Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 131

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360

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His rank as Colonel, Mr. Roehr has earned by eight years of service in the National Guard of the State of New York. In the summer of 1868, he was authorized to raise a battalion of Infantry of four companies, in the Eastern District of Brooklyn, for the 11th Brigade, at that time commanded by that genial soldier and gentleman, General Jere. V. Meserole. In October of that year, the battalion was mustered into the state service, designated as the Battalion of Infantry, 32d Regiment, with six companies. Mr. Roehr was elected Major, and rose to the position of Lieutenant- Colonel; and when the Regimental organization was com- pleted, he was elected Colonel, and retained command until November, 1876, when he resigned his commission. It must be said that the Regiment has never again maintained that degree of perfection in drill, discipline and appearance it ell- joyed under the command of Col. Roehr.

In politics, Col. Roehr early espoused the Republican cause but with many others, in 1872, joined the "Liberal" move-

ment. After the collapse of that attempt to reform party politics, he again joined the Republican forces and served as member of the General Committee and delegate to nu- merous conventions. In 1879 lie acquiesced in the wish of a great number of his party-friends, and accepted the Repub- lican nomination as State Senator against the Hon. John C. Jacobs, one of the most prominent Democrats of the Empire State. Of course lie did not expect to be elected; but the great number of votes he received, under especially unfavorably circumstances, astonished even his political enemies.

A German paper called The Anzeiger was started by A. Fries, in 1851, three years before its name- sake by Mr. Roehr, and was afterward published as a daily under the name of the Long Island Zeitung, but it died in 1854, the year Mr. Roehr first started his paper.

Another and more recent Anzeiger was published at 14 Boerum Place in 1880, by II. Soshinsky.

The Brooklyn Times .- On the 28th of February, 1848, the Williamsburgh Daily Times first appeared. It is now known as the Brooklyn Daily Times. It was published by George C. Bennett and Aaron Smith. It sprang up from a quarrel among the proprietors of the Morning Post, which was issued about a year be- fore by Thomas Devyr and Messrs. Bennett and Smith. The Times was at first neutral and independent, but soon became Whig and afterward Republican. The paper was a success from the start. In 1856, Mr. Bennett was the sole proprietor and became wealthy. A few years ago he sold it to Messrs. Bernard Peters and George H. Fisher, in whose hands it is now in a prosperous condition. Mr. Peters edits it with ability and eminent success.

BERNARD PETERS.

BERNARD PETERS .- The work of editing a daily newspaper s peculiarly exacting, requiring special gifts in him who at- empts it. He must be quick to choose the right course in the lifficult situations that constantly occur, must foresee the effect of every move upon the political chessboard; must udge correctly the drift of popular sentiment; in short, nust in every sense, know everything and make no mis- akes. Moreover a Brooklyn newspaper has peculiar diffi- ulties. Published in a city suburban to the metropolis, its ield is necessarily limited, while it is compelled to cope on ts own ground with the metropolitan journals that are sure o have a field so much more extended; its price must be as ow, its enterprise must equal, and its quality and literary tandard must compare favorably with the best New York apers. The successful growth of the Brooklyn Times, in the ace of such disadvantages, to its present commanding posi- ion in the journalistic field, is a monument to the ability of 's editors. Its phenomenal prosperity since 1869 is largely due the clear-headed, liberal, intelligent management, and the alents, honesty and enterprise of its editor, Mr. Bernard Peters.

Mr. Peters is a native of Dürckheim, in the Rhine Palatin- ate, a region noted for the beauty of its natural scenery, and the intelligence, the thrift, and the progressive spirit of its citizens. He inherited from his ancestors a love of liberty, those progressive ideas, and the breadth of intellect which have given him the strength that served to crown him with success in after years. He came to this country as a child with his father, John Philip Peters; he grew to manhood in Marietta, Ohio, receiving a thorough education. By his father's desire lie began the study of the law, but when sixteen, reverses com- pelled him to take a clerkship in a dry-goods store. A youth of his ambition could not tamely relinquish his plans for a profession, so in spare moments lie read the elementary text-books of the law, under the direction of a preceptor, Ferdinand Buell, Esq. 1Ie also took a deep interest in the political history of this country, mastering its early records, perusing attentively the lives and works of the fathers of the Republic, familiarizing himself with constitutional questions, and studying the speeches of contemporary political orators. These studies strongly influenced his mind in the direction of

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the work which he was destined to performn in future years. But new influences turned his course from his first inten- tions. Ile became an intimate friend of Rev. T. C. Eaton, at that time the genial, popular, and kindly Pastor of the Universalist Church in Marietta, and the clergyman in turn became solicitous that the young student's bright intellect and aptitude for public speaking should be used in the service of the church. After months of thought, and not without his father's consent, he decided to study for the ministry, enter- ing in August, 1848, the Clinton Liberal Institute, at Clinton, N. Y., then in charge of Rev. Dr. T. J. Sawyer, who was for many years Pastor of the Orchard Street Universalist Church in New York. In 1852 Mr. Peters was ordained, soon thero- after taking charge of the Second Universalist Church in Cincinnati. In 1856 Mr. Peters was called to All Souls' Church, Brooklyn, E. D., where his pastorate lasted for eight years, during which time, however, he made an extensive tour in Europe. While abroad he wrote letters to the Brooklyn Times and other journals. Soon after his return the war broke out. Mr. Peters' political studies made him thoroughly conversant with the constitutional questions in- volved, and he ardently embraced the Union cause. His clear and intelligent discussion of the important themes of the day drew crowds of eager hearers to his church on Fourth st., while his services as a patriotic speaker were in great demand. But in time his health gave way under the stra'n of such active and continuous labor. The result was, that in 1864 he was called to and settled over a church in Hartford, Ct., in the hope of better health from the change. The startling events of 1865, the end of the war, President Lincoln's assassination, President Johnson's extraordinary course soon thereafter, and the problems of reconstruction interested Mr. Peters intensely; he freely expressed his views on national questions, and this to the satisfaction of men of both parties. About this time, David Clark, Esq., proprietor of the Hartford Post, applied to Mr. Peters to take editorial charge of his paper and make it an advanced Re- publican organ. The latter wrote the leading articles in his study for some months, then resigned his pastorate, notwith- standing the earnest remonstrances of his people, and gave his time wholly to editorial work. This work he found not only every way congenial, but in the highest degree satis- factory; and particularly so, as he was in the prosecution of it restored to the best possible condition of health.

After two years, the Post changed hands and Mr. Peters returned to the ministry, taking charge of a church at Read- ing, Pa. But his health, after a short but successful pastor- ate, again broke down. It became evident to him then that if his life was to be preserved he must permanently abandon the ministry. Therefore, in 1868, he bought a half interest in the Brooklyn Times, which had been founded, in 1848, by Hon. George C. Bennett.

The estimation in which Brooklyn people hekl Mr. Peters is evinced by a business man's remark at the time : "That adds twenty-five thousand dollars to the value of the Times." For six years Messrs. Bennett and Peters managed the paper jointly, when the latter purchased his partner's interest and became sole director. The paper's remarkable success shows his wisdom, forethought, political sagacity and literary skill. Three times he enlarged it, and increased its facilities. Within three years the Times building has been doubled in size; two Scott web presses of large capacity have been put in, and an outfit provided equal to that of any evening paper in the country. In fact, the Times is one of the few successes, both financial and literary, among newspapers. A large fire-proof building, with nn entrance on South Eighth street, has been built during the current year. In this the improved

presses, with a capacity of sixty thousand copies per hour, are to be placed, and on which all the work pertaining to the printing of the Times is hereafter to be done.

Mr. Peters' characteristics as an editor are widely known. At once liberal and cautious, enterprising and careful, he has never spared any outlay for improvements that would advance his purpose of making a thoroughly good newspaper. Hle has always had strong faith in the people, believing that the masses of men are honest and true to their convictions of right. Himself a man of principle, upright and truthful, he gauges the opinions and feelings of others by his own; hence he voices popular opinion with remarkable accuracy. He is no trimmer, but a courageous advocate of his ideas of right. His writings are firm and dignified in tone, not vacillating or temporizing; hence they have the weight with men that the words of an honest, earnest man always carry. The Times is a leader of public sentiment, and its course has at- corded with the views of the better class of citizens. Its at- titude in reference to the third term, the stalwart move- ment, civil service reform, " bossisin," and business methods in municipal affairs has been in favor of a pure government "of the people, for the people, and by the people." It was one of the first to advocate a sound currency founded upon the national banking system. It believes in the inherent right of government to restrain corporations within proper limits. and it deals with the problems of the day in a wise and fearless way. With all facilities for gathering foreign news, it hy no means neglects local interests, its columns being a faith- ful chronicle of life in the City of Churches.

The people of Brooklyn are to be congratulated upon hav- ing in their midst a journal that with such alertness guards their interests at home, in Legislature and Congress: while the Times is equally to be congratulated upon the support given it by the people, and its signal success under the management of its conscientious and far-seeing editor. Judging from the past, the fondest anticipations may be indulged in as to the future of the Brooklyn Times.

Brooklyn Daily Union .- During the War of the Rebellion the need was felt of a newspaper which should more perfectly reflect the sentiment of the dom- mant party in the Nation's struggle for life; and. therefore, on Sept. 14, 1863, S. B. Chittenden, A. A. Low, and some sixty other prominent Republicans (s. tablished the Union, in an office on Front street. The paper met with great success ; and, after a time, the building on the corner of Front and Fulton streets, was erected, into which it moved in 1869. Mr. Edward Cary was then the editor. Owing to unwise management the Union was not so prosperous after the war, and was purchased by Henry C. Bowen and his sons, Henry E. and Edward A. Bowen, on the Ist of January, 1570. Gen. Stewart L. Woodford was editor and HI. E. Bowen, publisher. Mr. Woodford retired May Ist, 1870, and was sneceeded by Theodore Tilton. The Union, under Mr. Bowen's management, increased rap- idly in cirenlation and influence. In 1872, Jan. 1st Mr. Tilton retired from the editorial chuir, and wa. succeeded by Hleury C. Bowen. After a time certa Republicans made offers for its purchase, and on the Ist of October, 1873, it was bought by Benjamin I' Tracy, F. A. Schroeder, John F. Henry and others

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William Burch became its editor. After several changes it came into the hands of Loren Palmer, who then became its editor and publisher. In February, 1877, the Union purchased the name and good will of the Brooklyn Argus, owned by Demas Barnes, and its name was changed to the Union-Argus. More recently it has passed into new hands, with Mr. John Foord as editor, and assumed its old name, the Union .* It is now much improved in every way and promises a pros- perous future. During its progress, a number of vig-

orous writers have been employed on its editorial staff. Sept. 28, 1867, and again in 1875, attempts were made to establish a Morning Union. The first continued for over two years, the second with less success.

* The certificate of the incorporation of the Brooklyn Unlon Publish- ing Company was filed March 19, 1884. Incorporators: Eugene G. Blackford, Alexander J. C. Skene and John Foord. The objects of the company are to print and publish a newspaper and carry on a general printing and publishing business. Capital stock, $100,000, the number of shares 100. The time of the existence of the company is fifty years. The trustees are three In number, and for the first year the gentlemen named above.

JOHN FOORD.

JOHN FOORD, editor of the Brooklyn Union-Argus, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1842. While yet quite young he was employed on several Scotch and North-of- England newspapers. As traveling correspondent he visited France and Germany, and his letters are said to have attraet- ed attention by their freshness of view and original observa- tions on a well-trodden field. In 1868, he went to London, where, for a short time, he was editorial contributor to one or two newspapers; but his heart was set on the New Repub- lic beyond the seas, and early in 1869 he embarked for New York.

His first work in the United States was the contribu- ion of editorial matter to the New York Times and the Tri- une. In the latter part of 1869, he was appointed Brooklyn reporter for the Times, which place he held until he was called to an editorial position on the regular staff of the aper; Mr. L. J. Jennings being then the editor-in-chief.

During the struggle against the Tweed ring, in which the Times soon after engaged, Mr. Foord did distinguished and elling work. His accurate knowledge of municipal affairs und his tenacity of purpose served him in good stead, and his

share of the labor, although necessarily confined to the priv- aey of the editorial room, was of the greatest value. It may be claimed for Mr. Foord, that he contributed handsomely to the campaign which brought the Tweed ring to ruin. In 1876, Mr. Jennings withdrew from the management of the Times, and was succeeded by Mr. Foord, then the senior editorial writer on the staff, many changes having meantime occurred. Under his direction, the Times won an enviable name for fearlessness, courage, honesty, fairness and ability.

In March, 1883, Mr. Foord assumed the editorial manage- ment of the Brooklyn Union-Argus, to which he brought a ripe experience and a reputation only to be acquired by years of faithful and arduous service in one of the most exacting callings of the age. As a newspaper editor, he has won the re- spect and regard of his associates, both by his gentle man- ners and his firm grasp of the details of the complex duties devolving upon the chief of a great journal. Under his management the Union-Argus has shown a marked improve- ment. Its editorial columns have been absolutely freo from every thing that would stain a journalistie record, and the general tone of the paper has been lofty and pure.

ROBERT H. ANGELL.

ROBERT H. ANGELL, managing editor of the Union-Argus, was born in New Haven, Ct., in 1840. When he was eight ears of age his parents removed to Huntsville, Ala., where is boyhood days were spent, first in school and afterward in he office of the village newspaper as apprentice. At sixteen e was a compositor. Two years later he came to New York nd soon to Brooklyn, where he went as compositor upon ie Eagle. This was in 1859. Thomas Kinsella worked op- osite him at the same case. At the breaking out of the war, [r. Angell enlisted on board a man of war, and saw consid- rable service off the Carolinas, much of the time aboard the [onitor Catskill, which was struck a hundred times from the hemy's guns. He was in all the engagements off Charleston, ort Royal, and that part of the coast.

After the close of the war Mr. Angell returned to Brook- n to the Eagle. He had before contributed to the paper, and now he was appointed, in 1865, on the reportorial staff d continued three years, when he went on the staff of the

Union for a time, and then back to the Eagle office. He was appointed Secretary to Mayor Kalbfleisch during his last term, and then returned to the Eagle. In 1873, he went to the Union as eity editor, where he lias since remained, aeting as managing editor and editor-in-chief at times. By seniority of service he is now the oldest editor in Brooklyn.

As an indication of the growth of journalism in this city, it may be stated that when lie first went into the composing room of the Eagle, that paper liad the services of a city editor and half the work of two reporters, who also reported for the New York journals. Now, the Eagle needs the whole services of sixteen reporters and the Union the same number also.

It is worthy of note that while Mr. Angell was serving in the U. S. Navy, his brother, who was a strong secessionist, was in the Confederate ranks. His father, an ardent Union man, was forced to leave the South in 1361, stripped of lis property.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

The Brooklyn Record .- A law and real estate journal, was first issued by J. R. McDivitt, Feb. 13, 1882, on the plan of the New York Daily Record. It contains notices of the sittings of the courts, eauses on the day calendar, synopses of decisions and orders entered; also transfers of real estate by deed and mort- gage; judgments and liens entered of record. After a few weeks, Mr. MeDivitt sold his interest to a stock company of which he is manager and principal editor.

The Brooklyn Daily Programme has been quite an interesting paper. Started on the 1st of October, 1863, by E. L. Briggs; chiefly devoted to places of amuse- ment.

The Echo was established in 1877, at Bath, in Steuben County, and removed to Brooklyn in 1880; devoted to the advancement of the colored people. Its founder and present editor and proprietor is Prof. J. R. B. Smith.

Brooklyn Advance. The first number of this magazine was issued in September, 1877, as a sixteen- page monthly, under the name of Our Neighborhood. In September, 1878, the name was changed to the Brooklyn Advance. In May, 1879, it absorbed the Brooklyn Monthly. In March, 1882, its form was changed to a 48-page magazine. A feature of this publication is the large space devoted to local and his- torical articles, and the prominence given by its illus- trations (which are of a very high artistie merit) to home matters. Its editor and proprietor is Charles D. Baker, and Mr. Allen Forman its assistant editor.

The Brooklyn Review was projected as a weekly paper Marel 23, 1873, by William C. IIndson, Thomas B. Sidebotham, Jr., and Andrew McLean. Mr. Hudson had just retired from the editorship of the Eagle. Mr. McLean was managing editor of the same, and Mr. Sidebotham was the publisher of the Pro- gramme. The Review was started, and is still contin- ued, as an independent sheet. It is now conducted by Mr. Sidebotham, his partners having retired some few months after it started.

The Deutsches Wochenblatt, an independent Democratic weekly, has been published for 18 years by Charles S. Schleier, the founder of the eity of Breslau, on Long Island. It is now published at 202 Atlantic avenne. It is a paper of extensive influence among the independent German population; and Mr. Schleier, its proprietor, is a gentleman of great worth and extensive influence among his fellow-countrymen. It has a large circulation in the city of Breslau and over Long Island, and in almost every State in the Union, as well as in Canada and Europe.

The Brooklyner Volksfreund, a German paper, is published at 242 Atlantie avenue.

The New York Stats Svenska Argus is pub- lished at 662 Fourth avenne, South Brooklyn.

Among other periodicals of more or less promi- nence are included the Greenpoint Globe, The Journal

(German Catholie), the Lance, the Philomathean Re. view, the Plymouth Chimes, the Polytechnic, The Radical, The Reform, The Svenska Posten. Other papers had a periodical existenee, chiefly designed for eatehing politieal advertising, and charging payment for the publication of the official announcement of the election returns.

The Kings County Rural and Brooklyn Ga- zette (see also page 236, History of Flatbush, in this volume) was established April 20th, 1872, by II. . J. Egleston, its present editor and manager. It is pub- lished weekly at Flatbush, Long Island, and is the official and only paper in the four towns of Flatbush, Flatlands, Gravesend and New Utrecht, in each of which it has a large eirculation. It is a four-page weekly, is independent in polities, conservative in tone, and truthful in detail. In the summer it publishes a "Brighton" edition for Coney Island. The name " Brooklyn " has been added to it recently as an edition for Brooklyn cirenlation, Its edition is said to be 20,000; is published every Wednesday, while the rural edition appears on Saturday. Mr. Egleston is a na- tive of Rochester, N. Y., where he learned the art of printing on the Advertiser in 1858, and afterward on the Democrat, under George Dawson, late of the Al- bany Evening Journal. Its Brooklyn office is 590 Atlantie avenue.

The Brooklyn Blade is a spiey little, four-page, one-eent paper, published weekly by HI. Weinranch & Brother, at 601 and 603 Bushwick avenue, and claiming a eireulation of 12,000. Its first number was dated April 2, 1881, and in April, 1882, it was enlarged from twelve to twenty-four columns. Its editor was Gustave Weinberg, who was succeeded by the present editor, J. Joseph Goodwin, a young but vigorons writer. The Blade keeps fully abreast of all that is of interest in art. literature and society, treating pithily and frankly all subjeets in all fields of enlture and taste.

The Brooklyn News is a weekly paper, published in Fifth avenue, near 10th street. It has a large ciren- lation in South Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Catholic Examiner was com- menced in 1882. It was first started as a monthly by Feeney, Fitzgerald and Hagerty (John Fitzgerald, edi- tor), at 343 Fulton street. It is now published as a large and handsome weekly by Edward Feeney & Co., John Fitzgerald continuing its editor; the office being re- moved to 9 Henry street.

The East New York Press has maintained a credit able standing in the Kings county press. The Sentinel, The Record and The Laterne, have given to New Lots a very creditable loeal journalism. The Sentind has been published for twenty years, and Mr. Cooper 16 among the veterans of the Kings county editors.

There are now four well-established, daily papers published in the city of Brooklyn. The Eagle, The Freie Presse, The Times and The Union, and it is some-

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what remarkable that they should all be edited by naturalized citizens-the Eagle and the Union by Scotchmen; the Freie Presse and the Times by Germans. There is also The Record, a daily paper devoted to law and real estate.

THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE

THE BROOKLYN EAGLE BUILDING.

The Brooklyn Eagle, by primogeniture, circula- tion and influence, descrvedly claims the first place among its contemporaries. It was founded in 1841, in the same year with the New York Tribune, but the Tribune had the start by a few months. The Tribune was founded in April, 1841; The Eagle, in the October following. Both papers were the outgrowth of cam- paign sheets. The Tribune sprang from the Log Cabin of 1840, and The Eagle from the campaign sheet of the following year. Kings county, at this time, was Whig; and that party had two organs, The Star and The Advertiser. The Democrats very naturally be- lieved that they were entitled to an organ, and that it should be a daily one. The Long Island Patriot had given weekly contributions to Democracy, and while under the management of James A. Bennett, it ap- peared as the Brooklyn Advocate. General Harrison, the Whig candidate, had been elected President by an immense majority, but died in one month after his in- auguration. The Democrats re-organized with new vigor, and in Kings county opened the fall campaign with The Brooklyn Daily Eagle and Kings County Democrat. The first number appeared October 26th, 1841. Like most of the Kings county papers it had a compound name, and the venerable patriot, still living in honored age in Brooklyn, Judge John Greenwood-who was a trusted student in the law office of Aaron Burr, and who is now the sole survivor of those who founded he Eagle -- is credited with giving it its name. Strange as it may appear the name has never been popular

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Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 131

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : Munsell Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360