Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 87

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 87

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"Such let thy life be- Not marked by noise, but by success alone; Not known by bustle, but by useful deeds."

G EORGE WALLACE, senior member of the law firm of Wallace & Smith, with of- fices at Jamaica, counselor of the Queens County Board of Supervisors, and president of the Queens County Title Company, was born at Elora, Ontario, in 1849, being a descendant of a long line of Scotch ancestors. He is a son of Donald Wallace, who was born in the high- lands of Scotland in 1816, and still enjoys a vig- orous old age, having for many years made his home in California.

The parental family consists of nine children, all of whom are still living. The eldest son, John D., is one of the leading men of the Republican party in North Dakota; Charles is editor of the leading Republican paper of Queens County, pub- lished at Rockville Centre, and in which his

brother George is also interested; Frank is a prominent citizen of Los Angeles County, Cal .; Albert, for years one of the influential men of Pas- adena, Cal., is now owner of a large fruit ranch in San Bernardino ; Alexander H.is also a ranch own- er in same county; Lavinia M. is the wife of R. H. Young, editor of the "Methodist Herald" of Min- neapolis, Minn .; Matilda H. married Rev. James Healy, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal de- nomination, now holding a pastorate in Southern California; Mary is the wife of Frank Johnson, who is engaged in the banking business at Pasa- dena, Cal.

Coming to Long Island in boyhood, the subject of this article has been actively connected with public affairs in Queens County for more than a quarter of a century, being especially prominent and influential in the town of Hempstead. The years of his youth were spent on a farm, but his inclinations not running in the line of agricultural pursuits, he devoted himself to his studies with such assiduity that he was able, at an early age, to engage in the instruction of others, and at dif- ferent times he had charge of the schools at Law- rence, Rockville Centre and Freeport, Queens County.

Endowed by nature with a logical mind, keen discriminative powers and accurate insight, Mr. Wallace was fitted for the profession which he chose as his life calling. He entered the Uni- versity of New York, from which he graduated at the completion of the course, and since that time he has given his attention to the details of his large and general law practice. This includes a large real estate law practice, and he is president of the Queens County Title Company, the only or- ganization of its kind in the county. He has also made a specialty of municipal law, and has fre- quently been called upon to act as counsel for various boards of officials. In the spring of 1895 he was appointed attorney to the Board of Super- visors, a responsible position in which his serv- ices have been marked by signal success. In addi- tion to the office at Jamaica, he has one in Rock- ville Centre, and is numbered among the most in- fluential attorneys of the county.

Mr. Wallace has his family residence at Free- port, where he married Miss Mariana, daughter of the late Benjamin R. Raynor, whose ancestors were the first settlers of the place. They have two children, Harriet R. and Archer B.

Politically Mr. Wallace is a pronounced Re- publican, and a recognized party leader. For a

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number of years he served as justice of the peace of the town of Hempstead, and in his official duties displayed executive and judicial ability, discharg- ing the duties connected with the position in a manner satisfactory to all. His enterprising spirit has been felt in all the movements to advance the professional, moral and social welfare of the coun- ty. Few, if any, attorneys ever practiced at the bar of Queens County who have been more thor- oughly acquainted with the philosophies and in- tricacies of the law than he. While always work- ing with zeal and energy for the cause of his client, he never resorts to unfair means in order to win a case. His success as a practitioner is due to the fact that he possesses legal abilities of a high order and has by his integrity won the confidence of judges and juries.

Both in precept and example Mr. Wallace ad- vocates temperance principles, believing that they are necessary to the attainment of the highest manhood as well as the greatest welfare of city and nation. He is an active member of the Ever Ready Hook and Ladder Company of Freeport, in which he takes great interest, having been fore- man since its organization. In religious belief he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially he is a Mason, and a charter member of the Freeport Lodge of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the chairs.

G EORGE WILLIAM COCKS. The in- troduction of insurance into the business world was the assurance of safety and has proved an inestimable boon to countless millions. Practically a nineteenth century product, for al- though previously introduced it had not become systematized or become a recognized, indispen- sable factor in business, it has assumed vast pro -. portions and enters into the matter of all busi- ness standing and credits. Directly connected with it are many of the master financiers of the generation, while many of the companies have assumed colossal business proportions, having agencies in every city, large and small, of the country.

Among the insurance agencies at Glencove, one of the largest and most important is that of George W. Cocks, who is assistant secretary of the Mutual Insurance Company here. He was born at Locust Valley, December 14, 1829, a son of Clark and Catherine (Feeks) Cocks. The father was a native of Locust Valley, and was a

farmer, merchant and miller. George's boyhood days were passed on the farm and he attended the district schools, in which he secured a fair education. Later he tilled the soil on his grand- father's farm for a few years, and after his mar- riage, on the 26th of April, 1858, he bought a farm at Glencove, on which he resided until 1870.

In that year our subject bought an interest in a store in Glencove, the firm name being Hege- man & Cocks, and he was thus occupied until 1875, from which time until 1881 he was not in business. After that he was a clerk in the tax department at Albany under Comptrollers Wads- worth, Davenport and Chapin. He left there in 1884, the Democrats coming in power, and be- came a policy clerk in the insurance business. Still later he became accountant and assistant secretary. In an early day Mr. Cocks was a Whig in his political views and voted for General Scott in 1852. He was one of the few pioneer Republicans in 1854 and '56 and served as com- mitteeman at various times and was a delegate to various conventions. He has never been an office seeker, but took the census of a district in a town of Oyster Bay in 1880.

Mr. Cocks was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school from boyhood until his marriage. Afterwards he became superintendent of the Sunday-school in the Episcopal Church. a member of the choir and also vestryman. At the present time he is not a member of any church. At one time he was an active temper- ance worker and was a member of the Sons of Temperance. His wife, whose maiden name was Matilda Katharine Townsend, is a native of this county, born at Oyster Bay, and the daughter of William W. and Frances J. (Seaman) Townsend. Mr. and Mrs. Cocks are the parents of two chil -. dren, Frances S. and Robert Feeks. The latter is married and resides in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he has charge of a department in the American Leather Company of New York.

The first record we have of the Cocks family was in 1659, when James Cocks settled at Setau- ket, Suffolk County, and with others asked for and obtained governmental jurisdiction of Hait- ford Colony of Connecticut for their settlement at Setauket. Lots were given him in that place, and in 1663 he purchased a lot in what is now the village of Oyster Bay, whither he moved. In 1669 he moved to Killingworth, now Matine- cock, and there bought one hundred acres of land. from the Indians. This land is in the possession

MORTON CROMWELL.

1 1

ROCKVILLE CENTRE.

Trains going west-6.07, 7.02, 7.45, 8.20. 10.3 12.31, 3.05, 5.38, 7.46, 10.35 p. m. 12.25 p. m. Wed and Saturday only. Sunday, 7.27 a. m. 5. p.m.

Trains going east-7.59, 8.47, 11.43 a. m. 2 4.42. 5.45, 6.13, 6.49, 7.50, 10.57 p. m. 12.58 a. n nesday and Saturday only. Sunday, 9.40 a. n 7.12. p. m. The Island 1109 9 At the annual business meeting Parochial society of this village he cently, the following officers were el President, Miss Alice A. Osborne, president, Mrs. T. J. Sammond ; : vice-president, Mrs. Robert Darby vice-president, Mrs W. D. Whitt treasurer, Mrs. A. Wright, and sec Mrs. J. I. Allen.

Preparations are in order by mem the Ladies' Aid society for a linen : be held in the Sunday school roon Mark's church, Thursday afterno evening, December 10th. Durir evening an entertainment will be re

The Rockville Centre Social club Hallowe'en reception and dance in ] hall, this village, Saturday evenir The committee of arrangements wa G. Corwell, F. F. Wilson and He Mott.

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of his descendants at the present time, and here he died in 1698. He reared a large family of chil- dren, one of whom, James, is the progenitor of our subject's branch of the family. The latter was born April 4, 1674, and married Hannah Feke, who bore him several children, of whom Samuel was the great-great-grandfather of our subject. Samuel's son, Clark, was born at Oys- ter Bay, October 14, 1738, and married Eliza- beth Pearce. He was a tailor, farmer and mer- chant in New York during Revolutionary times.

The latter's son, Samuel, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born at Locust Valley, June 28, 1765, and was married December 14, 1785, to Elizabeth Cock, a distant relative. Farm- ing was his principal occupation, but in connec- tion he also followed merchandising and milling. He was a birthright member of the Society of Friends, but on account of his gay spirits he was disowned and remained out for many years. The father of our subject was drafted in the War of 1812, but as he was a miller he was exempt.

A USTIN CORNWELL. It is a pleasure to chronicle the history of a man whose life has been one of honor and success, as has been that of Mr. Cornwell, who has ac- cumulated a comfortable competence and is now enabled to enjoy to the fullest extent the com- forts of an ideal home. He is a native of this county and was born at Oceanside, near where he is still living, in 1832. His parents were Abra- ham and Letitia (Rider) Cornwell, also natives of the island.

While young the father of our subject learned the blacksmith's trade, and for many years worked at the same in Brooklyn. Sub- sequently he located at what is now Ocean- side, becoming the owner of a good property, and for the remainder of his life was interested in agricultural pursuits. He was a genial and re- spected citizen and was regarded as one of the most reliable men of the town. At the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1882, he left his family well provided for. His estimable wife is still living, being now ninety years of age. Of the children born to them five survive, namely: Austin, Mary Whealey, Emeline Smith, Minerva J. Davison and Charles Wesley.

The education of our subject was carried on in the schools of his district, and although they were of a very inferior kind he made rapid prog-

ress in his studies. Being reared to farm life he was ambitious to make this his calling and as soon as he was able obtained possession of the beautiful tract which is now his home. He man- aged his affairs so ably that he was soon inde- pendent and is known far and wide to the peo- ple of this section, for he is one of the old land- marks and worthy citizens. The estate of Mr. Cornwell is beautifully cultivated and improved with good and substantial buildings, and all the machinery necessary for carrying on farming after approved methods.

In 1856 our subject was married to Miss Ann Eliza, daughter of Timothy Doxsey, for many years one of the well-to-do residents on the island, of which he is a native. Three children have been born them, of whom the eldest, Isa- bel, is now the wife of Edgar Southard of Rock- ville Center; Sarah Ann married Ebenezer Smith, also of Rockville Center; and Irene H., was the third of the household. Mr. Corn- well with his family is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church and in his congregation he has been steward for many years. Socially, he belongs to the American Legion of Honor and in political affairs gives his support to Repub- lican candidates, for he has an abiding faith in the purity of that party's teachings. He was ap- pointed inspector of elections in 1889 by Secre- tary Rusk, but with this exception has never held public office, as he much preferred to give his at- tention to his private affairs. He has been in- terested in all movements for the progress and upbuilding of the village and has been especial- ly active in school work, and during the years which he has served as trustee, has inaugurated many reforms which have been greatly ap- preciated by the people of his district. Mr. Corn- well is a director in the Rockville Center Bank, a reliable institution, having at its head some of the shrewdest and most prominent men of this section.

H ON. MORTON CROMWELL, member- elect for the assembly from Queens County, is a resident of Glencove, by whose citizens he is held in the highest esteen1. Mr. Cromwell was born in the city of New York, January 25. 1866, and is the son of Henry and Sarah (Bowne) Cromwell. The former, who was also born in the metropolis, was a hardware mer- chant there for over thirty years. During the

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greater part of this time he was located in Barclay Street and later was associated with Patterson Brothers, merchants in the same line. He de- parted this life in New York in 1884, when ripe in years.

Of the four children born to Henry and Sarah Cromwell we make the following mention: Mau- rice is living in Kansas, where he is the proprie- tor of a fine tract of land, which he is engaged in farming; Edward, who is a prominent attorney of Queens County, makes his home in Glencove; Helen C. married John R. Shannon of Philadel- phia; and Morton, of this history, completes the number. The father of this family was a Re- publican in politics, and, being public spirited, his influence was always directed toward pro- moting the welfare of his fellow-citizens.

The mother of our subject departed this life when he was a lad of nine years. He was then sent to a boarding school in Philadelphia, where he remained for five years, being compelled to leave at that time on account of poor health. This was a great disappointment to him, for had he remained in that institution one year longer he would have graduated. After abandoning his studies he began clerking in the cotton broker- age business in New York, where he continued until 1895. He is a stanch Republican in poli- tics and that year was appointed to an import- ant clerkship in the assembly. In October of the above year was nominated by his party as a mem- ber of the assembly, receiving the largest major- ity ever given in this district.

Mr. Cromwell is a member of Seawanaka Lodge No. 362, Royal Arcanum, being the youngest connected with his lodge at the time he joined. He is a man of great public spirit and enterprise and it is most fitting that his fellow- citizens should nominate him to serve them in the assembly, to which important and honored position he will no doubt be elected.

R ICHARD M. BOWNE, who is probably one of the oldest residents of Queens County, is at present living in the beau- tiful village of Glencove. Before giving the de- tails of his life we wish to make some mention of the Bowne family in general. The first of the name to come to America was one Thomas Bowne, who was baptized at Matlock, Derby- shire, England, May 25, 1595. On his emigra- tion to the New World, in 1649 or thereabouts,

he was accompanied by his son John, then twen- ty-two years old, and his daughter Dorothy, a young lady of eighteen. He first located with his children in Boston, but between the years 1651 and 1653 he moved to Flushing, L. I., where his death occurred June 18, 1677.

John Bowne, the eldest son of Thomas, was baptized at Matlock, England, March 9, 1627. He was greatly persecuted in his native land on account of his religious opinions, being a mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and on this ac- count was banished to Holland, in the middle of the seventeenth century. He had been pre- viously married to Miss Hannah Feke, daugh- ter of Lieut. Robert and Elizabeth Feke, and to them were born eight children. Mrs. Bowne was a very talented and well educated lady and often officiated as minister in the Society of Friends. She departed this life in London, England, De- cember 2, 1677.

The second marriage of John Bowne occurred December 2, 1679, when Miss Hannah Bicker- staff became his wife. Their union resulted in the birth of six children, and the wife and mother died April 7, 1690. The third marriage of that gentleman took place April 26, 1693, when he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Cock, daughter of James and Sarah Cock. They be- came the parents of two daughters, Amy and Ruth. The old dwelling which John Bowne erected in Flushing in 1661, was standing in 1895. and still owned by members of the Bowne family. In 1683 this ancestor of our subject was elected treasurer of Queens County, and from that time until his death, October 20, 1695, took a very active part in the affairs of his neighborhood and was regarded by his neighbors as a thoroughly wideawake and competent business man.

Of the sixteen children born to John Bowne, Samuel was the sixth of the family by his first marriage. He was born at Flushing, L. I., Sep- tember 21, 1667, and upon attaining mature years became a minister in the Society of Friends. Au- gust 4, 1691, he married Mary Becket, a native of the Falls of Delaware, Pa., and died at Flush- ing, May 30, 1745. We next record the birth of his son Samuel, which occurred at the above place, February 29, 1693. September 20, 1716, he married Sarah Franklin, the daughter of Hen- ry and Sarah (Cock) Franklin. Samuel Bowne was a farmer by occupation and died March 31, 1769. He also left a son Samuel, who was born at Flushing, May 14, 1721. November 22, 1741,

RICHARD M. BOWNE, OF GLEN COVE.

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he married Abigail Burling and from that date until the year of his death, February 24, 1784, was engaged in the mercantile business in New York City.

Of the children of Samuel Bowne last men- tioned we have Matthew, who was born in New York City, September 19, 1752, and who mar- ried December 26, 1775, Elizabeth Quinby. This gentleman was also a merchant and it is sup- posed carried on business at Salem, N. J., where he died September 1, 1797. His son, Sidney Breese, was born at Nine Partners, N. Y., June 19, 1788, and was married January 30, 1811, to Jemima Honeywell Hunt. Sidney B. was a well- to-do merchant and died while living at West- chester, N. Y., November 5, 1865. He was the father of fourteen children, of whom Richard M., the subject proper of this sketch, was one. He was born in Westchester County, N. Y., March 14, 1817, and there lived until attaining his ma- jority. During vacations he entered his father's mercantile establishment and proved of great as- sistance in the management of the business. When twenty-one, however, he left home, and, going to Pottsville, Pa., took a six months' course in the business college there. He after- ward started in business with a partner, but the venture proved a failure, as young Bowne lost about half of the money he had been jealously hoarding for several years. He then went to New York City, where he found a position in one of its large dry goods establishments, remaining witlı one firm for a period of seven years.

About the year 1843, Richard M. Bowne came to Glencove and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in company with a Mr. Frost, the firm name being Frost & Bowne. They were both energetic young men, ambitious to begin to make money, and it was not long before they were in command of a good trade. They continued together for many years, or until Mr. Bowne retired from business, after having accumulated a handsome competence.

About two years after coming to Glencove Mr. Bowne was married, March 17, 1846, to Miss Mary M. Titus, a native of this place and the daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Kenshaw) Titus. Of the twelve children born of their union six grew to mature years. Jacob T. is superintendent of a training school at Springfield, Mass .; Sidney B. is a merchant in Glencove; Ella Frost mar- ried Henry Smith of Plainfield, N. J .; Richard Franklin, who is also one of the merchants of

Glencove, will have his sketch given on another page in this volume; Lizzie W. is now the wife of Dr. W. H. Zabriskie of Glencove, and William H. is a civil engineer, residing in this village.

Our subject has long been a Democrat in poli- tics, having cast his first presidential vote for Van Buren in 1840. He is a man of great public spirit, whose influence is only required to make various undertakings, both of a public and busi- ness character, become a grand success. He ren- dered his district very efficient and valued service for many years as a member of the school board and in the capacity of postmaster of Glencove, gained the confidence and good will of all its residents. Religiously, he is a member of the So- ciety of Friends.

S AMUEL DeMOTT, formerly one of the prominent and progressive farmers of Queens County, is now deceased. He was born in Rockville Center, October 8, 1833, and was the son of John W. and Martha (Raynor) DeMott. The father was in his early life a school teacher, following this vocation for many years, after which he abandoned it to take up farming. He took an active part in the affairs of his com- munity and on being elected justice of the peace, served acceptably in this office for a number of years. Later he was chosen sheriff of Queens County, and during the twelve years in which he served the people gave entire satisfaction for the able and honest manner in which he discharged his duties. He was truly self-made, both as re- gards his education and finances, and was a man well liked, having the sincere respect of all with whom he came in contact.

Our subject had only the advantages of a dis- trict-school education, and his early life was spent in the mercantile business. Subsequently, how- ever, he engaged in farming and was following this honored calling at the time of his death, June 9, 1888. The lady to whom he was mar- ried March 15, 1854, was Miss Drusilla F., daughter of Leonard and Charlotte (Brower) Cornell, the former of whom was a prominent miller in this locality, owning and controlling three well equipped mills, besides three hundred acres of excellent land, which was located near Rockville Center. Twelve children were born to our subject and his wife, four of whom are now deceased. Those living are Abbie E., the wife of Frank B. Piersall of Rockville Center;

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Arthur M .; Charlotte Lillian, Mrs. Samuel Belch- er; Susan C., Mrs. Charles Carman; Drusilla F., the wife of Edwin D. Seabury, Jr .; Martha S., Warren and Samuel Judson. During his life- time Mr. DeMott was a member of St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his fan- ily are connected. He was a Mason of high standing, and in politics always supported Demo- cratic candidates. He served four years as jus- tice of the peace, and for some time prior to his decease was actively engaged in the practice of law, at the same time personally superintending the cultivation of his home place. The DeMott family is one of the oldest on the island, and the widow of our subject and the surviving chil- dren are among the most highly respected resi- dents of the community in which they live.

J ARVIS E. SMITH, a rising young lawyer of Huntington, with an office in Jamaica, was born in East Moriches, Suffolk County, January 15, 1866. His father, Egbert Smith, was born at the same place. The homestead has been in the possession of the family since 1687, when a patent was taken out for it by Richard Smith, the first of the family to settle in Long Island. From generation to generation the property has been handed down by will, until it has reached the father of our subject, who now owns and occu- pies it. Josiah, a grandson of the original Rich- ard Smith, did honorable service in the Revolu- tionary War.

Egbert Smith, the oldest son of Josiah Smith of Revolutionary fame, has engaged throughout life in farming, and has taken a very active in- terest in local politics, but has never sought office for himself. He is a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, and assists in pushing its work along to the largest possible results. His brother, Howard, and sister, Hannah, died of vellow fever. The mother of our subject, Jose- phine H. Glasier, was born in New York City, and has four children, two sons and two daugh- ters, all of whom excepting our subject are at home with their parents.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 87

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