Farmingdale History Encyclopedia: W

John O. Wagner was born in 1882 in New York City. He worked at his father’s grocery store before beginning to play in various semi-pro sports teams. He played pro baseball from 1908-1911.

He took over his father’s business when he died and sold it in 1920. He moved to Farmingdale in 1917 and established himself as a distributor of feed, hay, & grain.

He married Anna Belz in 1914 and they had two children.

Source:

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

Frank Warner moved to Farmingdale in 1953 when he became General Secretary of the YMCA for Nassau and Suffolk Counties. 

Born in Alabama, Warner graduated Duke University.  As a student of pioneer song collector Professor Frank C. Brown, he developed his interest in traditional folk music, and made his public singing debut to accompany a lecture by Brown at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh in 1924. He started work at the YMCA in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1928, before moving to work in New York City in 1931.

In addition to his work at the YMCA, Warner became a collector and interpreter of American folk music. He has travelled along the Eastern Seaboard with equipment and taking down the songs of the people he met. Between 1938 and 1969 Anne and Frank Warner recorded over one thousand traditional songs and stories. He recorded several albums of the material the couple collected. He authored Folk Songs and Ballads of the Eastern Seaboard: From a Collectors Notebook, published in 1963, and became a member of the board of the Newport Folk Festival, vice president of the Country Dance and Song Society of America, and president of the New York State Folklore Society. 

The Warners donated their collection of recordings, photographs and other documentation to the Library of Congress American Folklife Center.  Frank died in 1978. After her husband's death, Anne Warner spent several years archiving and compiling their recordings, publishing a book, Traditional American Folk Songs from the Anne and Frank Warner Collection in 1984.

Sources:

“Frank Warner (Folklorist).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 May 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Warner_(folklorist)

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

In 1909, the Village Clerk was instructed to complain to the private water company about insufficient water for fire-fighting. At the time, the water works were operated by the Nassau Water Company. In March 1908, a proposition to establish a village water system was defeated 72-6. It failed again in March 1909. At this time, the fire departments began to lobby got a dependable water supply. On July 13, 1909, another election was held. It was approved 60-12. . A survey was made on August 19 and on September 1, the Village sent a council to Albany to petition to the State Board of Water Commission to ask to build a new water plant. On October 26, the Village acquired the Water Plant for $23,000.

At the 1911 elections, Edward Bausch was elected Water Works Superintendent. In June of that year, pumping machines with wells were installed. Until 1917, the engines were operated by gas. From 1917 to 1937, they were operated by steam engines.

In 1920, $12,000 was voted on for added equipment. Until 1927, underground tanks were used. Elevated tanks were built that year and are still being used. In 1928, the village advertised for bids on a bond of $30,000 to build twelve-inch water mains on Conklin Street. The goal was to increase the water supply, feed the 10 inch main that was installed in 1927, and give more pressure to the village; especially the fire department. There were two pumping houses and three wells. In 1934, the decision to change over to electric pumps was made and completed in 1936. In 1943, a 150 deep well was constructed at the Ridge Road Pumping Station.  

Sources:

Farmingdale, Long Island, New York: A Guide to Its Past, Present, and Future. Prepared by Stewart Associated for the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce

Johnston, William. “The Villlage’s First Five Years.” Farmingdale Observer. July 16, 2004

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

“Village Bonds Offered for Sale.” Farmingdale Post. May 11, 1928

Rudolph Weber was born in College Point in 1914. He graduated the Farmingdale schools in 1931. After graduating from the Philadelphia Textile School in 1933, he joined his father Rudolph DH. Weber's company, the Independent Textile Dying Company.

He became Village Trustee in 1948 and Mayor in 1954. While Mayor, he helped open two railroad crossings; one at Melville Road and one at Oakdale Boulevard. He also widened Fulton Street .

Source:

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

Rudolph H. Weber was born on March 7, 1890 in College Point. He received his education at the College Point and graduated from Flushing High School in 1881. He then began working for his father’s company, the Weber Silk Dyeing Company in College Point. In 1914, the company was sold and he organized the Independent Silk Dyeing Company.

Rudolph Weber was elected as the President of the Bethpage Federal Savings and Loan Association and Vice President of First National Bank of Farmingdale. He was the President/Mayor of Farmingdale from 1926 to 1931. He established the first planning board for the village in 1926. He helped plan the fire house and village hall. He was also instrumental in building the middle section of the Main Street School and helped plan the High School section. He was President of the local board of education from 1920 to 1922.

Sources:

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

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

Bernard Weiden was one of the early settlers of Farmingdale. Weiden Street and Bernard Street are named after him.

Anthony Weiden was the son of Bernard. He was born in 1894. He served in World War I. He was a member of the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He passed away in 1923.

Herbert Weiden was the son of Bernard. He was elected Police Justice in 1931. He was the Justice of the Peace of the Farmingdale Village from 1912-1914. He was the founder of the Farmingdale Democratic Club. He passed away in 1935 at age 51.

Sources:

“14 May 1935, Page 15 - The Brooklyn Daily Eagle at Newspapers.com.” Brooklyn Public Library, bklyn.newspapers.com/image/52840514

“The Journal and Republican and Lowville Times. (Lowville, N.Y.) 1909-1929, July 26, 1923, Page 6, Image 6.” Press-Republican. (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) 1966-Current, December 01, 1969, Page 29, Image 29 - NYS Historic Newspapers, Plattsburgh Pub. Co., nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn93063681/1923-07-26/ed-1/seq-6/

Albert John Weis was born on April 2, 1938 in Franklin Square, New York.  He was raised in Bethpage, but went to Farmingdale High School. During his time at FHS, he was a star player for the school baseball team (which also included future MLB pitcher, Jack Lamabe).  Weis graduated FHS in 1955. He joined the Navy at 17 years old and played for the baseball team at the Norfolk Navy Base. While playing for the Norfolk Navy team, he was offered a contract by the Chicago White Sox.

In 1962, he joined the Chicago White Sox and was known by teammates as Weasel. He remained on the team for 5 years. In 1968, he was traded to the New York Mets as part of a deal for outfielder, Tommie Agee. While on the Mets, Weis was a switch hitter, which ended as 1968 season came to a close, and then batted right-handed until retirement. Weis was a member of the Miracle Mets team which made it to the World Series in 1969, and actually won it. Weis played a role in aiding the Mets in taking home the Met’s first World Series Champions title. His batting in a few games was a major component to helping the Mets win.  Due to his playing during the World Series, Weis was given the series’ Babe Ruth Award. Weis made his last MLB career appearance on June 23, 1971 for the Mets. Soon after, he was released by the Mets on July 1, 1971 and officially retired from MLB.

Al Weis Batting Stats

LG = League   G = Games   AB = At Bat   R = Runs   H = Hits   TB = Total Bases   2B = Doubles   3B = Triples   HR = Homeruns   RBI = Runs Batted In

BB = Bases on Balls   IBB = Intentional Bases on Balls   SO = Strike Outs   SB = Stolen Bases   CS = Caught Stealing   AVG = Batting Average

OBP = On Base Percentage   SLG = Slugging Percentage   OPS = On Base Plus Slugging   GO/AO = Ground Outs/ Air Outs

Al Weis Advanced Batting Stats

LG = League   PA = Plate Appearances   TB = Total Bases   XBH = Extra Base Hits   HBP = Hit by Pitch   SAC = Sacrifice Bunts   SF = Sacrifice Flies

BABIP = Batting Average on Balls in Play   GIDP = Grounded into Double Plays   NP = Number of Pitches   

P/PA = Pitches Per Plate Appearance      ROE = Reached on Error   LOB = Left on Base   WO = Walk Offs

Sources:

“Al Weis.” Al Weis | Society for American Baseball Research, https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/e48c2a10

“Al Weis.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Dec. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Weis

“Al Weis Stats, Fantasy & News.” MLB.com, http://m.mlb.com/player/124049/al-weis

Glenn Weiss is a producer/director of live television programming, most notably national awards shows. He attended SUNY New Paltz and the University of Maryland, where he majored in Radio, Television, and Film. He began his career in cable news, working in CNN’s Washington, DC., bureau, then spent fifteen years honing his craft on countless talk shows, game shows, etc., before entering the live variety genre.

In 1999, Mr. Weiss co-formed a Manhattan-based production company called White Cherry Entertainment. In the decades that followed, he distinguished himself as a leading producer/director of live events and programming. Mr. Weiss has been nominated for and honored with many awards, including 14 Primetime Emmy Awards (37 nominations), 8 Directors Guild of America Awards, and a CableAce Award. His credits include 19 Tony Awards, 5 Academy Awards, 6 Kennedy Center Honors, the Primetime Emmy Awards, 3 Super Bowl Halftime shows, the Billboard Music Awards, the BET Awards, Peter Pan Live, and many years of Dick Clark’s New Year's Rockin’ Eve.

During the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2018, Mr. Weiss made headlines by proposing to his long-time girlfriend, Jan Svendsen, during his acceptance speech. He is a frequent guest lecturer at various colleges, and credits his television class at Farmingdale High School with kick starting his career.

Source:

Farmingdale Union Free School District. “Farmingdale Schools Announces 2020 Wall of Fame Honorees.” Farmingdale, NY Patch, Patch, 3 Mar. 2020, patch.com/new-york/farmingdale/farmingdale-schools-announces-2020-wall-fame-honoree

David Welsh moved to Farmingdale in 1922. He served as President of the Farmingdale School Board for 14 years. He was Commissioner of the South Farmingdale Water District for 20 yeas and was a member of the Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals. He was also the Town of Oyster Bay Tax Receiver. He was appointed in 1953 and was re-elected in 1955 and 1959. 

He was a marine engineer who began his career as an officer on ocean going ships. He was a leader of the Farmingdale Republican Party and was the treasurer of the GOP Committee.

He passed away in June of 1962.

Sources:

"David Welsh: Former LI Tax Official." Long Island Press. June 23, 1962

"David Welsh, 77, GOP Leader." Newsday. June 23, 1962

Werner's Meat Market was located on South Main Street. George Werner had operated a retail meat store in Freeport and Hempstead.  After seeing the need for a meat market, George rented his store in Farmingdale. 

The store carried only grade A quality meat and poultry and some dairy products. 

Source:

Farmingdale Post

William Wesche was born in Brooklyn in 1893. While attending school, he was the caretaker of his parents farm in Melville during the summer months.

He married in 1917 and he and his wife moved to Farmingdale. He was a member of the Farmingdale Fire Department and the Program Chair for the first Founders Day Celebration.

For awhile, he sold life insurance in New York City. In 1929, Farmingdale Village organized the Liberty Party and Wesche was named Village Clerk.

He was the first Treasurer of the Farmingdale Youth Council. He was named Man of the Year in 1962.

Source:

“Wesche Named Man of the Year.” Farmingdale Observer, 18 Apr. 1962

William Wesche Jr. was born on February 15, 1924 in Farmingdale.  After completing high school in the summer of 1942, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps.  He completed primary flight training - Class of 44-D - April 1944 and went on to fly 18 combat missions out of Foggia, Italy, as a commanding pilot of B-17 bombers.  He was slated for B-29 training when the war ended.  Wesche was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in October 1945.

Upon returning to Farmingdale, he found work as an Air Traffic Controller at Republic Aviation Corporation’s (RAC) Control Tower (FRG), where he met his future wife Mary McPartland.  Incidentally, the Federal CAA did not hire women to work as controllers back then, so she worked for RAC.  Ms. McPartland was one of the first rated female Air Traffic Controllers in the USA.

In September 1946, when the Seabee amphibian production went into overdrive at RAC, Bill transferred to the flight-line as a Seabee test- and executive/ferry pilot.  During this period, Chuck Yeager was a military test pilot stationed at RAC.  He and his McPartland were friendly with Chuck and his wife Glennis and even occasionally double-dated.  From roughly September 1946 to June 1947, Wesche's job was to take a freshly minted Seabee from the assembly line, put it through the paces, and ultimately declare it air/seaworthy.  Between test flights, he demonstrated Seabees to potential customers, and if a sale was made, he would render enough flight instruction to bring the new owner to currency.  Many potential customers conducted business in the NY City area and with the accessibility of Long Island Sound, NY Harbor, and The Hudson and East Rivers, a Seabee made great sense. Bill found himself flying into numerous water ports often.

As he and McPartland became more serious, she had major concerns about the dangers of test piloting more than a few times. On one occasion. Wesche had to unexpectedly put a Seabee in on the Atlantic Ocean of all places! He left test piloting for good in June 1947, he married McPartland, and began working as an Air Traffic Controller with the CAA at Barnes-Westfield tower in January 1948.  From there he transferred to New York's Idlewild Tower (now JFK), and eventually to Bradley Tower in Windsor Lock, CT, where he retired as a supervisor in January 1979.  He passed away on September 30, 1994.

Source:

Republic Seabee People, http://www.seabee.info/seabee_people.htm

Vicki Ray and Steve Blitenthal opened Whirlin' Disc on May 18, 1975 at 221 Main Street. Eight months after the store opened, there was a fire in the offices above the store. Though there was only smoke damage, they moved to the empty store across the street at 230 Main Street.

They saw that there was no oldies store on Long Island, so they decided to specialize in 45's and LP's from the '50s & early '60s, especially doo-wop. They also carried current rock, pop & R & B, adding country in the late '70s. They carried 8 tracks, cassettes, and CD's and specialized in special orders.

Many oldies groups and artists visited the store, like the Drifters, Shirelles, Jay & the Americans, Tokens, Randy & the Rainbows, Gary U.S Bonds, and even Tiny Tim when he came out with a disco 45 in 1978. News 12 interviewed them a few times: when Elvis & John Lennon died.

They also did mail order all over the world. When Grumman left Long Island, business was not as good and 9/11, the economy, technology, the aging of customers, and Steve's passing in 2013 all contributed to the decision to sell the brick and mortar store and sell only online. 

Vicky Ray Blitenthal has stated, “I am proud to have been in business in Farmingdale for 37 years.”

Source:

Vicki Ray Blitenthal

Anna Wilkens moved to Farmingdale with her husband Fred in 1929. She immigrated to the United States from Germany. They operated Wilkens Ice Cream Parlor until 1946, when they sold the store. She moved to Pennsylvania in 1985. She died in 1988 at the age of 86.

Source:

"Anna Wilkens Dies at Age 86." Farmingdale Observer. October 7, 1988

Wolly's was located on 310 Main Street.

In 1921, Morris Karp purchased the store and adjoining house from the Charles Loehrs family who had owned the store for at least thirty years prior. The Loehrs were the proprietors of a general store where groceries, housewares, hay, seed, farm tools, and more were sold.

The store was initially named Karp & Koplentz. Morris Karp sold the store to Isidore Wolly in 1930. Wolly’s concentrated on hardware instead of being a general store. It was purchased by long-time employee Harry Bowen in 1990.

Source:

Information gathered by Edward Thompson

The Women’s Club of Farmingdale was founded by Abigail Leonard on March 7, 1913. One week later, they created a constitution. The following officers were elected: Addie Walker as President, Mabel Kilquist as Vice-President, Florence Nostrand as Secretary, and Anna Williams as Treasurer. At their third meeting, Abigail Leonard was named Treasure pro  tem. The club colors were voted on as black and yellow. Badges were made and sold for five cents to interested members. In 1926, they voted on looking into creating a Junior Auxiliary part of the club.

These are some of the accomplishments since their founding:

Initiated plans for a community Christmas tree in 1916

Funded the Village’s first signs in 1917

During World War I, the Women’s Club helped found the Farmingdale Red Cross

Ordered 23 street posts in 1917-1918

Formed the high school’s Business Education Department in 1920

Helped with Americanization classes in 1920

Began the Abigail Leonard Scholarship Fund in 1920, given every year to a Farmingdale High School senior

Requested relief work for the needy from local organizations during the 1929 crash

Helped elect the first woman to the school board in 1931

Sent a resolution to the school board in 1934 to ask for adult evening classes

Helped form the youth council in 1951

Established Abigail Leonard’s home as a National Landmark in 2017

Sources:

Information from William Johnston

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

Scrapbook created by Fran Rotondo

Women’s Club Meeting Minutes

Updated by NK 8/29/23

Charles Woop was born on January 14, 1909. In 1919, he established the first bus line in Farmingdale. It was called The Columbia Bus Line. A franchise was issued in 1922 and maintained until about 1940.

On Jan. 27,1941,  the town board granted a permit to Edward T. Dempsey, president of the South Huntington Coach Corporation, to operate a bus service across the Island from Huntington to Babylon through aircraft factories in the vicinity of East Farmingdale. A similar request for such a permit was denied to Charles Woop, owner of the Columbia Bus Line. Both concerns' had applications before the board for service to the Babylon railroad station, via Broad Hollow Road. The board granted the South Huntington Corporation the permit and denied one to Mr. Woop. Both were granted permits to operate on the highway in front of the agricultural school, Woop to come up from Farmingdale Village and the Dempsey Company to go over the entire length, subject to permits from the towns of Huntington and Oyster Bay and the village of Farmingdale. The Woop line was also granted a permit on a proposed Conklin St. and Melville Road route and a Broadway route from Amityville to Farmingdale Network of Service. The permits granted, with other permits already held by the two companies, a network of services.

The Woop line, traveling to the Grumman plant from Farmingdale, continued on through to Hicksville. The South Huntington line, in its continuation from the Republic plant to Babylon to its south terminal at the Babylon Long Island Railroad station, connected with the Bee line, with service eastward to Patchogue and westward to Freeport and points west.

Charles Woop died in 1974.

Sources:

“The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York on January 27, 1941 · Page 21.” Newspapers.com, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, www.newspapers.com/newspage/52637404/

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

“Who Is Team Ali'ni?”www.teamalini.com/woop.php