USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Montclair > History of Montclair township state of New Jersey; including the history of the families who have been identified with its growth and prosperity > Part 25
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153
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Advisory Board .- Mr. William J. Hutchinson. Mr. Charles I. Reeves, Mr. Samuel Crump, Mr. Wallace W. Egbert, Mr. Dorman T. Warren. Mr. William T. Jones, Mr. George H. Mills ; Matron. Miss Jane Thompson.
The certificate of incorporation bears date October 3. 1882. During the same fiscal year the Presi- dent, Mrs. Meacham, severed her connection with the Home and removed from Montclair. The annual report of that date characterizes her as "one of the most earnest and efficient workers, the memory of whose faithful service and co-operation in all details of the Home work will long be gratefully cherished."
In May of 15-3 Mrs. Henry A. Dike was elected to the Presidency-a position which she held four years and until failing health and domestic calamity forced her to abandon the work she loved and for the performance of which she was peculiarly fitted.
To one intimately acquainted with Mrs. Dike no words could do justice to her lovely character : and to one who did not know her, no words could convey an adequate idea of the sweet strength, intellectual poise and rare "common sense " blended in her personality. To the service of the Home she brought ripe culture, a trained judgment and quick insight into people and affairs; while her social influence secured it wide support and her gracious affability disarmed hostile criticism.
** 1-
10
Iemand Aref 123
NEW BUILDING. CHILDREN'S HOME.
During her administration the financial standing of the Home was sufficiently assured to warrant the purchase of a house and three acres of land on Gates Avenne.
The house was enlarged under the gratuitous supervision of Mr. Il. Hudson Holly, and. as far as could be, adapted to the requirements of its new occupants, who, in 1856, took possession of it. In the same year a re-organization of the association was effected whereby its scope was enlarged and all the privileges of Orphan AAsylum> secured to it. including the adoption and indenturing of children having no other guardian.
In common with every institution depending upon voluntary contributions for support the Home has not escaped periods of depression and discouragement, but at the present time it is prospering in its work and is liberally sustained. The extreme generosity of Mrs. George Inness, Jr., a former manager. has made it possible to erect a new and commodious building skillfully contrived for the special requirements of its family of thirty-five children. particularly for the isolation of the sick.
The substantial structure now in process of erection is half timbered. the lower story being of dressed brownstone, and promises to be an architectural ornament to the town.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
As was to be expected in the passage of time, the personnel of the Board of Managers has undergone many changes. Some of the best known and most influential women of Montelair have served upon it for varying periods ; but only two of the original members-Mrs. Shepherd Rowland and Miss Harriet J. Cooper-have remained continuously to the present time. Its first great loss by death was that of Mrs. Samuel Porter-a woman zealous in all good works, but finding here a special field for her love and energy : a crayon portrait of her bright face adorns the parlor of the llome, recalling sunny memories and commemorating a great misfortune. Mrs. Dike was the next to be called ; and although her active participation in its affairs had terminated some time before, her helpful interest continued to the last. Mrs. Porter's bequest of $1,000 was the first large gift to the Home and was followed by a bequest of $3,000 from Mrs. Dike .* In the year just passed, still another most lovable woman and faithful worker, Mrs. Charles Il. Benediet, has obeyed the summons to " Come up higher." Hers was a nature that " made sunshine in a shady place," and no one associated with her will ever forget her unfailing kindliness.
" The good they planned to do Shall stand as if 't were done. God finishes the work By noble hands begun."
At the present time the Home is under the able management of the following named individuals : President, Mrs. Stephen W. Carey ; Vice-President, Mrs. Decatur M. Sawyer ; Secretary, Mrs. Wilson W. Smith ; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Benjamin W. Graham ; Treasurer, Mrs. F. J. Drescher ; Mrs. Shepherd Rowland, Mrs. William H. Power, Mrs. M. F. Reading, Mrs. Thomas Gladding, Mrs. Amory H. Bradford, Miss Harriet J. Cooper, Mrs. Harry Littlejohn, Mrs. J. Sontter Porter, Mrs. Edwin P. Benediet, Mrs. James S. Brown, Mrs. G. D. Finlay. Mrs. William L. Guillanden, Mrs. Wallace W. Egbert, Mrs. John Wilts, Mrs. John Weeks, Mrs. William Miller, Mrs. Franklin W. Dorman.
Advisory Board .- Mr. C. D. Anderson, Mr. Paul Babcock, Mr. C. D. Thompson. Mr. Charles Burgess, Mr. George P. Farmer.
The spirit in which the Home was conceived and the high ideal which has ever been kept in view are indicated by the following extracts taken, ahnost at random, from the published annual reports :
" Withont disparaging other forms of Christian endeavor nothing can have more forcible elaims upon our attention than the neglected youth of our own vieinity. . What shall we do with the children ?' is an anxions question equally to the philanthropist and civil economist ; it knocks at the doors of our responsibility with an urgeney that will not be denied and must be met by every one who regards the common weal which these boys and girls, soon to be men and women, can do meh to promote or impede.
"To the children gathered here the institution is indeed their Home ; and it is the earnest endeavor of its managers to make it represent all that a model home should be. Not only have the children been well-cared for, physically, as their healthy and neat appearance at church, on the street, and in the public schools plainly testifies, but they have acquired habits of punctuality, industry, self-dependence and mutual forbearance, which are invaluable in any station ; while the lessons inculcated in the principles of Christianity and respect for sacred things cannot fail to be a guide and defence to them in times of doubt and temptation.
" Whenever practicable, a small sum is charged for board, but inability to pay is not allowed to militate against the admission of any child whose needs are pressing. Neither is any one rejected because of unworthy parentage, for, say what we may, many things have been decided for us at birth, and it is not to every one that the qualities which insure success are given. Incompetency and thriftlessness in the parents are disorders to be carefully eradicated from the children by compelling patient continuance in well-doing until diligence and thoroughness become second nature. Strong as are hereditary tendencies they often yield to the stronger agencies of edneation and environment.
* In 1887 a gift of $1,000 was received from the Misses Charlotte L. and Josephine Wil-on, of Orange, in memory of their parents, who lived many years in Montclair.
155
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
" The children under our care are gathered from homes desolated by death or intemperance, and while they are chiefly orphans, it must not be forgotten that there is a worse orphanage than that of death, and that children may be orphaned in the saddest sense, though both their parents are living."
The Children's Home is the embodiment of the principle of modifying wrong tendencies and preventing future evil. It seeks earnestly to do its share toward the solution of current social problems : it labors not only to promote a higher intelligence but to instill useful household and hygienie knowledge ; to form habits of personal purity, industry and obedience to authority.
MRS. SAMUEL M. PORTER .- At a special meeting of the Board of Managers of the Children's Home, held in memory of Mrs. Sammel M. Porter, on Wednesday, May 21, 1884, the President made the following remarks :
Porter, and to put on great los-, our sorrow for sympathy for those who to her. And when that do for our dear friend is up our daily life, and and go on without her. selves to say how much actual labor which she very great. Time and ly given when most of we were exensed from labor was added the and forethought and a over all. To know what Home we have only to the children when Mrs. " Shall we ever forget day afternoons, or cease getie, encouraging tones the children !
" We are met here to-day to speak a few words of love for our dear friend and co-laborer, Mrs. record our sense of our ourselves, and our deep were nearest and dearest is done, all that we can done, and we must take the work of this Home. " We cannot trust our- she will be missed. The performed here was strength were repeated- us would have felt that the task. And to this most skillful planning most loving influence a power she was in this remember the faces of Porter came. her presence here Sun- to hear her cheery, ener- as she led or directed " Brightness, cheer. fulness were her strong- . Sweetness and light ' way. great as it is, sinks ahnost son with the loss which hold have sustained.
love and untiring help- est characteristics. marked every step of her " But our great loss, out of sight in compari- those of her own house- MRS. SAMI FI. M. PORTER. Yet we must believe that God has purposes of love toward them, and that in some way, which we cannot see, Ile will make even this, which seems to us an irreparable loss, a source of blessing.
" We said that we could do no more for Mrs. Porter, But her intluence over us will always remain. We shall keep her in our hearts, and we shall remember forever the love, the unselfishness, the wonderful brightness and cheer, the readiness with which she divined and ministered to every one's need, and the loving outpouring of her life.
" Such a memory can but lead us to strive. each in her own way, to catch the spirit of that life and graft it upon her own."
The following preamble and resolutions were then offered and adopted :
" Whereas, It has seemed right to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe to remove from us by death our sister associate, Mrs. Mary Treadwell Porter, and while we submit to the decree of Him who doth not willingly afflict, it is with hearts chastened by grief over the loss of a dear friend and beloved associate; and
156
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
" Whereas, We lament her death, not only as a valued member of society and a cherished friend and neighbor, but especially as a co-laborer in the management of the Children's Home, in which she engaged earnestly, assidnously and hopefully, and in every department of which we shall continually miss her guiding and helping hand; be it therefore " Resolved, That we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family so sadly bereaved, and prayerfully commend them to the loving care of that Friend who is ' a refuge in every trouble, and a very present help in time of need.'
" Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon our records, and a copy of the same transmitted to the family of the deceased."
The Annual Report of the Association for 1884 contains the following in relation to Mrs. Porter's connection with the institution :
" Possessed of dauntless energy of character, unusual executive talent and public spirit, Mrs. Samuel Porter was engaged in many and various enterprises, and her loss will be keenly felt in divers directions and by many people. dividual friendships is our personal grief severed, it is in our of an association, in laborers, that we are place. As a manager from the beginning, identical with her fatigue where its pros- and her sangnine tem- spirit lightened and the entire Board. shine she was always every child in the child knew her and was their sympathy Sunday afternoon her smile flashed its instantly understood As a member of the tee, and Chairman of mittee, her labors but what higher her, or anyone, than to every trust. Warm as were our in- for her, and deep as over ties so abruptly capacity as members which we were joint to consider her in this of the Home, almost she made its interests own. She knew no perity was concerned, perament and joyous cheered the labors of "In storm and sun- at her post. She knew Home, and every loved her. So close with her that, in their singing, her glance or intelligence and was and obeyed by them. Exeentive Commit- the Wardrobe Com- have been incessant ; praise ean we aceord that she was faithful "Suddenly, in the activities, the work hands, and . with no
midst of life and its has fallen from her HILLSIDE AVENUE. slow gradations of decay,' she has passed on through the Beautiful Gate into eternal life ; and the rich voice that has so long led the children's hymns of praise has gone to swell a nobler chorus in the wider air of lleaven
The beautiful traits of character that adorned the life of Mrs. Porter were due not only to careful training and early environment, but she inherited from her ancestors-who were among the most notable men in New England-that strong religious sentiment and earnest desire to do good that controlled all her actions and led her continually to seek the happiness of others regardless of herself.
Mrs. Porter was born in New York City, March 23, 1847. Her maiden name was Mary T. Treadwell ; she was the daughter of John G. Treadwell.
Mrs. Porter was educated at the Albany Female Academy, and was graduated June 19, 1866. She was married, March 23, 1871, to Samuel M. Porter, youngest brother of Nathan and Thomas Porter
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
(see history of Porter Family) and a member of the firm of Porter Bros. & Co., merchants, of New York City. Mrs. Porter resided in New York for some years after her husband's death, March 19. 1576. Desir- ing to be near the home of her husband's brothers she removed to Montelair in the spring of 1579, and built the residence No. 20 Harrison Avenue. now occupied by her father and her children. She left two children-Bertha Treadwell and Charles Willson.
MOUNTAIN-SIDE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.
The necessity for a publie hospital in this locality was brought about by an incident which occurred in the summer of 1590. the particulars of which are given in the Secretary's report of the Association :
" A lady driving through the streets of Montelair one day, during the snummer of 1590. saw a little child fall from a third story window to the flagged pavement below. Her sympathies being aroused, she stopped to inquire into the condition of the little one. The child was seriously injured and needed prompt attention. Her heart ached to see him, bleeding and nuconscious, placed in a grocery wagon and carried away, and on her way home the question uppermost in her mind was: Why, when there is so much of comfort and plenty in our town, is there not a place provided to which those suffering from accident or sickness, and who are unable to secure proper treatment in their homes, can be carried ? The thought began immediately to take shape. Her heart warmed more and more on the subject, until she was com- pelled to enlist the interest of her friends, which resulted in a meeting called to consider the establish- ment of a Hospital in Montelair, held at the residence of Mrs. Denby, on Mountain Avenue, June 10, 1890."
There were sixteen persons present, twelve ladies and four gentlemen. Dr. Francis was appointed Chairman, and. after considerable disen-ion, the Rev. Dr. Bradford offered the following
Resolution : " That in our opinion the time has come when some movement should be made looking toward the establishment of a hospital in our midst."
The resolution was adopted and a committee appointed, to report a plan of organization, ete., which was done. and action taken in accordance therewith. At a subsequent meeting a Board of Governors was appointed, consisting of twelve ladies from Montelair, eight from Bloomfield, four from Glen Ridge, and three from Caldwell. It was decided at this meeting that the Association should be known as the Mountain-side Hospital Association.
The Association was regularly incorporated under and in pursuance of a certain act of the Legis- lature of the State of New Jersey, entitled " An Act to provide for the incorporation of Associations for the erection and maintenance of Hospitals. Infirmaries. Orphanages, Asylums, and other Charitable Institutions," approved March ninth. A. D. eighteen hundred and seventy-zeven. and the several supple- ments thereto. The following named Governors were appointed to manage its affairs for the first year:
Nannie C. Fellowes. Instine Friend Porter, Jane F. Dodd. Margaret Jane Power. Marie Hey- burn Marshall, Mary E. Gilbert White. Mary Chapin Maren-, Harriet H. Duffield. Sarah P. Wyman, Irene E. Huestis, Ida R. Condit. Anna C. Duncan, Grace II. Upson, Martha C. Gallagher, Virginia Bioven Harrison. Sarah J. Bird. Kate B. Dalrymple, Harriet A. Bailey, Eliza Bowden, Caroline D. Crane. Susan C. Stout. Salome G. Howell. Malinda N. Van Vleck, C. Victoria Reynal. Rebecca M. Dodd, Adeline T. Strong and Anna S. Berry.
A cottage sitnated on Bay Street (the dividing line between Bloomfield and Montelair). was rented. a small addition made to it, and the hospital was formally opened on Inne 26, 1591. The medical staff consists of Dr. John J. H. Love, Dr. James S. Brown. Dr. Chas. 11. Bailey, Dr. Richard P. Francis, Dr. Richard C. Newton. Dr. Edwin M. Ward. Dr. Win. Il. White, Dr. II. B. Whitehorne: Dr. John W. Pinkham. Consulting Physician : Dr. Henry Power, Pathologist.
During the first four months (to October 1. 1891) of its existence thirty-eight patients were treated. From October 15, 1891. to October 1. 1-92. 125 new patients were admitted, and from October 1, 1892, to October 1. 1893, 156 new patients were admitted to its wards.
Miss R. G. Reed, a graduate of Bellevue Hospital Training School, was appointed Matron in Sep- tember, 1891, and still serves in that capacity.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
In March, 1891. the Board of Governors purchased a small traet of land near the cottage, which they used for a year and a half, and during the winter of 1892 and 1893 erected thereon a building 46 by 45 feet, four stories high, containing 18 rooms and a woman's ward for 10 beds, a men's ward for 10 beds. a maternity ward containing three beds, and an isolation ward with two beds, all connected by covered corridors eight feet wide. Bath-rooms, nurses' rooms and pantries are provided in addition to the above specified rooms. The total capacity is: Men's ward, 10 beds; women's ward, 10 beds ; children's ward, 6 beds ; maternity ward, 3 beds; private wards, 5 beds ; isolation ward, 2 beds ; total. 36 beds.
The total cost for land, building, furniture and permanent improvements to date has been $19,747.19. In connection with the hospital a training school for nurses has been established, in which nurses are taught how to act in the various emergencies occurring in hospital and private nursing, as well as in the accidents of ordinary life. There is a systematic course of training in cookery for the sick, the serv- ing of food and delicacies in a proper manner, and the feeding of helpless patients or those who resist food. The course of training includes a fixed course of instruction during two years from manuals and text-books, lectures and demonstrations. Eight nurses are now taking this course.
The Board of Lady Governors are all actively interested in the work, giving, through their various committees, much time and attention to the necessary duties. The funds for this work are all donated by residents of the several towns included in the territory from which the hospital draws its inmates.
The following is the list of the Governors, Officers and Advisory Board :
Officers .- President, Mrs. Benjamin Strong ; Vice-President, Mrs. Amzi Dodd ; Recording Secre- tary, Mrs. Wm. M. White ; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Elizabeth P. Freeman ; Treasurer. Mrs. W. H. Power ; Matron, Miss R. G. Reed.
Board of Governors .- Term expires 1894: Mrs. Amzi Dodd. Miss Kate Dalrymple, Miss M. C. Gallagher, Mrs. Win. II. Power, Mrs. Benjamin Strong, Mrs. Wm. H. White, Mrs. A. F. Brown, Mrs. Robt. S. Rndd, Mrs. James Gallagher. Mrs. John Van Winkle. Term expires 1895 : Mrs. Anthony Bowden. Mrs. D. D. Duncan. Mrs. Wmn. Fellowes, Mrs. Chas. F. Harrison, Mrs. Lewis G. Loekward, Mrs. 11. R. Norris, Mrs. Joseph Van Vleck, Mrs. Wm. F. Upson, Mrs. Chas. H. Huestis, Miss Eulalie Van Lennep. Term expires 1896 : Mrs. Chas. IL. Bailey, Mrs. Chas. T. Dodd, Mrs. Geo. S. Porter, Mrs. G. Lee Stont, Mrs. Josiah Decker, Mrs. Silas Stuart, Miss Margaret S. Jarvie, Miss Elizabeth P. Freeman, Mrs. R. C. Newton, Mrs. W. S. S. Hamilton.
AIdeisory Board .- Mr. Wm. Il. Power, Mr. Panl Wilcox, Mr. R. S. Rudd, Mr. Chas. D. Thompson, Mr. Amzi Dodd, Mr. G. Lee Stout, Mr. F. Merriam Wheeler.
In 1891 a suitable lot was purchased on Highland Avenue and Sherwood Street, but it was deemed advisable to defer the matter of building for another year. In the meantime the building known as the Sheridan cottage, situated on a lot adjoining the hospital property, was rented for a year. and a small addition built to increase the accommodations. The formal opening took place on June 26th of that year. Thirty-seven cases were admitted the first year. These were treated by the Surgical and Medieal Staff, which consisted of Dr. J. J. H. Love as President, and Drs. Newton, Bailey, Brown, White, Francis, Ward and Whitehorne. Dr. Pinkham was appointed Consulting Physician, and Dr. Henry Power, Pathologist.
The total amount of cash subscriptions and donations the first year amounted to nearly $5,000. In addition to this, numerous articles of clothing, etc., were donated by generous citizens, mostly ladies.
The President's report for the second year showed the actual running expenses to have been $4,362 for 125 patients, four to six nurses, three servants, and occasional extra help. A number of entertainments were given during the year, and the amount of the Building Fund was inereased to the sum of 85,700. The new building for the hospital was begun early in the autumn of 1892, and completed in May of the following year. The Bloomfield Citizen, of May 27, 1893, contains the following description :
The new Mountain-side Hospital building just completed, and which will be formally opened to-day, is located on the southwest corner of Highland Avenue and Sherwood Street, and faces Highland Avenue looking eastward. The
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
main building is of Colonial type, and was designed by architect John F. Capon, and erected under his supervision. The hospital buildings comprise the main building, a men's ward, a women's ward, and a maternity ward, They are built to surround three sides of a hollow square, and are all connected by a spacious corridor.
The new institution has been erected on the most approved plan for giving room, air and light, and the work has been done in a very substantial manner. The carpenter work was done by Israel Jacobus of Glen Ridge, the mason work by William Doyle of Montelair, the painting by John Jenkins of Bloomfield, and the plumbing by E. D. Ackerman of Bloomfield.
The main building is a four story building. It has a frontage of forty-six feet on Highland Avenue, and a depth of forty-five feet. A large piazza eight feet six inches wide extends the full length of the front of the building. The roof of the piazza is supported by heavy Colonial columns, and the roof is surmounted with an ornamental railing. The building is painted a soft Colonial yellow, with light cream trimming and green shades and shutters.
The interior is finished throughout with natural white pine and walls of hard finish. The flooring is of comb grained yellow pine and varnished. The building is heated by steam, lighted by gas, and the windows so arranged that every room in the building receives sunshine at some portion of the day. The steam piping and the radiators are all beautifully bronzed with a gold tinge.
In the plumbing work all the most approved devices have been used with a view to having the sanitary arrangement of the building as perfect as possible. The basement contains the laundry, coal room, heating apparatus, and the cold room. The latter contains an immense refrigerator, capable of holding a large quantity of ice and in which the meats and vegetables are kept. The floor of the basement is concrete except the laundry, which has a board floor. This room contains a large range and three earthen tubs. The heating apparatus is a Blake and Williams boiler of size No. 4. 1 dumb waiter starts from the basement and runs to the top floor of the building. On entering the first floor of the building through the large double doors from the piazza the visitor is ushered into a well lighted corridor eight feet wide, full length of the building. The first room on the left of the hall is the reception room thirteen by eighteen feet in dimensions. Directly opposite on the other side of the hall is the dining room. Adjoining the reception room is the dispensary twenty feet in size. Speaking tubes and call bells connect this room with every part of the institution. Following the dispensary is the operating room, eighteen by twenty feet. This room is supplied with two wash basins, hot and cold water and other necessary appliances. Next to the dining room with a butler's pantry intervening is the kitchen eighteen by twenty-six in size. It is equipped with a large double oven range ; an eighty gallon copper boiler, a serving table and a large dresser takes up one side of the room. A ventilating contrivance carries off all the odors arising from cooking. Connected with the kitchen is a refrigerator closet, with pot closet and store room. A stairway four feet six inches wide ascends from the right side of the corridor near the centre of the building to the second floor. At the head of the stairway on the second floor, the first room to the right is the children's ward, thirteen by eighteen. This room is heated and ventilated by the direct indirect system, taking the cold air from the outside of the building under the radiator. Turning to the left is the entrance to the main corridor of the same dimensions as down stairs, with the exception that the front is cut off for the missses' room. Light is admitted to the corridor from the hall at head of stairs, and the rear end. On the left of the corridor are four rooms for private patients, each ten feet six inches by eighteen feet, and on the right next to the lavatories is another room for private patients. The stairs to the third floor go up directly over those from the first floor and the corridor on this floor is the full length of the building with windows front and rear. The third floor contains four large bedrooms, two store rooms and two lines rooms. The fourth floor is used for general storage purposes. Particular attention has been given to the ventilation of the closet
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