USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 42
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Our subject was born at Fire Island July 2, 1841, in the light house of which his father was at that time keeper. His education was quite thoroughly cared for. After spending four and a-half years in old Clinton Academy and Board- ing School at Jamaica, he studied in Orange County for a year and a-half, so that we may fairly speak of him as a well educated man, cer- tainly much above and beyond the standards set for most boys at his age. In 1859 he entered business life as a clerk in a dry goods store in New York City, where he was employed for three years, and in which he acquitted himself very well. The business was not to his liking, however, and he felt out of his element, so he left it, hoping to find more congenial employ- ment. This more satisfactory work he found to be in keeping a hotel on the beach, and in 1862 we find him in business in Bay Shore. Here he continued until 1867. when he removed to Buf- falo, where he was busily employed for four years, but the ocean was his natural element, and he was never so happy as when he was on the bay, where he could enter into the ocean shore sports of oystering, fishing, sailing, and kindred amuse- ments.
Mr. Dominy was much interested in politics from 1872 to 1884, becoming noted as a politician on Long Island, and was considered a man of influence and more than usual ability. In the last year mentioned he received his appointment to the position which he now holds, and whose affairs he has discharged with marked success, attending to its multitudinous duties with sys- tematic accuracy and faithful attention to every detail.
Mr. Dominy was married in 1877 to Antoinette Snedecor, of this village, a very estimable and worthy lady, by whom he has had two children, Fred Arthur, fifteen years of age, and Clarence, two years younger. Mr. Dominy has given much of his time and attention to the subject of educa- tion, and at the present time is Treasurer of the School Board, of which for nineteen consecutive years he was one of the Trustees. Great credit is die him for his stanch advocacy in the cause of learning, and the large and elegant school
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building which adorns the village stands as a monument to his indefatigable energy in this di- rection. Socially he is identified with the Order of Odd Fellows, being a charter member of the lodge at Bay Shore, and is now its Past Grand. In politics he is a Democrat, and stands well in the councils of that party.
H ENRY C. BROWN, who is a resident of Huntington and a well-known dealer in blooded horses, having his stables in the town of Smithtown, was born in Brooklyn April 7, 1851. He is a son of Arthur A. Brown, of Brooklyn, a prosperous merchant of New York 'City. In the city of his birth Henry C. was reared
and educated. When a youth of sixteen he went to Colorado and remained there for seven years, being the owner of a cattle ranch. During that time he had many thrilling adventures and nar- row escapes, not only from the animals that he herded, but on the plains with the Indians.
On returning from the West Mr. Brown located in New York City and was there engaged in the brewing business until 1878, when at the death of his father he turned his attention to looking after the estate. He was thus engaged until 1388, when he came to his present place of residence. His property, which is known as the "Breeze Hill Stock Farm," consists of four hundred acres of beautiful land, upon which he has thirty head of standard-bred horses. among them being many superior animals. The owner himself is perhaps proudest of the following: "Rosalie Hill," time 2:25, by "Oak Hill," dam "Cactus," by "Cuyler:" "Juliet," by "Oak Hill," dam "Nellie Banker," by: "Banke," second dam by "Thomas Jefferson," 2:23; "Virginia Oak," by "Oak Hill," dam "Flo- ra Dodge," by "Wildnut." He also has a herd of Jersey cattle, all registered stock, and a flock of purest breed Dorset sheep. His stock is all of the choicest selection. The farm is well ordered and the buildings are constructed according to the latest and most approved scientific ideas in the stock world.
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In 1884 Mr. Brown was nominated on the Democratic ticket as member of the Assembly. and although he was defeated he reduced the ma- jority of the opposition by many hundred votes. For years past he has been delegate to town and county conventions, and is now the County Com- mitteeman for the Eighth District.
February 4, 1874, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Juliet Hicks Cornell, daugh- ter of John Hicks and Sarah (Lefferts) Cornell. of Brooklyn. Mrs. Brown is a granddaughter oi Col. James Lefferts, of Brooklyn, and a great- granddaughter of John M. Hicks, member of a wealthy and distinguished family of Brooklyn Heights. She is also a granddaughter of White- head J. Cornell, who established the Brooklyn White Lead Works at Brooklyn, the Cornell Lead Works at Buffalo, N. Y., and was one of the founders of the Hazard Powder Company.
Six children comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Brown, of whom the eldest, Cornell. former- ly a student in St. Paul's School at Concord. N. H., is now engaged in the brewing business in Brooklyn. The other children are Mary A .. Florence A., Sarah C., Dorothy L. and Juliet Duyckinck. The family residence is situated on a hill overlooking the sound and commanding one of the finest views on the island. The home is hospitably presided over by Mrs. Brown, who is a lady of intelligence and refinement.
F RANK A. BURLING. Though one of the inost recent ventures in the field of journal- ism, the Bridgehampton News is most prosperous and successful. Starting in a district in which it had no predecessors, it has the dis- tinction of being the first paper published in the village of Bridgehampton. The paper is pub- lished weekly, and is devoted largely to home affairs, items of local interest and the social hap- penings in the Hamptons, although considerable space is also given to national and foreign affairs. It is recognized as a superior advertising medium for eastern Long Island, and business men avail
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themselves of its columns as a medium of com- munication with the people of the locality and adjoining territory.
The editor, publisher and proprietor of the News is Frank A. Burling, son of the veteran newspaper publisher, Walter R. Burling, of Southampton. He was born in Flushing, August 9, 1869, and grew to manhood in the home of his parents, Walter R. and Huldah A. (Wells) Burl- `ing. His education was acquired mainly in the common and liigh school of Flushing, which he attended until 1880. With his parents he moved to Southampton September 15 of that year, and for several years afterward was a student in the Southampton Academy. May 23, 1888, he en- tered Madison Square Bank, of New York City, as messenger, and gradually advanced until he became individual bookkeeper, remaining with the bank until its disastrous failure August 9, 1893 (the anniversary of his birth).
Afterward Mr. Burling was connected for brief periods with Sherman Bank and Chase National Bank, both of New York. In the early part of 1895 he came to Bridgehampton and assumed the proprietorship of the News, which was estab- lished February 2 of that year. February 18, 1892, he married Miss Lucy C. Eldridge, of Sag Harbor, and they have one child, Hazel May, born January 26, 1893.
A BRAM BENTLEY. The use of carriages and wagons as a means of transportation has existed from a remote period in the history of the world, and, as a rule, the business has been a success financially, especially where a man of enterprise and energy has had the man- agement of affairs. This is in every respect true in the case of Abram Bentley, who has not only had long and practical experience as a carriage trimmer, but who for years has dealt in veliicles of all descriptions. He was born in the city of New York in 1844 to David and Mary (Brooks) Bentley, natives of England, who left old asso- ciations and friends in the year 1835 to seek a
home on American soil. In New York City they made their first home in this country, but after- wards lived in various places, in which David Bentley followed his trade of merchant tailoring. Although of quiet and unassuming demeanor, he became a useful and helpful American citizen, and his death, which occurred in 1887, at the age of seventy-three years, was a loss to the commun- ity in which he resided. A few years after his de- mise the death of his widow occurred.
Abram Bentley began life's battle for himself at a very early age, consequently his educational advantages were necessarily limited. At the age of eleven years he entered a printing office at Sing Sing, N. Y., and after remaining there for two years entered the office of the Fishkill "Standard," and at the age of fourteen years became a "bound boy" in a carriage trimming establish- ment, where he remained six years. During this time he thoroughly learned the details of the busi- ness, and the practical knowledge which he thus gained of the business was of material use to him in later years when starting in business for him- self. At the age of twenty, realizing that his country sorely needed his services, he donned the regulation blue suit, shouldered his musket and, enlisting in Company I, Thirty-ninth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, marched to the front. From that time until the close of hostilities he was in active service and saw some stirring times, but re- turned home unscarred by sword or bullet. He at once resumed work at his trade in Newark, N. J., but one year later came to Port Jefferson and was in the employ of a Mr. Tuthill until 1874. In this year, with two partners, he established himself in the wagon and carriage business at this place. and they continued amicably and profitably as- sociated until 1881, when one of the partners withdrew, and the remaining one in 1886, thus leaving Mr. Bentley sole proprietor of a well es- tablished and reliable business. Under his able management the business has steadily and rapidly increased until at the present writing (1895) he carries an elegant and extensive stock of carriages of all kinds, besides other vehicles. His estab- lishment is perhaps the most complete of any in Suffolk County, and this is in a great measure due
NATHANIEL W. FOSTER.
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to his keen business foresight, energy and desire to please his patrons.
In 1866 Mr. Bentley was married to Miss Marian A. Wilson, daughter of John Wil- son, of Newark, of which state Mrs. Bentley is a native. One daughter was born of this union, Marian, wife of Dr. Charles E. Birch, of White Plains, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are members of the Baptist Church, of which Mr. Bentley is one of the Trustees, and Superintendent of the Sabbath School, having held the latter position for twenty-six years. Mr. Bentley is a member of Louis O'Conklin Post No. 627, G. A. R., and politically is a Republican. He has never been an official aspirant, but is content to pursue the even tenor of a mercantile life rather than the uncer- tainties and turmoil of the political arena.
N ATHANIEL WOODHULL FOSTER, better known as Nat Foster, is one of the representative men of the village of River- head, L. I., and President of the Riverhead Sav- ings Bank. He was born in this place September 24, 1835, and is the son of Herman D. Foster, who was a native of Quiogue, town of Southamp- ton, born in 1792. When a young man the father taught school, but later went west to Indiana and Illinois, and, in company with others, bought a flatboat, which they sailed down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, La. Returning East again Mr. Foster opened a dry goods store on the Bowery, in New York City, and in 1833 or '34 entered on the same line of business at Riverhead, where he was one of the pioneer merchants. This he continued until about 1868, when he was suc- ceeded by his son, Nat W., and Orville B. Acker- ly, they doing business under the firm name of Foster & Ackerly. The father was a man possess- ing much natural ability and for many years was a most worthy member of the Congregational Church in the village of Riverhead. In politics he was first a Whig, later a Republican, but was never active in the political world. Ilis brother, Warren, was drowned in the Fire Island Inlet
during the great September gale which occurred prior to 1825. Another brother, Jabez, lived and died on the old farm at Quiogue. A sister, Maria, never married and lived to be eighty years old. Another sister, Millicent, married Peter Fanning, of Flanders.
The grandfather of Nat W. was Rufus Foster. who was also a school teacher in his young days and later became a substantial farmer. He served in the War of 1812, and was stationed at Sag Har- bor. Religiously he was a member of the Pres- byterian Church. His wife's name was Ruth Hal- sey. Our subject's mother, who prior to her mar- riage was known as Fannie Woodhull, was born at Wading River in June, 1808, and was the daughter of Nathaniel and Peggy (Hallock) Woodhull. The former, who was a farmer and a prominent member of the Congregational Church, was a worthy representative of an excel- - lent family and in all the relations of life conducted himself in a manner that has secured for him the honor and esteem of all. Active in religious work and in all that pertained to the welfare of his section, no better citizen made his home on the island. From the earliest settlement of Long Island the Woodhulls were well and favorably known. The father of Nathaniel, Josiah Wood- hull, resided at Wading River during the Revo- lutionary War and had a lookout on the top of his house, from which the enemy was watched. A raid was made on this place at one time. He died in 1787, when fifty-two years old. The first member of this family to settle in America was Richard Woodhull, a native of England, born in 1620, who came to Long Island and settled at Setauket in 1648. Gen. Nathaniel Woodhull, of Revolutionary fame, who was killed by the Brit- ish near Jamaica, was of the same family.
The mother of Nat W. died in August, 1876, and he was her only child. There was a hali-sis- ter by his father's former marriage, Maria F .. widow of the late Judge J. H. Tuthill; and a half- brother, Warren, who died in August, 1846. at the age of twenty. Nat W. received his primary education in the local schools and later entered the Riverhead and Franklinville academies, where he received a thorough training. Following that
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he entered his father's store and there was taught habits of industry and perseverance which have been the foundation of his subsequent prosperous career. In 1861, while in the store, he took the agency for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York, then in its infancy, and in 1867 the company gave him the general agency for Suffolk County. In 1870 he was given the general agency for Queens County in addition, and in this business he has continued up to the present time.
In the year 1858 Mr. Foster married Fannie, daughter of Sylvester Miller, of Wading River. Mr. Miller was Supervisor of the town of River- head for twenty years and Justice of the Peace for many years. Mrs. Foster died in 1888, after hav- ing become the mother of five children. Warren W., who is a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1881, and of Columbia Law School, is now a prominent attorney in New York City; Millicent F., who was educated at Wellesley Col- lege, is at home with her father; Sylvester M. is also a graduate of Dartmouth College, and is in business with his father; he is also Secretary of the Suffolk County Agricultural Society, and is interested in many other enterprises. He mar- ried Miss Alice, daughter of ex-County Clerk Holmes W. Swezey, and has two children, Stan- hope and Alma. The next child, Herman D., Jr., died in infancy. The youngest child is Fannie Estelle. She received her early education in this village, later graduated at Delhi Academy, N. Y., and finished her education in Berlin, Germany.
Mr. Foster has met with wonderful success for the Equitable Life Assurance Society and has built up a large business. In 1874 he disposed of his mercantile interests that he might devote his whole time to his many other and constantly in- creasing enterprises. He is well known as hav- ing been the originator of the Riverhead Savings Bank, has been one of its Trustees from the be- ginning and has been President since 1891. This is one of the most successful institutions for sav- ing in the state of New York outside of the city, with its more than $2,000,000 in resources and over $200,000 surplus, and has the confidence of all the people tributary to it. Mr. Foster was one
of the organizers of the Suffolk County National Bank and has been one of its Directors from the start.
In 1875 he was elected Secretary of the Suffolk County Agricultural Society, and, after holding that position for two years, resigned, but was again called to the position and served during 1879-'80-'81 and '82, when he again resigned. In 1885 he was urged to accept the presidency of the society and served for six years, during that time introducing several new and attractive feat- ures in its annual fairs. With his well-known push and energy, and with the assistance of the press of the county, he succeeded in arousing a great interest in the society, not only in the coun- ty, but throughout the state, and has made it one of the best county fairs in the great Empire State. At his suggestion the society made an exhibit at the State Fair held at Elmira, receiving high com- mendation and bringing Suffolk County and her resources and advantages prominently before the people of the state.
Mr. Foster was the originator and helped to found the New York State Association of County Agricultural Societies and was the first Vice-Presi- dent of the association. He was also one of the founders of the Suffolk County Historical Society, which was first organized in 1886, incorporated in 1892 and re-organized in 1892, and is now its President, succeeding his brother-in-law, the late Judge James H. Tuthill. In November, 1888, he was elected Treasurer of the Long Island Bible Society and has held that position since. He has been a Trustee of the Village Cemetery Associa- tion from its organization, giving time, thought and money for its success, and is now President of the Association. At the organization of the Chautauqua Society (located on the ocean at Point of Woods, four and one-half miles east of Fire Island Light House) in March, 1894, he was made its first President and holds that position at this writing. He is also President of the Vil- lage Improvement Society, in which he takes great interest, and is active in the improving of the streets. In early life he was deeply interested in temperance work and was connected from time to time with the different organizations, particu-
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larly with the Sons of Temperance. In 1865 he was, unexpectedly to himself, called to the head of the order in Eastern New York. When he takes an interest in an enterprise he puts his whole soul into it, nor does he spare liis time and efforts to make it a success. He has been and is presi- dent of so many societies, associations, etc., that he is often referred to as the president of Suffolk County.
Mr. Foster has traveled quite extensively in this country and in Europe, making his first trip abroad with his wife in 1887 and another with his eldest daughter in 1889. He is a worker in and a liberal supporter of the Congregational Church, of which he has been a member since the age of sixteen, and for several years has served as Dea- con. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but has had no time or taste for political honors.
S SPENCER CASE is one of the older resi- dents of Suffolk County and one of those who have made much of its unwritten his- tory. He started out in life poor in this world's goods and by the energy of his character and the perseverance of an honest man, he has won his way to a good position among the substantial ag- riculturists of the town of Southold, where he is now living. He is a native of Suffolk County, and was born September 19, 1838, to Selden B. and Caroline L. Case, also natives of this portion of Long Island. The paternal grandfather, bearing the name of Paul Case, spent the active years of his life in Southold Town, by whose residents he was well and favorably known.
Selden B. Case was one of the representative citizens of this section and made his home for many years near where our subject is now living. Although having the privilege of attending school but a short time, he read and studied at home and when a young man taught school for some time with success. The greater part of his life, how- ever, was devoted to agricultural pursuits, of which he had a thorough knowledge. He served for many years as Assessor of the town of South-
old, and was an acquisition to the locality in which he resided, for he was public-spirited, ener- getic and liberal in the use of his means. He was a Democrat in politics and took an active part in the councils of his party in his home lo- cality. He departed this life February 21, 1891, mourned by the entire community.
The parental family included four children, of whom S. Spencer is the only survivor. He was sent to school until a lad of fifteen years, attend- ing one of the private institutions near his home. He made the best use of these opportunities and after concluding that he had all the knowledge necessary to help him toward success in life, he went to New York, where he was for a short time employed in a hardware store. He then returned home and has passed the greater part of his life in farming in this locality. His property includes twenty acres of highly improved land, which he has acquired through his own exertions. He has been content to make this town his home and by its residents is well known and esteemed for the honorable part in life which he is taking.
Mr. Case was married January 1, 1861, to Miss Mary M., daughter of Daniel and Emma (Smith) Williamson, natives of the eastern portion of Long Island. Of the children born to them the following named survive: Carrie M., now the wife of G. Bryden Tuthill; Andrew J., George W .. Ralph S. and William A. Mr. Case is a stanch Democrat in politics. He is very pleasantly sit- uated and is a man who deserves and commands the good wishes of all who know him.
C APT. SELAH S. BREWSTER, a well- known citizen of Port Jefferson, and at one time Sheriff of Suffolk County, was born July 21, 1838, in the village where he now resides. His parents, William Haven and Eliza- beth (Woolsy) Brewster, were natives of this county and spent their entire lives here, the father being engaged at his trade of house carpenter. Though he never became wealthy, yet he was en- abled to provide his family with the comforts of
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life. He lost his wife by death in 1840 and thir- teen years later, in April, 1853, he passed away.
Orphaned at an early age, our subject had few advantages for obtaining an education. How- ever, for a short time, he attended the public schools of Port Jefferson. At the age of thirteen he went to sea and from that time onward he was practically self-supporting. For a quarter of a century he followed the sea, and during a large part of this time he was master of a vessel, to which position he was promoted at the age of twenty. He still owns a number of vessels and is considerably interested in seafaring. His first vessel was the "Marcena Munson;" his second, the three-masted schooner, "Palma;" third, the schooner "Carrie S. Webb;" and fourth, the "B. I. Hazzard," one of the best paying schooners ever built at Port Jefferson.
In 1858 Captain Brewster was united in mar- riage with Miss Ruth A., daughter of Joel Nor- ton, a native of Selden, this county. Of their children, two survive, namely: Martin Van Buren, of Port Jefferson, who is a mariner and has charge of three vessels; and William Haven, who resides in Setauket. Socially Captain Brew- ster is a member of Port Jefferson Lodge No. 60, F. & A. M. Politically he is a Democrat. He has served as Road Commissioner of the town of Brook Haven, and in 1884 was elected Sheriff, which position he filled efficiently for three years. Subsequently he was elected Collector of the town of Brook Haven and served two terms. At present he fills the position of Vice-President of the Suffolk County Agricultural Society, which office he has held for fourteen years.
C HARLES N. SEAMAN, a prosperous farmer of Babylon, was born on the farm where he now lives, May 29, 1859, being a son of Jesse H. and Judith Ann (Gorse- line) Seaman. He grew to manhood on the farm, and received a very fair education in the schools of the neighborhood. At Mineola, June 29, 1889, he married Miss Lois A. Albin, who was
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