USA > New York > Suffolk County > Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York, Pt. 2 > Part 67
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Just preceding his admission, he was married. April 22, 1862, to Miss Joanna Hodges Simons. a native and resident of Providence, her mother being a Miss Whipple, of that state. The young bride was a graduate of the high school, and a fine scholar in Latin and Greek, instructing her children in after years not only in these branches, but also giving them a writing and speaking knowledge of French and German. The young married couple began their housekeeping in East Providence, and the voice and presence of the young lawyer were presently confessed in local affairs. He was nominated by the Democratic party for the State Legislature, and was at once heard on the stump throughout his district. He was blessed with a clear and penetrating voice. finely modulated, and powerful in its reach.
As the war progressed Mr. Neville became more actively interested in the success of the Union army, and entered the government ser- vice, being appointed Captain of Company G. Third Rhode Island Cavalry. He was instru- mental in raising two companies for the service, and was detailed to serve as a recruiting officer for a year or more. He was also in camp on Cannonicut Island, near Newport, but his
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health having failed, he resigned, and resumed the practice of his profession at Providence. There he remained until 1869, when, having accuniu- lated about ten thousand dollars, he felt that he was ready to enter the commercial and profes- sional scenes of the great metropolis, so he moved his family to New York City, where he has been busily engaged in the intricacies of the law since that time. In 1885 the family came to Linden- hurst, where they have had their home up to this time. The practice of our subject as a lawyer has been largely among municipal corporations, and he is regarded as authority along lines that relate to the management of great corporations whose business is intermixed with the affairs of the various municipalities where they are found. In 1882 he was nominated for the Assembly, being an anti-Tammany Democrat, on the same ticket with Theodore Roosevelt, and was elected in a district strongly Republican.
Mr. and Mrs. Neville have been the parents of nine children. William died at the age of twelve; Alexina married Jesse M. Cadwallader, and lives in the town of Babylon: Arthur is spoken of in the following paragraph; Abbie died in New York at the age of two; Elizabeth and Eleanor are at home, the latter having graduated from the Babylon High School; Augusta, John and Frances are students in the High School.
Arthur Neville has followed in his father's foot- steps, and is an attorney, having his home in the town of Babylon. IIe was born in the city of New York, October 5, 1870, and was taught by his mother until he was about sixteen. This was largely on account of ill health, and when he had passed that age he had a private tutor for a time. The boy was thoroughly instructed in Latin, Greek, French, German and kindred studies, and in a general way was well fitted for the study of any profession. His fancy turned to law, and he be- gan its study in his father's office at the age of eighteen, and was admitted to the Bar in Brook- lyn when he was twenty-one. His father then re- ceived him as a partner, the firm name being Ne- ville & Neville. The young man has not fol- lowed his father in politics if he has in business,
being a Republican. After he had been a member of the Bar a little more than a year he was elected Justice of the Peace by that party, and it is a mat- ter of record that he was five years younger than any other justice ever elected in this state.
A LBERT JAGGER, the only son of Lewis Jaggar and his wife, Mehetable Culver. was born at Southampton in January, 1813. When but two years old his father died, and, when a few years later his mother married Deacon John White, he was taken and reared by his grandfather, Deacon Moses Culver. Deacon Culver's only son, Zenas, had died some years before, and so, being now past fifty; he looked upon this young grandson as his natural heir and successor.
But to succeed to a small farm and blacksmith shop some time in the remote future, perhaps after middle life and after years of caring for a pair of old people in their dotage, was by no means an alluring outlook for a young man in an age when his companions were accumulating a speedy competence in whaling and fortunes were being daily made in the new West. So, soon after becoming of age, Mr. Jaggar (for thus he spelled his name then) went to Illinois, then on the frontier, to seek his fortune, taking with him for investment his total fortune, a few hundred dollars, most of which he had earned partly as a teacher in the country schools of his neighbor- hood and partly as manager of a grist mill in Wayne County, where he had been on a previous venture.
Having arrived in Illinois, Mr. Jaggar went to Chicago, then a little village of squatters, and hired out for a short time, working in the hay fields where now stands the central part of the second city in population of this hemisphere. He was urged to invest his money in land there. but as Chicago real estate was already selling at boom prices he determined to go on to where his meagre capital would purchase a larger area. Ac- cordingly he went on to Henry County and joined
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a colony, with which he seems to have had a previous understanding. They were founding the town of Andover, Ill., which they hoped to make the county seat, and, thus having insured its prosperity, realize handsome profits from the in- creased value of real estate. Here he invested his money, partly in real estate, which ultimately proved nearly worthless, and partly in a sawmill. . which proved worse than worthless, of which he became manager. Here also he was attacked by the fever and ague and, in managing a spirited team, was run over by a wagon loaded with logs -- a disease and an injury from which he never fully recovered and which ultimately hastened his death.
After he had been in Andover a few years, Mr. Jaggar's grandfather died, and, at the earnest 30- licitation of his relatives at home, he returned in the spring of 1840 to take charge of the farm and care for the aged widow. His health and strength were, however, so impaired by his experience in frontier life that he was not able to work at farm- ing and after a single season's trial, he gave up the farm and went to learn daguerreotyping, then a newly discovered art. and thus found remunera- tive employment within the bounds of his strength. He worked at this business several years, mostly in the prosperous Southern states. Among those who sat for pictures were Mrs. Polk and U. S. Grant. In 1844 he married Maria, the younger daughter of Nathaniel Pelletreau, at Southampton, and returned to his studio in Ala- bama, where his oldest son was born, and to Tennessee. In the hot Southern climate his wife's health became so impaired that they were soon obliged to return to Southampton, where they took up their abode in the house lately occupied by George Seely, and here he worked at the daguerreotype business till 1849.
About this time there were fabulous stories told of rich gold mines in Virginia and Mr. Jagger was induced to invest all his savings in what quickly proved worthless stock. But, although he thus lost his fortune, he had largely regained his health and was still determined to acquire a competency before advancing years made it im- possible to do so. Together with others he
formed the Southampton & California Mining & Trading Company; they bought the "Sabina." and, leaving families and friends behind them. they sailed around Cape Horn to the newly dis- covered gold fields of California in search of a speedy fortune. Although he did not meet with the success there that some did, still he was among those who prospered fairly well, and in a few years he returned to Southampton, bought out the other heirs to his grandfather's farm, and by prudence, economy and industry, so managed as to enjoy more than an average degree of pros perity, and continued for more than thirty year- to live in comfort upon his farin and leave his cliil- dren free from fear of poverty, after living to see them grow to manhood and womanhood around him.
During these years Mr. Jagger became recog- nized as a man of rare judgment, extreme caution. severe economy, scrupulous honesty, untiring in- dustry and great modesty. As a result of his own repeated experiences of adversity he was kind and helpful to those who sought, through industry and self-denial, to prosper, but cynical and un- sympathetic in the extreme toward those who. through waste, or idleness, or extravagance, or intemperance, or personal indulgence of any kind. experienced adversity. From the ague and the injuries he had received while a young man in Illinois he never fully recovered, but as year- advanced he suffered more and more from the re- sults of these ailments till in the spring of 1886 when, after a winter of suffering from the ague. an additional cold developed into pneumonia and he died March 25, at the ripe age of seventy-three years.
J JOSEPH H. RANDALL. The entire life of Mr. Randall has been passed in ceaseless ac- tivity, and has not been without substantial results, as will be seen from a glance over the following facts in his life. His career is an es- ample of industry, perseverance and good man agement, rewarded by much that make- life enjoyable. Mr. Randall was born in Brook
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Haven, L. I., in 1845, and is a son of Horace G. Randall. His father, a native of the town of Brook Haven, where he spent his entire life, fol- lowed the occupation of a merchant and farmer and was a public-spirited and worthy citizen. His wife passed away in 1848 and he followed her to the grave in 1878 ..
In the district schools of his section our sub- ject received a fair education and subsequently took a course in Eastman's Business College. The most of his life has been spent at the Middle Island home, although he was on the sea for about two years. After the death of his father he as- sumed control of the mercantile business, which lias prospered under his able management and which he has conducted ever since, with the ex- ception of three years when he rented the busi- ness out. He carries a complete stock of goods suitable to his section and by his courteous and agreeable manners has gained a large and con- stantly increasing patronage.
In 1872 Mr. Randall married Miss Lydia. daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Swezey) King, an old and prominent family of Brook Haven. Mrs. Randall died in March, 1893. She was an excellent woman and was well-liked by all. For many years Mr. Randall has been a member of the Presbyterian Church and much of that time has been an Elder in the same. In politics he is with the Republican party and at all times advo- cates its men and measures. For some time he served his fellow-citizens faithfully as Assessor and is at present Justice of the Peace of the vil- -lage, having held that position for the past seven years.
C APT. JESSE D. HAWKINS. The story of the life of the worthy citizen should be given to the public. It should be read by every one that they may profit by the exam- ple. All may glean from 'it kernels of wis- dom and store up knowledge and information which will be of benefit in after life. It is of such a citizen that we write. for his life has been a use- ful one, and well spent. He was born in Mt. Si-
nai, Suffolk County, N. Y., in 1829, to Henry and Matilda (Gerard) Hawkins, the former of whom in early life learned the blacksmithing trade, which he followed during the early portion of his career. He subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits, in the pursuit of which he showed good judgment, and which he followed up to the day of his death, January 18, 1863. He was a quiet, unassuming citizen, but useful and highly re- spected. and his loss was felt in the community in which he had so long made his home. His wife passed from this life September 12, 1882.
The early educational advantages of Capt. Jesse D. Hawkins were confined to the district schools in the vicinity of his home, but he subse- quently took an academic course at Miller's Place Academy. His boyhood days were spent in the healthful occupations of the farm, but at the age of eighteen he became a sailor, and by the time he had reached his majority he was master of the schooner "Governor."
A sketch of his seafaring life is best told in his own words:
"My first vessel was the schooner 'Governor.' She was one hundred and forty tons burden and was engaged in the coasting trade. I sold out after one year and contracted with E. Smith, of Port Jefferson, to build a two hundred and thirty- five-ton schooner, which was subsequently named the 'William D. Cargill.' I continued in the coast- ing trade and again sold out my interest after " having sailed the vessel for five years. I then had the four hundred-ton schooner 'Harriet Brews- ter' built at the yard of David D. Bayles in Setau- ket. She was launched in 1860. During the five years in which I sailed this vessel I made many successful coastwise and foreign voyages.
"In 1866 I contracted with David T. Bayles, of Stony Brook, to build the three-masted schooner 'Royal Arch.' She carried six hundred tons and was launched in 1867. During the six years this vessel was afloat I'made several voyages to the Mediterranean and to the South American and West Indian ports. I lost this vessel on January 18, 1873. while moored at the Pacific Mail Steam- ship Company's wharf at Aspinwall. A treinen- dous tidal wave, accompanied by a moderate
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norther, came rolling into that port, sweeping nearly everything before it. In three hours' time the 'Royal Arch' was a total wreck and lay on the bottom with nothing but a few broken spars show- ing above water. All hands were on board, but took to the boats before she went down. We were unable to land, but succeeded in boarding the brig 'C. C. Colsom,' laying at anchor in the bay. My loss was very heavy. My interest in the ves- sel represented many years of hard labor, but, not being discouraged, I returned home, and in less than two years I had another three-masted schooner built by the same parties that built the 'Royal Arch.' The schooner 'Anna' was launched August 15, 1874. In this vessel I made several foreign voyages, including ports in France and Spain, as well as the Gulf of Mexico. It was on board this vessel that I lost my son, Harry D. We were on a passage from New Orleans to Rouen, France, at that time, and the body was put in a box and that in a barrel packed with salt and taken to Rouen, thence to Cape Breton Is- land, from there to New York City and thence 1: Port Jefferson, where the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery one hundred and twelve days after the boy's death.
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"In 1882 I retired from a seafaring life. Dur- ing the thirty-two years I was master I have lost two men overboard and one from a fever. Three times in my life I have left a sinking vessel, taking refuge in the small boats, and twice I had a nar- row escape from drowning by falling overboard. I have rescued one crew of six men, their schoon- er having sunk and they having taken to the small boat. I also rescued one man, the only survivor of a wreck, the other members of the crew having died from exposure and drowning."
Captain Hawkins was married in 1864 to Miss Anna S. Brown, daughter of William M. Brown, a worthy and well-known citizen of Miller's Place, L. I. No children survive this union. The Cap- tain and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is an Elder in the same. He is a member of Suffolk Lodge, No. 60, of Free and Accepted Masons, with which or- der he lias long been worthily connected, and po- litically he is a Republican, but conservative. He
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has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of Town Assessor for a period of six years, and m other ways has manifested the interest which 1. has always taken in the affairs of his section. II. is a man to be relied upon at all times and is un. of the thoroughly public-spirited citizens of Port Jefferson.
Since his retirement from active sea life Cap tain Hawkins has quietly resided in his beautify; home in Port Jefferson, where he is taking a long-needed rest from the boisterous and try in_ life of an ocean sea captain. His life has been quite an eventful one, but no shadow of dishonor has ever tarnished his fair fame, and in his declin ing years he is surrounded by a host of friend -.
J OHN L. B. MOTT, one of the citizens of the town of Brook Haven, has a beautiful rest dence near Bellport. He was born in Nes . York City in the year 1843 and is a son of Will iam F. and Jane B. (Bowne) Mott, both of whom were natives of the metropolis. The father gave :: large portion of his time to charity and by hi- many beneficent and philanthropic acts he en- deared himself to his fellow men. His decease occurred in ISS4, and his wife survived him ten years.
As a boy our subject was educated in the schools of his native city, receiving excellent ad vantages. At the age of twenty-two he entered the stock exchange, engaging in business there for six years, but since that time he has devoted his energies to real estate, developing much land and building extensively.
About 1SS2 our subject came to his present palatial residence. It is a magnificent honte. beautifully located in a very picturesque part of the island. In that year he was married to Miss Lucy Latham Barney, daughter of Danforth \ Barney, President of the Wells Fargo, American and United States Express Companies. M: Mott is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church and many of her social relations find their
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basis therein. In politics our subject is rather conservative.
The well-known Bowne house, which was owned by the ancestors of Mrs. Mott, was built two hundred and sixty years ago, and the resi- dence built by the Motts at Great Neck also dates back two hundred and sixty years. The former building is in a splendid state of preservation and is still occupied, the house being the oldest place in the state which is kept up. On both sides of the house our subject inherits the best of Quaker qualities. In the beautiful home in which he so delights, Mr. Mott has a private reading room, 35x85 feet in dimensions, in which there are many famous pictures, rare curios and works of art. He has ransacked many of the old castles in Eu- ยท rope and some of his art treasures are four liun- dred years old. These he has brought to embel- lish and enrich his inland home.
M AJ. CLINTON H. SMITH is one of a sturdy and energetic race of men that has furnished many valuable citizens to the Empire State, with whose history its members have been more or less prominently connected for over two centuries. Our subject, who is a summer resident of St. James, was born June 23, 1861, in the city of New York. His parents were Milton G. and Sarah Augusta (Hart) Smith, the former a son of William Smith.
The last three generations of the family to which our subject belongs have been born and reared in New York City, 'but prior to that the family came from Putnam County, with whose in- terest they were identified for two hundred years. Our subject's grandfather, William Smith, was engaged in ship-building in New York, following that for many years. In his family were four sons and three daughters, of whom our subject's father was the second in order of birth and the eldest son. He engaged in the same business with his father, having had a particular predilec- tion in that line, he enlarging and improving the ship-building interest and following that calling
through life. He was an active and energetic man, of good business capacity. Politically he was a Democrat, and was popular with his fellow- citizens, but refused to accept office, although that of Mayor was tendered him. He suggested instead the name of his friend, Jacob Westervelt, who re- ceived the nomination and was elected to the of- fice. In his family were four sons and one daugh- ter, of whom three are now living, namely: Mil- ton, of Northport; Herbert L., who is in business in New York City, and our subject.
Mr. Smith spent his boyhood in his father's home. He was educated in the schools of New York City and afterward attended Plainfield Academy, at Plainfield, N. J., subsequently re- ceiving private instruction from a tutor at home. At the age of sixteen he took a clerkship in a sup- ply house, but this he finally left to engage in bus- iness promising better things. In March, 1879, he accepted a position in the department of pub- lic parks of New York City. He was advanced until finally he was appointed Assistant Secretary, which position he still holds.
Our subject was married March 6, 1881, to Miss Mary L. Retons, daughter of George Re- tons. Mrs. Smith was born in New York City, where lier father was formerly a prominent busi- ness man. Their residence since marriage has been in Harlem. At about the time our subject was born his father purchased the place where the family still live and there he spent the re- mainder of his life, during the latter part of which he was an invalid. His wife resided here until her death, which occurred in April, 1892. Since that time the estate has been in possession of our sub- ject.
In 1881 Mr. Smith joined the Seventh New York Regiment, in 1887 was elected Lieutenant of the Seventy-first Regiment, and assisted in the organization of Company B, of Harlem, which was a part of the latter regiment. Our subject was made First Lieutenant and later Captain, which latter office he held until 1892, when he was elected Major, holding that position at the present time. The regiment is one of the finest in the state. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, al- thought he is not a radical, believing that the best
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man should hold office. Fraternally he is a niemi- ber of the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No. 402. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum, being a member of De Witt Clinton Council, of Brooklyn. Our subject has one son, Milton G., who was nanted for his grandfather. This young man is now a student at the Bernard Military School of Harlem.
S AMUEL O. WHITE, who is engaged in farming in the town of Huntington, was born where he now lives, September 28, 1835. He is the elder and the sole surviving child of Charles N. and Amanda (Hendrickson) White, the former of whom, a native of West Hills, this town, was born June II, 1808, and passed his boyhood days here, amid the chang- ing scenes of the early portion of the century. December 20, 1832, lie was united in marriage with the amiable woman who remained his de- voted helpinate until death separated them. Ag- riculture was his chosen occupation, and to it he devoted himself with an earnestness that no doubt would have brought prosperity, had not death cut short his days and work at the carly age of twenty-eight, his death occurring April 17, 1836.
The grandfather of our subject was Stephen White, a native of West Hills and born about the year 1785. He married Miss Phoebe Oakley, and their wedded life was a long and happy one. Of his father, Israel White, nothing is known save his name. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood under the affectionate training of his mothier, and was educated in the district school. As a youth he was characterized by his thought- ful and studious disposition, and he won a high standing as a scholar even with the scanty ad- vantages that the schools of the neighborhood presented. Reared to farmi work, he has followed this during the intervals of his professional labors as teacher.
At the age of twenty-one Mr. White com- menced to teach school, and followed that occu- pation for four years. During the following thir-
teen years lie was engaged in farming, but hi- agricultural pursuits were abruptly terminated b: an accident that incapacitated him for manual le bor for many years. He then turned again to teach- ing, which he followed for eleven years, and then, having to a large extent recovered from the ei fects of his injury, he resumed work as a farmer.
March 23, 1858, Mr. White married MF .. Amelia, daughter of David and Lillie (Van Nie trand) Valentine, okl residents of this neighbor hood. A son, Samuel V., was born to this union. October 6, 1863, and he grew to manhood here . he was united in marriage, November 20, 183. with Miss Mary E. Purdy, and they have a son. Irving P. They reside with our subject and In- wife. For some time during the '6os Mr. White was Trustee of the town, but resigned to accept tlie position of Overseer of the Poor, which office lie filled for four years with fidelity and honor He has acted as Inspector of Elections for forts years, with the exception of three years. His par- litical views have always been in accord withi Re publican principles. In religious connections In and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a Trustee.
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