USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 19
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The mother of our subject was born February II, 1816, and was also a native of this town. She, too, was reared in the faith of the Congre- gational Church, and was true to its teachings through life. Her ancestors were likewise among the first families of Long Island.
Henry L. was given a good education in the academy at Northville, and remained at home until the death of his parents, when he inherited a portion of the farm. It is ninety acres in ex- tent and is located in the garden spot of Long Island. On his place Mr. Hallock has placed all the modern improvements in the way of build- ings and machinery, and has the satisfaction of knowing that his property is among the most valuable in the county. Although he does not neglect general farming, he makes a specialty of raising a fine grade of potatoes, for which this section seems peculiarly adapted.
Mr. Hallock was married, January 1, 1868, to Miss Enuna Robinson, who is also a native of the town of Riverhead. Her father was Joshua Robinson, a progressive and intelligent farmer of this locality. To our subject and his wife there have been born two children: Grace, now the wife of Halsey Corwin, a resident of Aquebogue; and Henry A., still under the parental roof.
Mr. Hallock belongs to the Democratic party, with which he has been associated for many
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years, and is a great admirer of Grover Cleve- land. He has often been petitioned by his fellow- citizens to accept positions of honor and trust, but as often has refused to do so, preferring to let those cater to the wants of the public who desire to do so. He is an exemplary member of the Congregational Church, with which his wife and family are also connected. The family occupies a beautiful home, modern in all its improvements and furnished in a manner which indicates them to be people of means and refinement. Henry L. Hallock is known throughout the locality as a successful agriculturist, and in all the affairs of life he has borne himself in an upright manner, and is therefore regarded as a man of true worth.
OHN T. DOWNS is one of the practical farin- ers of the town of Riverhead, and the pro- prietor of a good estate, which he keeps under advanced cultivation. His entire life has been passed on this place, where his birth occurred September 25, 1849. He was the youngest of two sons born to James Y. and Joanna (Tuthill) Downs, his brother, Albert T., also being a prom- inent farmer of this town.
The father of our subject was born April 20, 1813, on the place where his son now lives, and here passed his entire life. He was moderately successful in conducting the farm, and at the time of his decease, which occurred April 8, 1894, when eighty-one years of age, he left his family well provided for. He was a well pre- served old gentleman and very active up to the day of his death. After the formation of the Re- publican party, he joined its ranks and served on tliat ticket as Assessor of his town for a period of twelve years. He was a prominent member and official of the Congregational Church, with which he had been connected for many years. For fif- teen years he had been Clerk of the church, and was especially interested in the work of the Sun- day-school, serving as the beloved Superintend- ent for two or three years. During the long years of his residence in this community he won the
approbation of his friends and neighbors for his industrious and worthy course in life.
Mrs. Joanna Downs was also born in this town. November 9, 1809, and her death occurred April 25, 1872, when in her sixty-fourth year. She, too, was a working member of the Congregational Church, of which she was one of its first mem- bers, and was beloved by all who knew her. Her son, our subject, always lived at home, and on the death of his father inherited the home place. He was well educated, and, having passed all his life on the farin, was thoroughly qualified for its successful management.
John T. Downs and Miss Rachael H., daughter of Elisha Wells, were united in marriage, Sep- tember 3, 1872. Mrs. Downs was born in this town, and by her union with our subject has be- come the mother of five children, namely: Elsie A., Alice E., Rowena F., Inez M. and Hattie G., all at home with their parents. Mr. Downs. to- gether with his wife and daughters, is a member of the Congregational Church, in which he has served as Treasurer. He is a stanch Republican in politics and is greatly interested in the success of his party. The life record of Mr. Downs is a good one and such as to commend him to the re- spect and esteem of the entire community.
ZIMMERMAN WILD, M. D., C. M. The inscription on old Grecian temples, "Know thyself," is written in the hearts of men of this generation who devote their lives to the healing of the sick and the prevention of disease. So earnestly, so persistently, and so scientifically have they imparted their knowledge each to the other, that it now really seems as though the power of life and death were in the hands of the live and progressive physicians of to-day. Their operations in surgery, their discovery of inocula- tion for the prevention of certain maladies, and their general success in practice, combine to give the profession the distinction of "greatest among the great." In the number who have labored earnestly and patiently for this knowledge is Dr.
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J. Zimmerman Wild, of Bay Shore, L. I., whose life is a record of steady seeking after that which would give him power over the enemy of the phys- ical man.
Dr. Wild was born in Ontario, Canada, June 28, 1860, to the marriage of Rev. J. Wild, D. D., and Mary Hixson, the former a native of Eng- land, and the latter of Canada. When but a lad the fatlier came to the United States, and liere re- ceived excellent educational advantages. For many years he was one of the most popular preachers of the Congregational Church at Brook- lyn, N. Y., but is now preaching in Toronto, Canada, where he has made his home for some time. He is well known as a profound and able advocate of Christianity. Our subject was one of three children born to his parents. He was reared in Toronto, Canada, and there secured an excellent education, taking a full classical course at Albert University and receiving the degree of B. A.
The study of medicine early attracted his no- tice, and he entered Toronto Medical College, where he graduated with honors in medicine and surgery, receiving the degrees of M. D. and C. M. He is thoroughly familiar with all kinds of opera- tions, and as a surgeon has few superiors in the United States. In the year 1883 he began prac- ticing in Brooklyn, but three years later moved to Smithtown Branch, L. I., where he was actively engaged in his practice for eight years. He was obliged to do toomuch riding, however, his practice extending over a wide scope of territory, and he decided to locate in a larger place. Consequently he came to Bay Shore, this county, in 1893, and the first year made $2,000, and the second year $3,000, in his profession, his patronage rapidly increasing as he became better known. For years now he lias been absorbed day and night in the duties and anxieties of his profession, which is perhaps the most trying on brain and body of any in the field of science.
The Doctor was married to Miss Levan Mer- ritt, a native of Waterford, Ontario, and they have two bright children: Joseph Reginald, aged nine; and Alice Madeline, aged seven. Socially Doctor Wild is a member of Suffolk County Med-
ical Society and the Royal Arcamm. He is a splendid man physically, six feet tall at least, weighs two hundred and ten pounds, straight and well built, and very fine looking. He is a close and faithful student in his profession, keeps thor- oughly in touch with the progress made in it, and is a most excellent medical practitioner. Pleas- ant, scholarly and courteous, he has many ad- mirers.
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LLEN F. REEVE. Among the young men who are cultivating a portion of the soil of Suffolk County with gratifying suc- cess, should be mentioned this gentleman, who is a prominent agriculturist of Northville, town of Riverhead. This is a very beautiful farming country, and the ninety acres of land which Mr. Reeve cultivates is some of the best in the local- ity. He was born August 17, 1862, and is the second in a family of three children granted his parents, Francis H. and Phebe A. (Downs) Reeve.
The brothers of our subject were: Franklin B., a prominent farmer of this town; and Thaddeus, who died in infancy. The father of this family was also born in thiscommunity, and spent his entire life as a farmer. He was active in all the affairs of his town, and took a leading part in whatever movement was set on foot for its better- ment. At the time of his demise he was only thirty-six years of age, and in him the county lost one of its best citizens. He voted with the Republican party, and in religious matters was a devoted and working member of the Congrega- tional Church. The wife and mother, also a na- tive of the town of Riverhead, is still living on the home farm, and is in the fifty-seventh year of her age.' She, too, is connected with the Congre- gational Church. Her parents were Daniel Y. and Phebe ( Wells ) Downs, of whom further men- tion is made in the biography of Christopher W. Downs, a brother of Mrs. Reeve.
The subject of this sketch passed the first nine- teen years of his life in attending school and aid- ing in the cultivation of the farm. His parents
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then gave him the land on which he now resides and which he cultivates with success, giving his time to general farm pursuits.
November 23, 1880, Mr. Reeve was married to Miss Lillian B. Benjamin, who was born in New London, Conn. She is a well educated lady, and by her union with Mr. Reeve became the mother of seven children, namely: Leroy P .; Ethel, who died in infancy: Tracy; two who died unnamed; Gladys F. and Mildred. In his political relations our subject is a true-blue Re- publican and never loses an opportunity to sup- port its candidates. He has made many warm friends among the residents of his community and is highly regarded wherever known.
2 DWARD PAYSON WELLS. Among the young men who are cultivating the soil of Suffolk County with gratifying success should be mentioned Mr. Wells, who is a prominent agri- culturist in Northville, in the town of Riverhead. He was born January 9, 1868, the youngest mem- ber of the family of nine children born to his par- ents, J. Minor and Betsy (Young) Wells. (For a complete history of the Wells family, the reader is referred to the sketch of John Horace Wells, on another page.)
The education of Edward P. Wells was carried on in the schools near his home, which he attend- ed quite regularly until his services were needed in the work about the farm. He remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority, when he was given his portion of the property and commenced in life for himself. His share, which amounted to some fifty acres, is very valuable, and is peculiarly adapted to the raising of pota- toes, of which he makes a specialty.
Mr. Wells married, May 1, 1892, Miss Anna H. Terry, a native of this town, and the daughter of Columbus F. Terry, a prominent resident of this community. The Terry family is a very large and respected one on the island, and many of its members are represented in this volume. Mr. Wells and his wife are members of the Congrega-
tional Church, and in politics the former is a stanch Republican. Our subject has always fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, in which he has been very successful, and liis record thus far in life has been such as to commend him to the respect and esteem of all who know him.
OHN S. KRUEGER, manufacturer of arti- ficial flowers at Lindenhurst, was born in Ba- varia, December 25, 1857, and is a son of Albert Otto and Charlotte A. (Straub) Krueger. He had reached the age of ten when his parents brought him to this country, so he has many vivid memories of the life beyond the great ocean. His father, who was born April 13, 1830, was a manufacturer of artificial flowers in Germany, but later learned the art of photography, and in this line he was employed by William Kurtz and Napoleon Sarony, leading photographers. His wide experience and thoroughmess enabled him without difficulty to find employment among the best artists of New York, and there he remained until 1872. In that city the boy John was a student in the public schools, having studied Eng- lish somewhat before leaving Bavaria.
When the family came to Breslau (now Linden- hurst) our subject was taken into a picture-frame factory, and put to work at that industry. Two years later, believing he could do better at flower- making, he started it with the assistance of his motlier, his father being still at work in New York. They had original ideas and an artistic execution, and the business thus modestly inaugurated has grown until it furnishes employment to more than twenty-five hands. They make many kinds of flowers, but their pride is in their pansies and daisies, which are so natural and life-like that "they almost speak." The family has made extensive investments in real estate, and now owns more than thirty acres in this vicinity.
Mr. Krueger was united in marriage, Septem- ber 21, 1881, with Miss Elizabeth Ritzheimer, of Brooklyn, where she was born. She is now the mother of six children, of whom the eldest is
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JAMES H. DOXSEE.
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Pauline. Politically our subject is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Garfield, but takes 110 interest in party schemes. In 1893 he was made Highway Commissioner. He is a member of the School Board, and lias served ten years in succes- sion as Secretary of the Hook and Ladder Com- pany, of which he was foreman for one year. This company has won several valuable prizes in competition, and all its members are justly proud of its record.
AMES H. DOXSEE. This name is identi- fied with the village of Islip, thousands knowing of the existence of this place only by the fact that from it is sent forth that unique but valuable article known as Doxsee's Pure Little- Neck Clam Juice. This is a business that has been built up from the most modest beginnings, until now Doxsee's Clam Juice, Little-Neck Clams and Chowder are handled by nearly all wholesale and retail grocers in the United States. These in- valuable preparations are highly commended by medical men, both for the purity of their manu- facture and their wholesome character as a food. Some of the most prominent physicians of Long Island have not hesitated to affix their names to unqualified endorsements of these articles, which are used in their family practice.
The father of our subject, Archelaus Doxsee, was a farmier, and was born on Long Island Au- gust 31, 1778. Coming to Islip while still a boy, he here spent his entire life. He was an ex- tensive land-owner, and bought the farm where our subject now lives in 1834. He was twice married, Plicbe Ruland becoming his first wife. She died in the year 1814, leaving five children. whose names were Moses, Henry, Mary, Char- lotte and Plicbe. His second wife, whose maiden name was Saralı Smith, lived to be nearly eiglity- two years old, and by a previous marriage was the mother of one child, Whitman, who is now dead. By her marriage with Mr. Doxsee she had four children, of whom our subject and his sister, Mrs.
Elsey C. Cook, of Brooklyn, are the only ones now living, Phoebe and Scudder having died many years ago.
James H. Doxsee, who was born July 31, 1825, was brought up on the old farm, and while still young was made familiar with the work that characterizes the life of a farmer. He attended the district school of the village, and as he had a good opportunity for gaining an education, and as he was of an earnest and determined charac- ter, he made rapid progress, and thus worked out for himself a very good intellectual training. Very fond of his home and its surroundings, it was seldom that he was away from the old place, so that his parents came to rely upon his steadi- ness and stability of character. When his father died he took charge of the farm in conjunction with his mother, and upon hier death became sole owner of one of the best farms on Long Island. At that time it consisted of about four hundred and fifty acres, to which he lias added contiguous property from time to time, and has also disposed of certain tracts, until now it is about the size it was originally.
Mr. Doxsee saw a business in clams even be- fore the Civil War had closed, and in 1865 he opened out very modestly in this direction, being the first person to engage in the business of pack- ing clams on the island. He has built up a great trade from a small beginning, and his products are now familiar all over the land. He keeps up the quality of liis goods and conducts the business with judgment and success. Mr. Doxsee lias been twice married, his first wife being Almira Smithi. of Islip, who was the mother of four children. and died in 1865. Henry, the eldest son, who is associated with his father in the clam business. was married, in 1873, to Carrie Peters, of Pongli- keepsie, and is the father of five children. Charles O., James H., William H., Mabel and Helen. Milton and all the other children of the first union died in infancy. His second wife was Almira Smith Jennings, daugliter of Henry S. Jennings. whose sketchi appears elsewhere in this work. Her early life was passed in Brooklyn, and in Plainfield, Ill., and she became the mother of nine children, of whom Jolin C., Robert Lennox.
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Frank Cooper, Saralı Elsie and Elmira Bell are now living; James H., Frederick Allen, Grace Eliza and Anna Jennings having died.
Our subject has been actively associated with the Democratic party. Both he and his wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been Trustee, Treasurer and Elder, and is commonly regarded as the mainstay of the church. The factory over which our sub- ject presides now has a capacity of four hundred bushels of clams a day, and he pays the highest market price for all that he can get. His busi- ness has grown to large proportions, and is con- tinually enlarging.
Mr. Doxsee is one of the solid men of the coun- ty, and lives in a beautiful home, surrounded by elegant grounds, in which are artificial lakes and fine shrubbery. He lias fitted up a water power that operates from a turbine wheel all sorts of machinery in the house and in the barn. A ram elevates water to a tank in the attic of the house, from which it is distributed wherever it is necded. Here the genial subject of this article lives, com- manding the respect and confidence of his fellow- men, as one whose long and useful life has done much to help on the world.
UGENE VELSOR, the well-known dealer in general merchandise at Amityville, was born in Old Westbury, Qucens County, L. I., January 7, 1863, and is a son of Cornelius and Sarah (Mott) Velsor. His father, who began his career as a clerk at Hempstead, was similarly employed later at Old Westbury, where lived the lady whom he married. Driving a wagon for his employer, he saved his earnings until he liad enough to start a wagon of his own. This hie drove over the same route that he had formerly driven for his employer, and as he had the good- will and confidence of liis old customers, he was prospered.
After a few years Cornelius Velsor changed his location from Old Westbury to Port Washington, where he secured a store and filled it with a good
general stock. He also handled coal and built large docks to facilitate his business in that di- rection. As his trade increased, he established yards for both wood and coal, and was very suc- cessful. He liad gone to Port Washington in 1864, and continued there until 1875. He remained out of business for three years, and then came to Amityville and bought the stock of Jolin H. Wort- man, a general merchandise establishment at the same stand where our subject is now in business. He retired from active business life in 1884, and lived in the enjoyment of his ample means until his death, which occurred April 13, 1892. The motlier is still living in Amityville.
Eugene Velsor received a good education in the public schools at Port Washington. He be- gan his business career by clerking in his father's store after the family had moved to Amityville. Prior to this he had determined to follow his pres- ent occupation, and was educated with that object in view. At the time of his father's retirement from his business interests, he assumed charge, and has carried the business on since, extending all lines both in size and success.
The property on which the store stood be- longed originally to Stephen R. Williams. This our subject purchased in 1889. November 18, 1893, he was burned out, saving only a small amount of his stock. Undismayed by this dis- couraging calamity, he prepared to rebuild, and in 1893 he began his present commodious and extensive plant, opening up for active operation August 4, 1894. His new store has all the modern improvements, including electric light, water- power all over the building, and the interior gen- erally is fitted up in the modern style of a city emporium.
Mr. Velsor was married, June 1, 1887, to Miss Susie Ketcham, of Farmingdale, who died Feb- ruary 22, 1888. He was again married, liis sec- ond wife being Miss Louise Bowers, of Farming- dale. Their wedding was solenmized March 20, 1890, and two children have come to brighten their lives and home. They are: Ethel, who was born in Amityville, December 27, 1890; and Maude, who was born in the same place, Feb- ruary 28, 1893. Our subject by association and
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conviction is a Republican. In 1892 he was elected Town Clerk, and is now serving his third term. He is also serving a third term on the County Committee, and has been appointed dele- gate to various conventions. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
- RINGTON HATHAWAY CARMAN, an attorney in Patchogue, is in the zenith of his mental power, and is reaping the result of a constant devotion to his profession in a suc- cess that would be flattering to a lesser man. He was born where he now lives, August 3, 1851, and is tlie elder of the two children born to his parents. His sister, Isabel, is now Mrs. de Garis.
Our subject attended school up to the age of thirteen, studying under the wife of Judge Miller, at Riverhead, and for four years studied under a private tutor in Berkshire County, Mass. His fatlier was owner of several vessels, and when our subject was but twenty-one he went to sea, and for the following seven years traveled exten- sively as a sailor. During that period he visited Greece, Gibraltar, Marseilles and other Mediter- ranean ports, and also touched at Rio Janeiro and the West Indies. He made several voyages dur- ing the time, coming in contact with many strange people, and learning much of their manners and mode of living. At the end of the seven years he returned to New York much richer in experience. In 1881 he entered the office of Judge Wilmot M. Smith, and was admitted to the Bar in 1884. The following spring he was elected Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected for four years. How- ever, he resigned the office in the third year, as it interfered with his law practice.
Mr. Carman assisted in the incorporation of the village of Patchogue, which took place in 1893. Since that time he lias served as Clerk of the vil- lage and as Counsel to the corporation. At the present time ( 1895) lie is serving his second year as a member of the Board of Education. He is also a Director of the Patchogue Bank, succeed- ing his father, and is a Director of the Lyceum
Company, also of the Electric Light Company of the village. Our subject is a Republican in his party affiliations, taking an active part in both local and national politics.
Mr. Carman was married, August 3, 1886, to Miss Nettie McKay, of Oswego, N. Y. She is a graduate of the state normal of Oswego, and was, prior to their marriage, a teacher in the public schools of Patchogue. She became the mother of three daughters. Catherine, born May 25, 1888; Gertrude, January 19, 1892; and Dorothy, on the 16th of December, 1893. Mrs. Carman is distinguished for her refined and higlily cul- tured taste in matters of art and literature, and is a fine elocutionist. She is much interested in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union work, and is a power in all social interests connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she and her husband are members. They have a good library, in which such authors as Spencer, Mills and Agassiz are represented. Both have taken an active part in the organization of the Current Topic and Literary Association, and several papers which each has prepared have caused much favorable comment for their thought- fulness and thorough study.
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