USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > A history of Buffalo : delineating the evolution of the city > Part 22
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Gas was supplied in 1850 by the Gas Light Company, organized two years before with $80,000 capital. It has spread out as need demanded, and by various mergers now furnishes, with a capital of $2,000,000, illumination and ·power by both gas and electricity, using force from the stream above Trenton Falls. It has alliances covering $7,000,000 capital. The vice-president and active manager is William E. Lewis, while A. N. Brady is president and M. J. Brayton secretary.
The citizens of Utica have always been noted for both their public and private charities. The Utica Orphan Asylum, which had long struggled with scanty facilities, was able, in 1848, to provide a commodious home for its
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CITY OF UTICA
wards, and two generations have shown the excellence and efficiency of its labors there. The years have added noble institutions in the same and kindred fields which adorn and bless the community, so that now the asylums for orphans are five in number, while ten homes and hospitals minister to the sick and aged. Of these, newly built on the most liberal scale and equipped with all the devices of modern science, are the House of the Good Shepherd and St. Luke's Hospital.
While active life was reaching out in so many ways, the thoughts of citizens turned also to care for the dead. Rail- roads were crowding unpleasantly near to the grounds gen- erally used for burials. The city was nominally in charge, and the sexton was named by the council. Taste and senti- ment called for a change and met with fitting response in the formation of the Utica Cemetery Association, in 1849. On heights overlooking the town, grounds were formally dedicated June 14, 1850, and near the entrance, the Oneida stone, belonging to the tribe of that name, was placed by a delegation of Oneida and Onondaga Indians. Catholics have recently purchased broad grounds adjoining, besides an older cemetery, for they and the Jews prefer graves in earth consecrated for themselves, but the dead of other de- nominations rest in the Forest Hill Cemetery and adjacent heights of a similar title under private control.
Transient advantage was gained by a rage which pre- vailed before and after 1850 for the construction of plank roads. As the country about was new and the inhabitants scattered, the highways were left without much care, although there were commissioners and a road tax which might be paid in labor. In spring and autumn travel was difficult and in some cases almost impossible. To remedy the evil, the Legislature passed a general law authorizing companies to lay planks in the country roads and to collect
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CONDITIONS IN 1850
tolls for returns for construction and repairs. Little im- provement was made in the roadbeds and the planks were laid on the surface. For a brief while, wheels rolled smoothly and the tolls were paid without clamor. The eight or ten companies with termini in Utica and their other ends at the north, south, east and west, learned too soon that their projects served for a summer day, but the foundation was neglected, the planks were too thin to last, and the tolls not enough to cover expenses. The roads fell back to the old conditions, as the floods came and gullied them. The plank policy was a poor makeshift for the methods inaugu- rated under the $50,000,000 appropriation in 1906, but fore- shadowed a broad system for highways for use and comfort.
A new charter in 1849, gave to the 17,556 inhabitants shown by the census of 1850, six wards with a supervisor and two aldermen for each, and added to the elective offi- cers. By a special act the same year, the common schools were placed under the control of a non-partisan board of six commissioners, one-third retiring each twelve months, and chosen at the charter election. Modern methods have been brought in step by step; school buildings have been multiplied to keep pace with the pupils; the old academy has been merged into the free school system in a new and elegant edifice, while the public library, in part the gift of private munificence, is an ornament to the chief avenue, and with its 50,000 volumes, is a worthy proof and instrument of local culture.
The military spirit expressed itself by the Utica Citizens Corps, which, from 1837, enlisted some of the best men of the city. Other companies came rapidly into the field after 1850, so that within five years there were no less than five rivals for recruits and popular favor. In the meantime the militia regiment took on better form, and the brigade head- quarters were in Utica. When, therefore, President Lin-
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CITY OF UTICA
coln called for volunteers for the war for the Union, men who had learned the manual and the use of arms were ready for the emergency. The response was prompt and gen- erous. Enlistments began at once in April, 1861, and from the uniformed companies went out many who earned dis- tinction as officers, as well as the full quota of privates. The local patriotism did not weary during the war, but was lavish during all the conflict, in gifts for hospitals as well as for the comfort of troops in camp, while the home-coming of the veterans was joyfully celebrated. The final roster included Daniel Butterfield, as major-general; James Mc- Quade, Rufus Daggett and William R. Pease and James G. Grindlay, as brigadier-generals for honorable service; Francis X. Myers, William H. Christian, William H. Rey- nolds, George T. Hollingworth and Charles H. Ballou, as colonels, with a noble array of others of less rank, but with unblemished record and solid merit.
The high wave of prosperity which followed over the republic when peace was declared did not refuse its bless- ings to Utica. New enterprises were many and on various lines. Manufactures offered novel articles; merchants branched out; buildings were erected fitting the larger town, and the advance was marked in all directions. The diversity of origin of the citizens became more apparent as the century drew to its close. A Swiss Benevolent Associa- tion was formed in 1867 by settlers from the region of the Alps. French names multiplied in the Directory and in active pursuits, and people from other European nations came in increasing force.
A new charter was granted in 1870 and another in 1880. Under the latter, with a population of 33,918, the wards became twelve, with a supervisor and alderman for each, the aldermen serving two years, one-half of the board retir- ing each year. A commission was set over the police and
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CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
fire departments in 1874, and other matters were entrusted to like boards. The industries under individual control were extended and many were incorporated under the gen- eral statute. Clubs were formed on a broader scale than had prevailed. The Fort Schuyler Club, with Horatio Seymour as its first president, the Masonic Club, the Odd Fellows' Union, the Maennerchor, the Turn Verein and the New Century, own their own spacious and well-furnished buildings.
Organizations, with the county, central New York, or the entire State as their field, have their chief quarters here. Of such is the County Medical Society, started in July, 1806, which has celebrated its hundredth anniversary, and also the Oneida Historical Society, incorporated in 1876, which for more than a generation has gathered the chronicles worth preserving of men and events, has marked historic sites, has helped to erect monuments to Generals Steuben and Herkimer, joined in celebrations of centennials of several towns, made memorable that of the battle of Oris- kany, and adorned the bloody field with a towering obelisk. The Munson Williams Memorial Building, valued at over $100,000, provided by the wise generosity of the family whose name it bears, safeguards the treasures of the society and insures its permanence. Different in type is the Com- mercial Travelers' Association, which, in its own solid building, transacts an extensive accident insurance business. The Masonic Home was opened in October, 1892. It has 225 acres on the eastern border of the town and has a group of commodious edifices with a broad landscape ; the property cost $1,000,000. The inmates number 425, of whom 196 are men, 114 women, 50 boys and 65 girls.
The business men of the town several times formed boards or chambers to promote the common interests, but these passed away as the transient zeal flickered out. Since
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CITY OF UTICA
1896, the Chamber of Commerce has been practical, vigor- ous and efficient, studying plans for local improvements, for the introduction of new industries, and for the correction of abuses. Its annual banquets have introduced guests of State and national distinction.
The rich dairy districts, finding their center here, called into being the Dairy Board of Trade, which has for many seasons held its weekly markets. The yearly sales run over a million dollars, latterly about two-thirds in cheese of small size sought for the domestic trade. The value of butter sold annually in this market, experts reckon at $250,000.
The local Young Men's Christian Association, organized February 10, 1858, was able, by its energy and persistence, to lay, in 1888, the corner-stone of an edifice fitted for its work, with rooms for classes, a gymnasium, an ample audi- torium, and to add dormitories. When that building was destroyed by fire the Association bought other property well fitted for its uses. With real estate worth over $150,000, it is an instrument of usefulness, of safety and of elevation. Its members are about nine hundred. The Women's Christian Association works in like fields and owns a com- modious home prominently located.
When the twentieth century began, there was an inflow of settlers from sources not prolific before. The construction of the West Shore Railroad called for hosts of laborers as well as mechanics. Immigrants from Italy had before come only as individuals, or single families. Now they flocked by hundreds to seek homes here, and in half a dec- ade they exceed 12,000, or a sixth of the population. While unskilled laborers compose the majority of them, many are mechanics and artisans, some are builders and contractors, some work in the factories ; they have their own grocers, merchants, bankers and brokers, and sustain two
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GROWTH IN AREA
weekly newspapers. Three societies minister to their social, literary and benevolent objects; they have several clubs, while services in their own tongue are conducted in a Catholic church, and a Protestant meeting house.
The persecution in Russia drove hither hundreds of Jews, and many Hungarians also came. A systematic immigra- tion of Polish people took place about the same time. Many of them went to work in the factories and found favor with the managers. Some engaged in rough labor and other occupations. They soon learn the English language and American habits. The Poles, in 1906, laid the corner- stone of a Catholic church, of large dimensions, built of stone, which cost $125,000.
By repeated annexations on the south and west, the area of the city became, in 1905, 9.06 square miles, or 5,802 acres. The eastern boundary has always been the line of Herkimer County. Bends in the river have been straightened, to avoid recurring floods, redeem the flats and afford more space for station, freight houses and shops for the railroads. Thus, the boundary is carried to the new channel, 2,800 feet to the north at Genesee Street, and the barge canal is to run in the Mohawk there. The plot of the city is not regular in form. If a circle is placed over it, flattened at the north and south diameter, that line will be three miles, while the east and west diameter will be four and a half miles, and at the south and west angles will project still farther. The wards are now fifteen, with a supervisor and an alderman for each.
Of public buildings, that for the Federal courts and post- office, built by the United States, is appraised by the as- sessors at $450,000. The armory, valued at $83,000, and the lunatic asylum and grounds at $1,075,100, belong to the State. Oneida County owns the jail, $55,000, and the site of the new court house, $75,000, on which a noble edifice
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CITY OF UTICA
completed in 1907, cost $1,000,000. The real property of the municipality is estimated by the assessors at $5,419,141, and includes the city hall and the police station, assessed at $158,000; the public library, $200,000; the academy, $177,- 000; 24 school houses, ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 each, with $62,000 for the advanced school ; ten fire-engine houses at from $3,000 to $15,200 each. The value of five rather small municipal parks is placed at $102,000; that of Chan- cellor Square, the first laid out, is $70,000. Five parks on the outskirts are extensive and three of them during the season offer popular amusements. The city hospital is as- sessed at $70,000, the dispensary at $4,200, and the public bath at $3,000.
Private school buildings exempt from taxation, include St. Vincent Industrial School, $20,000; Assumption Acad- emy, $10,000; St. Joseph, $15,000; St. Mary, $3,000; two German Lutheran, $6,000, and a Hebrew free school, $1,600.
The Episcopalians possess seven church edifices with an aggregate valuation of $348,500; the Presbyterians, six, $180,800; the Baptists five, $193,500; the Methodists six, $114,700; the Catholics eight (of which one is German, one Italian, one Polish), $589,800; the Welsh four, $59,500; the Lutherans eight (of which four use the German tongue), $120,000; the Moravians two, $13,500; the Jews three, $12,- 000; the Reformed Dutch one, $40,000; Universalists one, $35,000; Congregationals one, $50,000; the colored people one, $1,200. The Christian Scientists have a society which meets in a hired hall.
Three daily newspapers, the Herald-Dispatch, the Observer and the Press serve the community with due dili- gence. In addition there is one semi-weekly, and a Ger- man paper appears tri-weekly. The weeklies are eight, of which one is Italian, one Welsh, and one Polish. A Welsh
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THE PRESS AND THE BANKS
monthly and another in English, for Welsh people, called the Cambrian, are printed. The journals of Utica have always stood in the foremost rank, and the city owes them much for their advocacy of every worthy cause.
January 1, 1908, Utica passed under the provisions of the White Act of 1906 under the uniform charter for second- class cities. The wards and their offices were not changed. The powers of the mayor were much enlarged, and single heads were designated for the police and fire departments, and for public works, and a comptroller supervises the finances, while there are some new boards and bureaus. The public schools, 24 in number, include a training school and evening schools. They are under the care of a bi- partisan commission and a superintendent. The enrollment of the pupils in 1910 was 11,341, and the average daily attendance 8,614. The average attendance in the academy was 781. The expenditures in 1810 amounted to $312,644.
The area of the city now covers 5,955 acres, and the streets are 124 miles in length. Of these 61.75 miles have sheet asphalt pavement, 5.10 have medina block, 2.14 wooden, while fractions of a mile have cobble, granite or brick pave- ment. The streets unpaved extend 53.24 miles, while the miles of pavement in use are 70.75. There are sewers in use for 90.75 miles. The street railways extend 25.7 miles. For public lighting, 930 electric avenues are used, and there are 51,082 feet of subways.
The local financial institutions have developed in a re- markable degree in recent years, and their resources are not- ably large in their ratio to the population. The First Na- tional, under Charles B. Rogers president, and Henry R. Williams vice-president and cashier, has $1,000,000 capital, $1,406,084 surplus, and $7,086,661 resources; the Oneida National, with George L. Bradford president, and G. A. Niles cashier, reports $600,000 capital, $761,764 surplus,
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CITY OF UTICA
and $3,461,734 resources. The Utica City National, under Charles S. Symonds president, and M. C. Brown cashier, counts $1,000,000 capital, $234,977 surplus, and $3,636,267 resources. T. R. Proctor president, and Frank R. Winant cashier, state for the Second National $300,000 capital, $342,838 surplus, and $2,092,348 resources. The Utica Trust and Deposit Co. has James S. Sherman as president, and J. Francis Day vice-president and secretary, with $400,000 capital, $515,734 surplus and $7,180,929 resources. Of the Citizens Trust Company, William I. Faber is presi- dent, and F. H. Doolittle secretary; the capital is $300,000, surplus $263,556, and resources $4, 108,375.
The Savings Bank of Utica reports assets of $16,382,620, of which the surplus is $1,187,269. The open accounts number 34,425, and average $440. Charles A. Miller is president, and Rufus P. Birdseye secretary and treasurer.
The Homestead Aid Association of Utica has been in business for 27 years, has now 5,290 members, and assets of $2,598,318. Its president is Watson T. Dunmore, and sec- retary, Sherwood S. Curran. While the business of the Commercial Travelers' Association extends into many states, the head office is in Utica. The membership is 66,288. Henry D. Pixley has been president since the organization in 1883, and George S. Dana its secretary. The Associa- tion has a surplus of $618,456.
Of the Cornhill Building and Loan Association, J. Lewis Jones is president, Owen T. Luker secretary, and Charles W. Bushinger treasurer. The members are 680, and the assets $300,340.
The assessment of Utica for 1910-1911 amounts to $43,- 024,010, and the ratio of taxation is 2.24. The city tax pro- duced $958,450. The aggregate municipal receipts for 1910 were $2,695,415, while the disbursements were $2,- 709,625. The bonded debt is stated at $1,945,618. The
OHOH ZAMOHI
F
CITY OF UTICA
wwwrues. The Utica City National, under Powers president, and M. C. Brown cashier, capital, $234,977 surplus, and $3,636,267 T R. Proctor president, and Frank R. Winant Hbiro itate for the Second National $300,000 capital, :342 838 surplus, and $2,092,348 resources. The Utica Trust and Deposit Co. has James S. Sherman as president, and J. Francis Day vice-president and secretary, with $400 000 capital, $515,734 surplus and $7, 180,929 resources. Ot the Circens Trust Company, William I. Faber is presi- duro, d E H Doolittle secretary ; the capital is $300,000,
THOMAS RePROCTOR.S.
rports assets of $16,382,620,
Bank president; born Proctorville, Vermont, May 25, unts 1844; educated in English High School, Boston; served during the Civil War in United States Navy, and received ler is thanks of the Secretary of the Navy ; president of the" Securer. ond National Bank of Utica ; trustee or director Utica Sav-en in ings Bank ; Utica Trust Company ; and vice-president of the t of Utica Daily Press Company. Is a member of the Military sec- Order of the Loyal Legion ; G. A. R. ; Sons of the Revolu- of the tion; New England Society; Mayflower Society; Society
Colonial Wars; Society Founders ana Patriots: "Navaftates, Order of the United States; Naval League, etership is 66,288. 1) Pimley is been president since the organization am Geurve S. Dana its secretary. The Associa- $618,456.
Gordel Building and Ing tao0 -s | Lewis -La- Charles The souber krę 580, and the
Picone 06$ ff 50m-191 amounts to $43,- 0182:000, 505 - vo denis == 4- The city tax pro- Seed soya Ty toprparc municipal receipts for 1910 were 1:/ while the disbursements were $2,- 709,625. The ben nu is wated at $1,945,618. The
Thomas R. Proctor
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WOOLENS AND COTTONS
bureau of buildings reports plans approved last year for 392 new structures and for alterations in 255 buildings, involv- ing an outlay of $2,632, 108.
During recent years, Thomas R. Proctor has lifted the park system to a notable height, by giving to the city open spaces in various woods. One hears his own name, another is called after Roscoe Conkling. The latter looks down from Steel's Hill on the valley northward as the acropolis crowns classic Athens. Now Utica has 13 parks contain- ing 546.2 acres, of which 15 acres are constructed in park- way. In the largest two parks are 10.14 miles of well-made drives.
The largest manufacturing corporation is that consoli- dated under the title of the Utica Steam & Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills. Its capital is $2,000,000, and it has, includ- ing large additions in 1906 of buildings and machinery, about 6,000 horse-power driving 2,500 wide looms with 160,000 spindles. The full working force includes about 2,000 persons. The management is under George De Forest president, John A. McGregor secretary, and Henry T. Mansfield superintendent. The record of the company is that of continued success.
The Skenandoa Cotton Company makes fine hosiery yarns. Its capital is $1,000,000; it uses about 2,400 horse- power and employs 500 persons. A new mill increases the horse-power to 2,800, and the employees to 600. The total product of cotton goods in the city in 1905 was $5,001,177. The officers are N. E. Deverant president, W. S. Doolittle secretary.
The woolen manufacture is concentrated in the Globe Woolen Company with a capital of $300,000 and a large sur- plus. It operates 161 broad and 11 narrow looms with 1,000 horse-power, and employs about 800 persons. Its fabrics rank high in the market for style and quality. The present
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CITY OF UTICA
officers are: J. F. Maynard president, F. T. Proctor vice- president, A. B. Maynard secretary.
Knitting mills number 22, turning out underwear, hos- iery and caps. Their capital ranges from $500,000 down- ward. Their production and sales show continual growth, and amounted last year to $20,000,000 while the operatives numbered 5,000. Including the near-by towns this is by far the leading center of the knitting industry. This emi- nence has been won by the ability and diligence of the heads of the mills. They include John B. Wild, N. E. Devereux, Quentin McAdam, George A. Frisbie, William T. Baker, W. H. Stanchfield, W. J. Frisbie, John E. McLoughlin, Aras J. Williams, George H. Spitzh, C. A. Byington, Wil- liam E. Lewis, A. V. Lynch, George W. Oakley, and others.
An addition made in 1910 was the Fine Yarn Company, with $225,000 capital and 210 employees working night and day, producing high-grade yarns. W. B. Foster is presi- dent, F. L. Wood secretary, and W. I. Taber treasurer. Among the corporations a few typical may be cited. The Savage Arms Company produces fire arms of wide repute. It has a capital of $1,000,000, its officers are B. Adriance president, W. J. Green vice-president, F. C. Chadwick superintendent, and T. D. Moore manager. The furnaces and heaters designed and made here are sold from ocean to ocean to the annual value of nearly $2,000,000. The Hart and Crouse Company, with $110,000 capital, under H. G. Hart president, with whom Merwin K. Hart is associated, and the International Heater Company, of which Frank E. Wheeler is president, are in the forefront as producers in this line. Iron pipe made by the Utica Pipe Company is used in large works in many parts of the country. The cor- poration has $400,000 capital, and is managed by Charles G. Wagner president, and J. K. Gunn superintendent. Beds and bedding employ much capital and many operatives,
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GENERAL MANUFACTURES
and from the factories of Foster Brothers and the Foster- Allison Company, by the impetus of W. S. Foster presi- dent, and O. S. Foster treasurer, reach markets over the continent. The Munson Brothers Company is the successor of an establishment founded in the early days, and has made famous its devices for the transformation of power. The Drop Forge Company, with a large force of skilled workers, has won favor and success with its pliers, nippers and other tools by the management of W. Pierrepont White and H. F. Kellerman superintendent. Carriages and automobile bodies are manufactured by the Willoughby Company, which has a capital of $100,000, with E. A. Willoughby president, and Charles B. Mason secretary. The special- ties of the Divine Brothers-capital, $100,000, president, Bradford H. Divine, secretary, O. J. Mckeown, are devices for polishing metals; water motors and tires made of pressed cloth and leather. An infant, but successful, in- dustry, is the Cutlery Company, of which Jacob Agne is president and Alphonse Heinrich secretary. It employs 125 men, soon to be increased to 200.
For more than two generations, the town has been noted for men's clothing manufactured here. Prominent houses are H. H. Cooper & Company, and H. D. Pixley, Son & Company, of which the senior members are active and potent, and Brandegee, Kincard & Company, under the skillful direction of Frederick W. Kincard; also the Roberts-Wicks Company, of which A. J. Williams is presi- dent. In the production of shoes, the Hurd & Fitz- gerald Company, of which D. C. Hurd is president, and the Bowne-Gans Company, at the head of which is F. J. Bowne, are leaders in wide markets. Sash, blinds and doors, and fine wood work for interiors are turned out by Charles C. Kellogg's Sons Company, under the supervision of Spencer Kellogg and Frederick S. Kellogg; also by Philip Thomas' Sons, of which Herbert N. Thomas is the director, and by
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