HALSEY, Stephen Alling [1798-1875] -- American entrepreneur

"Mr. Halsey might be called the "Father of Astoria." In the year 1835 Mr. Halsey purchased a large tract of land situated around the ferry or what was then called Hallett's Cove. Shortly afterwards he settled in the place, and was universally marked as a man of energy and progressiveness. At that time less than twenty houses stood in the neighborhood, and about the first work undertaken by him was the laying out of streets and avenues through his property. He was at this time engaged in the fur business in New York City. His next move was the erection of a number of handsome and commodious buildings, many of which stand to this day and will continue to rear their stately eminences as monuments of their builder for generations to come. Mr. Halsey evidently thought the neighborhood was worthy of having some recognition and importance, and accordingly he procured the passage of a bill by the Legislature incorporating it as a village, the name "Astoria" being adopted after John Jacob Astor of New York, an old friend of Mr. Halsey's. About 25 years ago in company with the late Byram K. Stevens and Henry L. Riker, he bought several farms and laid through them streets and avenues. This property has ever since been constantly improving. It is bounded by Broadway, Grand street, Second avenue and The Crescent. He donated a tract of land, 100 by 200 feet, extending from Academy street to First Avenue, for school purposes. A commodious school house was shortly afterwards erected on this site, which is to-day used by the Fourth Ward school. He invested in other property, in almost every instance showing his progressive spirit by laying out streets, grading them, &c. The ferry (then running to 86th street) was owned by him up to 1860, and he it was who placed the first modern ferryboat on the line. He was a great lover of horticulture, and in the garden in front of Capt. Monson's house on Fulton street may be seen some of the largest Magnolia trees on Long Island, 75 feet in height, planted by him. He had a particular admiration for shade trees which he gratuitously gave to parties desirous of planting shade trees in front of their property. The fine Elms on Washington street and Perrot Avenue still stand as specimens of his planting.

Mr. Halsey was a gentleman who all through the last forty years of his eventful life took an active interest in the welfare of the village, having served for many years as one of the Trustees and President of that Board. He was ever advocating improvement and probably did more than any other one man to build up the place. For generosity in public as well as in private affairs he was always noted. He donated the site upon which the Presbyterian Church stands and erected that sacred edifice.

When the Astoria Catholic Church was being built on Newtown Avenue he furnished gratis the necessary stone for the foundation. But our space will not permit us to further enumerate his acts of liberality. We cannot help saying, however, that in his death the poor man will lose his best friend. In the days when wages were low and living somewhat precarious, he never paid his laborers less than a dollar per day, even when others in the neighborhood paid but seventy-five cents. Workingmen in straightened circumstances who rented or purchased property from him were never oppressed when their payments became due. Such large-hearted men are rare and their loss is always a public calamity."
[Halsey & Halsey, op cit]