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Daniel V. Queen

Carpenter Daniel V. Queen was the son of Samuel Queen and Mary Van Valkenburgh who are buried nearby. Samuel was also a carpenter who moved to Tivoli in the late 18th century.

Daniel had many siblings including a brother, Montgomery Queen, who went into show business. In the mid-to-late 19th century he ran a travelling troupe of animals and entertainers known by various names including “Montgomery Queen’s Menagerie Circus and Hippodrome.” Much of this troupe’s repertoire wouldn’t hold up to 21st century standards of equality and animal welfare but were absolutely standard for the day and enjoyed by all. Though Montgomery pursued a vastly different path in life, Daniel would name one of his sons after his brother. 

Daniel’s obituary states that he helped his father Samuel build a structure to house the congregants of St. Paul’s Episcopal church. He may have, but he would have been six years old at the time. This building, which no longer exists, was known as the “White Church” and stood east of Tivoli and north of the Red Church.

It also states that he was the architect and builder of the Red Church he’s buried next to, but according to Rev. Roger Leonard’s research, the Red Church was built around 1827 when Daniel was 15. As Leonard agrees, he certainly could have assisted his father, as with the White Church, but was most likely not its architect. 

Later in life, Daniel worked as the “real estate agent” or overseer (what we would call a property manager) for Eugene A. Livingston, handling this wealthy landowner’s properties in Dutchess and Ulster counties. He served his community as well, taking a turn as mayor of Tivoli from 1876–1877 back when this position was referred to as “president” of the village.

On June 10, 1842, Daniel married Julia Ann Oakley from Columbia County. They had six children–Daniel C., Estelle, Elizabeth who died young, Frances J. (1849–1923, married Civil War veteran Charles MacNiff), Montgomery (1851–1933, named for his uncle, married Emeline Feroe), and Lillie Queen (1853–1909, married Norman Ames, Jr.). Frances Queen MacNiff had a daughter she named Julia Estelle MacNiff after her mother and late sister. Julia, as she was known, married Franklin Fraleigh.

Daniel passed on March 17, 1884, and his wife Julia lived to 84 years of age, passing in 1899. Their home, a two-story frame structure on an acre of land on the corner of what they called the road to the railroad depot and the road to Germantown, still stands.

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