USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 34
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presently found in the office of Judge Thomas Young, where he read law for two years, and tlien, in 1879, entered the Albany Law School, where he applied himself with the same deter- mination that had characterized his previous school experiences. May 24, 1880, he received his fourth diploma, conferring the honors of that institution and the degree of B. L. upon him.
Just previous to the receipt of his last diploma Mr. Conklin made application to the Supreme Court of the state, and was admitted to practice in any court of the state. He then returned to his native village and entered upon the practice of his ehosen profession with an indomitable de- termination to win. It was not long before he was called upon to accept political honors, for in the fall of ISS1 he was nominated for the position of Sehool Commissioner of the Second Distriet of Suffolk County, and was easily elected. This re- sponsible position he held for six years, and dur- ing that time the standard of the public school was raised throughout this district and many new reforms introduced. He has also filled the office of Clerk of the Town, and Trustee.
In 1885, when the Bank of Huntington was started as a private bank, Mr. Conklin assisted in organizing it, and was put in charge as the Cashier. When it was organized as a state bank. three years later, he continued as its Cashier, and under his eareful and able management it has taken a place among the leading banks of the island. Its stock is worth more than double its par value, and its deposits are larger than any other bank of exchange in Suffolk County-a fact that speaks volumes as to the business ability of its managers.
Mr. Conklin is ready and willing to take a hand in everything that relates to the progress and welfare of the village. He is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, in which he is a Trustee. He is also a prominent Mason, being Past Master of Jeptha Lodge, of Huntington. The Royal Arcanum claims him as one of its most active members, and the American Legion of Honor has had him for Secretary for many years. In politics he has ever been a stanch Democrat, and is a strong factor in local politics.
He was married, February 15, 1882, to Miss Bertha Underhill, of Huntington, and has one child living, Hadley J., a bright boy, seven years old. A little girl, Eva Douglass, died when four years of age.
T HOMAS H. SAXTON. Although it has been said that a "Jack of all trades is mas- ter of none," yet it has been proved time and again that a man may engage in a variety of occupations and succeed in them all if he has the requisite mental abilities and the determina- tion and energy to push his enterprises to a suc- cessful issue. The worthy subject of this sketch is not only a prosperous merchant of Port Jefferson. but he is representative of several of the most important insurance companies of this country. and does much surrogate business. He is a na- tive of Suffolk County, born in 1831, a son of William R. and Jemima (Bishop) Saxton, both natives of this county, where they have resided all their lives.
Early in life William R. Saxton learned the trade of shoemaker, and followed this most sue- cessfully for many years. During the latter part of his life he dealt in shoes and was a most suc- cessful and prosperous business man. His death occurred in 1877. His father, William Saxton. was a native of England, and came to America at an early day. He was a seafaring man and his death occurred in New York City in 1821. The mother of our subject passed away in the year 1845. Thomas H. Saxton is a self-made man in all that the words imply. His schooling ineluded only that received before the age of thirteen years. in the district schools, but his natural ability and observation have made up for this to a great ex- tent, and he is classed among the well posted men of his section.
When thirteen years old he began clerking in a store, but subsequently learned the shoemaking trade, in which business he was actively engaged until 1878. Previous to this, in 1860, he en- barked in the shoe business at Port Jefferson.
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with his father, and he now carries, perhaps, the handsomest and most complete stock in the vil- lage. By his industry and close attention to busi- ness he has met with unusual success, and his honorable business methods and correct princi- ples have been the means of winning him many friends.
Mr. Saxton chose his life companion in Miss Hannah M. Gildersleeve, a native of Smithtown, and their union was solemnized in the year 1852. Her parents, Hubbard and Deborah Gildersleeve, were also born in Smithtown. In his social rela- tions Mr. Saxton is a Mason, a member of Suffolk Lodge, No. 60, in which he is Past Master and Secretary. Politically he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, and has been Inspector of Elections. For seven years he was Justice of the Peace, Justice of Sessions two terms, and during President Harrison's administration he was United States Surveyor of Customs at Port Jefferson for four years. For ten years he has held the office of Notary Public. Mr. Saxton is charitable and public-spirited, and gives liberally of his means to support all worthy movements. He represents the Sun Insurance Company, of London, England, and the Suffolk County Mu- tual.
E CKFORD FOWLER CULVER, of West Hampton, was born February 25, 1852, and is the son of Sidney and Sarah L. (Rogers) Culver. His father, Sidney, was born in East Moriches, in 1827, and there spent his boy- hood days, but when about sixteen engaging in a seafaring life, so attractive to the bold and hardy youth of the coast. He won a good standing at once, and rose steadily. Five years had hardly expired before the lad, beginning in the humblest capacity, had become the master of the vessel. From this time until his death, which occurred in 1868, he was captain of a merchant vessel. He died when he was returning home from a voyage to Cuba, and his body was buried at sea. His death was lamented as that of a man who did honor to the service, not only on account of his
ability in his chosen field, but also because of his high and stainless character.
For an outline of the lives of the grandfather and great-grandfather of our subject, the reader will turn to the sketch of John Culver, which ap- pears elsewhere in these pages. This gentleman is an uncle of our subject, and married his mother ten years after the death of his father.
The subject of this sketch had no especial school privileges beyond those afforded by the common school of his neighborhood, and when he had reached early manhood he felt the movings of his father's blood, and also turned to the sea. for some seven years leading a sailor's life. His first two trips were from New York to South America, but his later voyages were mostly to the West Indies. Returning home in 1879, he was married, October 7 of that year, to Miss Lilly S. Gildersleeve. His marriage put an end to his life on the ocean wave, for he only made one more voyage after he was married. In 1881 he became a meniber of the crew of the life-saving station at Quogue, where he was engaged some ten years, and in which he distinguished himself as an active and fearless member of the corps. In 1891, how- ever, he retired from this dangerous but hon- orable calling, and has since devoted himself to any labor that seemed to be needed at the mo- ment.
To Mr. and Mrs. Culver were born four chil- dren, of whom all but one are now living, namely: Harry G., Richard F., and John S. Mr. Culver acts and votes with the Republican party. The family are identified with the Presbyterian Church.
E LWOOD ABRAMS is the proprietor of the well-known shipyard at Cold Spring Har- bor bearing his name. He is a native of Kings County, L. I., and was born April 28, 1834. being a son of Stephen and Phoebe (Seaman) Abrams, whose household included thirteen chil- dren, and of these eight still survive.
His father was a native of Hempstead. L. I., and was born in the year 1811, an exciting time in
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our country's history. He was a son of Stephen and Sarah (Davenport) Abrams, also natives of Hempstead. Our subject's father was in early life a seafaring man, and followed the coast trade for years. Later, however, he settled down as a farmer and lived a quiet life until the time of his decease, which occurred in December of 1894.
Elwood Abrams received his education in the common schools of his native place and on reach- ing manhood served an apprenticeship in the shipyard of Brown & Bell, of New York City. He remained with this firm for some time and was steadily advanced until he became foreman of the yards, in which capacity he continued until 1868, when he determined to launch into business for himself. At that time he came to Cold Spring Harbor and established shipbuilding yards in his own name. Since then he has turned out many vessels, including schooners, sloops, yachts and smaller boats. He has acquired an extensive reputation as a builder, upon scientific principles, of modern vessels.
October 19, 1856, Mr. Abrams married Miss Sarah Amelia Brush, and four children came to gladden their home. Three of these still sur- vive and have homes and families of their own. The eldest, Ella F., is the wife of William White and the proud mother of two children, Ada and Raymond; Walter married Elsie Barrett; the younger daughter, Jennie, became the wife of Benjamin F. Gillman and is the mother of one cliild, Harold A. In these children and grand- children Mr. Abrams and his good wife experi- ence all the happiness to which human beings are entitled, namely that of seeing their kind honor- ably reproduced and in giving to the community intelligent and well-balanced citizens.
Mr. Abrams' political tendencies have all been with the Democratic party, which has appealed to him as being best fitted to the needs and inter- ests of the people at large. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. For fourteen consecutive years he was Overseer of the Poor, his duties in this direction beginning in 1874. He is thor- oughily awake and in touch to the modern socio- logical as well as philanthropic aspect of this ini- portant part of our social system. He has always
been alive to every factor that could benefit and elevate the local standing and in his duties as Trustee of the School Board, which post he has filled for some years, he has ever been conscien- tious as well as aspiring to advanced methods. He is one of the sterling citizens which are to the honor of Cold Spring Harbor. In a business and financial way he is recognized as having much weight and as a citizen is held in high es- teem.
J OSEPH R. HARRIS was the late proprie- tor of the Smithtown Branch Hotel, but now has charge of the Bayport Hotel at Bayport, which is one of the popular resorts of this locality. Mr. Harris was born at Port Jei- ferson October 5, 1862, a son of Joseph J. and Jane C. (Robbins) Harris. The family is of En- glish extraction, the first settlers of that name be- ing the founders of Harrisburg, Pa. The father of our subject was born in that city and learned the ship carpenter's trade. On coming to New York he engaged in his trade for six years and later continued the same business at Port Jeffer- son. He was considered one of the best boat- builders of his day and many of the finest yachts are his handiwork. He has been an extensive land-owner and a prominent man, but is now re- tired from active business. In politics he votes with the Democratic party, and although he has never been an office-seeker, steadily refusing all proffers of position, he has taken much interest in public affairs. His wife died in March, 1893. since which time he has given up his home and lives with our subject.
Mr. Harris is one of four children born to his parents, there having been three sons and one daughter. Charles F. is engaged in business at Port Jefferson: our subject is next in order; Jen- nie M. is the wife of Charles E. Kinner, of Port Jefferson, where George W. also resides. Joseph R. was reared and educated in his native place and after finishing school spent his time with his father until thirty-nine years of age, having learned his trade. He was married September
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26, 1884, to Miss Carrie B. Davis, of Stony Brook, the daughter of Capt. Charles H. Davis, of Brook- lyn. After leaving Port Jefferson Mr. Harris en- gaged in the hotel business at King's Park, go- ing thence to Smithtown Branch, and is now lo- cated at Bayport, as noted above.
In 1892 our subject was appointed Deputy Sheriff, which office he held for three years. In politics he is a Democrat, believing that the best government is obtained under that party. He has taken an active interest in politics and has rep- resented his party in town and county conven- tions. Mr. Harris' family comprises three chil- dren, Laura B., Joseph L. and Ethel Davis.
H ENRY M. BEEBE. The native-born citizens of Suffolk County have come rap- idly to the front in various lines of work. The gentleman above named is one of the old residents of the county, now living in the town of Southold and worthily representing an hon- ored ancestry. He was born here October II, 1825, and is the son of Daniel and Nancy (Terry) Beebe, also natives of Long Island.
The father of our subject fought as a soldier in the War of 1812, thus rendering his country val- ued service. 1Ie was well known among the early residents of this county and his many fine qualities of head and heart placed him high in the regard of his fellow-men. He departed this life many years ago, leaving two children, our subject and his sister, Nancy, the latter now the wife of George Tuthill, a resident of the town of Riverlicad. He was a seafaring man, being captain of a vessel, and was known among his friends as "Captain" Beebe. During the later years of liis life, however, he gave his attention to farming.
Henry M., of this sketch, after attending the schools of his district further prosecuted his stud- ies in Sonthold Academy. After acquiring a good education he continued to remain at home and assist his father in the cultivation of the farm until reaching his majority, when, being desirous
of learning the carpenter's trade, he apprenticed himself to a good workman and spent three years in learning every detail of the business. He then worked as a journeyman for several years, and with what money he had saved working at his trade he purchased a farm and has ever since given his attention to agriculture in connection with working at the carpenter trade.
December 20, 1849, Henry M. Beebe was united in marriage with Miss Mary B. Wells, whose birth occurred March 2, 1827, also on Long Is- land. Her parents were Luther T. and Mary (Corey) Wells, and for many generations back were natives of this island and among its most in- fluential and prominent families. To our subject and his estimable wife there were born six chil- dren, of whom those living are William H., a resident of the town of Southold; Sarah A., Mrs. Wallace Clark; Mary E., Mrs. John Young: Henrietta H., the wife of Benjamin B. Tuthill. and Nancy M., who married Ernest Boisseau. The latter all reside in Southold. Mrs. Beebe departed this life October 21, 1895.
Mr. Beebe is a member in excellent standing of the Presbyterian Church. He has been Col- lector and Trustee of School District No. 6, and in him the cause of education has ever found a hearty supporter. In his political affiliation he is a Democrat. He is now living at his pleasant home in this town, and here and wherever known he has made hosts of warm friends.
W ILLIAM T. WHEELER, Secretary and Treasurer of the Port Jefferson Milling Company, was born at Wad- ing River, November 9, 1856, being a son of Capt. Robert Woodhull and Fannie (Tuthill) Wheeler, natives of Suffolk County. His father in early life went to sea and for many years was employed as ship inaster, having worked his way up to that position. On retiring from the sea, he entered the milling business. In 1864 he erected a flouring mill at Port Jefferson, making this place his home until 1876. He then went to New
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York City, where he held the responsible position of inspector of vessels for the Atlantic Mutual Marine Insurance Company.
Active and energetic in disposition, Captain Wheeler continued in business until the infirmities of age forced him to relinquish much of his work. In 1889 he retired from active business, and, re- turning to Port Jefferson, continued to make his home here for five years, when, in 1894, he passed away, respected by the people of the community where so many years of his useful life had been passed. His wife, who survives at the age of sixty-two years, makes her home in this village.
Attending the public schools in boyhood, our subject gained a thorough practical education, becoming in that way fitted for the duties of life. Under the oversight of Mr. Ridgeway, his father's partner, he was initiated into the mysteries of bookkeeping and the mercantile business. From an early age he has also been familiar with mill- ing. In 1877 the old mill burned down, and the following year the present milling company was organized. Of this he has since held the positions of Secretary and Treasurer. Among thie people of this locality he is popular, both in commercial and social circles. For many years he has been Sunday-school Superintendent, and has done all in his power to advance the welfare of the Pres- byterian Church, with which he is connected. Politically he is an advocate of Republican prin- ciples.
C HARLES T. DARLING was born in Port Jefferson, July 23, 1857. His father, Jere- mialı Darling, was born in Smithtown, August 22, 1815, and by his marriage to Mary J. Tooker had six children, all of whom excepting the subject of this sketch are now deceased. Their names with dates of birth and of death are as follows: Gilbert F., born October 5, 1837, and (lied May 10, 1883; Mary E., November 4, 1839. August 30, 1841; William H., June, 1842, De- cember 6, 1860; Edwin J., May 1, 1847, Febru- ary 22, 1872, and Mary A., December 26, 1852, January 5, 1858.
When he was only thirteen years of age. Jere- miah Darling began to work on a coasting vessel in company with his brother, and continued at this until lie was eighteen years of age. Then going to Port Jefferson, he learned the trade of ship car- penter, and in this business he became so proficient that the man from whom he had learned the tra le took him in as partner. Working together they built about fifty vessels, and won a high stan i- ing as builders of fast sailing and reliable craft. After a few years his partner was drowned ant lie then carried on the business alone. In the spring of 1857 he took a position as Inspector for the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company vi New York City, which he held at the time of his death thirty-six years afterward. The year that he entered upon this work he moved his family to New York City, and there made his home undi 1883, when he sought Stony Brook as a home. securing the place where our subject now resides. He died January 19, 1893; his wife had passed away April 29, 1888, and their remains are buric in Cedar Hill Cemetery. They were both men- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and were highly respected by all who knew them.
Before the wife and mother died, the golden wedding of the venerable couple was celebrated by a large concourse of friends and relatives. Mr. Darling was the last surviving charter member of Suffolk Lodge No. 60, F. & A. M. He was a man of genial character, attractive presence a !! retnarkable business qualities, so that it is simply true that the success of the insurance company. with which he was so long associated, was largely due to his personal and business qualities. Now he is at rest after a useful, honest and well spent life. He began life a poor boy, but won a large and substantial success in life. His father and three brothers died with cholera during the time of the great epidemic in New York and they are buried on Staten Island. He was then ver; young and was thrown upon his own resources. which, as it would appear from this outline of his life, were amply sufficient for his needs.
Our subject Hrad good educational advantage. attended the public schools of New York, the Dei- phi Academy, private schools, and finished at
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Carpenter's Business College in Brooklyn. Soon after leaving school he engaged in the broker's business for a year, and was then with the Clyde Steamship Company for four years, after which he established a business of steam fitting for steamboats, and was in this line for three years. Since coming to this place he has not been en- gaged in any special business, but is putting in a large plant on his home place, growing mush- rooms and winter vegetables for the great mar- kets in New York City. He was married August 19, 1894, to Miss Hattie L. Brown, one of the bright and charming young ladies of this village. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he belongs to both the orders of Ma- sons and. Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanumn.
D EXTER K. COLE, one of the representa- tive business men of Northport, where he holds the position of manager of the Northport Oyster Company, was born in the City of New York, January 3, 1837, and was the second child in the family of eight sons and daughters born to Henry T. and Jane L. (Wil- liamson) Cole. Susan, the oldest, is the wife of Edward Davis, of Darien, Conn .; John H., the third child, is a ship carpenter at South Norwalk, in the same state; Hixon W. is also a resident of the same state and is engaged in the oyster busi- ness at Norfolk; Lydia died at the age of nine, and the three younger children also died very young.
The father of our subject, Henry T. Cole, was born at Salem, N. H., where he was reared. On attaining the age of twenty-one he went to New York, and there he learned the trade of ship- carpentry, which he followed for many years in New York. In 1850 he removed to Darien, Conn., where he died in 1874 at the age of sixty-six. The mother of our subject was a native of New York City, and her death occurred at the age of forty- seven. Her grandfather came from England and fought in the Revolutionary War, on the side of the Colonies.
Our subject remained at home and when qui young learned the ship carpenter's trade, at whic lie worked for many years in that city. Durin the late war he served as master carpenter o board the steamboat "Cosmopolitan," chartere by the government to transport troops betwce. Charleston and Fernandina, Fla., for about a year when he retired from the service and engaged in building small sloops and steamers in Darien This he followed for many years, gradually drift. ing into the oyster business. The last boat that he built was the largest steam oyster boat in the business, and was employed in his own trade.
Mr. Cole came to Northport in 1889, and en- gaged in the oyster business with Edward Thompson for about three years, when he pur- chased his partner's interest and sold the whole establishment to George H. Shafer & Co., who made an assignment in 1894. The Edward Thompson Company bought the whole concern, in connection with our subject, who is the general manager. The firm now owns extensive oyster beds, has a fine plant, and is one of the largest enterprises of the kind in this part of the island.
The first wife of Mr. Cole was Jennie M. Lown- des, of Darien, Conn., who died, leaving three children. The oldest of these, Annie L., is the wife of James F. Seymour, of this village. Edna M., educated as a type-writer at the Merrill Busi- ness College, is at home, as is her sister, Jennie. Our subject was married, in 1886, to Miss Cath- arine T. Hoyt, of Darien, Conn. He is inde- pendent in his political views, and has a good standing in the community, both as to his per- sonal characteristics and business qualities.
S AMUEL BUELL GARDINER, deceased. The history of Suffolk County would be indeed incomplete without mention of San- uel B. Gardiner, for many years one of its most prominent and enterprising citizens. He deserves special mention in a volume of this kind as the tenth proprietor of Gardiner's Island, which is located at the extreme end of Long Island, with
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the Atlantic on one side and Gardiner's Bay on the other.
Our subject was born April 6, 1815, at the present home of David J. Gardiner, whose place of residence was built by Col. Abraham Gardiner and later purchased by the father of our subject, by name John Lyon Gardiner. During the War of 1812 the latter was compelled to remove from the island with his family by order of the United States Government, and, taking up his abode in East Hampton, continued to live there until the establishment of peace, when he returned to the home of his fathers. Samuel B. Gardiner came to East Hampton to live about 1836. In the year 1861 he inherited the island on the death of his older brother, Jolin G., who died unmarried. The latter had come into the property on the deathi of his brother, David Johnson Gardiner, who had received it from his father, John Lyon, on his decease, November 22, 1816.
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