Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 70

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 70

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Mr. Smith's office is at No. 77 Jackson Ave- nue, and he has a pleasant and comfortable home at No. 59 Woolsey Street, Astoria. He was mar- ried at Glenhead, L. I., to Miss Mary H. Remsen, a native of that place, and daughter of Andrew J. Remsen. One child has been born of this union, Leonard C. L., Jr. Mr. Smith is a member of the Psi Upsilon, the Alumni of New York City, and Phi Beta Kappa Society. He is a deacon in Remsen Street Reformed Church, Astoria, and is a teacher in the Sunday-school. In politics he is a Democrat, and a member of the Jefferson Democratic Club. He is secretary of the Demo- cratic general committee of Long Island City and in 1895 was secretary of the county conven- tion.

M ICHAEL SULLIVAN. In recounting the forces that have combined to make Long Island City what it is, reference should be made to the life and labors of Mr. Sul- livan. He was born in Cambridge, South Bos- ton, Mass., March 25, 1841, a son of Michael and Mary (Kinney) Sullivan, natives of the Isle of Erin, where they were also reared and married. Soon after the celebration of their nuptials they came to the United States and took up their resi- dence in Cambridge, but in 1842 removed to Brooklyn and founded a home in Henry Street. There the father died in 1849, his widow surviv- ing him only about one year, and they left two daughters and two sons.

Michael Sullivan is the only member of the family in Long Island City. He was reared in Brooklyn until he was nine years of age, then

came to Blissville, Long Island City, and entered the employ of John J. Paynter, a farmer, but re- ceived some educational advantages in the old schoolhouse in Dutch Kills. On the 20th of July, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty- third New York Volunteers, but after the bat- tle of Brandy Station he was transferred to Gén- eral Sickles' brigade and was a participant in the battle of Petersburg in 1863, where he was wounded in the leg. He was compelled to re- main in the Rhode Island Hospital for four months, at the end of which time he rejoined his command. He was then at Chancellorsville, Spottsylvania, in the battle of the Wilderness, which lasted seven days; the second battle of Chancellorsville, Petersburg, Hatchers' Run, and various others of less importance. In the last mentioned engagement he was wounded in the left arm and side while in the act of firing his own gun. He was then carried to the rear and later was taken to City Point, and finally to Washington, where he remained until June, 1865, when he returned home on furlough. At the close of the war he received an honorable dis- charge and returned to his home in Blissville with the consciousness of having served his coun- try faithfully and well.

Mr. Sullivan began learning the plumbing and steamfitting business under Jefferson Patton, and after being with him for two years was put in charge of the boilers, of which he had the man- agement for eleven years. In 1879 he became en- gineer in charge of the boilers of the Queens County Oil Works, numbering fourteen in all, and his duties were discharged in a prompt and highly satisfactory manner. In 1870 he organ- ized Friendship No. 3 truck of the fire depart- ment, of which he was chosen foreman on seven different occasions. He was then assistant chief of the department for three years, at the end of which time he was elected chief engineer two terms. He had served one year of his second term when he was suspended by the then mayor without just reason, but he did not care suf- ficiently for the office to make a fight for it. Soon afterward the city paid department was organ- ized.

Mr. Sullivan was married in Winfield, Decem- ber 2, 1867, to Miss Catherine C. Carroll, who was born in Ireland. To their great sorrow the two children born to them died in infancy, but they have an adopted son, James J. Sullivan, and are rearing the child of a sister-in-law. Mr. Sul-

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livan served one term as a member of the board of health under Mayor Petry, has been vice-presi- dent and treasurer of the Volunteer Firemen's Association, and is a member of Sheridan Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. In national politics he is a Republican and favors protection, but in municipal matters he is a Jeffersonian Democrat. The family have a nice home at No. 108 Star Avenue, Blissville, Long Island City. Mr. Sullivan is a man of excellent morals, a be- liever in justice and right, and is counted one of the most useful and public spirited citizens of the place.

OHN TALLON has perhaps as many friends as any man in Long Island City, and is one of her substantial business men. He was born in County Cavan, Ireland, August 27, 1838, a son of John and Mary (Burns) Tallon, both of whom were natives of the Isle of Erin, but after their marriage removed to Scotland, where the remainder of their days were spent. They became the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter, only the former of whom are living. Michael, the brother of John, is a merchant of New York City.

John Tallon remained with his parents until he was past the age of fifteen years, and for some time worked as a laborer in the vicinity of his home. Then he entered the employ of a Mr. Carr, a contractor and builder, and finally be- came an apprentice in the shipyards at Dunbar- ton, Scotland. After remaining there for some time he was placed in the machine shop of the shipyards and soon after became a machinist's apprentice, in which capacity he labored faithful- ly and with profit to himself for three years, when a strike among the laborers caused the shops to be closed indefinitely. He finished his trade in Renfrew, Scotland, and after a few months went to Glasgow, where he embarked on a ship for Liverpool. After his arrival in that city he se- cured employment as engineer on a boat plying between Liverpool and Dublin, making six trips in all, and then made two trips to the Mediterran- ean Sea, in the fruit trade.

In 1866 Mr. Tallon landed in New York City, whence he made his way to Potter County, Pa., where he engaged in farming for one year on one hundred and ten acres which he had purchased. At the end of that time he sold out and returned to New York, where he engaged in carting, then

peddled crockery through Queens County, and finally, in 1880, started in the undertaking busi- ness, which he has very successfully followed since that time. In 1890 he built his present pretty residence in Flushing Avenue and is suf- ficiently supplied with this world's goods to ren- der him independent. He is now serving his third term as overseer of the county poor, to which position he was elected on the Democratic ticket, and with truth it may be said that he is admirably fitted for the office, being humane and considerate to the unfortunates under his care and conscientious in every way in the discharge of his duties. For four years he was a member of the excise board, was president, secretary and treasurer at different times, and has at various times been chairman of the Democratic central committee. Socially he belongs to John Allen Lodge, A. O. U. W., and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Tallon is married and has two sons, John and Felix, who superin- tend the undertaking business of which he is the head.

F RANK TRUDDEN. In every commun- ity may be found numbers of solid, repre- sentative men, leaders of thought and in- fluencers of action, who have been brought to honorable positions by the sheer and sole force of their own pluck and energy, and these words are in every way applicable to the subject of this sketch, who is a member and president of the board of assessors of Long Island City, and one of her foremost and substantial business men. He is the proprietor of an admirably kept un- dertaking and livery establishment and has a lib- eral patronage.

Mr. Trudden was born in Brown County, Ohio, in 1850, a son of Michael F. and Bridget (McAnery) Trudden, both of whom were born on the green isle of Erin, but eventually removed to the United States, and became the owners of a good farm in Ohio, on which the father died in 1855. His widow returned to Ireland with her only child, the subject of this sketch, but in 1865 again returned to America and settled in Long Island City, where she quietly breathed her last at the home of his son in Fourth Street.

The early education of Frank Trudden was ac- quired in Ireland, but in later years in the rough, but most thorough, school of experience, he ac- quired a knowledge of men and things that has

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been of material use to him. He was employed in various business capacities in Long Island City until 1873, when he decided to embark in busi- ness for himself and became a wholesale and re- tail dealer in milk, his depot being in Fourth Street. In the meantime he opened a livery es- tablishment here in a very modest way, but as his patronage increased and his means permitted he increased the capacity of his barns and now has one of the most extensive livery and boarding stables in the city and a fine line of all kinds of conveyances, which are at the service of the pub- lic at reasonable rates.

In 1892 Mr. Trudden disposed of his milk busi- ness, and in connection with his livery business laid in a choice supply of undertaking goods, which necessitated the use of more room in Fourth Street. To thoroughly fit himself for this most important calling, he went to New York City and took a course in embalming, since which time he has been liberally patronized. This voca- tion is essentially a very delicate one, and it in- volves for its successful prosecution peculiarly important qualifications, which are possessed by Mr. Trudden in an eminent degree, and he has therefore gained a liberal and influential patron- age by honestly deserving it.

In Long Island City Mr. Trudden married Miss Ellen Hays, a native of the Isle of Erin, by whom he has five children: Mary, Bessie, Frank, Nellie and Joseph. Mrs. Trudden is a daughter of John Hays, a native of County Wexford, Ire- land, who brought his family to America and set- tled in Brooklyn. After a time he came to Long Island City as chief engineer of the city water works, a position he held two years. Here he is now living in retirement, and here his wife, who was formerly Miss Mary Brown, passed from life. In January, 1893, Mr. Trudden was ap- pointed a member of the board of assessors by Mayor Sanford, for three years, and for the past two years he has been president of the board, and has made an able and painstaking officer. Mr. Trudden is quite prominent in social circles and belongs to John J. Mitchell Lodge No. 338, A. O. U. W., the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Ancient Order of Foresters, of which he is treasurer and a charter member. He is also identified with the Queens County Undertakers' Association, the Kings County Liverymen's As- sociation, the Catholic Benevolent Legion, the Exempt Firemen's Association, for six years was treasurer of Empire Hose Company No. 2, is a

member of the Ravenswood Boat Club and is a charter member of the Jefferson Club. In all these societies he has been active and promi- nent, and in everything tending to benefit the city in which he lives he has been deeply inter- ested. In fact, he is of the stuff of which use- ful citizens are made and is to be relied upon at all times to give his influence to the side of jus- tice and right. He and his wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church and in his political proclivities he is a Jeffersonian Democrat.

V ALENTINE WILLIS. Through a life, void of stirring events, Mr. Willis has de- voted his attention to the occupation of a farmer, which he follows in the town of North Hempstead, near East Williston. While his ca- reer has been unmarked by thrilling experiences, it has, nevertheless, been a busy and useful one, that honors himself and uplifts the moral tone of the community. Associated with the history of this locality through the greater part of the pres- ent century, he has witnessed its growth and con- tributed to its development. His memory often reverts to the days of the old fair association, which held its last meeting at the time he was six years old and from which his father received a prize of $10 for a colt he exhibited. Since the organization of the Queens County Agricultural Society, he has attended every season and every day of its session, which is probably more than any other man in the state can say. In 1878 he was elected a director in the society and held that office for seventeen successive years, when he re- signed.

The father of our subject, Samuel Willis, was born in Queens County and was a prominent and extensive farmer, owning about four hun- dred acres of land, which he cultivated until his death, about 1834. He married Mary, daugh- ter of Joseph Denton, and they had eleven chil- dren who attained mature years. William, the eldest, who lived on a portion of the old home, died leaving a son, who now occupies his farm; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Stephen Bowne, a farmer and miller of Flushing; Mary married Stephen Cornell, who was a builder and contractor of Brooklyn; Jane, Mrs. Edwin Van de Water of Brooklyn, is still living, being now (1896) eighty-one years old; Valentine is next in order of birth; Samuel remained in his native lo- cality and engaged in farming until his death;

GARRETT V. W. ELDERT.

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Phoebe became the wife of Thomas Valentine and lived on a farm near Mineola until her death; Charles C. was a lifelong farmer of this vicinity; Joseph D., formerly a hardware merchant of Brooklyn, is living retired, his sons having taken charge of the business; John H. is still living in this neighborhood and has always engaged in farming; Emily A. married Luke Fleet. It is worthy of note that of this large family all mar- ried, settled on Long Island and reared families.

Educated in the common schools, our subject has since added to the information there acquired by systematic reading. His home has always been on the farm and he has occupied the same bedroom since he was a child. At the time of his father's death he was sixteen years of age, and immediately afterward took charge of the home- stead, which he purchased in 1840. About 1855 he established a boarding stable for city horses, at times keeping as many as ninety head. In ad- dition to this, he has followed general farming. While he takes an interest in public matters, he has never sought office, though he has served as road commissioner and in other positions. In former years he was connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, but since the de- cline of the lodge he has not retained his active membership in it.

In 1840 Mr. Willis married Annette Bogart, daughter of Daniel Bogart, of Roslyn, and an es- timable lady, who remained her husband's help- mate for almost a half century, dying in 1890, a few months before they were to have celebrated their golden wedding. Three children blessed their union, namely: Oscar B., who lives in Queens; William Wallace, who died at the age of four years; and Eugene, who makes his home with his father, and is connected with him in business.

L UKE ELDERT. Some men are possessed of such remarkable activity and energy that they are not content to do business in as extensive a scale as their competitors, but strive onward with restless zeal to excel them all and place their own establishment foremost in the ranks of industry. Men of this kind are valuable citizens, and are always foremost in advancing the public welfare. Luke Eldert of Rockaway Beach, L. I., is engaged in the hotel and real estate business, but rents the hotel and gives his entire attention to his numerous other enterprises, for he

owns considerable property in the place. He is one of its most progressive and thorough going citizens, and during the twenty-five years he has resided here has won the respect and confidence of all.

The father of our subject, Garrett V. W. Eldert, bought property here thirty-five years ago, many acres on the beach and forty acres at this partic- ular point. He was practically the pioneer of Rockaway Beach, where he was very popular, and his memory is revered for his integrity and charity. When he came to Rockaway the place was practically a desert. People said that he was crazy to settle there. His brother Luke said that he had better put his money in the savings bank than invest in property there. Mr. Eldert told Luke to put his money in the savings bank and that "sand bank was good enough for him." The savings bank broke and Luke lost his money, while Garrett lived to see Rockaway Beach grow from a mere sand bank, as it were, to a populous, thriving village. Mr. Eldert was an hotel man most of his life and made a complete success of this business. He built the fine Elderthurst Ho- tel, Avondale Hotel Pavilion and Bathing House, and improved a great deal of property. He died January 19, 1890, when sixty-five years old, and. although he had conducted a hotel most of his life, was retired from active duties ten years pre- vious to his death. He first married Miss Matilda Rider, who died about twenty-five years ago, when forty-two years old. She was of an old and prominent family that at one time owned all the Beach, now worth millions of dollars. By his first marriage Mr. Eldert had a large family. In 1880 he married Miss Julia Seaman, who is still living. She comes of a family who have long been residents of Hempstead.

Luke Eldert was born in what was called New Lots, now twenty-sixth ward, Brooklyn, May 25, 1855, and there received good educational advantages. He first began working in the hotel with his father and remained with him until twen- ty-two years old. At that age he started out in the hotel business for himself, renting a hotel of his father, and conducted the first one where Elderthurst now stands. For a number of years past he has been engaged in real estate business and in the management of his own property. He builds hotels and rents them, and is constantly improving and increasing the value of his places.

Mr. Eldert is a charter member of the fire department and of Atlantic Engine Company,

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having donated the land on which the engine house now stands. Socially, he is a member of Arlington Lodge No. 394, A. O. U. W., and politically he is a Republican. In all local affairs of moment he takes a deep interest, and is one of the county's best citizens.

R OWLAND SEAMAN, who has resided at Oceanus since 1872, is a son of David and Catharine M. (Rowland) Seaman, the for- mer of whom, a carpenter and builder by trade, resided in Lawrence, L. J., until his death at the age of thirty-five. His wife is still living, as are four of their six children, namely: Sarah Amel- ia, Mrs. William C. Mott of Brooklyn; Row- land; Annie, wife of William R. Dunn of Law- rence; and Mrs. Amanda McNeil of Philadel- phia. Rowland was born at Lawrence, October 21, 1842, and was ten years of age when death removed his father from earth, thus depriving the boy of his counsel and assistance at a time when it was most needed. He was taken into the home of his grandfather at Northport, where he re- mained until eighteen years old, meantime at- tending school whenever the opportunity was of- fered.

At the opening of the Civil War Mr. Seaman, then a youth less than twenty years of age, en- listed in the defense of the Union, becoming a member of Company E, Fourth New York In- fantry, at Brooklyn, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. Among the memorable engagements in which he took part were those at South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. At Antietam he was se- verely wounded and for three months afterward was confined in a hospital. His physical condi- tion was so impaired by his illness that he was unable to serve longer in the army, and was honorably discharged at New York, returning home with a record as a valiant and faithful sol- dier.

For seven years Mr. Seaman was employed in a grocery store in Brooklyn, meantime attend- ing the night schools. In youth he had learned the carpenter's trade and also started to learn the ship builder's trade, but only worked a month at that occupation. On coming to Rockaway Beach he was employed as superintendent of the erection of the Seaside House, and built the first house in Arverne. He soon became known as the principal builder on the beach, and many of

the houses now seen here are the monuments of his handiwork and skill. It is his intention to soon retire from the trade, although his services are still in frequent demand. He is married, his wife having been Miss Catherine A. Bedell, a native of Long Island.

In former years Mr. Seaman was a Demo- crat, but during the days of the Civil War, his experience and observations were such as to in- duce a radical revolution in his opinions, and he has since advanced Republican principles. So- cially he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Work- men. He is one of the charter members of the Beach fire department, of which he has been assistant chief for four years. Interested in edu- cational matters, he has been a member of the board of education for two years and still holds that position. He has done all in his power to promote the welfare of the schools here, as well as to advance all lines of mental, material and commercial development.

C HARLES H. BARKER, M. D. The most imperishable monuments erected to commemorate the virtues of our departed friends are not built of marble, but are found in the hearts and memories of mankind. The sub- ject of this sketch was one of those whose mem- ory will live through the coming years, for his acts and words were such as to make the world better and to bring humanity into nearer relation with the great Infinite. A genial, whole-souled man, he was the friend of every person who needed a sympathetic ear into which to pour their joys or sorrows.

The Barker family, on emigrating to America, settled in Canada, the first of the name removing from England in 1670 and locating on a farm near the St. John River, where subsequent gen- erations resided. Dr. Barker was born in Shef- field, New Brunswick, September 5, 1831, and was a son of Enoch Barker, an extensive farmer living near the St. John River. There were four sons and four daughters in the family.

In boyhood Dr. Barker came to the states, where he received his literary and medical edu- cation, graduating from the University of Penn- sylvania at Philadelphia in 1854. Soon afterward he came to Jamaica, where he opened an office and began the practice of his profession. Sep- tember 18, 1856, he married Lydia Stuart Sayers,

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youngest daughter of Rev. Gilbert Hunt Sayers, S. T. D., at that time rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Jamaica.

Shortly after his marriage Dr. Barker went to Canada, and for one year practiced his profes- sion in Fredericton, New Brunswick, but then re- turned to Jamaica, where he remained until his death. His skill gained for him an enviable repu- tation throughout Queens County and his name was a well-known household word. Having an extensive and remunerative practice, he ac- cumulated considerable wealth, but being lib- eral almost to a fault, much of his means was given to help those less fortunate than himself. No worthy person ever appealed in vain to him for help; his benefactions were constant and generous, and his sympathy was extended in a practical way to the unfortunate and destitute. His death, which occurred August 30, 1893, was mourned by rich and poor alike. The entire com- munity sustained a loss that was felt as a personal bereavement by every citizen.

During the trying days of the Civil War Dr. Barker took an active part, and served as exam- ining surgeon for the government in Queens County. In religious belief he was an Episco- palian, and served as vestryman in Grace Church. His wife died July 10, 1865, and of their three children only one survives, Mrs. S. J. Scovil.

M ICHAEL E. CONWAY, who was born in Astoria, Long Island City, August 23, 1859, passed from the scenes of earth No- vember 5, 1894. He was a son of John Conway, a native of the Isle of Erin. When the latter had reached man's estate he decided to seek his for- tune in America, and upon his arrival here en- gaged in tilling the soil in what is now Carver Street, Astoria, and on this place the rest of his life was spent. His life companion, formerly Ann Conway, died in 1890.

Our subject was one of the younger members of their family and while growing up he was given the advantages of the public schools of As- toria, where he acquired sufficient education to fit him for the ordinary duties of every-day life. When the time came for him to depend upon his own exertions for a livelihood he decided to em- bark in the livery business, and from 1882 to 1886 he was in partnership with a Mr. Gleason. In the last mentioned year Mr. Conway pur- chased Mr. Gleason's interest and was the sole

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 70

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