USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 32
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C HARLES WOOD, a dealer in lumber and coal at Amityville, also has extensive farm- ing interests near this point. He was born in the town of Huntington, October 19, 1823, and was the son of Israel and Sarah (Jarvis) Wood. The boyhood of our subject was much overcast by troubles and misfortunes of various kinds, his father dying when he was only four years old and leaving his mother with three small children to care for as best she could. The chil- dren had but little opportunity for schooling, hav-
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ing to improve every opportunity for farm work. Our subject attended about three months in the winter and during the rest of the year worked on the farm as his strength permitted. When the father died the little lad was sent to make his home with his grandfather, where he lived and worked till he was seventeen. Then, the grand- father having died, the young man, now grown strong and sturdy, went to what is now known as East Brooklyn and took charge of a dairy belong- ing to an uncle, and attended to the distribution of the milk of from forty to fifty cows in the market. At that time he received the munificent salary of $5 a month, and his working hours frequently consumed three-fourths of the entire day, some- times making as many as eighteen hours between rising in the morning and going to bed at night. After the close and prudent fashion of the times, he managed to save a part of these earnings, and soon had quite a little sum.
After a time the young man found employment in a feed store at the corner of Lewis and Grand Streets, part of his duties being to drive a milk wagon. Here he received double his former wages. A Mr. Mott next gave our subject work, but the young man presently improved his con- dition by engaging with Peter Douglas, keeper of two toll-gates at the forks of the Jamaica and Coney Island Turnpikes.
By this time Mr. Wood had accumulated enough so that he could strike out for himself, which he did with the very unsatisfactory result of losing all that he had saved in the operation of a milk route. It only took him a year to sink all that he had saved, but, not discouraged and dis- heartened, he found employment as a dealer in live poultry, in which he was engaged for a year and a half. Managing to save in this time about $150, he again resumed business for himself, opening a small stand for the sale of poultry and meat in Fulton Market. Here he struck the higit- way to fortune, and followed it for twenty years, making ample provision for his future success.
Mr. Wood was married in 1848. Miss Hannah, daughter of John and Ruth (Whitson) Powell, becoming his wife. She was a native of Beth- page, Queens County; where their marriage was
celebrated. Three children were born to them. of whom two are living and settled in homes and business for themselves. A daughter, Hannah P., died at the age of seven. Charles J. is in the lumber business at Babylon, and Jonathan is in the livery business at this point.
Mr. Wood lost his health while in the Fulton Market, and on the advice of his physician sol.1 out his interest there, and bought a farm near this point, which he has since retained. After spend- ing a few years on the farm he recovered his health and engaged in the butchering business. Subsequently he saw a good opening in the lun- ber business and later gave up the other line of work. Mr. Wood is a Republican, but takes little. interest in what is known as the workings of prac- tical politics. When the village of Amityville was first incorporated Mr. Wood was elected Presi- dent of the Board, serving for one year, but declined further honors in that direction.
The father of our subject, who was a native oi the island, was reared a farmer and was trained to carpentering. His father was Jarvis Wood. Our subject's grandparents on the mother's side were Jonathan and Deborah (Whitson) Jarvis. who are well remembered by all old timers as among the early settlers of this portion of the island. Our subject may justly seek membership among the Sons of the Revolution, as his grand- father served in the continental army.
C APT. JAMES HARVEY SMITH, now engaged in the oyster and clam business. and residing in the village of Centerport. was born April 12, 1839, not far from where he now makes his home, and was the third and youngest child born to Harvey and Elizabeth (Calvin) Smith. The father was also born and reared in Centerport. where he spent his life an i died at the age of seventy -three. He was a sailor for many years, beginning when very young, and continuing until compelled to quit the ocean b; the weight of years. He was a Democrat and a inan of character, though not a member of any
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church. The grandfather of our subject, Ebenezer Smith, was an officer in the War of 1812, and stood well in the community. The mother of our " subject was born in Centerport and died at an advanced age, being seventy-six years old. She was a daughter of John Calvin, who was of French extraction.
Our subject remained at home and attended the common school until he was about sixteen, when he started as cook on a coasting vessel on Long Island Sound. After a time he won promotion and was made mate. When he was twenty-five he was master of the vessel and had become part owner. When he had reached the age of forty-two he thought the time had come for him to abandon the waters and settle down on solid ground. Ac- cordingly he sold his interest in the vessel and en- gaged in the oyster business. He has a plant at Northport Bay which he has long conducted, shipping most of the product to Europe.
Captain Smith was married to Miss Abigail Kelsey, of this place, February 16, 1865, and to them has come one son, John N. R., born Janu- ary II, 1866. He is at home and is engaged with his father in the oyster business. Our subject is a Republican, is liberal in local matters, and never wanted or would accept a local office. So- cially he is a member of Goethe Lodge, No. 494. F. & A. M. He has many friends and is much liked all through this neighborhood.
T HOMAS AITKIN, one of the leading busi- ness men of Huntington, was born at Ha- wick, Roxburghshire, some fifty miles from Edinburgh, Scotland, September 6, 1823. When he had reached the age of eleven years he started out to make his own way in the world. sailing for America, where he had two brothers, Robert and William, living in New York, and engaged in a store on Hudson Street, near Worth. He is the youngest of twelve children, and is now the only one of the family living.
Upon his arrival in this country, Mr. Aitkin entered the store then managed by liis brother,
William, the latter having about that time suc- ceeded to the business first established by his brother Robert, who had gone back to Scotland on a visit. Our subject remained with his brother William until 1840, when he retired from the store, and for four years was with a firm in Catherine Street. When he reached the age of twenty-one, in 1844, he engaged in business on his own account in this same street. After a few years he had become financially able to go into the dry goods jobbing trade, which he did under the firm name of Phelps, Aitkin & Co., and later Phelps, Aitkin & Vail.
In 1856 Mr. Aitkin bought a summer residence in the village of Huntington, where many of his wife's relatives lived. Eight years later he dis- posed of his business interests in New York and removed to this point to make it his permanent home. In the same year he established himself in the business which he has conducted to this writ- "ing, and has the most extensive dry goods and clothing house on the island, which he carries on under the firm name of Thomas Aitkin & Son, his only son, Edward R., being associated with him.
Our subject is deservedly recognized as one of the most public-spirited men in this village and takes an active interest in everything that makes for the upbuilding of the town. For fif- teen years he has been President of the public library and has served as Vice-President of the Soldiers and Sailors' Association from the time it was started. He is a stockholder in the Hunting- ton Water Works and in the opera house. A member of the Second Presbyterian Church, he was for many years one of its Trustees. Polit- ically he is a strong Democrat, and for thirty years has been chairman of the greater number of various Democratic meetings held in the village. While he takes a deep interest in politics, he has refused steadfastly to accept nomination for any office.
Mr. Aitkin was married in the old Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Grand and Mercer Streets, New York. December 25, 1844, to Miss Ann E. Dean, of New York, daughter of Capt. John Dean and Elizabeth Jarvis, the last named family having been long and favorably known in
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JAMES B. STORER. (From a photograph by Sarony, taken IS74.)
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the town of Huntington. They have lived to cele- brate tlicir golden wedding and receive the heart- felt congratulations of a wide circle of friends. To their marriage one child was born, Edward R., who is associated with his father in the firm of Thomas Aitkin & Son. He married Miss Fannie Conklin, daughter of Edward Conklin, one of the oldest merchants at Huntington Harbor, and they have two children: Anna Dean Aitkin, who married Jarvis E. Smith, an able attorney living in Huntington, but having his office in Jamaica; and Carrie Scott Aitkin, who is now finishing her education, is accomplished in all branches of learning, and is a talented artist.
AMES B. STORER, formerly one of the prominent merchants of New York City, lias now retired from active business and is living in his beautiful home at Aquebogue. A native of Connecticut, he was born in New Haven, February 18, 1829, and was fifth in order of birth in the family of four sons and four daughters granted to Eliphalet Gilman and Asenath (Ward) Storer. His father, a native of Rutland, Vt., was there reared and educated, and in early manhood learned the printer's trade, which he followed for sonie time in New York City. Returning to the Green Mountain State, he married Miss Asenath Ward, and they removed to New Haven, Conn., where he was engaged in newspaper and job work, and book publishing. For many years he conducted a successful business in that place.
In 1821, when quite young, Eliphalet G. Storer was made a Mason, becoming a member cf Hiram Lodge No. I of New Haven, and took all the degrees that could be conferred upon him in this country. He hield several offices in Franklin Chapter, from 1839 to 1849, was Commander of New Haven Commandery, held the office of Re- corder of the Grand Commandery of the state for twenty years, the office of Secretary of Hiram Lodge twenty-five years, that of Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the state of Connecticut for thirty years, and in fact was one of the promi-
nent Masons of the United States. He was sev- enty-seven years of age at the time of his deathi. His wife, who was born in Dorset, Bennington County, Vt., was a most estimable lady and a true Christian, both herself and husband being lifelong and faithful members of the Episcopal Church. She survived him two months, dying at the age of seventy-three years. The paternal grandparents of our subject were William Storer, born in Stratford, Conn., and Deborah (Beaman) Storer, born in Lancaster, Mass. In the Revolu- tionary War the former served as a soldier.
The subject of this sketch spent the years of youth with his parents, and obtained his educa- tion in John E. Lovell's Lancasterian School at New Haven; afterward he was employed four years in a furniture warehouse, learning the trade. While thus employed, in 1847, at the age of eighteen years, he became a member of the Sec- ond Company of the Governor's Foot-Guard ci New Haven, Conn., and in 1852 was promoted to be Second Sergeant. Being fond of military disci- pline and drill, prompt and ready for duty, he became popular with the command, and later he was elected to the office of Second Lieutenant. The Governor's Foot-Guard ranks as one of the oldest military organizations in the country. The latter and the First Company of Hartford, Conn., are a battalion of two companies, limited to one hundred and twenty men each. They were or- ganized previous to the Revolution, and the Sec- ond Company marched from New Haven to take part in the conflict immediately on hearing the news of the battle of Lexington. The organ- ization is memorable and highly cherished for the patriotism it displayed throughout that war.
James B. Storer on reaching his twentieth year went to New York City, where for two years he was employed by John B. Dunham, a manuiac- turer of pianos, who had much confidence in our subject. During this period, in May. 1849, he saw the great riot at Astor Place, and was near to and in sympathy with the gallant Seventh Regi- ment when they so effectually quelled the dis- turbance. He returned to New Haven in 1851 and embarked in the furniture business on his own account. At the end of two years, the ven-
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ture proving only fairly successful, he sold out, and started for California, sailing from New York April 5, 1853, via the Nicaragua route. After a ten days' voyage by the steamship "Star of the West" he landed at Greytown, April 15. Thence he went by light draft river and lake boats for about two hundred miles and was landed by barges at Virgin Bay, on the western shore of Lake Nicaragua, the balance of the route across the isthmus, some twelve miles, being completed by saddle mules. San Juan, on the Pacific Ocean, was reached April 22. He looks back to this journey of seven days through Nicaragua with much satisfaction and pleasure, as it was full of interesting and varied experience, and it seemed to him as though one would never tire of looking on the beautiful scenery on all sides as he moved slowly along the way.
April 23 Mr. Storer sailed from San Juan in the steamship "Sierra Nevada," and after a four- teen days passage, landed at San Francisco. On arriving there he engaged in mining and was in- terested at different times in surface and under- ground diggings, besides doing some prospect- ing, both in the northern and southern mines of California. He also made a number of excursions at different times of several days' journey, select- ing two or three companions and going into the mountains where there were no roads and very few trails. He has camped on the shore of Lake Tahoe, also at the headwaters of the Yuba River (where mountain trout are plentiful) and in the beautiful Sierra Valley before white men had commenced to settle there. In that locality game was abundant, antelopes running in droves, but now pleasant homes have been built there and both steam and sail boats are seen on the lake.
When fluming the rivers was the thing in the '50s, Mr. Storer, with three partners, put a flume into one of the northern branches of the Yuba River, four miles above Dowineville. This was a herculean task, considering the location and facilities at hand. Trees had to be felled, logs liewn and saw pits to be erected, all the lumber having to be sawed with timber saws by hand, in a location where the mountains on both sides of the river were almost perpendicular. Laborers
were few, wages high and all provisions were brought in on pack mules. When all was ready and the river (the length of the flume) pumped out, the shining inetal could be seen at times in the dirt, and the partners were pleased with the result at the end of the season.
Mr. Storer finally abandoned the search for gold and engaged in mercantile business in San Francisco, in which he was moderately success- ful.
Early in 1861, when the war feeling was rife throughout the country, our subject joined one of the city military companies and was made Or- derly Sergeant. In January, 1862, he was pro- moted to Captain and commanded the company five years, holding commissions under Governors Leland Stanford and Fred F. Low. In 1866 he was promoted to be Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment to which his company belonged, and was again commissioned by Governor Low. In 1863, when the Government ordered the enroll- ment for California, the Board appointed him en- rolling officer for the first sub-district of San Francisco County, and he served under Col. A. Jones Jackson, Provost Marshal, until the work was finished. In 1864, when the Grant Club was formed in San Francisco, composed largely oi military men, he was elected First Marshal. Thir- teen years were spent in California, during which time he traveled over a large part of the state, many long distances by stages where practicable, and saddle mules over trails in the mountains where there were no roads. During the Frazer River gold excitement in British Columbia, he reached Vancouver Island, and passed six months at Victoria, camping in his own tent near the old Hudson Bay Company's fort. From the adjacent islands and territory he saw thousands of Indians who came in their canoes to trade with the com- pany. On leaving San Francisco for the East the Washington Guard, his old command, pre- sented him with a handsome gold watch as a token of their, esteem, and this he treasures as a choice memento of his old comrades.
In January, 1868, Mr. Storer formed a part- nership with William E. King, in New York City, they dealing in carpets and oil cloths. After nine
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years the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, each having a separate store. Continuing in business alone until 1884, Mr. Storer then sold out, and having accumulated a competency, retired from business. Accordingly he came to Suffolk County and has since made his home in Aquebogue, which is a beautiful village near the Great Peconic Bay.
February 26, 1867, Mr. Storer and Miss Ann Mehettable Corwin were united in marriage. This lady is the daughter of Alvah and Ann Mehettable (Jennings) Corwin, who were well known and among the most highly respected residents of this county, their ancestors on both sides dating back to early settlers.
In 1880 Mr. Storer and his wife made an over- land tour to California, this time visiting all the principal points in the state, including the Yose- mite Valley, and also stopped over on the jour- ney at Salt Lake City and a number of other cit- ies of the West. The distance traveled on this journey was some ten thousand miles. Together Mr. and Mrs. Storer at different times have vis- ited many of the large cities and points of interest in the United States and Canada. Though an Episcopalian, he contributes towards sustaining tlie Congregational Church near his home. He is a kind, whole-souled gentleman and has made many friends since coming to the county. In politics he is a strong Republican.
A LBERT WALKER. The man who is at the head of a well appointed hostelry and is a courteous, obliging and attentive host, is a public benefactor, no matter if he does ply his calling for profit. The traveling public is well aware of the scarcity of good hotels, as well as those who are without homes of their own, and when one is found its patronage is usually large. Such a house is that of which Albert Walker is the landlord-the Port Jefferson Hotel, of Port Jefferson. Mr. Walker was born in Cape May County, N. J., in November, 1843, a son of George W. and Hannah
E. (Hildreth) Walker, the former of whoin was born in Massachusetts, but removed to New Jersey when a lad and there grew to man- hood on a farm. Upon starting out in life ior himself it was as an agriculturist, as was naturai. and this calling occupied liis attention until his death. He was a quiet, unpretentious citizen. but nevertheless was a useful one in his own way. His widow still survives him and is in good health. although she has attained to the advanced age of eiglity-four years.
The district schools were the only educational advantages afforded Albert Walker, but the time spent in them was not thrown away, and as he has since read quite extensively, he is consid- ered a well informed man. He was engaged in the healthful occupation of farming until 1862, then obeyed the call of his country for troops and enlisted in Company K, Twelfth New Jer- sey Volunteer Infantry, and for three years. or during the remainder of the great conflict between the North and South, he was in active service. He was in the engagements at Petersburg. Wil- derness, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania and others of less importance and saw some hard service, but never failed in his duty. He was mustered out of the service at Trenton, N. J., and returned to the home of his birth, where he spent a few months. Soon after this he came to Long Island and located in Queens County, where thirteen years of his life were spent, but since 1879 he has been a resident of Port Jefferson. His first labor at this place was as a tiller of the soil, but in 183) he assumed the management of the Port Jefferson Hotel, and in no better hands could the interests of this house have been placed. He interests himself personally in the welfare of his guests, makes it a point to keep a well appointed table and neatness and order are indispensable in his eyes.
Mr. Walker is a genial, whole-souled gentle- man and no one is turned away from his excel- lent hostelry suffering from hunger or thirst. He was united in marriage in 1870 with Miss Emma Beatty, of Queens County, and she has aided him largely in the management of the ho- tel. Being of a social disposition Mr. Walker
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became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a member of Louis O'Conklin Post of the Grand Army of the Re- public. Politically a Republican, he has never desired political preferment, but nevertheless was elected to the responsible position of Overseer of the Poor Farm some five years ago and-has been successful in three races for this position, which he is at present filling most successfully. Mr. Walker is a substantial, law-abiding citizen and his friends are numbered by his acquaint- ances, and their name is legion.
F REEMAN T. HULSE. Not the least en- couraging feature of the development of our country, along the lines of both com- mercial and professional interests, is the fact that large numbers of young men of talent and knowl- edge are coming to the front, ready to take an active part in politics, business and the profes- sions. Upon them the future of the nation will depend, and to them those who will soon pass away look for the continuance and enlargement of the work they have begun. In this class be- longs the subject of our sketch, a young man who has by careful preparation fitted himself for the successful practice of law. Though he has but recently opened an office in Bay Shore, he is recognized as one of the rising and able lawyers of the village.
The parents of our subject, Van Buren and Frances (Wells) Hulse, are natives respectively of Brook Haven and Middletown, N. Y. At present they reside in Bay Shore, where the father follows the trade of a carpenter and builder. The family consists of two sons and a daughter, name- ly: Dr. W. A. Hulse, to whose sketch upon an- other page the reader is referred for further men- tion of the family; Josephine, wife of Dr. F. Schofield, and Freeman T. The last named was born in the city of Brooklyn, March 28, 1870. His educational advantages were excellent, and upon completing the studies of the common schools, at the age of sixteen he entered Penning-
ton Seminary, where he took a preparatory course, graduating in 1889. In September of the same year he entered the Freshman class of Wes- leyan University, and remained a student of that institution until his graduation in 1893, in the regular classical course, with the degree of A. B.
Having resolved to enter the legal profession, Mr. Hulse conimenced the study of law at once after the completion of his literary course. In October, 1893, he entered the New York (for- merly known as Columbia) Law School, where he was a student for two years, graduating with the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to the Bar July 15, 1895, after which he spent a few months with Strong, Harmon & Mathewson, . New York City, and then, in the fall of 1895, came to Bay Shore, where he expects to remain permanently. His preparation for the profession has been thorough and he has done extensive study in all its lines, making a specialty of con- stitutional law. Politically he is an ardent cham- pion of Republican principles, and rejoices in the victories gained by that party at the local and general elections. Since thirteen years of age he has been connected with the Methodist Church. In his views he is liberal, giving to others that freedom of opinion that he claims as his own inherent right.
S TANTON ROGERS BISHOP, of West Hampton, engaged in the business of gen- eral merchandising, is one of the active and thrifty young business men of this part of the island. He was born July 11, 1863, being the youngest of the three children of Rogers and Nancy 1. (Raynor) Bishop, and the only member of the family now living. The Bishop family has an honorable history on the island and many of its members have risen to high positions in com- mercial and educational circles in the two hun- dred or more years during which it has been a factor in: the making of the island.
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