USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 11
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HARLES M. SMITH. Among the native- born sons of Suffolk County who have ac- cumulated a competence in the ship-building business, prominent mention belongs to Mr. Smith, of Greenport, who, having made this huis occupa- tion for many years, has now retired from active work, and in Itis pleasant home is enjoying the comforts secured by his intelligent labor in the past. He was born in the town of Smithitown,
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1. I., November 24, 1835, being a son of William H. and Jerusha ( Mulford) Smith, the former a native of Blue Point, near Patchogue, and the latter of Smithtown. The father, who was a life-long farmer, died at Patchogue when seventy- six years old; his wife, who was an active worker in the Presbyterian Church, died at seventy- four.
In the parental family there were five children, but one died in infancy. The two sons were Charles M. and George E., the latter of whom was chief mate of a large vessel, but died on Staten Island, when but twenty-two years of age. Our subject passed his boyhood years on the farm, and received ordinary common-school ad- vantages. At the age of seventeen he went to Chesterfield, Md., to learn the ship-builder's trade, and there served a three-years apprentice- ship. Afterward he was a draughtsman at North- port, L. I., for four years, becoming an expert in that line. During the Civil War he built his first boat, of seven hundred tons' burden. In 1868 he built a large vessel for P. T. Bush, the oil man of Brooklyn. This was a yacht of one hundred and thirty feet over all, twenty-seven feet beam and twelve feet draught, and a model of it is to be seen in the New York Yacht Club rooms. In addition, he built, and was part-owner of, the "Bryant," built for Melville Bryant. This boat was com- manded by Capt. George P. Buckley, of Green- port, son of Oliver Buckley, the builder, and he, with his wife, was murdered by one of the crew while in southern waters.
Coming to Greenport in 1866, Mr. Smith for twelve years leased the shipyards which he after- wards bought, and had as partner John L. Terry, an expert in the ship-building business. They continued together until the spring of 1895, when they sold out.
There have been very few men in Suffolk County who have been more familiar with the ship business than Mr. Smith. Not a single de- tail connected with the work ever escaped his at- tention, and there was nothing connected with it that he did not thoroughly master. His vessels were known far and near as the best afloat and the easiest to manage. The "Wandering Jew," of
thirteen hundred tons, built in 1879 for Capt. Frank Norton, and owned by New York, Green- port and Orient parties, was one of the fastest boats on the coast, and is still in the South Ameri- can trade. Such were his devotion to the business and his wise judgment and discretion, that he ac- cumulated a competency. He is one of the own- ers of the postoffice building, in which there is a fine hall.
On New Year's Day of 1866 Mr. Smith mar- , ried Jennie Lewis, of Northport, sister of ex- Sheriff E. G. Lewis. The union was a childless one, and Mrs. Smith died April 20, 1894. So- cially our subject is connected with the Order of Odd Fellows, and for seventeen years held the office of Past Grand. The Democratic party re- ceives his support in all its measures, and he sup- ports its candidates in local and general elections. He has served as one of the Village Trustees, and has held other local offices, in which he has worked for the promotion of the interests of the people.
DRIAN P. VAN DEINSE, M. D., of Say- ville, has resided in this place for the past ten years, having come here from Albany. He is the son of John A. P. and Nellie ( Munten- dam) van Deinse, natives of Middleburg, capital of the province of Zealand, the Netherlands. The father, who studied medicine in his native land, emigrated to America in 1868, and settled in Al- bany, N. Y., where he engaged in professional practice, meeting with fair success in his work. His death occurred in that city when he was seventy-eight years of age.
Born in Middleburg, Holland, January 11, 1862, the subject of this notice spent the early years of childhood in his native place. and received his education in The Hague. In 1873 he crossed the Atlantic with the other members of the fam- ily, and since that time he has been identified with the American people, with whom he is in hearty sympathy. In the welfare of his adopted country he takes the deepest interest, and to its institutions he is always loyal.
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Receiving excellent educational advantages, our subject was fitted for successful professional work. After graduating from the New York University, he entered Albany Medical College, in 1883, and continued there until his graduation, March 3, 1886. Immediately afterward he came to Say- ville, where he established himself in practice and has since remained, a successful and popular practitioner. His time is closely devoted to pro- fessional work, to the exclusion of public matters, though he is interested in the welfare of the com- munity, and contributes to all progressive enter- prises.
HARLES H. ALDRICH, a man still in the . prime of life, and well known and much ap- preciated in the town of Southold, where he is tilling a farm for his living, with much suc- cess and credit, is a native of this county, and was born November 17, 1858. He is the son of Elisha Aldrich, who has passed on to the other world, and Mary Wells. His parents were both natives of the island, where the Aldrich family has been established for a number of genera- tions. The father of our subject resided in this town all his life, and died here some years ago, leaving five children. Of these, the eldest is George W., and Harriet, Mrs. Thompson, a wid- ow, comes next. Fammie M. is the wife of Chris- topher W. Downs. Gilbert E. precedes Charles HI., our subject, the youngest of the family.
The father was a member of the Congrega- tional Church at Northville, and was counted a very public-spirited and enterprising man. He was practically a self-made man, and was very successful in all his business enterprises. His widow is still surviving, and makes her home at Riverhead, where the love of her children and friends is thrown around her like a protecting mantle.
Charles H. Aldrich, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood under his parents' roof- tree, was sent to the district school, and finished his school days at that very commendable insti- tution, the Franklinville Academy. When he be-
came a man he turned his attention to farming, and has found, with many another wise and thoughtful soul, that they who till the soil are the happiest of all. He reads and studies much, and does not mean to let this great world move around more rapidly than he can follow it.
Our subject was married, in 1880, December 28, to Ella, daughter of Daniel Shaw, of River- head, and has become the father of five children by this marriage: Clifford E .. Jennie M., Effie I., Flora B. and Harry E. He owns eighty acres of land, mostly under good cultivation, and is a member of the Congregational Church. He has served as Trustee of the school, and also of his church at Northville. * He is a Prohibitionist, and commands the confidence and esteem of the community.
ENRY H. PRESTON, Justice of the Peace, and one of the representative men of affairs of Shelter Island, whose interests are general and far-reaching, is a general merchant at Shelter Island Heights, and agent for fire and life insurance companies. He is a native of Shelter Island, born February 27, 1845, a son of Medina and Glory- ann ( Cartwright) Preston. The former was a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Shelter Island. The paternal ancestors were English, and settled in Connecticut at a very early day. William R. Cartwright, our subject's maternal grandfather, was a native of Rhode Island, and came to Shelter Island early in the present cen- tury, spending the balance of his life in this locali- ty, engaged in fishing and agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Preston was reared in his home locality until sixteen years of age. At that time inter- necine warfare was rife, and our subject cast in his fortunes with the Federal troops, enlisting Sep- tember 13, 1861, in Company H, of the Sixth New York Volunteer Cavalry, which soon joined the Army of the Potomac. Later these dashing warriors were with Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. Our subject entered the ranks as a pri-
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vate, but was subsequently promoted to the office of Sergeant, winning his brevet after the battle of Cedar Creek, having been one of the escorts to accompany Sheridan in his famous twenty-mile ride from Winchester to Cedar Creek. He also participated in the Penisular Campaign under MacClellan. He was in the battle at Brandy Station, Va., October 11, 1863, at which time he and his regiment made two sabre charges. In the second charge Judge Preston's horse was shot from under him. He also participated in all of the raids with Sheridan, made in order to obstruct the Confederate lines, and tore up railroads, tele- graph lines and canals around Richmond. April 9, 1865, our subject was severely wounded in both limbs at Appomattox, and was in the hospital at Baltimore for nearly six months. From there he was honorably discharged September 18, 1865.
Our subject returned to Shelter Island after his war experiences, and engaged in the mercantile business, to which he has devoted himself ever since. For the past twenty-three years he has served as Justice of the Peace in the town of Shel- ter Island, and has also served as Town Clerk for eleven years. At the present time he is doing the duties of Assessor, and for several terms past has served as Collector of the town. For seven terms Squire Preston was Associate Justice of Sessions of Suffolk County. He is a Director in the Suffolk County Mutual Insurance Company, and also in the Queen's and Suffolk Mutual Insur- ance Company.
Our subject's domestic life was happily inaugu- rated March 23, 1864, when he was married to Miss Asenath Wright Congdon, daughter of Timothy P. Congdon, all natives of Shelter Island. Mrs. Preston's father came liither from Rhode Island, while her mother came from Ticonderoga, N. Y. Three daughters have come to the Judge and his amiable wife. Having reached years of maturity, they lionor their parents by adding to the culture and intelligence of the community. The eldest, Aimie Wright, is the wife of G. S. Jennings. Emma Howard is the wife of C. H. Dawson; and Cora Lee resides with her parents. All are residents ot Shelter Island.
Mr. Preston served for one year as Commander
of Edward Huntting Post No. 353, G. A. R., at Greenport, and is still a member thereof. While filling that prominent position, the post was called to the sad duty of attending the obsequies of their beloved commander, General Grant. Our subject and his wife are active members of the Presby- terian Church, and in social life are counted among the hosts of the community. Judge Pres- ton is one of the promoters of the Shelter Island Public Library, of which he has been a Trustee since its establishment. For several years he has also been President of the Shelter Island Social Club, and is considered one of the mainstays in every enterprise, social or otherwise, in which the public is interested. In politics he is a Republi- can. For several years he was sole Trustee of the Shelter Island School District, and was largely intrumental in having the present fine school build- ing erected, it being the only one on the island. For nineteen years he was a member of the Suf- folk County Republican Committee, and during President Harrison's administration served as Postmaster of Shelter Island Heights.
ENRY F. HERRICK. Among the promi- nent business men of Southampton who have attained success, and are counted among the most worthy and honored citizens, may be mentioned Henry F. Herrick. No name stands more properly placed in the history of Suf- folk County than his, for he is not only one of its progressive business men, but is of such a social, genial nature that he has made many friends.
Mr. Herrick is a native of Southampton, and was born February 4, 1848, his parents being Dr John P. and Esther P. (Foster ) Herrick. The former was born in New Haven, Conn., and was given an excellent education, being a graduate of Yale College, which was located in his native city. He came to this portion of Long Island in 1838, and several years later was married to Miss Foster, who was born in Southampton. Our sub- ject was a child of two years when his father
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died. He was compelled to undergo a severe surgical operation, from which he never rallied. He was one of the best physicians on Long Island, and soon after locating here built up a lucrative practice. His widow died in Denver, Colo., in November, 1895, when in her eighty-second year.
Our subject has one brother, John C. Herrick, a leading physician of Denver, Colo. He was reared to man's estate in this, his native home, and when he determined to follow in the footsteps of his father and lead a professional life, he was sent to New Haven, Conn., and enrolled as a student of Yale College. He there confined his at- tention to the study of medicine, and in due course of time was graduated from that institution.
The boyhood days of our subject were passed with his mother. He attended the public schools of Southampton, and in 1866, when in his eight- eenth year, he obtained the position of clerk in the postoffice, under Charles Parsons, Postmaster. That gentleman was one of the old and respected citizens of the community, and young Herrick remained with him for three years. At that time he resigned his clerkship and purchased the store of general merchandise which was the property of Mr. Parsons, and conducted a successful business for many years ..
In 1868, under the administration of General Grant, Mr. Herrick received the appointment of Postmaster of Southampton, and was the incum- bent of that office (with the exception of five years when Cleveland stood at the head of the Govern- inent) until 1895. He was Postinaster for twenty- two years. The first year his salary was $600, but as the town grew in population and the busi- niess became larger it was increased from year to year, until Mr. Herrick received $1,700 a year from the Government. During the last year of his incumbency he was obliged to dispose of his store, as the business of the office now required his entire time and attention.
Since retiring from his official position Mr. Herrick has engaged in the hardware business, and is the proprietor of a finely stocked establisli- ment. He is a shrewd business man and deals fairly and squarely with all his patrons. He was married, in 1882, to Miss Mary A. Herrick, sister
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of the Rev. Samuel Herrick, pastor of the Mt. Vernon Congregational Church at Boston. Mrs. Herrick was born in this place and is the daugh- ter of Capt. Austin Herrick, well known to the old residents of Southampton, where he lived for inany years. John Austin Herrick, the only son of our subject, was born July 7, 1885.
Mr. Herrick is of a religious disposition, and in his younger years weighed all the arguments for and against revealed religion, until his faith be- came so established as never to be shaken. He is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and is actively interested in Sunday-school work, being Secretary of that department of the church. He is a stalwart Republican in politics. His life has been crowned with success, because he has earned it, and he now enjoys the respect and esteem of all with whom he has become acquainted.
OHN C. THURSTON, a prominent citizen and influential business man of Center Mo- riches, Suffolk County, is a native of this county, having been born at Moriches, in the year 1839. He is the son of John and Catherine (Ruland) Thurston, both of whom were also born in Suffolk County, within whose bounds they spent their entire lives.
The father of our subject was drafted into the War of 1812, and spent some monthis on the field of battle. On returning to Long Island, he was engaged to drive a stage from Sag Harbor to New York City. He followed this route for a time, and then engaged in the same business on his own account, contracting for carrying the mail from East Hampton to Brooklyn. He owned and operated a regular line of stages until the building of the Long Island Railroad, when he retired to a small farm near Mo- riches, where he spent the deelining years of his life. He lived to be eighty-two years of age, and at the time of his death had hosts of warn friends, who knew and respected him in his younger days. His estimable wife, the mother of our subject, is still living, at the venerable age of eighty-two years.
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The education of Jolin C. Thurston was ob- tained in the same manner as was that of the ma- jority of the farmer lads-in the log cabin in the district. He remained under the parental roof until attaining his sixteenth year, when he was apprenticed to a ship-carpenter in order that he mnight learn the trade. He worked at this busi- ness for six years at Port Jefferson, this county, and on the outbreak of the late war went to New York City, where he had no difficulty in obtaining work. He continued to ply his trade in New York until 1866, when he returned to his native county and followed it for the succeed- ing year. Young Thurston had learned his trade under Heury Stoelir, one of the largest ship-builders in this county, working for him for a period of four years.
The second year after his return to this coun- ty, our subject located at Englewood, N. J., where he purchased a greenhouse, and for three years gave his attention to the culture of flowers. This proved to be a very profitable business, but, owing to the illness of members of his family, he returned to Long Island. Being out of business at that time, he engaged as overseer of a large estate, but three years thereafter we find him the proprietor of a butcher-shop at Center Moriches. In 1890 he added a stock of groceries, and is 110w in command of perhaps the largest trade in the village. His meats are of the choicest variety, and he never fails to give satisfaction to his cus- tomers, whom he numbers among the best resi- dents of the place. He retails his goods at popu- lar prices and is prompt in filling orders. John C. Thurston is a self-made man in the truest sense of the term, and by his upright dealings and faithfulness to his friends has won an as- sured place in the confidence of his fellow-towns- men, of which fact he may be justly proud.
The lady to whom our subject was married in 1861 was Miss Emma, daughter of Gilbert Mill- er, a worthy resident of South Haven, N. Y. Their union was blessed by the birth of eight children, four of whom are now deceased. Those living are William Forest, who is associated with his father in the grocery business; Henry C., engaged as the proprietor of a meat-market
at Eastport; Rev. Gilbert, in charge of tlie Metli- odist Episcopal Church at Amityville, this coun- ty; and Miss Laura M., at home with her par- ents. John L., who was engaged in the butcli- er business with his father in Center Moriches, died in his twenty-eighth year.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Thurston are members in excellent standing of the Methodist Church. In politics the former is a Democrat, tried and true. He has never aspired to office-holding, although he has creditably served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of Constable and as a member of the School Board. He is a very worthy citizen, a kind husband and indulgent parent. His son, Gilbert Thurston, attended college for seven years, and was graduated from one of the best theological schools of New York City. He occupied the pulpit in one of the leading churches in Brook- lyn for one year, and from there, in 1893, went to Amityville, where he is the present incumbent, and is regarded as one of the rising young min- isters of the state. He is a power for good in his connnunity, taking a deep interest in all measures for its betterment. He is a speaker of force and originality, and is greatly beloved as pastor, friend, counsellor and consoler.
ALENTINE . WILLIAMS is a name that is good in hardware circles for any desired - recognition, and is the name of a man who has long been engaged in that line in the village of Islip. He established himself in this place in the year 1849, and has been continuously in busi- ness up to the present time. Before coming here he was located at Syosset, and has given to this place almost fifty years of an honorable business career.
Jacob Williams, the father of our subject, was front Jericho, and was a farmer, being in many respects a man of much native ability, who made his way against very serious obstacles to a good position in life. He died at the age of eighty- two, and left three children, of whom Valentine
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SAMUEL B. NICOLL, M.D.
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was the youngest and the only child living. His wife was known in girlhood as Polly Bond. She died in 1848.
Valentine Williams was born at Commack. November 4, 1824, but went to Jericho, and was reared there front a very small child. As a boy he suffered much from sickness, and was able to attend school but little, and could do but little of anything else. His father spent much time and money in the effort to secure relief and cure for him, but of no avail. The story runs that one time a wandering Indian came to his father's house, and asked to be cared for over night, and said if they would take him in he would cure the sick boy. They consented, and the Indian did cure him, sure enough. When the invalid child, now grown to a strong and sturdy lad, was casting about for a work to follow as a life occupation, he pitched upon the blacksmith trade as a desirable business. He learned it thorough- ly in the village of Commack, and followed it three years at Syosset, and then worked at it in this village, until about twenty-five years ago. He then went into the hardware business, and of that lie has made a decided success. He has come up the ladder of fortune solely by his own exertion, and stands in the community as a capable, energetic and strictly honest man.
Mr. Williams was married, March 22, 1845, to Hannah Ruth Velsor, by whom he had four chil- dren. Jennie, the eldest, married John Steven- son, had five children, and is now dead. Jacob V. is a resident of this village. William E. is the third child; and Chiarles died February 26, 1860. The mother of these children dying, our subject was married a second time, this union being with Oressa Wallen, a native of this county, who is still living, and is a worthy associate of her hon- orable and popular husband.
Our subject is a Democrat, but holds character and fitness for the office to be above all other considerations. . He believes in a business ad- ministration of the great interests of the country, from the President down to the humblest office- holder. Personally lie is a striking illustration of what native ability and an indomitable persist- ence can do for a man. He began life with the
scantiest education, yet lias pushed himself up until he is now a man of character and good busi- ness standing.
AMUEL B. NICOLL, M. D., is a member of that profession which is one of the noblest to which a man can devote his life, and one also which deserves the most appreciative considera- tion on the part of the public. As a follower of this profession, the gratitude of hundreds is due to the skill and talent of Dr. Nicoll, who has been an active practitioner in this section for many . years, and has acquired considerable prominence.
Our subject, who is now living on Shelter Island, was born in Flushing, Queens County, May 31. 1825, his parents being Samuel B. and Saralı (Payne) Nicoll. The Nicoll family is of English origin, and has been represented on Long Island since its earliest settlement. The paternal grand- father, who also bore the name of Samuel B., was likewise born here, and became prominent among the residents of his community.
In 1832, when a lad of seven years, our sub- ject accompanied his parents on their removal to Shelter Island, and at Sachem Neck, where they settled, he was reared to mature years. After completing his education in the schools of that locality, he was sent to New York City, where lie was enrolled as a student in the New York Uni- versity, graduating from that institution in 1848. Immediately thereafter he began the study of medicine in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons of the same city, from which he was gradu- ated with the Class of '51.
On receiving his diploma, Dr. Nicoll returned to Shelter Island, which has been liis home ever since, and where lie has followed his profession with good results. In 1865 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Hannah M. Mulford, of Sag Har- bor. After the death of his first wife, the Doctor was married to Maggie A Duncan, who departed this life in 1892. His present companion bore the maiden name of Johanna Nicoll, and their marriage occurred May 15, 1894. For some fif-
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