Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 83

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 83

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The two brothers of Robert S. Seabury were John Skidmore and Henry P. The former, born January 8, 1812, was for many years a druggist in Jamaica, where he died; his daughter is the wife of John M. Crane, president of the Shoe and Leather National Bank of New York. Henry P., born January 28, 1815, spent his entire life in Hempstead, of which place he was a venerable and highly esteemed resident. When a young man he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in one place for nearly a half century. His death occurred February 13, 1896, aged eighty-one years. He was a bachelor, and as he had no extravagant tastes, accumulated a com- fortable competency. His membership was in St. George's Church, the doctrines of which he upheld in practice and life.

May 10, 1837, Robert Sands Seabury mar- ried Elizabeth Hentz, who was born in Hemp-

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stead April 25, 1817, and was a daughter of Al- bert and Elizabeth Hentz. Her father was an inn keeper and also a dealer in real estate. She became the mother of eleven children, but five of the number died in infancy. Her husband, Rob- ert S., died March 8, 1877, and at this writing she is living with her two bachelor sons. Her children who attained mature years were as fol- lows: Albert, who died in 1889; Adam, a banker in New York; Robert, a prominent attorney, Charles, who is engaged in the real estate busi- ness in Hempstead; John, a wholesale merchant in New York; and Samuel, a real estate dealer in Hempstead.

The eldest of the surviving brothers, Adam, was born June 6, 1842, and received a fair edu- cation in the schools of Hempstead. In boy- hood he went into a leading Nassau Street bank- ing house, where he has since remained, having been the paying teller for many yars. He is the owner of much valuable property in Hempstead. In St. George's Church, of which he is a member, he has officiated as vestryman, junior and senior warden. Like the other members of the family, he adheres to Democratic principles in politics. He is a bachelor and, with his mother and brother Samuel, occupies a beautiful residence in the most popular part of Hempstead. Business duties have engrossed his attention to the exclusion of public affairs.

Robert Seabury, the second of the brothers, was born December 10, 1844, and was educated in the schools of Hempstead and at Union Hall Academy, Jamaica. His law studies were com- menced under the supervision of his uncle, Alden J. Spooner, of Brooklyn, and completed with ex- Surrogate William H. Onderdonk. Shortly be- fore the close of the Civil War he enlisted in the Fifty-sixth New York Infantry, but saw little active service. In 1866 he was admitted to the bar and for two years was with John W. Lever- edge of New York, later formed a partnership with his uncle, Alden J. Spooner, in Brooklyn, establishing a branch office in Hempstead. Of this he has since been in charge, carrying on an active practice in the general courts. At dif- ferent times he has occupied positions of trust and honor, all of which he has filled with credit to himself. For thirteen years he was president of the board of education. In 1874 he was elected town clerk of Hempstead, which he held for two years, and then, in 1876, was appointed clerk of the county board of supervisors, which he has

held continuously since that time. He was one of the founders of the Bank of Hempstead, in which he is a director.

Fraternally Robert Seabury is prominently connected with the Masonic lodge at Hempstead, of which he is past master. In religious views he is a member of St. George's Church. In 1870 he married Miss Amelia Hendrickson, who died in 1882. The only child of this union, Albert H., graduated from Cornell University in 1895. In 1884 Mr. Seabury married Mary Hendrickson, a sister of his former wife, and they occupy a fine residence in Franklin Street.

J. SEYMOUR SNEDEKER, an attorney of Hempstead and formerly postmaster

. at this place, was born here April 9, 1845, being a son of Lewis and Mary Snedeker, na- tives of this town, where the latter is still living. The father followed the trade of a shoemaker throughout his entire life and was an energetic, industrious man, who, while he never gained wealth, was able nevertheless to surround his family with the comforts of life. There were eight children, but only four are now living, three daughters and one son.

After having completed his literary education in the schools of Hempstead, the subject of this notice began the study of law in the office of Hadden & Clark, and after gaining a thorough theoretical knowledge of the profession, he was admitted to the bar December 13, 1866. At once he opened an office in his native village, where he has since carried on an extensive general practice in all courts. In politics, too, he has been a leader among Republicans and has upheld the principles of his chosen party with firmness and unwavering fidelity. In 1870 he was elected town clerk and served until 1873 in that position, which is considered one of the best local offices. From 1874 to 1878 he served as justice of the peace and was a trustee of the village in 1874-75- From 1879 until 1881 he was trustee of Green- field County. June 15, 1880, he was appointed postmaster, and was the incumbent of that office until August, 1886, when a change of adminis- tration caused his resignation. President Har- rison, in July, 1891, appointed him to the posi- tion again, and he remained in that capacity until Cleveland named William H. S. Smith as his successor. Under his supervision the office was conceded to be one of the best conducted on

WALTER E. FREW.

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Long Island, and he was justly popular as post- master with all classes.

Since 1875 Mr. Snedeker has been a trustee of the Presbyterian Church and has served as treas- urer since 1876. At present he is assistant super- intendent of the Sunday-school, and for twenty- five years has held the position of secretary of the school. It is a remarkable fact that during this long period he has never been absent a single Sunday. He was one of the charter members of Hempstead Council, No. 842, Royal Arcanum, on its organization in 1884, and has served as secretary from the first. September 9, 1874, he married Sarah Jane, daughter of William and Susan Rushmore of Hempstead. They have no children.

As might be expected of one who has spent his entire life in this village, Mr. Snedeker is deeply interested in all movements relating to its prog- ress and the development of its resources. In the many positions to which he has been called it has been his aim to advance the interests of his fellow citizens and promote the welfare of the village. While he has been successful in his profession, his aims and purposes have not been selfish, but he has aided the worthy poor by substantil gifts and those just starting out in life by words of kindly counsel, striving by his life and actions to make the world better for his having lived in it.

W ALTER E. FREW. The practice of banking and the establishment of banks belong entirely to the modern world. The first bank established in the modern civilized world was the Bank of Venice, which was founded in 1157. According to some authorities, it was founded in consequence of a loan which the state had felt the necessity of raising in order to carry on a war. At the settlement of this coun- try the colonists brought over with them the financial theories and practices which prevailed at the time in the mother country. The first bank established was in Boston in 1784. From the earliest start in the banking business in Long Island City there has been a steady, constant and continuous growth, not only in the volume of business, but in the methods by which it has been conducted. Take the history of the banking business from the beginning to the present day, and it would form a remarkable page, and one of exceptional interest in any financial work.

There is no financial institution in Long Island that can make a better showing to-day than the Queens County Bank, of Long Island City, and there is not an older bank on the island outside of Brooklyn. Walter E. Frew, who was the youngest bank cashier in the Empire State when he was first elected to that position in the Queens County Bank, now holds the responsible posi- tion of president of this flourishing institution. There is undoubtedly no one department of en- terprise which has been so powerfully instrumen- tal in the development of this city's prosperity as banking and it is in the hands of such men as our subject that the calling under discussion becomes one of the most important levers for good in the commercial machinery of our country.

When Mr. Frew first became cashier of the Queens County Bank, it was not in a very flourishing condition, having only $144,000 on deposit, but by his unusual business acumen and good judgment he won the entire confidence of the people, and the bank is now one of the sound financial institutions of the country and has a line of deposits of over $1.500,000. Pleasant, genial and courteous, Mr. Frew is very popular and has a host of admirers and friends. He was born in Brooklyn, July 18, 1864, the son of George E. Frew, who was a native of New York City. His grandfather, Michael, was a native of Scotland, as was also the great-grandfather, George Frew. Michael was married in his na- tive country to Miss Jeanette Stirlingshire, and while residing there was bookkeeper in a large iron work establishment of Glasgow. In 1827 he came to America and located in New York, where he was engaged in market gardening until his death. He was a member of the Presby- terian Church.

George E. Frew learned the trade of a pencil- case maker when a boy and later liad two patents on gold-slide pencils and pens. He was meeting with an unusual degree of success in his calling, when the war broke out and this put a stop to his operations. Later he became cashier of the Greenpoint Ferry Company of Brooklyn, and was holding that position at the time of his death, in 1880, when forty-seven years old. His brother, John Frew, was killed at Spottsylvania Court House during the Civil War. His wife, whose maiden name was Amanda Decker Crooker, was born in New York City and was the daughter of Robert and Maria (Smith) Crooker, the former of English and the latter of French Huguenot

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descent. Robert Crooker was born on Long Is- land and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Frew died in Brooklyn in 1870, and was the mother of two children, our subject being the younger.

The elder son, George H. Frew, was born in South Brooklyn and there spent his childhood, attending the public schools. When fourteen years old he entered the employ of the old Hope Insurance Company in Broadway, New York, and continued with them until his father's death. He then became cashier of the Greenpoint Ferry Company, with which he remained for some time, and after resigning he accepted a position with the Metropolitan Ferry Company, Long Island City, and held the same until he accepted his present position as general manager, secretary and treasurer of the New York & Norwalk Steamboat Company, the line plying between New York and Norwalk, Conn. He now resides in Brooklyn. His wife, formerly Miss Lessie C. Carman, is a sister of Mrs. W. E. Frew, wife of our subject. He has one son, George H., Jr.

Walter E. Frew received his educational train- ing in private schools of Brooklyn and in Green- point Academy, and when fifteen years old began business in Wall Street with Shepherd Knapp, banker and broker. He remained with Mr. Knapp until twenty years old, and in July, 1884, entered the Eleventh Ward Bank as. messenger, but in two weeks was made bookkeeper and later became assistant cashier. He remained in the bank about four years, and in March, 1889, was made cashier of the Queens County Bank in Long Island City. On the IIth of April, 1895, he was elected president of the bank. This bank was organized in 1873 as the Flushing and Queens County Bank and was at Flushing until 1888, when it was located at Long Island City and the name changed to Queens County Bank.

Mr. Frew was a director of the Steinway Rail- road Company, which controls all the trolley lines from Long Island City to Flushing. He is trus- tee in the Long Island City Savings Bank and is interested in numerous other institutions. He was the youngest cashier and also the youngest bank president in the United States when elected to those positions and it is due to his keen busi- ness foresight, good judgment and energy that the bank has reached its present prosperous con- dition. He belongs to the American Legion of Honor, Bank Clerks' Mutual Business Associa-

tion, New York State Bankers' Association, and is a member of the executive committee of Group No. 8, having served as a delegate to the convention at Saratoga. For some time he has taken an active interest in Kent Street Reformed Church of Brooklyn. Mr. Frew was married in Brooklyn to Miss Ella Louise Carman, a native of Brooklyn and daughter of Samuel Carman of Long Island. They have one child, Helen Louise.

T HOMAS TRAPHAGEN. To have filled the position of a good citizen in any vil- lage is an object worthy of ambitious ef- fort and a record of which a man in either high or low life may feel proud. It is a worthy am- bition to place before the youth of any commun- ity that they should become enterprising, earnest, public-spirited members of society, always up- holding the laws of the commonwealth and pro- moting the welfare of the people by any means in their power.

It has been the aim and effort of Mr. Trap- hagen to promote the interests of his fellow-citi- zens in Corona and also to advance the progress of the county. In the capacity of postmaster, he has proved an efficient, accommodating public servant and has won the commendation of the people. He is a native of New Jersey and was born in Bergen County, November 7, 1848, being a son of James and Amanda (Valentine) Trap -. hagen to promote the interests of his fellow-citi- was a builder by occupation, and removed to Rensselaer, N. Y., when Thomas was about eleven years of age.

The boy obtained the foundation of his educa- tion in the public schools, after which he at- tended Hudsondale Seminary at Lansingburg, N. Y. At the age of nineteen he went to New York City and began to learn the manufacture of mil- linery goods, starting in business for himself two years later. Prosperity attended his efforts, though he met with some reverses in the prosecu- tion of his business. After a few years he sold out and accepted a position in a large manufac- turing establishment, where he remained for a number of years.

In 1876 Mr. Traphagen went West, with a view to locating, and traveled through the Black Hills and other places of the West, finally stop- ping in St. Louis, where he and his family re- mained for five years. From St. Louis he came

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to Corona in 1880 and opened a dry-goods store, in which he soon built up a good local trade. While in New York City he was united in mar- riage, November 15, 1872, with Miss Mary E. Conder, an estimable lady, who was born in Ox- ford, England, but has spent her life principally in this country.

Reared in the faith of the Republican party and in the opinion that its policy was faultless, our subject at first voted for its principles, but after a time he became convinced that the interests of the people would be best promoted by the plat- form and principles of the Democratic party, if fully carried out. From that time on he has given his support to the free-trade party. Soon after coming to Corona he began to take an active interest in politics and has since been one of the local leaders of his party. He has served on the Democratic Committee in several districts of the town of Newtown and has been chairman of the body. In May, 1892, he was appointed post- master at Corona, and has since acted in that capacity.

C HARLES W. WEED, who is engaged in business in Corona, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1858, being a son of Alanson and Sarah E. (McGee) Weed. During his boyhood years he resided in New York in summer and Brooklyn in winter, his education being obtained in the public schools of the latter city. At the age of nineteen he received the ap- pointment to the naval academy there, which he at once entered, graduating at the age of twenty- two. However, instead of entering the service, he resigned his commission and accepted a place on a merchant vessel, going to sea as first mate and traveling all over the world. He made nine trips to Europe, also visited South America, touching at Maine, Florida and other places. When the merchantman's business ceased to be remunerative, he retired from an ocean life.

October 19, 1881, Mr. Weed was united in marriage with Miss Sadie Darby, of Brooklyn, and they are the parents of one child, a daugh- ter, Edith, who was born in Brooklyn January 16, 1885. On leaving the sea he began to work as a pattern-maker, designing patterns for ladies' dresses, and this business he has since conducted successfully. As a recreation he took up the study of electricity, with which he soon became thoroughly familiar, and he has since become a

consulting electrician. Through this enterprise he has made considerable money, being fre- quently called upon to plan the electrical ar- rangements for different places, both public and private. Since 1884 he has made his home in Corona.

In 1880 Mr. Weed, being then on shore, had the privilege of casting his ballot for James A. Garfield for the Presidency, and since then he has always upheld the Republican candidates and principles. About 1888 he became a member of the school board, of which he had previously been clerk for two terms and has since held the office of president of the board continuously. Socially he has taken several degrees in the Ma- sonic order, and all the degrees in the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also connected with the Knights of Honor and the Royal Ar- canum. In religious belief he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Corona. A char- ter member of the Pioneer Fire Hook and Lad- der Company, he has in his possession the first certificate that was issued to any member of the company. His life has been a varied one and his experiences while on sea were many and inter- esting. It is said of him by those who know him best that he is a man of energy, business ability and good judgment, one who has won every- thing he has by hard work, and whose position is justly among the influential men of the village.

W ILLIAM D. HIGGINS, who is en- gaged in the nursery business at Whitestone, was born in County Ker- ry, Ireland, in 1834. He spent the days of his boyhood and early youth in his native land, but soon after the death of his father, which occurred when he was about sixteen years old, he and his mother came to the United States, carrying out the intention formed prior to the death of the father. In fact, the latter had started for the New World, taking with him his wife and six children, but a severe storm caused a delay in the voyage, and while waiting for fair weather he was taken ill and died at Cork, where he was buried.

On reaching America our subject came to his uncle, who was engaged in the nursery busi- ness between Whitestone and Flushing. Under his supervision he soon gained a thorough knowl- edge of the business and in time was made fore- man of the nursery, remaining in that one place

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for more than twenty years. In 1860 he had purchased two acres, where he now lives, and while working for his uncle began the improve- ment of the new property. In 1870 he put in a nursery stock and has since carried on a lucrative business that requires his entire attention.

In his political affiliations our subject is an upholder of Democratic principles, and has taken an active part in local affairs. For three years he was a trustee of the village and for a similar period he served as a member of the water board.

C HARLES A. SILBERSDORF is one of the youngest business men in Long Isl- and City. He deals quite extensively in real estate and in this especial line has acquired a favorable reputation. His partner in this business is John Ohnemus, a progressive citizen of this place and a shrewd and reliable man of business. The firm of Silbersdorf & Ohnemus also represent some of the best fire and life in- surance companies in the United States. They have been for some time prominent in progres- sive movements and the upbuilding of Long Isl- and City and Queens County. Our subject makes his home at the present time in Schuetzen Park, although his office is in the above city.

The subject of this sketch was born in the city of Passewalk, Prussia, July 28, 1871. His father, August Silbersdorf, followed the business of a carpenter and builder in the Fatherland un- til 1882, when he emigrated with his family to America, settling in Flushing Avenue in Long Island City, where he immediately began work at his trade. He married Miss Augusta Schwarz, who was also born in Prussia, and who, like her husband, was the first of her family to come to America. They were both members in excellent standing of the Lutheran Church.

The children born to August and Augusta Sil- bersdorf were three in number, Hermina, Her- man and Charles A., all of whom are at present living in this city. Our subject spent the first ten years of his life in his native land, attending school there for some time, but after the fam- ily located in this city he completed his educa- tion in Steinway's school. He was then about fourteen years of age and immediately set about to make his own way in the world, first entering the real estate and insurance office of R. Horak, of this place. As the years passed by his serv- ices became very valuable and he was placed in

charge of the office. During the last eighteen months of his stay with that gentleman, however, he was a member of the firm. This connection was dissolved February 16, 1895, when our sub- ject formed his present connection with John Ohnemus. They opened an office at No. 261 Steinway Avenue and from the very first have been successful. They represent the Hartford Insurance Company, of Connecticut, and the Royal of London, and are kept very busy hand- ling Long Island City property, of which they make a specialty.

Mr. Silbersdorf was married in 1895 to Miss Augusta Sohmer, a native of New York City, where she received a splendid education. Mrs. Silbersdorf is a niece of Hugo Sohmer, the piano manufacturer of New York City. The young couple occupy a beautiful home at No. 478 Titus Street, which Mr. Silbersdorf had erected for their especial use. He is a talented musician and takes great pleasure in meeting with the Frohsinn Singing Society, of which he is a prominent member. He also belongs to the Long Island City Athletic Club. In politics his preference lies with the Democratic party. Mr. Silbersdorf is industrious, possesses correct busi- ness habits and principles, and is bound to make a success of life.

C HARLES B. STORY, M. D. Among the rising young physicians and surgeons of Queens County mention belongs to Dr. Story, of Bayside, who in the practice of his chosen profession is establishing an enviable rep- utation among the people of his community and is building up a patronage commensurate with his zeal and ability. The son of Duane and Mari- etta (Case) Story, he was born in Dutchess Coun- ty, N. Y., December 13, 1863, and is one of three sons, his older brother, Elmer G., being a prac- ticing attorney of New York City, while his younger brother, John H., is engaged in the photo-engraving business there.

The Doctor's father was born in Dutchess County in 1835 and was a member of a family established in that county from a very early period of its settlement. Acquiring a thorough education in the common schools, he chose as his life work the calling of a farmer, to which he had been reared, and settled on the old home- stead, where he has since resided. Through his recognized ability in agriculture and his identifi-

CAPT. JOHN F. BISBEE.

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cation with public affairs, he has gained promi- nence in his community. Politically a Democrat, he was elected on that ticket to serve as super- visor several terms. He is secretary of the Farmers' Town Mutual Insurance Company and is associated with other important local enter- prises, to which his name gives prestige and in- fluence.

After completing the studies of the public schools, the subject of this article entered a preparatory school in Poughkeepsie, and later became a student in Cornell University, where he took the degree of B. S. He then entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York and in 1890 graduated with high honors. The summer of that year he spent in Brooklyn, from which place he came to Bayside in the autumn. He has since built up a re- munerative practice and has gained a place among the able practitioners of the neighbor- hood. In 1893, with his brother E. G., he es- tablished the Bayside Pharmacy, which has proved a successful venture from the start.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 83

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