Thomas J. McKee, postmaster and general merchant at Port Washington, was born May 16, 1854, in the house where he now lives and does business. His father, Thomas, was born in Jamaica, Queens County, and thence removed to Port Washington, where he bought out the only general store in the place, and this he carried on, being for some years the only merchant in the village. It was largely through his instrumentality that the post office was established here, and he it was who gave the name Port Washington. In recognition of his efforts, and also on account of his prominence, he was appointed the first postmaster, and continued in the office until the administration of General Grant, but was again appointed to the position under the first administration of President Cleveland. A firm Democrat in politics, her frequently represented his party as a delegate to various conventions, and on that ticket was elected to numerous local offices, including that of Coroner, in which capacity he served for twenty-one years.

In religious belief Thomas McKee was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with the early history of which in this locality he was identified. In his fraternal connections he was associated with Morton Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M., at Hempstead, and at one time was an active worker in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Twice married, by his first wife he had three children; by his second wife, who bore the maiden name of Cynthia Allen, he had two children, of whom Thomas J. is the older. He attained a venerable age, dying in July, 1894, at the age of eighty- one.

In public schools of Port Washington the subject of this notice gained the rudiments of his education, after which he attended the Fairchild Institute at Flushing for one year. While quite young he began to assist his father in the store and post office, and soon gained a thorough knowledge of both lines of business. May 5, 1887, he married Miss Sarah J. Carpenter, who was born in Great Neck and was a daughter of James M. Carpenter. Receiving an excellent education, she fitted herself for the profession of a school teacher, and it was while thus occupied at Port Washington that she became acquainted with her future husband. They have three children, two sons and a daughter; James Elmer, Gracie and Harold.

Since casting his first presidential ballot for Samuel J. Tilden our subject has been active in politics and has represented his party-the Democratic-in county and state conventions. The first year that he voted he was elected a trustee of the Jones Institute, which position he held for one year, and then resigned on removing from the village. Going to Little Neck, he engaged in the hotel business. After his return to Port Washington he served for two years as tax collector and was a candidate for nomination for sheriff, but lacked one vote of receiving the nomination. Shortly after Cleveland was elected for a second term he was made postmaster, and this position he has since satisfactorily filled. Socially he is a member of Morton Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M., at Hempstead, also the Chapter and Royal Arch degree at Long Island City, and is a charter member of Seawanhaka Lodge No.670, I. O. O. F.

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

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