Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 74

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 74

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The marriage of our subject with Miss Anna M. Wuerger, a native of Germany, was celebrated in 1875. To them were born seven children, of whom those living are Henry A., Carl Fred, Frederick Augustus and Albert Gustav.

J' OSEPH CASSIDY, alderman from the second ward and treasurer of the board of excise commissioners of Long Island City, is one of the prominent politicians and popular residents of Queens County, and is one who, through his efficient management and sound judgment, has promoted the welfare of the people of this locality. His devotion to the material interests of the community is exceeded only by the patriotism which never loses sight of the highest duties of citizenship. Politically

he is a Jeffersonian Democrat and is ever ready to give a reason for the faith that actuates him in sustaining this exponent of his ideal in the prog- ress of good government.

Of the history of the Cassidy family, more may be learned by reference to the biographical sketch of John Cassidy, our subject's father and business partner, which is presented on another page of this volume. Joseph was born and reared in Long Island City and received his edu- cation here and in Brooklyn, attending the grammar school in Java Street. His first posi- tion was in the wholesale house of Arnold & Con- stable, where he was employed in the fur depart- ment. Such was his efficiency that within two years after taking a position with the firm, he had entire charge of the manufacturing depart- ment. After five years he started in business for himself on Broadway and Thirty-seventh Street, New York, where for one year he engaged in the manufacture and sale of fur. From that time until 1889 he was general manager for the wholesale house of Freysted & Sons.

Returning to Long Island City, Mr. Cassidy in 1889 became a partner with his father in the florist's and gardening business, which has since been carried on under the name of Cassidy & Son. Their sales are largely made to the whole- sale cut flowers market, and they have two busi- ness locations, with five or six greenhouses at each. They raise all their own plants, averaging three hundred thousand per year. The business is the largest of the kind in the city, and is bring- ing to its owners a gratifying degree of prosper- ity.

In Hulst Street, where Mr. Cassidy owns six- teen lots, he erected a fine residence, and here he and his wife make their home. Mrs. Cassidy was born in Connecticut and bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Casey. In 1893 Mr. Cassidy was appointed excise commissioner by Mayor Sanford and from the start he was treasurer of the board. When elected alderman, he did not resign the other position because the intended successor was not favored by him or by his con- stituents. In the fall of 1893 he received the election by a majority of fifty, although the ward gave Gleason almost three hundred majority. He took his seat January 1. 1894, and since that time has served as chairman of the public works committee, the lamps and gas committee and the committee on public instruction, also as a inember of finance committee. It has been

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his aim and ambition to worthily represent his constituents and to insist that their rights shall be respected, and so well has he succeeded that they have the greatest confidence in him. He was a charter member of the Jefferson Club and has served on the house committee for years. In addition, he has rendered efficient service on the general committee and for some time has been chairman of the local committee. Both in business and in political circles, he has made many friends and is held in high esteem for his sterling worth and the excellencies of his char- acter. He takes a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the city and county, and is public-spirited and pro- gressive.

F RANKLIN P. BAYLIS, who is well known in Queens County, was born at what is now Floral Park, then Plainfield, on the 18th of October, 1855, his parents being Wil- liam P. and Phoebe A. (Pearsall) Baylis. The father was also born at Floral Park, where he now resides, in September, 1825. For the last few years he has lived retired, but prior to that he had been actively engaged in business enter- prises. In public affairs he has been quite prominent and has held a number of local offices. Mrs. Baylis was born in May, 1826, the daugh- ter of Alexander Pearsall, of Rockville Center, for whom the village of Pearsalls was named. To Mr. and Mrs. Baylis were born six children, who are living: William H .; David A .; Mary A., wife of Charles Johnson; Franklin P .; Ella, wife of Lawrence Suydam, and Eugene I. Wil- liam Baylis, grandfather of our subject, was a native of the town of Hempstead, born in 1805. His father was Puntine Baylis, for whom Puntine Street of Jamaica was named.

Our subject grew to mature years under the home roof and was educated in the public schools. When seventeen years old he took a position in the railroad office at Hinsdale, re- maining there for about two years. Subsequent- ly he opened a general store there, and after con- ducting it for six years sold out. Then he was employed for one year as general agent for Wal- ton, Whann & Co., of Wilmington, Del., and had charge of the business for the entire island. About 1883 he engaged in farming, but still con- tinued as agent for a number of companies.

Mr. Baylis selected his wife in the person of

Miss Evelyn G. Miller, daughter of William and Maria L. (Tuttle) Miller, and their union was celebrated November 10, 1875. November 10, 1895, they celebrated the twentieth anniversary of their marriage. Mr. Miller was a prominent citizen of Newtown for a number of years and was a representative man. He built the Meth- odist Church at that place, donating it to the peo- ple, and also established a stage line from New- town to the Williamsburg ferries, carrying it on successfully for years. Mrs. Baylis was born in Newtown and was but an infant when her father moved to Rockville Center. After re- maining in that place a short time he located in Brooklyn, where he died in 1864. He was mar- ried three times and became the father of several children.

In connection with farming Mr. Baylis has al- ways been engaged in other enterprises and is now agent for the Equitable Life Insurance Company. In politics he is independent. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baylis are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Floral Park, and have been active workers in it since the organiza- tion, in which Mr. Baylis took an active and prominent part. He has held all the offices in the same and is now trustee and district stew- ard. In 1890 he was instrumental in the forma- tion and organization of the Sunday-school, and since that time has been its superintendent. In his social relations Mr. Baylis is a member of Jamaica Lodge No. 433, Royal Arcanum. He has ever been interested in all worthy movements, particularly those relating to educational and religious matters, and is one of the representa- tive men of the section. To Mr. and Mrs. Bay- lis has been born one child, Sarah C., who is now a student at the Friends Academy of Locust Valley.

JO OSEPH HARTMANN, a well-to-do Ger- man farmer of the town of Flushing, has, by his indefatigable industry and untiring labor, been enabled to acquire considerable prop- erty and to lay the foundation of a competence that will remove the necessity of further labor when he reaches old age. The situation of his farm, on Lott Lane, is particularly convenient to the village of Jamaica, enabling him to enjoy all the comforts of rural life yet bringing him with- in reach of such advantages as a village affords. February 5, 1839, Mr. Hartmann was born in

JOHN M. CLARK.

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Prusia, and was the son of Joseph and Helena (Hildebrant) Hartmann, to whom there were granted five children, of whom four are living. The father of this household was also born in Prussia, where, after attaining mature years, he engaged in agricultural pursuits on the old home- stead which had been in the family for many generations. His life was one of usefulness, and the prosperity which he achieved was the reward of his perseverance and excellent management. He departed this life in 1863.

The subject of this sketch attained mature years under the parental roof and was educated in the model schools of his native land. One year after becoming of age he crossed the Atlan- tic and after landing on the shores of the New World came immediately to Long Island, his first employment being as a farm hand in As- toria. After some six years thus employed he engaged in cultivating the soil on his own ac- count, first renting property at Ravenswood, where he made his home for about five years, when he purchased his present place. This was in 1872 and he has made this his home ever since.

Miss Christina Hartmann became the wife of our subject in 1867. She was also born in the Fatherland, and although bearing the same name was in no way related to him. Their union resulted in the birth of eight children, four of whom are still living. Joseph is the eldest of the household; Mary is the wife of Joseph Muhs and they make their home in Brooklyn; John and Henry are still at home and assist in carry- ing on the farm. In politics Mr. Hartmann is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles and in religious affairs he is a devout Catholic, at- tending services at Jamaica.

J I OHN M. CLARK, a well-to-do farmer of Great Neck, was born in New York City, January I, 1821, in the home of his parents, on the corner of North Moore and Greenwich Streets. He was the son of James and Mary (Mc- Kie) Clark, the former of whom was a native of Scotland and was born in the highlands, near Castle Douglas. He came to America when a boy and shortly thereafter began to follow the sea. For several years he was captain of a vessel owned by John Jacob Astor, and our subject now has in his possession a letter from Mr. Astor giving directions for a voyage to France. Later

he was in the employ of the Harvard Packet Line, and during his life as a mariner he visited nearly every port of importance in the world. He de- parted this life in New York City in 1835.

Of the seven children included in the parental family our subject is the only member now liv- ing. At the time of his father's death he was a lad of about fourteen years, and up to this time he had attended some of the best private schools in New York. His school days now being over, however, he obtained employment with John I. Boyd, an agent for the Harvard Packet Com- pany, and after a year or two began working for an uncle, who was engaged in the lumber busi- ness.

In the year 1841 John M. Clark came to Great Neck and in 1848 purchased the property on which he now lives. April 12 of the following year he was united in marriage with Miss Ma- tilda, daughter of Thomas and Phebe S. (Under- hill) Udall. The house in which the young couple began life together had been built in 1817, but Mr. Clark made many changes in it, transforming it into a very cozy home. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children. Mary C., who married Julian A. Udall, has two children, and is now living with our subject; Richard U., who is also married, farms a portion of the old homestead.

Our subject cast his first presidential vote in 1844 for Henry Clay and in 1860 voted for Lin- coln. He has ever since been a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party and on all occasions uses his influence to further its inter- ests. He has often been a delegate to county and state conventions. Mr. Clark was elected super- visor of the town in 1854 and so well and honorably did he discharge all the duties required of him that he has been called upon to serve in this capacity twenty-one terms, being elected the last time in 1890. Much credit is due Mr. Clark for the effort which he put forth in securing a macadamized road from Flushing to Roslyn. In religious matters he is identified with the Society of Friends.

W ILLIAM FRAME is a representative of the men of energy, ability and en- terprise who have made Queens Coun- ty so prominent in the state. His name is asso- ciated with the agricultural interests of the town of Flushing, where he owns and resides upon a

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valuable farm. His estate is located just outside the limits of the village of Flushing and contains all the improvements of a model farm. A native of this community, he was born in the house now owned by C. W. Cooper, July 15, 1819. He continued to live there until about twenty years ago, when he sold it to Mr. Cooper. His parents were Jesse and Mary (Leggett) Frame, to whom were granted nine children, three now living. Of these William was the youngest. His brother Thomas was born March 8, 1809, and is now liv- ing at Patchogue. Eliza, the wife of Gilbert H. Pearsall, of Brooklyn, was born May 4, 1814.

Jesse Frame was born February 4, 1774, and departed this life October 7, 1826. His wife, whose birth occurred December 17, 1776, sur- vived him until February 3, 1853. Mr. Frame was born and reared in Pennsylvania, whence he afterward removed to Rahway, N. J., where he met and married Miss Leggett. For several years he was engaged in farming, but upon his removal to New York City about 1809 he en- tered into the leather business, conducting a very profitable trade for some four years. In 1813 he came to Flushing and gave his attention to the raising of sheep, which at that time was a very lucrative business. He acquired quite a reputation in this line, and was well known among stockmen in various parts of the state. Later he purchased the property on which his son, our subject, was born, and there prepared to spend the remaining years of his life. He was the owner of much valuable property in this neighborhood, all of which had been acquired by his ability and enterprise. Religiously he was a faithful member of the Society of Friends. In every way that he could he aided the good work in the county, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.

The subject of this sketch was a lad of seven years when he was deprived of the care of his father, therefore on the mother fell the burden and responsibility of rearing the family. This lady, although living in New Jersey at the time of her marriage, was a native of Chappaqua, N. Y., and a member of one of the oldest and most influential families of Westchester County. She was a woman possessing rare business tact, as was evidenced by the judgment displayed in managing the estate until her sons were old enough to relieve her of this care. She, too, was a member of the Society of Friends and for many years was an elder in the Society.

William, of this history, first attended the pri- vate schools of Flushing, after which he was sent to New York and completed his education in one of the best schools of that city. On his re- turn home he was eighteen years of age and thus early in life assumed the responsibility of the management of the home farm. He contin- ued to cultivate this tract of land until his moth- er's death, in 1853, when the estate was divided.

The marriage of Mr. Frame with Miss Phebe Willets of Jericho, was celebrated in 1854. They have two children: Catherine, who has never married; and Mary, now the wife of Edmund V. D. Cox, of Brooklyn, who is a member of the New York Stock Exchange; they have three children. In the year 1873 Mr. Frame sold his home farm and purchased his present place which contains forty-three acres of excellent land. Re- ligiously he is a member of the Society of Friends. He is not allied to any political organization, re- serving his right to support the man who, in his judgment, will best discharge the duties of the office.

J OSEPH J. TOMPKINS. It is universally conceded that our happiness and well-being as individuals depend necessarily to a large extent upon our own efforts, upon our own self- culture, self-discipline and self-denial, and, above all, upon that honest and conscientious perform- ance of individual duty which is the true strength of manly character. What he has and what he is, may be attributed by Mr. Tompkins to his own efforts, as he began life with limited means, but has steadily worked his way onward to suc- cess. The schools of his boyhood were few and his attendance at these was irregular, but he has gradually acquired the best of all educations- that which a man gives himself while engaged in the ordinary pursuits of life.

For many years Mr. Tompkins has made his home about one mile southeast of the village of Newtown, where he has large and valuable landed possessions. A native of this town, he was born September 17, 1815, to Edward and Elizabeth (Way) Tompkins, and is now the sole survivor of their six children. His father was a native of Cripple Bush (now a part of the city of Brooklyn) and some years after his marriage came to the town of Newtown, where he contin- ued to reside until his death. A public-spirited citizen, he was for years justice of the peace and

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overseer of the poor, which offices he filled with efficiency.

Until twenty-eight years of age, Mr. Tompkins remained beneath the parental roof. At that age, in 1843, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Amelia Tompkins, and soon afterward his father presented him with five acres of land, to which, after erecting a cottage, he took his young wife. To the original acreage he has from time to time added different tracts of land until his farm now comprises seventy-five acres, and through the rise in property he has become wealthy.

Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins there were born fifteen children, of whom five are now living, namely: Oscar E., who is married, has three children and resides on a stock farm near Poughkeepsie, N. Y .; Phoebe E., who is single and resides with her parents, for whom she tenderly cares in their old age; Josephine, wife of George Debevoise, of Jamaica; Eloise, wife of James Debevoise, of Bay Shore; and Clarence P., who married Miss Ella Painter and lives with his father on the home place.

Progressive, enterprising and liberal, Mr. Tompkins was in his younger years largely in- strumental in promoting the general welfare and industrial thrift of Newtown, and still maintains a warm interest in matters pertaining to the prog- ress of the people. His vote has always been given to the Democratic party, but he has never been narrow in his opinions regarding politics. For nine years he served as commissioner of the highways and for six years filled the office of assessor. His business relations in his active life were such as to demonstrate the activity of his mind and the honesty of his purpose, while his disposition has always been kind to those in trouble and generous to those in need.

J OHN M. SAMMIS. Among the most act- ive, energetic and successful business men of Oyster Bay is the gentleman whose name appears above. He was not born with a sil- ver spoon in his mouth, but he nevertheless has made his way in the world and by his intelli- gent business methods, together with assiduity, has amassed a competency and established a rep- utation for probity and honesty in dealing with the public which stamps him as one who recog- nizes business principles as the sure and essen- tial passport to success.

In his early years Mr. Sammis was not rugged physically, and was confronted with an affection of the throat which suggested a fatal conclusion. With that energy and determination character- istic of his life, he combatted successfully the enemy and through the most adverse atmos- pheric conditions he is today, notwithstanding his seventy-five years of active life, as rugged, stalwart and robust as many who have not en- countered the years or been confronted with the varied experience of the subject of our sketch.

Mr. Sammis was born in this village October 8, 1820. At the age of seventeen he entered the service of Col. Samuel Youngs, who kept a gen- eral country store and lumber yard at Oyster Bay Cove. Colonel Youngs was for a number of years an important political factor in the town. Rugged in his intellectual endowments and always possessing the courage of his convic- tions, he was regarded with especial favor by the citizens of this town and county. He served as supervisor for several years and afterward represented Queens County in the lower house for two years. In 1849 he went to California as one of the Argonauts, and remained there for many years, returning home about 1891, broken with the weight of years and unsuccessful in his financial ventures. He died soon after his re- turn, at St. Johnland, and his remains were brought to Oyster Bay Cove and interred beside those of his ancestors in the Youngs cemetery. For several years, when Colonel Youngs was en- gaged in merchandising at the Cove, Mr. Sammis had entire charge of his business, purchasing goods and conducting affairs as his judgment suggested. The kindness evinced for his old em- ployer was not abated by time and the veteran colonel was indebted during the last years of his life to the generous remembrance of Mr. Sammis.

About 1843 Mr. Sammis came to this village and commenced business with a limited capital, his savings during his service with Colonel Youngs, in the place now occupied by Val- entine Baylis. Here he remained for three years and in 1846 purchased the store property now occupied by E. A. Hegeman. He soon im- proved this corner and for a number of years kept a general country store which he abandoned to engage in the lumber business, conducted for many years by James Prior, and here for more than three decades he has furnished the public with all kinds of building materials. For many

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years he was the purchasing agent of the prom- inent flouring mills of Hecker Brothers, and was the representative of the wool interests of the island for Dike Brothers. For forty-five years Mr. Sammis has been a trustee of the Presbyteri- an Church, for forty-three years treasurer of the same, and for a period of twenty years an active member of the society.

In his social relations our subject has been extremely fortunate. He was married January 6, 1846, to Rebecca, daughter of Isaac Town- send, of Yellow Coat, and grand-daughter of James Titus, of Syosset. Of their children we mention the following: Mary A. became the wife of James H. Ludlum; Louise was married to George Nelson Duryea, who died in the year 1882 leaving one chnu, Edna S. Duryea; in 1890 Mrs. Duryea became the wife of William Wood- hull Sammis, of West Neck, Huntington. Sarah E. is the wife of Edward A. Hegeman. Edgar Townsend Sammis, who is now with his father, assists in conducting the business.

It can truly be said that Mr. Sammis has grown up with the village. Here he was born, here his boyhood was spent and here he deter- mined to achieve that success in life which illus- trates his industry, his intelligence and his su- perior business qualifications. Not daunted by any adverse circumstances but fastening his eye upon the object before him, by persistent effort and judicious management, his business career has been crowned with success. We certainly know of no better or any more complete illustra- tion of what may be accomplished in a lifetime by intelligent methods than that which finds an illustration in the career of John M. Sammis. It can be said with truth that he is a self-made man. He was formerly a Democrat, but has affiliated with the Republicans ever since the organization of the party.

P ETER S. FLANAGAN, alderman of the fourth ward, has been a resident of As- toria, Long Island City, all his life, his birth occurring here March 14, 1847. He has identified himself with the interests of his county, has won numerous friends, and has built up a rep- utation for honesty and fair dealing that is in every way merited. (For a fuller history of his father, Andrew Flanagan, see sketch of Andrew Flanagan, Jr.) Peter was the third youngest son and in his native city grew to mature years and

secured a good practical education, completing his course in the Fourth Ward school when sev- enteen years old. He then began serving an apprenticeship as a compositor with the "Astoria Herald" and started at the bottom. This paper was edited by Mac Richie.

Later young Flanagan went to Brooklyn and was on the "Brooklyn Standard," a weekly story paper, where he finished his trade. From there he went to New York City and was on the "Era," a Masonic paper, until the daily was sus- pended. Our subject was with it again after it became a weekly and was thus employed until 1869, when he became connected with the "Shoe and Leather Reporter," with which he has been associated since. Although he is deeply inter- ested in all that relates to the "Reporter," he has other enterprises and does not lose sight of his duties as a citizen.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 74

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