USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 30
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EWIS TUTTLE, well known to the people of Speonk and the surrounding country as an undertaker and carriage manufacturer, is a son of Daniel W. and Deborah A. (Purdy) Tuttle, being one of eight children, of whom four are now living. Daniel W. Tuttle was a carpen- ter, and also a carriage-maker and manufacturer of umbrella and parasol handles. For a full sketch of his life, the reader will turn to the article which follows the name of Elias Tuttle in this issue.
The subject of this sketch was born in Speonk, April 19, 1845, and passed the days of his boy- hood and youth here in the pleasant companion- ships and intimacies of family and friends. He was a pupil in the common schools, and when he drew near manhood was set to learn the carriage- making trade, under the instruction of his father. After mastering the trade, he was, at twenty-one years of age, taken into business as partner with his brother Elias, and the two, becoming the suc- cessors of their fatlier, for twenty-one years con- ducted the business together. . The partnership was then dissolved, and for the past five years our subject has carried on alone the business of painting and upholstering. For many years hc has conducted the undertaking establishment as a remunerative part of his labors. It has grown under his careful and attentive management, and has demanded an ever-increasing amount of at- tention, until at the present time lie has retired from the carriage business, and gives, almost his entire attention to the undertaking department. Asan undertaker and cmbalmer, he follows scien-
tific methods, and has a business patronage that extends over a wide area, requiring his entire time to respond to its constant and many calls.
September 28, 1869, Mr. Tuttle married Miss Emma J. Gildersleeve, daughter of William H. and Hetty (Ward) Gildersleeve, a well known family of East Moriches. Of this marriage there were born three daughters and one son, of whom the following is noted: Julia W. is the wife of Arthur J. Hallock, and the mother of three chil- dren; Catharine P., who was educated at the Abbington School, in Jenkintown, Pa., is a teacher in the public schools at Higganum, Com; Louis S. is Superintendent at Millside; Fannie G., the youngest, is still at home.
The political affiliations of Mr. Tuttle are with the Republican party, and for eight years lie has been a member of the County Committee. In 1875 he was elected Overseer of the Poor for the town of Southampton, and with the exception of one year has held that position continuously up to the present time, and is now serving in that capacity. In religious matters, while he is not an active member of any denomination, he is liberal in his support of all church work, his wife being a Presbyterian and his family mem- bers of the Methodist Church. He is identified with the Masonic Lodge No. 645, at Riverhead, and is highly esteemed, not only among his Ma- sonic brethren, but throughout the community.
OHN SHERRY, a well known and respected resident of Suffolk County, occupies the re- sponsible position of Sceretary and Gen- eral Manager of thic Sag Harbor Water Company. He is a native of this village, and was born May 2, 1843, to John and Mary A. ( Halsey ) Sherry. His father, during the days when whaling was such a profitable and popular business, was the agent and owner of several vessels devoted to this industry, and became very prosperous. He was born in New York City, but for half a century was a resident of Long Island. He was Port Warden
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of the metropolis for two terms. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years, departing this life in 1890. As one of the oldest residents of the county, he was greatly honored, and his happy disposition made his companionship very much coveted.
On his mother's side the subject of this sketch is descended from one of the first families on Long Island, the Halseys having come here in 1640, the original members locating in Southampton. Mrs. Sherry is living, at the age of eighty-two. John, of this history, passed his boyhood days in attending the private schools of Sag Harbor, after which he attended school at Stockbridge, in Berk- shire County, Mass.
Upon completing his education, young Sherry obtained a position in a wholesale grocery house in New York City, working his way from the bot- tom of this business to be cashier. His residence in that city covered a period of twenty years, after which he returned to Sag Harbor and became connected with his father in the Montauk Steam Sugar Refinery. This industry was killed dur- ing the war, and after the business was suspended was never revived. The factory was dismantled of its effects, and, although the industry might have been made a paying one had it been in- augurated at almost any other time, father and son soon found it to be a very dear investment ..
Our subject after this became a member of the Oakland Hosiery Company, in which his father was interested. He remained with this company until its failure some time thereafter. Mr. Sherry was an active Republican in politics, and while residing in Brooklyn was made Chief Clerk of the Bureau of Elections, which responsible posi- tion he held for five years. Mr. Sherry has been a resident of Sag Harbor for the past fifteen years, and during that time has been interested in many important enterprises which have been of great benefit to the community. He was one of the Trustees of the village when the franchise was granted to the water works, and at the time of the organization of the company was elected its man- ager. He held this position until the company changed hands, about two years ago, since which time he has been Director, Secretary and Gen-
eral Manager. The company is local, and has a stock of $60,000. Henry F. Cook is President, George E. Fahys Treasurer, and our subject holds the offices above enumerated. It has laid five and one-half miles of water main, and with the stand-pipe system has procured a pressure of forty pounds to the square inch. The water sup- ply is gained by a series of wells, located on the outskirts of the village. Mr. Sherry is a mem- ber of the Republican County Committee, and for the past ten years has attended the various conventions of his party.
TEPHEN LEWIS HEDGES, who bears the distinction of being one of the oldest resi- dents of Suffolk County, and one of those who have made much of its unwritten history, started out in life a poor boy, and by the energy of his character and the perseverance of an honest man, he has won his way to the front rank among the substantial residents of the county. He is now living at East Hampton, on the place where his birth occurred, July 13. 1815. The building in which he was born is still stand- ing on the place, and is now used as a barn for storing hay.
The Hedges family is a very old one on Long Island, and was first represented here by one William Hedges. On his decease the place of which he was the owner was inherited by his eldest son, Steplien, who handed the property down to his son William. The latter was the fa- ther of a son who also bore the given name of Stephen, the father of Capt. David, who was the only military man in this line. The latter was the father of Stephen, of the sixth generation. and the latter had born to him a son, Stephen Lewis, the subject of this sketch. The family was noted for its longevity, the average age be- ing eighty-five years. The various members were, with very few exceptions, farmers, and made of this calling a signal success. All the ancestors of our subject back to the first William lived on the
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property which he now owns. A very pleasant dwelling was erected on the place in the year 1864, and the passer-by will find the place to be modern in all its improvements.
Stephen Lewis Hedges' mother was in her maidenhood Esther, daugliter of Uriah Miller, also a native of this place, who could trace his an- cestry back to the first settlers on Long Island. Mrs. Hedges departed this life several years prior to the death of her father.
The parental fantily included six children, of whom Stephen was the second-born. William, master of a whaling-ship on three successful voy- ages, died in California. Mary married Capt. Jere- miah Milford, also the captain of a whaling-barge; she made her home in East Hampton until her death, when aged threescore years and ten. Na- than makes his home in California. Betsey mar- ried Edward Dayton, a well-to-do farmer of this section; and George is a resident of East Hamp- ton.
The subject of this sketch was married, when a young man of twenty-six years, to Miss Minerva Cartwright, the daughter of David and Minerva (Gardnier) Cartwright, residents of Shelter Isl- and, which is one of the most popular summer resorts of the East. Of their children we men- tion the following: Frances G. married Albert M. Payne, a resident of East Hampton; David died when fifteen years of age; Stephen Lawrence is the proprietor of a thriving meat-market in New Haven, Conn .; Henry D. ntakes his home in East Hampton; William lives on the old home farm, which lie manages; Henry married Ellen Howes, a native of this community, and to them have been born a daughter, Fanny Payne Hedges, and a son, Harry.
Mr. Hedges has always supported Democratic candidates and principles. His fellow-citizens recognized his efficiency as an office-holder wlien he was twenty-two years of age, and from that time until his age forbade liin accepting positions he has been tlie incumbent of some responsible office. He has served as Supervisor of this town for ten years, filling the office during the late war. It was his duty on several occasions to raise troops, and for some time he served as Colonel of the
militia. His father was a strict Presbyterian and an Elder of liis congregation for many years. Our subject was therefore reared under Christian influences, and when old enough became a church member He was educated in Clinton Academy. which was presided over by the Rev. James Huntting. He began to make use of his attain- ments when only fifteen years of age by teaching others, and during the last nine years of his 3fe as a pedagogue he taught in the home district. Many of the older residents of this place were his pupils, and although they gave him trouble in many ways, they were compelled in the end to recognize his authority.
DMOND E. CUSHMAN. In this sketch we present to the attention of our readers 2 short record of the life history of a man who is well known in Suffolk County. He is one cf the most enterprising and progressive citizens of Shelter Island, and at the present time is serving as superintendent of the Manhanset Improvemez: Company.
Mr. Cushman was born in Vermont. March :3. 1842, and his parents, John and Fannie Case- man, were likewise natives of the Green Moun- tain State. The family is of Scotch origin. and has been established in America for many years. Jolin Cushman followed farming in his native state, but just as he was beginning to realize a good income from his business, he departed this life, our subject being at this time a lad of six years. After that event lie lived with an uncle two years, then with his brother-in-law for a time. when he went into the world to earn his own liv- ing until nineteen years of age, at which time the Civil War was in progress, and July 2, 1861. he was mustered in as a member of Company A. Third Vermont Infantry, and with his resize ::: was attaclied to the Sixth Army Corps. Army of the Potomac. With his connnand he fought: ::::- der Generals MacClellan. Burnside. Hooker a: : Grant. He saw much hard service during his army experience, and participated in many of the
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well known battles of the war, among them being Antietam, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, the siege of Petersburg, and he was present at Lee's surren- der at Appomattox. In the battle of Bull Run he took an active part, and then with the Army of the Potomac participated in most of the noted engagements in which they met the enemy. Mr. Cushman was in the thickest of the fight at Cedar Creek, the day of Sheridan's famous ride, and on this occasion was wounded in the right hip, which necessitated his confinement in the hospital for some time. Several months prior to the close of the war he was promoted to be Lieutenant on ac- count of the valuable service rendered his com- · pany. He held this honored position until re- ceiving his honorable discharge from service, which took effect July 12, 1865.
On being mustered out, Mr. Cushman returned to his old home in Vermont, where he was en- gaged in farming for a time. Subsequently he went to Massachusetts, but his stay in that state was of short duration, for we find that he soon returned to Vermont, making his home in his na- tive state for a number of years. Business then calling him to the Bay State, he returned thither and gave his attention to straw-goods packing and other labors until the year 1890, when he came to Shelter Island as superintendent of the Manhan- set Improvement Company, his experience in this line of work making him a very valuable man to the company.
The marriage of Mr. Cushman and Miss Mari- etta Bowen was celebrated June 14, 1869. She was the daughter of Orville Bowen, a native of Bethel, Vt., where her parents were well-to-do and respected citizens. In social affairs our sub- ject is a Mason in good standing, is a Knight of Honor, and also holds membership in E. P. Car- penter Post No. 93, G. A. R., in the work of which he is actively interested. His right of franchise is used in support of the Republican party, of which he is a loyal adherent.
Mr. Cushman is truly a self-made man. When a lad of only six years he was deprived of the care of his father, and four years later was thrown upon his own resources and compelled to com- mence the battle of life, and even at that tender
age contributed to the support of his mother, who had been left in limited circumstances. Since lo- cating on Shelter Island he has been interested in whatever tended to advance the welfare of the community, and is therefore highly regarded and is recognized as one of the best citizens of the island.
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APT. DAVID. S. WELDEN. Among the representative and venerable residents of Greenport, and one who is a splendid type of the genuine sea-captain, it is a pleasure to in- troduce to the readers of this volume Capt. David S. Welden, who was on the water for fifty years. He was born at East Marion, L. I., November 20, 1820, and his father, Ebenezer Welden, was born on the same place, ill 1783. During the War of 1812 the latter was taken prisoner by the British and held on board a British warship. . When he was taken before the commanding officer he was told to take off his hat, but he said that he would not take his hat off "for any d-d Englishman." For this insult to the officer he was held for a ransom of $700, and after it was furnished his boat and cargo were confiscated. He followed the water all his active life. The grandfather of our subject was a Lieutenant in the War of 1812. Ebenezer Welden married Miss Catera Sisson, a native of Rhode Island, who died when her son David was two years old. She was the mother of three children, our subject being the only son. One of the daughters, Malinda, married Benja- min H. Horton, a ship-carpenter of New Haven. She is now deceased. The other daughter, Maria, married Capt. Silas Ryan, a sea-captain, and re- sided in New Haven, Conn.
When but ten years of age our subject went on the water, and when seventeen years old he was master of a vessel and was in the West India trade. At the breaking out of the Civil War he was the owner of a vessel, and was employed by the Government in the transport business. He was also engaged in the whaling business, and after fifty years on the water settled on a farm near Greenport. While very successful as a sea-
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captain, he had no taste for farming, and, his sons not caring for that occupation, lie lost considera- ble money. Selling liis farm, lie moved to Green- port, L. I., and there resides at present.
On the 16th of July, 1844, he celebrated his nuptials with Miss Mary S. King, a native of East Marion, L. I., born June 18, 1827, and the daughter of Elias King. They have seven chil- dren living. Henry K. married in December, 1871, Miss J. E. Clark, daughter of Capt. John Clark, of East Marion, who was a sea-captain and was lost with his vessel and all on board. Henry K. has six children: Fred Stanwood, born December 8, 1872, a graduate of the New York College of Dentistry, and who is now practicing at Sayville, L. I .; Frank C., born April 8, 1875, with his father in the butcher's business; Arletta Jerome, born December 9, 1877, a graduate of Greenport High School and a singer in the Baptist Church; Jolını Palmer, born October 2, 1880; May King, July 26, 1883; and Harry S., October 26, 1886. The second child born to Captain Welden was Clark T., who is an engineer on a steamboat. Edith R. married M. V. B. Wiggins, of Green- port. Minnie J. married Charles Nagel, a mason by occupation. D. Ralph is in the shoe business at Eureka, Cal. Lila is the wife of George L. Pot- ter; and Leroy is an expressman in Greenport. Captain Welden and his wife have been members of the Baptist Church for forty years. In politics he is a loyal Democrat.
ILLIAM S. HOWELL is one of the most prominent gardeners of Suffolk County, and is noted for the extensive knowledge which he possesses in this line. He has made liis home on his present place for the past forty years, and finds both pleasure and profit in conducting lis affairs. His well cultivated place is located near Moriches, by whose residents Mr. Howell is held in high esteem.
Our subject comes of a very old and prominent family on Long Island. He was born at Bald
Hill, now Farmington, in the town of Brook Haven, January 1, 1834. His parents were James and Louisa (Terrell) Howell, both of whom were born in this county, where they were content to pass their entire lives. The father was promi- nently identified with farming pursuits through- out life, and proved himself worthy of the high es- teem which was accorded him as one of the old residents of the community. He was a man whose pleasant, genial nature made him friends, and in the relations of life he bore himself as a kind husband and father and a true friend, as well as an honest man of business. He departed this life in 1852, mourned by all who knew him. His estimable wife lived to be eighty-three years of. age, dying in 1886.
The subject of this sketch had only the advan- tages of the district school, but made the most of his opportunities and is well informed in the com- mon branches. He was reared to farm life, and has given this occupation his attention through life. Although his possessions include but seven acres, they are well cultivated and bring him in a good income. As we have stated in our open- ing paragraph, Mr. Howell has made his home on this place for the past forty years.
July 4, 1850, our subject and Miss Mary J. Hulse were united in marriage. The lady is the daughter of Charles and Martlia ( Penney) Hulse. valued residents of Moriclies, where they have lived for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Howell have become the parents of four children, named. respectively: Georgia, now the wife of Edmund Howell, a carpenter of Islip, this county; Phebe. Mrs. George D. Gassett, a resident of Brooklyn: Emma, at home with her parents; and William M., who makes his home in Islip. Both Mr. and Mrs. Howell are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and are active in the work of this society.
Mr. Howell is a strong Democrat in politics. and is a favorite in social as well as business and political circles. He has been much interested in school affairs in his neighborhood, and for sev- eral years has been School Collector of his district. In 1874 he was the successful candidate for the office of Town Collector, a position which re-
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quired him to give a bond of $65.000. Mr. How- ell was at that time a comparatively poor man, but his many friends showed their confidence in his integrity and ability by going his security. All his life he has been a hard-working man, and richly deserves the success which has come to hini as the reward of his labors. ,
RANK A. OTIS, oife of the prominent citi- zens of Bellport, has made this beautiful vil- lage his home since 1877. Our subject is able to trace his ancestry back to one John Otis, who came to America from England in 1635, lo- cating in Hingham, Mass. He was among the first to locate there, and became an associate of Rev. Peter Hobart. The father of Frank, James W. Otis, was born in Boston, Mass., whence he re- moved to New York City, where he passed the remainder of his life. For many years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and at the time of his decease, in1 1869, was President of the North American Fire Insurance Company.
The grandfather of our subject, Hon. Harrison Gray Otis, also of Boston, was one of the most distinguished men of his day, both in local and national politics. The great-grandfather, Hon. Samuel Alleyne Otis, was chosen as the first Sec- retary of the United States Senate on the forma- tion of the Government. He was an intimate friend and associate of George Washington, and departed this life in 1814, having held the above position until his death. He was a brother of the celebrated James Otis, who is called "The Patriot," and who is well known in the history of Massachusetts as a lawyer, orator and promi- nent public man of his day, living in the time which immediately preceded the Revolutionary War.
The subject of this sketch was born in the city of New York. In 1857 he entered Columbia College, from which institution he was graduated in 1861. He entered the law school of that col- lege, and three years later was achinitted to the
Bar. Mr. Otis married Miss Almira M., daugh- ter of the late U. J. Smith, of New York City, and they have one son, Francis Joseph, whose birth occurred in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Otis are very pleasant people, whom it is a pleasure to know, and they are charming hosts to their large circle of friends. With his wife, he is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in politics gives his support to the Republican party.
DWARD L. GERARD, who is numbered among the prominent business men of Yap- hank, was born at Port Jefferson, March 11, 1836, and is a son of Abitha and Catherine (Jones) Gerard, natives of Suffolk County, both of whom passed their entire lives in this locality. The father was a blacksmith in liis early life, but later he went to sea, and became the master of a vessel. which he sailed for a number of years. In the spring of 1839 he started with his sloop from Charleston Harbor, and, as neither vessel nor crew were ever again heard of, it is supposed his vessel foundered at sea. At that time terrific gales were raging on the coast and many vessels were lost. He was a good man, and greatly re- spected by all who came in contact with him. His wife survived until 1875.
Edward L. Gerard received his elementary edu- cation in the district schools of his native place, and later attended Miller's Place Academy, after which he went to Fergusonville. He came to Yaphank at the age of five years, entering the family of his uncle, Robert H. Gerard, who was engaged in the milling business. Edward learned this business on leaving school, and on the death of his uncle, in 1878, took charge of the mill. He had, however, managed the business several years prior to his uncle's death, and in 1884 he became sole proprietor of the plant, and has ever since been largely engaged in conducting a saw and grist mill.
In 1870 Mr. Gerard established a lumber busi- ness, which he has conducted in connection withi milling interests ever since. Our subject is a
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self-made man, and his success in life has been attained by industry, untiring attention to his legitimate business and fair dealings. He possesses a fair competency and can gratify his tastes to a considerable extent. The family residence is a neat and substantial building, erected with a view to comfort. Mr. Gerard was married, December 3, 1873, to Miss Agnes L. Cook, daughter of Augus- tus and Jane (Givens) Cook, the former a native of Switzerland, and the latter of New York City. Mrs. Gerard, who was born in Brooklyn, became the mother of four children, two of whom survive. They are Catherine L. and Charles E., both of whom are still at home with their parents.
Our subject and his wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Gerard holds the honorable offices of Elder and Trustee. He is a fine musician, and has occupied the posi- tion of organist in the church for a period of twenty-five years. In politics he is a Republican, and has cast his vote with that party since its organization. He has never aspired to hold office, but, on the earnest solicitation of his friends, he accepted the nomination as Superintendent of the Poor in 1871, and most efficiently filled the posi- tion for three years. During his incumbency he spent much time and attention in bringing into operation a system as nearly perfect as possible, and the present success of the county institution is largely due to Mr. Gerard's untiring effort. As a gentleman, the head of a family, and a fellow- citizen, Mr. Gerard has no superior. He is up- right in all his dealings, and is noted for his sterling qualities.
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