Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 91

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 91

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Schmall was married in Brooklyn in 1877 to Miss Harriet Wareham, who was born in New York City. They occupy a comfortable home at No. 612 Larmor Street, Brooklyn, and many of their friends are to be found among its best citizens.

Mr. Schmall is very prominent in politics and ever since casting his first vote has been a stanch supporter of Republican principles. In 1895 he was the candidate of his party for the assembly from the Fourteenth District. This locality is strongly Democratic, and claims a majority of three thousand voters. Our subject was, how- ever, defeated by two thousand votes, which re-

duced the majority to one thousand. He is a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association of this city and many years ago was assistant foreman of Live Oak Company, No. 2.

On his arrival here he spent a year in Williams- burg, and afterwards moved to what was then known as New Brooklyn, and became the over- seer for the firm of Sackman, Radde & Dorman, real estate men, who were laying out lots in that portion of the island. After about four years with this firm Mr. Sappelt engaged in contract- ing for himself, following this for the next two years, and laid out some of the principal streets of that section of the city. Later he moved to Hydepark and for fourteen years followed farm- ing, when he purchased the tract of land now owned by our subject, and there passed the clos- ing scenes of his life, his death occurring Novem- ber 25, 1885, when in his eighty-first year. His widow is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-three years, and finds a comfortable and pleasant home with her son Robert. Her great- grandfather reached the age of ninety-eight · years, and her great-grandmother lived to be ninety-six.

Our subject was the youngest of three children born to his parents, the others being Ernestine, Mrs. Henry Schmitt, and Pauline, Mrs. George W. Weil, both of whom are living at the present time. Robert remained under the parental roof until grown and received part of his education in Germany and part in his adopted country, being but eleven years old when he came here.

717

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

As he was the only son he worked with his father up to the time of the latter's death and then took charge of the home farm at Foster's Meadow, which he has since conducted most successfully. In 1875 he patented a seed fertilizer sower which he uses on his farm.

Mr. Sappelt has never married. In politics he is a Republican and in religion he is a Catholic. For thirteen years he was overseer of highways and for the past five years has been school col- lector in this district.

G EORGE ROECKEL is one of the native sons of Queens County, and within its limits has passed his entire life. He is an influential citizen of Fosters Meadow, where he is the proprietor of a general mercantile es- tablishment. Born in the above place, April 25, 1861, he is the son of Joseph Roeckel, a native of Bavaria, Germany. The latter was born in Feb- ruary, 1828, and was in his seventeenth year when he embarked on a vessel bound for the shores of the New World.

Joseph Roeckel was well educated in his na- tive tongue and after coming to America soon found employment as clerk in a store in New York City. He was thus engaged for some time, when, being possessed of a snug little sum of money, he established a grocery on the corner of Thirtieth Street and Eighth Avenue. In this undertaking he was very prosperous and in 1858 opened a store at Fosters Meadow; two years later he made this place his home. He continued to give his attention to the management of the store until 1887, when he sold out to his son, our subject. He is the owner of much valuable prop- erty in this vicinity, and in looking after this and in transacting the duties of postmaster, to which position he was appointed by President Hayes, has about all that he can do.

The lady whom Joseph Roeckel married was Margaret Johnston, a native of Belfast, Ireland. She departed this life when George was quite young and the father was then married to her sister, Saralı Johnston. The former union re- sulted in the birth of four children, those besides our subject being Nellie, now the wife of Irving Boyce, of Jamaica; Sarah, at home, and Clara, Mrs. James F. Hendrickson, of Springfield, L. I.

The subject of this sketch first attended the public schools of his native town, after which he took a thorough course in the private school at

Jamaica. After his school days were over he worked on a farm which his father owned until 1882, when he went into the store and gave his undivided attention to mastering every detail of the business. In 1887 he purchased the stock of goods and has since conducted affairs in a very able manner. In addition to this he now deals in fertilizers and farm produce, handling more of the former than any other person in the state of New York. Mr. Roeckel deserves the suc- cess which he has attained, having exercised pru- dence and tact in all his transactions. He is a great lover of horses and is the owner of some very fine animals, which he exhibits at the fairs held in this and Suffolk Counties. At one time he was vice-president of the Long Island Racing Society.

In 1882 our subject was married to Miss Em- ma, daughter of Henry A. Van Allen, one of the wealthy and influential residents of Jamaica. To Mr. and Mrs. Roeckel there have been born two daughters, Edna and Cora. Although never seeking or desiring to hold office, Mr. Roeckel is greatly interested in public affairs and during elections never fails to cast a vote in support of candidates of the Republican ticket.

I SAAC CORNELL REMSEN, who resides about two miles southwest of Jamaica, L. I., is a member of one of the old and representa- tive families of the island. On the 3d of April, 1854, he was born in Flatlands, Kings County, of which section his father, Richard Remsen, Jr., was also a native. The great-grandfather, also Richard Remsen, was likewise a native of Flat- lands. The former was one of three sons born to Esq. John Remsen, and as the home place was a large one when the sons grew to manhood. the farm was divided and the sons erected resi- dences thereon. On the farm that fell to his lot. Richard Remsen, Jr., has resided since and is now seventy-four years old. One of his sons, Garrett K. S. Remsen, now manages the home farm.

Our subject's grandfather, Esq. John Remsen, was also a native of Flatlands and a man promi- nently identified with every enterprise of moment. Richard Remsen, Jr., married Miss Cornelia A. Kowenhoven and six of their nine children now survive. Of these Isaac Cornell Remsen was sixth in order of birth. His early life was spent in active duties on the farm and he secured a fair

718

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

education in the common schools and a good business education in Brown's Business College, Brooklyn. On the 13th of December, 1882, Mr. Remsen married Miss Georgianna J. Ditmis, daughter of George O. Ditmis of Queens. (See sketch.)

After one year's residence in Flatlands our subject removed to his present place, which was once the home farm of M. G. Johnson, an uncle of Mr. Remsen's wife. On this tract of land Mr. Remsen has tilled the soil most successfully since. His marriage resulted in the birth of three chil- dren, two of whom are living at the present time. George O. Ditmis was born August 7, 1886, and died March 16, 1888; Richard was born June 22, 1889; and Martin Johnson, January 4, 1892. The two latter children are unusually bright, manly-looking little boys and are a credit to their parents. Politically Mr. Remsen is a Re- publican. He is a member and director of the Queens County Agricultural Society and is in- terested in all that pertains to the welfare of his county. Religiously he is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church of Jamaica.

W ILLIAM H. ALLEN, constable for the town of Flushing, formerly chief of police of Rockaway Beach and deputy sheriff of Queens County, is one of the enter- prising young merchants of Flushing, where he has been owner and proprietor of a men's furnish- ing establishment since 1885. He is a member of one of the old families of New Jersey, where his great-grandfather, Jonathan Allen, was born, the latter, however, afterward settling in New York City, where he was engaged in the mercan- tile business in the Seventh ward. The grand- father, James A., a native of New Jersey, also re- moved to New York, where he was employed as a mechanic; during the War of 1812 he entered the service, furnishing his own outfit and remain- ing in the army until peace was declared. He chose as his wife Miss Mary Ruck, a member of an old Holland-Dutch family that originally set- tled on Manhattan Island.

The father of our subject, Judge Robert W. Allen, was born in New York City in 1822, and was reared in that city, where he gained his edu- cation. For a time he was in the mercantile business in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, later went back to New York, then returned to Williams- burg, afterward spent three and one-half years

in Bellmore, Queens County, and in 1881 settled in Flushing, where he opened a general dry goods store in the building adjoining that now occupied by his son. For one term, while living in Williamsburg, he served as justice of the peace. As a Democrat he has long taken an active part in politics. He was delegate to the national convention that nominated James Bu- chanan for President, on which occasion he dis- played his loyalty to that party leader by voting seventeen times for him. In 1860 he was an alternate delegate to the convention at Charles- ton. Socially he has been a Mason for forty- five years and is now a member of Hyatt Lodge No. 205, F. & A. M.

Our subject's mother, Adelia W., was born in Williamsburg in 1829, being a daughter of Judge William Hughes, a native of New York and for years a real estate dealer in Brooklyn, where he served as justice and associate justice of Kings County; he was of English parentage, his father having come from that country. Mrs. Adelia W. Allen died in 1890, leaving two children, Mrs. Ada M. Sammis, of Brooklyn, and William H., who was born in Brooklyn in 1865. The latter was educated in the public schools and Wright's College, Brooklyn, and in 1881 came to Flush- ing, where he has since resided. For a time he was employed as a clerk in New York City, but since 1885 has been in business for himself. In addition to carrying on his store, he is interested in the Flushing Bank. He was married in this village to Miss Phoebe L., daughter of the late John A. Young, who was formerly engaged in the mercantile business here. They have two children, Ada Y. and Myra L.

For three years Mr. Allen was deputy to Sher- iff Goldner and for a similar period served under Sheriff Norton. During two years of the last term he was captain or chief of police of Rocka- way Beach and head deputy sheriff, having charge of all the departments. He rendered active service during the quarantine on Fire Isl- and at the time of the cholera epidemic; was in charge at the demonstration at Glencove, on the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the village, when he brought to justice seventeen pickpockets; and was at the Mineola Fair, where he had a clash with the Pinkerton men. With three others he raided the prize fighters at Woodside at two o'clock in the morning and in spite of the presence of a crowd of toughs, succeeded in handcuffing the

F. D. KOUWENHOVEN.

721

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

principals and stopping the fight. At Rockaway Beach he stopped a prize fight at two o'clock one morning, just as it was being started. He was a very efficient and successful officer, and enforced the law to the letter. In the spring of 1895 he was elected constable on the Demo- cratic ticket, which office he now holds. An active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, he has been a delegate to general and county conventions, and has always manifested the most enthusiastic interest in everything per- taining to politics.

Socially Mr. Allen is connected with Cornu- copia Lodge No. 653, F. & A. M. He assisted in the organization of the Order of Foresters, and was the first sub chief of the lodge, also served as its chief ranger. At different times he has been president and foreman of the Mutual Engine Company No. I. A charter member of the Flushing Boat Club, he was a member of the first board of trustees of that organization. He is connected with Council No. 6 of the Order of American Firemen. His success is especially commendable when the fact is considered that he is scarcely yet in the prime of life. Undoubtedly the future years will bring him an ever increasing success, both in business and in public affairs.

F RANK D. KOUWENHOVEN. Few citi- zens of Long Island City, especially that portion of the place included within the suburb of Steinway, are better known and none are more highly esteemed than the subject of this biographical notice, who has spent his entire life in the locality where he now resides. He is a representative of one of the oldest families around Bowery Bay, a family whose members have been noted for patriotic allegiance to our Government and the spirit of enterprise dis- played in business affairs.

The first of the name to seek a home in Amer- ica was Wolfert Gerritsen van Couwenhoven, a native of Amersfort, province of Utrecht, the Netherlands, who crossed the Atlantic in 1630, and, with a number of others, sought a home in Rensselaerville, near the city of Albany, N. Y. After a few years, however, he removed to Long Island and, with others, bought Flatlands, Kings County, the date of purchase being June 16, 1636. By different branches of the family the name is now spelled Couwenhoven, Kouwenhoven and Conaver. From Wolfert the line of descent is

traced through Gerrit, Nicasus, John, William, William, Jr., Gerrit, Luke and George to the sub- ject of this notice.

The grandfather of our subject, Luke Kouwen- hoven, was born in Flatlands June 3, 1766, and was a son of Gerrit, whose birth occurred at the same place. The former married Ann, daughter of George and Sarah (Luyster) Wyckoff and granddaughter of Daniel Luyster, of whose farm at Bowery Bay Grandfather Kouwenhoven be- came the possessor, remaining upon it until his death, October 22, 1853. His wife passed away at the age of ninety-six years and seven months. Our subject's father, George, was born Decem- ber II, 1792, and was reared on the family home- stead. In 1818 he purchased from Mr. Luyster one hundred and twenty acres comprising the farm now owned by his son, Luke, and upon that place he remained until his death, November 21, 1874, at the age of eighty-one years eleven months and ten days. He was buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery. In religious belief he was con- nected with the Dutch Reformed Church, in which he held official position. During the War of 1812 he served in the American Army, being stationed at Ft. Green in Brooklyn.

The mother of our subject, Helena Duryee, was born in Dutch Kills January 15, 1799, and the house where she was born is still standing, one of the oldest buildings in this locality. Her father, Francis Duryee, was a farmer by occupa- tion and occupied the old homestead until his death, which occurred December 15, 1835, at the age of seventy-four. Mrs. Helena Kouwenhoven died March 19, 1893, aged ninety-four years and two months. Of her children two sons and two daughters are still living, namely: Sarah Ann and Eve Agnes, who reside at the old homestead; Francis Duryee, of this sketch; and Luke, who still occupies the old home.

Born August 19, 1826, our subject was in youth given such advantages as the schools of Newtown afforded, and to the information there obtained he supplemented the knowledge ac- quired not from text books, but in the school of practical experience and through habits of close observation. At the time of his marriage, in 1857, he built the house which he has since oc- cupied. The old home farm is still owned by the family, with the exception of about twenty acres, which was sold by his father to Mr. Steinway.

The wife of Mr. Kouwenhoven bore the maiden name of Harriet Hyatt and was born in New-

722

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

town, where her father, John B., was a farmer. Of their union four children were born who at- tained years of maturity, namely: Sarah L., whose husband is a Presbyterian clergyman in Indianapolis, Ind .; Helena D., wife of Edward C. Hulst, of Newtown; Agnes E., and Fannie G., who have received excellent educational advan- tages in Brooklyn and Poughkeepsie. While de- voted to American institutions, Mr. Kouwen- hoven maintains an interest in the country from which his forefathers emigrated, and is identified with the Holland Society. He aided in the erec- tion of the Dutch Reformed Church in Steinway, and serves the congregation as an elder. Polit- ically he advocates Republican principles.

P ATRICK J. ROULETT. This brave and faithful sergeant of the Long Island City police has passed to that bourne whence no traveler returns, but while living he did much to improve the social atmosphere of the city in which he made his home and to remove from it the criminal classes and the low and vicious, while discharging the duties of his position. He was born in County Sligo, Ireland, March 15, 1849, to John and Bridget (White) Roulett, also natives of the Isle of Erin, the former of whom lived and died in the land that gave him birth. In 1867 his widow came to America, joining her children here, and in Long Island City, at the home of the subject of this sketch, she died in 1892. She bore her husband four sons and one daughter, of whom one son and one daughter are living, the latter a resident of Ireland, and the former, Thomas, a resident of Long Island Citv.

Patrick J. Roulett continued to live in Ireland until he was fifteen years of age, when he deter- mined to seek his fortune in America and came at once to Long Island City, which continued his place of residence up to the time of his death. He learned the stone cutter's trade with Sullivan, Rafter & Murphy, after which he worked for them and for other stone firms of this city until he received his appointment to the police force in June, 1879. He held the position of patrol- man up to 1882, then became acting sergeant, and in 1885 was promoted to the rank of ser- geant, which he continued to hold, the most of his work being in the second precinct, although he has also been an active officer of the first pre- cinct. One of the lines of duty he very much

enjoyed was detective work, and some of the best service in that direction was done by him. He was shrewd, far-seeing and active, and was one of the best officers the city ever had. Dur- ing the sixteen years that he was connected with the police department of Long Island City, he was faithful in the discharge of every duty.

The morning of the day that Mr. Roulett died he was apparently as well as ever, walked down to the station house from Davis Street, but short- ly after reaching that place became faint. A physician and priest were called by his friends, his wife was summoned and soon afterward he was taken in an ambulance to his home, where he died shortly before one o'clock on the 6th of October, 1895. Thus closed a useful life. Dur- ing the days of the old volunteer fire department he was a member of Live Oak Truck No. 2 for six years and belonged to the Exempt Firemen's Association of Long Island City. Socially he was a member of John J. Mitchell Lodge, A. O. U. W. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, his remains being accompanied by a police escort.

September 19, 1869, in Long Island City, Mr. Roulett married Miss Catherine Hayes, a na- tive of County Limerick, Ireland, but reared in Long Island City, and to their union five chil- dren were born: John P., a clerk in Babbitt's Soap Works, of New York; Mary, Gertrude, Thomas and William. Mrs. Roulett is a daugh- ter of Patrick and Mary (Ryan) Hayes, who were born in Ireland, where the father tilled the soil until his removal to the New World in 1855. He settled in New York City but in 1865 came to Long Island City and engaged in the dairy business, which calling he followed until his death in 1881. His wife died in 1870, having borne him four children: Catherine; Mrs. Bridget Ryan of Long Island City; John, also of this place; and Thomas, who was for many years in the milk business in Long Island City, and died in 1883. The family are attendants of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

H ON. DARLING B. WHITNEY, M. D. Through the course of his long and hon- orable life, which has covered the greater part of the present century, the subject of this sketch has followed the course of a strictly hon- est and upright man-one who, knowing his duty to his fellowman, has striven in every way to discharge every obligation that, as a citizen,

723

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

rested upon him in his intercourse with others. October 13, 1851, was the day upon which he came to East Norwich, and from that time to this his name has been intimately associated with every progressive measure and every enterprise for the benefit of the people. For over forty years he carried on a general medical practice, but the infirmities of age finally obliged him to retire from the active labors of former years.

In the neighboring county of Suffolk, in the town of Huntington, the subject of this record was born September 14, 1810, being a son of John and Clarissa (Brush) Whitney. His father grew to manhood on the old homestead now owned by Scudder Whitney and in time he be- came a prominent farmer, his home for years being in the vicinity of Woodbury. When but a boy our subject left home and began the study of medicine under Dr. Morris M. Rogers, of Jericho, with whom he remained for four years, and then took a three years' course in the Medical College of New York, graduating from that in- stitution on the completion of the course.

Locating in Newtown in 1832, the young doc- tor spent a year there, and then settled in Com- mack, in the eastern part of the town of Hunt- ington, where he carried on a general practice until 1851, the date of his removal to East Nor- wich. As a physician he has been skillful, well informed and assiduous in his care of patients, and met with remarkable success in his practice. December 3, 1833, he married Harriet N., daugh- ter of Philetus and Abigail (Goddard) Vail, of Dix Hills, where she was born March 22, 1817. She died of heart disease July 3, 1855, and was buried in the Fountain Hill Cemetery at Wood- bury. Several children were born of their union. Stanton M., the eldest, enlisted in the Civil War, participated in numerous engagements and the march to the sea, and died soon after his return home. Edwin R., now a farmer, took part in the Rebellion as a member of Harris' Cavalry, and participated in sixty-nine engagements. George E., twin of Edwin R., was also a Union soldier, being a member of a regiment of sharpshooters; he died at Oyster Bay in January, 1896. Sealey B., the youngest son, has been totally blind for twenty years. Harriet A. was born in 1844 and died, unmarried, in 1869. Sarah L., who died in 1886, was the wife of Edwin Griffin, son of Ed- win and Hannah A. Griffin.

The second marriage of Dr. Whitney took place February 23, 1860, and united him with

Letitia J. Franklin, who was born in Philadel- phia, December 20, 1838, being a daughter of Townsend and Elizabeth (McCalla) Franklin. Of this union there were born two children, twins, both of whom died in infancy. Politically the Doctor has always been a Democrat, and when younger he took an active part in public affairs. For nine years he was coroner of Suf- folk County, and for some time served as super- intendent of the common schools of Huntington. While occupying the former position he held the inquest upon the bodies of the ill-fated passen- gers of the steamer "Lexington," which burned on Long Island Sound January 13, 1840, at which time only four escaped of the one hundred and forty-five passengers on board. In 1845 Dr. Whitney was elected to the legislature and took a prominent part in the deliberations of the as- sembly, serving as chairman of the medical com- mittee and in other positions of trust. He still holds membership in the Medical Society of Queens County and is interested in everything pertaining to the profession.

G EORGE HERBERT DICKEY, D.D. S., of Flushing, was born in New York City September 10, 1859. He is a mem- ber of a family long and honorably associated with the history of New Hampshire, and identi- fied with the progress of our country. His pa- ternal great-grandfather took part in the Revo- lutionary War and the succeeding generations have been equally valiant and patriotic, proving the possession of the noblest qualities of citizen- ship by their energy and courageous spirit, both in times of peace and war.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 91

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