USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 12
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teen years the Doctor served as Supervisor of Shelter Island, being elected on the Democratic ticket, which he has always supported. He is a leading member of the Episcopal Church, and is one of the influential residents of Shelter Island, where he has a large circle of friends and ac- qnaintances. His professional career from the first has been one of gratifying results, for he is thoroughly fitted by study and experience for a superior physician, and has built up a reputation for professional skill and ability that is not merely local, but extends over a wide range of territory.
HARLES A. HALSEY is a native of the town and county wherein he now lives, and is looked upon as one of the old and honored settlers in Southampton. He was born on the farm where he now lives September 1, 1836. His parents, Abraham and Eliza A. (Woodruff) Hal- sey, had a family of six children, as follows: Mary the wife of Peter Howell; Abraham, who lives near his brother Charles, our subject; and Law- rence, Silas and Jane. Lawrence is an attorney at Milwaukee, Wis. Silas, who was a private in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New York Infantry, was killed in the battle at Devoa's Neck, S. C., December 1, 1864. Jane is the wife of Joseph Mcore.
Our subject was married, May 13, 1867, to Miss Ella C. Hildreth, a daughter of James M. and Frances Hildreth, the former of whom was a farmer. Our subject and his wife are the parents of the following children: Frank, Abram A., William S., Lawrence W. and David E. The eldest son, Frank, lives at home on the farni. Abram, a graduate of Cornell University, is at present engaged in the law office of Smith & Griffing at Patchogue. William is a farmer, and makes liis home in this county. David, the young- est, is a bright lad of great promise, the pride of the family.
Mr. Halsey is of the eighth generation of the family that have lived on liis present farm. When
a young man of but twenty-four years of age he left liis father's home, and went to Crystal Lake, Ill., where he purchased a farm, which he culti- vated until 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, of the Sixth Illinois Infantry. As a private -he participated in many engagements, notable among them being Pea Ridge, Perryville, Ky., Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. He was also in the famous action at Lookout Mountain and at the siege of Corinth.
Mr. Halsey was wounded in a skirmish near Atlanta, May 23, 1864, an English cartridge lodging in his left arm, midway between the el- bow and shoulder. After spending some time in a hospital he was sent to Chattanooga, thence to Nashville, Louisville, Mound City, and finally to Benton Barracks, Mo. In all he was in the va- rious hospitals about ten months. He received his discharge while in the last place, it being dated March 27, 1865. During his war experience our subject went all through the Atlanta campaign, and participated in a great many forced marches. He relates that he has walked fifty miles under forced march, and has lived on half rations of bread and beef for months at a time. So hungry was he at times that he picked up and hoarded grains of corn, which he roasted and ate.
Soon after Mr. Halsey's discharge from the army he returned to his native place, and as- sumed charge of the old homestead, which he now' owns. He retains, however, only thirty-five acres, where he carries on farming, making his land produce abundantly by the employment of modern scientific methods. In politics our sub- ject is a Republican, and in his church affiliations he has long been identified with the Presby- terians.
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D HARLES C. WRIGHT. The poet who found his warmest welcome at an inn must have had in mind one of those liostelries in which the conveniences of a home are forever present, without the disagreeable and exacting duties that make home life domestic slavery. One of the representative houses of Greenport, L. I.,
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is the Wyandank Hotel, conducted by the able and genial proprietor, Charles C. Wright. This gentleman was born at Franklinville, Suffolk County, June 11, 1843, and is the only son of the late Dr. Clark and Mary F. (Fanning) Wright. The father was a native of West Ashford, Wind- ham County, Conn., born August 9, 1813, and a graduate of Bowdoin College, in the Class of ' 34. Immediately after leaving school he came to Greenport, L. I., and was associated with old Dr. Skinner for two years.
From there he went to Franklinville, where for fifty-five years he was in active practive. He was a man of sterling qualities, a most successful physician, and a prominent and influential citizen. Although not a member of any church, he was a good man in all the words imply, and the Golden · Rule was his religion, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." This, it is said, he practiced throughout his entire life. He was temperate in all things, never used tobacco or liquor in any form, and was a man who could discuss religion or politics with equal ease. He had a peculiar way of expressing himself that al- ways impressed his listeners with his sincerity. His long and useful life was brought to a close suddenly, after only a week's illness, April 18, 1888. His wife was the daughter of Israel Fan- ning, and is descended from one of the old Long Island families. She now finds a comfortable and pleasant home with her son, Charles C. Wright, our subject.
The latter, the only child born to the above- mentioned couple, was educated in the Franklin- ville Academy, and after leaving that institution he clerked in a store for three years. In I871 he came to Greenport and bought the hotel that he now owns and which he has carried on ever since, with the exception of a short time after the death of his first wife. Charles Wright is most favor- ably known from one end of the island to the oth- er, being classed among the most popular and ac- commodating hotelmen of the same. Those wlio have experienced his warm hospitality will ever retain the most pleasurable recollections of the Wyandank Hotel and its popular proprietor. Mr. Wright is a lover of fine horseflesh, and, having
ample means, he has become the owner of some of the best in the locality. He spends his money freely and gets all the good he can out of life.
Mr. Wright was first married, in 1869, to Miss Sarah Griffin, daughter of Henry L. Griffin. o: the Griffin House, of Riverhead, L. I. One child, Aleta, was born to this union. She mar- ried Edward A. Murray, who is in the law de- partment of the Custom House at New York. and she is the mother of one child, Edward Bo- dine Murray. Mr. Wright selected his second wife in the person of Miss Lena Griffin, a sister of his first wife, and who is about the age of his daughter by his first wife. Their nuptials were celebrated in 1892, and they have one child. a bright little girl, a year and a-half old. Sarah Shepard Wright. The latter's middle name was bestowed in honor of a wealthy gentleman and his wife, who have taken a great interest in the child, and who were stopping at the hotel when she was born. No child is better known on the island, or more thought of, than this little girl.
EORGE ALDRICH, of the town of South- old, has, through years of honest and in- dustrious toil, become the possessor of a good income and gained the respect and esteem of all who know him. He is one of the successful and representative farmers of this neighborhood, and we are pleased to be able to present this short record of his life history to our readers.
Mr. Aldrich is a native of Long Island, and was born October 25, 1847, to Isaac and Deborah A. (Corwin) Aldrich, also natives of Suffolk County. The father was for many years a resident of Newtown, Queens County, which is one of the most charming spots on the island. About 1840, however, he came to Southiold Town, and lo- cated on the farm which our subject now owns, near Cutchogue. This he improved, and cou- tinued to make his home until his demise, which occurred in the year 1854. He possessed very advanced and progressive ideas regarding farmi
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work, and was recognized as among the leading men of this class in the county. In political be- lief he was a Democrat, stanch in adherence to party principles.
The parental household included seven chil- dren, of whom the following-named survive: Eliza A .; Mary E., now Mrs. Seth W. Tuthill; Debo- rah A., the wife of Israel Davis; Frances, who is at home; Hannah M., the wife of John Bergen; Virginia E., living at home; and George, of this history.
George Aldrich received a good education in the cominon and private schools of his locality, and has resided in this town his entire life. The old homestead, which he now owns, is one of the best in Suffolk County, and is complete in all its appointments, and supplied with substantial and well ordered buildings. It comprises forty-four acres, and is so managed that it makes ample returns for the time and labor expended upon it.
Following in the footsteps of his honored fa- ther, George Aldrich is likewise a Democrat in politics, but has never been ambitious to hold office. He is, however, in favor of everything for the good of the community and to elevate society, and is one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of the county.
ILLIAM HIRSCH, "mine host" of the Prospect House at Lindenhurst, was born in Brooklyn, February 26, 1858, his parents being Charles and Margareitta (Funch) Hirsch, natives of Bavaria. His father, who was born February 3, 1831, came to this country a single man. He had learned the machinist's trade, and when engines were first invented, at the age of eighteen, he was put in charge of one, running the first steam engine that was ever operated in the city of Aschaffenburg. It was used in a paper-mill, and he tells the story that he used to have considerable fun by blowing the whistle and greatly scaring the bystanders.
The young engineer came to this country to avoid compulsory service in the Bavarian army,
having been drawn as a soldier. His first employ- ment on landing was locksmithing, for which lie received fifty cents a day. Then lie found more profitable work in Newark, N. J., in the making of firearms, where he received four shil- lings and sixpence, and could earn something ex- tra by working outside. In the month of June, 1853, when he was twenty-two years old, he was married, and took a position as engineer that was offered him in the Brooklyn Gas Works, at good wages.
There Charles Hirsch was engaged for two years, and he then transferred his services to the Excelsior Sugar Refining Mills, where he re- mained for four years. Seeking a better thing, he then went to the Manhattan Refinery as chief engineer, after which he was employed. in an- other establishment for two years, and later re- turned to the service of the Manhattan Company, where he remained as chief engineer and man- ager until 1871. That year he came to Breslau to take a similar position in a manufacturing es- tablishment. When that firm went by the board in the great panic of 1873, he was fortu- nate enough to get a position in an oil refinery at Greenport. Later he was in a factory of papier mache at Breslau; in Brooklyn for a time; then for six years and more in the brickyard which was owned by A. T. Stewart, at Plain Edge. He gave this up to go to Babylon and work in an electric light plant, which was his last business engagement. He died on the 13th of October, 1895, closing a well spent life.
A Democrat in politics, Charles Hirsch served as School" Trustee in Breslau for three years. Of his eleven children, three are now living, name- ly: Charles, who is engineer for the Vulcanite Manufacturing Company of Breslau; William, who was the second child; and Mrs. Elizabeth McDavit, of Brooklyn. Four children died in childhood: George, aged four; Elizabeth, Bar- bara, and a second George at the age of seven. Mary lived to be twenty-one, while Frank and Henry, nineteen and seventeen years old, re- spectively, died within ten days of each other, of pneumonia.
The subject of this sketch attended a Catholic
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parochial school at Brooklyn, from which he was graduated at the age of thirteen. He then start- ed out to learn the cutlery trade, but after a four- months trial found it did not agree with him, and he was obliged to abandon it. For four months he attended the public sehool, and with a little more experience of the world he secured a position as office boy in a jewelry house. After- ward he was similarly employed in a leaf-tobaeco establishment, where he remained until his people eame to Breslau (now Lindenhurst), L. I., to make their home and brought him with them. For a time he was in a picture-frame factory, and then learned tlie cigar business of Peter Hoek, serving for three years at $2 a week and boarding at home. This business he followed for a few years, partly at home and partly in New York. In the latter city, April 14, 1877, he married Miss Augusta W. Meichner, of Breslau, but a native of Han- over. They are the parents of two children, Wilhelmina and Marguirithe, both graduates of the school at Breslau.
In 1883 Mr. Hirsch returned to Lindenhurst and bought a cigar factory. After three years he became the landlord of the South Side Ho- tel, and also the proprietor of extensive bottling works. Later he disposed of this last industry 011 account of poor health, and was made Assist- ant Postmaster in 1889, and the next year was appointed bookkeeper in the United States Public Store. Here his duties were many and arduous, but they were discharged to the satisfaction of the higher officials, and it was recorded that the in- ventory which it was his duty to take was fin- ished by him within a week, when it had never been done in less than four months by others who lad held the place before him. From the desk of the bookkeeper he finished his career in the euston house as delivery clerk, being rotated out of office by a ehange of administration.
Politically Mr. Hirsch is a strong Republican, and has served on the Republican County Com- mittee for twelve years. He was twice elected Constable in a Democratie town, first by a major- ity of fifty-one, and then by thirty-eight. In 1895 he was elected Assessor. He is a very pop- ular man among a wide cirele of acquaintances.
In 1890 he built his present home, and the next year opened the Prospect House. Socially he is an Odd Fellow. For seven years he has been a member of the fire department, serving as assist- ant chief for a period of two years.
The eharaeter and standing of our subject were recognized in 1894, by his appointment as gener- al clerk of the Committees on Villages and Banks in the Senate of the state of New York. He also served as private clerk for Senator Childs in 1895. He has served his party many times as delegate to various conventions, and his voice is always heard with respect.
L OBERT WATERS. Among the successful and far-seeing citizens of the town of South- old is Mr. Waters, whose life of industry and usefulness, and whose record for uprightness and honesty, have given him a hold upon the commu- nity which all might well desire to share. He is at present living at Oregon, where, in addition to carrying on the work of a farmer, he is engaged as a veterinary surgeon. He keeps himself thor- oughly posted in this profession, and the reputa- tion which he enjoys throughout the county is well earned.
Mr. Waters is a native of Long Island, having been born in Kings County, June 3, 1830. He was a son of Robert and Dianna E. (Lancaster) Waters, natives of England. The parents were reared and married in their native land, and de- cided to emigrate to America in the year 1829. On landing in port at New York, they made their way to the town of Flatlands, Kings County, where our subject was born the following year. The next time they moved it was to Gravesend, same eounty, where they made their home for many years. Later, however, they took up their abode in New Utrecht, where they were residing at the time of their decease, the father passing away in the year 1862, and the mother several years later.
The parental family included several children,
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of whom those now surviving beside our subject are Louise, James, Ebenezer, George W., Cath- erine E. (wife of George Duryee) and Maria. The father of this family was a veterinary surgeon, and also superintended the operations of his home farm, which was a well cultivated and pro- ductive estate. He was practically a self-made man, and his object in coming to America was that he might better his financial condition, which he succeeded in doing many years prior to his death, so that his last years were passed in enjoying those luxuries and comforts which money can procure.
The greater part of our subject's boyhood days was passed at Gravesend, where his parents re- sided for so long. There he received a good ed- ucation in the schools of that locality, and was also trained to a full knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He has always been a great lover of horses, and when a boy of ten took trips with his father, when his professional duties called him to different parts of the county. As he grew older he determined to make a study of veterinary sur- gery, and for the past twenty years has been ent- gaged in its practice with wonderful success. Two of his brothers, Ebenezer and George W., also make this their business.
In 1869 Robert Waters removed from Grave- send to the town of Southold, which has since been the scene of his labors. He owns about forty-five acres of land, which his knowledge of farming has enabled hint to place under the best methods of cultivation, so that he derives a goodly income from this vocation. Mr. Waters has al- ways been more or less interested in school affairs, and for several years was Trustee of the board in his district. He lias also been Road Overseer, and is one of the most highly regarded men of his section, his friends being legion.
The lady to whom our subject was married, in 1854, bore the maiden name of Johanna Van Duyne. A native of New Utrecht, she was the daughter of Cornelius Van Duyne, of Holland ex- traction, and one of thic early settlers on the isl- and. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Waters, thirce of whom are now living, namely: Ella J., the wife of A. M. Williamson, of Flat-
bush; Annie M., who married Frederick Weir, a professional florist of Bay Ridge; and Nettie L., the wife of William Reitz, of Brooklyn. Phebe A., now deceased, was the twin of Annie M.
In his political relations Mr. Waters is a stal- wart Democrat, as was his father before him. He is public-spirited and well and favorably known in the county, and fully merits the success which has attended all his enterpriscs. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, and holds membership with Woods Lodge No. 345, at New Utrecht, of which his father was a charter member.
ATHANIEL B. SCHELLINGER. In this materialistic age, in which every one seems imbued with one idea, that of the rapid ac- cumulation of wealth, it is refreshing occasionally to meet with one who has other ambitions, other thoughts, and immeasurably other motives in life. Thus it has been with Mr. Schellinger, who, al- though he has not accumulated any great amount of property, has, by his uprightness, his genial- ity, and by his interest in all worthy movements, reached a high place in tlie estimation of the peo- ple of this section. Like many of the best people of Long Island, he is a native of the same, born at Amagansett, October 11, 1833, and is one of nine children, four sons and five daugliters, born to Henry and Caroline (Hand) Schellinger, also natives of Amagansett. Farming was the princi- pal occupation followed by the father, and in this "he met with a reasonable degree of success. He died as early as 1837, but the mother lived until about 1885.
During the years of his early life Nathaniel B. Schellinger secured a fair education, and assisted his father in the farnt duties. On the 16tlt of December, 1860, he married Miss Lucinda A. Tuthill, who was born on Long Island October 11, 1840. ( For particulars of family, see sketch of B. C. Tuthill. ) Mr. and Mrs. Schellinger are the parents of an interesting family of four chil- dren: Clarence A., William T., Clcora M. and
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Herbert R. Like his father, Mr. Schellinger is an agriculturist. but in connection has followed other occupations, fishing, teaming, etc., and, al- though not wealthy, is surrounded by nearly everything that makes life enjoyable. A well in- formed man, he has held many of the local posi- tions of the county, and discharged the duties of all very acceptably. For fifteen years he held the office of Highway Commissioner, and for three years was School Trustee. He has ever taken an active part in all local affairs, and for over twenty years was Road Overseer. His fine farm of about forty acres is well cultivated and improved, and is an ornament to this section. Aside from farming, fishing, etc., Mr. Schelling- er is doing considerable contracting. He is a de- lightful entertainer and a genial companion, and these traits, coupled with his mental gifts, make him a prominent center in a wide circle of friends.
G ILBERT VAN RENSSELAER HOWELL. Southold has its full quota of vigorous, en- terprising, thorough-going business men, whose popularity is based both upon their social qualities and their well known integrity and busi- ness activity. None among these is better liked by those who have business dealings with them than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and who is carrying on a fine trade as a member of the firm of Howell & Case, merchants of this village.
Our subject was born on Long Island, Sep- tember 23, 1839, and is the son of Van Rensse- laer and Mary A. (Terry ) Howell, natives of Suf- folk County. They lived for some time in River- head, but the father is now deceased, departing this life September 25, 1894, when in the eighty- seventh year of ltis age. The wife and mother died January 1, 1886. The Howell family is one of the oldest on the island, and in almost every community we find some of its members, who are invariably people of prominence and in- fluence. Longevity is a family characteristic,
three sisters of the father of our subject having attained the age of ninety-two years.
The subject of this sketch was reared to man's estate in this county, and after his education was completed in the common schools, aided in whatever way he could the. work on the farni. It was not his desire, however, to make this the business of his life, and when an opportunity was offered he formed a partnership with Mr. Case and established a mercantile business in South- old. They were prospered from the start in this undertaking, and are now the proprietors of a well stocked establishment, which is well pat- ronized by the best people of the community.
Mr. Howell was married, December 23, 1863, . to Miss Sarah A. Buckingham, the daughter of Daniel and Sarah W. (Brown) Buckingham, res- idents of this county for many years. Their union resulted in the birth of two children, of whom Mary A. is deceased. Daniel married Hettie Boutcher, and they have a daughter, Al- berta H.
In politics our subject is a strong Republican, and on this ticket was elected a member of the School Board of his district, serving one year. He is a man of strong convictions, and as an earnest and public-spirited citizen commands the regard of all his friends and neighbors.
APT. WILLIAM C. BAHR. This free country of America affords numberless in- stances of men who have made their way alone in life, having little else to depend upon but their own strong arms and determination to do and to succeed. Such men are always self- reliant, their necessities having taught them that what is done must be done through themselves alone. They are worthy and well qualified to perform what duties they are called upon to dis- charge, and are almost always leaders of thoughit in their community, and Icad lives of great use- fulness. Such a man is Capt. William C. Balır, whose birth ocenrred in Germany, May 30, 1850. He came with his parents, Christian and Wil-
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helmina (Graber) Bahr, to this country when but three years of age, and as a consequence his affections are not divided between this and the Old Country.
Upon coming to this country, the parents set- tled at Haverstraw, on the Hudson, where they resided for ten months, after which they located in Greenport, Suffolk County, L. I. There they resided for some time, and then moved to East Marion, where the mother died in 1862. The father still survives.
Capt. William C. Bahr was reared in the town of Southold, where he made his home until 1872, and until eighteen years of age worked out on a farm. After that he followed the water, engaged in fishing for four years, and then went to Maine, where he continued his former occupation for eight years. Aside from this, he was engaged in the grocery business and in lobster-fishing until the spring of 1889, when he sold out his business and returned to the town of Southold, settling in East Marion, where he has since been engaged in farming.
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