Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1, Part 53

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Chapman
Number of Pages: 928

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OHN M. LUPTON. To those who scan the pages of history and biography especial interest surrounds the life of a man who has achieved success and has won a place for himself in the world of commerce, science or literature. The subject of this sketch has gained promi- Hence among the seed-growers of the United States, and is noted for his extensive knowledge

along that line. At various times he has been a contributor to the agricultural journals of the country and is considered authority on seed- growing. To him belongs the credit of having originated several varieties of cabbage and raising the standard of the cabbage family, and he is now the largest producer of cabbage seed in the United States.

In the town of Southold, Suffolk County, the subject of this notice was born October 6, 1856, to Edmund F. and Hannah M. (Moore) Lupton. His father, likewise a native of Long Island, be- longed to one of the oldest families here. On at- taining mature years he adopted the vocation of a farmer, and this he followed until the time of his death in 1860. His parents having been peo- ple of limited means, they were unable to give him a good education or a start in life, but he gained success notwithstanding the disadvan- tages under which he labored. His widow re- sides in the town of Southold, and is now nearly seventy years of age.

After gaining his elementary education in the schools of his district, John M. Lupton entered Franklinville Academy, where he carried on his studies for some time. He was reared to a life of industry and usefulness, and in 1880 began the growing of seeds, which he sells to some of the largest dealers in the country. He has spared neither time nor money to bring this industry to a point of excellence achieved by few, and the fifty acres owned by him are devoted mainly to this business. He has written a book entitled "Cabbage and Cauliflower for Profit." Aside from other interests, he has been actively con- nected with the development and growth of the Farmers' Institute of Long Island, and is one of the lecturers of this body. In the American Seed Trade Association, to which he belongs, he is serving as a member of the committee on nomen- clature and identification of vegetables. He is also President of the Hallock & Duryee Fertilizer Company.

December 23. 1879, Mr. Lupton was united in marriage with Miss Millie F., daughter of Frank- lin Edwards, of this county. To them have been born three children, Belle C., Robert M., and

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Russell E. Mr. Lupton never fails to support Republican candidates, and is recognized as one of the influential members of his party in this vicinity. He is now serving his second term as Assessor of the town of Southold. Socially he is a Mason and belongs to Riverhead Lodge, No. 645. He is a man whose genial nature attracts friends, and in all the relations of life he has borne himself as a true friend and an honest man of business.

T READWELL F. WHEELER. The prominence that of late years has been given to the production of excellent grades of flour is nowhere more apparent than in Smithtown, and among the leading responsible concerns which have largely contributed to this desirable result is that conducted by Treadwell F. Wheeler, the popular miller of this village. He is a native of Smithtown, born September 25, 1848, on the place where he now lives, and, with the exception of a few years, this has been his home all his life. His father, Lyman B. Wheeler, was born near Smithtown in 1814, and when a young man learned the shoemaker's trade, following that for four years at Sag Harbor, this county. For the most part he carried on his trade at Smithtown, and died there November 13. 1888. He was married in his native town to Miss Frances M. Wheeler, a cousin, who bore him nine children, eight of whom are now living and all on the island except Mrs. Eaton, who makes her home at Oneonta, N. Y.

The grandfather of our subject, Melancthon Wheeler, was a native of Smithtown, and there married Miss Hannah B. Walker, who was born in Springfield, Mass. After their marriage he engaged in the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed for the most part during life, and was a res- ident of his native town until his death in July, 1863, when eighty years old. The great-grand- father of our subject, Platt Wheeler, also lived and died in Smithtown and tilled the soil for a livelihood. During his youthful days our sub- ject assisted in farm work, and when old enough

entered the mill that he operates at the present time. During the last five years he was there he was in partnership.

In 1867 Mr. Wheeler married Miss Jane Thompson, a native of Patchogue, L. I., and soon afterward moved to Centerport, Suffolk County, where he remained one year. From there he moved to Yaphank, was in the milling business for three years, and then returned to his native town on the Ist of April, 1877, and has since been conducting the old mill at that place. He lost his wife in 1879, and in July, 1881, married Miss Jen- nie E. Baker, daughter of Charles Baker, of Pat- chogue. To this union have been born two sons, Leonard B. and Clarence E. Since a boy Mr. Wheeler has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Wheeler also holds membership in that church. In politics he is an ardent Republican. He is a member of the Suf- folk County Mutual Benefit Association, and is one of the county's most worthy and esteemed citizens.

D ANIEL WILLIAMSON. This book is not only a history of the living, but it is also a memorial of the dead. Here may be inscribed those tender words that recount the virtues and recall the names of those once busy and active in the affairs of the great world, but who have now ceased from their labors and en- tered into their well-deserved rest. So it is with the name that introduces this article. We speak the name, but the man has gone away from these streets of earth, and will be seen here no more. This article is a tribute of love from those who miss him here and look forward to a meeting in the "great beyond."

Daniel Williamson was born in Franklinville November 14, 1807. He was the son of James Williamson, and his mother was a Young. He was one of five children, of whom none are now living. December 20, 1832, he married Miss Julia Swezey, and of this union there were born four children. Jantes, Charles, and Robert B. are dead; Sophia, the widow of Gilbert Darling,

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is the only surviving member of this family. The was engaged kept him so busy that he had but subject of this writing was born and reared in little time to give to public affairs. He was an all-around mechanic and aided very materially the upbuilding of this community. Franklinville, and when in early manhood canie to Stony Brook and served an apprenticeship in the trade of ship building. When he had learned The father of our subject was the son of Gresham Gerard, of French descent. He was a resident of Middle Island, and among its resi- dents was highly regarded. He died prior to the birth of our subject, and left a daughter, Tabitha, who married Daniel Overton, of Pat- chogue, and two sons, Daniel G. and Hiram. this thoroughly he went to New York City, and was there engaged for some time. He then returned to Stony Brook, where he set up as a ship builder on his own account, and succeeded in winning considerable business to himself, being well patronized up to a time very near his death. At one time he owned an interest in several coast- Our subject has one brother living, Daniel G., Jr., whose home is in this community and who is the father of three sons, Sherman, Sidney and Henry; also three sisters, Mary A., the wife of Charles H. Terrill; Eliza J., who married Richard Ruland, and Edith R., now Mrs. O. W. Mills, all residents of Patchogue. ing vessels, and, generally speaking, was very successful all through life. For years before he retired from business he was known among his friends as "Boss" Williamson. He died in 1879, and his remains are buried at St. James Cemetery at St. James. He was an active member of the Episcopal Churchi.

In politics Mr. Williamson was a Democrat. His education was mostly self-acquired. He be- gan life in very moderate circumstances, and pushed his way through to substantial success. His wife died in 1879 in her seventy-ninth year. She was of her husband's faith, and her remains rest in the same cemetery. Their only living daughter, Sophia, was married in 1873 to Gilbert Darling, and is the mother of two children, Julia M. and Sophia A., both single and at home.

The mother of our subject is still living and is in the eighty-ninth year of her age. The old home which she occupied in former years was later sold and is now the site of the present Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Daniel G. and his brother Hiram had owned this tract of land. which was located on Ocean Avenue, extending trom Main to Division Streets. This is now the business portion of the town and is occupied by inany of the large houses of the village. The present home of the family is located two doors south of the church above referred to and is very pleasant and attractive in appearance. Mrs. Charlotte Gerard was the daughter of Joseph Rose, late of Brook Haven village, where she was born and reared.

G EORGE DALLAS GERARD, who is one of the most prominent men on Long George D. Gerard lived at home and attended school in the district during the winter months until twelve years of age. He then engaged to clerk in a country store and followed this busi- ness, together with assisting in the management of the home farm, until his marriage when about twenty-one years of age. This event was sol- enmized December 2. 1866, when Miss R. Amelia, daughter of Nelson Danes, of Blue Point, became his wife. Mrs. Gerard was born at that place, but was educated in the schools of New York City and Brooklyn. She afterward made Island, was born at Patchogue, where he is now living, January 1, 1846. His parents were Daniel G. and Charlotte (Rose) Gerard. The father was very ingenious in mechanics and was a blacksmith, mason, house carpenter, ship builder, millwright and wagonmaker. He was born at Middle Island, but spent the greater part of his life at Patchogue, where for many years lie was actively engaged in business with his brother, lliram Gerard, a well known shipbuilder. He died April 1, 1877, when seventy-eight years of age. The various lines of business in which le " use of her knowledge by teaching others and gave

all

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entire satisfaction while engaged to teach at Blue Point and Patchogue.

After his marriage Mr. Gerard elerked for W. & J. E. Roe, and later was offered a better posi- tion with John M. Smith, the proprietor of a gen- eral store, with whom he remained for five years. During the last year he was appointed Postmas- ter of Patehogue, without any solicitation on his part, and entered upon the duties of that position during the administration of U. S. Grant. So sat- isfactory was the manner in which he transacted the business of the office that he was retained as its head for eight years. His appointment was largely due to the influence in his favor of George F. Carman, a prominent resident of this locality.

During his ineumbency of the office of Post- master, Mr. Gerard was the senior member of the firm of Gerard & Smith, dealers in general mer- chandise, whose place of business was located on the corner of Main and Ocean Avenues. When he was relieved from his official duties, however, they erected a new store building, which is now occupied by C. E. Rose & Sons, on Ocean Ave- nue, and which Mr. Gerard still owns. They con- tinued to operate together until the death of Mr. Smith, in the fall of 1882, when our subject purchased his interest in the business and ear- ried on a thriving trade under the name of George D. Gerard. About four years ago, however, he sold his stoek of goods to C. E. Rose & Sons, to whom he also leased the building.

Through the progressiveness and enterprise of such citizens as Mr. Gerard, the village of Pat- . ehogue has been favored with many convenienees in the way of water supply, electric light, etc. For three years our subjeet was Superintendent of the · Suffolk County Water Company, which fur- nished the residents of this village with that neees- sary artiele, and since the incorporation of the Electric Light Company he has been one of the Directors, also Seeretary, Collector and, together with J. C. Mills, one of its business managers. While in active business as a merchant he was- elected Assessor of the Town of Brook Haven, which office he held for nine years. He is now serving his fourth term, of three years each, as President of the Board. During this time he has

also been Collector of this town and held many other positions of importance. He has always taken an active part in school affairs and for twelve years has been a member of the Board of Education. He has been in elose touch with everything relating to the growth of the school and through his influence the standard of sehol- arship has been placed upon a higher plane.

Mr. Gerard is a strong advocate of the princi- ples and doetrines of the Republican party and a very active worker in its ranks in his community. He is a member of the County Committee, also the Town Committee and makes it a point to attend nearly all party conventions. He was the nominee for the office of Supervisor in a strong Democratie distriet and made a very elose fight, being defeated by a very small majority. Upon the incorporation of the village he became Street Commissioner, but after one year's service re- fused to longer hold the office.

The growing of oysters is a very important and profitable business along the various bays on Long Island, and the Nassau Oyster Company, of which Mr. Gerard is Secretary, Treasurer and one of the Directors, is among the largest en- gaged in propagating and developing the oyster. The company, whose capital is $100,000, owns large oyster beds along the shore of Long Island Sound at Southport, Conn., and also leases large tracts of ground in the Great South Bay. They ship annually about six thousand barrels of oys- ters and of this industry are making a decided suceess. The main office of the company is at Patehogue. For the carrying on of this business they have one dredging boat which cost $6,000, and during the busy season they give employ- inent to twenty-five men.

Mr. Gerard has been a Director and stock- holder of the Patchogue Bank since its organiza- tion in 1885. It is a reliable institution and has among its depositors many of the wealthy resi- dents of this part of the county. He has also been a Director, since 1894, of the Long Island Chau- tanqua Assembly Association. A short time thereafter he was made its Treasurer and the business part of the association falls largely upon his shonklers, but he has proved himself to be

MRS. M. S. BLYDENBURGH.

EBENEZER S. BLYDENBURGH.

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thoroughly competent and willing to manage all its transactions. This association was organized in the above year and their grounds, which contain many acres, was chosen at Point of Woods. It is most beautifully located, with the ocean on one side and Great South Bay on the other. About three hundred lots have been sold and an auditorium erected which cost $6.500, to- gether with a hotel for the accommodation of their guests. This building cost $2,000 and the walks which have been laid through the grounds made it necessary for them to expend a like sum of money. On the bay side a dock has been con- structed, and numerous other improvements in- troduced which make it a most delightful place in which to spend a week or a day.' The associa- tion has expended about $35,000 on the grounds, while those owning their own cottages have made $40,000 worth of improvements. The season of 1805 showed the greatest progress in eighteen months of any similar association in the United States. Located as it is with salt water on one side, with fine facilities for bathing, fishing and yachting, it has a great future before it as a sum- mer and educational resort.

During the summer of '94 the Long Island Mu- tual Fire Insurance Corporation was organized with a capital of $100.000. Mr. Gerard was made one of its Directors at the first meeting and at the convening of the board was elected President of the company. The main office of the company is at Patchogue, and to the management of the business our subject gives his personal attention. This is also a Patchogue enterprise. Another fire insurance company, the Queens & Suffolk Mu- tual, was recently incorporated with Mr. Gerard as one of its organizers and Directors. Their of- fice is located at Yaphank, with Roswell Davis as general manager. Since the incorporation of the village Mr. Gerard has been a member of the Board of Health. He is a prominent Odd Fel- low, belonging to Brook Haven Lodge No. So, in which he has passed all the Chairs and has been Noble Grand for two terms. Several years ago lie served as a member of the fire company. and was afterward connected with the hook and ladder company.

Reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Gerard united with that denomina- tion many years ago and has been Trustee, Stew- ard, Secretary and Treasurer of the Board for twenty-five years. During the erection of their new building in 1889, he rendered very valuable service as a member of the building committee. It was dedicated June 1, 1890, and cost $50.000. Our subject and his wife have one son, Wilmot D., who is a student at Wilberham, Mass.

M RS. MARIAM (SMITH) BLYDEN- BURGH. At the age of ninety-five years Mrs. Blydenburgh is one of the best preserved, physically and mentally, of the few who have attained her age in the county. Al- though nearly a hundred years have passed over the head of this venerable woman, leaving their impress in the snowy hair and deeply-lined face. she is richer and nobler and grander for the ex- perience that these long years have brought her. Of her it may be said: "Her presence is like a sweet odor in the land; her memory shall be a precious treasure; her children shall rise up to honor and to bless her." Mrs. Blydenburgh was born May 31, 1800, in what is now the Brook- lyn Club House, New York, was reared there and was there married, when in her nineteenth year. to Ebenezer Blydenburgh.

Her grandfather, Caleb Smith, occupied this house during the Revolutionary War and was assaulted by the British, who were in quest of the money that he was known to have on hand. He had buried it under a walnut tree. but after being tortured and abused in every imaginable way. re- vealed the hiding place and the money was taken. One of the old doors to this house is preserved to this day, and still bears the mark of where a bayonet had pierced it at that time. The father of Mrs. Blydenburgh, Paul Theodore Smith. came into possession of the old place, and there all his children were born. The great-grand- father was Daniel V. Smith.

Caleb Smith's family was as follows: Caleb;

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Jane, wife of Daniel Willis Smith; Theodoras; Richard; Paul; Sarah, wife of Aaron Vail; Wil- liam, and Samuel. After the marriage of Eben- ezer Blydenburgh and Miss Mariam Smith they settled on a farmi, and as the years passed they became prominent and influential citizens. Mr. Blydenburgh became the owner of extensive tracts of land, and although often solicited to ac- cept office, especially for the Assembly, he posi- tively refused, and gave his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Blydenburgh re- tains her faculties in a remarkable degree, her hearing and eyesight being very good. Although so near the one hundredth milestone she still at- tends to household duties, and finds a pleasant and comfortable home with her son, Timothy, who has dutifully remained with and taken care of her. Of the five children born to the above worthy couple, only Theodore S. and Timothy survive. On her ninety-fifth birthday Mrs. Bly- denburgh received a handsome basket of cut flowers from the Wyandance Club. When asked to what she attributed her long life she said: "To the goodness of God and the peculiarly healthy section of the country in which I reside."

Theodore S. Blydenburgh was born in the town of Smithtown September 20, 1829, and is of Holland origin. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Blydenburgh, was born in Smithtown, and there spent all his days. He was the father of five children. The boyhood days of Theodore S. were spent on his father's farm and in the common schools, and he remained under the parental roof until twenty-seven years old, when he began tilling the soil for himself on land re- ceived from the estate. On the 25th of Febru- ary, 1864, he married Miss Fannie B., daughter of Aaron and Phoebe (Terry) Bedell. Mr. Be- dell was an extensive land owner and a very prominent farmer, and at one time owned the land on which the Argile Hotel is located, there passing the remainder of his days.

Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Blydenburgh commenced housekeeping on their present farm, and now own one hundred and eighty acres of land, to which he has given his entire attention. He and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian

Church at Smithtown, and he is a Trustee in the same. In politics he is Democratic. To his marriage has been born one son, George H., of the firm of Blydenburgh, Huntley & Co.

G EORGE L. THOMPSON. Interested in mercantile pursuits, the subject of this sketch is known as one of the rising and successful young business men of Kings Park. He was born at Darlington, town of Smithtown, November 22, 1864, and is a son of Richmond A. and Annie E. (Hanshaw) Thompson. His ma- ternal ancestors were of German lineage, and the family name was originally spelled Hanschutch, but in modern times has been changed to its pres- ent spelling. The maternal grandfather, George Hanschutchi, was a soldier in the late war and died from the effects of injuries received while in the service. A native of Germany, he had crossed the ocean in boyhood and settled on Long Is- land, where he married and continued to reside until death.

Our subject's paternal grandfather, Jesse Thompson, still lives in the town of Smithtown, and is now almost ninety years of age. He was born here, and is of English descent. In early life he learned the trade of a ship carpenter, which he followed until the infirmities incident to age forced him to retire from active business cares. Richmond A. Thompson, who is now living in Kings Park, was born in the town of Smithtown and has always made it his home. Since the age of fourteen he has followed the sea, and for many years he has been captain of a vessel, having bought a coaster which he commands.

In the family of Richmond A. Thompson there were four children, but one, Amelia, died in in- fancy. Richmond E. is station and express agent and telegraph operator at Kings Park; our sub- ject is next in order of birth; Genevieve is the wife of George S. Hodgkinson, Jr., of St. James. The boyhood years of our subject were spent under the home roof until fourteen years of age. when he went to sea, coasting, with his father, re-

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maining thus engaged at intervals until twenty. He was then appointed Superintendent of the County Farm of Kings County, which position he held for five years. In the spring of 1891 he again went to sea, coasting, as mate upon the same vessel that his father now commands. One year later he embarked in the mercantile business at Kings Park with A. M. Darling, their connec- tion continuing onc and one-half years. In May, 1893, he established his present business, and now carries a large and complete stock of dry goods, boots and shoes and general supplies.

A firm Republican in his political views, Mr. Thompson has always taken an active part in pub- lic affairs, and at different times he has held vari- ous local offices. For three years he served as Excise Commissioner, and he has also been Con- stable and member of the County Committce. Socially he is connected with Northport Lodge, No. 523, I. O. O. F., and an active worker in that order. His membership is in the Methodist Episcopal Church, which his wife also attends, though a member of the Presbyterian Church.

The marriage of Mr. Thompson took place June 12, 1894, and united him with Miss Lottic T., daughter of Capt. John S. and Nellie (Blake) Scott. Her father, who is of Scotch descent, has spent his entire life in this county, and is now living in St. James, retired from his work as a sca captain, in which way he was engaged for many years.

C HENRY HOWELL. The subject of this sketch is a man of much influence in his community, for he is highly re- spected, and is justly regarded as a man of sound judgment in public affairs as well as in matters re- lating to the farm. The property which he now owns is located in the town of Riverhead, ad- joining the village of that name, and is seventy- five acres in extent.

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Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1, Part 53

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: New York, Chicago, Chapman Number of Pages: 928

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Chapman
Number of Pages: 928