USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 25
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Robert Perkins, a boy of fourteen, is a student in the academy at Riverhead. When Mr. Griffing laid out the grounds for the beautiful and exten- sive private park that surrounds liis residence, he intended to name it for one of his daughters, but the thought came to him that he could make a unique name by combining a part of the name of all. Hence the name "Grangebel."
2/16 ILLIAM JONES WEEKS is a worthy citizen of Yaphank, town of Brook Haven. He was born in the village of Oyster Bay, Queens County, February 21, 1821, and is a son of James H. and Susan Maria (Jones) Weeks, both of whom were natives of Queens County, living there until 1828, when they came to Suf- folk County, and here passed the remainder of their lives. James Weeks was engaged in farin- ing in early life, and in later years devoted his time to looking after liis landed estates. He died in 1879, an honored and respected citizen, and a deeply mourned friend and companion by those who knew him best. He was President of the Long Island Railroad from 1847 to 1850, and filled several minor offices. Mrs. Weeks passed away in 1888, at the venerable age of fourscore and six years.
Our subject received his elementary education in the academy at Oyster Bay, and in the year 1840 he entered Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1844. He returned to his home in Suffolk County, and became the right-hand busi- ness man of his father, being the only child. Early in life Mr. Weeks learned surveying, and spent considerable time in the practice of this pro- fession.
William Weeks was married, January 1, 1848, to Miss Mary Croswell, daughter of Archibald Croswell, of Scholarie County, N. Y., but for- merly of West Hartford, Conn. Eight children graced the union and lived to call their parents blessed. They are Archibald, a prominent attor- ney of New York City; Susan, wife of William S. Girard, of Brooklyn; James E., a house decora-
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tor of Minneapolis; Harriet, wife of Charles B. Hawkins, of Bellport, L. I .; Clara W .; Julia E., wife of Joseph H. Lawles, of Brooklyn; Laura A., wife of Daniel L. Hesselberg, of New York City; and Reginald, who resides in New York City. Mrs. Weeks departed this life in January, 1883.
Our subject has been a life-long member of the Episcopal Church, and has been prominent as a supporter of the faith. In politics lie is a Dem- ocrat. He has the enviable reputation among his fellow-citizens of being an honorable gentleman, a kindly neighbor and indulgent father. He has creditably served his constituents in the capacity of Justice of the Peace, School Trustee and Ex- cise Commissioner, also Town Superintendent of Common Schools, and was for four years Treas- urer of the Suffolk County Agricultural Society. Few meu in the county have been more thorough- ly identified with the growth and welfare of the section than Mr. Weeks. His exploits in skating are remarkable in a man of his age. He has a standing challenge to any person for a contest in writing the Lord's Prayer or the Ten Command- ments on the ice with skates. He is an expert skater, and does beautiful skate-writing while en- joying this delightful pastime.
MMETT F. SMITH is a representative of an old family of Suffolk County, and is num- bered among its well-to-do residents. In Patchogue, where he is one of the leading business men, his name is held in honor and respect. He is by profession a civil engineer and surveyor, and in this capacity is often called upon to go to different points of the island. A native of this county, he was born at Blue Point, February 25, 1857. His father, Floyd Smith, who is by trade a blacksmith, resides at Blue Point, and is sixty- six years of age. The maiden name of the lady whom he married many years ago was Rebecca Hand Mott, and she was a resident of Sag Har- bor.
than Smith, was formerly one of the old residents of the county, and died a short time previous to the birth of Eminett F. Helived at Selden (formerly Westfield ), where the homestead, which has been in the family until recently, was located. The old house was burned to the ground about two years ago.
To Floyd Smith and his second wife were born one son and three daughters. The sisters of our subject arc Lottie E., unmarried; Mary I., book- keeper for the firm of Charles E. Rose & Co., of this place; Hattie H., Mrs. Oliver I. Tuthill, of New Suffolk. The younger sisters were at one time engaged in teaching school. Alice M., the daughter of the father's first marriage, is now . Mrs. L. H. Robertson, of Brooklyn.
The subject of this sketch, after completing his studies in the public schools of his native village, taught for three years. In 1877 he was enrolled as a student at the Albany State Normal School, and was graduated from this institution two years later. He continued to teach for several years thereafter, having charge of the school at Islip for 'a twelvemonth, and for two years taught in the graded school of Port Jefferson, where lie had four assistants. After resting a brief period on account of throat trouble, hie secured a po- sition at Tappan, Rockland County, N. Y., and taught there for a year. Thence he went to Brewster, Putnam County, where he was simi- larly engaged for the same lengtli of time, hav- ing five assistant teachers under him.
After about ten years Mr. Smith's carcer as a teacher was closed, and lie decided to give liis at- tention to the profession of civil engineering, which he had in the mean time studied. He accord- ingly went to Florida, completing his studies with J. F. Le Baron, after which lie acted as assistant . engineer for the city of Jacksonville for two years. On account of the epidemic of yellow fever in the summer of 1888, he returned to his native village. His interests, however, were still centered in that southern state, and the following year he again went South and was engaged with Captain Black, of the United States Engineer Corps, in the im- provement of rivers and harbors, surveying and
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jona- , superintending dredging operations, etc. Hehield
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a position with that gentleman until May, 1891, when he came to Patcliogue, soon tliereafter open- ing his office in this village. He lives, however, in Blue Point, but as the greater part of his time is spen' in this village, its residents claim hint as one of their number. He has never married. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Blue Point. In politics he uses lris influence and ballot in favor of the Prohibi- tion party.
RANK JUDSON TUTHILL is another of the young men who are coming forward in good spirit to make themselves felt by the men and affairs of the coming century. (For the history of his parents, together with what is known of his family antecedents, consult the sketch of William H. Tuthill, which appears elsewhere.) The subject of this sketch was the youngest of his father's family, and was born at East Marion, August 27, 1853, where he was reared to man- hood, and where he has always lived. He at- tended the district schools until he was eighteen, when he went into business on his own account, engaging in the fishing industry.
December 22, 1875, at Smithtown Branch, Mr. Tuthill was married to Miss Sarah H., a daughter of Joseph H. Conklin, of Suffolk County, hier birth occurring in Greenport, September 14, 1852. They have one adopted daughter, Alice Virginia, who was born at Middle Island, in January, 1883. Mr. Tuthill has been engaged in fishing since he was eighteen years of age, and by attending strictly to business, being strenuously honest and honorable, and of a frugal disposition, lie has ac- cumulated an ample competence, and sustains a good position in the locality in which he makes his home.
Socially our subject is a Prohibitionist in po- litical belief, and is very deeply interested in temperance work of whatever kind. The order of Good Templars has taken a very warm place in his heart, and lie is now Chief Templar of the Suffolk County organization. He is a member,
and has been a Trustee, of the East Marion Baptist Church. Mrs. Tuthill's parents are also residents of East Marion. Her father was born in Greenport, February 6, 1815, and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Thankful Udall, was born at Smithtown Branch, June 27, 1819.
LBERT A. FANNING is descended from one of the most influential and prominent families in Ireland, and is able to trace his ancestry back to the Earl of Connaught. Two brothers, Thomas and James Fanning, located in this county on their emigration from Ireland, choosing the town of Smitlitown as their future abiding-place. There Thomas lived for many years, but James was killed by the Indians, who then were very numerous on the island. The mother of these brothers was the daughter of the Earl of Commaught. In Ireland the brothers were both prominent and influential in political matters.
Our subject spent ten years of his life in Cali- fornia, but is now residing on the old homestead, of which he is the proprietor. It is located in Northville, town of Riverliead, and aside from looking after his interests in this direction, Mr. Fanning gives a great deal of time to working at the carpenter's trade. He was born on the farm which he now owns, January 14, 1840, and was next to the youngest of the children granted his parents, Abraham and Pattie (Luce) Fanning. Five of the household died in infancy. Mary A. is the widow of David E. Dayton, of Riverliead; Alfred departed this life when in his twentiethi year; Edgar B., a well-to-do farmer of this town, married Adelia Robinson, and they have two chil- dren: Electa A., who was born January 10, 1866, and who married Benjamin P. Goodale; and Annie H., who was born December 1, 1875, and who married C. Everitt Solomon. Harris G. Fanning was in his thirty-fifth year at the time of his demise, which occurred in California.
Abraham Fanning was born March 15, 1800, in Flanders, in the town of Southampton, and 1
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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was there reared to mature years and given an opportunity for acquiring a good education. October 2, 1824, prior to coming to this portion of the county, he was married to Miss Luce, an intelligent lady, and together they came to their new home, which was located near Great Peconic Bay. Here they lived for a period of eight years, when Mr. Fanning sold his property and became the owner of the farm on which our subject now resides. This land he placed under the best methods of improvement, and lived here until his decease, which occurred September 23, 1849. He was self-made in every sense of that term, and was one of the town's most liberal and enter- prising citizens. His father served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and both he and his wife were natives of the town of Southampton, where many generations of the Fannings have been born and reared.
Mrs. Pattie Fanning was born August 4, 1799, and was the daughter of Benjamin and Densie (Hallock) Luce, well known to the old-time resi- dents of the county, but who have long since passed away. Mrs. Fanning, who died December 30, 1877, was a member of the Congregational Church, to which denomination her husband also belonged. The latter in politics used his right of franchise in favor of Democratic candidates.
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The first seventeen years of our subject's life were passed at home with his parents. Then, desirous of seeing something of our western coun- try, he started for California, going by way of the Isthmus of Panama, reaching his destination in thirty days. He was accompanied on the jour- ney by his brother, Edgar B., and his uncle, Richard E. Foster. After looking about him for a time in San Francisco, it became necessary for him to find some employment, as his means were very limited. Having been reared on a farm, he very naturally sought this vocation, and worked for a man whose property was not far distant from the city. He continued with bim during the summer, and then engaged in mining for a time, but as this business did not prove very suc- cessful, he erected a sawmill in the mountains, and for ten years was engaged in its operation. This venture proved a prosperous one, and at the
expiration of that time he sold his interest in the plant for a snug little sum. By this time he had been away from home so long that lie became very desirous of seeing liis family and friends, and, having acquired what he went to seek, the wherewithal to start in life, he came home and purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead, which he has resided upon ever since. However, he has not given his entire at- tention to farming, as the carpenter's trade has called him away from home a great deal, and he has been obliged to resign the actual work of the place to other hands.
March 2, 1875, Mr. Fanning and Miss Sarah J. Tuthill, daughter of Nathan Tuthill, of Orient, this county, were united in marriage. Four chil- dren have come to bless their union, namely: Edith B., born May 29, 1876; Irwin, March 25, 1880; Leon, February 25, 1887; and Vera V., March 25, 1891. The property which our sub- ject owns consists of seventy-three acres, and is devoted to general farming. Politically he is a stanch Republican and an ardent worker in the interests of the party. With all matters pertain- ing to the upward growth and advancement of his home locality he is closely identified, and he is numbered among the enterprising and prosper- ous citizens of the community. He has always been greatly interested in school work, and has rendered very efficient service as Trustee of the board.
REDWELL IRELAND, the proprietor of the meat-market at Amityville, was born here April 1, 1848, and is a son of George and Ruth ( Smith ) Ireland. The former was both a miller and a farmer by occupation. When a boy our subject received a good common-school edu- cation in his native place, and at tlie age of eight- een he went to New York City and served there three years, learning the carpenter's trade. He was faithful to that calling for twenty-three or four years, working much of the time as a jour- neyman.
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In Brooklyn, September 1, 1869, Mr. Ireland married Miss Hannah A. Smith, who was a na- tive of Suffolk County and a daughter of Jeffrey and Ianthia (Sammis) Smith. The family made their home in Brooklyn until 1894, and while the _ Mr. Ireland was engaged in the milk bus- iness for a few years. On removing to Ami- tyville he opened up his present business, in Jan- uary, 1895, buying out the stock and good-will of John Schenck, the former proprietor. He has a large trade and carries a first-class supply of both staple and fancy articles that belong to the butcher's business.
Mr. and Mrs. Ireland are the parents of three children. The eldest, Lillian, was born in New York City, June 19, 1872, and married George Smith; they reside in Brooklyn, and are the par- ents of one son, Milford. Marian, who was born in Brooklyn, December 31, 1884, and Alberta, who was born in Brooklyn, November 12, 1888, are at home. In national affairs our subject votes with the Republican party, but in munici- pal and minor elections he is independent. He has never been an office-seeker, but is satisfied to do his duty as a quiet, peaceful citizen, who lives up to the law to the fullest extent.
We herewith give a sketch of our subject's parents: George Ireland was born at Amityville in 1820, and was a son of Samuel and Charity Elizabeth (Wood) Ireland. He had a common- school education, and at the age of eighteen be- gan to clerk in his father's store. His marriage, at the age of twenty-two years, united him with Miss Ruth Smith, of Merrick, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Nichols) Smith. George Ireland long made his father's interests his own, and was occupied in his sawmill as head sawyer. He was thus engaged until the time of his father's death, when he sold out his inherited interests and retired from active business life.
Mr. and Mrs. George Ireland were the parents of seven children. The eldest, Mrs. Antoinette Brush, lives in Babylon and is the mother of one daughter. Samuel S. is married and is the pro- prietor of a bakery in Amityville. Mrs. Lizzie Thorn lives in Babylon, and is the mother of four children. Tredwell is the subject of this sketch.
Mrs. Georgiana King is a widow and is the pro- prietor of the King's Hotel at Amityville. Mrs. Florence Bennett lives at Flat Bush, Brooklyn, and has two children. Coe F., who is the father of four children, is a contractor and builder. and lives in New York City. Throughout his mature life George Ireland was a Democrat, but never aspired to political office. He was a mem- ber in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died in the fall of 1891, from the effects of a sunstroke, which he received about 1883.
HARLES J. WOOD is a member of the firm of Charles Wood & Co., lumber deal- ers of Babylon, Suffolk County, L. I. Mr. Wood is a product of Brooklyn, New York. born January 31, 1851, a son of Charles and Han- nah (Powell) Wood, whose sketch appears in this work.
Young Wood received a good practical educa- tion in the academy at Locust Valley, Queens County, L. I., and later attended Bryant & Stratton's Business College, where he gave much of his attention to bookkeeping. After this he assisted his father in the butchering business at Amityville, and later was in his father's lumber- yard at that point until 1882, when he took charge of the yard at Babylon, L. I. He looks carefully after his interests, is honest and reliable, and is proving himself to be a careful, shrewd and far-seeing man of business. Generally age and experience are essential to succession and promotion, but Mr. Wood's career is the excep- tion. By force of character, energy and good judgment he has reached a front place among the successful business men of Babylon, and is re- spected by all.
On the 19th of December, 1892, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Hattie K. Towne, a native of Plain View, Queens County, and daughter of Kendall and An (Powell) Towne, much es- teemed citizens of that county. Socially Mr. Wood is a member of the Knights of Pythias,
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Unqua Lodge No. 192, and has served as Master of Finance, Keeper of R. and S., and Inner Guard. In politics he advocates the principles of the Republican party.
THNIEL SYLVANUS SMITH, one of the prominent residents of Patchogue, was born in Middle Road, now known as Bayport, town of Islip, this county, January 12, 1824. His parents were William Clark and Ency A. ( Over- ton) Smith. The father was twice married, and by the two unions became the parent of thirteen children, of whom two daughters and a son were born of his marriage with a Miss Hawkins. The son, Jacob Smith, is now in his eighty-fourth year, and is a resident of Sayville. Hannah, the eldest of the family, was twice married, her sec- ond union being with Edwin Smith. She died re- cently at Islip, aged eighty-nine years. Lovilla married a Mr. Buckingham, and departed this life when a young woman.
The marriage of William C. Smith with Miss Overton resulted in the birth of two daughters and eight sons, of whom Othniel S., of this his- tory, was the fourth. (For a complete history of the family, we refer the reader to the biography of Charles R. Smith, which will be printed on another page. ) He spent the first fifteen years of his life at home, attending school, after which he served a three-years apprenticeship with his uncle, Daniel Overton, who was a builder at Patchogue. During that time he received only his board and clothes, and on the expiration of the three years he shipped on board a whaling- vessel which left the port of Sag Harbor. This was commanded by Captain Cartwright, but young Smith, being taken very ill, did not con- plete the voyage, but was placed on shore, and given in charge of a physician employed by the Goverment to take care of American seamien. After three months' absence from home he re- turned, and when his health had fully recovered he went to Virginia and spent one winter in shipping wood to New York City. He again ex-
perienced life upon the waters, and the following two years was engaged in the coast trade, his business taking him to all points from Maine to Texas.
Mr. Smith later resumed work at his trade at East Brooklyn, but after a time went aboard the "Mameluke" as one of her crew. This vessel was wrecked while en route to Europe, and when only five hundred miles out at sea. It was cap- sized, and although filled with water did not sink for some time. The crew included sixty-four men, and of this unmber only twenty-two were saved, by clinging to the wreck for three days and nights. They were finally rescued by another brig and landed in New York.
For some time after the suffering which he ex- perienced on his last voyage, Mr. Smith was con- tent to remain on land and work at his trade. His love of the sea finally overcame every otlier feeling, and he was given a position on the "Ali- drew Foster," of the Red Cross Line, which ves- sel he helped to build. It was an American packet, running between New York and Liver- pool, and often had on board seven hundred pas- sengers. Mr. Smith remained with this vessel for three or four years. It was successful in all its voyages, and was the foreruimer of the pres- ent great packet system of to-day. The duties of Mr. Smith were to handle the passengers and see that they were assigned to their riglit quarters, and as it was the time of the great corn famine in Europe, when so many were coming to this country, he had all he could do.
In the year 1849 Mr. Smith went to Milwau- kee, Wis., where he entered land from the Gov- ernment, and farmed for some time. Later he was employed by the Government to aid the other agents in dealing with the Menominee Indians, and was stationed for the purpose at Grand Rap- ids, Mich. He was accompanied on this trip by his wife, and, with the exception of the few whites employed at the agency, they were thrown en- tirely with the Indians. Mr. Smith held this position for two years, when he went to Ft. Win- nebago, now Portage City, and there was em- ployed in buying and shipping grain to Milwan- kee. Some time thereafter we find him a resident
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of Columbus, Wis., where he was the proprietor of a general store, conducting this business until about 1869, when he again returned to Portage. After a residence there of some time, he came to Long Island, and was engaged in the oyster busi- ness at Freeport. Later he became associated with Edwin Bailey in the lumber business, and for a number of years conducted a successful traue in this line. He is now interested in the real-estate business, which he carries on in con- nection with his brother, John Smith. He is one of the live and progressive business men of the village, and is highly regarded by all who know hin. He has been remarkably successful in life, and, 'as we have shown, is entirely self-made. Mr. Smith is a large stockholder in the Patchogue Bank, and is otherwise interested in important enterprises in Patchogue.
July 9, 1848, our subject was married to Miss Emeline Jane, daughter of Clark Robinson, of Patchogue. She was born here in August, 1827, and was given a good education. With her husband, she moves in the best circles of society in the community, and they are also numbered among the leading citizens of the county.
ORACE HALLOCK WILLIAMSON, though but little past thirty years of age, has won a prominent position in the affairs of the village of Riverhead and Suffolk County, exerting a wide and positive influence as the edi- tor and manager of the Riverhead News. He is a native of Long Island, and was born at Franklin- ville, September 8, 1863, being the only son of Thomas W. and Mary A. (Hallock ) Williamson, both natives of the village in which he was born.
Thomas W. Williamson was born July 28, 1819, and was the son of James Williamson. His wife was the daughter of Col. Micah Wells Hal- lock, and is now a resident of this village. The husband and father spent his entire life in Frank- linville, where he won a high standing in the es- timation of his townspeople. He had a good common-school education, and at the age of twen-
ty began teaching. He taught school for four- teen years, then retired from that work and de- voted the rest of his life to farming. Having at- tained a ripe old age, he died, June 15, 1892, crowned with the loving reverence of a circle of faithful friends and neighbors. He served as School Trustee, and was for a number of years Master of the Franklinville Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. During the war he was an ear- nest advocate of the Union, and was active in the work of raising funds for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals and on the field of battle, and was closely associated with the San- itary Commission, an organization devoted to this noble purpose. As a token of their appreciation of his faithful and unselfish services, the Com- mission presented him a fine engraving, whose subject was the destruction of the monster of slav- ery by the free spirit of the North. With his wife, he was identified with the membership of the Franklinville Presbyterian Church, where he did faithful work for many years as a Trustee. Po- litically he was a Republican, from the first mo- ment of the history of that party.
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