Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 92

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 92

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Thomas Dickey, father of our subject, was born in South Acworth, Sullivan County, N. H., and grew to manhood upon the farm owned and operated by his father, Thomas, Sr. In his early manhood he went to New York, where for a time he was proprietor of a warehouse, later became salesman, and at present is employed as a commercial traveler, which business he has successfully carried on for years. He resides at Ocean Grove, N. J., and is quite robust, not- withstanding advancing years. Politically he upholds Republican principles. His wife, Mar- garet (Perrine) Dickey, was born in Cranbury, Middlesex County, N. J., and is a descendant of French ancestry.

There were two children in the parental fam-

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ily, but George is the only one who attained ma- ture years. His boyhood years were spent prin- cipally in New Jersey. He began his education in the public schools of New York and later took a business course in the College of the City of New York. In 1879 he entered the New York Dental College and graduated two years later with honorable mention and the degree of D. D. S. Opening an office in Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, he remained there until 1891, when he opened an office at No. 158 Madison Avenue, Flushing, where he has since conducted a gen- eral practice in dentistry. In New Jersey he married Miss Elizabeth Stonaker, and they have one child, Ethel May. Politically he is a firm Republican, always voting the party ticket. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he holds the positions of steward and sec- retary of the Epworth League.

G EORGE A. STILLWAGGON, a retired citizen of Flushing, was born in New York City October 28, 1824, and is a descendant of Holland-Dutch ancestors, who for- merly spelled the family name Stellwagen. His father, David, who was born in New Jersey Aug- ust 4, 1783, was for many years a carpenter and builder in New York City, where he died at the family residence in Stone Street, December 15, 1825. His marriage, which occurred February 14, 18II, united him with Miss Rachel Acker, who was born in Tarrytown, N. Y., September 18, 1785, and died at No. 129 Union Street, Flush- ing, January 11, 1891, aged one hundred and five years, four months and twenty days. Her pa- ternal ancestors, who came from Holland, orig- ally spelled the family name Ecker, but it was afterward changed to the present form. The first of the name to settle in America was Abra- ham Acker, who lived on the Phillipsburg Patent in 1742.

The mother of Mrs. Stillwaggon was Cather- ine, daughter of William and Eleanor (Cox) Van Wart, and a relative of Abraham Van Wart, one of the men who captured Major Andre. Cath- erine Van Wart became the wife of Abraham Acker, concerning whose personal history there is little on record. In her early life Mrs. Still- waggon attended services at the South Baptist Church in Nassau Street, New York. Frequent- ly during the latter years of her long life she en- tertained her relatives and friends by narrating

incidents connected with the early history of New York and the customs of the people who lived a hundred years ago.

The parental family consisted of six children, of whom three attained maturity, those besides our subject being Mrs. Catherine A. Willets of Flush- ing, who is now (1896) eighty-three years of age, and Miss Cornelia M. Stillwaggon, who was born October 20, 1817, and died March 13, 1893. Our subject was reared in Stone Street, New York, and attended school in Beaver and Franklin Streets. In 1838 the family came to Flushing, where he continued his studies. In 1840 he secured a clerkship in a grocery here, and in 1843 bought the store owned by George B. Roe, situated in Washington Street, between Main and Union. Selling out in 1846, he engaged in the nursery business two miles out on Broadway, where he set out trees and started a nursery. After four years he disposed of the business and engaged in carpentering with David Smith, having learned the trade while in New York. His resi- dence was formerly the old Methodist Episcopal lecture room in Washington Street, which was moved to No. 50 Monroe Street. Mr. Stillwag- gon remodeled the place and has made it his home for thirty-one years.

For twenty years our subject was foreman of Engine Company No. I, the first company or- ganized here. Later he held a similar position with the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company. In his more active years he was connected with the Sons of Temperance. Politically, upon na- tional elections, he supports Republican candi- dates, but in local matters he votes for the best man. For two terms of two years each he was a member of the board of trustees of the village. With many of the early enterprises of Flushing he was prominently associated. He was one of the committee that raised the first liberty pole here, and Mrs. Brewster and other ladies fur- nishing the flag, then raised it on a pole one hundred and eighty-five feet in height. Over the memories of the past his mind lingers with pleasure, and while the present age is unsur- passed for the comforts it affords, it is doubtful if it can afford him the pleasure he derived from the simple customs, genial hospitality and earnest labors of those by-gone days.

May 1, 1863, in Flushing, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Stillwaggon to Miss Virginia L. Pinkham, daughter of John L. and granddaugh- ter of Obed and Abigail Pinkham, all natives of

REV. JOSEPH HAUBER.

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Flushing. Her father and grandfather were sea- faring men and owned a sloop. In religious be- lief they were Hicksite Quakers, which is also her faith. The family originally resided in Orange County, this state. Her father, who was a car- penter, married Ann Eliza Farrington, a native of Newtown, and daughter of Richard and Mar- garet (Weeks) Farrington, an old family there; Mr. Pinkham died at the age of sixty-six and his wife when sixty-one. Of their nine children seven attained maturity and six are living, Mrs. Still- waggon being second in order of birth. She was reared and educated in Flushing and has made this her lifelong home. Six children were born of her marriage with Mr. Stillwaggon, but only three are living, Minnie Eliza, Frederick Augustus and David Acker, all residents of Flushing.

R EV. JOSEPH HAUBER, pastor of St. Boniface Church at Foster's Meadow, was born November 5, 1842, in Vorarlberg, at the western extremity of the Tyrol, Austria. In youth he was the recipient of excellent educa- tional advantages, attending for a time the Jesuit Fathers' College in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, and later continuing his studies in the American Sem- inary at Louvain, Belgium, where he was or- dained June 15, 1867. On the 21st of the follow- ing October he came to America and took tem- porary charge of St. Boniface Church, Brooklyn, where he remained for some time.

January 21, 1868, Father Hauber took his pres -. ent charge of St. Boniface Church, Foster's Meadow, where he has since remained, a period of little less than thirty years. To this parish he has devoted the best years of his life and for it he has toiled unweariedly and with the utmost self-sacrifice. Anything that will promote the welfare of his people receives his hearty support. His parish is a large one, covering a wide area and containing over eight hundred communi- cants, composed of all classes and all national- ities. He has worked incessantly for his congre- gation, and under his ministry he has accom- plished the building of the new church, which was erected in 1869 and enlarged in 1889. The par- sonage was built in 1872 under his personal su- pervision.

In 1886 the parochial school of St. Boniface was erected, and this has since been conducted by the Sisters of St. Dominic, four of whom are

employed in connection with the school. In- struction is given to one hundred and eighty children, the institution being supported by the parish. The ministry of Father Hauber covers so long a period that but few of his original par- ishioners survive. He has witnessed many changes, has secured many improvements and has largely increased the church membership. In addition to his other work he deserves the credit for the purchase and laying out of the beautiful cemetery of four acres that adjoins the church.

F REDERIC W. LEAVITT, senior member of the firm of Leavitt & Lawlor, proprie- tors of the Exotic Gardens at Flushing, was born in this place July 21, 1854, and is the youngest of six children comprising the family of Rufus W. Leavitt, of whom further mention is made in the sketch of G. Howland Leavitt, elsewhere presented. He was reared here, re- ceiving his education in private schools and the Flushing Institute; also in the Riverdale Board- ing School at Great Barrington, Mass. About 1874 he went to New York City, where he took a position with Colgate & Co., remaining with them about two years, and later engaging in busi- ness for himself.

In 1880 our subject bought out the florist's business owned by John Cadmus and formed a partnership with M. H. Lawlor, under the firm name of Leavitt & Lawlor, which connection has continued to the present time. The place, which is known as the Flushing Exotic Gardens. has been enlarged and remodeled under his super- vision, and contains many rare specimens of palms, all the varieties of ferns and roses, to- gether with all other popular plants. A specialty is made of cut flower decorations, in which line a wide reputation has been established. The nine greenhouses and buildings occupied by the firm have been built under the management of Mr. Leavitt, and reflect credit upon his judgment and ability.

August 31, 1882, at the old Garretson-Blood- good homestead in Flushing, Rev. Dr. Smith performed the ceremony which united in mar- riage F. W. Leavitt and Miss Jennie E., youngest child of Garret and Eliza A. (Bloodgood) Gar- retson. Mrs. Leavitt was born and reared here. receiving an excellent education in private schools, together with the various accomplish- ments that render her popular in social circles.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Three children comprise the family, Frederic Gar- retson, Emily French and Charles Garretson. The family residence is at the corner of Brewster and State Streets. In religious belief Mr. Leavitt is a Congregationalist, while his wife is a mem- ber of St. George's Episcopal Church. He is identified with the Flushing Boat Club and served for two years with the Empire Engine Company No. I. In political views he is a pro- nounced Republican.

C APT. EDWARD HILL, who is connect- ed with the Boyer Freight Line as Cap- tain of the "L. Boyer," plying between Flushing and New York City, was born August 28, 1857, in New York, where his early child- hood years were passed. In 1870 he came to Long Island, settling with his parents în Flush- ing, where his education was completed in the institute. He is a representative of the third generation that has resided in America, whither his grandfather came from England, remaining here until death. His father, Harry, was born in England, and soon after his marriage to Jane Morgan, a native of London, came to the United States and settled in New York, where he was engaged in the theatrical business. After a num- ber of years he fixed his home in the town of Newtown, where he had a beautiful place and en- tertained lavishly. Bad investments, however, eventually caused his business failure and entailed a loss of property. He is now living retired in Corona.

Under his father, who was largely interested in yachts, our subject early gained a thorough knowledge of boating, and one of his first posi- tions was that of wheelman under Capt. Lester Austin, who, with Harry Hill, had started a steamboat route in 1880, under the firm name of Hill, Austin & Phillips. After three years Mr. Hill bought out the interest of Captain Phil- lips and then our subject became captain, remain- ing in that capacity until the failure of the com- pany in 1887. Later he was pilot on the "Tom Morgan," a Staten Island excursion boat, run by Captain Hoyt. In 1890 he returned to Flushing as captain of the "L. Boyer," which position he has since filled.

One of the greatest enjoyments of Captain Hill in former years was that of yachting. He owned a yacht and spent a great part of his time in cruising in neighboring waters. In 1874 he ran

the "Queens County Penant" with the boat "J. W. Covert," and at different times took part in other local races. In 1878 he made a trip abroad, visiting points of interest in the Old World. He was married in Flushing to Miss Mary Connell, who was born in Little Neck, where her father, John Connell, engaged in farming. They are the parents of three children, Jennie, Madge and Ed- ward. Captain Hill is a member of the Order of Foresters, the American Brotherhood of Pilots of New York City, Order of American Firemen and served his time in Empire Hose Company No. I. In national politics he favors Republican principles, though the demands of his business have prevented him from actively identifying him- self with political affairs. In all his experience as captain he has never had an accident, a fact which speaks well for his painstaking care.

M ICHAEL F. RYAN, who has resided in Flushing since August of 1870, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1842, his parents being Frank and Johanna (Murphy) Ryan, both deceased. The family consisted of four sons, two of whom are living, both in the United States. Michael was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the public schools of Ireland. At the age of fifteen he was ap- prenticed to the carpenter's trade in his native village of Ballynue, and after completing his ap- prenticeship worked in different cities.

Taking passage on the steamer "Helvetia," in 1863, Mr. Ryan came to the United States and soon afterward began to work at his trade in Brooklyn. In 1868 he went west to Milwaukee, Wis., where he remained for two years, working at his trade. Thence he went back to New York, and in August, 1870, came to Flushing, where he followed his chosen occupation. In 1874 he re- turned to his native land, where he remained a year, renewing his associations with the scenes of his youth. On again coming to Flushing, he began work as a contractor and builder, in which manner he has since been engaged. Among his important contracts were those for the erection of St. Michael's Catholic School, the convent at Bayside, the Douglaston depot and many resi- dences in Flushing, Corona and Newtown. He has built a number of houses for himself, several of which he has sold; he also rebuilt and still owns a store in Main Street.

In Milwaukee, Wis., Mr. Ryan married Mary

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Riordan, a native of Ireland, who died in Flush- ing in June, 1888. Of their five children two are living, Josephine and William. Frank died when he was a young man of eighteen. The second wife of Mr. Ryan is also deceased. In religious belief he is identified with St. Michael's Catholic Church, while in national politics he identifies himself with the Republican party.

P ROF. HANS SCHULER, B. D., Ph. D., has devoted the greater part of his life to a good purpose, and private education in New York has no more earnest advocate and co- operator than he. No one more thoroughly un- derstands and appreciates its needs and interests, and perhaps no one is better qualified, through long experience and loving labor in its behalf, to bring it to that high state of perfection which its present rapid advancement assures. Person- ally he is an intelligent and cultured gentleman and his agreeable manners and geniality have won him many friends. He was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1855, a son of Prof. John Schuler, also a native of that city, born in 1821. The lat- ter graduated from a seminary in his native city, later had charge of a boys' school there and was principal of a teachers' training school in Silesia, Prussia, which position he was filling at the time of his death, which occurred at the age of fifty- three years. He married Augusta Kropatscheck, a native of Germany, whose father was a profes- sor. She died in 1863 at the age of thirty-six years. The children born to them were five in number, four of whom reached mature years. Prof. Hans Schuler is the only member of the family in America. His two brothers, Martin and Paul, are merchants in Germany, while his sister, Agnes, now the wife of Rev. Mr. Linden- bein, was formerly a successful teacher. The paternal grandfather, Heinrich Schuler, was born in Berlin and became quite a celebrated artist.

The childhood days of the subject of this sketch were spent in his native city and he was there educated in the Royal Gymnasium. Later he attended the Nisky Silesia Pedagogium, from which institution he was graduated in 1874. He then entered the theological seminary of Gnaden- feld, graduating from the same in 1878 as B. D., but instead of entering upon ministerial duties volunteered in the German army, in which he served as a private for one year and was then commissioned lieutenant of reserve. Upon leav-

ing the army he turned his attention to teaching and for four years was a private tutor in the vicinity of Berlin, and at the same time was a student of philosophy in the University of Ber- lin. In 1884 he decided to seek his fortune in America and upon his arrival here located at College Point, where he fitted two boys for col- lege, after which he became a private tutor in New York City.

In 1888 Professor Schuler founded the Young Ladies' Seminary at Flushing and for a time was located in Locust Street, but his school grew so rapidly that he finally moved to his present location, No. 242 Sanford Avenue, where he has an average of ninety-five pupils. He has six assistants, and the school hours are from nine until one o'clock. Instruction is given in the an- cient and modern languages and the classics, and special attention is given to those who wish to enter higher institutions of learning. He often has private classes in New York City, and at the present time is teaching the sons of John E. Schermerhorn. He also has charge of several classes in German.

Professor Schuler was married at College Point in 1888 to Miss Lena Von Auw, of Brook- lyn, daughter of Ivan Von Auw, a native of Rhenish Prussia, a baronet by right of birth, who came to America when a young man. His broth- er, Walter, served in the Prussian army, and after coming to the United States joined the Union army during the Civil War, attained the rank of lieutenant and was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness. The Von Auws trace their an- cestry back to the year 1200. Ivan Von Auw is a dealer in blank books in New York City, where he makes his home. His wife was Amelia Mer- kens, a native of Rhenish Prussia, but her child- hood and early womanhood were spent at Col- lege Point. Professor Schuler and his wife have two children, Hans Eric Von Auw and Elsa Margaret. He supports the principles of the Republican party, but has never been radical in his views. In 1893 the degree of Ph. D. was conferred upon him by Lombard University of Galesburg, Il1.

E UGENE E. CARPENTER, who is en- gaged as contractor and builder at Port Washington, was born at Searington, a town of North Hempstead, February 27, 1851, and his parents were James S. and Ann E. (Pear-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sall) Carpenter. The father, who was also a builder, moved to Manhasset when Eugene was a lad of some twelve years and there the latter lived until his marriage.

When sixteen years of age our subject began work with his father, under whose able instruc- tion he learned his trade. September 10, 1872, he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Fcaron, a native of New York, and the daughter of Edward J. and Sarah J. (Van Horn) Fearon. Her par- ents are still living, making their home in Brook- lyn, in which city Mrs. Carpenter was educated. While still an apprentice Eugene E. assisted his father in building the house which he moved into soon after his marriage, and it was while at work on this dwelling that he met and became ac- quainted with his future wife. Their union has been blessed by the birth of three children, named respectively, Eugene E., Jr., William and Elsie. The elder son is also following the carpenter's trade, which he learned with his father; he was married December 11, 1895, to Miss Carrie Crooker, a most estimable young lady of Port Washington. William, born August 4, 1875, is assisting his father in his business; February 2, 1896, he was married to Miss Eva L., daughter of Henry T. and Emma Smith.

In politics our subject is a strong supporter of Republican principles and doctrines and in 1872 cast his first Presidential vote for Grant. He was elected trustee of the Jones poor fund, but refused to serve in this capacity. Hc is a charter member of Protection Engine Company No. I, of which he is foreman. Socially he is an active worker in Worth Lodge No. 210, F. and A. M., which meets in the German Masonic Temple in New York City.

W ILLIAM EDGAR GOLDER. It has been said that the calling of the physi- cian is one of the most important to which a man can devote his attention, but to the majority of minds the calling of the druggist is no less important. Indeed, it would be difficult to name a branch of business that is more indis- pensably important than that devoted to the in- vestigation and study of drugs and the prepara- tion of medicines. No more is there any line of business demanding more ability, care and scien- tific knowledge. One of the leading druggists of Freeport is William Edgar Golder, who was born in this village in 1856 to William T. and

Caroline (Raynor) Golder, both of whom were native Long Islanders. The early life of the former was spent in learning the harnessmaker's trade, which calling he followed until Ft. Sumter was fired upon, when his patriotic spirit led him to enlist in the Fourth New York Heavy Ar- tillery. While in the service of his country he was stricken down with disease and died at Chain Bridge, Va. His widow, who is a member of the prominent old Raynor family of Long Island, still survives him, but her health is much im- paired.

Our subject received his educational training in the Freeport public schools, and when still in his teens he took up the life of a boatman, which he followed for two seasons, expecting to enlist in the navy. He had a strong inclination for such a vocation, received, he believes, from one of his teachers who was in the naval service during the rebellion. Finally, however, he decided to take up the study of pharmacy and in order to obtain a practical knowledge of the business and fit himself for this most important calling he be- came a clerk in a drug store. After acquiring a thorough insight into the business he established a store of his own, which has since received his attention and which has proved highly successful financially. His place of business is neat and in- viting, well equipped with a complete and choice line of drugs, toilet articles, in fact, everything necessary to a well-kept drug establishment, and in the compounding of prescriptions Mr. Golder has no superior, for he is very careful and ac- curate. His first knowledge of the business was acquired under Dr. G. H. Hammond and subse- sequently he became a partner of the Doctor's, this connection lasting about a year. He con- tinued in this business until failing health caused him to sell out in 1890, but two years later he opened his present drug store at Milburn, this being a branch of the Freeport store, which he again controls, and is conducting the two stores successfully. Mr. Golder is a graduate of the National Institute of Pharmacy of Chicago, is also registered by the New York State Board of Pharmacy and is a member of the New York State Pharmaceutical Association. He is well posted in his profession, and makes a point of keeping up with the times in all the progress made therein, and his reputation as an honorable man of business is well known.

The marriage of Mr. Golder with Miss Clara A. Bedell, of Greenwich Point, was celebrated

Dr. Derling Brush Whitney died at his residence in this village on Saturday morning last. He was born at Wood- bury September, 1810, and had thel'e- fore rounded out almost eighty-eight years. He studied medicine with Dr. Morris M. Rodgers, at Jericho, com- pleting the same in the city of New York. After his graduation he commenced the practice of medicine at Smithtown, which he continued for many years. Taking an'interest in, and actively identified with politics he was chosen Coroner and held the office when the ill-fated steamer Lexington was destroyed by fire in Long Island Sound in the memorable winter of 1840. In 1845 he was nominated by the Democratic party of the 1st Assembly District for Member of Assembly, and represented Suffolk County in part, his colleague being John H. Dayton, during the session of 1846: Silas - Wright was the Governor of the State and Horatio 'Seymour was Speaker of the Assembly. } At the expiration of his term of office, be resumed the practice of bis profession which he followed until about five years since. Upon the death of Dr. Peter A. Stoutenburgh, which occurred in 1859, be took up his residence in this village and for forty years practiced bis pro- fession in this town. The infirmities of age suggested his retirement from its exacting and laborious duties and he has lived quietly at his home; failing physical and mental powers incident to extreme age impairing his healthr. His practice was extensive and he was roa gørded as an intelligent and skillful physician: He married Harriet Vail of Smithtown, who died July 8, 1855, and by wliom he liad Stanton, Edwin R. and George and Selah B. Whitney and two daughters, Augusta, who died nearly 30 years ago, and Sarah, who was the wife of E. Morgan Griffin. His second wife was Latitia, daughter of Townsend.U. Frank- lin and sister of Justice Walter Franklin. She dicd a number of years since leaving; no children. The funeral took place from his late residence on Tuesday and was largely attended. The internrent was in the family burial- plot in the Brookville cemetery.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 92

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