USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
a place in a mercantile establishment. The con- ventionalities and narrow restraints of city life, however, were not congenial, and after a time he returned to his father's liome. June 26, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas J. and Eliza (Davids) Hor- ton. She was born January 11, 1832, and still makes her home on "Bay Farm," where she and her husband began housekeeping at once aiter their marriage. Theirs was a happy union -- one of mutual sympathy, helpfulness and counsel. They shared each other's joys and sorrows, and each had no higher desire than to labor for the well-being of the other.
At an early age Mr. Terry united with the Presbyterian Church, and in its work he ever re- tained a deep interest. For a third of a century, and as long as he would consent to retain the of- fice, he served as Superintendent of the Sunday- school. Not many years after he accepted the Superintendency the church saw his fitness for the Ruling Eldership, and he alone, at that time. was chosen to this office. His election was made by the unanimous vote of the congregation. Later he was ordained. For nearly a third of a century he discharged the duties of the office with rare intelligence and commendable faithfulness. He was prominent in the Presbytery of Long Island, the Synod of Long Island, the Synod of New York and New Jersey, and took an active interest in the meetings of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. In 1866 he was a member of the General Assem- bly meeting at St. Louis, when the first effective step was taken for reunion, and he was also a member of the General Assembly that niet at New York and at Pittsburg in 1869, when the reunion was accomplished. For many years he was Trustee of the congregation and President of the Board.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Terry was deeply interested in educational matters, and any project for the advancement of the interests of the schools met his cordial approbation. In the building of the academy lie took an active part, and served as a member of the Board of Trustees. He was one of the founders of the Suffolk County Historical
1
722
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Society, and served as Recording Secretary from its organization until the week of his death. He was one of the committee of arrangements for the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth an- niversary of the founding of his native town.
From Epher Whitaker, one of the intimate friends of Mr. Terry, comes this affectionate tribute: "In the course of a life which is not brief. when measured on the human scale, I have found very few men whom I have known so well, trusted so thoroughly, esteemed so highly, and loved so dearly, as I have known, trusted. es- teemed and loved Stuart T. Terry. During more than forty years of intimate and confidential re- lations, his thoughts and words have seemed to be as pure as the unsullied snow and the shining sunlight. His love and sympathy have been ten- der and delicate as a woman's. His honesty was as genuine as gold without alloy. His upright- ness was as firm and immovable as the everlast- ing hills; his rectitude as straight as the direction of the solar rays. He did not hitch his wagon to a star. He did more and better. He linked him- self to the 'throne of the Maker and Ruler of all the stars. The men whom he employed were not eager to leave him. One of them kept his place for more than twenty years. His mental equip- ment enabled him to use an accurate and ready pen, and to speak with fluency, correctness and precision. His prayers rose from the Bible and from his own experience of its truth. It is a grief to those who have been led a thousand times by him in their worship of the Most High that they will hear that clear and well known voice no more on earthi."
.
J JEREMIAH G. TUTHILL. When mention is made of the influential citizens of Suffolk County -- those who have attained positions of special prominence in the avenues of com- merce-the mind at once reverts to the subject of this biographical notice, who has passed his entire life on Long Island. He is one of the lead- ing merchants of New Suffolk, and is also car-
rying on a successful business as dealer in lumber and coal.
Mr. Tuthill was born December 24. 1826, and is the son of Ira B. and Elizabeth (Goldsmith) Tuthill, who were also born on Long Island. His ancestors on both sides were among the earliest settlers here. Many generations back was one Nathan Tuthill, who served as a soldier in the War of the Revolution.
Ira B. Tuthill. who was a life-long resident of the town of Southold, was a successful business man, and in 1829 opened a store on the site which is now occupied by the well known firm of Gold- smith & Tuthill. He took a deep interest in the welfare of his county, materially and otherwise. and bore a very prominent part in promoting its rise and progress to its present high standing as a wealthy and well developed country. He was one of the founders of the prosperous village of New Suffolk, which is regarded as one of the flourish- ing towns in the county. For a number of years he was interested in the whaling business, which in the early days was very popular and remunera- tive, and was also the proprietor of a large brick- yard, located on Robins Island, and in this indus- try was prospered. This beautiful island has since been purchased by a New York club and is held by them as shooting grounds. The senior Mr. Tut- hill departed this life in 1892, when eighty-nine years of age, and as he was well known to the people of Long Island, his death was universally mourned. At one time he was captain of a com- pany of artillery which was organized in his com- munity, holding this position for some time. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was for a time Deacon and Elder, and for more than sixty years he had been a member of the Presbyterian Church at Cut- chogue.
To Ira B. and Elizabeth Tuthill there were born four children, of whom three survive, those be- sides our subject being: Eunice E .. now the widow of Charles L. Horton, and Ira B. Jere- miah G. Tuthill was reared to man's estate in New Suffolk and Cutchogue, in which places his early education was acquired. He later attended South- old Academy, and April 1, 1847, graduated from
723
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the New York State Normal School at Albany, taking the entire course. He later made use of his knowledge by teaching others, having charge of a school at New Suffolk, and afterward was en- gaged to teach in Rockland County, N. Y.
Since engaging in the mercantile business at this place Mr. Tuthill has been prospered, and is one of the prominent business men of the county. Several years ago he opened a lumber yard, and in 1895 began dealing in coal, so that his com- bined interests occupy his entire time and atten- tion. He is a shrewd business man, and his career has been marked by honor and integrity to the highest degree. His success is therefore due to these qualities, united with his good financial management.
December 14, 1849, Mr. Tuthill and Hannah R., daughter of Daniel Howell, were united in marriage. The Howells are one of the old and prominent families of the county, and the father of Mrs. Tuthill was for many years an active busi- ness man of Baiting Hollow. Her union with our subject resulted in the birth of six children, namely: Harrison H .: Elizabeth H., now Mrs. Charles B. Hudson: Hannah R., the wife of Dr. A. H. Terry; Jeremiah G., Howard . G., and John T.
In a practical way Mr. Tuthill has been of great assistance to many of the industries and enter- prises of this portion of the county. He has held many positions of importance and trust, and is now serving the town of Southold as Trustee, be- ing President of the board. Under a former law he officiated as Superintendent of Public Schools. and during the years which he held this office instituted many reforms in the school system. In politics he is an enthusiastic Republican, and has voted this ticket ever since the formation of the party. He is a devoted member of the Pres- byterian Church and a faithful worker in the Sunday-school, of which for over forty years he has been superintendent, and under his teachings many have been brought into the church. In social affairs he is a prominent Mason, holding membership with the lodge at Greenport, and is also an Odd Fellow of good standing, meeting with the fraternity at the above place. He is a
liberal-spirited citizen, stanch in his advocacy of progressive measures, and a warm supporter of enterprises calculated to benefit the place. In social and business circles he is highly esteemed, and among the citizens of Suffolk County occu- pies a high place.
C APT. WILLIAM H. EDWARDS, of the town of Brook Haven, was born in West Setauket, April 23, 1827. His father, Daniel, who was born on the homestead. was a son of Stephen, and a grandson of B. J. Edwards, who was the first to locate on this farm, coming here about 1750 from Mount Sinai. For a time he was Deputy Sheriff of Suffolk County. Our subject makes the fourth generation on this farm, covering a period of almost one hundred and fifty years. His father married Maria Smith and they had four children, of whom only two survive, our subject and Hannah Elizabeth, wife of William H. Phare, and a resident of Chicago.
October 15, 1846, Captain Edwards married Hannah M. Brown, and they had six children, of whom Benjamin, the oldest, is a sailor; Henry and Charles S. are farmers, and Ann Maria lives at home. The Captain was born and reared on a farm, and made it his business to till the soil until 1857. Then building a hundred and fifty- ton schooner, which he named "Annie M. Edwards." and of which he took charge, he made short trips from New York to the Southern States. In 1858 he made his first trip to foreign ports in the West Indies and even farther south. being gone about two months. The "Annie Ed- wards" carried our subject and his fortunes for four years, when it was soll and a new vessel built, "W. HE. Phare," of two hundred and fifty tons. It was, built at Port Jefferson and was used in general freighting to the West Indies for some four years, Then our subject passed it over to his sailor son, and retired from the seas.
When Captain Edwards no longer followed the sea what more natural than for him to come back to the old homestead where his boyhood days had
.
724
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
been spent? So we find him again on the old place, endeared to the family by long years. He owns a steam yacht, and devotes the summer months to pleasant cruising. Successful in his past years he is now enjoying life in a venerated and honorable okdl age. Hc is a Democrat in his politics, and a member of the Episcopal Church in his religion., He was educated at the district school and attended Bellport Academy for his higher instruction. A man of character and in- fluence in life, he has well earned a right to an honored old age. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is much estcemed among the members of that body.
A DRIAN SMITH. This well-known citizen of Smithtown Branch was born here, April 6, 1840, and is a son of Lyman B. and Phoebe (Smith) Smith. His paternal grand- father, Adam Smith, was a descendant of the original "Bull" Smith, a portion of whose farm is now owned by our subject. The grandfather was a large and prosperous farmer, and became the owner of valuable property in this locality. He died suddenly while at work in a field. In his family there were five sons and one daughter, all of whom are now deceased.
Born on the old homestead, Lyman B. Smith grew to manhood here, and upon attaining his majority took the place, assuming a debt of SII .- 000 in the purchase. Prosperity attended his ef- forts; the debt was paid and he accumulated five hundred acres of land, containing fine improve- ments. Energetic and enterprising, he did not limit his labors to farm work, but also dealt exten- sively in live stock and in the buying and selling of wool. At one time he took an active part in the establishment of the rubber factory at Setauket, of which he finally became sole owner. He was a nian of remarkable business ability, and almost invariably met with success in his enter- prises. Ilis death occurred in 1880 at the age of seventy-eight, he having been born in 1802. In his political views he was a Democrat, and for
many years held the position of Supervisor, be- sides which he served in other official capacities.
The family of Lyman B. Smith consisted of three sons and five daughters, of whom four are still liv- ing. Our subject spent his boyhood years on the home place and attended the common schools and Ft. Edward Institute. Until twenty-eight years of age he remained with his parents, working with his father on the farm, and then, January 1, 1868. he was united in marriage with Margaret P. Scud- der, who was born in Virginia and was reared in the family of her uncle, William C. Scudder, of Huntington. She died one year after their mar- riage, and in 1871 our subject married Harriet. daughter of Edmund and Julia ( Hawkins) Ack- erly, all natives of Long Island.
On the old homestead, where he resides, Mr. Smith engages in mixed farming and market gar- dening. At the present time he is serving as Over- scer of the Poor for Smithtown, and has often served as Inspector of Elections. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, of which he is an ardent supporter. For almost forty years he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church and an active worker in its interests. He and his wife, with their son, Frank A., occupy the homestead that has been in possession of some member of the family for so many successive gen- erations. For the past six years he has held the office of Trustee of the Smithtown Cemetery As- sociation.
T HOMAS B. ROGERS. The business in- terests of Stony Brook are represented by this gentleman, who is a contractor for wind mills, steam, hot air and hot water heaters, complete water supplies, artesian well driving and plumbing and tin roofing. In his store he car- ries a full line of ranges, iron pipe for fencing. drain tile, housefurnishing goods, and the latest improved oil and gasoline stoves. From a small beginning he has worked up a good trade, that is constantly increasing and that will undoubtedly prove the source of a large income in the future.
£
725
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In the village of Northport the subject of this sketchi was born July 30, 1855, being a son of Lemuel B. and Lydia C. (Smith) Rogers. He is one of ten children, of whom all but one still survive, there being eight sons and one daughter. In the vicinity of Northport he was reared to manhood, receiving a common school education. In 1881 he came to Stony Brook, where after serving a four years' apprenticeship to the trades of plumber and tinsmith, he began in business for himself, and from a small start he has worked his way upward to success. In artesian well driv- ing, of which he has made a specialty, he has been especially successful, and his work in that line is recognized as first-class. He is agent for the Challenge wind mill for Suffolk County. and has succeeded in introducing a large number here.
In 1884 Mr. Rogers married Miss Jennie Nor- ton, and they are the parents of two children, Hermon L. and Etta C. Matters of public im= portance are sure of careful consideration on his part, and he has held a number of local positions, including that of School Trustee, which he held for three years. He has also been a member of important committees in the town of Brook Ha- ven. Socially he is connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum.
J I OHN FLEET WOOD was born in the city of New York January 17, 1859. His fa- ther, whose name was also John Fleet, was born in the house where our subject now lives, October 21, 1829. The history of the Wood family is closely associated with the early his- tory of the town of Huntington, and runs back to Jonas Wood, who was born in Oakham. England, and appears in Springfield, Mass., as early as 1636. In 1641 he went to Stamford, Conn., and in 1644, in company with Rev. Richard Denton, came to Hempstead, and was in Huntington in 1655 or earlier.
The direct line, as far as we can trace it, was Jeremiah Wood (who was no doubt the father of Jonas Wood, of Oakham, and who was in Hunt-
ington in 1660). The next was Jonas Wood, of Oakhanı, Jonas (second). Jeremiah, Jeremiah (second), Peleg, John, and John Fleet, the lat- ter being the father of the Jolin Fleet Wood whose name appears at the head of this article. It is a matter of more than traditional accuracy that the first Jonas Wood gained possession of a large tract of land at Huntington and what is now Huntington Harbor, and that the place where our subject now lives was a part of this original estate and has been handed down from generation to generation. This interesting home was built long before the Revolutionary War, and in it the ancestors kept a store, and many of the old ac- count books are now in possession of Mr. Wood, some of the accounts dating back as far as 1750. and in many of them the charge of rum is the most frequent.
The Woods were among the most prominent of the early settlers in Huntington, the first Jonas being probably the first Justice of the Peace in the limits of the town. He acted at first under authority of appointment at New Haven, and subsequently by appointment of Governor Nic- olls. In 1665, and for several years thereafter, he acted as a member of the Court of Assizes, and was one of the patentees in the second town pat- ent. His descendants were mainly farmers own- ing large tracts of land in different parts of the island.
John Wood, the grandfather of our subject, was a man of great business capacity, and pur- chased the mills at Huntington Harbor, where he did an extensive business in grinding western grain, also carrying on a large lumber business. He and his wife were both members of the So- ciety of Friends, and it is more than likely that the original Woods were of the Quaker faith. He married Deborah Fleet, a daughter of Arnold Fleet, of Oyster Bay, this family tracing its an- cestry back to Gilbert Fleet, who was among the first settlers of the town. Mrs. Deborah Wood held advanced opinions regarding the rights of her sex. She was a woman of good education and great force of character, and on one occa- sion appeared at a school meeting and demanded the right to vote, putting her claim on the broad
1
726
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ground held by the Revolutionary patriots, that representation and taxation were inseparable, and that they had no right to tax her property without her consent.
John Fleet Wood, the father of our subject, graduated from the Huntington Academy with honors, and in the early 'sos went to Califor- nia, where he was engaged in gold mining for a short time. He soon returned to New York City, where he was engaged in business for a time, and then secured an appointment in the postoffice in New York. At the breaking out of the Civil War he volunteered, and was made acting paymaster of the gunboats "Sagamore" and "Kensington," attached to the Southern squadron. When the war closed he returned to New York and engaged in the publishing busi- ness, being a member of the firm of John De Vries & Co. Here his health failed as a result of close application, and he retired from the busi- ness and came back to Huntington, settled once more on the old homestead, took up farming, and engaged in the manufacture and bottling of cider, in which he built up a large and paying business.
Mr. Wood was Supervisor of the town of Huntington during the years 1885 and 1886, and it was during this time that Lloyd's Neck was annexed to this town, a work that was highly im- portant, and which will always be associated with the name of Mr. Wood. For several years he was a member of the Board of Education, and at the time of his death, November 8, 1890, was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Sol- diers' and Sailors' Monument Association. He was a man of much character, and was deeply interested in all movements looking to the im- provement of the town. He had several brothers and sisters, one of whom, Arnold, was killed at the battle of Charles City Court House, Va., while in his country's service, December 25, 1863. Wil- liam W., who died some years ago, was a prominent business man, who succeeded to the business established by his father at Huntington Harbor, which is now in the hands of his only son. W. Wilton Wood.
The mother of our subject was Sarah An
Slote, daughter of Daniel and Ann Slote, her mother still living in Brooklyn bright and active at the age of ninety-six. Her brother was the man who took "Mark Twain" up and made a man of him, and is the identical Daniel who is known as "Uncle Daniel" in "Innocents Abroad." He was a member of the large publishing firm oi Slote, Woodman & Co., which brought out Mark Twain's "Scrap Book." The mother of our sub- ject was married September 20, 1854. at the Bap- tist Tabernacle in New York. She was a woman of remarkable character, and was much esteemed by her many friends. Her brother, Henry, was at the head of the well-known stationery firm of Slote & Janes in the city of New York. An- other brother, Alonzo, is a partner of the firm of Treadwell & Slote, of New York: John is in the employ of this firm, while her sister. Josephine, is Mrs. Henry L. R. Pershall, of Brooklyn.
Our subject has but one brother, Daniel Slote. who is younger than he is, and is now connected with his cousin, W. Wilton Wood, in his lumber vards at Huntington Harbor. He lives with his brother at the old homestead, in which he has an interest, and is interested also in the bottling works. Josephine, our subject's sister, died Oc- tober 6, 1872, at seventeen years of age. Mar- garet B. died in 1881, when nine years of age. and the other children all died in early infancy.
Mr. Wood was about nine years old when his parents left New York and located in the old Wood homestead, at the corner of Main Street and the Bowery, and here was educated, finishing at the academy. When he was seventeen he went into the Nassau Bank, of New York. and a
year later resigned this position to accept a place with the well-known dry goods auctioneers, Un- derhill & Scudder, remaining in their employ for eight years. In 1884 he returned to this village and bought a half-interest in the lumber company which was established by his grandfather. Ed- ward Carll was associated with him, under the name of Wood & Carll, but that gentleman re- tired in 1880, giving way to W. Wilton Wood. The firm became W. W. & J. F. Wood, and so continued until 1894, when our subject retired from the firm on account of poor licalthi. He has
727
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
since given his time to the management of his fine farm and large cider works, his cider finding ready sale in all parts of the country as among the very best goods offered to the trade. He is one of the largest stockholders in the water works, of which he is Secretary, is Vice-President and one of the largest stockholders of the Huntington Street Railway, is Vice-President of the Imperial Electric Lamp Company. of New York, and be- sides has many other business interests. A thor- ough business man, he is ready to push Hunting- ton along, and takes much comfort in the old mansion built by his ancestors. He likes a good horse and has several in his stable.
Mr. Wood was married January 8, 1890, to Miss May Hartshorn, of Brooklyn, a lady of cul- ture and refinement, who sang in the Baptist Church, and who is a worker in its interest. She is a daughter of the late William L. Hartshorn, who was a prominent business man of New York, and a Mason of high degree. A testimonial given to the family after his death by his brother Masons speaks volumes as to his standing in the order. He had been Master of his lodge, and had filled other high positions. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have but two children, May H., a bright little girl of five years, and John Fleet, Jr.
Mr. Wood is a great home man, and takes nfuch pleasure with his little family-much more than he could possibly find in clubs or in any place of recreation. He is an active politician in the Republican party, and is at present a member of the County Committee for his district, but has never aspired to official honors. His friends, however, often mention him for places of trust and responsibility.
N ATHAN B. HALLOCK. The history of Suffolk County would be incomplete with- out mention of Mr. Hallock, who is a rep- resentative of one of the oldest and most cs- teemed families on Long Island. He is one of the oklest residents of Flanders, where he is liv- ing retired, having passed his early life in secur- ing a competence as a farmier.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.