USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 21
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Our subject has two sisters living-Phoebe. wife of James H. Welch, a prominent commission merchant of New York City, and Nancy, who married Isaac Foster, whose home is in Greene
County, N. Y. He also has a half-sister. Lottie A., wife of Frank Oakley of Greene County. Arthur W., of this history, passed the first fifteen years of his life in his native county, during that time acquiring such an education as could be procured in the district school. He is, however. mainly self-made, and makes it his aim to keep posted on all affairs of importance, the world over.
For two years after coming to Long Island. our subject was employed as a laborer on the farm of Henry L. Fleet, of Southold. The sub,e- quent five years were spent in the employ of Capt. James E. Horton, now deceased. but late of the town of Southold. As our subject was in- dustrious and economical, in 1859 he had saved a sufficient sum of money to enable him to get married and set up a household of his own. Jan- uary 8 of that year Miss Elizabeth Dayton be- came his wife. She was the daughter of William Dayton, a native of Long Island, who was both well known and highly regarded by the residents of Suffolk County. To Mr. and Mrs. Turbush there were born three children: William, Sarah. now deceased, and Lizzie.
During the progress of the Civil War Mr. Tur- bush volunteered his services in defense of his country, and in August, 1862, was mustered in as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New York Infantry. They were first attached to the Nineteenth Corps. Army of the Potomac, and the first engagement in which they took part was fought at Diascon Bridge. fourteen miles from Richmond. Mr. Turbush was also an active participant in the battle of Gettysburg, and with other members of his regi- ment followed Lee on his retreat to Warrenton Junction. They were later ordered to Morris Island, S. C., where they were stationed for about a twelvemonth, guarding the island and skirmish- ing in the surrounding country. Our subject also assisted at different times in tearing up the tracks of the Charleston Railroad and in driving back the soldiers guarding these points, in order that the work of destruction might be accomplished. Although actively engaged in many stirring con- fiets, Mr. Turbush was never seriously wounded.
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December 9, 1864, however, while in a fight at Pocotalico, S. C., a rifle ball was shot through his hat and barely touched his scalp. In June, 1865, hie received his honorable discharge, and with the remaining members of his company was mustered out the following month.
Mr. Turbush returned to his home in this lo- cality when the war was over, and after fully re- covering from the hardships and privations which he had undergone in camp and on the battle- field, he again took up the peaceful life of a farmer, which he has followed ever since. He owns a small tract of twelve acres, which he farms in an admirable manner. Among his fellow- townsmen he is very popular, and in 1892 was made Overseer of the Poor of the town of South- old, serving one year, and in 1895 was elected to serve a second term, and is now satisfactorily dis- charging the duties of this responsible position. He has also been Collector of his school district, and for many years served as Constable of his town on the Republican ticket. Progressive and public-spirited citizen, he is ever ready to do his full share in matters of public welfare, and is therefore numbered among the leading men of the county. In Grand Army circles he is also active, and belongs to Edward Huntting Post, No. 353, at Greenport.
W ILLIAM N. SPURGE. The great American people's sign should be a traveling bag, for they are certainly a nation of travelers, who have more nearly anni- hilated time and space than any other people. A traveler's first thought is of the hotel accommoda- tions of a city, and the place is raised or lowered in his estimation according to that. For quiet, comfortable, home-like surroundings and supe- rior bill of fare at moderate prices, the popular "Riverside Inn" of Smithtown, conducted by the genial proprietor, William N. Spurge, is an ex- cellent place to stop. That the traveling public has found this out is certain, for the house is al- ways well filled with happy and contented guests.
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Mr. Spurge was born in Philadelphia, Pa., May 15, 1851, to Robert M. and Frances H. (Nott) Spurge, both natives of England, where they grew to mature years and married.
Immediately after their marriage this worthy couple crossed the ocean to "the land of the free" and settled in the city of "brotherly love," where Mr. Spurge began the manufacture of parasols and umbrellas. This occupation he carried on most successfully for many years, becoming very wealthy, but met reverses in 1857. After losing very heavily he moved to Brooklyn, N. Y., and there opened a music store, which lie conducted for some time, and at the same time was engaged in the manufacture of drums, furnishing a great many for the Government during the Civil War. Later in life he engaged in the hotel business. first at Commack, Suffolk County, L. I., and then at New Rochelle, Westchester County, N. Y. He died in Brooklyn about 1885.
William N. Spurge received meagre educa- tional advantages, and assisted his father in the hotel business until of age. In 1875 he came to Smithtown and there purchased the hotel prop- erty he now owns. On the 10th of May, 1876, on the day the Centennial Exposition of Phila- delphia was opened, he married Miss Clara Whit- man, daughter of Z. D. Whitman, a well-known merchant of Commack, L. I. After nine years of happy married life Mrs. Spurge died of con- sumption in 1885. On the 17th of January, 1888, Mr. Spurge married Miss Annie Marsh, a na- tive of Brooklyn, N. Y., and daughter of Paul A. Marsh.
The "Riverside Inn" is one of the best-known and best-equipped hotels on Long Island. Beau- tifully situated at the head of the Nissaquague River, with all the comforts and conveniences of civilized life, the hotel is liberally patronized by the best class of people, who appreciate the re- fined and home-like hospitality dispensed here. To "mine host" is not due all the merits of his suc- cess, however, but much is due to the cultured lady who in this, as in all else, is his partner and co-worker. Their house is a well-known and fa- vorite resort for city excursionists and outing par- ties, and it is to this class of custom that Mr.
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Spurge looks mainly for his patronage. The natural beauty of the location he has improved greatly, having utilized the spring on his prem- ises, which, with the hydraulic ram, supplies abundance of good, pure water to all parts of the house. His business is steadily increasing cach year.
In addition to his hotel business Mr. Spurge does an active local business in insurance, being agent for Westchester Fire Insurance Company and for the New York Life Insurance Company. In the latter he is mentioned in their roll of honor as one of their "hustlers" whose business for 1895 warranted such mention. Since 1881 he has been a Master Mason, a member of Alcyone Lodge, No. 695, of Northport. In politics he is inde- pendent, and in public matters liberal and pro- gressive.
C HAUNÇEY W. TUTHILL. Our subject has reached that age when the dignity of years well spent in active and productive labor exempts him from the weariness of toil at the present time, and he is now recognized as one of the wealthy and prominent retired farmers of Suffolk County. His home is in the town of Southold, among whose residents lie is recog- nized as one of the old settlers who has performed his share in its development.
Mr. Tuthill is a native of this county, and was born February 20, 1827, his parents being Ira and Eliza (Goldsmith) Tuthill, also born in this portion of the island. The paternal grand- father of our subject, Jesse Tuthill, was born here, as was also his father, whose Christian name was Samuel. It is said that the Tuthill family was among the thirteen original settlers of this town, being established here by an Englishman who came to America in 1648, and among whose descendants our subject represents the eighthi generation. llis maternal grandfather. Luther Goldsmith, was more familiarly known as Cap- tain Goldsmith, on account of his connection with the militia. This gentleman, who died in 1830,
was not many generations removed from the Goldsmith who first settled the town of Southold, and from whom all of the name now residing here sprang.
Ira Tuthill made his home in this town all his life, with the exception of two years, in which he was engaged in business in Greene County, N. Y. He led a long and useful life, and up to the time of his death, which event occurred in 1873, commanded the respect and esteem of the community in which he made his home. He was self-made, both as regards education and finances, and could always be counted upon to give liber- ally of his means toward the support of all worthy enterprises. At first he voted the Whig ticket, and upon the formation of the Republican party supported its candidates. The two sons who sur- vive of his union with Miss Goldsmith are Chaun- cey W., of this history, and Philip W., whose sketch will appear in full within the pages of this volume. Ira Tuthill was an active member of the Presbyterian Church at Cutchogue, in which he was a Deacon and Elder for many years.
The education of our subject was obtained in the district school which was nearest his home, and the private schools of that day. He attended quite regularly until along in his teens, and about that time his father looked forward to the time when he could assist him in the management of his home farm. Chauncey. however, was very desirous of following a seafaring life, and when a lad of sixteen years obtained a position on a whaling vessel, and for five years was engaged in this business. During that time he sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn twice, and also circumnavigated the globe twice. The expeditions were successful, and although the monsters of the deep for which they searched were caught in the various oceans, they met with the best results while cruising in the Northern Pacific. After this Mr. Tuthill spent a short time in the coasting trade, after which he returned to Suffolk County, with the determination to give his entire time and attention to agricultural pur- suits. Ilis property includes the sixty-eight acres of land which was formerly the old homestead. In its management he has met with success from
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the first, and is now recognized as one of the most substantial farmers in the town of Southold.
October 9, 1849. Chauncey W. Tuthill was mar- ried to Miss Martha Gould, a native of this county, her birth occurring September 13, 1830. She was the daughter of Platt T. and Mary (Terry) Gould, likewise born in Suffolk County. Her grandfather, Titus Gould, was also born on Long Island, and, indeed, the family has been identified with the history of this portion of New York ever since its earliest settlement. The mar- riage of our subject with Miss Gould has resulted in the birth of three children-Delia, now the wife of William H. Corey; Jesse W., and Luther G. In politics he is a Republican, tried and true. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church in Cutch- ogue, of which his father was a member, and like him has been an official member of the same, hav- ing served in the capacity of Trustce and Elder for many years. He has been successful in a busi- ness sense, and his honorable and upright career in life has won for him universal confidence.
F ASBURY TUTHILL. Among the promi- nent farmers of. Suffolk County who are rapidly mounting the ladder of success, and are counted among its most worthy and hon- ored residents, may be mentioned Mr. Tuthill. He is one of the most popular and successful farmers in the locality, and is of that social, genial nature which makes many friends. His property is located in Oregon, in the town of Southold, and is a well cultivated tract.
Mr. Tuthill is a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., and was born December 12, 1840, being a son of Robert and Electa (Foster) Stillwell. He was deprived of the care of his father when he was a child of two years, and at that time was taken into the home of J. Smith Tuthill, by whom he was adopted, and assumed the name of Tuthill. The latter, who was a well-to-do farmer and old resi- dent of Mattituck, died about a quarter of a cen- tury ago. Our subject was reared to man's estate in his household, and as soon as okl enough was sent to school at Mattituck, where he
acquired a good common-school education. He gave his assistance to his adopted father in the work on the farm during vacations, and as soon as his school days were over gave his entire at- tention to this industry, mastering it in all its detail.
F. Asbury Tuthill was married, December 23. 1863. to Miss Mary Clark, daughter of Silas and Esther Clark, both of whom were born in Suffolk County. Her father departed this life when ad- vanced in years, and Mrs. Clark, who is now in her seventy-eighth year, is one of the oldest resi- dlents of Oregon, where she makes her home.
Of the children born to our subject and liis estimable wife, the following survive: Edward L .; Jane, the wife of W. O. Davids; Mamie E., and Frank. The property which Mr. Tuthill owns and operates comprises sixty acres, in the culti- vation of which he has met with signal success, and he is now recognized as one of the substan- tial men of the county. He is a stanch supporter of the principles of Democracy, and on this ticket was elected Road Master of the town of Southold. . So satisfactorily did he discharge the duties of the position, he was retained in office for thirteen years. He has been prominent and active in other ways, and is a popular and highly prized.citizen of his town, having the good wishes of all who meet or have dealings with him.
1 SAAC B. MILLS. The present high standing of Suffolk County is largely due to its na- tive-born sons, those who, having spent their entire lives in its midst, have gained success for themselves and have at the same time advanced the welfare of the county. They have been found foremost in every enterprise that will increase the prosperity of the people. The industries that are peculiar to the island have been fostered by their influence and aid. In fact, no line of prog- ress has been instituted in which they have not been in the initiative and to which they have not been generous contributors.
Mr. Mills is one of those citizens who, being a
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lifelong resident of the county, is peculiarly and deeply interested in its prosperity. Though still a young man, he is well-to-do and influential, be- ing accounted one of the leading citizens of the town of Brook Haven. The farm where he now lives is the place where his boyhood years were passed and where, under the guidance of his father, he was trained for a position of useful- ness in life. Upon it he engages in general farm- ing. making a specialty, however, of the dairy : business, in which industry he has met with suc- cess.
In the village of East Setauket. the subject of this sketch was born in October. 1863. being a son of Algernon S. and Mary ( Brewster) Mills, na- tives of Stony Brook and Setauket respectively. The former passed away in 1888. and his wife died two years previous to his deinise; they were a worthy couple and retained the esteem of those with whom they were acquainted from carly years. Our subject was educated in the district schools and Franklinville Academy, attending the latter institution for one year. In 1889 he married Miss Gertrude, daughter of Charles Terrell, of Port Jefferson, and two daughters bless their union, Madeline and Rebecca. Socially Mr. Mills is a member of the Royal Arcanum. Politically a Republican, he has served as Road Commissioner and now holds the office of Excise Commissioner.
J FINLEY BELL, M. D., of East Hampton, was born in Aaronsburg. Center County, Pa., March 13. 1860. His boyhood years ; wore passed in the place of his birth and near Bellefonte, the county seat of the above county. After acquiring the rudiments of his education in the common schools, he supplemented the knowl- edge there obtained by attendance at Bellefonte Academy, under Prof. James P. Hughes, and at the Pennsylvania State College. Under the guid- ance of Dr. E. S. Dofworth of Bellefonte. he commenced the study of medicine, which he later carried on in the University of the City of New
York, and in 1883 he was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D.
Looking about for a suitable location, Glen Hope, Clearfield County, Pa., was selected as the scene of his future labors, and there he opened an office. While in the latter place he had a severe at- tack of rheumatism, rendering it necessary for him to change his location. In 1884 he went to Osce- ola Mills, in the same county, but again ill health forced him to seek another location. He secured a position on the staff of the insane asylum on Ward's Island, where he remained a short time. then accepted a similar position with the insane asylum at Morris Plains, N. J. After spending a year there he came to Suffolk County in 1888 and spent the winter following in Brentwood. In the spring of 1889 he opened an office in East Hamp- ton, where he has secured a practice and has de- rived great benefit from the delightful climate of this region. He holds membership in the Suffolk County Medical Society, and during his residence in Pennsylvania was connected with the Clearfield County and State Medical Societies.
H I ENRY A. BROWN. The farm does well by those who treat it well. The farmer is a man who stands in the most enviable position on the face of the earth in certain re- spects. He is independent, and can lead a clean. pure and wholesome life, without regard to the fear or favor of men. A man who keeps close to the heart of nature in the quiet and seclusion of the country may expect to mould his life upon large and noble lines, if he will remember to hear and heed the voices around him. A successful farmer, who has lived a long life and kept at peace with all the world, is indeed a successful man, and the world cannot hold him in too high esteem. Such a man is the subject of this sketch. who resides in West Deer Park. Mr. Brown has followed farming all his days, but has kept in touch with the world, and has done exceedingly well as the result of constant toil and upright
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methods. He was born in the town of Brook Haven, April 9, 1835, and was the son of Abram and Hannah (Hawkins) Brown. He was reared on the farm, and liis early opportunities for edu- cation were somewhat meagre, but he has kept his eyes and ears open and has learned much in the school of practical experience. The first of his business life was spent in Brooklyn, where he was a clerk in a grocery store for two years. For the following three years he was engaged in a general store on Staten Island. By this time he had saved $800, and with this he bought out the heirs of the old homestead, a farm of one hundred and eighty acres, using it as his first payment.
In 1868 Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Martha M. Hopkins, who died in the month of February, 1886, leaving no children. October 12, 1887, Miss Mary F. Smith became his wife, but bore him no children. In 1886 he purchased eighty acres of land, on which is a beautiful lake, with an area of thirty acres, in the town of Riverhead. From its earliest organization our subject has been found in the ranks of the Republican party. He voted for General Fremont in 1856, and has steadily supported the men and measures of his party to the present time. He has held local offices for the good of the people, and never for his own profit. From 1883 to 1886 he was Road Commissioner, and was appointed Postmaster at Deer Park by President Harrison, but resigned after serving two years. For twenty- two years he has been School Trustee. In 1894 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and is now serving his first term. In the latter office he pur- sues the somewhat unusual but highly com- mendatory course of using all his persuasive pow- ers to induce litigants to settle their disputes by friendly agreenient and not by legal process.
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The public spirit of Mr. Brown is evident also from the interest which he takes in all movements looking toward the improvement of tlie con- ditions under which agriculture is carried on at the present time. The present prosperous con- cition of the Suffolk County Agricultural Society is largely due to his active and unselfish interest in its behalf. He it was who did the greater part of the work involved in raising the money to en-
close the grounds of that society and to put its buildings in better shape. For twelve years he has been Director, and fifteen years Superintend- ent of the fruit department, and has shown as high as nine hundred different varieties of fruit trees and plants.
C APT. HENRY J. ROGERS, a well known farmer and enterprising citizen of the town of Brook Haven, was born at Setauket, May 8, 1858, and is the son of Oran W. and Mary J. (Bayliss) Rogers. He is one of four children, all still living, one older and two younger than our subject, Mary, Oran, Jr., and Elvin H. Spending the years at East Setauket until he reached the age of seventeen, he then went to sea as a sailor before the mast on a ship bound for the West Indies. For four voyages he continued as a sailor, and then a certain force of character and native ability began to assert itself. and he was called to fill the position of second mate. After six years' faithful service in this of- fice, he was given charge of a merchant vessel, and was its captain for nine years. Later he was in command of another for seven years, making sixteen years in charge of the two, the "Mon- rovia" and the "Liberia." He was twenty-three when he was given charge of a ship running from New York City to the west coast of Africa and the West Indies; and, though often exposed to terrible dangers, he was never shipwrecked. In 1894 he retired from the sea. The first vessel he shipped in was "Harriet Brewster." He also made a voyage in the brig "Marie Celeste," now famous as the mystery of the sea.
During the greater part of the time Captain Rogers was on the water, he had his home in Setauket, and in 1888 purchased the handsome and attractive place where he now lives. It con- tains forty acres and is regarded as a very com- plete piece of property. In 1882 he married Miss Julia Jayne, and by this union has become the father of four children, Robert P., Harry S., Wal- ter F., and Blanche. Politically he adheres to Democratic principles. Fle is a member of the
STUART T. TERRY.
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Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his pres- ence and work are counted very valuable.
Captain Rogers is mostly a self-educated man, and has had to contend against great obstacles and hindrances; but he lias fought his way through, and may look back upon a very credit- able career, and is still so young that, at the same . time, ne may feel that his career is largely before him.
S TUART T. TERRY. On the 24th of Feb- ruary, 1894, there passed from earth a gen- tleman who for years had been closely con- nected with the history of the town of Southold and whose life was a clear and blotless page of noble deeds nobly done. He it is whose name introduces these paragraphs and whose life we thus briefly record for posterity. His life, with the exception of a few years, was spent in Suf- folk County, and he had a large circle of friends among the people here.
The Terry family is one of the oldest in the town of Southold, and here the parents of our subject, Daniel T. and Eunice (Case) Terry, were born. Here, too, our subject was born July 20, 1831. His boyhood years were passed in his na- tive place, and his education, which was excellent, was obtained in the district schools, Southold Academy and the Albany Normal School. It was his ambition to enter the teacher's profession and for this he fitted himself. After graduating with distinction he was called to the position of principal of the school at Sag Harbor, and this he accepted, looking forward with the greatest pleasure to the commencement of what he hoped would be his life work. But it was not to be. Soon after he began his work a painful affection of the throat became apparent, and this increased to such an extent as to force him to resign his school and retire from the profession.
While the reversion of his plans was a bitter disappointment to Mr. Terry, he never lost his courage nor his determination to succeed, even though in another vocation than the one he had selected. He went to New York City and took
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