Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2, Part 11

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Chapman
Number of Pages: 926

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Dr. Rogers was married in October, 1883. to Miss Harriet Vail. daughter of Samuel W. Green. of Sayville, and to them have been born three children, namely: Lyman W., Elizabeth and Ben- jamin Franklin. They are members in excellent standing of St. Ann Episcopal Church. In social matters :the Doctor is an Odd Fellow of high standing and belongs to Sayville Lodge. In pol- ties, like other members of his family, he is a

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Democrat, and in 1890 was candidate of his party for the office of Coroner. Although his party were about nine hundred in the minority, he ran ahead of his ticket and was defeated by only four hundred votes. That same year the head of the Democratic ticket in the county was defeated by fifteen hundred votes.

H ENRY J. REEVE, one of the wide-awake and progressive young farmers of Suf- folk County, is now residing in the town of Southold, where he is the owner of an excellent farm, comprising forty-eight acres. He is a self- made man, both as regards education and finances, and the reputation which he enjoys as one of the most prominent citizens of his com- munity is justly deserved.

The birth of our subject occurred in this county, March 13, 1863, and his parents were James M. and Mary M. (Benjamin) Reeve, both natives of Long Island, where they were well and favorably known. The former was an agriculturist of prominence and the many improvements upon his estate indicated his thrift and enterprise in this direction. He was called to the land beyond in the prime of life, passing away when only forty- two years of age. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Sarah H. Cox. After hier death he married Miss Benjamin, whose an- cestors were among the earliest settlers on the island. She is now living, still making her home on the old place in this town. James M. Reeve was a working member of the Presbyterian Church. His life was successful in many ways and he accomplished much more than many who lived longer and who started under more favor- able circunstances.

The subject of this sketch generally attended school several months in the year, devoting the balance of his time to the arduous duties of the farm. He continued to live at home until October 12, 1887, when he was married to Miss Carrie B. Robinson, the daughter of Barney O. Robinson, of the town of Southold, and a most estimable

and well-educated lady. Their union has resulted in the birth of two children, Beulah and Irma.

As before stated, the property which our sub- ject owns is forty-eight acres in extent, and, al- though not as large as many farms in the county, is cultivated in such an admirable manner that its returns are large and profitable. He is now serving as Collector of liis school district and is also the incumbent of the office of Trustee. In whatever capacity placed he never fails to give satisfaction, as he is conscientious and honest in all his transactions and possesses the good will of all who know him. He is a Republican in poli- tics, assisting his party by voting the straight ticket at all times. In the Presbyterian Church at Mattituck he is one of the leading members, and is highly regarded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

H ENRY W. BAYLIS, of Amityville, has his place of business at No. 17 West Twenty-eighth Street, New York City, where he carries on a wholesale trade in cut flowers. He was born in Brooklyn, October 31, 1862, and is a son of J. C. and Martha (Coutant) Baylis. His mother died when he was about six months old, and left him in charge of a lady at Amityville, where he was cared for during the next three and a-half years. He was then taken to his father's home in Brooklyn, the latter hav- ing married again. At the age of ten he accom- panied the family to Amityville, where he now makes his home.

Our subject attended the public schools of Brooklyn and Amityville until he was fifteen, when he went to New York to take a position as clerk in a grocery store. There he remained for about a year, and was then taken into a store at Garden City, where he remained for another year. Later he returned to the city to work in the business of cut flowers. Having reached the age of eighteenf and liking his new business very much he was ready to continue in it. He was with his first employer five years, afterward was

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in the employ of another florist, spending seven continuous years in this delicate and yet profit- able labor. In 1888 he opened an office for him- self at No. 940 Broadway, New York, but later moved to West Twenty-eighth Street, and has since carried on a strictly commission business which has proved highly successful.

Mr. Baylis married June 8. 1892, Miss Annie Boughton, of Brooklyn. She was born in this village, and is a daughter of Frederick and Annie (Powell) Boughton. They have one child, Roger Vail, born in Brooklyn. November 5, 1893. Mr. Baylis is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Blaine in 1884. In religious belief he is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

B ERNARD FAGAN is the senior partner of the firm of Bernard Fagan & Son, flor- ists and landscape gardeners, of Islip, where they have been in operation for seven years. Our subject has had much experience in this business, having beautified the grounds and

parks of many homes belonging to men of large wealth. He superintended the arrangement of the garden at the summer place of William K. Vanderbilt, which is known as "Idle Hour." There Mr. Fagan spent many a day in planning, laying out and improving that large tract of land on Great River, and converting it from a wild woody place into a bower of beauty.

Our subject was born in Ireland in the fall of 1833, and was seventeen years of age when he came to America. He was accustomed to the work of the nurseries, and when very young as- sisted the gardeners by holding the trees up while they filled the earth in. In the beautiful old gardens abroad with which he is thoroughly ac- quainted. impressions of stateliness and elegance were made upon his mind which he can never torget and which influenced his later work.

Mr. Fagan's first work in America was on Long Island, and by industry and properly di- " cted energy he amassed enough to enable him Ie open up a place of his own. Ile is not only

prepared to lay out and do landscape gardening. but can furnish material for the same, and can transform a forest or swamp into a garden of loveliness in the shortest possible time. He also draws plans for places which he cannot supervise personally, but with his suggestions others are enabled to carry them out. Many of the fine places at Newport and other resorts are the work of his brain and hand. He also has a thorough knowledge of trees, with a quick appreciation of color, effect in foliage, adaptation to soil and cli- mate. He fills orders from a distance and finds that his business is constantly growing under his efficient management.

In politics Mr. Fagan believes in giving his vote to the best man, independent of party. In church affairs he is a devoted Catholic. Mr. Fagan was married on the 12th of August. 1858. to Miss Ann Williamson, a native of Ireland. who came to the United States with relatives when about twelve years of age. By this marriage ten children have been born-eight girls and two boys. William N., the second in order of birth. is associated with his father in business.

C ALEB T. SMITH. Some men can turn their attention to many things and carry on several industries at the same time with pronounced success, and this is a quality that es- pecially marks Mr. Smith, the subject of this arti- cle, who is Postmaster, pharmacist. a real-estate man and insurance agent in the thriving village of Islip. His pharmacy, which is located on Main Street, has been in successful operation for the past twenty-five years and under the personal supervision of Mr. Smith for more than fifteen years. The building has two floors, and is 32% 45 feet in dimensions; the first floor, which is fitted up in the most modern way, is devoted to the retail drug trade, and is filled with an ex- tensive assortment of the articles usually carried in a first-class establishment of this nature.

Mr. Smith fills the most of the physicians' pre- scriptions of this vicinity, and guarantees ac-

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curacy and perfect satisfaction. His insurance business is also extensive in its volume, and he holds the agency for some of the oldest and largest companies in the world. The father of our subject, Aaron Smith, a native of Smithtown. came to this village and established the drug store in which our subject is now interested; he died at the age of sixty.

Caleb Smith, the youngest son of his parents, was born at Islip. July 24, 1859. His early edu- cation was received in the common school and was supplemented by attendance for a time at Albany, where his oldest sister was living. While still young he went into his father's drug store to assist in the business, and having thoroughly mastered it, took charge of it at the time of his father's death, in 1882. He is a Democrat in his political proclivities, and is recognized as one of the leading men of his party in this region. When his party came into power in 1885, he was ap- pointed Postmaster of this village, a position that he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people of the village until the election of President Harrison, when he was released from government service. When President Cleveland took the chair the second time our subject was re- appointed Postmaster, and still holds the position.

N EHEMIAH B. OVERTON, one of the well known and influential business men of Yaphank, was born where he now lives, November 1, 1858, a son of Sereno and Hannah M. (Horman) Overton, both of whom were also natives of this place. Sereno Overton was a well known merchant and business man of Yaphank during his life, and was also prominent in church affairs, being a member of the Presbyterian Church. Otherwise he devoted himself to his family and business interests, leaving politics to those who had more personal ambition in that direction than did he. His decease occurred in January, 1893, and he was deeply mourned by his church and business associates, as well as by those who knew him in his family life. His esti-

mable wife is still living and is in the enjoyment of good health.

N. B. Overton was sent to the district school in his youth and there acquired a substantial foundation for the academic course which he later took at Southampton. During vacations, and after finishing his school life, he engaged with his father, first turning his attention to the butch- ering business, at which he has worked more er less ever since the age of twelve. He carried on the business for his father for many years, and at the latter's death he assumed entire control. At present he is engaged both in farming and butchering. He owns one hundred acres of ex- cellent farm and wood land, and that which is under cultivation is made to produce to its high- est capacity. Mr. Overton has recently erected an elegant residence at Yaphank and takes great pleasure in his home. In his business life he is counted among the most energetic young men of the place.

Our subject was married May 4, 1894, to Miss Hattie Mattersen, daughter of Delos and Julia Mattersen, of Otsego County, both of whom are still living. One little son has come to our sub- ject and his wife who has been named Delos in honor of his grandfather. The young couple are both members and workers in the Presbyterian Church, and in the social life in the community are favorites. Fraternally Mr. Overton is a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Masons, and in politics is a Republican. Judging from his pres- ent high standing in the community Mr. Over- ton has a bright future before him.

J I OTIS DAVIDS has spent many years of his life cultivating the soil and is now in com- fortable circumstances, living in the town of Southold. He was born in this locality. Septem- ber 18, 1829. and is the son of Mathias and Amanda ( Pike) Davids, both of whom were also born in the above town. The paternal grand- father of our subject, who likewise bore the name of Mathias, spent the active years of his life on

E. OLIN CORWIN. .

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the farm which is now the property of J. Otis and William H., and which is well known to the residents of the town as the old Davids farm. The great-grandfather was a native of Rotterdam.

Mathias Davids, Jr .. who made his home on the old place during his entire life, was successful in the management of the estate and became well- to-do, providing his family with a comfort- able home and all the necessities of life. He be- came the father of three children, of whom Wil- liam H. was the eldest. The second son was Charles L., and J. Otis, of this sketch, the youngest. As an active man in all public affairs, he was well known to the residents of this town, who, in his death, March 18, 1872, lost one of their best residents. In politics he was in early life a Whig, but later he became a supporter of Democratic candidates.

Although the early education of our subject was limited to the district school, he is a well informed man, keeping himself posted regarding all affairs of importance which take place in the country. He has lived in this town and given his attention to agricultural pursuits since com- pkting his education. Naturally intelligent and energetic, he has been successful where others might have failed, and can now enjoy the fruits of his labors and take the rest he so well de- serves.

The marriage of Mr. Davids and Miss Deborah A. Tuthill, took place March 6, 1854. Benjamin l'. Tuthill, her father, was one of the old settlers of Suffolk County. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Davids resulted in the birth of six children, of whom Parmelia O. is the wife of Charles William- son, of the town of Southold. Sarah F. married Albert B. Tuthill and is living in this town; Maria E. married R. V. A. Fitz and their home is in Peconic; Hattie E. is the wife of Edward L. Tuthill, and lives in Oregon; Amanda B., Mrs. George Dickerson, now lives in Southold. and William O., who married Jane S. Tuthill, of Ore- son, also lives in Southold.

The estate on which Mr. Davids resides com- prises fifty acres of excellently improved land. On national issues he supports the Democratic party, but in local affairs he is not bound by | holds. He has aided greatly to make this a suc-

party lines and uses his influence to elect the man whom he considers is best qualified for the office. His son William O. has served as Secretary of the Southold Town Agricultural Society and is at present Superintendent of Class No. 18 of the Suffolk County Agricultural Society. He is a stanch Democrat in politics and an active worker in the ranks of his party. He has two children, Alfred S. and Beulah E.

E OLIN CORWIN. The prominent posi- tion of cashier of the People's National Bank of Greenport is held by E. Olin Cor- win, who was born at Red Creek, just across the bay from Jamiesport, May 16, 1851. His father, George Corwin, was born at New Suffolk, but upon starting out in life for himself followed the trade of a carpenter in Greenport. His wife, Jane Terry, was the daughter of Jesse Terry, who was a successful fruit grower and a prominent man of Long Island.

The subject of this sketch was the elder of two brothers, the other member of the family being Morris M., who is the cashier of the Bank of Westchester, New York. E. Olin Corwin was educated in the schools of Greenport and Brook- lyn, where his father was employed in the navy yard during the Civil War. When sixteen years of age he entered the office of the Suffolk "Times" in Greenport to learn the printer's trade, but in 1860 he was made Cashier of the First National Bank of Greenport under Judge Grosvenor Ad- ams, then President of the bank, which position he held for four years. At that time he received an appointment in the United States Treasurer's office at Washington, D. C., under Gen. John C. New, then United States Treasurer, and this responsible position he held until 1887. when he was urged by Greenport friends to accept the position of Cashier of the People's Na- tional Bank, and, after giving the matter due con- sideration, lie resigned his position in the Treas- ury Department to accept the position he now

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cessful financial institution. The most implicit confidence is placed in his integrity by the bank officials, and that he is a man of keen business discernment cannot be denied. The interests of no institution are better guarded than those of .the stockholders and depositors of this bank. In addition to this, Mr. Corwin is Treasurer of School District No. 16, having hield the same for five years. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is Steward and Assistant Superintendent of the Sab- bath school. In politics he has always been a Republican.

December 16, 1874, Mr. Corwin was married to Miss Henrietta A. Merrill, daughter of Capt. Henry B. Merrill, of Greenport, a sketch of whose life will be found in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Corwin have one child, Clarence E., a graduate of the Union High School of Greenport and now a student in Cornell University.

R EV. ALFRED ELY COLTON, the elo- quent and popular pastor of the Congre- gational Church of Patchogue, was born in Monson, Mass., November 9. 1859, being a son of Rev. Theron G. Colton, who was pastor of a church in Monson for twelve years. His grandfather, who was a minister of ability, de- termined that his children should have all the ad- vantage in life that the best schooling could give them, and accordingly he sent six sons through Yale, of whom Theron G., the father of the sub- ject of our sketchi, was one. The latter is now engaged in ministerial work at Hudson, Mich.

It is but just to observe that the Colton family have long been identified with the cause of higher education, and particularly with Yale College, their name appearing on class records in that in- stitution as early as 1710, and no generation of students since that time has been without some members of that family. A brother of Rev. Theron Colton was the author of the Colton Greek Reader, which for forty years was used in all examinations for entrance to Yale College.

The members of the family all possessed very uncommon ability, but wore themselves out with hard work. One of them, George Colton, pub- lished and made the first literary criticism of Poe's "Raven." Isaac Colton was one of the first railroad contractors of the Wabash, and also of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad.

When Alfred E. was seven years old he ac- companied his parents to Whitewater, Wis., and for ten years made his home in that city, the seat of a fine normal school. At fifteen he entered Beloit College, but remained there only a year. The family then removed to Michigan and his father, desiring that he should be nearer home, had him enter Oberlin the next year. From that college he graduated in 1881: Having completed his literary course, he determined to take a course at theology at Yale, that he might be in line with his illustrious ancestors. He is a man of charac- ter and determination, and worked his own way through both institutions, working during vaca- tion as a dining-room waiter, selling needles, and doing whatever would help him along. He com- pleted his theological course at Oberlin in 1884, and preached during the last year at Edinburg, not far distant. He was ordained at the same time his father was installed as pastor at Rootstown, Ohio. The latter has the highly creditable and somewhat rare record of having served in the ministry forty years, and having been connected with but four parishes in that time.

The first pastorate held by Mr. Colton was at Bellevue, Ohio, Lyme Church. While still lo- cated at Edinburg, and just after he had grad- uated, he married a former classmate, Clara Por- ter Smith. After three years of pastoral work in Ohio he was called to the Knox College Church at Galesburg, Ill., one of the oldest and most active churches in that state, having over five hundred members. He was active in advocating the unity of the two Congregational churches in that city, and the seed sown in that pastorate has resulted in a strong and powerful union church. In 1890 he was called to the vacant pas- torate of., tlfe Congregational Church at Pat- chogue. It was in a discouraged and divided condition, but presented opportunity for sound

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pastoral work. The people heard him, and ex- tended a hearty and unanimous call which was accepted by him, and he entered upon his duties in this village, in November, 1890. He found two hundred and sixty members-divided and dis- heartened. There are now three hundred and seventy-five members, who have been received mainly by confession. He gave his efforts toward the great need, a new church building, and it was dedicated the second Sunday in May, 1894, at a cost of $51,000, Mr. Colton having secured $23,- 000 of that amount himself. The church is a very complete structure, and seats seven hundred peo- ple, with an additional seating capacity of sonie four hundred more through the use of adjoining rooms. It has church parlors, Sunday-school rooms, and other conveniences, all connecting with the church auditorium. It is built of Belle- ville brown stone, and is of the Byzantine style of architecture. In this building was held the state session of the convention of Congregational min- isters, secured by Mr. Colton, which was at- tended by over three hundred delegates from all parts of the state. About the same time Mr. Col- ton engaged Rev. Arthur J. Smith in a local re- vival of much interest, resulting in fifty-five new members and added life in the older ones.

About this time Mr. Colton became active in the new Chautauqua movement to put the beau- ties of Long Island before the world. With a friend he selected a site on the beach at Point of Woods, organized a board of trustees, bought the property and in sixteen months the society had property exceeding $100,000 in its valuation. Opened in 1894. the school continued one month with highly successful results. The session of 1895 was a noted one, with attendance from far and near, all of whom were very enthusiastic as to the work of the Assembly and its results. The Long Island Latin School is another institution into which Mr. Colton has put his heart. He intended it as an instrumentality for the help of the young in higher education. The state of New York, where the Congregational Church is third in strength, has uo college or institution of higher learning, though it has nearly forty such institu- tions elsewhere established. Long Island has

practically no institution of higher learning, and as he coukl see the large field that such a work might fill, he interested some wealthy men, and established the Long Island Latin School at Pat- chogue. In the development of this scheme, Mr. Colton met much opposition, but he would not be defeated, and finally success was assured. The school was opened with an address in the Con- gregational Church in this village by Rev. Mr. Powell, and began with twenty-nine pupils (in- creasing to forty in three months) under the care of a competent faculty, with Prof. J. O. Lansing at its liead. Eleven villages are represented in the attendance, and all concerned feel sure that it will not be long before this institution, thus modestly launched upon the world, will rise to rank with the best of its kind.

M RS. CLARA PORTER SMITH COL- TON, of Patchogue, is one of the most gifted women of the island. She was born in Illinois and was married in Reading, Kan., July 13, 1884, to Alfred E. Colton. Her parents are Rev. M. Henry and Sophia (Porter) Smith, the latter being a member of the well known Por- ter family of Cummington, Mass., who were rela- tives and near neighbors of the poet, William Cul- len Bryant.

At the close of the Civil War, Rev. Mr. Smith moved to the state of Missouri, voluntarily leav- ing a pleasant pastorate in Illinois, and offering his services to the Missionary Society for the help of the recently freed slaves, who were in a wretchedly needy condition. The self-denying sense of duty which prompted him and his wife to enlist in this cause, where workers were so much needed, has been characteristic of their en- tire lives. They secured the interest and aid of noted philanthropists in the East for the estab- lishment of a school and religious services for the five hundred freedmen in Warrensburg, Mo. William Cullen Bryant and his brother, John Bryant, and General Howard were among the donors, and the school, which was the first free

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school in Warrensburg, was named for the latter gentleman, "The Howard School." Its start was the stimulus which resulted in the opening of free schools in the town for white children. Of these Mr. Smith was requested to take charge, but he declined that important position, with its accompanying high salary, feeling that he could not be spared from the work for the colored people.

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Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2, Part 11

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: New York, Chicago, Chapman Number of Pages: 926

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Chapman
Number of Pages: 926