USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 52
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Mr. Tuthill was born in this county January 12, 1834, and is the son of Ira and Eliza (Gildsmithi) Tuthill, for many years among the old and hon- ored residents of this part of the island. Our sub- ject is enabled to trace his ancestry back to John Tuthill, who was the first representative of this branch of the family on Long Island. He was an Englishman, and emigrated from his native land about 1648, in company with thirteen other families, all of whom made the town of Southold their destination. Their descendants are now among some of the most influential residents of
this section, and from some of them sprang the Hortons, Terrys and Mapes, who are often men- tioned in this volume.
Jesse Tuthill, the grandfather of our subject, married a Miss Hallock, who was a relative of General Hallock, who commanded the Army of the Potomac during the late war. Many of her ancestors also served as soldiers in the War of the Revolution and became distinguished for their many brave deeds. Ira Tuthill, father of Philip W., of this history, was reared in this town, where . lie acquired a fair education in its district schools. In early life he assisted in carrying on the home farm, but soon abandoned this vocation in order to engage in a more exciting, although danger- ous, life, that of a seafaring man. He worked his way up from the humblest position on a coast- ing sloop to be commander of a vessel, and for many years was well known to the residents of Long Island as "Captain" Tuthill. He amassed a considerable fortune in this business, and when ready to abandon his seafaring life he engaged in the mercantile business at Mattituck, and in this. as in almost everything which he undertook, he also prospered. Captain Tuthill finally sold out his store and stock of goods and gave his atten- tion to farming, finding this kind of life to be more pleasant after the years of excitement and hard labor which he had spent. With the exception of two years, when he resided in Greene County. the Captain made his home in the town of South- old, dying in the village of that name in 1873 when advanced in years. He was for many years Dea- con and Elder of the Presbyterian Church at Cut- chogue, and gave his congregation very material support by his large contributions. In early life he voted the Whig ticket, but after the organiza- tion of the Republican party he never failed to give his support to its candidates. In his death the community lost one of its best and most pro- gressive citizens. Philip W. Tuthill received his primary education in the private schools near his home, and later prosecuted his studies in Frank- linville Academy. He became well informed. and when a young man began to utilize his attain- ments by teaching others, presiding over the winter terin of schools for several years.
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Mr. Tuthill was married December 29, 1878, to Miss Myra L., daughter of Jonathan E. and El- mira P. (Colton) Robinson, and to them have been granted two children, Philip R. and Emily G. The property which Mr. Tuthill owns in- cludes twenty-five acres of excellently cultivated land which is known as the old Tuthill home- stead. He has followed farming during the greater part of his active life, and, being thorough- ly in love with his business, is making a decided success of it. Following in the footsteps of his honored father as regards his politics, our sub- ject is a stalwart Republican. As a citizen he is public spirited and progressive, and has done much for the upbuilding and development of his community.
B UEL T. WILLIAMS. There is such uni- formity in the great body of men that but little profit could result from the study of most of them. Occasionally an unusual charac- ter is developed, either physically, morally or in- tellectually, and so impresses itself upon the peo- ple within the reach of its influence that it de- serves to be noted and studied. The subject of this sketch is such a character. He is a native of this county, born in the town of Huntington De- cember 21, 1849, being a son of William H. and Phoebe (Smith) Williams.
The Williams family was founded in Suffolk County by Nicholas Williams, great-grandfather of our subject, who, although of German birth, crossed the ocean to this country during the Rev- olutionary War. He subsequently located in the town of Huntington, Suffolk County, where he married a Miss Tigney, and the children born to this union were: John, William, and Isaac. John, the grandfather of our subject, was born, lived and died in the town of Huntington, where he first followed farming, but later shoemaking. His wife was Sarah Wicks, a native of this county, and their children who lived to mature years were named as follows: Lucinda, who married Josiah Bishop; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Lu-
ther Bartow; Mary, who married James Tuttle, and William H., father of our subject, who was born in the town of Huntington November 19, 1822.
William H. Williams was educated in the com- mon schools, but being an invalid from the age of four to fourteen, this interfered to a great ex- tent with his schooling. When seventeen years old he began serving an apprenticeship in the blacksmith trade at Claypits (now Northport), this county, with Ira Gildersleeve, and remained one year, completing his time with George Lewis, of Northport. About the time of his marriage to Miss Phoebe Smith, daughter of Titus Smith in 1844, he established a business at Centerport, which he continued until 1853. During his resi- dence there all his children were born. His next move was to Vernon Valley, in the same town. where he formed a partnership with Joel Griffith, which was soon dissolved. In 1855 he moved to Smithtown and established the business which has been continued since by himself and son.
The business, as first established, was a gen- eral blacksmithing, but since our subject engaged in it has been enlarged and wagon-making and repairing added. Mr. Williams is now a hale and hearty gentleman of seventy-three, and still in busy times does some horse-shoeing. The building now used they erected in 1884, as the increasing business rendered the old one too small. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Smithtown Landing as early as 1856, and there the former still retains his membership. Mrs. Williams died September 21, 1889. Their children were named as follows: Emaline H., born October 14, 1845, now the wife of Dr. Jonas B. Payne, a dentist oi Smithtown; Martha P., born July 9, 1847, and married to E. Hollis Newton, of Ronkonkoma. N. Y., and Buel T., our subject.
As the latter was but five years old when his parents moved to Smithtown, and as he has re- mained here ever since, all his interests are cen- tered in and around the village. He secured a liberal English education in the common schools. and when about seventeen years old entered his father's shop, where he has since been identified
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with the business. He is recognized in his craft as a natural and very skillful mechanic, nothing in the shaping or working of metals being too in- tricate or difficult for his skill. He makes a spe- cialty of fine and delicate work that is not attempt- ed by the ordinary workman. The business, al- through nominally conducted by his father, is managed and attended to in detail by him.
May 28, 1879, Buel T. Williams married Miss Samantlia Newton, youngest daughter of Samuel and Caroline Newton. She was born in the town of Brook Haven October 1, 1850, and died May 20, 1887. The marriage took place in the Lake Grove Church, and was attended by a large as- sembly of friends. Just eight years later, lacking six days, she was buried from the same church with almost the same circle of friends in attend- ance as mourners. Mr. Williams was again mar- ried August 10, 1892, his wife being Miss Bertha Gardner, daughter of John E. and Laura (Davis) Gardner. She was a native of the town of Hunt- ington, as were also her parents. One son has been born to this union. Leon B., whose birth oc- curred August 29, 1894.
In politics Mr. Williams advocates the men and principles of the Republican party and takes a deep interest in its welfare. For two years he was Inspector of Elections and Clerk of the Polls, and for a number of years was Clerk of the School Board of District No. 7. He is a charter member of the Royal Arcanum, Smithtown Council, No. 1511. At the organization of the Council he was elected Secretary, which office he held for two years, and in January, 1895, he was elected to the office of Regent.
G EORGE W. WATKINS. Among the residents of Amityville who, in their con- duct of business matters and the duties belonging to the various relations of life, have acquired a worthy name is George W. Watkins, a inan well posted on all important subjects. He was born in New York City October 17, 1827, and is a son of George S. and Elizabeth (Wragg)
Watkins, both natives of that place. About 1832 the father removed from there to Bellport, L. I., settling at Fire Place, where he passed the re- mainder of his days. Our subject was about five years old when he came with his parents to Long Island, and four years afterward he was left fatherless. Later the family returned to New York City.
When George W. Watkins was sixteen years old he went to Clarkston, Rockland County, N. Y., and began teaching school. Wlien but four- teen years old he could read, write and speak six languages (English, French, Spanish, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew), and was one of the brightest students of Washington University. He was also a good mathematician, and excelled in the liberal sciences. He followed teaching from the age of sixteen to twenty-one and then, after trav- eling about for some time, fell in with the Shaker Society, with which he spent three years. For ten or twelve years following this he was engaged in the dry goods business in the city of New York, owning two stores on Bleeker Street, but these he finally disposed of and went to Mt. Ver- non, Westchester County, where he embarked in the grocery business. A few years later he sold out, afterward carried on a restaurant for a few years, and then, in 1854, came to Amityville, where he made his home until 1863. During a terrific storm at this place he prophesied that the waves would make a break through the beach and said if they did that he would build a hotel. As they did break through the beach, he soon afterward erected the hotel, which he built of hemlock. This was called the Hemlock Hotel by the people, and from that name we have Hem- lock Inlet, which later was filled up and called Hemlock Beach, and at the present time is known as Hemlock Station. Returning to Mt. Vernon, N. Y., he engaged in the saloon business for ten years and then went to Islip, where he remained for ten years.
Mr. Watkins has kept "bachelor hall" since the age of twenty-four. When a lad of nine years he was sent to school at Poultney, Vt., and while there, during vacation, he observed his lady teachers making lace. As he showed consider-
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able interest in their work they taught him how it was made, and from that he learned to knit very intricate and beautiful patterns of lace work. He was offered $250 for one piece of his work, but, instead, gave it to his sister. He is a poct of much ability, and many of his poems have been at different times published in magazines and newspapers in this and other states. Besides this he is an artist, and has some fine oil paintings of his own work; also plays the organ and other instruments. His fine library of three hundred volumes of the best authors is well read by him, and there are few subjects that he is not familiar with. Since 1883 he has been a resident of Amityville, where in 1894 he bought his com- fortable and pleasant home. He is not an active politician, but is a Republican and voted for Tay- lor in 1848.
R OBERT G. CORNWELL, M. D., is one of the most successful and prosperous phy- sicians in this section. The steady nerve, the quick eye and tender, sympathizing touch which make a physician so affectionately re- garded, are qualities which no school of medicine can give, if they are not part of the man himself. With this brief introduction we pass on to the sketch of one whose life in the past argues well for the future.
Dr. Cornwell, who is at present located at Jamesport, this county, was born in the city of Brooklyn January 20, 1854. There were six children born to his parents, James II. and Mary E. (King) Cornwell, all of whom are deceased with the exception of Robert G., who was the youngest but one. The father of the family was also a native of the City of Churches, and was reared and educated for the profession of law. He was admitted to practice at the Bar in due time, and later held the office of Police Judge of Brooklyn for a period of eight years. At one time he was one of the leading politicians of the city and was elected on the Democratic ticket to the General Assembly.
During the late war James H. Cornwell was a member of the staff of Gen. Frank V. Spinnore, and although serving through that entire period was never wounded, but was badly frightened on two occasions when his horse was shot from under him. After the close of the war he returned to Brooklyn, and, opening an office, was success- fully engaged in the practice of law until his de- mise, which occurred when he was sixty-three years of age. He was the son of Richard and Mary (Herbert) Cornwell, for many years resi- dents of Brooklyn. The father became Surrogate of Kings County, living there at a time when the city of Brooklyn was little more than a small town. Mrs. Mary E. Cornwell, the mother of our subject, was born in that city, and was the daugh- ter of Daniel and Catherine (Snow) King. She died there when sixty-four years of age. Her father was an architect of prominence and drew the plans for many of the large public and flat buildings of the city, among them being the city hall, the county court house, penitentiary, etc. He was born in Jamesport, Suffolk County, and was taken to Brooklyn by his parents when a child, living there until his death, when in his eightieth year. Mrs. Catherine King was born in Brooklyn many years ago, when that city bore little promise of ever attaining its present size.
The subject of this sketch attended Delphia Academy of Brooklyn until sixteen years of age, and after graduating from the collegiate de- partment entered Bellevue Medical College, at- tending that institution for two terms. He next became a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons and was graduated from the Long Island Hospital in June, 1875. Later he spent about a year in practice in the hospital, and then located in Brooklyn, where for three years and a half he devoted himself to his profession. At the end of that time he came to Jamesport, where he has become one of the most successful physi- cians and skilled surgeons of the community. Hle rides over a wide extent of territory and his practice is constantly increasing.
October 17. 1882. Dr. Cornwell and Miss Flor- ence H. Conklin of Jamesport, were united in marriage. The latter was the danghter of Capt.
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Benjamin F. Conklin, of this place, and by her union with our subject became the mother of four children, namely: Mary, Benjamin C., Robert L. (deceased), and Raymond. The doctor has long been prominent in political matters. He is not a member of any church organization, but his good wife belongs to the Congregational Society.
J EHIEL B. REEVE. We desire to call par- ticular attention to Mr. Reeve, who is one of the enterprising merchants of East Mo- riches. He conducts affairs very satisfactorily on his own responsibility, and owing to the excellent stock of boots and shoes which he keeps, and the fair dealings all receive at his hands, he has ob- tained a fair share of public favor.
Mr. Reeve was born in East Moriches March 15, 1830, and is the son of Hezekiah and Harriet (Brown) Reeve, also natives of Suffolk County. His father in early life learned the business of a shop carpenter, which he found to be very profit- able work, and followed it successfully through life. He was a quiet and unassuming citizen and devoted his attention closely to his business. He departed this life in 1844, mourned by all who knew him. His good wife, the mother of our subject, followed him to the grave several years later.
The subject of this sketch was ambitious to gain a good education, and as soon as old enough was sent to school by his parents, who allowed him to continue his studies until sixteen years of age. He then deemed it wise to learn a trade and apprenticing himself to a good shoemaker, worked at that occupation until he had thorough- ly mastered it. He worked continuously at this until 1864, when he laid aside his tools and don- ning the blue, joined Company H, Fifteenth New York National Guards, and was in active service for thirty days. After this he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-third New York Infantry, and was mustered into service at Ja- maica. He was ordered to the front with his regi- ment and participated in many battles and skir-
mishes. Although in active service until June 4, 1865, he was never captured by the enemy or wounded. He was mustered out at Ft. Meigs, Washington, D. C., and returning home. again engaged in the manufacture of shoes, which busi- ness he has ever since followed. He keeps in his store his own make of boots and shoes, together with that of other firms, and is doing a fine and paying business.
Mr. Reeve married Miss Melissa A. Ketcham. daughter of Nelson Ketcham, a worthy citizen of Suffolk County. To our subject and his wife there were born three children: Jennie, the wife of Benjamin L. Evans, a resident of Brooklyn; Edgar F., a prominent hotel man of Detroit, Mich., and Kittie, who is the wife of Charles I. Wells, a business man of Brooklyn.
Mrs. Reeve is a valued member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and is interested and a worker in all religious enterprises. Our subject has always been a stanch Republican in politics, and has an abiding faith in the purity of that party's teachings. He has never desired to hold office, for his entire time and attention is occu- pied in looking after his business interests. He is an honorable and upright citizen of East Mor- iches, by whose residents he is highly regarded.
J JOHN S. ROBBINS, long a prominent busi- ness man of Northport and now living a re- tired life here, was born in Amityville No- vember 29, 1829, and was the second in the family of nine children born to Stephen and Abigail (Smith) Robbins. All these children are dead except our subject and his younger brother, George, who is engaged in the furniture trade in this village.
The father of our subject was born in Amity- ville, where he was reared to farm life, and for several years was engaged in buying calves and poultry on the island and in various parts of the state. He was an active, useful man, and died at the age of seventy-one. Politically he was a Democrat. He was a liberal man and made con-
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siderable money, but lost much of it before he died. He served in the late war and was injured by being thrown from a horse. In religious con- nections he was a member of the Methodist Church. His father, Scudder Robbins, a native of Amityville, was a farmer, and lived to be about seventy, when he was killed in Illinois for his money. The mother of our subject was also born and married at Amityville, and died there at the age of forty-three. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The subject of this sketch remained at home and attended the common school until he became of age. Then he left home and went to Brooklyn, where he was engaged in the milk business for five years. On his return to Amityville he rented a farm and operated it in connection with the butcher business for several years. Failing health forced him to abandon business for some time. November 29, 1851, he married Miss Mary E. Powell, of Amityville, who died at the age of fifty-eight, leaving three children: Emily is the wife of Eugene P. Strong, and lives at Bay Shore; Samuel is a furniture merchant and undertaker at Northport; Carlton is engaged in the feed busi- ness and has a store at Amityville. Mr. Robbins is a stanch Republican, and is regarded by his neighbors as a man of good judgment and clean character.
S IMEON B. FANNING is a prominent and wealthy citizen of Suffolk County and a member of an old established family. The beautiful home of our subject in the town of Riverhead, with its trees and Howers, proclaims to the stranger that it is the abode of culture and refinement.
The subject of this notice resides upon the home farm, where he was born December 31, 1828. His parents, Israel and Clarissa (Skid- more) Fanning, had five children, of whom Sim- eon B. was the youngest, and he has but one sis- ter living. James, the eldest. who was a teacher of note in the Washington Square Collegiate School of New York City, died when twenty-eight years
of age; Edward was an agriculturist and lived to the age of seventy-two years; Frances is the widow of Dr. Clark Wright, formerly one of the prominent physicians of this section; she now makes her home in Greenport. Franklin died in his fourteenth year.
The father of the above family was born near Aquebogue, and was there reared to farm life. Later lie engaged in the mercantile business at that place, and for fifteen or twenty years was in command of a very paying business. After dis- posing of his stock he invested his means in fonr hundred acres of land in this town, the greater part of which was wild and uncultivated. After years of hard labor this was cleared and improved and it is now owned by our subject. The father lived here until his death, that event occurring when in his eighty-first year. He was an inde- fatigable temperance worker and was one of the three who organized the first temperance so- ciety in this part of the island. Financially he was very successful. and could always be counted upon to use his means in pushing forward any enterprise which he deemed was for the good of the community. It was due to his enterprise and influence that Franklinville Academy was estab- lished and Mr. Fanning, with one other gentle- man, pledged himself responsible for the salary of the teacher for three years. In this way the institution gained a good start and soon became known as one of the noted schools of the island.
Israel Fanning served as a soldier in the War of 1812. On the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and was ever active in local politics. He served as Sheriff of the county for one term, and during his official career his character was above reproach in every way. Dur- ing his residence at Aquebogue he was a member of the. Congregational Church, but after remov- ing to this community joined the Presbyterian Church. For a more complete ancestral record we refer the reader to the sketch of Orange T. Fanning, on another page in this volume.
The mother of our subject was born at Wood- ville, near Wading River, this town. She lived to the remarkable age of ninety-three years and up to that time was wonderfully well preserved. She
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too was a member of the Presbyterian Church. She came of a family noted for its longevity, as will be seen by reading the sketch of George Skidmore. The early education of our subject was limited to the district school, but after his graduation from the academy he made use of his attainments by teaching cthers. On reaching his majority he located upon the old homestead and aided his father in its operation until the lat- ter's death, when he inherited a portion of the estate, and here the greater portion of his life has been passed.
In the year 1856 Simeon B. Fanning and Miss Eleanor Sayre, a native of New York City, were united in marriage. To them were granted four children, namely: Charlotte, the wife of A. E. Hawkins, a prosperous farmer of this town; Clara and Israel S., at home, the latter aiding in the management of the homestead, and one who died in infancy. This property, which is two hundred acres in extent, is pleasantly located on the shore of the Great Peconic Bay and is very fertile and productive. The dwelling is a large and well built structure, surrounded by shade trees, which Mr. Fanning has set out him- self. During his younger years he sold agri- enltural implements through the county, repre- senting some of the best manufacturers of this line of machinery in America.
Although a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party, our subject could never be prevailed upon to accept office. as his time is fully occupied in looking after his multitudinous duties on the farm. Together with his wife he is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.
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