History of Far Rockaway, (Queens County) New York United States of America

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Biographies:

John Black Cornell, philanthropist, was born in Far Rockaway, N.Y., Feb. 7, 1821. He was brought up on his father's farm, was apprenticed to an iron founder and in 1847, in connection with his younger brother, William Wiggins Cornell, established a foundry in New York city, known as J. B. & W. W. Cornell iron works. He patented revolving iron shutters in 1854 and a metallic support for plaster fireproof partitions in 1856. He devoted a fixed percentage of his annual income to religious and charitable institutions connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, and his contributions frequently amounted to $50,000 annually besides the sum given to missions and schools. With his brother he founded the New York city mission and Sunday school society and erected the Cornell memorial church. They also erected a fireproof library building for Drew theological seminary, Madison, N. J., which was not completed until after his death. The aggregate amount of his gifts to religious and charitable purposes is estimated to exceed $1,000,000. He was a member of the American bible society, of the City church extension society, of the General missionary society, of the Methodist Episcopal church home society and of the board of managers of the St. Christopher home for children. He was president of the board of trustees of Drew theological seminary, a member of the Union league club, and the only Christian member of the Hebrew society for the improvement of deaf mutes. He died at Lakewood, N. J., Oct. 26, 1887.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William Wiggins Cornell, philanthropist, was born in Far Rockaway, N.Y., Jan. 1, 1823. He was brought up on his father's farm and acquired a common school education. As a boy he was apprenticed to an iron founder and in 1847 established in connection with his brother John Black, the business of manufacturing iron under the firm name J. B. & W. W. Cornell. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gave liberally from his ample fortune to religious, educational and charitable objects. With his brother he erected the Cornell Memorial church and founded the New York city mission and Sunday school society. He founded and liberally endowed Cornell college at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, which institution was named in his honor. He died at Fort Washington, New York city, March 17, 1870.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor