USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 13
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Mr. Bahr was married at Southport, Me., De- cember 19, 1872, to Miss Lizzie F. Jones, who was born in Southport, on the Ist of December, 1852. Her parents, Franklin and Elizabeth C. (Pierce) Jones, were natives of the Pine Tree State also, the former born at Alna, November 12, 1797, and the latter July 9, 1816. They were married November 29, 1834, and died at Southport, Me., in 1874 and 1882, respectively. The four children born to their marriage were named as follows: Charles, Pierce, Anson C. and Lizzie F.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bahr has been blessed by the birth of three children, as follows: Charles C., born in Southport, Me., January 15, 1874; Gertie E., born April 30, 1878, in the same place; and Hattie J., a native of East Marion, born May 30, 1890.
Mr. Bahr is an active worker in church affairs, and with his wife is an earnest member of the Baptist Church, in which he has long held the po- sition of Church Trustee. In politics he is a Re- publican. Of the five children born to his par- ents, Mr. Bahr was fourth in order of birth. They
were named as follows: Dora L., Henry J., John F. and Minnie. Our subject has been closely connected with all affairs of moment in his coun- ty, and is one of those men who is honored by his fellow-citizens because of his well known in- tegrity of character.
APT. JOHN L. SAVER. Bridgehampton is the home of many a retired seafaring man, and is an ideal spot for the rest period after an eventful life. Within easy reach of the latest sea news and a breath of the fresh salt air, the old salts still feel that they are somewhat in touch with former interests. The gentleman whose name appears above here spent his last days, and when the angel of death kindly touched his spirit, his body was laid among those of old acquaint- ances. Captain Sayer was born in Bridgehamp- ton, April 25, 1834. He was the son of David and Virginia (Luellen) Sayer. He was one of three children born to his parents, Stephen, one daughter and our subject.
Captain Sayer was married, January 19, 1887, to Miss Julia Woodruff. They had one child, who died in infancy. Our subject was born and reared on a farm. At the age of fourteen he be- gan his seafaring life, sailing first as cabin-boy. Step by step he won his way until he was made captain. During that time he served in all the ship's offices. For forty-six years he lived more on the high seas than on land.
Captain Sayer's voyages took him to the In- dian, as well as Arctic, Ocean. Eleven times he sailed around the globe. His interests were al- ways identified with the whaling fleets. On one occasion lie was shipwrecked, but was fortunate- ly rescued. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic order, his connection with that body ex- tending over forty years.
The decease of our subject occurred on the 3d of May, 1894. His remains are interred in Bridgehampton Cemetery. He was a kindly man, and a much-prized friend. Those who knew him best mourned him most.
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HON. WILMOT M. SMITH.
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ON. WILMOT M. SMITH, Justice of the Supreme Court of New York, and formerly Judge of Suffolk County, is a resident of Patchogue. He has a wide acquaintance among the prominent and influential men of Long Island and the state, and in whatever community his lot has been cast his influence is felt only for good. The duties of the various public positions to which at different times he has been called hie has discharged not only with fidelity, but with an efficiency that has brought him distinction and success.
In the village of Hauppauge, town of Islip, this county, the subject of this sketch was born March 21, 1852, being a son of Moses R. and Mary H. (Wood) Smith, natives, respectively, of Islip and Smithtown. His paternal ancestors were among the first settlers of the island, and the town of Smithtown was named in honor of one of the family. With few exceptions, they were farmers by occupation. The maternal grandfather and great-grandfather, both named Theophilus Wood, enlisted as soldiers in the Revolutionary War, going to Orange County from Southampton. This family has been repre- sented by successive generations on the island for the past two hundred years. The parents of the Judge still reside in the town of Smithtown, where they are well known and highly respected.
The first eighteen years of the life of our sub- ject were passed on the old homestead, his prim- ary education being gained in the common schools. He then entered Cornell University at Ithaca, and was graduated from that institution in the Class of '74, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. While there he was editor of the college paper. called the Cornell Era, and during the closing exercises competed for the Woodford Prize in oratory. He was also one of the speakers at commencement, and was graduated with honor.
On returning home from college, Mr. Smith began reading law in the office of J. Lawrence Smith, of Smithtown, ex-County Judge of Suffolk County. May 17, 1877, he was admitted to the Bar, and during the two following years he en- gaged in practice with Judge Smith. In June, 1879, he opened an office at Patchogue, where lie
had a large practice until elected a Justice of the Supreme Court. His law library is one of the finest on the island, and for several years he has been recognized as among the able lawyers of the state. In November, 1884, he was elected Dis- trict Attorney by a majority of fifty-nine votes, although the county, which was strongly Demo- cratic, gave Cleveland five hundred and fifty votes over the Republican candidate. His great popularity was shown on his re-election, when he received a majority of thirteen hundred and thirty-three votes. At the expiration of the term, he was brought before the people as a candidate for County Judge, and in November, 1891, was elected to that office. His opponent at that time was Thomas F. Bisgood, of Sag Harbor, who ran behind him five hundred and fifty votes. His four years' service as County Judge was one re- flecting the highest credit upon his ability and attainments, and he retired from that office to enter upon the duties of his position as a member of the Supreme Court, to which he was elected in November, 1895, being the only Justice elected from Suffolk County in a period of thirty-five years.
During the years of his practice, Judge Smith was connected with many of the most important cases which came up for adjudication in the county. As a lawyer he possesses a strong, analytical mind, readily grasping the salient points in a case, and many of his friends among attorneys have in- formed the writer that he was especially strong. forcible and concise in the presentation of a case before court or jury. All his life a close student and hard worker, hie therefore brings to the judge- ship a mind ripened by years of culture and re- flection, and in the opinion of those well qualified to judge, he is thoroughly equipped to ably fill the high judicial position to which he has been recently elected.
Judge Smith was united in marriage, November 24, 1881, with Miss Lizzic L., daughter of Alfred C. Mott, then of Patchogue, but now a resident of Good Ground. Mrs. Smith is an accomplished musician, and has received training from the best masters in both vocal and instrumental music. She is a devoted member of the Congregational
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Church, which the Judge attends, though not con- nected with this denomination. They are the par- ents of three children, Ethel, Wilmot M. and Elsie, and reside on Ocean Avenue, in the beau- tiful village of Patchogue, bordering on Great South Bay.
ALEM D. GOLDSMITH, who is one of the inost prosperous agriculturists of the town of Southold, has been a resident of this lo- cality all his life, and has contributed much to- ward the general welfare of the community, where he is held in high esteem. He is a native of Long Island, and was born February 4, 1835, on the farm where he now makes his home.
Albert and Mehitable (Horton) Goldsmith, the parents of our subject, are able to trace their ancestry back to the earliest settlement of Long Island, and on the Horton side are of Puritan stock. Albert Goldsmith, who was also born here, was engaged as a farmer during the active years of liis life, and was a worthy and influential citizen, highly respected throughout the county. His marriage with Miss Horton resulted in the birth of nine children, four of whom survive: Daniel H., Hettie, Sophronia and Salem D. Those deceased were Harmony, Albert, Franklin B., Ezra L: and Esther M. During the early days the husband and father was Captain of a military company, and in this capacity was known all over the eastern end of the island. He was an old-line Whig in politics, and was a self-made man, financially and otherwise, as he was thrown upon his own resources when quite young, and the success with which he met in life was due to his own efforts. He departed this life in 1850.
Ezra L. Goldsmith, the second son of Alfred and Mehitable, was the leading farmer of South- old, and did a great deal toward securing im- provements in this section. He held several offices in the town, having been Commissioner of
Highways for a term of three years, also Com- missioner of Excise for the same length of time. He was a Director in the Southold Savings Bank from the time the bank first started until his death. He married Lucy L. Corwin, daughter of Nathaniel Corwin, of Greenport, and left one daughter, Lucy C., who married Waldo Brown, of Orient. His death occurred September 4, 1890, aged seventy-three years.
As soon as he was of sufficient age, Saleni D. was sent to the school in his district, and later became a student in Southold Academy, where he employed every moment of his time in study. He endeavors to keep posted on general topics of the day, and is a very pleasing and interesting conversationalist. He is in favor of everything that will improve and elevate society, and has witnessed many changes in the town of Southold during the years of his existence here, many of which have been brought about through his earnest efforts. As one of the prominent farmers of the community, he has served as Treasurer of the Southold Town Agricultural Society during its existence, and also served as Assessor of the town for three years. At the present time he is Secre- tary and Treasurer of Willow Hill Cemetery As- sociation. In his political affiliation he is identi- fied with the Democratic party. The family num- ber many sincere friends and acquaintances in the community where they make their home, and Mr. Goldsmith's influence is often solicited in the promotion of leading movements which have in view the upbuilding of the town. Religiously he is a Universalist, and is one of the Trustees of his home churchi.
RANKLIN B. REEVE, a representative of one of the old families of Suffolk County, is one of the well-to-do and prominent farm- ers of Northiville, town of Riverhead, where lie has passed his entire life. In all enterprises and leading industries of his community he has been greatly interested, and, as far as he has been able,
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has supported them all by his influence and prac- tical assistance. He was born on the old home farm, June 8, 1858. This property he inherited from his parents, and for a number of years has cultivated it with success. His parents, Francis H. and Phebe A. (Downs) Reeve, had born to them three children, of whom Franklin B. was the eldest. Allen F. is a prosperous young farni- er living in this town, and of him mention is made on another page. Thaddeus died in in- fancy.
Francis H. Reeve was the son of Nathan and Abigail (Wells) Reeve, the former of whom was a son of Hezekiah Reeve. The father was well known to the residents of this town, where the thirty-six years of his life were passed. He was born on a farm, and, when ready to begin the battle of life on his own account, chose farming, in which he was very successful. Although young in years when he departed this life, he left his family well provided for. He was a working member of the Congregational Church, with which he had been connected for several years. In him the Republican party had a warm advocate, and, although never an office-seeker, he took great interest in all public affairs, and gave very ma- terial assistance to various worthy enterprises and movements. His good wife, the mnotlier of our subject, is still living in this town, making her home with Franklin B. She is now about fifty- seven years of age, and attends all the meetings of the Congregational Church, of which she is a member. She is a sister of Christopher W. Downs, a representative farmer of this county, and the reader will find a fuller account of her parents' history in his sketch.
After procuring a good common-school educa- tion, Franklin Reeve began in life for himself. He had been reared to habits of industry and economy, and before very long had saved enough money to purchase the home farm, on which he lias always resided. The property is eighty acres in extent, well cultivated in every particular, as its owner is a man who keeps posted regarding the best methods of farming, and is ever ready to adopt new measures.
The lady to whom Mr. Reeve was married,
December 6, 1882, was Miss Lucy K. Wells. daughter of Elisha and Maria ( Hudson ) Wells, prominent residents of this neigborhood. The Wells family, like that from which our subject is descended, is a representative one on the island. and was established here in its early history. Elisha Wells was born in the town of Riverhead. and, with the exception of three years spent in the Union army, passed his entire life within its bounds, his death occurring when he was in his sixty-fifth year. He was an influential member and liberal supporter of the Congregational Church, with which his wife is also connected. and the services of which she attends whenever her health will permit. The latter, who is now ' sixty-five years old, was also born in this town. To our subject and his wife there have been born two children, Annie May and Francis W. Mr. Reeve is a loyal Republican in politics.
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OWNSEND WRIGHT, formerly the pro- prietor of Wright's Hotel, at Amityville. was born at East Rockaway, Queens Coun- ty, September 6, 1834, and is a son of James S. and Catherine (Darlon) Wright, both of whom were also natives of that county. James Wright. who lived at East Rockaway for about forty years, was a large vessel-owner, and was the well known proprietor of a boarding establishment. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Thomas Wright, was a native of Kings County, while his father came from Eng'and when eleven years of age. He was the only son of a wealthy mer- chant, but after coming to America he never re- turned to his native land, and thus all trace of his family and their possessions was lost.
Townsend Wright lived in East Rockaway un- til twenty-five years of age. He received a good common-school education, and at the age of four- teen went on board a coasting vessel in the capac- ity of cook. The vessel plied between New York and the coast towns as far south as Virginia, and as far north as Albany. Later he became second
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mate of the vessel, serving in that capacity for two years; the following two years held the office of first mate, and afterward was captain of the vessel for ten years. During all this time he had been economical and provident, investing his earnings to the best advantage, and owned seven- eigliths of the vessel on which he was captain. It speaks well for his ability and popularity that he was honored with the title and power of cap- tain at the early age of nineteen years.
December 25, 1854, our subject was married to Miss Eliza A. Carman, of Greenwich Point, town of Hempstead, Queens County. Mrs. Wright was a native of the town in which she was mar- ried, and was a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Valentine) Carman. Captain Wright made his home at East Rockaway while commanding his vessel. He has suffered some reverses incident to a seafaring life. The first time he was wrecked was on the south side of the Long Island eoast, at which time he lost his vessel and cargo by get- ting onto a sand bar, but by taking to the boats he and his crew saved their lives. His second wreck occurred on the vessel of which he was part owner. It was loaded with a cargo of lime, bound for Virginia, and during a severe storm was driven into the sandy shoals, where he tried to make harbor, but was driven ashore. The owners lost the vessel's cargo, but, by digging a trench, managed to float the vessel, and went on to Cherrystone, Va., where they loaded it with oysters and started for New York. On this trip they also encountered a severe gale, driving them to the shelter of the harbor. The stormn contin- ued until the cargo became worthless, but the ves- sel was saved. The losses proved so great that the Captain sold his vessel, and found that the bal- ance was against him. He then left the sea, and opened up a hotel at what is now known as Val- ley Stream, but was then called Kent. After re- maining there for a year, he went to Little Neek, where he was the proprietor of a hotel for two years, and then for five years was located at Huntington.
Mr. Wright had charge of a hotel at Rockville for one year, after which he went to Freeport, where he gave up the hotel business and took
contraets for painting, being thus engaged at Woodsburg for one year. Thenee he went to Huntington Station, and April 1, 1873, came to Amityville and opened Wright's Hotel, which he successfully conducted until November, 1895. It is worthy of note that during the thirty-three years that Mr. Wright conducted the hotel busi- ness, he never on any one occasion drank a glass of beer, ale or porter in his own house.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of three children. Leander makes his home with his father; Sidney T., who is the proprietor of a hotel and livery stable at Farmingdale, has three children; Estella also lives with her parents. Our subject has been a life-long Democrat, having east his first Presidential ballot for Buchanan in 1856. While living at Huntington he was elected Com- missioner of Highways, and has also served as a delegate to various conventions. He has served as Commander of the American Knights of Pro- tection, belonging to Amity Lodge No. I.
E. RAYNOR. Justice, tempered with mercy, is the strong pillar of the law, and to be suc-
cessful as an attorney it is necessary that a man interpret the statutes of tlie Government aright, and that he be able to impart his views of them in a clear, concise and forcible manner to others. Such a man is L. E. Raynor, who, though young in years, has become well known as a successful legal practitioner. He is located for the practice of his profession at Greenport, but was born at Good Ground, L. I., December 11, 1872, although the home of his parents was in Greenport at that time. The father, Clark H. Raynor, was also a native of Suffolk County, and for many years was extensively engaged in the grocery business in Greenport. His wife was formerly Harriet C. Carter, of this county, and this worthy couple are still making their home in the village of Greenport, where they are very comfortably situated. To their union three chil- dren were given, those besides our subjeet being Nettie, who is at home with her parents; and
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Albertus D., who is twenty-seven years of age, and is with Lozier & Co., leading merchants of Brooklyn. He was united in marriage with Miss Alice Ackerly, of Port Jefferson, who was a teacher in the Brooklyn schools at the time of their mar- riage.
L. E. Raynor, the subject of this biography, was graduated from the Greenport High School in 1890, and in the fall of the same year entered the law department of Columbia College: but after one year spent in that institution became a student in the New York Law School, from which he was graduated with honors on the 7th of June, 1893, with the degree of LL. B. December 14, 1893, he was admitted to the New York Bar, and for one year and a half practiced in the courts of New York and Brooklyn, with the firm of Friend & House, besides others of high stand- ing, and received a high compliment in a letter of endorsement from Dwight S. Mason, of New York City, in the spring of 1895. He came to his former home about this time, opened an of- fice, and is attracting attention as a careful and reliable young attorney, and one who is bound to make a success of his profession. He is a thor- ough student, and without doubt will make his mark in the legal world. Politically he is a Re- publican.
ALLET T. CLOCK resides in Queens Coun- ty, on Clock Boulevard. near Amityville, but his interests are chiefly in Suffolk Coun- ty. He was born at Bay Shore. March 12, 1831, and is a son of Nathaniel and Lucretia (Thurber) Clock. His boyhood days were spent on the home farm, and he received a good common- school education, remaining with his father until he was about twenty-one years of age. On reaching his majority, he was with S. R. Clock in a store for one year, and then for a number of years was interested in the meat business in Bay Shore, being quite successful in this venture.
Mr. Clock was first married, at the age of twen- ty-three, to Miss Emma J. Ireland, of Hunting- ton. There were three children born of that marriage. Edgar S. is married and is clerking in Clock Brothers' store at Islip. Eugene H. died at the age of nine years. Emma J., who married John J. Edwards, died at the age of twenty-one. Mrs. Emma Clock died in April, 1865. December 12, 1865, our subject married Miss Ellen B. White, of the town of Hempstead. She was a native of Utica, and a daughter of Estey R. and Ann C. (Mollineaux) White. Three children were born of this marriage. The eldest, Gertie D., died at the age of fourteen. W. Har- rison died at the age of twenty-one; while the . only survivor is Nellie W.
Mr. Clock was associated with George Hub- bard in the building of a one-hundred-ton schooner, named the "Mary Ellen." With this they carried on a successful business for a few years between Virginia, the West Indies and New York, their cargo being chiefly oysters, and fruit in the summer. Mr. Clock next served as Tax Collector for the town of Islip for a number of years, having been elected by the Republican party, and he it was who made the first collec- tion from the Long Island Railroad, having to levy on the rolling stock. He was then ap- pointed Inspector of Customs at New York. re- ceiving his appointment from Thomas Murphy, Collector of the port. After a service of fifteen years in this capacity, he resigned. during Cleve- land's first administration. In 1883 our subject went into partnership with his brother, Nathaniel O. Clock, at Islip, buying out a younger brother. His home was located on Bay Shore until 1883, when it was removed to Islip. While living in the former place our subject purchased the estate of Truslow & Wall, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, and after improving the tract he sold it off in iots, realizing a good sum on his first investment. In 1889 he purchased four hundred acres of land where he now lives. Here he has made many valuable improvements, and intends making it an ideal place of residence.
Mr. and Mrs. Clock are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former
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was a leader of the choir at Bay Shore from the age of eighteen, extending over a period of twen- ty years, and he is now the leader of the music in the Sabbath-school and church at Amityville. Mr. Clock organized the Suffolk County Council of the Royal Arcanum at Bay Shore, of which he was Regent for four years, and during his in- cumbency was presented with a medal. He is a charter member of the Home Circle Lodge at Islip, of which he was Regent for two years, and is also a member of the American Legion of Honor at Green Point, Brooklyn.
AMES H. BENJAMIN. The family to which our subject belongs is a prominent one on Long Island. Its members have generally followed farming, and the estate on which James H. was born, and upon which he is now residing, has been in the family for over one hundred and fifty years. It is located in Northville, town of Riverhead, and is about one hundred acres in extent. This he keeps under advanced cultivation, and during the years which he has occupied it has been in receipt of a good income, as it is one of the most fertile tracts in Suffolk County.
Our subiect was born, April 4, 1823, to Will- iam and Amelia (Hallock) Benjamin. The fa- ther, who was likewise born on this tract, spent his entire life here, with the exception of the time passed on the field of battle, when fighting in the War of 1812. His father, who bore the name of Richard Benjamin, was a Revolutionary soldier. The family is of German descent, but the first of whom we have any record is William Benjamin, Sr., the great-grandfather of our subject, who was born in Cutchogue in the year 1748. He lived to be seventy-eight years of age, and his son Richard reached the age of tlirecscore years and ten. Mrs. Amelia Benjamin, who was likewise born in the town of Riverliead, survived hier hus- band many years, and was in her ciglity-seventh year at the time of hier decease.
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