USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
901
membership with this body extends back to his twenty-first year. He has filled during that time all the offices of the lodge except that of Master. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows, and has been accorded the honor of District Deputy as well as having filled all the offices in the lodge.
H ARRY J. NEWTON, who is a resident of Smithtown Branch, was born in this place, September 17, 1862, a son of Benja- min B. and Ellen (Taylor) Newton. He has passed his life in his native place, and at the age of eighteen entered the store of M. R. Smith & Co., remaining with them for five years. During the years thus spent he acquired a good business knowledge and a valuable experience, and deter- mined to set up in business for himself. With this in view he opened a restaurant at the Branch, and this he has continued ever since; he also runs a wagon, carrying cream and fruit to the adjoining towns.
The Newton family is one of the oldest in the county. Benjamin B. Newton, the father of our subject, was born in Commack, in November, 1820, and is a son of Benjamin Newton, who was also a native of this county. The latter was a son of Nathaniel Newton, whose father was John. Our subject's grandfather was a farmer in this locality, where he lived and died. Benjamin B. Newton was married, about 1857, to Ellen Tay- lor. When he was about twenty years of age he commenced to work for himself, and a little later purchased a farm at St. James, his parents making their home with him. He remained there for ten years, and in 1861 purchased the hotel that is now owned by William Spurge, and which was then known as the Smithtown Hotel. This house he owned and ran for thirteen years, finally selling it to the railroad company when the road was built through that place. On the organization of the Smithtown Driving Park he leased the refec- tory right for a number of years and was inter- ested in the hotel business until he entered the (mploy of M. R. Smith & Co., merchants, of
Smithtown. After remaining with them three years he located permanently at Smithtown Branch.
Benjamin Newton, who is a Democrat in poli- tics, has held the office of Overseer of the Poor, and was Excise Commissioner for seven years. He has been an interested worker in public mat- ters and an influential citizen. The parental family comprises five children: Ida E., wife of Levi B. Case, of Brooklyn; G. Herbert, also in Brooklyn; Julia M., Harry, our subject, and Minnie A., all of whom are yet unmarried.
Since reaching his majority our subject has taken an active interest in public affairs. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and has frequently acted on the Board of Registration. Fraternally he is a charter member of the Royal Arcanum of Smith- town, belonging to Council No. 1511, and has held several offices in that order. Although not a member, Mr. Newton attends the Presbyterian Church and is a member of the Christian En- deavor Society. Besides the interests enumerat- ed above, Mr. Newton pays some attention to market gardening.
W ILLIAM H. MILLS, a resident of Smithtown, was born here, April 3. 1836, a son of Benjamin and Charity S. (Smith) Mills. The former, who was a native of the island, where he passed his life, was a promi- nent citizen, and in public life held a number of official positions. The subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth in a family of five chil- dren that were born to his parents. His boyhood was passed in the place of his birth, and he re- ceived a liberal English education in the common schools of the locality.
At the age of nineteen our subject embarked in the mercantile business on Staten Island, con- tinuing in that for four years, when he returned home. February 16. 1863, he was married to Miss Rebecca S. Dunham. a native of New York City and daughter of Henry H. Dunham. Mrs. Mills was born in 1838. Although a man of means and
1 1
902
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
perfectly able to enjoy a life of ease, Mr. Mills prefers to be actively engaged in business. He takes an interest in local political affairs, casting his vote in important elections with the Demo- crats, but in minor events he is liberal.
Our subject is a member of the Presbyterian Church, with which his family is also identified. Mrs. Mills has large interests in the City of New York. Our subject and his wife have had three children, of whom two are living. Lillian E. and Henry D. The third, Charles J., and the twin of the surviving son, died in infancy. The Mills residence is charmingly situated on one hundred acres of land, which was the early home of Mrs. Mills.
C HARLES A. JACKSON, the veteran boat-builder of Greenport, was born at Babylon, October 13, 1826. His father, Thomas Jackson, who was born March 11, 1794, in the same place, was a mate on a whaling vessel, sailing from Greenport and New London. He died in the Sandwich Islands, December 6, 1848, - that sad event being the result of injuries re- ceived in a fall on board his ship. Thomas Jackson had two brothers, Oliver, a tanner and currier, and Richard, a seafaring man.
The grandfather of our subject, Nathan Jack- son, died when his grandson was but a small child. Our subject's mother, who was in her maidenhood a Miss Pamela Whitmore, was born April 15, 1789, and died December 20, 1856. She was a descendant of an old Connecticut family, her father being a fuller by trade. She had two brothers, Alfred. the owner of a saw and woolen mill at Amityville, and Cyrus, who followed the same business.
Our subject was an only son, but he had sev- eral sisters. Adelia married Charles Althause, a farmer, and died about 1850. Mercy married Benjamin Whitmore, a cousin, and is now a widow. Mary Ann married Oliver Cooper, who was a boat-builder; she also is a widow, and re- sides in Brooklyn. Charles A. Jackson was eleven years of age when the family removed to | of Huntington Harbor, and is in all respects a
Greenport. When twelve years of age he began sailing on the high seas, and at sixteen appren- ticed himself to learn the boat-building business with William A. Herrick in Greenport. His old employer had his plant on the site of our subject's present shops. Later he went to New London, where he followed his trade for six or seven years.
On returning to Greenport, our subject bought his former employer's boat-building establish- ment and here he has been in business ever since. He has one of the largest yacht building yards on eastern Long Island. In 1851 Mr. Jackson mar- ried Miss Esther P. Daboll, of New London, who died in 1870, leaving one child, Charles A., Jr. The latter married Anna Fithian, daughter of William Y. Fithian, of Southold, and have one child, Stacia. In 1871 our subject was again married, this time to Miss Cornelia S. Moore, sis- ter of C. B. Moore, the leading merchant of this place.
Mr. Jackson has been a member of the Meth- odist Church for fifty-two years and has been one of the most liberal contributors to its sup- port. He has been Superintendent of the Sun- day-school and is Trustee in the church. No one is held in higher esteem among his fellow-citizens than is our subject. He is an upright, conscien- tious Christian, who yields to everyone his just dues, and is accordingly recognized as not only benevolent, but helpful in the best sense.
W ILLIAM O'HORA. The career of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is but another evidence of what can be accomplished by those of foreign birth who seek a home and fortune in America. He pos- sesses the push, energy, enterprise and wit for which his countrymen are noted, and as a natural consequenceshe has been successful in the accu- mulation of wealth, and has won an enviable reputation for honesty and fair dealing. He is now a prosperous and popular florist and gardener
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
903
leader in this interesting line of trade, his patron- age being derived from the most fashionable parts of the village and suburbs. Mr. O'Hora en- gaged in his present business in Huntington Har- bor in 1888, without a partner, and since that time his business has increased to such an extent that it requires not only his entire attention, but that of several skilled assistants, whose care and attention are directed toward obtaining the best results.
William O'Hora is a native of Ballyvary, Coun- ty Mayo, Ireland, born in 1848, and his father, Patrick O'Hora, is a native of the same place. The father followed agricultural pursuits in his native land, and died there about the year 1873. He was the father of thirteen children. The youth- ful days of our subject were passed on the farm and in the primitive schools of the country at that time, but when eighteen years old he started out to fight the stern realities of life for himself. He first went to Lancastershire, England, and there found employment with a florist, thus receiving his first training in that pleasant occupation there. Four years later, or on March 21, 1870, he sailed on a Cunard steamer, "Aleppo," from Liverpool to the United States, and April 2 landed at. Bos- ton, Mass. Fronr there he went to Fall River, Mass., but not being favorably impressed with the business outlook there, made his way to New York City. A short time afterward he pre- pared to return to England, to resume the position that he had left. and which was held open for him on the possibility of his return. Here he met H. G. Scudder, of Huntington, and was engaged by him to do general farm work. He remained with that gentleman at Huntington for four years, and then was employed by Dr. Upton H. Belt, of "Livingston Manor," on Hudson River, with whom lte remained two years and a half.
:
At this time he and a partner embarked in the butcher's business in Hudson City, but at the end of a year Mr. O'Hora came to Huntington and was engaged in the pottery business for Brown Brothers, and for about ten years represented then on the road. In 1877 he erected a good resi- dence on a piece of land bought by himabout three years after his arrival from England, severed his
connection with the firm of Brown Brothers, and in 1888 engaged in the florist business for himself. Since that time his business has increased in a wonderful manner, for he has won the confidence of all by his ability and honorable business meth- ods. His marriage with Miss Julia Whalen, of Ireland, occurred in 1878, and both are Catholics in their religious belief. In politics Mr. O'Hora is liberal in his views, with Democratic tendencies.
C APT. JESSE B. EDWARDS. This gen- tleman belongs to the number of gallant American sailors that have made their calling famous the world over. He has been on many seas, faced many kinds of danger, and al- ways acquitted himself like a man. Captain Ed- wards was born in Amagansett October 14, 1835. When he had attained his majority he followed the destiny of the brave and venturesome lads of his time and went to sea in a whaling vessel. It was a full-rigged bark and was commanded by Captain Nichols. The trip was thirty-four months in duration and carried the young sailor lad far into the Pacific Ocean. He was full of nerve and the captain thought him reliable in time of danger. This is evident from the fact that he was appointed to act as boat steerer. He showed so much ability in executive directions that he went out on his next trip on the brig "Mary" as second mate, returning as first mate. In these trips he was very fortunate, so that his share of the proceeds was more than sufficient to enable him to start in a prosperous business at home. He established himself at Amagansett, where he engaged in the fishing business for two years and was captain of a fishing steamer.
In 1871 Captain Edwards entered the Govern- ment employ as a member of the life-saving ser- vice, and in this he has since been continuously engaged. except for a period of something over three years. He has been captain of the life-sav- ing station since June 10, 1886. and has seven men under his immediate control, namely: Sam-
904
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
uel B. Loper, Charles T. Miller, Samuel MI. Les- ter, David H. Schellinger, George H. Mulford, Frank H. Miller and Charles B. Edwards.
Captain Edwards was married August 24, 1864, to Miss Maria E. Havens. They are the parents of four children, Ellen T., Clinton H., Carrie and Helen A., all of whom are now living. In politics the Captain is a Democrat, and in religion a Presbyterian, being a member of that church. He has followed whaling off this coast and in the more remote parts of the world through all its various phases. He knows the story of the de- cline and fall of the whaling business as no one can tell, and his tales of the old days are full of life and interest. A plain man of the world, with only a common school education, he has done bet- ter than many of the pampered children of ease and luxury, who, with all the oportunities of high- er education, have never been able to accomplish the least thing in the way of the real progress of men.
A RCHIBALD H. CAMPBELL. It is a pleasure to inscribe the benefactions and good deeds as well as biography of the honorable gentleman whose name appears above. Mr. Campbell is a descendant of an old and in- fluential family, presumably of Scotch extraction. He is a son of George G. and Sarah S. (Owens) Campbell, and is one of five children born to his parents. His natal day was February 4. 1826. The family, in order of birth, were: Robert G., our subject, George W., Hannah J., and John J., and of these the subject of this sketch alone sur- vives.
Mr. Campbell's father, George G., was a native of Hackensack, N. J. There he acquired his edu- cation, and when a youth of about fourteen went to New York City, where he was employed in the hardware business. He first served an apprentice- ship under James Jenkins, on the corner of Bar- clay and Greenwich streets, and on finishing his apprenticeship he engaged in business for him- self at No. 451 Broadway. This was in 1823, and later he started a large business in partnership
with two other men, the firm name being Camp- bell, Striker & Crawford. In about 1840 he retired from a mercantile life, and under President Fill- more was appointed Appraiser in the New York Custom House. George G. Campbell was a man of sterling character, and the honors conferred upon him of a public nature were but a just re- ward for native ability, integrity and unerring business judgment.
The subject of this sketch was born in New York City, and there he spent his boyhood days. The educational advantages he enjoyed were ex- ceptional for boys of his day, for on completing the regular course he entered the University of New York, through which he passed with much honor. In early life he was engaged for some years in clerical work, and during his father's ten- ure of office in the Custom House he was occu- pied there also. It was not until 1867, however, that the most important interest of his life began. for at that date he associated himself with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and through his earnest endeavors he soon be- came the right-hand man of Henry Bergh, the man who has a national reputation in this direc- tion.
Our subject set up a home for himself, Novem- ber 28, 1874, and placed at the head of his house his talented wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Rogers, but who was the widow of Leonard Tur- ner, of Cold Spring Harbor. Mr. Campbell has a pleasant home in this place, which he looks upon as a country house.
Our subject's brother, George W., was ap- pointed by President Fillmore. Second Lieuten- ant in the Marine, his commission being dated January 25, 1853. He was a victini of yellow fever, which he contracted in the fort of St. Thomas, West Indies, and his decease occurred on the homeward voyage, in 1855: thus a short but bright and promising career was cut short. Robert G. Campbell, although dying at the early age of twenty-eight, had been highly honored by his fellow-citizens and by distinguished public men in various positions. For two years he repre- sented the Sixteenth Ward in the Assembly of this State, and there his mental and moral qualities
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
905
became so distinguished as to highly commend him to Comptroller Fillmore, and when that gen- tleman became President he offered him the po- sition as Private Secretary, which he occupied for some time in the early part of that executive's ad- ministration. He later gave up this post in order to devote himself to the study of law. He was elected a delegate on the Whig ticket to the Balti- more convention, and was later nominated for Congress, but declined to accept. The judges of the Superior Court selected him as Clerk of the court, a valuable and highly honorable place, which he held to the time of his death. Upon Gov- ernor Hunt's accession to the gubernatorial chair he made Robert G. Campbell his Aide-de-Camp. This short but brilliant career was cut off in 1853. At the time of his death he was engaged to the daughter of President Fillmore, and was one of the most promising of our young public men.
Our subject's grandfather, George Campbell, lived to the patriarchal age of ninety-two years. He was a New York merchant, and it was his pride to tell that when a boy General Washington made his headquarters at his father's house. In after years George Campbell paid a visit to the father of his country at Mt. Vernon. He numbered among his intimate friends both Hamilton and Burr, and when the latter was hunted by officers of the law after his fatal duel, Colonel Burr sought refuge in the house of Mr. Campbell at Hacken- sack. There he was secreted, although Mr. Camp- bell's brother, who was attorney for the State of New Jersey, and who also lived in Hackensack, would have given $5,000 for Burr's arrest. Mr. Campbell never spoke of any knowledge of the fugitive until thirty years had elapsed.
Our subject has for many years been a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian Church, hav- ing been baptized by Rev. Dr. Patton, of the Broome Street Central Church. He has also been an ardent worker in the Sunday-school, having taught for many years. Of his philanthropic work we quote a few lines from the New York "Evening Telegram," describing the work of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: "The real wtive spirit of the administration is centered in the person of Mr. Bergh. In his untiring devotion
he is heartily seconded by A. H. Campbell, who is the right arm of the President. This gentleman deserves only less honor than Mr. Bergh, he hav- ing dedicated his life labors to the benefaction of the animal family, without other compensation than accompanies the fulfillment of a noble ob- ject. He declines all pecuniary benefit, although constant in his services."
J UDSON L. DARLING. This prominent citizen and successful merchant of Port Jefferson was born in this locality, Au-
gust 9, 1855, to F. F. and Mary W. (Smith) Darling, prominent citizens of Port Jefferson. The father canie to this place in 1852, prior to which time he had served as master of dif- ferent vessels for some time. At the time of his location in Port Jefferson he purchased a business and has since been actively and very successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits, with the interests of which no man in this section has been closer identified. He is a man of decidedly practical ideas, but is far-seeing and shrewd in the man- agement of his affairs, and although he is quick to take advantage of all opportunities that present themselves for the betterment of his financial con- dition, and is keenly alive to his own interests, yet he is the soul of honor in all his business trans- actions, and is generous withal.
Judson L. Darling received his education in the schools of Port Jefferson, and since he attained the age of fifteen years his time has been spent in his father's store, whose interests he has made his. In 1876 he became possessed of an interest in the business, and in the management of the establish- ment has shown that he is a "chip of the old block." Their stock consists of a large line of general merchandise, and there is perhaps no bet- ter stocked store of this nature in Suffolk County, and without doubt there is no better patronized one, for the liberality and courtesy which the proprietors have shown to their patrons have met with their reward. Judson L. Darling has by no means confined his attention to this business
39
906
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
alone, but has outside interests of a lucrative na- ture. He is a Director in the Bank of Port Jef -- ferson, the Pennington County Bank, of Rapid City, S. Dak; the Port Jefferson Milling Com- pany, and of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company.
In the month of December, 1878, Mr. Darling was married to Miss Irene A. Tuthill, daughter of Minor Tuthill. They have two sons and one daughter, Frank F., Chester L., and Gladys I. Although Mr. and Mrs. Darling are not connected with any church organization, yet they are at- tendants of the Episcopal Church and believe in and follow the teachings of the Golden Rule. Mr. Darling is a Democrat of life-long standing, and is one of President Cleveland's warm admirers. He has proved himself a useful and law-abiding 'citizen, and fully deserves the respect and confi- dence which are universally accorded him as a business man and citizen.
1
E RASTUS FOSTER POST, a prominent citizen of Quogue, is a representative of a family that was established on Long Is- land at a very early period in its history and that has since been intimately connected with its growth and development. He traces his lineage to Richard Post, who came here in 1643, receiv- ing a home lot from the proprietors. Descended from him were John, Captain John, John and John, who died January 3, 1793, at the age of ninety-two. Next in line of descent was Abra- ham, who married Mary, daughter of Thomas Lupton, and died December 8, 1815, at the age of seventy-seven. His children were named as fol- lows: Abigail, who was born February 18, 1773; Abraham, November 29, 1775; Oliver, Novem- ber 15, 1777, and Mary, March 29, 1780.
The next to the youngest of the children named was Oliver, our subject's grandfather. He mar- ried Mary, daughter of Josiah Howell, and died April 13, 1871. Ilis children, three in num- ber, were as follows: Josiah Howell, born July 4, 1807; Phebe Pierson, April 7, 1812, and
George Oliver, March 16, 1814. The last named, our subject's father, was a man of great integrity of character and the utmost probity. Though de- ceased for some years, he is affectionately remem- bered by the large circle of friends whom he won by his genial manners and amiable disposition. He was born March 16, 1814, on the old home- stead at Quogue, which had also been the birth- place of his father. Upon attaining manhood he chose agriculture for his life occupation, and to this calling he devoted his mature years. His fellow citizens frequently called upon him to rep- resent them in some official capacity and he al- ways discharged every duty in a straightforward. able manner. For one term he held the office of Supervisor of the town, and for eighteen years served as Commissioner of Highways. Public- spirited and progressive, his sympathy was given to every broad movement and his active support promoted the success of every philanthropic en- terprise.
The first wife of George O. Post was Julia. daughter of Elisha Howell. They became the parents of two children, namely: Josiah Howell. who was born December 10, 1844, and is now a resident of Philadelphia, and William Elisha Howell, who was born February 27, 1848, and died July 23, 1877. After the death of liis first wife Mr. Post married Miss Harriet Foster. daughter of Cephas and Abigail (Howell) Fos- ter. Their two children were Mary, whose birth occurred July 27, 1856, and Erastus Foster, born July 3, 1859. The father passed away August 7, 1895, in the eighty-second year of his age.
The subject of our sketch acquired his educa- tion in the Bridgehampton Academy and in Wil- liston Seminary at Easthampton, Mass., graduat- ing from the scientific department of the latter institution in 1880. On his return to Quogue he engaged in surveying and civil engineering. which, together with farming, have taken up his time since. Like his father, lie has always main- tained an interest in public affairs. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, of which he is a stanchi supporter. From 1888 to 1893 he was President of the Mckinley Club at West Hampton. For one term he filled the office of
907
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Commissioner of Highways, to which position he was appointed in 1886 by the Town Board to fill an unexpired term of one year. At the expi- ration of the twelve months he was elected to the office for the next two years. At the last gen- eral election he was chosen to represent the First District of Suffolk County in the Assembly, his majority over his Democratic opponent being thirteen hundred and thirty-four.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.