USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 1 > Part 56
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H ON. CHARLES RUFUS STREET, who was a man of character and influence in this part of the island, was born February 26, 1825, at West Norwalk, Conn., in the old Street homestead, then owned by his grandfather. Nathaniel J. Street. The father of our subject. Shallum B. Street, was educated for an Episcopal minister, but his health failed, and he retired from the ministry to become a teacher, tilling
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positions in Norwalk, Conn., in New York City and in Huntington. Here he met and married Miss Naomi Scudder, a daughter of Gilbert Scudder, of East Neck. Mr. Street's father died in West Norwalk, Conn., in 1837, and his mother, who came of one of the oldest families on Long Island, lived until 1881, having been an invalid for several years, and making her home with her son, the subject of this sketch.
The parents of our subject came back to Hunt- ington to live when he was about eight years of age, and his education was acquired in the Hunt- ington schools and especially in the academy. So diligently did he prosecute his studies that at the age of twenty he was appointed to the prin- cipalship of the academy at Huntington Harbor, a position that he filled for one year, and then started for a trip through the far West. After considerable travel he settled at Niles, Mich., where he entered the law office of John Graves, a noted attorney and Democratic politician of that state. After two years' study he was admitted to the Bar and prepared for a career in his profes- sion in Michigan. When the California gold fever swept over the country he saw an oppor- tunity to win fame and fortune in those new fields, and with three comrades, De Witt Clinton John- son, Erastus Johnson and James Davis, cast in his lot with a large party, going overland to the new Eldorado. This was a great undertaking in those days, to make a trip over "the great Ameri- can desert," twenty years before an iron horse had been seen west of the Great Lakes. They struck out boldly, followed a path marked by the graves of those who had gone before and fallen under the blows of the hostile Indian, but found many hardships on the trip, and encountered much trouble in crossing the Rocky Mountains. When our subject had reached Salt Lake City he called upon the old Mormon chief, Brigham Young, and traded a liglit spring wagon for a horse. This was the first spring wagon ever brought into Salt Lake. Finally, with his party, Mr. Street ar- rived in the Sacramento valley in August, 1849. and for seven years, with ever varying fortunes, he moved from camp to camp. from Oregon on the north, to Mexico on the south. and at last set-
tled in Shasta City. There, in 1856, he was electe. 1 a member of the State Legislature, was re-elected a second time in 1858, and was nominated the next year for the State Senate, but declined to accept it, and was in the same year nominated for Lieutenant Governor, but this also he refused.
Mr. Street then turned his mind to build- ing up a great daily newspaper, and with this end in view purchased the "Express," published at Marysville. About this time he was married to Miss Lucy Bedford, of Benicia, Cal. In 1862 he was chosen Chairman of the State Central Com- mittee of the Democratic party, as an expression of the course taken by his paper, and the princi- ples it advocated. In 1864 his wife's failing health compelled him to abandon his paper, and remove to Benicia, Cal., where, in the spring of 1865 his wife and infant child died, and soon afterward our subject, with his two remaining children. Quincy B. and Naomi, aged two and three years. respectively, he started for his former home in this town via the Isthmus of Panama. In the iol- lowing July he purchased the Suffolk "Bulletin." a weekly paper of Huntington, which he pub- lished for several years, also following the prac- tice of law.
Mr. Street had an office in New York City. and in the years 1874-75-76, wrote the history of Huntington for the "Mumsoll History of Sui- folk County." He was Supervisor of the town for 1883-84, and was Chairman of the board the last year. He was again the publisher of the "Bulle- tin" in 1884 and 1885, and was Postmaster oi Huntington from March, 1887. to December. 1889. He edited for publication three volumes of the town records, and in 1887 became a mem- ber of the Associated Pioneers of California in New York City, and these meetings he attended up to his death, taking much delight in the old memories thus revived. He was called upon by his neighbors to act as Justice of the Peace for many years, in which position he received much credit from all who had to do with him for his knowledge of the law, as well as for his fair and impartial condact as a judge.
Our subject was always much interested in politics, and was one of the first to encourage any
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CHARLES W. PETERMAN.
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work which he believed to be for the advance- ment of the interests of the village in which he was an honored resident. No lawyer was a greater student, and none was better posted as to the titles oi lund under water, he being very success- Inl in that branch of law and winning many im- portant cases. He was associated with United States Senator David B. Hill in the famous case of the town of Huntington against the great oyster men. Lowndes Brothers, of Connecticut, carrying it to the highest court in the land, where he was successful, and received many compli- ments ir an the best legal authorities for his able managentent of the case.
Mr. Street was a member of the Bar of the Su- preme Court of the United States, in which he was recognized as a man of ability and a lawyer of integrity. He died December 22, 1894, at his Prospect Street home, where he had lived since his return from California. May 18, 1871, he was married to his second wife, Miss Josephine E. Hubbell. at Bridgeport, Conn., and by this marriage he became the father of one child, Charles Hubbell Street, born September 7, 1873. This young man is now a student at the head of his class in Trinity College at Hartford, Conn., where he is in his senior year. He took the Hol- land prize of $600, and is pronounced one of the brightest boys that has ever left Long Island for any college.
Since the death of her noted husband, Mrs. Street lives quietly at her pleasant home on Pros- pect Street, and with her lives her son, above mentioned, when not in college, and Quincy B., the son by Mr. Street's first marriage, who is a reporter on a daily paper in Brooklyn. He was married in 1885. and has one child, Harold II., a bright little boy. Naomi Lucy, Mr. Street's daughter by his first marriage, is the wife of John R. Miller, of New York Cuy, whom she married in 1889.
Mr. Street had two brothers, of whom Henry C. was a lawyer by profession, and in 1849 he went to California, where he also rose to much distinction, becoming Postmaster of Shasta City. Cal., and District Attorney of Colusa County. Later on he went to Boise City, Idaho, where he
engaged in the publication of the Boise City "Herald," and was elected to the Idaho Legisla- ture in 1866. Besides being elected Probate Judge of Alturas County, Idaho, he held many other positions, and died in 1892. His other brother, Gilbert Scudder Street, served under General McClellan during the Civil War, and after his return to peaceful life was a member of the Legislature of Connecticut from Litchfield County, and now resides in New Haven. A sister, Mary A. J. Street, married Fayette Gould, of Huntington, and they have one son, Edward E. They reside in Brooklyn.
C HARLES W. PETERMAN, a resident of the village of Stony Brook, was born at Lake Grove, town of Brook Haven, March 9, 1856. He is a son of Adam Peterman, a native of Bavaria, Germany, who was born July 9, 1822. When about twenty years of age the latter went from his native place to Paris, France, and remained three years. There he ap- prenticed himself to learn the tailor's trade, work- ing at the same until 1846, when he came to America on a sailing vessel, the voyage occupy- ing six weeks.
On landing Adam Peterman located in New York City and worked at his trade for two years, when he moved to Holbrook, Suffolk County, and purchased the farm where he now lives. He has been an energetic and successful agricultur- ist and well deserves the meed of success which has come to him. He is a member of the Pres- byterian Church. To himself and wife, formerly Miss Barbara Weild, seven children were born: John A .; Eliza, who is the wife of Joseph All- rogge; our subject; Josephine, wife of William Reinig; George, Antoine and Albert.
Our subject began working at his father's trade at the early age of twelve years, remaining with him until reaching his majority. February 22, 1881, he married Miss Catherine Helbeg. Mr. and Mrs. Peterman have three children, Clara, Henry and Clifford. After his marriage our sub-
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ject took charge of his father's business and final- ly purchased his entire stock, continuing the busi- ness until 1891, when he erected the building of which he is now proprietor. He carries on mer- chant tailoring and also has a stock of boots, shoes, men's furnishing goods, etc. Mr. Peter- man is popular and deservedly successful.
In politics our subject casts his vote with the Democratic party. He fills the office of Justice of the Peace in the village and has performed the duties incident to that office for eight years. Be- sides his other line of trade he is interested in the real estate and insurance business, representing the Phenix, Sun, Commercial, Union, Reliable and Agricultural Fire Insurance Companies. He is one of the Directors of the Suffolk and Queens Counties Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which was organized in 1895, having its head office at Yaphank. In the Presbyterian Church he is Trustee and Steward, and fraternally is a member of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Peterman had few opportunities for education or culture in his youth, and what he has gained in this re- spect has been by his own efforts, therefore he may truly be called a self-educated and self-made man. 1
W ILLIAM D. COREY, one of the lead- ing business men of Greenport, was born at Sag Harbor, L. I., August 12, 1830. His father, Thomas E., was born in the same place in 1804, was in early life a school teacher, but afterward was employed as a carman, being thus engaged at the time of his death, in 1852. His only and older brother, John, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was also em- ployed as a truckman in Sag Harbor, where he died. They were the sons of John B. Corey, a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county.
The mother of our subject was Nancy E. El- dridge, and was born near Sag Harbor, being a daughter of William Eldridge, who came to Suf- folk County from Cape Cod. She had a brother, Capt. Atkins Eldridge, who was a whaling captain
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sailing out of Sag Harbor. Of her sisters we note the following: Polly married Capt. Nathaniel Ed- wards, a sea captain; Sarah became the wife of Capt. Daniel Y. Bellows, who was a captain of artillery in the home guard; Lucy married Capt. William Payne, who commanded a whaling ship: Matzie was married to Shadrack Reeves, who was employed as a ship builder at Southampton and New London for fifty years or more; Susan, late in life, was married to Abraham Sanford.
Our subject's mother died in 1850, two years before the death of her husband. They were the parents of six sons and four daughters, all of whom attained mature years, and three are now living. Jeremiah was a seafaring man and spent much of his life in the Pacific Ocean, between San Francisco and the Sandwich Islands; Phoebe lives in Greenport and is the widow of Capt. Israel B. Warner, a whaling captain; Mary died at the age of twenty years; Robert was acci- dentally killed in the harbor of Greenport when on board the war ship "Ohio," that had been brought to this port to be wrecked; Joseph Henry, when his country was in peril and called for help, answered the appeal and went into the Union army as a member of Company K. One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Infantry, and died at St. Helena, S. C., during his service, after har- ing endured the hardships of war for two years; Thomas was a blacksmith and died when twenty- one years old: Margaret died, unmarried, with consumption ; Nancy I. married C. B. Moore, of Greenport, and died. leaving five children.
The next to the oldest of the family was the subject of this sketch. He attended the schools of Sag Harbor in childhood, but at the age of thirteen he left school and commenced to learn the cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed for five years. When eighteen he went to New London to learn the boat builder's trade, and spent two years in that place. In the spring of 1850 he came to Greenport and embarked in the boat building business. Five years later he established the business which he has since conducted. a period of forty years. His principal trade has been in furnishing spars and masts for shipbuilders. as well as general ship supplies, and he has had
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a large and lucrative trade. On starting in busi- news he associated with himself James F. Webb, and their connection continued until 1892, when our subject sueeceded to the business.
In all matters pertaining to the welfare of Greenport Mr. Corey has always taken an active nterest. For ten years he was chief of the fire is partment. In politics a Democrat, he has been one of the Village Trustees for fifteen years, and for several years has served as President of the board. Socially he is a Mason, and for some time was an officer in the Chapter. He is also an Odd Fellow, having passed all the ehairs, and for thirty-five years has been Treasurer of his lodge. His marriage united him with Miss Sarah, daugh- ter of Daniel Harris, of Greenport. They have one ehild, William W., who is connected with his . father in business, and also with the Montauk Steamboat Company. Mr. and Mrs. Corey have a fine residenee on First and Center streets.
J AMES A. SQUIRES, M. D. The profes- sional men of Suffolk County are an ele- ment in its development and are a eentral- izing foree in drawing within its boundaries the best people of this seetion of country. By their character and skill they add to the reputation of the county, as well as secure prominence for themselves. Such an one is the subject of this sketch, a leading physician of Stony Brook, and the possessor of a lucrative practice among the people of the community.
In the town of Southold, January 29, 1858, the subjeet of this sketch was born to the union of Alvin and Mary P. (Jennings) Squires. His father, who for some time engaged in the merean- tile business in Good Ground, town of South- ampton, and also owned large interests in whal- ing vessels, spent the latter part of his life on a farm in the town of Southold, where he died in 1875. at the age of sixty-eight. In 1854 he mar- ried Miss Jennings, who died some ten years after his demise. Their children were four in mimber, namely: Emma, wife of George L.
Penny, who is a lumber dealer; James A .; Ella. who died in 1880, and Herbert A., a physician lo- cated in Wyoming. In his boyhood years our subject attended the distriet sehools and Soutli- old Academy, and from the time he was six- teen until he was twenty-two he earried on the home farm.
Wishing to enter the medieal profession, our subjeet began to study under the guidance of Dr. Theodore T. Ireland, of Greenport, and after gaining a fundamental knowledge of the science, he entered the University Medical College in New York City. There he spent three years. graduating in the spring of 1886. On complet- ing his studies he opened an office in Brooklyn1. where he practiced about two years, eoming from there to Stony Brook, where he is the only phy- sician in the village. He gives his entire atten- tion to his profession and is recognized as a skillful and able physician.
October 25, 1887, Dr. Squires married Miss Lizzie, daughter of Valentine Cammerer, of New York City. They have one ehild, a son, Freder- iek D. Politieally the Doetor is a Republican and takes an active interest in public affairs. So- eially he is identified with the Royal Arcanum. ITe has seeured a substantial recognition of the genuineness of his merits in liis professional capacity, and by his conseientions discharge of duty, his skill and his abilities, and his character as a eultured gentleman, he has won the confi- dence of the people and the respect of all with whom he associates.
P ETER M. SKIDMORE was born on the farm where he now lives, October 17, 1832. and is a son of Daniel HI. Skidmore, who was born at Rocky Point. The paternal grand- father, Peter Skidmore, was also a native of Rocky Point. Daniel II. Skidmore married Sarah M. Van Brunt, a native of Setauket, and they became the parents of the following children: Nancy, James R., Albert F., Daniel IL .. Peter MI .. Sarah M., Mary J., and Caroline .1.
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Mr. Skidmore's present farm came into the pos- session of the family in 1832, at which time his father purchased one hundred acres. The elder gentleman spent the balance of his life here and passed away in 1872, at the age of seventy-four years. His remains are interred in the Port Jef- ferson Cemetery. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and a kindly man who was held in high estecm by his fellow-citizens. His wife passed away in 1864, at the age of sixty- four.
As a boy Mr. Skidmore attended the district schools of his village. On reaching his majority he assumed charge of his father's farm. He has now in his possession thirty acres of the old homestead and in connection with his agricultural work devotes some time to his oyster beds. He has about six acres in these oyster beds and his ยท efforts in this direction have been very suc- cessful.
December 22, 1859, Mr. Skidmore married Miss Frances E. Hawkins, a daughter of Jesse and Susan (Hawkins) Hawkins, and a native of Moriches. Her father was born November 13. 1805. Mr. and Mrs. Skidmore have had four children, Henry H., Jesse, Addie, and Charles A. The family are members of the Baptist Church, in which denomination Mr. Skidmore has been a Deacon for fifteen years. He has also been very active in the support of the social interests of the church. In a secular direction he has al- ways been open-handed as well as open-hearted. He is a kindly disposed, genial and helpful citizen.
F RANK E. BLACKER is Justice of the Peace and dealer in real estate in the village of Brentwood, his parents being Peter I. and Abigail M. (George) Blacker. He was born April 6, 1844, in Boston, where also occurred his father's birth. He was the youngest of four chil- dren, and had one brother and two sisters. Abont the year 1853 he came from Boston to the village of Brentwood, where he has since remained. Early in life his father learned the trade of car-
riage trimming and harness making, and subse- quently opened a harness and saddlery shop, which he carried on until the time of his death. in 1883, when he was over seventy-six years of age. His wife, the mother of our subject, died two years later.
Judge Blacker came to Brentwood with the family when he was nine years of age. Here lie was rearcd, educated and prepared for life and its duties. In 1873 Miss Mary Wallace became his wife, and they had four children: Mary F. E., Abigail, Frank C., and one child that died in in- fancy. At the outbreak of the Civil War he en- listed in the Fifth New Jersey Infantry as a corne: player, serving cleven months, during which time his experiences were varied and exciting. He re- ported at Trenton, N. J., where he was properly instructed, and then went down to Port Tobacco. on the lower Potomac, and in spring followed his regiment to the vicinity of Fortress Monroe. After a stirring experience in front of Yorktown, he went to Williamsburg and Seven Pines. He witnessed the closing of this disastrous campaign in the seven days' retreat to Harrison's Landing. where he received his discharge.
Mr. Blacker, the young soldier musician, then returned home and engaged in his father's busi- ness, learning carriage trimming and harness making. After following these industries until 1870, he became the first railroad agent at Brent- wood, and also acted as Postmaster of the vil- lage. For twenty-one years he was in the employ of the railroad, and for more than fifteen in the Government service.
Finding that close confinement was seriously telling on his licalth, Mr. Blacker resigned in 1892 and since that time has followed a freer out-door lifc. He has not cseaped public life entirely, how- ever. Under President Harrison he served four years in the Government service, and is now acting as Deputy Postmaster under Adney C. Clark. He was also the first Notary Public to be appointed in this place, and has held this position for eight years. For nine years he has been Pres- ident of the Board of Education, is a County Com- mitteeman of this district, Vice-President of the Brentwood Cemetery Association, and is Secre-
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tary of the Village Improvement Association. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in polities is a Republican. Blacker & Hall, proprietors of the Brentwood Nursery, carry on an extensive business throughout this section. For some five years our subject has been dealing in real estate, and is very active in the affairs of the community.
H ENRY SAMMIS. This gentleman is a Long Islander by birth, as well as in- heritance, for not only was he born here, but his father and grandfather were before him. He was born in the village of Huntington, and is a son of Smith and Mary (Rogers) Sammis, being one of six children, only two of whom sur- vive, the subject of this sketch and Sallie, the widow of Joseph Buffett, by whom she became the mother of six children. The father was twice married, and by his second wife, who was Mrs. Letty Lefferts, lie had one child, George L., who is living and an active man of affairs.
Smith Sammis was born in 1784, and upon reaching man's estate became a carpenter, an oe- cupation to which he devoted his attention all his life. He met his death through an accident while taking down an old building at Oyster Bay in 1847, a portion of which collapsed and fell upon hint. The paternal grandfather was Timothy, and save the fact that he was born on Long Island, little or nothing is known of him.
The natal day of Henry Sammis was January 26, 1818. While growing to manhood he was given such advantages as the common schools at Cold Springs and the academy at Huntington af- forded. He was thus better fitted to fight his way in the world than the majority of boys, for he had a love of learning and made good use of his op- portunities. During his carly manhood he learned the trade of a shoemaker, and for some fifteen or eighteen years he followed this calling as a means of livelihood in the village of Huntington, where he eventually engaged in the mercantile business. Some twenty years of his life have been devoted
to this work at Huntington and Cold Springs, and through keen business acumen, push and energy and the courteous treatment of his patrons he built up a most extensive and paying business. In 1881 he retired from aetive commercial life, purchased his present comfortable home and set- tled down to the enjoyment of means which his early industry had brought him. He has since lived very quietly and has done a little farming, but only as he felt inclined, and usually takes care of his garden as a pastime.
January 16, 1841, Mr. Sammis married Miss Rebecca Ketchum, whose father was Conklin Ketchum, of this village. This marriage resulted in the birth of four children, three of whom are living: John K., who deals in hay and feed, farm- ing implements and sporting goods at Northport, is married and has two children; Rebecca, the wife of Moses Wilson, lives in South Norwalk, Conn., and has five children; and Harry S. still makes his home with his parents. In his political views Mr. Sammis has always been an active Re- publican, and he has long been a worthy mem- ber of the Methodist Church. He is interested in everything for the improvement of his seetion. and has always been a useful, law-abiding citizen.
T HOMAS F. MUNCY is a boat builder at Bay Shore, where he has been engaged in business for five years, during which time he has won a standing in his chosen field that any man might envy. His home is still in Islip, but his business, his interests and his name are associated with the commercial life and business activities of this village. Here lie has established a very complete ship-yard, with marine railways and docks, and is fully prepared to doek and repair boats, as well as to build all manner of sailing craft. He knows his business in all its details, and can build any sort of a boat from the keel up to the topmost sails. Anything in his line he is ready to accept, and will bid on any kind of ship work.
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