Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 134

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

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y. > Part 134

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WILLIAM HFERRIES was born in Glasgow, Scotland, June 9. jeps, where he received a liberal education. In the year 1852 he came to the city of New York, and there, carrying out his varly favorite plan for life, began his journalistic career in the offer of the New York Tribune. His education, intelligence,

and practical talents, soon made him a useful and well ap- preciated member of the staff of the Tribune, with which he was connected until 1863; when he left, to assume the editorial charge of the Brooklyn Times. This charge con- tinned about one year, during which time he made many

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friends, among whom was C. D. Bingham, the accomplished editor of the Pittsburg Commercial. In the summer of 1865, he was invited by Mr. Bingham to become his associate in editing that journal. This invitation was accepted, and was a pleasing and profitable relation. After continuing in it for some time, Mr. Herries, in connection with Mr. John W. Pittock, established the Pittsburg Sunday Leader, which soon became one of the most successful and influential papers in western Pennsylvania.

Having parted advantageously with his interest in that journal, Mr. Herries returned to the city of New York, to be connected with the New York Times, assuming, after a short time, charge of the Brooklyn affairs of that paper.

In 1872, his connection with the Brooklyn Eagle began, and, with the exception of a few intervals, has continued down to the present time. We believe that Mr. Herries has always discharged the duties of the various positions he has occupied in a highly acceptable manner. He loves and honors the journalistic profession, justly believing that it largely furnishes the intellectual element of the time.

Few of the members of this profession are more industrious and thorough in the discharge of their duties than he; few have a larger or more practical knowledge of books than he; few can apply a more critical and appreciative analysis to their contents; few are less pretentious in exhibiting their endowments. Indeed, his modesty has, in some sense, militated against a more rapid advancement in his pro- fession.

As he has long been a resident of Brooklyn, he is exceed- ingly well acquainted with all its affairs. He is accessi-

blc, affable and obliging, and always ready to impart any information that is desired of him; and such infor- mation is almost constantly sought. When we say Mr. Herries is a highly useful citizen in and out of his profession, we feel assured that public sentiment will heartily concur with us. Beyond the limits of the Eagle office, Mr. Herries has a large circle of friends, both in New York and Brooklyn, who hold him in high esteem.

As a writer he is concise, direct, lucid, and graceful; his productions have an ethical interest, evidently the offspring of a full mind, sound judgment, and practical good sense. Mr. Herries is not without merit as a speaker, though he seldom appears before the public in that character, and never, unless strongly solicited; but when he does appear, he acquits himself in a highly commendable manner. Among his public productions was his address at the Kemble banquet, given at the Hotel Brunswick, New York, on the evening of Septem- ber 29, 1883, to commemorate the great actor, JOHN KEMBLE. On that occasion addresses were made by Judge Brady, Rev. Dr. Hall, Collector Robinson, Mr. Raphael J. DeCordova, and other distinguished writers and speakers. Mr. Herries re- sponded to the following sentiment: "The Drama, the Co- laborer with the Pulpit in Reprehending Vice and Encourag- ing Virtue." His response won for him the commendation of every person present. As it was published and exten- sively read, it speaks for itself, and needs no other encomium. Mr. Herries is strongly attached to his brethren in the pro- fession; never forgetting the amenities and courtesies that so strongly characterize those attached to the great calling of journalism.

ROBERT A. BURCH.

ROBERT A. BURCH, a native of Albany, N. Y., has spent the greater portion of his life in New York and Brooklyn. He first studied law, and wasadmitted to the bar, but Ins literary tastes predominating, drew him to the field of journalism. He has been connected at different times with the Star, Standard, Union, and Eagle of Brooklyn, and with the World and the Evening Post of New York. In 1872, he was managing editor of the Eagle; in 1873, editor-in-chief of the Union; and for about six years was the principal editorial

writer of the Evening Post, during the last years of the life of its late editor-in-chief, Mr. William C. Bryant. When, after his death, the Post changed hands, he became man- aging editor, which position he retained until 1883. In 1884, he was again managing editor of the Eagle.

Mr. Burch is a graceful writer, thoroughly in love with his profession, and of a social, generous disposition which makes and retains many friendships. Brooklyn has always enlisted his sincerest interest in all that pertained to hier public affairs.

The Weekly Advertiser is published by Mr. | George H. Ayres, at 416 Grand street, Brooklyn, E. D., and was established at 107 Broadway, June 5th, 1874. Its editor is Mr. N. B. Jacobs. Heretofore it has been devoted solely to the interests of advertisers, but its character will soon be so changed that it will give much local news; thus gaining a popularity with readers which will render it more than ever valuable to adver- tisers.

The Brooklyn Daily Lance was established in September, 1880, by Mr. George J. May, as a penny

daily. Its publication office was located at 119 Frank- lin street, Greenpoint. Subsequently Mr. James F. Rowins associated himself with Mr. May, and the Lance was published by the firm of May & Rowins. Mr. Rowins shortly after severed his connection with the paper. Its publication was continued by Mr. May alone at the location named, until about August of 1882, when the Lance became the Brooklyn Daily Advertiser, and its publication office was removed to its present location, 72 Greenpoint avenne. It is issued every afternoon except Sunday.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Among other papers published were the Republican, the True Republican, the Chronicle, and the Post. They are now dead.

An edition of the Long Island Star, of Long Island City, owned and published by Mr. Thomas H. Todd, is printed for and circulated in Greenpoint.

The Greenpoint Globe is a special local edition of the Newtown Register, owned by Charles White, of Newtown. I. I., which is circulated every Saturday.

Messrs. Hewitt & Hosier publish an advertising sheet called the Greenpoint Independent.

The East New York Sentinel and Brooklyn Herald was established in 1866 by Mr. Matthew Cooper, the present editor and proprietor; and was the earliest paper published in Kings county outside of Brooklyn. It is radical in politics, and is circulated extensively throughout the five county towns, as well as in the Eighteenth, Twenty-fourth, and Twenty-fifth Wards of Brooklyn, and has many subscribers in New England and the West, and in other parts of the Union. The regular issue is 2,500. The Sentinel and Herald is an eight-column, four-page paper, containing much reading matter of an interesting character, and well patronized by advertisers.

The Long Island Record, published weekly in East New York, was established in 1871, by Messrs. A. II. W. Van Siclen and Richard Pickering. One year later, Mr. Van Sielen (who had in the meantime

been elected Supervisor of the town) retired from the business, leaving Mr. Pickering as sole proprietor and editor. The Record has always maintained an " inde- pendent " position in politics, and has wielded an im- portant influence in local matters. Its merit has been recognized from time to time by the Board of Super- visors, in its designation as one of the official county papers. Its circulation is by no means limited to the township in which it is published, but extends into the neighboring towns of Kings and Queens counties.

The Brooklyn News is published by James F. Denchan at 249 Atlantic avenue, between Court and Boernm streets, with a branch office at John Delmar's real estate office, Fifth avenue and Ninth street, and claims a larger circulation in South Brooklyn than any other paper. It was established in 1868.

The Hornet is a small eight-page weekly journal devoted to military, masonic and social interests. It is published by G. F. MeSkimming & Co., 74 and 76 Myrtle avenue, and is now in its second volume.

An Ephemeris of Materia Medica, Pharmacy, Therapeutics and Collateral Information. By Dr. Edward R., Edward HI. and Chas. F. Squibb, A. B., now in its second volume. An occasional issue, "as time and material may admit." A neat, well edited quarto, and valuable to the medical profession, espe- cially with reference to pharmaceutical matters.

HON. WILLIAM ERIGENA ROBINSON.

HON. WILLIAM ERIGENA ROBINSON, Member of Congress from the Second N. Y. District -Ireland has given birth to inany eminent citizens of Brooklyn, and among those who have done our city and county good service, our distin- guished fellow-citizen, the subject of this sketch, claims Erin as his native land, and Unagh, near Cookstown, County Tyrone, in the Province of Ulster, as his birthplace, where he first saw the light in 1814. His father and brothers were re- spectable and prosperous tradesmen in Cookstown, Coleraine, and Ballymeney, and his father wished him to follow the same occupation; but the boy was resolnte to obtain a colle- giate education, and, nuknown to his father, with the assist- ance of his teacher, who lent him money for the purpose, he procured the Greek and Latin text-books, and pursued his studies in the night. His father, discovering the eagerness of his sou for study, ceased his opposition and sent him to Bel- fast, where, in due time, he entered college. llis zeal in im- proving his new opportunities probably contributed to throw him into a typhoid fever, from which he was long in recover- ing, and by the urgent advice of his physicians, he was com- pelled to return home, and abandon for the time, his studies. le amused himself at home by efforts at landscape garden- ing on his father's farm; and the gravelled walks, the law- thorn hedges, and the now stately forest trees, planted by his hands, still exist, and give evidence of his love of natural branty.

He also undertook to obtain the means, and to erect a school-house at Unagh, which should be far superior to any- thing in that region; and enlisting the interest and contribu- tions of the neighboring gentry, and even of the Lord Lienten- ant of Ireland, for the purpose, he achieved, as he had usually done since in his undertakings, a grand success. But the health so earnestly songht for did not return, and, though with many misgivings that he was to be a lifelong invalid, he re- solved upon an ocean voyage, and turned his face resolutely toward New York, which eity he reached in Sept., 1836, after a tedious and perilons voyage of nearly three months. His long detention at Belfast, Liverpool, and on the voyage, lad so far reduced his finances, that he landed in New York city with only a sovereign in his pocket. He was too independent to write home for more, but he sought at once for work, and mainly by labor with his pen, he not only sustained himself. and reviewed his studies, but entered Yale College in Sept., 1837, with ten dollars in his pocket, having doubled his oriri- nal capital at landing. Notwithstanding his financial dithicnl- ties and the debts he was obliged to ineur (but which he afterward paid in full, principal and interest), he took a high position in Yale, and that in a class very remarkable for the ability of its members. He founded the Yale chapter of the Psi Upsitou, started the publication of the Fale Banner, was President of the Brothers in Unity, then one of the two lead- ing college societies, and while keeping well up in his studies,

W.E. Nobinfor

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wrote much of the editorial matter of the New Haven Daily Herald, thus partly paying his way, and at the same time making the paper a very lively and racy one. He had proved himself also a graceful and eloquent speaker (his farewell oration to his class in 1841 having been published at the re- quest of the class); and during the two years which followed his graduation in 1841, while pursuing his studies in the Yale law school, his services were much in demand in Albany, Utica, Buffalo, New York city, Providence, Boston, Phila- delphia, Washington, Richmond, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Lexington, Ky., and elsewhere, for the delivery of some elo- quent lectures he had prepared on Ireland and the Irish. These lectures, which were afterwards published and widely circu- lated, received the highest commendation from Henry Clay and others of the most eminent men of the time. He was then, as ever since, thoroughly and ardently loyal to his native country, and nothing could rouse his indignation or raise liis eloquence to fervid heat more effectually than an attack on Ireland or the Irish leaders of the time.

In December, 1843, he went to Washington as correspond- ent there of the New York Tribune; he retained this position for many years, his articles over the signature of Richelieu, being very attractive, and aiding materially in giving that paper the high reputation it has always maintained. His final separation from that paper, though not from pleasant intercourse with its editors, grew out of his loyalty to Ireland. Meantime he had engaged in several other news- paper ventures. He had been chief editor of the Buffalo Express, and of the Newark Mercury, and in 1849, with Devin Reilly, commenced the publication and editing of The People, which had a brilliant though not long career. In 1853, he married Miss Dougherty, of Newark, the marriage ceremony being performed by Archbishop Hughes. The next year he commenced the practice of law in New York city, and soon attained a good practice. In 1859 he revisited Ireland, where he was received with great honors, and de- livered a most eloquent Fourth of July oration. He came to Kings county in 1859, making his home at first at Bath, where he still owns a fine summer residence. In 1862 he re- moved to Brooklyn, where he has since resided, except in the summer. He had, while in New York, been nominated for the Legislature, for Congress, and for District Judge, but residing in a Tweed district (most of the districts were for Tweed at that time), he failed of election. After his removal to Brooklyn, his political and executive abilities were better appreciated. In 1862, he was appointed by President Lill- coln's own nomination, Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Third Congressional District, an office then of great import- ance. He held this office for five years, only resigning it to take his seat in the Fortieth Congress as successor of Hon. James Humphreys, and being elected by over 1,800 majority over his competitor. His services in this Congress were of signal value and importance. He advocated, and carried through Congress, the great doctrine of the sanctity of American citizenship for naturalized citizens, in opposition to that doctrine of perpetual allegiance, which had previously been held by European powers; and, largely through his exertions, this American doctrine was acknowledged and ac- cepted by the principal states of Europe; le procured some modifications of the Internal Revenue Law, which added to its efficiency, and took away its objectionable features; he entered very vigorously into the debates on Reconstruction. He was also instrumental in the passage of several excellent bills of local character. From 1869 to 1880, though several times proposed for different positions, as State Senator, Mayor, etc., he was not- on the winning side, sometimes from party factions, and sometimes from his reluctance to engage

in violent partisan campaigns. During this period he was engaged in the practice of his profession, and in literary pursuits. The death of his excellent wife in 1875, weighed heavily on his spirits, and his health was much impaired. In 1880, he was elected by a large majority to the Forty-Seventlı Congress, and in 1882 was re-elected by an increased majority to the Forty-Eighth. In the Forty-Seventh Congress, some of his speeches, denunciatory of the imprisonment of Ameri- can citizens by the English government, showed much of his old fire and enthusiasm. He also earnestly advocated in a brief speech, the granting of a pension to the only surviving granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson; another important measure advocated by him in both sessions of the Forty- Seventh Congress, was one for the reduction of letter postage to one cent. This attracted much attention in all parts of the country, and will again be pressed by him in the Forty- Eiglith Congress. His speechies on American shipping, American citizenship, and in opposition to the increase of our military force, were also listened to with great interest. Among more local measures proposed or earnestly advocated by him, was one for the construction of iron and stone piers, to be paid for by a small percentage of customs collected, and another, a bill for the erection of a public building for government use in the City of Brooklyn, which had been long pending, and which was passed successfully near the close of the second session of the Forty-Seventh Congress. He is a valuable Member of Congress for Brooklyn, always mindful of her interest, and helpful to all the causes that need and deserve help. Mr. Robinson, in addition to liis long labors as a journalist, has published but little; three or four public orations, a fine poem on the American flag, and five or six of his speeches in Congress, constitute the whole of his works thus far given to the public; but he is understood to be preparing a work on "The Early Settlers and Prominent Men of our Colonial and National History." Horace Greeley wrote a biographical sketch of him for "Barnes' Fortieth Congress." Personally, Mr. Rob- inson is a genial gentleman, and interesting and pleasant companion, full of anecdote and reminiscence, and possess- ing a wide range of general as well as special culture.

Among the other journalists and publishers, etc., of Kings county, we may mention :

LOUIS A. WENDT, of 1522 Pacific st., who, after finishing studies in connection with Mr. G. B. McCloskey, a nephew of Henry J. McCloskey, late editor of Brooklyn Eagle, started a paper, The Brooklyn Barb, whichi, not proving as decided a financial success as was anticipated, was aban- doned; then entered in the commission business (dry goods), in which pursuit he is still engaged.

GEORGE H. ROWE, 159 Meserole ave., local editor Grecn- point Daily Star, 1873; born in N. Y., 1847; prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a 32d Degree Member of the N. Y. Consistory; belonging to all the Scottishi Rite bodies of Brooklyn; and also of Mecca Temple, of the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; was formerly connected with the Newark Daily Journal, Newark, N. J., and the Brooklyn Daily Times.

THOMAS B. SIDEBOTHAM, Jr., 391 and 393 Fulton st., print- ing and publishing, established in 1871; publisher of the Brooklyn Review, established in 1873; and contractor for city and county printing.

GAYLORD WATSON, 278 Pearl st., near Beekman, N. Y., is the publisher of various maps, etc., and of The Handbook of the United States of America, and Guide to Emigration; compiled by L. P. Brockett, M. D., 1883.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Among printers:

MICHAEL KING, 446 Grand st., printer; was established 1870; was member of East River Engine Co., No. 170, N. Y. Volunteer Fire Department.

CHARLES H. MCILVAINE, 274 Hooper st., book and job printer, established 1866, in N. Y .; Lient. 47th .Regiment, National Guard.

ANDREW H. ROME, 377 Fulton st., job printer, established 1548, cor. Cranberry and Fulton sts. ; printed Walt Whitman's first edition of Leaves of Grass, also published The Index, weekly, three years.

JOHN WOEHR, Jr., 60 Bergen st., printer, established 1876, under the name of The Brooklyn Printing Co., from an out- tit costing $3.15, which has gradually increased to its present large extent.

Among booksellers and stationers:

HENRY THORPE, 454 Sackett st., bookseller; born in Eng- land. 1847; resident of Brooklyn since 1861; established 1870, at 84 Nassau st., N. Y. Pres. L. I. Forester Club; Sec.

Fountain Gun Club, and Sec. L. I. Sportsman's Association: contributor to sporting papers under the psendonym of " Walton."

JAMES P. RAPPELYEA, Mansion House, Brooklyn; stationer; 57 Maiden Lane.

WALTER JOHN WEEDON, 122 Myrtle ave. and 90 Chambers st., N. Y., books and stationery; born in England; came to United States 1865; established in Brooklyn, 1869; annual sales, $40,000.

MR. T. B. VENTRES, dealer in Bibles, books and stationery. 62 Court st .; established his business at that place in 1866, and by close attention to the interests of his customers, has extended his sales very greatly, covering large portions of several states; his specialties are Sunday-school helps, Bible- texts and picture cards for all seasons and birthdays.

DAVID S. HOLMES, 89 Fourth st., Brooklyn, E. D .; station- ery, music, and musical instruments; established 1849, in New York; removed to his present location in 1859; one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in Brooklyn. E. D.

JOHN T. RUNCIE.

The Eastern District of the City of Brooklyn num- bers among its " old inhabitants" nonc more enterpris- ing, or more respected, than the gentleman whose portrait is presented on the opposite page. Fifty years ago, a young man, twenty-two years of age, he came to the then Village of Williamsburgh, and commenced the manufacture of tobacco, especially of cigars. In this he continued until 1849, when he entered upon the real estate and brokerage business, and proscented it with that degree of judgment and success which enabled him, in 1860, to retire from its aetive duties with a handsome competence. For a brief time, in 1847, and again in 1853, he also held the position of Postmaster in Williamsburgh, discharging its duties with fidelity and acceptability to his fellow citizens.

Since his retirement from active business, Mr. Rnneie has been largely identified with the public interests of the Eastern District-more particularly with its strect railroads and ferries. In 1859, he (with the Hon. Ira Buckman) inaugurated the plan for the Grand street and Newtown R. R .; and, despite powerful political opposi- tion and maneuvering in behalf of a rival scheme, secured a charter and completed it. Of this road, which formed a much-needed and direet route to Calvary Cemetery, Mr. Runcie was president, until 1868, when ill-health led him to withdraw from its management and interests.

When, some ten years since, the lease of the Grand street ferry having expired, it was not renewed because of a dispute between the Dock Commissioner and the Comptroller of the city of New York, as to the disposi- tion of the rent therefrom, Mr. Runcie, in behalf of the suffering interests of the Eastern District, drafted and (with the help of Hon. Charles L. Lyon) secured the passage of a bill by the Legislature, which broke the " dead-loek," by forcing the Comptroller to sell the franchise of the ferry for a term of ten years-under which lease the ferry is at present run.

In 1875, Cypress Hills Cemetery being in a bad con- dition, financially and otherwise, Mr. Runcie was chosen a trustee. Upon him soon devolved the duties of man- aging trustce, and finally those of thic Comptrollership. His experience in the management of employees, his striet methods of business, his abilities as an organizer, together with his social and political influence, soon produced a marked improvement in the affairs of the institution. Order emerged from confusion, solvency from bankruptcy, and a large floating debt was sensibly reduced-placing Cypress Hills Cemetery in the front rank of similar institutions, as regards prosperity and efficiency.

Mr. Runeie lost his wife, by death, many years ago ; and his son William J. Runeie is a prosperous merchant in Buffalo, N. Y. A more extended sketeh of Mr. Runcie will be found on page 608.

Г. Липси

HISTORY

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS

KINGS COUNTY.

A N efficient military organization is necessary to every government, not only as a pro- tection from external hostilities and invasion, but also to ensure the enforcement of its laws and the preservation of good order. In actual war- fare, our government depends somewhat upon its small regular army, but more upon volunteers for its defense. In time of peace, the power of the nation lies dormant, but the knowledge that it can be called forth tends strongly to repress mob violence and to secure obe- dience to the laws. The military system of the United States recognizes the rights of the sovereign States and assumes only to act where all are concerned. The militia includes all the arms-bearing citizens of the republic, who, in time of need, may be called to its defense. Congress has the power to "provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions," while to the separate States is reserved " the appoint- ment of the officers, the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Con- gress."

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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 134

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