USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 39
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The wife of Samuel Phillips was in maiden- hood Miss Jane Chapman, but at the time of their marriage she was the widow of Captain Crowell. She was born in London, England, November 6, 1789, and died July 27, 1875. The subject of this sketchi was the only son of his parents to grow to maturity, the eldest son dying in infancy, but there were two daughters. Isabella became the wife of Samuel C. Osgood, of Norwich, Conn., and after his death she married Prof. William O. Rogers and went with her husband to New Or- leans, where he was for twenty years Superin- tendent of Public Instruction, and where they are living at the present time. Mary married Alex. Rosseau, a merchant of New York City, and bothi are now deceased. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Sag Har- bor, and when twelve or thirteen years of age went into his father's newspaper office, where he be- came the master of the business and assumed the management of the paper about 1850. In 1858 lie sold the piper to its present owner, Hon. Hen- ry A. Reeves, and has interested himself in other enterprises. For about twenty years he was a
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Director in the First National Bank of Green- port. He was one of the organizers of the Peo- ple's National Bank, being its first President and holding the position six years, and is a stock- holder in both of the banks at this time. He was one of the first mien of his section to take an in- terest in the fish oil business and was instrumental in establishing a fish oil manufactory on Shelter Island, being the President of the company for several years.
At different times Mr. Phillips has been en- gaged in the grocery business; in short, he is a pushing and enterprising man of affairs and has found full scope for his energy in the interest he has taken in municipal matters. He possesses decided musical talent, is a fine musician, and in July, 1851, was appointed leader of the Greenport Brass Band by Col. Thomas Hempstead, in which capacity he served eight years in the Sixteenth Regiment, Sixth Brigade, New York State Mili- tia, and was honorably discharged in December, 1859, by Col. P. R. Jennings. He was Secretary and Treasurer of the Suffolk County Harmonic Society from the time it was organized in 1854 until it disbanded in 1872. He was organist and leader of the choir of the Presbyterian Church for about thirty-five years and was a leader in the musical circles of Greenport. For the past twelve years he has not been actively engaged in busi- ness, but spends much of his leisure hours in im- proving his beautiful grounds and among his flowers. He also takes much pleasure with his horses and on the water during the yachting sea- son.
In 1851 our subject was married to Miss Helen M. Case, daughter of Capt. Nathaniel Case, who sailed the first whaling ships out of Greenport Harbor. To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips one child has been given, Frank L. H., who married Annie L. Tuthil' daughter of Capt. George F. Tuthill, of Greenport. He is interested with his father-in- law in the fisheries at Promised Land, and is a wideawake and successful young business man. He and his wife have two children, Ella Louise and Georgiana Wells. In politics Mr. Phillips has always been a Jeffersonian Democrat.
OHN S. BAYLIS is one of that noble class of men whose attention is devoted to the agricultural interests of his section, and he lias for some time past actively assisted in making Suffolk County the garden spot in the great com- monwealth of the State of New York. He was born on the farm on which he now lives, Febru- ary 27, 1860, a son of Richard M. and Phoebe 1. (Mitchell) Baylis, and is one of the three children born to them, the other surviving member being Nellie G.
Richard M. Baylis was also born on the farm on which John S. lives, about the year 1828, and here he grew to mature years. When starting out to fight life's battle for himself it was as a tiller of the soil, and this calling continued to oc- cupy his attention during his lifetime. He was always a stanch and active supporter of the Re- publican party, although never a political as- pirant, and was a man highly esteemed in the section in which he resided. The name of his father was John S. Baylis, but little of his life and labors is known by the subject of this sketch.
John S. Baylis, our subject, grew to manhood under the parental roof, and acquired a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits under the experienced eye of his father. While learning all the intricacies of farm work, his higher education was not neglected, and he was first an attendant of the common schools and then of the Union School of Huntington, where he acquired a suf- ficiently thorough education to fit him for the practical duties of life. When he had attained the age of twenty-two years his father died, and he then purchased his sister's interest in the home farm, and has since successfully cultivated it. He has a pleasant and comfortable liome, and his farm is fertile and valuable, and every nook and corner of it shows that an energetic, tasteful and thorough-going man of affairs has the manage- ment of it.
In 1890 Mr. Baylis was united in marriage with Miss Elnia A. Brush, who was born in the town of Huntington. They have two bright and inter- esting little children, Maud T. and Juliet B. The political proclivities of Mr. Baylis have always
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been Republican, and in religion he is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. He and Mrs. Baylis move in the best social circles of their section, and have many warm friends, and their pretty home is well known for its hospi- tality.
H ENRY WALTHER. The subject of this sketch is a German-American citizen of Shelter Island, where he devotes his at- tention to the combined occupation of farmer and fisherman. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 10, 1853, and is the son of Bernhardt and Catherine (Smith) Walther, also natives of the Fatherland. When he was in his third year his parents settled up their affairs in Germany, and packing their household goods, took passage on a sail vessel which was bound for American shores. They were on the Atlantic fifty-nine days before sighting land, and their delight knew no bounds when they were towed into the New York harbor. Their stay in the metropolis was of short duration, however, as their destination was Shel- ter Island, to which place many of their friends had preceded them. They are still living and have continued to make this locality their home ever since settling here. Their household included seven children, of whom five are now living, naincly: Max; Catherine, Mrs. Valentine Haas; Henry, Julia, Mrs. Charles Fisher, and Bern- hardt, Jr.
The original of this sketch is mainly self-edu- catcd, although he attended school for a time on Shelter Island. He was reared to a life of industry and usefulness, and when ready to establish a home of his own was thoroughly qualified to take care of a place. He was married, December 17, .r. u, to Miss Sophia Konrad, also a native of the Fatherland, and to them were born three chil- dren, namely: Henrietta, Bernhardt, and Marie.
The property which Mr. Walther owns is twenty acres in extent, and this his knowledge of agriculture enables him to improve in a most profitable manner. On the place is a fine resi-
dence, togcthier with suitable outbuildings. He finds both this business and fishing con- genial to his tastes, and will doubtless make them his life work. He is a stanch sup- porter of the principles of Republicanism, and seeks to further the interests of his chosen party in every way that he can. He is a devout micmber of the Presbyterian Church and contributes lib- erally of his means toward its support. His wife is also connected by membership with this dcnoin- ination. Public-spirited, he is always ready to aid any movement which seems to promise well for his neighborhood, and by so doing has made a favorable impression on all with whom he has come in contact.
G EORGE E. EASTMAN. Familiar from boyhood with the construction of sloops and cat-boats and having a fondness for mechanical work, Mr. Eastman has turned his attention to the occupation of building boats, in which he is thorough and efficient. To this work he devotes the winter months, while in the sum- mer season he is mainly engaged in fishing. He makes his home in the village of Islip, and is known among his fellow-citizens as an honest and industrious man.
Nelson Eastman. our subject's father, was, like himself, a native of Long Island and a seafaring man. His life was somewhat uneventfully passed, much of his time being spent on the water. He died at the age of sixty-threc. By his marriage with Phoebe Clock, also now deceased, he had four children, namely: Eliza Ann, wife of Nel- son Ketchum, of Islip; George E .; Hiram, who is a resident of this village, and Julict, who died in girlhood. Our subject was born in Islip Novem- ber 4, 1836, and acquired the rudiments of a prac- tical education in the common schools, but as the family was poor he had few opportunities savc those which he made for himself. From an early age he aided in supporting himself, and when still quite young he made his own livelihood.
Learning the trade of a house carpenter, Mr.
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Eastman drifted from that occupation to boat building, which calling he now follows when he cannot fish profitably. He understands every detail connected with the construction of a boat and his workmanship is reliable and thorough. In religious belief he is connected with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and socially is allied with the Home Circle. The Republican party is his choice in politics, and receives his constant support. December 22, 1861, he was united in marriage withi Miss Anna Lamberson, daughter of John and Mary (Doxsee) Lamberson, and they became the parents of four children: Mary, de- ceased; Georgie, Nellie and Myra.
E DWARD W. BOURDETTE. The subject of this sketch traces his genealogy in this country back to his grandfather, Peter Bourdette, who was a native of France, and who, with two brothers, came with General Lafayette to America during the Revolutionary period. The brothers remained in this country, and Peter be- came a successful ship-builder and the owner of a large farm. He was an unusually strong, healthy man, never employing a doctor, and died of old age, as he was taking his afternoon nap. He lacked but a few months of being one hundred years old, and had a full set of teeth, and never knew what it was to suffer with pain from them. His son, Edward Bourdette, was born on the old family homestead near Ft. Lee, N. J., and after growing up became a manufacturer of oils and glue, being at one time a partner of Peter Cooper, who started in business with his father. When they dissolved partnership Mr. Bourdette took Brooklyn, N. Y., and Long Island. He built the first h. . Je on Tilley Street, and there had a fac- tury until the increase in population caused him to move to Middle Village. There he bought a farm and erected a factory when our subject was about five years old.
Edward Bourdette married Miss Mary Thomas while living in Brooklyn, and after her death lie followed traveling through the West for some
time, and passed his last days in Montana. When ten years old, our subject, who had a desire to go to sea, ran away from home and went as a cabin-boy on the steamer "Washington," being in charge of Joe Maslin, and remaining with him for five years. The last two years of that time he learned engineering with Mr. Maslin. His ocean trips took him along the coast as far south as New Orleans, and Havana, Cuba. When about fifteen years old he left the sea and began to work at Baltimore, learning engineering, and was thus occupied for about three years. Following this he went on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as fireman, but in a short time was made engineer, serving in that capacity, however, for only a short time. Going to Savannah, Ga., he became super- intendent of the engineering department of the Transportation Company Works, remaining there for about two years, and then went to New Orleans, where he was on the New Orleans & St. Louis packets as engineer.
While in New Orleans Mr. Bourdette was taken sick with yellow fever, and went to the Charity Hospital at Algiers, opposite the city. After re- covering he returned North, locating in Brooklyn, and opened a meat market, and also established stands in various parts of the city. He became a prominent and leading business man of Brooklyn. After his return to the latter city he married Miss Susan Wanser, who was born in Amityville, and four children were born of this union. Augusta, the wife of Philip Chichester, resides in Antity- ville and has three children; Bertha, who mar- ried Andrew Chichester, also makes her home in Amityville; the latter has eight children ; Edward Wallace, who died at the age of seven, and Arthur died when two and one-half years old.
Our subject carried on his market in New York until 1872, when he moved to his present home. He purchased a farm near Saratoga in 1859, re- siding on the same for a few years, and there liis wife died. Later lie married Charlotte Wanser, a sister of his first wife. In his political views Mr. Bourdette lias ever been a Democrat, and his first Presidential vote was cast for James Bu- chanan in 1836. He was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but is
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not identified with it at the present time. In his business Mr. Bourdette has ever been prompt, energetic and honorable, and in all his relations deports himself as a high-minded, dignified gen- tleman. His success is the result of persistent efforts, directed in the line of a well defined pur- pose.
G ILBERT P. WILLIAMS, who is the ef- ficient Secretary and Bookkeeper of Brunswick Home, Amityville, first saw the light of day on the corner where the Russell House now stands, in Amityville, September 30, 1838. His father, Nathaniel Williams, who died about twenty-five years ago, was born at Hunt- ington, this county, and having been left an orphan at an early age, was apprenticed at the age of fourteen to some weavers and cloth dyers at Cold Spring, L. I. After learning the business he became foreman and manager, and held those positions for years. Finally he bought the prop- erty in Amityville and for a number of years car- ried on a general mercantile business. In 1856 he retired from active life and died in 1872. He mar- ried Miss Ruth Smith, and of the five children born to them, our subject was the fourth in order of birth.
Gilbert P. Williams reached mature years in his native village, and when twelve years old began assisting his father in the store, there learn- ing habits of thrift and industry that have re- mained with him through life. When sixteen years old he entered Amenia Seminary, in Dutch- ess County, and there graduated at the age of nineteen. His studies were too confining, how- ever, and he was in poor health when he came home. Later he learned carpentering, following it for ~ few years, and then turned his attention . arming. He was married on the Ist of Janu- ary, 1861, to Miss Amelia Pearsall, of Brooklyn, but a native of Amityville, and four children were born to them. Ruth, who graduated as a trained nurse from Johns Hopkins University at Balti- more, took care of Mrs. William Waldorf Astor, as nurse and companion, until the latter's death.
Esther married William W. Kinzer, of Virginia, but her husband is now Paymaster on the Long Island Railroad. Edwin Forrest is at the head of the receiving department of James Potts & Co., of New York City, and Naomi is now twelve years old.
For about five years Mr. Williams carried cn farming, meeting with unusual success, but sold out in 1866 and moved to Jericho, Queens County, where for two years he trained horses by the Rarey system. From the latter place he moved to Amityville, and for six or seven years carried on merchandising. In the spring of 1868 he was appointed Postmaster, and served for about sixteen years, or until President Cleveland's administration. When he began the salary was $70 per year, but when he gave up the office it was $1,000. In the spring of 1885 he became book- keeper for E. B. Estes & Sons, in New York City, remaining there for five years, or until he took his present position. He was one of the incorpo- rators of the Brunswick Home, and also became a Director, and has been connected with it ever since. In the year 1860 Mr. Williams voted for Abraham Lincoln, and from that time has been a strong Republican. He is now a member of the Board of Education. Socially he is a Knight of Pythias, being Past Chancellor, and a member of the Knights of Protection, of which he is Past Commander.
P ROF. CLAUDE A. DUVALL, Principal of the Bay Shore school, was born in the town of Campbell, Steuben County, N. Y., April 7, 1867, being the son of John C. and Lucy (Cushing) Duvall, natives of the same town and county as himself. He is the only son of his pa- rents, and lias one sister, Calista, who is taking a normal course preparatory to the profession of a teacher. The father, who many years ago re- moved to Tyrone, Schuyler County, still makes his home there, being engaged at the carpenter's trade.
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In the schools of Tyrone our subject laid the foundation of liis education. At the age of six- teen years he entered a preparatory school at Dundee, where he continued his studies. Later he taught two terms of school, and with the means thus secured was enabled to prosecute his stud- ies still further. Entering the Cortland Normal School, he availed himself of the excellent oppor- tunities there afforded for acquiring a broad and intelligent knowledge of the teacher's profession. Two years were spent in that institution, aiter which he taught at Burdett for one year. His normal course was completed at Oneonta, Ot- sego County, where he was a student for two years, graduating in June, 1891.
The first position held by Professor Duvall after completing his education was that of prin- cipal of the schools of Northport, Suffolk County, where he remained for three years. From that place he came to Bay Shore in 1894 and has since been principal here. There were formerly two school buildings, but these have been consoli- dated. He has graded and systematized the work and is placing the school in good condition. The enrollment in 1894 was five hundred and sixty-five, in charge of eleven teachers.
The marriage of our subject, which took place July 7, 1892, united him with Miss Adelia E. Bar- ker, a native of Jefferson County, this State. One child blesses their union, Elizabeth Barker. The Prohibition party claims the allegiance of the Pro- fessor, and socially he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, his membership being in the lodge at Tyrone. In religious belief he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The profession which Professor Duvall has chosen for his life work may justly be considered one of the most important and responsible that a man can select. To it he has given years of thought" :1, conscientious preparation. He has hun a student in the best normal schools, where, though teachers are not made (for that is an im- possibility), those who have an adaptability and love for the work are taught the latest methods of instruction. Nature and education-the two requisites for a good teacher-liave fitted him for
his profession, and it is therefore not strange that he is succeeding in it. He is a good executive, and has a happy faculty of imparting instruction in such a manner as to interest, not weary, his pu- pils. It may therefore be premised that added years will bring ever-increasing successes to him in his chosen field of labor.
1 JOHN J. CREEDON. Coming to Bay Shore in the autumn of 1871, Mr. Creedon has since identified his interests with those of this thriving village. While he has followed vari- ous occupations, his specialty has been that of landscape gardening, and since 1885 he has been engaged in business as a florist. His work is ar- tistic and invariably attracts admiring glances and elicits words of praise. Of recent years he has given his attention largely to cut flowers, which he furnishes in artistic designs for wed- dings, funerals and public occasions. Believing that the best results can be obtained only by us- ing the most modern and approved plans, he has adopted every idea that is practical and that tends to increase the success of the business.
A native of Ireland, our subject was born Feb- ruary 12, 1846, in the city of Cork, where his ia- ther, Daniel, a gardener by occupation, spent his entire life. His boyhood years were spent in the place of his birth, where he had meager educa- tional advantages. At the age of twenty-one, having resolved to seek a home in the United States, he took passage on a Cunard steamer and landed in this country after an uneventful voy- age. His first work here was gardening, in which he had gained proficiency during his residence in Ireland. For some years he remained in New Jersey, where he was in the employ, at different times, of a number of florists and gardeners. He then went to Westchester, N. Y., where he fol- lowed his trade, and was later employed at the Sisters' Institute at Mt. St. Vincent. Subsequent- ly he came to Bay Shore to carry on the same line of work, with which he is familiar in every detail. Possessing great energy as well as taste, he can,
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in a short time, transform a wild forest and un- dergrowth into beautiful lawns, with trees and shrubs appropriately arranged.
In 1873 Mr. Creedon married Miss Rosa Con- lon, and they have seven children, all at home, and nanied as follows: Daniel, John H., Mary Louise, Rose, Kitty, Frank X. and Joseph. Po- litically Mr. Creedon has Democratic sympa- tlies, but is independent of party, voting for the best men, irrespective of political ties. In reli- gious belief he is a Catholic. He has taken an interest in educational matters, has served as a member of the Board of Trustees, and is giving his children the best advantages the village af- fords.
G ILBERT D. ROGERS, one of the ener- getic and pushing men of Speonk, was born in this village October 8, 1853, and is the son of Capt. John and Maria (Smith) Rog- ers.' He was one of two children, but is now the only surviving member of the family. Captain Rogers was born March 4, 1801, being the son of Jesse Rogers, whose ten children lived to become heads of families. John was killed by the kick of a horse. As the family was in straitened cir- cumstances he was bound out to work for a fam- ily, where he was unkindly treated, and being a lad of spirit, though he was but a mere child, he ran away and was taken on board a coasting ves- sel. Here he was kindly received and treated . well, a fact which changed all the character of his after years. Before he had reached his twenty- first birthday he had reached the position of vessel master and for nearly thirty years was captain of a ship which plied up and down the entire Atlan- tic coast.
".ne Captain married late in life, not surrender- ing his heart and hand until he had reached forty- five, and his marriage no doubt explains the fact of his abandoning the sea and retiring to a farm, where he spent the subsequent years of his life, his death occurring May 19, 1874. His wife, the mother of our subject, was twice married, her first
husband being Captain Penny, by whom she had two children, both deceased. She died February 24, 1887, leaving the subject of this sketch as her only surviving child.
Gilbert D. Rogers grew to manhood under the parental roof, and acquired his education in the district school of the neighborhood. When he had reached the age of sixteen the management of the home farm fell into his hand, and, his father dying when he was nineteen, the place then passed into his possession by inheritance. He has de- voted his life to its cultivation, and takes much pride in its fine appearance. Some nine years ago he entered into an agreement to act as man- ufacturers' agent for various fertilizers. Novem- ber 28, 1877, he married Miss Mary Raynor, daughter of O. B. Raynor, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To this marriage have been born three children, all of whom survive. J. Dwight was born September 30, 1879, and is attending school at Patchogue; Helen C. was born June 14, 1886, and Oscar B. December 26, 1889.
Our subject has put his political sympathies into the building up of the Republican party. In his religion he is a devout and God-fearing men- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and serves that body as Trustee and Elder. His neighbors have made him a member of the Board of Health for the town of Southampton, a position that he has held for eight years, or since the organization of the Board.
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