Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 162

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 162

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PUBLIC BATH.

FOR many years the philanthropic and public- spirited men of Albany agitated the importance of a public bath for the city. Several meetings were held and many plans laid for the carrying out of some project: The difficulty of raising the neces- sary funds with which to construct the bath always presented itself. On one or two occasions, public benefits were given to raise money for this purpose. The press of the city gave the project their hearty support.

One of the foremost men in these movements

was Henry L. Gladding, who deserves great credit for the untiring zeal with which he advocated the measure.

The project was revived in 1879, when Garry J. Benson started a swimming school on the east side of the river, which was carried on with great suc- cess until 1881.

About this time, a number of citizens formed an organization known as the Bath-House Com- mittee, the purpose of which was to collect funds by voluntary subscriptions for the construction of a public bath. Mr. Benson and others served as a committee to furnish a suitable building. They bought of the Round Lake Camp Company, for $ JOO, a structure which was removed to Albany. This was reconstructed and greatly enlarged. The citizens generously contributed $2, 700 for this pur- pose, which has made a structure of beautiful and ample proportions. Annual contributions have been made ever since. With these, new improve- ments have constantly been added.

During the four years since it was opened to the public, 180, 880 persons have availed themselves of its privileges. Mr. Benson has always been its Superintendent, and during all this time not a single accident has occurred. Garry Benson's public bath has become one of the institutions of Albany.

CHRISTIAN WORK.

LBANY CITY TRACT AND MISSIONARY AL SOCIETY was organized in 1835, and in- corporated in 1856.

The New Mission Building, corner Franklin and Rensselaer street, was dedlicated in 1878. The Ladies' Auxiliary Board was organized in 1879.

The branches of the work given below were placed in 1874.

It employs as many mission workers as can be paid to do the work of the society, in visiting the needy, distributing gospel literature among them, and ministering to them in many others ways.

It conducts gospel, temperance, social and liter- ary evening meetings in the Mission Building, for the benefit of all who will attend them.

It keeps open one of the most inviting Coffee Rooms in the city, having an extensive bill of fare, where food is sold at low rates.

It has a Cooking School for women and girls, where they may receive instruction in the arts of household life.

It sustains a neat Boys' Lodging House, where the homeless boys of Albany can have the use of books, games, papers, a well-warmed and well- lighted room, and furnished with a good bed, all for the sum of five cents a night.

It has a Fruit and Flower Mission, having special reference to the sick poor in homes and hospitals. Through this branch of work is yearly distributed

thousands of articles essential to the comfort of the sick, which they cannot afford to purchase.

It publishes The Work at Home every month, to keep before the public the Christian work in the City of Albany.

The entire work is kept free from debt, has nei- ther mortgage nor interest to pay, and every dollar given to it is directly used for one of the objects above named.

This society is undenominational; it is supported by the gifts of the charitable, in and out of churches; makes no distinction in its benevolent work on account of race or creed; and invites the contribu- tions of all to sustain it.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The objects sought to be attained and the influ- ence for good exerted by the Young Men's Christian Associations all over the country, meet the approval of a majority of the people acquainted with the principles and aims of these organizations. That there is mighty power in every such association, and that the principle of united actions is most important, both in the Church and in the world, will not be denied. The great principles and aims of all Christian organizations are so well under- stood, and their importance so universally acknowl- edged, that they need not be urged.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

That the Young Men's Christian Association of Albany has not attained the strength and efficiency of similar associations in other cities, and seeming- ly out of proportion to the population of the city, can be accounted for partially from the fact that as- sociations of young men exist here which are thought to accomplish a part at least of what is sought to be done by the Young Men's Christian Association.

This division of what may be termed the legitimate work of a Young Men's Christian Association, has prevented the present organization from becoming what it other wise might have become. But perhaps the same, and may be greater, results for good have been accomplished by the diversity of organizations, all striving for either the moral, intellectual or phys- ical welfare of young men.

The present Young Men's Christian Association was organized March 23, 1857, with a member- ship of 206. A preliminary meeting was held in the old Pearl Street Baptist Church a short time pre- vious, called together at the request of 147 young men of this city, who were desirous of forming such an association. Snitable rooms were secured at 124 State street soon after organization, where a library of 588 volumes and a free reading-room, containing newspapers and other periodicals, were opened, religious services were regularly held, and the Association grew in usefulness and num- bers. Five years later, rooms were obtained in the Tweddle Building, where the Association remained until May, 1868, when a location on the southeast corner of North Pearl and Steu- ben streets was secured. Here the society re- mained one or two years, when it removed to the Commercial Bank Building on State Street. While occupying this place the association became par- ticularly strong and active, numbering at one time about 1, 200 members, nearly one-third of whom were ladies.

During the period of financial depression in 1872 the association disbanded, vacated its rooms, and suspended active work, although a nominal ex- istence was maintained by the election of officers by the Board of Directors until the reorganization in June, 1881, when the work was resumed at the present quarters, 20 North Pearl street. From the time of the organization of the association in 1857 to 1872, ladies were admitted as members the same as men. With the reorganized association this state of affairs was changed, and none but men were ad- mitted. To assist in the work of the association, a ladies' auxiliary was organized in 1883, which at present consists of over 100 members.

The association has not had the good fortune to be the recipient of any large sum of money at any one time, but has been supplied mainly by small contributions .* The only legacy ever received came from F. E. Andrews, who bequeathed the house and lot, No. 96. Madison avenue, valued at $3,000, to the Association, the proceeds of

which are to be applied to furnishing bread to the deserving poor.

The annual expenses of the association are about $3,000; membership, 600. The library contains 1,000 volumes. A small gymnasium is attached to the rooms, where instruction in physical culture is given. The present work consists mainly of lec- tures and educational exercises in the winter; re- ligious services; a free employment bureau; and a boarding-house directory.

Presidents of the association since its organiza- tion, 1857, and time of service: 1857-58, Justus F. Taylor; 1858-59, John G. Treadwell; 1859- 60, William M. Woollett; 1860-61, Rufus K. Viele; 1861-62, John Templeton; 1862-63, Levi Dederick; 1863-64, Francis W. Holbrook; 1864- 65, George B. Byron; 1865-66, John E. Page; 1866-67, Stephen R. Gray; 1867, Alexander L. Van Buren; 1867-68, A. A. Wemple; 1868-70, John H. Osborne; 1870-72, Edward Savage; 1872- 82, John Templeton; 1884, Charles H. Mills.

The present officers of the association are Charles H. Mills, President; Samuel S. Hatt, First Vice-President; Robert McRoberts, Second Vice- President; Walter J. Eaton, Recording Secretary; Frank W. Ober, General Secretary; I. D. F. Lan- sing, Treasurer; V. H. Youngman, John A. Howe, D. R. Niver, Ezra H. Stevens, Oscar D. Robinson, George Bouton, Dr. Henry March, John Templeton and A. H. Holmes, Board of Managers.

THE RAILROAD YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIA- TION was organized in 1880, having for its mission the moral improvement of railroad employees. At the time of organization, a building in the yard of the Union Depot, between Columbia and Orange streets, was secured and has been used for this pur- pose ever since.

This association, as well as similar ones in other cities, is very favorably considered by the vari- ous railroad companies, and receives substantial support from them. The current expenses amount to about $1, 600. It is in a good financial condition. It has a library of 600 volumes, with a reading-room supplied with the leading newspapers and period- icals of the day; 200 members belong to the asso- ciation. The present officers are: George S. Weaver, President; J. H. Hunter, Treasurer; Lemuel S. Fish, Secretary.

THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

had its origin about the end of the year 1833, with only eight members, of whom the venerable Fred- erick Osnam was the ruling spirit. It is now estab- lished throughout Europe, America and Africa. In India the late Viceroy, Earl of Ripon, deemed it an honor to be president of a simple conference.

The main object and aim of the society is to encourage its members by example and counsel in the practice of a Christian life and in deeds of charity.

In the winter of 1847-48 the society was first introduced into this city, in the parish of St. Mary, through the instrumentality of the young priest, Rev. C. Putnam, and Rev. E. P. Wadhams,

*Since the above was written, Mr. James B. Jermain has donated $50,000 to this association for the erection and completion of a suitable building for its use, and nearly an equal amount has been subscribed by citizens of Albany for the purchase of a lot for the structure and furnishing the same when completed. It will probably be located on the northwest corner of North Pearl and Steuben streets, adjoining Kenmore Hotel.

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CHRISTIAN WORK.

now Bishop of Ogdensburg, and was soon extended, by the efforts of the late Cardinal Bishop Mc- Closkey, to St. John's parish and the cathedral. In 1858 it was deemed advisable to institute what is called a particular council-that is, a council, ac- cording to the rules of the society, composed of the spiritual directors, presidents and vice-presi- dents of the various conferences. This was soon accomplished, with the conferences of Troy, West Troy, Cohoes, Waterford, Lansingburgh and Green- bush added; but soon those out-of-town confer- ences became so numerous, it was deemed well that their connection with the Albany council should be severed and other councils formed- one at Troy and another at Cohoes, all, however, con- nected with the supreme council of New York.

Some time afterwards a conference was estab- lished in St. Joseph's parish, then at St. Ann's, St. Patrick's, and later at the Assumption. The prin- cipal work of the society consists in assisting poor families at their homes, every family on the relief roll being visited weekly by a committee of the so- ciety.

The City Almshouse, as well as the Charity Hos- pital, is visited weekly by one or more members of the society, and religious instruction imparted to the inmates. The City Penitentiary and Jail are also visited weekly, prayers maintained, and read- ing matter supplied to the Catholic inmates.

The work of organizing Sunday schools (in places remote from the churches) is made a special feature of the society, and much good work has been done in that way.

By a recent general report, it was seen that the so- ciety had expended in cash in this city, since its com- mencement, $100,000 for relief in kind, besides vast quantities of provisions and clothing donated by charitable persons, during the winter seasons. The number of visits made to families was shown to be 12, 500, and the number of persons constitut- ing those families amounted to about 40, 000.

ALBANY ORPHAN ASYLUM.

The Albany Orphan Asylum was the outgrowth of the philanthropic efforts of Mr. and Mrs. James D. Wasson, assisted by a number of the charitable citizens of Albany. It is the oldest and one of the best managed of the Albany charitable institutions. A frame building was hired at the upper end of Washington street, and the institution was opened December 1, 1829, with eight children, which at the end of the month had increased to twenty. A permanent organization was effected May 19, 1830, and the first officers, elected June 10th, were Ed- ward C. Delavan, President; Dyer Lathrop, Treas- urer; John G. Wasson, Secretary; and Erastus Corning, Jabez D. Hammond, Samuel M. Hop- kins, James Gourlay, Joshua A. Burke, John Will- ard, George Young, James D. Wasson, Dyer Lathrop, and Oliver Steele, Managers.

In 1831, an act was passed to incorporate the society. During the following year, the erection of a building on Robin street, between Western and Washington avenues, was commenced, and fin-

ished in 1833. The asylum, during the first eight- een years of its existence, provided a home for seven hundred and thirty children. In 1851 the work of the society had so increased that an en- largement of the building was commenced, which cost over $7,000. The asylum was under the ma- tronship of Mrs. Heeley, a warm-hearted and de- voted friend of the poor, for over twenty years, ending in 1852.

Albert D. Fuller is the present Superintendent; Mrs. Albert D. Fuller, Matron. Mr. Fuller suc- ceeds to the long and useful administration of his father.

ST. VINCENT'S FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.

For several years the Catholics of Albany felt the great need of providing a suitable home for Cath- olic female orphan children.

Up to the year 1829 no special institution had been provided in which little girls, deprived by death, or other causes, of the care of their parents, could receive parental care and a Christian educa- tion.

To meet this urgent want, the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph's Mother House, Emmettsburgh, Md., were invited to Albany by Rev. Father Schneller, Pastor of St. Mary's Church.

The urgent request of the Rev. Father was granted, and Sister Mary DeSalle and three other Sisters were sent to Albany, and there opened a day school for the education of Catholic children in a house near St. Mary's Church.

In connection with this school the Sisters also opened an asylum, in which they provided for the temporal and spiritual needs of destitute Catholic orphan girls. A short time afterward a separate building was rented for these orphans.

After many and serious vicissitudes, the asylum, which was supported solely by voluntary contribu- tions of the Catholics of Albany, began to decline for want of necessary funds. In 1848 it was feared the asylum must be closed.

At this critical juncture, the Very Rev. J. J. Con- roy, Pastor of St. Joseph's Church, came to the rescue of this noble charity, and purchased lots adjoining the church, on North Pearl street, upon which he erected a large and commodious build- ing, to which the Sisters and orphans were forth- with removed.

This building served both as a day school for girls and asylum for orphans. In a short time an addition was made to this building.

An incorporation by the name of St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum was formed in 1849. The incor- porators were Rt. Rev. J. McCloskey, Very Rev. J. J. Conroy, V. G., Rev. Thomas Doran, Rev. E. P. Wadhams, Rev. P. McCloskey, Thomas Matti- more, Peter Cagger, Peter Morange, John Raleigh, John Tracey, Richard Carmody, and others. To this corporation the asylum building and grounds were deeded by Very Rev. J. J. Conroy.

In 1865, Rt. Rev. J. J. Conroy, desiring to pro- vide more ample accommodations for the girls' day school in St. Joseph's parish, purchased the

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

building formerly owned and occupied by the Young Patroon, situated on the southeast cor- ner of Broadway and North Ferry street. To this building he removed the orphans, and they occu- pied it four years. The number of applicants constantly increased, and it soon became manifest that larger accommodations must be provided for them.

In 1868, Bishop Conroy purchased, for $30,000, the mansion and grounds situated directly west of the Executive Mansion. As these grounds were too small, an additional lot was purchased of Mrs. Charles Austin, on Elm street, and a wing was erected, at a cost of $25,000.

The late John McArdle, who had always been a great benefactor of the orphans, left, by his will, a large sum of money to the asylum. With this money another wing was erected. This building is of tasteful architecture and very attractive in its appearance. It affords abundant room for two hundred and fifty children.

The orphans are most tenderly cared for by the Sisters, and daily receive instructions in all the branches of a good English education. The in- stitution is supported by an annual appropriation from the county, which allows $1. 50 per week for each child, and from voluntary contributions of the Catholics of the various parishes of the city.

Besides those provided for by the county, there are many children who, having exceeded the legal age, are maintained at the expense of the institu- tion until suitable homes are provided for them.

There are at present in the institution two hun- dred and sixty children and ten Sisters, under the direction of Sister Anacaria.

The institution is yearly visited by the Board of County Supervisors, who have always been profuse in their praises for the efficient manner in which it is conducted, and the great care bestowed in pro- moting the happiness and welfare of the children.

THE ORPHANS' HOME OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH.

This institution was organized in 1864. It grew out of a nucleus of a few little homeless children who had been gathered from the streets of the city and kindly cared for by that devoted Christian woman, Miss Elizabeth Knapp. The charity was familiarly known as The Ragged School. Both boys and girls were received, and very young chil- dren admitted. The house in which these little ones were sheltered was known as the Salem Dutcher House, on South Pearl street. In time the institution became incorporated, under the name of the Albany Juvenile Retreat; but, notwith- standing the best efforts of Miss Knapp and of Mrs. Margaret Gourlay, who was her zealous co- adjutor in the work, it received but desultory sup- port. In 1864, the Clergy of St. Peter's Church, the Rev. Wm. T. Wilson and the Rev. Wm. Tat- lock, having obtained assurances of support from the members of the parish, resolved to undertake the maintenance of the children, then about fifteen in number, in the Retreat,

In October, 1864, the charity was formally adopted and reorganized under the name of The Orphans' Home of St. Peter's Church. It was not, however, until 1876 that the name was, by an act of the Supreme Court, legally changed.

Under the new regime, the Rector of St. Peter's Church was, ex officio, President, and a Board of Managers was formed from the ladies of the con- gregation. A matron was appointed who should have the immediate care of the children. The managers held monthly meetings, made weekly visits, provided the necessary supplies for the household, and exercised a general supervision of the work. This -plan has been faithfully adhered to, and the interests of the wards of the institution carefully studied and provided for to the present time.

In 1865 a commodious building was secured at No. 59 Chapel street, and from twenty to twenty- five children accommodated. In 1873, this prop- erty was needed for the erection of the Albany Savings Bank, and the children were temporarily lo- cated at No. 50 North Pearl street until, in 1874, the trustees purchased the house No. I Pine street, which for nine years was known as The Orphanage. In 1883 this property was rendered unsuitable for occupancy by the erection of the City Hall build- ing, and the household was transferred to No. 2 Madison place. During the present year, 1885, the trustees purchased the house at No. 9 High street. It has been thoroughly renovated and re- modeled. The appointments here are complete and carefully adapted to the requirements of chil- dren who should be conscientiously trained to be- come self-sustaining.

At least twenty-five children can be cared for in the new house. On the 6th of October this build- ing was dedicated, with appropriate services, by the Bishop of the diocese, and the Rector of St. Peter's Church.

The scope of the charity is limited to the care of orphan and destitute girls, who, when possible, are indentured to the Home until sixteen years of age, the managers reserving the right to place them at service in suitable homes at a proper age. The religious training of the children is in accord- ance with the usages of the Episcopal Church. They are instructed in the ordinary English studies and in all branches of household labor, and so fitted to become self-supporting when called upon to leave the shelter of the orphanage.

In the course of the twenty-five years that have elapsed since Miss Knapp's venturesome planting of the germ of this institution, a large number of children have been its beneficiaries. The girls who have grown up in the home and gone out from it, bear it in grateful remembrance, and from the shelter of their own happy homes, or from the positions of trust and responsibility to which they have attained, come most satisfactory evidence of the value to the community of an institution of this kind.

Some valuable gifts and legacies have been made to the institution. The average cost of mainte- nance is about $1, 200 per annum.

731

CHRISTIAN WORK.

THE ALBANY HOUSE OF SHELTER.

On the 24th of February, 1868, by invitation of Mrs. Samuel Pruyn, a number of ladies and gentle- men met in Mrs. Pruyn's parlor, to discuss the subject of establishing a home for the purpose of reclaiming and reforming women who had strayed from the path of virtue and were living in vice. A committee to propose some plan of organization was composed of Rev. Dr. Elmendorf, Rev. Dr. Douw, Rev. Dr. Bridgeman, Dr. Alexander, and Captain George Hagadorn. On the 9th of March, the committee made the following report: "That they recommend the establishment of an institution to be known as the Albany Home. The establish- ing and management of the home to be placed in charge of a board of managers, consisting of thir- teen gentlemen, and a board of supervision, consist- ing of nine ladies."

No. 49 Hudson avenue was the first house oc- cupied. At a meeting held February 8, 1869, the name of the institution was changed to the Albany House of Shelter, and it was incorporated the same year.

During the year, the house No. 56 Howard street was purchased for the home. In November, 1871, Mr. R. H. Pruyn resigned the presidency, and Austin Kibbee was elected, and has since held the office. In February, 1872, the lot corner of Howard and Wendell streets was purchased, for the purpose of building a house suitable for the wants of the institution. The following year the present building was erected, and has since been occupied.

The wisdom of the founders of this institution has been fully proved in the success that has uni- formly attended its work for the homeless and the erring. Hundreds of these most unfortunate wo- men have found shelter, a Christian home and kind friends, who have, by their untiring kindness, won them back to womanhood and society. Very many mothers have brought their wayward daugh- ters here, that the kind and helpful restraints of the home might be the means of winning them from dangerous paths and associations.

The uniform success of the institution during all these years in its humane work has gained for it many friends by whom it has been generously sus- tained, and it may be said with a good degree of assurance, that there is no institution in our city of a charitable character that stands higher in the public estimation than the House of Shelter.

ALBANY GUARDIAN SOCIETY AND HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS.

The beautiful three-story brick building on the north side of Clinton avenue, facing Perry street, is the Home for the Friendless.

With ample space for a large garden back of it, and a well-kept lawn upon the front and either side, it looks inviting to the passer by. The lot was a gift from the late James Kidd.

The building itself is 56 feet front by 75 feet in depth, and is finished off by a Mansard roof, from

the windows of which a beautiful view of the sur- rounding country can be had.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 162

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452