Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 66

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 66

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Mr. Miller was married in 1876 to Miss Mary E. Randall, daughter of Jehial W. and Marietta Randall of Suffolk County, and to their union four children have been given: Raymond J., Marietta R., William G., Jr., and Florence Eliza- beth. The home life of Mr. Miller is singularly happy, and in his bright, cheerful and intelligent wife he has found a true help-mate. Our subject is now in the prime and vigor of manhood, ac- tive and capable, well known for his sound judg- ment, is a devoted friend, a congenial companion and is a true Christian in every sense of the word. By diligence he has secured success and his friends delight in the fact that a long life of use- fulness is still before him.

J OHN MERWIN OLDRIN. Among the prominent newspaper men of Queens Coun- ty, the name of John M. Oldrin takes a prominent place. He is the owner and publisher of "Sea Cliff News," one of the ably edited pa- pers of the county, whose bright, newsy pages are eagerly read by numerous subscribers. Mr. Oldrin was born at West Hampton, February 21, 1836, a son of Rev. Edward and Catharine (De Freyenhagen) Oldrin. The father was born in Suffolk County, England, in 1803, and was a self-educated man. When but a young man he came to America and here learned the tanner and currier's trade, which he followed but a short time, for after his conversion in the Methodist Church he became an exhorter and later an or- dained minister.

As his father was located in various villages while preaching, our subject received good edu- cational advantages and when fourteen years old entered the New York Conference Seminary at Charlotteville, N. Y., where he remained until sixteen years old. He then began teaching in the country schools of Ulster County, and con- tinued this for sixteen years, ten vears of which time he taught in the town of Hempstead, Queens County. In the year 1856 he was mar- ried to Miss Nettie Burtis Coles, of Southold, and to them were born five children: Carrie L.,

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who died in 1885, was the wife of George Simon- son; Lizzie Catharine is the widow of Charles Walters, and has two children; Lillian Irene married George W. Pearsall, and resides at Sea- cliff; she has three children, and is postmistress at Seacliff; Nettie Bertha married John Walters and lives at Southington, Conn .; she has two children: Oliver John Edward resides in New York City, where he is a book-keeper; he is mar- ried and has one child.

Mr. Oldrin lost his wife in 1869, her death oc- curring at Hempstead, where he had gone into the general mercantile business, being a member of the firm of Clowes, Oldrin & Co. After the death of his wife Mr. Oldrin resumed teaching and followed this five years of the ten that he taught in Long Island. In the year 1869 he married Miss Sarah Clarissa Randall, of East Saginaw, Mich., and two children were given them: Clara Merwin, the wife of John A. Bader, now of Seacliff, has one son, John Merwin; and Grace Helen is still at home.

In the year 1876 Mr. Oldrin moved to Seacliff, and opened up a first-class refreshment store, and in connection also started a local express busi- ness, which netted him good returns. The latter . he followed for a number of years and then em- barked in the real estate business. In 1888 he bought the "Sea Cliff News," and has made it one of the best papers in the county. He still continues the real estate business and has erected a large building on the corner of Central Avenue and Twelfth Avenue. Before coming to Sea- cliff he was appointed notary public, which posi- tion he held for upwards of twenty years. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster of Seacliff, un- der Cleveland's administration, and served a full term. Mr. Oldrin lost his second wife in 1879, and in 1880 he was married to Miss Eva Stella Rogers, the ceremony being pronounced by Rev. C. E. Miller, at Hempstead. She was born at West Islip, and is the daughter of John H. and Esther Ann (Hubbard) Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Oldrin have one child, Charles Miller Oldrin, who was born May 22, 1881.

In the year 1893 Mrs. Oldrin was appointed notary public, and she is of great assistance to her husband in all his work. Mr. Oldrin is a Democrat in politics, but in 1864 cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln. In 1868 he voted for Sey- mour, and since that has affiliated with the Dem- ocratic party. He was village clerk of Hemp- stead for two terms, town clerk of the same place

one term, village trustee there one term, and was one of the organizers of the Mutual Benefit As- sociation, being its first secretary and treasurer. He is at present a member of the Board of Edu- cation of Seacliff. For about twenty years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows Order, Hempstead Lodge No. 141, filled all the chairs, and represented that lodge in the Grand Lodge twice. He is a member of the Seawanhaka Coun- cil No. 362, Royal Arcanum, at Glencove.

Mr. Oldrin was one of the organizers of the Seacliff Inclined Cable Railway Company, be- came its vice-president, and later its president, which position he held for two years, and but for physical infirmities would have continued to hold the position. He was town clerk of Hempstead when Hempstead Plains, consisting of about sev- en thousand acres, was sold to A. T. Stewart, and was one of the men who had the convey of the title.

A LEXANDER A. PEARSALL. Among the many thriving industries of Oceanside is the oyster business, in which Mr. Pear- sall has been engaged for several years. His beds are finely located and are so managed that they yield about five thousand bushels of oysters per year. These he disposes of in New York and Brooklyn at good prices.

Our subject was born in August, 1852, in this part of Queens County, his parents being Jarvis R. and Deborah (Daynes) Pearsall, the former of whom was a native of New Jersey. He came to Long Island when a young man and after car- rying on a farm for a number of years aban- doned this occupation in order that he might give his entire time to raising oysters. He car- ried on his interests in this line quite success- fully until his death, which occurred in 1888. In this locality he was widely known and was re- spected alike by young and old. His good wife preceded him to the land beyond by several years.

After completing his education in the schools of his district Alexander A., of this history, as- sisted his father in looking after the farm and also helped in the oyster beds. Before reaching his majority he had determined to make this lat- ter industry his business in life, and that he has succeeded well is evidenced from the large busi- ness which he carries on. In 1878 he was mar- ried to Miss Eleanora L., daughter of George B. Ghee, of Westchester, N. Y. Their union has

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been blessed by the birth of the following chil- dren: Amelia, Jarvis and Eleanor.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Pearsall are devoted mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, in which the former holds the office of elder and trustee. So- cially he is a Mason, of high standing, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is conservative in local affairs, but during na- tional elections supports the candidates of the Republican party. He is a man of quiet disposi- tion, modest and unassuming in his demeanor, but of good heart and generous instincts. He is sure to be found on the right side of all moral questions and is highly regarded in the com- munity.

C ARMI B. GRUMAN, one of the substan- tial residents and shrewd business men of Queens County, is president of the Glencove Bank. He was born in the town of Norwalk, Fairfield County, Conn., May 22, 1830, and is the son of Lewis F. and Eliza (Hurlbut) Gruman. The first nine years of his life were spent at Norwalk. His father died when he was very young, leaving the mother to care for a large family of children. Carmi B. was thus compelled to start out early in life to make his own way in the world, his first employment being as a clerk in a store. He was thus engaged for two years, when he obtained work on a farm, and during his stay with the kind people for whom he worked, was given the opportunity for attend- ing the district school for three months each year. This was taught by William H. Richards, a noted educator of Fairfield County. The summer after attaining his fifteenth birthday he worked for wages for six months and the following winter again went to school to Mr. Richards, whose ad- mirable character and thorough work are still gratefully remembered by his old pupils through- out the country. Our subject was studious and ambitious to learn, and when a lad of sixteen was given permission to teach the school at Westport. He had charge of this for four years, during which time he improved every leisure moment in study.

During the years in which he taught school Mr. Gruman saved $1,000, and, entering into partnership with Mr. Whitlock, established a pri- vate boarding school at Wilton, Conn. In this institution he taught for some time, or until with-

in a year of coming to Glencove, which was in 1855.

On making his home in Glencove, Mr. Gruman joined his brother, H. L. Gruman, in the manu- facturing of tin and the sale of house furnishing goods until 1890, when he retired from actual business. Two years later the Bank of Glencove was organized and he was elected its president, which position he still holds.

Prior to the formation of the Republican party our subject supported Whig candidates, but since 1856 he has been loyal to the principles of the grand old party. He has been closely identified with educational interests in Glencove, serving for fifteen consecutive years as a member of the board. During this time he advocated the grading of the schools and planned the course of study which was first adopted. He had the hon- or of laying the cornerstone and delivering one of the addresses upon that occasion. He represents the Aetna Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, of which company he was appointed agent a num- ber of years ago.

Mr. Gruman was baptized by Bishop Kemper of the Episcopal Church, and has ever since been true to the teachings of that religious body. He is connected with St. Paul's Church, of which he is vestryman. Socially he is a member of Pem- broke Lodge No. 73, I. O. O. F., which he be- came identified with some time in the `6os. It was mainly through his influence that Pembroke Hall was built, and its members now take great pride in the fact that it is the finest lodge room and hall combined in the county. Mr. Gruman has taken a very active part in the same and has filled all the principal chairs.

D AVID GRINSTED. Probably no man in Queens County is more conversant with the growth of Manhasset than is Mr. Grinsted, a retired contractor and builder, who has been identified with the interests of this place since 1877. He is a native of England and was born in Sussex County, January 4, 1817. His parents were Henry and Sarah (Lawson) Grinsted, who were also born in England.

Although David worked on a farm until eight- een years of age, he managed to acquire a good common school education, and when starting out in life for himself he was well fitted to battle with the world. His parents emigrating to America about this time, he accompanied them

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hither and located in Elizabeth, N. J., there mak- ing his home from 1836 until 1839. During that time he learned the carpenter's trade, and after making New York City his place of residence, he opened a shop of his own and for a period of thirty years was engaged as a contractor there.

Mr. Grinsted was married November 3, 1842, to Miss Charity Simonson, a native of Springfield, and the daughter of Nicholas and Rebecca (Mills) Simonson, respected residents of this community. On her father's side Mrs. Grinsted is descended from one of the oldest families on the island, the ancestors coming here from Holland many years ago. Her maternal grandfather, Samuel Mills, was one of the body guard of General Washing- ton during the Revolutionary period. He en- tered the army at an early age, and during the seven years of his service was twice wounded. He lived to be eighty years of age and after his army experience was awarded a pension for his faithful services.

Our subject continued to make his home in New York City until some time in 1877, when he came to this pleasant village and has since re- sided in a comfortable home overlooking Man- hasset Bay. By his union with Miss Simonson there were born nine children, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Ella Eliza- beth, who is the wife of Hamilton J. Combes, a commercial traveler. They reside in New York City and have a family of four daughters, Edna G., Juliet Bunyan, Mabel J., and Edith Amy.

In politics Mr. Grinsted was in early life a Whig, but not taking out his naturalization pa- pers for some time he was permitted to vote for but one Whig candidate. That was in 1848, when Zachary Taylor ran for President. In 1856 he joined the ranks of the Republicans and has ever since supported this party. When twenty- four years of age he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his wife is also connected, she having become a member of this denomination when sixteen years of age. Mr. Grinsted takes an active part in re- ligious work and has been both trustee and stew- ard of his congregation.

Mr. and Mrs. Grinsted celebrated their golden wedding in 1892, and among the large number of guests present were three brothers and two sis- ters, also a brother-in-law, who had been wit- nesses of their marriage in 1842. This was made a most joyous occasion and will doubtless be remembered by many of those present long

after Mr. and Mrs. Grinsted shall have been called to their final home. This old couple have a pleasant home where they welcome their many friends, who delight to accept their generous hos- pitality.

J OHN BEAUMONT COWPER. It has been said that "The best part of a man's education is that which he gives himself," a statement the truth of which none will dispute. Certainly it may be said of Mr. Cowper that, while he was given good school advantages, yet the knowledge which he now has and the develop- ment of his superior mechanical skill are due al- most wholly to his own close attention to busi- ness and his incessant labors to perfect himself in his chosen occupation. At present a resident of Lynbrook, he is superintendent of the manu- facturing establishment of T. I. Simpson, at this place.

The son of Paul and Ann (Beaumont) Cowper, our subject was born in Lancashire, England, in 1850, and was reared in the place of his birth, where he resided until thirty years of age. His education was received principally in a private college at Ashton-under-Lyne, County of Lan- caster. At the age of fourteen he entered the cotton manufacturing establishment owned by his father, and, beginning in the lowest capacity, worked his way from one position to another un- til he finally was made manager of the concern. This position he held for six years of the six- teen he was with the house. Through unfortu- nate business relations and as a result of the panic of 1875, the firm was compelled to suspend opera- tions, which was a severe blow to Mr. Cowper, for by his energy and efforts he had introduced improved methods and developed the business from a formative condition to a modern and im- proved plant.

During his residence in England Mr. Cowper married Miss Annie, daughter of John Whitta- ker, an organ manufacturer of his native town, where she was born. In 1880 he resolved to try his fortune in America and accordingly brought his family to New York City, where he entered a new line of business, accepting a position with R. Hoe & Co., manufacturers of printing presses. He remained with this firm for twelve years and meantime assisted in erecting their large printing presses in different cities. While with them le superintended the erection of the presses for the

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printing of bank notes in the Government Build- ing at Washington, D. C.

In 1888 Mr. Cowper purchased a lot and erect- ed his present residence at Lynbrook. Four years later he accepted his present position with T. I. Simpson and has entire charge of the estab- lishment at this place, where everything in the ship chandler's line is manufactured, from the smallest articles to an anchor. His mechanical skill is unusual; in fact, almost phenomenal. No problem in his line is too intricate or difficult for him to undertake and solve. In his last two posi- tions, though the work was entirely new to him, being in different branches of mechanics, his mechanical genius enabled him to carry out every plan with apparent ease and to the satisfaction of his employers. Politically he is independent and liberal in his views. He and his wife, also their only daughter Bertha, are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Cowper deservedly ranks as one of the best citizens of the community and one who, by his strict sense of probity, has won the position for himself. He is a man of warm heart and gen- erous impulses, ever ready to assist the deserving poor to the extent of his ability. His life has been one of busy industry, and in all his transac- tions he has sustained the character of a Chris- tian gentleman.

G I USTAV H. POLACK, an active and wide-awake business man of East Wil- liamsburg, has a well-stocked grocery es- tablishment and also has a large trade in the line of flour, feed, seeds and agricultural implements. His prosperity has not been the result of accident or luck, but has come to him as the result of in- domitable perseverance and sound judgment, qualities which almost invariably bring to their possessor financial success.

Mr. Polack, as his name implies, is a German, and was born August 6, 1854, in Hamburg.

The parents of our subject were August and Dorothy (Brummer) Polack, the former of whom was also born in Hamburg, December 27, 1823. He emigrated to America with his family in the year 1871, making settlement in East Williams- burg, where he still makes his home and is re- garded as one of its old and honored residents. On his arrival in America Gustav H. was a lad of seventeen years. Having acquired a practical education in the schools of his native land he at

once began to make his own way in life on com- ing hither and was employed by Herman Ringe, then proprietor of the business which our subject now carries on. He worked for Mr. Ringe for four years, and with the money which he had saved during this time bought a milk route, con- ducting the same for eight years. In 1884 Mr. Polack sold out his interest in this line and from the widow of his former employer purchased the business in which he is now engaged. He pos- sesses the push, energy and enterprise for which his countrymen are noted, and as a natural conse- quence he has been very successful in the accu- mulation of wealth and has won an enviable rep- utation for honesty and fair dealing.

Mr. Polack has never married, but continues to make his home with his parents. He is a lib- eral contributor to the support of the Lutheran Church, of which he is a member, and is an up- right and conscientious Christian, who yields to everyone his just dues, and is accordingly recog- nized as not only benevolent but helpful in the best sense. Politically he gives his support to the Democratic party.

J I UDGE THOMAS C. MacKENNA. Since 1870, the name of this gentleman has been included in the list of successful and able reporters on the "New York Herald." A resi- dent of Whitestone, he is ever interested in the progress of Queens County and is a large con- tributor to all public enterprises, by which the welfare of the people or the commercial interests of the county may be enhanced. Mr. Mackenna was born in Dublin, Ireland, January 31, 1847, his parents being Thomas C. and Catherine(Mac- guiness) MacKenna, also of Irish birth. The father, who is still living, makes his home in the Emerald Isle.

The subject of this sketch was reared to ma- ture years in his native land and there acquired a good common school education. After coming to America in 1867, he made his home in Albany for a time. Thence he later removed to Hart- ford, Conn., and after a stay there of a few months came to New York City; thence to Whitestone in the year 1870, since which time he has been connected with the "Herald."

In November, 1875, Judge Mackenna was married to Miss Ellen M. Hill, of Whitestone, the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (McGrath) Hill, also residents of this place. Their union

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resulted in the birth of seven children, named respectively, May; Irene; Emmet; Ray; Gene- vieve, deceased; Benjamin, and Helen.

In politics our subject has been a lifelong Democrat, and on this ticket was elected police judge, which responsible position he has held for the past seventeen years, during which time he has given perfect satisfaction to all con- cerned. Judge MacKenna is well versed in law, having read Blackstone for a considerable time prior to being elected to public office, and dur- ing the sixteen years in which he has beeen jus- tice of the peace has rendered decisions in such an able and efficient manner that there has been but one reversal. The interest which he has taken in the success of the Democratic party in his community has led to his being sent as dele- gate to various conventions. Religiously he is a devout Catholic and a member of St. Luke's Church.

In social affairs our subject belongs to Pearl Lodge No. 1878, K. of H. of New York City, and Long Island Council, Royal Arcanum, which meets in the Wilson Building of Brooklyn. He is likewise interested in the Mutual Reserve Life Fund Association and belongs to the Telegraph Mutual Association.

S MITH H. DU BOIS, proprietor of a gen- eral mercantile store, situated midway be- tween Hempstead and Lynbrook, in the town of Hempstead, was born at Springport, Saratoga County, N. Y., February 8, 1845, being a son of Smith and Phoebe (Austin) Du Bois. His father, who was born in Troy, this state, engaged in active life at the trade of a millwright and the occupation of a farmer. From New York he moved to Michigan and settled in Adrian County, where he was a pioneer. In after years, however, he returned to New York and now makes his home with his son, Smith H.

In Brooklyn, where his early life was spent, the subject of this sketch received a common school education. At the age of sixteen he left the schoolroom to respond to his country's call for volunteers, and enlisted in Company I, Fourth New York Volunteers, Scott's Life Guard, as a private soldier. During the period of almost two years that he remained in the serv- ice, he took part in a number of important en- gagements, among others being the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. At the last-

named place he was wounded and received other injuries during the service which led to his hon- orable discharge on account of disability.

On returning from the war, Mr. Du Bois en- gaged with his father in ship carpentering, con- tracting and building. In 1866 he went to Clay County, Kan., where he bought a homestead and remained six years. He then accepted a posi- tion in the car shops at Chicago, where he en- gaged in building railroad coaches, being in that city at the time of the great fire. For a time after he left Kansas his family remained on the farm there, but in 1873 he brought them to Brooklyn, where he entered the employ of the South Side Railroad Company, remaining in their car shops about three years. In 1880 he moved to his pres- ent location, three miles west of Hempstead, and purchased of Valentine Woods the mercantile business which he has since conducted. He has in stock a large and well-assorted supply of ar- ticles necessary for the business and has built up a good trade in this locality.

As a Republican, Mr. Du Bois has taken an active part in politics and for a number of years has acted as inspector of elections. In 1866 he married Emily A., daughter of John H. Depuy, formerly a resident of Staten Island, where she was born. Our subject and his wife are the par- ents of three children, namely: Viola M .; Henry H., a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now residing at Rockville Center; and Frederick A., who is with his parents. The fam- ily attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Du Bois and children are active members.

R ICHARD H. ROBBINS, a farmer of East Williston, town of North Hempstead, was born in Westbury, Queens County, No- vember 1, 1846, to William B. and Mary E. (Hew- lett) Robbins. His father, who was born at Ros- lyn, in 1811, devoted his life to farming pursuits, and after marriage settled at Westbury, where he followed his chosen occupation. His death occurred in April, 1869, on the old Hewlett place, which had been his home for several years. He was a member of the Society of Friends and was highly respected, not only by the members of that body, but also by all with whom he had business or social relations. As a good man and a generous friend he is remembered by fam- ily and acquaintances. His wife, who was a

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 66

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