Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 57

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 57

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Our subject has served on general committees for many years and was trustee of the schools here for twelve years. While he was a member of the school board five school buildings were erected and he was re-elected to that position four times, thus showing his popularity, but he refused to be renominated. He is one of the oldest men now actively engaged in business in Astoria. He has a comfortable brick residence at No. 54 Fulton Avenue and there he has made his home since September 28, 1855.

A LEXANDER S. BURNS. During the early years of the settlement of America, but little attention was devoted to the cul- tivation of the beautiful in nature and art. Our forefathers were principally engaged in combats with savage foes and the no less savage beasts of the forests, but with the passing years came the introduction of that which makes life a pleasure, and in no direction is this more noticeable than in the cultivation of fruits and flowers. For many years the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was one of the most successful florists of New York City. His business career was in many respects remarkable. Beginning without means, in a very short time he built up a large trade and gained the reputation as one of the most exten- sive florists of the city. In 1890 he sold his retail business to his half brother, William, and em- barked in the wholesale business.

The younger and only survivor of two chil- dren, the subject of this notice was born in Ire- land February 7, 1846, being the son of Samuel and Eliza (Cuddy) Burns. His father, who was a life-long farmer and resident of the Emerald Isle, was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Eliza (McKeon) Hewitt. Five children were born of that union, of whom three are now living. At the age of nineteen our subject emigrated to

America, landing in Portland, Me., in April, 1865, and going direct from there to New York, where for eighteen months he was employed by a cousin, Robert Burns, then in the ice business, and later for many years president of the National Ice Company. After leaving the employ of that gentleman he secured a position as assistant to the chief engineer of St. Luke's Hospital, after which he was for eighteen months employed in a confectionery store in Brooklyn.

Determining to enter the florist's business, Mr. Burns resigned a position paying him $25 per week to accept one with a florist paying only $6- an injudicious move, many would say-but sub- sequent events proved the wisdom of his action. The florist with whom he became connected had just established the business and he aided in build- ing up the trade, which grew to very large pro- portions. He remained two and one-half years in the employ of the florist, who, upon his deter- mining to leave, offered him a salary of $2,000 per year if he would remain. However, flattering as the offer was, he felt that the time had come for him to embark in business for himself, and with this object in view he rented a small place in Forty-ninth Street and Madison Avenue. From the first the business prospered, and after eighteen months he was obliged to seek more commodi- ous quarters, which he did, removing to Sixth Avenue, near Forty-eighth Street, where for six- teen years he carried on a prosperous business. At the time of opening his establishment in Sixth Avenue he built his present residence at Wood- side, and erecting a number of greenhouses, em- ployed a practical florist to oversee them. In 1890 he disposed of his store in Sixth Avenue and opened a wholesale store in Twenty-eighth Street, near Broadway, in partnership with John Raynor, under the firm name of Burns & Raynor, solicit- ing consignments from florists and carrying on a business aggregating $200,000 per annum. June 15, 1895, after a successful career, he re- tired from business and gave the management of the greenhouses into the hands of his son, A. S., Jr.

The marriage of Mr. Burns, June 17, 1875, united him with Miss Minnie H. Jackson, of New York City. On the paternal side Mrs. Burns is a descendant of Jonathan Riggs, of Connecticut : on both the paternal and maternal sides she comes of old Revolutionary stock, who were prominent in the early settlement of the New England States. The first of her ancestors to come to America

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was John Hewins, who represented the British government in the time of George III. Amasa Hewins, a celebrated painter of Boston, whose death occurred in Italy in 1855, was a connection of the family. Mrs. Burns is a daughter of Monteville Jackson, a life-long resident of New York City. By her marriage she had seven chil- dren, of whom four survive, as follows: Alex- ander S., Jr., who is in charge of the greenhouses; Jennie, who is receiving excellent advantages at a private school in New York; Flossie and Har- old, who are with their parents.

While a native of Ireland, our subject is of Scotch lineage, his grandfather, William Burns, having accompanied his parents from Scotland to the North of Ireland when only six years of age; he continued to reside on the Emerald Isle, engaged in farming, until his death, when ninety- six. He was for seventy-seven years a member of the Methodist Church and his life was that of a sincere Christian. In point of doctrine our sub- ject adheres to the same faith, being connected with the Methodist Church. His political opin- ions are of no uncertain kind; he has always sus- tained Republican principles and at this writing is president of the Republican Club, which posi- tion he has held since 1891. For several years he acted as president of the New York Forest Club, and vice-president of the Society of Amer- ican Florists in the state of New York. Frater- nally he is a Royal Arch Mason. A man of en- ergy, ambition and perseverance, it is not strange that he has met with success in his undertakings and that he made of his business a science. He is interested in the welfare of Woodside, of which he is the largest lot and house owner, and is ever ready to promote its interests by any means in his power.

M AGNUS LARSEN, of Hunter's Point, Long Island City, is the proprietor of a finely equipped livery and boarding sta- ble and is also interested in real estate in this vi- cinity. He was born in Fredrickstad, Norway, July 8, 1855. His father, Lars Larsen, who was also born there and was well-to-do, was a consist- ent member of the Lutheran Church and was at all times active in good works. Desirous of spend- ing his last days with his sons and daughters in America, he sold his possessions in Norway and came to this country. Several years later, in

1894, he died at the home of his son, Magnus. He was at that time in the eighty-fourth year of his age. His wife, who was Miss Martha Hendrick- son, a native of Norway, is now living in Long Island City and is eighty-four years of age. They reared a family of five sons and daughters, of whom four now survive. Harold is in the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Bayonne, N. J .; Lizzie is Mrs. Wilson and makes her home in Eighth Street, this city; Mary married Oscar Nel- son, and her home is in Eighth Street.

The subject of this sketch, who was the young- est of the family, passed the first ten years of his life in Fredrickstad, whence his parents moved to Lauervig, Norway. There he attended the na- tional school until fourteen years old, when he started out in life for himself. He was soon pos- sessed of sufficient means to enable him to en- gage in business, and purchased a livery and boarding stable, being also proprietor of a hotel. Very soon thereafter he established a confection- ery and grocery store, which he carried on in con- nection with hos other interests in a successful manner.

Mr. Larsen continued to make his home in Norway until 1879, when he crossed the Atlantic and was landed in due time on the shores of America. Continuing his westward way, he lo- cated in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was employed for a time as engineer of one of the plants be- longing to the Standard Oil Company. Later he engaged in business for himself and conducted a paying trade as proprietor of a candy store, and at the same time became the popular "mine host" of a first-class hotel in the Forest City. In 1881 he came to this place and secured work as engi- neer of the Long Island City cabinet works. Four years thereafter he embarked in the liquor busi- ness, in which he is still engaged.

In 1885 Mr. Larsen purchased property on the corner of Jackson Avenue and Sixth Street and afterward put up an addition to the building in the rear. He has handled considerable real es- tate in the city, and in addition to the building just mentioned owns two nice residences on Eighth and Jackson Avenue and his livery stable in Sixth Street. Besides keeping on hand a large number of carriage horses and all kinds of vehicles, he buys and sells horses, and his barns are patronized as boarding stables by many of those who own their own turn-outs. His stable occupies twenty-five feet front on Jackson Ave- nue and one hundred feet in depth. March 4,

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1896, he was awarded the contract for cleaning the streets in the fourth ward.

The lady whom our subject married in Cleve- land, Ohio, was Miss Petra C. Abrahamson, a native of Christiana. The six children granted them are named respectively: Martha, Harold, Arthur, Annie, Lillie and Emily. Both parents be- long to the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Long Island City, and Mr. Larsen lias been secretary of the board of trustees for many years. He took a very active part in the organization of this church and is active in all its meetings. Mrs. Larsen is also interested in religious matters and is at present serving as president of the Ladies' Society. During his travels in the Old World our subject gained valuable information. He has visited Denmark, Sweden and Germany, but of all countries he likes America best. In politics he gives his support to the Democratic party. He is a member of the State Liquor Dealers' Asso- ciation and for six years was secretary of the Long Island City Branch.

G EORGE KELLEY HOPKINS, of Coro- na Heights, was born at Carmel, Putnam County, N. Y., November 15, 1854, and is a son of Arva and Eliza A. (Kelley) Hopkins. His father, grandfather Alvah, and great-grand- father, David Hopkins, were born upon the same farm, this being a tract of land originally settled by the great-great-grandfather, a native of Scot- land. Some years ago Arva Hopkins moved from New York to Idaho and settled at Emmett, where he has a large ranch and is also extensively in- terested in mining enterprises. His wife died when our subject was about thirteen years old.

The boyhood days of George K. Hopkins were spent on the old homestead. He was a diligent student, and in a competitive examination for a scholarship in Cornell University stood the high- est of the twenty who were in the race. He re- ceived the appointment, but did not enter the uni- versity, teaching school instead. After one term in a country school he entered Folsom's Business College at Albany, from which he graduated at the age of about twenty-three. Going to New York, he secured employment as driver on a milk wagon, and was thus employed for two years. Later he bought a route for himself and within two years had four routes. In addition to that business, he opened a grocery, in which he met with success. During 1890 he bought his pres-

ent property and moved here in August, 1895, having sold his business in New York.

September 17, 1888, Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage with Mrs. Ennie E. (Pennell) Ellis, who was born in Queens County, Ireland, and who had by her first marriage a daughter, Flor- ence. Politically our subject is a Republican, which has been the faith of the family since the organization of the party. He holds membership in the Carmel Baptist Church in Putnam Coun- ty, never having taken his letter from that congre- gation. Socially he is connected with Council No. 252, Royal Arcanum, and Olive Branch Lodge, I. O. O. F., both of New York.

J OHN W. DAVREN. The United States can well be proud of the amount of brains and energy possessed by her representative newspaper men, for, taken as a whole, there are none brighter, more intelligent, or with more ability and push. A brilliant, forcible and excel- lent writer connected with the "New York World" and the "Brooklyn Daily Eagle" is John W. Davren, who is a native of the city of New York, born in 1865. His parents are John and Mary T. (Haley) Davren, the former of whom was for a number of years a boss lather in New York City. In 1868 he came with his wife and one son to Long Island City, continuing to work at his trade, and is here residing at the present time. In 1876 his estimable wife died, leaving him with three children: John W .; Mary F., wife of Jacob Van Wicklen, and Margaret. An- other child died in infancy. James Davren, a brother of John Davren, has been quite promi- nent in the affairs of Long Island City and has held the positions of coroner, police commis- sioner and assessor. He is now in the undertak- ing business in Jackson Avenue and has been a resident of this place since 1867, soon after which he was joined by his brothers, John, William and Patrick.

The childhood days of the subject of this sketch were spent in the first ward of Long Island City and here his education was acquired in the old Sixth Street school and in the old grammar school in East Thirty-seventh Street, New York. About 1882 he became a messenger for the Long Island News Association, the members of which were reporters engaged in gathering the news of Long Island for the New York dailies. As time passed he acquired a thorough knowledge of and

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love for the calling and eventually became the manager for the association of Queens and Suf- folk Counties. In 1889 he resigned this position to become the correspondent of the "Brooklyn Daily Eagle" and the "New York World" for Long Island City, and in these capacities has shown undoubted ability as a concise and forcible writer. He is well posted, up with the times, and from his articles something bright, new and in- teresting may always be gleaned. His thorough acquaintance with Long Island City and her peo- ple makes his work comparatively easy and his news is naturally always authentic. He has a well appointed office at No. 9 Borden Avenue and a comfortable and commodious residence at No. 31 Ely Avenue.

Mr. Davren was married in St. Mary's Catho- lic Church, Long Island City, August 20, 1895, to Miss Anna C. Harran, Rev. Father John Do- herty officiating. Mrs. Davren was born in Long Island City, a daughter of Lawrence Harran. Mr. Davren was one of the organizers of the Arling- ton Athletic Club, which was a model of its kind during the six years that it was in existence. He was its first president, filling this office two terms. At the present time he is a member of the Ravens- wood Club, and the Jefferson Club, of which he was one of its earliest and most active members. Politically he is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and for the past five years has been a member of the gen- eral committee and also of the executive commit- tee from the second district of the first ward. He and his wife are members of St. Mary's Catho- lic Church.

R EV. WILLIAM JAY PECK, M. D. In the front ranks of the able men of Queens County stands the name of the pastor of the Union Evangelical Church of Corona. This gentleman was gifted by nature to more than an ordinary degree, possessing all the qualities that go to make up a complete manhood. Intellec- tually he is classed among the foremost minds of Long Island, while all his tastes are of the higher order-a man of refinement, cultivation, one who maintains the deepest interest in the spiritual welfare of his fellow men. As a citizen he has been liberal and public-spirited, the friend of education, and foremost in the enterprises tend- ing to elevate the people. He is an eloquent speaker, and, in addition to his ministerial work, has often lectured on his travels in this country

and abroad. Churches and public halls have often resounded with his ringing voice and fervid language, as he has sought to impress upon his fellow men their duty to one another and to society. He has delivered many brilliant ora- tions before attentive and admiring audiences, who have gone away to their homes benefited and uplifted by what they have heard.

The parents of our subject, Jeremiah and Cor- nelia (Dudley) Peck, were natives of Connecticut, where the former was for years principal of an academy, also took an active interest in the cause of prohibition and the abolition of slavery. In the interest of these causes he lectured extensive- ly, but being in advance of his time he was bit- terly persecuted, though this had no other effect upon him than to make him more determined in his efforts. He was closely identified with the underground railroad and did all in his power to help the slaves. It was his privilege to live to witness the triumph of the principles he advo- cated, and this fact brightened his closing years. He passed from earth in February, 1874.

The subject of this record was born in North- field, town of Litchfield, Litchfield County, Conn., August 5, 1853. Under the careful training of his parents he gained the rudiments of his educa- tion, and at the age of fourteen he began to attend school. Three years later he prepared for college at Thomaston Academy under Prof. Jo- seph R. French, now of New Haven, Conn. At the age of twenty-one, in September, 1874, he entered Williams College, where he remained un- til graduating in 1878 with high honors and the degree of A. B. Soon afterward he entered Union Theological Seminary of New York City and graduated in 1881, meantime having devoted some time to preaching as a city missionary. In June, 1881, in Broadway Tabernacle, he was ordained to the ministry, Dr. William M. Taylor delivering the discourse.

The same year-1881-Rev. Mr. Peck accepted a call to his present pastorate. In 1881-82 he also took a post-graduate course and received the degree of A. M. from Williams College. Visit- ing the Adirondacks and the surrounding coun- try, he delivered a series of lectures on his re- turn, descriptive of tliat famous region. In 1880 he visited Europe and lectured upon his travels after his return. In 1886 he went via Yosemite Valley to California, where he visited the mines and orange groves, and upon his return lec- tured concerning that part of the country. Over-

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work resulted in the loss of his voice, and neces- sitated a dangerous surgical operation that proved almost fatal. After partially recovering, he went to the Bermuda Islands, where he spent the winter. As it was thought he would never be able to preach again, he entered the medical department of the University of New York, and remained there until his graduation in 1890, Dr. A. W. Warden being his preceptor. Afterward he practiced his profession and was assistant at the Post-graduate Medical College in the de- partment of dermatology for three years.

June 2, 1891, Dr. Peck was united in marriage, in Boonton, N. J., with Miss Grace Crawford Ford of that place. In February, 1895, they took a trip to the Holy Land, passing through Spain, Algiers, Italy, Greece and Egypt, going eight hundred miles up the Nile, and afterwards visit- . ing the ancient city of Damascus, Turkey, Aus- tria, Switzerland, France and England, traveling twenty thousand miles and returning in six months from the time of starting. For years he has been a contributor to various of the lead- ing magazines and papers and has delivered pop- ular lectures on the East, illustrated by stereop- ticon views. He has officiated at one hundred and fifty-three funerals, many marriages, has re- ceived two hundred and fifty into church mem- bership, and baptized two hundred and twenty- nine, the last being twins. A zealous worker in Christian Endeavor circles, he is president of the oldest society on Long Island, outside of Brook- lyn. In 1884 he began to publish the "Long Island Endeavorer," of which he is still the editor. Since 1886 he has been recording secretary of the Long Island Bible Society. He has a Sunday- school of seven hundred members, one of the best in the town. His latest publication is a new Catechism of Christian Doctrine for Sabbath Schools, intended to be interdenominational. He is now engaged in writing a book on the "Birth- place of the Bible."

H ENRY J. TAYLOR. The credit for a large share of the enterprises that help make Astoria one of the most progressive portions of Long Island City justly belongs to Mr. Taylor, who has resided here from boyhood and has contributed actively toward the advance- ment of its interests. He is a member of the firm of Taylor & Co., carriage manufacturers, with of- fice and works at Nos. 82 and 84 Broadway,

Astoria. They occupy a building 45x85 feet in dimensions and two stories in height, stocked with a complete outfit of vehicles of varied styles. The other member of the firm is W. P., brother of Henry J., the two being the successors of their father, who established the business in 1849.

The parents of our subject, both of whom have passed from earth, were Thomas and Mary (Han- evor) Taylor, natives of England. The former gained a thorough knowledge of coachmaking under the instruction of his father, Thomas Tay- lor, a successful and well-known carriage builder at Hackney, near London. After becoming fa- miliar with the trade, he carried on a shop in London, having as a partner his eldest brother, James. In 1848, having resolved to seek a home in America, he crossed the ocean and settled in Astoria, where the following year he started in the carriage business. For a time he occu- pied an old mill in Broadway, but in 1860 built the present works, and here he carried on busi- ness until his death, in 1888, at the age of sixty- nine. His wife had died in Astoria at the age of sixty. Of their children three daughters and two sons are still living, our subject being the eldest.

The first eight years of the life of Henry J. Taylor were spent in London, where he was born in 1840. With his parents he made the voyage to America in an Austrian gun-boat, seven weeks having been spent on the Atlantic. He grew to manhood in Long Island City and was one of the first pupils in the fourth ward school, which he attended until sixteen years of age. He then began to learn the trade of a carriage painter, at which he worked for three and one-half years. Afterward he took up the blacksmith's trade, and by degrees became familiar with every department of the business. In 1860 he formed a partnership with his brother- in-law under the firm name of Taylor, Schwarz & Co., which twenty-five years later was changed to Taylor & Schwarz. In 1888 he and his brother purchased the interest of their brother-in-law, and have since carried on the business, manufacturing all kinds of carriages to order.

The record of the house has been one reflecting the highest credit upon the members of the firm. Since the inception of the business in 1849, many wealthy and prominent New York gentlemen have been customers, including John Jacob Astor, August Belmont, Col. DeLancy Kane and others. The reliability of the work has caused the people to feel the utmost confidence in the honesty of

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the firm, and their skill in carriage building is conceded by all who have had any business rela- tions with them.

In Astoria Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Gallagher, who was born in New York City. Her father, John Gallagher, enlisted in the Union army during the Civil War and was killed at the battle of Bull Run, the ball which caused his death also fatally wounding his brother. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Tay- lor are Ellen C., Henry James, Arthur Cleveland, Edith and Richard Cook. Politically a Demo- crat, Mr. Taylor has served as a member of the general committee for eight years. For a sim- ilar period he has been identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and for eight years served Protection Engine No. 2 of the volunteer fire department, of which he was at one time as- sistant foreman. Socially he is connected with Advance Lodge, F. & A. M., and John Allen Lodge No. 330, A. O. U. W., at Astoria.

C JOHANN & SONS. The Egyptians made embalming a part of their religion and held that none of the dead would be resurrected save those bodies that should be pre- served through the required age of time. Latter day people embalm for purposes of convenience, or to escape the revolting thought of decay. As embalming has come in of late years, so coffins, or burial caskets, have changed their form. C. Johann & Sons, undertakers and embalmers at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Eleventh Street, College Point, are doing a large business in their special line and have the leading representative establishment of this kind in the city. This busi- ness was started in 1856 by William Becker, who was succeeded by Mathias Johann, and who in turn was succeeded by the present firm.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 57

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