USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 44
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In his political proclivities Mr. Hartmann has
always been liberal since he became a citizen of the United States and has given his support to the men whom he considered best fitted for the office. He is a man of intelligent and practical views, and is one of the most substantial German- American citizens of this country. On current affairs he is well posted. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, and by all is highly respected.
G EORGE B. COREY comes from a line of sturdy and industrious farmers who have witnessed the upbuilding and de- velopment of Suffolk County, and he has not been inactive in the accomplishment of this result. The farm which he occupies is owned by his father, and here his birth occurred, and it has since been the scene of his life's labors. The place is located near Cutchogue, and is well improved in every particular, having on it a set of substantial build- ings and all the needful machinery for the carry- ing on of a first-class farm.
George B. Corey was born here April 29, 1857. His parents are John F. and Mary A. (Horton) Corey, also natives of this county. His father, who is now living and is in the seventy-fourth year of his age, is one of the old settlers of Cutch- ogue and as such commands the respect and es- teem of its residents. The paternal grandfather. Stephen Corey, was born on Long Island, which had been the home of the family for many gener- ations previous; he served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and lived to an advanced age, dying in the fall of 1880.
The parental family comprised four children, of whom those now living are William H. and George B. John F. Corey was very prominent in public affairs during his younger years, and served the town of Southold as its Constable for several years, meeting the requirements of the office in a very creditable manner. A stanch Re- publican in politics, he is a man of influence in his party. He is a regular attendant at and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is always interested in benevolent enterprises, doing what
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he can to relieve the needy and worthy poor, and thus exemplifies the precepts of Christianity. He is one of the self-made men of the community and is highly regarded by all.
George B. attended the private schools of Cutchogue, where he acquired a good education. When ready to embark in life he chose the voca- tion of a farmer and has made a decided success of the branch of work. His residence is one of the most beautiful in the town of Southold and everything about the place is kept in order and made attractive.
Mr. Corey and Miss Mary E. Horton were united in marriage in 1876. The lady is the daughter of Egbert Horton, of the town of South- old. Our subject, following in the footsteps of his honored father, is a Republican and a de- voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has an uncle, Oliver B. Corey, who makes his home with him. This gentleman, who has passed his seventy-second year, is one of the old residents of the island, and for a number of years was agent for the Long Island Railroad Company at Cutchogue. Active and upright in every relation to his fellowmen, Mr. Corey has won for himself the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been thrown in contact, and has long been considered one of the worthy citi- zens of his native place.
C MELVILLE SMITH has spent much of his life at St. James, where he was born on Christmas Day, 1856. and of which place he is now a resident. He is a son of Rich- ard and Alma (Blydenburg) Smith, and a grand- son of Matthew Smith, who traced his ancestry to the renowned "bull rider." Richard Smith, who was born at the old homestead in St. James, was an extensive farmer, also engaged in mer- cantile pursuits and was the first Postmaster at . this place. Politically he was a radical Democrat, and took a prominent part in local affairs. For fifteen years he served as Collector for this town, and for some time was Assessor and Deputy
Sheriff. Although not a man of college educa- tion, he possessed wide information and was well read upon all topies, which fact, together with his ability as a conversationalist, rendered him a congenial companion. In all local enterprises he took a warm interest and was one of the prin- cipal factors in securing the erection of St. James Episcopal Church, as well as in the building of other public structures. He died of heart dis- ease at the old homestead; his wife surviving him about one year.
In the family of Richard Smith there were three sons and three daughters, of whom all but one are living. Sophia F. is the wife of Isaac Reeve, of Franklinville, this county; Charles Floyd was named for Judge Floyd, of this coun- ty: Anna A. married John Hobbs and is now deceased; Emily A. is the wife of Silas P. Jarvis, of Melville, this county; Edward N. lives in Brooklyn, and C. Melville completes the family circle. The last-named spent his early years on the home farm, but after the death of his mother, which occurred when he was five years of age, he made his home with his sister, Mrs. Jarvis, of Melville, for four years, meantime attending the schools of that place and of Huntington.
At the age of fourteen our subject went to New York City and for three years was clerk in a produce business. He then returned to St. James and formed a partnership with his brother. C. Floyd, with whom he carried on a general store for two years, and then sold out. Next he received the appointment of agent for the Long Island Railroad at St. James, in which capacity he was employed for fourteen years. During this period he also gave some attention to the farm and carried on a livery business. April 1, 1895, he re- tired from the position of agent, and has since given his attention to the farm and the livery business.
The first vote of Mr. Smith was cast for Ruth- erford B. Hayes, and he has always supported Re- publican candidates and measures. Active in public affairs, he has held a number of offices in the town and county. For three terms he was School Trustee, and in 1880 he was nominated for Collector on the Democratic ticket, but suffered
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defeat with others of the same party. Besides hav- ing often served as delegate to town and county conventions, he has twice been a delegate to the state conventions, and is proud of the fact that he helped to place in nomination Warner Miller and Levi P. Morton. At present he is a member of the Republican County Committee. In 1892 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and is still serving in that capacity. With his wife he holds membership in the Episcopal Church at St. James, of which for four years he was a Vestry- man. In his family there are five children, name- ly: Richard E., George L., Alma E., Queenie A., and Clarence M., Jr.
J OHN M. BAYLIS, of Babylon, was born in what is now West Islip, November 18, 1837, and is a son of John and Susan (Dow) Bay- lis. His father was born in Paterson, N. J., and came to this county, when about fifteen, to en- gage in fishing and hunting, which he followed the greater part of his life. He married here on the island, his wife being a daughter of Thomas Dow, one of the earliest settlers in this portion of the county; she was distantly related to the fan- ous Lorenzo Dow, one of the branches of that family having gone west to Chicago many years ago. The father of our subject had ten children, of whom John M. was the third, and seven are still living. He died at the age of eighty-four, and his wife at the age of seventy-six, and their re- mains are at rest in the Babylon Cemetery.
Mr. Baylis grew to manhood in West Islip, and received a fair common-school education, which he has since broadened by serious reading and close observation. After the fashion so much in vogue among the youth of the island, when he had reached the age of eighteen he went aboard a sailing packet, plying between New York and Charleston, as a sailor before the mast. Here he served for three years, and then found an engage- ment in the West Indies trade for a short time. When the war broke out he hastened to enlist in the Government service. He was enrolled in an
organization known as the Berdan Sharpshoot- ers, and served there for two and a half years. We may well believe that the experiences of his boyhood proved very helpful to the young sol- dier, only he was now hunting men instead of wild fowl. When he was mustered out of service he built a coast wrecking vessel for work along the southern coast.
Mr. Baylis was twice married, his first wife being Miss Annie Mallard, of Babylon. His sec- ond wife was Miss Louise Daily, of Babylon, where she was born and reared. He engaged in the hotel business about the year 1875, other parties furnishing the financial backing. Ten years later he set out for himself on Fire Island, where he conducted a hotel for ten years. Then he came to this village and established a boarding house, which he has maintained to the present day.
In polities Mr. Baylis is quite independent, but usually affiliates with the Democratic party, thinking their ideas are rather better for the gen- eral good of the country than those cherished by any other party. As an old soldier, he wears the Grand Army button with a pride that only those who have seen service can understand and appre- ciate. He is a member of Guerney Post No. 538. His first wife bore him one child, Richard M., who is an artist of considerable prominence. There are three children of his last marriage, Katie L., Flossie and Edward R.
C APT. HARRY P. HAFF. Among the residents of Islip there is no one more popular than Captain Haff, of the "Wasp." He was born in this village, July 4, 1861, and is a son of Capt. Henry C. and Adelaide A. (Lake) Haff, also natives of the town of Islip. His father, who was reared on a farm and attended a district school during the winter months, started out in life for himself at the age of sixteen, and for a time was in the employ of the Long Island Rail- road Company as foreman of a section. At the age of twenty-one he went to sea and was on the
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I. ATMORE YOUNG.
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wrecking schooner "John G. Roach," being its mate during the Burnside expedition. He has led an adventurous seafaring life.
For seven years Captain Haff was superintend- ent of the Olympic Club, and sailed their yacht. In 1876 he took charge of the yacht "Onward," six years later controlled the "Fanny," and in 1887 took charge of the "Mayflower." Later he was with the "Volunteer," and sailed that vessel in the race for the cup in 1887. In 1889 he was with Capt. C. Oliver Islen on the "Titania," after which he returned to the "Volunteer," and re- mained with it until 1892. He assumed charge of the "Colonia" in 1893, and the following year was in England as commander of the "Vigilant." In 1895 he sailed the "Defender" in the famous race with the "Valkyrie," which aroused the keenest interest in both the Old World and the New, and which brought to the United States a glorious victory.
The part taken by Captain Haff in winning the. cnp was one of the greatest importance, reflect- ing high credit upon his ability and shrewdness. On his return home from the race he was given an ovation by the people of Islip. There was a parade in his honor, and in the line of carriages were ministers, doctors, lawyers and citizens of every occupation. The village band occupied a position in an open, decorated wagon. Guns and cannon were fired, and the streets were lined with people who came out to hail the popular Captain. The parade halted before his residence, and he responded with a very fitting address.
Notwithstanding his active life and arduo:s labors, Captain Haff enjoys excellent health. A few years ago, however, he was obliged to submit to a surgical operation in order to have a cancer removed from his face. He and his excellent wife are each fifty-eight years of age. Our subject at- tended the public school of Islip in boyhood, but at the age of sixteen he abandoned his studies and went to sea. lle coasted during the summer months until he was eighteen, when he began work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for three years. In 1883 he shipped before the mast of the "Fanny," and in 1884-86 served as mate of the same sloop. IIe was mate of the
"Volunteer" when she sailed for the cup. In 1888 he took charge as master of his first boat, the "Xara," later was with the "Mariquita" and the "Mineola," after which he was mate of the "Colo- nia" for one year, and for the past two years has been with the "Wasp."
In 1886 our subject married Miss Alida ; daughter of Arlington Smith, a citizen of Islip, where she was born and educated. Two children blessed their union, but one died in infancy, the surviving child being named Hazel. The family are identified with the Presbyterian Church and regularly attend religious services. Socially our subject is identified with the Masonie fraternity, and politically he is a stanch Republican. For the past four years he has served as County Commit- teeman. His father, too, is active in Republican ranks and has held a number of positions of trust, among them that of Coast Inspector of this dis- trict, in which capacity he has served for fourteen years.
ATMORE YOUNG stands well among the leading farmers and prominent men of the town of Southold, and has won his standing by patient and unremitting hard work. His posi- tion has not been reached by virtue of any favor- ing circumstances, but simply because he marked out a course of conduct early in life that, faith- fully followed out, has brought him to his present position of respect and comfort.
Mr. Young was born in this county, January 29, 1844, his parents being Israel and Elizabeth A. (Congden) Young. His father was a native of this island, and was born on the farm where our subject now lives; he resided here all his life. dying February 8, 1875. The mother's birth oc- curred on the mainland. Of their children only two survive, I. Atmore and Benjamin P. The father took an active interest in all local politics, and was a Whig before the organization of the Republican party. The grandfather, Benjamin Young, resided on the home farm before him, and died here when thirty-nine years of age. He was a
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seafaring man in early life, and owned a sloop which was captured by the English in the War of 1812, while it was floating on Long Island Sound. The father of Benjamin, Israel Young, was the original settler on the farm now owned and occu- pied by our subject.
Israel Young, the father of our subject, was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Franklin- ville, and was highly regarded by his friends and neighbors. He was also a carpenter, and fol- lowed his trade for years, carrying it on in connec- tion with farming. Our subject was reared to manhood in this county, and has followed farm- ing here all his days. He was very fairly edu- cated in the public schools, and in Franklinville Academy, and has found health and wealth and happiness in an agricultural life.
November 12, 1874, Mr. Young was married to Anna A. Parsons, a native of East Hampton, and daughter of the late Thomas T. Parsons. Mr. Young is the owner of fifty acres of land, a small estate when compared with the hundreds of acres that are bound up within the limits of a single Western farm, but a considerable property when its nearness to the great metropolis is considered. Our subject, together with his wife, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is actively asso- ciated with the Republican party.
C HARLES L. RAYNOR, who is engaged in business as an undertaker at Sayville, and is also the present County Superin- tendent of the Poor, was born in Southampton, N. Y., April 15, 1830, and is a son of Nathaniel W. and Harmony (Howell) Raynor, natives, re- spectively, of Southampton and Riverhead. His paternal grandfather, with a brother, settled near Southampton many years ago, and Nathaniel, the father of our subject, remained there until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty-two years. ITis mother passed away at the age of seventy.
In the parental family there were nine children, of whom two died in infancy. The others were as
follows: Mariette, widow of Daniel Aldridge; Elizabeth, wife of Nortrand Bennett; Mulford T., who died at the age of sixty-seven; Fannie, who lias been married twice and is now a widow, mak- ing her home in Brooklyn; Milicent, wife of John North, of Brooklyn; Charles L., and John, who lives in Brooklyn.
Our subject was reared in the place of his birth, receiving a common-school education. The building in which he gained a rudimentary knowl- edge of the three R's was a primitive structure, 20x15, and sparsely furnished. When only twelve years of age he started out in the world to seek liis fortune, having all his possessions tied up in a handkerchief that he took with him. Though so young, he was brave and determined, and it was not long before he found friends who were won to him by his sturdy honesty and energy. His first work was that of errand boy in the store of Joshua Tuttle, at Speonk, where he remained four years, meantime being promoted to a clerk- ship. From Speonk he went to Southold, and for eight months, during the time of the Mexican War, he worked on a farmi for Squire Worth.
Upon his father's death our subject returned home, and for a year and a half remained with his mother. Before he was twenty-one he estab- lished liome ties of his own, soon after which lie came to Sayville. For twenty years he was em- ployed mainly as a fisherman, after which, with his son, he carried on the butcher's trade for a year. Afterward he turned his attention to the undertaking business, in which he has been en- gaged for twenty years. During the four and forty years that he has made liis home in Sayville he has won the friendship of the people of this place, who regard him as an honest, reliable and energetie business man.
In Riverhead Mr. Raynor married Saralı Le- valley, and nine children were born to them, namely: Ella, who is living in Brooklyn; Wood- hull N., who is a resident of Sayville; Elizabeth, also of this village: George, deceased: Etta, for- merly a school teacher, now deceased; Ruth, who is with her father; Charles, of New York City; Fannie, who lias filled the position of Deputy Postmaster at Sayville, and Eugenia, at home.
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Politically Mr. Raynor is a Republican, thoughi in the opening years of manhood he advocated Democratic principles. However, since the ad- ininistration of Buchanan he has been a stanch Republican. He was elected Superintendent of the Poor in 1888, reelected three years later, and is now serving his third term in that office. So- cially he is a member of Sayville Lodge, No. 322, I. O. O. F., and has served as Past Grand. His membership is in the Methodist Church, which his family also attend. It is a noteworthy fact that his home has been on the same site for a period of forty-three years. He built the house he now occupies, and has surrounded his family with all the comforts that can enhance the pleas- ure of existence. A genial, respected citizen, he is popular in social and business circles, and is regarded as one of the most reliable men of the town.
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J OHN R. MATIIER. It is a pleasure to chronicle the history of a man whose life has been one of honor and success, and through good business management, before he had reached the zenith of his career, Jolin R. Mather had accumulated a comfortable com- petency, and with his further accumulations in later years, he is now enabled to enjoy to the full- est extent the comforts of an ideal home. He was born at Drowned Meadow (now Port Jef- ferson) November 20, 1814, a son of Richard and Irene (Willse) Mather, the former of whom was a son of Alexander Mather, and the latter of John Willse, who came to Port Jefferson in 1801. Upon his arrival he erected and conducted a hotel here and became one of the most progressive citizens of the place. Richard Mather learned the trade - of a ship-builder under his step-father's direction, and this he made his life occupation.
When a lad the subject of this sketchi used to ride his father's horse to Mr. Hawkins' home to be shod, he being the nearest blacksmith in those days to the residents of Drowned Meadow, and while growing up attended the district schools and later the academy at Huntington, whither
his grandfather had moved and located nearly opposite the old Episcopal Church. Here the lat- ter died in 1824 and now sleeps his last long sleep in the old Presbyterian burying ground at that place. The maternal grandfather of John R. Mather, John Willse, lived in the house recently known as the residence of James Van Brunt, on the east side of Setauket Harbor. During this time he purchased of Judge Thomas Strong a tract of land since owned by James R. Davis and James M. Bayles, and built the house in which Mr. Bayles lived at the time of his death. This he conducted as a hotel, and a portion of this old building is still standing. In those days the land was little else than an unsubdued swamp, pro- lific in briars, and while the terms of the sale were being agreed upon Judge Strong made this re- mark: "Willse, I thought you were a man of bet- ter judgment than to build a house in this swamp."
In this house John R. Mather was born in 1814, as above stated. Mr. Willse obtained from the town authorities permission to build a wharf here, a portion of which still remains. He was by trade a ship-builder, and he is said to have built the first vessel ever constructed at Drowned Meadow, which he named the "Jay." How many he built in subsequent years is not known, but it is certain that he was the pioneer ship-yard pro- prietor and that he followed the business suc- cessfully until his death in 1815, at the age of fifty years. He was a man of unblemished repu- tation and to his foresight and energy the village of Port Jefferson owes its first start. He was the father of four sons and four daughters, and his eldest daughter married Richard Mather, who met with an accident in 1816 while manning the schooner "Rogers," which resulted in his death at the untimely age of thirty years. He was a first-class mechanic and an excellent man and his death was deeply deplored, not only by his ini- mediate and sorrowing household, but by all who knew him.
Mrs. Mather was married five years later to William L. Jones, who, in connection with her first husband's brother, Titus C. Mather, revived the shipyard and continued the business until about 1826, when the latter removed to Bridge-
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port, Conn., where he established himself in the same occupation. Mr. Jones was one of the leading men of his day in Port Jefferson and his memory is cherished by the subject of this sketch, to whom he was always a kind and considerate father. He was an exceptionally useful citizen, was generous to a fault, and did all in his power to build up the section in which he lived.
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John R. Mather was but two years old at the time of his father's death, but later in life went to Bridgeport and there completed his education and engaged as an apprentice with his uncle to learn the trade his father had followed, and re- mained thus occupied until the spring of 1837. In 1830 liis step-father, W. L. Jones, had bought what was known as the Point property, on which he built a residence on the street which still bears his name. Here he conceived the idea of buying a ship yard, which he carried into effect, although laboring under the disadvantages of floating his vessels to deeper waters. The first vessel was built at this yard in 1834 and was called the "Pearl." He was joined by his step-son, our sub- ject, who had completed his apprenticeship, and this partnership continued until 1844, during which time a road was constructed across the marsh, now constituting a part of Jones Street. A grant for constructing a dock at the end of this street was obtained from the town and an agree- ment to build a road eighteen feet wide with walls of stone, and a bridge under which the water might flow and ebb, all of which was faithfully performed on the part of Mr. Jones and Mr. Matlier. This road or causeway reverted to the town and was to be maintained as a highway.
The construction of a dock, which run five hundred feet into the bay, with an arm fifty fcet long, forming an "L," was a great public im- provement, but financially it was a failure. These gentlemen then laid two sets of marine railway on the shore, which was so very low at first that it had to be filled in with fresh earth from three to four feet, and the road was completed in 1841. Mr. Mather remained at the old yard until 1878. when he removed his place of business, and finally, in 1885, retired. Although he has now reached the age of four score and one years, he is
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