Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 71

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1220

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proprietor of the establishment in Front Street, opposite the Queens County Bank, until death closed his career.

Being a man of keen business discernment, Mr. Conway was quick to take advantage of every opportunity that presented itself for the improve- ment of his financial condition, and in 1888 he added to his fine line of livery goods, a select and complete stock of undertaking goods, including a fine assortment of caskets, coffins and the minor requisites for funerals. At first he conducted this business at No. 52 Jackson Avenue, but aft- erwards removed to No. 47 the same street. Here he was unfortunately burned out a few months later with a heavy loss, but with characteristic energy he immediately began the erection of the fine brick building on the same site, the building having a frontage of twenty-five feet. He at once began to reap the reward of his careful at- tention to business and the duties of his voca- tion, for he possessed the best possible character and an undoubted reputation for honorable busi- ness principles. Mr. Conway fought his own way up from the lowest round of the ladder and was wholly unaided by any adventitious circum- stances, but depended entirely upon his own brain and brawn for his commercial standing, and they were not found wanting. At the untimely age of thirty-five years, November 5, 1894, his summons came to join the innmerable band gone before, and thus his earthly career closed just at the height of his usefulness. He was buried in Cal- vary Cemetery. Politically a Democrat, he was never an aspirant for office, and socially he be- longed to J. J. Mitchell Lodge, A. O. U. W., the Foresters, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Exempt Firemen's Association. Religously he was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

On the 17th of November, 1886, in Long Island City, Mr. Conway married Miss Mary Rooney, who was born in Flushing, a daughter of Patrick Rooney, a native of Ireland. The lat- ter came to the United States in his boyhood, and on Long Island he followed the mason's trade. He now makes his home with his daughter. Mrs. Conway, who was the eldest of his six children, and who has been a resident of Long Island City since she was one year old. Since the death of Mr. Conway his widow has successfully carried on all branches of the business founded by her husband and can at all times be relied upon to do all in her power to please those who patronize her. The building in which she does business is

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three stories in height, the first floor being de- voted to store rooms, and the two upper floors are arranged in flats. Mrs. Conway bore her husband three children: John, aged six years; May, aged five years, and George, four. Mrs. Conway is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

H ENRY W. SHARKEY, commissioner of public works at Long Island City, has been for many years one of the leading citizens and prominent politicians of the county. He was born in Jersey City in 1858, and is a son of Henry Sharkey, a native of Belfast, Ireland, and a machinist by trade, who after coming to America obtained a position as foreman in the Paterson (N. J.) locomotive works. The year in which Henry W. was born his father purchased property in Long Island City and the following year moved his family to this place. The two lots of which he became the owner were situated on West Avenue and Fifth Street, and on these he erected three residences, in one of which he made his home. For some time he was em- ployed as machinist and engineer for the Long Island Railroad Company, holding his position with this corporation until retiring from all ac- tive work. He was an expert machinist and set up the first stationary engine ever run in Ja- maica, in the interest of the Long Island Rail- road. He died in Queens County in 1880, when sixty-three years of age. For three years he served as examining engineer and inspector of steam boilers, having been appointed to that re- sponsible position by Mayor Ditmars. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary J. Warwick, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and accom- panied her parents to America at the age of sev- enteen years, some time afterward becoming the wife of Henry Sharkey. Of their seven children four are now living.

After having attended for some time the schools of Long Island City, the subject of this sketch became a student in Cooper Institute, from which he graduated in 1875. He then en- tered the employ of Pratt & Lambert, manufac- turers of varnishes, and by the time he was twen- ty-one he had worked his way from the most humble position to that of superintendent of the works. In 1884 he resigned to enter the employ of the National Construction Company of New York City, then engaged in building the iron

pier at Rockaway Beach. After being in their employ for a period of two years Mr. Sharkey left and shortly thereafter became the proprietor of the New York Hotel on Borden Avenue. This he sold out five years later in order to accept the office of under sheriff of Queens County, assist- ing M. J. Goldner, sheriff. He gave to his super- ior the best of satisfaction during the three years in which he held his office, being his able helper from January, 1889, to January, 1892.

Shortly after his experience as under sheriff Mr. Sharkey was appointed general inspector of the Vernon and Jackson Avenues Improvement Commission, having charge of the work of the commission for a twelvemonth, or until he was appointed commissioner of public works in Jan- uary, 1893. This position was conferred upon him by Mayor Sanford and is one of the most important appointive offices in the city. Mr. Sharkey is superintendent of the entire water de- partment and since he has taken charge of the work more water mains have been laid than dur- ing the administration of any other mayor. The engines pump two million gallons of water every twenty-four hours, and in order that it may be made accessible to many who do not now enjoy this convenience, Mr. Sharkey is engaged in lay- ing another three miles of water main. He gives his personal attention to all work of the depart- ment and sees that it is done in the best manner possible and with the least cost to the people. Since being appointed commissioner the work of paving, flagging, curbing, etc., of the various streets of the city has gone rapidly forward and Mr. Sharkey, although very busy, has not neg- lected the laying of sewers, and is providing every portion of the city with this necessary feature as quickly as means can be procured to carry on the work.

Mr. Sharkey is a member of the firm of John J. Peters & Co., manufacturers of sheep fertiliz- ers, whose headquarters are in Long Island City, although they have a branch house in East St. Louis, Mo. The firm have made this their busi- ness for the past six years, and the product, which they manufacture in large quantities, is shipped to all parts of the Union. Mr. Sharkey owns a half interest in the General Manufacturing Com- pany, with offices at Nos. 102-104 Fulton Street, New York City. He is also president of the branch of the United States Savings and Loan Bank, which is located in this city, and of which he has been the head ever since the institution

ABRAHAM VAN SICLEN.

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was established here. In 1888 he was elected al- derman from the first ward on the Democratic ticket, serving during his term of two years as chairman of the finance committee. At that time he was also a member of the committee on fire and water, and through his influence the city was induced to purchase the first steam fire engine ever used here and erect a building for the same. At the present time Mr. Sharkey is president of the fire and water board, though whose sugges- tion five new engines have been bought. When twenty-two years of age he was foreman of Live Oak Truck No. 2 of Long Island City, and is now a member of the Exempt Firemen of Long Island City and the Volunteer Firemen's Asso- ciation. He is also connected with John J. Mitch- ell Lodge No. 338, A. O. U. W., of which he is past commander. He likewise belongs to the Arion Singing Society. For the past eight years Mr. Sharkey has been one of the most influential and active politicians of the county. He was one of the first members of the Jefferson Club, which he served as vice-president and president, and is still a member of the same. For six years he has been secretary of the Democratic general com- mittee, and has represented his party at various times as delegate to the county and state conven- tions. He is a great athlete and for some time was manager of the Star Base Ball Club, the champion amateur club of the state. Previous to that time he was captain of the old Resolute Club, champion of Queens County. He is a charter member of the Star Athletic Club, also of the Ravenswood Boat Club.

A BRAHAM VAN SICLEN, a retired farmer, living in a pleasant home on Lib- erty Avenue, near Woodhaven, is a native of Kings County and was born at New Lots Feb- ruary 22, 1829. His father, John Van Siclen, was born at the same place January 3, 1787, and April 3, 1814, was married to Maria Ryerson, whose birth occurred October 12, 1795, also in Kings County.

The father of our subject was a shoemaker by trade, but during the greater part of his life fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer. During the War of 1812 he was in the employ of the Govern- ment as mail-carrier from Fort Green to Ama- gansett, L. I. He was a prominent man of his day and in his locality, and in addition to the various positions of trust which he held was that of tax

collector. He departed this life July 8, 1845, while his wife survived him five years, passing away September 30, 1850. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Abraham Van Siclen, came from one of the oldest families on the island, as also did Grandfather Martin Ryerson, who was born at Wallabout, now Brooklyn, N. Y.

Martin Van Siclen, a brother of our subject, was born September 25, 1815; he was married January 16, 1839, to Catherine Drew, who de- parted this life January 20, 1842. May Ioth of the following year he married Phebe Eldert, and together they made their home on a farm located on the Rockaway Road until the death of Martin, which occurred February 24, 1889. The wife and children still live on this estate.

John Van Siclen was born June 28, 1820; he was never married and makes his home at New Lots. Cornelia was born October 19, 1823; she became the wife of Henry Eldert October 25, 1846, and to them was born a son, John H., who is now a large contractor, living at Morris Park. Mrs. Van Siclen died December II, 1886, being preceded to the better land by her husband, who passed away May 2d of that year.

Jacob Ryerson Van Siclen, another brother of our subject, was born June 24, 1826. He never married and followed farming on the old home- stead in New Lots until his death, October 24, 1879. Ann Maria was born October 31, 1831; she married John A. Suydam February 1, 1854, and January 24, 1866, departed this life; her hus- band is now living at Waterloo, Seneca County, N. Y. Gertrude was born February 20, 1834. Her marriage to Jeremiah Lott, who is now de- ceased, occurred November 18, 1860; she is living at New Lots. James Cornell Van Siclen was born January II, 1838; he was married November I, 1871, to Rebecca Bergen, and departed this life March 20, 1886. His family also live at New Lots.

The subject of this sketch grew to mature years on the home farm and was educated in the schools of the vicinity. He was trained to a full knowl- edge of farming and continued to make his home on the old place until 1887, when he erected his present residence in Liberty Avenue, into which he moved his family. Although taking great in- terest in the affairs of his community, he has never aspired to hold office, preferring to let those serve the public who have more desire to do so. He was married November 4. 1866, to Miss Phebe Maria Van Wiclin, a native of Woodhaven and the daughter of Hendrick Van Wielin.

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To our subject and his excellent wife there were born three children, of whom John died July 4, 1868, when an infant of six months. Abraham is also deceased, departing this life May 27, 1887, when a lad of seventeen years. Henry, who was born April 11, 1872, still lives with his parents and gives his attention to looking after the cultiva- tion of the old homestead. In politics our sub- ject is a Republican. Mrs. Van Siclen is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, which church her husband also attends.

S INGLETON LATHAM MITCHILL, a well-known surveyor of Queens County, is living in Manhasset in the house where his birth occurred January 26, 1836. He and a brother, who died at seven years, were the only children of Warren and Catherine (Onderdonk) Mitchill. His father, who was born at this place in 1804, was well educated for his day and by following the occupation of a farmer and sur- veyor became well-to-do. He voted the Demo- cratic ticket until 1856, when, having sufficient reason to change his views, he supported Fre- mont, and from that time until his death was a true-blue Republican. He was very popular in his community and during the sixteen years in which he held the office of justice of the peace gave entire satisfaction to the public by the wis- dom of his decisions. He was a true Christian gentleman and for many years an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Roslyn. For some time he was actively connected with the Sons of Tem- perance and in every good work in the commun- ity his influence could always be counted upon. He departed this life in January, 1888. His good wife survived him one year, and at the time of her decease, in April, 1889, was in the eightieth year of her age.

The subject of this sketch is a finely educated man, having been a student in some of the best schools on the island. His attendance at the dis- trict school was supplemented by a course in the academy at Roslyn, and later he attended a boarding school at Hempstead, which was con- ducted by Charles Rutherford. When leaving there he went to Schoharie County, this state, and prepared himself for becoming a surveyor in the Carlisle Seminary. When ready to commence work at his profession he joined his father, who was then engaged in surveying, and assisted him in this work for several years. He has been very

successful in all his undertakings in this line and for a period of forty-one years has given to this business his entire time and attention, so that he is well known throughout this locality. The pro- fession has brought him into close contact with the people of the island especially, and at one time he was acquainted with all the owners of property on Great Neck.

Mr. Mitchill was married October 19, 1864, to Miss Addie E., daughter of Col. Andrew A. and Maria (Case) Bremner. They have no children. In politics our subject voted for Lincoln in 1860 and 1864, and says that had that grand old man been permitted to live he would have supported him every time. He continued to be allied with the Republican party until 1884 when he voted the Democratic ticket and has voted for Cleve- land three times. For twelve years he held the office of inspector of elections. Religiously he is an Episcopalian and vestryman in Christ's Church at Manhasset.

The Mitchill family is of English origin, and has been represented in the town of Hempstead for more than two hundred years. Our subject has in his possession a family tree showing over six generations. Robert Mitchill, a descendant of Sir Humphrey Mitchill, came from Old Wind- sor, Berkshire, England, about two hundred years ago, and settled on Long Island, in what is now the town of North Hempstead. He mar- ried (first) Mary Lokerson, and (second) Hester Smith, by whom he had one child, Robert. The latter married (first) Phebe Denton, by whom he had three children, and (second) Hannah Van Wyck (the widow Smith), by whom he had eight children : William, Hannah, Robert, Phebe, Thomas, Uriah, Augustus and Mary. William Mitchill married Sarah Latham, and Robert Mitchill married Mary Latham, daughters of William and Amy (Underhill) Latham, and granddaughters of Joseph Latham, who was born in 1674 in Bristol, England, and came to New York in 1695, and there, July 4, 1696, married Jane Singleton. He engaged in ship building until 1718, when he retired from the business and purchased of William Nicoll in the town of Hempstead, Nicoll's patent, on which he built his residence in 1719. He had four children : Jane, William, Margaret and Mary. William was born June 17, 1706, and married July 17, 1726, Amy, daughter of Samuel and Hannah Underhill, and died July 3, 1763; his widow died February 18, 1775, in her seventy-second year. They had six

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children: Joseph, Samuel, Sarah, Hannah, Mary and Thomas.

William Mitchill and Sarah Latham had two children, Charles and William. The former, who for many years was a practicing physician at what is now Manhasset, married Elizabeth Thorne and they had five children: John, Wil- liam, Jane, Maria and Charles. William, also a physician of Manhasset, never married. John married Margaret Olivia Mitchill, and their descendant, Charles T. Mitchill, now occupies the Mitchill homestead of Manhasset.

Robert Mitchill and Mary Latham were mar- ried June 22, 1759, and had eight children: James, Jane, Samuel Latham, Joseph, George, Robert, Singleton and Priscilla. Samuel Lath- am Mitchill, M. D., LL.D., became noted for his learning and various attainments, served in tlie legislature, congress and United States Senate, and was professor in Columbia College. He was born August 20, 1764, and died September 7, 1831. The home of his ancestors and himself he christened "Plandome," which he interpreted to mean "plain home." He married Catherine Ak- erly. Singleton Mitchill, born May 9, 1774, mar- ried Maria Schenck, May 12, 1803, and died December 9, 1861. They had ten children: War- ren, Mary E., Robert, William L., Edward, Sin- gleton L., John S., Joseph L., Mary E. and Eras- tus. Afterward he married Sarah Hewlett, daugh- ter of Judge Hewlett of Coldspring, L. I., but they had no children. Singleton was adopted by his uncle, Dr. Samuel Latham, an eminent physician, when but two years of age, and went to live with him at "Plandome." When he was six years old his uncle died July 24, 1781, in his fifty-third year, leaving his house, mills and a portion of his land to Singleton, while he left a part of the land to Charles, his nephew, who also lived with him. As Singleton was only six years old, his father exchanged his farm at Manhasset for the land bequeathed to Charles and went to live at "Plandome," taking charge of Singleton1 and his inheritance. The father, Robert, died July 12, 1789, and afterward Singleton and his brothers ran the mills and the farm of over two hundred acres for a time, but later he bought his brothers' interest in the land left to Charles. In 1819 he built the present house at "Plandome" on the foundation of the one which Joseph Lath- am had erected one hundred years before. Dur- ing his life of over eighty years at "Plandome," he found time not only to cultivate a large farmi

and run the Plandome mills with profit, but also to offer the hospitalities of his home to his many friends, attend to public duties and politics, serv- ing as justice of the peace for twenty years, for six years as one of the judges of the county court, for two years first judge of Queens Coun- ty, six years supervisor of the town of North Hempstead, and five years commissioner of high- ways in that town. In 1807 Governor Tompkins, David Geson, mayor of New York City, and Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, came to "Plandome" and spent the night, and the next day were taken by Singleton to Sand's Point, where they bought land of Benjamin Hewlett for a lighthouse, this being built in 1809. In 1811 Singleton Mitchill, Andrew and Joseph Onderdonk and Daniel Hoogland were empowered to build a cotton fac- tory, where William H. Hewlett's grist mill now stands, and this was kept in successful opera- tion for several years until it was burned.

In 1815 Singleton Mitchill was appointed on a committee with Peter Onderdonk and David Brinkerhoff by the Reformed Dutch Church to build a new edifice. They bought the land of George Onderdonk and built the church at Man- hasset in 1816. In 1820 he received ten prem- iums from the Queens County Agricultural So- ciety, six of which were silver cups and one dozen silver spoons. He was a delegate to numerous political conventions and to the Baltimore con- vention, when Martin Van Buren was nominated for President of the United States. In 1845 he was chosen president of the Queens County Ag- ricultural Society. He was administrator and ex- ecutor to about twenty-seven estates, all of which were amicably settled.

Warren Mitchill, the eldest son of Singleton and Maria (Schenck) Mitchill, was born May 2, 1804, and died January 13, 1888. He married Catherine Onderdonk-born February 10, 1809, died April 24, 1889-a daughter of Minnie On- derdonk. They had two children, namely: Jos- eph Warren, born February 26, 1831, died Oc- tober 2, 1838; and Singleton L., born January 26, 1836. Warren Mitchill was educated in the pub- lic schools and at the seminary in Jamaica. of which Mr. Eigenbrodt was principal. After his marriage he purchased a part of his father's farm and began an active life as farmer, surveyor and auctioneer. For sixteen years lie was justice of the peace in the town of North Hempstead, and in all that time his constant endeavor was to dis- suade those who applied to him from taking is-

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sue at law and to have an amicable settlement without recourse to law. In character he was not afraid to assert his rights, noted for his honesty and integrity, a great talker and fond of a joke. An old friend once asked him: "Warren, how many children has thy father?" His reply was: "Uncle Sammy, there are seven of us boys and we each have a sister." "Oh, my, Warren, thy father has a large family," was Uncle Sammy's reply. For years he was an elder in the Roslyn Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat until the time of Fremont's candidacy for President, after which he was a Republican.

Nicoll's patent, granted to Mathias Nicoll, father of William Nicoll, contains twelve hun- dred acres, and the deed from William Nicoll to Mr. Latham, which is now in possession of Sin- gleton L. Mitchill, a great-great-great-grandson of that gentleman, covered the same tract of land in two surveys lying adjoining each other. There was a reservation in the deed of a burial ground, sixty feet square, which was destroyed in the Revolutionary War, when the British troops oc- cupied the land and were encamped on the ground south of the house of Dr. Samuel Lath- am. During the time they were there, they burned nearly all of the fencing on the farm. When they came Dr. Latham, being loyal, pro- posed to leave as others did and go within the American lines, but the commanding officer ob- jected to this, stating that he would need his services as physician. Dr. Latham said he could not stay unless allowed to talk and act as he pleased, and upon the assurance of the Colonel that he would be protected he remained. While there the Colonel presented Dr. Latham with an ivory cane nearly five feet long, with silver head, which is now in the possession of his great-great- nephew, S. L. Mitchill.

M RS. HENRIETTA CLAVEN. This es- timable, liberal and enterprising woman is a native of the city of New York and a daughter of Henry Jensen, a native of Sles- wick-Holstein, Germany. When still a young man and unencumbered, he came to the United States with a view to bettering his financial con- dition, and having become a thoroughly prac- tical and competent piano maker in his native land, he was engaged in their manufacture for a short time after his arrival here, but was unfor- tunately burned out. He then entered the employ

of Decker Brothers as foreman, with whom he remained until ill health compelled him to retire. About 1870 he removed with his family to Long Island City, and was here at the time of his death, in 1894, at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife was formerly Miss Sarah Fogarty, a native of Ireland, but who was brought when young to this country by her parents, who took up their res- idence in New York City, where she was reared. Her death occurred in January, 1895, when in her fifty-fifth year. Of a family of fourteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jensen seven survive and all reside in Long Island City.

In 1879, in Long Island City, Henrietta Jen- sen was married to John Claven, who was born in New York City in 1846, a son of Patrick Claven, an old resident of New York, who event- ually died in Long Island City. John Claven was the founder of the hardware firm of Claven & Co., which was composed of himself and his brother Thomas, and was the head of this reliable firm until his death, which occurred in the prime and vigor of manhood, in 1887. He was quite prominent in local politics, and for two terms was alderman from the first ward and for a like length of time supervisor of Long Island City. Politically he was a Democrat.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 71

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