Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 58

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 58

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Mathias Johann was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1838, and came to America with his parents, when ten years old. He learned the woodcarver's trade and in 1864 came to College Point, where he served as assistant undertaker for some time. Later he became a partner with Mr. Becker un- der the firm name of Becker & Johann, and they continued together until the death of Mr. Becker, when Mr. Johann took charge of the business and conducted it successfully until his death, January 29, 1890. During the war he served in the na- tional guards, which were called out to quell dis- turbances in New York during that exciting

period. Mr. Johann was married October 25, 1864, to Miss Catherine Becker, daughter of his . late partner, William Becker, and a native of Ger- many, who was born in 1845.

William Becker was a cabinetmaker by trade and followed this in the old country until 1855, when he came to America with his wife and one child. He located in College Point and in 1856 bought the place now occupied by his successors and became a successful undertaker, continuing the same until his death in 1888, when eighty-five years old. His wife, Susanna (Steffen) Becker, was a native of Prussia and died in 1877, when seventy-seven years old. Their only child, Cath- erine, was but ten years old when they came here and she was educated in this place, and later be- came the wife of Mr. Johann. After his death she and her sons took charge of the business and. it has since been conducted under the firm name of C. Johann & Sons. Both William and Peter are practical embalmers and are graduates of the art. They are also expert cabinet-workers and are wide-awake, successful young business men. This is the only undertaking establishment in College Point. By her marriage Mrs. Johann became the mother of eight children, as follows: Wil- liam, who is married and resides in College Point; Susan, Peter, Josephine; Katie, now Mrs. Gent- ner of College Point; Annie, Jacob and Henry. All are members of St. Fidelis Catholic Church.

R OBERT H. BALDWIN, who holds the re- sponsible position of agent of the Long Island Railroad Company at Coldspring Station, is a native of this county, having been born at Woodbury, December 26, 1856. This was also the birthplace of his father, Robert V. Baldwin, while his mother, Hannah Turner, was a native of Moriches. The former was born Oc- tober 15, 1832, and was one of the old and well- to-do farmers of this section. He was quiet and unassuming in manner and by years of toil and industry accumulated a competence and was the owner of the good tract of land upon which our subject now makes his home. Grandfather Isaac Baldwin was likewise born at Woodbury.

To Robert V. and Hannah Baldwin there were born six children, three of whom are living at the present time, namely: Amos V., a prominent contractor and builder living in Brooklyn; Rob- ert H., of this sketch; and Lillian, the wife of Frank Lewis, a resident of Oyster Bay. Our sub-

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ject was educated in the common schools of his district and remained on the homestead, assisting his father in its cultivation until eighteen years of age, when he began as an apprentice at the wheel- wright's trade at Coldspring. After working two years for C. S. Van Sise he traveled through the county as a journeyman wheelwright, but at the end of two years settled in Woodbury and began business on his own account. This he followed very successfully for seven years, when he aban- doned it in order to embark in the mercantile business here. This venture did not prove a very profitable investment and after a twelvemonth Mr. Baldwin closed out his stock and obtained a position in the drum factory of James Douden of Coldspring. January 1, 1883, while working at this place, he was asked to take charge of the sta- tion for the Long Island Railroad Company and has been in their employ ever since.

June 30, 1880, Mr. Baldwin was united in mar- riage with Miss Ella Velsor, the daughter of George Velsor of Woodbury, where he is en- gaged as a carpenter and wheelwright. In the autumn of 1883, soon after accepting the position of agent, Mr. Baldwin was appointed postmaster of Woodbury, which position he still holds. In his political relations he is a stalwart Democrat, and is one of the most public-spirited citizens of Coldspring, where he has many warm friends. In 1881 he was elected collector of taxes, and aside from this he has rendered efficient service as a member of the school board in District No. 13. To Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin there have been born three children, Charles H., Frederick E.and Rob- ert E.

R ALPH L. MACFARLAND, M. D., a prominent physician of Woodhaven, was born at Flushing October 10, 1863, the only son of the late Rev. Henry H. McFarland, a native of Ware, Mass., where he was born in 1832. He was a finely educated gentleman, graduating from Yale with the Class of '53. After complet- ing the literary course in that institution he en- tered Yale Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated with the honors of his class in 1859. The same year he began his ministerial work as pastor of the Congregational Church at Morris, Conn., and remained there until a short time prior to the outbreak of the late war, when he came to Flushing, L. I. For three years he was pastor of the Congregational Church at this

place, during which time he was an active mem- ber of the Christian Commission and aided in every way that he could the preservation of the Union.

On the expiration of the time above mentioned Rev. Henry H. McFarland went to Brooklyn, where he was for a time engaged in preaching to the Fifth Avenue Congregational Church of that city. Soon thereafter he resigned his pastorate, and from that time until his decease was engaged in literary work, being for nineteen years con- nected with the American Seaman's Friend So- ciety. On the organization of the "Sailors' Maga- zine" he was made its editor, holding this position from that date to the time of his death. He was also secretary and treasurer of the Manhattan Congregational Associations of New York and Brooklyn and was a contributor to the "Christian Union," now the "Outlook." He was the author of many able articles which appeared in this jour- nal from time to time and also contributed large- ly to the success of "White's History of Ameri- can Biography," of which he was likewise one of the editors. He was a clear and forcible writer and at the time of his decease, in the spring of 1895, was at work on a book, which, had he lived, it was his intention to publish.

The mother of Dr. Macfarland, Sarah A. Lum, a native of Connecticut, was a quiet, unassuming, cultured Christian lady, who devoted her life largely to making a pleasant home for her hus- band and family. She is at present a member of her son's household. There were born to herself and husband four children, of whom one died in infancy. Besides the Doctor is Miss Bessie, who is also an inmate of his household, and Clara, now the wife of Rev. J. Howard Hobbs, the brilliant pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, and a sketch of whose life the reader will find on another page in this volume.

The subject of this sketch received his early literary training under the watchful eyes of his father in the schools of Brooklyn. Later he at- tended the Greenwich (Conn.) Academy, from which he was graduated in 1881. Four years later he completed his medical studies in the New York Homoeopathic Medical College, after which he began the practice of his profession in the metropolis, and was for two years visiting physi- cian to the college from which he was graduated.

In 1887 Dr. Macfarland located in Woodhaven, where he has built up a large and lucrative prac- tice. He keeps fully abreast of the times and

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recent discoveries in the medical world by taking leading journals, keeping up to his studies, and by attending the medical societies to which he belongs.

April 16, 1895, Dr. Macfarland and Miss Nellie E. Hart of Brooklyn were united in marriage. This lady was the daughter of Frederick D. Hart, who is prominently connected with the New York & Brooklyn Bridge Company. The Doc- tor is a member of the Kings County Homoeo- pathic Medical Society, of which he was state dele- gate, and is vice-president of the Twenty-sixth Ward Homoeopathic Dispensary Association of Brooklyn. He is a worthy and consistent mem- ber of the Second Congregational Church of Woodhaven and very active in all church work. In his political faith he uses his ballot in favor of the Republican party.

W ILLIAM H. ZABRISKIE, M. D., one of the prominent physicians and skilled surgeons of Glencove, was born in Mor- ris County, N. J., January 15, 1862, the son of Abram and Celia (Dixon) Zabriskie. The family were originally from Poland, but later settled in Holland, where they remained for a few genera- tions, when certain representatives came to America during the colonial times and estab- lished a home in Bergen County, N. J. After- ward, however, some members of the family moved to Morris County, that state, where the father of our subject, who is both a farmer and millwright, still lives.

The boyhood days of William H. were spent in attending the public schools of his native place and after graduating at the age of seventeen he entered the seminary at Princeton, N. J., carrying on his studies there for about a year. He then began reading medicine with Dr. J. S. Ryerson of Boonton, N. J., and after a year and a half spent in his office he attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City. He took the entire course and was graduated in 1885 with honors. He received much valuable aid in his work by being allowed to practice in the hos- pital, which privilege was granted him on account of his high standing in all his studies.

When ready to embark in practice Dr. Zabris- kie opened an office at Glencove, where he has been located ever since. Few physicians in the county rank higher in the profession than he, who, although thoroughly devoted to the duties

which devolve upon him as a doctor, takes an ac- tive interest in the local progress and leading movements of his home neighborhood.

Dr. Zabriskie and Miss Lizzie W. Bowne of Glencove, were united in marriage February 14, 1888. This lady was the daughter of Richard M. and Mary (Titus) Bowne, prominent residents of Queens County, the former being a descendant from one of its oldest families. The Doctor and his wife have become the parents of two children, William Howard and Mary Margaret. Dr. Zab- riskie follows in the footsteps of his father in po- litical affairs and is a Democrat, voting for Cleve- land in 1884. He has served as health officer for the town of Oyster Bay for two terms and is al- ways ready to assist in movements for the general good. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, holding membership with Pembroke Lodge. The Doctor is likewise a member of the Queens County Med- ical Society, of which he is vice-president and has held this office for several years. He is also connected with the New York State Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association, tak- ing an active part in the meetings of these various bodies and contributing greatly to their interest by reading papers touching upon important sub- jects.

R. FRANK BOWNE, junior member of the firm of Titus & Bowne, dealers in build-

· ing materials, coal and hardware at Glencove, is descended from one of the oldest and most honored families on Long Island, of whom a full account will appear in the biography of his father, Richard M. Bowne, which the reader will find on another page in this volume.

The subject of this sketch was born at Glen- cove, November 17, 1859, and is the son of Richard M. and Mary (Titus) Bowne, who are still living here. His father was for many years one of the active merchants of the place, but hav- ing accumulated a handsome fortune he is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his early years of toil and industry. After completing a course in the public schools of his native place, R. Frank in 1875 entered Swarthmore College, near Philadelphia, Pa., where he was a student for two years.

On his return home from college our subject entered his father's store as clerk, and for ten years remained with him assisting in the business. He then accepted the position of bookkeeper with

WILLIAM BRIDGE.

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the owners of a brickyard at Center Isle, this county, but remained there only a year when he began working at the carpenter's trade. This oc- cupation occupied his entire time and attention for four years and eventually led to his opening the establishment of which he is now one of the owners. The partnership with Mr. Titus was formed in 1890 and the business has grown from year to year until it now assumes large propor- tions.

Mr. Bowne, although reared a Democrat, has of late years joined the ranks of the Republicans, and never lets an opportunity pass to vote for its chosen candidates. He has never been an as- pirant for public office, as his business occupies his time to such an extent that he has never had an opportunity to represent his fellow townsmen in any capacity whatever. Notwithstanding the fact that his parents were members of the Society of Friends, Mr. Bowne is connected with the Presbyterian Church. In social affairs he is a Mason, holding membership with Glencove Lodge No. 580, in which he has held many of the minor offices. He is likewise connected with Pembroke Lodge No. 73, I. O. O. F., in which he has occupied many of the chairs and been sent as its representative to the Grand Lodge.

The marriage of Mr. Bowne and Miss Mary C. Underhill occurred October 25, 1882. This lady was born at Locust Valley, Queens County, and by her union with our subject became the moth- er of a son, Sidney B. The wife and mother de- parted this life in 1886. The second marriage of our subject, which occurred in May, 1889, was with Miss Agnes Wood, a most excellent and highly esteemed lady and a native of Glencove. They have one daughter, Dorothy.

W ILLIAM BRIDGE. Legion is the name of those who, beginning in life with few advantages, have worked their way, despite obstacles and hardships, to a posi- tion of influence and prominence. Such a one is the subject of this article, well known as the proprietor of the canning establishment of Wil- liam Bridge & Co., at Locust Valley. Though not a native of this country, his life has been prin- cipally passed here, and he is thoroughly Amer- ican in sentiment, principles and views.

The birth of our subject occurred in 1837 in Bury St. Edmunds, a village standing on a gentle eminence in the richly cultivated county of Suf-

folk, England. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Nelson) Bridge, were natives of that same local- ity, and the father was highly esteemed as a man of probity, energy and business capacity, serving at different times in a number of local offices of honor and trust. With his family, he came to America in 1852 and settled in Rondout, Ulster County, but three months later death removed him from the scene of his labors, leaving his widow with an only child, William. Upon the latter fell the burden of the support of himself and mother, and though a mere lad in years, he nobly discharged the duty, caring for his mother until she died, in 1858.

Soon after coming to the United States Mr. Bridge entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company as assistant boat inspector, from which he was promoted, through successive steps, until he had supervision of the entire business at Williamsburg. He was with the company seven years, and during the last three years of the time was superintendent. In 1859 he resigned in order to establish a market business in Williams- burg, which he carried on five years at that place and sixteen years in Long Island City. Mean- time he became prominent in public affairs and in 1865 was elected a member of the Republican city committee, in which capacity he rendered. efficient service. Later he was elected to repre- sent the first ward on the board of aldermen, and served for one term. Recognizing the fidelity and efficiency of his services, his party desired him to represent them as a member of the assem- bly, but this honor he declined. For six years he held the position of commissioner of improve- ments and during that time a great many impor- tant changes were made that have proved of last- ing benefit to the city. Under the administration of President Hayes he was appointed postmaster of Long Island City and by re-appointment under Presidents Arthur and Cleveland held the office for nine consecutive years. While serving in that capacity he also held the appointing power of postmasters in Queens County.

In 1880 Mr. Bridge disposed of his business in Long Island City and became a member of the firm of Hudson & Co., who were engaged in the canning business in that city. Five years later the connection was dissolved, and he formed a partnership with John Gregory in the same busi- ness. The same year (1885) a branch was start- ed at Locust Valley, but three years later the entire business was moved to this village, and in

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1891 he bought out his partner's interest in the enterprise, since which time he has been sole proprietor. He is the sole packer of the Oyster Bay brand of asparagus, and also carries all va- rieties of pears, apples, etc. To such an extent was the business enlarged that for several years he was unable to secure sufficient quantities of fruit for canning. It has always been his aim to put up only first-class goods, his trade being among the best customers, who desire only the finest quality. On the wrappers appears a fine cut of the Brooklyn bridge, which is his trade mark. In 1896 he erected a feed mill which it is his intention to operate in connection with his factory, and which will be an accommodation to the public.

During his residence in Williamsburg Mr. Bridge married Miss Cornelia E. Calhoun, who was born in Brooklyn, and was a daughter of John C. Calhoun, who at the time of his death was one of the oldest marine engineers in this country. Seven children were born of this union, but only two are living, namely: Sarah F., and Carrie E., wife of Edward E. Wilson, superintend- ent for Tracy Brothers, of Waterbury, Conn., a large firm of contractors and builders, in which he is a stockholder.

Since 1854 Mr. Bridge has been a Master Ma- son, and he is the oldest Knight Templar on Long Island outside of Brooklyn. His time is now given very largely to his business interests, and he no longer takes an active part in public affairs, but when in political life he was an ac- knowledged power and wielded a large influence. He is a man who has ever maintained a deep in- terest in the welfare of the people and the progress of the county and state, and his labors have been instrumental in accomplishing many needed re- forms and improvements.

S CUDDER V. WHITNEY is one whose present substantial position in life has been reached entirely through his own perse- verance, and the facts connected with his agri- cultural operations, and their results, only show what a person with courage and enlightened views can accomplish. Mr. Whitney was born March II, 1821, on the place where he now resides. Henry Whitney, his ancestor seven generations removed, was born in England about 1620, it is supposed, and about the year 1637 he came to America with about thirty-seven others, all anx-

ious to make their fortunes on this side of the Atlantic. Mr. Whitney first located at Hasham- mock (now Southold), Suffolk County. The fol- lowing is a list of the colony of which he was one and from which many men of eminence have de- scended, viz .: Rev. John Young, William Wells, Barnabas Horton, Thomas Benedict, Richard Benjamin, John Booth, Richard Brown, Lieut. John Budd, Henry Case, John Conkling, John Corey, Mathias Corwin, Philamon Dickerson, Charles Glover, Ralph Goldsmith, William Hal- lock, Samuel King, Charles Mapes, George Miller, Thomas Moore, Peter Payne, William Purrier, Thomas Reeve, William Salmon, John Sweezy, Richard Terry, Thomas Terry, John Tucker, John Tuttle, Henry Tuttle, Capt. John Under- hill, Jeremiah Vail, Barnabas Wines, Joseph Youngs, Capt. John Youngs, Robert Ackerly and John Herbert.

In compiling a history of the Whitney family in 1878 it was found that the descendants of Henry Whitney numbered twenty thousand three hundred and sixty-one. The line of descent from Henry Whitney to our subject is Henry, John, Richard, Daniel, Darling, Daniel, Scudder V. Darling Whitney, the grandfather of our subject, was born at Stamford, Conn., September 25, 1758, and when eighteen years old he enlisted in the Revolutionary War, entering actively into service at West Point. After the war he located at East- woods (now Woodbury), and was there married to Miss Sarah Valentine. During the War of 1812 he held the rank of major and was stationed at Ft. Green (Brooklyn, N. Y.), under General John- son. A few years later he sold his farm at Wood- bury to his son, Daniel (father of our subject), and engaged in merchandising in New York City, where he died November 14, 1834.

Daniel Whitney was born July 2, 1781, at Woodbury, and there spent his life. Upon first starting out for himself he engaged in boating on the Sound and Hudson River, but later, in 1819, bought the old homestead, where his death occurred, August 7, 1848. He was also a sol- dier in the War of 1812, serving three months at Sag Harbor, and was lieutenant of the militia. He took a decided interest in public matters, was unusually influential, but declined to hold office. Politically he was a Democrat and religiously a Methodist. His family consisted of three sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was fourth in order of birth.

Scudder V. Whitney was reared on the farm,

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secured a liberal education in the common schools, and when eighteen years old began his career as a teacher, following this profession for five or six years. On the 19th of April, 1849, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Titus, daughter of Henry Titus of Glen Cove, L. I. While getting his education young Scudder applied himself to the study of surveying and civil engineering, and for the past thirty years has done much in that line in Queens and Suffolk Counties, establishing roads and boundary lines. In 1873 he was chosen by this county to establish the line between the two counties.

Mr. Whitney has led an active life and this he still continues, although seventy-five years old. He has held many positions of trust and responsi- bility, and no man is more highly esteemed and respected than this worthy citizen. Upon the death of his father the old home place, which has now been in the hands of the family for the past one hundred and fifteen years descended to him, and soon afterward he gave up teaching and turned his attention to farming and surveying. For fifteen years he has held the office of assessor of his town most acceptably. In 1881 he was elected supervisor of the town of Oyster Bay, serving two terms, and in 1888 was again elected, serving three terms more. In the year 1845 he was elected superintendent of common schools, and for six years was trustee of the Jones' Fund. For thirty-five years he has been and is now a director of the Glen Cove Mutual Insurance Com- pany and for eight years has been and is now vice-president of the same.

Mr. Whitney is also a director of The Hamilton Fire Insurance Company of New York, of which his brother, Hon. Daniel D. Whitney, ex-mayor of Brooklyn, N. Y., is president, and has been chosen as executor and administrator of many wills and estates. He is a member of the Woodbury Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been officially connected since the building was erected in 1856. Mr. Whitney has one daughter, Phoebe Titus, and two sons, Daniel S. and Rev. Henry C. The elder son, who car- ries on the farm, was married June 8, 1893, to Miss Maria Van Sise, of Woodbury. They have one child, Elizabeth Titus. At Southport, Conn., April 20, 1892, the younger son was married to Miss Fannie, daughter of Rev. Benjamin Gilman. They have one son, Oliver Gilman, born at Nich- ols, Conn., November II, 1804. Rev. Mr. Whit- ney is now located at Rowayton, Conn. Our sub-

ject is one of the best known men in his town and has rounded out a goodly number of years of activity and is still in the harness, though for the past four years he has lived retired from political life. He enjoys the respect, confidence and es- teem of a wide circle of acquaintances.

S T. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH occupies a central and attractive location in Long Island City. The building is sit- uated in Crescent Street, extending through to Prospect Street, and is surrounded by smaller buildings to assist in the carrying forward of the various enterprises connected with the church. . The first edifice in which the congregation wor- shiped was situated on the corner of William and Henry Streets, but the site not being as desirable as this, the change was made. The congregation contemplate in the near future erecting a larger and more modern building. At successive periods in its history the church has been under the supervision of Fathers Soto (the first priest), Keiley, O'Brien, Toner, Mc- Guirl and McGronen.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 58

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