USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 57
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Temple, having attained the thirty-second degree. He has spent his entire life on the island, with the exception of brief periods devoted to travel, and is interested in every enterprise pertaining to the advancement of his town and county.
J JOHN C. TOTTEN, although well advanced in years, is the proprietor of the largest liv- ery stable in Cold Spring Harbor. He was born in Westchester County, May 7, 1825, and is a son of Samuel and Harriet (Buckhout) Totten. Eight children were born to his parents, and of these only three now survive. They are: Wil- liam B., who resides in New York, our subject. and Josephus G., of St. Joseph, Mo.
That New York is a goodly state to live in is evidenced by the fact that there are probably more inhabitants here, people whose ancestors 1
have lived and died here, than in any other state of the Union. Thus it is with the Totten family. Samuel Totten, our subject's father, was born in Westchester County, where he grew to maturity and married Miss Buckhout, of Schoharie County. He spent his entire life in his native county cul- tivating the soil.
Our subject's grandfather, James Totten, was a native of Hempstead, where he grew to man- hood. Thirsting for book lore at a time when educational advantages were not as free as they are now, he acquired a thorough education through his own exertions, and for some years was engaged as a teacher in the public schools. After liis marriage he moved to Westchester County and became identified with the stock- raising interests and carried on farming exten- sively. In the latter county he was an influential citizen. His wife, Ida Garriton, a native of Graves- end, was a representative of a very old family. which originally came from Holland. One of its members secured the second title to land on Long Island.
John C. Totten grew to manhood in his native county, and received all the advantages that the common school offered. On reaching his ma-
jority he went to New York City, where he was engaged as a carter, following the same for some years, and, according to the laws of the city, he owned his own outfit.
Our subject was married November 10, 1852. to Miss Elizabeth E. Weekes. The following year he removed to Cold Spring Harbor, where he at once entered into the livery and stage busi- ness. This he has conducted ever since, his stage route to and from the trains facilitating travel in this place very greatly. Mr. Totten has three children, all of whom do him honor. The eldest bears the name of Sarah Maria. George Wil- liam is happily married and is the father of three children. Gilbert Weekes is also married and is the father of one child.
For many years our subject has been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. Considering Mr. Totten's business interests, it is natural that he should be much concerned in that important question which is so intimately related to the pub- lic comfort and commercial advantage-that of public roads, and that he should have advanced ideas on this subject. He has for six years been returned as Commissioner of Highways in this town, and has furthermore held the office of Town Sealer. That his services have been ac- ceptable in this capacity is shown by the fact that he has held it for two years.
F REMONT HAMMOND. Should an in- quiry be made for one of the most promi- nent citizens of Patchogue, very many of its residents would mention the gentleman with whose name we open this sketch. He is senior member of the firm of Hammond, Mills & Co., general merchants of this village.
Our subject was born here March 19, 1850, to S. Havens and Elizabeth H. (Williamson) Ham- mond. The former was born at Middle Island, and was the son of Isaac Hanmond, whose father also bore the same name. Isaac. Jr .. was a farmer by occupation, and in this calling met with signal success. He lived to advanced
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
years and was well known and highly regarded by the early residents of the county. The grand- mother of our subject was descended from one of the old families on the island.
S. Havens Haminond was a ship carpenter and for a half century made his home at Patchogue. During the years 1863-64 lie was engaged in the navy yards at Brooklyn. He was in his seventy- seventh year at the time of his death, August S, 1894. His good wife departed this life May 27, 1895, when aged seventy-three years.
Our subject and his sister, Addie, now Mrs. Charles Z. Howell, of Patchogue, were the only members of the parental household. He was reared in this village and gained a fair education in its public schools, which he attended until four- teen years of age, when he began to do for him- self, first clerking for Fishel Brothers. He proved to be very valuable to his employers in this posi- tion and was in their employ for twelve years. During that time he had saved a goodly portion of his salary and in 1876 formed a partnership with Jesse C. Mills, the firm being Mills & Ham- mond. They moved into the building which the present firm now occupies and continued to oper- ate together until about 1889, when Mr. Mills re- tired from the business.
It was then that the firm of Hammond, Mills & Co. was organized, both partners of our subject also having gained their start in life as clerks. They began in this business on a small scale, but as their trade increased first extended the rear of the store and not long thereafter made another addition. They still found themselves very much cramped, owing to their large patronage, and were compelled to occupy four floors, besides a large basement. They retail their goods at popular prices and by keeping only the best sell- ing articles, are enabled to keep a fresh stock on hand. They give employment to from nine to twelve clerks, according to the season, and are in command of the largest trade in this section. Their house is what is known as a department store, being stocked with dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, groceries, furniture, carpets, and in fact, everything needed in furnishing and car- rying on a household.
Fremont Hammond has been gifted generously by nature with those qualities which have made of him a fine business man. He has made a de- cided success of almost everything in which he has been engaged, and in addition to the exten- sive enterprise of which he is the head, he is Di- rector in the Patchogue Bank and holds stock in the electric light plant and the Patchog ie Manufacturing Company, which is located at this place. He has thoroughly identified himself with the community where all his life has been passed, and all moral public measures which commend themselves to his excellent judgment find in him a hearty and liberal supporter.
June 8, 1882, Mr. Hammond was married to Miss Retta T. Rowland, the daughter of John Rowland, well known to the residents of Pat- chogue. They have one son, Fremont Morti- mer, who is three years old. Politically the tenets of the Republican party appeal to his sense oi justice and equity. In the Congregational Church, of which he is a member, he serves as Trustee.
W ATTS R. and WILLIAM S. SAMIMIS. One of the most ancient and honorable families of Long Island is the Sammis family, whose members have been residents ci this island for many generations and have ever been noted for the sturdy worth and sterling char- acteristics which go to make up our best citizens and law-abiding and industrious men. Our sub- ject's great-grandfather, Sylvanus Sammis, was the first of this family to settle on Long Island and he brought here the first china set and first tea ever seen in the neighborhood. The latter was boiled in an iron kettle and was considered some- thing very rare. He also owned the first bureau in his section and this relic is now in the posses- sion of Amos Willits, of New York City, who re- fuses to part with it.
The grandfather of our subjects, William Sa:n- mis, was born where they now live, near Hunt- ington, L. I., and this farm has been in the Sam- mis family ever since the great-grandfather set-
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tled on it. William A. Sammis, father of our sub- jects, was born on this farm in 1815, and he here tilled the soil all his life. He was a regular at- tendant at the Universalist Church, and, although not a member, he contributed his share in a finan- cial way toward the support of the same. He mar- ried Miss Eliza H. Roe, a descendant of one of three Roe brothers, who came over to this coun- try from the north of Ireland. One settled in Port Jefferson, L. I., one up the Hudson River, New York, and nothing is known of the other. Rev. E. P. Roe, the novelist, was a descendant of one of these three brothers. Mr. and Mrs. Sam- mis became the parents of nine children, of whom Caroline K. is the only one besides our subjects now living. Mr. Sammis died in 1878.
Watts R. and William S. Sammis were born on the old homestead in Suffolk County, November 28, 1842, and August 16, 1847, respectively. They grew to manhood there and secured good school- ing in Huntington. After the death of the father the farmi came into their possession and they have continued to reside on it and cultivate it con- jointly until the present. They are pushing, thor- ough going and excellent citizens and a credit to the name they bear. William was married to Miss Phoebe A. Buffett in 1878 and one child was born to them, Mabel B., who is now fourteen years of age. Watts R. is still single. In politics the brothers are Democratic, and William is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church.
D ANIEL W. REEVE, a well known attor- ney residing in the town of Riverhead, is a native of this county, and was born in Southold, September 12, 1822, being next to the oldest among nine children that comprised the family of Selalı and Charity (Wells) Reeve. His father, who was born in the town of Southold, was content to spend his entire life among the friends and neighbors of his youth. A farmer by occupa- tion, he met with good results in the occupation. Hle never took an active part in politics and seldom voted, but when he did it was in support of
candidates of the Democratic party. He was a valued member of the Presbyterian Church. His death, which occurred when in his fiftieth year, was deeply felt in his community, for in him was lost an estimable citizen.
The history of the Reeve family on Long Island can be traced back over two hundred years to James Reeve, who came from England and settled on Long Island. Mrs. Charity (Wells) Reeve, mother of our subject, was born in the town of Riverhead and was a daughter of Daniel Wells. Her death occurred when she was fifty- one years of age. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was beloved by all who knew her. Her grandfather, Daniel Wells, Sr., was the first Supervisor of the town, and was a very prominent man in his day, evincing rare executive ability.
Assisting in the cultivation of the home farm, our subject remained with his parents until he at- tained his majority, when he went to sea as a sailor. His first trip was to the West Indies and lasted six months. Anxious for the exciting scenes of a seafaring life, he made preparations for a whaling voyage, but after having been out three months he was taken ill and compelled to return home. As soon as he was able to engage in labor of any kind, he began work on the farm, and followed farming in the summer, while the winters were devoted to teaching school. After seven years, in 1853, he abandoned teaching, and the following year he commenced to read law in the office of one of the prominent attorneys of the county seat. In 1859 he entered the law school of New York University and after having attended there for a time he was admitted to the Bar in De- cember, 1860.
During a portion of the late war Mr. Reeve was in the employ of the United States Govern- ment as a special agent. Until 1877 he engaged in practice, in connection with the management of his farm. That year, however, he located in Brooklyn, where he remained until 1882, and then returned to Riverhead, which place was his home for seven years. In 1889 hie exchanged his property there for that which he now occupies in the town of Riverlicad. He still gives his at-
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tention to the praetice of law, while his son, Alonzo T., manages the farm.
September 2, 1845, Mr. Reeve married Miss Jane, daughter of Wells and Mary (Wells) Downs. Her father served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and in politics was a stalwart Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Reeve have three children, namely: Daniel W., a mason, living in Brooklyn; Alonzo T., who manages the farm; and Josephine, who married Seymour Corwin, proprietor of a hotel in Jamesport. Alonzo T. received an excellent education, spending two years in Hamilton and Williams Colleges, and later, after two years' study in his father's office, he was admitted to tlie Bar, but his health failing, he was obliged to re- tire from practice and take up farming.
Politically a Republican, Mr. Reeve has served as Assessor of the town of Southold. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. The estate of which he is proprietor is sixty-five aeres in extent and is admirably eultivated. Sur- rounding the substantial dwelling are beautiful shade and ornamental trees, which add to its at- traetiveness.
H I ENRY D. BURTON, the efficient .Post- master and general merchant of Quogue. was born in Setauket, L. I., February 2. 1862, and is the only child of Henry C. and Sarah R. (Smith) Burton. His father was born about the year 1831, in New York City, and was a son of Thomas Burton, a native of London, England. In his early manhood days he learned the trade of a printer and became connected with the print- ing house of Dunn, Boyd & Company. on Broad- way, New York. At the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted in the Federal service, joining the ranks in December, 1861. He was appointed Lieutenant of Company K. Twelfth New York Infantry, and served under General Mcclellan, winning for himself by his bravery and gallantry many words of commendation from his superior officers. He was killed, June 27, 1862, in the en- gagement at Gaines Mills, being struck on the licad by a bursting shell. .
Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Sarah R. Smith, was a daughter of Charles Smith. of Setauket, and was born April 25, 1842. Charles Smith was a son of Nathaniel Smith, who was a son of Henry, who was a son of Henry, Sr., this being as far back as the records go. After ler husband's death Mrs. Burton married Charles Oaks, by whom she had two children. both no: deeeased. Mr. Oaks died about 1875, and the widow later married again, her husband being Silas W. Hultz, of Greenpoint, L. I.
Henry Burton spent his boyhood days under the parental roof. He aequired his knowledge ci books in the common schools, and when sixteen years of age began his first experience in the mer- cantile business. He was employed in the store of an uncle, Charles Smith, at East Setauket. After spending two years there he came to Quogue and found employment in the store (f G. H. Jessup, where he devoted himself to the business for something over five years. At the end! of that time he formed a partnership with Sher- wood Hallock and embarked in the general mer- eantile business, our subject having the manage- ment of affairs. The business continued under the firm name of Burton & Hallock until the spring of 1893, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Burton buying out the interest of his partner and assuming entire control. January 27, 1894. he was appointed Postmaster of Quogue, since which time he has efficiently filled the office. He is still a bachelor. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat and takes an active interest in local affairs.
JAMES M. HEDGES. This name will be at once recognized as that of one of the most enterprising citizens of East Hampton. where he was born August 26, 1830. His parents were William and Phebe Hedges, and his grand- parents Wilks and Mary (Miller) Hedges. The brother of the former, Zephaniah, was the father of Judge H. P. Hedges, of Bridgehampton, where he was a very prominent and influential citizen.
The father of our subject was likewise born at
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Bridgehampton, whence he was brought when a boy to this village, making his home with an uncle, Huntting Miller, his mother's brother. He was an inmate of his uncle's household until his marriage with Miss Phebe Osborn, of East Hamp- ton, who was the daughter of Deacon Daniel Os- born. Mr. Hedges and his uncle were in busi- ness until the death of the latter, which occurred some time in the '30s. The old Miller farm joins our subject's place on the north. On this prop- erty the father lived until his decease during the war, when sixty-two years of age, the farm hav- ing been given to him by his uncle, Huntting Miller. The greater part of the old homestead is now in the possession of William Hedges, Jr., although our subject fell heir to a portion of it.
In addition to farming the father of our subject dealt considerably in real estate, and was the owner of much valuable property in this locality. His first wife died when twenty-eight years of age, leaving two children, James M. and Mary, the lat- ter of whom is now the wife of George Carll, of Huntington, this county. His second marriage was with Mary G. Osborn, who survived her hus- band ten years. She became the mother of two children, Huntting, whose death occurred when he was twenty years of age, and William, above referred to as the owner of the old homestead.
The subject of this sketch remained with his father until the death of the latter, when he be- gan to farm on his own account. He possesses a good knowledge of this vocation and has been successful in all his ventures. His place is well cultivated and bears the best class of improve- ments. June 4, 1857, he was married to Miss Catherine, daughter of Jeremiah J. Mulford, also a farmer of East Hampton. Her mother, Betsey Isaacs, was descended from one of the well known families of this county. Mrs. Hedges is a sister of Elisha P. Mulford, a farmer on Long Lane, and Charles I. Mulford, who has charge of the light house on Montauk Point.
Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Phebe E., now the wife of Jeremiah H. Mulford, also a well-to-do farmer of this community. Po- litically Mr. Hedges is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party. For many 1
years he has been a Trustee of the Presbyterian Church, and is regarded as an influential worker in his congregation. He is strictly honorable and conscientious in the discharge of his duties in life, and those who know him best have the utmost confidence in his genuine trustworthiness.
G EORGE VAN AUSDALL, the energetic proprietor of the Cold Spring House, at Cold Spring Harbor, was born in Syos- set, September 20, 1838, and is a son of Isaac and Mary Jane (Horton) Van Ausdall. They had a family of eight children, of whom six are still liv- ing. Of these our subject is the oldest, and fol- lowing him are James, who has three children; Conklin, who is also married and has two chil- dren; Webley, who also has two children; Isaac F., who is the father of three children, and Elmira, the wife of James Nichols, of Freeport; she also has three children.
Our subject's father was of Dutch descent, his ancestors having come from Holland. He was born August 17, 1813, at Flatlands, Queens County, which locality was first settled by the Dutch. Early in life he learned the trade of shoe- making, following this throughout his career. He also did an extensive business with seafaring men, and employed a number of journeymen. He learned his trade in Mill Neck, and after some forty years spent in Syosset, New York City, Lo- cust Valley and East Norwich, he removed to Cold Spring Harbor, where he settled down and spent the remainder of his life. His death oc- curred February 20, 1869. In politics he was very active and was a power in Democratic parties. For some years he served as School Trustee. He was a very well read man, of keen, shrewd mental- ity, and was quite well versed in law.
The subject of this sketch was fourteen years of age when he arrived in Cold Spring Har- bor with his parents. He received a common- school education and at the age of fifteen became a clerk in a general store, following the same for four years, During his mercantile experi-
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ence he met with an accident which caused a seri- ous lameness and kept him from the store for twelve months. During his convalescence.he was assistant teacher in the public schools of this place. On the reorganization of the old firm for which he had previously worked, the management was con- fided to him. He did the buying and general management for a year, but at the age of twenty- one severed his connection with the mercantile business and secured control of his present place, which is known as the Cold Spring House. It has become a popular resort and has engrossed his attention from the beginning, with the exception of one year, when he purchased an hotel at Wil- mington, Del. In the spring of 1878 Mr. Van Ausdall leased the property on Lloyd's Neck, known as Columbia Grove, running the same for seven seasons as a summer resort.
Our subject was married to Miss Sarah E. Place September 12, 1865. They are the parents of three children, whose names are George, Jr., Ida and Blanche. Mr. Van Ausdall has been act- ive in Democratic politics all his life and has re- peatedly served as delegate to town, county and state conventions, and in the winter of 1892-93 held a clerical position in the Senate Chamber at Albany. He has also been Notary Public for some twenty-six years almost continuously, the break in this time extending over two years, when Alonzo B. Cornell was Governor of the state. His appointment was signed by Gen. John C. Hoff- man. He has also served for sixteen years as School Trustee. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows.
The following is a copy from some manuscript submitted by Mr. Van Ausdall, which he believes to be a record of the family from which he is di- rectly descended. He is, however, unable to ac- count for the change in the spelling of the family name. "The John Van Arsdale spoken of in this manuscript as the Revolutionary veteran (whom the subject thinks is his great-great-grandfather), was the hero who on the event of the British evac- uation of New York City, November 25, 1783, climbed the flag staff, which had been greased, and from which the cleats had been removed, and tore down the British flag, hoisting in its place the
Stars and Stripes ere the Britishi were out of sight of land. David Van Arsdale, the son of this gen- tleman, was a veteran of the War of 1812, and later was for forty years an employe in the barge office in the Battery in New York City. Every morning during the forty years at his post, witli- out an exception, he hoisted the Stars and Stripes on the flag staff there.
"The Van Arsdale family derived their origin from Jan Van Arsdale, a knight of Holland, who in 12II erected the castle Arsdale (now County House), and from it took his name. His armorial bearings now constitute the public arms of the bailiwick of Arsdale. From him descended Sy- mon Jansen Van Arsdalen (as his signature is written), who emigrated to New Amsterdam in 1653, and located at Flatlands, where he served as a Civil Magistrate and an Elder of the Dutch Church. Our records prove him to have been a person of means, education and influence. He died about 1700, leaving sons, Cornelius and John, from whom the entire Van Arsdale family have sprung in this country. Cornelius left six sons, who all removed to New Jersey and one of whom, named Philip, was the grandfather of the late Elias Van Arsdale, Esq., of Newark, N. J., and also of Dr. Peter Van Arsdale, of New York City. Another, named John, was the father of Symon and grandfather of the Revolutionary Van Arsdale.
"John Van Arsdale, the son of Symon Jansen, was a leading member of the Dutch Church, and died in the town of Jamaica, leaving six sons, one of whom, Christopher, removed with several of his brothers to New Jersey. He had three sons, John, Okie, and Cornelius. The first was born on Long Island and died at Murderer's Creek, Orange County, N. Y., in 1798, at the age of seventy-six years. His son John, named in the text and the great-grandson of Symon Jansen Van Arsdalen, was born at the latter place, Jan- uary 5, 1756: lle served in the American Army during nearly the whole of the Revolutionary War. He was wounded and made a prisoner at the battle of Ft. Montgomery, and endured a dis- tressing captivity in New York, lasting nine months. The following year he accompanied
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General Clinton's expedition against the Indians in Western New York, and served in every suc- cessive campaign until 1782. He was a Sergeant under Captain Hardenburg, of Wessenfelt's Regi- ment, with which he closed his service. He was married June 16, 1783, to Mary, daughter of David Crawford, of Orange County, whose father, James Crawford, came to America in 1718, with a certificate of recommendation from the Presby- terian Church of Golan, in Ireland. After his marriage Mr. Van Arsdale sailed a packet on the North and East Rivers for thirty years, after which he served twenty years as wood inspector of New York. Having survived his partner four years, he died August 14, 1826, and was buried with mil- itary honors by the veteran corps, of which he was the first Captain. His children who survived childhood were Elizabeth, who was born in New York in 1791, and who married James Riker; David, who was born in 1796; Deborah, who was born in 1801, and became the wife of John Philips; Jane, who was born in 1804, and married Jacob Theall, and Mary, who was born in 1808, and married Capt. Andrew Dorgan, of Mobile, Ala., and died October 4, 1849."
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