By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.
Unfortunately, one is not always able to fully cover a subject in one column. Consider this a small introduction to the Newton Family.
The Newton Family-owned property from Ronkonkoma Lake, as indicated by the Landmark sign next to Moloney’s Island, to Hawkins Avenue and Portion Road, where our WWII Memorial Tree stood for over 75 years. Relatives also had holdings in the very area.
Progress came at the end of the 1800s, and automobiles were becoming a regular addition to the residents. Needed were many other items related to the automobiles, being gasoline, engine, battery, and mechanical services, and of course the auto repair industry, as accidents were happening.
Most of us are aware of the Newton’s Garage that was located at Ronkonkoma Avenue and Portion Road. The property was owned by the Newtons, and the two sons of Elbert Hollis Newton and Martha P. Newton, Sumner and Richard Bang, saw the opportunity to open a state-of-the-art gas and service station at that location. The State was about to extend Ronkonkoma Avenue to Stony Brook Road, and they saw the perfect location as they would be the only station on the route. Unfortunately, plans for the road extension were changed, yet their legacy of a station to serve the community never failed.
It was said that Sumner could listen to a Model T, Model A, or any engine, and identify the problem instantly. He had attended instruction classes in Detroit, Michigan, at the Henry Ford Plant for Mechanics. Later in 1910, he became a tester and instructor in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for the Locomobile Company of America, which was a pioneering American automobile manufacturer founded in 1899, known for its dedication to precision before the assembly line era. It was one of the earliest car manufacturers in the advent of the automobile age. Durant Motors took over the company after its demise in 1929.
Sumner was a remarkable man. His knowledge of the early steam engines, then followed by internal combustion power, was incredible. The Newton brothers kept a well-stocked repair shop, and they had license to sell, deliver, and repair a host of different makes and model automobiles.
Being an expert for Locomobile Company of America, the brothers purchased a tow truck, one that we can still recognize from a glance. The Model A Club of Long Island authenticated the tow truck years ago. It was purchased by a local family who used it to transport their race cars to Islip Speedway and other local speedways. Our current connection has the tow truck Upstate New York still being used.
The Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association was the recipient of one of the oak cabinets with parts for Model T, Model A, and other repairs still in the drawers. The original Mobil Pegasus sign was sold by the owners to a private collector when they retired. The bright red sign had visual impact and was instantly recognizable. It represented the golden age of American petroleum. Surviving examples are scarce. Who would think we saw this sign every day and never dreamed of its value?
According to military records, Sumner Newton (1887-1958) had served in the U.S. Navy from 1917 to 1919 during World War I and the U.S. Merchant Marines from 1942 to 1945 in World War II. He worked the Newton’s business along with his brother, Richard Bang Newton, until the latter’s death in 1945. He then dealt in local real estate. Sumner never married but courted two local women for many years. He was a member of the crew of the Esso Montpelier at age 55 sailing from Gibraltar to New York.
The association between Richard Bang Newton and his brother Sumner was as the office manager at the garage. Richard was a memorable baseball player while attending Brooklyn Commercial High School which led him to play semi-professional baseball on the Sayville team. Richard Bang served as a yeoman aboard the USS George Washington during WWI and was a member of Connetquot Lodge #838, F.&A.M., the Smithtown Square Club, Ronkonkoma Fire Department, Central Brookhaven Republican Club, Brookhaven Town Trustees, Member and past Commander of the William Merritt Hallock Post American Legion, and the 40 and 8. He married Edna Helen Hart Anderson on November 26, 1933. She was the widow of Christian Anderson, and the father of her surviving son Sgt. Christian Anderson, whom he considered his son.
Sumner and Richard shared a sister, Lulu Estelle Newton Girardet. The darkest day for the family was losing their beloved Ensign David Lloyd Girardet, a WWII pilot of a Grumman Hellcat on April 10, 1945, in the South Pacific. His father was Sterling Cleiland Girardet, a Veteran of Spanish American War, WWI, and WWII. They had two other boys, Philip Newton Girardet and Alan Newton Girardet, and we are still in touch with this family today. The genealogy is as follows:
Caleb N. Newton (1763-1894) – Anna Blydenburgh Newton (1735-1832)
Samuel Newton (1802-1877) – Caroline Jayne Rhodes Newton (1803-1886)
Elbert Hollis Newton (1847-1928) – Martha P “Mattie” Williams Newton (1847-1935)
Lulu Estelle Newton Girardet (1884-1957)- Sterling Cleiland Girardet (1881-1973)
Sumner Newton (1887-1958)
Richard Bang Newton (1889-1945) – Edna Helen Hart Anderson Newton [m.Weber 1948] (1917-2017)
You can view the Military Tribute Banners for Sumner and Richard Newton and Sterling, David, and Philip Girardet proudly displayed in the Village. The awards and battles they completed are abundant.
Thank you to our friends, The Girardet family, who continue to add happiness to our lives and in keeping our history real.
