USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 31
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The parental family consisted of three chil- dren, of whom Elijah was the eldest. Oliver W., who was first lieutenant of the Thirteenth West Virginia Infantry in the Civil War, was taken prisoner and lost his life in the service. Alinira Ann married Garret Constable and died in Ulster County, N. Y., in 1880. After the death of our subject's mother his father married a second time, choosing a sister of his first wife, Betsey Wilbur. They had two sons, one of whom, Frank W., was employed by our subject as salesman at the time of his death in 1885. The other half-brother, William W., went to California in boyhood and gained considerable prominence there. For
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187.788
JOHN V. N. BERGEN.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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twelve years he was Postmaster at San Lucas, Cal. He is the owner of a large ranch and is also engaged in the mercantile and real estate business.
In his father's factory in Hudson our subject learned the cigarmaker's trade. In 1857 he went South and was in the glass manufacturing and the mercantile business with his brother, Oliver. For a time he was Postmaster at Ceredo, WV. Va., and was there at the breaking out of the war. Those were troubled times, and when he and his brother voted against the ordinance of secession they were given notice the following day that they were to leave the State within ten days. Oliver then raised a company to fight for the Union and was at once made an officer. February 15, 1864. he was captured. Soon afterward the Union forces made an effort to recapture the men while they were in the rebel prison camp, and in the skirmish which followed he was killed.
At the time that his brother raised a company our subject was appointed a special agent under Captain Wheeler, who was provost marshal of a number of counties in that part of the State. After eighteen months of creditable service in that position he resigned and returned North, settling on Long Island, where he commenced the manufacture of cigars at Ronkonkoma. Later he was a member of the firm of Newins, Phelps & Griswold at Riverhead, J. Henry Newins, ex- County Treasurer, being the head of the firm. After the death of Mr. Phelps the firm name was changed to Newins & Griswold. The latter in 1883 retired from the firm and established his present factory, in which his son, Oliver E., is partner, the firm being E. Griswold & Son.
For years Mr. Griswold has been one of the most prominent members of the Democratic party in this county. He has been a candidate for Assembly and County Clerk, but his party be- ing in the minority he has failed of election. In May, 1894, he was appointed Postmaster at Riv- erhead. He continues to manage his large cigar and tobacco factory, while his son, Oliver E., who is his partner, looks after the postoffice as Assist- ant Postmaster.
J. Ackerly, daughter of Edward Ackerly and a representative of a family that was among the first to settle in Southold. They have three daughters and one son. Ellen A., who is with her parents, is an artist of more than local note, and their beautiful home is adorned by many of her works. Belle B. is the wife of George C. Ber- thold, of New York City. Oliver E., who, as above stated, is in partnership with his father. married Kittie Clow, daughter of the city editor of the New York Advertiser. Minnie B., an ac- complished young lady of nineteen years, is with her parents.
Socially Mr. Griswold is a Royal Arch Mason, having been identified with that fraternity since his residence in West Virginia. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, in which at one time he was Vestryman. Few men have taken more in- terest than he in the welfare and progress of Riv- erhead, and he is one of those who have contribut- ed to the development of its material and commer- cial resources, for while promoting his own suc- cess he has also forwarded the interests of the vil- lage.
TOHN V. N. BERGEN, one of the thrifty and prosperous residents of the town of Brook Haven, was born in the town of New Utrecht, now the Thirtieth Ward of the city of Brooklyn, April 25, 1820, the son of Adrian and Eliza (Van Nuyse) Bergen. To this couple were born two children, of whom one was the subject of this sketch, and the other Eliza Ellen, the widow of John J. Vandeveer and a resident of the city of Brooklyn. Of this ancient and hon- orable family Hans Hansen Bergen was the first to Icave the Old World and settle in America. Hc came to Long Island in the year 1633, and the family traces back a clear line of ancestry to this daring pioneer, who was a native of Bergen. Nor- way, but who in early life went to Holland. In 1639 he was married to Saralı, daughter of George Rapalyc. She was the first white female child of European parentage born in the colony of New
March 4, 1855, Mr. Griswold married Matilda | Netherlands, which then covered the States of
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
New York, New Jersey and a part of Connecti- cut.
Mr. Bergen, the subject of this sketch, was mar- ried in the year 1852 to Jane Ann, daughter of Charles Lott and Helen Ryder. They are the parents of three children: Adrian J. and Charles, both of whom are farmers, and Helen, who is the wife of Jacob B. Bergen.
Our subject was born and reared in what is now the city of Brooklyn, attended the public schools and finished his studies in Erasmus Hall. He began in life for himself when he had reached the age of twenty-three and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, carrying on the old farm, which had been the family homestead for so many years, and there he was engaged until 1887. In that year he sold out and moved to Port Jefferson and purchased his present home of eleven acres, where he is now leading a quiet and retired life. He owns considerable land on the island, being the possessor of three other farms, which are all very desirable property. He was one of the in- corporators of the Port Jefferson Bank, and has been a Director ever since it was organized. Po- litically our subject is a Democrat, and holds membership in the Presbyterian Church, where he is a Ruling Elder, and has acted as a Trustee. To this church he is closely attached. He is also a member in good standing and is highly appre- ciated in the Masonic order.
E DWARD PIDGEON. One of the principal enterprises of Northport and of Suffolk County is the publishing house of the Ed- ward Thompson Company, incorporated in 1884, and which has since done a large business in the publication of law books and English and American Encyclopedias of Law. Of this concern Mr. Pidgeon has been Secretary from the time of organization, and one of the principal stockhold- ers, and to him its success is in no small measure due.
The father of our subject, John B. Pidgeon, who was a resident of Northport, was a mariner 1
and served in the United States Navy during the Civil War. He died in this village in 1876, when forty-six years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann E. Smith, was born in Brooklyn, and is now living in Northport. Their children, six in number, are as follows: Emily, who lives in this village; Edward; Nelson Luther, a marine engineer, living at this place; Madeline, who resides in Arlington, N. J .; Charles, a book- keeper, employed in Northport, and Annie, who is also in New Jersey.
In Brooklyn, where the family was then re- siding, the subject of this notice was born, March 13, 1862, and in that city the first seven years of his life were passed. He then removed with his parents to Commack, where he remained on a farm until twelve years old. His father dying when he was a lad of fourteen, he was obliged to carn his livelihood and assist in the maintenance of the family. After occupying clerkships in the postoffice and other places, he began to work for Edward Thompson in January, 1880, for whom he was first a clerk, then bookkeeper and col- lector, and finally, when the new company was incorporated, he was one of the stockholders and was chosen Secretary. Under the guidance of himself and those associated with him the business has been a phenomenal success, and is among the principal enterprises on the island.
The prosperity which has come to Mr. Pidgeon is due to his untiring perseverance and good management. In starting out he did not have the prestige of wealth or friends, but had to make his way, unaided, in the business world. He began carrying newspapers and as an errand boy, saved what little he earned, and as the years passed by worked up to a position of influence and responsi- bility. His home is a beautiful place, the resi- dence lighted by electricity and furnished com- fortably, and the grounds artistically and attract- ively laid out. Here, when released from business cares, he enjoys the companionship of his family. His wife was formerly Miss Francine L. Johnson, and they have tivo children, Julian Rutledge, who was born in 1888, and Harold John, born in 1894.
In addition to the position of Secretary of the Edward Thompson Company, Mr. Pidgeon is a
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Director in the Bank of Northport, the Electric Light Company, and the Northport Steamboat Company, being Secretary of the two organiza- tions last named. Socially he is a Mason and now holds the position of Past Master of Alcyone Lodge, No. 695. In religious belief he is an Epis- copalian.
C HARLES LUTHER RAYNOR, pro- prietor of the Apaucuck Point House at West Hampton, was born here, June 5, 1855, being a son of Oscar B. Raynor, whose sketcli appears elsewhere in this work. The Ray- nor family has long been prominently associated with the history of this part of Long Island, and its latest representatives do no discredit to this ancient and honorable name. The family history will be found outlined in connection with the sketch of Mr. Raynor, mentioned above.
Our subject grew to manhood under the parental roof, and was educated in the common schools. Possessing unusual mental and physical qualifications, he became a member of the life- saving station at this point, and continued here for some ten years, acquitting himself creditably on all occasions.
The life-saving service is in itself one of the triumphs of modern humanity, and brings to the relief of storm-tossed mariners in deadly peril from wind, and rock, and wave, all the appliances that modern science has been able to suggest for their relief and rescue. The men who are engaged in this modern knight-errantry must be in every way of superior character. So that when our sub- ject is able to continue in this arduous and exact- ing pursuit for ten years, we can take that as a certificate of merit qualifying him for any kind of work.
Mr. Raynor was married, May 18, 1881, to Miss Ida M., daughter of Rogers Bishop. She was a woman of superior character and many accom- plisliments, and bore her part in the building of the home and the responsibilities of life. Shortly after this marriage our subject built a portion of his present house and began keeping summer
boarders, who doubtless felt it a great privilege to make their home with one of the life-saving crew, and thus live all the time in the atmosphere of the summer seas, but with many a hint and suggestion of the times when storms beat on the shore, and ships went down amid the raging waters. That this was indeed the case is evident from the rapidly increasing popularity, a popu- larity so great that he felt it simply a dictate of common sense to resign from the service and devote himself to what was now becoming a large and paying business. He accordingly en- larged his house to accommodate many more cus- tomers, being able to take care of as many as ninety at once, and now gives his entire atten- tion to the boarding-house business.
To Mr. and Mrs. Raynor were born two chil- dren, a son and a daughter, Oscar B., born Jan- uary 5, 1884, and Laura V., born October 6, 1887. Mr. Raynor was called upon in the year 1893 to pass through a very great affliction in the death of his wife, which occurred on the 6th of Oc- tober of that year. He is a man of character and standing in the community, and in politics acts with the Democratic party, and is generally popu- lar and well liked.
O BADIAH F. SMITH. Occupying a pic- turesque and attractive location on Stony Brook harbor stands "Myrtle Cottage," the home of Mr. Smith. During the summer months the house is filled with boarders, who, after spending one season there, always look for- ward with pleasant anticipations to another sumn- mer spent in these cool and inviting environ- ments. A lifelong resident of this locality, Mr. Smith was born in the town of Smithtown, An- gust 30, 1839, being a son of Obadiah and Re- becca (Davis) Smith, also natives of this town.
The paternal grandfather, Gashum Smith, was a member of the old "Bull" Smith family, and was a farmer by occupation and an extensive land owner. His family consisted of four sons and one daugliter, named as follows: Gashun, Tread-
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well, William, Obadiah, and Hannah, Mrs. Wil- liam Rosmond, all now deceased. Our subject's father was reared beneath the parental roof and after his marriage settled on a portion of the old homestead, in the cultivation of which he after- ward engaged. Politically he was a Republican, and in religious views a Presbyterian.
The first marriage of Obadiah Smith was to Cornelia S., daughter of Michael Smith, and two children were born of that union: Elizabeth, Mrs. Selah Smith, and Brewster. His second marriage was to Rebecca Davis and was blessed with two sons and two daughters, namely: Sarah, the widow of Ebenezer Smith; Cornelia, who mar- ried Robert Williamson and both are deceased: Obadiah. F., and Edmund T. Our subject's boy- hood years were passed on the home farm and in attendance at St. James parochial school. No- vember 3, 1858, he married Sarah A., daughter of Scudder and Amy (L'Hommedieu) Davis, and two children were born unto them. Annie C., the daughter, is the wife of George H. Butler. who is chief engineer on the yacht "Ituna." and Herbert F., the son, lives at Flushing.
For several years after his marriage our sub- ject resided on the farm, and then bought an interest in three schooners, the "Orion," "Charles L. Hulse," and "Francis C. Smith." For fifteen years he was engaged in the coasting trade along the Atlantic coast, and during that time he lost one vessel off Hell Gate. At different times he commanded each of the vessels, and as captain was successful, making a good income from the enterprise. About 1883 he disposed of his in- terest in the ships and embarked in the mer- cantile business at St. James, where he was pro- prietor of a general store for a few years. For the past four years he has been interested in the cider business, and owns a large mill and press.
While affiliating with the Republican party, Mr. Smith is liberal in his views, and grants to others that freedom of thought and action which he claims as his privilege. In former years he took an active interest in public matters and his influence in local politics was large, but of late years he has been less closely connected with town and county affairs. For seven years he has
held the office of Collector of the town, and for three years has served as Commissioner of the Highways. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church at St. James, in which he was a Trustee for some years.
J OHN L. TERRY, a retired ship builder, re- siding in Greenport, was born in Aquebogue, town of Riverhead, December 12, 1835. The family of which he is a member has been repre- sented in Suffolk County for a number of genera- tions. His great-grandfather, John Cleve Terry, was an ensign in the Third Battalion, Suffolk County Militia, in 1773, and was a man of promi- nence in his locality ; he was the possessor of con- siderable property, which he divided among his children by will.
Our subject's grandfather, Maj. John Terry, was born at Aquebogue in 1771 and died at that place April 28, 1856. His title was gained by ser- vice in the War of 1812. Honored by his fellow- citizens with election to various offices, he served as Assessor, Inspector of Elections in 1822, and member of the General Assembly. Among his children were two sons (twins), Lewis Hampton and Benjamin C. The latter was a ship carpenter and went to California, where he died. The former, our subject's father, was born on the old homestead January 2, 1810, and devoted his en- tire life to agricultural pursuits, dying on the home farm March 24, 1886.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Harriet Fanning; she was born March 24, 1813, and died March 8, 1881. In religious belief she and her husband were members of the Congregational Church. Her father, Peter Fan- ning, kept a small store at Flanders. One of her brothers, Wells Fanning, was captain of a schooner, and died of yellow fever in the South. Another brother, Foster, is living in New Suf- folk. Our subject was the eldest among eight children, the others being as follows: Mary M .. who was born January 29, 1837, and married Abraham Sully, keeper of the Peconic House in
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CAPT. JAMES E. HORTON.
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Greenport; Darleska Maria, wife of Horace Tut- hill, of New Suffolk; Catherine M., born Novem- ber 20, 1843, wife of J. Madison Wells, who is en- gaged in the lumber business at Greenport; Peter F., born January 3, 1848, now an expressman at Riverhead; Libbie H., who was born December 4, 1850, and died, unmarried, in the spring of 1801; Franklin Hampton, who was born Octo- ber 4, 1854, and died at the age of eighteen years; Ella Sophia, who was born September 4, 1856, and died at five years of age; and Anna Elizabeth, who was born August 10, 1859, and is now a resi- dent of Brooklyn.
Remaining on the home farm until he was seventeen, our subject received his education in the schools of Aquebogue. At that age he came to Greenport to learn the ship-builder's trade. During the Civil War he engaged in business on his own account, and for thirteen years was at Key Port, N. J. For many years he was in part- nership with C. M. Smith under the firm name of Smith & Terry, in the ship-building business at Greenport, and in this he made quite a fortune. In the spring of 1895 they sold out and retired from business.
Starting in life with but little means, Mr. Terry worked his way upward until he became one of the leading business men of his village. His suc- cess is due to his thorough knowledge of the busi- ness. He understood every detail connected with the trade, and was thus enabled to superintend the work systematically and thoroughly. Throughout his long and active career, he has dis- played good judgment in his investments and discretion in the management of business affairs. In public matters, too, he has been warmly inter- ested, taking an active part in every enterprise calculated to foster the progress of the village and town. For sixteen years he was chief of the Greenport fire department, and at different times he was chosen to serve in other local, but respon- sible, positions. Politically he is a Democrat. In social matters he is an Odd Fellow and is Past Grand of the lodge.
Jannary 19, 1859, Mr. Terry married Miss Sarah E., daughter of Oliver K. Buckley, of Greenport. This lady died March 17, 1873, leav-
ing three children: Oliver H., a ship carpenter, living in Greenport; Loretta, wife of Daniel Di- mond, also of this village; and Harriet M., Mrs. George Horton, of Southold. The second mar- riage of our subject, December 19, 1875, united him with Mary E., daughter of Capt. Henry B. Merrill, of Greenport. Three children were born of that union, namely: Etta M., at home; John L .. Jr., who died at the age of two years; and Sarah. who is with her father. The mother of these chil- dren passed away April 17, 1884. The present wife of Mr. Terry, with whom he was united June 1, 1893, was Mrs. Elizabeth A. Penny, oi Greenport. Her father, William Waterhouse. came to Suffolk County from Connecticut, and her mother, Cynthia A., was a sister of Henry Booth, who built the Booth House at Greenport. In her religious connections she is a Baptist and holds membership in that church at Greenport. The family occupy a comfortable residence and are well known and respected by the people of the village.
C APT. JAMES E. HORTON. For many years this worthy old resident of Suffolk County was numbered among its most progressive citizens. The name of Horton is well known throughout the island, as its mem- bers have been very numerous here since the time of Barnabas Horton, who located in the town of Southold in the year 1640. James E. Horton was born in the town of Southold Janu- ary 15, 1816, his parents being Hector Y. and Dency (Tuthill) Horton, also natives of Long Is- land. On his maternal side he was also descend- ed from a prominent family of the island, the Tuthills ranking among the first residents of the State.
The education of our subject was such as could be gained in the district schools of his day. This knowledge, however, was later supplemented by reading good books and keeping himself well in- formed regarding events of interest and topics of general importance. He left home when nine- teen years of age and set out to sea, spending
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some twelve years engaged in the whaling busi- ness. Three years of this time he was captain of the "Triad," which was manned by a crew of twenty-five men. In 1846 Captain Horton start- ed on his last voyage, which lasted during the re- miainder of that year, all of 1847 and a part of 1848. He returned to his old home in the spring of the last named year, and May 10 was married to Jerusha Worth, who was born at Mattituck Jan- uary 7, 1820, and who was the daughter of James and Nancy (Tooker) Worth, also natives of the island. Mr. Worth was a well-to-do farmer of Long Island, while his father, Captain Worth, was a native of Nantucket, Mass., and for many years followed the sea with success. Late in life he came to this county, where he became well known and made his home the remainder of his life.
To the parents of Mrs. Horton there were born seven children, of whom she is the only survivor. By her marriage with our subject she has become the mother of two children, Theodore W., whose birth occurred October 7, 1849, and E. Willis, born January 20, 1854. The former chose Miss Susan B. Horton for liis wife, while E. Willis married Esther J. Overton, daughter of J. Alan- son and Louisa (Gordon) Overton. Her father was one of the old residents of the town of South- old. To J. Alanson and Louisa Overton were born six children. Emma became the wife of Capt. George Williamson and resides in New York; he is captain of the steamer "Connecticut," of the Providence & Stonington Line; they have one son, Horatio Seymour. Charles H. married Mary Bishop and lives at West Hampton; they have one son, Clinton Nelson. Mary E. and Joshua A. live on the old homestead. Robert G. married Carrie Hutchinson, and is a farmer of Southold; he has one son, Bryant H. E. Willis Horton is farming the old homestead.
Captain Horton was active in political affairs and for some years was Overseer of the Poor in the town of Southold and also discharged the duties of Commissioner of Highways in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. He was an influential worker in the ranks of the Republican party, whose candidates he always supported. In
the Southold Savings Bank, of which he was one of the founders, lie officiated as Trustee for a number of years. This bank is a well known and thoroughly reliable institution and its of- ficers possess the entire confidence of its depos- itors. Our subject was a kind father and hus- band, and his home was one of the most hospit- able in the town. He was an example of the self- mnade men of the country who started in life with nothing but a determination to succeed. Step by step he rose to a position of influence and afflu- ence in the community, owing to the exercise of industrious and persevering qualities. At his death, May 30, 1895, he left a host of warm friends and acquaintances who greatly mourned his de- parture. His widow still continues to make her home on the old place, and is recognized as one of the old residents of Suffolk County.
Theodore W. Horton, the elder son of our sub- ject, has become very prominent in public af- fairs and has served as Constable and also Ex- cise Commissioner. At present, besides giving his attention to farming, he is Postmaster of Pe- conic and discharges all the duties which devolve upon him in this responsible office in a most thorough and efficient manner. He is a promi- nent Mason, holding membership with Greenport Lodge. Unlike his father, he is a Democrat in politics, believing this party to be in the right. He is well educated, having completed his studies in the private school and academy of Southold. By his fellow citizens he is highly esteemed.
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