Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 76

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 76

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postmaster by President Arthur, Ravenswood be- ing made a third-class office, but upon the estab- lishment of the free delivery system the office was abolished. Mr. Wright is also engaged in the real estate business, owning one hundred and fourteen lots in Ravenswood, which he has laid out into streets.

When ready to establish a home of his own Mr. Wright was married to Miss Annie E. Cor- nell, a native of New York City, and she became the mother of two children, Charles Cor- nell and William Arthur. She departed this life in 1894. Our subject has always been active in politics and in 1893 was appointed a member of the police commission, of which he is now treas- urer. He is a member of the Ravenswood Re- publican Club and belongs to the General Re- publican city committee. Socially he is a Mason, holding membership with Advance Lodge, No. 635, of Astoria, and is also identified with the Royal Arcanum and the Legion of Honor. He served twice as a member of Volunteer Truck of Astoria, No. 2, and is now identified with the Exempt Firemen's Association. Mr. Wright has manifested shrewd business ability in the man- agement of his affairs and has amassed a snug fortune as the result of his industrious and per- severing efforts.

D R. DAVID R. LONGENECKER. One of the most important industries in a community and one in which its expo- nents are in great demand is that of dentistry. It is no small debt of gratitude that the world owes to the dentist for this opportunity to gain comfort. Among those engaged in this most necessary business is Dr. David R. Longenecker, whose fine office at No. 519 Fulton Street, Brook- lyn, is supplied with all the modern implements for carrying on his work. He is a dentist of rare skill and ability and one in whom his patients rest entire confidence. A native of the Buckeye State, born at Dayton, July 30, 1847, the Doctor is a son of Dr. John H. and Ellen (Frame) Long- enecker, both born in Lancaster, Pa.

The father spent his early life in his native city, where he received his medical education. During the Civil War he served as surgeon and after cessation of hostilities he went with his family to Hudson, Mass., and from there to Brooklyn about the year 1880. For the past few years he has been spending his time with his

son, Dr. D. H. Longenecker, of Islip, who is living retired. He and his excellent wife are en- joying the best of health.

The early education of our subject was re- ceived in the public schools at Lancaster, Pa., and later he was connected with the naval acad- emy at Annapolis, Md., for two years and a half as a medical cadet. After severing his connec- tion there he came to Brooklyn and took up the study of dentistry with Dr. George W. Frame. In 1870 he completed the profession and at once established an office in the city of Brooklyn, where he has ever since been actively and suc- cessfully engaged in professional duties. In 1884 Dr. Longenecker came to Rockville Cen- ter, on account of ill health, and with the idea of spending the spring and summer here. As he liked the good, wholesome air and the surroundings generally, he purchased a nice house and has ever since made his home here, going and returning from Brooklyn each day except Sundays and holidays.

In the year 1872 Dr. Longenecker married Miss Jessie Lambard, daughter of Roger F. Lambard, of Brooklyn. Four children have been born to this union, as follows: Dr. Wil- liam R., who is in business with his father; Bes- sie F .; Nellie B., and David R., Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Longenecker are worthy members of the St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal Church and the former is the superintendent of the Sunday- school. Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and politically he is a Republican. The Doctor is a progressive citizen and is alive to the interests of his town. He is at present regent of the Royal Arcanum at Rockville Cen- ter and president of the board of trustees of St. Mark's Church.

R EV. FRANK MARION HALLOCK, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Roslyn, was born in Brooklyn March 9, 1846, and is a son of Samuel M. and Bethia A. (Terry) Hallock, natives of Suffolk County. The father, who is a mechanic and storekeeper, is prominent in religious affairs and for many years has been officially connected with the Methodist Church. In middle life he moved to Brooklyn and several years later went from there to Sag Harbor, thence to Riverhead and finally returned to his native place, where he has resided since 1856. Although seventy-six years old, he con-

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ducts a grocery and feed store, superintends the management of his farm and is active in church affairs. His wife, who still survives, is eighty- two years old (1896). Their family consisted of four sons and one daughter, as follows: Frank M., George F., Howard D., Henry O., who died in infancy, and Eugenie S.

For about six years the subject of this record was a pupil in the private school kept by Miss E. C. Mapes, called St. Peter's Hall, and also at- tended the public schools. In 1862 he was con- verted at Cutchogue; six years later he was li- censed to preach, and in 1874 joined the New York East Conference. In 1872 he was ap- pointed to his first pastorate, that of the Middle Island Methodist Church, and the following year another congregation was added to his parish. From Long Island he went in 1876 to West- chester, N. Y., and later was given other import- ant pastorates in New York and Connecticut. In 1892 he returned to Long Island and was called to Roslyn in 1894. Active in ministerial work, he is especially forceful and successful an an evan- gelist, his eloquence, zeal, earnestness and broad information having been the means of winning many to Christ. Other denominations, becom- ing cognizant of his success, have asked him to engage in evangelical work in their behalf, but he has preferred to remain with the church and faith of his father.

During his seminary days Mr. Hallock passed a most creditable examination in English and engaged in teaching school, giving instruction in the highest branches of literature. During the winter of 1868-69 he was chosen from a number of classmates by a committee from the trustees to teach at Ludlow, Mass. A successful educa- tor, he was liked wherever his duties called him. After being licensed to preach he retired from the teacher's profession. For nearly thirty years he has been an active worker for temperance and also held the office of worthy chief in the Good Templars' Society, of which he is now an honor- ary member. He was interested in the organiza- tion of a branch of the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union in Pleasant Valley, Conn., and was made an honorary member of the society. He is identified with Metamora Council, No. 650, American Legion of Honor. For five years he has been secretary and treasurer of the North Side Sunday-school Association of Suffolk Coun- ty, embracing over sixty Sunday-schools.

June 24, 1874, Mr. Hallock married Miss Lillie

Annin, who was born in Brooklyn; they are the parents of two sons, George Annin and Howard Leichester, who are attending school. P. F. An- nin, father of Mrs. Hallock, is a noted wood en- graver of Brooklyn and for many years was fore- man of that department for the Frank Leslie Publishing Company, and was for some time con- nected with the Harper Publishing Company. He came of a prominent noble family of Scot- land, but although the title and estate would have descended to him he refused to relinquish allegiance to the United States.

G EORGE H. PAYNTAR. To secure suc- cess in business a man must be energetic, persevering, capable and judicious; with these qualities he need have no fear of failure. It is largely due to these characteristics, which he possesses in a large degree, that Mr. Payntar owes the prosperity that has attended his efforts. He is recognized as one of the progressive citi- zens of Long Island City, where he carries on a large real estate and insurance business, having his office at No. 83 Borden Avenue.

The Payntar family has been identified with the history of Long Island City (formerly town of Newtown) for three successive generations, and its representatives have been known as men of upright lives and energetic dispositions. Wil- liam, grandfather of George H., in an early day purchased the water front from Nelson's Point almost as far as Webster Avenue, which prop- erty he afterward sold to the city of New York, but which was afterward disposed of to others. In 1831 he bought from Peter P. Lorrimore a large tract of land, including the family home- stead on Jackson and Skillman Avenues, and here he resided until his death, at the age of eighty-four. His landed possessions were ex- tensive and included some valuable property bor- dering on Dutch Kills Creek. He was always in- terested in public affairs.

William Payntar, Jr., father of George H., was born in Ravenswood, and during the War of 1812 served as acting sergeant; later was com- missioned by Governor Tompkins lieutenant in a company of New York militia. On his return to private life he resumed the work of a farmer, and this occupation he followed throughout his active life. He was a quiet, persevering and hon- orable man, one who was good-hearted, gener- ous and helpful to those in need. Whatever he

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saw to be a duty he did at once. His nature was noble and his friends many. While he never occupied positions of great prominence he served as commissioner of highways of Newtown and in other local offices, filling these places with credit to himself. He died in 1865, when seventy- four years of age. A man of consistent religious belief, he held membership in the Dutch Re- formed Church of Newtown, and served the con- gregation in the official capacity of elder and deacon. Politically he was always loyal to Dem- ocratic principles.

By his marriage to Miss Mary A. Van Alst, of Newtown, William Payntar, Jr., had the follow- ing children: William, who died in Newtown at the age of thirty-six, leaving a family of six children; Isaac, who was in the grocery business for many years and died in Flushing; John, a contractor and builder, who died in Newtown; Thomas, a carpenter in Astoria; Ida, who passed away in infancy; Abraham, a retired hardware merchant of Kingston, N. Y .; and George H.

The subject of this article was born at the old homestead July 17, 1834, and spent the first twelve years of his life there. At the age of fifteen he secured employment as clerk in the wholesale dry-goods house of Greenway Bros. & Co., of New York. Shortly before the outbreak of the Rebellion he went to Abingdon, Va., as manager of the general store of John C. Green- way, but the Civil War coming on, he returned to Long Island. Since 1867 he has been engaged in the real estate business, his first venture in which was the laying out in town lots of the old home farm. Since then he has platted several additions in Jackson Avenue and other streets, and has built up a large business in this line.

The marriage of Mr. Payntar, in Flushing, united him with Miss Irene U. Merkle, who was born in New York City, being a daughter of George and Elizabeth Merkle. The Merkle famı- ily is of German extraction and emigrated to this country from Waldorf. Of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Payntar we note the following: Irene M. is the widow of the late Charles N. Shephard, of Brooklyn; G. Augusta married Frederick Jenkins, son of the president of the First National Bank of Brooklyn; Eliza D. is a graduate of the State Normal School at Albany, and is now a teacher in that institution; and W. Elmer is with F. K. & J. G. Jenkins, Jr., stock brokers of Brooklyn.

As a citizen Mr. Payntar is progressive and

patriotic, and although in no sense an office- seeker, is interested in all measures calculated to improve the community. In politics he is à Dem- ocrat and has represented his party in general conventions. Among the positions he has held are those of commissioner of highways of New- town, assessor of Long Island City, commission- er on estimate of assessments for Thompson Avenue, and commissioner on the division of the Margaret Gosman and the Manley estates. He is a member of Island City Lodge No. 586, F. & A. M., and in religious belief is identified with the Reformed Church, to which his wife also be- longs. Until 1856 he was for some years a mem- ber of the Flushing fire department. May 4, 1858, he was appointed fireman of Brooklyn Hose Company No. 3, and was made exempt fire- man in February, 1864. In his office may be noticed a number of colonial and Revolutionary mementoes, and among other souvenirs is an old document dated 1807, regarding the sale of some property by his grandfather.

F REDERICK WAGNER, a retired farmer residing on the Fresh Pond road, about one mile from Glendale, in the town of Newtown, was born in Baden, Germany, May 10, 1833, and is one of five survivors among the seven children of George Jacob and Barbara Wagner. His father, who was born in Germany in 1804, resided in his native place until forty- two years old, when, in 1846, he came to Amer- ica and settled in Brooklyn. After his arrival in this country he engaged in the milk business, but later in life gave this up and settled down to farming in Newtown. At his death, which occurred in 1868, he was one of the well-to-do farmers of this section, his prosperity being the result of his tireless labors.

At the time the family came to America, Fred- erick was a lad of thirteen years and had re- ceived a good education in the schools of Ger- many. Soon after settling in Brooklyn he was bound out to a five years' apprenticeship at rope- making, but one year later he left because of his employer's refusal to comply with the terms of the contract. For some six months he was employed in a brick yard, after which he returned to his apprenticeship and served out his term of five years. He then engaged with his father in the milk business, which they carried on in con- nection with farming. This continued up to his

WILLIAM E. VALENTINE.

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twenty-eighth year, when he leased his present place and operated it as a renter until 1880, when he purchased the property and in 1891 erected his commodious and handsome residence.

In 1891 Mr. Wagner married Mrs. Mary B. Wagner, the widow of his brother Henry and the mother, by her first marriage, of nine chil- dren. They are as follows: Henry H., who is married and has two children; Caroline, wife of Andrew Betz and mother of two children; Philip, who left two children at his death; George F., who is married and has one child; Charles; John A .; Anna; George J., and William H. Po- litically a Republican, Mr. Wagner was elected commissioner of highways in 1870, serving two terms. He and his family attend the Lutheran Church and are highly respected throughout the town.

W ILLIAM E. VALENTINE, one of the wealthy and retired farmers of Queens County, is a man whose success in life is due almost wholly to his perseverance and determination. He has one of the finest sarms on the island, and his beautiful home shows what culture and refinement can accomplish. Mr. Valentine was born at Woodbury, April 17, 1823, and is a son of Hewlett and Hannah (Hendrick- son) Valentine, both natives of the town of Oys- ter Bay. The father resided in the village of that name until middle age and then moved to Flush- ing, where for the most part the remainder of his days were passed. His death occurred in 1860. He was a prominent citizen and farmer of this county and was universally respected. In his family were nine children, as follows: Joshua, Stephen, Obadiah, Elbert, Jacob, James, Sarah, William E. and Rachel. Sarah, the wife of Sam- uel C. Hendrickson, is the only one besides our subject now living.

William E. Valentine was a youth of twenty when his father moved to Flushing. He secured a good education in the common schools and in the academy at Woodbury, and later he and his brother successfully carried on the home place for a number of years. On the 6th of October, 1846, our subject married Miss Phoebe E. Kis- sam, a daughter of Benjamin T. and Phoebe P. (Allen) Kissam. Mr. Kissam was a prominent farmer and owned a large tract of land adjoining that belonging to Mr. Valentine. To Mr. and Mrs. Valentine were born seven children, all but

two dying in infancy or early childhood. One son, Clarence, is engaged in the insurance busi- ness in New York, where Benjamin F. is en- gaged in the insurance and real estate business.

Mr. Valentine's beautiful home with its charm- ing surroundings, is one of the finest sights on the island. The house was built by him in 1874 and in its arrangement is beautiful indeed. Mr. Valentine does not operate liis farm, but for the past twelve years has rented his land, which con- sists of about one hundred acres. He takes much interest in public matters, but has avoided poli- tics, accepting only those positions which are connected with educational affairs. He and Mrs. Valentine are worthy members of the Episcopal Church and their family stands high in the esti- mation of the people.

J JOHN F. ROGERS. Among those whose career in business has been rendered con- spicuous by the honorable methods and careful attention shown throughout, is John F. Rogers, the efficient receiver and collector of taxes of Flushing. For some time he has been engaged in the plumbing and hardware business here and is a pushing, thoroughgoing merchant. He was born in Flushing December 23, 1855, and no doubt inherits much of his stir and en- ergy from his Irish ancestors, his parents, Den- nis P. and Elizabeth (Carroll) Rogers, having been natives of the Emerald Isle. In 1830, be- fore his marriage, the father came to the United States and located in Flushing, following farm- ing at Bayside and vicinity until he retired. At the time of his death he was quite advanced in years. His wife, after crossing the ocean to America, settled in Canada. Later she came to New York, was married here, and resides here at the present time, well along in years. The father was twice married, there being three chil- dren born of his first union. Of the five children born of his second marriage, four are living, and our subject is the eldest of these.

In the common and public schools our subject secured a good practical education, and when sixteen years old he was apprenticed to learn the plumber's and gas-fitter's trade with Henry Lew- is, of Flushing. After serving six years he went to New York City, where he was engaged in business for himself for three years. Subsequent- ly he spent some time in Oregon, but returning to the East he was again in business in New

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York City for a short time. Coming back to Flushing later he worked for his former employer for a time, and on the Ist of February, 1887, he started in business for himself, and by persever- ance and industry has built up a good trade. All that he has is the result of his own hard work, for he started with very little of this world's goods. He is thoroughly familiar with every de- tail of his business and his work gives the best of satisfaction. He employs from fifteen to twenty men, all skillful workmen.

Mr. Rogers was married in Corona to Miss Mary Birch, a native of New Jersey, and their union has been blessed by the birth of six chil- dren, as follows: Bessie, Mary, Florence, Louise, Cecelia and Sabina. For four years Mr. Rogers was overseer of the poor of Flushing. In 1891 he was elected receiver of taxes of the village, and was re-elected to that position in 1893. In 1895 he was appointed collector of the village of Flushing by the board of trustees and is discharg- ing the duties of that position very creditably at the present time. He is a member of the Cath- olic Benevolent Legion and the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Flushing, and for four years served as secretary of Hook and Ladder Com- pany No. I, of this place. He belongs to the Order of American Firemen, Flushing Council No. 6, and is past president of the state organiza- tion. For some time he was a member of the board of trustees of the same order and for two years was its president. At present he is cap- tain of the boating club. In politics he is an ardent Democrat and has often been a delegate to conventions.

P ROF. CYRUS E. SMITH, superintendent of the Woodhaven public school, occupies a prominent place among the educators of Queens County. The citizens of Woodhaven are wont to say with pride that no village of similar size on Long Island has better schools, and cer- tainly they are everything that an efficient corps of teachers and an experienced superintendent can make them. The curriculum of study em- braces those branches usually taught in the best institutions of like character in the land, and the course is both thorough and comprehensive.

The family to which Professor Smith belongs is one of the oldest on the island, the first repre- sentative here having made settlement in Suffolk County, where a large number of the descendants

at present reside. Capt. Isaac Smith, our sub- ject's father, was born in Islip, L. I., and through- out his entire active life has followed the sea, though he is now living retired. He was captain and master of several yachts, among them the "Irene," owned by E. A. Johnson. The family of which he was a member consisted of three chil- dren, he being the youngest, and it is a note- worthy fact that all of them lived to celebrate their golden wedding. One of them, Capt. Jarvis Smith, who was master of a vessel during the Civil War, was taken prisoner by the Confeder- ates, his vessel burned, and he was put in Libby prison, where he spent some time before being released.

The grandfather of our subject, Noah Smith. was a seafaring man. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jemima Jarvis, was a member of one of the old Long Island families and attained the age of ninety-six. The mother of our sub- ject, Nancy, was born at Hackensack, N. J. Her brother, Capt. Matthew Betts, was master of the pilot boat "Commerce" and was lost on the New Jersey coast. Another brother, John, a seafaring man, fell from a masthead and was killed; Daniel, still another brother, also a sailor, enlisted in the Second New York Fire Zouaves in 1861 and was wounded at Gettysburg, after which he was trans- ferred to the navy by order of General Dix, and at the close of the war was made a watchman on the Seventh Street wharf, Washington, D. C., where he lost his life.

The family of Capt. Isaac and Nancy Smith consisted of three sons and one daughter, Cyrus E. being the eldest. The others are: Jarvis H., who is a member of the New York City police force; George C., who holds a responsible posi- tion with the New York Life Insurance Company in New York; and Fannie, wife of Preston D. Ritch, assistant postmaster at Floral Park, L. I. Cyrus E. was born at Islip, L. I., February 2, 1846, and grew to manhood in his native place, receiving his education in the schools of Long Island. At the age of twenty he commenced to teach at North Babylon; later was similarly em- ployed in the schools of Amityville and Babylon. In 1869 he married Louise Augusta Jacobs, who was a teacher by profession; she and their only child, a daughter, both died in 1871.

Going to Bellport, Professor Smith for seven years held the position of principal of the acad- emy at that place, and while there was united in marriage with Miss Frankie Louise Robinson,

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daughter of Perry Robinson. Thence he went to Piermont, Rockland County, N. Y., where he was superintendent of the schools for seven years. At that place, in 1887, his wife met with an acci- dent that caused her death. In 1888 he married Miss Estelle G., daughter of Squire Peter Steph- ens, of Nyack, and member of one of the leading families of the Hudson valley; her uncles were the founders of the Knickerbocker Ice Com- pany, and the family has long been promi- nent in business and social circles.

From Piermont Professor Smith went to Woodside, where he taught for three years. Then, without solicitation on his part, the board of education tendered him the superintendency of the Woodhaven schools. Since he came to this village great improvements have been made in the schools, and the new high school has been built. The attendance has increased from seven hundred to twelve hundred, and the number of assistants from thirteen to thirty-one. He is a most efficient educator, and is in every respect worthy of his high professional standing.

Aside from the duties connected with his posi- tion, Professor Smith takes a warm interest in every enterprise that tends to the improvement of the place. He is a member of the volunteer fire department. Socially he holds membership in the Odd Fellows' lodge at Babylon, in which his father was a charter member. While not con- nected with any denomination, he is inclined to- ward the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member. He is not aggressive in opinion nor disposed to be arbitrary, yet he has a "mind of his own," with the moral courage to express it when occasion demands. He possesses the moral and personal integrity and clear, well-bal- anced intellect that adorn private life and make and keep the public service pure.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 76

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