Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 68

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 68

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Subsequently our subject engaged in the trucking business in the Empire City, but met with an accident which disabled him for five

years. Later he again embarked in the coal business, also dealing in ice, and about ten years afterward, in the fall of 1884, he moved to Flush- ing. Here he bought out Charles Fitzner, pro- prietor of the Monument House, and after build- ing additions to the house and improving it in every way, opened up as hotel keeper. He is finely located for his business and is meeting with well deserved success. His house is generally full, and he has accommodated as many as one hundred and twenty individuals at a time.

Mr. Badenhop was married in New York City to Miss Metter Menken, a native of Hanover, Germany, and they have three living children: Charles, with a life insurance company of New York; Mamie and Richard. Politically he is a Democrat, and fraternally a Knight of Pythias. He is a member of the Liquor Dealers' Associa- tion, and the German Rifle Club, and in religion is a Lutheran.

F RED W. BURK was born February 3, 1859, in the village of Flushing, where he now resides. He is a descendant of German ancestors, by whom the family name was spelled Berks, but this was changed to the American form of Burk by his grandfather, Peter, a native of Germany, who became an early settler of Phil- adelphia. William, father of our subject, was born in Germany and was the oldest of four sons, his brothers being Conrad, John and Jacob, of whom the last-named was killed in the Civil War.

At the age of ten years William Burk left home to begin an apprenticeship as a cigarmaker. Seven years later he went to New York, where for a time he worked in the employ of others, but afterward engaged in business for himself in Sixth Avenue, being a member of the firm of Burk & Wolf. Failing health induced him, in 1858, to locate in Flushing, where he opened a factory and continued the manufacture and sale of cigars un- til his death in 1888, at the age of sixty-two years. In religious belief he was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His brothers. Con- rad and John, are still residents of Philadelphia. His wife, who resides with our subject, bore the maiden name of Harriet Stillwagon, and was born in Flushing, being a descendant of Hessian ancestors, who came to this village from New Jersey.

The parental family consists of four children, all living, of whom Fred W. is next to the oldest.

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He was reared in Flushing, receiving a good ed- ucation in the public and high schools. Under the instruction of his father he learned the cigar- maker's trade and at the death of the latter, in 1888, he succeeded to the business, which he has since conducted, furnishing employment to five hands. Under his supervision the place has been remodeled and valuable improvements intro- duced. The business, both in wholesale and re- tail lines, is large, the superior quality of the cigars having secured a good trade. All of the leading brands are manufactured, including the "Espenola," "Gloriana," "F. W. B." and "La Esprecion," a ten-cent cigar. At the factory, No. 5 Main Street, a full line of smoker's supplies is kept on hand, and the place is not only the oldest cigar house in Flushing but one of the best as well.

The wife of Mr. Burk, who was Emma Chap- man of Brooklyn, died in 1893, leaving one son, Elmer E. Socially our subject is connected with the Order of Foresters and Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M. He also takes an active interest in the Flushing Boat Club. All measures for the development of the interests of the place receive his hearty co-operation, and he aids pub- lic projects with his time and means. He served in Empire Hose Company No. I and contributed to the success of the fire department. As a citizen he favors the election of the men best qualified to represent the people in civic affairs and the encouragement of those measures best calcu- lated to promote the prosperity of the commu- nity.

W ILLIAM H. SCHEURER is a widely experienced hotel man and thoroughly understands the difficult art of modern hotel keeping. By his able management the Queens County Hotel, of Long Island City, has developed a large and desirable patronage and is firmly established. Mr. Scheurer is a shrewd business man and is so genial and wholesouled that his friendship is prized and his hospitality is sought again and again. He was born in the village of Newtown, Queens County, November 6, 1860, and is a son of Christian Scheurer.

Our subject was reared in his native village and received a good education there and in the fourth ward school of Long Island City. When fifteen years old he was employed in the locksmith branch of the Steinway piano manufacturing es-

tablishment, but at the end of five years resigned to embark in business on his own responsibility. His mother had built the hotel in 1873 and our subject helped manage it. In 1880 he became the proprietor and a year or two later bought the entire concern. The Queens County Hotel, which is 30x65 feet, is three stories in height, and is the oldest hotel in Flushing Avenue. Mr. Scheurer is also a partner in the firm of William H. Scheurer & Co., proprietors of the Astor House at Ninety-second Street Ferry, which is one of the finest buildings in Long Island City, and is also interested in Astoria Hotel, just oppo- site Astor Hotel. He is thoroughly experienced in all that relates to the hotel business, and those who have enjoyed his warm hospitality will ever retain the most pleasureable recollections of his hotels.

On the 26th of May, 1883, Mr. Scheurer was married to Miss Margaret Mimphius, a native of New York City, and daughter of John and Mar- garet (Hattie) Mimphius, the former a native of Holland and the latter of Germany. Mr. Mimphius came to America when a young man and located in New York City, where he engaged in the bakery business and was also a successful gro- ceryman there. He and his wife were devout members of the Catholic Church. Eight of their eleven children are now living, and Mrs. Scheurer, who is the fourth in order of birth, was reared in New York City.

By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Scheurer be- came the parents of six children, as follows: Henry, Margaret, John A., Christie, Georgie and Josephine. In his social relations Mr. Scheurer is a member of the Ancient Order. of United Workmen, being a charter member of John Allen Lodge No. 330, Astoria, and he is an active mem- ber of the Church of the Redeemer. Mrs. Scheurer holds to the belief of her childhood and is an earnest Catholic. In politics our subject is a Democrat and is a member of the Fourth Ward Democratic Club.

W ILLIAM C. BOLLER, who is engaged in the manufacture of soda and mineral waters at College Point, was born in this village October 29, 1865, and is a son of Jacob and Julia (Grell) Boller, natives of Ger- many. His father, who was born in Hesse-Darm- stadt, became an early settler of College Point, where he was engaged in the merchant tailoring

JAMES NORTON.

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business for many years, but is now living retired from active work. William C. is next to the youngest of the family of three sons and one daughter. He received a practical education in Fuerst's Academy, from which he graduated.

The first position obtained by our subject was in the employ of the Budweiser Brewing Com- pany, Limited, with whom he remained for some time as collector, then became shipping clerk and later was made assistant bookkeeper, after which he was given charge of the ale department .when it was started. In the fall of 1894 he resigned his position and purchased the soda manufacturing business, which he has since conducted. This is situated in Sixteenth Street, near Fourth Avenue, where a large wholesale and retail business in the manufacture of soda and mineral waters and the bottling of ale is carried on. Mr. Boller makes all his own syrups, which are of the very finest quality. During the busy season he has three wagons engaged in filling orders, which are not limited to College Point, but extend to Flushing, Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Manhasset, Lakeville, Fowlerville, Corona, New- town and Woodside.

Socially Mr. Boller is connected with the orders of Red Men and Foresters. Since 1890 he has been a fireman in the Enterprise Hose Company No. 2. In addition to his soda manufacturing business he is the exclusive representative of Bud- weiser ale on Long Island.

J AMES NORTON was born November 25, 1847, to William and Mary Ann (Braden) Norton, natives of Ireland, who came to America and located in Oyster Bay. In 1864 the father and our subject's younger brother, William, were drowned in Oyster Bay by the capsizing of a row boat. The mother was thus left a widow with seven children, of whom our subject was the eldest, and as a consequence much of the support of the family fell on his boy- ish shoulders. Previous to the death of his father he had attended school three or four months each year, during the winter season, but in summer worked on the farm.

At the time of his father's death young Norton was deck hand on the schooner "Sarah Eliza- beth," owned by Smith Brothers, and he was in their employ for about two years. After that he went to New York City and became conductor on a street car, holding that position for about

six years. Returning to Oyster Bay he em- barked in the grocery business, which he carried on for about two years. On the 22d of October. 1872, he married Miss Mary A. Murphy, a na- tive of Ireland but a resident of Glencove at the time of her marriage. Three children were the fruits of this union: William D., who is now in the employ of E. R. Laredew, a leather dealer of New York City; James E. and Mary E.

After quitting the grocery business Mr. Nor- ton moved with his family to Glencove, where he engaged in the hotel business, successfully conducting the same for about twenty years. While thus occupied his wife died, and his sec- ond union occurred June 16, 1886, with Miss Mary E. Molitor, a native of Brookville, Queens County. Two children were born to them, as follows: Edna E., who died when seven years old, and Frank Vincent, whose birth occurred in Glencove February 16, 1888.

In the year 1873 Mr. Norton was elected con- stable for the town of Oyster Bay by the Dem- ocratic party and re-elected in 1874-75. He was twice elected collector of taxes in the town and twice elected county superintendent of the poor of Queens County, serving six years. In 1891 his peculiar fitness for the office of sheriff led to his election to the same and he began his duties as such on the Ist of January, 1892, filling that position most ably for three years. Mr. Norton is a member of the Democratic Central Commit- tee and has been delegate to town, county and state conventions. For some time he has been a member of the Seacliff Yacht Club and a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

J ACOB B. HUNTER, for many years one of the residents of Hunter's Point, comes of one of the honored families of this district who have been noted for their industrious and thrifty qualities. His father, Richard B. Hunter, was born at this place, while his father, bearing the name of George Hunter, came from England. During the Revolutionary War he served as captain of a sailing vessel employed by the gov- ernment, and one on occasion deposited a cargo of powder in one of the towns on Newtown Creek.

Grandfather Hunter, on the cessation of hostil- ities, returned to his native land, and some time thereafter came again to America and married the only daughter of Jacob Bennett, a Hollander,

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then the owner of a fine farm in Greenpoint. The young couple made their home on a farm, which had been given them, until after their children were reared to mature years, when Captain Hun- ter engaged in business as a wholesale and retail grocer in New York, but made his home in Hun- ter's Point, where his wife owned a fine tract of land, which had been inherited from her father, who was a large property owner on the island. This place, which was then a hamlet, was named in his honor and has ever since been known as Hunter's Point.

To Grandfather Hunter and his wife there were born three sons and three daughters, of whom Jacob B. and John were for many years promi- nent business men in New York City. Richard, father of our subject, gave his attention to farm- ing, purchasing a fine tract of land in what is now Dutch Kills, a suburb of Long Island City, but which at that time was a portion of the town of Newtown. His property included thirty acres, which he cultivated in a most profitable manner until his death, which occurred when he was fifty- eight years old. He was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church and was interested in all wor- thy movements in his neighborhood.

Our subject's mother, formerly Jane Van Alst, was born in Dutch Kills, on what is now the cor- ner of Jackson and Skillman Avenues. Her father was Henry Van Alst, whose birth occurred near the court house in Long Island City. Mr. Van Alst was the owner of a large farm in Jackson Avenue, a part of which he sold to the father of our subject. He was very successful in all his ventures and several years before his death lived in ease and comfort in a pleasant home in the city. He was about sixty-five years old at the time of his decease.

To Richard B. and Jane Hunter there were born four children, only two of whom grew to mature years: George H., a resident of Long Is- land City, and Jacob B., the subject of this sketch. The latter, who was born in Jackson Avenue April 12, 1838, was reared on his father's farm, and, like most of the youths of that day and local- ity, acquired his education in the subscription schools. He continued to make his home under the parental roof until his marriage to Miss Jane A. Mount, which occurred in Springfield, or Fos- ters Meadow, May 2, 1858. Mrs. Hunter was born in New York City and was the daughter of Zebulon Mount, a native of Monmouth County, N. J., where he was for many years a well-to-do

farmer. He later removed to New York City, where he was engaged for a time as car-man, and on leaving the city became the owner of a farm at Fosters Meadow, L. I., where several years later he was killed by an attack of a mad bull.

Grandfather Samuel Mount was also a native of New Jersey and was classed among its old pioneer farmers. The mother of Mrs. Hunter bore the maiden name of Mary A. Manley. Her birth likewise occurred in New Jersey and she was the daughter of Richard R. Manley, who amassed a handsome fortune as a hatter, and for many years previous to his death lived retired from work of any kind. Mrs. Mount died in 1869, when sixty-one years of age. With her husband, she was a consistent member of the Reformed Church. She was given an excellent education in the best schools of New Jersey and was a lady of much refinement and culture. She became the mother of nine children, of whom five are now living, namely: Samuel, a resident of Brooklyn; Andrew M., a farmer of Rosedale; George W., engaged in agricultural pursuits in Springfield; Jane A., the wife of our subject; and Ellen, who married Jacob Kinzie, of Rosedale. Richard R. departed this life when sixty-two years of age; John died at Rosedale when in his fortieth year; and Aaron and Voorhees were also living in that place at the time of their demise.

Mr. Hunter continued to farm the old place until the property became very valuable, when he divided his thirty-acre tract into city lots and sold them at a handsome advance in price. He still, however, is the owner of many buildings, some of which are located in Jackson, Hunter and Harris Avenues, while others are to be found in Jane, Henry, Radde and Crescent Streets. Mr. Hunter occupies a fine home in Hunter Avenue, near Jane Street, which is one of the best loca- tions in the city.

To our subject and his excellent wife there have been born six children: Margaret O., now Mrs. George E. Clay, of Long Island City; Ellen W., the wife of William Hughes, also a resident of that city; Elizabeth J., whose husband, Anthony Ertel, is a druggist of Brooklyn; Jacob Bennett, Jr., engaged with Mr. Clay in the real estate busi- ness; Richard B., who died when seven years of age; and Charles, who died in infancy. In relig- ious matters Mr. Hunter attends services at the Episcopal Church, while his wife is a member of the Dutch Reformed Congregation in this place. In politics he is independent, reserving his right

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to support the man who in his judgment will best fulfill the duties of the office. He has never de- sired to hold office, but on one occasion was pre- vailed upon to accept the position of school trus- tee, which he filled acceptably for one term.

C HARLES EDWARD HUSSON has been steadily growing in popularity since he engaged in business in Queens, and is now one of the leading merchants of the place. He was born in Williamsburg December 5, 1863, the youngest of eight children, six of whom are now living, born to Thomas T. and Josephine T. (Whitehead) Husson, the former of whom was born in England. Like many other youths before him, he determined to go to sea, and after a num- ber of years thus spent retired from a seafaring life with the rank of captain, and engaged as a stevedore in New York City. After following this occupation for many years he became quite well-to-do in worldly goods, and later in life re- moved to Hollis, where his declining years were spent.

The subject of this sketch was surrounded by the usual kindly and wholesome home influences while growing up and his education was ob- tained in the district schools of Hollis and in Union Hall Academy of Jamaica. He was brought up on a farm, thoroughly learning its details, and it was perhaps but natural that he should follow agriculture when first starting out to make his own way in the world, the home farm being placed in his charge by his father when he had reached the age of twenty-one years. In this work he was assisted by an older brother, and they continued the management of the place for three years, at the end of which time the brother purchased a place of his own and Charles E. for eleven months drove a market wagon for him. For a like length of time he fol- lowed this calling for another man, then in 1890 opened his present general mercantile establish- ment, in partnership with George P. Schnurr and Adrian Belknap. This partnership continued about five years, when Mr. Husson purchased the interest of one of his partners and about one year later became the sole proprietor of the establish- ment and has conducted the affairs of the house in a most businesslike and thorough manner and has demonstrated that he possesses executive ability of no mean order.

April 10, 1895, occurred the marriage of our

subject with Miss Gertrude A. Suffern, an intel- ligent and amiable woman, who was born in New York City. Mr. Husson has always supported the principles of the Republican party, but is in no sense of the term a politician, as his time is fully demanded by his business. Socially he is a member of the American Legion of Honor. He is of the stuff of which good citizens are made and his present outlook for the future is bright.

P ROF. OTTO SUSS. While his residence in America covers a period of a compara- tively few years only, Professor Süss has already gained a knowledge of our national in- stitutions, our customs and language. At the same time he has become known as a musician of superior talent, one who has achieved unusual success in mastering the intricacies of the art and who has the ability to impart to others much of his own skill and entrusiastic love for rhythmic harmonies.

The Professor's parents were Ludwig and Hen- rietta (Newman) Süss, natives of Koenigsburg, province of East Prussia, where they spent their entire lives, both dying there of cholera in 1866. They were a worthy couple, faithful members of the Lutheran Church and honest and honorable in their intercourse with all their associates. Their only child, Otto, was born in Koenigsburg in 1860, and spent the first six years of his life on his father's farm. The sudden death of his par- ents leaving him the sole survivor of the family, he was taken into the home of a brother of his mother, who owned and cultivated a large farm. His uncle gave him good educational advantages, sending him at the age of eight, to the gymna- sium at Koenigsburg, where he remained until completing the junior year.

Meantime the boy had developed a passionate fondness for music, and his evident talent in that direction was cultivated under the fostering care of Professor Koehler, a celebrated musician, who took the greatest care in his musical education. On leaving school he taught in a seminary in East Prussia for two years, being instructor in instrumental and vocal music. Later he went to Posen, where for three years he held a private position as teacher of music. In 1890 he came to America and settled in Long Island City, where he has since given his attention to teach- ing vocal and instrumental music. Besides a large number of scholars here, he teaches in New

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York City, and is vocal instructor in the free German school in Yorkville, N. Y. In his last concert he had four hundred and seventy-eight children in a chorus. At the concert in Grand Central Palace in the spring of 1895 he had a chorus of over eight hundred children from the different schools of the city.

The home of Professor Süss, situated at No. 288 Ninth Avenue, is presided over by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Wulff, being a daughter of George Wulff. She was born in Long Island City, where she received her education and was married. The Professor ad- heres in religious belief to the faith of his fore- fathers and is a devout follower of Martin Luther. He is the leader of the Arbeiter Leidertafel Sing- ing Association and of the Long Island City Leidertafel, also the Helvetia Switzer Choir. In addition, he is a teacher of local choirs and a member of the Long Island City Froshinn Sing- ing Society.

J OHN D. GERKEN. No business man of Astoria, Long Island City, is more prosper- ous than he whose name introduces this sketch and who has been identified with the com- mercial interests of this locality for many years. That he has done well is evidenced by the fact that he is now building a new store, with a front- age of 44x50, and situated on Grand and Second Avenues. This structure is of brick and is two stories in height, being admirably adapted for its intended purpose. Mr. Gerken will occupy it in May, 1896, if the present plans are carried out.

As the name indicates, the Gerken family is of German lineage and origin. Our subject was born in the province of Bremen in 1847, and is a son of Charles and Margaret (Meyer) Gerken, also na- tives of that part of Germany. His paternal grandfather, John Gerken, was a farmer, and two of his brothers served in the German army during the Napoleonic wars, taking part in the memorable conflict at Waterloo. The maternal grandfather, John H. Meyer, was a butcher by trade, and had two brothers who were teachers. Charles Gerken, who devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, died at the age of fifty years, while his wife survived until seventy. Both were Lutherans in religious belief. Of their five chil- dren, four attained years of maturity and three are now living, our subject being the only one now in America. An older brother, Henry, who

was in the German army, came to the United States and lived in Long Island City until his death in 1894.

At the age of fourteen our subject was con- firmed, and soon afterward he went to sea, work- ing as a cabin boy on a steamer that ran from Bremen to America. Later he went to South America, rounded both of the southern capes, and visited many foreign ports, remaining at sea about six years. On making his last ocean trip, at the age of twenty, he stopped in New York, and in 1869 secured employment there as a gro- cery clerk. One year later he came to Long Island City, where he clerked in a grocery for two years and then started in the butcher busi- ness in Grand Avenue, between Second and First Avenues. Twelve years later he bought out Thomas Meyer, his first employer here, and re- turning to the old stand, has since engaged in the grocery and meat business.

In Long Island City, in 1872, Mr. Gerken mar- ried Miss Eliza Fink, a native of New York City, and daughter of John and Eliza Fink, the former of whom was a merchant tailor by trade. They are the parents of six living children: Henry, Lillie, Theodore, Annie, John and Laura, all of whom are at home. In religion Mr. Gerken is connected with the German Second Reformed Church, of which he is treasurer and an elder, and to which he has belonged since 1872. For a time he was connected with the Astoria Hook and Ladder Company No. I. In politics he is a consistent Democrat, upholding the party in its platform and theories.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 68

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