USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 24
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The subject of this sketch was given an oppor- tunity for gaining such an education as could be acquired in the district schools, and became well informed. He was early set to work on the farmi, and when ready to embark in life for him-
self determined to follow this industry. He was enterprising and ambitious, and made the best of. his early years, and is now living in a very com- fortable home and enjoying the accumulation of previous years.
Samuel S. Stanbrough and Miss Beulah Ray- nor were united in marriage in 1843. This lady survived her union about nineteen years, depart- ing this life in 1862. She became the mother of three children, only one of whom survives, Edith, now the wife of John J. Ridgeway, a resident of Brooklyn. In 1863 our subject was again mar- ried, the lady on this occasion being Annie Top- ping. They are both influential and worthy mien- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and in that con- nection are highly regarded. In his political be- lief Mr. Stanbrough is a Democrat, but could never be prevailed upon to hold office, although it has often been the wish of his friends to place him in nomination. He is one of the most intel- ligent self-made men of Suffolk County, and in every walk of life has conducted himself in an upright and honorable manner.
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REDERICK TORNS. Among the number of those who were born under the hard condi- tions of the Old Country, but who had the courage to strike out for the broader life and freer fortunes of this continent, the gentleman whose name introduces this article deserves an lionored place. Mr. Torus, who is the pro- prietor of a meat-market at Lindenhurst, and lias made a success of his business enterprises, was born in Hanover, Germany, February 11, 1841, being the eldest of the seven children of Louis and Dora (Fischer) Torns. The father was a stock-dealer, and the boyhood life of our subject was spent on a farm, where he remained until he was fourteen, being kept closely at school until that time, after the rigorous custom of the Fatherland. When he had reached that age, he struck out for himself, and having had much to do with the butcher business he found employ- ment for two years in that line. It then came to
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him that he needed to know more than he did, and as he had to pay his own way, he worked par of the time and attended school a part of the week, devoting his evenings to study, and in this way became well educated.
When his father was killed by a stroke of lightning, our subject took charge of affairs, sct- tled up the business, and handed all the money over to his mother for the support of the younger children. When this was done, he started for America, arriving on these shores New Year's Day of 1862, and very soon obtained a place in a Brooklyn butcher-shop. Not liking that place, he soon found work with another butcher, Mar- tin Artscheid, who took so much interest in this stranger from a foreign shore that he taught hin to bothi read and write the English language, a not very difficult task for so close a student and earnest man as our subject.
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We next hear of Mr. Torns in charge of a busi- ness establishment belonging to an uncle, who went across the ocean to get married and was gone twenty-two months. He looked after the grocery and liquor stores, as well as the meat- shop. After the return of his uncle he was em- ployed in the establishment at the corner of Clark and Dominick Streets, superintending the entire business for some two years. This work was then changed for an engagement at the cor- ner of Lewis and Third Streets. He was mar- ried, May 26, 1867, to Miss Johanna Meichner, a native of Elza, Hanover, Germany. She crossed the ocean in company with her parents on the same boat in which our subject had taken pass- age. It was on this voyage that he became ac- quainted with her, and he determined that she should be his wife as soon as he could get ahead in the world enough to feel justified in marrying.
After his marriage Mr. Torns drove a wagon for Allen Haigh & Co., of New York, for three years, and when the town of Breslau was laid out he came to it and bought a lot in 1870, 011 the advice of his physician, who said that he should get his wife out of the city on account of her poor liealth. There were no buildings in Breslau at the time, but the Land Improvement Company had a vast amount of building material
there and they needed a watchman. Our subject secured this position, and very soon had his famn- ily located there. In order to have authority to make arrests, he was appointed Deputy-Sheriff, and served till a change of parties made a brief interruption of his term. Two years later lie was again appointed to this position, and con- tinued to act for some twelve years, when his business engagements becoming numerous and pressing, he felt that he must refuse any work in the Sheriff's service. He was Tax Collector two years, and Constable at one time.
In 1872 Mr. Torns opened up the business of nieats and connected lines, in which he is now engaged, and which has rewarded him very sat- isfactorily for his close attention. In 1864 he voted for Lincoln, and may be depended upon to support the Republican party. He is now serv- ing the third term as Excise Commissioner, and has been for nine years a member of the School Board. In 1875 he started the first fire company, served as foreman of the engine company for nine years, was then elected Chief for five successive years, and after he had refused a sixth term, and was out one year, was prevailed upon to serve two years more. While he was at its head the company took its first prize, and it was always successful in gaining prizes during his connec- tion with the department, a fact which showed the great efficiency of his adminstration. We give the list of these various prizes: A silk flag, silver water pitcher and goblet, lamp, bronze bust, portieres, $25 in gold, and two lengths of hose, with nickel-plated trimmings. The hook and ladder company connected with this organi- zation has made a remarkable record the last two years. In 1894 it took nine prizes out of eighteen, and the next year won five. In 1893 he was elected Supreme Commander of the Amer- can Knights of Protection, which position he now holds. He is Past Chancellor of the William Tell Lodge, K. of P., and Past Grand of the Breslau Lodge, I. O. O. F., also President of the Society of St. John.
Mr. Torns is the father of seven children. Frederick is a musician, and is the leader of the Breslau Band, all the members of which, with
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the exception of three, were trained by him. He has had little opportunity to study music, but his natural gift is very great. He was married, May 26, 189. , to Miss Emily Vost, the marriage being on the silver wedding day of his father. They have one child, Louise Johanna. Johanna. our subject's second daughter, married William Becht, and lives in Breslau. Augusta married Otto Gaercken, and lives in New York. Henry is at home. Caroline is employed in a button factory. George and William are still at home. Mr. Torns and family are members of the Lu- theran Church.
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AMUEL P. HILDRETH, attorney-at-law at Amityville, was born at Bridgehampton, and enjoys the unique distinction of being the first of the Hildreths in a direct line for more than two hundred and fifty years who has lived out- side the town of Southampton, which was founded by his remote ancestors. He was born February 15, 1867, and is a son of George A. and Caroline (Pierson) Hildreth. His father was a farmer. and he was reared on the farm until he was nine- teen years of age, meantime being given such opportunity for schooling as the neighborhood afforded. When he was thirteen years of age, he was sent to the Bridgehampton Literary and Commercial Institute, going to school in the win- ter and working on the farm during the busy season. For one summer during these years he was employed as freiglit agent in the depot.
When Mr. Hildreth was nineteen years of age he began to teach in East Hampton. Having selected the law as his life work at a very early period in liis boyhood, lie resolved to fit himself for tliis profession by taking a thorough literary course, and accordingly entered college at Mid- dletown, Conn., his uncle, Charles Pierson, hav- ing confidence enough in him to extend a helping hand. He acquitted himself creditably in this in- stitution, and was graduated in 1891 with the degree of Ph. B. In the law office of T. M. Grif-
fing, at Riverhead, he read law for fourteen montlis, and then attended a law school in New York, reading at the same time in the law office of C. H. & J. A. Young. He was admitted to the Bar February 16, 1893, and the same year opened an office at Amityville, where he has al- ready won a very fair practice.
Mr. Hildreth was reared a Democrat, and cast his first vote for President in 1888. In 1893 he received the Democratic nomination for State As- semblyman, not expecting to be elected, but sim- ply desiring to do his duty as a citizen. The next year he was chosen Clerk of the village of Amityville, and the following year was elected President of the village. He is a Director of and attorney for the Amityville Co-operative Build- ing, Loan and Savings Association. He may well be encouraged by the interest and confidence which the people have in him. In social affairs he is influential and takes pleasure in the intima- cies that grow out of fraternal associations. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum, being a charter member of the local council of that order. Of this man, lawyer and citizen, we may say the future is all before him, and the world will hear much of Mr. Hil- dreth. November 20, 1895, he was united in marriage with Lizzie A. Baylis, the daughter of Jarvis C. and Lizzie (Blankley) Baylis, natives, respectively, of Long Island and England, but long residents of the village of Amityville.
SCAR SILLECK. This popular resident of Suffolk County is now living retired in the town of Southold. He is a jovial, pleasant gentleman, whom it is a pleasure to know, and has many warm personal friends, not only in the county, but throughout the island. He has always been greatly interested in the welfare of his community, and by energy, tact and good judgment has greatly promoted the material welfare of Southold.
Our subject was born in New York City, Sep-
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tember 10, 1840, and is the son of Henry G. and Susan ( Romar) Silleck, natives of Peekskill, N. V. Grandfather Gould Silleck was also a rcident of Putnam County, this state, and was an extensive farmer and also the owner of a grist- mill. He was by trade a wheelwright, which business he followed very successfully for a num- ber of years before his other interests became so extensive. His estate, whichi was one of the best in the county, was pleasantly located within five miles of Peekskill.
Henry G. Silleck was a well known coal oper- ator and real-estate dealer in New York City for . many years. He became well-to-do in this world's goods. In all his dealings with his pat- rons, his career was marked with uprightness and justice, which won for him their high esteem and respect. He kept abreast of the times in everything relating to his business, and was pre- eminently one of the shrewd and successful citi- zens of the metropolis. He was a Democrat in politics, but did not take an active interest in public affairs.
The original proper of this sketch was reared to man's estate in New York City, and acquired a good education in the public schools of that city, after which he became a student in a pri- vate school at Yonkers. He had completed his education wlien about eighteen years of age, and turned his attention to learning a trade. He chose the business of a house carpenter, which he followed for some two years. His father's business then made it necessary for him to hire another office man, and our subject abandoned his labors as carpenter in order that he might render him what assistance he could. He re- mained his father's clerk for several years, and then opened a yard of his own at the corner of Second Avenue and Fifty-sixth Street. He was the proprietor of this yard for many years, and 011 selling out his business was the possessor of a handsome fortune, made in the coal business. He also dealt extensively in real estate. Mr. Silleck subsequently bought residence property at No. 19 East One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Street, but only resided there a short time, when he came to Suffolk Comity, L. I., and settled
upon a farin which he had purchased, near the city of Greenport. He made his home there for some three years, and in 1873 took up his abode on the estate where he is now living retired. He has been remarkably successful in all his vent- ures in life.
Mr. Silleck and Miss Adaline A. Pearsall, a native of New York City, were united in mar- riage in February, 1864. The lady was the daughter of Jolin Pearsall, a business man of that city, but a native of Long Island. Of the eleven children born to our subject and his wife, four survive, namely: Oscar, Jr., Mary, Gould J. and Josephine. In a business sense Mr. Sil- leck is a self-made man. He possesses excellent judgment, and as a financier has no equal in the county. He has made a decided success of life, as the result of industrious habits and correct business principles, and ranks high among the influential and prominent residents of Long Island.
Mrs. Silleck and her children belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics our subject is a Democrat, with independent procliv- ities. He is a man of domestic habits, and is 110w so situated that he can enjoy to the fullest extent the coniforts of a beautiful home. He is well known in the community, and numbers its best residents among his warmest and most confiden- tial friends.
DWARD DAILY is the proprietor of a popular livery stable at Babylon, where lie is regarded as a very reliable and successful business man. He was born in this village, Feb- ruary 6, 1851, the son of Nicholas and Ant (Corcoran) Daily, the former of whom is living in this town, at the age of eighty. Our subject lias always lived in this place, and as a boy was found among the students of its public schools. and began to make his own way in the world when very young. A little after ten he went in. to the private service of a gentleman to act as a
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boy of general utility, and here remained for a time, his wages being $3 per week. Afterward he found a place in a hotel, where it was his duty to exercise horses during the summer season; in the winter he had an opportunity of attending school.
When a little past sixteen Edward was taken into the employ of George B. Alley, and given the oversiglit of the trotting stables belonging to that devotee of the turf. Here were gathered some of the best trotters of the day, the famous "Dexter" being among the number. Mr. Daily found a more permanent and profitable engage- ment in a paper-mill at Babylon, where he was engaged for a period of four years, and here he worked very steadily, not missing a week during all that time. By prudent thrift and patient economy, he had accumulated some money dur- ing this period, with which he was able to make a start for himself when the opportunity came. It came in due course, and he launched out mod- estly in the livery business, beginning with two horses and a light wagon. In 1876 he added undertaking to his livery business, and in this he is still successfully engaged. He has added to his modest start in the livery business, until to- day his stock represents more than $12,000.
January 25, 1875, Mr. Daily was married to Miss Catharine Horan, of Babylon. She was a native of the state of New York, and became the mother of nine children. Louisa died at the age of seventeen and Edithi at the age of eleven. The names of the surviving children are Henry, Ed- ward, Helen, Bessie, Grace, Ray and Willian.
Mr. Daily was reared a Democrat, and voted for Horace Greeley in 1872. For six years he has served as Commissioner of Higliways, and as Overseer of the Poor two years. His party nomi- nated him as candidate for the position of County Superintendent of the Poor, and he came very near being elected. Twice he ran for Supervisor, but failed of election both times. In the village lie was nominated for Alderman, and was beaten by only six votes on the first occasion, and was elected the next year to this position by seventy- one majority.
Our subject is quite a fraternity man, being a
member of Babylon Lodge of Odd Fellows, where he has filled all the chairs. He is a chiarter mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, and in this order he has also occupied all the chairs. When the Royal Arcanum was instituted in this village, lie appeared as one of its charter members. He is also a member of the Suffolk County Mutual In- surance Company. Mr. Daily has made his way in the world unaided, and is ranked among the best business men of Babylon. His neighbors bear ungrudging testimony as to his character and integrity, and his long and successful busi- ness career shows that he is a man much above the majority.
M AX WALTHER, well and favorably known among the residents of Shelter Island, is engaged in the fishing business, and also owns and operates a snug little farm on the island. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 22, 1847, and is the son of Bernhardt and Catherine (Smith) Walther, also natives of the Fatherland. When a lad of nine years he accompanied his parents to the New World, their journey hither being made in a French packet, which left Havre and, after a voyage of fifty-nine days, landed them in port at New York. Their destination being Shelter Island, where they had friends living, they came immediately to this locality, where the elder Mr. and Mrs. Walther are still living.
Young Max soon mastered the English tongue, and, when a lad of sixteen years, offered liis services in defense of the flag of his adopted country and was accepted. September 11, 1862, he was mustered in as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-second Infantry, and with his regiment operated in Virginia and the Carolinas. He was often in the thickest of the fight, and was an active participant in the battles of Black Water, Winsket, Kingston and Bachelor's Creek. His regiment was engaged in skirmish- ing the greater part of the time, as they were sta- tioned for a year between New Haven and King-
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ston, between the Rebel and Union forces. Mr. Walther was in the service from the time of his enlistment until the establishment of peace, and was discharged July 19, 1865. He then returned i to his home on Shelter Island, and for a number of years thereafter occupied his time in fishing and in the coasting trade. He is now the owner of a goodly property, which his knowledge of farming enables him to cultivate in a profitable manner.
Mr. Walther attended school in his native land for two or three years prior to coming to America, and after locating on Shelter Island prosecuted his studies in the English language. He is well informed regarding events of importance of the present day, and is esteemed by all who know him. In 1867 he married Miss Susan Haas, who . died the following year, leaving a daughter, Susan, the wife of George E. Bennett. November 19, 1871, our subject married Henrietta Konrad, a native of Mengen, Bavaria, Germany. This union resulted in the birth of five children, of whom those living are Kate, Sophie and Georgia, all at home.
In his political faith Mr. Walther is a Republican and a strong believer in the measures adopted by his party. In local affairs he has shown himself to be deeply interested, and is regarded as one of the self-made men of the county.
IMOTHY M. GRIFFING, who stands at the head of the Suffolk County Bar, was born in the house where he now lives, at Riverhead, November 22, 1842. The family of which he is a member has been long identified with the history of this locality. His grandfather, William Griffing, was born in this town, March 18, 1770, and built the old Long Island House, of which he was proprietor for many years before his death. He passed away October 6, 1848.
The father of our subject, Hubbard Griffing, was born in this town in 1792, and in early life was a sea-captain, but later engaged in farming,
being the owner of a place that comprises that portion of Riverliead west of Griffing Avenue, be- low the railroad and on both sides above it. His residence, situated at the junction of Griffing Avenue and Main Street, is now occupied by the subject of this sketch. He was a prominent man. and at one time was a candidate for the Assembly, but was defeated. In the Congregational Church. of which he was an active worker, he served as Deacon. His death occurred July 5, 1863. He had a brotlier, Wells, who for many years was proprietor of the old Long Island House, and served as Postmaster of the village several years. when the office was in his hotel.
Hubbard Griffing was three times married. His first wife, Elizabeth Edwards, died June 23. 1819, leaving no children. For his second wife he chose Huldah Terry, who died January 24, 1830. leaving a son, Oliver Hazard. The latter was born November 2, 1825, and for many years was connected with the Seventh Ward Bank of New York, making his home in Brooklyn, where he died in January, 1894. At his death he left a widow, Serena H., and four children, Reba, Helen. Edith and Hollis. The mother of our subject. who was the third wife, was a daughter of Timo- thy Miller, a highly respected farmer, who died before our subject was born. Mrs. Polly Griffing was born at Miller Place, May 31, 1806, and died September 30, 1895, at the home of her only son. At the time of her death she was nearly ninety years of age. She was one of the original mem- bers of the Congregational Church at Riverliead, of whom Mrs. Ira Lane and John P. Terry are the only survivors.
At Phillips Academy, in Andover, Mass., the subject of this sketch prepared for college, and in 1860 he entered Yale College, from which lie graduated in the Class of '64 with high rank. His legal studies were commenced in the office of Miller & Tuthill, the former the late Judge George Miller, his uncle, and the latter the late Judge James H. Tuthill. His degree of LL. B. was re- ceived at the Albany Law School in 1866, and in October of the same year he opened an office at Patchogue, where lie soon came into prominence as one of the brightest lights of the Suffolk County
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Bar. He remained at Patchogue until 1875, when he returned to Riverhead, but has ever since retained an office at Patcliogue.
It is needful to the completeness of this history that it be recorded that the success of Mr. Griffing in a .nancial way has kept pace with his remark- able record at tlie Bar. With his brothers-in-law, J. R. and J. H. Perkins, he is the owner of the electric-light plant and the water works, the fine water tower and mill being his individual prop- erty. He is a Trustee of the Riverhead Savings Bank, and the attorney and counsel for that pros- perous institution; also a Director in the Suffolk County National Bank. There is little doubt but that he could have anything in the way of political honors within the power of the people of the county to bestow, but he has repeatedly and posi- tively refused all honors of that kind, preferring to devote himself exclusively to the duties of his profession. He has always, however, taken an active interest in all public affairs, and particu- larly in the educational advancement and general welfare of the community in his native village. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
In 1869 Mr. Griffing married Miss Caroline A. Perkins, whose twin sister, Angeline, is the wife of J. R. Wilson, of Norfolk, Va., and whose brothers, John R. and J. Henry, are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. For three years Mrs. Griffing was a member of the Board of Education. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and believes in practical Christianity, and all societies having for their aim eitlier spirit- ual, moral or intellectual development have lier support, and their members are assured of a cordial welcome in her hospitable home. She is noted for her untiring efforts in behalf of the poor, and for many years has presided over the Friendly Aid Society, an organization whichi cares especially for the children of that class, for many of whom she has found comfortable homes.
Mr. and Mrs. Griffing have five children, the eldest of whom, Frederick Lapham, lives in Has- tings, Neb. Grace is a graduate of the Woman's College of Baltimore, and at this writing is in Europe with her mother. Angeline P. and Mabel are now students in the Woman's College, and
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