USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 38
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The Captain was educated at Clinton Academy in East Hampton, which in its palmy days ranked among the first academies of the state. Very soon after leaving school, when he was about twenty years of age, he went to sea for the first time, shipping before the mast on the ship "Caroline," of Greenport, of which his uncle, Jolin Rose, was master. The voyage, which was to the south seas, proved very successful, and he returned in 1845, having been promoted to thie position of boat-steerer. His next voyage was on the ship "Illinois," Capt. Daniel Jagger, with whom he also served as boat-steerer. In 1847 he sailed on this same ship as first mate. This voy- age lasted three years, and was very successful. even in the height of the whaling season, for the ship brought home over thirty-six hundred bar- rels of oil. In 1850 he made his fourth voyage, as master of the ship "Washington, " of Sag Har-
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bor, being gone over two years. After this he commanded the good ship "Zenas Coffin," of Nantucket, and made a voyage of three and a- half years, bringing home over three thousand barrels of oil. Subsequently he retired from the sea for several years, but went out again in 1862 for two years as master of the ship "Pacific," of New Bedford. His last ocean voyage was made in 1865, as master of the ship "Trident," of New Bedford. This voyage lasted nearly four years, and was highly successful.
Captain Rose then retired from ocean life, and made his home at North Sea, where he had a beautiful home, and led a quiet and useful life. His beloved wife accompanied him on all his later trips, and was his faithful companion on shipboard and shared all his dangers. Perhaps her pres- ence made the sailor husband more careful, but his nature, while bold, was at the same time cau- tious and careful, and he never lost a ship, though he had often been exposed to very great danger. At one time while in a boat making an examination of the stern of his ship, he was frightfully injured about the head, and was taken on board utterly unconscious. Every one but his true-hearted wife thought him dead, but she had faith that the spark of life was still in him, and she faithfully cared for him, presently re- storing him to health. Some of the effects of that injury remained with him as long as he lived.
The Captain had sailed over many seas and the wide oceans, and had visited strange and barbar- ous lands, but he never yielded to the pernicious habits to which many sailors are prone. With- out ostentation and in all humility and modesty, he kept his manhood clean and pure, and walked in the path of Christian life and character. Many a man less exposed to temptation might have re- joiced to have lead as clean and wholesome a life as did this hero of the seas. He had the distinc- tion of having discovered a tract of land in the Arctic Ocean, north of Herald Island, that now bears the name of Wrangell Land.
Captain Leek, of Amagansett, and D. Y. Phil- ips, of Southampton, are the only surviving members of the ship's company of eight officers that sailed with Captain Rose on the occasion of
his first voyage on board the "Illinois," and of all the men with whom he mingled in those advent- urous days few there are who are left to tell the story of daring that belonged to that vanished period of our naval and commercial history. Captain Rose was a Trustee of the Sag Harbor Savings Bank, to which position he was elected in 1889, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father, Colonel Rose. He died from pneu- monia after a seven-days illness, March 7, 1892, and his remains are interred in the North Sea Cemetery. Hisgrave is hallowed by the loving reverence of a great company of friends, who knew him as a generous and open-handed friend and neighbor. He was always ready to do a kind deed, and his name will long abide as that of a true-hearted man, faithful in every walk of life, and always obedient to the highest motives and desires. His widow still resides at the old home- stead, in the enjoyment of excellent health, and the evening of her life is made more happy by the society of her only child, who is still at home. In politics Captain Rose was a Republican.
AMUEL B. GIBSON inherits the energy and perseverance of his Scotch ancestors, and the practical value of shrewdness and discrimination, combined with strict probity, is exemplified in his present prosperous condition. For about five years he has been engaged in tlie livery and boarding stable business at Bay Shore, and during that time he has made many steady friends and patrons. The establishment is located on Main Street, and the main building is 110x48 feet in dimensions, besides which there are also ample carriage sheds. There is no question but that many who suffer from headache, indigestion and other common troubles would get more good out of healthful outdoor diversions than they can out of drug stores, and of these none is more gen- erally beneficial than driving. A good horse and a comfortable carriage are capable of afford- ing a great deal of enjoyment and doing wonders toward increasing one's appetite and general well-
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being. It is only necessary to visit Mr. Gibson's establishment to get this "prescription" properly filled. He is prepared to furnish teams on short notice, and employment is given to five steady and competent nien.
John Gibson, the father of our subject, was born in Scotland, and there learned the rudiments of the cabinet-maker's trade. When but a boy, he came to the United States, and here put the finishing touches to his trade, becoming quite proficient. For many years he made his home in Bay Shore, and was engaged as a cabinet- maker and undertaker most of the time, dying when seventy-two years old. He married Miss · Amanda Burr, a native of Commack, L. I., who is now seventy-two years old. In order of birth their four children were as follows: James, de- ceased; Samuel B., our subject; Mary J., Mrs. Dennison, of Old Mystic, Conn .; and Eleanor, H., deceased.
Samuel B. Gibson was born at Commack, Feb- ruary 13, 1845, and came to Bay Shore when but a small lad. Here he received his education in the public schools, but when only fourteen years old decided to go to sea, and from that time up to about five years ago was on the water. When twenty-one years old he commanded a vessel, and soon had an enviable reputation as a waterman. He became the owner of a vessel and from that drifted into yachting, becoming very proficient and well known in international con- tests, etc. He became the commander of the racing yachts the "Vixen," "Priscilla," etc., and commanded J. P. Earl's yacht "Gracie" for four or five years. Mr. Gibson sailed in every interna- tional race until the last one, between the "De- fender" and "Valkyrie," and he was with the "Magic" and "Mischief." The "Puritan" and "Priscilla" competed for candidacy in a race for a cup with an English boat, and the "Puritan" was chosen for the race. Mr. Gibson commanded the "Priscilla." He was then under the auspices of the New York Yacht Club, and was placed on the foreign boat as a pilot.
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During the last five years of his life on the water Mr. Gibson was with Earl's yacht, and he then decided to spend the remainder of his
days on land with his family. He was one of the most noted skippers and a man who has many friends, particularly among yachtmen. Having a natural liking for horses, Mr. Gibson drifted into the livery business after locating in Bay Shore, and is now one of the stirring, push- ing and progressive men of the place. For the past five years he has held the important position of Road Commissioner. His marriage united him with Miss Rhoda J. Reybert, of this island, and their children were as follows: Jerome A., deceased; Amnie R., the wife of H. M. Brewster, of the firm of Smith & Brewster; John J., a druggist of Bay Shore; Mary J., the wife of W. H. Brown, a druggist of Morristown, N. J .; Jesse R. and Alletta M., residing at home; and Earle B. Socially Mr. Gibson is a Mason, being Past Master in Meridian Lodge No. 691 of Islip. Politically he is a Republican. Mrs. Gibson holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
12 OBERT SWAN, M. D., an able physician of Sag Harbor, received a fine general and medical education, and is a student of his profession, keeping himself thoroughly posted regarding the latest discoveries in the treatment of disease. He was born in Brooklyn, September 15, 1852, and when only nineteen years of age was graduated with high honors from Columbia College, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His work in the college led him to take up the study of medicine, and soon after making the de- cision he entered the office of Dr. Elsworth Eliot, an old friend of the family, and who was at that time President of the County Medical Society of New York. He then attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, and after pursuing the entire course was gradi- ated therefrom in 1874, with the degree of Doc- tor of Medicine. Three months thereafter he was made Master of Arts by Columbia College.
Dr. Swan practiced in the Charity Hospital for two months after receiving his diploma, and then,
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being examined by the Naval Board at Washing- ton, was made Assistant Surgeon of the United States navy. He was stationed in the navy-yards at Brooklyn, and for nineteen months thereafter was surgeon of the flagship "Brooklyn," visiting the Southern States and also countries in South America. He was kept very busy among the crew for a time, as many of the sailors were stricken with yellow fever. In 1878 he was promoted, after examination, to be Past Assistant Surgeon. He continued in this capacity for a period of eleven years, when he decided to abandon this kind of life and engage in practice on terra firma. During the years in which he was in the service of the Government he made a three-years cruise on the "Kearsarge," passing the winters in the West Indies and the summer season in the north- ern waters of the Atlantic.
The Doctor resigned his position as surgeon in 1889, and after two years spent in practice in Brooklyn, came to Sag Harbor, arriving here in July, 1891. During the years that have since elapsed he has acquired an enviable reputation as a man of ability in his line, and his practice, which is large, is constantly increasing. He is a member of the Kings County Medical Society, and is the Medical Examiner for the New York Life and Mutual Insurance Company at Sag Harbor.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Frances Kent, of New York, was solemnized July 1, 1891. This lady was born at Richmond, Va., but at the time of her marriage was a resident of the metrop- olis. The Doctor is a valued member of the Epis- copal Church. Both he and his wife have many friends in this locality and are very popular in social circles.
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D APT. EBENEZER HAWKINS. The rep- utation which Mr. Hawkins enjoys is not only that of a representative citizen of Suf- folk County, but of an intelligent man, who is thoroughly posted on all public affairs. He has been remarkably successful in life, and is now liv- ing retired in South Jamesport. His birth oc-
curred at Stony Brook, this county, January ( 1825, his parents being Daniel S. and Soph (Smitlı) Hawkins. (For a full and complet record of the family, we refer the reader to the b ography of Simeon S. Hawkins, which appea: on another page in this volume.)
Being a great lover of the water, our subje hired out as a cook on a coasting vessel when quit young, receiving for his services $9 per month He worked his way up from one positiou to anothe until he became master of a sloop, at that tin being only seventeen years old. He followed tl; water continuously during the war, but in 186 abandoned the sea, and, building a small factor on Shelter Island, engaged in the fish and o. business. This he carried on in connection wit his brother Edward, who gave his attention t fishing, while our subject looked after the factory They were very successful in this line, and i was not long before they had a branch house o: the coast of Connecticut and one at Baron Island The business grew to such extensive proportion: that two otlier brothers were admitted into part nership, Jedediah and Simeon S., and this firn was known as the largest in the fish and oil busi- ness in this section. They were all capable and shrewd business men, and continued together un- til 1888, when our subject withdrew from the company and is now living a retired life in South Jamiesport. He accumulated a handsome fortune during the time he was in the above business, and was also financially successful while master of the sloop.
The marriage of Mr. Hawkins occurred Janu- ary 21, 1847, when Miss Mary L. Albertson be- came his wife, and to them were born eiglit chil- dren: Simeon S., who is a farmer in this town; Mary F. and Ada, who died when young; Susie J., who is the wife of Nathaniel Tuthill, of this county; Robert, who is a well-to-do farmer of the town of Riverhead; Arthur W., who is engaged in business in Brooklyn; Oliver, a prominent mer- chant of Jamesport; and Henry, who died in in- fancy. The wife and mother departed this life August 7, 1892.
In politics our subject is a stanchi Republican. He takes a great interest in the success of his
BENJAMIN T. ROBBINS.
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party, but has never desired to hold office. Al- though living retired in his beautiful home on Great Peconic Bay, he still retains an interest in the fishery business. His large possessions rep- resent his own earnings, and, as we have already stated, he began life when very young on a small salary. He is very plain spoken, honorable and upright in all that he does, and as such deserves the respect and esteem which are accorded lim as one of the substantial and representative citi- zens of Suffolk County.
ENJAMIN T. ROBBINS has made his home in the village of Northport since 1865, and for the past twenty-five years he has oc- cupied the house where he now resides. His business is that of an architect, contractor and builder, in which for years he has been extensively engaged in this locality. Thoroughly familiar with every detail connected with his chosen oc- cupation, he has gained a reputation as a reliable workman, and has been given the contract for many of the best buildings erected in the village. At the present time he is building four handsome residences of his own on Washington Place, bet- ter known as Northport Heights, which com- mands a fine view of the bay.
The father of our subject, James Robbins, was born in Nova Scotia, where his father, a native of Maine, was temporarily sojourning. Much of his life was passed in Maine, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. Thence he came to Northport, where he continued to reside until eighty-two years old. His last years were spent in Maine, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-two years, four months and four days. He was hale and hearty almost to the close of his long life. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Treadwell, was born in Lewiston Falls, Me., and died at Northport, aged seventy-five.
Eleven children comprised the family of James Robbins. They were as follows: Joseph, a farmer in Maine; Mary, who died at the age of seven-
teen; James, a carpenter and painter living in Los Angeles, Cal .; Jolin, who died at the age of six- ty-two; Benjamin T., of this sketch; Sarah, de- ceased; Simeon, who is engaged in the milk busi- ness at Northport; Thomas, a builder, living in Brooklyn; Edward, also a builder by occupation: Henry, who is employed by our subject: and Luther, a carpenter in Los Angeles.
The subject of this sketch was born in Exeter. Me., December 28, 1828. He lived in his na- tive place until nineteen years of age, remaining on a farm until seventeen, after which he began to learn the trade of a carpenter with his uncle. One summer was spent in Boston, where he per- fected himself in the trade. Being a natural me- chanic, he learned easily, and soon acquired a thorough knowledge of the occupation. On com- pleting his apprenticeship, he was foreman for eight months, and then went to Brooklyn, re- maining in that city until the gold fever of 1849 seized him. With a view rather to working at his trade than making any great discoveries of gold, he sailed for the Pacific Coast, going by way of Cape Horn, and consuming one hundred and forty-five days on the trip. It was in Au- gust, 1849, that he left Brooklyn, and in Febru- ary, 1850, he reached his destination, where he at once commenced work as a carpenter. He also learned the trade of architecture from an English- man who was an expert in the business.
In the fall of 1853 Mr. Robbins returned East. via the Nicaragua route, and resumed work in Brooklyn, where in the ensuing years he erected about six hundred houses. He moved to North- port largely on account of his parents, who re- sided here, and has never had reason to regret the change. Politically his first Presidential ballot was cast for Franklin Pierce, after which he sup- ported Republican candidates until the nomina- tion of Samuel J. Tilden for the Presidency, since which time he lias been a Democrat. He has been active in political matters, lias served as a delegate to conventions and as a member of the county committee, and has done all in his power to pro- mote the welfare of the community. For twenty- seven years he has been a Mason, and is now Past Master of Alcyone Lodge No. 695. For
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the past sixteen years he has been a member of Ada Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, being Past Patron of the chapter and Past Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of the State of New York. Mrs. Helen Robbins has also been a member of Ada Chapter for the last sixteen years. She has . been Past Matron of the chapter, and Past Grand Matron of the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins are the only two on the island, out- side of Brooklyn, who have passed the Grand Chapter. Interested in educational matters, Mr. Robbins has been School Trustee for nine years, and during the most of that time has served as President of the Board. He is also one of the Fire Commissioners.
The first marriage of Mr. Robbins united him with Miss Abbie Smith, of Brooklyn, who died four years after their union, leaving two children. Joseph, the son, is publisher of a paper at Mo- riches; he is married, and his children are named Abigail A., Carrie Elizabeth, Sarah, Alwena and Theresa Josephine. Lizzie, the daughter, was married to J. Lewis, a sea-captain residing at Northport; she is now deceased. The present wife of Mr. Robbins is Helen, daughter of S. S. Brown. They have had three children: Ulysses N., a plumber at Northport; Archie B., who died at the age of six years and two months; and Helen E., a bright and attractive child of eleven years.
EORGE W. HECKERT, of Babylon, was born February 15, 1836, in Harmony, Pa., near where the Economites have their cele- brated colony. He is the son of Francis and Lydia (Seaman) Heckert, and his ancestors on both sides of the house came from Hanover, Ger- many. They located first at Georgetown, Pa., and afterwards some of them were found in Northumberland County, that state, but presently they drifted back to their first location, where they remained for many years. The father of our subject was born in the county named above, and after his marriage removed with his family to
Pittsburg, and thence to a point near Harmony, where he and his good wife passed the rest of their days. In early life he was an engineer on tlie Mississippi. and afterward worked at car- pentering. He owned a farm, on which his chil- dren were reared.
When George W. Heckert had reached the age of seventeen, he went into a blacksmith-shop at Prospect, Pa., to learn the trade. He remained there for three years, receiving small wages, but becoming a master of certain lines of the trade, especially of those branches needed in a farming region. Later he secured a place in Pittsburg, where he worked a year and a half making mill- picks. For three years he carried on a shop at . Butler, Pa., and then went to Salem, Ohio, to work in machine-shops. After having spent sev- eral years there, he again started for himself, at Dungannon, Ohio, where he continued for two years. In that place he married, April 16, 1862, Miss Elizabethi Wagerla becoming his wife. While there he was drafted into the army, and hired a substitute.
From Ohio Mr. Heckert went back to Penn- sylvania, and started a general machine-shop at Newcastle, but after a time gave it up to go into the Monitor Printing-Press Works at Providence, R. I., where he worked for a year and a-half. Going to New York City, he secured a position with the American Bank Note Company, and was with that famous establishment about two years. By this time the confusion and uproar and constant strain of city life had begun to un- pleasantly affect a man born and reared in the quiet of the Pennsylvania hills. The family therefore came to Babylon in search of a quiet home, where they might once more enjoy life. Here Mr. Heckert opened his blacksmith and wagon shop in 1882, and here he has since re- mained.
In his domestic experiences our subject has been very fortunate, and with his wife and two children about him thinks that life is well worth living, even if it does have plenty of knocks and hard blows. His daughter, Florence, was born in Salem, Ohio, and is now Mrs. Charles Udall, of this place. William was also born in the same
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Ohio town, and works with his father. He is a Republican in liis political relations, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for President, in 1860. He has united with the Royal Arcanum, and at one time was connected with the Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church in Babylon, and he is a Trustee.
EMORY TERRY. There is an inspiration in the history of a successful man, whose aims and ambitions have been high, both to the young and to serene maturity. These histories have a tonic effect, which are wholesome to all classes and conditions. Our subject, L. Emory Terry, is one who, gifted with a sturdy constitu- tion and indomitable will, has made malleable the adverse circumstances of life and moulded there- from gracious success.
Mr. Terry now occupies the position of Cashier of the Southampton Bank, of which he was the originator and the prime mover in its organiza- tion. This institution was incorporated in 1888, with a capital stock of $25,000, and officered as follows: James H. Pierson, President; Edward H. Foster, Vice-President; and L. Emory Terry, Cashier. They pay large dividends, and the stock is now worth $200 a share. They expect soon to occupy a large new building, which is just being completed for them, costing $13,000. It is neat and modern in its style of architecture, and contains a large fire and burglar proof vault, be- sides the many other conveniences which make it a model of its kind. Two of the ten Directors hav- ing stock in the Southampton Bank are business men of New York City. Six are local business men, and the remaining two are residents of Bridgehampton and Quogue, respectively.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jesse Terry, owned a large estate bordering on Great Peconic Bay, where L. Emory was born, Feb- ruary 17, 1860. He was a very prominent and influential resident of this section and owned
much valuable property on the island. His son, Capt. Hampton Terry, the father of our subject, was well educated, and on attaining mature years went to sea, and was promoted through various stages of life on the waters until he became cap- tain of a boat. He was married to Miss Hannah Haines, of New Jersey. This estimable lady is now living near Greenport, this county.
When making his permanent home on terra firma the father of our subject was engaged as a photographier at Sag Harbor, and turned out some of the best daguerreotype work this side of New York City. He departed this life at Sag Harbor in 1864, when only thirty-seven years of age. He was the father of a family of five chil- dren, of whom L. Emory was the youngest but one. The eldest, Gula, married Alfred Wood- ward, and they are now living at Danbury, Conn .; Anna died at Greenport, when in her eiglit- eenth year; Chalkley J. H. is an expert boat-build- er and makes his home in Greenport; Ellsworth is engaged in the drug business in Brooklyn. For many years after the death of her husband the mother of our subject made her home in Green- port, where she trained her sons and daughters to mature years.
One year prior to attaining his majority, L. Emory Terry left home, and, coming to Soutli- ampton, obtained a clerkship in the general store of H. F. Herrick. His services proved of such value to the company that he was taken in as a member of the firm after being with Mr. Herrick for two years, and remained interested in the bus- iness until the organization of the bank, when he was elected its Cashier. When a young man, previous to leaving home, he learned the art of telegraphy, and was instrumental in having the office opened in the village in 1881, since whichi time he has been manager of the business.
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