John W. Southard is one of the worthy residents and enterprising farmers of the town of Hempstead, making his home in the pleasant village of Seaford. He was born at Massapequa, this county, in 1837, and is the son of Richard and Susan (Bennett) Southard, also native of this portion of Long Island, where they were content to pass their entire lives.

Richard Southard in early life learned the trade of a wheelwright and was thus employed for a number of years. Later, however, he took up farming, in which occupation he was very successful, and four years prior to his death lived a retired life. He was a quiet and unassuming citizen and devoted his entire life to looking after his own affairs. At his death, which occurred in 1888, when four score and four years of age, the town of Hempstead lost one of its old and worthy residents. His good wife survived him until 1892, when she passed away at the same age.

The subject of this sketch acquired his education in the district schools, and when ready to begin life for himself learned the trade of a wheelwright under the instruction of his father, and, like him, followed it for many years. From time to time he invested his surplus capital in land and it was not long before he had more property than he could look after profitably and attend to work at his trade. He therefore discontinued the business of a wheelwright and about 1875 began to give his entire time and attention to his farm. He now has some eighty-five acres of excellently tilled land, on which are a full set of neat and commodious buildings, and withal the place presents a very inviting and attractive appearance.

In addition to carrying on the work of his farm, Mr. Southard is engaged in the undertaking business and has an establishment containing a full assortment of burial goods. He also keeps a hearse and splendid team and supplies everything necessary for a funeral, from the laying out of the body to the final disposition in the ground.

Mr. Southard was married in 1859 to Miss Catherine A., daughter of Alfred Seaman, a representative of an old and respected family of the town of Hempstead. Mr. Seaman is still living at the advance age of eighty-six years. Three children have been born to our subject and his wife: Wilbur F., Mary E. and John W., Jr. Mrs. Southard is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. While never aspiring to official honors, our subject always votes for Republican candidates and takes great interest in the success of his party.


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

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