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 I LLUSTRATED 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Borough 
 of Queens 
 
 NEW YORK CITY 
 
 By GEORGE VON SKAL 
 
 COMPILED BY 
 
 F. T. SMILEY PUBLISHING CO., NEW YORK CITY 
 
 Far /Af FLUSHING JOURNAL 
 
 1908 
 
h^'ji.-t 
 
 'p- 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 HISTORY, in the true sense of the word, is a narrative of past events. But 
 when we undertake to write the history of a city, or of a part of a large city, 
 which is not past and gone, but has rather arrived at the point where its 
 growth and development have received an impetus stronger and more effective than 
 all the factors which in the past have been influential in shaping its destinies, we 
 must as a matter of course take present conditions into account. For history shall 
 not only show us how things and conditions were in the past, but it has the much 
 higher and more important function of teaching us why those who came before us 
 have succeeded or failed, wherein they excelled or what errors they committed, that 
 we may profit by the experience of bygone ages and remain as free from errors as it 
 is possible for mortal man to be. The history of a city that still exists and increases 
 almost daily in greatness, in size, in population and in riches, should therefore not 
 be a record of past achievements only, but it must, in order to be complete, furnish 
 us with a vivid picture of the population as it is at the time the story is written. 
 Every good and complete history must enable the student or reader to glance into 
 the future, and to form conclusions, from the facts narrated, as to what shape the 
 further development will take. In a case like the one before us there is no better 
 way of judging the future than an exact knowledge of the forces which have made 
 the community what it is to-day, and which are at work at present in building it up. 
 For these reasons the history of the Borough of Queens contained in the fol- 
 lowing pages does not confine itself to the past. It does indeed furnish a complete 
 sketch of the settlement of the territory from the time when the first white man set 
 foot upon the soil of Long Island, and it follows the efforts made to change a wilder- 
 ness into a blooming garden through the march of the centuries, but it goes further. 
 It shows how the borough has been developed, and in what manner, and for what 
 reasons it is apt to grow in the future. It points out the great natural advantages the 
 territory possesses, and the enterprises which, in the near future, will tend to bring 
 about even greater changes than the past has produced. The history naturally deals 
 with the men who have played important roles in the shaping of the destinies of the 
 localities now forming the Borough of Queens in the past, and who have left their 
 mark upon the conditions evolving slowly from insecurity almost amounting at times 
 to chaos, until a staple and regular government was formed. But it shows, in addi- 
 tion, in the biographies of men who are at the present time interested in the welfare of 
 the borough, and who, in public life or private enterprise, are devoting themselves to 
 the upbuilding of the community, the forces that are at work. No better way could 
 be found, in our opinion, to show what Queens is now, and what it is destined to be, 
 for the work of man, even if intended for the day only, always influences the future 
 and it is impossible to draw a line that divides sharply the work of those living from 
 that of coming generations. Those who come after us will have to build upon what 
 we have accomplished ; they cannot entirely get away from it, and even if they choose 
 new paths, they must reckon with those laid out by their forerunners. 
 
 The "History of the Borough of Queens," to the perusal of which the reader is 
 now invited gives thus a complete record of the past, a vivid pen picture of the present, 
 and affords a glance into the future. It deals with what has been accomplished, with 
 what is being done, and with the things the future will bring. It is not an idle 
 attempt to draw aside the veil that hides all things still buried in the impenetrable 
 future, but simply an earnest though conservative effort to draw conclusions from the 
 past and present in order to discern the certain results of sincere endeavors to make 
 the borough as important as it deserves to be on account of its natural advantages, its 
 location and the quality of its inhabitants. And with the sincere belief that honest 
 effort in this direction will be appreciated the book is laid before the public. 
 
 The Publishers 
 
A HISTORY OF 
 THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 PART I 
 
 T is positively known now, 
 that New York Bay was 
 first discovered by Jean de 
 Verrazzano, a Florentine .in 
 the employ of Francis I of 
 France. But as nothing came 
 of this discovery because the 
 French government took no steps to secure pos- 
 session of the new country beyond talking about 
 plans for its settlement, it is eminently proper 
 that Henry Hudson be considered as the real 
 discoverer of that part of the American continent 
 which was destined to become its industrial, 
 financial, and, to some extent at least, also its 
 political center. The English had already, by 
 proclamation, taken possession of the whole east- 
 ern coast of North America from Cape Fear to 
 Nova Scotia, in 1606, when James I granted a 
 charter for the colonization of "that part of 
 America, commonly called Virginia, and other 
 parts and territories in America either apper- 
 taining to us or which are not actually possessed 
 by any Christian prince or people." Regardless 
 of this proclamation, the French had just 
 founded a settlement at Quebec, when Henry 
 Hudson, an Englishman in the employ of the 
 Dutch East India Company, after vainly search- 
 ing for the Northwest Passage, arrived with the 
 ship Half Moon at the coast of Long Island, at- 
 tempted to enter Jamaica Bay through Rockaway 
 Inlet, remained at anchor in Gravesend Bay, and, 
 on September 3, 1609, passed through the Nar- 
 rows and sailed up the river that bears his 
 name. It is an indisputable fact, therefore, that 
 Long Island was discovered before Manhattan, 
 and it is also true, that the first white man killed 
 in the neighborhood of New York by the aborig- 
 ines came to death on Coney Island and was 
 buried either there or on the shore of Sandy 
 Hook. Hudson reported that his grave was on 
 Colman's Hook, this being the name of the un- 
 fortunate sailor, but this designation has long 
 since disappeared from the maps if it was ever 
 used by anybody but Hudson and his crew. 
 
 The Dutch were quicker to realize the value 
 of Manhattan Island than the French more than 
 a century before, and founded the colony of New 
 Amsterdam. It had taken them some time to 
 ascertain that Long Island was not a part of the 
 mainland, the explorer Adrian Block being the 
 first white man who circumnavigated it, in 1614. 
 It was but natural that some time elapsed before 
 colonists settled on Long Island. When they 
 came, a conflict between the English and the 
 Dutch sprang up almost immediately. While the 
 latter had strengthened their forces on Manhat- 
 tan, the English settlements in New England had 
 also increased and spread. Consequently Dutch 
 settlers came from the west, and Englishmen 
 from the east. Long Island became disputed 
 territory, both nations claiming it. There were 
 no open hostilities but considerable friction. It 
 is a remarkable fact that the Puritans who orig- 
 inally had asked the Prince of Orange and the 
 States General to be permitted to settle in 
 America under th^ir protection and as their sub- 
 jects, were much more hostile to the Dutch than 
 the Cavaliers who had settled in Virginia. Sir 
 John Harvey, the governor of Virginia, said to 
 the Hollanders who complained that the New 
 England Puritans intended to deprive them of 
 their rights : "There is land enough ; we should 
 be good neighbors. You will have no trouble 
 from us, if only those of New England do not 
 approach too near you." 
 
 During the whole time of the occupation of 
 Manhattan and the surrounding country by the 
 Hollanders, the English never gave up the claim 
 to the whole Atlantic coast of North America, 
 which they derived from the charter granted by 
 James I. One of the last acts of the Plymouth 
 Company had been to give a grant of lands in 
 New England and on Long Island to Lord Ster- 
 ling. He sent an agent, James Farret, to Amer- 
 ica to sell his holdings. Farret claimed the 
 whole of Long Island and induced a colony from 
 Lynn, Mass., to settle at Cow Bay. For himself 
 he secured Shelter Island and Robins Island in 
 
8 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 Peconic Bay, and also confirmed the title Lion 
 Gardiner held to the island bearing his name. But 
 Farret's, or rather Lord Sterling's, pretensions 
 came to naught. The Dutch authorities took no 
 notice of them, and the agent finally returned to 
 Europe without having accomplished anything. 
 
 It appears from what seems good authority 
 that no settlements were made on Long Island 
 
 ■'i iMMjtimiimmmarn 
 
 FAR ROCKAW.W 
 
 before 1636, though it is possible that some col- 
 onists took up lands in Flatlands, Kings County, 
 a little before that time. The title to the present 
 Queens County was purchased from the Indians 
 in 1639 by Governor Kieft. Soon after villages 
 began to spring up all over the western end of 
 the island. Flushing, a corruption of the orig- 
 inal Dutch name Vlissingen, was founded in 1645, 
 Flatbush (originally Midwout) in 1651, New 
 Utrecht in 1657, and Bushwick in 1660. English 
 immigrants were permitted to settle in the col- 
 ony on condition of swearing allegiance to the 
 Dutch government, and they founded the towns 
 of Hempstead in 1643, Gravesend in 1645, Ja- 
 maica in 1655, and Newtown in 1656. 
 
 But while the colonists dwelt in close prox- 
 imity, considering the conditions of the times, 
 they did not always live in harmony. The dif- 
 ference in character and political ideas was too 
 great. The Dutch villages were entirely under 
 the domination of the governor of the colony, 
 who appointed all their officials, leaving them no 
 right to self-government in temporal or eccle- 
 siastical affairs. The English colonists had at 
 least a semblance of home rule. They were per- 
 mitted to elect their officials, although these had 
 to be confirmed by the governor, and they man- 
 aged their own affairs to some extent at least 
 through the town meeting as they had done be- 
 fore. They were not always permitted to do this 
 undisturbed, for every once in a while some 
 governor attempted to deprive them of their 
 privileges. One of these governors was Peter 
 Stuyvesant, who abridged the liberties hereto- 
 fore enjoyed by the English settlers to such an 
 extent that they came together and representa- 
 
 tives from the several towns sent a petition to 
 the Dutch government, in which they prayed to 
 be protected against the tyranny of the governor. 
 They received, however, no answer, and when 
 they assembled again with the intention of for- 
 mulating another and stronger protest, they re- 
 ceived orders from the governor to disperse and 
 not to assemble again on such business. And 
 they followed the order without a murmur, for 
 the governor had the means to punish them if 
 he were so inclined, and he was known as a man 
 who did not hesitate to use cruel force if aroused. 
 In spite of all efforts to settle the matter the 
 possession of Long Island remained long in dis- 
 pute. In 1650 a commission, consisting of two 
 commissioners appointed by the Dutch govern- 
 ment and two others representing the united 
 colonies of New England, had established a line 
 running southward from the most westerly 
 part of Oyster Bay across the island. All the 
 towns to the west of this line were to be under 
 Dutch, all the towns to the east under English 
 rule. But the Dutch government never formally 
 recognized the terms of this settlement and con- 
 tinued to claim the whole of Long Island, while 
 inhabitants of New England came in ever larger 
 numbers, and took up lands on either side of the 
 line, often settling on property already owned by 
 some Dutch subject. Conditions became still 
 more mixed when the English crown granted a 
 new charter to Connecticut in 1662 which was in- 
 terpreted to include the whole of Long Island. 
 The eastern towns availed themselves readily of 
 the opportunity to place themselves under British 
 rule, and this would have caused no difficulty. 
 But the English towns in the western section, 
 
 FLUSHING BAY 
 
 which were scattered among Dutch settlements, 
 did the same, and this caused considerable dis- 
 turbance. This ended onl\- after England had 
 taken possession of New Amsterdam in 1664. 
 
 When the English commissioners arrived to 
 take possession of the lands granted to the Duke 
 of York, and Governor Stuyvesant surrendered, 
 it did not look as if the different elements of 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 11 
 
 the inhabitants of Long Island would quickly 
 fuse. Considerable bitterness and even hatred 
 had for a long time existed between the two 
 races, many towns considering it necessary to 
 construct fortifications in order to protect them- 
 selves against hostilities on the part of the other 
 faction. Besides, the population was divided by 
 different views on many questions. The Hol- 
 landers were industrious and pious but fond of 
 the good things of life, while the English set- 
 tlers were mostly Puritans and acted according- 
 ly, even if they were not quite as intolerant as 
 their brethren in New England. Still, they al- 
 lowed no one to dwell among them who did not 
 adopt their views and customs ; they punished 
 the profanation of the Sabbath, lying, the use of 
 profane language, the sale of intoxicating drinks 
 severely, making free use of the whipping-post, 
 the stocks and the pillory. There were really 
 two factions, living close to each other and 
 even intermingling, of whom one believed that 
 everybody should get as much pleasure out of 
 life as possible, while the other was just as 
 deeply convinced that eternal perdition could only 
 be avoided by crucifying every desire for ma- 
 terial welfare. They were different and even 
 wildly opposed to each other, in their views and 
 customs as well as in regard to the treatment 
 to be accorded to their fellow men. 
 
 But the two factions had after all one desire 
 in common that overshadowed all existing dif- 
 ferences : the wish for security in their posses- 
 sions against the government as well as against 
 each other, and for protection against oppression 
 and tyranny. This united them finally, though 
 for some time the eastern part of the island 
 persisted in its efforts to be classed with New 
 England. In 1665 a convention of delegates 
 from all the towns assembled at Hempstead in 
 accordance with a proclamation issued by Gov- 
 ernor Nicolls, "to settle good and known laws 
 within this government for the future, and re- 
 ceive your best advice and information at a 
 general meeting." The most important part of 
 this convention consisted in fixing the boun- 
 daries of all the towns, and their relations to 
 each other. The right and title to all lands oc- 
 cupied by settlers were also determined for all 
 time. The Hollanders, who had received patents 
 from the Dutch government, were compelled to 
 exchange them for new patents from the Eng- 
 lish crown, and all the English settlers, who had 
 held their land without any authority and were 
 for the most part really squatters, were given 
 patents, or, in some cases, so-called quit-rents 
 which were later on the subject of much trouble 
 and abuse. Soon after a code of laws was pro- 
 mulgated which contained some of the pro- 
 visions already adopted by the eastern towns. 
 
 These were, however, not fully satisfied: Connect- 
 icut still claimed them as her own, and their 
 inhabitants did not feel inclined to give up their 
 independence as members of a colony, in order 
 to become subjects of the Duke of York. The 
 Duke's representative remained firm in his dec- 
 laration that the matter had been settled, and he 
 had his way. At the convention of 1665 Long 
 Island, Staten Island and Westchester were uni- 
 ted after the English custom into a shire, and 
 called Yorkshire. The colony was really ruled 
 by the justices, who, in turn, were appointed by 
 the governor, who wielded, in consequence, al- 
 most dictatorial powers. The welfare of the 
 people depended upon the qualities and the good 
 will of the different governors, and conditions 
 changed with each change in administration. As 
 long as Governor Nicolls ruled, the people were 
 satisfied, although they saw that their liberty 
 was not at all greater than under Dutch rule, 
 but when he was succeeded by Governor Love- 
 lace, open dissatisfaction broke out. The new 
 governor levied in 1670 a tax for repairing the 
 fort at New York, and almost all the English 
 towns on Long Island refused to pay this tax 
 unless they were granted the same rights and 
 privileges that all other subjects of the King 
 enjoyed. The English colonists on Long Island 
 had brought with them the doctrine that taxes 
 could only be imposed with the consent of the 
 people who had to pay them, or of their repre- 
 sentatives in a general assembly. This was the 
 first open manifestation of the spirit which later 
 led to the revolution and the independence of the 
 American colonies, and it appears that the tax 
 which caused it was never collected, although 
 Governor Lovelace was of the opinion that the 
 best way to keep people submissive is to lay 
 such taxes upon them as may not give them 
 liberty to entertain any other thoughts but how 
 they shall discharge them. This tyrant might 
 have experienced the people's wrath and suffered 
 the full consequences of his actions if the colony 
 had not once more fallen into the hands of the 
 Dutch in 1673. Fortunately, the occupation did 
 not last long, otherwise civil war might have 
 broken out, for while the Dutch part of the in- 
 habitants naturally submitted readily to the new 
 ruler, the English towns were quite ready to op- 
 pose him with armed resistance. The New Eng- 
 land colonies had already declared war against 
 the Dutch when peace was concluded and the 
 Duke of York took possession again. The peo- 
 ple tried to resist the effort to expose them anew 
 to the tyranny of the Duke's governors but they 
 accomplished nothing until, in 1681, a new gov- 
 ernor arrived in the person of Colonel Dongan, 
 who summoned an assembly for the purpose of 
 framing better laws for the colony. A bill of 
 
12 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 rights was adopted, many of the most obnoxious 
 laws were altered, amended or done away with 
 altogether, and better government seemed to be 
 in view. The hopes the people had set in the 
 new order of things faded away quickly, how- 
 ever, for with the accession of James H to the 
 English throne the governors ceased, doubtless 
 instructed by the King, to call General Assem- 
 blies, and ruled the colony again withoxit regard 
 for the rights or wishes of the people. The 
 downfall of the King and the beginning of the 
 reign of William and Mary brought about the 
 restoration of the limited measure of self-gov- 
 ernment the colony had possessed. 
 
 During the war with France Long Island was 
 not directly disturbed by the operations of the 
 
 war was ended. Many French prisoners were 
 sent to Long Island, where they were given con- 
 siderable liberty because escape was practically 
 impossible. It is said that they passed most of 
 their time hunting the game which at that time 
 was plentiful. It may be mentioned here that 
 long before another kind of prisoners had been 
 sent to Long Island. When, in 1713, England ac- 
 quired Nova Scotia, the French inhabitants were 
 permitted to remain after taking the oath of 
 allegiance. After the war between England and 
 France had broken out it was found that these 
 people did not seem inclined to keep the oath. 
 They were simple in their habits, intensely relig- 
 ious, quiet and apparently docile, but really fan- 
 atics in politics, and very obstinate. It was de- 
 
 NEW VERNOX AVENUE BRIDGE (OPEN ) LO.VG ISLAND CITY 
 
 contending armies. It had, however, its full 
 share of the burden. It contributed to the large 
 sums raised for fortifying the colony, and it 
 sent its full quota of soldiers to the front. Jona- 
 than Lawrence of Queens and James Fanning of 
 Suffolk raised recruits who served on the Cana- 
 dian border. Lieutenant James Thorn led a 
 number of men from Queens who were with 
 Colonel Hicks's regiment at the defense of Fort 
 Schenectady. A regiment commanded by Colonel 
 Cockroft, which took part in the battle of 
 Lake George under General Johnson, contained 
 many Long Islanders. After the news of the 
 victory had reached Queens, its inhabitants sent 
 one thousand sheep and seventy cheeses to the 
 army, and Kings paid for the transportation. In 
 fact, in all the engagements of this war, Long 
 Island and, of course. Queens County, were rep- 
 resented. Under Colonel Isaac Corsa they 
 fought at Ticonderoga and Frontenac, and Cap- 
 tain Ephraim Morse with his lieutenants, George 
 Dunbar and Roeloff Duryea, distinguished them- 
 selves at Fort Niagara. They were present at 
 the surrender of Montreal and served until the 
 
 cided to remove and scatter them, and some were 
 brought to Long Island where they have wholly 
 disappeared among the population. 
 
 The history of the war of the Revolution tells 
 quite a different story. Long Island saw not 
 only bloody battles fought on its soil, but was 
 torn up by internecine strife. It has been men- 
 tioned that the doctrine that no taxes should be 
 levied without the consent of the people paying 
 the taxes, the principle generally expressed in' 
 few words as "No taxation without representa- 
 tion," was first uttered in America on Long 
 Island. The people had lost, but never surren- 
 dered. They battled incessantly for this prin- 
 ciple, and when the English crown finally re- 
 fused to recognize it they arose in arms. At 
 first they had no desire to cut loose from the 
 mother country, but events moved swiftly, and 
 out of an uprising for securing the same rights 
 which all other English citizens possessed came 
 a war for complete independence. Now, in spite 
 of the fact that the inhabitants of Long Island 
 had been the first to demand the right of deciding 
 what taxes should be levied, they were by no 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEEXS 
 
 15 
 
 means unanimous when it came to open rebel- 
 lion against the British crown. The eastern part, 
 or Suffolk County, being largely settled by de- 
 scendants of the Puritans, and having taken its 
 principles from New England, was quite ready 
 to join the patriots. But in the western part 
 the conservative Dutch blood and the numerous 
 families who were related to the English officials 
 thought differently. It is a fact that in Queens 
 County the sentiment of loyalty far exceeded the 
 demand for liberty and independence. But there 
 were other reasons which must be taken into ac- 
 count. As soon as the Provincial Congress and 
 the Revolutionary leaders heard of the strong 
 pro-British sentiment in Kings and Queens, they 
 made very active, and in some instances cruel 
 and unscrupulous, efforts to crush it. These at- 
 tempts led, as similar actions always do, to the 
 results which should have been prevented. The 
 Tories became more settled and firm in their 
 opinion, and more active in their endeavors to 
 assist the British and harm the Americans. In 
 addition, the whole island soon fell into the 
 hands of the British and became, after the battle 
 on the twenty-seventh day of August, 1776, 
 practically one large British garrison. General 
 Howe ordered, as soon as he had landed, that 
 every inhabitant who desired favor should ap- 
 pear at headquarters where he would receive a 
 certificate of protection. Every one who called 
 was ordered to fasten a piece of red cloth to his 
 hat, to distinguish him from the rebels. All 
 Tories complied readily, as did also many others 
 who stood in fear of violence. In fact, as soon 
 as it became known that the red rag secured pro- 
 tection from the parties in power, it was univer- 
 sally worn. 
 
 The inhabitants of Long Island really needed 
 something to protect them from the consequences 
 of the war. They were in a much more deplora- 
 ble situation than the inhabitants of other re- 
 gions. The island was overrun with British 
 troops, and British wardships continually pa- 
 trolled the coasts, ready to send landing parties 
 to any village or settlement that was under sus- 
 picion of harboring or assisting the rebels. The 
 Tories on the island conducted a little war of 
 their own, collecting bands of armed followers 
 and descending with them upon farmers or even 
 hamlets that were not under the protection guar- 
 anteed by the British officials, to carry off stock 
 and valuables. As if this were not enough, al- 
 most every dark night brought parties of maraud- 
 ers in boats from Connecticut to the North 
 Shore, and from New Jersey to the South Shore. 
 Some of them came with the praiseworthy in- 
 tention to harass and harm the British and their 
 S3rmpathizers but many were simply pirates who 
 made use of the conditions of the times. To the 
 
 inducements which caused many to wear the red 
 rag, although they were really patriots, must be 
 added the fact that the British soldiers were giv- 
 en quarters in the farmers' houses during the 
 winter. While the officers tried to prevent close 
 relations with the members of the families, this 
 was impossible. Many soldiers became friends of 
 the farmers in whose houses they lived, and in 
 some cases they even married American girls. 
 The presence of the soldiers was by no means an 
 unmixed evil, for it protected the house against 
 the much feared attacks of thieves and maraud- 
 ers acting under the guise of patriots. 
 
 The Battle of Long Island in 1776 was the 
 only engagement fought there. With the retreat 
 across the East River the American Army dis- 
 appeared from the island for the whole period of 
 the war. Occasional raids were made from the 
 Connecticut shore of the Sound but they amount- 
 ed to very little, although great courage was 
 displayed in their execution by the Americans. 
 The best known among them is the attack of 
 Colonel Meigs upon the magazine at Sag Har- 
 bor, where large quantities of provisions and a 
 number of vessels were destroyed, as well as 
 ninety prisoners captured. Numerous attempts 
 to destroy British forts and outposts served the 
 purpose to detain a large force on the island 
 for its protection and did good service by con- 
 vincing the British general that he could not use 
 the soldiers stationed on Long Island in the field. 
 
 At the end of the war, the patriots returned 
 to their homes in New York City and Long 
 Island which had been occupied by the British, 
 and where the loyalists had lived unmolested. 
 They were very bitter and insisted that all loyal- 
 ists must go in the same manner in which they 
 had been driven from their homes. A general 
 emigration to Canada set in. The so-called 
 "Spring Fleet," which sailed in the spring of 1783 
 for New Brunswick, carried one thousand emi- 
 grants, mostly from Queens County. They found- 
 ed the city of St. Johns and gave the city its 
 first mayor, Gabriel G. Ludlow, whose farm lay 
 partly in Hempstead and partly in Flushing. It 
 was confiscated and sold to Captain Berrien and 
 Isaac Ledyard for $800. After the Constitution 
 of the United States had been adopted and the 
 people quietly settled down to peaceful work, 
 Queens County became as patriotic and intensely 
 American as any other district in the United 
 States. No trace of Toryism remained. This 
 was shown during the War of 1812 when British 
 ships hovered continually around the shores of 
 Long Island. The people arose and enlisted in 
 quickly formed regiments, erected fortifications 
 at all points the enemy might attack, and kept 
 constant watch. Fortunately, they were not ex- 
 posed to actual hostilities with the exception of 
 
16 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 an attempt to attack Sag Harbor in June, 1813, 
 which was quickly repulsed without loss of life. 
 
 The even life and steady work for the devel- 
 opment of the county went on uninterruptedly 
 until the Civil War broke out. Queens took up 
 her full share, sent thousands of her sons to the 
 front and devoted her whole strength to the 
 sacred work of saving the Union. 
 
 The County of Queens had been erected in 
 
 FULTON STREET, JAMAICA 
 
 1683 when Yorkshire was divided into different 
 counties. It remained, however, for a long time 
 in some measure dependent upon New York. The 
 prison and court-house erected at Jamaica in 
 1669 was small and insufficient, and prisoners 
 were frequently sent to New York. It appears 
 that at times even the sessions of the Queens 
 County Court were held in the neighboring city. 
 The district attorney for the county came from 
 New York as late as the beginning of the Nine- 
 teenth Century, in spite of the fact that many 
 able lawyers resided in Queens. In 1724 a new 
 jail and court-house was erected at Jamaica but 
 this also seems to have been rather small and in- 
 secure, for the records tell of repeated escapes 
 of prisoners. The building was destroyed during 
 the Revolutionary War and a new one erected 
 in 1785 near the south bounds of North Hemp- 
 stead, this being the geographical center of the 
 county. It took two years to finish this building, 
 and the taxpayers complained bitterly of the de- 
 lay. They evidently did not possess the patience 
 with which their descendants treat the men who 
 erect the public buildings of the present day. On 
 February 8, 1787, the sheriff of Queens County 
 petitioned the Legislature for an act to remove 
 the Queens County prisoners from the jail in 
 New York to the jail just completed in Queens. 
 The first capital trial at the new court-house 
 took place in 1790, when two negroes were sen- 
 tenced to be hanged for arson. The prison was 
 evidently not much safer than the former ones. 
 In 1801 Walter Dunlevy, who had been sentenced 
 to fourteen years' imprisonment for manslaugh- 
 ter, was freed by two armed men who locked the 
 under-sheriff in charge in his room and took the 
 
 prisoner away. He was caught on a vessel bound 
 for Europe and sent to the Bridewell at New 
 York. With the growth of the population a 
 new court-house became necessary and a suitable 
 building was, after a great deal of wrangling 
 over the site, erected at Long Island City. This 
 time modern methods were employed, and it 
 took five years to erect a building costing nearly 
 $300,000. 
 
 Queens has the distinction of being the cradle 
 of horse-racing in America. Its conformation 
 was peculiarly adapted to the laying out of race 
 courses. In a book written in 1670 we find the 
 following remarks : "Toward the middle of 
 Long Island lyeth a plain sixteen miles long 
 and four miles broad where you shall find neither 
 sick nor stone to hinder the horses' heels, or 
 endanger them in their races ; and once a year 
 the best horses in the Island are brought hither to 
 try their swiftness, and the swiftest rewarded 
 with a silver cup, two being annually provided for 
 that purpose." The first course was established 
 on Salisbury Plains, near the present Hyde Park 
 Station. In 1665 Governor Nicolls appointed a 
 horse-race to take place in Hempstead "not so 
 much for the divertisement of youth as for en- 
 couraging the bettering of the breed of horses 
 which through great neglect has been impaired." 
 The New Market course was established in 1669, 
 and at the beginning of the Nineteenth Century 
 transferred to a large level plain east of the old 
 court-house. About 1821 the Union course was 
 established at the western border of Jamaica and 
 meetings held in May and October. Here a club 
 was formed and under its auspices racing took 
 on modern forms. Aside from manj' smaller 
 courses there were important tracks at Centre- 
 ville, at Newton and around Beaver Pond in 
 Jamaica. 
 
 The continued increase of the population 
 made the building of roads on Long Island a 
 matter of prime necessity. A plank road through 
 the center of the island from Brooklyn to East- 
 hampton had been constructed in the early part 
 of the Eighteenth Century, and the first post 
 route had been established in 1764. The mail 
 was carried on horseback once in two weeks, the 
 mail rider going east along the North Shore and 
 returning along the South Shore. From 1847 
 to 1851 a mania for building roads swept over the 
 island, but soon died out again because the rail- 
 roads came and the people thought wagon roads 
 of little importance. The development of Long 
 Island might have been considerably accelerated 
 if more good roads had been built, for it is uni- 
 versally recognized at the present day that the 
 railroads cannot fully replace them or make them 
 unnecessary. Well constructed wagon roads are 
 fully as important for an agricultural district as 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 19 
 
 railroads. The first railroad was opened for 
 travel on April 18, 1836, and connected Brooklyn 
 with Jamaica. A year later the line to Hicks- 
 ville was completed. In 1841 it was extended to 
 Suffolk Station, and on the twenty-fifth of July, 
 1844, the first train passed over the rails to 
 Greenport, a distance of ninety-five miles. From 
 Hicksville a branch was opened to Syosset in 
 1854 and extended to Northport in 1868, while 
 it reached Port Jefferson in P872. In the mean- 
 time brapches had been built to Hempstead, Lo- 
 cust Point and Far Rockaway. The Sag Har- 
 bor road was constructed in 1869, the line from 
 Hunters Point to Flushing in 1854. The roads 
 on the south side were started in 1867, and later 
 on A. T. Stewart built a line to Garden City. All 
 the lines on Long Island were consolidated in 
 the seventies by the Messrs. Poppenhusen, who 
 spent much money for improvements ; but while 
 the business increased rapidly and the whole 
 island felt the effect of the new management, the 
 outlay had been too large. The enterprise failed 
 and the railroad, after being in the hands of a 
 receiver for some time, was bought in by Bos- 
 ton capitalists with Austin Corbin at their head. 
 Some years ago, after Mr. Corbin's death, the 
 Pennsylvania Railroad acquired the whole sys- 
 tem, and is now engaged in connecting it with 
 its main lines and the city of New York by a sys- 
 tem of tunnels nearing completion. When the 
 movement of substituting electricity for horse 
 power on street railways began, the late William 
 Steinway conceived the idea of consolidating and 
 extending the lines in Queens County, and of con- 
 necting them with New York City by means of 
 a tunnel. His sudden death prevented the execu- 
 tion of his plans at that time but the idea has 
 been taken up and brought to a finish by the 
 so-called Belmont syndicate, closely allied with 
 the New York Interborough Company controlling 
 the subways and the elevated railroads of Man- 
 hattan and the Bronx. The day is indeed not 
 far distant when Queens will be as near to the 
 center of Manhattan as Brooklyn and the Bronx, 
 and much nearer than Richmond. 
 
 When the Greater City of New York was 
 formed on. January i, 1898, Queens County was 
 cut in two. The western part, including Long 
 Island City, Newtown, Flushing, Jamaica and 
 part of Hempstead, was incorporated in the city 
 of New \''ork under the name of the Borough of 
 Queens, while the eastern part was erected into a 
 new county, Nassau. The existence of the Bor- 
 ough of Queens therefore dates only from Janu- 
 ary I, 1898. 
 
 Long Island City is the largest and most im- 
 portant settlement within the territory occupied 
 by the Borough of Queens. The first settlers on 
 its present site were Hendrick Hermensen, who 
 
 took up a grant on an old Indian trail now known 
 as the old Bowery Bay road; Richard Brutnall 
 and Tyman Jansen, who settled on both sides of 
 Dutch Kills Creek. The river front, embracing 
 Hunters Point and Ravenswood, was first ac- 
 quired by Everard Bogardus whose family later 
 changed their name to Bogart. He was a min- 
 ister of the Dutch Church and through this fact 
 the land he occupied became known as "Domi- 
 nie's Hook." Astoria was originally settled by an 
 Englishman, William Hallett, and therefore 
 known as Hallett's Cove. Here were the be- 
 ginnings of Queens' industrial enterprises, for 
 Hallett erected a lime-kiln, and Sunswick Creek, 
 which connected with Dutch Kills, was a navi- 
 gable stream, much used for the transportation 
 of produce and other merchandise. As has al- 
 ready been mentioned, the district was largely set- 
 tled by Hollartders, and a great many families of 
 substance were attracted by the natural beauty 
 of the region, by the fertility of the soil and the 
 opportunities for satisfying love of nature. 
 Queens County became an important part of the 
 state of New York and began to develop rapidly. 
 One of the first and most important steps in 
 the history of Long Island City was the passage 
 of a bill by the Legislature to incorporate the 
 village of Astoria in 1839. The village had at 
 that time about two thousand inhabitants and 
 only one street, with two turnpikes leading to 
 Williamsburgh and to Flushing. It developed 
 very slowly because for a long time the village 
 government remained in the hands of the old and 
 
 ST. Mary's roman catholic church, Jamaica 
 
 conservative element that was opposed to the 
 spending of money. Better times came, however, 
 the j'ounger settlers secured an influence upon the 
 management of the affairs, better connections 
 with New York were established, the Astoria 
 Gas Company was founded, new houses were 
 built and streets laid out, and enterprising man- 
 ufacturers found it wise and profitable to lo- 
 cate within the boundaries of the new village. 
 The northeastern part was developed by the 
 
20 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 Steinways, and is known to the present day 
 under the name of Steinway. There they erected 
 their factories and a little farther east they es- 
 tablished the summer resort originally known as 
 Bowery Bay Beach, and in later years as North 
 Beach. With the growth of Astoria and of the 
 settlements surrounding it, the advisability of 
 uniting them all under one government became 
 manifest. Their interests were the same, the 
 improvements made in one district touched them 
 all, but were in many cases of little value if not 
 executed with a regard for the interests of the 
 neighbors just across the line. In one word: a 
 community of interests existed but was unable 
 to reap any benefits because united action was 
 impossible on account of a division of authority. 
 The thought of consolidating all the different 
 
 consolidation has after all greatly benefited the 
 communities composing Long Island City. Since 
 the establishment of Greater New York and 
 the merging of Long Island City in the Borough 
 of Queens, improvements have gone forward 
 with greater speed and the district is rapidly 
 increasing in population and importance. Aside 
 from the tunnels already mentioned a bridge 
 connecting Queens with Manhattan by way of 
 Blackwells Island is rapidly nearing completion 
 and will be open for traffic within a few years. 
 Another bridge, to the Bronx, for railroad as 
 well as passenger traffic, is planned, and there is 
 little doubt that it will be constructed in the near 
 future. 
 
 The town of Flushing was fi;st settled by Hol- 
 landers, as its name implies — which originally 
 
 VERNON AVE.. LOXG ISLAND CITY, LOOKING TOWARD ST. MARYS CHLTRCH 
 
 villages was not new ; it is said that as long ago 
 as 1853 Captain Levy Hayden, superintendent of 
 the Marine Railway formerly located at Hunters 
 Point, had suggested that before many years the 
 different communities would probably be united 
 in a large city under the name of "Long Island 
 City." However that was, the people began to 
 think of the matter seriously right after the 
 Civil War was ended. As always, a few years 
 were passed in talking the matter over, but in 
 1869 a meeting was held for the purpose of 
 drafting a charter for the projected city, and it 
 was decided to appeal to the Legislature to grant 
 the charter. On May 4, 1870, Governor Hoffman 
 signed the bill which incorporated the villages 
 of Astoria, Ravenswood, Hunters Point, Dutch 
 Kills, Blissville, Middletown and Bowery Bay 
 in the new city of Long Island. The first elec- 
 tion under the charter took place on July fifth of 
 the same year, and Abram D. Ditmars of Astoria 
 was elected the first mayor. It is true that the 
 government of the new city has not always been 
 what its best citizens desired it to be, but the 
 
 was "Vlissingen," from the Dutch city of the 
 same name. It appears that the first white men 
 came there in 1643 or 1645. But when the town 
 was established there were already several Eng- 
 lishmen from Massachusetts present who had 
 been persecuted by the Puritans on account of 
 their religious belief. They did not find the tol- 
 eration they . sought, for the Dutch were by no 
 means as liberal as has been frequently stated. 
 Still, the fugitives were not ill-treated; they 
 were admitted without much opposition and giv- 
 en the same rights as the Dutch settlers; neither 
 were they persecuted or deprived of their lives 
 and property because they worshiped in a different 
 way. They must have gained much influence 
 very quickly for when the town was incorporated 
 almost all the signers of the charter bore Eng- 
 lish names. Originally the charter gave to the 
 incorporators of the town all the lands on both 
 sides of Flushing Creek from the Sound to the 
 ocean, but this was later on amended to read, 
 "from the Sound to the hills," and this indefinite 
 statement caused much trouble with the town of 
 
Id 
 W 
 P 
 
 a 
 
< 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 23 
 
 Jamaica to the south. However, Fkishing grew 
 rather rapidly, and the assumption seems justi- 
 fied that the settlers were of a somewhat su- 
 perior kind, with more enterprise and energy 
 than were found in the surrounding towns. A 
 very valuable element of the population consisted 
 of the many French Huguenot families which 
 settled in Flushing when they were driven from 
 France. They were as a rule well educated, many 
 of them being descendants of the nobility, the 
 whole average of their accomplishments being 
 decidedly superior to those of the other settlers. 
 These Huguenots brought to America a knowl- 
 edge of horticulture, which at that time was quite 
 absent in the colonies. They laid the foundation 
 of a great industry that gave considerable im- 
 portance to Queens, for they started the nur- 
 series which in 1789 were already so extensive 
 that General Washington found it worth his 
 while to make a special trip to Long Island to 
 inspect them. The French introduced first the 
 fruits of their native country, and their success 
 led the English gardeners to imitate them and to 
 extend their experiments. At one time a large 
 part of Queens was given over to the propaga- 
 tion of forest trees but the increase in the value 
 of the land and the development of the business 
 of raising trees in the western part of the state 
 has led the nurserymen of Flushing to abandon 
 this part of their business and to devote them- 
 selves to the raising of ornamental shrubbery, 
 plants and cut flowers. Flushing is still one of 
 the most substantial districts of Queens, con- 
 taining the descendants of many old families, and 
 its population is, if the term may be used in this 
 country, somewhat aristocratic. It is, at the same 
 time, thoroughly modern in its views, energetic 
 and ambitious, and its high aims are best proven 
 by the superior schools it maintains. 
 
 Whitestone was settled very early, probably 
 shortly before Flushing, but its development dates 
 from comparatively recent times. In 1800 there 
 were but twelve houses within a radius of a mile. 
 When, in 1853, a large factory was established 
 for manufacturing tin, copper and japan ware, 
 the village grew rapidly until it had acquired 
 considerable importance. 
 
 The case of College Point is similar. The land 
 on which it stands formed originally the estate 
 of William Lawrence. After the Revolution it 
 was purchased by Eliphalet Stratton, who opened 
 it for settlement. But the village grew slowly. 
 In 1846 Dr. Muhlenberg erected St. Paul's Col- 
 lege for the education of young men for the min- 
 istry of the Episcopal Church. He had to build 
 a plank walk across the meadows to Flushing at 
 his own expense, and the two villages had to wait 
 until iBss before a causeway was constructed 
 connecting them. Dr. Muhlenberg died before 
 
 his enterprise was fairly established, and it was 
 given up. College Point, like Whitestone, began 
 to grow when Conrad Poppenhusen in 1854 erect- 
 ed a large factory for making hard rubber goods 
 Many other enterprises followed and the villagt 
 was soon a bustling industrial center. The popu- 
 lation increased rapidly, and the already fine 
 residential section became larger and more im- 
 portant. A considerable -proportion of the in- 
 habitants, working men as well as merchants and 
 manufacturers, were Germans, and College Point 
 for a long time had the reputation of being 
 more German than any other village on Long 
 Island. Here, as in Flushing, much interest was 
 taken in educational matters, and the schools of 
 the village reached a high grade of excellence. 
 
 Bayside was founded very soon after Flushing. 
 Here the Indians lived on friendly terms with 
 the whites until the Dutch government ordered 
 their disarmament, when they drifted to the 
 southern shore of the island. One of the fore- 
 most settlers of the early times was Dr. John 
 Rodman, an eminent Quaker and physician. He 
 resided at Bayside for upward of forty years 
 and died there in 1731. His descendants lived 
 in the village until long after Revolutionary 
 times. At that time already many of the. resi- 
 dents were New York business men. 
 
 The district around Little Neck Bay is one of 
 the most interesting localities of the borough 
 from an archeological point of view. The vast 
 quantities of oysters and clams found here made 
 it a favorite spot for the Indians, and much of 
 the wampum that was used by the Five Nations 
 was made here. The part now known as Doug- 
 laston was first settled at the end of the Sev- 
 enteenth Century by Thomas Hicks, who, assisted 
 by a party of followers from the mainland, drove 
 off the Indians by force. This is probably the 
 only instance of similar injustice and brutality 
 in the history of Queens County. Little Neck 
 Bay was for a long time celebrated for. the qual- 
 ity and the yield of its oyster beds, but the in- 
 dustry has of late declined. 
 
 The neck of land extending into the Sound east 
 of Whitestone was for many years an unimport- 
 ant farming district named after the family 
 which owned it, Willett's Point. When the Civil 
 War broke out, a speculator who thought the 
 location of strategic importance, bought the land, 
 and soon resold it to the United States Govern- 
 ment, which commenced to erect a large fortress 
 constructed of masonry. While the work was go- 
 ing on, a Maine regiment was quartered there and 
 part of the grounds was used for a hospital. The 
 fortifications were never completed because the 
 revolution in modern warfare brought about by 
 the introduction of iron-clad vessels, rifled can- 
 nons and torpedoes, made stone walls useless. 
 
24 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 for they were easily destroyed by the new weap- 
 ons. Instead of the fort, the Government es- 
 tablished at Willett's Point a headquarters for a 
 general system of coast and harbor defenses by 
 forming a permanent camp and school for the 
 Engineer Corps of the Army. 
 
 The town of Jamaica was settled by a few 
 families coming from Hempstead in 1664. They 
 were all English and probably came from New 
 England. They bought their land from the In- 
 dians, from whom also the name of the town is 
 derived. It was originally spelled in different 
 
 ST. MARY S CHURCH, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
 ways, Jameco, Jemeco and Yemacah. The pre- 
 sumption is that it was the name of some Indian 
 family. The town was granted a charter by 
 Governor Stuyvesant in 1656 and maintained 
 practically an independent position, ruling itself 
 without much regard for the Dutch government. 
 It is quite evident that for some reason not known 
 to us Stuyvesant could not interfere, but he had 
 an opportunity to show his dislike of the ex- 
 isting conditions when he granted a more ample 
 charter in 1660, by decreeing that the town 
 should henceforth be called Rusdorp. Whether 
 this new designation was generally accepted we 
 do not know, but it certainly disappeared after 
 a few years. Jamaica grew rather more rapidly 
 than other towns and the records that are pre- 
 served show constant purchases of land from 
 the Indians because new settlers arrived who 
 were an.xious to join the colonies. It may be 
 mentioned here that nobody was permitted to 
 settle within the boundaries of the town without 
 permission. In 1659 one Benjamin Hubbard 
 had purchased a house lot without the knowledge 
 or approbation of the town. He was therefore 
 compelled to give a bond for good behavior as the 
 condition on which he might continue to live on 
 the land he had bought. The value of the fish- 
 eries in Jamaica Bay was recognized early, and 
 
 in the middle of the Eighteenth Century the town 
 had already commissioners who relentlessly pros- 
 ecuted every outsider who fished in the waters 
 over which they had jurisdiction, without per- 
 mission. 
 
 Jamaica Village received its first charter in 
 1814 and a more extended one in 1855. It was 
 for a long time the county seat of Queens Coun- 
 ty. We have seen that for nearly two centuries 
 the sessions of the County Court were held here 
 and that the jail was also at Jamaica. The set- 
 tlement must have gained importance very early, 
 for the General Assembly or Legislature of the 
 Province of New York sat twice in Jamaica, in 
 1702 and again in 1753. Washington visited the 
 place on April 20, 1790, and lodged in William 
 Warner's Inn, which he called "a pretty good 
 and decent place." A town hall was erected in 
 1858, and a new and larger one in 1870. Jamaica 
 enjoys especially good facilities of transportation, 
 and has for this reason grown more rapidly than 
 many other communities since consolidation and 
 the large increase of the rental value of real 
 property in Manhattan, which have induced a 
 large part of the population to seek homes in the 
 adjoining districts. 
 
 The original settler of Newtown was the Rev. 
 Francis Doughty. He had left England because 
 he hoped that he would be permitted to worship 
 according to the dictates of his conscience. But 
 after he had settled in Taunton, Mass., he found 
 that he had been mistaken. There was another 
 form of worship established in New England, but 
 it was as intolerant of those who believed dif- 
 ferently as that in the old country. So the Rev- 
 erend Doughty took his wife and children and 
 came to New Amsterdam, where he applied to 
 the authorities for a grant for the land that was 
 known as Mespat. He was granted patents for 
 a tract comprising over fourteen thousand acres 
 and including practically all of the present Long 
 Island City and Newtown. It is true that at 
 that time a large part of the land was swamp and 
 bog, but improved methods in farming and sub- 
 soil drainage have made it very valuable. The 
 Newtown bogs were of considerable importance 
 for the New Yorkers, for the peat taken from 
 them was extensively used as fuel. The pro.x- 
 imity of the town to New York City has al- 
 ways acted favorably upon its prosperity, and a 
 large share of the attention of the farmers has 
 been devoted to the raising of vegetables for the 
 city market. Newtown has indeed been in many 
 ways of great importance to the metropolis. 
 
 When Doughty arrived he found only two or 
 three settlers, but quickly succeeded in attracting 
 others. Mespat grew in importance and riches 
 until the Indian wars broke out and the Indians 
 completely destroyed the flourishing settlement. 
 
SCENE ON RIVER FRONT, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
 THE OLD WOOLSEY MANOR HOUSE, ERECTED ABOUT 1726 
 
 LONG ISLAND RAILROAD STATION AND FERRY SLIPS 
 
■- -^ 
 
 c,>">v 
 
 
 II.IXTUX A\ENUE. JAMAICA, LOOKING SOUTH 
 
 PARK AT CORONA 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 27 
 
 It was rebuilt after peace had been declared, but 
 never fully recovered from the consequences of 
 the disaster. Doughty soon became involved in 
 trouble with the other settlers because he in- 
 sisted upon his rights as the real owner of all the 
 land under his patents. He brought suit and the 
 courts decided against him. Thereupon he ap- 
 pealed, and brought the wrath of Governor Kieft 
 upon himself because Kieft had cut off the right 
 of appeal to the courts of Holland. The Gover- 
 nor told the clergyman that ' his decision was 
 final and absolute and punished him with a fine 
 of ten dollars and twenty-four hours' imprison- 
 ment. Doughty was disgusted and accepted a call 
 from the people of Flushing. 
 
 About midway between Mespat and Flushing a 
 village was founded in 1652 by a number of 
 Englishmen from Connecticut and Massachusetts. 
 They built a Igroup of cottages in the neighbor- 
 hood where the Presbyterian Church of New- 
 town now stands. The new settlement was called 
 Middleburg after the town in the Dutch province 
 of Zealand where so many of the Puritans had 
 found an asylum after having been driven from 
 England, Middleburg received a charter similar 
 to the one Mespat had been given. The large 
 district between this new village and the East 
 River was mainly occupied by farmers, mostly 
 Hollanders who had received their land from the 
 governor of New Amsterdam. They did not 
 form a corporate commimity but continued for 
 many years to be dependent upon either Flush- 
 ing or New Amsterdam. 
 
 Being an English community, Middleburg suf- 
 fered more from the troubles between the English 
 and the Dutch than other settlements. In 1662 
 word was sent from Connecticut that the whole 
 of Long Island was annexed to the other side 
 of the Sound. This was exactly what the in- 
 habitants who hated the tyranny of the Dutch 
 desired, but they did not dare to acknowledge 
 their allegiance to the English crown openly. They 
 considered themselves as belonging to Connecti- 
 cut but continued to send commissioners to New 
 Amsterdam to fix the tithes. After a while they 
 grew bolder and declared openly that they con- 
 sidered themselves English subjects. At the 
 same time, and to emphasize their resolution, they 
 changed the name of the village to Hastings. 
 They must have been of a very independent way 
 of thinking for they soon went farther and took 
 steps to cut loose from Connecticut as well as 
 from New York. They did not succeed in this, 
 but accomplished another aim they had long had 
 in mind. In 1665 they persuaded the convention 
 assembled to pass new laws to add the outlying 
 plantations, the Poor Bowery, Hell Gate Neck 
 and other territory, to Hastings. The township 
 as thus constituted received the name of the new 
 
 town, which remained until the annexation to 
 Long Island City and is still used to designate 
 the locality. The town grew very rapidly in com- 
 parison to others, and in 1723 all the land had 
 been taken up. The inhabitants devoted them- 
 selves almost entirely to agriculture, and con- 
 siderable quantities of fruit and vegetables were 
 raised which even in those early times were taken 
 to the growing city across the East River. Much 
 land was left for pasture whereon horses, cattle 
 and sheep were raised, mostly from stock brought 
 from Holland and England. 
 
 With the growth of the city of New York as 
 an industrial, commercial and financial center the 
 importance of Newtown increased rapidly. The 
 location was especially favorable as ocean going 
 vessels could be brought into the creek and either 
 be loaded with the goods manufactured there, or 
 discharge the cargoes they had brought from all 
 parts of the country and from foreign lands. Ex- 
 tensive lumber yards were the first enterprises 
 to locate there but many other establishments fol- 
 lowe.d, and some of the largest industrial concerns 
 selected the banks of Newtown Creek for their 
 factories. The farmers withdrew from the shore 
 of the East River and the banks of the creek and 
 moved farther inland, while commerce took pos- 
 session of the acres they had abandoned. What 
 would be the thoughts of the Reverend Doughty 
 who relinquished an empire for a pastorate at 
 Flushing with an annual salary of six hundred 
 guilders, if he could see the changes that have 
 taken place and in less than two hundred and 
 
 KISSENA LAKE, FLUSHING 
 
 fifty years transformed a wilderness, inhabited 
 by savages and haunted by ferocious animals, in- 
 to a hive of industry ! But it is not given to 
 man to look far into the future. Fortunatel}', we 
 may say, for if the first settlers could have known 
 the future value of their holdings they would 
 have kept them, and distribution, diversification 
 of human activity and other changes, which un- 
 derlie all progress, would not have taken place 
 so rapidly. 
 
 The Borough of Queens now forms, since 1897, 
 
28 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 a part of the great city of New York. It had 
 arrived at a point where further progress seemed 
 in danger because the growth and development 
 were so rapid that the means for furnishing the 
 improvements demanded by an urban population 
 could not be readily furnished by the inhabitants 
 who still lived in comparatively scattered com- 
 munities. Small cities had indeed sprung up in 
 many parts of the territory but they were still 
 separated by long stretches of vast land with in- 
 sufficient facilities for transportation. New York- 
 ers who looked for homes surrounded by pure 
 air, and who wanted to fiee from the tenement 
 districts desired good streets with sewers and 
 other improvements to which they were used. To 
 provide all this quickly was beyond the means of 
 the still sparsely settled communities, and consol- 
 idation proved as much a boon to Queens as to 
 other boroughs. Since it was accoinplished, the 
 borough has progressed in every respect, and 
 bids fair to become one of the most valuable 
 
 parts of the immense city on the shores of the 
 Hudson, the East River and the bay. Its popu- 
 lation is rapidly increasing and the time is not 
 far distant when its vast territory will be cov- 
 ered b}' factories and industrial establishments 
 in the parts adjacent to the shore line, and by 
 dwellings wherever there is room for them. The 
 work on the tunnels and bridges which will pro- 
 vide quick and convenient communication with 
 Manhattan is nearing completion and this will 
 work wonders in the development of this bor- 
 ough, which, much too long, has been cut off from 
 the heart of the city by natural obstacles. It is 
 strange that a territory of so many advantages 
 and after all so near has been so sadly neglected 
 in this respect, but the assurance of a glorious 
 future may help us to forget the past with its 
 disappointments and often aroused but almost 
 always destroyed hopes. The new Queens bids 
 fair to see a growth that is unparalleled in the 
 historj' of this and other cities. 
 
 SWITCHBACK E. R., ROCKAWAY BEACH 
 
FLUSHING CHURCHES, ETC. 
 
 1 ST. MICHAEL S 
 
 2 FIRST BAPTIST 
 
 3 ST. George's 
 
 4 REFORMED CHURCH 
 
 5 FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE FOUNDED it 
 
 6 CONGREGATIONAL 
 
 7 MURRAY HILL R.R. STATION 
 
 8 METHODIST EPISCOPAL 
 
ELMHURST, L.I„ CHURCHES 
 
 1 BAPTIST CHURCH, THIRD AND WHITNEY AVE. 
 
 2 DUTCH REFORMED • 
 
 3 MBTHOniST EPISCOPAL 
 
 4 BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN 
 
 5 ST. JAMES. FOUNDED IN 1704 
 
QUEENS BOROUGH OF THE PRESENT DAY 
 
 PART II 
 
 HE vast territory now cov- 
 ered by the Borough of 
 Queens still contains room 
 for man}' thousands of homes. 
 It might justly be called a 
 borough of magnificent dis- 
 tances, and of widely differing 
 natural conditions. Indeed, there may be found 
 here almost any kind of surroundings man might 
 wish for : the seashore, level plains, woodland, 
 hills, and valleys. The settlements are slow to 
 take on an urban character, and it is to be hoped 
 in the interest of future generations that they 
 will never do so. There are indeed districts of 
 considerable magnitude that are entirely given 
 over to industrial establishments, but they form, 
 after all, only a relatively small part of the por- 
 tion which has been built up. This refers, of 
 course, primarily to localities where factories 
 have been erected in such close proximity that 
 there is practicall}' no room left for dwellings, or 
 where their business is of such a character that 
 the neighborhood becomes unfit for residential 
 purposes. Of factories or workshops which can 
 be kept running almost night and day without 
 interfering in the slightest degree with the com- 
 fort of the residents in the near vicinity, and 
 which are distributed all over the borough, there 
 are many, but they do not destro3', as a rule, 
 the natural beauty of their surroundings, and are 
 even, in many cases, constructed in such a way 
 that they harmonize, as far as this is possible, 
 with the appearance of the residential districts 
 in which they are located. 
 
 The casual visitor who has neither time nor in- 
 clination to examine into the conditions lying 
 beneath the surface, and who goes to the Bor- 
 ough of Queens with the sole intention to trans- 
 act his business as quickly as possible, is nat- 
 urally not in a position to form a correct judg- 
 ment. As a rule, he sees only the business dis- 
 trict, in most cases that part of the borough where 
 most of the factories are located. Such a con- 
 glomeration of buildings entirel}' devoted to busi- 
 ness of one kind or another is never and nowhere 
 very attractive. Factories are erected where 
 land is cheap because it is not fit for residences 
 of the better kind. If the business carried on is 
 of such a nature that it interferes with the com- 
 fort of those living in the vicinity, as is the case 
 
 with many factories of chemicals, oils, etc., the 
 owner is especially anxious to locate where there 
 is small danger that he will be troubled by com- 
 plaints from neighbors who may appeal to the 
 authorities to stop what may appear to them ob- 
 noxious and a public nuisance. Again, factories 
 turning out large quantities of goods in the price 
 of which the cost of transportation forms an im- 
 portant item must be located near a railroad or 
 within convenient distance of the shore. All 
 these factors combine to make a district where 
 factories, railroad yards, docks and similar es- 
 tablishments are close together far from attract- 
 ive. It is therefore not surprising that people 
 who visit Queens with the sole object to trans- 
 act business, who never get beyond the compara- 
 tively small circle within which the manufactur- 
 ing activity is carried on, and who consequently 
 see only the part of the borough devoted entirely 
 to utilitarian purposes with no attempt at beauti- 
 fying the surroundings, are disappointed and even 
 disgusted. They shorten their stay as much as 
 possible and go away with the impression that 
 the borough is not a fit place to live in. Of 
 course they are wrong, because their judgment is 
 not based on a knowledge of conditions prevailing 
 but upon a superficial impression produced by a 
 casual glance at one edge of the subject they 
 talk about without being familiar with it. But in- 
 formation derived in this way, and spread and 
 disseminated by people who never take the trouble 
 to verify the first and incomplete information, is 
 readily absorbed by others of a similar bend of 
 mind, who, unfortunately, form a majority, while 
 those who withhold judgment until they have 
 been able to make a full and exhaustive study of 
 conditions are very scarce indeed. While we 
 must deeply regret that the impression has gained 
 ground and is held by many, that Queens is a 
 borough filled with noisy and noisome factories, 
 where people live only because they have no 
 choice, it is human and to some extent excus- 
 able, and all we can do is to rise up against it 
 and fight it wherever it shows until the truth 
 is known to all. 
 
 It has been the misfortune of Queens that its 
 face, so to speak, was turned away from the more 
 rapidly growing boroughs of Manhattan and 
 Brooklyn. If we use a little imagination and 
 compare the Borough of Queens with a large 
 
 31 
 
32 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 estate, we find that its beautiful front faces the 
 Sound, while its back yard, with the shops and 
 the outhouses, is plainly visible from the oppo- 
 site shore of the East River. In addition we see 
 that every traveler coming to Queens has to pass 
 through the back yard, and that therefore his 
 first impression is distinctly unfavorable. This 
 is a decided hindrance to the development of the 
 borough. The untold thousands who travel every 
 year to and from the places of amusement on the 
 shore of the Atlantic Ocean, or to and from the 
 large race-tracks, ride along the anything but 
 beautiful banks of Newtown Creek, and gain 
 from them their impression of what the borough 
 is. This is the first impression, and therefore 
 the strongest, and it is difficult to dispel it, for the 
 majority of people stick to a conviction once 
 formed, and are loath to change it, even in the 
 face of powerful arguments. Nobody likes to 
 admit that he was wrong or mistaken in his judg- 
 ment ; it is rather human to defend a position 
 once taken even after one has begun to doubt 
 its correctness. And it is no exaggeration to 
 state that perhaps ninety per cent of all the peo- 
 ple passing through Queens Borough know noth- 
 ing of it except that it contains dismal swamps, 
 .ailroad yards and factories distributing evil 
 smells and ugly to the last degree. This condition 
 will change appreciably as soon as the Blackwells 
 Island Bridge has been completed because then 
 the traveler who is not obliged to stop near the 
 river front will reach terra firma amid more at- 
 tractive surroundings. The same holds true of the 
 tunnels now being constructed. With improved 
 facilities for reaching the heart of the boroUf-Ji 
 the manufacturing district and all the unavoid- 
 able eyesores connected with industrial activity 
 on a large scale will be hidden to the sight of 
 the traveler who does not want to see them. To 
 again use the simile we have employed before : it 
 will no longer be necessary, in order to reach the 
 real Borough of Queens, to pass through its 
 back yard in full sight of what should be hidden 
 as much as is feasible, for the visitor will in 
 future travel over or under the district forming it. 
 Queens Borough possesses an advantage that 
 can hardly be overestimated in the variation of its 
 coast line. For a considerable distance from New- 
 town Creek, which forms part of the western 
 boundary line, the East River affords easy ac- 
 cess to seagoing vessels, and since the obstruc- 
 tions formed by Hell Gate have been removed, 
 the fair way extends all along the Long Island 
 shore. This was naturally the district where fac- 
 tories sprang up, and the deep channel of New- 
 town Creek was utilized to its fullest extent. The 
 creek itself was of decided value for the develop- 
 ment of the industrial activity, but was also, as 
 has been pointed out, to some extent a detri- 
 
 ment to the growth of the borough in other di- 
 rections. Its stagnant waters, only slightly in- 
 fluenced by the tides, and never cleared com- 
 pletely of the waste matter deposited in them, 
 became polluted to a degree that was both dis- 
 agreeable and dangerous to health and life. For 
 a long time the idea was agitated to connect it 
 Ijy means of a cut or canal with Flushing Bay, 
 but the project seems to have been abandoned. It 
 is true that in this way the tide would have had 
 a fuller sway, the waters of the East River and 
 the Long Island Sound being able to enter at 
 both ends, thus renewing and cleaning the creek 
 or canal regularly, and it is also possible that by 
 means of the cut some of the swamps and 
 marshes on the shore of the Sound could have 
 been drained easily, but there were weighty rea- 
 sons against the undertaking. Aside from the 
 great cost, it was at least doubtful whether the 
 tide would have been strong enough to keep the 
 water in the canal clean, and there was conse- 
 quently great danger that the evil conditions ex- 
 isting along the line of Newtown Creek would be 
 extended through the very heart of the borough 
 to the shore of Flushing Bay. With better regu- 
 lation and more active supervision on the part 
 of the authorities, combined with stricter en- 
 forcement of the law, the sanitary conditions have 
 been greatly improved, and while they are still 
 far from perfect, they are no longei: almost un- 
 bearable as was the case years ago. Improve- 
 ments of this kind cannot be completed in a day, 
 it takes many years to bring them about. There 
 is no question that the low lands in that district 
 will in time be filled in, that the swamps, which 
 are both ugly and unhealthy, will be drained, and 
 that the creek itself will be regulated until ob- 
 jection can no longer be raised. It will be a 
 difficult work, but as the word impossibility has 
 practically disappeared from the language of the 
 modern engineer, it will undoubtedly be done. 
 
 The shore along the East River eastward from 
 Pot Cove and especially along the Sound is dif- 
 ferent in character. For the most part it does 
 not form a straight line but is broken by many 
 bays and coves 'which lend infinite variety to the 
 landscape and greatly enhance its beauty. Mostly, 
 too, the water is shallow and the land cannot be 
 approached by deepgoing vessels. In some lo- 
 calities it will, no doubt, be used for commercial 
 purposes in time, but the fact that long and ex- 
 pensive piers will have to be constructed and 
 that a great deal of dredging has to be done, 
 justifies the belief that this part of the shore will 
 be reserved for residential purposes until at least 
 another generation has passed away. It would 
 indeed be a pity to spoil it because nature her- 
 self seems to have intended it for the sojourn 
 of human beings who love her beauties and who 
 
1 RESIDENCE OF F. N. LAWRENCE, BAYSIDE 
 
 2 BOWNE PARK WHEN DEVELOPiMENT WAS COMMENCED 
 
 3 RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM T. WILCOX, PARSOJIS AVE. 
 
 4 GOLF LINKS, FLUSHING COUNTRY CLUB. 
 
 5 SANFORD AVE. LOOKING EAST FROM LAWRENCE ST. 
 
 6 WILLET's POINT ROAD AT BAYSIDE 
 
FLUSHING HOMES 
 
 1. RESIDENCE OF FREDERICK STORM, BAYSIDE 
 
 2. KNAUFF HOUSE ON PARSONS AVE. 
 
 3. RESIDENCE OF JAMES A. MACDONALD, JAMAICA AVE. 
 
 4. RESIDENCE OF F. R. BOWNE, SANFORD AVE. 
 
 5. RESIDENCE OF D. L. VAN NOSTRAND, BROADWAY 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 35 
 
 find the welcome and needed rest after arduous 
 work by feasting their eyes on the placid waters 
 of Long Island Sound,- framed in wooded hills 
 and covered with white sails and majestic steam- 
 boats gliding peacefully over the surface. With 
 the bright lights of the settlements on the New 
 York and, a little farther away, the Connecti- 
 cut shore, the picture is indeed one to charm the 
 heart and mind of anybody able to lay aside the 
 cares of material welfare for a moment. The 
 value of this shore has been recognized, and a 
 broad boulevard is planned to run all the waj 
 from Astoria to Sanfords Point. This road will 
 be, when completed, one of the finest driveways 
 in the world, and will at the same time afford 
 pleasure and relaxation to the multitude. 
 
 At the other, the southern, end, the borough 
 reaches clear to the Atlantic Ocean. Jamaica 
 Bay, with its marshy borders, intervenes, and 
 waits for the inevitable effort to reclaim the low 
 lands surrounding it. The bay itself is shallow 
 and filled with hassocks or bars which are swept 
 by the tides. They are of little value and serve 
 mainly as places where fishermen may start from 
 to pursue their sport. Still, the large body of 
 water known as Jamaica Bay, and connected 
 with the ocean by narrow channels or inlets, is of 
 great value to the borough. Its present condi- 
 tion, and especially that of its inland shore, is 
 not yet what it ought to be, but when the needed 
 improvements have once been completed, it will 
 be the largest body of water within the limits 
 of a city. Like many other American cities. New 
 York has grown so rapidly that neither the time 
 nor the means could be procured to execute all 
 the improvements which are desirable ; on the 
 contrary, it was imperative to limit expenditures 
 to the actual necessities, and we know that even 
 these cannot always be provided as quickly as 
 should be the case. The time will come when 
 the salt-water meadows on the shore of Jamaica 
 Bay will be filled in, when the deep channels will 
 be dredged, the low or sunken islands provided 
 with embankments, securing them against the 
 tides, and when the whole bay will be surrounded 
 by buildings or parks. The city of New York 
 will then boast of the possession of an inland sea 
 and a district that in natural beauty will rival the 
 Queen of the Adriatic of old, the proud Venice. 
 This is no idle dream, for the reclamation of the 
 lands in and around Jamaica Bay will be a paying 
 venture at a not far distant day, and for this 
 reason alone it will surely be undertaken. 
 
 Jamaica Bay is separated from the ocean by a 
 narrow strip of land, part of that long bar that 
 stretches along almost the whole southern coast 
 of Long Island. This has become a pleasure- 
 ground for the millions who are anxious to es- 
 cape the stifling heat of the built-up sections of 
 
 the great city. At first inhabited by a few fish- 
 ermen only, this strip of sand was visited by many 
 thousands for a day's outing as soon as the con- 
 struction of a railroad had placed it within con- 
 venient reach of the city. Permanent settlers fol- 
 lowed, cottages and hotels were erected, and it 
 was not long until regular summer colonies of 
 considerable size grew up. They began to cover 
 more and more space, while the buildings became 
 more substantial every year until the permanent 
 population which remained all the year around 
 numbered many thousands. Rockaway, Seaside, 
 Arverne, Edgemere, Far Rockaway and other 
 settlements have grown into regular small cities 
 from places where not so many years ago re- 
 freshments were sold in a rather primitive way 
 to the multitudes who found their way there by 
 railroad or by boat from Canarsie across Ja- 
 maica Bay, or direct from New York. The rough- 
 
 STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, JAMAICA 
 
 and-ready character of the place has disappeared, 
 and the district is as well built up and regulated, 
 and as substantial, as many others which were 
 founded with much greater pretensions. Of 
 late the available space has been taken up by 
 campers who spend the hot period of the year 
 under tents or lightly constructed shacks, and se- 
 cure in this way all the benefits the glorious air 
 and the sea provide at a very small outlay. 
 
 The surface of the borough is not as varied as 
 its coast line. It has been stated that nothing but 
 a few hilltops would remain visible if Long Island 
 should sink two hundred feet, while on the other 
 hand the Sound and the East River would dis- 
 appear and New York would become an inland 
 city, the Hudson River reaching the ocean many 
 miles beyond Sandy Hook, if the whole territory 
 around the metropolis would be raised two hun- 
 dred feet. If the first mentioned change should 
 take pla-t-e, hardly a trace of Queens Borough 
 would remain above the water. The hills which 
 relieve the plains are in some places quite pic- 
 turesque and furnish variety ; they also permit the 
 ever-watchful seller of homesteads to give nicely 
 sounding names to the tracts he subdivides for 
 
36 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 settlement, but they are not very high. While 
 we are anxious to bring out all the good points 
 of the borough, we do not intend to claim any- 
 thing that cannot bear investigation, and it pos- 
 sesses so many charms that it is not necessary to 
 add others the presence of which might be 
 doubted. 
 
 Here are, indeed, still found the charms of true 
 rural life with all the advantages the near neigh- 
 borhood of a big city can supply. We find mead- 
 ows and fields, copses and stretches of woodland, 
 brooks and ponds in abundance. The noise of 
 the bustling city cannot be heard but an occa- 
 sional shriek of the locomotive or the buzzing 
 of the electric car as it dashes past on the high- 
 way reminds us that we are not in a distant soli- 
 tude but only very little removed from the ac- 
 tivities of modern life at its highest tension. The 
 fact is that Queens offers something to every- 
 body, to the seeker for rest as well as to those 
 who desire entertainment and even excitement. 
 He who looks for these latter can secure them 
 in a mild form in the settlements within the bor- 
 ough or, if he wants more of them, in the city 
 across the East River. But wherever he lives 
 and whatever his desires are, he can at all times, 
 without preparation and without going beyond call 
 from his hearthstone, enjoy the charms of nature 
 as well as those of city life, and he will even 
 within the confines of his home feel the influ- 
 ences of both. 
 
 At the present moment Queens is, of course, 
 to some extent, in an unsettled condition. Where 
 farms are changed into home sites, gardens into 
 building lots, and old pathways into paved streets 
 with gutters, sewers and conduits for electric 
 wires or gas-pipes, an upheaval always takes 
 place which leaves huge scars upon the landscape. 
 The transition of a rural district into a citified 
 settlement cannot be completed without a period 
 of ugliness, and even destruction of many beau- 
 tiful things. This is unavoidable, but we know 
 that it is always followed by marked improvement 
 and a still more beautiful future. The same con- 
 ditions will prevail in Queens. Where there are 
 now ugly embankments, looking for all the world 
 like the trails of an army of sand-carts, broad 
 avenues will be constructed, lined on both sides 
 with imposing structures housing the many who 
 cannot find room in the city which has finally 
 swallowed the region where not so long ago the 
 farmer, the gardener, and even the woodsman 
 reigned supreme. But the expanse is so vast 
 that another generation at least will pass before 
 
 Queens has lost its principal charm, its truly ru- 
 ral aspect as far as a large part of its territory 
 is concerned. And it will never lose this en- 
 tirely, because its shore line is of such a nature 
 that it lends itself freely to every attempt of beau- 
 tifying the city. There will always be plenty of 
 variety, and, from the very nature of things, the 
 borough will never be changed into a mere ag- 
 glomeration of immense structures of stone and 
 iron, truly majestic in its grandeur, but withal 
 somber and monotonous, sometimes even forbid- 
 ding. To some extent Queens, or at least a 
 considerable portion of it, will remain a suburb 
 of the more densely populated boroughs, a suburb 
 in the best sense of the word, part and parcel 
 of the city and as important as the other dis- 
 tricts but just a trifle more charming, a little 
 quieter and certainly more agreeable to every- 
 body who does not set utility above everything 
 else. All this will come about when the bor- 
 ough is brought nearer to the center of the city 
 by improved transit facilities. We must ever 
 come back to this important question, for upon 
 its solution depends the present and the future 
 development of this large and important part 
 of the municipality. As soon as new bridges 
 span the East River and tunnels are bored under 
 the bed of the mighty body of water, the resi- 
 dents of Queens will no longer ask themselves 
 what route of transportation offers the least 
 chances of a journey being protracted bej'ond all 
 reason, they will no longer hesitate to undertake 
 a trip to the business district because this takes 
 up more time and causes more discomfort than 
 one to a city one hundred and more miles distant, 
 but they will be whisked in any direction as 
 quickly as human ingenuity can provide. Then, 
 and not until then, will Queens take the place it 
 deserves among the different boroughs of the city, 
 and the present generation can indeed congratu- 
 late itself that it is destined to see these works 
 completed and the last link in the chain forged 
 that will surround Manhattan, Brooklyn, the 
 Bronx and Queens, and that will forever remove 
 the wall which nature had erected between Long 
 Island and Manhattan Island. Then will we see 
 again how the human mind and human strength 
 can overcome and conquer the brute forces of 
 nature, and then we may once more triumphantly 
 point to American enterprise, ingenuity and 
 achievement, which ever find new means of pro- 
 viding for the countless multitudes that throng 
 the shores of the richest country on the face of 
 the earth. 
 
1 FLUSHING CREEK BELOW THE BRIDGE 
 
 2 BATHING SCENE AT COLLEGE POINT 
 
 3 KISSENA LAKE IN KISSENA PARK 
 
 4 CROCHERON's HOTEL (BURNED IN I9O7) ONCE BOS S TWEED'S HEADQUARTERS 
 
 5 FLUSHING BOAT CLUB AT POINT RUTH 
 
ELMHURST, L.I., STREET VIEWS 
 
 1 EIGHTH STREET AND WHITNEY AVE. 
 
 2 NORTH TERRACE 
 
 3 NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 4 POLICE STATION AND COURT HOUSE 
 
 5 SHELL ROAD AND THIRD STREET 
 
 6 CARNEGIE LIBRARY 
 
 7 PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. 8o, BLISSVILLE 
 
 8 BROADWAY 
 
 9 HOFFMAN BOULEVARD 
 
 10 DEWITT CLINTON MANSION 
 
NOTEWORTHY BUILDINGS AND PLACES 
 
 PART III 
 
 T is worth our while to look a 
 little closer at the attractions 
 Queens Borough has to show 
 both as regards its natural ad- 
 vantages and those created by 
 I mortal man. To enumerate 
 : them dryly and in regular 
 order would indeed present the facts as 
 they are, but in a very cold way and with- 
 out producing the right impression. For an 
 array of figures or facts may indeed stagger the 
 human mind and compel the admission that 
 something truly great and imposing is being 
 shown, but it will not impress itself in such a 
 way that the real meaning of such facts and fig- 
 ures is comprehended. The man who has never 
 seen a larger sum than one hundred dollars and 
 has all his life been compelled to count his single 
 dollars cannot comprehend what the possession of 
 a million means. When we read in the reports of 
 the Census Bureau that one state alone produces 
 ten millions of chickens annually, we stand in 
 awe before this enormous total, but we cannot 
 form a conception of what it really means. Even 
 if all these animals were driven past us, we could 
 not bring our mind to form an accurate esti- 
 mate of the whole number taken as one solid 
 mass. Beyond certain figures or limits which 
 we can readily see and measure, according to 
 what we are accustomed to deal with or have 
 learned to handle, our imagination refuses to 
 work. If we were desirous of forming a cor- 
 rect conception of what the figures given in the 
 case in question really mean, we would have to 
 visit that state and go from farm to farm, from 
 city to city, and from one shipping point of 
 poultry to another in order to see all the phases 
 of the industry of raising chickens. We would 
 then know what it means when we hear that a 
 state raises so and so many millions of chickens, 
 but the mere figures would even then remain 
 meaningless to us. In the same way, if we 
 would mention all the beautiful and important 
 buildings in Queens, we would, at the end of 
 the recital, know little more than that there are 
 fine buildings there. But if we contemplate all 
 the beautiful spots in the borough, whether struc- 
 tures raised by human hands or scenes provided 
 with lavish hands by nature, we will be impressed 
 with the fact that there is much to see of many 
 
 different kinds, and it will be much easier for 
 us to appreciate fully what there is worthy of it. 
 We will for this reason select the objects that 
 should be pointed out and remembered, at ran- 
 dom and without any special system that would 
 only be a hindrance to the full and unfettered 
 sweep of the imagination. 
 
 We begin, of course, with the most important 
 building in Queens Borough, inasmuch as within 
 its walls a large part of the official life of the 
 municipality centers. It is the Queens County 
 Court-house, and was finished in 1874 before 
 anybody thought of consolidation. A large and 
 imposing structure in the style of the French 
 Renaissance with a high mansard roof and tower, 
 it is visible from a long distance, standing as it 
 does on elevated ground. For a long time the 
 surroundings were neglected, the growth of the 
 borough not progressing as rapidly as the build- 
 ers of the court-house expected when they placed 
 it some distance away from the more densely set- 
 tled district, and it appeared somewhat lonely 
 and out of place. Passengers on the railroad 
 used to wonder what the large building might be, 
 never dreaming that a court-house would be 
 erected in any other spot than upon the principal 
 square or place of the city, this being the cus- 
 tom almost everywhere, but the men responsible 
 for the selection of the locality may have, in the 
 fullest sense of the word, builded better than they 
 knew, for the court-house will without question 
 be soon surrounded by buildings of modern con- 
 struction instead of the old and small houses 
 which form the largest part of the old Long 
 Island City, and it will thus, with its site which 
 overlooks the surrounding district for a consid- 
 erable district, be much more imposing and pre- 
 sent a grander appearance 'than if it had been 
 erected in the center of a comparatively primi- 
 tive settlement which will not change its charac- 
 ter, once established, for many years to come. 
 
 Not so very far away we find another fine 
 building, the old First Ward School of Long 
 Island City, which now forms, of course, a part 
 of the school system of the Greater City. It 
 must be pointed out with emphasis and pardon- 
 able pride that this fine structure was erected 
 by Long Island City long before consolidation, 
 and indeed before the old city of New York be- 
 gan to build the large, beautiful and modern 
 
 39 
 
40 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 schoolhouses which during the last decade have 
 sprung up all over the territory under the juris- 
 diction of the Board of Education. It shows that 
 the residents of Queens were not at all behind 
 New York in their estimate of the importance 
 of a good education, and in the readiness to pro- 
 vide suitable means for this purpose. In fact, 
 they were just a little ahead, if anything, and if 
 later on the older boroughs progressed with 
 somewhat greater strides, the reason for it 
 was at least in part that Long Island City had 
 already provided sufficiently for its children and 
 could wait a while until other districts caught 
 up. If the excellfnce of the school system and 
 the munificence with which the tools required — 
 
 BOARD WALK, ROCKAWAY 
 
 which includes, of course, buildings as .well as 
 books or teachers — are furnished permit a con- 
 clusion upon the character of the inhabitants of 
 a community, we are safe in saying that the Bor- 
 ough of Queens contains a very superior kind 
 of men and women. 
 
 Then there is the old Town Hall in Jamaica, 
 a large, solid and substantial looking structure in 
 a style that was very popular for public build- 
 ings a generation or more ago, and which may 
 be called a modified French Renaissance with a 
 sprinkling of colonial. It has also a mansard roof 
 and a tower, not so high as the court-house at 
 Long Island City, and with a flat instead of a 
 dome roof. The predilection for mansard roofs 
 on the part of our immediate forefathers is not 
 easily explainable, but that it existed there is no 
 doubt, for we find this construction not only in 
 public buildings but in many private residences 
 that were built with the desire to make somewhat 
 of a showing. In this case at least the mansard is 
 high and roomy with large windows which give 
 light and air, and the many tall chimneys sur- 
 rounding it make a very picturesque effect. As 
 a whole, the building, with its noble lines and 
 free from any attempt at cheap decoration, makes 
 a very dignified impression, although it is a little 
 old-fashioned. Jamaica has a number of very 
 pretty streets, some of which are lined with mod- 
 
 ern cottages, while in others the Dutch and the 
 colonial style, which were exclusively used in 
 former times, as well as the age cf the buildings 
 remind us that the village was settled long ago 
 by families of importance and dignity who have 
 left their imprint upon the community and whose 
 descendants still dwell among us. The stately 
 old trees give a special charm to many of these 
 thoroughfares, and streets like Clinton or Hills- 
 dale Avenues are indeed an ornament to any city. 
 There are many such avenues in the different 
 settlements in Queens, and we will mention some 
 of the more important and prettiest in the course 
 of our narrative. 
 
 Entirely different, though not less charming, 
 are for instance the views our eyes meet in Far 
 Rockaway. Here the soil, with its large admix- 
 ture of pure sand, and the high winds prevailing 
 during the wintry season present conditions which 
 do not favor the growth of tall and strong trees. 
 Again, the settlement is more modern, and instead 
 of streets we find very broad avenues at whose 
 intersections shrubbery and even flower beds are 
 placed. The cottages, of all styles of architec- 
 ture and in many cases the result of the whim of 
 the owner or builder, present an ever changing 
 picture, made lively and attractive bj' the con- 
 stant change in the surroundings. Here we find 
 spacious lawns covering a wide space around each 
 cottage, and relieved by shrubs, flowers and 
 plants that are carefully nursed. There is nothing 
 of tradition, nothing of bygone days in this set- 
 tlement, nothing that reminds us of the past, but 
 everything calls to the mind the life of the pres- 
 ent with its yearning for the bright side, for 
 beauty, and for the enjoyment of everything the 
 world offers to him who is in position to enjoy it. 
 From the shore of the Atlantic we jump to 
 the East River and take a peep at the busy water 
 front of old Long Island City. The background 
 is formed here by high factory buildings, uni- 
 form and even monotonous in their appearance, 
 devoid of decorations, showing that utility pure 
 and simple was considered in their erection, but 
 the high smoke-stacks pour forth volumes of 
 smoke and tell the story of activity going on 
 within those somber walls. Here is the backbone 
 of the strength of Queens, so to speak, for here 
 all the nerves that make the independent posi- 
 tion of the borough possible run together. Nearer 
 at the shore are the docks with the long rows of 
 piling e.xtending far into the river. Alongside 
 the bulwarks erected by human hands mighty 
 ocean steamers flying the flags of all the na- 
 tions on the face of the earth and manned by 
 crews of many nationalities, are fastened to terra 
 firma. They rock to and fro, as if they were im- 
 patient to be cast loose and to be permitted to 
 do battle to their constant enemies, the waves of 
 
THE OLD VAN PELT HOUSE, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
 THE OLD DEBEVOISE HOUSE, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
THE OLD STEVENS HOUSE, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
 THE OLD GOSMAN HOUSE, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 43 
 
 the wide oceans, but they are firmly held in bond 
 until the human pigmies that master the enor- 
 mous monsters are ready to release them. Some 
 of them have brought valuable cargoes from far 
 away; perhaps sugar from the Hawaiian Islands 
 on the other face of the globe, or lumber from 
 the coast of the Pacific, or goods, that are to be 
 use°d in manufacturing articles, from Europe or 
 Africa. Others, empty bellied, are being filled 
 with petroleum that will light the small cabin of 
 the semi-savage in a far-away land, or with the 
 product of one of the many factories in this 
 section. Other steamships, smaller and of less 
 solid build, and sailing vessels bring cargoes 
 from nearby ports, from New England, the 
 South or the West Indies. They come ' and go 
 constantly and remain only long enough to be 
 relieved of their loads, or to be stuffed again 
 until no space is left between their timbers. And 
 while they are busy but resting from their long 
 vogages, the large Sound steamers, carrying many 
 thousands, pass by, flags flying, bands playing and 
 whistles hoarsely saluting; small craft of all 
 kinds go up and down the river, the expensive 
 private yacht, the swift motor boat, the fisher- 
 man's yawl and the modest catboat. With the 
 regularity of clockwork the broad ferry-boats, 
 which seem to rest upon the surface of the waters, 
 run almost noiselessly from shore to shore, 
 landing at either end of the trip with a great 
 deal of clanging of bells, tooting of whistles 
 and crashing of timbers. They take on and dis- 
 charge immense throngs of busy people, either 
 on the way to work or returning to their homes. 
 But the army of workers which fills these flying 
 bridges does not form an incessant stream that 
 flows without interruption. During the middle 
 of the day, when it has slackened, its place is 
 taken by the many thousands who desire to 
 escape the city and to find, health and recreation 
 on Long Island. Especially during the summer 
 and while the racing season is on, these boats 
 are filled with men and women of means who are 
 in search of pleasure. Long rows of automo- 
 biles take the place of the trucks laden with 
 produce or manufactured articles, and in place 
 of the blue jumper of the workingman we see 
 the long, light-colored coat of the chauffeur and 
 the filmy lace garments of Dame Fashion. The 
 finest sight, however, for the man or woman who 
 feels for humanity is offered on Sundays and 
 holidays when the toilers from the large city 
 wend their way in untold numbers toward the 
 glens and meadows of Long Island, toward the 
 gardens and the many resorts along the shore. 
 Happy and full of expectation, filled with the 
 ardent desire to spend one day of the week 
 among the beauties nature provides for every- 
 body, yearning for fresh and invigorating air, 
 
 they come forward, clad in their best and full 
 of peace and and good will. And in the evening 
 they return, tired but happy, their arms holding 
 large bunches of wild flowers, their faces bronzed 
 by the sun and the winds, their lungs expanded 
 with the fresh air of the sea, and ready to be- 
 gin battle again on the morrow for a life that 
 after all offers so little real enjoyment. Indeed, 
 the ferry-boats plying between Manhattan and 
 Queens see many phases of human life, and 
 here one might study almost all the different and 
 so widely diverging conditions in which man is 
 placed by fate and the consequences of his own 
 acts. 
 
 Not very far from the shore of the East River 
 we find a typical settlement of people who toil 
 hard during the day and desire to be as near to 
 nature during the hours of rest as is possible 
 for men who must work early and late, and 
 who for this reason cannot live at a great dis- 
 tance from the factory, the workshop, or the 
 office. This is Woodside, aptly named because 
 it is near to a large tract of woodland and it- 
 self half village and half garden. The houses 
 are for the most part of a modest type, but in 
 almost every case surrounded by well and neatly 
 kept gardens, and the streets are lined with tall 
 shade-trees. Whole rows of these may be justly 
 called not only beautiful, but magnificent, and 
 a view of the settlement, when the trees are 
 covered with green leaves, is enchanting. One 
 
 ' BOARD WALK AND BEACH, ARVERNE 
 
 perceives a cluster of dwelling-houses inter- 
 spersed with broad green ribbons, and the whole 
 scene gives the impression of peace and con- 
 tentment which indeed the residents of Wood- 
 side feel when they have left the dust of the 
 hot factory behind and breathe the pure air 
 fragrant with the aroma of the maples and 
 lindens on all sides. Close to the settlement 
 proper and forming a part of the former village 
 of Woodside is a range of low hills, though they 
 are high enough to permit a view of the sur- 
 rounding country, the East River and the higher 
 buildings on Manhattan Island. Here are located 
 
44 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEEXS 
 
 the residences of a number of prominent New 
 York business men, and the city has selected 
 this spot for a park which will be established 
 as soon as the necessity arises. For the present 
 the children of the neighborhood have the woods 
 to roam in and are not in need of artificially 
 laid out playgrounds, but the time will arrive 
 when they will, like their less fortunate brothers 
 and sisters in the big citj' across the river, be 
 confined to the street or the back yards unless 
 the community provides other places. This will 
 be done, and with wise foresight the spot has 
 alreadj' been selected as one especially adapted 
 for the purpose on account of its location and 
 natural beauty. 
 
 Farther out on the Long Island Railroad, but 
 still within easy reach of the business district 
 we find a settlement which is somewhat ditiferent 
 from Woodside as well as from Far Rockaway. 
 It is somewhat more pretentious than the former 
 and not quite as much so as the latter. This is 
 Hollis, with several subdivisions, as Hollis Ter- 
 race, Hollis Gardens, etc. A great many people 
 who formerly lived in Manhattan or Brooklyn 
 have settled here and built comfortable houses 
 some of which are very substantial and even 
 much above the average. The settlement is com- 
 paratively new, and it therefore lacks the one 
 feature which makes Woodside and other older 
 villages so attractive, namely, the shade-trees. 
 It is true that in Hollis all the avenues and streets 
 are lined with trees, but they are still young and 
 tender, and many years will elapse before they 
 give to the settlement that characteristic im- 
 pression of dignity and' repose that is always 
 connected with the long rows of tall, wide-spread- 
 ing and ripe old trees, which we see in the older 
 communities. But Hollis is develcping finely and 
 is attracting a very good class of residents. 
 There is no doubt but that it will be one of the 
 best known and most highly appreciated locali- 
 ties in Queens within a very brief space of 
 time. 
 
 There are a number of such settlements within 
 the confines of the borough, of all classes, kinds 
 and grades. Cedarhurst, not far from Rocka- 
 way, is again different, inasmuch as it has at- 
 tracted quite a number of rich families who have 
 founded a colony of New York society. Here 
 the buildings are, of course, very elaborate ; 
 some of them can hardly be called cottages but 
 are really large houses, though they are built in 
 a style which reminds us of the lightly con- 
 structed summer house. They are in many cases 
 provided with stables and garages, and not a 
 few of the establishments are equal to those 
 at N'ewport and other places where the wealthy 
 go for their amusement. The residents of this 
 
 section devote a considerable part of their time 
 to sports, such as races, golf and fox-hunting. 
 Some of the best known amateur riders of the 
 country reside here. 
 
 It has already been mentioned that a wide 
 road is going to be constructed along the shore 
 of the Sound from Astoria to Flushing, but this 
 will, of course, take time. It will require the 
 expenditure of a great amount of money, and 
 cannot be begun until more urgent and immedi- 
 ately necessary improvements have been com- 
 pleted. But there is already a road in existence, 
 which does not extend over the whole distance 
 mentioned, but which is very pretty and will not 
 be forgotten by anybody who ever drove over it. 
 It is the shore road, or as it is sometimes called, 
 the shore drive in Astoria. Here we have on one 
 side green meadows, houses, gardens and trees, 
 while on the other one are the placid waters of 
 the Sound. The road follows the windings of 
 the shore and gives us an opportunity to admire 
 the inlets and promontories which mark the 
 boundary between land and water like a minia- 
 ture reproduction of the coast line of a moun- 
 tainous country. It is a charming stretch of 
 road, peaceful and idyllic, and from it we can 
 form an idea how grand and beautiful the shore 
 road extending all along the borough will be 
 when completed. Still, the true lover of nature 
 will regret the disappearance of this pretty bit 
 of road, or rather its transformation into a broad 
 paved highway with artificially made flower beds, 
 fountains and ornaments, and bordered by care- 
 fully trimmed trees. When all this has been in- 
 troduced and the multitude crowds the new drive, 
 the world will be richer by a beautiful piece of 
 work, but a bit of nature, precious to many, will 
 be lost. But we must not complain for it is 
 unavoidable that the growth of the cities does 
 away with many things which we would like to 
 retain, and which ought to be retained, but must 
 make room for the inexorable demands of stern 
 necessity. 
 
 Some distance before the settlement of Stein- 
 way is reached the old shore drive winds its way 
 inland, and emerges again from the built-up part, 
 at the shore of the Bowery Bay. Ever since 
 colonial times. New York business men built 
 houses on this ba}' in order to spend the summer. 
 Later on the Steinways had their cottages here, 
 and in the early nineties the late William Stein- 
 way conceived the idea of founding a place where 
 the masses could find innocent amusement. He 
 succeeded in interesting the well known brewer, 
 George Eh ret, and soon the new establishment, 
 Bowery Bay Beach, was in full swing. The 
 name was shortly after changed to North Beach. 
 The place was built up on quite a large scale. 
 
THE OLD BRAGAW HOUSE, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
 THE OLD MOORE HOUSE, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
FLUSHING POST OFFICE 
 SCHUMACHER BLR 
 
 RICKERT-FINLAY BLD. 
 BACH BLD. 
 ROGERS BLD. AND STATION AT BROADWAY, FLUSHING 
 
 N.Y. & N.J. TELEPHONE BLD. 
 BARTLETT BLD. 
 
 BUSIXESS BUILDINGS IN FLUSHING 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 47 
 
 All the popular forms of amusements were pro- 
 vided, theaters, merry-go-rounds, Ferris wheels, 
 toboggan slides, chutes, etc. A wide road along 
 the shore was laid out, and an old mansion 
 changed into a restaurant. The place became 
 very popular although it could not successfully 
 compete with Coney Island and the resorts on 
 the shore of the Atlantic. Still it grew and 
 flourished and furnished enjoyment for many 
 who lived in localities from which North Beach 
 could be easily reached. 
 
 After having contemplated nature we will re- 
 turn to a few of the building that are worth 
 being noted. The first structure that confronts 
 the passengers alighting from the ferry-boats 
 in Long Island City is the depot and terminal 
 of the Long Island Railroad. It is not a very 
 imposing or beautiful building; it seems rather 
 to have been erected with a view of furnishing 
 the space required for the transaction of busi- 
 ness with as little expense as possible. The rail- 
 roads of this country have not yet learned to 
 appreciate the fact that in the erection of sta- 
 tions and depots other considerations should 
 be weighed than the mere question of providing 
 office space and the absolutely necessary shelter 
 for the waiting passengers. They seldom con- 
 sider the comfort of the passengers sufficiently, 
 and only in a few instances have they made at- 
 tempts at ornamentation of their buildings. This 
 polic5' may justly be called short-sighted, for 
 even a railroad should try to secure the good will 
 of its customers, that is, the passengers who fur- 
 nish so large a part of the income. Of course, 
 the Long Island Railroad has a monopoly of 
 steam transportation in the territory it serves, 
 but this should not prevent it from caring for 
 its passengers to the fullest extent of its ability. 
 And who knows, whether in the near future 
 steam transportation will not be superseded by 
 electricity on an island that is by no means too 
 large to be traversed in every direction by elec- 
 tric cars, running swiftly and with great fre- 
 quency? However this may be, the fact re- 
 mains that the depot at Long Island City is sub- 
 stantial enough but by no means worthy of the 
 great railroad which it serves, nor commodious 
 enough for the large traffic it has to accommo- 
 date at times. There is one fact which may ex- 
 cuse the railroad for spending more money for 
 it, and that is the probability that after the com- 
 pletion of the Pennsylvania Railroad tunnels this 
 station will lose a large part of its present im- 
 portance. If it is maintained in future as here- 
 tofore, it would not only appear to be the duty 
 of the railroad to replace the present barnlike 
 structure with a larger and more artistic building, 
 but it may also be said without serious danger of 
 contradiction that such a step would serve the 
 
 road as an advertisement the value of which in 
 regard to enlarging its business can hardly be 
 overestimated. 
 
 A building of an entirely different type and 
 devoted to an entirely different use is Grace 
 Episcopal Church in Jamaica. There are many 
 larger and more highly ornamented churches in 
 this country, not to speak of the Old World, but 
 there are few that in their exterior appearance so 
 thoroughly express the spirit that reigns within and 
 lend, to the erection of the church. The digni- 
 fied and massive building itself, covered with 
 green ivy and surrounded by beautiful trees, 
 shows that repose which is the touchstone of true 
 art and which arouses contentment and the blessed 
 feeling of quiet peace in the heart of the weary 
 wanderer who approaches it But the finest fea- 
 ture of this church is its tower, rising upon mass- 
 ive stone columns or piers, from the tops of 
 which, above the belfry, a spire rises that is the 
 very embodiment of beauty and symbolistic sig- 
 nificance. This spire tapers so gracefully that it 
 appears much higher than it really is, and it fills 
 everybody who is not completely dead to the high- 
 er emotions with the desire to follow it up and 
 up into the regions where its highest point seems 
 to be lost. If ever a spire deserved to be called 
 the finger that points out the way to heaven, that 
 calls the sinner to the road leading to salvation, 
 it is certainly this one of the Grace Episcopal 
 Church of Jamaica. 
 
 The flower gardens of Floral, Park have been 
 mentioned already. On a level plain we find here 
 almost every known variety of plants and flowers 
 that will thrive in this climate. Immense beds 
 are covered with blossoms, and shrubs as well 
 as trees surround us on all sides. Especially dur- 
 ing the spring and early summer the scene is 
 really enchanting, and the air is filled with the 
 fragrance of millions' of flowers. The effect is 
 not limited to the vast stretches of ground where 
 plants are grown for the market or for their 
 seeds, but the residents of the neighborhood nat- 
 urally profit by the nearness of the greenhouses 
 and flower plantations, and emulate their ex- 
 ample in their own gardens which are as fine and 
 perhaps finer than those in most of the other 
 settlements. There is only one thing missing: the 
 old trees which give so much character to a land- 
 scape. We find them in the pretty and well kept 
 Flushing Park, surrounding a beautiful fountain 
 and giving shade and coolness to women and 
 children, who come here to rest or play. They 
 are also to be seen in old Newtown, shading the 
 avenues that have not yet b6<;n changed by the 
 forward march of modern buildings. Several of 
 the roads have retained their rural character and 
 lead the wanderer through gardens and stately 
 groups of high trees past dwellings that are both 
 
48 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 attractive and speak of quietness ,peace and hap- 
 piness. 
 
 Going back to Astoria, we find in ]\Iain Street 
 especially all the signs of a steady transformation. 
 The old wooden buildings are slowly disappear 
 ing, and in their places arise substantial houses 
 of brick and stone. Many blocks are built up 
 solidly, and every year brings not only improve- 
 ment but also extension. The principal streets 
 and avenues do no longer impress the visitor who 
 arrives at the ferry landing as if they were strag- 
 gling away from the busy center of the village 
 
 GRACE CHURCH, JAMAICA 
 
 into a distant desert, halting here and there, with 
 great gaps in the rows of houses, but they are 
 becoming compact masses. At the same time the 
 stores are growing larger and more pretentious, 
 the indications are getting stronger that business 
 activity is on the increase, and that in this re- 
 spect also the borough is striving to become in- 
 dependent of its neighbors. Main Street, the 
 principal business thoroughfare, is no longer a 
 cheap and tawdry imitation of a similar street 
 in a large city, but a real center of considerable 
 importance. Traffic is heavy here, even if we 
 do not consider the long lines of trucks and 
 wagons which wend their way toward the ferry in 
 the morning, and return empty in the evening. 
 Trade is brisk, and the electric cars, moving swift- 
 ly among the delivery wagons and the carriages 
 with the help of which the residents transact 
 their business, make the scene a lively one indeed. 
 It becomes especially attractive on a summer 
 holiday or Sunday when the throngs of city 
 dwellers in bright garments and with the joy of 
 the pleasure seeker upon theirs faces roll past 
 in the cars or wend their way slowly to their 
 destination on the sidewalks. Astoria can indeed 
 be proud of the way in which its main business 
 street is growing and improving. And this is a 
 
 good sign, for the condition of the principal thor- 
 oughfare, and the fact whether it remains stag- 
 nant or is constantly changing for the better, is 
 a good indication of the prosperity and the en- 
 terprise of a locality. 
 
 There are two or more churches in Jamaica 
 which deserve notice. They are both built in a 
 much simpler style than the one we have de- 
 scribed, because the denominations which wor- 
 ship in them are devoted to greater simplicity 
 in this respect, but they are also fine buildings. 
 The Chapel of the Sisters in Prospect Cemetery 
 is a massive, square, vaultlike structure with an 
 arched entrance, showing a deep recess. It is 
 eminently fitted in design for the purpose it serves 
 and makes a deep impression. The Reformed 
 Church is larger and more pretentious, but also 
 quiet in design and outline. According to cus- 
 tom, its steeple is cut off abruptly just above the 
 belfry, but the broad sweep of steps leading to 
 the entrance and being flanked by two projecting 
 towers gives the building an open and inviting 
 aspect which is exceedingly agreeable. The high 
 and broad windows on all sides, surmounted by 
 round arches, fill the church with a flood of light, 
 .^s is eminentl}' fitting, this church is enclosed by 
 green trees, while the Sisters' Chapel is sur- 
 rounded by dark firs and cedars. 
 
 A striking contrast to these modern houses of 
 worship is furnished by the old Quaker meeting- 
 house at Flushing which was erected in 1695. It 
 is a square building constructed of clapboards 
 with a shingled roof that slants from all' four 
 walls towards the center, leaving but a short 
 ridge line. The foundation consists of rough 
 stone, and on one side a small porch is added. 
 The windows are square, and about the only at- 
 tempt at diversification is shown in the fact that 
 in one of the long walls the iwo outer windows 
 are of about double the size of the two inner ones. 
 However, other reasons inay have caused this de- 
 parture from strict and rigid simplicity. Under 
 any circumstances, the old meeting-house shows 
 how little our forbears asked for unnecessary 
 decorations, and how firm they were in their re- 
 solve to allow nothing to interfere with their 
 thoughts in worshiping. 
 
 Not far from this meeting-house stands the 
 old Bowne house which is even older, having been 
 erected in 1661, a low, long structure, built of 
 the same material. It is almost hidden by bushes 
 and vines that reach to the eaves of the steep 
 gabled roof. In appearance it is not very much 
 different from the old houses we find in many of 
 the Eastern States and even in New York and 
 New Jersey, but it is noteworthy because it has 
 withstood the march of several centuries and 
 still serves its purpose, although on all sides 
 modern structures have grown up. 
 
THE OLD PAYNTAR HOUSE, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
 THE OLD DURYEA HOUSE, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
THE RAPELVE MANSION, ASTORIA 
 
 THE OLD WASHINGTON HOUSE, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 51 
 
 Astoria does not stand alone as far as modern 
 business buildings are concerned. There are at 
 least a dozen similar examples of enterprise in 
 Jamaica. The building of the Bank of Jamaica 
 is one of the best. It is built of brick, three sto- 
 ries high, with large arched windows in the two 
 lower stories. Very substantial, as a place where 
 money is deposited and kept should be, the struc- 
 ture contains as fine offices as can be procured 
 anywhere, and is a real ornament to the village 
 at the same time. In Jamaica we find also the 
 Adikes Building, erected by the firm of the same 
 name, and used by them for their extensive pro- 
 vision trade. Here it was not desired nor neces- 
 sary to produce the effect of soliditj' and firmness, 
 and more attention was given to the ornamental 
 side with great success. 
 
 There is only one short step from business to 
 manufacturing, or, rather, the two are so inter- 
 woven that they can hardly be separated. A de- 
 scription of the Borough of Queens would in- 
 deed be incomplete if the giant factories of the 
 firm of Steinway & Sons at Steinway were not 
 mentioned. We have seen how William Steinway 
 bought a large tract of land near Bowery Bay 
 with the intention of erecting his factory and 
 houses for the employes. The buildings devoted 
 to the making of pianos now cover several acres, 
 and there are also several other enterprises con- 
 nected with the establishment. They are, of course, 
 factories like all others but still a little different 
 from a great many in that they are well taken 
 care of, and that an attempt is made to hide the 
 ugly spots which cannot be obliterated entirely 
 where a business of this nature is carried on. 
 The Steinways did not consider their duty done 
 when they started their factories, and they did 
 not leave it to their employes to find shelter as 
 best they could. They either built dwellings and 
 rented them to the working men, or they assisted 
 them in acquiring their own homes. And one 
 of their first steps was to build a gas plant and 
 water works, in order to supply the comforts and 
 conveniences to which modern man is used. The 
 village of Steinway that sprung up around the 
 brick piles forming the workshops of the firm 
 was in many ways far ahead of other settle- 
 ments in Queens for a long time, even of some 
 situated much nearer to the former city of New 
 York and the line of travel from thence to Long 
 Island. It was laid out on a liberal scale, and its 
 principal thoroughfare, Steinway Avenue, is a 
 broad road with spacious sidewalks protected by 
 shade-trees. It bids fair to become one of the 
 most important and at the same time most beauti- 
 ful streets of the borough, especially as the dis- 
 trict is rapidly developing and cottages are spring- 
 ing up on the side streets in goodly numbers. Sev- 
 eral blocks are already completely covered with 
 
 brick buildings containing stores on the lower 
 floors. Taken all in all, Steinway is rapidly prov- 
 ing the foresightedness and good business judg- 
 ment of its founder who saw it grow up but did 
 not live to see it flourish and take first rank 
 among the newer settlements. He was the first 
 one to perceive that a tunnel under the East River 
 was the best means of securing communication 
 between Manhattan and Long Island and thereby 
 developing Queens. He secured the first franchise 
 for the underground passage between the two 
 boroughs, and while he was at the time attacked 
 from many quarters for his foolish notion, as 
 it was called, that people would ever care to 
 travel through a hole in the ground, events have 
 proved that he was right. Not Steinway alone, 
 but the whole Borough of Queens has already 
 felt the effect of the construction of tunnels that 
 are not yet in use, and it will feel them in a 
 much larger measure as soon as electric under- 
 ground transit to Manhattan Borough has become 
 a feality. 
 
 A view of College Point shows a friendly vil- 
 lage laid out for the most part in i-egular squares. 
 It is really a small city, with good schools, fac- 
 tories, and everything else that makes a communi- 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA 
 
 ty complete. Outside of the part in which the 
 large mansions and spacious grounds of wealthy 
 families are located, the dwellings are for the 
 greater part nice and well appointed cottages that 
 can be erected with moderate outlay. Pretty 
 gardens and fine trees are there in abundance and 
 give the village a friendly air, at the same time 
 pr.otecting it against the danger of becoming citi- 
 fied. It is hardly possible to combine the ad- 
 vantages of city and country life in a more per- 
 fect way than is done in College Point. It should 
 be mentioned that near the shore we find several 
 large establishments which, with other similar 
 
52 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 places at Whitestone, provide entertainment for 
 large excursion parties. Here most of the out- 
 ings of the political organizations of the Greater 
 City are held, enormous quantities of victuals and 
 liquid refreshments are disposed of in one day, 
 and many a political deal that does not see the 
 day until months after is engineered. One large 
 building at College Point must not be forgotten : 
 the Berechah Orphanage, an institution, as the 
 name indicates, for the care of orphaned children. 
 Let us return to the seashore and glance once 
 more at the Rockaways and Arverne. We have 
 spoken of the cottages along the wide roads. 
 There are also other things to see; in the first 
 place the large hotels which cover considerable 
 ground and house thousands during the summer 
 months. With their myriads of lights, the sound 
 of the music and the conversation of the guests, 
 with the many-colored dresses of the women and 
 the dull beating of the waves against the sandy 
 shore, they form an enchanting series of living 
 pictures as one wanders along the strand after 
 the sun has set. In the daytime the scene is not 
 less interesting and varied. Hundreds, aye, thou- 
 ands of people are in the water, enjoying the re- 
 freshing salt water and the surf which throws 
 them in all directions when the heavy rollers come 
 in. Others rest on the white sand after the bath 
 or indulge in games, if not in innocent flirtation. 
 Others again lounge on the broad piazzas and 
 verandas of the hostelries, enjoying the meals or 
 gazing idly over the broad expanse of the ocean 
 and the foam-capped waves. Along the shore we 
 find a number of charitable institutions where 
 invalids, especially women and children, are cared 
 for, and others which give to poor mothers the 
 opportunity to rest for a day or a week, or if 
 need be, even longer, from their arduous life 
 among the tenements. There are also the nur- 
 series devoted to the care of smaller children, 
 manjf of whom would never see the ocean or feel 
 a cool breeze on a summer day if more fortunate- 
 ly situated people did not furnish the funds for 
 establishing the homes devoted to so noble a 
 purpose. These children from the densely popu- 
 lated districts of the big city enjoy the novelty 
 of a trip to the seashore certainly as much, per- 
 haps much more, than those who take it freqeunt- 
 ly. The difference is, however, not visible, for 
 the army of children that romps on the sand or 
 in the surf, or enjoys the delights of the merry- 
 go-round and other similar contrivances, is en- 
 tirely unanimous in the conviction that nothing 
 better can exist in the world and in the life to 
 come. The seashore is a great leveler as soon 
 as the hotel, the cottage or the boarding-house 
 has been left behind, and neither the necessary 
 regards for fine company nor the fear of appear- 
 ing to disadvantage before the dignified waiter 
 
 forces constraint upon the man intent upon mak- 
 ing a good appearance. And after the clothes 
 are taken off that shut the real man off from 
 air and sunshine, when the bathing suit has been 
 donned then democracy reigns supreme and all 
 are alike, act alike and seen to become familiar 
 with each other without formal introduction. It 
 is curious how man or woman changes according 
 to the clothes he or she wears, and it seems as 
 if even the most dignified and exacting did not 
 consider it necessary to keep up the rules laid 
 down for constant use, the moment their clothes 
 do not require it any longer. 
 
 And the variety we see in the life at the sea- 
 shore we find also in the buildings that comprise 
 the settlements. The large and expensive villa 
 with spacious grounds, the small cottages stand- 
 ing close to each other, the big hotel with wide 
 verandas, the small boarding-house catering to 
 the great middle class, the pretentious store with 
 plate glass windows containing a stock of goods 
 large enough to feed a village, and the little stand 
 erected for use during a few months only, they 
 are all neighbors and permit all elements of 
 the ever-changing army that seeks not only rest 
 and recreation, but frequently also the opportuni- 
 ty to get rid of a superabundance of tempera- 
 ment, to fill their wants according to habit, in- 
 clination and the size of the purse, which is al- 
 ways the final arbiter and against whose decision 
 no appeal lies. Thus we see Seaside Avenue for 
 instance, with its long rows of low wooden build- 
 ings, of which only a few rise above the second 
 story, and again we find a block away another 
 street with substantial brick, iron and stone 
 structures, like the one of the Far Rockaway 
 Bank on Center Avenue. No less imposing are 
 the Wynn Building and the Jennings Building, as 
 well as many others too numerous to mention. 
 And while the greater part of the cottages at Far 
 Rockaway stands upon large plots of grounds, 
 there are there as well as at Arverne rows of 
 them which are divided only by small strips of 
 grass or narrow beds of flowers. These smaller 
 cottages are roomy and in almost every case en- 
 circled with broad verandas, but there is a cer- 
 tain uniformity about them. They are all the 
 same distance apart, and their front steps form 
 an absolutely straight line. A row of a dozen 
 or even more cottages may be built from two, 
 or at the most three, sets of plans alternately em- 
 ployed. In other words, there is no real variety 
 visible, and the uniformity is only sufficiently in 
 terrupted to avoid monotony. These houses have 
 not been erected by the people living in them, but 
 by enterprising builders who let whole rows of 
 them go up at the same time, and either sell or 
 rent the completed dwellings. It is true that 
 districts developed after this plan lack individu- 
 
KING MANOR, JAMAICA 
 
 COLONIAL HALL, JAMAICA 
 
ARMORY 17 SEP. CO. N.G.N.Y., FLUSHING 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 ... - 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 PUBLIC LIBRARY, FLUSHING 
 
 OLD MANOR HOUSE IN EAST RIVER PARK 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 55 
 
 ality, inasmuch as the owners or occupants of 
 the dwellings have had no opportunity to give 
 play to their individual tastes, but it would be 
 decidedly wrong to infer from this that they 
 are ugly. On the contrary, the sameness which 
 may be disagreeable and almost offensive when 
 blocks of houses exactly alike in every particu- 
 lar are erected in the city where they adjoin each 
 other and where materials like brick and stone 
 are used, does not appear in the outlying dis- 
 tricts for various reasons. One of them is that 
 intervening spaces soften the monotony, and that 
 in very little time little touches of individual 
 taste appear in the treatment of the garden 
 spaces in front of the buildings. Again, a dwell- 
 ing constructed of wood appears much lighter and 
 friendlier, and even if several of them, alike in 
 every particular, are placed alongside of each 
 other, they do not produce the effect of same- 
 ness which is fatiguing to the eye. And above 
 all, American builders have hit upon a way of 
 constructing these frame cottages that is not only 
 eminently practical inasmuch as it reduces the 
 cost and permits of the erection of many of them 
 at the same time and with great despatch, but 
 also gives to them an artistic exterior pleasing 
 and tasteful at the same time. Add to this the. 
 opportunity to decorate the wide verandas, of 
 which the inhabitants make the fullest use, and 
 it is comparatively easy to overcome the tendency 
 to monotony in a row of similar buildings to 
 combat which is a hopeless task as far as brown- 
 stone houses are concerned. The natural con- 
 sequence is that districts like Rockaway, Far 
 Rockaway and Arverne are distinctly pretty lo- 
 calities where it is good to live and to visit even 
 if the presence of the ocean with all its pleasures 
 is left out of account. 
 
 Once more we must retrace our steps and take 
 another look at Jamaica, so long the principal 
 place of the County of Queens. Here, as we 
 have already seen, the past and the present are 
 close to each other, and modern and old build- 
 ings rub elbows. The old Governor King home 
 shows the way in which our forefathers built 
 their houses. It is a large, square structure, the 
 walls covered with weather boards, and the win- 
 dows set wide apart. One can see that there 
 must be plenty of room in the house for the mass- 
 ive pieces of furniture which could not be placed 
 in modern dwellings with their many openings 
 for light and ventilation set closely together. We 
 are reminded that fashion, much abused, is after 
 all not altogether unreasonable in its demands, but 
 that it is closely related and interwoven with the 
 customs and habits of life. And these are not 
 taken up at will or on account of a sudden and 
 often unreasonable whim, but are more frequently 
 the natural consequences of changes brought about 
 
 by necessity or unalterable conditions. Thus the 
 improvements wrought in the construction and 
 use of heating apparatus caused a complete up- 
 heaval in the construction of dwellings. As long 
 as the open fireplace reigned it was difficult to 
 produce the warmth necessary for comfort. Quite 
 naturally great care was taken to shut out the 
 cold air as much as possible, and just enough win- 
 dows were provided for to give the light re- 
 quired and to permit of ventilation. Thus every 
 room contained large wall spaces and furnished 
 the opportunity to place immense bedsteads, ward- 
 robes, cupboards, etc., without interfering with 
 the freedom of movement. When the self-heater 
 came into use, it was possible to have more and 
 larger windows, and under the modern system of 
 heating by hot air, water or steam, there is no 
 longer any difficulty of warming any room, how- 
 ever constructed. Hence the wall spaces which 
 shut off the interior entirely from the view of 
 the outside grew steadily smaller, while the win- 
 dows grew larger, in many cases taking up one 
 whole side of a room. Nor did it remain im- 
 perative to consider, in the construction of a 
 house, that as little wall space as possible should 
 be exposed to wind and weather, and while in the 
 old houses of a century or more ago a room 
 never had more than two outside walls, the other 
 two being partitions that separated it from an- 
 other room within the building, new conditions 
 permitted an entirely different construction. The 
 outside walls were broken and rooms thrown out 
 over the foundation line with three of their walls 
 exposed. Not only irregularity but infinite vari- 
 ety was thus produced as far as the outer appear- 
 ance was concerned, and inside the dwelling nooks 
 and corners could be arranged which were not 
 only cosy ■and easily decorated with pretty effect, 
 but gave a larger number of rooms and greater 
 privacy to the different members of the family. 
 But the new fashion, if we may call it this, made 
 it impossible to use the massive pieces of furni- 
 ture our ancestors were fond of, and new styles, 
 suitable for changed conditions, had to be found. 
 This is the real reason why the furniture of the 
 present day is of entirely different character, and 
 those who lament the change should not forget 
 that not a whim of fashion but stern necessity 
 brought it about. Besides, what we have lost 
 in massiveness, we have gained in graceful lines, 
 and as we do not settle down in one spot for the 
 rest of our life as early as our forefathers used 
 to do, but move about with much more freedom, 
 we should not complain of the loss of the kind 
 of furniture that was constructed with the in- 
 tention to serve several generations in the same 
 dwelling, and could hardly be removed from one 
 place to another, as is done to-day by almost 
 every family every few years, without an ex- 
 
56 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 pense that is out of all proportion to the present 
 cost of moving. It is possible that the popula- 
 tion of the large American cities would not have 
 become as migratory and restless as it is to-day 
 if the old furniture had been retained, but it is 
 idle to indulge in speculation on questions of 
 this kind. For many other considerations enter 
 and must be weighed before a decision is ren- 
 dered, of which only one shall be named : that 
 the constant changes in the character of the city, 
 the expansion of the business district and the 
 entrance of new and different elements into the 
 population compel a large part of the inhabitants 
 to change their domicile from day to day. The 
 shifting and moving going on constantly is by 
 no means always voluntary; it is, rather, com- 
 pulsory in the majority of cases, though it can- 
 not be denied that the consequence of these con- 
 ditions is a spirit of restlessness in the people 
 that induces them to be forever on the lookout 
 for new quarters, and makes it impossible for 
 ^hem to feel fully satisfied with their location 
 wherever it may be. 
 
 OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEWTOWN 
 
 To return to the Governor King home, we 
 find that very little effort to enhance the 
 beauty of the building is discernible. In fact, 
 there is nothing beautiful about it except its 
 simplicity which gives to it a certain dignity. 
 The center window is surmounted by an arch 
 and flanked by smooth panels, and the en- 
 trance is protected by a porch supported by 
 four Ionic columns. We might speak of it 
 as of a stately mansion, for with the immense 
 old trees which surround it, it makes indeed 
 an impression of strength and substance. But, 
 after all, it is quite clear that it was the in- 
 tention and object of the builder to provide a 
 good and roomy, as well as comfortable, house for 
 himself and his family, and that he was not in- 
 fluenced to any degree by other considerations. It 
 answered its purpose, and that is all that is re- 
 quired. 
 
 This old house forms a striking contrast 
 to a new building that was erected for the 
 
 Jamaica Club. The material is the same, 
 namely, wood, but here we see how man has 
 learned to use it in a variety of ways. The 
 walls are shingled, the windows are of many 
 different sizes and arranged either singly or 
 in groups of two and three. The columns sup- 
 porting the roof of the wide piazza, the rail- 
 ings and the newel posts are slender and of 
 many shapes. The necessity of avoiding ex- 
 posure to wind and rain did not exist, and 
 the ground plans of the different floors could 
 therefore be laid out with the single view to 
 variety and picturesqueness. The main part 
 of the building is indeed square, for the square 
 is after all the starting point of the architect, 
 but a wing is added projecting from the rear 
 line, which is much narrower than the main 
 part. This produces already an effect of va- 
 riety. In addition the upper story of the build- 
 ing is broken into at one corner, and a recess 
 is thus formed which is made use of for tlie 
 construction of a balcony accessible from a 
 room that projects from the building proper. 
 The large veranda is surmounted by an oc- 
 tagonal tower with pointed roof. The roof 
 line is broken not only by peaked windows 
 but also wherever it could be done in har- 
 mony with the construction. Here we have 
 a good example of modern ideas as opposed to 
 those prevailing centuries ago and exempli- 
 fied in the King mansion. It would be idle 
 to argue the question which of them is better 
 and preferable, for each one was used to con- 
 form with exigencies of the times, and while 
 Governor King could not have built a house 
 like that of the Jamaica Club because the 
 means were not at hand, he would not have 
 done it if he could, because the house at his 
 time would have been useless to him. On 
 the other hand, an old-fashioned house like 
 the one in question would not have suited the 
 Jamaica Club, because it would have been well 
 nigh impossible to provide within its walls 
 and its large rooms the kind of comfort that 
 was sought after. 
 
 We have spoken of some of the older streets 
 of Jamaica, with their magnificent old trees. 
 The reader might infer from what we have 
 said that the village is still resting in the 
 dreams of olden times. This is by no means 
 the case. On the contrary, Jamaica has dur- 
 ing the last ten years or more grown very 
 rapidly, and whole districts have been built 
 up. We find here conditions similar to those 
 we have described at Hollis and Rockaway. 
 In fact, the development of the suburbs of 
 a great city is generally the same, speaking 
 broadly, except where special and unusual 
 conditions exist. Now Queens has one great 
 
STREET VIEW IN EAST RIVER HEIGHTS SECTION 
 
 GARRISON HOTEL, FORT TOTTEN, L.I. 
 
HIGH SCHOOL. JAMAICA 
 
 HIGH SCHOOL, RICHMOND HHX 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 59 
 
 advantage that has not been mentioned in 
 this connection. We have spoken of its nat- 
 ural beauty, and of its nearness to the center 
 of the city on one side, and to the Sound and 
 the ocean on the other. But there is another, 
 more practical advantage that facilitates the 
 settlement, namely, the wide plains which the 
 early settlers found so well suited to the rac- 
 ing of horses that old Queens County be- 
 came the cradle of horse-racing on this con- 
 tinent. It is of immense value, and can hardly 
 be overestimated, that whole districts, in real- 
 ity new cities of considerable size, may be laid 
 out here and settled without the necessity of re- 
 moving a single cubic yard of earth for the 
 purpose of grading the streets. There are no 
 hills to level, no rocks to blast and remove, no 
 gullies that must be filled. It is true that there 
 are swamps and wet meadows in plenty, but they 
 have either not been reached yet because enough 
 dry land was ready for settlement, or they can, 
 slowly and without much expense, be filled with 
 the earth that is excavated when cellars are pro- 
 vided for new houses. In most of the settlements 
 that have grown up so far it was only neces- 
 sary to trace the streets and drive the surveyor's 
 stakes into the ground. The grade was always 
 right, and nowhere had the family that bought 
 a modest home in the suburbs to fear that after 
 a few years or even earlier the costly process of 
 regulating and grading would be undertaken, 
 compelling the owner of every house on the 
 street to either lower or raise it, or to live upon 
 a small mountain with steep precipice at the 
 front door, or again to see his second story 
 changed into a basement, several feet below the 
 level of the street. This fact has been of im- 
 mense benefit and has brought thousands of set- 
 tlers into the borough; it has at the same time 
 facilitated the operations of the companies who 
 bought large tracts and subdivided them. It has 
 also cheapened the cost of the property because 
 the expense of putting it into shape for the mar- 
 ket was inconsiderable. We must bear this in 
 mind when we wander through the part of Ja- 
 maica that has been settled during the last dec- 
 ade or so, and if we do, it will not surprise us 
 to see how houses and cottages have multiplied 
 here. The avenues are very wide, also a con- 
 sequence of the formation, for where streets 
 must be cut through hills, or rock, or where land 
 must be filled in to construct them, the seller 
 naturally makes them as narrow as he can with- 
 out endangering the value of his property, be- 
 cause work of this kind is expensive. All these 
 thoroughfares are lined with pretty and sub- 
 stantial cottages, and the custom of doing away 
 with fences, now so prevalent, is here strictly 
 adhered to. It follows that we do not see single 
 
 houses with small gardens, separated from each 
 other, but that the settlement appears like one 
 continuous large garden with pretty houses be- 
 tween the trees and shrubs. The side streets, are 
 of course, not as wide as the main avenues, but 
 they are all and every one of generous width. 
 Such thoroughfares as, for instance, Bergan and 
 Hardenbrook Avenues are indeed striking ex- 
 amples of what modern cottage colonies should 
 be, and they are by no means exceptions, but 
 may justly be taken as illustrations of the work 
 that has been done in and around Jamaica, and 
 is going on all the time at a progressive rate. 
 
 This refers, of course, to the newer and out- 
 lying districts. The main part of the town is 
 closely built up, and a view from the tower of 
 the town hall shows a large expanse of houses of 
 all kinds interspersed with the green of the trees. 
 Here the streets are not so wide but not nearly so 
 narrow as many in the old and fully settled 
 boroughs. The younger communities are for- 
 tunate inasmuch as they can profit from the mis- 
 takes made by the older ones, and this is gen- 
 erally done in one respect at least, namely in 
 sufficient provision for space for streets, public 
 places and parks. Of course, being human, it 
 is almost unavoidable that the men administering 
 the affairs of new settlements make other 
 mistakes, but even these can be more 
 easily remedied. To prove the truth of this as- 
 sertion we may cite an instance that shows clearly 
 how difficult it may become in time to do a thing 
 that appears obvious and is really necessary, but 
 has for some unaccountable reason been over- 
 looked in the past. When Central Park was laid 
 out in the old city of New York, Fifty-ninth 
 Street was fixed as its southern boundary. Why 
 this was done nobody knows. Knowing nothing 
 of the reasons of the commissioners who laid out 
 the park, nor of the conditions governing their 
 actions, we cannot understand at this day why 
 the park was not extended two blocks further 
 south, in order to make the much wider Fifty- 
 seventh Street its boundary line. It should have 
 been self-evident even so many years ago that the 
 street immediately adjoining the park must be- 
 come a great artery of travel, and that for this 
 reason it should be wider than the streets of old 
 New York are, with a few exceptions. But no- 
 body thought of either extending the park as 
 described or widening Fifty-ninth Street. Either 
 step could have been taken at the time the park 
 was established with comparatively little expense. 
 Anyway, it was not done, and the city is now 
 confronted by a problem that defies solution be- 
 cause the value of the property has risen to such 
 proportions that the acquirement of the land 
 between Fifty-ninth and Fifty-seventh Streets and 
 Fifth and Eighth Avenues is not to be thought 
 
60 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 of, while the widening of Fifty-ninth Street, 
 which has frequently been advocated, would also 
 require an outlay of many millions of dollars. In 
 a comparatively new community such errors can 
 easily be rectified, because the expense connected 
 with the changes is not very large. It is, of 
 course, highly improbable that such glaring mis- 
 takes will be committed anywhere now, because 
 ■we have learned, what was not known and hardly 
 considered possible or probable even fifty years 
 ago, that our large cities are growing at a pace 
 which our fathers could not foresee or dream of. 
 The case is cited as an example only, to prove 
 that lack of foresight may lead to very awkward 
 conditions for which no remedy exists, and to 
 show that the officials governing young and grow- 
 ing communities are acting wisely in providing 
 rather more space for streets and parks than ap- 
 pears necessary for the immediate future. 
 
 Jamaica's court-house is unique in many re- 
 spects. As a rule we find the court-house of a 
 village in the center of a public square and of a 
 style of architecture that immediately proclaims 
 its character as a building used for public pur- 
 poses. But this court-house stands on the side 
 of a public street well within the stoop line, and 
 has nothing to distinguish it from an office 
 building of a superior kind. It is, however, very 
 well and solidly built of red brick with sand- 
 stone trimmings, and handsomely ornamented in 
 the Romanesque style. What reasons the au- 
 thorities had to deviate from a custom followed 
 almost everywhere in the United States, we do 
 not know, but one thing is certain: this court- 
 bouse serves its purpose much better than many 
 highly pretentious and very expensive buildings 
 of a similar kind. If it is a businesslike affair, 
 we must not forget that it is intended for the 
 transaction of business of the most important and 
 valuable kind and that it does no harm if our 
 officials, be they judges or commissioners or any- 
 thing else, are sometimes reminded that they 
 should discharge their duties in a businesslike 
 way. The building provides high, light and airy 
 rooms from which the noise of the streets can 
 easily be shut out, and this is all it is intended 
 to do. We have therefore no right to criticize 
 those who selected the site, but may rather com- 
 mend them that they broke with a custom that 
 should be followed only here where good reasons 
 can be advanced in its behalf. 
 
 When speaking of Jamaica we must not over- 
 look the Presbyterian Church. Although a mod- 
 est house of worship it is a very good specimen 
 of the churches that were erected all over the 
 country before congregations became large and 
 wealthy enough to build the palatial edifices we 
 now find in many of the big cities. While it is 
 no doubt true that size and beauty in ornamenta- 
 
 tion and decoration may add greatly to the effect 
 produced upon the hearts of those assembled for 
 the purpose of worship, there are many who to 
 this day prefer simplicity and quiet repose, free 
 from all attempts of heightening the impressions 
 produced by simple music and the words of the 
 preacher. The old little wooden church still oc- 
 cupies a place in the heart of many a man or 
 woman who is not nearly as much attracted by 
 the pomp and grandeur found in some of the 
 more modern temples. Now the Presbyterian 
 Church of Jamaica is neither old nor little, but it 
 is as simple and dignified as any one could wish. 
 
 Flushing has been mentioned as one of the 
 oldest settlements in the borough, and it has been 
 indeed of great importance and influence. It is 
 well worth while to devote a little more space to 
 it. One of its old dwelling-houses we have al- 
 ready mentioned but there is another one that 
 deserves a few words in passing. It is the old 
 Garretson homestead, built in 1658, and still in 
 use. This old house stands behind a low re- 
 taining wall capped by a thick hedge. The front 
 is so completely covered with vines that from the 
 street we see but the top of the portico extending 
 the whole length of the building. Above this 
 rises the slanting roof to the long ridge line. 
 The house has only one story with a garret, but 
 is very long, the long side fronting the street. 
 It is evidently composed of an originally smaller 
 building to which from time to time, as neces- 
 sity or the increase of the family required, ad- 
 ditions have been made by simply lengthening it. 
 This used to be the custom in former times and 
 is indeed done now in the country districts. The 
 old house is well taken care of and shows no 
 signs of decay, it is in fact far prettier and cer- 
 tainly more picturesque than not a few of the 
 buildings erected much later and even in modern 
 times. 
 
 The town hall of Flushing is a very fine mod- 
 ern building. While neither very striking nor 
 original in appearance, it has good lines and is 
 exceptionally well adapted to the purposes it is 
 destined to serve. The general outline and dec- 
 orations are of Moorish character, and the struc- 
 ture, while quite large and roomy, makes a light 
 and graceful impression. Among the trees sur- 
 rounding it a large elm right in front of the 
 entrance is especially beautiful and worthy of 
 mention. The town hall is another proof of the 
 fact that the population of Flushing always in- 
 sists upon getting the best that can be procured 
 for the money at the disposal of the community. 
 There is a large fund of firm purpose and of set- 
 tled determination in this village, combined with 
 the faculty to appreciate what is good and, we 
 might almost say, superior. In Flushing people 
 of substance, who were bound to the locality by 
 
POPPENHUSEN INSTITUTE, FLUSHING 
 
 FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL ERECTED IN FLUSHING 
 OLD LINCOLN SCHOOL AT LINCOLN AND UNION STS. 
 
PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. I, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
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HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 63 
 
 stronger ties than the mere fact that it happened 
 to give them their sustenance or that it was good 
 to live in for a time until some other place 
 seemed preferable, have always exerted considera- 
 ble influence upon public opinion and therefore 
 upon the administration. The consequence has 
 been that the village was not used so much, as is 
 frequently the case with other communities, by 
 designing politicians for the purpose of feathering 
 their own nests without much regard for the gen- 
 eral welfare. There is much local pride here 
 which prevents people from neglecting their civic 
 duties, and does not permit the development of 
 the spirit that public business may be left to a 
 few professional politicians as long as they do not 
 interfere with the affairs of the private citizen. 
 The result is visible in many directions, and 
 Flushing may justly be proud of its achievements. 
 
 It is hardly necessary to state, in view of what 
 has been said already, that Flushing is eminently 
 a residence town. It has always been. When the 
 place was hardly five years old, in 1649, a visitor 
 described it as a handsome village. The claim 
 made by the inhabitants that it is really not a 
 village but a large park or garden is to some ex- 
 tent justified. It has miles and miles of macad- 
 amized streets, well lighted with electricity and 
 bordered by the most beautiful rows of trees. 
 There are streets here, like parts of Broadway 
 and Bowne Avenue, which delight the lover of 
 nature and the man who is able to appreciate 
 beauty. They are lined with fine residences 
 ranging from the modest but attractive and well 
 kept cottage to palatial mansions. Good roads, 
 affording charming drives, lead to all the neigh- 
 boring villages and many places of interest. All 
 in all. Flushing is indeed a very superior place. 
 
 We have several times mentioned the fact that 
 Flushing contains a comparatively large number 
 of good schools. They are all housed in modern 
 buildings which are not only convenient and 
 practical, but also very pretty. In fact, the prob- 
 lem seems to have been solved here with success, 
 how a schoolhouse can be thoroughly adapted 
 to its purpose and at the same time charmingly 
 beautiful. The Flushing High School is the only 
 building where the architect could not give free 
 vent to his fancies, for the very simple reason 
 that it was necessary from time to time to erect 
 additions to the structures already in existence. 
 In doing this, new ideas were made use of, and 
 the building, or rather the group of buildings, in 
 which the High School is now housed, represents 
 different styles, the last one erected showing the 
 most modern type of construction as used for 
 educational purposes. Flushing is justly proud 
 of this institution, for the village was the first 
 one in the old county of Queens to establish a 
 high school, and for twenty years remained the 
 
 only one. The graduates number annually about 
 two hundred. There are also a number of private 
 schools of more than ordinary importance lo- 
 cated here. Among them are the Flushing Sem- 
 inary for young ladies, the Flushing Institute 
 for boys, Kyle's Military Academy, and St. Jo- 
 seph's Academy. 
 
 The village contains a large number of 
 churches. We have already spoken of the old 
 Friends' meeting-house. St. George's is a large 
 and striking edifice, and so is the Congregational 
 Church. St. Michael's is also much beyond the 
 ordinary village church, and the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church is simple in outline but quite im- 
 posing. The Reformed Church and the First 
 Baptist Church are very good examples of archi- 
 tecture and worthy of their congregations and 
 
 the surroundings. 
 Among the many new settlements that have 
 
 CARNEGIE LIBRARY, ASTORIA 
 
 sprung up in Queens during the last decade Elm- 
 hurst is one of the most prominent. It is popu- 
 lated by a very superior kind of people and is 
 developing rapidly, not alone in regard to the 
 number of its inhabitants, but also in reference 
 to the character of the buildings and the general 
 trend of improvements. Broadway is especially 
 beautiful, and the Episcopal Church is a note- 
 worthy structure. Another colony that should 
 not be overlooked is Woodmere, which with Law- 
 rence is in the region better known from the fact 
 that the Rockaways adjoin it. Here are the 
 homes of many rich families who may be classed 
 with the residents of Cedarhurst, already men- 
 tioned in the course of our narrative. But there 
 are also vast stretches of land that are not yet 
 built upon, some of which will without doubt be 
 soon covered with houses, while others are re- 
 served as play and recreation grounds for the 
 people. To the former class belongs Creedmoor 
 where the rifle ranges for the National Guard 
 are located. The time is near when this beau- 
 tiful tract will be opened for settlement, for the 
 rapid increase of buildings in the neighborhood 
 
64 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 bids fair to make rifle practise a dangerous pas- 
 time, even if carried on under the most rigid 
 supervision and with the greatest carefulness. To 
 the other class belongs Forest Park, a very 
 beautiful tract of land with hills of considerable 
 elevation for this part of the country, and really 
 made for park purposes. Most of it is densely 
 wooded, and the landscape gardener's art will 
 have not much more to do than to use the beau- 
 ties that nature has provided, and to add to them 
 such touches as will make them more accessible 
 and a little more varied. This large park should 
 in time be one of the most beautiful within the 
 confines of the large city of New York. It com- 
 prises five hundred and thirty-six acres and the 
 activity of the Park Department has so far been 
 confined to keeping the grounds in order, estab- 
 lishing a golf links, extending the system of 
 macadamized roads and beginning the construc- 
 tion of a fence. Shelter and comfort houses have 
 also been erected. In connection with the park 
 system it may be mentioned here that there is a 
 very charming little park in the village of Corona, 
 called Linden Park. It consists of a plot of 
 ground four hundred by three hundred and thir- 
 ty-five feet, and contains a small lake fed by 
 springs, and some very fine old shade trees. An 
 iron fence has been constructed around this park, 
 and an overflow basin of brick and cement built 
 at the lake. It is a delightful spot in the sum- 
 mer and affords amusement for thousands of 
 people in the winter when the lake is frozen over. 
 From Forest Park a splendid view may be had 
 of Woodhaven, a village of considerable im- 
 portance where one of the largest industries of 
 Queens is located, the enormous factory of the 
 firm of Lalance & Grosjean, makers of enameled 
 ware. From the highest points within the park 
 one can see a large part of Brooklyn and the 
 Atlantic Ocean. 
 
 The building of the Jamaica Club has been 
 mentioned incidentally. Queens is rich in clubs 
 with splendid buildings, larger or smaller accord- 
 ing to the services they are expected to render. 
 ' There are S number of golf clubs, for instance, 
 at Hillside and at Oakland; there is a country 
 club at Flushing, and at the shores of Jamaica 
 Bay we find innumerable yacht and boat and 
 fishing clubs. The most important organizations 
 of this kind are the Knickerbocker Yacht Club 
 and the Bayside Yacht Club. 
 
 Of the charitable institutions which have not 
 been mentioned yet the following are of special 
 importance: St. John's Hospital at Long Island 
 City is not only a very large institution but also 
 well known on account of the superior quality 
 of the treatment accorded to the patients. Some 
 of the most prominent physicians and surgeons 
 of the country have been, and are still, connected 
 
 with this hospital, and it stands very high in the 
 esteem of the medical profession. Other institu- 
 tions of the kind are the Flushing Hospital, the 
 Jamaica as well as St. Mary's Hospital at Ja- 
 maica, and the Far Rockaway Hospital at Far 
 Rockaway. Of the many smaller hospitals, shel- 
 ters, outing camps and other charitable institu- 
 tions at the seashore we have already spoken. At 
 Hollis is situated a home for the aged erected by 
 and under the management of the Odd Fellows. 
 
 Queens is well provided with libraries. There 
 are free libraries at Astoria, Elmhurst, College 
 Point, Flushing and Far Rockaway. Some of 
 the buildings have been erected by the city under 
 the Carnegie donation. Others were already in 
 existence, as for instance the free library of 
 Flushing which is housed in a pretty structure 
 of Greek design. 
 
 So large a territory, still in the process of evo- 
 lution from a conglomeration of different and 
 widely distant settlements with varied aims and 
 purposes into a homogeneous part of a large city, 
 cannot be described minutely. It was necessary 
 to confine ourselves to the more salient points 
 and to instances which will permit the reader, 
 with the help of the imagination, of which not 
 very much is asked, to form a general impression. 
 If we have succeeded in showing that the Bor- 
 ough of Queens is a large and important part 
 of the city, that it contains not only a number 
 of different natural features but also a population 
 which is of somewhat varied character insofar 
 as the different elements have slightly different 
 views of the ways in which happiness and con- 
 tentment can be reached, we have done our duty. 
 For just as the human body can only be healthy 
 and strong if all the different organs execute 
 their different functions in their own way, never 
 out of harmony with each other and jointly 
 working for the welfare and the benefit of the 
 whole, but still, to some extent, if not independ- 
 ent of each other, at least striving each for the 
 one result to whose accomplishment they are as- 
 signed, so the manifold groups of the inhabi- 
 tants of a city or any community should not be 
 entirely alike. No one man can encompass all 
 the ambition, all the wisdom and all the force 
 that is necessary to achieve uninterrupted prog- 
 ress. The advancement of the human race can- 
 not be secured with military precision, nor in the 
 way in which a business or a factory, be it ever 
 so large, is managed. When we, as so frequently 
 happens, demand that the affairs of a city or a 
 village shall be managed in a businesslike viray, 
 we are right, but when we insist that men trained 
 in a business life only should be entrusted with 
 public ofiice, we are wrong. For whatever a 
 business may be, its main object is always to 
 provide for immediate returns, and it always 
 
DEBEVOISE AVENUE SCHOOL IN EAST RIVER HEIGHTS 
 
 THIS IS THE LARGEST SCHOOL IN LONG ISLAND CITY, 
 
 THE CONTRACT PRICE BEING $392,000. 
 
 FLUSHING HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 
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 PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. 22 
 
SCHOOL ON VAN ALST AVENUE, 
 ONE BLOCK FROM EAST RIVER HEIGHTS 
 
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 CARNEGIE LIBRARY. RICHMOND HILL 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 67 
 
 reckons with facts that are either visible or may 
 be calculated with a large measure of probability. 
 In fact, it is the aim of the good business man 
 to eliminate the probability as much as it is in 
 his power, and to work with certainties only. This 
 he cannot do, but he aspires at least to increase 
 the probable profit he expects to secure from 
 every transaction or enterprise, if the certainty 
 of success is diminished by one reason or another. 
 In other words : he does not embark in an en- 
 terprise unless he feels confident that the profit 
 will be in the right proportion to the risk he has 
 to take. Now, a community of many people, in- 
 dependent of each other except in that they 
 must to a certain extent consider the wishes of 
 each other, is entirely different and presents dif- 
 ferent problems. While the Army, or a factory, 
 or a business office will accomplish the best re- 
 sults if all the members, be they soldiers or 
 working men or clerks, work after the same sys- 
 tem and in the same manner, always relying on 
 each other's assistance and knowing that every 
 one aims for exactly the same results, in a com- 
 munity of people, residing together but being oc- 
 cupied in entirely different and greatly varied 
 lines, the fullest sway should be given to in- 
 dividuality. No community can grow, develop 
 and progress if it is not possible to bring out in 
 the strongest way all the different ideas that arise 
 in man's mind. This is the reason why cities 
 grow quicker if left to themselves and not ruled 
 by outside influences, as the despotic will of a 
 ruler or the ignorance of legislators who know 
 nothing of the conditions governing them. The 
 more varied the interests are, the more ideas will 
 spring up that work for progress. If all the in- 
 habitants are entirely alike in customs and habits, 
 in aims and purposes, in their views of life and 
 happiness, as is the case in the communistic col- 
 onies, development beyond a certain point be- 
 comes impossible. For such communistic colonies 
 are the creations of one mind that may be su- 
 perior but still remains the mind of one man, and 
 is therefore not varied enough to permit of the 
 development of the others who become used to 
 following cast iron rules without questioning 
 their value and worth. Variety of ideas, of aims, 
 of the views of life, of everything that makes for 
 advancement beyond the necessity of procuring, a 
 bare sufficiency, is the prime requisite for all 
 progress. A nation that is composed of many dif- 
 ferent elements will always advance more rapidly 
 than one in which only one element exists. All 
 the great nations of the world have originated 
 from a mixture of different races. The English 
 people is composed of Celts, Normans, Romans 
 and Anglo-Saxons ; the Germans of several dif- 
 ferent Teutonic races with a strong admixture of 
 Slavs, and so forth. It is hardly necessary to 
 
 mention the American people, for everybody can 
 to this day follow the way in which it has orig- 
 inated by simply watching the new arrivals. It 
 is of course imperative that the different elements 
 have some things in common, that they are not too 
 different and will not refuse to blend. This is 
 of the greatest importance, for the mixture of 
 different races without an underlying common 
 basis for successful amalgamation, will produce a 
 bastard race unfit for progress and of little value. 
 Witness the mixture of the Spanish with the ne- 
 gro and the Indian on some of the West Indian 
 Islands and in some Central and South Ameri- 
 can republics! The different elements must be 
 homogeneous, not alike, but able to Dlend, not 
 like oil and water, but like different metals which, 
 when mixed, produce a new amalgam not only 
 as good as the different parts but showing all the 
 good qualities of every one of them. 
 
 The Borough of Queens has been fortunate in 
 being settled almost simultaneously at different 
 points by different classes of people. In this way 
 every possible kind of development has been 
 started according to what the people of every 
 locality thought best and most important. At the 
 same time local pride and local independence were 
 fostered and public spirit developed because the 
 mhabitants of each village and settlement saw the 
 results of their enterprise. In a very large city 
 the average citizen is apt to neglect his public 
 duties because the administration is so complica- 
 ted and the interests as well as the problems it has 
 to deal with are so vast that it is difficult to fol- 
 low them without making a careful study of all 
 conditions entering into their consideration, which 
 requires more time and labor than is at the dis- 
 posal of the ordinary man. In smaller places the 
 matter is simpler, and almost everybody can and 
 does take part in the discharge of public affairs. 
 City people frequently ridicule the ardor with 
 which campaigns are fought out in villages where 
 the burning question of the day is the expenditure 
 of a few hundred dollars, but it- is an indisputable 
 fact that the smaller communities are far ahead 
 of the large cities in the interest they take in the 
 administration of public affairs. The fact that 
 small matters are treated with an expenditure of 
 energy that appears entirely out of proportion and 
 sometimes even ridiculous has very little bearing 
 on the matter. The point is that every citizen 
 should at all times bring his mind to bear upon 
 the question how the welfare of the community can 
 best be served, and if this is done in small things 
 it will also be done in connection with large mat- 
 ters. Where it is not the case, the citizens abdi- 
 cate the power that has been given to them by our 
 American institutions, and permit other and sel- 
 fish interests to govern them and to administer 
 the affairs of the community not in the interest 
 
68 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 of the inhabitants but for their own advantage and 
 profit. Civic pride can only exist where every citi- 
 zen knows that he is taking part in the govern- 
 ment, where he feels that his wishes are re- 
 spected and that nothing of importance is done 
 without his consent, or at least without consult- 
 ing his wishes and respecting them as far as is 
 possible when different opinions prevail. The 
 smaller communities form the schools in which 
 our population learns the art of self-government 
 which is by no means as easy and as much a 
 matter of course as is sometimes believed. Self- 
 government means nothing if it is only an in- 
 stitution on paper; it is valuable only if it is 
 fully and freely exercised. And this is done to 
 the largest degree in the smaller localities, in 
 short in just such settlements as existed in 
 Queens before consolidation. 
 
 When the borough became part and parcel of 
 the big cit}', the different elements and interests 
 had to be harmonized and united. This work has 
 now been going on for years. It is by no means 
 completed as yet, and this is natural, for even 
 from our short description of the territory in- 
 cluded in the borough it will be seen that widely 
 diverging interests must exist, that some of the 
 settlements are far ahead of the others, in devel- 
 opment, in age, in tradition, in material condi- 
 tion, in the rate of progress and in the character 
 of the inhabitants. The process of harmonizing 
 all these, of equalizing them to a certain extent, 
 should be delayed as much as possiWe. If it is 
 hurried, if existing conditions are not observed 
 and carefully regarded, dangers will arise. Local 
 
 pride, so efficient a factor in the progress of the 
 different parts, may be effaced, and the spirit of 
 self-reliance be dampened if not killed entirely. 
 It will be readily seen that the administration of 
 a borough like that of Queens requires not only 
 considerable administrative talent but also great 
 skill and tact. Harmony cannot be brought about 
 by force and by a ruthless disregard for condi- 
 tions that have prevailed for centuries, even if it 
 may appear sometimes that they should be left 
 out of consideration. It will be best to let the 
 different communities, many of which are still 
 separated from each other by large tracts of un- 
 settled lands, work out their destinies according 
 to local wishes and desires. In this way the 
 requisite amalgamation will arrive slowly and 
 gradually, without destroying what is so valua- 
 ble and important, until finally complete amalga- 
 mation has been accomplished, for the benefit 
 of the borough and the larger city as well as of 
 the small localities and the inhabitants themselves. 
 And Queens is on the right way and will reach 
 ultimate success, though it has many obstacles 
 to overcome, of which one of the most difficult, 
 paradoxical as it may seem, is the rapid develop- 
 ment and growth in population. For an increase 
 in the number of houses and inhabitants means 
 enormous expenditures for streets, sewers, water 
 mains and the like, and the fact that so many dis- 
 tricts need the same improvements at the same 
 time, and that they are in many instances so far 
 apart, makes it doubly difficult to provide for all 
 of them at once. 
 
 THE ROCKY SHORE, CORONA 
 
THE OLD LONG ISLAND CITY HIGH SCHOOL^ ASTORIA 
 
 ASTORIA HOSPITAL 
 
CHURCH ON WOOLSEY STREET, 
 
 TWO BLOCKS FROM EAST RIVER HEIGHTS 
 
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 CATHOLIC CHURCH, ASTORIA 
 
MEN OF MARK 
 
 PART IV 
 
 ^E have now learned how the 
 Borough of Queens was foun- 
 ded, what it had to pass 
 through in the earlier times 
 of its history, and we have 
 also seen how it looks to-day. 
 We have, from the facts here 
 recounted, been able to glance at its probable 
 future, and it remains for us to recall to mind 
 some of the men who were prominent in the 
 past and who contributed largely to its growth. 
 The only signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence who was identified with Queens was 
 Francis Lewis. Born in 1713 at Landaff in Wales 
 he entered mercantile life at an early age, and 
 came to Philadelphia in 1735 where he engaged in 
 business. Two years later he came to New York 
 and became one of the great ship owners of the 
 time, whose successful ventures were the real 
 cause of Great Britain's jealousy of the Amer- 
 ican colonies. Led by his business interests to 
 travel, he visited Russia and other countries of 
 Europe, and was twice shipwrecked on the coast 
 of Ireland. As a supply agent for the British Ar- 
 my he was taken prisoner at Fort Oswego when 
 it was surprised by Montcalm, was carried to 
 Montreal and from there to France. After hav- 
 ing regained his freedom he returned to New 
 York to find that the conflict between his mother 
 country and that of his adoption was in a fair 
 way to take a serious turn, and had indeed already 
 become grave. As he was heartily in sympathy 
 with the movement for the liberation of the col- 
 onies, he joined in the efforts which culminated 
 in the Revolution, and was, in 1775, unanimously 
 elected a delegate to the Continental Congress, 
 where his business knowledge, his experience, his 
 executive ability and his familiarity with com- 
 mercial and financial matters made him a very 
 valuable member. At the next session he joined 
 his fellow patriots in signing the paper that has 
 become sacred to every American, and pledging 
 "his life, his fortune and his sacred honor" to the 
 maintenance of the principles enunciated in the 
 Declaration of Independence. Some time before 
 this event he had purchased a country-seat at 
 Whitestone, and there he removed his family in 
 1776 because New York City was rapidly becom- 
 ing a hotbed of Toryism and the time did not 
 seem far distant when it would fall into the hands 
 
 of the British Army. Lewis devoted himself 
 actively to the performance of the very im- 
 portant duties with which he had been entrusted 
 by Congress. One part of these consisted in 
 the importation of military stores. He was so 
 eager in his desire to assist the movement in 
 which he had embarked that he did not hesi- 
 tate to use his own fortune for the purchase of 
 arms and ammunition when Congress either de- 
 layed the appropriation of the money or was un- 
 able to raise it. He expended large sums of 
 money in this way, and was never repaid. His 
 family had hardly been settled at Whitestone 
 when his house was visited, in the fall of 1776, 
 by a body of British light cavalry, who plundered 
 the dwelling, entirely destroyed a large and very 
 valuable library and carried Mrs. Lewis away as 
 a prisoner. She was detained for several months 
 without a change of clothing and not even being 
 provided with a bed to sleep on. Through the 
 influence of George Washington her release was 
 finally secured, but she was so much weakened 
 by the shock and the privations she had under- 
 gone that her health was never restored, and 
 she died soon after her return to her husband, 
 one of the many victims of the brutalities with 
 which the war was carried on by the British. 
 Francis Lewis remained a resident of Queens 
 until 1796 when he removed to New York, where 
 he died in 1803 at the ripe old age of ninety 
 years. 
 
 Another old resident who deserves mention 
 was Wynant Van Zandt, born in New York in 
 1767, and in later life one of the most prominent 
 merchants of the big city. He served as an 
 alderman of the First Ward from 1802 to 1806, 
 and as a member of the committee under whose 
 supervision the present City Hall was erected, 
 protested most vigorously against the use of 
 brownstone for the rear wall of the structure. It 
 is well known that the employment of the 
 cheaper material was recommended because the 
 City Hall was located so far up-town that, as the 
 Aldermen expressed it, nobody would ever have 
 occasion to look at the rear of the building, and 
 it would therefore make no difference wBat color 
 it had. Mr. Van Zandt was of a very different 
 opinion ; he prophesied that the city would soon 
 extend far beyond the City Hall, and he ridi- 
 culed the parsimony of the men who wanted to 
 
 71 
 
72 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 save a few dollars and thereby spoil the perfec- 
 tion and the harmonious beauty of the important 
 edifice about to be erected. He did not succeed, 
 the short-sighted policy was adopted, and since 
 generations have laughed at the absurd notions 
 of the city fathers of the early years of the last 
 century. Alderman Van Zandt was considered, 
 in consequence of the stand he had taken, as a 
 man of wild and erratic ideas, but he succeeded 
 later on in persuading his colleagues that Canal 
 Street, which was about to be laid out, should 
 be made one hundred feet wide instead of sixty 
 feet as had been proposed. The city of New 
 York is therefore indebted to him for one of the 
 most important and necessary thoroughfares it 
 possesses. Mr. Van Zandt purchased the Weeks 
 farm at Little Neck in 1813, and lived there until 
 his death. 
 
 One of the oldest families in Queens are the 
 Bloodgoods. Francis Bloctgoct, from whom the 
 family descends, which has changed the name, 
 was one of the first settlers of Flushing. In 
 1674 he was recognized by the Dutch authorities 
 as "chief of the inhabitants of the Dutch nation 
 residing in the villages of Vlissingen, Heems- 
 tede, Rudsdorp and Middleborg," and was made 
 their military commander, being ordered to march 
 with them toward the city should a hostile fleet 
 appear in the Sound. Previous to this he had 
 already been appointed a magistrate, and he 
 served also as a member of the privy council 
 which advised with the governor on the surren- 
 der of the territory to the English. In addition 
 he acted as one of the commissioners who visited 
 the Swedish settlement on the Delaware which 
 was later destroyed by the Dutch under Stuyve- 
 sant with an exhibition of cruelty quite uncalled 
 for, because it had become a dangerous rival 
 in the fur trade. Of the immediate descendants 
 of Francis Bloctgoct or Bloodgood nothing is 
 known with any degree of accuracy, but one of 
 his grandsons, Abraham, became a prominent 
 merchant in Albany, where he served for years 
 as councilman, was a member of the convention 
 that accepted the Constitution of the United 
 States on behalf of the state of New York, and 
 one of the ten men who founded the Democratic 
 party of New York State in the old Vanden 
 Heyden house at Albany. The youngest of his 
 four sons, Joseph, studied medicine and was ap- 
 pointed a trustee of the College of Physicians and 
 Surgeons in New York City in 1811. A large 
 number of prominent residents of Flushing in- 
 vited him to settle there, which he did. He was 
 very successful in his practise and generally ad- 
 mired as a public spirited citizen. He died in 
 1851, at the age of sixty-seven, and left twelve 
 children. 
 
 The Lawrence family has already been men- 
 
 tioned, but a few more words should be said 
 concerning it. The members of this family trace 
 their descent back to the ancient Romans, but the 
 first one authoritatively mentioned in the books 
 of heraldry was Sir Robert Lawrence of Ashton 
 Hall, who in 11 19 placed the banner of the Holy 
 Cross upon the battlements of St. Jean d'Acre, 
 and was knighted for his gallantry by Richard 
 Coeur-de-Lion. The coat of arms given to him 
 on that occasion was used by the Lawrence fam- 
 ily as a seal for many years in America. Three 
 brothers of the Lawrence familj' came to Amer- 
 ica about 1643, William, John and Thomas. The 
 first two were among the patentees recognized by 
 Governor Kieft in 1645 when he regulated the 
 affairs of the village of Flushing. John removed 
 to New York, where he became an alderman, 
 mayor, justice of the Supreme Court, and mem- 
 ber of His Majesty's council. William became 
 one of the largest landed proprietors in Flushing, 
 and settled at Tew's Neck, later called Law- 
 rence's, and now College Point. He acted as a 
 magistrate and a leader of the militia. His sec- 
 ond wife was a noteworthy woman. She was 
 Miss Elizabeth Smith when she married William 
 Lawrence, and after his death in 1680 she mar- 
 ried Sir Philip Carteret, governor of New Jer- 
 sey. While her husband was absent in Europe, 
 she administered the affairs of the colony, and 
 many important acts were, according to the doc- 
 uments, "passed under the administration of Lady 
 Elizabeth Carteret." The city of Elizabeth in 
 New Jersey is called after her. 
 
 The Prince family deserves mention because 
 their first representatives on Long Island were 
 the founders of the first large nurseries. They 
 were Samuel and Robert Prince, the sons of one 
 John Prince who had come to America about 1663 
 and had settled in New England. The two sons 
 came to Long Island after they had grown to 
 manhood, married and had many children. Sam- 
 uel settled on Great Neck, and established the 
 nurseries which were to become famous, about 
 the year 1725 at Great Neck. His brother Robert 
 lived at Flushing, where he started nurseries a 
 few years later, and it seems that the two estab- 
 lishments were soon after combined. Robert 
 Prince occupied a house on Lawrence Street just 
 northeast of the "Effingham Lawrence" house. 
 The old mansion was a building of considerable 
 pretense and not taken down until 1863. It was 
 at this house that the Duke of Clarence, after- 
 ward King William IV of England, was received 
 when he visited the town, and here also General 
 Washington and his suite were entertained in 
 1789. In Washington's journal, where he entered 
 a detailed account of the happenings of each and 
 every day, we find the following entry under date 
 of October 10, 1789: "I set off from New York 
 
HILLSIDE AVENUE, JAMAICA 
 
 SHINNECOCK DEMOCRATIC CLUB HOUSE, FLUSHING 
 
FLUSHING BRIDGE 
 
 ST. JOSEPH S ORPHANAGE, FLUSHING 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 75 
 
 about nine o'clock, in my barge, to visit Mr. 
 Prince's fruit gardens and shrubberies at Flush- 
 ing. The vice-president, governor, Mr. Izard, 
 Colonel Smith and Major Jacobs accompanied 
 me." At this house another memorable incident 
 happened. In 1823 a bust of Linnaeus was 
 crowned here by De Witt Clinton during a mem- 
 orable meeting of eminent American and foreign 
 scientists. In 1793 William Prince, a grandson of 
 Robert, purchased eighty acres of land in Flush- 
 ing, lying between the present railroad line on 
 the west and Farrington Street on the east, and 
 established a nursery there, which he called the 
 "Linnaean Nurseries," while his brother Ben- 
 jamin remained on the old homestead and carried 
 on his business under the name of the "Old Amer- 
 ican Nursery." The two establishments were 
 combined a few years later. 
 
 In the course of our description of notable 
 buildings in Queens we have mentioned the Gov- 
 ernor King mansion at Jamaica, and a few words 
 must be said about the family of the man who 
 lived in that house. His father was Rufus King, 
 born at Scarborough, Me., in 17SS, who, almost 
 immediately after being admitted to the Bar, was 
 elected a member of the General Court of Leg- 
 islature of the state of Massachusetts where he 
 soon became prominent by successfully advocat- 
 ing, against a powerful opposition, the granting of 
 an impost of five per cent to the Congress as 
 indispensable to the common safety and the effi- 
 ciency of the confederation. In 1784 he was 
 chosen a delegate to the Continental Congress, 
 then sitting at Trenton. There he proposed a 
 resolution the purport of which was the virtual 
 and actual abolition of slavery. The resolution 
 did not pass but it was later adopted word for 
 word in the famous ordinance for the North- 
 west Territory which secured the freedom from 
 slavery for the new states formed north of Ma- 
 son's and Dixon's line. Rufus King was a mem- 
 ber of the federal convention which adopted the 
 Constitution and also of the committee appointed 
 to "revise the style of and arrange the articles." 
 After serving in the United States Senate for 
 nearly two terms he was appointed ambassador 
 to the court of Great Britain, having declined the 
 office of secretary of state, which had been made 
 vacant by the resignation of Edmund Randolph. 
 He remained in London for eight years, and was 
 recalled, at his own request, by Thomas Jefferson 
 in 1804. For nearly nine years he lived on his 
 farm at Jamaica far from the madding crowd, 
 but when the war with Great Britain had broken 
 out and the nation was in need of strong men, he 
 accepted another election to the United States 
 Senate. His first speech was directed against 
 the cowardly proposal to remove the seat of gov- 
 ernment to some inland city because the British 
 
 had destroyed the capitol at Washington. In 
 1819 he was again elected to the Senate, in spite 
 of the fact that the majority of the Legislature 
 was not of his party, and it is a memorable fact 
 that this man was twice made a senator of the 
 United States by his political opponents. It 
 speaks volumes for his greatness and the strength 
 of his character that this was possible, but it 
 also shows how much common sense and tolera- 
 tion the members of the Legislature possessed, 
 for they gave him the highest honor they could 
 bestow because they knew him to be the man 
 best fitted to represent the state, and they did 
 not consider it necessary to turn him down and 
 elect a weaker man in his stead because he was 
 not in accord with them as far as general prin- 
 ciples of party politics were concerned. It was a 
 time when patriotism could still overcome party 
 
 THE WOODHULL MONUMENT AT HOLLIS 
 
 exigencies. Rufus King earnestly opposed the 
 admission of Missouri as a state because the pro- 
 posed constitution permitted the holding of slaves. 
 The argument made by him on that occasion has 
 furnished the foundation for almost all subse- 
 quent arguments against slavery. He also op- 
 posed strongly the compromise proposed by Hen- 
 ry Clay which was intended to satisfy both par- 
 ties, and voted against it when it was passed. In 
 1825 he retired after having served four terms 
 in the Senate. Once more he followed the call 
 of his country when John Quincy Adams insisted 
 that he alone could settle the questions pending 
 between the United States and Great Britain, and 
 accepted the appointment as ambassador to the 
 Court of St. James, but his health did not per- 
 mit him to stay long. He resigned in 1827 and 
 passed the remainder of his life partly on his 
 farm at Jamaica and partly in New York City. 
 The eldest son of Rufus King, John Alsop, 
 was born in New York in 1788. During his 
 father's residence in England as ambassador of 
 the United States he was placed first in an Eng- 
 lish school and later in a famous institution of 
 learning at Paris. He thus received a very fine 
 education, both in the classics and in modern sci- 
 ences and languages. After his return from 
 
76 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 Europe he studied law, and took a commission 
 as a lieutenant of Hussars when the War of 1812 
 broke out. The Kings were opposed to the war 
 but held that there remained but one duty for 
 American citizens after hostilities had com- 
 menced, namely, to sustain the country. Upon the 
 return of peace he resigned his commission and 
 removed to a farm at Jamaica near to the home- 
 stead of his father. John A. King was not 
 wealthy, and he spent the next ten years of his 
 life in agricultural pursuits, rising early and doing 
 all the work that the farm required, as sowing, 
 plowing, reaping, mending fences and repairing 
 buildings. In this way he was enabled to live in 
 comfort. He was also a great hunter and loved 
 to go after the game at that time abupdant on 
 Long Island, when the work was done. A lover 
 of fine cattle and of good horses, he attended 
 most of the races at the Union course, a few 
 miles from his home, and was for many years 
 the president of the Jockey Club. Mr. King had 
 sufficient time, however, to take a deep interest 
 in the affairs of the state, as it indeed befitted 
 a man of his breeding and education, and he 
 was repeatedly elected to the Assembly, where he, 
 with many of his friends of the Federal party, 
 opposed the ambitious plans of Governor Clinton, 
 assisting him, however, with great energy in the 
 efforts to bring about the construction of the 
 Erie Canal. After the adoption of the new Con- 
 stitution he was elected to the Federal Senate in 
 1824, but resigned his seat in order to accompany 
 his father to England as secretary to the lega- 
 tion, when the latter was sent to England by 
 John Quincy Adams. After the father had been 
 compelled to return, the son remained for some 
 time as charge d'affaires; When his father died, 
 he bought from his brother the fine old mansion 
 at Jamaica, where he continued to reside until his 
 death. He was again elected to the Assembly and 
 later to Congress where he earnestly and per- 
 sistently opposed the passage of the compromise 
 measures molded by Henry Clay, and the fugi- 
 tive slave law, for John A. King was as uncom- 
 promising an opponent of slavery as his father 
 had been. As a delegate to the national conven- 
 tion of 1856 he was instrum.ental in bringing 
 about the nomination of General Fremont, and 
 he was chairman of the Whig convention of New 
 York, at Syracuse, which fused with the Re- 
 publican convention and thus brought about a 
 union between the Whigs and the independent 
 Democrats, and formed the Republican party. He 
 was the logical candidate of the new party for 
 the office of governor of the state, was nominated 
 and elected. With characteristic courage and de- 
 termination he said, in his first message, that he 
 understood his election to mean that the people 
 of the state of New York had declared as "their 
 
 deliberate and irreversible decree that so far as 
 the state of New York is concerned there shall 
 be henceforth no extension of slavery in the 
 territories of the United States," and he added : 
 "This conclusion" I "mOst unreservedly adopt, and 
 am prepared to abide by it at all times, under all 
 circumstances, and in every emergency." After 
 his term as governor, during which he discharged 
 his duties with sagacity and firmness, Mr. King 
 retired to his farm and devoted the rest of his 
 life to peaceful pursuits. He took great interest 
 in the workings of the Queens County Agricul- 
 tural Society, and was one of the founders and 
 afterward president of the New York State Ag- 
 ricultural Society. His death was characteristic 
 of the man. Although in his eightieth year and 
 in feeble health, he could not resist the urgent 
 request to address the young men of Jamaica on 
 Independence Day in 1867. While exhorting his 
 audience never to waver in their support of the 
 country and the flag around which they had ral- 
 lied, he was seized with sudden faintness and 
 sank into the arms of a friend behind him. He 
 was carried to his house where he lingered for 
 a few days and died three days later peacefully 
 and surrounded by his family. 
 
 Another family that has given to Queens a good 
 many useful and prominent citizens came from 
 France. The de Beauvois, or as the name was 
 written later on, the Debevoises, were French 
 Protestants or Huguenots, and had fled to the 
 city of Leyden in the Netherlands when the per- 
 secutions of the Protestants began in France. 
 From there the founder of the family in Amer- 
 ica, Carel de Beauvois, came to New Amsterdam 
 in 1659, accompanied by his wife and three chil- 
 dren. He had received a superior education and 
 soon found emploj'ment as teacher. In 1661 he 
 became "chorister, reader and schoolmaster" at 
 a salary of twenty-five guilders and free house 
 rent. Later on he served as public secretary or 
 town clerk. Of his descendants many have held 
 high public office, and intermarried with most of 
 the old families who were among the first set- 
 tlers of the localit}'. 
 
 The Alsop family was also among the early 
 settlers. Richard Alsop, the first of the name to 
 locate here, came at the request of his uncle, one 
 Thomas Wandell, who was said to have left 
 England because he had become involved in a 
 quarrel with Oliver Cromwell, though this re- 
 port is doubtful, for it is known that Wandell 
 was living at Mespat Kills in 1648, or before 
 Charles I was put to death. He had secured a 
 considerable tract of land by patents and pur- 
 chase which he left to his nephew, Richard Al- 
 sop. The family he founded became extinct in 
 1837 when the last of the name died without issue. 
 
 One of the most important personages in the 
 

 
IS 
 
 05 
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 o 
 a 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 79 
 
 early history of Newtown was Captain Richard 
 Betts whose services are mentioned on nearly 
 every page of the records for ahnost fifty years. 
 He took a prominent part in the revolution of 
 1663, for he was a bitter opponent of Governor 
 Stuyvesant and administered a severe blow to 
 him by purchasing from the Indians the land the 
 settlers at Newtown had planted, and for which 
 Stuyvesant refused to give them patents. After 
 the conquest of New Netherland by the English 
 Betts was a member of the first provincial as- 
 sembly which met at Hempstead. In 1678 he 
 was appointed high sheriff of the county of 
 Yorkshire upon Long Island. For a long series 
 of years the captain was a magistrate, and more 
 than once a member of the High Court of As- 
 size, then the supreme power in the province. He 
 became an extensive landholder at the English 
 Kills and lived in a house that for centuries after 
 his death was known as the old Betts house. It 
 is told of him that in his one hundredth year he 
 dug his own grave within sight of his bedroom 
 window. 
 
 The Moore family of Newtown is descended 
 from the Rev. John Moore, of whose origin little 
 is known though he is supposed to have been an 
 Englishman. He was the first minister of the 
 town, and an Independent. He was never auth- 
 orized to administer the sacraments but he 
 preached to the people of Newtown until he died 
 in 1657. He had been instrumental in bringing 
 about the purchase of the lands, on which the 
 first comers had settled, from the Indians, and 
 thirty years after his death the town gave eighty 
 acres to his children in recognition of his ser- 
 vices. The Moore house on the shell road is well 
 preserved and perfectly habitable after the lapse 
 of over two centuries. The massive hall door 
 composed of two sections of solicl oak, with its 
 enormous hinges and bolts and the ponderous 
 brass knocker, has been admired by many thou- 
 sands. 
 
 Jonathan Fish, who joineJ the settlement of 
 Middleburg or Newtown in 1659, was the progen- 
 itor of the Fish family of Newtown. His grand- 
 son, also named Jonathan, built the famous "Cor- 
 ner House" at the corner of the present Grand 
 Street and Hoffmann Boulevard. He died in 
 1723, and his son Samuel kept the old house as 
 an inn. It became famous during the French 
 war when many of the unfortunate farmers of 
 Nova Scotia, who had been driven from home on 
 account of their loyalty, found refuge here. The 
 inn also was a meeting place for the French 
 officers who were paroled in the custody of the 
 families living in the neighborhood. Samuel's 
 grandson Nicholas entered the American Army 
 at the outbreak of the Revolution as major, and 
 retired at the end of the war with the rank of 
 
 lieutenant-colonel. He participated in the battle 
 of Long Island, was wounded at Monmouth, and 
 took part in the operations which ended with the 
 surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, as well as 
 in the siege of Yorktown. His wife was a 
 daughter of Petrus Stuyvesant, and one of their 
 children was Hamilton Fish, formerly governor 
 of the state of New York, United States sena- 
 tor, and secretary of state under President Grant. 
 The old corner house reached its greatest im- 
 portance during the Revolutionary War. From 
 the day in August, 1776, when General Howe dis- 
 mounted in front of its door and took up quar- 
 ters there, until another day in September, 1783, 
 when a regiment of Hessian Hussars passed the 
 building on its last march through the village 
 of Newtown on its way to the ship that was 
 to take it back to Europe, the famous inn was 
 never without a full complement of English sol- 
 diers as guests. 
 
 A history of the borough of Queens could not 
 be considered complete without mentioning the 
 part William Steinway has played in its develop- 
 ment. His name has been referred to before, 
 but something more has to be said. It is proba- 
 bly known to most readers of this sketch that 
 Mr. Steinway 's father was a prosperous manu- 
 facturer of pianos in Germany when the revolu- 
 tion of 1848 and other political changes as good 
 as destroyed his business, inducing him, although 
 arrived at the ripe age of fifty-three years,, to 
 emigrate to America with his family, in order to 
 mend his fortunes. He began in a small and 
 cautious way and prospered beyond all expec- 
 tations. The house he . founded on this side 
 of the Atlantic soon became one of the most im- 
 portant ones in the piano industry. This is well 
 known, but must be stated as an introduction. 
 The name of Steinway became important for 
 Queens when the son of the first Steinway, Will- 
 iam, induced his firm to erect a factory on Long 
 Island. Most, if not all, the instruments the firm 
 sold were up to about 1870 manufactured at its 
 plant in New York, between Lexington and 
 Fourth Avenues and Fifty-second and Fifty- 
 third Streets. What caused the managers of the 
 business to look for other quarters and why they 
 selected Astoria, can best be told in the words 
 of William Steinway himself who explained the 
 situation shortly before his death as follows : 
 "For several years previous to 1870 we had 
 been looking for a plot of land away from the 
 city, and yet within easy access of it, for the 
 erection of an additional factory rendered neces- 
 sary by the extension of our business. There 
 were two reasons why we sought a place outside 
 the city. In the first place, we wished to escape 
 the machinations of the anarchists and socialists, 
 who even at that time were continually breeding 
 
80 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 discontent among our working men and inciting 
 them to strike. They seemed to make us a tar- 
 get for their attacks, and we felt that if we could 
 withdraw our workmen from contact with these 
 people, and the other temptations of life in the 
 tenement districts, they would be more content 
 and their life would be a happier one. Then 
 there was a growing demand for more room to 
 extend our facilities. The Fourth Avenue fac- 
 tory was inadequate for our wants, and we 
 needed in addition shipping facilities near the 
 water, and a basin in which logs could be stored 
 in water to keep them from cracking. We also 
 needed a large space for a lumber yard, a steam 
 sawmill and a foundrj', and many, many other 
 important adjuncts to our factory facilities. After 
 looking about for several years, we found the 
 ideal place at the spot now known as Steinway. 
 At that time it was a beautiful garden spot, sur- 
 
 BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL, DUTCH KILLS 
 
 rounded by waste lands and vacant lots. It was 
 partly wooded, and on a bluff stood the hand- 
 some mansion of Benjamin F. Pike, the well 
 known optician. This property gave us upward 
 of half a mile of water-front, a navigable canal, 
 and plenty of room for our own foundry. Of 
 course we had to create means and facilities for 
 reaching the place quickly, which occasioned a 
 great outlay of money, and while difficulties had 
 to be surmounted, the project has proved a great 
 success. It is the geographical center of Greater 
 New York. It is nearer to the city than Harlem, 
 as it is only five miles from City Hall. The whole 
 matter has had an ideal result, the relations be- 
 tween employer and employed are cordial in 
 the extreme, and as an indication of how the 
 latter have prospered, no less than sixty per cent 
 of the men emloyed in Steinway & Sons' factory 
 own their own houses, while some of them own 
 two and more houses." 
 
 As has been mentioned before, Mr. William 
 Steinway did not stop when he erected the fac- 
 tory and built a few houses for the working 
 
 men. That has been done by so many manufac- 
 turers that it would hardly be worthy of ex- 
 tended and repeated mention. It was his ambi- 
 tion to make a model city of Steinwaj', and for 
 this purpose he labored early and late, night and 
 day. Neither did he put the factory and the 
 workmen's houses down in the middle of terri- 
 tory far away from the cit\', and then left the 
 residents to themselves and to their work. On 
 the contrary, he never for a moment forgot that 
 the first and direst need of the new settlement 
 was better transportation facilities affording quick 
 and frequent connection with Manhattan. He 
 lived among his employes for many j'ears, not 
 only because the spot was very beautiful, but 
 also that he might thoroughly understand what 
 had to be done to make the village a place agree- 
 able to live in. When the companies owning the 
 surface car lines did not provide sufficient service, 
 he bought them out, and he was the first, as has 
 been mentioned, to conceive the idea of con- 
 structing a tunnel under the East River. It is 
 a fact that he sank an immense amount of 
 money in the unintermitting effort to make Stein- 
 way what in his mind it should be, and he held 
 on with determined tenacity when almost every 
 one of his friends advised him to give up his 
 plans, and when many laughed at him for ex- 
 posing himself to ruin. Time has completely 
 vindicated him and proved the soundness of his 
 judgment, although there was a period when it 
 really looked as if he had taken too large a load 
 upon his shoulders. The Borough of Queens 
 owes a heavy debt of gratitude to the late Will- 
 iam Steinwaj-. His case is quite different from 
 that of the earlier settlers. They did indeed 
 join their fate with that of the land they either 
 took up under patents or purchased from the 
 Indians, but they had not very much to lose, and 
 they had certainly no idea whatsoever of the 
 real value of their work for future generations. 
 None of them could foresee that the fields upon 
 which the}- worked would once be covered with 
 dwellings, stores and factories, and that the land, 
 which in return for their untiring industry pro- 
 \ided them with a living and not much more, 
 would make the possessor who was wise enough 
 to retain it rich be3-ond the dreams of avarice. 
 And not knowing this, none of them risked very 
 much for the possession of the soil which they 
 tilled, but they all did not hesitate to part with 
 it when chance offered or when the desire to 
 wander away came over them, or again when they 
 believed theft they could secure more and bet- 
 ter land for the price vvhich they received for 
 the old homestead. With William Steinway it 
 was different. He saw what would happen, he 
 looked into the future, and he invested all he 
 had and could get on the strength of an abound- 
 
Courtesy of Paris — McDougall Company 
 TWO FAMILY HOUSES, TERMINAL HEIGHTS 
 
 Courtesy of Paris — McDougall Company 
 KISSENA LAKE AND OUTLET 
 
•J 
 < 
 z 
 
 IS 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 83 
 
 ing confidence in the correctness of his judgment. 
 He knew that his losses would be enormous, that 
 the greater part of a fortune amassed by the 
 hard and incessant work of two generations might 
 be swept away if .events did not turn out as he 
 had expected, or if only the turn that meant suc- 
 cess arrived a little later than he anticipated. But 
 with dogged perseverance and with a cheerful 
 optimism that was one of his most charming 
 qualities, he stuck to the work he had cut out 
 for himself, and he succeeded. That is, the en- 
 terprise succeeded, but he did not live to see it. 
 This is the truly tragic part of the story of the 
 life of the man who seemed to be sunshine itself. 
 When he was suddenly stricken down, condi- 
 tions did not look very bright. In fact, for sev- 
 eral weeks before he was attacked by the dis- 
 ease that carried him away almost in a day after 
 everybody believed that his recovery was as- 
 sured, he knew that it would require his utmost 
 efforts to bridge over a period of danger. It 
 was done, as indeed he never doubted, but he 
 did not live to see it, and he died with the knowl- 
 edge that his favorite project, the enterprise in 
 which his whole heart was interested, needed 
 the most careful attention it had required since 
 its inception. For this and many other reasons, 
 we repeat, every resident of Queens should re- 
 member William Steinway with lasting grati- 
 tude. Without him the development of the bor- 
 ough would not have been nearly as rapid as it 
 has been. 
 
 Of the many veterans of the Civil War who 
 went forth from Queens to defend the flag and 
 the country. Captain J. Roemer, commanding 
 officer of the Hamilton Light Artillery, which 
 was recruited at Flushing, deserves especial men- 
 tion. The command distinguished itself in many 
 of the most important engagements, and its rec- 
 ord is replete with deeds of daring and excep- 
 tional heroism. One instance will show of what 
 stuflf the battery and its gallant commander were 
 made. When Burnside's army was driven into 
 Knoxville by General Longstreet, and when it 
 looked as if the rebels would surely annihilate 
 the Union forces. Captain Roemer's command 
 was ordered to defend the key of Burnside's 
 position, Fort Sanders. They had been fighting 
 for twelve days, under the most terrible priva- 
 tions, suffering from the cold and from hunger, 
 for provisions ran low and only one quarter of 
 a pound of bread was distributed to the men as 
 the daily ration. On the twenty-ninth of Novem- 
 ber, 1863, Longstreet made a concerted move 
 against Fort Sanders, and his troops succeeded 
 in climbing upon the ramparts. The gun at 
 which Captain Roemer was stationed had fired 
 twenty-seven rounds of canister and was loaded 
 with the last charge. A Confederate major laid 
 
 his hand upon the gun and shouted : "Stop firing, 
 the gun is ours," when the Captain ordered to 
 fire and fourteen files of soldiers fell before the 
 deadly hail. The enemy was terror stricken and 
 either fled or surrendered. The deed was timely, 
 for at that moment Sherman's army was coming 
 up to relieve Burnside. The siege was over, 
 and Longstreet was compelled to withdraw, 
 straining every nerve to get beyond striking dis- 
 tance of the Union army. The little command 
 of less than half a hundred forming the Flush- 
 ing battery had saved the day at the most crucial 
 moment. When the fight was over and the tired 
 captain stood leaning wearily against the caisson 
 of the gun that had given the last shot, General 
 Burnside rode up, and the following conversa- 
 tion ensued : "Good morning. Captain." "Good 
 morning. General." "Captain, what made your 
 shells explode so this morning?" "Oh, General, 
 how should I know?" "What did you say to the 
 Sergeant last night?" "I do not remember. Gen- 
 eral ; I said much that it is best to forget !" 
 "Well, I remember, and I am proud of it. Cap- 
 tain Roemer and his gallant battery will not be 
 forgotten." The remarks General Burnside re- 
 ferred to were made on the evening before. It 
 was then found that but little available ammuni- 
 tion was left for the next day's fight, and Cap- 
 tain Roemer decided to take recourse to some 
 shells that had been buried by the rebels and 
 were found by the Union troops when they en- 
 tered Knoxville. These shells had corroded so 
 that but few of them exploded. Captain Roemer 
 had called for volunteers to help him bore out 
 the old and useless fuses and insert new ones, 
 a work naturally very dangerous. Sergeant 
 Kauffmann of the Forty-sixth New York Volun- 
 teers consented to assist, saying that if the Cap- 
 tain could afford to risk his life there was no 
 reason why he could not do the same. They kept 
 close under the shelter of the ramparts in order 
 to avoid the risk of being struck by flying shot, 
 and commenced their perilous task. But a shot 
 from the rebel guns struck the rampart just 
 above them, covered them with dirt and de- 
 stroyed an ammunition box containing twelve 
 shells. Fortunately they did not explode. The 
 Sergeant said quietly : "Captain, if you keep 
 on, you will blow us all up." To this Captain 
 Roemer replied savagely : "Never mind, better 
 be blown up here than go to Richmond as pris- 
 oners." Whereupon the Sergeant answered: 
 "Ver}^ well, Captain, just as you say," and the 
 work went on until it was completed. That was 
 the conversation the commanding general re- 
 ferred to. Captain Roemer was brevetted a 
 major of volunteers for brave and meritorious 
 service upon the field of battle. He was a native 
 of Hesse-Darmstadt, and had served in the Ger- 
 
84 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 man cavalry, but settled in Flushing in 1842. 
 The question is frequently asked why the 
 neighborhood known as Hunter's Point should 
 be called a point as the present formation of the 
 shore line does not explain it. It received its 
 name from a ledge of rocks vv-hich projected into 
 the East River, forming a distinct point which 
 could be discerned by vessels passing up and 
 down the river, and which became a well known 
 landmark. These rocks have, in the progress of 
 modern development, all but disappeared ; they 
 were either built upon when the ferry was es- 
 tablished, or removed by blasting. When the 
 neighborhood was first settled, they served as a 
 boat landing when the tide in Newtown Creek 
 was too low to enter it. The rocky ledge was 
 first called Dominie's Hook, then Bennett's 
 Point and later Hunter's Point which last name 
 has been preserved to this day, although it does 
 not fit the place any longer. Captain Peter Praa 
 bequeathed the farm to which the hook be- 
 longed to the children of his daughter, who had 
 married William Bennett, and died before his 
 father. The Bennett children lived there, and 
 the place was named after them. Mr. Jacob Ben- 
 nett, Captain Praa's grandson, died there in 1813 
 at the ripe old age of ninety-four years. He left 
 the property to his daughter Anne who had mar- 
 ried Captain George Hunter, and the name of 
 the place was again changed, for the last time. 
 Captain George Hunter was a well known ship- 
 ping merchant in New York, and of his great 
 popularity many stories are told — as, for in- 
 stance, that on his wedding day all the ships in 
 the harbor threw out their bunting, and the 
 wedding was celebrated as if the ruler of the 
 country were one of the parties. After he and 
 his wife had died the property rernained for a 
 few years in the possession of their children, and 
 was then purchased by Union College of Sche- 
 nectady. Of the children, Jacob Hunter has 
 made a name for himself. He passed his early 
 years in the peaceful surroundings of the Point 
 but when the War of 1812 broke out, Jacob 
 Hunter enlisted and took active part in the op- 
 erations. He remained in the militia until 1821 
 when he resigned his position of captain in the 
 Eleventh Regiment of Artillery which was later 
 merged in New York's most famous regiment 
 of militia, the Seventh, as Company D. Having 
 entered the service immediately after reaching 
 his majority — he was born in 1791 — he left it 
 with great regret, which he expressed in a letter 
 still preserved, as follows : "Circumstances over 
 which I have no control oblige me to take this 
 step, while inclination strongly pleads to detain 
 me in the ranks. But rest assured that while ab- 
 sent from my accustomed post I shall still watch 
 with interest from the distance, and should any 
 
 emergency occur I can only add that when my 
 country calls it will ever find me ready to fol- 
 low." The emergency came, but too late to be 
 made use of, for when the Civil War broke out 
 Jacob Hunter had passed his seventieth year 
 and could no longer take up the burden of active 
 service. The sword that he had worn in de- 
 fense of his country's honor rested forever in 
 its scabbard on the wall of his library where 
 he had placed it to be in readiness for use, until 
 it was deposited in the relic room of the armory 
 of the Seventh Regiment in New York City. 
 
 William Hallett, who had come from England 
 and arrived in Queens after a short stay at 
 Greenwich, Conn., received on December i, 
 1652, a patent for one hundred and sixty acres on 
 Long Island, described as follows : "A plot of 
 ground at Hellegat, upon Long Island, called 
 Jacques' farm, and beginning at a great rock 
 that lies in the meadow, goes upward southeast 
 to the end of a very small swamp, two hundred 
 and two rods ; from thence northeast two hun- 
 dred and thirty rods, on the north it goes up to 
 running water, two hundred and ten rods." In 
 1655 his house and other buildings were destroyed 
 by the Indians and Hallett removed to Flushing 
 where he was appointed sheriff, but deposed by 
 Governor Stuyvesant, and also fined and put 
 into prison, because he had permitted the Rev. 
 William Wickenden from Rhode Island to preach 
 at his house, and had partaken of the sacrament 
 of the Lord's Supper from his hands. 'Hallett 
 was a bitter enemy of Stuyvesant, as indeed all 
 the English on Long Island were, and he warmly 
 advocated the claims of Connecticut to the island 
 when the population revolted from Dutch rule. 
 He was a delegate to the General Court of Leg- 
 islature of the colony of Connecticut and after- 
 ward commissioner or justice of the peace for 
 Flushing. Later he removed again to Hellgate. 
 The records show that in 1664 he bought from 
 the Indian chiefs, Shawestcont and Erramorhar, 
 a tract of land beginning at a creek "commonly 
 called Sunswick," and extending westward to 
 below Hellgate, including Hewlett's Island. This 
 tract included nearly the whole of Hell Gate 
 Neck, and was called by the Indians "Sintsinck." 
 It embraced many parcels which had already been 
 deeded by the Indians to other parties, and which 
 had been settled upon, and they were, of course, 
 excluded when the grant was confirmed by the 
 English governors, Nicolls and Dongan. But we 
 see here how the name "Hallett's Cove" origina- 
 ted. 
 
 It has been mentioned that the Hunter estate 
 was sold to Union College of Schenectady. This 
 transaction became of such enormous importance 
 to the development of the district known as 
 Astoria, later incorporated in Long Island City, 
 
DRY HARBOR ROAD, SHOWING TWO-FAMILY HOUSES OF THE 
 MARKERT REALTY COMPANY. 
 
 PARKVIEW AVENUE, SHOWING TWO-FAMILY HOUSES OF THE 
 MARKERT REALTY COMPANY. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 87 
 
 that a history of the Borough of Queens would 
 not be complete without a short review of the 
 facts in the case, and the men who were instru- 
 mental in the execution of the trust formed after 
 the property came into the hands of the college. 
 Eliphalet Nott of Union College was desirous of 
 founding a trust from the proceeds of which the 
 institution should derive a regular income, in- 
 creasing as the demands for funds grew with 
 the enlargement of the college, which was not 
 only the wish of its founders but also the nat- 
 ural outcome of things. It is not necessary for 
 our purposes to follow all the transactions which 
 took place until the title finally vested in Union 
 College, and it will be sufficient to state that Dr. 
 Eliphalet Nott bought the Hunter estate in 1835 
 for $100,000, through his representative, Jeremiah 
 Johnson, and that Neziah Bliss was an interested 
 party. On December 28, 1852, Jonathan Crane 
 and Charles Ely were constituted the repre- 
 sentatives of Dr. Nott, and they were to pay to 
 him one-third of the net profits of the estate 
 which they managed. In addition they received 
 $1,500 per annum. In pursuance of the obliga- 
 tion they had taken upon themselves, they had 
 the property surveyed and maps made. From 
 these maps, various lots and parcels were sold 
 from time to time, until in 1861 the Van Alst 
 farm was purchased and added to the trust, and 
 a new map made embracing the whole territory. 
 The whole matter took a new aspect at this time. 
 The property was divided into two trusts : one 
 popularly known as the "Nott Trust," and the 
 other as the "Hunter's Point Trust." Under the 
 Nott Trust Dr. Eliphalet Nott and his wife as- 
 signed the property in question to Union Col- 
 lege of Schenectady for the establishment and 
 maintenance of nine professorships, six assistant 
 professorships, tutors, fellows and scholarships, 
 the. purchase of scientific apparatus, the establish- 
 ment of a special library, and the founding of, 
 and purchase of specimens for, a geological mu- 
 seum. Dr. Nott reserved to himself certain 
 rights which should allow him the fulfilment of 
 his obligations toward Crane and Ely, and also 
 give him the right to place the property in such 
 condition that it would produce the best returns. 
 The "Hunter's Point Trust," on the other hand, 
 was created by a special act of the Legislature in 
 i860. Under its terms Union College bound itself 
 to administer the undivided two-thirds which be- 
 longed to Crane, one Judson and the two Elys, 
 who were the successors of the original joint 
 owners with Dr. Nott, in connection with the 
 undivided one-third belonging to the Nott Trust. 
 This was done by the trustees of Union College 
 at the request of Dr. Nott because it was be- 
 lieved that in this wise the one-third belonging 
 to the Nott Trust would be more rapidly mar- 
 
 keted and turned into money than was possible 
 under the old agreement. The property remained 
 under these two trusts and under the control of 
 Union College until 1884. In 1874 the trustees 
 of the college had already applied to the courts, 
 by means of an action in equity, to wind up the 
 trusts of i860, and to separate its own property 
 from that in which others were interested, but it 
 took ten long years to reach a decision. When it 
 was finally given, Union College received twelve 
 hundred of the eighteen hundred lots into which 
 the property had been subdivided, free and clear. 
 It could now handle the matter without any in- 
 terference by others, and has done this with 
 great skill and for the lasting benefit of the 
 locality. Over a million dollars has been ex- 
 pended in improvements and for the develop- 
 ment of the land, and a considerable proportion 
 of this amount was spent for grading, docks, etc. 
 The immense value of the actions of Union 
 College cannot be correctly estimated without 
 considering the fact that it is by no means always 
 beneficial to a community if large tracts of land 
 are held by a few owners. They have it in their 
 power to hasten or to retard the advance of a 
 city or village. The small property owner can 
 do little in this respect as long as he stands 
 alone. He is not strong enough to influence the 
 development of much more than his own lot or 
 plot, or perhaps the immediate neighborhood. 
 Even if the small owners combine, they cannot 
 accomplish as much as one single individual own- 
 ing as much as all the others together. The way 
 in which a large tract of land is developed, or 
 not developed, frequently shapes the destinies of 
 a settlement for many years, and even for gen- 
 erations to come. Instances could be cited a 
 plent}' of cases where a community could not 
 grow because the proprietors of one or several 
 large tracts lying in the path of development 
 would neither improve, nor sell, nor subdivide 
 their property. Sometimes a village is cut right 
 in two by land that remains a wilderness sim- 
 ply because the owners are waiting until a rise 
 in prices will give them the profit they expect 
 to make. Our tax laws are such that it is not 
 a matter of large expense to hold unimproved 
 property. In the meantime the surroundings re- 
 main in almost a dormant state because nobody 
 wants to buy property where large tracts are un- 
 developed, not only because an even and equal 
 growth of the whole locality is impossible, but, in 
 addition, because one does not know how the 
 property will be developed when it is once 
 brought into the market, and whether it will be 
 used for residential or other purposes. If the 
 large tract held by Union College and its co-trus- 
 tees had been held for a rise in the value, it 
 would most assuredly have retarded the growth 
 
88 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEEXS 
 
 of Astoria, and therefore that of the whole dis- 
 trict now forming the Borough of Queens, for 
 many decades. Fortunately it came into the pos- 
 session of men who were eager to develop it, who 
 wanted it to bear fruit, and who were not nig- 
 gardly in the use of money if they could there- 
 by hasten its development and increase its pro- 
 ductiveness. Of course, the policy that brought 
 about such splendid results was not inaugurated 
 immediately after the Hunter estate was pur- 
 chased by Dr. Nott. His interest had to some 
 extent been speculative, and the real and sound 
 policy of development did not commence until 
 1853, when the management of the property came 
 into the hands of Crane and Ely. They started 
 almost at once upon a policy of important 
 changes. One of their first actions was to apply 
 to the commissioners of the Land Office for a 
 grant of the lands under water in front of their 
 property, both under the East River and under 
 the waters of Newtown Creek. As soon as this 
 grant was ceded, the work of amelioration was 
 begun. The lofty hill at the mouth of Newtown 
 Creek, which had stood for ages watching the 
 tides flowing in and out and the ships pass to 
 and fro, and from the summit of which count- 
 less Indian chiefs had watched the shores of 
 Manhattan Island, and from where Peter Praa, 
 Bennett and the Hunters had surveyed their pos- 
 sessions, was cast into the waters. The soil upon 
 which generations of Dutch and English farmers 
 had raised their crops was used to cover the 
 reefs over which the waters had rushed so long 
 in their restless activity. The shore-front was 
 pushed out until it afforded safe anchorage for 
 smaller vessels and afforded room and safe 
 ground for the erection of ferry-houses and the 
 construction of docks. The trustees were ever 
 ready to assist enterprises which promised to 
 make for the increase of the population and the 
 establishment of industries in the neighborhood. 
 When the project of establishing a regular and 
 adequate ferry service began to assume tangible 
 form, they readily donated three blocks of the 
 new ground they had made on the shore by level- 
 ing the big hill. They gave to the Flushing Rail- 
 road, when it was first planned, a tract of land 
 worth in the neighborhood of $20,000, and when 
 it turned out that this land could not be used 
 for the purposes for which it was intended, they 
 bought it back. The land now occupied by the 
 Long Island Railroad, extending all the way 
 from the shore to Vernon Avenue, was given 
 by the trustees of Union College at very reason- 
 
 able terms. They opened every street and avenue 
 in the First Ward as far back as Nott Avenue, 
 and they erected a schoolhouse on Sixth Street, 
 and maintained it for a long time, because they 
 were wise enough to perceive that the village 
 could not grow without reasonable facilities for 
 education, and because they were liberal enough 
 to spend their funds for an institution that was 
 not alone a necessity but assured also the men- 
 tal and moral advancement of the population. 
 But the practical side of the problem was not 
 lost sight of. Over two miles of bulkheads and 
 docks were constructed on Newtown Creek and 
 on the river side to the canal. When the turn- 
 pike leading from the ferry to Flushing, now 
 Jackson Avenue, was constructed, the trustees 
 of Union College bore a large part of the cost, 
 and they also contributed liberally to the con- 
 struction of the railroad between Astoria and 
 Hunter's Point. They gave forty-eight lots for 
 a site for the new court-house, and have aided 
 the authorities and the citizens in many other 
 ways too numerous to mention. When it became 
 imperative to secure a special act from the Legis- 
 lature in order to execute improvements that had 
 become necessary on account of the rapid growth 
 of the population, the managers of the Union 
 College property gave their hearty assistance and 
 were instrumental in securing its passage. lu 
 fact, the whole management of the interests of 
 the college on Long Island has always been in 
 able hands, and been carried on with great tact, 
 energy and great foresight. The community could 
 not have brought the availability of the districts 
 along the shore to the attention of manufacturers 
 in the same way and with the same success as 
 the managers of the Union College Trust have 
 done. They have made the trust a leading, if 
 not the most important, factor in the develop- 
 ment and growth of the section around Hunter's 
 Point. The trust has paid annually from $S,ooo 
 to $10,000 in local ta.xes into the city treasury, it 
 has paid large amounts in assessments, and has 
 expended enormous sums on its own account for 
 the improvement of the property under its charge. 
 Union College still controls very large tracts of 
 unimproved lands in the wards near the shore, 
 and there is no doubt that it will, under the 
 same able management, continue to work for the 
 betterment of the borough, as it has done now 
 for upward of half a century, for the benefit of 
 the community and of every single citizen in 
 which district his home or his possessions may 
 be located. 
 
m 1/- 
 
 Nf 
 
 
 >.~-^~~ 
 
 4 \ 
 
 - L\l, IN KISSENA PARK SHOWING RUSTIC BRIDGE 
 
1 SOLDIERS MONUMENT 
 
 2 MAIN ST. LOOKING NORTH 
 
 3 FLUSHING HOTEL 
 
 4 CARRETSON HOUSE (bUILT IN 1659) 
 
 5 BOWNE HOUSE (bUILT IN 1661) 
 
A GLANCE INTO THE PAST AND THE FUTURE 
 
 PART V 
 
 ^E have now seen how the dis- 
 trict at present known as the 
 Borough of Queens and form- 
 ing a part of the second lar- 
 gest city in the world, that 
 bids fair to rival the largest 
 one before the present century 
 has run its course, has grown and pros- 
 pered beyond the wildest dreams, not only 
 of its earliest settlers, but also of the people 
 who lived there one or two generations ago. In- 
 deed such rapid growth as New York has seen 
 is unparalleled in the history of mankind as we 
 know it, and there is no reason to assume that 
 it has ever been equaled in prehistoric times. We 
 must remember and ever call to mind that the 
 islands of Manhattan and Long Island were wil- 
 dernesses, never having been visited by white 
 man, when Europe already enjoyed a culture 
 developed and nursed during many centuries. 
 There several races and a host of different na- 
 tions had long struggled for power over each 
 other, mighty ernpires had been founded and 
 overthrown ; the ancient civilizations of Greece 
 and Rome had flourished and gone into decay; 
 the Germanic races had come forth out of the 
 unknown North and conquered their former 
 masters, and infused new and vigorous blood in- 
 to the already declining strength of the Latin 
 peoples. In northern and middle Italy and in 
 Spain the Goths and other tribes had arrived and 
 freely mingled with the natives, producing new 
 races that were in many respects unlike the old 
 ones ; they in turn had gone forth and attempted 
 to conquer the world, and for the second time 
 within a comparatively short time, Rome had put 
 out all her strength to make herself the master 
 of the known universe. A new religion had arisen 
 in the Orient, had taken possession of all Europe, 
 and fifteen centuries later the difference in the 
 way of thinking had caused a schism, inducing, 
 nay, forcing the races of the north to separate 
 from the teachings of Rome, forming their own 
 church. The arts practised by the ancients, neg- 
 lected and almost forgotten in the centuries of 
 stress and strife, had been revived in the Italian 
 Renaissance, and the awakening of the artistic 
 spirit and the love for the beautiful in Germany, 
 France and England. A paroxysm of religious 
 fervor had come over the people and hundreds of 
 
 thousands had marched toward the Holy Land 
 to drive the heathen from the places where the 
 Savior had lived and preached. Africa and 
 Asia were known, and many of the countries on 
 these continents had been visited by European 
 travelers and merchants. And during all this 
 time the continent on the Western Hemisphere 
 remained unknown, and even the men who spoke 
 of its existence were ridiculed and considered 
 phantastic dreamers. When it was really dis- 
 covered — by accident, we may say, for Christo- 
 pher Columbus was in search of India and be- 
 lieved to have discovered that country when after 
 a voyage full of terror the welcome cry of 
 "Land !" reached his anxious ear — North Amer- 
 ica remained hidden for a long time. For the 
 discoverers, as well as the conquistadores who 
 came after them, were in search of treasure that 
 required no work to take away, that could be 
 gathered by killing and torturing guileless natives, 
 and they did not set out for new lands to conquer 
 as long as their one desire to amass untold riches 
 
 ST. PATRICK S CHURCH, DUTCH KILLS 
 
 quickly was easily fulfilled. But one thought 
 they had besides the lust for gold : as soon as 
 they had become convinced that the new conti- 
 nent was not India, they set forth to find the way 
 they supposed must exist, the water route to the 
 coveted India that was ever in their minds. The 
 first explorers of the northern part of the conti- 
 nent had no other idea; when they discovered 
 the mouth of a mighty river they felt certain 
 that here was at last the passage connecting 
 one ocean with the other, that they had so assidu- 
 
 91 
 
92 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 ouslj' sought for. Almost a century was to 
 elapse after the discovery of America, before 
 the white man founded settlements in the region 
 best adapted to his way of living and for the 
 fullest development of his powers, the northern 
 half of the continent. And Hendrik Hudson, 
 when he discovered the bay of New York, was 
 on the same old errand that had lured so many 
 valiant men to perdition, the search after the all- 
 water route to India. 
 
 All this had happened and Europe was already 
 covered with ruins telling the silent tale of by- 
 gone times, of races that had disappeared, never 
 to return, of civilizations acquired during centu- 
 ries of laborious work and incessant strife, of 
 the march of countless tribes and peoples from 
 the north to the south, always overrunning the 
 older ones that had accomplished their destinies 
 and grown weak and timid under the enjoyment 
 of luxuries which they had long striven to se- 
 cure, killing culture and civilization with the 
 heavy hand of the uncouth son of forest and 
 mountain who found satisfaction alone in the ex- 
 
 - 
 
 m_„: ^ 
 
 m 
 
 ill III I" 
 
 ^m^ Jfi 111 
 
 W9m 
 
 
 PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. I, DUTCH KILLS 
 
 ercise of his brute strength, erecting new empires 
 and in turn becoming the victims of the more 
 hardened races who followed them — and the land 
 that was one of the richest in the world, having 
 been filled by nature with the most bountiful 
 wealth, was still in the undisturbed possession 
 of the roaming savage. Satisfied with the gifts 
 that nature bestowed upon him without requir- 
 ing more than ordinary exertion, he wandered 
 through the limitless forests, killing the game he 
 needed and drawing from the waters what the 
 land would not grant. No higher desire lived 
 within his breast, no effort did he put forth to 
 conquer nature and to raise himself to a higher 
 level. Free from the ambition to advance, he 
 was indeed the lord of the land inasmuch as he 
 was the master of all he saw, but he never really 
 conquered nature, for he took only what could 
 easily be procured. Ever ready to shift his hunt- 
 
 ing grounds, never even thinking of the home, 
 the one thing that is the foundation of all culture 
 and civilization, and the desire for which is the 
 first sign that man has emerged from the primi- 
 tive state, he remained a nomad, and a savage. 
 
 The white man came, and took possession. Not 
 always in the Christian spirit in which he had 
 been raised, not always remindful of the pre- 
 cepts or the teachings he claimed to be devoted 
 to. It is true that he cheated the Indian when 
 he bargained with him, and that his only excuse 
 was that the savage was satisfied with the price 
 he received. But the white man knew that the 
 Indian was not aware of the value of the posses- 
 sions he bartered away for worthless trifles. Still, 
 the necessity was there, and who will not make 
 use of it when it offers? Often enough the na- 
 tive was not even asked for his consent or was, 
 when he refused it, driven from the land that he 
 had learned to consider his own, with force. 
 It is best to draw a veil over many of the trans- 
 actions with the help of which the white man 
 took possession of the land, and defended it 
 against the former owner. No country and no 
 nation is without similar chapters in its history. 
 None like to be reminded of it, and however much 
 we may wish that peace and good will and fair 
 dealing alone shall rule the actions of all man- 
 kind, we know that we all are mortals and that 
 force and compulsion will always be readily ex- 
 cused. It had to be. The Indian could not re- 
 main the master of the land if civilization should 
 arise among the primeval forest and upon the wide 
 plains, and the warlike Indian could not live in 
 peace alongside of the white settler. One of the 
 two had to go. And who will say that it would 
 have been better if full regard had been taken 
 of the wishes of the savage, and if he had been 
 treated with the consideration that is commonly 
 accorded to every man who is equal in every re- 
 spect. Many unnecessary cruelties have been 
 committed, there are certainly whole pages in 
 the history of the treatment of the Indian by the 
 American people which we should like to have 
 blotted out, and would wipe out of we could, 
 and if any useful purpose could be served there- 
 by; but we must not forget that all the guilt was 
 not on the side of the white man, that the Indian 
 was as often the aggressor as not, that he did not 
 fight for home, for tradition and culture, but 
 solely and alone for the privilege of remaining 
 in a state utterly irreconciliable with progress and 
 advancement, if not with all the notions that are 
 universally accepted by mankind as soon as it 
 has emerged from the worst period of savage- 
 dom. We have no right to judge the early set- 
 tlers too harshly, for they came here to found a 
 new home for themselves and for the culture that 
 had been acquired through centuries of progress. 
 
1 FLUSHING S BIG OAK. 
 
 2 IRELAND MILLS. AMONG OLDEST ON LONG ISLAND. 
 
 3 SHORE NEAR FORT TOTTEN, WILLET's POINT. 
 
 4 SAILING ON FLUSHING CREEK 
 
 5 KNICKERBOCKER YACHT CLUB AT COLLEGE POINT. 
 
 6 WEEPING BEECH ON WASHINGTON PLACE. FIRST TREE OF ITS KIND 
 
 INTRODUCED IN AMERICA. 
 
FLUSHING HOMES 
 
 I. RESIDENCE OF WM. P. WILLIS^ BOWNE AVE. 
 J. RESIDENCE OF J. C. ECAN, MURRAY HILL 
 
 3. OLD MITCHELL HOMESTEAD, WHITESTONE AVE. 
 
 4. BOGERT HOMESTEAD, LAWRENCE ST. 
 
 5. MONTGOMERY MANSION, BROADWAY 
 
1 ORIGINAL FLUSHING FREE LIBRARY (NOW REMOVED) 
 
 2 FLUSHING BRANCH, BANK OF LONG ISLAND 
 
 3 FLUSHING HOSPITAL AND DISPENSARY 
 
 4 FLUSHING TOWN HALL (uSED AS SEAT OF QUEENS COUNTY SUPREME 
 
 COURT WHILE COUNTY COURT HOUSE WAS BEING REBUILT) 
 
 5 ARMORY HALL (FIRST ARMORY OF I/TH SEPARATE CO.) 
 
 6 FLUSHING PUMPING STATION AT OAKLAND LAKE 
 
 7 NIANTIC CLUB, FLUSHING. 
 
1 RESIDENXE OF JAMES A. RSNWICK, nOWXE AVEXfE. FLUSHING. 
 
 2 RESIDENCE OF CAPTAIN I. J. MERRITT, WHITESTONE. 
 
 3 BULLARD RESIDENCE, SANFORD AVE. 
 
 4 FRONT VIEW OF OLD BCWNE HOUSE. 
 
 5 RESIDENCE OF J. VIPOND CAVIES, BOW.VE AVE. 
 
 6 RESIDENCE OF JOHN W. CRAWFORD. PARSONS .^VE. 
 
 7 RESIDENCE OF E. V. W. ROSSITER, SANFORD AVE. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 97 
 
 they came to preserve what was not only theirs 
 but also humanity's most valuable possessions, 
 arid above all, they came to make this new con- 
 tinent a fit habitation for civilized man. They 
 suffered at the hands of the savage, they suf- 
 fered untold privations even after they had found 
 security from the attacks of the Indians, they 
 worked under the most severe difficulties, and we 
 must wonder, when we read the story of their 
 lives, how it was possible for them to overcome 
 all the obstacles that they found in their way, 
 and how their women and children withstood 
 the sufferings that had to be undergone. They 
 must have been a hardy race, brave in the face 
 of danger, but braver still in their resolve to live 
 a life as hard as was theirs with so little to rec- 
 ompense them for their sufferings and priva- 
 tions. It is not to be wondered at that so 
 mighty a people sprang from the loins of those 
 who first conquered the land in the truest sense 
 of the word, for they did not despoil and leave 
 it to its fate after the treasures which were near- 
 est to the surface had been gathered, but they 
 laid the foundation for the coming generations 
 who were to reap the fruits of the work they had 
 done. Of such stuff were the early settlers of 
 Long Island and Queens, whether they came from 
 the Netherlands, from England or from France 
 or Germany. And they brought with them such 
 an unbounded love of liberty and such a strong 
 hatred against oppression of any kind that at 
 that period the future destinies of this great coun- 
 try were already shaped. For whatever might 
 have happened, whether England would have 
 treated the colonies differently when she delib- 
 erately set about to offend them, a people thai 
 was born in this way, that had learned to rely up- 
 on its own strength, and that had felt its power 
 as well as its ability to govern itself, could never 
 have been subjugated by others. It had grown 
 up in freedom and with the help of freedom, and 
 it needed freedom as much as man needs pure 
 and fresh air to breathe. 
 
 This people grew in numbers, in strength and 
 in material welfare. Necessity was no longer 
 the one ruler of all and everything. Refinement 
 took the place of customs that had become some- 
 what rough in the course of the hard task which 
 took the desire to do more than to force the soil 
 to give sustenance out of men's hearts. It was 
 no longer imperative to build every dwelling 
 like a fortress because hostile savages might 
 swarm out of the dense forests at any moment 
 to attack, to pillage and to murder. Better, larger 
 and more commodious houses were erected on 
 Long Island, as everywhere else. It became 
 easier to secure the comforts and even luxuries 
 which had been so long missed and almost for- 
 gotten. Blooming gardens and fields covered with 
 
 rich crops appeared where swamps and woods 
 had been so long. Communication with neigh- 
 boring villages was established by wagon roads 
 and ferries. What is now Queens awoke to the 
 fact that there was a large city growing up near- 
 by that was willing to pay for many things which 
 could be produced in the vicinity. The farmer, 
 the market gardener and the florist wended his 
 way cityward and exchanged the product of his 
 toil against dollars. Material wealth increased 
 and was no longer confined to the many rich 
 merchants who transacted their business in New 
 York and came to Queens for rest and recrea- 
 tion. And soon another transformation took 
 place. The old city across the river was growing 
 too small for the manufacturers who had estab- 
 lished themselves there. They migrated across 
 the narrow strip of water and erected their large 
 buildings along the water-front, on the banks 
 of the creeks and further inland. The sound of 
 the hammer and the saw was heard on all sides, 
 and thousands of busy wheels hummed in the 
 factories. Queens was fast becoming a center 
 of industry, and working men without number 
 found it convenient as well as pleasant to estab- 
 lish their homes there. It was an awakening of 
 the greatest importance, and it tended at the 
 same time to draw the bonds between the district 
 and the city closer. But before the change had 
 been completed, another one came, quicker than 
 the most sanguine mind had anticipated. Large 
 tracts of land were subdivided into building lots 
 and plots, and swarms of New Yorkers, tired of 
 living in a noisy, narrow and stifling desert of 
 stone, came to seek pleasant and healthful homes. 
 New settlements sprang up as if by magic, whole 
 
 WARWICK HALL AND FIRE HOUSE, TORONA 
 
 rows of houses, almost whole villages grew 
 where a few years ago the plow of the farmer 
 had prepared the soil for his harvest. He reaped 
 better now than he had ever dared to dream in 
 his fondest anticipations, for the value of his 
 land was no longer measured by the acre or by 
 the crop it could produce, but by the lot and the 
 running foot. Staid old villages that had lived 
 
98 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 and, we might almost say, slept, true to the tra- 
 ditions of bygone ages, awoke with a start and 
 rubbed their eyes when the bright electric lights 
 shone upon them and the cars swished by them. 
 They were modernized in the twinkling of an 
 eye, and new life showed itself in a spirit of 
 enterprise such as had never been known. The 
 new, the modern conditions were at hand, and 
 they showed themselves first in the desire to 
 combine, to be bigger and greater than before, 
 and to unite for concerted action in the common 
 interest. For what had been formerly and until 
 very recent times a divided community, with dif- 
 ferent and widely divergent aims and purposes, 
 had suddenly become a compact mass. The feel- 
 ing that all the different villages belonged to- 
 gether and were actually compelled to unite, man- 
 ifested itself and became stronger from day to 
 day. It was not long in taking shape, and the cre- 
 ation of Long Island City was the first step. 
 This, however, could not suffice. A stronger tie 
 was necessary, and a union through the perfec- 
 tion of which local pride need not suffer ap- 
 peared advisable. It came about when the Great- 
 er City was formed, when the whole district 
 could be incorporated on equal terms in the 
 metropolis whose greatness everybody recognized. 
 It was the fulfilment of what is sometimes called 
 "manifest destiny." Queens had always been to 
 some extent dependent upon New York. The 
 nearness of the great city had given strength to 
 the district across the East River and furthered 
 its growth and development. Most of the in- 
 habitants either transacted their business on 
 Manhattan Island, or at least a great part of it. 
 From there came, so to speak, the stimulus that 
 made the blood in the body of Queens roll quick- 
 er. In fact, a good part of the blood itself had 
 been furnished by New York. There was hardly 
 any dividing line in existence, certainly not a 
 
 STREET VIEW, RICHMOND HILL 
 
 visible one. The population was of the same 
 kind, they knew each other and belonged to- 
 gether. Their interests were alike. Consolidation 
 could only increase the rate of development on 
 
 both sides of the East River. Thus it was nat- 
 ural that it was overwhelmingly desired and 
 greeted with sincere expressions of joy and con- 
 tentment when it came. 
 
 As a part of the great city the different com- 
 munities embraced in the territory known as 
 the Borough of Queens have, of course, lost 
 a certain measure of their former independence. 
 They must look for the means to execute the 
 improvements they desire to the city authorities, 
 which they indeed help to elect, but which must 
 take into account demands made by, and necessi- 
 ties existing in, the other boroughs. But the 
 compensations for this apparent loss are plen- 
 tiful. The credit and the money of the richest 
 city on the continent is at the disposal of the 
 cities and villages which formerly found it very 
 difficult to procure the means required for the 
 most necessary things. Queens has been treated 
 liberally, and many important public undertak- 
 ings have been started and executed that could 
 not even be thought of as long as the borough 
 had nothing but its own credit to pledge. Its ovi^n 
 inhabitants are no longer alone interested in its 
 progress, but the whole city of nearly four mil- 
 lions of people must see that the district which is 
 now part of New York is developed as rapidly 
 as possible and on lines in harmony with those 
 which have been followed by the older boroughs. 
 Before consolidation came, for instance, the con- 
 struction of a bridge connecting Manhattan with 
 Queens was a matter in which old New York was 
 not greatly interested because it was believed 
 not without some reason that it would benefit a 
 foreign territory more than the city that would 
 have to contribute the largest share of the money 
 required. At the present time such a bridge 
 connects two parts of the same city, it is there- 
 fore without question a benefit to the whole city, 
 and the opposition has lost its most valuable ar- 
 gument, that the city would give its money to 
 pay for an improvement the advantages of which 
 would be reaped by outsiders. This is but an 
 example, and there are many other expenditures 
 to which the same line of reasoning will apply. 
 Nor need Queens be overmodest and shrink from 
 the idea of using money raised by taxes in the 
 other boroughs for improvements within its own 
 confines. Under the old conditions it would in- 
 deed have been wrong to build streets and sewers 
 in Queens with money contributed by citizens of 
 Brooklyn or Manhattan, but now, since consoli- 
 dation has been brought about, it is eminently 
 right and proper. People who insist that each 
 borough should pay for its improvements with 
 the money raised by taxing its own citizens, might 
 as well claim that the entire cost of laying out 
 and grading streets, of constructing sewers and 
 furnishing other needed improvements should be 
 
FLUSHING HOMES 
 
 1. RESIDENCE OF ERNEST MITCHELL, WHITESTONE AVE. 
 
 2. SANFORD AVENUE LOOKING EAST FROM PARSONS AVENUE 
 
 3. RESIDENCE OF E. E. SPRAGUE, SANFORD AVE. 
 
 4. RESIDENCE OF DR. WM. M. STONE, JAMAICA AVE. 
 
 5. RESIDENCE OF M. M. GILLAM, BROADWAY 
 
 6. CEDAR OF LEBANON (LARGEST IN AMERICA) 
 
FLUSHING HOMES 
 i. residence of g. howland leavitt, bowne ave. 
 
 2. "shore acres/' country residence of g. h. leavitt at BAYSIDE 
 
 3. residence of pierre noel, jamaica ave. 
 
 4. residence of wm. carson kane, maple ave. 
 s- residence of c. c downey, parsons ave. 
 
THE OLD BLOCK HOUSE, HALLETTS POINT, 1814 
 
 ALONG THE NORTH SHORE ROAD 
 
Peter M. Coco^ Architects 
 
 QUEENS COUNTY COURT HOUSE, LONG ISLAND CITY 
 
 TOWN HALL, JAMAICA 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 103 
 
 borne by the owners of the lots directly benefited 
 alone. If this reasoning were accepted, progress 
 would stop. The benefit of one is the benefit of 
 all, this is the well established rule according to 
 which all communities must be governed. If the 
 city spends money in Queens, it increases- the 
 value of the city as a whole, and the boroughs 
 which are not as thickly settled as the others, 
 must be helped to increase their rate of growth, 
 if for no other reason than because in this way 
 their taxing power is increased and the income 
 of the city as a whole augmented from year to 
 year. 
 
 In little more than two and a half centuries 
 Queens has grown from a wilderness into a fine 
 and busy city. It is now growing at a healthy 
 rate. Conditions are improving rapidly, and the 
 signs of enterprise are visible on all sides. But, 
 after all, the greatest change the district has seen 
 in its whole history is still to come. It will be- 
 
 gin within the next few years, as soon as the 
 several tunnels and bridges connecting Queens 
 with Manhattan are completed. Then we may 
 look for the swarming of the people looking for 
 cheap and pleasant homesteads in agreeable sur- 
 roundings, then manufacturers and merchants 
 will come in ever greater numbers, and then 
 Queens Borough will indeed be a part of the 
 great city in fact as well as in name. And it is 
 not necessary to do violence to the imagination or 
 to indulge in phantastic dreams in order to be- 
 come convinced that the next twenty-five years 
 will see a growth and development that will 
 equal, if not surpass, anything done in the past. 
 And ere many years have passed a new city will 
 have grown up on the East River and the Sound 
 that in everything valued by civilized mankind, 
 in beauty and wealth, in greatness and activity, 
 will be the peer of all the other parts of the great 
 city to which it belongs. 
 
JOHN H. RIDEXOL'R 
 
THE FLUSHING JOURNAL 
 
 PART VI 
 
 THE Flushing Journal was a 
 pioneer among the newspa- 
 pers of Queens County and 
 of. Long Island. It was 
 founded by Charles R. Lin- 
 ^ /uA coin in 1842, and was the first 
 if secular newspaper printed in 
 
 Flushing. Prior to that year, in 1840, the stu- 
 dents of St. Thomas's Hall started a newspaper 
 called the Repository, which lived less than two 
 years, and about the same time Mr. Lincoln 
 printed the Church Record, edited by Rev. Dr. 
 Francis L. Hawks, the principal of St. Thomas' 
 Hall, for many years a noted educational insti- 
 tution of Flushing. On October 9, 1841, Mr, Lin- 
 coln printed a trial " issue of his proposed paper, 
 with which he canvassed for subscriptions, a fac- 
 simile of which appears herewith. The follow- 
 ing March the regular publication of the paper 
 was commenced. 
 
 The Journal prospered and was conducted for 
 more than twenty-five years by Mr. Lincoln. He 
 was an able editor and made the paper a power. 
 The first publication office of the Journal was 
 in a small house on what was known as Cottage 
 Row, the street in the rear of St. Thomas's 
 Hall, and which is now known as Monroe Street. 
 From there it was moved to rooms on Broad- 
 way over Samuel Lowerre's store, which stood 
 near where the Broadway Lyceum is now loca- 
 ted. From this location the office was moved to 
 two rooms in a building adjoining the Fountain 
 House on Main Street. It remained there until 
 the fire of 1868. After that the office was moved 
 to the building on Broadway which is now occu- 
 pied by Bowne's feed store. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln died in 1869. The paper was then 
 run for a brief period by Henry F. Lincoln, sec- 
 ond son of the deceased- Shortly afterwards 
 quite a contest for the ownership of the paper 
 sprang up between Orange Judd of the American 
 Agriculturist, then a resident of Flushing, and 
 Conrad Poppenhusen, a resident of College Point, 
 who about that time became the owner of the 
 Flushing and North Side Railroad, and who 
 wanted to help along the interests of his road by 
 the use of the paper. 
 
 During that contest Joseph E. Lawrence, who 
 had recently come on from California, where he 
 
 published the Golden Era. took charge of the 
 Journal and was mainly instrumental in selling 
 the Journal to Mr. Poppenhusen, securing a good 
 price for Mr. Lincoln's widow. Mr. Lawrence 
 continued as editor for several years, until 1872, 
 when he returned to California to settle up his 
 affairs there. Mr. Lawrence was one of the well 
 known Lawrence family of Bayside and a jour- 
 nalist of distinction. A noted contributor to the 
 Journal under Mr. Lawrence's management was 
 his sister, Mrs. C. W. Lawrence, author of "Do 
 They Love Us Yet," a treatise on spiritualism. 
 Another writer was Fred C. Harriott, the hus- 
 band of Clara Morris, the well known actress 
 who was then a resident of Whitestone. Follow- 
 ing Mr. Lawrence the Journal was conducted by 
 William and Arthur Gibson, but the subscription 
 list did not grow under their guidance and the 
 railroad interests having secured all they set out 
 to gain by its ownership sold the paper on March 
 4, 187s, to C. W. Smith, then of Whitestone. 
 During a short period prior to the purchase by 
 Mr. Smith, James W. Covert, who was congress- 
 man representing the Long Island district, and 
 who has, since consolidation with New York City, 
 been an assistant corporation counsel, was edi- 
 tor of the paper. 
 
 Mr. Smith started the management of the Jour- 
 nal with little capital but he succeeded in build- 
 ing up a prosperous paper. Joseph E. Lawrence, 
 who had returned from California, rendered Mr. 
 Smith valuable and generous service until his 
 death in 1877. In 1876 the Journal, which up to 
 that time had been a Republican paper, was 
 changed to a Democratic paper, and it is worthy 
 of note that so strong was the paper in its news 
 matter that the change was accomplished with 
 the loss of but half a dozen subscribers. 
 
 On March 4, 1879, the Evening Journal was 
 started. There were many prophecies that it 
 would not survive, but it made many friends at 
 once and perseverance brought it through and it 
 has not missed a single regular issue from that 
 date to the present. It was just after this that 
 the Journal was moved to the office at 75 Broad- 
 way, which it still occupies. Mr. Smith conducted 
 the paper until 1890 when he sold it to John H. 
 Ridenour, the present proprietor. 
 
 105 
 
106 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 The Journal Under Mr. Ridenour 
 
 While not taking one whit from the praise due 
 those who directed the Journal in its earlier days, 
 it can be truthfully said that everything that went 
 before has been far eclipsed under the present 
 management, which is attested by the prosperity, 
 the standing and the influence of the Journal to- 
 day as one of the foremost of the suburban 
 dailies of New York City. 
 
 The controlling principles of the management 
 have been : 
 
 First — Independence of thought and action. The 
 Journal has always fearlessly told what it be- 
 lieved to be the truth. No consideration has 
 caused it to waver. 
 
 Second — Accuracy of statement. Every possi- 
 ble effort has been made in every instance by the 
 reportorial department to get all the facts, get 
 them right, and state them without color or bias. 
 An effort has always been made to give the 
 proper importance to each piece of news. Having 
 no end to serve, the Journal has not magnified 
 without warrant the information it has furnished. 
 
 The work of the Journal along these lines has 
 been noteworthy. It has been the leader in an- 
 nouncing the happenings of importance in the 
 community. Every issue of the paper has teemed 
 with exclusive articles. The Journal announced 
 in Flushing two hours ahead of every other paper 
 the assassination of President McKinley. It had 
 the most complete account of the San Francisco 
 disaster that appeared in Flushing for twelve 
 hours. A reporter of the Journal was on the 
 scene of the burning of the excursion steamer. 
 General Slocum in Long Island Sound before 
 the boat was beached, and that afternoon the 
 Journal gave as good account of the disaster as 
 any Manhattan paper. The trip to the General 
 Slocum was made by a reporter for the Journal 
 in a rowboat frorti College Point. The Journal 
 had a special correspondent at the Vanderbilt 
 Cup races and bulletined the result of each con- 
 test within five minutes after it was decided. 
 
 The Journal has on the morning following each 
 election issued an extra that contained the full- 
 est accounts of the local results. 
 
 The fearlessness of the Journal was never bet- 
 ter shown than in relation to the purchase of 
 the land for Kissena Park in Flushing. From 
 the very inception of that enterprise the Journal 
 insisted that the prices to be paid for the land 
 should be made public. Finally the Journal se- 
 cured the prices and exclusively published them. 
 This caused a sensation. Still adhering to its 
 purpose of giving all the facts in every case the 
 Jouriwl exclusively published an interview with 
 one of the principals in this matter, which came 
 as a thunderbolt in a clear sky, and which so 
 
 startled the public that later an investigation 
 was held by the Queens Grand Jury. 
 
 Mr. Ridenour's Career 
 
 Mr. Ridenour, as might be supposed, is the 
 dominating personality of the Journal. He is 
 ever open to suggestions, and courts them, but 
 his own judgment, after hearing all sides pre- 
 sented, controls every situation. 
 
 From boyhood journalism had for him an irre- 
 sistible attraction. Before entering Wittenberg 
 College at Springfield, Ohio, he was connected 
 with the Springfield (Ohio) Republic. After 
 four years at Wittenberg College, he went to the 
 University of Wooster, at Wooster, Ohio. Later 
 on he took a special course in political economy, 
 social science and literature at Columbia College. 
 He is a member of the New York Alumni Chapter 
 of Sigma Chi Fraternity, of which Grover Cleve- 
 land is an honorary member. 
 
 Mr. Ridenour's class at Wittenberg turned out 
 an unusually large number of newspaper men. 
 Arthur Hosterman and John Garver were asso- 
 ciated for some years in Ohio and Indiana news- 
 paper ventures ; Harr Wagner, publisher of the 
 Golden Era of California; Robert Young, who 
 was the editor of a number of church papers, and 
 E. T. Bunyan, who was associated with Harr 
 Wagner, were in his class. 
 
 Mr. Ridenour wrote one of the first articles 
 advocating an Arbor Day celebration and helped 
 materially the first great celebration of that day 
 in Cincinnati. For a cleverly written satire on 
 the Wagner craze which had taken such a de- 
 cided hold upon the American public, he received 
 a letter of thanks from S. R. Reed, the famous 
 S.R.R. of the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, 
 and also from a leading professor in the Cin- 
 cinnati College of Music. In 1892 while report- 
 ing for the Cincinnati Post he wrote the history 
 of Archbishop Purcell of Cincinnati. This ar- 
 ticle attracted considerable attention and was 
 favorably commented upon by Archbishop 
 Wood of Philadelphia and Archbishop Elder of 
 Cincinnati, who succeeded Archbishop Purcell. 
 It led, soon after, to his being offered the man- 
 aging editorship of the Post on the return of 
 E. W. Scripps, the president of Scripps' League 
 of Newspapers, from a tour of the world. 
 
 This league at the time embraced the Cincin- 
 nati Post, the St. Louis Chronicle, the Detroit 
 News and the Cleveland Press. Many papers 
 have been added since. Cincinnati then had the 
 unenviable reputation of being the most corrupt 
 city in the Union. The city was tyrannized over, 
 justice was trampled upon and this condition of 
 affairs offered an opportunity that comes to few 
 newspapers. The Post under Mr. Ridenour's 
 management began a vigorous and successful 
 
I. PERCIVAL MULLIKIN 
 S. JAMES F. CONROY 
 
 2. WILLIAM O. DE MOLA 
 4. HARRY R. GELWICKS 
 6. CLIFFORD B. BOWNE 
 
 3. LESTER S. PARMENTER 
 7. JOSEPH R. HEMLER 
 

 
 --";':;„ *'J^«t'^*'si^|iiiiS^ 
 
 '^'&^'^'^ 
 
 FAC-SIMILES OF THE FLUSHING JOURNAL OF OCTOBER 9, 184I ; THE FLUSHING EVENING 
 JOURNAL OF APRIL II, 1879 AND OF OCTOBER II. I907 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 109 
 
 crusade against the notorious rings that were in 
 control of the city. The Post had made itself 
 the champion of the people and its circulation 
 jumped from 6,000 to 56,000 in five years. In 
 1887 Mr. Ridenour was sent East as the New 
 York editor of the Scripps' League of News- 
 papers. 
 
 While there he organized a newspaper expedi- 
 tion to explore Alaska that was unusually suc- 
 cessful, so much so, in fact, that the same par- 
 ties were sent out a second time by Mr. Arkell, 
 the publisher of Judge. The Alaska expedition 
 was followed soon after by the famous trip of 
 the fifty representatives of American skilled la- 
 bor, including Mr. Coleman, secretary of agri- 
 culture under President Cleveland, to the Paris 
 Exposition, under the auspices of the Scripps 
 League, for the purposes of studying the labor 
 question in England and on the Continent. 
 
 A change in the management of the league 
 having occurred in 1890, the New York office 
 was given up, and tempting inducements were 
 held out to Mr. Ridenour to accept the managing 
 editorship of the St. Louis Chronicle. He refused 
 the offer to go West again, because of a long 
 cherished ambition to own and publish a paper 
 for himself. 
 
 With a view of finding a suitable location he 
 traveled extensively in the South and West. He 
 was struck_ with the wonderful progress of the 
 Southern States and the phenomenal develop- 
 ment of their resources, but circumstances de- 
 cided him to settle in or close to New York City. 
 Before going South he had had correspondence 
 with Charles W. Smith, then proprietor of the 
 Journal, and upon visiting Flushing in November, 
 1890, negotiated for the purchase of the Joitrnal. 
 The formal transfer took place December i, 1890. 
 
 Advancement of the Journal 
 
 In its early days while the Journal office was 
 located over the store of Samuel Lowerre on 
 Broadway, in the rooms on Main Street adjoin- 
 ing the Fountain House and in the building on 
 Broadway now occupied by Bowne Bros.' store, 
 the paper was printed on a Washington hand 
 press. When Charles W. Smith bought the paper 
 and moved into the building now occupied by 
 the Journal a modern Campbell cylinder press 
 was introduced on which the paper was printed. 
 The equipment of the job room was also in- 
 creased. 
 
 Mr. Ridenour had scarcely taken hold of the 
 Journal management when he began to increase 
 its equipment throughout. First, a Thorne type- 
 setting machine was installed to take the place 
 of the hand composition of news for the paper. 
 This increased the Journal's facility for giving 
 news and was greatly appreciated by its patrons. 
 
 It was but a few years until two linotypes were 
 introduced and then the news composition was 
 increased many fold. There was also introduced 
 a Babcock Despatch fast-printing press. New 
 equipment of presses and type were placed in 
 the job room and it was made one of the inost 
 up-to-date offices in the city of New York, a 
 position which it still holds. 
 
 The Journal's job department has always been 
 noted for the artistic character of the work 
 turned out. All lines of commercial work are 
 being constantly handled. But in addition the 
 Journal in 1890 published a directory of Flush- 
 ing. It also printed the "History of St. George's 
 Parish," written by the late Rev. Dr. John Carpen- 
 ter Smith, and the "History of Flushing," written 
 by Rev. Henry D. Waller, rector of St. George's 
 Parish. A notable piece of work froin the Jour- 
 nal's job office was "Douthitt's Art Manual." 
 The Sword and Shield, the parochial publication 
 of St. George's Parish, is issued monthly from 
 the Journal's press room. The Thcosophical 
 Forum during the time it was issued was printed 
 by the Journal also. Ever since it has been is- 
 sued the Journal has printed the yearly calendar 
 of the Good Citizenship League, a work that is 
 a leader of its kind in this country. 
 
 The progress of the Journal was uninterrupted 
 by untoward incidents until September 10, 1907, 
 when a fire starting in the stock room was not 
 gotten under control until thousands of dollars 
 of damage was done. The press and linotype 
 rooms suffered greatly, yet such was the enter- 
 prise of the management that the following eve- 
 ning the paper was issued as usual from its own 
 plant, with the full and usual quota of news. 
 
 The Journal Staff 
 
 One of the cardinal principles of the Journal's 
 owner has been recognition of the services of 
 his subordinates. As long as seVvices are faith- 
 fully done the employe can feel sure of his 
 position. The. result has been the creation of a 
 splendid csfrit du corps among the Journal men 
 and their remaining with the Journal through 
 long periods of service. 
 
 The list of men who have been employed on 
 the Journal is an honor roll, creditable alike to 
 the paper and to the men who compose it. The 
 Journal's columns have been made attractive not 
 only by the efforts of the regular men on the 
 staff, but by contributions from time to time of 
 men and women of prominence, locally and 
 abroad. The invitation has always been extended 
 to any one who has anything of importance to 
 say upon a subject of popular interest to say it 
 in a communication to the Journal. The result 
 has been that many able and interesting commu- 
 nications have been contributed. 
 
no 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 In the early days Samuel B. Parsons, one of 
 the well known literary men of Flushing, was a 
 frequent contributor. Benjamin Downing, who 
 rose to leadership in Queens politics, both be- 
 fore and after his political star was in the ascend- 
 ancy wrote for the Journal. Walter R. Burling, 
 who still survives, and has been the founder of 
 many newspapers on Long Island, and the late 
 Thomas H. Todd, who was the founder of the 
 Long Island City Star, served their apprentice- 
 ship in the Journal office and received the inspira- 
 tion here for their future successes. Police Jus- 
 tice Edward Frame of the village of Flushing 
 contributed very often. Clarence A. Drew, who 
 afterwards became a police judge of Flushing 
 and is a successful attorney of Queens County, 
 was a, reporter for years on the Journal. Among 
 the brilliant articles contributed to the Journal 
 have been a series of musical criticisms by Rev. 
 C. W. Knauff. 
 
 Thomas Blain, now the owner of the Port 
 Chester Item, served the Journal as local news 
 editor. Monroe S. Wood, who has been for 
 years the valued correspondent for the Brooklyn 
 Times, and is also the owner of the Nassau 
 County Sun of Mineola, L.I., gained his first ex- 
 perience on the Journal. Jerome Case Bull, the 
 novelist of national fame, reported for the Jour- 
 nal. John Scott, who has gained newspaper 
 laurels in the West, was a reporter for several 
 years. Frank Tully, prominent in the advertising 
 world of New York City, got his first newspaper 
 experience under the present management of the 
 Joxirnal. Likewise did Starling H. Busser, one 
 of the chief aides in the George Batten Adver- 
 tising Agency of New York City. Ben Benton, 
 who is the leading sporting writer of Boston 
 papers, served the Journal several years. Captain 
 J. W. Dixon, who is a contributor to many army 
 publications, was a reporter for the Journal and 
 still contributes frequently. William H. Johnson, 
 now holding a managerial position on the lead- 
 ing paper of Tacoma, Wash., was initiated into 
 newspaperdom in the Journal office. 
 
 The present staff of the Journal consists of 
 Harry R. Gelwicks, Percival Mullikin, William 
 O. DeMola, James F. Conroy, Joseph F. Poey, 
 E. N. Dodson and W. J. Barthell in the reporto- 
 rial department; Lester Parmenter, chief of the 
 advertising department, and Clifford Bowne, cir- 
 culation manager. 
 
 Mr. Gelwicks is now closing his thirteenth year 
 with the Journal. He is a native of Ohio and 
 attended Wittenberg College, the same institu- 
 tion as Mr. Ridenour, and afterwards the Ohio 
 State University. While at Wittenberg he was 
 the college representative of the Springfield Re- 
 public-Times. During this interval Mr. Gelwicks 
 traveled as far east as Pittsburg and west as 
 far as Chicago on assignments for this paper. 
 
 Completing his college course he took a course 
 of law and was admitted to the Bar of Ohio. He 
 then came to New York City and engaged with 
 the Funk & Wagnalls Company in editorial work 
 on the Standard Dictionary. At the same time 
 he did reportorial work for the New York Re- 
 corder. Shortly afterwards he engaged with the 
 North Shore Review of Bayside, L.I., as business 
 manager. After a few months with this paper 
 Mr. Gelwicks came to the Journal and has been 
 with it ever since. 
 
 Percival Mullikin came to the Journal April 
 I, 1903. He is a native of Maryland and lived 
 there until coming to Flushing. He engaged in 
 newspaper work at the age of sixteen, publishing 
 an amateur newspaper in Trappe, Md., known as 
 the Trappe Enterprise. After four years he sold 
 out and the name of the paper was changed to 
 the Talbot Times. He remained with this paper 
 as manager for three years, when he left to en- 
 gage in mercantile business. In 1896 Mr. Mulli- 
 kin purchased the Times and continued its publi- 
 cation until coming to Flushing. Jubt before Mr. 
 Mullikin left the Times the publication office was 
 moved to Easton, the county seat of Talbot Coun- 
 t}'. While a resident of Maryland Mr. Mullikin 
 took an active part in the Republican politics of 
 his county and was postmaster of Trappe for 
 four years and a member of the Republican 
 county committee. 
 
 William O. DeMola came to the Journal in 
 June, 1903. He has been a resident of Flushing 
 since 1870. He has been engaged in newspaper 
 work since boyhood. He was first with Walter 
 R. Burling, who had a paper in Flushing. Later 
 Mr. DeMola did special work for the New York 
 Evening Post, the New York Tribune and other 
 New York dailies. For seven years Mr. DeMola 
 was news editor of the Engineering Record and 
 was later on Contract News, Fire & Water, and 
 other Manhattan trade journals. In 1886 Mr. 
 ■DeMola was for a short time on the reportorial 
 staff of the Journal. Mr. DeMola is a member 
 of Ancient Lodge No. 724, F. & A. M. of Man- 
 hattan. 
 
 James F. Conroy, a native of Flushing, first 
 came to the Journal in 1895 as a carrier boy. He 
 continued as such until the completion of his 
 common school education when he was given a 
 position in the Journal job rooms. He served 
 his apprenticeship well and faithfully there, and 
 then was advanced to office work. Before long 
 be developed an aptitude for reportorial work 
 and in January, 1903, was made a regular re- 
 porter on the paper. 
 
 Joseph F. Poey has covered the Whitestone 
 field for the Journal for seven years. In the 
 meantime he has studied law and is now a prac- 
 tising lawyer in Flushing and gaining a good 
 practise. He still continues on the Journal staff, 
 
 V 
 
I. THE BUSINESS OFFICE 
 3. THE editor's desk 
 S- THE PRESS ROOM 
 
 2. THE REPORTORIAL ROOMS 
 4. THE LINOTYPE ROOM 
 6. THE JOB OFFICE 
 
112 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 however. E. X. Dodson covers the Long Island 
 City field and W. J. Barthell covers the Jamaica 
 field. 
 
 Lester Parmenter came with the Journal in 
 1897. He is a native of Woodstock, Ontario, 
 Canada. After completing his education he was 
 with the Massej'-Harris Co. Limited, leaders in 
 Canada in the manufacture of agricultural im- 
 plements. He left the employ of that firm to 
 come to Flushing with his parents. Soon after 
 coming to Flushing Mr. Parmenter engaged with 
 the Journal in the business department. He was 
 shortly thereafter advanced to the head of the 
 advertising department and has managed it with 
 marked success. 
 
 Clifford B. Bowne came with the Journal Feb- 
 ruary, 1907. He is a native of Flushing, a de- 
 scendant of one of the old colonial families of 
 the town of Flushing. After completing his 
 education at the Flushing High School he took 
 a business course at New York City Y.M.C.A. 
 Business College. As soon as his course there 
 was completed he entered the auditor's office of 
 the Long Island Railroad. He next engaged with 
 the Foye-Fox Contracting Company of New York 
 City. From that firm he came to the Journal 
 and was placed in charge of the circulation de- 
 partment. His work has resulted in increasing 
 the circulation of the Journal materially. He is 
 a member of Pacific Lodge No. 85, I.O.O.F. 
 
 SCHOOL HOUSE, CORONA 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 JOHN HENRY THIRY, from 1866 to 1875 
 a book dealer but now retired, son of Jean Bap- 
 tiste Thiry and Anne Marie Dussard, is a na- 
 tive of Antwerp, Belgium, where he graduated 
 from the First Normal School in 1845. Since 
 1874 he has been a resident of Queens County. 
 His political convictions are with the Demo- 
 cratic party. Mr. Thiry was school commis- 
 sioner under three mayors and at present he is 
 a member of the local school board, District No. 
 41, Queens Borough, New York City. Mr. Thiry 
 became widely known as the father of the Euro- 
 pean system of School Savings-banks in the 
 United States, which was introduced March 16, 
 1885. Thanks to this system the little school de- 
 positors have been able to save, up to 1906, no less 
 than $4,896,584. He is a member of the Knights 
 of Columbus, the American Social Association 
 and the Charities' Organization. In 1853 he mar- 
 ried Ernestine Desamblanc, who died June 16, 
 i8g6. His second wife was Miss Margaret 
 O'Connor, whom he married February 23, 1898. 
 Two sons resulted from his first marriage, 
 Raphael Ovide and Joseph ; five children from 
 his second, George, John Henri, Henrietta 
 Frances, John, and an infant born December 27, 
 1907. John Henri and John died, respectively, 
 March 17, 1899, and April 28, 1906. Twenty-two 
 years ago, the distinguished gentleman introduced 
 the system of School Savings-banks in the United 
 States, which has grown to such an extent, that 
 the system is now in operation in 1,098 schools of 
 173 cities of twenty-two states in America; the 
 scholars of these schools have saved $5,485,504.48, 
 of which $4,875,897.26 has been withdrawn leaving 
 a balance of $809,617.22 due. This statement is up 
 to January I, 1907, and shows the total number of 
 the little depositors to be 177,972. As the founder 
 of this important branch of our school system, 
 Mr. Thiry's name and triumph will stand imper- 
 ishable throughout the Union. 
 
 ELIAS A. FAIRCHILD graduated from Rut- 
 gers College in 1854 and succeeded his father, 
 Ezra Fairchild, as principal of the Flushing In- 
 stitute, until the school was closed in 1902. Un- 
 der his direction the institute was for many years 
 one of the best known private schools in this 
 country and was attended by boys from other 
 lands as well as from every state in the Union. 
 Mr. Fairchild's institute property was one of 
 
 the attractive landmarks of Flushing, and its 
 absorption for business purposes after the closing 
 of the school marked one of the radical changes 
 in old Flushing. Mr. Fairchild died May 2, 1907, 
 and as a tribute to his character and life's work 
 we quote the following: "We, the Business 
 Men's Association of the Village of Flushing, 
 desire to place upon record our appreciation of 
 the life and services in this community of Mr. 
 Elias A. Fairchild. Although never holding an 
 official position in the affairs of the village, his 
 voice and vote were always on the side of right 
 and justice. In his life work, the education of 
 young men, he was preeminently successful and 
 many among us have reason to rejoice that they 
 were placed under the guidance of his firm but 
 loving care. Of a most cheerful disposition, he 
 always had a kind word and pleasant smile for 
 all and he will be missed as few men are. We 
 thank God for the life of Elias A. Fairchild." 
 
 DAVID L. VAN NOSTRAND, one of Queens 
 County's most eminent citizens, the son of Albert 
 and Harriet Williams Van Nostrand, was born 
 at Little Neck, Queens County, August 30, 1851, 
 and was educated at the public school of Little 
 Neck. His father's family consisted of seven 
 children, the former also a native of Little Neck, 
 who at his maturity became a farmer. Com- 
 pleting his education at the age of seventeen, 
 David L. began his business career as a grocer's 
 clerk at Mineola, L.I., and for three years de- 
 voted himself to learning the rudiments of mer- 
 cantile life, when he returned to Little Neck, and 
 continued in the same capacity for one year, 
 then opened his own grocery store, and for a 
 number of years was the leading and most pop- 
 ular grocery merchant of the latter place. His 
 keen business intellect determined him to enter 
 a broader and more extensive field, so he finally 
 disposed of his grocer's affairs and opened a 
 coal and feed business at Little Neck, which he 
 conducted so successfully that he opened a 
 branch establishment, and by his square dealing 
 to all of his host of patrons, he finally became 
 one of the most successful and wealthiest resi- 
 dents of the place of his nativity. As a Democrat 
 in political faith, his unswerving integrity and his 
 methodical and prudent business methods were so 
 highly appreciated by his fellow townspeople, that 
 the Democratic party nominated him for justice 
 
 113 
 
114 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 of the peace in 1880. He was triumphantly 
 elected to the honorable position, and retained the 
 office for nine years, when the party nominated 
 and elected him supervisor in 1889, in which 
 office he served faithfully and with distinction for 
 six consecutive terms ; on his second term he was 
 unanimously elected as president of the board. 
 During this long period of public service Mr. Van 
 Nostrand won the plaudits of his fellow citizens 
 and had, by his accurate knowledge of square busi- 
 ness dealing with his neighbors and patrons and 
 his active interest in public affairs, attracted the 
 attention of the citizens of the entire county of 
 Queens, who pointed to him as one of its most 
 loyal and faithful public servants. His name and 
 his administrations became so popular throughout 
 the county that the Democratic County Conven- 
 tion of 1903 unanimously nominated him county 
 clerk and the people and party of the county 
 elected him by a rousing majority. In this re- 
 sponsible and most important office in the Borough 
 of Queens, Mr. Van Nostrand conducted it with 
 that same practical business methods that had 
 heretofore characterized all of his important pub- 
 lic duties. In entering upon his term as county 
 clerk he introduced a thorough and systematic 
 method in every department of his office, that 
 was not only beneficial to the public, the lawyers, 
 and searchers, but invaluable to the county and 
 state. On January I, 1907, when his term expired, 
 he turned over to his successor one of the best 
 conducted departments of the borough, that was 
 brought up to a higher state of perfection than 
 ever before, under Mr. Van Nostrand's manage- 
 ment and three years' administration. On No- 
 vember 9, 1883, Mr. Van Nostrand mar- 
 ried Miss Mary E. Fleet. The result of this 
 happy union was one daughter, Viola, now a 
 young lady of brilliant attainments and of social 
 distinction among Queens County's leading fam- 
 ilies. Mr. Van Nostrand and his family are lead- 
 ing members of the Reformed Church ; he is 
 president of the First National Bank of Jamaica, 
 L.I. ; a member of the Niantic Club, Oakland 
 Golf Club, Knickerbocker Yacht Club, and also 
 one of the leading members of Cornucopia Lodge, 
 F. & A.M. In his domestic affairs, he is devoted 
 to his interesting family, who occupy the beau- 
 tiful and stately homestead on the corner of 
 Broadway and Parsons Avenue, Flushing, and 
 are held in the highest esteem by the leading 
 families of Queens County. In 1877 Mr. Van 
 Nostrand was elected to the Board of Common 
 Council, and served as long as that body was in 
 existence. 
 
 HON. JOHN H. SUTPHIN, deceased, for 
 many years clerk of Queens County, and leader 
 of the Democratic party in that section of the 
 state of New York, was a resident of Jamaica 
 
 from 1871 up to the time of his death in 1907. 
 His name and fame extended throughout the 
 state, as a man of great charity. Mr. Sutphin 
 for many years served as chairman of the Demo- 
 cratic County Central Committee of Queens. 
 He was a director and for some years served as 
 president of the Bank of Jamaica; a director and 
 president of the Jamaica Savings Bank at the 
 time of his death, a trustee of the Jamaica Nor- 
 mal School. He was a prominent member of 
 numerous social, fraternal and benevolent organ- 
 izations, and filled many high positions of trust 
 in connection therewith. He was born at Jamaica, 
 L.I., in 1836, where he received an education in 
 the Flatbush Institute. Prior to his holding the 
 important position of county clerk of Queens 
 County, he held various other public offices, all 
 of which he conducted in a high, conscientious 
 manner. Mr. Sutphin married Miss Carrie M. 
 Smith of Jamaica in 1857. Five children resulted 
 from the union, viz. : Stella, Harry, Annie, How- 
 ard and Nina. When Mr. Sutphin died, the poor 
 living in his community lost a benevolent friend, 
 whose place will probably never be filled. The 
 greater part of his income was devoted toward 
 alleviating the needs and wants of a large por- 
 tion of Jamaica's poor . 
 
 DANIEL S. JONES, a merchant and an old 
 and honored citizen of Flushing for the past 
 twenty years, was born at Stony Brook, Suffolk 
 County, N.Y., in 1841. He received a careful 
 education at St. James Academy in Smithtown, 
 L.I. Mr. Jones is vice-president of the Long 
 Island City Savings Bank; a member of the Ad- 
 visory Board of the Flushing Branch Corn Ex- 
 change Bank; he was formerly a vestryman of 
 St. George's Church of Flushing; is a vestry- 
 man of St. Caroline's Church at Setauket, L.I., 
 and a member of F. & A.M. In politics Mr. 
 Jones is a Democrat but has never cared to hold 
 public office. In 1874 he married Anna C, daugh- 
 ter of James S. Evans, D.D. Two children 
 were born to the union, Lillian E. (deceased), 
 and Johanna L., wife of Harvey K. Lines of No. 
 28 Sanford Avenue, Flushing. 
 
 RUPERT BARNES THOMAS, president and 
 treasurer of the Lay & Way Company, New 
 York, was born in Brooklyn, May II, 1866. He 
 was educated in the public schools of Brooklyn 
 and High School of New York City. Politically, 
 he stands on the platform of the Democratic 
 party. He is commissioner of the Board of Edu- 
 cation of New York and a member of the Com- 
 mittees on finance, sites and athletics. He at- 
 tends the Congregational Church. On October 
 13, 1887, he married Miss Mary Titus Broas. 
 Four children are living, viz. : Rupert Broas, Ger- 
 ald Provost, Katharine Ridgely and Ina Mary. 
 
HON. JOSEPH BERMEL 
 President Borough of Queens 
 
LATE BLOODGOOD H. CUTTER 
 LONG ISLAND FARMER POET 
 
 RESIDENCE OF LATE BLOODGOOD H. CUTTER — THE LONG ISLAND 
 FARMER POET — AT LITTLE NECK 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 117 
 
 HON. FREDERICK SKENE, state engineer 
 and surveyor, New York State, son of 
 Thomas and Mary Parry Skene, was born at 
 Garrison-on-Hudson July 25, 1874. After a 
 course in the public schools at Long Island City, 
 he entered New York University where he se- 
 cured the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1896 
 and that of civil engineer in 1897. For the past 
 twenty-eight years he has resided in the Borough 
 of Queens. In March, 1898, he was appointed 
 assistant engineer. Bureau of Highways, Bor- 
 ough of Queens; in 1899 was appointed acting 
 engineer in charge of that bureau, and in 1902 
 appointed engineer in charge, which position he 
 held until January i, 1907, when he resigned to 
 take office as state engineer and surveyor. Mr. 
 Skene has always been a stanch Democrat. He 
 is a member of Advance Lodge 635, F. & A.M., 
 a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar, a 
 thirty-second degree Mason and a Mystic Shri- 
 ner; is also a member of the Astoria Lodge 
 I.O.O.F. and of Ridgley Encampment; member 
 of Queens Borough B.P.O.E. and Queens County 
 Aerie ; a member of the Municipal Engineering 
 Society of New York City, of the Democratic 
 Club of Queens Borough, and various other so- 
 cial and political societies. On February 23, 
 1902, he married Miss Minnie C. Weinholz of 
 New Rochelle. Mr. Skene is a splendid type of 
 the progressive American, and has attained a 
 high place in the estimation of the people at 
 large of Queens Borough. He has a thorough 
 knowledge of engineering and is peculiarly fitted 
 for the high position he at present holds. 
 
 ISAAC PECK, D.D., son of Isaac and Abby 
 Phelps (Beers) Peck, was born at Flushing, L.I., 
 January 15, 1858. He attended the Flushing Insti- 
 tute from 1869 to 187s, going to Yale College in 
 1879 and graduating from the Berkeley Divinity 
 School, Middletown, Conn., in 1883. Up to 1879 
 he resided at Flushing. In politics he is inde- 
 pendent. He is an active member of the Cornu- 
 copia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M. In 1883 he 
 was made a deacon at Trinity Church, Middle- 
 town, Conn., by Bishop Williams later to be ad- 
 vanced to the priesthood in St. Mark's Cathedral, 
 San Antonio, Tex., by Bishop Elliott. Rev. Peck 
 married Miss Mary Constantia Smith Heyward 
 October 2, 1890, their only child being Isaac Hey- 
 ward Peck. 
 
 HENRY WILLETT, decorator and painter, 
 son of Joseph and Ann Willett, was born at 
 Chester, England, November s, 1834. His school- 
 ing was obtained at Nantwich, England. For the 
 last twenty-three years he has resided in Queens 
 County, identifying himself in the political sphere 
 with the Republican party. He was a trustee of 
 
 the corporation of Richmond Hill and after- 
 wards president of the village prior to its con- 
 solidation with the greater city of New York. 
 Subsequent to the consolidation he was elected 
 alderman of the seventieth district, but declined 
 renomination. During the year of 1907 he was 
 made superintendent of public buildings and 
 offices. For many years he was vestryman of the 
 Church of the Resurrection at Richmond Hill. 
 He is also a member of Alma Lodge No. 729 and 
 a thirty-second degree Mason, Scottish Rite, F. 
 & A,M. Mr. Willett married Miss Emily Vic- 
 toria James in l8S4. They have had sixteen 
 children, of whom but seven survive. 
 
 GEORGE W. POPLE, provision merchant, son 
 of George and Elizabeth Pople, and a lifelong 
 resident was born at Flushing, July 9, 1853. He 
 received a careful education in the public schools, 
 Fairchild Institute and later completed his studies 
 at Cream Hill Academy in West Cornhill, Conn. 
 For many years Mr. Pople has carried on an ex- 
 tensive provision business in Flushing in which 
 he has been highly successful. His name stands 
 for everything that represents high, conscientious 
 scruples in the commercial world. In politics 
 Mr. Pople is an ardent Democrat. He filled the 
 position of village trustee (Flushing) from 1886 
 to 1889 with great credit to himself and con- 
 stituents. He is a member of the Episcopal 
 Church, Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M., 
 Reform Club, Pentalpa Chapter, he is secretary of 
 the Queens Borough Retail Butchers Association, 
 a member of the Flushing Fishing Club, of the 
 board of directors of the Corn Exchange Bank, 
 Flushing Branch. He has also been president of 
 the Business Men's Association of Flushing for 
 the past ten years. In 1876 Mr. Pople married 
 Miss Emma M. Sault. One child was born to 
 the union — Byram, now deceased. 
 
 WILLIAM ANTHONY BEAUMERT, an 
 eminent citizen of College Point, L.I., the son of 
 Francis Xavier and Christina Beaumert, was born 
 at Watertown, N.Y., July 7, 1868. He attended 
 the parochial school on Second Street, New York 
 City, and after a preparatory training, entered 
 the Canarsius University of Buffalo, N.Y., where 
 he graduated with high honors. His commercial 
 training began with his father, Francis Xavier 
 Beaumert, known as the largest manufacturer, im- 
 porter and exporter of cheese in the United 
 States, where he is now connected as a member 
 of the firm known as F. Xavier Beaumert & Co. 
 and of which he is the executive head, and whose 
 cheese factory is located at Antwerp, N.Y., near 
 the Thousand Islands, which has a daily produc- 
 tion of thirty tons of milk, and is rated by the 
 New York State Board of Agriculture in their 
 
118 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 reports as the largest and most productive of its 
 character in the United States. The exclusive 
 manufacturer of the world-wide famous Eagle 
 brand cheese, has won for the Beaumert firm a 
 commercial standing second to no other firm 
 of producers throughout the world. In January, 
 
 1891, Mr. Beaumert married Miss Helen Kiefer, 
 daughter of Robert and Martha Kiefer, the re- 
 sult of this happy union being three interesting 
 and promising children, namely : Frank, Mad- 
 elaine and William Beaumert. Outside of his 
 extensive business affairs, Mr. Beaumert has 
 taken great interest in public affairs, which he 
 believes to be the duty of every citizen. While 
 a resident of the old Twenty-fifth Assembly dis- 
 trict in New York City, the Democratic party 
 honored him with the nomination for alderman 
 and he was triumphantly elected for the years 
 
 1892, 1893 and 1894, where he rendered valuable 
 service to the people, and made a brilliant record 
 in the board. Mr. Beaumert is a trustee of St. 
 Fidelia's R.C. Church of College Point, and a 
 member of the New York Athletic and Knicker- 
 bocker Yacht clubs, the Democratic leader of 
 College Point, and one of the most active mem- 
 bers of the Democratic County Committee of 
 Queens. He is recognized as one of Queens 
 County's most public spirited citizens, always 
 manifesting a deep interest in the advancement 
 and welfare of the community, the progress of 
 public improvements, and the rapid development 
 of beautiful Queens. With his extensive com- 
 mercial pursuits and his deep interest in public 
 affairs, he is strictly a home man, and devotes all 
 of his leisure time to his interesting family. As 
 a substantial and useful citizen he has a host of 
 admiring friends throughout Queens County, and 
 among its first citizens he is regarded as a man 
 of brilliant attainments, and worthy of the great 
 success he has achieved as one of New York's 
 leading manufacturers and Queens County's emi- 
 nent citizen. As a member of the board of man- 
 agers for the circus given in aid of the Flushing 
 Hospital, Mr. Beaumert will be remembered for 
 the faithful and successful duties he performed 
 in aid of this noble and charitable purpose. 
 
 CHARLES W. COPP is a prominent lumber 
 and hardware merchant of Flushing. His mental 
 training he received at the public school and high 
 school of his native place. In March, 1892, he 
 ■ settled at Flushing, N.Y., and has lived 
 there ever since. He has never taken sufficient 
 interest in politics to become an aspirant for pub- 
 lic office. The two societies, of which he is a 
 member, are the New York Lumber Dealers' As- 
 sociation and the Flushing Business Men's Asso- 
 ciation. The extensive lumber and hardware 
 business conducted by Mr. Copp, with yards at 
 
 Lawrence Street and Bradford Avenue, is very 
 closely identified with the growth and develop- 
 ment of the Borough of Queens. Mr. Copp, who 
 established in business here eleven years ago, is 
 an enterprising and progressive merchant with a 
 well earned reputation for reliable dealing and 
 his business has steadily prospered. The yards 
 extend along the railroad for about one thousand 
 feet and have excellent shipping facilities, and 
 also have two hundred feet dock frontage on 
 Flushing Creek. Mr. Copp deals in lumber of 
 all kinds, molding and trimming, doors, sash 
 and blinds and builders' hardware and carries a 
 large stock in readiness to meet all demands 
 promptly and accurately. The plant includes a 
 large and well equipped mill, now enlarged to 
 meet the growing demands of the business, which 
 is steadily increasing, and the facilities have been 
 enlarged several times since the start. There is 
 a branch yard at Port Washington and at Corona 
 which supplies an extensive trade through Long 
 Island. About 4,000,000 feet of lumber are con- 
 stantly carried in stock, also doors, sash and 
 blinds. Mr. Copp has earned his business success 
 by reliable dealing, tireless energy and keen busi- 
 ness foresight. He is a man of liberal public 
 spirit and is personally held in high regard. He 
 is actively identified with local progress. He also 
 carries a stock of hardware of all kinds at Flush- 
 ing and at Corona. , 
 
 THERON H. BURDEN, a popular and highly 
 esteemed public spirited citizen of Queens County, 
 was born in New York City on November 
 8, 1857, and was educated at Grammar School 
 No. 40, New York City. In 1877 at the age of 
 twenty years, he came to Queens County, and has 
 been one of its leading residents ever since. He 
 chose contracting as a profession, and has been 
 active and successful in all of his business under- 
 takings. On January i, 1875, Mr. Burden was 
 married to Miss Margaret F. Loonie, and from 
 this happy union there are nine children, namely: 
 Margie, Minnie, Harry, Florence, Eugene Piatt, 
 Henry, Lavina A., James and Mary Burden. In 
 politics Mr. Burden has always been a stanch 
 Republican, and has rendered invaluable service 
 to his party. In 1880 he was appointed post- 
 master at Steinway, L.I., and from 1889 to i892' 
 he was deputy collector of internal revenue. 
 In 1888, 1891 and 1906 he was unanimously nomi- 
 nated by his party for sheriff of Queens County, 
 and although on each occasion he ran ahead of 
 his ticket, he failed of election, yet it is the con- 
 sensus of opinion among many of the leadings 
 citizens of both parties in Queens, that Mr. Bur- 
 den was rightfully elected to the latter office in 
 the campaign of 1906. As police commissioner 
 of Long Island City, his administration was. 
 
THERON H. BURDEN 
 
 JAMES ERNEST BUNTING 
 

 ■4^ .^.'iS^v'iy 
 
 ELIAS A. FAIRCHILD 
 
 DAVID L. VAN NOSTRAND 
 
 THOMAS BALDWIN LOWERRE 
 
 WILLIAM CONNORS 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 121 
 
 marked with sound judgment and a strict en- 
 forcement of the law. Mr. Burden is a member 
 of Advance Lodge F. & A. M., Enterprise 
 Lodge No. 228, K. of P. and the standard bearer 
 of the Theron H. Burden Association, the latter 
 one of the largest and most popular throughout 
 the county. Mr. Burden is very domestic in his 
 habits. At his beautiful homestead at 449 Ditmas 
 Avenue he devotes all of his spare time to the 
 comfort and enjoyment of his interesting family. 
 Known as one of Queens' most progressive citi- 
 zens, a man of great perseverance and tireless in- 
 dustry, besides unusual executive ability, and en- 
 joying the universal respect of his fellow citizens, 
 the gentleman is a potent force throughout Long 
 Island, and bids fair in the near future to be one 
 of its leading administrative officers. He is a 
 thoughtful and impressive speaker, and in social 
 intercourse no one is more affable in manner. At 
 the reorganization of the Republican party of 
 Queens in October, 1897, he was unanimously 
 chosen as chairman oi the Republican County 
 Committee -of Queens County, the party recog- 
 nizing his executive ability as one worthy to lead 
 their forces to ultimate victory. 
 
 JAMES ERNEST BUNTING, contractor, son 
 of James and Harriet Bunting, was born at 
 Flushing, N.Y. He began his education at the 
 Flushing public schools, continuing it at Har- 
 vard University. He has resided at Flushing for 
 thirty-two years. His political affiliations are 
 with the Republican party. During the years of 
 1906-7 he was an alderman in the Sixty-ninth 
 Aldermanic District. Mr. Bunting is an active 
 member of the Flushing Congregational Church; 
 of the Third Ward Republican Club, the Naval 
 and Military Order of Spanish War Veterans; 
 the Sons of the American Revolution (Mars 
 Chapter), Corncupia Lodge No. 563, F. & A.M.; 
 Pentalpha Chapter. Mr. Bunting has been quite 
 prominent in military life. He entered the service 
 as private in troop A, Georgia Cavalry, in 1898, 
 and later was commissioned second lieutenant 
 in the Third United States Volunteer Infantry, 
 being discharged as first lieutenant on the mus- 
 ter out of that command in 1899. He rendered 
 extremely satisfactory service during the tour of 
 his regiment in Cuba. He married Miss Agnes 
 M. Gillies August 31, 1901 ; two children have 
 been born, namely, James Ernest Bunting and 
 Robert Loring. On his resignation as first lieu- 
 tenant of the First Regiment Heavy Artillery 
 of Massachusetts, he received a highly compli- 
 mentary letter from the colonel commanding, 
 James A. Frye. Mr. Bunting, on his mother's 
 side, is descended from old Revolutionary stock. 
 Solomon Bunting, a Revolutionary patriot born 
 in Accomac County, Va., was his great-great- 
 
 grandfather. Timothy Sammis, Jr., a private of 
 Captain Alexander Smith's company in the ex- 
 pedition against Crown Point in 1758, and 
 Colonel Josiah Smith of the Suffolk County 
 Militia was at the Battle of Long Island August 
 27, 1776. 
 
 LAWRENCE GRESSER, commissioner of 
 public works, was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
 January I, 1851. He landed in New York City, 
 February 14, 1853. He attended the parochial 
 school of the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, 
 on East Fourth Street, New York City, and grad- 
 uated therefrom April 26, 1865. Since December 
 16, 1889, he has resided in Queens County. His 
 political sympathies are with the Democratic 
 party. From 1896-1898 he was clerk of the Board 
 of Health ; 1898-1900, inspector in the Bureau of 
 Highways; from February 2 to September 17, 
 1900, deputy commissioner of the Water Supply 
 of the Borough of Queens ; 1902-1904, Secretary 
 to the commissioner of Public Works ; 1904-1906, 
 cashier in the Bureau of Highways; January i, 
 1906, commissioner of Public Works, Borough 
 Queens, a position he now fills. He is also a 
 member of the Second Ward Democratic Asso- 
 ciation; of the Order of Elks, No. 878; of the 
 Marquette Council, Knights of Columbus. He 
 married Miss Margaret Beck, June 21, 1879, and 
 after her death, which occurred February 21, 1901, 
 he married Miss Kate Buechner, November S, 
 1903. Six children were born, viz. : Rev. John S. 
 Gresser, pastor of Hollis and Springfield, L.I.; 
 Lawrence T. Gresser, counselor at law ; Thomas, 
 Otto C, Mary and Charles, the latter four being 
 deceased. 
 
 H. STEWART McKNIGHT, lawyer, and son 
 of John and Sarah McKnight, was born at Jack- 
 son Hall, Franklin County, Pa., October 20, 1865. 
 His education was obtained at Chambersburg 
 (Pa.) Academy, Pennsylvania College, Gettys- 
 burg; and Columbian University of Washington, 
 D.C. At the latter institution he received his 
 bachelor and master degrees in law. For seven- 
 teen years Mr. McKnight has been a prominent 
 resident of the Borough of Queens, where he has 
 extensive interests in real estate lines. He is the 
 head of the McKnight Realty Company, a gigantic 
 corporation which has done more for the develop- 
 ment of the borough than any one similar corpo- 
 ration of its kind on Long Island. This company 
 has made veritable garden spots out of what 
 seemed to be barren wastes. In 1894 Mr. Mc- 
 Knight filled the position of justice of the peace 
 for the town of Flushing up to the period of its 
 consolidation with the greater city of New York. 
 He was also a member of the Town Board and 
 the Board of Health from 1894 to 1897. During 
 
122 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 the years of 1896-07 he served with dignity as 
 a member of the Assembly, state of New York. 
 Mr. McKnight is a member of Delta Fraternity, 
 Philo Literary Society, Lincoln Republican Club, 
 Troop C (Brooklyn), N.G.N.Y. He was in the 
 service at Porto Rico during the Spanish-Ameri- 
 can War. He is a member of the Republican 
 Town Committee, Ward and Assembly District 
 Committee (Flushing) as well as a number of 
 other organizations. In June, 1902, Mr. McKnight 
 married Miss Frances W. Okey, daughter of the 
 late John Okey of Brooklyn, United States dis- 
 trict attorney for the Southern District, New 
 York. They reside at Bayside. Mr. McKnight is 
 a member of Bayside Yacht Club, Douglaston 
 Country Club and Phi Gamma Delta. 
 
 ^ HERBERT S. HARVEY, sheriff of Queens 
 County, son of Steven R. and Sarali Harvey, was 
 born at West Wheatly, Mass., January 7, 1868. 
 He obtained his education in the public schools. 
 His residence at Flushing, L.I., dates back to the 
 year 1889. He has always taken interest in poli- 
 tics and through Democratic influence he was 
 made overseer of the poor of the town of Flush- 
 ing in 1897 and elected sheriff in 1906. The 
 Shinnecock Democratic Club counts him among 
 its members. He married Miss Julia Daily, No- 
 vember I, 1889, and four children sprang from 
 this union, namely: Herbert, Mabel, Gertrude and 
 Eunice. 
 
 HON. EDMUND J. HEALY, attorney at law 
 and former city magistrate. Second District, 
 Queens Borough, New York City, son of John J. 
 and Jane (O'Meara) Healy, was born at New 
 York City, July 14, 1848. After a course at St. 
 Francis Xavier's College, where he obtained the 
 degrees of A.B. and A.M., he entered the Law 
 School at Columbia College. He was admitted 
 to the practise of law in 1873. Since 1877 he has 
 been a resident of Queens County. His political 
 sympathies are with the Democratic party. Be- 
 ginning in 1880, he held for two terms the office 
 of justice of the peace of the town of Hempstead. 
 He was the first president of the incorporated 
 village of Far Rockaway and was twice after- 
 wards elected to the same office. Mr. Healy is 
 second vice-president of the Queens County Bar 
 Association ; a member of the National Demo- 
 cratic Club of New York; the Far Rockaway 
 Democratic Association, the Catholic Club of the 
 City of New York, Manhattan Council, Knights 
 of Columbus, a member of the Church of St. 
 Mary's, Star of the Sea (Far Rockaway). He 
 married Elizabeth L. Kane April 27, 1886. 
 
 HON. MATTHEW J. SMITH, city magistrate, 
 son of Matthew and Mary Smith, was born in the 
 
 city of New York, August 24, 1867. He obtained 
 his schooling at St. Francis College, Brooklyn, 
 from which he graduated in 1885 ; and at the Co- 
 lumbia College Law School graduated, receiving 
 degree of LL.B., 1888; admitted to Bar in 1889. 
 He has resided at Long Island City all his life. In 
 his political activity upon platforms as public 
 speaker he always upheld the cause of the Dem- 
 ocratic party. In 1898 he was appointed city 
 magistrate by Mayor Van Wyck for eight years 
 and in 1906 he was reappointed by Mayor George 
 B. McClellan for a term of ten years. Judge 
 Smith is a member of the Democratic Club, 
 Queens County, Queens County Bar Association, 
 the Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. 
 He married Miss Helen L. Mulvany, June 12, 
 1901, their only child being one daughter, Helen 
 L. Smith. 
 
 HON. EUGENE CHARLES GILROY, law- 
 yer, son of Thomas F., ex-mayor of New York 
 City, and Mary M. Gilroy, was born at the city 
 of New York, May 17, 1879. He obtained his 
 mental training at the Barnard Preparatory 
 School, class 1895, and the New York Law School, 
 class 1900. He has been a resident of Queens 
 County practically all his life. His political af- 
 filiations are identified with the Democratic party. 
 At present he holds the office of city magistrate. 
 He is a communicant of the Catholic Church, 
 a member of the Rockaway Democratic Club and 
 vice-president of Culluloo Democratic Club. On 
 February 10, 1904, Mr. Gilroy married Miss Eliza- 
 beth Gertrude Hickey. One child was born, viz. 
 Elizabeth Gertrude. As a magistrate judge, Gil- 
 roy has always administered justice with a spirit 
 of fairness, yet upholding the majesty of the law. 
 He is the youngest man who ever held a similar 
 position in the city of New York. 
 
 HON. MAURICE E. CONNOLLY is a law- 
 yer; he was admitted to the Bar July 2, 1902. 
 He is a son of Maurice and Mary Connolly, the 
 latter being a member of the Burns family. He 
 was born at Corona, L.I., June 21, 1880. After 
 graduating from the Corona High School, he en- 
 tered St. John's College, Brooklyn, and later on 
 Columbia University, where he obtained the de- 
 gree of LL.B. Since his birth he has been lo- 
 cated at Corona, taking great interest in politics 
 as based on the platform of the Democratic party. 
 In recognition of his services in this direction 
 on February 2, 1904, he was made assistant com- 
 missioner of taxes of the city of New York 
 His name figures prominently on the rosters of 
 the following clubs and societies : the Queens 
 County Bar Association, Royal Arcanum, Knights 
 of Columbus, Shinnecock Club of Flushing, Elks, 
 Knickerbocker Yacht Club, and Queens County 
 
CHARLES W. COPP 
 
 RUPERT BARNES THOMAS 
 
 GEORGE W. POPLE 
 
 ISAAC PECK, D.D. 
 
HON. FREDERICK SKEENE 
 
 JOSEPH H. DE BRAGGA 
 
 EMANUEL BRANDEN 
 
 CARL BERGER 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 125 
 
 Democratic Club ; he is also a director of the 
 First National Bank of Corona. Mr. Connolly 
 married on June 6, 1906, his wife having been 
 Miss Helen M. Connell, daughter of James H. 
 Connell of Flushing. One child was born, viz. : 
 Helen F. On January i, 1908, Mr. Connolly was 
 appointed a city magistrate to succeed Edmund 
 J. Healy. His appointment has made the most 
 favorable impression among all classes. 
 
 DANA WALLACE, counselor at law and as- 
 sistant district attorney for Queens County, and 
 son of Joseph T. and Elmira Wallace, was born 
 July 17, 1877. He was educated at the Flushing 
 and Brooklyn High Schools, completing his 
 studies at Yale University. Mr. Wallace has re- 
 sided at Whitestone for fifteen years, where he 
 is well and favorably known as a rising prac- 
 titioner at the Bar. In politics he is a Republi- 
 can. For some time he has very ably filled the 
 important position of assistant district attorney 
 of Queens County. In 1906 he was the Repub- 
 lican candidate for State Senator for Second 
 Senatorial district. He had large odds against 
 him and was defeated. He is a member of Co- 
 lumbia Club, F.O.A., I.O.O.F., Phi Delta Theta, 
 Yale Akmmi Association, Hook and Ladder Co. 
 No. I of Whitestone; the Whitestone Improve- 
 ment Association, and Flushing Business Men's 
 Association. In October, 1900, Mr. Wallace mar- 
 ried Miss Estelle King. They have two interest- 
 ing children, Helen and Estelle, both of whom are 
 living. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are very popular 
 and prominent in the social life of Whitestone. 
 
 PHILIP FRANK, lawyer, son of Gustav and 
 Jette Frank, was born at Winfield, L.I., September 
 17, 1873. He was educated at the Newtown Gram- 
 mar School, the Flushing High School, the Col- 
 lege of the Cit}' of New York and the New York 
 Law School. He has spent his entire life at Win- 
 field and Elmhurst. Politically, he has always 
 been a Democrat. For some time he was a trus- 
 tee of the Queens Borough Library, secretary 
 of the committee in charge of the erection of the 
 Carnegie Libraries in the Borough of Queens, 
 assistant corporation counsel of the city of 
 New York, and state transfer tax appraiser for 
 the county of Queens. He is past regent in 
 Newtown Council No. 717, Royal Arcanum; a 
 member of Long Island City Lodge No. 586, F. & 
 A.M., and Queensborough Lodge No. 878, B.P.O. 
 Elks. On November 15, 1896, he married Miss 
 Bertha Worms, daughter of Samuel and Lena 
 Worms. They have two children, Miriam and 
 Helen Frank. 
 
 DENIS O'LEARY, lawyer, son of Patrick and 
 Mary (O'Connor) O'Leary, was born at Manhas- 
 
 set. Queens County, N.Y., January 22, 1863. 
 His early education was obtained in the public 
 schools at Manhasset, following this up with pri- 
 vate tuition and a course at the University of the 
 City of New York. His residence in Borough of 
 Queens extends over forty years. In politics he 
 is a Democrat. He was justice of the peace at 
 the town of North Hempstead, N. Y. ; assistant 
 district attorney of Queens County; also filled 
 the position of assistant corporation counsel in 
 charge of Queens Borough. Mr. O'Leary is a 
 member of the Roman Catholic Sacred Heart 
 Church at Bayside, L.I. ; of St. Michael's Catholic 
 Lyceum, Flushing; of the Flushing Council, Royal 
 Arcanum ; Flushing Council, C.B.L. ; Jamaica 
 Council, Knights of Columbus ; Shinnecock Demo- 
 cratic Club of Flushing. He married Miss Nellie 
 G. Quinn, April 17, 1895. Three children were 
 born to them, Eleanor O'Leary, Emily O'Leary 
 and Mary O'Leary, the latter being deceased. Mr. 
 O'Leary is a man who is popular with all classes 
 irrespective of religious creed or political faith. 
 He is progressive and always stands for every- 
 thing that promotes public good. 
 
 JOHN J. TRAPP, one of the most prominent 
 lawyers in Queens County, son of George and 
 Margaretha (Worster) Trapp, was born at Bay- 
 side, Queens County, May 16, 1866. His father 
 came from Germany to the United States in 1844, 
 and settled at Manhasset, L.I., where he engaged 
 in the manufacture of carriages, but shortly re- 
 moved to Bayside, and there established a car- 
 riage works, which he successfully conducted 
 until his retirement from business. After remov- 
 ing his home to Whitestone, .L.I., he became 
 largely identified with public affairs, and was ac- 
 tive in promoting the advancement of Queens 
 County. He served as a member of the village 
 Board of Trustees, Board of Health, and street 
 commissioner for a long period, and was a stal- 
 wart supporter of the Democratic party, always 
 maintaining its principles. John J. Trapp was 
 raised principally at Whitestone and educated at 
 Flushing, graduating as valedictorian of his class 
 in 1885. The following year he began the study 
 of law in the office of Benjamin W. Downing, ex- 
 district attorney of Queens Count}', and there 
 gaining a thorough knowledge of the fundamental 
 principles of the legal profession, he entered Co- 
 lumbia College Law School at New York City 
 and graduated June I, 1888, with the degree of 
 LL.B. Entering into his profession, he rapidly 
 gained a large clientage through his brilliant at- 
 tainments. As a trial and criminal lawyer he has 
 won the highest esteem of the Bench and Bar, 
 and the public of Queens County. Thoroughly 
 equipped for his profession, he is fearless in his 
 line of duty, and of any controversy. He has 
 
126 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 been attorney in a large number of famous mur- 
 der and arson cases in Queens County. In 1880 
 he was chosen town clerk of Flushing, and the 
 following year was reelected without any oppo- 
 sition, his nomination being indorsed by the Re- 
 publicans ; he was also appointed attorney for the 
 Board of Excise Commission for the town of 
 Flushing, and in addition to other interests, he 
 was attorney for the Flushing Business Men's 
 Mutual Protective Association. Mr. Trapp ap- 
 plies himself assiduously to his profession, and 
 takes a deep interest in all matters pertaining 
 thereto, even unto the minutest detail. As a mem- 
 ber of the Queens County Bar Association he is 
 regarded among its distinguished members as one 
 of its most brilliant and successful associates. 
 Under the guidance of his father's teachings to 
 him of sound Democratic doctrine during his 
 boyhood, Mr. Trapp on his majority became, and 
 at this present writing is, a champion of the party, 
 and has always been loyal to its principles. On 
 August 7, 1897, Mr. Trapp was married to Miss 
 Hannah E. Peace, a refined and estimable lady, 
 daughter of Harvey W. Peace, saw manufacturer 
 of Old Williamsburg. There are no children. He 
 is a member of Grace Episcopal Church of White- 
 stone, Anchor Lodge, F. & A.M., and the Shinne- 
 cock Democratic Club of Flushing. A gentleman 
 who has combined nature's gifts of a superior or- 
 der with thorough studies of the best authorities 
 in the law, and by reason of these two qualifica- 
 tions has gained large success; of liberal educa- 
 tion and scholarly attainments, he is a concise, 
 logical reasoner, always has his cases and the law 
 governing the points well in hand. Method is his 
 governing principle and he carries that trait ot 
 character into his practise, as well as in private 
 affairs. He is counsel to the sheriff and Third 
 Ward Hygienic Ice Company. 
 
 MARQUIS D. GOULD, lawyer, son of Joseph 
 and Julia (Bancroft) Gould, was born at West 
 Walworth, Wayne County, N.Y., February 24, 
 1844. He received his education at the Academy 
 of Macedon Center, the Albany State Normal 
 School and Albany Law School. For thirty-eight 
 years he resided at Flushing, L.I. He never held 
 any public office, as politics was a field that did 
 not appeal to his tastes. Mr. Gould was one of 
 the pewholders in the Congregational Church at 
 Flushing. He married Miss Augusta A. Thayer 
 December 22, 1870. Four children were born : 
 Maud May, Mrs. Dell Gould Long, Mabel Augus- 
 ta (deceased) and Grace Stanley. Mr. Gould was 
 a man of great force, a thorough scholar and a 
 lawyer of ability. He was one of that fine type 
 of Americans who was always guided by a sense 
 of fairness toward his fellow men. At the time 
 of his death he was mourned by a large circle of 
 
 friends and relatives. At the time of his death, 
 Mr. Gould was attorney for the Queens County 
 Savings Bank and the L.I.S.&I. Association. 
 
 WILLIAM KLEIN, member of Assembly 
 and a lawyer by profession, son of Joseph 
 and Johanna Klein, was born March 25, 1882, 
 at College Point. He obtained his primary 
 education in the Union Free School of his na- 
 tive place. After graduating in 1896, Mr. 
 Klein entered the New York Law School, and 
 in 1903 received the degree of LL.B. (cum 
 laude). He is a member of St. John's Evan- 
 legical Lutheran Church; Anchor Lodge No. 
 729. F.&A.M.; Marvin Lodge 252, I.O.O.F.; 
 College Point Club; a member and secretary 
 of Tax Payers Non-Partisan Association of 
 the Third Ward; and Business Men's Asso- 
 ciation of College Point; member of Queens 
 County Bar Association; John C. Haefele As- 
 sociation; president and member of College 
 Point Rifle Company; member of Liedertafe! 
 Alpenroesli and Harmonie Singing Societies, 
 besides a number of other organizations. In 
 politics Mr. Klein is a Democrat. He was 
 nominated in the campaign of 1907 by the 
 Democratic party, for member of assembly 
 for the Second Assembly District, Queens 
 County, and was elected by over 2,200 plu- 
 rality, running ahead of his ticket. 
 
 LOUIS GALLUCCI, lawyer, was born in 
 Italy, October 25, 1882. He obtained his edu- 
 cation at the Corona High School and the 
 New York Law School, graduating from the 
 latter institution in June, 1904, with the de- 
 gree of LL.B. He has lived at Corona for 
 twenty-one years. His political affiliations are 
 with the Democratic party, but he has never 
 taken an active part in politics. Mr. Gallucci 
 is ex-president of the Corona Literary Union 
 and a member of the Knights of Columbus. 
 He is unmarried. 
 
 MICHAEL A. GALLUCCL lawyer, was 
 born in Italy, September 25, 1875. After at- 
 tending the public schools, he entered the New- 
 town High School, finally graduating from the 
 Bachelor of Laws. Since 1888 he has been a 
 resident of Corona, L.I. He has never been 
 affiliated with any of the two great political 
 parties, nor held any public office, but has al- 
 ways remained consistently independent. He 
 is a member of the Mizpath Lodge No. 738, 
 F. & A.M.; also of Pentalpha Chapter, Royal 
 Arch Masons, No. 206 and of Morton Trinity 
 Commandery No. 4, K.T. On February 14, 
 1906, he married Ernestine laricci. 
 
 >^ 
 
HERBERT S. HARVEY 
 
 DANA WALLACE 
 
 HON. EUGENE CHARLES GILROY 
 
 HON. MAURICE E. CONNOLLY 
 
HON. MATHEW J. SMITH 
 
 DENIS LEAKY 
 
 HON. EDMUND J. HEALY 
 
 H. STEWART MCKNIGHT 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 129 
 
 SAMUEL GALLUCCI was born at Florence, 
 Italy, June 21, 1877. When he was a small 
 boy his parents came to America and located 
 in Xew York City where he received his edu- 
 cation in the public schools. For the past 
 nineteen years, Mr. Gallucci has resided at Co- 
 rona where he now conducts an extensive busi- 
 ness devoted to plumbing and steam heating 
 appliances. He employs seventy-five men, his 
 establishment being the largest of its kind on 
 Long Island. Mr. Gallucci is a member of the 
 Master Plumbers Association and of the Ro- 
 man Catholic Church. In politics he is a 
 Democrat. He was united in marriage to 
 Miss Rose Levasky. They have three children 
 — Theodora, Victor and Arthur. 
 
 ROCCO J. GALLUCCI, real estate agent 
 and notary, was born at Pietragalla, Italy, on 
 March 26, 1870. His early edvication he re- 
 ceived in a private school in his native land, 
 but when he came to this country at the age 
 of twelve years, he attended the public school. 
 He has lived at Corona, L.I., for nineteen years. 
 He joined the Republican party, but has never 
 held any office. For years he has been a 
 member of the Garibaldi Lodge No. 542; F. 
 and A.M.; also of Court Corona of Foresters 
 No. 428. On July 25, 1894, he married Maria 
 A. Rusciano; four children were born to them, 
 of whom two are alive, viz.: Charles D., aged 
 eight years and Cecilia, aged eighteen months. 
 Theodore died when four months old and An- 
 gelica reached the age of fifteen months. 
 
 JOHN C. HEMRICH, a prominent builder 
 of College Point, is a native of Germany, hav- 
 ing been born there on October 17, 1863. He 
 was educated in the public schools of College 
 Point, where he has resided for thirty-two 
 years. Mr. Hemrich has done much toward 
 the development of the locality in which he 
 lives. Being a man of high integrity and 
 honorable business methods he commands the 
 respect of all who know him. He is a Demo- 
 crat and a prominent member of Aztec Tribe 
 (College Point) Improved Order of Red Men; 
 also a member of College Point Fire Depart- 
 ment and Enterprise Hose Co. No. 2. 
 
 JOSEPH H. DE BRAGGA, superintendent 
 of sewers, Borough of Queens, and a son of 
 Antonio and Isabella De Bragga, was born 
 at Brooklyn, N.Y. His education was obtained 
 in the public schools at Brooklyn and New 
 York. His residence in Queens County ex- 
 tends over forty years. Mr. De Bragga has 
 been an enthusiastic Republican, having filled 
 the offices of deputy sheriilf, under-sheriff and 
 
 sheriff. He is a member and chairman of the 
 Queens County Republican Committee, Union 
 League Club, Richmond Hill Republican Club, 
 Civic Club, Dutch Reformed Church, the F. & 
 A.M. and B.P.O.E. On April 6, 1901, he married 
 Julia L. Burkley. Two children were born, Edna 
 
 RICHARD H. WILLIAMS, son of Robert 
 Williams, formerly a prominent builder, was 
 l5orn at College Point, L.I., August i, 1863. 
 After attending the public school, he entered 
 St. Michael's at Flushing and St. Francis Xavier 
 at New York City. For forty-three years he 
 has been a resident of Queens County, entering 
 upon its politics as a Democrat, holding the 
 office of assessor of the town of Flushing and 
 now that of deputy tax commissioner of 
 Queens County. He is a communicant of the 
 Catholic Church, an exempt fireman, a member 
 of the Knights of Columbus and of the Shinne- 
 cock Democratic Club. Mr. Williams married 
 Miss Mary Hargraves April 30, 1885, their union 
 being blessed with three children, Robert Vin- 
 cent, Richard A. and Mary Eileene. 
 
 JAMES H. JOHNSON, civil engineer, son of 
 Joseph and Mary Johnson of New York, was 
 born at Long Island City, June 16, 1871. After 
 graduating from the Fourth Ward public 
 school, he continued his studies at Cooper In- 
 stitute, New York City. He has lived all his 
 life in Queens County and as an enthusiastic 
 Democrat he took a lively interest in the politi- 
 cal happenings of that district, and in i8g8 was 
 elected as supervisor of Long Island City. Mr. 
 Johnson attends the Presbyterian Church, is a 
 member of the Elks, the Queensborough 
 Lodge No. 878, the Royal Arcanum, the De 
 Long Council, the Queensborough Aerie ■ of 
 Eagles, the Veteran Firemen Democratic Club 
 and the Long Island City Lodge, F. & A.M. 
 On June 16, 1892, he married Miss Mary Dun- 
 phy of New Y'ork City and they have one son, 
 Joseph. 
 
 CHARLES WILLE, general contractor, son 
 of August and Carolina Wille, was born at the 
 city of New York, March 11, 1866. His school- 
 ing was obtained at the Woodside public 
 schools. All his .life long he has been a resi- 
 dent of Woodside. Mr. Wille received the con- 
 tract for the Queens County Court-house in 
 Long Island City, which will remain as a splen- 
 did monument to him in years to come. Iir 
 the political field he has always supported the 
 Democratic party. For twenty years he was 
 a volunteer fireman of the Woodside Hook and 
 Ladder Company, H. 3, and a captain of a 
 
130 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 company for nine years, and charter member 
 of Exempt Firemen Association for the town 
 of Newtown. He is also a charter member of 
 the Second Ward Democratic Association, a 
 member of the Long Island City Lodge, F. & 
 A.M., and of the Eagles. Mr. Wille is married 
 and has two children, August F. Wille, aged 
 fourteen, and Carolina F. Wille, aged twelve. 
 
 CARL BERGER, architect by profession, 
 was born in Germany, September 27, 1869. He 
 laid the foundation of his education in the pub- 
 lic school, completing it with a course in the 
 Jersey City High School and the New York 
 Evening High Schools. He has resided in the 
 Borough of Queens for fourteen years and 
 always been an ardent Democrat. From 1902 
 to 1906 he was inspector of tenements and plan 
 examiner in the Tenement House Department. 
 When he took the examination for tenement 
 house inspector, he came out at the head of 
 the list among twelve hundred admitted to ex- 
 amination. At present he is superintendent of 
 buildings for the Borough of Queens. Mr. 
 Berger is a member of the Second Ward Dem- 
 ocratic Organization and of the Merchants' 
 Lodge, F. & A.M., 709, Brooklyn. 
 
 PATRICK B. LEAHY, mechanical and civil 
 engineer, son of Edward and Ellen Leahy, was 
 born at Middletown, N.Y., March 24, 1858. 
 Having graduated from the public schools, he 
 completed a course of studies at the Middle- 
 town Engineering School. Since 1894 he has 
 been a resident of the Borough of Queens. Al- 
 though he is an ardent Democrat, he has not 
 held any public office, other than the present 
 one of deputy collector of assessments and ar- 
 rears, Borough of Queens. Mr. Leahy attends 
 the Catholic Church; is a member of the Irish- 
 American Athletic Club and of the National 
 Association of Engineers, and of the American 
 Society of Naval Engineers. He married Miss 
 Ellen Sweeney of Middletown, July 22, 1879, 
 and their union has been blessed with ten chil- 
 dren, viz.: Edward, Alice, Charles, Daniel, 
 Ellen, Ann, Mary, Frank, Jessie and William. 
 
 HERMAN RINGE, one of the most popular 
 men in the Borough of Queens, was born at No. 
 8 Forest Avenue, Metropolitan, N.Y. He attend- 
 ed the Public Schools and was graduated from the 
 Boys' High School, Brooklyn. For many years 
 he was engaged in real estate operations and build- 
 ing trade, in which he was very successful. He 
 has resided in the Borough of Queens practically 
 all his life. In politics Mr. Ringe is an ardent 
 Democrat and stands high in the councils of his 
 party. He has held several prominent positions, 
 
 among which are chief clerk in the Department 
 of Highways; secretary of the Borough of 
 Queens, also chief of Newtown Fire Department. 
 Mr. Ringe is a member of the Second Ward 
 Democratic Association ; Elks ; Eagles ; Forest- 
 ers; Royal Arcanum; F. and A. M. Kismet Tem- 
 ple. On March 5, 1896, he married Miss Carrie 
 M. Keller. Two children have been born to the 
 union, Herman, Jr., and Lester C. Ringe, both 
 of whom are living. Mr. Ringe is a gentleman of 
 agreeable and enjoying manners and possesses a 
 coterie of friends whose numbers are legion. He 
 IS a man of unimpeachable reputation and en- 
 joys the confidence of every citizen in the bor- 
 ough irrespective of politics or religious creed. 
 
 EMANUEL BRANDEN, president Branden, 
 Sylvester Realty Company, son of Samuel and 
 Esther Branden, was born in Hamburg, Ger- 
 many, February 22, 1851. After receiving his 
 education in Germany, he came to the United 
 States, settling at Newtown thirty years ago. 
 In politics he is an ardent Democrat, having 
 held the office of justice of the peace from 
 1884 to 1892, when he became coroner from 
 1892 to 1895. In addition he is cashier of the 
 Highway Department. The Royal Arcanum is 
 the only society which includes Mr. Branden 
 among its members. On March 9, 1870, he en- 
 tered upon matrimony with Miss Marie Deil; 
 eight children have sprung from this union, 
 viz.: Samuel, Emanuel, John, Thomas, Anna, 
 Esther, Johanna and Lena. Mr. Branden has 
 ingratiated himself to the citizens of Newtown 
 by the cutting down of the tax rate in 1891 
 (while he was justice of the peace), from $6.10 
 to $2.58 per $100. He received a strong testi- 
 monial from his constituents for the valuable 
 services he rendered them. 
 
 JOHN NIEDERSTEIN, real estate broker 
 and present clerk of Queens County, son of 
 John and Apollonia (Bauer) Niederstein, was 
 born at New York, March 21, 1871. After at- 
 tending the New York public schools, he com- 
 pleted his education at the University of Bonn, 
 Germany. He has been a resident of the Bor- 
 ough of Queens for fifteen years, always voting 
 with the Democratic party. Mr. Niederstein 
 is a member of the Arion Society of Brooklyn, 
 the Order of Elks, No. 22, Lincoln Lodge No. 
 748, the Second Ward Democratic Association, 
 Fearless Hook and Ladder Company, of which 
 he was one of the organizers in 1890, being 
 made its first assistant foreman and finally 
 foreman, his friends presenting him with a sil- 
 ver trumpet in recognition of his services. For 
 four years he was a trustee of the Fire Depart- 
 ment, and in 1895 he ran for assessor. In 1889 
 
PHILIP FRANK 
 
 HERMAN RINGE 
 
 JOHN M. PHILLIPS 
 
 CHARLES S. GARRETSON 
 
MICHAEL A. GALLUCCI 
 
 ROCCO J. GALLUCCI 
 
 SAMUEL GALLUCCI 
 
 LOUIS GALLUCa 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 133 
 
 he married Miss Minnie Siebs; they had one 
 child, Etta. After the death of his first wife 
 he married Miss Louisa Reimers of Ridgwood 
 in 1896. Two children sprang from this union, 
 Lillie and Maxine. Mr. Niederstein's father 
 was chef for Prince Frederick William of Prus- 
 sia and afterwards for Emperor Frederick. 
 Mr. Niederstein is a citizen in whom the people 
 of the borough have the greatest confidence. 
 He is obliging to a degree, affable and con- 
 genial to all whom he comes in contact with. 
 
 JOSEPH FLANAGAN, alderman and real es- 
 tate broker, son of John and Ellen Flanagan, 
 was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., January 20, 1876. 
 After attending the public schools, he supple- 
 mented his education with a course at St. John's 
 College, Brooklyn. During the last nine years 
 he has been a resident of Corona, L.I. His po- 
 litical convictions have always been devoted to 
 the principles of the Democratic party. In No- 
 vember, 1906, he was elected to represent his dis- 
 trict in the state assembly. In November, 1907, 
 he was elected to the Board of Aldermen of the 
 city of New York by a large majority. Mr. Flan- 
 agan is a member of the Queens County Demo- 
 cratic Club, the Second Ward Democratic Asso- 
 ciation, the Shinnecock Club of Flushing, the 
 Seymour Club, the Corona Athletic Club, the 
 Civic Club, the Foresters of America and the 
 Newtown Volunteer Fire Department. He mar- 
 ried Miss Mary Cragen, the daughter of Martin 
 and Mary Cragen, December 25, 1903. Mr. 
 Flanagan is one of Queens County's most pro- 
 gressive citizens and is always identified with 
 every movement intended for the development of 
 the Borough of Queens. 
 
 CHARLES FREDERICKS, by profession 
 an engraver, was born October 16, 1874, in New 
 York City and resided in Long Island City since 
 1882, where he received an education in the 
 public schools. Mr. Fredericks is a stanch Dem- 
 ocrat and for several years has held and is still 
 holding the responsible position of secretary to 
 the building commissioner in the Borough of 
 Queens. He is a member of the Episcopal 
 Church, president of the Powhatan Democratic 
 Club; he also has been a delegate of the Cen- 
 tral Federated Union and the American Fed- 
 eration of Labor. He is a member of the 
 Democratic Club of Long Island City as well 
 as of many other societies of Long Island. He 
 has made himself extremely popular with all 
 who have had business with the department 
 where he is employed as secretary, by his 
 pleasing, suave manner. 
 
 FRANCIS J. MEAGHER, builder and 
 dealer in builders' material, son of John S. and 
 Frances Meagher, was born at New York City, 
 December 12, 1870. His education was obtained 
 at the New York public schools. He has been 
 a resident at Queens County for twenty years. 
 Although taking much interest in politics on 
 the Democratic side, he has never held any 
 public office than his present one, that of chief 
 inspector of the Bureau of Buildings for 
 Queens Borough. He is a member of the 
 Elks, the Royal Arcanum, F. & A.M., and the 
 Mystic Shriners. Mr. Meagher entered mar- 
 ried life in 1892 and has one daughter thirteen 
 years old. 
 
 THOMAS C. McCORMICK, real estate op- 
 erator, son of Peter and Mary McCormick, was 
 born at Long Island City, September 8, 1876. 
 He received his elementary education at the 
 public schools of Long Island City, supple- 
 menting it by a course at St. Francis College, 
 Brooklyn. He has been a lifelong resident of 
 Long Island City, allying himself in the politi- 
 cal field with the Republican party and being 
 their nominee in the election of 1906 for the 
 Assembly of the First District, Long Island 
 City. 
 
 WILLIAM E. EVERITT, chief clerk in the 
 Bureau of Public Buildings and Offices for the 
 Borough of Queens, was born at Jamaica, 
 March 14, 1859, where he was graduated from 
 the public schools. For many years Mr. Everitt 
 was a leading undertaker of Jamaica; he also 
 conducted an extensive livery business in con- 
 nection therewith. He is a stanch Democrat 
 and stands high in the councils of his party. 
 He filled the position of town clerk of Jamiaca 
 for seven years; in 1893 he was elected super- 
 visor and reelected to that office again for a 
 second terra; at present he holds the position 
 of chief clerk in the Bureau of Public Buildings 
 for the Borough of Queens. He is a member 
 of the F. & A.M. and of the Royal Arcanum. 
 In 1880 Mr. Everitt married Miss Jessie Bur- 
 ger to whom three children have been born, 
 viz.: Jessie, Edna and William ' E., Jr. Mr. 
 Everitt possesses a pleasing personality, is of 
 a genial disposition and is well liked by all who 
 enjoy the pleasure of his acquaintance. 
 
 WOALCOTT NOBLE, formerly secretary to 
 the Honorable Frederick Skene, now state en- 
 gineer, now connected with the engineering de- 
 partment of Queens Borough, and a son of Sol- 
 omon B. and Agnes Noble, was born at Chatnam, 
 N.Y., August 25, 1861. He obtained his primary 
 education at the public schools of New York 
 
134 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 City, which he attended until he was thirteen 
 years of age, at which time his parents sent him 
 to the Celle School at Hanover, Germany. His 
 father, the late Solomon B. Noble, was a man 
 of great prominence and was popular with all 
 classes of people. He was, when a 3'oung man, 
 secretary to General Walker, who in 1856 under- 
 took to revolutionize Nicaraugua, was captured 
 and taken aboard the United States vessel at 
 Greytown. He was an affable, scholarly gentle- 
 man, possessing an unusually large experience in 
 human affairs. His wife, Agnes, was an au- 
 thoress, and as one of the founders of 
 Sorosis, had attracted considerable attention in 
 the literary world. Solomon B. Noble held vari- 
 ous offices under the city administration, having 
 been at one time corporation counsel under May- 
 or Ditmars. Wolcott Noble, the subject of this 
 sketch, has been a resident of the Borough of 
 Queens for over forty years. He has always 
 been a stanch Democrat but has never held an 
 elective office. He is a member of Ravenswood 
 Boat Club; Advance Lodge, F. & A.M., and 
 Banner Chapter and Queensborough Lodge No. 
 878, B.P.O.E. He is unmarried, well known and 
 a highly esteemed citizen of Queens Borough. 
 
 CONRAD GARBE, assemblyman, son of 
 Anton and Louisa Garbe, was born at Wood- 
 haven, L.I., April 29, 1861. He obtained his 
 education at the public schools of Jamaica and 
 has been a resident of Woodhaven all his life 
 long. He is an enthusiastic Democrat and out- 
 side of having served as a member of the 
 School Board for four years, he is assembly- 
 man of his district. Mr. Garbe is a communi- 
 cant of the Congregational Church, a member 
 of Lodge Jamaica, F. & A.M., R.A., LO.O.F., D. 
 D.H. and other local societies. He married 
 Wilhelmina Verades May 8, 1883. Two chil- 
 dren have been born to this union, Conrad, Jr., 
 and Amelia. As a citizen, Mr. Garbe stands 
 high in the esteem of his fellow men. His po- 
 litical career, as well as that of his private life, 
 has always been above reproach. As a mem- 
 ber of the Assembly his constituents have a 
 representative who is ever watchful of their 
 interests to an extreme degree. 
 
 BRAMWELL DAVIS, building and real es- 
 tate operator, son of John and Martha Davis, 
 was born at Decatur, 111. He obtained his edu- 
 cation at Junction City, Kan., Kansas City, 
 Mo., and Washington, D.C. For some years 
 prior to his removal to the Borough of Queens, 
 Mr. Davis was engaged in newspaper work in 
 an editorial capacity in New York City. On 
 account of close indoor confinement connected 
 with his former profession, he decided to en- 
 
 gage in his present business, in which he has 
 been very successful. Mr. Davis is much inter- 
 ested in athletic sports; he is a member of the 
 Bayside Yacht Club, the Douglaston Country 
 Club, Mens' Club of All Saints' Church and of 
 the Pen Club of New York City. In politics 
 he is a Democrat. In June, i8g6, he married 
 Miss Katharine McNaught; one child has been 
 born to the union, Malcolm, aged eleven years. 
 
 THOMAS BALDWIN LOWERRE, the 
 present popular postmaster of Flushing, and 
 one of Queens County's highly esteemed citi- 
 zens, and son of Thomas B. and Julia Lowerre, 
 was born on April 8, 1865, at Brooklyn, N.Y., 
 and educated in the public schools. No resi- 
 dent of Queens has pursued a more honorable 
 career, or been of greater value as a citizen, 
 than the gentleman whose name introduces 
 these paragraphs, and who is well known 
 throughout the county. His life and character 
 are well worthy of imitation by those who, like 
 himself, must be the architects of their own 
 fortunes and destinies. His habits are unosten- 
 tatious, his indulgence impartial, his convic- 
 tions strong, and his benefactions, like his la- 
 bors, generous and constant. Starting out on 
 his own resources, he has made his way in the 
 world, and by honest methods and faithful ser- 
 vice has gradually advanced, until at present 
 time of writing, he occupies the high and re- 
 sponsible position as postmaster of Flushing. 
 His pleasing manners and open, frank way of 
 conducting the postoffice have made him ex- 
 tremely popular with all the merchants and 
 residents throughout his bailiwick. Since his 
 majority, Mr. Lowerre has always been a 
 staunch and stalwart Republican, identifying 
 himself with its progress and its aims, both 
 local and national. Mr. Lowerre was united 
 in marriage to Miss Miimie G. Field, an 
 estimable young lady and native of Flushing, 
 who at the time of her marriage was engaged in 
 teaching in public schools, the result of this hap- 
 py union being four children, namely : F. Adel, 
 Edgar B., Walter Matheson and Gertrude Lo- 
 werre, all living and a most interesting and gifted 
 family. Mr. Lowerre takes an active interest 
 in the advancement of the county's interest, 
 both in its mercantile as well as its beneficial 
 affairs. During the progress of the circus, held 
 for the benefit of that grand institution, the 
 Flushing Hospital and Dispensary, which took 
 place in June, 1907, Mr. Lowerre performed her- 
 culean labor for the hospital, and to his keen 
 business intellect, and systematic work performed, 
 by him contributed in a large measure to the 
 great financial success that was scored for the 
 worthy institution, which is entirely supported by 
 
MARQUIS a GOULD 
 
 DANIEL S. JONES 
 
 ROBERT M. DALGLEISH 
 
 J. FRANK RYAN 
 
RICHARD H. WILLIAMS 
 
 PETER M. COCO 
 
 CHARLES WILLE 
 
 JOHN C. HEMRICH 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 137 
 
 voluntary contributions. He is a member of the 
 Flushing Business Men's Association, Flushing 
 Association, the Republican Club of the Fourth 
 Assemblj' District of Queens County, and the 
 Seventeenth Separate Company of the National 
 Guard of New York, joined in 1884 having served 
 nineteen years in the company, and received his 
 honorable discharge November 4, 1905. 
 
 WARREN B. ASHMEAD, postmaster at 
 Jamaica, L.I., was born at that place October 16, 
 1874, where he received a good education in the 
 public schools. For some years Mr. Ashmead 
 has been a prominent figure in public affairs, not 
 only in his own community, but throughout the 
 Borough of Queens as well. In politics he has 
 always been a stanch Republican, but never an 
 offensive partizan. He has filled a number of 
 responsible public positions, prominent among 
 which may be mentioned that of warden of 
 Queens County Jail, chief clerk to the Commis- 
 sioners of Jurors, and his present one of post- 
 master of Jamaica. While these honors were 
 conferred upon Mr. Ashmead through the party 
 with which he affiliates, he has never forgotten 
 the fact that he has always endeavored to serve 
 all the people irrespective of politics. During his 
 incumbency as postmaster, he has introduced a 
 number of excellent features in the conduct of 
 his office that have been of great public conve- 
 nience. Mr. Ashmead is a member of the Jamaica 
 and Tamaqua clubs, the Roosevelt and Richmond 
 Hill Republican clubs, the Twenty-third Regi- 
 ment, N.G.N. Y., Veteran Firemen, Jamaica F. 
 & A.M. Lodge No. 546, Queens Borough Lodge 
 B.P.O.E. No. 878, and of the Jamaica Baptist 
 Church. On October 11, 1905, he married Miss 
 Jessie M. Peterson, an estimable and popular 
 young lady of Valatie, N.Y. Mr. and Mrs. Ash- 
 mead are social favorites among the set in which 
 they move. 
 
 JOHN J. Mclaughlin, consulting engineer 
 of the Borough of Queens, the son of William 
 A. and Anastasia McLaughlin, was born at Ja- 
 maica, L.I., and educated at the public schools 
 of the latter place after which he attended the 
 New York University, and graduated with honors 
 from that famous institution. He chose civil 
 engineering as his profession and has for a num- 
 ber of years been one of the most successful 
 engineers in Queens County. He was appointed 
 county engineer of Queens, and after serving in 
 this capacity, winning distinction, he was selected 
 as consulting engineer of the Borough of Queens, 
 under President Joseph Cassidy. Mr. McLaugh- 
 lin is perhaps one of the best known men in his 
 profession throughout Queens County. He has 
 a strong personality, and an extensive acquaint- 
 
 ance with all the leading citizens of the Bor- 
 ough. In his present position, his services are 
 regarded very highly. Mr. McLaughlin was mar- 
 ried on November 21, 18S8, to Miss Adelaide M. 
 Carroll, of Brooklyn. . They have a family of 
 eight children, all livjng. In politics he is a Demo- 
 crat, is a member of the American Society of 
 Civil Engineers and the Society of Municipal 
 Engineers. 
 
 HON. LUKE A. KEENAN, former state sen- 
 ator, son of Luke Keenan and Sarah Keenan, was 
 bom April 10, 1872. He was educated at St. 
 Patrick's Cathedral parochial school. His resi- 
 dence in the Borough of Queens extends over a 
 period of twenty years. He has always taken an 
 active part in politics and in 1900 and igo.i he 
 served as a member of the Assembly, having been 
 elected on the Democratic ticket ; in 1902-04-05 
 and 1906, he was a member of the Senate. Mr. 
 Keenan belongs to the Knights of Columbus ; the 
 Elks ; the Eagles, and is the standard bearer of 
 the Luke A. Keenan Association. Senator Keen- 
 an's public as well as his private record has 
 always been above reproach. During his long 
 residence in the Borough of Queens he has en- 
 deared himself to all classes irrespective of politi- 
 cal affiliations or religious creed. 
 
 HERMAN VOSSNACK, JR., one of the prin- 
 cipal and leading lumber merchants of Queens y 
 County, the son of Herman and Emeline V. 
 Vossnack, was born in Boston, Mass., July 31, 
 1866. He graduated from the public school of New 
 York City, after which he entered the College of 
 the City of New York, and graduated with hon- 
 ors in the class of 1885. For a number of years 
 Mr. Vossnack studied and learned the rudiments 
 of forestry, and is recognized and known 
 throughout the country as one of its most able 
 exponents and distinguished experts. He is popu- 
 lar throughout the country with all the fores- 
 try adherents, and the great luinber interests both 
 North and South. His lumber yards in Long 
 Island City, located on Davis Street, west of 
 Jackson Avenue, and by the Long Island Rail- 
 road tracks, are among the largest in the coun- 
 try, and he has an extensive list of patrons, from 
 all sections where they find the best quality of 
 lumber the market affords, and their orders at- 
 tended to with promptness and despatch. In 
 politics, Mr. Vossnack is a stanch Republican, 
 and is a member of the Republican County Com- 
 mittee of Queens, though he has never aspired 
 to public office, his large business interests in- 
 cluding his forestry affairs requiring all of his 
 excellent executive abilities. In 1889, Mr. 
 Vossnack was married to Miss Sarah E. Con- 
 over, an estimable lady, the result of this happy 
 
138 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 union being viz : — Valencia sixteen years of 
 age, and Lloyd M., eleven years at this 
 time of writing. In his domestic life, Mr. 
 Vossnack devotes all of his leisure time in the 
 company of his interesting family, to whom he 
 is ardently devoted. He is ji vestryman of St. 
 Johns P.E. Church of Long Island Cit}', a member 
 of Island City Lodge No. 586, F. & A.M., Banner 
 Chapter 214, R.A.M., St. Elmo's Commandery 
 Knights Templar No. 57, A.A. Scottish Rite, 
 Valley of New York, the B.P.O. Elks, Queens- 
 boro Lodge, No. 878, and treasurer of both the 
 Civic and Lincoln clubs of Long Island City. Mr. 
 Vossnack has a striking personality, and num- 
 bers among his personal friends a very large 
 number of the leading citizens of Long Island 
 City and the entire county, who admire him for 
 his upright business qualities, his strict integrity, 
 and his devotion to his duties in all the associa- 
 tions he is so prominent in, besides the public 
 spirit he display's in all matters pertaining to the 
 advancement and enrichment of Queens County. 
 
 JOHN M. PHILLIPS, under-sheriff for 
 Queens County, and a son of John M. and Mar- 
 garet Phillips, was born in New York City, Jan- 
 uary 3, 1873, where he received his education in 
 the public schools. He has re.sided in the pres- 
 ent Borough of Queens for thirty years and is 
 well and favorably known, and very popular. For 
 some years Mr. Phillips was a successful con- 
 tractor, a business which he followed until Jan- 
 uary I, 1907, at which time he was appointed to 
 his present position of under-sheriff. He is a 
 member of the Democratic Club of Long Island 
 City, and is the standard bearer of the J. M. 
 Phillips Association. In 1903 he married Miss 
 Helen G. Tudden, to whom one son has been 
 born — John M., Jr. 
 
 JOHN HENRY GERLACH, an eminent citizen 
 and manufacturing stationer of College Point, the 
 son of Frederick and Susannie (La Roche) Ger- 
 lach, is a native of Barmen, Germany, where he was 
 born on August 5, 1851. He was educated in the 
 schools of his native place, and when he attained 
 his majority he entered the German army, in the 
 field artillery and after serving five years, the 
 latter two years having been promoted as an 
 officer, he received an honorable discharge, and 
 the thanks of his government for the strict at- 
 tention he paid to his duties and his faithful 
 service. In 1878 Mr. Gerlach came to the United 
 States and located in New York City where he 
 in 1880 established himself as a manufacturing 
 stationer, making a specialty of loose leaf bind- 
 ing devices, which he conducts to-day at College 
 Point on an extensive scale. As time advances, 
 and its various interests multiply, there is need 
 
 of men adapted to all kinds of pursuits — business, 
 professional and mechanical — and by a happy 
 dispensation of Providence, some men are adapt- 
 ed to one calling and some to another. The fact 
 that Mr. Gerlach is successful in the business 
 in which he has always been engaged indicates 
 in a marked manner his adaptation to this im- 
 portant line of work. He is energetic, industri- 
 ous and judicious ; his success proves that he 
 possesses great ability and wise determination. 
 Under his careful scrutiny his business has con- 
 tinued increasingly prosperous ; he has gained a 
 first-class reputation in financial circles. The 
 connection Mr. Gerlach has had with manufac- 
 turing stationers in this country has made for 
 him a wide and popular acquaintance with most 
 of the largest firms and corporations from the 
 Atlantic to the Pacific, the Canadas and Mexico, 
 whom he constantly supplies. In his early busi- 
 ness career Mr. Gerlach met with many trying 
 vicissitudes, that would cause many a less strong 
 mind to collapse. But through it all, though 
 severe and almost disastrous at times, his in- 
 domitable courage and remarkable will power 
 prevailed at last, when he conquered. After leav- 
 ing New York City he located in Flushing and 
 made a heroic fight to establish a profitable busi- 
 ness there. There he was surrounded with many 
 hard trials and disappointments, but in the end 
 triumphed and established a nucleus for what has 
 become at College Point the largest, best equip- 
 ped and most successful business of its kind in 
 the country. On March 13, 1877, Mr. Gerlach was 
 united in marriage to Miss Marie Roever ; the 
 result of this happy union being four children, 
 Franklin, who is twenty-seven years of age and 
 married, and who holds a responsible position 
 with his father in business in which he has been 
 thoroughly trained; Laura, who is living; William 
 and Ellen, now deceased. Mr. Gerlach and his 
 family are prominent members of the Lutheran 
 Church; he is also a member of the Alpenrosle 
 Singing Society. In his beautiful home sur- 
 rounded by his interesting family, Mr. Gerlach 
 finds his greatest enjoyment. He contributes 
 largely to every cause worthy of support, and 
 possesses a public spirit to a high degree. As 
 a citizen Mr. Gerlach commands the respect of the 
 people in the community at large. He is a splen- 
 did type of the home-loving citizen, so prominent 
 in the German race, who have so largely con- 
 tributed to the greatness of this republic. 
 
 FRANCIS E. ANDREWS, electrician, son of 
 Joseph and Annie Emily Andrews (nee Humph- 
 rys), was born in Canada June II, 1869, and is 
 the father of thirteen children, all of whom are 
 living except one who died in infancy. In the 
 public schools of Boston, Mass., and Brooklyn, 
 
CONRAD GARBE 
 
 JAMES H. JOHNSON 
 
 WILLIAM E. EVERITT 
 
 FRANCIS J. MEAGHER 
 
IH 
 
 
 
 
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 r MH 
 
 
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 ■HpV 
 
 
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 gmi^^ 
 
 JOHN NIEDERSTEIN 
 
 LAWRENCE CRESSES 
 
 CHARLES FREDERrCKS 
 
 THOMAS C. MCCORMICK 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 141 
 
 X.Y., he laid tlie foundation of Iiis education. 
 For the past lifteen years he has been a resident 
 of Flushing and is a member of St. George's 
 Episcopal Church. Identifying himself with tlie 
 Democratic party for whom he has worked hard 
 and faithfully and at present is a commissioner 
 of condemnation proceedings in the Borough of 
 Queens. He is a member of the Shinnecock 
 Democratic Club, Court Flushing Foresters of 
 America, Shinnecock Tribe I.O.R.iVI., Flushing 
 Aerie Fraternal Order of Eagles, Flushing Busi- 
 ness Men's Association, Empire Hose Company, 
 Volunteer Firemen, Exempt Firemen's Associa- 
 tion. On August 19, 1886, he married Miss Mary 
 E. McCormack of Brooklyn, N.Y., to whom were 
 born six children ; five are living, viz. : Thomas 
 E., Frances E., Ruth E., Robert E. and Mary E. 
 Mrs. Andrews died on June 6, 1897. On March 
 17, 1899, he married Miss Mary A. Gill of Flush- 
 ing; to this union seven children have been born, 
 viz.: Grace G., Hazel C, Joseph H., Frank G. 
 and the famous red, white and blue triplets, 
 whose names are Margaret Cherry, Janet Caro- 
 lyn and Elizabeth Colwell, who were born July 
 4, 1907- 
 
 HENRY HOWARD BOOTH, son of Colonel 
 Charles A. Booth of Twenty-sixth U.S. Infantry, 
 and Jane Flora, was born at Fort Benton, Mont., 
 July 26, 1874. He received his early education in 
 the public schools of Vergennes, Vt., and Harris- 
 burg, Pa. After completing his common school 
 education he took up the study of law with his 
 uncle, the Hon. John H. Booth, at Plattsburgh, 
 Clinton County, N.Y., 1894. He entered Union 
 University Law School at Albany, N.Y., in 1895, 
 graduating therefrom in 1897 near the head of his 
 class and was shortly after admitted to the Bar 
 of the State of New York. Mr. Booth has been 
 a resident of Queens Borough since 1904. He is 
 largely interested in real estate operations, and en- 
 joys an extensive and lucrative law practise. His 
 offices are located in the Century Building at the 
 corner of Thirty-fourth Street and Fifth Avenue, 
 New York City. In politics he is a Republican. 
 During the years of 1896-97 he was a member of 
 the town board at Champlain, Clinton County, 
 N.Y. In 1901-02 he was prosecuting officer of 
 the city of Vergennes, Vt., filling these positions 
 with great credit to himself and his constituents. 
 Mr. Booth is a member of Champlain (Vt.) 
 Lodge No. 58, I.O.O.F., Hudson Lodge 329, F. & 
 A.M., and of the Episcopal Church. On June 
 26, 1900, he married Miss Mary Lorain Rich of 
 Richville, Vt. They have one child, Jane Eliza- 
 beth. Mr. Booth is one of the fine types of 
 Western manhood whose word is his bond. He 
 is universally esteemed by all who have the pleas- 
 ure of his acquaintance. 
 
 -MINOR L. PLATT, real estate and insurance 
 broker, with offices in New York and Long Island 
 City, was born at Astoria, L.I., July 24, 1874, 
 where he received his education at the old Fourth 
 Ward public school, and later he took a thorough 
 course at a well known commercial college in 
 New York City. Mr. Piatt engaged in the real 
 estate and insurance business several years ago, 
 and has scored a signal success. He effects in- 
 surance in companies of solidity and strength, 
 and policies written through him have always 
 been promptly paid without litigation and annoy- 
 ance to the holders. Mr. Piatt is a prominent 
 member of Sunswick Democratic Club and of 
 the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 
 On June 27, 1907, he married Miss Caroline Died- 
 erich of Astoria and still resides in the Astoria 
 section of Long Island City. 
 
 CHARLES HEDGES GARRETSON, drug- 
 gist, son of Garret R. and Eliza (Bloodgood) 
 Garretson, was born at Flushing, N.Y, He re- 
 ceived a public school education at his native 
 town, where he has resided all his life. He never 
 entered political life nor has he ever held any 
 public office. Mr. Garretson is a communicant of 
 St. George's Episcopal Church, having been ves- 
 tryman for fourteen years. In addition he is a 
 member of Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & 
 A. M. Mr. Garretson is a progressive, public 
 spirited citizen, and has always been foremost in 
 contributing toward anything that has a tendency 
 to promote the welfare of the community in 
 which he has resided so long. 
 
 THOMAS H. TODD, journalist, member of 
 Assembly and son of the late Thomas H. Todd, 
 founder of the Long Island City Star, and Lucie 
 A. Todd, was born at Long Island City, January 
 31, 1876. His primary education was obtained at 
 the public schools of his native place. He then 
 entered Flushing Institute, and later Vanderbilt 
 College of Social Economics. At the latter in- 
 stitution he made a study of social economics. 
 For a number of years Mr. Todd filled a promi- 
 nent position with the Long Island City Star. 
 His reputation as a thorough journalist is along 
 the higher lines of that profession. In 1906 he 
 received the Democratic nomination for member 
 of the Assembly to which he was elected by a 
 large vote; he was reelected to that body again 
 in 1907 by an increased vote. He is a member 
 of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, New York 
 Press Club, Queens Borough Lodge of Elks, As- . 
 toria Club, the Long Island City Athletic Club, 
 Fort Orange Club, Albany, N.Y., Typographical 
 Union No. 6, as well as other social organiza- 
 tions. On April 28, 1905, Mr. Todd married Miss 
 Katherine A. Walsh of Long Island City. They 
 
142 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 reside at No. 245 Nott Avenue. During the 1907 
 session of the Legislature, Mr. Todd was ap- 
 pointed by Governor Hughes a member of the 
 Investigating Committee of the National Guards, 
 state of New York, being the only Democrat 
 appointed from the Assembly. 
 
 THOMAS GERVASE FOGARTY, the sub- 
 ject of this sketch, like many of our hardy and 
 successful men, had the good luck to be born 
 and reared on a farm. He was born in 1875 on 
 the old Locust Lawn Farm, situated on Jamaica 
 Avenue, about a mile south of the Main Street 
 depot of the Long Island Railroad, and where 
 he still resides, his parents being the late Mr. 
 and Mrs. James Fogarty, the father being 
 among the largest and most successful farmers 
 and dairymen of his time on Long Island. He 
 received his education in the local public schools 
 and at De La Salle Institute, New York City. His 
 first commercial venture was in the milk busi- 
 ness, which he successful!}' conducted up to six 
 years ago, when he sold out to enter the under- 
 taking and livery business, having acquired 
 through purchase the business and entire fixtures 
 of the late John F. Dunn. Since entering the lat- 
 ter business he has made many improvements and 
 added several fine equipments to its stock, which 
 has brought much popularity to the establish- 
 ment. Mr. Fogarty has had charge and conduct- 
 ed many of the largest funerals in Queens Bor- 
 ough and as far east as Port Washington. He 
 is a graduate of the Renoward Training School 
 for Embalmers of the State of New York. His 
 popularity is attested by his membership in the 
 following named organizations, viz. : St.. Mi- 
 chael's Church Lyceum, Shinnecock Democratic 
 Club, St. Vincent de Paul's Society, Holy Name 
 Society, Aerie of Eagles, Order of Fore:Uers, 
 Elks, Knights of Columbus, Flushing Boat Club, 
 Business Men's Association and Flushing Maen- 
 nerchor. In the community he is regarded as 
 a man of high ideals and of the strictest integ- 
 rity. 
 
 GEORGE BELL CRANSTON, known for the 
 past ten years in the real estate world, first in 
 Westchester County and at present in Queens, 
 and at this writing a member of the well known 
 real estate firm of Dalgleish, Cranston & Yeager 
 in Flushing, and also the manager of the firm 
 of Cranston & Co., his own firm's New York 
 City division at No. 7 East Forty-second Street, 
 though not a resident of Queens County, has for 
 a long time been interested in its welfare and 
 numbers among its residents a host of warm 
 personal friends. To secure success in business, 
 a man must be energetic, persevering, capable and 
 judicious. With these qualities he need have no 
 fear of failure. Mr. Cranston possesses these 
 
 characteristics to a large degree. The story of 
 his business career is instructive, it shows the 
 road to success is along the path of duty, and 
 that industry combined with honesty and judg- 
 ment, bring the possessor a fair measure of suc- 
 cess. He has ever been prompt, courteous and 
 considerate, and has never been known to inten- 
 tionally wrong any one. Beginning in life with- 
 out other capital than sound judgment, indomit- 
 able energy, correct business principles, and un- 
 questioned integrity, he has become successful 
 by persevering industry, enterprise and judi- 
 cious management. Mr. Cranston was born on 
 January 14, 1876, at Manchester, England, the son 
 of James W. and Elizabeth Cranston, both na- 
 tives of Scotland. He is descended from a long 
 race of most distinguished border fighters, and 
 is also a lineal descendant of the famous Earl 
 Cranston of the Scottish border. When a child 
 his parents brought him to Peebles, Scotland, 
 where he was educated in the public and high 
 schools of the latter place. Having literary in- 
 clinations, he became associated with the news- 
 paper press, notably the Peebles News, for sev- 
 eral years, and later the Peebles Advertiser, both 
 of Scotland. After coming to New York, he 
 continued his literary work, having been ap- 
 pointed editor and manager of the Riverhead 
 Courier of Riverhead, L.I. During his literary 
 career, he was the author of a number of short, 
 but very popular, stories. Since he entered the 
 real estate and insurance business he has applied 
 the same assiduous attention to his duties that 
 characterized his successful management of the 
 Riverhead Courier. On April 18, 1900, Mr. 
 Cranston was married to Miss Mary Brundage 
 of Armonk, Westchester County, N.Y. Mr. 
 Cranston is a Republican in politics, but has 
 never aspired to hold public office. He is a 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, also 
 a prominent and active member of Olive Branch 
 Lodge No. 31, I.O.O.F., New York City, and is 
 present chaplain of the lodge. 
 
 ROBERT M. DALGLEISH, real estate bro- 
 ker, son of William and Ann Dalgleish, was 
 born in Peebles, Scotland, November 20, 1864. 
 The rudiments of his education he received in 
 the grammar schools of his native land. Com- 
 ing to this country in April, 1889, he embarked 
 in the publishing business and continued it for 
 a number of years. He has resided at Flushing 
 for the last two years. In politics he affiliates 
 with the Democrats. He is a communicant of 
 the Presbyterian Church, a member of the Busi- 
 ness Men's Association, of the Board of Real 
 Estate Brokers and secretary of the Brooklyn 
 Camera Club. His wife was Miss Emily C. 
 Wilson of Brooklyn. 
 
BEAMWELL DAVIS 
 
 WARREN B. ASHMEAD 
 
 JOHN J. TRAPP 
 
 MINOR L. PLATT 
 
HON. LUKE A. KEENAN 
 
 WILLIAM KLEIN 
 
 WILLIAM JOSEPH MOORE 
 
 THOMAS H. TODD 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 145 
 
 ALBERT MAXFIELD YAEGER, a member 
 of Flushing's most active real estate firms, Dalg- 
 leish, Cranston ■''- Yaeger," the son of Michael 
 C. and Carrie M. Yaeger, was born on Febru- 
 ary 25, 1879, at New Y'ork City. Real estate 
 values are apt to change rapidly in any town 
 or city, but particularly is this true of Flushing 
 and vicinity, which is a residential place. The 
 services, therefore, of a thoroughly well informed 
 and absolutely reliable real estate man are those 
 of inestimable value to the intending investor, or 
 to one who wishes to dispose of his property. No 
 other man in this vicinity is better informed re- 
 garding the value of real estate than the subject 
 of our sketch. Thoroughly devoted to the in- 
 terests of those doing business with him or his 
 firm, he displays characteristics which have en- 
 gaged the regard of a large number of clients 
 and acquaintances, and among the numerous real 
 estate dealers of Flushing, none are more able 
 to give better advice or offer greater induce- 
 ments for investing capital than Mr. Yaeger. This 
 prominent and active citizen of Flushing was 
 educated in the public schools of New York City 
 and after graduating learned the trade of en- 
 graver and illustrator in which he became very 
 successful. Ambition proved too great to per- 
 mit of as quiet a life as was being led in this 
 field and he engaged in the life insurance busi- 
 ness in which he made marked success. Having 
 an aptitude for real estate operations, he came 
 to Flushing, where he has devoted his remark- 
 able energies to this calling and occupies a lead- 
 ing position among Flushing's most esteemed 
 citizens. On April 22, 1903, Mr. Yaeger was 
 united in marriage to Miss Blanche G. Little, 
 an estimable and accomplished young lady of 
 New York City, who departed this life on June 
 20, 1904, leaving one child, Albert M. Yaeger, 
 Jr., the result of this union, who also died on 
 August 20, 1904. Mr. Yaeger is a member of 
 St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church of New 
 York City, a member of the Business Men's As- 
 sociation of Flushing, the Third Ward Republi- 
 can Club, Constitution Lodge No. 241, F. & A. 
 M., Constitution Chapter No. 230, R.A.M., the 
 Flushing Athletic Club, the Board of Real Es- 
 tate Brokers of Flushing and Flushing Council 
 Royal Arcanum. Although still in the dawn of 
 a most brilliant and successful career, Mr. Yae- 
 ger is rapidly advancing himself to the front 
 rank of real estate operators, and in the mean- 
 time becoming a prominent factor in the de- 
 velopment of Queens County. It is men of this 
 .stamp that are the bone and sinew of any 
 community. 
 
 AXEL JOHN SWENSON, son of Andrew J. 
 and Mary L. Swenson, and prominent real estate 
 
 operator of Xo. 3 Main Street, Flushing, was 
 born at Washington, Warren County, N.J., Feb- 
 ruary II, 1881. When he was six years of age 
 his parents removed to Flushing where young 
 Swenson attended the public schools. After 
 leaving school he engaged in the real estate 
 business. After getting a thorough insight to 
 all the details, he, with his younger brother, 
 James, opened their present oflice on Main Street. 
 Their efforts have been crowned with success. 
 Mr. Swenson is a member of Hoboken, N.J., 
 Lodge No. 35, F. & A.M., St. George's Prot- 
 estant Episcopal Church and St. George's Broth- 
 erhood. In politics he is a Republican. Al- 
 though a young man, he has made quite a repu- 
 tation in the local real estate world. 
 
 JAMES SYDNEY SWENSON, son of An- 
 drew J. and Mary L. Swenson, and junior member 
 of the real estate and insurance firm of Swen- 
 son and Swenson of No. 3 Main Street, Flush- 
 ing, was born at Washington, N.J., August 21, 
 1885. He has resided in Flushing since he was 
 two years of age. He attended the local public 
 schools, graduating from the High School in the 
 class of 1904. For some time Mr. Swenson was 
 assistant manager of the law department in Ja- 
 maica office of the Title Guarantee and Trust 
 Company, which position he resigned to take 
 up the real estate business. He is a member of 
 Cornucopia Lodge No. 563, F. & A.M., St. 
 George's Protestant Episcopal Church, and of the 
 Seventeenth Separate Company I, N.G.N.Y. He 
 resides at No. 209 .'\mity Street, Flushing. 
 
 THOMAS C. CAPONE, master plumber, son 
 of Angelo and Carmelia Capone, was born in 
 Rome October 14, 1879. He attended the public 
 schools at Steinway, L.I., having spent here the 
 last twenty years. In his political views he fa- 
 vors the principles embodied . in an independent 
 democracy. He has never held any political 
 office, but is a regular communicant of the Ro- 
 man Catholic Church. In 1904 he married Rose 
 B. Talasco, of whom he has one child, Salva- 
 tore. Mr. Capone is a man who stands high in 
 the community in which he resides. His suc- 
 cess in business walks of life has been attained 
 through strict attention to duty, as well as to 
 the close observation of all obligations he enters 
 into. 
 
 HERMANN KOCH, real estate broker, son 
 of Friedrich and Sophia Koch, was born in Ger- 
 many September 28, 1861. He completed his edu- 
 cation at the Royal Seminary for Teachers and 
 taught school afterwards for a number of years. 
 Ever since Mr. Koch acquired citizenship, twenty 
 years ago, he has shown great interest in public 
 
146 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 affairs and in the welfare of the community he 
 resides in. For two years he was member and 
 secretary of the local school board, District No. 
 42, Borough of Queens, and in that capacity he 
 showed profound interest in the development of 
 our educational system. His political views are 
 those of the Democratic party and during 1904-5 
 he was alderman of the Sixty-seventh Alder- 
 manic District comprising old Long Island City. 
 His name is enrolled on the rosters of many so- 
 cieties, viz. : the Order of Elks, Royal Arcanum, 
 Masonic Order, the Odd Fellows, Democratic 
 Club, the Long Island City Turn Verein, and in 
 addition is honorary president of the United 
 Singing Societies of Long Island City. In 
 August, 1887, he married Miss Emma Herrmann 
 and he has two sons, Alfred, aged twelve, and 
 Henry, eighteen years old, now attending High 
 School at Long Island City. 
 
 HON. JOSEPH SULLIVAN was born in 
 New York City and educated in the public 
 schools. After finishing his school course be- 
 came an apprentice at the trade of cutter. 
 After mastering this trade, he was made 
 superintendent of a large establishment in New 
 York. A number of years later he embarked 
 in the hotel business, owning a few places in 
 New York. About fifteen years ago Mr. Sul- 
 livan moved to Corona, leasing the old-fashioned 
 hostelry situated at the corner of Locust Street 
 and Mulberry Avenue, and known as the "Village 
 Home." At the time of his advent in the village 
 of Corona the place was more of a country place, 
 access to New York being by steam railroad, 
 there being no trolley line at that time. After 
 Mr. Sullivan resided in Corona a few years he 
 was elected a member of Hook and Ladder Com- 
 pany No. 6, and becoming a very active member. 
 A short while afterward he was elected district 
 chief, and at the expiration of his term he was 
 nominated by his friends to chief of the Newtown 
 Fire Department, serving three terms. On his 
 retirement three years ago he was presented with 
 a handsome gold watch and diamond fob, a com- 
 pliment to him by his fellow members. During 
 his incumbency in office he succeeded in having 
 the department supply horses for all of the thir- 
 teen fire companies in Newtown, along with drop 
 harness and everything that was necessary for 
 the betterment of the department, and also re- 
 ceived through his energy a rig for the chief of 
 the department. Mr. Sullivan was elected to the 
 Assembly by the Democrats of the old First 
 Assembty District of Queens County, which was 
 next to the largest assembly district in New York 
 State and one and one-half times as large as the 
 largest Manhattan district. He was reelected and 
 served three years. He was instrumental in pass- 
 
 ing in Assembly the bill for payment of assess- 
 ments by instalment ; legalizing the expendi- 
 ture of money for topographical surveys, which 
 was instrumental in bringing on the improved 
 streets, there being no map adopted previously. 
 After having upwards of fifty votes on the bill 
 the Republican floor leader made an appeal to 
 a party measure and Mr. Sullivan's amendment 
 was defeated. Mr. Sullivan is a delegate to the 
 State Firemen's Association, a trustee of the 
 State Liquor Dealers' Association, president of 
 Newtown Liquor Dealers' Association, a member 
 of the Queens Borough Elks and a past worthy 
 president of the Queens County Aerie, Order of 
 Eagles. He is a member of the Board of Gov- 
 ernors of the Democratic Club of Queens Bor- 
 ough. He has an office at the corner of Jack- 
 son Avenue and Fourth Street, Long Island City, 
 where he is engaged in the surety business, issu- 
 ing all kinds of surety bonds and making a 
 specialty of excise bonds for liquor tax certifi- 
 cates. 
 
 JOSEPH H. QUINN, son of Hugh F. Quinn 
 and Mary B. Quinn, was born in New York City, 
 where he received a good education at the public 
 school and also the Christian Brothers. For 
 thirty years past he has been a resident of Long 
 Island City, where he has been an influential and 
 highly esteemed citizen of the Borough of 
 Queens. Mr. Quinn is connected with the well 
 known firm of H. F. Quinn & Sons, builders, 
 at Nos. 18-22 Hunter's Point Avenue, Long 
 Island City, and where they also conduct an ex- 
 tensive cabinet business and manufacture of 
 desks and office furniture of strictly high grade. 
 The firm has a large plant for all kinds of cab- 
 inet work, etc. Joseph H. Quinn is a Democrat in 
 politics, but has never cared to hold public office, 
 preferring to devote his time to his fast growing 
 business. He is a member of the Roman Cath- 
 olic Church, Knights of Columbus, Royal Ar- 
 canum and of the Democratic Club of Queens 
 Borough. The more recent examples of the 
 splendid work executed by the firm of H. F. 
 Quinn & Sons, are shown in the fine new li- 
 brary buildings of Flushing, Elmhurst and Rich- 
 mond Hill, a view of each building occurring 
 in another part of this volume. 
 
 HENRY HALFORD HICKS, son of James 
 and Ann Halford Hicks, was born in 1855 at 
 Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. He received his edu- 
 cation at Freshwater School, Yarmouth, and 
 completed his studies at Milford, Hampshire. 
 After leaving school he learned the trade of a 
 blacksmith. For twenty-five years he has been 
 a resident of the Borough of Queens, where he 
 has carried on business as a smithy, and where 
 
PHILIP J. F. KRAEMER 
 
 HENRY HALFORD HICKS 
 
 FREDERICK KRAEMER 
 
 HENRY WILLETT 
 
GEORGE \V. SCHAEFER 
 
 HERMAN VOSSNACK, JR. 
 
 HON. THOMAS M. QUINN 
 
 WILLIAM ANTHONY BEAUMERT 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 149 
 
 he is well and favorably known. In igo6 Mr. 
 Hicks received the appointment of blacksmith 
 for the department of Queens, a position he still 
 retains. He is a member of Anchor Lodge, No. 
 729, F. & A.M. (.and Noble Grand of White- 
 stone Lodge No. 775, I.O.O.F.) ; is ordinary mem- 
 ber Bingham Garrison, a member of Volunteer 
 Fire Department of Whitestone, a member of 
 Exempt Firemen of Flushing, the Grace Episco- 
 pal Church of Whitestone. Mr. Hicks has twice 
 been married; his first wife was Marj- Begeden 
 of Flushing, deceased; his second wife's maiden 
 name was Mary E. Gilchrist. Mr. Hicks's chil- 
 dren were Mary Ellen, living, and Elizabeth, 
 now deceased. 
 
 to send him to England to complete his studies 
 in the higher branches, so that he might be 
 thorough in the work of the Christian ministry, 
 to which he felt from his early boyhood he was 
 called. On leaving home for England, he had 
 scarcely reached the old country when the Civil 
 War between the North and South commenced. 
 He at once resolved to come to the United States 
 and enlist in the United States Navy, and went 
 to war, as he considered it to be a righteous act 
 on his part to assist in destroying slavery, which 
 then existed in the Southern States. It was in 
 April, 1861, at Boston, he enlisted on board the 
 frigate Minnesota, the flag-ship of the North At- 
 lantic blockading squadron. It was not very long 
 
 MARTIN. J. DOOLY, funeral director and 
 undertaker, son of William and Bridget Dooly, 
 was born in Tipperary, Ireland, November II, 
 1862, where he attended the national school. His 
 parents emigrating to America, young Dooly 
 completed his studies at the Flushing High 
 School. Since 1875 he has resided in Flushing. 
 He is now the oldest as well as one of the lead- 
 ing undertakers. He has a thorough knowledge 
 of embalming, having received his diploma from 
 the National Embalming College of No. 10 
 Bond Street, New York City, in 1893. He is a 
 member of the Roman Catholic Church, Knights 
 of Columbus, Eagles, and for twenty-four years 
 has been a member of the Volunteer Fire Depart- 
 ment. Mr. Dooly married Miss Annie Buckley 
 (now deceased) January 23, 1898. Three chil- 
 dren were born, viz. : Mary, William and Mar- 
 garet. 
 
 BISHOP W. B. DERRICK, D.D., of the 
 African Methodist Episcopal Church, was born 
 in the Island of Antigua, B.W.I., in July, 1843. 
 His parents were Scotch and West Indian. They 
 were of the planters' class of that island, and 
 strictly religious, the influence of which has had 
 its effect upon the life and character of the 
 Bishop all through his career. The Island of 
 Antigua, in which he was born, is known as the 
 Athens of the other islands, on account of its 
 numerous institutions of learning, likewise the 
 compulsory education system of the people. At 
 the age of five years he attended a private school 
 for a term of three years under the careful prepa- 
 ration of a female teacher, who spared no pains 
 in his preparatory studies. At the age of eight 
 years he entered the Moravian Training School, 
 where he remained until he had reached his 
 eleventh j'ear, when he was again sent to the 
 high school known as the Wilson High School, 
 spending five years under the special training of 
 the principal of that institution. On reaching 
 his seventeenth birthday, his parents concluded . 
 
 BISHOP W. B. DERRICK, D.D. 
 
 after when the first battle on the Atlantic Coast 
 took place at Hatteras Inlet between the fleet 
 and the Confederate fortifications, commanded 
 by ex-Governor Wise of Virginia, For twelve 
 hours the Minnesota and her associate ships of 
 war fought against the Confederate fortifications, 
 until they were compelled to surrender to the 
 Union forces. The second engagement was the 
 memorable fight which took place between the 
 Monitor and the Merrimac, March 8, 1862, which 
 was then considered to be the greatest naval bat- 
 tle in history up to that date. Twelve months 
 after this occurrence he secured his discharge 
 and returned to private life, when he fitted and 
 prepared himself for the work of the ministry. 
 In the year 1866 he entered the ministry of the 
 African Methodist Episcopal Church as preacher 
 and teacher among the freemen. Although very 
 
150 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 young as to years, he took an active part in the 
 affairs of both Church and State which con- 
 cerned the freemen or newly-eraancipated slaves. 
 This brought him prominently before the publics' 
 eye, so much so he was considered to be among the 
 leaders in both platform and pulpit. In the con- 
 test between Greelej' and Grant he won for him- 
 self a name as a campaign orator, which caused 
 for him to be sought after in all succeeding 
 national campaigns, which gave to him the oppor- 
 tunity to be often associated with such national 
 platform speakers as Hon. J. G. Blaine, Thomas 
 B. Reed, Senator Foraker, President McKinley, 
 Senator Everetts, Depew, Ingersoll, Fred Doug- 
 lass and Langston. Not only in this country has 
 he been associated with orators and statesmen, 
 but he has international fame both in Church and 
 State. He attended several International Church 
 Congresses. During the sessions of these gath- 
 erings he impressed himself indelibly, so that he 
 he was invited to preach the 355th anniversary 
 sermon in the Church of the Martyrs or Ancient 
 Catacombs in Canterbury Cathedral, England, the 
 duty of which he performed with credit, as was 
 told by all those who heard him. At the gather- 
 ing of the Ecumenical Council in London, when 
 Methodist representatives were gathered from all 
 parts of the world, he was sought after and was 
 associated with Bishops Hamilton, Galloway, 
 Hartzell and Granbury. In this body he was a 
 prominent member of the Business Committee, 
 rendering valuable service to the assemblage. As 
 a traveler his reputation is world-wide. He has 
 visited Italy, France, Switzerland, Scotland, Ire- 
 land, England, the South American states. West 
 Indies and the leading cities of South Africa and 
 the Madeira Islands. During his tour of Italy 
 he visited Vesuvius, Rome, Genoa, Florence and 
 Venice, then the mountains of Switzerland. The 
 bishop was chosen to his present position in 
 1896. There were 16 competitors, necessary to 
 a choice 161 votes, but such was the popularity 
 of the bishop among the ministry, that out of 216 
 delegates he secured 206 votes on the first ballot 
 — 45 more than was required, and was the only 
 one chosen on that ballot. The British Lion 
 says : "But a new note is being struck in the 
 pulpit, a blending of culture and faith, a union 
 of the modern and the mystic. Bishop Derrick 
 represents it in his preaching. There is the at- 
 mosphere of culture about his speech, but in it 
 there throbs the passion of the evangelist. To 
 him evolution either in science or in theology is 
 no enemy of religion, and criticism is no destroyer 
 of faith. The note of his preaching is clearly, ring- 
 ingly spiritual, and in the deepest and most distinc- 
 tive sense his teaching is evangelical. His message 
 is positive and personal, and the common heart 
 responds." As a preacher, the bishop's sermons 
 
 are candid, tangible, solid and terminating a 
 pleasant union of the material with the spiritual, 
 presenting his arguments and appeals with an 
 articulation as distinct and as lucid as his ges- 
 ticulation is impressive. The bishop appears to 
 advantage, of dignified bearing, easy gesture, with 
 a mellow, strong voice, that always makes a 
 favorable impression. In person he is stout and 
 well proportioned, with a stern countenance, in- 
 dicating inflexibility and positiveness, yet kind 
 hearted and sympathetic — a true friend and a 
 good neighbor. In his magnificent home. Bishop's 
 Court, Lillian Park, is to be seen a letter beauti- 
 fully encased in a rich gold frame, from King 
 Edward VII, in recognition of a most sublime 
 eulogy, which was delivered by the bishop on the 
 life and character of his late lamented mother, 
 Queen Victoria. The bishop resides at Flushing, 
 and has lived there for fully twenty-one years, 
 and is ranked among the good and respectable 
 citizens of that community. 
 
 PHILIP J. F. KRAEMER, dealer in lumber 
 and coal, son of John and Elizabeth Kraemer, 
 was born in the City of New York September 12, 
 1847. He attended the public school at College 
 Point, L.I., where he has resided for the last 
 fifty-two years. He has never been interested in 
 politics, nor ever held any political ofiice. The 
 only society of which he is a member is An- 
 chor Lodge No 729, F. & A.M. Mr. Kraemer 
 married Miss Josephine Bank September 11, 1881 ; 
 two children have been born to this union, Isa- 
 bella Amelia and Alfred Roberts. 
 
 FREDERICK KRAEMER, connected with the 
 American Hard Rubber Company, was born at 
 College Point August 30, 1857. He completed his. 
 education at the Flushing High School. From 
 birth until 1885 he lived at College Point, but is 
 now a resident of Brooklyn. He never took an 
 active part in politics nor has he held any public 
 office. He married Miss Agnes Schneeloch No- 
 vember 2, 1885, and there were in all seven chil- 
 dren born, Else Marie, Waldo Lawrence, Erna 
 Charlotte, Frederick Emil, John, William and' 
 Henry, the two last named being dead. 
 
 J. FRANK RYAN, real estate, insurance 
 and city marshal, son of James and Eliza Ryan, 
 was born at Flushing, N.Y., May 18, 1864. He 
 obtained his education at St. Michael's School. 
 His residence at Flushing has been permanent. 
 He is a believer in Democratic principles and 
 holds the office of city marshal and chief of the- 
 Flushing Fire Department. The following so- 
 cieties count him among their members : Fra- 
 ternal Order of Eagles; St. Michael's Lyceum;. 
 St. Vincent De Paula; Holy Name Society; Shin- 
 
CHARLES HANCE 
 
 THOMAS GERVASE F0GA8TY 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON HILL 
 
 JOSEPH FLANAGAN 
 
FRANCIS E. ANDREWS 
 
 HERMAN KOCH 
 
 HON'. JOSEPH SULLIVAN 
 
 JOSEPH H. QUINN 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 153 
 
 necock Democratic Club ; Young America Hose 
 Company No. 2; and St. Michael's Church. He 
 entered matrimony June 7, 1905, with Miss Mar- 
 garet Reilly. Their only child, James Patrick, 
 died soon after birth. 
 
 JOHN J. FALLON, contractor, and a son of 
 Eugene and Bridget Fallon, was born in New 
 York City in 1839. He was a pupil of the old 
 Fortieth Street school. After leaving school he ob- 
 tained a situation paying twenty-five cents a day in 
 a paper mill, and later took another position in a 
 steel factory, tempering steel. Not finding the 
 latter work satisfactory, he decided to learn the 
 trade of a lather, which later on he engaged in 
 business as a contractor on his own account, and 
 in which he has been very successful. He has 
 been a resident of Queens Borough since 1872. 
 He is a member of the Exempt Firemen's Asso- 
 ciation and of St. Michael's Roman Catholic 
 Church. On October 6, 1872, he married Miss 
 Julia Delaney of Flushing. Seven children have 
 been born, viz. : John J., Peter T., Eugene, Ed- 
 ward, Mary, William and Francis, all of whom 
 are living. 
 
 JOHN J. HOGAN, JR., alderman, son of John 
 J. and Catherine Hogan; was born at Flushing 
 July 14, 1873, and was educated at St. Michael's 
 School of the same place. For some years he 
 was engaged in the meat business, but now holds 
 a responsible position in the Department of High- 
 ways for the Borough of Queens. Mr. Hogan is 
 a member of the Shinnecock Democratic Club, 
 the Roman Catholic Church, Knights of Colum- 
 bus and the Young America Hose Company, 
 Volunteer Fire Department. He affiliates with 
 the Democratic party in politics, always devoting 
 a considerable amount of his time furthering its 
 success. On February i, i8go, he was united in 
 marriage to Miss Josephine A. Ryan of Flushing. 
 They have four living children — John Francis, 
 Thomas, Dorothy and Catherine. In October, 
 1907, the aldermanic Democratic convention of 
 the Sixty-ninth District unanimously nominated 
 Mr. Hogan for alderman. At the following No- 
 vember election he was triumphantly elected by a 
 majority of four hundred over the Republican 
 and Independence League candidates. This dis- 
 tinction awarded by the people of Flushing and 
 the aldermanic district to Mr. Hogan was a per- 
 sonal testimonial to his ability, fitness and quali- 
 fications for the important post. It may also be 
 assumed that Mr. Hogan will hereafter be an 
 important factor in the political affairs of Queens 
 County. 
 
 WILLIAM CONNORS, son of William and 
 Mary Connors, was born March i, 1857, at New 
 
 Ross, County Wexford, Ireland. He came to 
 this country April 4, 1874, and settled at College 
 Point, Third Ward, Borough of Queens, where 
 he still resides and is engaged in the wholesale 
 beer and ale business, as well as building and 
 real estate speculation. He is a self-made man 
 and by his shrewd business tactics and real es- 
 tate speculation he has amassed a large amount 
 of property, which is estimated to be worth over 
 one hundred thousand dollars, the most of it 
 being income property. Mr. Connors is a Dem- 
 ocrat and filled the office of town trustee of the 
 town of Flushing for several years. He is a 
 member of C.B.L. ; Elks; Eagles and College 
 Point Club. On February 14, 1884, he married 
 Miss Mary Cashin of Whitestone; they have 
 , seven children, viz. : Edward S., William C, 
 Marguerite A., Mabel M., Raymond, Jerome and 
 Loretto. Mr. Connors is highly regarded as a 
 good citizen. He is one of the substantial busi- 
 ness men of the College Point section of the 
 Borough of Queens. 
 
 WILLIAM JOSEPH MOORE, merchant, de- 
 ceased, was born at Brooklyn, New York City, 
 being a son of James and Joanna Moore. He 
 attended the public schools of his native place, 
 after which he took a thorough course at Brown's 
 Business College. Mr. Moore was a member of 
 the Roman Catholic Church, Royal Arcanum, Or- 
 der of Foresters, Knights of Columbus, Holy 
 Name Society, Volunteer Fire Department, Mu- 
 tual No. I Fire Company and of the Business 
 Men's Association. On December 26, 1888, Mr. 
 Moore married Miss Ellen Browne of Brooklyn. 
 Six interesting children were born to the union, 
 viz. : Arthur H., Adele, William B., Helen, Mari- 
 on and Cynthia. Mr. Moore was a man of ster- 
 ling qualities and was much beloved by all who 
 had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He always 
 maintained a high standard for honesty, integrity 
 and uprightness. His standing in the community 
 was of the highest. 
 
 GEORGE W. SCHAEFER, real estate oper- 
 ator and son of Philip and Elizabeth Schaefer, 
 was born in New \''ork City, where he attended 
 and was graduated from the old Forty-seventh 
 Street public school. For several years he car- 
 ried on a carriage and wagon manufacturing es- 
 tablishment in New York. In 1893 he became 
 a resident of the Borough of Queens, where he 
 opened a real estate office which he still conducts. 
 Mr. Schaefer is a member of Greenpoint Lodge 
 No. 403, F. & A.M., , and is a thirty-second de- 
 gree Mason ; past chancellor of Sparticus Lodge, 
 K. of P. ; past district deputy I.O.R.M. ; ex-cap- 
 tain of Forty-seventh Regiment, N.G.N. Y. : vet- 
 eran of the Twenty-second Regiment of New 
 
154 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 York City, and a member of the Veteran Corps, 
 Forty-seventh Regiment, New York City. In pol- 
 itics he is a Democrat. On June 30, 1904, Mr. 
 Schaefer married Mrs. Emily Y. Schaefer; two 
 children have been born by the first wife, G. 
 Arthur, living, and William E., now deceased. 
 
 THOMAS DOWLING, retired, son of Pat- 
 rick and Mary Dowling, was born in Dublin, Ire- 
 land, April 16, 1816. It was in the public schools 
 of Dublin that he received the rudiments of his 
 education. Since 1849 he has resided permanently 
 at Flushing, L.I. Politics never occupied his at- 
 tention to any extent and he has not been an 
 office holder. In his religious belief he is a Ro- 
 man Catholic. In the year 1858 he married Mary 
 Savage and they had six children, of whom four 
 are living and two deceased. Their names are 
 Thomas, Ann, Mary, Theresa, Mary and Clara. 
 
 GUSTAVE ANDERSON, an old and well 
 known citizen of Flushing, was born in Lidkop- 
 ing, Sweden, July 14, 1847, where he obtained an 
 education in the public schools. In 1872 he 
 came to the United States. He settled in 
 Boston until 1876, when he came to New York 
 and settled in Flushing in 1890, where he has con- 
 tinued to reside ever since. Having learned the 
 trade of a cabinet maker when a young man he 
 
 warehouse in Flushing, a picture of which appears 
 herein, which is known as the Flushing Storage 
 Warehouse Co., and erected and completed in 
 
 THE FLUSHING STORAGE WAREHOUSE. 
 
 has continued following the calling with great 
 success. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, the Business Men's As- 
 sociation of Flushing. Mr. Anderson was the in- 
 stigator of erecting the first fire-proof storage 
 
 GUSTAVE ANDERSON 
 
 1907. The building is an imposing structure and 
 contains the most modern improvements, being 
 fire-proof in all its essentials, with fire-proof vaults 
 for the storage of valuables. The company was 
 incorporated with the following officers : Gus- 
 tave Anderson, president ; Frank A. Collins, vice- 
 president ; F. R. Smart, treasurer, and A. Vander- 
 water, secretary. This enterprise, so valuable to 
 the citizens of Flushing, delineates the progress- 
 ive character of its founder, Mr. Gustave Ander- 
 son. On July 10, 1873, he married Miss Anna 
 Paulina Nordenbom of Andover, Mass., but a 
 native of Sweden. The children born to the 
 union are : Gustavius E., Frank B., Anna, Ma- 
 tilda, George F., Ferdinand, Louisa P., all of 
 whom are living, and Philip B., deceased. Mr. 
 Anderson is purely a self-made man, possessing 
 the usual pluck and courage of the hardy race 
 from which he springs. He is highly esteemed 
 as a citizen and neighbor. 
 
 GEORGE A. STILLWAGGON, carpenter, son 
 of David Henry and Rachel Acker Stillwaggon, 
 was born in the City of New York, October 28, 
 1824. At first he attended the public school and 
 the Collegiate School, 115 Franklin Street, New 
 York, and when, in 1838, he moved to Flushing, 
 he attended the school managed by Geo. Huntsman. 
 He started out in life as a bookkeeper in a gro- 
 cery store, buying out his employer after a while. 
 
ALBERT MAXFIELD YAEGER 
 
 HENRY HOWARD BOOTH 
 
 GEORGE BELL CRANSTON 
 
 JOHN HENRY GERLACH 
 
JOSEPH B. STILL WAG CON- 
 
 EDWARD KRON 
 
 GEORGE A. STILLWAGGON 
 
 ALBERT EDWARD PECHETTE 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 157 
 
 Then he engaged in the nursery business and final- 
 ly became a carpenter, his specialty being scrolls, 
 brackets and turning. Since May, 1838, he has 
 lived at Flushing. For four years he was trus- 
 tee of the village of Flushing. As an energetic 
 member of the Sons of Temperance, he filled all 
 the offices in the gift of that society. Besides he 
 was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department 
 of Flushing, which in 1844 installed the first en- 
 gine in that village, and is the only foreman and 
 member of the old company living. His wife 
 was a Miss Virginia Pinkham of Flushing, and 
 of the six children, Minnie, Frederick, David, 
 Lincoln, Katy and Eugene, the latter three are 
 deceased. Mr. Stillwaggon organized the first 
 hook and ladder company in Flushing and was 
 its first foreman. He is the only member of 
 that company at present living. 
 
 JOSEPH B. STILLWAGGON, carpenter, son 
 of Joseph and Abigail Stillwaggon, was born at 
 Flushing, L.L, May 6, 1828. He attended the 
 public schools of his native town and has been 
 a lifelong resident of that section. Politically, he 
 is of the Republican persuasion. He held the 
 office of postmaster of Flushing for two terms, 
 was constable for one year and a policeman for 
 fourteen years. For a period of more than 
 twenty years he was connected with the Long 
 Island News Company. He attends, the Metho- 
 dist Church and is an exempt fireman. Mr. Still- 
 waggon was married twice, his first wife being 
 a Miss Mary Post, his second wife, Miss Sarah 
 Gillen. Of the ten children born, six are living, 
 namely: Sarah Van Nostrand, Belle Morse, 
 Thomas, Hattie Oddy, Ida Ovis and William G. 
 
 CHARLES HANCE, formerly captain of 
 Flushing Police Department, son of Benjamin and 
 Annie Hance, was born at Astoria, L.L, April 10, 
 1837. He received his education in the public 
 schools and has passed all his life at Flushing. 
 Early in life he learned the trade of bricklayer 
 and plasterer and with his partner, Richard Dow- 
 ing, he did work on the Galeburg cottage, on the 
 Town Hall at Flushing, the gas works of Queens 
 County, the savings-bank, the high school and 
 other buildings. In 1879 he was under-sheriff of 
 Queens Borough ; became captain of police on 
 May 3, 1883, and remained in office until con- 
 solidation of the Greater City took place, when 
 he retired after twenty-four years of service. In 
 addition, he was for a long time janitor of the 
 Town Hall and member of the Board of Trustees. 
 Mr. Hance attends the Dutch Reformed Church 
 and belongs to Pacific Lodge No. 85, I.O.O.F. 
 On January 8, 1858, he married Miss Marie 
 Elizabeth Srhith. Ten children were born : Maria 
 Elizabeth. Minnie Estella, Charles Edgar, Jennie 
 
 Francesca, William Edward, Florence Eva, Al- 
 fred Elton, Albert Elmer, Jessie Edith, Alfred E., 
 and an infant being deceased. 
 
 VAN RENSSELAER SWEZEY, coal and 
 lumber dealer, son of Gilbert H. and Susan E. 
 Swezey, was born in the city of New York, in 
 February, 1878. After graduating from the pub- 
 lic schools, he attended a course at the Blair 
 Academy, Blairstown, N.J. His residence at Bay- 
 side, L.L, extends over three years. In his politi- 
 cal convictions he pins his faith upon an inde- 
 pendent party. Mr. Swezey is a regular attend- 
 ant at the Jamaica Presbyterian Church and a 
 member of the Bayside Yacht Club. Mr. Swezey 
 is a man of pleasing personality and enjoys a 
 wide acquaintance both in social and commercial 
 walks of life. Being a man of strict business in- 
 tegrity he has built up a large and growing trade 
 in the lumber and building line. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON HILL, son of 
 Adam C. and Mary E. (McDonnell) Hill, was 
 born at Brooklyn, N.Y., March S, 1877. Mr. Hill 
 is a graduate of Public School No. 33 and of 
 Long Island Business College of Brooklyn. On 
 March 13, 1905, Mr. Hill became proprietor of 
 the old historic Crocheron House at Bayside, 
 L.L, succeeding a Mr. Monanhan. He refitted 
 and overhauled the entire place in a befitting 
 style, doing thereafter the largest business in the 
 history of the establishment. Mr. Hill is now 
 the general manager for his brother, Edward, 
 who has extensive coal interests in Brooklyn. He 
 is a member of Seneca Democratic Club _of 
 Brooklyn and of the Church of the Transfigu- 
 ration. Mr. Hill is a man of agreeable manners 
 and has a host of friends among people of all 
 classes. In business matters he is a man of high 
 capabilities whose judgment is always considered 
 sound. 
 
 MORRIS MILLER, general contractor and 
 house wrecker, son of Levi and Anna Miller, was 
 born in the city of New York, July, 1876. Here 
 he also attended the public schools. As regards 
 his political views he does not side with any of 
 the two dominant parties, but favors a program 
 independent of either. Mr. Miller married Miss 
 Fannie Stone, September, 1900. Two children 
 were born, Laura and Leonard. Mr. Miller now 
 occupies the position as the leading house wrecker 
 in Queens County. He is practical in his work 
 and performs it in such a methodical manner that 
 all persons with whom he transacts business are 
 perfectly satisfied with his modern methods of 
 doing work, his motto being that of square 
 dealing. 
 
158 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 ALBERT EDWARD PECHETTE, electrical 
 engineer, and the youngest of a family of fifteen 
 children, was born July 21, 1877, at Cohoes, N.Y. 
 For the past twenty years he has been a resident 
 of Long Island City, where he attended the First 
 Ward public school and later graduated from the 
 Twenty-eighth Street school in New York City. 
 He is also a graduate of the International Cor- 
 respondence School of Scranton, Pa. He served 
 for a period of seven years as an electrical en- 
 gineer in the Quartermaster's Department on 
 Governor's Island. Politically Mr. Pechette is a 
 Democrat. He is a member of Erie (Flushing) 
 Lodge No. 583, Eagles ; the J. J. Phillips Asso- 
 ciation and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. 
 On July 14, 1896, he married Miss Lilly Kerr of 
 Long Island City. Three children have been born 
 — Eulalia, John Augustin and Francis. 
 
 GARRISON'S HOTEL, Willard C. Garrison, 
 proprietor, adjoins Fort Totten on the Long Is- 
 land shore opposite Fort Schuyler, surrounded 
 by ample shaded grounds, running to the water's 
 edge. The hotel is large and commodious, with 
 broad and inviting piazzas. On the shore are a 
 large pavilion and bathing houses. The cuisine 
 at Garrison's is unsurpassed. Dinners are served 
 a la carte, and include all the delicacies of the 
 season. Wines and liquors have been selected 
 with the greatest care. Mr. Garrison makes fish 
 dinners a specialty. Garrison's Hotel may be 
 reached by Long Island Railroad from Long Is- 
 land City to Whitestone, or Bayside, or by car- 
 riage or auto over the best roads on the island, 
 via Thirty-fourth Street, Ninety-second and Nine- 
 ty-ninth Street (East River) ferries, easily ac- 
 cessible from Brooklyn City Hall via Fulton 
 Street to Jamaica Avenue, and Jamaica. Beauti- 
 ful shady country roads from there through 
 Flushing to Fort Totten. Distance twelve miles. 
 This resort is headquarters for automobilists. 
 A prominent attraction is the dress parade and 
 band concert at Fort Totten daily. There are 
 electric lights on all roads leading to this resort. 
 The hotel has been under the proprietorship of 
 the Garrisons since 1886, at which time Charles 
 Garrison, father of Willard Garrison, the present 
 proprietor, came into control. After his death his 
 son Howard operated it for two years. Since 
 then Willard Garrison has successfully managed 
 it and has added many new and comfortable fea- 
 tures. He can accommodate about three hundred 
 guests for meals per day. 
 
 EDWARD KRON, merchant tailor, son of 
 John and Catherine Kron, was born in California, 
 March 5, 1865. When he was four years of age 
 his parents removed to Long Island City, where 
 he attended the public schools and where he has 
 
 since resided. Mr. Kron is one of the leading 
 tailors of Long Island City and conducts a first- 
 class establishment at No. 346 Jackson Avenue. 
 In politics he is a stanch Republican ; he served 
 for nine years as an active member of the First 
 Ward Commission. He is a member of the Civic 
 Club and formerly vice-president of Queens 
 Borough and of the Long Island City Turn 
 Verein. He is a man of high standing and en- 
 joys the confidence of all who know him. 
 
 GEORGE FRENZ, a well known citizen of 
 Long Island City, was born in New York Decem- 
 ber 20, 1881. He obtained his education in the 
 public schools both at New York and Long Island 
 City. For the past twenty-six years he has re- 
 sided in the Borough of Queens, where he is very 
 popular. Mr. Frenz is the proprietor of Frenz's 
 Casino, situated on Jackson Avenue. The resort 
 is one of the best known, as well as one of the 
 most highly respectable places of its kind on Long 
 Island, and is the scene of many notable gather- 
 ings of social organizations during the spring and 
 summer months. Mr. Frenz is a member of a 
 large number of societies and clubs, notable 
 among which are the Civic Club and the John 
 M. Phillips Association of Long Island City, the 
 Knickerbocker, Minnevaska and Pequonock club? 
 of New York City. On November 6, 1901, he 
 married Miss Mary Burkhardt of New York. 
 They have two children, viz : Grace and Florence. 
 
 FRANCIS X. DUER, a well known hotel 
 keeper, was born at College Point, L.I., June i, 
 1872, where he received his education at St. 
 Fidelis Parochial School. Mr. Duer has always 
 continued to reside in his native place, where he 
 is considered among the substantial and progress- 
 ive citizens. In politics he is a stanch Demo- 
 crat, and as a testimonial to his popularity he has 
 served two terms as an assemblyman from his 
 district. He is a member of the Roman Catholic 
 Church, Adelphi Social Club, Owl Social Club, 
 College Point Wheelmen, is the standard bearer 
 of F. X. Duer Association, is a member of the 
 Eagles, Aztec Tribe, I.O.R.M., St. Fidelis Society, 
 Enterprise Hose Company, No. 2, and Exempt 
 Firemen's Association. On January 7, 1903, Mr. 
 Duer married Miss Rhoda W. Grell. Two chil- 
 dren have been born to the union, one of whom 
 is deceased; the living child is Francis X., Jr. 
 
 PERCIVAL EDWARD MAURER, real estate 
 broker, son of Andrew Jackson and Julia B. 
 Maurer, with the descent dating back to the time 
 of the Duke of Wellington, was born in the state 
 of New Jersey, March 31, 1882. Having grad- 
 uated from the Long Island city grammar and 
 high schools, he completed a business course at 
 
HENRY C. BOTJER 
 
 GEORGE FRENZ 
 
 JOHN J. HOCAN, JR. 
 
 FRANCIS X. DUER 
 
JOHN J. FALLON 
 
 MORRIS MILLER 
 
 MARTIN J. DOOLY 
 
 JAMES J. MULLIGAN 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 161 
 
 Wright's Business College, entering afterwards 
 the Maryland Institute, where he made architec- 
 ture and structural estimating his special subjects. 
 For twenty-four years he has been a resident of 
 Queens Borough, his home now being Flushing, 
 L.I. He is not affiliated with any political party. 
 Mr. Maurer is a member of Moose Head Dra- 
 matic Society, Harmony and Technic Club and 
 the Independent Order of Foresters. 
 
 CHARLES MORINA, real estate broker, son 
 of Philipse and Rose Morina, was born in Italy, 
 June, 1877. After completing a course in the 
 public schools, he graduated from the high school. 
 He has lived at Corona, L.I., for more than ten 
 years. In his political views he favors, like many 
 others, a program independent of either of the 
 two great dominant parties. Mr. Morina is a 
 member of the Order of Foresters, the Second 
 
 
 IBTnsOrancI^ 
 
 
 
 ^•1 v.-^i^s=. i 
 
 -- § l"""ll - 
 
 i .- -■ ™^™ 
 
 ' '" \ iiiiiiiiHIi; 
 _. •• liiyiliili;;: 
 
 ^„, ■ i.'.JUi;;;. ■ . 
 
 
 
 REAL ESTATE OFFICE OF CHARLES MORINA, 
 CORONA, L.I. 
 
 Ward Independent Club and the Taxpayers Asso- 
 ciation of Corona. He is married and has one 
 child, Marie Rose. Mr. Morina is one of 
 the progressive citizens of the Corona section 
 and has done much toward its development. His 
 business methods are up-to-date, which, coupled 
 with his strict integrity, has been a large factor 
 in his success. Philipse Morina, father of the 
 subject of this sketch, was an Italian cavalier and 
 came to America about twelve years ago. He is 
 still a well preserved man of dignified bearing and 
 is a prominent member of the Masonic order. 
 
 HENRY C. BOTJER, son of John Henry and 
 Meta Adelheid Botjer, was born in Germany, 
 July 9, 1872. He obtained his education in the 
 public schools. For a period of fourteen years 
 he has been a resident of Long Island City. In 
 politics he is a stanch supporter of Democratic 
 principles. Mr. Botjer is a member of the Dutch 
 
 Reformed Church of Long Island City, Advance 
 Lodge No. 63s F. & A.M., Enterprise Lodge 
 No. 228 Knights of Pythias, the Fraternal Order 
 of Eagles, Long Island City Aerie No. 1509, the 
 Elks, Queensborough Lodge No. 878 B.P.O. Elks, 
 the North German Society of Long Island City, 
 the Astoria Maennerchor, the Mutual Benefit As- 
 sociation. On January 5, 1898, he married 
 Augusta Schwanenfliigel, to whom three children 
 were born, viz. : Henrietta, Florence and Henry 
 C, Jr. 
 
 SOLOMON KUGELMAN, son of Michael and 
 Frederica Kugelman, was born March 9, 1869, at 
 Long Island City. He attended, when a boy, the 
 Old Fourth Ward public school in Astoria. He 
 has always resided in the town of his nativity. 
 For some years he was engaged in the hotel busi- 
 ness, also in the poultry trade. Politically he is 
 a Democrat and was one of the first delegates 
 named to the Borough Convention of Queens. 
 He has attended all Democratic conventions as a 
 delegate. In 1906 he was alternate at the Buffalo 
 Convention for state officers. He is a member 
 of Chapter No. 878, B.P.O.E., being a charter 
 member. He is also a member of Exempt Fire- 
 men of Long Island City, Old Hunter (No. 4) 
 Engine Company, of Long Island City; he was 
 one of the original organizers of Queens Borough 
 Democratic Club. Mr. Kugelman's father was 
 the original poultry dealer of Long Island City, 
 in which he made a fortune. His patrons were 
 numbered among the wealthy New York families 
 with whom he did a large business. 
 
 JAMES J. MULLIGAN, contractor, son of 
 Thomas and Ann Mulligan, was born September 
 10, 1864, at Brooklyn, N.Y., where he was edu- 
 cated at the public schools, graduating from the 
 high school. Mr. Mulligan has established a large 
 business as a general contractor in Queens Bor- 
 ough. His business operations are not confined 
 to local fields but extend over the state of New 
 York. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1891 
 served as clerk to the finance committee of the 
 Board of Aldermen in Long Island City before 
 consolidation with the greater city of New York. 
 He is a member of Advance Lodge (Astoria), 
 F. & A.M., Enterprise Lodge, I.O.O.F, Knights 
 of Pythias, Enterprise Company, U.R., the Eagles, 
 Veteran Firemen's Association, Acma Fishing 
 Club, the Luke A. Keenan Association, and is the 
 standard bearer of the James J. Mulligan Asso- 
 ciation. He is also deputy grand chancellor, 
 Tenth District, lieutenant uniform rank. On 
 January 14, 1891, Mr. Mulligan married Miss 
 Mamie Muller. They have two children, James 
 J., Jr., and Anna. 
 
162 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 PETER M. COCO, one of the foremost 
 architects of New York City, as well as gen- 
 eral superintendent of buildings, was born at 
 Brooklyn (N.Y.) September 25, 1870. His 
 rudimentary education was obtained at the 
 public schools of Old Long Island City. After 
 completing his studies there he engaged in the 
 higher branches at Cooper Institute, New 
 York City, graduating therefrom in 1892, with 
 high honors, receiving the first prize. In 1884 
 Mr. Coco first began the study of architecture. 
 He has in the course of his profession erected 
 the largest factory buildings in the Borough 
 of Queens, namely, the Atlantic Macaroni 
 Company's structure, and the Di Nobili Cigar 
 Factory, at Ravens wood, L.I.; also a great 
 number of dwellings, apartments, lofts and 
 office buildings. Mr. Coco has designed and 
 erected many churches in the boroughs of 
 Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn. One of 
 the crowning glories of his architectural life is 
 that of the new court-house of Queens County, 
 a view of which appears elsewhere in this vol- 
 ume. In the construction of this building Mr. 
 Coco had many obstacles to overcome. The 
 old structure destroyed by fire, only the shell 
 remained. Without removing the walls he has 
 reconstructed the building so that it has be- 
 come a "thing of beauty," and stands as a mon- 
 ument to his genius as an architect. Mr. Coco 
 has been a resident of the Borough of Queens 
 for the last thirty years. He has always affili- 
 ated with the Democratic party. For five 
 years he was draughtsman to the Fire and 
 Water Board of Long Island City. He is a 
 member of the Second Ward Democratic Club 
 and a thirty-second degree Mason. On Sep- 
 tember 27, 1893, Mr. Coco was united in mar- 
 riage to Miss Mary Palumneri. They have two 
 children, viz. : Santina, aged thirteen years, and 
 Vincent, aged seven years. Mr. Coco's busi- 
 ness offices are located at No. 114 East Twenty- 
 third Street, New York Cit\f. He resides in 
 Meyers Avenue, Windfield, L.I. 
 
 HONORABLE JOSEPH BERMEL was born 
 in Brooklyn April 8, i860. He came of sub- 
 stantial German stock and his parents were 
 among the early settlers in the eastern section 
 of Brooklyn. Mr. Bermel received his education 
 in the public scliools of Brooklyn and at the 
 age of sixteen he was apprenticed to a stone- 
 cutter. With the energy that has dominated all 
 his subsequent career he early received recog- 
 nition from the man with whom he was appren- 
 ticed and he became a foreman in the establish- 
 ment at the close of his term of apprenticeship. 
 Later he was offered a partnership in the busi- 
 ness but he decided to come to Queens County 
 
 where cemeteries were being laid out and the 
 field for business ventures was just opening. He 
 established a business as marble cutter in Middle 
 Village. The business was a success from the 
 start and Mr. Bermel executed many large and 
 important contracts. Artistic merit and finished 
 production have been the mark of all work 
 turned from his shop. Mr. Bermel still has in- 
 terest in two marble works, one at Middle Vil- 
 lage and one at St. John's cemetery. Each is 
 now managed by one of his sons. As a result 
 of his efiforts in business Mr. Bermel is pos- 
 sessed of a considerable fortune. Mr. Bermel 
 early took an interest in politics. He was an 
 attendant at all the conventions of the Demo- 
 cratic party almost from the time he estab- 
 lished his residence in the town. But he refused 
 to accept office until 1896. That year the people 
 of Newtown demanded improved roads. The 
 old conservative element of the town was op- 
 posed to progress, however. Mr. Bermel was 
 the candidate of the progressives and he made 
 one of the hottest canvasses ever known in the 
 town. Election day of that year was long re- 
 membered. It was in March and one of the 
 worst days of the year. The roads were cov- 
 ered with slush and snow and many were hub- 
 deep with mud. Yet the largest vote in the his- 
 tory of the town was brought out. Many started 
 from their homes with the intention of voting 
 against the idea of new roads and Mr. Bermel, 
 the champion of that cause, but after their ex- 
 periences in reaching the polls they voted for 
 him. The result was that Mr. Bermel was elect- 
 ed by a handsome majority. After becoming .a 
 member of the Queens County Board of Super- 
 visors, he immediately demanded improvements. 
 The first road improved was the macadamizing 
 of the old Williamsburg road on Metropolitan 
 Avenue from Jamaica to the Drj' Harbor road. 
 This made what was once the worst and almost 
 impassable dirt road one of the finest highways 
 in the town and opened up for the farmers an 
 artery of travel which was a positive boon to 
 them and the traveling public. After that there 
 was no opposition to the plans of Supervisor 
 Bermel. Mr. Bermel continued in office until 
 the date of consolidation. Then he retired and 
 gave his attention to his private business. But 
 he took an active part in the factional contests 
 in his ward and was the leader of the faction 
 favorable to Joseph Cassidy. When Joseph Cas- 
 sidy took office as borough president in 1902 he 
 appointed Mr. Bermel commissioner of public 
 works. Mr. Bermel held that office until Octo- 
 ber, 190S, when he resigned as he had been nom- 
 inated for the borough presidency of Queens by 
 the Republicans and Independence League in op- 
 position to the reelection of Mr. Cassidy. That 
 
AXEL JOHN SWENSON 
 
 WOLCOTT NOBLE 
 
 JAMES SYDNEY SWENSON 
 
 THOMAS C. CAPONE 
 
LUMBER YARD, STOREHOUSES, DOCKS, ETC., OF THE VAN R. SWEZEY COAL AND LUMBER CO., 
 
 BAYSIDE, LONG ISLAND 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 165 
 
 campaign was one of the memorable ones in 
 Queens County and Mr. Bermel was elected 
 president of the Borough of Queens by a large 
 majority. Mr. Bermel was married October 21, 
 1884, to Miss Mary A. Timmes, daughter of a 
 prominent resident of the Second Ward. Two 
 sons and three daughters were born to them. 
 
 HONORABLE THOMAS M. QUINN, alder- 
 man of the Sixty-sixth District, New York City, 
 and a son of Michael and Mary Quinn, was 
 born at Astoria Jiily 27, 1871. His father was 
 one of General McClellan's assistants in the 
 laying out of Long Island City. Mr. Quinn was 
 educated in the public schools, the New York 
 College of Veterinary Surgeons and the United 
 States College of Embalmers. For some years 
 he has been engaged in the profession of under- 
 taking with offices located at 169 Fulton Avenue, 
 Astoria. For a number of years Mr. Quinn has 
 been prominently identified with public affairs; 
 for a period of eleven years he was connected 
 with the New York postoffice; was state exam- 
 iner of horseshoers for four years and for six 
 years was chief veterinary to the Health De- 
 partment for Queens Borough. In November, 
 1907, Mr. Quinn was elected a member of the 
 Board of Aldermen from the Sixty-sixth Dis- 
 trict and is now serving in that capacity. He is 
 chairman of Queens County Independence 
 League ; he was nominated by unanimous vote 
 for alderman and was the only man on the In- 
 dependent ticket elected in the state and the only 
 man ever elected on that ticket in Long Island 
 City. Mr. Quinn was at one time very promi- 
 nent in Democratic circles and hjs always been 
 prominently identified with every mpvement to 
 promote the betterment of labor. He was or- 
 ganizer of the Knights of Columbus in Queens 
 County and is a prominent member of Colon 
 Council of that order; he is a member of Sun- 
 swick Council of Long Island City; the Long 
 Island Aerie Eagles ; Astorial Council Hepto- 
 sophs ; Astoria Lodge National Protective Asso- 
 ciation ; Holy Name Society of the Church of 
 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel ; the Joseph Geiser As- 
 sociation, and is the standard bearer of the 
 Thomas M. Quinn Association Independent Club. 
 He is also a member of the United States Vet- 
 erinary Society, and of the Queens County Un- 
 dertakers' Association, the New York Postof- 
 fice Protective Association and several other or- 
 ganizations. In 1892 Mr. Quinn married Miss 
 Sara McBride of Astoria; seven children have 
 been born to the union, five of whom are living. 
 
 WHAT ONE COMPANY DID FOR 
 QUEENS. Developed 12,289 lots and spent 
 $700,000 for improvements. Every one can see 
 
 now what effect the tunnels and bridges across 
 the East River will have on real estate in Queens, 
 but at their inception their tremendous im- 
 portance was not generally realized. It was four 
 years ago this month, before any work was be- 
 gun on the tunnels and bridges, that the Rickert- 
 Finlay Realty Company began acquiring property 
 in Queens. These properties comprise over 1,000 
 acres of the most desirable residence property in 
 the borough, and, with one exception, all are 
 within the limits of New York City, and will be 
 within from fifteen to twenty minutes of Broad- 
 way when the tunnels and bridges are completed. 
 Some idea of the magnitude of the company's 
 holdings may be had from the fact that they have 
 a combined street frontage of eighty-seven miles, 
 and are nearly as large as all that part of Man- 
 hattan lying south of Houston Street, and ex- 
 tending from the East River to the Hudson Riv- 
 er. The development of the properties is being 
 carried out on a scale that has seldom, if ever, 
 been equaled in the United States. Over thirty- 
 nine miles of cement sidewalks and twenty-three 
 miles of macadamized streets have been con- 
 "structed; over seven miles of water mains, gas 
 mains and sewers have been laid, and about 
 12,000 shade trees and eighteen miles of hedges 
 have been set out, at a total cost to date of over 
 $700,000. The properties of the company begin 
 with East River Heights, containing 2,470 lots 
 fronting on the East River directly opposite East 
 Ninety-sixth Street. Then come Broadway- 
 Flushing, containing 4,000 lots completely sur- 
 rounding the Broadway station in Flushing; 
 Douglas Manor, containing 2,479 lots on Little 
 Neck Bay at Douglaston, and Westmoreland, 
 containing 900 lots adjoining Douglas Manor on 
 the east. In addition to these properties which 
 the company is actively developing, it has many 
 unimproved tracts which it is holding for future 
 development, among which are 440 lots in the 
 heart of Long Island City, fronting on Broad- 
 way, Grand Avenue and Jamaica Avenue, and 
 2,000 lots just north of the station at Great Neck, 
 lying between the Middle Neck Road and Man- 
 hasset Bay. Its business has grown so rapidly 
 that the company now occupies an entire floor at 
 • No. 45 West Thirty-fourth Street, with seven- 
 teen offices, an office force of about thirty-five 
 employes and about fifty regular salesmen. — 
 [New York American, February 2, 1908.] 
 
 KISSENA PARK NORTH AND SOUTH 
 will be the most completely and thor- 
 oughly developed sections of the Borough when 
 the work now being prosecuted by PARIS-MAC- 
 DOUGALL COMPANY is completed. This 
 company acquired about 300 acres in the South- 
 erly part of Flushing. Running through the tract 
 from North to South is the New York and 
 
166 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 Queens County trolley line and from East to 
 West is the old Stewart Railroad, now tlie prop- 
 erty of the Long Island Railroad, these two 
 lines forming a junction on the property. With 
 the completion of the improvements and elec- 
 trification of the Long Island Railroad system 
 now going forward, the Kissena Lake Park 
 section will be the most accessible section in the 
 Borough. Lying practically in the center of this 
 large tract is Kissena Lake covering about 13 
 acres. This deep clear pool of spring water with 
 its out flowing brook and its high wooded banks 
 makes it the most naturally beautiful spot in the 
 Borough. This lake together with about sixty 
 acres of upland was purchased by the city and 
 turned over to the Park Department as Kissena 
 Lake Park. In order to provide a section in 
 keeping with these beautiful environments, no 
 pains or expenses are being spared by the Paris- 
 MacDougall Company in its development. 
 Broad, paved streets and side-walks, with all 
 streets curbed and guttered and sewered, and 
 with a beautiful supply of rare shrubbery, all 
 tend to make it a most delightful residential sec- 
 tion. So large is this development (comprising 
 about 4,400 lots), that restrictions are so adjusted 
 as to provide sections to the requirements of prac- 
 tically every class of Detached improvements from 
 the Cottage on forty feet of ground to the more 
 pretentious dwelling occupying a full block front, 
 each being confined to its own particular section. 
 So thorough, complete and comprehensive is this 
 development that the Kissena Lake Park section is 
 assured of being the most attractive and delight- 
 ful portion of this Borough. 
 
 TERMINAL HEIGHTS is another of the Par- 
 is-MacDougall Company's developments, and is the 
 closest lying development to the heart of Man- 
 hattan in all Queens Borough, being no farther 
 from Herald Square than is City Hall, Manhat- 
 tan. This development comprises about 100 acres 
 and is sub-divided into about 1,500 lots. A large 
 amount of work is being done on this property 
 for the purpose of bringing it to the city grade 
 and laying it out in accordance with the topo- 
 graphical maps of the Borough. Two hundred 
 and fifty thousand dollars is being expended in 
 its development, said development including a 
 complete sewerage system with all streets paved 
 and curbed and guttered. The class of houses 
 being and to be erected on this development is of 
 the three, four and five-story flat and apartment 
 house nature. This property lying as it is within 
 five blocks ot the Terminal of the Sunnyside 
 Yards and within about ten blocks of the entrance 
 to the Blackwell's Island Bridge with Thompson 
 Avenue bordering it on the south and Roosevelt 
 Avenue, the new avenue established by the topo- 
 
 graphical department and through which it is 
 proposed to build the subway leading to Flush- 
 ing, passing directly through its center. The 
 Woodside Station of the Long Island Railroad 
 is located within two blocks of this development. 
 This together with the Corona trolley lineandthe 
 Jackson Avenue trolley line and the Ninety-second 
 Street Ferry trolley line all passing through and 
 around it, makes it the most accessible develop- 
 ment to be found in the Borough and insures 
 its rapid occupation as a business and living room 
 section. 
 
 ELMHURST SQUARE is still another and the 
 first of the Paris-MacDougall Company's develop- 
 ments. One of the unique features of this section is 
 the fact that geographically speaking it is the center 
 of the four boroughs, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhat- 
 tan and the Bronx. Passing through and around 
 this property is Grand Street trolley of the Brook- 
 lyn Rapid Transit System ; the Corona trolley of 
 the Thirty-fourth and Ninety-second Street Ferry 
 lines, being a part of the New York and Queens 
 County Electric Railroad system; the North 
 Shore Division of the Long Island Railroad with 
 a station practically on the property, and the main 
 line of the same railroad running to Jamaica. 
 The development of this property is completed and 
 in its completion an ample sewer system was in- 
 stalled, streets were paved, trees and ornamental 
 shrubbery planted, making of it an attractive de- 
 velopment. Many Queen Anne detached houses 
 have already been erected on this property. The 
 Paris-MacDougall Company has taken the lead in 
 complete developments, never being satisfied un- 
 til the property is fully and completely graded in 
 accordance with the established grades of the City, 
 and complete sewerage system installed under the. 
 supervision of the City, all streets paved, curbed 
 and guttered and fine cement walks laid through- 
 out. It is hoped that other developers will soon 
 adopt this same thorough system. 
 
 THE MARKERT REALTY COMPANY.— In 
 the fall of 1905 this company was organized to 
 develop what is now called "Forest Parkview." 
 The development in the section between Ridge- 
 wood and Richmond Hill w^as then in its infancy 
 and the Markert Realty Company are to be num- 
 bered among the pioneers. The "Forest Park- 
 view" tract contained almost four hundred city 
 lots covering about seven city blocks, extending 
 from Ford Avenue to Winthrop Avenue with a 
 frontage of about one thousand feet on Myrtle 
 .Avenue and facing the main entrance to Forest 
 Park. To demonstrate the thoroughness with 
 which the development was carried out it is 
 to be noted that the entire properly was improved 
 
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS 
 
 167 
 
 with the finest macadam streets, cement sidewalks 
 and curbs, handsome shade trees and sodded with 
 grass, which was beautified here and there with 
 large flower beds. Public utilities were installed 
 within a short time by the laying of water mains, 
 gas mains and the regulation city street-lights. All 
 of these improvements were undertaken by the 
 company at its own expense and it was their pride 
 to sell the property to the individual purchaser with 
 the distinct understanding that he would have no 
 large assessments to cripple his finances after 
 having made his purchase. The company erected 
 about sixty houses of the two-family type, the 
 architectural beauty of which add much to the 
 natural beauty of this section. The houses are 
 now occupied by a happy and contented body of 
 people who find every comfort in their homes, 
 and the great advantage of Forest Park for their 
 outdoor enjoyment. The public golf links of 
 Forest Park are directly opposite the "Forest 
 Parkview" propertj' and the residents of this sec- 
 tion relish the keen enjoyment of playing the 
 "game of kings," over this beautiful course, while 
 their children derive the benefit of good health 
 and all freedom from restraint, romping over the 
 greensward. The Markert Realty Company is 
 managed by an energetic set of men headed by 
 Albert Markert as president, Arthur R. Koch as 
 secretary, Geoerge E. Loeffler as treasurer and 
 one or the other of these gentlemen is always on 
 hand at the office of the company to welcome 
 visitors. The offices are situated at Myrtle Ave- 
 nue and Dry Harbor Road and they are probably 
 the best appointed real estate offices in this sec- 
 tion of Queens. The company's investment rep- 
 resents close to a quarter of a million of dollars 
 and the plot is one of the finest to be found 
 within the Ridgewood section. 
 
 The company has also developed a very pretty 
 piece of land in the Newtown section called 
 "Cooper Heights," intended, mainly, for the Se- 
 mitic race, and it has met with the same success 
 that has attended "Forest Parkview." A mag- 
 nificent tabernacle is now under way within a 
 block of the "Cooper Heights" development and 
 the section promises to be one of the most pop- 
 ulous of the Borough of Queens. The Markert 
 Realty Company were very fortunate to have the 
 city select about half a block of their "Forest 
 Parkview" property for a public school and 
 onpe this public improvement is under way it 
 promises to draw a legion of homeseekers to the 
 "Forest Parkview" section. 
 
 There are very few portions of the borough 
 which poss_ess as much beauty of sur- 
 roundings as "Forest Parkview'' and considering 
 
 that it is within the five-cent fare limit of New 
 York it ofifers ideal living conditions for the 
 workingman. Forest Park is to-day larger and, 
 undoubtedly, more beautiful than Central Park 
 in the Borough of Manhattan, or Prospect Park 
 in the Borough of Brooklyn, and the day is not 
 far distant when property which borders on For- 
 est Park will have reached the same value as the 
 properties which now border Central Park and 
 Prospect Park. The selection of "Forest Park- 
 view" property for a school site was only made 
 after a thorough canvass of other properties in 
 this section. "Forest Parkview" was selected 
 mainly because the natural lay of the land is very 
 high, and building operations have practically 
 made the school a necessity. It is also expected 
 that a church will shortly be established on the 
 "Forest Parkview" property, so that it is evident 
 that the Markert Realty Company intend to make 
 their property complete in itself. Several of 
 their parcels which were originally sold on the 
 instalment basis have changed hands two or 
 three times, each change representing an increase 
 of price until, to-day, lots which were purchased 
 eighteen months ago have more than doubled in 
 value. The- company does not encourage this 
 speculative feature of the property, as it was 
 planned for a home site and everything has been 
 done to attract the homeseeker. 
 
 They cannot, however, prevent a certain 
 amount of speculation on the part of their 
 clients, and it at least has the advantage of 
 demonstrating how the values are rising. The 
 Myrtle Avenue trolley system passes the prop- 
 erty plying between the Ridgewood terminal and 
 Richmond Hill and it is a common expression on 
 the part of passengers in these cars to say : "Isn't 
 that 'Forest Parkview' property a pretty place." 
 First impressions are believed to be the most last- 
 ing and in this respect "Forest Parkview" appeals 
 with particular force to all classes and kinds of 
 people who have an eye for beauty and cleanli- 
 ness : this is particularly true with the women- 
 kind who go into ecstasies over the trim appear- 
 ance of the streets and lawns as well as the 
 interior arrangements of the houses. In fact, the 
 houses compare favorably with the elaborate 
 dwellings found in the Flatbush section of 
 Brooklyn and which sell for practically double 
 the price asked for the "Forest Parkview" homes. 
 Queens Borough may well be proud of the "For- 
 est Parkview" development and it is to be hoped 
 that the Markert Realty Company will extend 
 their operations to other parts of the borough, 
 because of the painstaking effort and thorough- 
 ness with which they handle the work. 
 
 ERRATA: On page 61 "Poppenhusen Institute, Flushing," should be "Poppenhusen Institute, College Point.' 
 
INDEX TO 
 
 Portraits and Biographical Sketches 
 
 Portrait 
 on 
 
 A Page 
 
 Anderson, Gustavc 154 
 
 Andrews, Francis E 152 
 
 Ashmead, Warren B 143 
 
 B 
 
 IJeaumert, William Anthony 148 
 
 Bermel, Hon. Joseph 115 
 
 Merger, Carl 124 
 
 Botjer, Henry C 159 
 
 Bowne, Clifford B 107 
 
 Booth, Henry Howard 155 
 
 IJranden, Emanuel 124 
 
 Bunting, James Ernest iig 
 
 Burden, Theron H 119 
 
 C 
 
 Capone, Thomas C 163 
 
 Coco, Peter M 136 
 
 Connolly, Hon. Maurice E 127 
 
 Connors, William 120 
 
 Conroy, James F 107 
 
 Copp, Charles W 123 
 
 Cranston, George Bell 155 
 
 Cutter, Late Bloodgood H 116 
 
 Cutter, Residence of Late Bloodgood H. 1 16 
 
 D 
 
 Dalgleish, Robert M 135 
 
 Davis, Bramwell 143 
 
 De Bragga, Joseph H.. .-^ 124 
 
 De Mela, William 107 
 
 Derrick, D.D., Bishop W. B 149 
 
 Dooly, Martin J 160 
 
 Dowling, Thomas '. — 
 
 Duer, Francis X 159 
 
 E 
 
 Everitt, William E 139 
 
 F 
 
 Fairchild, Elias A 130 
 
 Fallon, John 160 
 
 Flanagan, Joseph 151 
 
 Flushing Storage Warehouse 154 
 
 Frank, Philip 131 
 
 Fogarty, Thomas Gervase 151 
 
 Fredericks, Charles 140 
 
 Frenz, George 159 
 
 G 
 
 Gallucci, Michael A 132 
 
 Gallucci, Rocco J 132 
 
 Gallucci, Samuel 133 
 
 Gallucci, Louis 133 
 
 Garbe, Conrad 139 
 
 Garrison's Hotel — 
 
 Garretson, Charles S 131 
 
 Gelwicks, Harry R 107 
 
 Gerlach, John Henry 155 
 
 Gilroy, Hon. Eugene Charles 127 
 
 Gould, Marquis D ^35 
 
 Gresser, Lawrence 140 
 
 H 
 
 Hance, Charles 151 
 
 Hicks, Henry Halford 147 
 
 Harvey, Herbert S 127 
 
 Healy, Hon. Edmund J 128 
 
 Hemler, Joseph R 107 
 
 Hemrich, John C 136 
 
 Hill, George Washington 151 
 
 Hogan, Jr., John J 159 
 
 J 
 
 Johnson, James H 139 
 
 Jones, Daniel S 135 
 
 K 
 
 Keenan, Hon. Luke A 144 
 
 Klein, William 144 
 
 Biography 
 
 on 
 
 Page 
 
 154 
 138 
 137 
 
 117 
 162 
 130 
 161 
 112 
 141 
 130 
 121 
 118 
 
 145 
 162 
 122 
 155 
 1 10 
 118 
 142 
 
 142 
 134 
 129 
 no 
 149 
 149 
 154 
 'S8 
 
 113 
 153 
 133 
 
 125 
 142 
 133 
 ■58 
 
 126 
 129 
 129 
 126 
 134 
 158 
 141 
 no 
 :38 
 
 122 
 126 
 121 
 
 157 
 146 
 122 
 122 
 
 129 
 
 '57 
 153 
 
 129 
 
 114 
 
 137 
 126 
 
 Portrait 
 
 on 
 
 Page 
 
 Koch, Herman 152 
 
 Kraemer. Frederick 147 
 
 Kraemer, Philip J. F 147 
 
 Kron, Edward 156 
 
 Kugelman, Solomon — . 
 
 L 
 
 Lowerre, Thomas Baldwin 120 
 
 Leahy, Patrick B — 
 
 M 
 
 McCormack, Thomas C 140 
 
 McKnight,. H. Stewart 128 
 
 McLaughlin, John J — 
 
 Markert Realty Co — 
 
 Maurer, Percival Edward — 
 
 Meagher, Francis J 1 39 
 
 Miller, Morris 160 
 
 Morena, Charles — 
 
 Moore, William Joseph 144 
 
 Mulligan, James J 160 
 
 MuUikin, Percival 107 
 
 N 
 
 Niederstein, John 140 
 
 Noble, Wolcott 163 
 
 O 
 
 O'Leary, Denis 128 
 
 P 
 
 Paris-McDougall Co — 
 
 Parmenter, Lester S 107 
 
 Pechette, Albert Edward 156 
 
 Peck, ID.D., Isaac 123 
 
 Phillips, John M 131 
 
 Piatt, Minor L 143 
 
 Pople, George W 123 
 
 Q 
 
 Quinn, Joseph H 152 
 
 Quinn, Hon. Thomas M 148 
 
 R 
 
 Rickert-Finley Realty Co — 
 
 Ridenour, John H 104 
 
 Ringe, Herman 131 
 
 Ryan, J. Frank 13S 
 
 S 
 
 Schaefer, George W 148 
 
 Skeene. Hon. Frederick 124 
 
 Stillwaggon, Joseph B. ., 156 
 
 Stillwaggon, George A 156 
 
 Smith, Hon. Mathew J 128 
 
 Sullivan, Hon. Joseph 152 
 
 Sutphin, Hon. John H 119 
 
 Swenson, Axel John 163 
 
 Swenson, James Sydney 163 
 
 Swezey, \'an Rensselaer — 
 
 Thiry, John Henry 119 
 
 Thomas, Rupert Barnes 123 
 
 Todd, Thomas H I44 
 
 Trapp, John J 143 
 
 \'an Nostrand, David L 120 
 
 Vossnack, Jr. Herman 148 
 
 W 
 
 Wallace, Dana 127 
 
 Wille, Charles 136 
 
 Williams, Richard H 136 
 
 Willett, Henry 147 
 
 Y 
 
 Yaeger, Albert Maxfield 155 
 
 168 
 
 Biography 
 
 on 
 
 Page 
 
 145 
 150 
 150 
 158 
 161 
 
 134 
 130 
 
 ■33 
 121 
 137 
 166 
 158 
 ■33 
 '57 
 161 
 153 
 161 
 no 
 
 130 
 
 133 
 
 165 
 1 12 
 158 
 117 
 138 
 141 
 117 
 
 146 
 165 
 
 165 
 
 ■ 106 
 
 130 
 
 ■50 
 
 153 
 117 
 IS7 
 154 
 122 
 146 
 114 
 145 
 145 
 157 
 113 
 114 
 141 
 125 
 
 113 
 137 
 
 1^5 
 129 
 129 
 117 
 
 ■45 
 
Index to General Illustrations 
 
 Along The North Shore Road 
 
 Armory 17th Sep. Co. N.G.N.Y., Flushing. 
 
 Armory Hall .' 
 
 Astoria Hospital 
 
 Page 
 
 lOI 
 
 54 
 
 ■ ■ 95 
 
 69 
 
 R 
 
 liathing Scene at College Point 
 
 lilackwell's Island Bridge, Frontispiece 
 
 lioard Walk and Beach, Arverne 
 
 Board Walk, Rockaway 
 
 Bowne Avenue, Flushing 
 
 Bowne House {Built in 1661) 
 
 Bowne Park, When Developement was Commenced. 
 
 Bragaw House. Long Island City, The Old 
 
 Broadway, Corner of Twentieth Street, Flushing. . . . 
 
 Broadway, Elmhurst Square 
 
 Broadway, Flushing 
 
 Broadway, Flushing, Looking East 
 
 Bryant High School, Dutch Kills 
 
 Business Buildings in Flushing 
 
 Carnegie Library, Astoria 
 
 Carnegie Library, Richmond Hill 
 
 Catholic Church, Astoria 
 
 Colonial Hall, Jamaica 
 
 Clinton Avenue, Jamaica, Looking South 
 
 Church on Woolsey Street, Astoria 
 
 Crocheron's Hotel (Burned in 1907) Once Boss 
 Tweed's Headquarters 
 
 D 
 Debevoise Avenue School in East River Heights... 
 
 Debevoise House, Long Island City, The Old 
 
 Douglas Manor, Douglaston, Borough of Queens. 
 Duryea House, Long Island City, The Old 
 
 East River Heights 0pp. 96th Street, Manhattan. 
 
 Elmhurst, L.I., Churches 
 
 Elmhurst, L.I., Street Views 
 
 Entrance to Douglas Manor 
 
 Fac-Similes of The Flushing Journal 
 
 Far Rockaway 
 
 First Public School Erected in Flushing.... 
 
 Flushing Bay 
 
 Flushing's Big Oak 
 
 Flushing Boat Club at Point Ruth 
 
 Flushing Bridge 
 
 Flushing Brancn Bank of Long Island 
 
 Flushing Churches, Etc 
 
 Flushing Creek Below the Bridge 
 
 Flushing High School 
 
 Flushing Homes 
 
 Flushing Homes 
 
 Flushing and Whitestone Homes 
 
 Flushing Homes 
 
 Flushing Homes 
 
 Flushing Hospital and Dispensary 
 
 Flushing Hospital '. 
 
 Flushing Hotel 
 
 Flushing Institute 
 
 Flushing Pumping Station at Oakland Lake. 
 
 Fulton Street, Jamaica 
 
 Flushing Town Hall 
 
 Garretson House (Built in 1659) 
 
 Garrison's Hotel, Fort Totten, L.I 
 
 Golf Links, Flushing Country Club 
 
 Gosman House, Long Island City, The Old. 
 Grace Church, Jamaica 
 
 H 
 
 High School, Jamaica 
 
 High School, Richmond Hill 
 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica . . 
 
 I 
 
 Interior Views of Office of Flushing Journal.. 
 Ireland Mills. Among Oldest on Long Island. 
 
 King Manor, Jamaica 
 
 Kissena Lake, Near Flushing 
 
 Kissena Lake, Flushing 
 
 Kissena Lake, in Kissena Park 
 
 Kissena Lake and Outlet 
 
 Knickerbocker Yacht Club at College Point. 
 
 43 
 40 
 10 
 90 
 33 
 45 
 9 
 78 
 
 14 
 80 
 46 
 
 63 
 66 
 70 
 53 
 26 
 70 
 
 65 
 41 
 
 6 
 30 
 38 
 
 93 
 37 
 74 
 95 
 29 
 37 
 65 
 100 
 34 
 96 
 99 
 94 
 95 
 18 
 90 
 17 
 95 
 16 
 95 
 
 90 
 57 
 33 
 42 
 
 48 
 
 S8 
 58 
 73 
 
 1 1 1 
 93 
 
 53 
 13 
 27 
 37 
 81 
 93 
 
 L Page 
 
 Long Island City High School, Astoria, The Old 69 
 
 Local Office of Paris-McDougall Co., Elmhurst Ave.. 77 
 
 Long Island Railroad Station and Ferry Slips 2s 
 
 Lumber Yard, Storehouses, Docks, Etc., of Van R. 
 
 Swezey Coal and Lumber Co., Bayside, Long Island 16 j 
 
 M 
 
 Main Street Looking North go 
 
 Manhattan Opp. East River Heights Bet. 92nd and 
 
 96th Streets f, 
 
 Manhattan Opposite East River Heights, Bet. 96th 
 
 and I loth Streets, Frontispiece 
 
 Moore House, Long Island City, The Old 45 
 
 N 
 
 New Vernon Avenue Bridge (open) Long Island City 12 
 
 Niantic Club, Flushing 95 
 
 O 
 
 Old Manor House in East River Park =,4 
 
 Old Presbyterian Church, Newtown 56 
 
 Original Flushing Free Library (now Removed) . . 95 
 
 P 
 
 Park at Corona 26 
 
 Payntar House. Long Island City, The Old 49 
 
 Poppenhusen Institute, College Point 61 
 
 Presbyterian Church, Jamaica 51 
 
 Public Library, Flushing 54 
 
 Public School No. i. Long Island City 62 
 
 Public School No. i, Dutch Kills 92 
 
 Public School No. 22 65 
 
 Public School No. 219, German Settlement, Long 
 
 Island City 62 
 
 Q 
 
 Queens County Court House 102 
 
 R 
 
 Rapelye Mansion, Astoria, The 50 
 
 Residences on Broadway opp. Elmhurst Square..., 85 
 
 Residence of William T. Wilcox, Parsons Ave 33 
 
 Residence of F. N. Lawrence, Bayside 33 
 
 Real Estate Office of Charles Morena, Corona i6r 
 
 S 
 
 Sailing on Flushing Creek 93 
 
 Sanford Avenue, Flushing 10 
 
 Sanford Ave. Looking East From Lawrence Street. 33 
 
 Scene in Kissena Park Showing Rustic Bridge 89 
 
 Scene on River Front, Long Island City 25 
 
 School House. Corona 112 
 
 School on Van Alst Avenue one Block From East 
 
 River Heights 66 
 
 Shinnecock Democratic Club House, Flushing 73 
 
 Shore Near Fort Totten, Willet's Point 93 
 
 Soldiers' Monument 90 
 
 State Normal School, Jamaica 35 
 
 Stevens House, Long Island City, The Old 42 
 
 St. Joseph's Orphanage, Flushing 74 
 
 St. Mary's Church, Long Island City 24 
 
 St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Jamaica 19 
 
 St. Patrick's Church, Dutch Kills 91 
 
 Street View. Richmond Hill 98 
 
 Street View in East River Heights Section 57 
 
 Switchback Railroad. Rockaway Beach 28 
 
 T 
 
 The Old Block House, Hallett's Point 1814 loi 
 
 The Rocky Shore, Corona 68 
 
 The Shore Front of Douglas Manor 9 
 
 The Woodhull Monument at Hollis 75 
 
 Town Hall, Jamaica 102 
 
 Two Family Houses, Terminal Heights 81 
 
 V 
 
 Van Pelt House, Long Island City, The Old 41 
 
 Vernon Avenue, Long Island City, Looking Toward 
 
 St. Mary's Church 20 
 
 View of East River Heights and Manhattan 4 
 
 \'iew From Terminal Heights 82 
 
 W 
 
 Washington House, Long Island City, The Old.... 50 
 
 Woolsey Manor House, Erected about 1726, The Old 25 
 
 Warwick Hall and Fire House, Corona 97 
 
 Weeping Beech on Washington Place 93 
 
 Willet's Point Road at Bayside 33 
 
 169 
 
 PRESS OF FLUSHING JOURNAL 
 FLUSHING, N. Y. 
 
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