Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 97

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 97

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In August, 1891, Mr. Hageman came to Flush- ing, where he resides at No. 26 Union Street. His marriage, in Bridgehampton, October 16, 1889, united him with Miss Grace R. Sayre, daughter of Horatio G. Sayre, both natives of that place,

where the latter still carries on farm pursuits. Her grandfather, Capt. Uriah Sayre, was a sea captain and whaler and died at Bridgehampton. The first member of the Sayre family in America came hither from Bedfordshire, England, in 1640, settling in Southampton, L. I., where he was a pioneer. The mother of Mrs. Hageman was Jerusha Pierson, daughter of Gordon Pier- son, and a descendant of Welsh ancestors, who early settled in Suffolk County. One of two children, Mrs. Hageman was reared in Bridge- hampton and received a good education in pri- vate schools. She founded the first societies of King's Daughters at Bridgehampton and Pat- chogue and was president of the latter organiza- tion. After coming to Flushing, she formed the first society here and was its first president.

An active worker in the Dutch Reformed Church, Mr. Hageman is now president of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. He assisted in organizing the Young Men's Chris- tian Association here and was a member of the first board of directors; he is still serving in the capacity of director. Socially he is connected with Flushing Council No. 997, Royal Arcanum, and Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M., at Flushing.

E DWARD O'KEEFE, a very successful business man of Long Island City, is un- doubtedly one of the most influential resi- dents of the county. For many years past he has been prospered in his stock dealing interests, and besides this gives considerable attention to "booming" the beautiful little village of Sunny- side, one of the suburbs of Long Island City. He is progressive and enterprising in his ideas, and, keeping in touch with the modern method of building, has erected a dozen or more pretty cot- tages at Sunnyside.

Mr. O'Keefe was born in New York City, his father being James O'Keefe, a general contrac- tor. About 1870 the latter located in Long Is- land City and began dealing in stock, which busi- ness he carried on with signal success until his decease, since which time our subject has been interested in it. The mother of our subject, for- merly Rosanna Carlin, is also deceased. Of the four children she reared, only two are now liv- ing, the brother of our subject being James O'Keefe, also a resident of this city.

The subject of this sketch was reared in New

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York City, first attending a select and later the grammar school in Fifty-first Street. When the family moved to this city he also came here and as soon as old enough assisted his father in rais- ing stock. This industry he learned in all its details and even before the death of his father managed the business on a very paying basis. He owns eight lots at Sunnyside on which he has erected all the needful buildings for his stock, and can accommodate one hundred and fifty head at one time. He buys the cattle and feeds them until ready for shipment and in this industry works on a very extensive scale, usually making shipments of two hundred head at a time.

Besides the property above mentioned Mr. O'Keefe is interested in several residences in Sunnyside which he has erected to accommodate those who cannot afford to pay a large sum of money for a home. In this venture he has also met with success and is regarded very justly as one of the substantial men of the community. He is independent in politics, using his influence and ballot in support of the best candidate, regardless of party lines.

P ETER A. VAN BERGEN, a resident of Flushing from 1849 until his death in 1881, was born in Coxsackie, Greene County, N. Y., in 1812, and was a descendant of Dutch an- cestry. The first of the name to locate in Amer- ica was Martin G. Van Bergen, who in 1630 re- ceived a grant of land in Greene County from George II. From that time to this the members of the family have been prominently identified with the history of the Empire State, and the great-grandfather of our subject was a colonel in the French and Indian wars, while others of the name have gained prominence in civic or military affairs. Our subject's parents, Judge Anthony and Clarine (Peck) Van Bergen, the lat- ter of whom was born in Lyme, Conn., of Eng- lish descent, resided upon the old patent, the for- mer being engaged as an attorney and farmer.

In early manhood the subject of this sketch en- tered Yale College, from which he was graduated with the degrees of A. B. and LL.B. He be- gan the practice of law in Kingston, N. Y., later had an office in New York City, where he con- tinued until his retirement. He gave his atten- tion principally to civil practice, preferring this to criminal cases. Politicaly he was a pro- nounced Republican and in religion was identified

with St. George's Church. In Flushing, June 20, 1849, he married Miss Lucy A. Smart, who was the oldest of eight children, of whom seven at- tained maturity and three are living, those be- sides herself being Fred R., of Flushing, and William, of Jamaica.

The father of Mrs. Van Bergen, William Smart, was born in Warwick, England, a son of Thomas C. Smart. Coming to America, he settled in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., later was a farmer in New Hartford, N. Y. Farming was his life work, and in it he was successful. He purchased a large tract of land in the village of Flushing, where he died in 1871, aged seventy-three. In religion he adhered to the Quaker faith, which his ancestors in England had adopted in the time of George Fox. After his death a portion of his property, included in Hitchcock Park and Flushing Park, was sold for residence purposes.

The mother of Mrs. Van Bergen was Elizabeth, daughter of Anthony Franklin, natives of Flush- ing and New York City. Mr. Franklin, who was a merchant, married Lydia Lawrence, daughter of Joseph Lawrence, who at one time owned all of the village of Bayside and was an extensive farmer. Anthony Franklin made his home in Flushing, but continued to engage in business in New York City until his retirement. Mrs. Eliza- beth Smart died in 1868, at an advanced age. Her husband was one of the originators of the Flushing Railroad and at one time was its presi- dent. Mrs. Van Bergen was reared in Flushing and attended Kimber's Ladies' Boarding School, where she gained an excellent education. She is a well-informed, entertaining and companion- able lady, a devoted member of St. George's Episcopal Church, and an active worker in dif- ferent societies in this village. With her resides her only child, Mrs. Elizabeth Franklin Owen, and they have made their home in Sanford Ave- nue since they sold the old homestead in 1895.

G EORGE KISSAM MEYNEN, M. D. To attain distinction in one of the profes- sions is the lofty ambition of many a man who is struggling through the early portion of his career, but it is looked forward to as the prize to be gained toward the end of the race, and when then gained it may well be accounted worth the struggle. Occasionally, however, we find an instance where a man still young has at- tained to this high position, and certainly the suc-

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cess of such an one is worthy of emulation and praise. Such has been the fortunate experience of Dr. Meynen, whose practice is extensive, not being limited to Jamaica, the place of his resi- dence, but extending throughout the surround- ing country.

The Meynen family is of German origin. The Doctor's father, John Frederick, was born in Bremen in 1824 and when sixteen years old came to America, possessing an abundance of hope and determination, but without any capital. After having spent some time in New Orleans, he came north to New York City, where he engaged in the dry goods business and later became inter- ested in the flour exchange business. In 1859 he married Miss Madeline Louise Kissam, daugh- ter of Dr. Philip Platt Kissam, who was born in 1808, graduated from the medical department of Yale College, and for a time carried on an ac- . tive practice, but afterward abandoned the profession for business pursuits. November 26, 1832, Dr. Kissam was united in marriage with Madeline L., daughter of Dr. Richard Sharpe Kissam, of New York City. The latter was the sixth generation from John Kissam (known as John Ocasson or Ockeson), who settled at Flush- ing, L. I., in July, 1644, and purchased a farm on Great Neck February 4, 1678, under the name of John Okeson. Whether these different spell- ings of the name were intentional or an error, is not now known, but whatever the name may have been originally, for more than two hundred years it has been spelled Kissam. The records show that John Kissam, before mentioned, was mar- ried July 10, 1667, to Susannah, daughter of Wil- liam Thorne, of Jamaica, L. I. For generations the family has been one of the most prominent in New York. A history of the family has been published, but it is not altogether reliable and we quote but little from it.

Dr. Philip Platt Kissam, grandfather of our subject, after giving up the practice of medicine in Buffalo, N. Y., embarked in the mercantile business in New York City, but later became a prominent stock broker in Wall Street. He died in Jamaica June 12, 1891. The mother of our subject was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in November, 1833, and died at Jamaica in October, 1889. A sincere Christian, she held membership in the Protestant Episcopal Church, and was faithful in attendance at its services.

The life of John Frederick Meynen was large- ly devoted to commercial pursuits in New

York City. He was a shrewd financier, pos- sessing large discrimination and sound judgment. Through his excellent judgment and his indus- try he was enabled to surround his family with every comfort and to leave them comfortably provided for when death came to him, in March, 1883. His political convictions made him a Democrat, yet he could not be called a politician in the usual sense of the word, as his intelligence and extensive reading had made him a man of breadth and he was cordially willing that every man should hold to his own opinions. While he never held membership in any religious organi- zation, he was an attendant at Grace Episcopal Church and contributed to its support.

In the family of John Frederick and M. Louise (Kissam) Meynen there were five children, but two, Frederick Kissam and Madeline Kissam, died in childhood. The others were George Kis- sam, Philip Kissam, and Louise, who is deceased. Philip K., who was born August 6, 1862, was educated in Jamaica and Flushing. January 28, 1892, he married Miss Helen G. Barker, daugh- ter of Judge Frederick Barker, of St. John, New Brunswick, and a niece of the late Dr. Charles H. Barker, of Jamaica.

Louise, the Doctor's only sister who attained womanhood, was born January 10, 1864. She was highly educated and accomplished, and was one of the most charming and attractive young ladies of Jamaica, a favorite with every one. It was a crushing blow to the family and a deep be- reavement to her large circle of friends, when she passed away, in May, 1893.

The subject of this sketch was born February 3, 1861. He was educated in the schools of Ja- maica and in Flushing Institute. In 1882 he en- tered the New York Medical College, from which he graduated in 1885. For a year thereafter he was on the staff of the Kings County Hospital, and for a time was assistant at the Sanford Hall Insane Asylum, in Flushing. In the fall of 1886 he opened an office in Jamaica, and since then has become one of the leading physicians of the village. He is medical examiner for the Royal Arcanum, to which he belongs. Socially he is a director in the Jamaica Club, and in his relig- ious connections is serving as vestryman in Grace Episcopal Church. In November, 1894, he mar- ried Miss Elizabeth E. Ackert, daughter of a prominent attorney of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and they occupy a pleasant residence in Clinton Ave- nue.

FRANCIS E. BRENNAN, M. D.

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F RANCIS E. BRENNAN, M. D., one of the prominent physicians and skilled surgeons of Long Island City, was formerly con- nected with the Metropolitan Hospital of New York. He is a native of Long Island, and was born at Greenport, January 28, 1873. When a lad of nine years he was sent to New York City that he might complete his education. He first attended grammar school No. 49 in East Thirty- seventh Street, and on being graduated there- from, in 1890 was admitted to the College of the City of New York. After carrying on his studies in this institution for a year, he decided that he would follow a professional life and in the fall of 1891 entered the New York Homeopathic Med- ical College, where he pursued the entire course, graduating May 3, 1894, with the degree of Doc- tor of Medicine. As a result of the competitive examination held May 5, he received the appoint- ment as junior assistant to one of the physicians of the Metropolitan Hospital, entering upon the duties of the position May 10 of that year. After a period of six months he was promoted to sen- ior assistant and again at the expiration of six months was made house physician.

While in charge of the hospital Dr. Brennan broke the record for operations, for during that time he had two hundred and thirteen patients operated upon, every one of whom (with one ex- ception), when last he heard, was reported cured or improving. The greatest number of operations performed by any one surgeon up to that time had been one hundred and twenty. On retiring from the hospital December 1, 1895, the Doctor was awarded a diploma in recognition of the ex- cellent work he had done while in charge of the institution. He then began practice in Long Island City, opening an office at No. 76 East Avenue, Hunter's Point. He is the only homeopathic physician in this portion of the city, and as such is in command of a large and lucrative practice. By natural gifts and training he is admirably adapted for a successful profes- sional career. His studies did not cease with his graduation, but he continues to keep himself well informed upon the latest discoveries in this science. As a surgeon he is meeting with the greatest success. Among the operations which he has performed is included every manner of surgical procedure, and these are followed by a success comparing not unfavorably with the lead- ing surgeons of the state.

Although the Doctor was connected for some

time with the Metropolitan Hospital in New York, he has made his home in Long Island City since 1883. He is a member of the Alumni Medical Society, and has contributed many arti- cles of interest and great value to this body. At this writing he is medical commissioner to the board of health of Long Island City.

The parents of Dr. Brennan were Paul and Mary (Magee) Brennan, natives of Ireland, who are now living in Long Island City. For a more extended account of his parental history, we refer the reader to the sketch of his brother, P. C. Brennan, which appears on another page in this volume.

JOHN JOCKERS. One of the most delight- ful summer homes for city visitors that is to be found on Long Island occupies a charming location in Thirteenth Street, near First Avenue, College Point. The Grand View Hotel, as it is appropriately called, is the largest place of the kind in the village and contains airy, commodious rooms, with bath and all modern conveniences. A summer garden is connected with the hotel, and in the park are lawn tennis, croquet and play grounds. Especial attention is paid to the table service, which is all that can be desired even by the most fastidious.

Born in Baden, Germany, in 1836, Mr. Jock- "ers is one of six children, of whom four are liv- ing, though he and his brother, Michael, of Col- lege Point, are the only ones in America. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Jockers, were born in Baden, where the latter died at the age of eighty-three; the father, who was a farmer by occupation, took part in the wars of the early part of this century, and died near Strasburg at the age of seventy-six. The childhood years of our subject were spent in Baden, where he was employed as a gardener and florist between the ages of fourteen and seventeen. In 1853 he took passage at Havre on the sailing vessel "Sciota," which landed in New York after a voyage of fifty-five days. Thence he came to College Point, and for a time worked with his brother, who was superintendent of the Poppenhusen res- idence and grounds. After two months he be- came superintendent of the residence and grounds of Mr. Schleicher, where he laid out the grounds and improved them with the assistance of a number of workmen. Of recent years this place has been sold off in town lots. In 1891 he

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started the Grand View Hotel, of which he has since been proprietor.

In College Point Mr. Jockers married Miss Magdalena Ilch, sister of George Ilch, of whom mention is elsewhere made. She was born in Germany, but has spent her life principally on Long Island, and by her marriage has three sons, namely: Henry, who is a silk weaver in this village; Herman, who is engaged in the meat business here; and Albert, who is with his parents. For years Mr. Jockers has been secre- tary of the Sangerlust, and has also been con- nected with other organizations. In politics he is a Democrat.

ALONZO SMITH, the well known and successful merchant of Hempstead, was

S. . born in Huntington, Suffolk County, July 19, 1851, and is a member of a family that has been identified with the history of Long Isl- and from a very early period in its settlement. His father, George W., who followed the occu- pation of a farmer throughout his entire life, was a son of Oliver Smith, a native of Melville, Suf- folk County. The mother, Catherine Soper, was born in the town of Huntington and died about 1870. Three children comprised her family, namely: S. Alonzo; J. F., who is a farmer and resides at Huntington; and Sarah E., wife of J. A. Brown, of Riverhead.

The early years of our subject were passed on the home farm, where, assisting in the duties in- cident to agricultural work, he gained those hab- its of industry and perseverance that were inval- uable to him in after years. His education, which was obtained in the public schools of Hunt- ington, was sufficiently thorough to enable him, at the age of nineteen, to successfully engage in teaching. He taught school in Melville and Is- lip, Suffolk County, and at Stony Point, Rock- land County, and later was for a time employed on a farm in Smithtown, Suffolk County.

In 1880 Mr. Smith came to Hempstead, where he embarked in the mercantile business, and in this he has since engaged, also handling coal, fertilizers and farm implements. As a merchant he has used judgment in the purchase of stock, buying it in large quantities so that he has been able to dispose of it at low prices, thus ensuring a good trade and satisfaction to purchasers. Be- lieving it the duty of a citizen to maintain an in- terest in public affairs, Mr. Smith has kept in

touch with the progress of events and is well posted upon the issues of the age. Politically a Republican, he has been a leader of his party in this locality. For three years, 1891-93, he served as president of the village board. He is the present secretary of the board of excise com- missioners and has made a noble fight for good government.

Any measure conducive to the prosperity of the village has the active co-operation and sup- port of Mr. Smith, who has always had the great- est faith in the future of this thriving place. He is president of the Hempstead Building and Loan Association, an organization that has done much to enhance the prosperity of the village. The Merchants' Protective Association, a local so- ciety, in the organization of which he took a prominent part, chose him as president, in which capacity he rendered efficient service. For many years he has been a trustee of the Presbyterian Church. In 1877 he married Miss Sarah Mc- Cauley, of Stony Point, N. Y., an estimable lady who shares with him the friendship of the peo- ple of this place.

P ETER A. LEININGER, president of the board of assessors of Long Island City, who is also extensively interested in the real estate business, was born in New York City, January 2, 1860. Though a native of this coun- try, he is of direct German descent. His parents, Adam J. and Elizabeth (Bittinger) Leininger, were born in Bavaria, Germany. The former, who emigrated to the United States in early man- hood, was a stone cutter by trade, but spent much of his time as interpreter for the govern- ment in different parts of the West. During the Civil War he enlisted in the Thirty-third New Jersey Infantry, and later was with the Sixty- seventh Regiment of New York Infantry, serving until the close of the Rebellion, after which he went on the plains and learned the Indian lan- guage. He had received a splendid education in Germany, and being a man of deep thought and habits of close observation, he gained a broad knowledge of the world. He could speak readi- ly five different languages; nor was his knowl- edge limited to the classics, but in the wide realms of thought, scientific, historical and mis- cellaneous, he was a scholar. His closing years were spent in New York and were years of physi- cal suffering, as a result of the hardships of camp

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life and forced marches during the war. In the faith of the Catholic Church, he passed away in 1882, aged sixty-five. His widow still makes her home in Long Island City, where she has re- sided since his death.

In the family of Adam J. Leininger there were three sons and two daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter are living. The boys, who were carpenters and builders by trade, were as follows: Jacob, who was accidentally killed by falling from the roof of a house; Henry, a con- tractor of Long Island City; and Peter A. The last-named was educated in New York, where he attended the Fifty-first Street and the Fifty- ninth Street schools. When only twelve years of age he was a student in a classical school there. His schooling, however, was limited, for when quite young he began to make his own way in the world. For one year he was employed in Devoe's oil yard at Greenport, after which he be- came connected with an uncle in the Empire Laundry. Two years were thus spent, and he then took a position as machinist with P. J. Jen- nings, in Forty-first Street, near Third Avenue, continuing there for two and one-half years. This occupation not proving remunerative, he left it and began to work for a lithographer, with whom he remained six months. His next work was in the piano factory of Steinway & Sons, where he began at the bottom and learned every depart- ment thoroughly, spending about six years in that place. Later he was with Wesley, Nickel & Gross, piano action manufacturers.

Forming a partnership with his brother, Mr. Leininger began as a contractor and builder in New York, but the work did not develop as rapid- ly as he had hoped, so he took an interest in the carpet store of Berman Brothers, of New York City. In 1883 he came to Long Island City, where after a short time he began in the build- ing business, which he has since continued. His real estate interests are extensive and important. He purchased a seven-acre tract of land, and built up Hoyt and Debevoise Avenues and Law- rence Street. The larger part of the houses which he has erected have been sold at a fair profit. While his building has been principally in this city, he also built a brick double flat in South Brooklyn, which he afterward sold. In addition to the purchase of land, he is also an ap- praiser of property.

In New York City Mr. Leininger married Miss Kate Smith, who was born there. They have

one child, Elsie. Mr. Leininger is a well known Republican and has been elected to various offices. In 1893 he was assessor and for three years has been president of the board. He is also president of the Graham Avenue board of condemnation commissioners appointed by the court. The Long Island City Building and Loan Association, which he assisted in organiz- ing, still numbers him as a member. He was assistant foreman and acting foreman of Mo- hawk Hose Company No. I, and at one time was president of the Veteran Firemen's Association, to which he still belongs.

W ILLIAM DeMOTT, a representative of an old family of this county, is num- bered among its well-to-do agricultur- ists, and he has followed farming throughout life. In 1823 his birth occurred in the town of Hempstead, where he is still residing, his parents being Charles and Sarah (Snedeker) DeMott, also natives of the island, where they were con- tent to pass their entire lives.

After launching out in life for himself Charles DeMott engaged in the milling business, but after several years thus employed sold out his plant in order that he might give his undivided attention to cultivating the soil, which he found to be a very pleasant and profitable occupation. He was a popular man, esteemed for his integ- rity and nobleness of purpose, and ranked high among the citizens of the county. He served acceptably for several terms as assessor and su- pervisor of his town and at the same time con- ducted his own affairs in a thoroughly business- like manner. His decease occurred December 22, 1858. Mrs. Sarah DeMott, his estimable wife, came of one of the old and well-to-do fam- ilies of the island, and departed this life October 7, 1850. Of the five children in the parental family William was the fourth.

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Portrait and biographical record of Queens County (Long Island) New York, Part 97

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