Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 73

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

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Republican, the first presidential ballot cast by our subject was for Ulysses S. Grant in 1868. In 1876 he was appointed postmaster, which position he held until the election of President Cleveland, but later he was again chosen for the office un- der Harrison. His first wife died, childless, Sep- tember 7, 1880. His second wife, with whom he was united October 25, 1882, bore the maiden name of Ida C. Buhrman, and was a daughter of William C. and Mary E. (Loweree) Buhrman. One child blesses this union, a son, Alfred S., who was born April 28, 1887. In religious belief our subject is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held various offices of trust and responsibility, including those of trustee, steward and treasurer.

T HOMAS SKILLMAN PAYNTAR. In every community some men are known for their upright lives, strong common sense and moral worth, rather than for their wealth or political standing. Their acquaint- ances respect them, the young generation heed their example, and when their earthly career is closed posterity listens with reverence to the story of their quiet and useful lives. Among such men is Thomas Skillman Payntar, a man of quiet, un- assuming demeanor, a friend to the poor, charit- able to the faults of others, and ready to unite with them in every good work. He is a native of the town where he now lives, his birth having occurred in Vernon Avenue, December 29, 1828, being the fourth of six children born to his par- ents, notice of whom is given in the sketch of George H. Payntar.

When Mr. Payntar had reached the age of five years he was placed in the district schools, where his education was obtained. He remained with and assisted his father on the farm until the latter's death, when he began working at the car- penter's trade. He inherited eight acres of land from his father's estate and this he laid out into lots, as did his brothers and sisters, who had in- herited a like amount. His property extended on Beebe Avenue, over seven blocks. All of this he eventually sold (and it is now nearly all improved and built up), with the exception of his comfortable residence, which he still owns at No. 630 Academy Street.

Mr. Payntar was united in marriage with Miss Angeline Bragaw, who was born in Poughkeep- sie, N. Y., a daughter of Isaac Bragaw, who was

successfully engaged in tilling the soil in that locality. To their marriage six children were born: Georgiana, Mrs. Brown, who lives in Mendocino, Cal .; Benjamin R. H., also of Men- docino; Thomas Irwin, who makes his home with his father; Clara Kate, who resides in Eliza- beth, N. J .; Belle, who teaches in the public schools of this place, and Alfaretta B., who is still at home.

Mr. Payntar was instrumental in organizing the postoffice at Dutch Kills, August 28, 1886, was appointed to the position of postmaster by Gen- eral Vilas, qualified for the position the following 16th of September, and filled the office with marked ability for four years, when he resigned. He also filled local official positions in Newtown, and although he has been a delegate to various conventions and has been a grand and petit juror, he cannot be said to be an official aspirant. When chosen to these positions he filled them to the best of his ability, and always with satisfaction to those who supported him. He has always been a Democrat politically and for many years he has been an elder in the Reformed Church of Long Island City. He has also been Sunday- school superintendent, in fact, is an active church worker.

R EV. CHARLES M. BELDEN, rector of St. George's Episcopal Church, Long Island City, is a member of a family that has been identified with the history of America since an early period of its settlement, when two brothers of this name came from England dur- ing the reign of Charles II. Both settled at Wethersfield, Conn., but later one removed to Hadley, where he suffered severely from Indian depredations and finally lost his wife and a child during the dreadful massacre at Deerfield. With his two remaining children he escaped from their savage foes, and going to Norwalk, established his home in that place. From him the subject of our sketch is descended.

Rev. David Belden, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a clergyman of the Church of England and lived during the stirring times of the Revolutionary War. His son, John A., a na- tive of Wilton, Conn., received excellent educa- tional advantages, and entering upon the profes- sion of a teacher, soon acquired a widely extend- ed reputation as a successful educator. Next in line of descent was Hon. Nathan M., our subject's

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father, who was born in Fairfield County, Conn., and graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, in 1848, with the honor of Greek salutatorian of his class. His ability in the study of languages was noticeable throughout his entire college course and he gained the reputation of being one of the finest linguists in the state. Among his class- mates at Trinity were Attorney L. N. Middle- brook and the late Bishop Paddock, who was the valedictorian of the class.

For a time after graduating Mr. Belden was assistant professor of ancient languages at Trin- ity. Later he was principal of a boarding school at White Plains, Westchester County, N. Y., and also held similar positions at Andover, Mass., and Southport, Conn. Alternating with the teacher's work, he gave considerable attention to the oc- cupation of a civil engineer. In religious belief he was an Episcopalian and served as warden, vestryman, treasurer and layreader of St. Matthew's Church at Wilton, to which he be- longed for thirty-three years. He was active in almost every public enterprise for good, and was often called upon by his fellow-citizens to occupy positions of trust and responsibility. For seven years he was a member of the Connecticut As- sembly, and for eight years served as commis- sioner of Fairfield County. Elected to the office of justice of the peace, he served in that capacity for a long time. He was a director of the Con- necticut state prison and in that capacity, as in all others, rendered satisfactory service. His death, which occurred in 1895, was regarded as a public loss to the community, where he had so long resided.

The mother of our subject, who still resides in Wilton, was born Sarah J. Stocking and was reared in her native place, Norwich, Conn. Her father, Serenius S., was a farmer, and one of his brothers, Rev. S. S. Stocking, D. D., is a resi- dent of Jamaica, L. I. Her grandfather, Rev. Jeremiah Stocking, was a member of an old Con- necticut family and was in the ministry of the Methodist Church for forty years. For years the family had been prominent in English public life, but a member of that name emigrated to America and settled in the town of Boston. George, the ancestor of this branch of the family, removed, in 1635, to Hartford, Conn., where succeeding generations resided.

Our subject is the elder of two sons, his brother being John Belden, a business man of Danbury, Conn. Charles M. was born in White Plains,

Westchester County, September 3, 1857, and was reared principally in Wilton, where he was pre- pared for college under his father's supervision. In 1877 he entered the sophomore class in Trini- ty College, but after one year there entered Co- lumbia College in 1878, becoming a member of the junior class. He graduated in 1880 with the degree of A. B., after which he taught in St. Paul's school, Concord, Mass., under Rev. Dr. Coit, for two years. In 1882 he entered the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, in New York, and took the three years' course, graduating in 1885 with the degree of S. T. B. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Pot- ter, in the Church of the Holy Communion, and became assistant to Rev. Cornelius B. Smith, D. D., at St. James' Church, Madison Avenue and Seventy-first Street. In 1886 Bishop Potter or- dained him to the priesthood, the ceremony being solemnized at St. Thomas' Church in New York.

For six months Rev. Mr. Belden was in charge of St. Paul's Church at Troy, N. Y. In De- cember, 1886, he came to Astoria, Long Island City, where he was in charge of the services at St. George's Episcopal Church. In January, 1887, he was chosen rector, which position he has since held. January 10, 1894, the church and its contents were destroyed by fire. The rectory was then moved back, and the larger portion of it used for church and Sunday-school services, un- til such time as the new church will be erected near the old site, corner of Woolsey and Frank- lin Streets. This is the oldest Episcopal Church in Long Island City and was originally a branch of St. James' Church in Newtown. St. George's was established about 1824 and the first church built about the same time, though services had been held regularly for some years prior to that time. In addition to the Sunday-school the Ladies' Guild and Industrial School arc doing excellent work, each in its own line.

The marriage of Rev. Mr. Belden, in Danbury, Conn., united him with Miss Sarah B. White. daughter of William R. White, a manufacturer of Danbury, where she was born. Three daugh- ters, Susan, Margaret and Elsa, bless their un- ion. Mr. Belden is a member of the Clericus of Queens County, also of the examining committee of the Greek alumni prize for the theological seminary. While he has never displayed any partisanship in his political opinions, he always supports Republican principles and votes for the candidates of that party ..

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As his record shows, Mr. Belden has spent an active and useful life in the interest of the church and his fellow-men, and combines many essential traits of character which peculiarly fit him for the varied and arduous duties he has been called upon to perform. Blessed with a pleasing ad- dress and fine command of language, combined with executive ability, he has proved himself competent, faithful and earnest in every place where duty calls him, and it is to be hoped that he has many years of usefulness yet before him.

F REDERICK CYRIAX, a contractor and builder residing in Dutch Kills, Long Island City, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, December 12, 1844. His father, John, a native of the same place, devoted his entire life to the carpenter's trade and died in the province where he was born, being eighty-four years old at the time of his decease. His wife, Sophia, was a daughter of George Schneck, a mason and builder; she was born in Hesse-Darmstadt and died there, aged sixty-six. In religious faith she was a Protestant.

The parental family consisted of five sons and one daughter, of whom four are living, Frederick being the only one in America. He was reared in Molburg and Beidenkopf, and attended the public schools until fourteen years of age, when he was confirmed. When a mere child he com- menced to learn the carpenter's trade under his father's instruction, and soon acquired proficien- cy in that occupation. In 1861 he took passage on the sailer "Athenia" at Bremen, and after a voyage of sixty-three days landed in New York City, where he at once commenced to work at his trade. In 1878 he began to take contracts, which work he has since continued.

In 1890 Mr. Cyriax came to Long Island City, where he has since erected a large number of buildings, including the Methodist Episcopal par- sonage and the residences of Messrs. Bosse, Bos- ki, Nollen, John Weed, Hewitt and Gombel. His residence and place of business are at No. 45 Academy Street. Politically he is a Republican, firm in his allegiance to that party. In his social relations he is identified with Peconic Tribe, I. O. R. M., Long Island City, and is a charter mem- ber of Long Island City Leiderkranz, of which he is vice-president.

While residing in New York City Mr. Cyriax married Miss Minnie Block, a native of Hesse-

Darmstadt, born May 25, 1840. They have six children, namely: Charles, a piano tuner with Decker & Bros., in New York; Philip, a car- penter of Long Island City; John, Louisa, Clara and Mary.

J OHN CASSIDY, who for nearly half a cen- tury has been a resident of Long Island City, now bears the distinction of being the oldest citizen of Blissville, where he makes his home. For many years he has followed the busi- ness of a florist and gardener and has been one of the most successful in this business in the county. He located here in 1849, and since that time has been identified in various ways with the prosperity of his particular locality.

Our subject is a native of Ireland, and was born in County Tyrone, in 1821. His father, John Cassidy, was a tanner and currier by trade, and in addition to operating his tanyard, tilled a snug little homestead. He died early in life. His wife, Mrs. Jane (McWilliams) Cassidy, was also born in County Tyrone, where she reared her three sons and one daughter. One of the for- mer, Michael, married and became the father of two sons, who with him served in the Civil War on the confederate side. In this conflict one of the sons was killed. Michael lived for many years thereafter, departing this life in 1894.

John Cassidy continued to make his home with his mother in the Emerald Isle until 1846, when he determined to see something of the New World. He accordingly took passage on a ves- sel which landed him in due time on the shores of America. He made his home in Williams- burg until 1849, when, as we have stated above, he came to Queens County, first engaging in landscape gardening. He manifested unusual artistic taste in planning and carrying out his work and was employed by the best residents of the community to decorate their lawns. It must be remembered that at the time he located here Long Island City and many of the beautiful vil- lages surrounding it did not exist, but he found plenty to do, as he was employed by those own- ing lots in Cavalry Cemetery to beautify the last resting place of their loved ones.

In 1885 our subject opened a greenhouse, and during the busy season gives employment to twenty-five and sometimes thirty men. He has four greenhouses one hundred feet long located on Penny Bridge, and four others the same

J. N. F. SIEBS.

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length situated in Greenport Avenue. The main office of Mr. Cassidy is located in Cavalry Cem- etery.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Hanora O'Neil occurred at Newtown in 1863. This lady was born in Ireland and has become the mother of five children, Joseph, James, John, Thomas and Richard, all of whom are engaged with him in his business as florist and gardener. The eld- est son, however, is serving as a member of the city council, having been elected alderman from the second ward.

Mr. Cassidy owns a pleasant residence in Hurst Street, which he occupies with his family, besides owning other real estate. For twelve years he was school trustce and a portion of the time served as president of the board. He is a stanch Democrat politically and for twenty years was a member of the general committee. Mr. Cassidy was one of the original incorporators of Long Island City and by its residents is highly regarded. He is a regular attendant at St. Raphael's Catholic Church and is greatly inter- ested in all good works in his community.

J OVINIANUS N. F. SIEBS, ex-supervisor of the town of Newtown, is also proprietor of the Central Hotel, which is the principal establishment of its kind in Middle Village, a thriving place of several hundred inhabitants. Mr. Siebs was born here November 29, 1865, and is the son of Christian F. and Anna M. (Nolte) Siebs. He had one sister, but she is now de- ceased.

Christian F. Siebs was born May 31, 1831, in Germany, where he was given a good education. In 1855 he took passage on a vessel which landed him in due time on the shores of the New World, and after spending a few years in Newtown took up his abode in Middle Village, where he em- barked in the hotel business. He started out in a modest way, having only four rooms, but as he prospered he made additions to his building until it reached its present commodious proportions. He was a man greatly esteemed in the commun- ity, and for two terms held the office of county coroner, the first term being elected on the Dem- ocratic ticket, and the second on the Repub- lican. He departed this life May 28, 1889, when advanced in years.

Mrs. Anna M. Siebs was the first postmistress of Middle Village, serving most acceptably in

this capacity from 1880 to 1889. She too was a native of the Fatherland and was born January 12, 1827. Prior to her union with Mr. Sicbs she had been married to John Obrock, by whom she became the mother of several children, two of whom are living at the present time.

After attending St. Matthew's Academy of New York City the subject of this sketch became a student in the Columbia grammar school, where lic completed his education. He then engaged as a lithographer in the metropolis, following this business with success for four years. At the ex- piration of that time he formed a partnership with his nephew, C. F. Heick, and engaged as a florist in Middle Village, following this until the death of our subject's father, when, not being able to attend to this business and at the same time assist his mother in carrying on the hotel, he disposed of his interest in the greenhouse and has since given his entire attention to con- ducting the hotel.

In 1894 Mr. Siebs' name appeared on the Re- publican ticket as the chosen representative of that party for the office of supervisor, to which position he was elected by a handsome majority.

June 18, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Siebs and Miss Emma Bezzenberger. To them have been born three children, Emma A., Chris- tian H. and William H. Fraternally our sub- ject is a Mason of high standing. belonging to Herder Lodge No. 348, Altaie Chapter and St. Elmo Commandery. He is likewise connected with the Odd Fellows lodge and is a working member of the Independent Order of Goodfel- lows. He is one of the trustees of the Newtown fire department, and for some time was secretary of Fearless Hook and Ladder Company No. 7. With his family he occupies a ncat residence in this village of pleasant homes.

G EORGE C. AHRENS, the efficient me- chanical engineer of the Queens County Oil Works, was born in Reading, Pa., January 28, 1858. His father, William Ahrens, who is chief engineer of the Eastern Distilling Company, has held that position since 1871. His sketch the reader will find in detail on another page in this volume.

The subject of this sketch was taken by his parents to Cincinnati, O., when young and made that city his home until 1871. During this time he pursued his studies in the public schools, and

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on coming to Long Island City in that year, he found a position with the Eastern Distilling Company. For about two years he was in the yeast-making department, but not liking this oc- cupation he began looking about him for some- thing else to do, and decided to become a ma- chinist. He was accordingly apprenticed to James Bulger of Brooklyn, and after serving with him four years was a competent workman. He then went to Greenpoint where for one year he was engineer for a branch house of the East- ern Distilling Company, and next went to Mill- stone, N. J., where he continued for fifteen months.

The next we hear of Mr. Ahrens he was filling the position of chief engineer of the Harway Dye Wood Works in Flushing, L. I. In 1884, how- ever, he became connected with the Queens County Oil Works as foreman of the machinists' department. In due time he was promoted, tak- ing charge of the pipe fitting department, and in 1890 was made mechanical engineer. He is skilled in this special line of work and has the reputation of being one of the finest machinists in the state. Mr. Ahrens made several inven- tions which are now used by various companies, among them being a steam valve motion for pumps, and an engine lubricator.

Mr. Ahrens was married in Long Island City in 1880 to Miss Amelia Beckel, whose birth oc- curred in Ridgewood. She was the daughter of Peter Beckel and the sister of Charles Beckel. whose sketch also appears in this volume. Mrs. Ahrens died in 1883, leaving two children, Katie and Peter. The second marriage of our sub- ject occurred September 29, 1885, when Miss Kate Bogen, a native of Rheinpfalz, Germany, became his wife. She was the daughter of Dr. Louis Bogen, a prominent physician of the Fath- erland. An uncle of Mrs. Ahrens, Frederick Bo- - gen, was for many years a well-to-do resident and large property owner of Long Island City; he is now, however, living in Greenpoint. The wife of our subject is finely educated, having com- pleted her studies in the model schools of her native land. Four children have been born of our subject's second marriage: Lillie, Bertha, Louis and George C., Jr.

In politics Mr. Ahrens is an enthusiastic Re- publican, although in no sense of the word an office-seeker, as he has often been solicited by his friends to accept some such honors, but always refused. He is an active member of the Lin-

coln Club of this city. Socially he belongs to the Royal Arcanum and Mt. Ararat Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Greenpoint. He has been identified with the Lutheran Church for many years and has been greatly interested in the work of the Sun- day-school. A progressive and public-spirited citizen, he is ever ready to do his full share in matters of public welfare, and is numbered among the leading men of his community. For some time he was connected with Friendship Truck No. 3. With his family he occupies a pleasant home in Blissville.

H ENRY BAUMANN, one of the prosper- ous business men of Woodhaven, has a well stocked hardware establishment and is conducting a very profitable trade in this line. He is of foreign birth, being a native of the can- ton of Aargau, Switzerland. He was born Janu- ary 1, 1847, to Daniel Baumann, who in turn was born in the above place in the year 1805. The latter was a manufacturer of plaster of paris in his native land. In 1864 he came to America, but four years later departed this life at his home in Woodhaven. His father, by name Hen- ry Baumann, met his death when seventy-five years of age by drowning in a creek which he was attempting to cross.

Our subject's mother, formerly Barbara Ung- richt, was also a native of Switzerland, and was sixty-four years of age at the time of her de- cease in 1874. Henry, of this history, had two brothers, Jacob, who died in the old country, and Adolph, who came to America, where he lived for some time in comparatively good health, but finally succumbed to the dread disease-con- sumption.

Henry Baumann attended school quite regu- larly until a lad of fifteen years, when he was ap- prenticed to a tinsmith in order that he might learn the trade. He came to America about this time and found work in this line in Brooklyn. After a twelvemonth spent there he changed his place of residence to Woodhaven, having ob- tained a position in the large factory of the La- lance and Grosjean Manufacturing Company, for whom he worked for a period of fifteen years, a portion of this time being foreman of the tin- shop. His evenings were spent in making ar- ticles of tin for himself and from the sale of these he gained a start in life. Finally he became proprietor of a little shop of his own, located on

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the site of his present commodious quarters, but which was then only one room 10x20 feet in size. The stock of goods which he put in at that time he was obliged to purchase on credit, but pros- perity attended his efforts from the first and his business grew rapidly until he was compelled to erect a larger building. He gradually branched out in the line of furniture and now keeps on hand a large and varied assortment of house fur- nishing goods and is well patronized by the best people of the community. Mr. Baumann de- serves great credit for the success which he has made of life, for when he came to America his parents were poor and he was obliged to support them. This he did uncomplainingly, although he was greatly hindered in working his way up the ladder of fortune. Besides his hardware and fur- niture establishment, he owns much other valu- able property in this locality.

In 1866 Mr. Baumann was instrumental in or- ganizing the German Mutual Association, and a year later he was made treasurer of this body, which office he has held ever since. When twenty-five years had rolled around he was pre- sented with a handsome gold watch in recogni- tion of his long and faithful services in behalf of the association. For three years Mr. Bau- mann held the position of excise commissioner of Woodhaven, being elected to that office on the Republican ticket. He is a leading member of the German Lutheran Church and takes great in- terest in the work of the Sunday-school. This department of church work was first started in his home and for twelve years he was superin- tendent.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 73

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