Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2, Part 65

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Chapman
Number of Pages: 926

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May 3, 1887, Mr. Smith married Miss Minnie F. Smith, of Port Jefferson. They have three children, namely: Ida MI., seven years old: Lila Adell, five, and Ray Thaddeus, three. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican and is a Trustee of town lands. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum. For two and one-half years he has been Director of the Fire Department. and is also a member of the Riverhead Mutual Benefit Society. In a business way he has been success- ful, and besides his livery establishment he speen lates quite extensively in real estate, having bu-i- ness relations with three different companies. He also takes contracts for keeping the roads in or- der, and for this purpose he operates a large number of teams. He is an enterprising. wid. awake busines- man, and one of 1ship's most re spected citizens.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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A E. HALLOCK is perhaps as fair an ex- ample of a self-made man as is to be found in Suffolk County. His success is largely due to his inflexible integrity, marvelous foresight and his habits of thoroughness, perseverance and honesty. He is now a prominent merchant of Smithtown, and is also a successful and intelligent farmer. Mr. Hallock was born in the town of Smithtown, Suffolk County, August 20, 1838, and is a son of Daniel M. and Eliza (Burr) Hallock, the former a native of Smithtown Town and the latter of Huntington Town, this county, and both born about the year 1810.

Thomas Hallock, grandfather of our subject, was born in this county, and here spent his entire life, engaged in farming. He owned a large tract of wooded land and carried on an extensive busi- ness, shipping wood to New York City. With the vessels, which he owned, he made considerable money in bringing back goods to the island. He also owned a store in the Empire City and looked after the sale of his own wood. For many years he was an energetic, pushing business man, and by lis industry and good management became quite wealthy. He married Miss Hannah Cooklin, iu the town of Smithtown, and there they reared their family. When quite an aged man he died on the old farm, and is buried in the Hallock Ceme- tery on that place. He was an active church mem- ber and contributed largely to the building of the Presbyterian Church in Smithtown. He was noted for his charitable work and respected for his up- rightness and integrity.

Daniel M. Hallock spent his entire life in this town and was a prominent farmer and stock- raiser, doing an extensive business in stock buy- ing and selling. By his union with Miss Burr he became the father of eight children, six of whom grew to mature years, and three still survive, namely: Emeline, who married Benjamin Dar- ley ; A. E., of this sketch, and Leonard M., a car- penter of Kings Park, this county.

Until about the age of thirteen our subject re- mained at home and spent his time in attending the district school and assisting on the home place. He then left the parental roof and went to sea, and for five years was engaged in the coast-

ing trade. When nineteen years old he began serving an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade at Northport, where he remained two years, and then returned to Smithtown, where he served out his apprenticeship with John Smith. When he had reached the age of twenty-two lie established a shop of liis own at Kings Park, but only oper- ated this for eight months, when he sold out and went to Centerport, remaining there one year.

In 1860 Mr. Hallock married Miss Emily Bly- denburglı, a native of the town of Smithtown, this county, as were her parents. Her father, Luther Blydenburgh, came of one of the oldest families in this section. After his marriage Mr. Hallock settled on the Blydenburgh farm and tilled the soil with fair success for one year. The following year he went to the states of Iowa and Illinois and embarked in the fur and game business, trapping and buying for four years, principally during the winter, and working at his trade during the sum- mer months. In 1863 he commenced working on shares at his trade in Smithtown Branch, this county, for A. Brush, and was thus engaged for two years. Mr. Brush then sold out to G. Darling, and Mr. Hallock remained with the latter for two years longer, being foreman of the shop during that time. Following this he started a shop of his own and carried it on for one year, when he leased the old shop of Darling Brothers for a similar period. At the end of that time he purchased the shop for $2,700, agreeing to pay for it in install- ments of $500 per year. However, lie succeeded in paying it all off in two years.

When Mr. Hallock returned from the West he had $1.25, but he was possessed of an unlimited amount of energy and perseverance, and has gradually worked up. Now for years he has done a prosperous business, and is in every sense of the term a self-made man, having no one to thank for his success but himself. When he first bought the shop he embarked in all kinds of wagon and buggy making; in fact, he made all kinds of con- veyances, from a wheelbarrow to a fine buggy. and did general jobbing work in blacksmithing and wood-work. In 1879 lie removed the old shop and erected new buildings, and has since been most actively engaged in his business, selling all

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kinds of carriages, wagons and buggies, besides manufacturing and selling agricultural imple- ments and doing a general repair business.

Politically Mr. Hallock is a supporter of Demo- cratic principles and has held a number of local offices, discharging the duties of the same very creditably. He has been a delegate to the county conventions and is active in all public movements. To Mr. and Mrs. Hallock were born two children, both sons, Luther B. and Clarence L., the latter of whom died in 1892, when twenty-two years old. He had married, and left two children. Mr. Hal- lock owns four houses in the village of Smithtown and an excellent farm of fifty-five acres, which he conducts very successfully himself.

C HARLES ZEBULON HOWELL, one of the most popular and prominent resi- dents of Patchogue, is engaged in busi- ness in New York City, where for a number of years past he has been foreman of the Webb Press Department. He was born in this village, June 6. 1844, while his father, Capt. Richard C. Howell, was a native of the metropolis. When a small child the latter was brought by his father, Moses Howell, to this community. Grandfather Howell was a shoemaker by trade and carried on this business for many years.

The father of our subject went to sea when a small boy, and steadily worked his way up from the lowest position to be master of a vessel, and later was the owner of several boats engaged in the coast trade. The "John S. Havens," which was built for him, he later sold and invested the pro- cceds in the "Lizzie Almeda." This boat he used for a number of years in his business, and when disposing of it purchased the sloop "Arietta." He retired from active business about fifteen years ago, and although now seventy-six years of age. he spends the summer months of each year on the water for pleasure.

The mother of our subject was the sister of Captain Gillette, of Patchogue, who is well known to its residents. She became the mother. of three

children and departed this life in 1876. Charles Z ... of this sketch, was the eldest; his sister Carrie married Thomas Roe and died in 1876; Edgar li. departed this life April 4, 1895, when in his thirty - third year. He was at that time foreman of th stereotype department of a New York paper, and for five years had held the same position on the "World." Previous to this he had worked on the "Mail" and "Express" of New York, and ior some time held a good position on the Spring- field (Mass.) "Republican," and the Boston "Jour- nal," in the office of which latter paper he learned stereotyping. He began in life for himself as a clerk in the store of Hammond, Mills & Co .. but having a taste for the other business, had no dii- ficulty in obtaining a position, and rapidly worked his way up.

The subject of this sketeli attended school until fourteen years of age, and was then enrolled as a pupil in a private school held in the old Congrega- tional Church, which was conducted by Professor Bagerly and a Mr. Lord. After completing hi- education he went to sea with his father, and after making several voyages with him embarked on the vessel commanded by Capt. Henry Gillette. and was with him during the progress of the Civil War. Young Howell afterward became a sailor under Capt. Samuel S. Hammond, and on one of his trips visited South America. He spent tun and one-half years on the sea, when he tired of the water, and in 1863. when nineteen years of age. apprenticed himself to a good workman in order to learn the machinist's trade. He entered the Fulton Iron Works, of New York City, and it wt- not long before he became an all around machin- ist. He remained with the company for three years, and upon being pronounced a thorough workman came to Sayville, this county, and ob- tained a position as engineer for Gillette & Greene, proprietors of an oil factory.

After some time spent in the employ of the above firm our subject returned to the city and engaged to work for Hoe & Co., known all over the United States as the manufacturers of print ing presses. Mr. Howell was in their employ je. one year, when he was sent out as an expert m placing the presses, and in 1876 installed the Ho

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presses at the Centennial at Philadelphia and had charge of this department during the exposition. On the close of this affair he was sent to San Francisco, Cal., and erected the presses for the Oakland "Tribune," and also supplied the presses for numerous other papers in that state. Under his supervision the large presses used by the St. Louis "Republican," the Cincinnati "Gazette." the Galveston "News," the Boston "Journal," and the Philadelphia "Times" were erected. Mr. Howell was later again called to California, where he placed two presses in the office of the "Chronicle."

After spending about seven years on the road. Mr. Howell was, in 1883, made assistant foreman of the Webb Press Department, where he had charge of building, erecting and testing presses. So ably did he fill this position that three years later he was promoted to be foreman of this de- partment, which position he now holds. This company manufactures the largest presses in the country, and are at present engaged in building one for the New York "World" which will excel in size anything they have ever constructed. Its capacity is ninety-eight thousand papers per hour.

Our subject has under his charge in this depart- ment two hundred and fifty men, while there are employed by the company in their various de- partments of work fifteen thousand men. Mr. Howell has occupied his present position for the past nine years, and under his supervision all the presses sold are erected and tested. By having an experienced man at the head of this department the company never have a machine returned to them, as some of Mr. Howell's men remain until the press is accepted by the purchaser. He is a shrewd and capable business man and is rapidly building up his department of the business.

October 24, 1869, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Adelaide Hammond, a native of Patchogue and the daughter of Havens Hanı- mond. To them were born two children, of whom the younger, Carrie B., died when eleven years of age. C. Fremont, who is now nineteen years of age, is a student in Packard Institute. enter- ing this school soon after his graduation from the high school. Mrs. Howell is a member of the Con- gregational Church, as is also her son, who is !

Treasurer of the Christian Endeavor Society, in which he is an active and influential worker. So- cially our subject is an Odd Fellow, and also belongs to the Royal Arcanum. He owns and oc- cupies during the winter months a beautiful home in New York, but in the summer season he comes with his family to Patchogue, which is located on Great South Bay, and where he never fails to spend his time pleasantly among the friends of his youth.

J JOSHUA WHEELER. Although death has claimed the subject of this sketch, his men- ory remains green in the hearts of his de- scendants and the surviving associates of his hon- orable and useful life. A native of Suffolk Coun- ty, this remained his home until death, although his maritime interests obliged him to spend much of his time in other places. Interested in the progress of the county, he contributed of his abili- ty and means to the advancement of progressive measures, and aided to a large degree the devel- opment of the coasting trade and the commer- cial interests of this section.

The old Wheeler homestead in the town of Islip has many historic associations. Until re- cently the old house stood intact and its frame. which was the home of both the father and grand- father of our subject, may still be seen. During the War of the Revolution, while the island was invested by the British, the owner lay sick in the house, but this did not prevent the English troops from taking possession of the place and setting a sentinel on guard. The owner's son (father of our subject) who was a strong and athletic young man, indignant at the restraint placed upon the family, burst open the door, knocked down the guard and escaped to fire a gun, which was the preconcerted signal agreed upon to warn and call together the citizens. The old house still bears the marks of bullets, relics of the Revolutionary struggle. Near the house is a deep hollow where the family hid the cattle and other stock from the enemy, who were tokl that they had been sent to New York, and this lot is still known as

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the "York" lot. The Wheeler family was among the first to settle in this portion of the island, and with the Smith family became pioneers of this locality, settling in the southern or central part, while the Smiths settled in the north of the county.

On the family homestead in the town of Islip our subject was born in 1786, being a son of Jacob Wheeler, who was born in the same place, and was a successful farmer and land owner. From his first marriage two children, Isaac and Elcana, were born. The children of his second marriage were Phoebe, Jacob, Joshua and Clarissa, all of whom have passed away. Remaining upon the home farm in boyhood, our subject enjoyed the school advantages of that day, but at an early age he went to sea and for many years followed a seafaring life. During that time he acquired the ownership of several vessels that were en- gaged in the coasting trade. For years he was captain, commanding his own vessels along the' Atlantic Coast, also engaging in West India trade.

Later in life Mr. Wheeler gave up the sea and settled down on the farm now owned by his daughter, Mrs. Jane M. Germond. Here he spent his last days and peacefully passed out front this life in 1854. His marriage, which occurred in 1813, united him with Jerusha Rowland, who was born in 1794. Of this marriage nine chil- dren were born, of whom Joshua S. died in in- fancy. The others were named as follows: Wil- liam A., Jacob M., Charles H., Egbert L., Richard R., Jane M., Temperance A. and Joshua A. Of this family three are now living.

Mrs. Germond, who now owns the family homestead, was married July 16, 1846, to Welling- ton Germond, who was born and reared in the · City of New York, and there learned the carpen- ter's trade. For almost fifty years he was one of the best known contractors and builders in the metropolis. To him was awarded the contract for the erection of the "Tribune" building, at that time one of the finest and largest structures in New York City, and in fact the pioneer build- ing of its class there. He also built the residence now occupied by George Gould, and the home of William H. Vanderbilt, as well as otliers of the

finest order for the latter's children. For many years his work was confined to that class of build- ings.

The Germond family residence has always been in New York, although the old Wheeler man- sion, which has descended to Mrs. Germond, has been their summer residence for many years. Mr. Germond died at their city home in April, 1887. Although not connected with any denomination, he attended services at the Methodist Church and assisted liberally in its support. He and his wife were the parents of four children, namely: Jen- nie, Wellington, Herbert and Charles.

S TEPHEN T. HAMILTON is a highly es- teemed citizen of Oregon, town of South- old. A native of Queens County, he was born July 4, 1833, the eldest child born to the union of Thomas and Eliza (Coe) Hamilton. His father was a native of Canada and his mother of Long Island. His paternal grandfather was An -. drew Hamilton, a native of the North of Ireland.

Thomas Hamilton, our subject's father, was reared to man's estate in the Old Dominion, and in 1816 emigrated to Long Island and settled in Brooklyn, when that city had but fifteen or twenty thousand inhabitants. For years he was in the milk business, carrying the cans suspended from a yoke that was worn on his shoulders. For some twenty years he resided near Jamaica, on a farm, but later returned to Brooklyn, where he spent a number of years. The last fifteen years of his life were spent with his son, our subject, in the town of Southold. He was a stanch Democrat and served as Supervisor of the Ninth Ward in Brooklyn. At that time he was also Chairman of the Penitentiary Committee for Brooklyn, and hell other responsible positions. Though having" enjoyed but limited educational advantages, he was an intelligent man, under- standing human nature, and was thus enabled to get on well in the world. He departed this life in 1880, when in his eighty-fifth year, and in his

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death Long Island lost a well-known and typical character.

Stephen T. Hamilton was reared near Jamaica and was educated at Union Hall Academy in that place. His youth was spent on a farin, and for some fifteen years he was associated with his father in the milk business at Brooklyn and New York. In 1867 he moved from Brooklyn to Ore- gon and settled on his present farm, where he has since resided. April 14, 1858, he married Charlotte Smith, who was born in Brooklyn, March 1, 1837, and who is the daughter of George and Caroline (Ellis) Smith, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Long Island. Her mother is a descendant of one of the old families of this locality. Mrs. Hamilton has one living sister and two brothers, Fannie, wife of John Wilshear, George and Edward. The first two are residents of Brooklyn, while the last named lives in Jamaica.

Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are the parents of the following children: Mathew D., Ernest E., Ells- worth B., Tyson L., Edward S. and Charles E. Our subject owns a good farm comprising about seventy-five acres, which is in a high state of cul- tivation. Politically he is a Democrat. Both he and his wife attend the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Cutchogue. Mr. Hamilton was formerly identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to Commonwealth Lodge No. 409, of Brooklyn, and he was the second member taken in the lodge after the charter was secured. He is a public-spirited man who is highly re- spected by all who have dealings with hint.

R H. WILLIAMS is an intelligent man of affairs, who ever keeps fully abreast of the times, and is an honored ex- soldier of the Civil War. For some time he has been engaged in the wholesale drug business in New York City, and the able manner in which lie conducts it proves at once that he is thoroughly qualified to carry it on. What he now has in the way of worldly possessions has been obtained

principally through his own good business quali- ties, his ability to turn everything to good ac- count and his push and energy. He is a native of the village of Amityville, born May 30, 1841, a son of Nathaniel and Ruth (Smith) Williams, and is sixth in order of birth of eight children.

Until about the age of sixteen years his boy- hood days were spent in his native village and in addition to the education received in the pub- lic schools, he attended Amenia Seminary in Dutchess County for a year. A desire to go on the sea then took possession of him and he shipped as a sailor before the mast, being en- gaged in the coasting trade from New York City to the West Indies until the opening of the Civil War in America. Going to Minnesota he en- listed in the First Minnesota Cavalry Regiment, and was actively engaged in fighting the Indians until cessation of hostilities between the North and South. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant. Besides numerous skirmishes he participated in the battles of Big Hills, Dead Buffalo Lake and Stony Lake. He was in the expedition from Ft. Ridgely across Minnesota and Dakota to the Sioux in the lat- ter territory, and participated in the above men- tioned batties there. He had some very close calls, his comrades falling around him. Until 1864 he was in active service, after which he re- turned to Amityville, and in 1865 was married to Miss Agnes M. Skidmore, of Northiport. Subse- quently Mr. Williams began farming, followed this for a few years and then embarked in general merchandising with his brother, Gilbert P. Wil- liams (see sketelt). For three years he remained with his brother and then sold out and traveled in the West, over the scenes of his soldiering. and noted the change from wilderness to civilization.

After seven years of domestic happiness Mir. Williams lost his wife and after returning from the West he engaged in the wholesale drug business in New York City. This was about 1875 and he has been engaged in this business ever since. For about ten years he made his home at Brooklyn and while there became acquainted with Miss Anna Van Ness, of that city, who became his wife on August 1, 1876. She was the daughter

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of Dr. Ira and Martha (Dumkley) Van Ness. One son, Arthur M., was born to this union, his birth: occurring in Brooklyn in September, 1883.

'In his political views Mr. Williams is a strong supporter of Republican principles and his first Presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He is a worker for his party, but not an office seeker. Hc and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is Steward and she Assistant Superintendent. Mrs. Williams has been a true helpmate to her husband, and to her enterprise and ambition does he owe much of his success in life. At one time while Mr. Williams was in business he had a partner, but becoming dissatisfied bought out his partner, at the suggestion of his wife, and while the latter clerked in the store, Mr. Williams went on the road as a commercial traveler to represent his own house.

C ORNELIUS E. BOOTH. This promi- nent citizen of the village of Greenport is a man who throughout his life has been actuated by. excellent motives and manly prin- ciples, and by following a fixed purpose to make the best and most of himself has overcome many difficulties and risen step by step to a place of in- fluence and respect among public-spirited, high- minded men. His father, the late Constant Booth, was born in what is now Greenport, March 29. 1803. When but fifteen years old he chose "a life on the ocean wave," first as a ship boy, but subsequently became mate, and followed the sea until 1836. He sailed to all parts of the earth, went round it several times, and his experiences and adventures would fill a volume. At the last mentioned date he returned to the scenes of his boyhood and located just outside of Greenport, on the farm now owned by our subject, which he had. purchased at a previous date.

For fifteen years Constant Booth had charge of the shipping department here. fitting out whale vessels, and at the same time carried on agricul- tural pursuits, to which he later gave his undivided

attention. Ill health caused him to abandon this after several years, and during the latter part . i his life he was an invalid. His death occurred November 10, 1880. By his wife, whose mas' : name was Catherine Hooper. and who was bora in Bridgewater, Mass., September 19. 1867. he had two children, Constant W .. who is a pron i- nent machinist of Brooklyn, N. Y .. and Cornelis ?- E., our subject.

The last named was born on the farm where I.c now resides, February 29, 1848, and here reached mature years. In the common schools of his ses- tion he secured a fair education, and as he was carly traincd to the duties of farm life. it wa- but natural that when starting out for himself he should select agricultural pursuits as his occu- pation in life. March 3, 1879, at Greenport. Ie married Miss Lucy A. Ernesty, who was born at Norwich, Conn., August 8, 1857, and is a daughter of Charles MI. and Caroline Ernesty.

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Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2, Part 65

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: New York, Chicago, Chapman Number of Pages: 926

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Chapman
Number of Pages: 926