USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 2
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Mr. Latham was executor of the estate. of the late Sallie M. Reeve, and also commissioner of the property of his uncle, Joseph Latham, who was
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one of the founders of the Southold Savings Bank, and died in Orient. At the time of the latter's death our subject was chosen to fill his place as one of the trustees of the Southold Savings Bank, being elected July 17, 1890. At present he is one vi the examining committee. In addition to other matters, he served as administrator of the es- tate of the late Thomas S. Beebe, of Orient. In municipal matters he has taken a warm interest, and as a Republican has been active in political affairs. Hle has filled a number of local offices, and is now one of the Trustees of the town. In religious belief he is a Baptist, and holds member- ship in that church at Greenport, while his wife is identified with the Congregational Church at Orient.
F EVERETT BENJAMIN, M. D., one of the popular young physicians of Shelter Island, has found the study and practice of medicine more congenial to his tastes than any- thing else could possibly have been. He could not have taken up any other calling without doing violence to the dominant instincts of his nature, and lie is devoted above all else to his profession. A native of Riverhead, this county, he was born May 11. 1868, to Moses F. and Helen (Aldrich) Benjamin, also born on Long Island. Indeed. - the Benjamin family is one of the oldest and most influential on the island, and almost without an exception its male members have won enviable reputations as business men and agriculturists of prominence. The father now makes his home in the county seat, where he is proprietor of one of its best drug stores.
F. Everett Benjamin was reared to man's estate in Riverhead, where he received his primary edu- cation in the public schools, after which he took a three-years course in the Centenary Collegiate Institute at Hackettstown, N. J., graduating from the scientific department with such honors as to encourage his studying medicine. His father was very desirous of having him adopt his profession, and accordingly young Benjamin took a course of two years in the New York College of Phiar-
macy, in New York City. Believing himself to be peculiarly adapted to the medical profession, how- ever, and feeling himself fitted to meet the re- quirements, none of the numerous obstacles which he found from time to time in his pathway were allowed to more than temporarily check his progress toward the goal of his ambition.
In the year 1889 Mr. Benjamin entered the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, and was graduated therefrom in 1812. Shortly afterward he took a course in the Post- Graduate School, Twenty-first and Second avenues, New York City, which was the means of his obtaining much additional practical informa- tion. In September of that year he passed suc- cessfully the New York State Regents University medical examination, and in the fall located at Shelter Island, where he has built up a lucrative practice. He entered upon his work here thor- oughly equipped and fully prepared to meet any professional demand that might be made upon him. This is attested by the fact that success at- tended his efforts from the start, and the position which he has won among the professional men of the county is a very honored one. He is a meni- ber of the Suffolk County Medical Society, and his name occupies a prominent place on the rolls of the medical men of this and other countries. Politically he is a stanch Republican.
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G EORGE F. TERRY, one of the promi- nent residents of Suffolk County, is justly entitled to space for a biographical notice in this connection. He has for many years been engaged in farming, and is the possessor of a tract of one hundred and forty acres, included in the home farm in the town of Riverhead, an.1 twenty-six acres in Northville.
Mr. Terry is a native of this town and was born December 19, 1849. Of the five children born to his parents, Francis C. and Hannah (Dayton Terry, he was the third in order of birth. Hi- brother, Theodore D., is engaged in farming near Jamesport, this town, and Rose B., the wife
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of Clarence J. Tuthill, also makes her home in this locality; two children died in infancy. The father of this family was born and reared in North- ville, where he spent his entire life, with the ex- ception of the short time he was a sailor on board a vessel engaged in handling wood. He became an agriculturist of high standing, and was very successful in all his undertakings. Po- litically he preferred the Republican party, to which he invariably gave his support. He was an official member of the Congregational Church and possessed the high regard and confidence of those with whom he was intimately associated. His death occurred when he was seventy-four years of age. His father was Deacon James Terry, this prefix being added to his name on ac- count of the office which he held in his church. He departed this life when fifty-four years of age.
The mother of our subject was likewise born in the town of Riverhead, and at the time of her de- cease was in her sixty-eighth year. She, too, was a devoted member of the Congregational Church. Her father, Capt. Eleazer Dayton, be- gan his life on the sea when a young man, and worked his way from the humblest position to be commander of a vessel. Both the Dayton and Terry families are old and honored ones on Long Island.
George F., of this history, was given every ad- vantage for obtaining a good education. and that he took advantage of them none who meet him will doubt. After attending the common schools he took a course in the academy at North- ville, and has since further advanced himself by judicious reading. He remained with his pa- rents until about twenty-seven years of age, when, having inherited a portion of the home farm, he moved upon it and commenced its cultivation. This he continued to make his home until some time in 1892, when he sold the tract and became the proprietor of the property which he now oc- cupies. This, as we have before stated, is for the most part under tillage, and yields its owner a good income.
The marriage of Mr. Terry and Miss Ellen, daughter of Franklin Hallock, of Northville, was celebrated in October, 1872. To them there
were born four children, namely: Leroy, de- ceased, and Raymond H., Florence A. and George Harold, who are at home. Mr. Terry takes great interest in local affairs and is an in- fluential worker in the ranks of the Republican party in his neighborhood. In religious belief he is a member of the Congregational Church, with which his wife is also connected, and in the church which they attend Mr. Terry is trustee.
G EORGE H. TUTHILL. Among the well-to-do farmers of Suffolk Coun- ty Mr. Tuthill is one of the most energetic and ambitious. His property is located in the town of Riverhead, and as he thoroughly understands every detail of his calling. is meeting with success in its cultivation. He was born in this town, September 29, 1838, being the elder of two sons born to George H. and Jemima Ann (Luce) Tuthill. His brother, Charles Sidney, is also engaged in farming in this town. In addition to cultivating the soil, the brothers have carried on an undertaking business in partnership for some time past.
The father of our subject was also born in this town, within whose bounds he spent his entire life. He was highly respected in his community and lived to be seventy-two years of age. By oc- cupation he was a farmer, and during a greater part of his life worked at the carpenter's trade. He was moderately successful in his ventures and was able to supply his family with the comforts of life. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, but was not interested in public affairs other than to cast his vote during elections. The Congrega- tional Church of Jamesport found in him one of its most influential members and regular attend- ants. David Tuthill, his father, was likewise born in this town, and served as a soldier in the War of 1802.
Mrs. Jemima A. Tuthill, who was born in Northville, this county, is now in her seventy-fifthi year, and makes her home with her son, our sub- ject. Her parents, who were born in France, I came to America very many years ago and lo-
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J. M. HARTRANFT, M. D.
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cated in Long Island, where they passed the re- mainder of their lives.
George H., of this history, attended the schools taught in his district and remained with his pa- rents until he was ready to establish a home of his own, and then erected a dwelling on one of his father's farms. November 21, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Beebe. daughter of Captain Daniel Beebe, a native of Southold, this county, and their union has been blessed by the birth of four chil- dren, of whom we make the following men- tion: Epher Whitaker, the eldest, is the popular proprietor of the Tuthill Hotel at Jamesport; Fred is engaged in farming in this town; Rose Elma married Louis E. Downs, who is also culti- vating a farm in the town of Riverhead, and Cuy- ler B. is now attending the Pratt Institute, of Brooklyn.
Mr. Tuthill takes much interest in all worthy enterprises, and they are never allowed to drag for want of support on his part. He firmly ad- lieres to the principles of the Republican party. and although often called upon to do so, has al- ways refused to accept any political position. He has been a deacon in the Congregational Church for many years, and his family, who are also con- nected with the sante society, are active workers in their respective congregations.
The property which our subject owns consists of about fifty acres in this town, which he devotes to general farming, making a specialty, however, of gardening. His experience as a farmer en- ables him to make the best use possible of his land, and from it he derives a good income.
J I OSEPH M. HARTRANET, M. D., is the village physician in Southold, where he has acquired in his chosen profession a reputa- tion that is very flattering. He was born in Penn's Grove, Salem County, N. J., July 31, 1857, and is a son of William and Margaret A. (Kidd) Hartranft. The former was born in Philadel- phia, and at the time of our subject's birth was a shoe dealer in Penn's Grove. He was a strong
temperance man at a time when temperance prin- ciples were not so popular as at the present day. In religious connections he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died in July, 1881, at the age of sixty-two years.
William Hartranft, Sr., the paternal grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Philadelphia, where he was employed as a gar- dener. The mother of our subject was born in 1821 in Penn's Grove, Salem County, N. J., where she is still living. Of her eleven children one died in infancy; Eliza passed away at the age of fourteen years; Lewis H., at the age of sixteen: Isaac, a graduate of the College of Philadelphia and a promising young pharmacist, died at the age of twenty-one; Rev. Charles R., who died at Long Branch, was- a graduate of Pennington Seminary, the New Brunswick Microscopical So- ciety, and Shoemaker's School of Elocution and Oratory of Philadelphia, later attended a course of medical lectures at the Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, and then entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he gained prominence, and was also widely known as the grand worthy patriarch of the Sons of Temperance of New Jersey; Louisa, who mar- ried John Smith, an ironworker of Philadelphia, met with an accident that resulted in her death ; John E .. M. D., a graduate of the Homeopathic Medical College of New York City, was for- merly the leading physician of Riverhead, where he died August 17, 1894. Only three of the family now survive, namely: Joseph M., of this sketch; Henry A., who is married and is engaged in business at Camden, N. J., and Sarah Jane, wife of George Saver, of Wilmington, Del.
The rudiments of his education our subject gained in the home schools. At the age of four- teen he entered the Bridgehampton Institute at Bridgehampton, where he remained for two years, and later spent some time in the literary institute at Lambertville, N. J. From there he went to Philadelphia and was a student in Few- Smith's Classical and Mathematical School, also in Pierce's Union Business College, Rev. John D. Thompson manager. He then, having comt- pleted his preparatory education, came to River-
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head and commenced the study of medicine with his brother. After having studied for a year un- der his supervision, he entered Hahnemann's Medical College of Philadelphia, and there was graduated March 10, 1879.
On completing his medical course Dr. Hart- ranft opened an office in Southold and entered upon a most successful career, having since built up a large practice in the county. He is the present Health Officer of the town of Southold and one of the Coroners of the county. In poli- tics he is a Republican, although by inclination and policy he prefers to devote his attention to professional affairs rather than to political ques- tions. July 21, 1881, he married Mary E., only child of Capt. S. A. Beckwith, a retired sea captain and for many years a merchant in Southold. They are the parents of two children, Hettie M. and Joseph B.
J AMES HALSEY YOUNG. Every com- munity has among its citizens men of rec- ognized influence and ability, who, by their systematic and thorough method of work, attain to a success which is justly merited. From boy- hood Mr. Young has given agriculture the princi- pal part of his attention, and he is numbered among the substantial farmers in the town of Riv- erhead, Suffolk County.
Mr. Young was born here August 29, 1824, and was the third in order of birth of the family of James and Amanda (Brown) Young. Amanda M., the eldest of the family, is the widow of Alden Wells, and makes her home in this town; Jeru- sha married John T. Wells, who is also deceased; Daniel departed this life when a lad of twelve years.
James Young was likewise born on the farm in the town of Riverhead where his son, our sub- ject, now resides, and here he passed nearly the whole of his life. When young he learned the ship carpenter's trade, following this for many years, and during that time aided in the building of many of the large boats which were completed on long Island. By industry and good manage-
ment he gathered around him many of the com- forts and conveniences of life, and during his later years was enabled to sit down and enjoy the fruits of his labors. He was active in the welfare of the community, and his death, which occurred when he was sixty-four years of age, was deeply regret- ted. He was a valued member of the Congrega- tional Church, and was actively interested in the work of the sanie for many years. His father, Daniel, the grandfather of our subject, was also born in this locality.
The Young family is an old and prominent one on Long Island, and our subject is able to trace his ancestry back to one John Young, a minister of the Congregational faith, who came here from Connecticut, his native State. Mrs. Amanda Young was born in this town, and at her death was seventy-five years of age. She, too, was a devoted member of the Congregational Church.
James Halsey Young carried on his primary studies in the common schools, and when a young man supplemented the knowledge gained therein by a course at Franklinville Academy, from which institution he was graduated. Thus he was en- abled to prepare himself for a useful life by his own efforts, as his father was not then in a posi- tion to give him much assistance. He remained at the old home until the death of his father and mother, when he inherited the estate, and has con- tinued to reside upon it ever since. It has al- ways been considered valuable property, and Mr. Young is in receipt of a handsome income from its management.
In November, 1846, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Mary Brown, a resident of the town of Riverhead, and to them were born three children, all of whom died when young. The wife and mother departed this life in 1853, and November 21, 1854, Mr. Young chose for his second companion Miss Lucy Jane Young, who was also born in this locality. This union result- ed in the birth of five children, one of whom died in infancy. Helen W. is single and at home with her father; Howard H. completed his medical studies in Bellevue Medical College, in New York city, and for a number of years was located in Riverhead; James Addison is a rising young
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attorney of New Rochelle, Westchester County, S Y., and Jennie Amanda is the wife of Charles Preston Hallock, who resides in New York city. Mr .. Lucy J. Young died March 25, 1877.
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Our subject has been a supporter of Republican principles ever since the organization of the party. ile is well known and highly regarded as one of the old residents of the place, and for a period of thirty-two years has acceptably filled the office of Justice of the Peace. Besides filling many minor punitions of responsibility and trust, he has also been Overseer of Highways. He was one of the organizers of the Riverhead Savings Bank, and his business judgment, which is sound, is often relied upon in matters of importanee. He has been a deaeon in the Congregational Church for twenty years, and to the support of the church has been a liberal contributor.
H ANFORD W. BURR is one of the young people of whom the village of Bay Shore is justly proud, all his life having been spent in this charming spot, and all the older people knowing him as ehild, boy, and man. He is en- gaged in the jewelry business, and has taken a strong hold upon the people of this vieinity in the six years in which he has carried on this business.
The father of our subject, George H. Burr, ran an oyster sloop, and Mareh 20, 1860, met a tragie fate by being murdered on the boat with his erew at the hands of a man named Hicks. He was only thirty-nine years old at the time of his sud- den demise, and had been married about sixteen years to Miss Deidamia R. Thurber, of Long Is- land. She died in 1873, when fifty years old, leav- mig five children, of whom all are now living. Aranzas R. is a dealer in bicycles at Bay Shore; Desire is the wife of Seth R. Platt, of this village, and has two children; Leander T. is the young- est son, and Georgie E. is Mrs. N. E. Smith, of this village.
Hanford W., the subject of this sketch, and the second child of his father, was born in Bay Shore September 28, 1847, and received his education in the common school, availing himself of every op-
portunity for learning that eame to him, so that now he may be pronounced a very well-educated man. He remained on the farm until he became grown, but as a boy not a little of his time was spent on the water. When he was twenty-one he learned telegraphy in the Western Union oi- fice, and was then put in charge of the depot, act- ing as agent for thirteen years. Later he was employed in the marine service of the Revenue Department for two years, but eame baek to the offiee and was again engaged in railroad work for five years.
Mr. Burr is a mechanical genius, and, as one might say, picked up his present trade, in which he is most proficient. It was during his spare moments while elerking in the store of Smith & Brewster that he learned telegraphy, the office being located there. The story runs that when he was a boy eight years old something was the matter with his mother's eloek which she eould not remedy. He took it down when his mother was absent, and, separating it, eleaned and oiled it, and put it together again and set it running. His trade seems to come naturally to him. In polities he is a Republican, and a member of the Masonic order in his fraternal relations, and is eounted a very prosperous and exemplary young man.
D ANIEL S. TERRY, of the town of River- head, eomes from a very old and honored family in this region, as nearly three hun- dred years ago the founder of the American branch, Riehard Terry, emigrated from England, making settlement on Long Island, where his many deseendants are now living. Daniel S. Terry is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Northville, and in following this industry is mak- ing a decided sueeess.
Mr. Terry, who was born in this town January 26, 1839, was the second in order of birth of the eight children born to Daniel C. and Lorinda (Benjamin) Terry. The father was also a native of this town and was born July 10, 1812. Like most of the agriculturists in this section, he met with suceess, and passed his entire life on a farm.
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In politics he was a believer in and a supporter of Republican principles, and on this ticket was elected Assessor of his town. So well and effi- ciently did he discharge the duties of the office that lie was made his own successor for a period of nine years. He was not a member of any church organization, but contributed liberally to all worthy causes. His death occurred September 16, 1884, and in him the county lost one if its best citizens. Ile was the son of Daniel Terry, who was also born in this town.
Mrs. Lorinda Terry, the mother of our sub- ject, was born July 9, 1819, in the town of River- head, and was the daughter of John Benjamin, who, although advanced in years, is remarkably well preserved. Mrs. Terry is a member of the Congregational Church, and during her younger years was very active in the work of the same. She became the mother of eight children, of whom Amelia married Alonzo Benjamin and is living in this town; George departed this life when in his forty-eighth year; Henry is the proprietor of a first-class hotel at Southampton; Estelle is now Mrs. George B. Youngs and resides in Brook- lyn. The three remaining members of the fam- ily died in infancy. .
The subject of this sketch obtained a good ed- ucation in the schools near his home, and upon attaining his majority his father gave him the farm upon which he now resides. This he has made a most productive tract, and his career up to the present time has been a most successful one. November 5, 1860, he was married to Miss Mary H. Luce, whose birth occurred in this town September 12, 1837. She is the daughter of George O. and Charity W. (Hallock) Luce, the former of whom was born here October 18, 1806. He, too, was a farmer, well known and highly re- spected, and at the time of his demise, which oc- curred January 17, 1871, was the possessor of a good property. The latter's father, Jolin T. Luce, served as captain of a company in the War of 1812. He also was born in this county, and by re- ferring to the records we find that the Luce fam- ily was established here many years ago and was classed among the earliest settlers on the island.
Four of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Terry died in infancy. Those now living are Henrietta E., who married Herbert W. Wells, of this town, and Leslie L., single and at home with his parents. Mr. Terry is liberal in his political views, although in national affairs he votes for Republican candidates. He is not a member of any religious body, but contributes liberally to the support of the Congregational Church, to which his wife and son belong.
G EORGE SKIDMORE. The name with which we commence this biography is that of one of the oldest residents of the town of Riverhead, Suffolk County. He was born here April 12, 1819, and can therefore give a great many points of interest with regard to the early history of the section of country in which he has so long made his home. To his parents, Hezekiah and Mary (Edwards) Skidmore, there was born a family of six children, of whom George was the youngest. The family has been especial- ly noted for longevity, and our subject had two sisters, Clarissa and Catherine, who lived to be ninety-four and ninety-three years of age respec- tively. Mary died when in her ninetieth year, Walter S. when seventy, and James S. died at the age of eighty-three years.
Hezekiah Skidmore was born at Rocky Point, Suffolk County, and was there reared to a life of usefulness on his parents' farm, where he re- mained until ready to start in life for himself. At that time he came to this part of Suffolk County. purchasing a tract of one hundred and fifty acres of land. This he improved and lived upon until his demise, which took place when he was seven- ty-seven years of age. George, of this history, is now living on a portion of this tract, the other half of the property being left to his brother, James S., of whom a biography will be found in this volume. The father aided greatly in the improvement and growth of his community, both by his own exertions and means. It is to suchi men that this county owes her high standing, and the father's characteristics were of as high an order as were those of the distinguished grand-
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