Noteworthy People of Richmond Hill, NY

• Albon P. Man– Founder of Richmond Hill. 

• Oliver Fowler– Partner of Albon P. Man

• Alrick Hubbel Man– Son of Albon; First mayor of Richmond Hill, president of family business which developed Richmond Hill and later Kew Gardens

• Joel Fowler– Son of Oliver, Helped in building Richmond Hill, and later Kew Gardens

• Capt. Jeremiah Briggs– Early settler before Richmond Hill and prominent land owner. House still stands today. 

• Jacob Riis– Writer; Riis Park named in his honor.

• Amelia Edith Barr– Woman’s Right Activist and Best-selling author- “Jan Vedder’s Wife”- 1885. 

• Ella Flanders– Started Richmond Hill’s Library

• Dr. William Scovil– 1st doctor of Richmond Hill

• William Simonson– Funeral Home since 1887

• Percy L. Crosby– Artist, based his famous comic strip “Skippy” on his life as a boy living in Richmond Hill in the early 1900’s.

• Alfred H. Grebe– Radio Pioneer, born in Richmond Hill in 1895. 

• Ernest R. Ball– Songwriter; composed “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”, “Mother Macree” in Richmond Hill

• Col. William A. Jones– Abe Lincoln Appointee

• Edgar C. Proctor– Pres. McKinley’s Secretary

• Bob Sheppard– Born and raised in Richmond Hill. Public Address Announcer for NY Yankees

• Joseph E. Schaefer– Received Congressional Medal of Honor

• Marx Brothers– Comedians; During the 1920’s, the Marx Brothers lived on 134th Street. House is still located there with a commemorating plaque.

• Fred Gretsch, Jr.– Manufacturer, “Gretsch Guitars, Drums…” attended Richmond Hill HS.

• Abe Beame– New York City’s first Jewish mayor also taught at Richmond Hill HS.

• Phil Rizzuto– Pro Ballplayer- NY Yankees and Sportscaster attended Richmond Hill HS.

• Jack Lord– Actor, grew up in Richmond Hill, attended SBJL, and John Adams HS

• Jack Cassidy– Actor, grew up in Richmond Hill

• Rodney Dangerfield– Comic; real name Cohen; attended Richmond Hill H.S. 

• Jack Kerouac– ‘Beat’ Author- wrote “On The Road” while living in Richmond Hill and Ozone Park. 

• Morton Gould– Nobel Prize for Music 1995, President of ASCAP 1985-1994. 

• Dave Van Ronk– Folk Singer and Songwriter attended Richmond Hill H.S.

• Jimmy Breslin– Commentary Pulitzer 1986 Writer & Author born October 30, 1930. New York columnist attended St. Benedict Joseph Labre School in Richmond Hill.

• Mary Ann Kelly– Author of published book entitled- “The Park Lane South Murder”

• Jack Maple– NYC Deputy Police Commissioner

• Cyndi Lauper– Pop Singer and Songwriter attended Richmond Hill H.S.

• Tom Calabro– Actor, “Melrose Place”

• Carl Ballenas– Noted Richmond Hill Historian