A walk through the business streets of Hempstead soon brings one to the undertaking establishment of which Mr. Cornell is the owner and proprietor and which, through his energetic efforts, has been placed on a sound financial basis. Not alone is he recognized as an enterprising business man, but in the dark hours when death enters a home his tact, delicacy and kindness in making all necessary arrangements have brought him the esteem and regard of the people.

In the village of Mineola, one mile north of Hemstead, the subject of this sketch was born December 5, 1850. The family of which he is a member is one among the oldest on Long Island. His grandfather, Hallock Cornell, was born in Manhasset in 1773 and followed the occupation of a farmer, dying when ninety-six years of age. His sons were William, Isaac, Jeffrey, Stephen and James G. Te last named, who was our subject’s father, was born at Manhasset in 1803, and engaged in farm pursuits until 1865, when he went to Brooklyn and embarked in business; he died in that city in 1875. In religious belief he was a prominent member of St. George’s Church. For a time he served as under-sheriff of Queens County, his father-in-law, Thomas Treadwell, being sheriff.

Our subject’s mother, Lydia, daughter of Thomas Treadwell, was born in 1820 and died in 1890. Her brother, William, succeeded their father as sheriff of Queens County; her sister Catherine, married Benjamin F. Rushmore, who was also sheriff of Queens County and the leading druggist of Hempstead, as well as one of the most prominent citizens of the place. In the family of James G. and Lydia Cornell there were three sons, of whom James E. was a real estate dealer at No. 44 Court Street, Brooklyn, but died in 1888; his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Suydam, is still living in Brooklyn, as are their five children, Miriam, Ella, Carrie, Elizabeth and James. The other son, Elbert, who is engaged in the lumber business at Richmond, Va., married Julia Barr, of Brooklyn, and they have one child, Cora.

Alternating attendance in the public school with work on the home farm, our subject grew to manhood. For three years he was employed as a grocery clerk and later for two years was clerk for Treadwell, Jerome & Slate, in New York, after which he was for five years cashier in his father’s large restaurant in Brooklyn. Thence, in 1883, he came to Hempstead and here he has since carried on a successful business as an undertaker. In 1872 he married Miss Alice, daughter of Thomas C. Weeks, of Hempstead. They are the parents of two living children, Lulu N. and Fred E., and also lost two in infancy.

Taking an active interest in politics, Mr. Cornell gives his vote to the candidates of the Republican party. For seven years he was collector of Hempstead, but retired in 1894, refusing a denomination. His service in that capacity, as in every other to which he was called, was marked by consistent integrity and efficiency. In religious belief he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is identified with the Mutual Benefit Association of the village, and socially holds membership in the Royal Arcanum and the Shield of Honor.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County (Long Island) New York"
(Copyright 1896 by Chapman Publishing Company)

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