David Ketcham: The Patriarch

"The Oldest Resident"

David Ketcham hails from one of the oldest families on Long Island; his grandfather and namesake even witnessed General George Washington pass through Long Island during the progress of the Revolutionary War. About a decade after the death of his own father, he decided to take his wife and a child on the way to go west and lay down his own roots outside the town of Jamaica. David Ketcham established a successful farm which grew in value and in time he became one of the more well-known and wealthy members of his town.

Farming was not his only passion, and Ketcham followed in his ancestors' footsteps by holding various civic positions and playing integral roles in the development of the community.   He sat on the draft board during the American Civil War, was highway commissioner, land assessor, juryman, farming representative, and more. He stood up for the youth and spiritual life of the community and gave service to the church and the school system. Respectfully regarded as "one of the oldest living residents of Hollis," the announcement of David Ketcham's death was reported in a number of newspapers, from the financial news to the New York Times.

All the members of his family were civic-minded and helped shape their town, but quite sadly David would outlive them all -- wife, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, grandson -- all save one of his two grandsons, his namesake (David W. Ketcham), a fellow-do-gooder with his own illustrious career and outstanding contributions to society.

Together and apart, the two men made grand contributions to the growth and development of Queens county and the evolving city of New York.

Mr. Ketcham has not only been one of the leading farmers in Queens County, but he has been successful in every enterprise in which he has engaged. His influence has always been directed toward furthering the best interests of his community... He has been before the people in various positions of honor and trust... As a citizen he is on the side of every social and moral reform; as a neighbor he is kind, and as a friend stanch and true. The poor and distressed find in him a cheerful helper to whom no appeal is made in vain. He occupies one of the most pleasant homes in Hollis...- Portrait and Biography