USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 48
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"Our subject, like most youths of his day, had tlic advantage of the ordinary common schools, to which was added one term cach at the then famous Northville and Franklinville Academies. At an early age he was apprenticed to the ship car- 1unter business, learning the trade under liis father's careful tutelage. Early in 1862, when he had barely reached his twenty-first birthday, he became a member of the firm of J. M. Bayles & Son, which firm, more than any other perhaps, have, by their conscientious workmanship and handsome modeling, rendered Brook Haven ves- sels famous for their speed, carrying capacity and fine outline. Within the last ten years the exten-
sive business of the firm has been entirely en- trusted to him. The firm always made a great spe- cialty of repairing and overhauling yachts, prob- ably more than any other firm in the United States, except in the large cities. About seventy vessels, comprising yachts, barks, ships and schooners, have been built under his careful su- pervision since the year 1863. The vessels have varied from twenty to nine hundred tons.
"In 1884 Mr. Bayles was elected Supervisor of the town of Brook Haven, by an overwhelming majority, and the following year he was re-elected by a majority of six hundred and eighty-six. He is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in the town of Brook Haven, and is prominent in its counsels in Suffolk County. At various times he has held the position of Trustee of the public schools at Port Jefferson, and in 1872 was nomi- nated for member of Assembly."
Mr. Bayles was married in January, 1866, to Miss Jennie R. Wells, the daughter of W. W. Wells. She died in 1832. In 1887 Mr. Bayles married Elmina L. Edwards, daughter of Frank- lin and Julia A. Edwards. Our subject with his family reside in a handsome residence beautifully situated on an eminence that overlooks Port Jef- ferson Bay. At the present time our subject is Vice-President of the Bank of Port Jefferson, and is always interested in local questions, having at heart the good of the community. Personally. our subject is genial and a pleasant and intelli- gent gentleman, a good conversationalist and en- tertaining in his manner.
1 SAAC B. MULFORD. Amagansett is an Indian name, and has sheltered some good people in the years in which it has had only a local fame. Now we spread it to the world, and sound its glories afar. It faces the eastern sun, and has the great Long Island at its back. Its feet are washed by the waters of the Atlantic. and the commerce of the world is almost within its siglit.
Mr. Mulford is not a native of Amagansett, but
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lie can say what is almost as good, that he was brought to its pleasant grounds while still an infant. His birthplace was on Shelter Island, and the date October 26, 1828. His parents, Thomas J. and Harriet (Barnes) Mulford, had five children, three sons and two daughters. Our subject was married August 23, 1884, to Miss Esther Ed- wards, and he is now living on the old home- stead, where his boyhood days were passed. As long as his father lived Isaac remained on the farm, working under his father's directions, and when the latter died he assumed complete con- trol. His father, who had reached the great age of eighty-two before he joined the great majority, was a farmer all through his life, and his remains now rest in the green and beautiful cemetery at Amagansett.
As a boy, Mr. Mulford enjoyed the usual school advantages that fell to the lot of the children of the east end of the island. He made good use of his opportunities, and has won a good position in society. He owns a large farm of over two hundred acres, of which twenty are woodland. In politics he is a Democrat, and religiously is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
L EMUEL CARLL is one of the well known men and highly esteemed citizens of West Hills. He was born where he now 'lives, May 13, 1821, being a son of Timothy and Mi- riam (McWick) Carll, and was one of two chil- dren born to his parents, both still surviving. Be- sides himself he has a sister, Mary, who is the wife of Elias Baylis and the mother of three children.
Timothy Carll was born at West Hills, in 1795, a son of Lemuel and Jemima (Bailey) Carll, and was a farmer throughout his entire career. He was a public-spirited man, and for thirty years was Justice of the Peace in this district. For one term he filled the office of Commissioner of High- ways, after which he declined a renomination. His death occurred about the year 1860. He was highly esteemed in the community and greatly inourned at his death.
The grandfather of our subject, Lemuel Carll, was a native of Dick's Hill, town of Huntington, and was a son of Timothy, who was a son of Ana- nias, who in turn was a son of Ananias, Sr., the latter supposed to be a son of Jolin Carll, the first of the family of whom our subject has any knowl- edge. The town records of Hempstead show that he was a land owner in that town, which was also the place of his residence.
Lemuel Carll received his education in the common schools of his native town. He has never lived elsewhere, and his life has been chiefly spent in the peaceful occupation of farming, to which calling he was reared. At the death of his father the home place reverted to him. Although not an office-seeker in any sense of the word, he has been selected to hold certain offices. For two terms he was Overseer of the Poor, and for three terms, comprising nine years, he served as Excise Com- missioner. Of a retiring disposition, he filled these offices only through the earnest solicitations of lovers of good government, who knew that in his hands the purest interests of the locality would be safe. During his administration of his duties, the impartial and just exercise of his office has further endeared him to his constituents.
December 28, 1842, Mr. Carll married Miss Sarah L. Collier, and they have two children, both of whom are living. Miriam, wife of Fred Eggerman and mother of two children, and Han- nah, who married Zebalon K. Oakley, and has two children. In politics Mr. Carll is a Democrat. Although not allied with any church, he is a be- liever in the doctrines of the old-school Baptists, and does his part toward the support of church work.
S ILAS E. JESSUP. About the year 1640 the Jessup family tree first took root on Ameri- can soil, the first of the family to come here being John Jessup, who removed to this country from England and settled at Southampton, and his descendants in this country are now numerous. This family is one of the oldest and most highly respected on the island, its members having al-
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ways been law-abiding and useful citizens. The subject of this sketch was born where he now lives September 14, 1855, a son of Egbert and Nancy (Wells) Jessup, the former of whom was born June 30, 1818, in the village of Quogue. His life occupation was that of farming, and after a use- ful career he was called from this life in 1876. He traced his ancestry back to Thomas Jessup through Silas and Henry Jessup, the former being his father and the latter his grandfather. It was Henry Jessup who built the first two-room cot- tage in the village of Quogue. The mother of the subject of this sketch was also a member of one of the old families of Long Island and her father was Christopher Wells, who was one of the well known citizens of this section. Mrs. Jessup was born June 16, 1821, and on the 14th of December, 1843, her marriage with Mr. Jessup occurred, and eventually resulted in the birth of three children, all of whom are living at the present time. Her death occurred June 25, 1883.
Silas E. Jessup was reared under the shelter of the parental roof, and in the common schools con- ducted in the vicinity he acquired a practical edu- cation. After attaining his eighteenth year he became a member of the Life Saving Crew, and after serving thus for four years was promoted to the Captaincy of the crew, at which time he was the youngest captain in the service in the United States. The greatest number of human lives saved by this crew at one time was in the wreck of the "Europea" in March, 1886, when twenty- seven persons were taken from the doomed vessel. Many other rescues were made at various times, and to the noble efforts of Captain Jessup and his crew many persons owe their lives. After many years thus usefully spent Captain Jessup resigned from the service in 1891. For the past fourteen years, until recently, he has been engaged in ac- commodating summer boarders, but some time past gave up this work, and the past season rented his boarding houses and removed to his pretty private cottage.
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May 18, 1880, our subject married Miss Flor- ence Bishop, a daughter of William Bishop, of West Hampton, and this happy union has resulted in the birth of three children: Florence B., born
April 24, 1882, and George P. and Nancy W. (twins) born February 29, 1884. Captain Jessup's political affiliations are with the Republican party, and in religious matters he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has for years been Trustee and Treasurer. He is an honorable man in every worthy particular, and his life has been marked by many noble deeds.
W ILLIAM C. POWELL. Over eighty years of human experience are credited to our subject, who is one of the hig!i- ly esteemed residents of St. James. He was born at Oyster Bay October 12, 1812, and is a son of James and Jane (Cook) Powell. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Powell, was a farmer and a native of Amityville, while the maternal grand- father had the distinction of serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Our subject's father passed the greater part of his life in the town cf Oyster Bay, near Hicksville. As a farmer lie operated a large tract of land, and also served in the War of 1812. He had five children, there being two sons and three daughters, and of these four are still living.
William Powell passed his youth upon his father's farm, and on arriving at the age of twenty-two went to New York City, where he was employed in the truck business for nineteen years. Before leaving his native place he was married, his bride being Miss Lany Nostrand. daughter of Daniel Nostrand. Their marriage was soleninized Jan. 22, 1833. In 1852 our sub- ject left the city and purchased the farm whereon he now resides, which was formerly known as the old Mills property, and comprised some two hundred and thirty acres of excellent land. For years our subject has devoted his attention to the raising of fancy stock.
In, politics Mr. Powell was originally a Whig. and on the formation of the Republican party in 1856 he transferred his allegiance to that. For seventy-five years he has been a member of the Methodist Church, most of the time serving as an
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official and Class-leader, and has also been Trus- tee for years. Both he and his wife have taken a very active part in church work. In secular af- fairs Mr. Powell has been honored with various offices, having been Collector for Smithtown a number of years. To our subject and his wife were born seven children. Samuel resides at Stepney, Conn .; Hannah, the widow of William Youngs, resides in Brooklyn; William H. carries on a timber business in Wisconsin; George re- sides at Stony Brook; Emma is the wife of Henry Wells of Rowayton, Conn .; Annie, who is Mrs. Joshua Powell, resides at St. James, and Benjamin is engaged in the lumber business at Stony Brook.
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R OWLAND MILES, a rising young attor- ney of Northport, was born at King's Park April 4, 1865, his parents being Benjamin F. and Mary M. (Dugiyd) Miles. His father was also born on Long Island, where he was reared, and where he learned the trade of ship carpentry, which he followed until his death. He received a professional education, but went to North Caro- lina, where he was married, and worked at his trade for many years. After a time he returned with his family to the island, and died here at the age of forty-five. In politics he was a sturdy Democrat. His parents were Reuben and Sarah (Hallock) Miles, the former of whom was a ship carpenter, and served in the War of 1812. He was born in Otsego County, and died at the age of sixty-five. His wife was a daughter of Thomas Hallock, whose ancestors date back to Peter Hallock.
The mother of our subject was born in New- bern, N. C., and lived to be sixty-eight years of age. She was a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Meadows) Dugiyd. Her grandfather, Alexan- der, was captain of the brig "Nancy" that was captured and destroyed by the French. The fam- ily was a wealthy one, and stood very high in the social circles of that state.
Our subject was only about nine months old
when his father died, and he remained at home with his mother. He worked at whatever he could do that did not interfere with his attending school, and when he was fourteen the family came to Northport. Here he attended public school one winter, and then entered a general store as clerk, attending school as he could until 1880, when he began to clerk for J. P. Wheeler. During that time he attended a suit in a justice court, the conduct of which was of great interest to the young clerk, who thereupon determined that he too would be an attorney. At this time he was about sixteen, and he secured an oppor- tunity to read law in the office of Nathaniel Ack- erly, who is now his partner in the legal profes- sion, and whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this work. As he desired to secure a better education he began to look around to earn the wherewithal to carry out his plan. For a time he was in the employ of a Mr. Thompson in his publishing house, where he earned money enough to pay his way for one year at the Collegiate In- stitute at Hackettstown, N. J. He was now pre- pared to enter college, but money was again lack- ing, and rather than see him lose time by working to save it, a friend advanced him money for a year to attend Wesleyan University in Connecti- cut. His friends at home, anxious to help along so determined a lad, gave him a benefit, thereby raising $70. By one way and another he man- aged to complete his course, and graduated in the class of '89.
Mr. Miles was now well qualified to teach, but failing to find a satisfactory school, went on board a ship commanded by his brother-in-law, and act- ed as second mate. After his graduation he owed $1,200 for liis schooling, and was anxious to wipe it out. While at sea he was very successful, but he wanted to get into the line of his lifevork, so came back to Northport, and again entered Mr. Ackerly's law office. - Scarcely had he settled down to business when he had an offer of a posi- tion in Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania at a good salary. He decided, however, to pursue his law studies, and was admitted to the Bar in 18.)1. At once he was taken into partnership by his in- structor and faithful friend, Mr. Ackerly, and this
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arrangement has continued to this time. In 1890 he ran for the office of School Commissioner, but was defeated by twelve votes. In 1893 he defend- ed Louis Gildersleeve, who was charged with murder, and that noted criminal case gave him a reputation for ability in criminal practice.
November 16, 1892, Miss Edith A. Woodhull became the wife of our subject, and has borne him one child, Gordon W. Mr. Miles is a Jeffersonian Democrat. While a student he was employed as a stump speaker in Connecticut during the cam- paign of 1888, and during that of 1892 in New York. He is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and belongs to the Eclectic Society of Wesleyan University. He has a large practice, and there is a brilliant future before him.
lutionary War, his house being frequently taker as headquarters by the English, and he and his team were pressed into their service.
The Rolph family dates back in the history of Huntington to 1740, when Moses Rolph moved from Raliway, N. J., and settled on what is now known as the old Rolph place. The family came originally from Newbury, Mass., where Jour Rolph, the father of Moses Rolph, the first settler of the name on Long Island, was born in 1660 Moses was born in 1718. The mother of the sub- ject of this sketch was Deborah Rogers, and out subject was the second of a family of four children Reuben, the oldest of the family, was born in 1811 and went to Chenango County, where he was largely engaged in farming. When he had be- come somewhat advanced in life, he went to Caro. line County, Va. He purchased a plantation, ac- cumulating a fortune, and died in Virginia in 1879, leaving a family of two sons and two daugh- ters, of whom we mention the following: Moses, who carries on a large farm in that state, has been Justice of the Peace; Phillip is a large land owner, has a mill, and also conducts a mercantile busi- ness. Elizabeth and Harriet still reside at home, Our subject's sister Mary became the wife of George A. Scudder, the veteran merchant in this village, who is now retired at the age of eighty- three; his wife has been dead some years. Our subject's sister. Elizabeth, died in infancy.
J ARVIS R. ROLPH, who for years was known in the village of Huntington as an honorable and public-spirited citizen, and a strictly upright character in the business world, lias passed on to join "the great majority." He was born in the village of Huntington, on the old Rolph homestead, September 14, 1813, and was the son of Judge Moses Rolph. The latter was born in the same place, and was elected Clerk of the town of Huntington in 1800, which office hie held continuously until his death in 1838. About Jarvis R. Rolph, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Huntington Academy, where he studied surveying, and for many years was sur- veyor of the town of Huntington. All this time he resided on the old homestead, and carried on its farming operations with skill and profit. In early life he took an active part in military mat- ters, and at the age of nineteen was appointed Paymaster of a New York Infantry regiment. and rapidly rose to become its Colonel, but re- signed in 1842. Early in life he was called to fill civil positions of trust and responsibility, and was appointed Clerk of the town at the death of his father, being elected for the following term to the sanie position. In 1850 he was elected Justice of the Peace. and retained that office for sixteen the same time he was made Justice of the Peace, holding this position as long as he lived, and he was appointed one of the four Associate Judges of Suffolk County, which also proved a life posi- tion. In the records of this part of the island he appears as one of its foremost citizens and a man of affairs, being chosen to settle many large es- tates. He enjoyed the confidence of his neigh- bors, and in his long career in public life had 110 smirchi or stain cast upon his name. In 1832, when Andrew Jackson was re-elected President, lie was a Presidential Elector, and again in 1836, when Martin Van Buren was elected. He was a large land owner in the town, owning some five hundred acres. Reuben Rolph, the grandfather of our subject, was in his prime during the Revo- I consecutive years, prior to which he liad served
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four years. He was President of the Board of Education for a long time, and had an active share in the work of building up his native village. He helped to make the Public Library a conspic- uous success, was interested in the Nathan Hale Memorial and was custodian of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Fund.
Mr. Rolph was a member of the old First Pres- byterian Church, in which he was a Ruling Elder nearly all his life, and was often sent as a delegate to the Presbyterian Synod and General Assembly. September 13, 1836, he was married to Harriet Woodhull, who was born in the same town as was her husband, Oct. 22, 1818, and was the daughter of Smith Woodhull. The latter was a prominent merchant, and for many years was President of the Huntington Union Schools, in which he took great interest. Mrs. Rolph's brother, Jeffrey Amherst Woodhull, a mer- chant, during the Civil War was Supervisor of this town. Samuel died in infancy. Caleb S. was a graduate of the Williamstown College, and received the degree of A. M. He became a prom- inent lawyer in Brooklyn, where he died in 18.03.
Mr. and Mrs. Rolph were never blessed with children, but lived useful and happy lives. He died at the beautiful home known as Forest View, October 3, 1894, and his widow is now spending her declining years in the same place. Politically our subject was at all times an uncompromising Democrat.
G ILBERT SCUDDER is a resident of East Neck, and owns a valuable farm one mile east of Huntington Harbor, where he devotes himself to general farming, pay- ing special attention to fruit growing. He was born February 9, 1861, on the place where he now lives, and is a son of Henry G. Scudder.
The American branch of the Scudder family originated with Thomas Scudder, who emigrated from Grafton, England, to Salem, Mass., in 1636. He was accompanied by his wife, four sons and one daughter. Thomas, the second son in the direct descent, together with many other families,
moved to Southold, L. I., in 1652. After several years' residence there he settled permanently in the town of Huntington, where, by purchasing grants or original patents, he became the owner of large landed interests on the present town-site of Huntington in Northport (then called Cow Harbor), in Vernon Valley (then called Red Hook), Crab Meadow and Babylon. All of these four last named places were then small settle- ments and are now embraced in the present lim- its of the town of Huntington.
Thomas Scudder (2d) died in 1690, leaving five daughters and two sons, named Benjamin and Timothy. Benjamin, in the direct line, re- ceived the estates on the town site of Hunting- ton. He died in 1735 and left eight sons. Of these only one, Thomas (who is in the direct line), left posterity in Huntington. He died in 1775, leaving two sons, Gilbert and Thomas, of whom Thomas (in the direct line) married Abigail Sam- mis. They both died and were buried the same day in one grave, February 25, 1809. They had five children, of whom Gilbert (youngest son), born in 1764, in the direct line, died September 18, 1855. He married Abigail Buffet, and they had six children, one son and five daughters, of whom Isaiah, born in 1791, died in 1875, followed in direct line of descent. In 1814 he married Rhoda Jarvis, daughter of Daniel Jarvis. Their only child, Henry G., born May 24, 18IS, is the father of the subject of this sketch.
Henry G. Scudder was educated at the Hunt- ington Academy. At nineteen years of age he went to New York City. For forty years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, retiring from bus- iness in 1874, and returning to the ancestral home of his family at East Neck, Huntington, where he resided until his death. He was twice married, first in 1849 to Eleanor C. Murray, of New Jersey, who died in 1857, leaving three children, Will- iam M., Nora J. and Henry G. In 1859 he mar- ried Annie Cornelia, youngest daughter of Henry Scudder of, Northport, and mother of our sub- ject. She had two sons, Gilbert and Hewlett.
Gilbert Scudder grew up under the home roof. He attended school in his native place and ac- quired a good education, graduating from the
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high school in 1879. At nineteen years of age he went to Santa Fe, N. M., and for some five years found employment at a bank at that place and was engaged in clerical work. The four following years he was in partnership with his father-in- law, ranching on a land claim which the two had taken up. This business prospered, but the death of his father, in 1888, called Mr. Scudder home to look after the estate. His business was left in his partner's hands and since that time he has remained on the home place, and is gradually converting it into a fruit farm. He anticipates giving this place his entire attention in the near future.
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Mr. Scudder was married, while in New Mex- ico, to Miss Nellie Ritch, daughter of W. G. Ritch, of Santa Fe. Their wedding was solemn- ized June 21, 1883. Mrs. Scudder's father was for twelve years Secretary of the territory and during a portion of that time he was acting Gov- ernor, while our subject served as Secretary. To Mr. and. Mrs. Scudder have been born two children, Henry R. and Olive Cornelia. Mr. Scudder is liberal in politics, with a leaning towards Democracy. He and his family are at- tendants at the Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a member of the order of Odd Fellows Lodge, and has filled all the offices in the lodge.
L EMUEL G. SOPER. A man of versatile ability Mr. Soper has been able to superin- tend various industries and follow different avocations, in each of which he has met with suc- cess. Though his residence is in St. James and his business interests are largely centered there, yet in other places he has carried forward different lines of business, and has thus formed a large ac- quaintance throughout the county. Still in the prime of life, the success which he has achieved is an indication that future years will bring him additional prosperity and honors from his fellow- men.
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