care- ful observer has come to realize that there is much more goodness in the world than is generally believed, and no one has such advan- tages for acquiring this belief as the head of a religious organization, for his labors for his Mas- has one assistant. In 1891 he made a trip to his

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old home in Ireland, but was pleased to return to the land of his adoption. Connected with the church are the following societies: The Holy Name Society, the Altar Society, the League of the Sacred Heart, the Holy Rosary Society, be- sides others. Father Kearney has pursued his priestly labors for twenty-nine years and is the second oldest priest in point of service, outside of Brooklyn, on Long Island. He has been a faith- ful laborer in the vineyard of his Master, and of him it might be said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

J OHN KRON. The substantial and well- ter representative than our subject, who for to-do citizens of Dutch Kills have no bet- twenty-eight years has profitably conducted a merchant-tailor establishment on Jackson Ave- nue. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 21, 1831, the son of Jacob Kron, a shoemaker by trade, but who followed farming during the great- er part of his life. He lived and died in Germany. His wife, Barbara Bauer, was also born in Bava- ria and departed this life when fifty-two years of age.

The parental family included one son and two daughters. John, who was the second born, be- gan attending the public schools of his native land as soon as old enough and carried on his studies until a lad of fourteen years. He then entered the merchant tailoring establishment of his brother-in-law and gave his attention to learn- ing the business. When eighteen he began to do "jour" work about the country, traveling from place to place for the following two years. May 14, 1851, however, he boarded a vessel which set sail from Havre and July 15th landed in the har- bor of New York. He found no difficulty in obtaining work at his trade, and for four years lived in the metropolis. In March, 1855, desiring to see more of the country which he had decided to make his permanent abiding place, he went to California via the Isthmus of Panama, being twen- ty-six days on the way. On arriving in San Fran- cisco, he made his way into the mining regions of Tuolumne County and began prospecting, meet- ing with such good results that he remained in the Golden State for a period of twelve years.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 54

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