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- [S167] Various, unnamed, Portrait and biographical record of Suffolk county (Long Island) New York. Containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with biographies and portraits of all the presi, p. 295.
Edward l. Gerard, who is numbered among the prominent business men of Yaphank, was born at Port Jefferson, March 11, 1836, and is a son of Abitha and Catherine (Jones) Gerard, natives of Suffolk County, both of whom passed their entire lives in this locality. The father was a blacksmith in his early life, but later went to sea, and became the master of a vessel, which he sailed for a number of years. In the spring of 1839 he started with his sloop from Charleston Harbor, and, as neither vessel nor crew were ever heard of, it is supposed his vessel foundered at sea. At that time terrific gales were raging on the coast and many vessels were lost. He was a good man, and greatly respected by all who came in contact with him. His wife survived until 1875.
Edward L. Gerard received his elementary education in the district schools of his native place, and later attended Miller's Place Academy, after which he went to Fergusonville. He came to Yaphank at the age of five years, entering the family of his uncle, Robert H. Gerard, who was engaged in the milling business. Edward learned this business on leaving school, and on the death of his uncle, in 1878, took charge of the mill. He had, however, managed the business several years prior to his uncle's death, and in 1884 he became sole proprietor of the plant, and has ever since been largely engaged in conducting a saw and grist mill.
In 1870 Mr. Gerard established a lumber business, which he has conducted in connection with milling interests ever since. Our subject is a self-made man, and his success in life has been attained by industry, untiring attention to his legitimate business and fair dealings. He possesses a fair competency and can gratify his tastes to a considerable extent. The family residence is a neat and substantial building, erected with a view to comfort. Mr. Gerard was married, December 3, 1873, to Miss Agnes L. Cook, daughter of Augustus and Jane (Givens) Cook, the former a native of Switzerland, and the latter of New York City. Mrs. Gerard, who was born in in Brooklyn, became the mother of four children, two of whom survive. They are Catherine I. and Charles E., both of whom are still at home with their parents.
Our subject and his wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Gerard holds the honorable offices of Elder and Trustee. He is a fine musician, and has occupied the position of organist in the church for a period of twenty-five years. In politics he is a Republican, and has cast his vote with that party since its organization. He has never aspired to hold office, but, on the earnest solicitation of his friends, he accepted the nomination as Superintendent of the Poor in 1871, and most efficiently filled the position for three years. During his incumbency he spent much time and attention in bringing into operation a system as nearly perfect as possible, and the present success of the county institution is largely due to Mr. Gerard's untiring effort. As a gentleman, the head of a family, and a fellow citizen, Mr. Gerard has no superior. He is upright in all his dealings, and is noted for his sterling qualities.
- [S2] Ralph Clymer Hawkins, 1897- ., A Hawkins genealogy, 1635-1939 : record of the descendants of Robert Hawkins of Charlestown, Massachusetts (Baltimore : Published for the Hawkins Association by Gateway Press, 1987), p. 76.
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1836 - 1899 (62 years)
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