Farmingdale History Encyclopedia: K

Charlie Karp was born on September 16, 1937.  His parents were Leo & Muriel Karp. He grew up on 80 Powell Place and attended Main Street School. He graduated from Howitt High School in 1955. He attended the University of Miami and studied business, but he never graduated.

He married Barbara Winterstein on June 8, 1968. They met at a Temple dance. She had a pair of gorgeous polka-dot pants on, according to him, and that was it. It was love at first sight. They had two children, James and Muriel. 

His father owned Morris Karp and Sons which manufactured fertilizer. It was located on Secatogue Avenue, across from the railroad station. It was sold in 1967. His family used to own the property where Charlotte’s, Mooney’s Travel, and the shoemaker are from the 1940s-2000.

He worked at Wolly’s Hardware from 1967-1969 but didn’t enjoy the sales aspect of the job. He began his own hardware business, Karp Industrial with his cousin. They sold to plants and factories. They kept that running for 11 years. He then worked at Sag Supply and LNR Tools for 9 years and 11 years, respectively.

He joined the Farmingdale Fire Department, located on Main Street, in 1957. He was Chief from 1970-1971. He clearly recalls a fire at Howitt on March 27, 1971. A few kids got made and set the school on fire and the entire gym was destroyed. He is now the Chairman of the Fund Drive Committee and works on the Memorial Day Parade.

Karp served as a Trustee on the Board of Education from 1980-1983.

He served as a Private in the US Army from 1959-1961. He began at Fort Benning, then moved to Fort Sill, then to Fort Bevins, and ended at West Point. He was a clerk/typist. While at Fort Sill, a few soldiers were given the choice to become a clerk or go elsewhere. He decided to stay.

He recalls going to Main Street and all the stores after school. His favorite memory was graduating Howitt High School with 255 kids in his graduating class. He owned a ’55 Chevy Convertible at the time.

He helped create the Breakfast Rotary, but didn’t like it that he got fined for talking, so he left.

Karp has some great memories of Farmingdale:

Smiles 5 & 10 are where the new loft apartments are on Main Street.

At the A & P, you could grind your own coffee beans.

The Post Office was on Front & Main, then across from Wolly’s, before moving to its current location. The first television set he saw was in 1948 at Friedman’s furniture store. He watched the Louis vs. Walker boxing match.

Runner’s Edge was once where Charlotte’s was before moving further down Main Street. There was a Rose Nielsen Ladies Store before that.

Source:

Notes from Charlie Karp

Dr. Gary Karp served on the Farmingdale Board of Education in various roles, the last being President. He died suddenly at the age of 42 in 1996. Dr. Karp maintained a chiropractic office, led the Farmingdale Youth Board, and a charter member and past president of the Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary.  He was also a charter member of COPE (the community council for substance abuse).

Dr. Karp attended Hofstra University, where he majored in biology and premed. He received his doctorate from the New York Chiropractic College. Dr. Karp was the organizer behind the Farmingdale Fair Funding for Education Forum. He was named Citizen of the Year in 1992 by the Interservice Club of Farmingdale.

Source:

“Farmingdale Mourns Loss of Dr. Gary Karp.” Farmingdale Observer. October 25, 1996

Ernest Kaufold was born on February 28, 1895 in Brooklyn to Ernest and Lena Kaufold.

Ernest Kaufold enlisted in the service on June 5, 1917. He was stationed at the Naval Operating Base in Norfolk, Virginia until October 12, 1917. He was then transferred and served on the USS Utah until November 11. 1918. During his time in the service, Kaufold was promoted to Seaman. He was discharged on June 28, 1919.

After his time in the service, Ernest Kaufold married Stella and had two children. At various points, Kaufold held a number of jobs; including an agent at the railroad, a truck driver, a chauffeur, and a bench mechanic for airplanes. Ernest Kaufold passed away on May 29, 1954. He is buried at the Bethpage Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.

Sources:

Ancestry

Fold3

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John Baptist Keck, Jr. was born on January 29, 1894 in East Port to John Senior and Elizabeth Keck.

John B. Keck enlisted in the service on February 25, 1918. During his time in the service, Keck served in the 152^nd Depot Brigade in Camp Upton, NY until August 30, 1918. He was then transferred to the Auxiliary Remount Depot #302 until his discharge. John B. Keck was honorably discharged on May 29, 1919.

After his time in the service, John B. Keck married Louise and had two children. Throughout his life, Keck held various forms of employment including working as an assistant engineer, the chief engineer at the Nazareth Trade School, and working in maintenance at a cemetery. At one point, John B. Keck was the Senior Assistant Chief of the Farmingdale Fire Department and he was also a former member of the Water Witch Engine Hose Company. John B. Keck passed away on July 30, 1954. He is buried at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.

Sources:

Ancestry

Fold3

Newspapers.com

ND 6/24

In 2019, Carol Kellermann was honored with the John E. Zuccotti Public Service Award for her extraordinary commitment to serving the public.

Kellerman was the President of the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC), and has over 25 years of experience in leadership positions in nonprofit, philanthropic and government settings. She stepped down from the office at the end of 2018.

Kellerman and the CBC are consistently quoted in the news with smart and sensible analysis on various issues including the city’s long-term debt, property taxes, the state of the New York City Housing Authority, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority in recent months alone. New York politicians and policymakers know that Carol and the CBC are watching the public purse strings.

Kellerman has served in leadership positions for organizations dedicated to the New York’s vibrant arts scene, serving as Interim Executive Director for the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers and PENCIL, Inc. She has also initiated, as a consultant, a pilot program aimed to improve graduation rates and job rate outcomes at the City University of New York’s six community colleges. Her exceptional commitment to New York’s students is also exemplified by her management of Learning Leaders, which is the oldest and largest volunteer program working in NYC’s public school system.

She served as Executive Director and CEO of the September 11 Fund. In that role, she oversaw the $500+ million charitable fund and provided grant and assistance for the short and long-term needs of victims of the September 11^th attacks.

She was also the chief of staff to then-Congressman Charles Schumer, another honorable public servant and the recipient of last year’s Zuccotti Award.

Kellerman graduated from Farmingdale High School in 1969.

Source:

“REBNY to Honor Carol Kellermann for Exceptional Commitment to New York.” Real Estate Board of New York, www.rebny.com/content/rebny/en/newsroom/columns/2018_REBNY_Watch_Columns/Carol_Kellermann_Exceptional_Commitment_to_New_York.html

Michael Christopher Kendrick was an Iron Worker with Local 361 and worked at the World Trade Center site to help remove debris in search of survivors. Kendrick was born on October 12, 1948 and died on February 13, 2006. He was a US Marine Corps Veteran who served in Vietnam from 1968-1970 before becoming a structural iron worker. On September 11th, Kendrick left his job with his ironworking buddies and immediately went to the site to volunteer. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in 2004 which led to his death in 2006. Michael was survived by his wife, Kelly and three children, Alice, Lindsey and Mike. 

Sources:

Michael C. Kendrick. (2009, February 13). Newsday, p. A55. 

Personal Letter from Family/Friend
 

James Kennedy enlisted in New York, NY. He was 24 years old. He was mustered in on July 18, 1861 with the 74^h Regiment of the New York Volunteer Infantry. He served as a private in Company E. He was discharged for disability on June 2, 1862 in Budds Ferry, Maryland.

Source:

New York State Military Museum

Alanson Ketcham, son of Mahlon J. and Martha E. (Walters) Ketcham, was born in Farmingdale on August 28, 1883. His father was a mason and contractor of Long Island, and the son has followed somewhat in his footsteps, becoming a prominent builder. One of his chief personal interests was in the Long Island Historical Society and the Huntington Historical Society.

On November 25, 1907, Alanson Ketcham married Augusta C. Eckert, daughter of Charles C. and Eliza (Hubner) Eckert. Mr. and Mrs. Ketcham were the parents of four children; Mahlon, born September 26, 1908,   Duryea, born June 18, 1910, LeRoy, born June 11, 1912, and Kathryn M., born July 11, 1919.

Sources:

Long Island: A History of Two Great Counties: Nassau and Suffolk. Volume III. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1949

Long Island- Notable Families from Nassau & Suffolk Counties (Requested Names), bklyn-genealogy-info.stevemorse.org/LI/LI.Notable.Requests.htm

Inspector James R. Ketcham of the Nassau County Police Department was appointed interim Nassau County Sheriff on January of 1965. He returned to his Police Department duties in March.

He had been a member of the police department for 17 years at that time. He was appointed a Patrolman in 1948 and achieved the rank of Inspector in 1965.

Frank Looney appointed him Deputy Commissioner in January of 1966; a position that he still held as of 1975. He was appointed to a five-member police advisory task force by Nassau Republican Chairman Joseph Margiotta in 1976. He retired from the force in 1976. He was elected East Hampton Town Justice in 1985.

He attended Farmingdale High School. He received a Pre-Law degree from Long Island University and a LLB from St. John’s Law School in 1956. He was a staff instructor in criminal law and police science at SUNY Farmingdale at the time and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Sources:

Brasley, Patrick. "PBA Chief Snubbed Bit Margiotta." Newsday (1940-1990), Jan 17, 1976, pp. 7. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/923051208?accountid=37884.

“Ketcham County Sheriff.” Farmingdale Observer, 14 Jan. 1965

Neill, Jim O., and David Zimman. "College Courses Set for 160 County Cops."Newsday (1940-1990), Jan 04, 1966, pp. 25. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/915333697?accountid=37884

Zander, Dick. "Ketcham to Quit Nassau Sheriff Post." Newsday (1940-1990), Mar 30, 1965, pp. 11. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/914443072?accountid=37884.

Lyman Frank Ketcham was born on March 14, 1888 in Farmingdale to Conklin and Phebe Ketcham.

Lyman F. Ketcham enlisted in the service on June 24, 1918. Ketcham served overseas from July 26, 1918 to July 6, 1919. During his time in the service, Ketcham served in the Company I 51^st Pioneer Infantry until discharge. He was promoted to Corporal on November 10, 1918. Lyman F. Ketcham was honorably discharged on July 15, 1919.

After his time in the service, Lyman F. Ketcham married Cornelia. He held various forms of employment such as a carpenter, a foreman, a technician, and in the construction industry. Lyman Frank Ketcham passed away on December 8, 1971. He is buried at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.

Sources:

Ancestry

Fold3

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Raymond Ketcham was born November 3, 1879 in Farmingdale. He began work as a mason, which he did for 24 years.

In 1923, he purchased the brown Hotel from Miles Brown. The Ketcham Hotels was very popular among the travelling public and those who sought a summer home.

He married Johanna Kaffenberger in 1906 and they had one child.

Source:

Hazelton, Henry I. The Boroughs of Brooklyn & Queens Counties of Nassau & Suffolk 1609-1924. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1925

Stewart E. Ketcham was born on September 6, 1894 in Amityville to Stewart and Susan Ketcham.

Stewart E. Ketcham enlisted in the service on January 25, 1913; he did service overseas. Ketcham was assigned to the Company K 36^th Infantry until June 20, 1917. He was then transferred to the Company L 41^st Infantry until his discharge. During his time in the service, Stewart E. Ketcham was promoted to Private 1^st Class on November 16, 1916. Ketcham was then promoted to Corporal on August 21, 1917. He was also promoted to Sergeant on September 14, 1918. Finally, Ketcham was promoted to 1^st Sergeant on August 1, 1918. Stewart E. Ketcham was honorably discharged on January 24, 1920.

After his time in the service, Stewart E. Ketcham married Rose. He worked as a brick layer in masonry for over twenty years. Stewart E. Ketcham passed away on November 27, 1948; he is buried at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.

Sources:

Ancestry

Fold3

ND 7/24

Dr. Halsey B. Knapp was born near Fort Byron, NY in 1889. He graduated Cornell University in 1912 and received his Master’s degree from the same university in 1913.

He was an assistant professor at the New York State College of Agriculture at Cornell University. In 1916, he became the director of the New York State School of Agriculture in Cobleskill from 1916-1923.

In 1923, Dr. Knapp became director of the Long Island Agricultural and Technical Institute. He was instrumental in transforming the school into an Agricultural and Technical School. While President, one of the programs he instituted was called The Country Life Program, which was a  Farm and equipment show. It began as a one day event and expanded to a four day event. He retired from his position in 1956.

After retirement, he went on to lead a project for the State Department to aid in rebuilding the agricultural college of the University of the Philippines,. He was later a consultant for the United Nations and served as Vice President and Chairman of the planning and policy committee of the Near East Foundation.

He died on September 7, 1976.

Sources:.

Junior Historical Society of Farmingdale. Farmingdale's Story: Farms to Flight. The Society, 1956

Samuel Warren Knettel was born on November 9, 1899 in Farmingdale to Benjamin and Ella Knettel.

Samuel W. Knettel enlisted in the service on October 12, 1917. He served overseas from January 21, 1918 to August 9, 1919. Knettel was assigned to the 152^nd Depot Brigade in Camp Upton, NY until January 19, 1918. He was then assigned to the Quartermaster Corps. until his discharge. Samuel W. Knettel was honorably discharged on August 15, 1919.

After his time in the service, Samuel W. Knettel married Vera. He worked as a carpenter for over forty years. Knettel passed away on February 7, 1970. He is buried at the Riverhead Cemetery in Riverhead, NY.

Sources:

Ancestry

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ND 7/24

Henry Kramer was born on October 12, 1876 in New York City. After serving in the Civil War, he worked as a cloth cutter. He also worked in a saw mill in New Jersey for two years before working for Thomas J. Johnston & Co, a wholesale retailer in cloaks and suits. He worked there for 15 years.

He moved to Farmingdale in 1914. He established a real estate and insurance business that same year. He married Bertha Alexander in 1912.

Source:

Hazelton, Henry I. The Boroughs of Brooklyn & Queens Counties of Nassau & Suffolk 1609-1924. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1925

Joseph Theodore Kraft was born on October 4, 1877. He enlisted on October 8, 1917. He was with the 152^nd Depot Brigade. He served overseas from January 21, 1918-July 1, 1919.

He was married to Martha Stouter on October 2, 1910. They had seven children. Joseph Kraft died in 1954. He is buried at the Bethpage Cemetery.

Source:

Ancestry

NK 9/13/24

Arthur Kranz was a lifetime resident of Farmingdale. Born in 1923, Mr. Kranz was active in the Boy Scouts, a WWII Tin Can Sailor, newspaper columnist, a trustee of the Farmingdale Historical Society, and he attended all sporting events at Farmingdale High School for over 40 years.

He was installed as Marshall of the Bethpage Masonic Lodge #975 on January 2, 1976. He eventually became a Master of this lodge.

Kranz died on September 28, 2008

Sources:

“Masons Install” The Farmingdale Observer., January 08, 1976

Stone-Wilson, Kathleen. “Arthur Kranz's Notice.” Newsday. www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=118183073.

Charles Kranzler was born on December 23, 1896 to Jacob and Dora Kranzler.

Kranzler enlisted in the service on September 5, 1918; he did not serve overseas. During his time in the service, Kranzler was assigned to the Field Artillery Replenishment Depot in Camp Jackson, South Carolina until his discharge. Charles Kranzler was honorably discharged on January 2, 1919.

After his time in the service, Charles Kranzler married Eva and had two children. He worked in the real estate business as both a salesman and proprietor for over twenty years. Kranzler passed away on March 24, 1973.

Sources:

Ancestry

Fold3

ND 7/24

Tim Kubart, also known as the Tambourine Guy, was born on July 25, 1984 on Long Island. He graduated from Farmingdale High School in 2002.

Kubart is a singer and songwriter. He won a Grammy Award in 2016 for Best Children’s Album for his album titled, Home.

Kubart was also host of a popular television series for preschoolers titled Sunny Side Up, on NBC Universal’s Sprout Chanel. He is also known for writing songs for classic children’s shows like Sesame Street.

Kubart also occasionally takes part in a viral YouTube sensation called Postmodern Jukebox, where he play the tambourine.

Source:

“About.” Timkubart.com, www.timkubart.com/about/.