Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 168

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

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The Brooklyn Microscopical Club .- This association was organized Feb. 10th, 1881, for the purpose of advancement in microscopical studies upon the conversational plan. Some of the members possess instruments noted for definition and power, which are exhibited at their meetings. Many of the members have become experts at mounting objects, and, by this means and exchanges, have become possessed of valuable cabinets in histology, entomology, lithology and the diatoma- ceæ. There are about 50 members. Meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at members' residences. Mr. G. D. Hiscox, 435 Greene ave., See'y.

The American Astronomical Society. - This society was organized Jan., 1883, for the purpose of advancement in as- tronomical studies, and the discussion of kindred subjects. It has a well represented local membership; and correspond- ing members among the leading astronomers of the U. S. Their ultimate object is the erection of a public observa- tory in the city of Brooklyn. Many of the members possess fine telescopes. The President, Mr. S. V. White, has the largest private telescope in the U. S., a 12-inch glass by the Clarkes, equatorially mounted under a substantial dome.

Prof. H. A. Parkhurst, has a battery of 3 telescopes mounted upon one equatorial movement, the largest of which is a 9-inch glass by Fitz.

W. T. Gregg, has a 6-inch glass, mounted equatorially under a dome.

Rev. Dr. J. M. Ferris, of Flatbuslı, has a 5-incli glass, also under a dome.

The Packer Institute has a fine telescope with 6-inch glass by Fitz, also under a dome.

Prof. Chas. E. West, has a fine 62-inch glass by Byrne.

Mr. G. P. Serviss, possesses a fine equatorial of 3g aperture by Byrne.

Mr. G. D. Hiscox, has a Newtonian reflector of 10-inch aperture, and a 3-inch comet seeker.

The society meets in the Physical Laboratory of the Packer Institute, the first Monday evening of cach month. S. V. White, Pres .; W. T. Gregg, Vice-Pres .; G. P. Serviss, Sery.

CLUBS.

The Excelsior Club was org. December Sth, 1854, for the promotion of social intercourse among its members, who numbered originally 18. The club was incorp. in 1874, under the State Laws of 1865. The present membership is 220; the present OFFICERS: Chas. W. West, Pres .; Thos. G. Wells, Vice- Pres .; H. C. Richardson, Cor. See .; H. W. Cowing, Rec. See .; John D. Barnes, Treas. This club has fitted up, for the ac- commodation of its members, the dwelling house on the corner of Clinton and Livingston streets, a property which it has owned for five years. This organization is purely social, its members being young gentlemen of assured social posi- tion.

The Brooklyn Club was organized through the efforts of the late Dr. A. Cooke Hull, and incorporated April 24th, 1865. First DIRECTORS were: Henry E. Pierrepont, Pres .; Heury C. Murphy, Henry Sanger, John Simpkins, Robert J. Hunter. William M. Vail, M. Firman Hunt, George L. Kent. A. Cooke Hull, Franklin Woodruff, William B. Kendall, Henry R. Pierson, William Kent, James Humphrey, Ethelbert S. Mills, William H. Wallace, George W. Parsons, Samuel McLean, Luthier B. Wiman, Charles J. Lowrey.

The original membership was 83; the first OFFICERS being H. E. Pierrepont, Pres .; Geo. W. Parsons, Vice-Pres .; A. C. Hull, Treas .; and W. B. Kendall, Sec.

The object of this club is to promote social intercourse among its members, and to provide a pleasant resort for them, where entertainment can be furnished, without gam- bling. The membership limit of three hundred has long since been reached. The club occupies the house forinerly known as the "Greenleaf School," on the corner of Clinton and Pierrepont streets, which has been very artistically reno- vated, and wliere may be found every convenience suggested by the most exacting club men. Present OFFICERS: Benj. D. Silliman, Pres .; Calvin E. Pratt, Vice-Pres .; Henry E. Dodge, Treas .; Geo. B. Abbott, See. Receptions are held at the club House on the last Saturday evening of each month.

The Kings County Club is essentially a political organiza- tion, although neither in its constitution or by-laws is any political allusion made. It originated within the Republican party in Brooklyn in 1872, aud was fully organized in Novem- ber of that year. There has been from the beginning an un- written law that none but Republicans should become mem- bers; this law has been respected. The rooms of the club have always been in the immediate vicinity of City Hall Square, and have been at all times generously open in the service of the party, though the club meetings are uniformly private. The membership was over two hundred, prominent not alone in politics, but in everything pertaining to public welfare and social improvement. The first OFFICERS were : A. J. Perry, Pres .; R. D. Benedict, Vice-Pres. ; Lorin Palmer, Treas .; and E. B. Tower, Sec. In 1881 the club began to show signs of financial weakness; the rooms at that time were at

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

150 Pierrepont street, clegantly appointed and luxuriously furnished; too much money had been spent to sccure these surroundings, and the recent campaign had been very expen- sive; the Republican State Committee thought it advisable at this time to overtake the property, and the Kings County Club was thus quietly though permanently dissolved.

The Clinton Club was organized in 1874, at the rooms which it occupied until 1879, on Clinton avenue, near De Kalb, when larger and more commodious quarters were sc- cured at the corner of Atlantic and Vanderbilt avenues, which the club ocenpied until it was dissolved by the consent of the members April 5, 1883. This organization was purely social; the void caused by its dissolution is felt very keenly in the social circles of Brooklyn, morc especially, perhaps, on " The Hill."

The Hamilton Club was, in a measure, an outgrowth of the Hamilton Literary Association, which has existed more than fifty years. Its library and pictures are now in possession of the Club. After a long and honorable career, the Hamilton Literary Association seemed to be waning somewhat in its prosperity; many of its members desired to form an organiza- tion more social in its nature, with some of the features which appertain to club life. Accordingly, a club was organized, in May, 1882, comprising many members of the old organiza- tion, and retaining its library and pictures with the name, the Hamilton Club. It was organized under the general act of 1875, and was formed for literary, artistic, economic and social purposes. The corporators were as follows : Samuel McLean, David H. Cochran, Joshua M. Van Cott, Joseph Brown, John Winslow, Charles Storrs, Thomas HI. Rodman, Nelson G. Carmen, Jr., John F. Prager, John D. Pray, Thomas S. Moore, William H. Wallace, John Notman, Brian H. Smith, J. Spencer Turner, Joseph Yeoman, and James McKeen. The first OFFICERS were : Samuel MeLean, Pres .; A. A. Abbott, See .; D. H. Cochran, Vice-Pres .; Tasker HI. Marvin, Treas.

The present OFFICERS are the same, with the exception of Secretary, James McKeen having been elected for 1884. Thc membership has increased from 100 to 320. The Club rented temporarily the residence of the late Dr. A. E. Sum- ner, on the corner of Clinton and Joralemon streets, which it will use as a Club House until the completion of its per- manent building (already commenced), on the corner of Clinton and Reisen streets.

The Lincoln Club was organized in April, 1878, at the res- idence of Thomas J. Evans, and was incorporated Nov. 19th, 1879. First OFFICERS : Jolin M. Pratt, Pres ; E. R. Kennedy, Tiee-Pres .; Thos. J. Evans, See .; Win. Ray, Treas. "The primary object of this Association shall be to discountenance and rebuke, by moral and social influences, all disloyalty to the Federal Government, and preserve its just prerogatives, and at the same time to preserve, without infringement, the rights reserved to the States, and the rights and liberty of the citizen." The secondary object of the Club is sociability. The buildings, situated at 65 and 67 Putnam ave., which are used for club purposes, belong to the Club, are very elegantly furnished, and possess every comfort and convenience. The present membership is 200. OFFICERS : Henry S. Germond, Pres .; James H. Pratt, Vice-Pres .; Chas. K. Wallace, Sec .; Emerson W. Keyes, Treas. While this club still reserves the right in an emergency to declare its Republican prin- ciples, yet in municipal matters, it proposes rather to en- large the social than the political features.

The Oxford Club was org. in 1880, and was incorporated June 26th of that year, with 40 members, and the following OFFICERS : Alfred C. Barnes, Pres .; Jno. A. Nichols, Viec- Pres .; James Mitchell, Treus .; Henry T. Richardson, See.

The present OFFICERS are the same, with one exception; H. H. Watson is the present Secretary. The building occu- pied by the Club, is on the corner of Lafayette avenue and Oxford street, and was purchased from John D. Norris for $45,000. The Chib has since acquired an adjoining lot upon which it purposes building extensive additions. While the Oxford is essentially a social club, it is distinguished for its literary and scientific character. On the third Saturday even- ing of each month, a literary or musical entertainment is en- joycd by the members and their invited guests. A Ladies' Reception is given annually, and complimentary dinners to distinguished men are of common occurrence. Present membership is 275.

Paul Morphy Chess Club, org. 1880, for instruction and recreation in the game of chess, with seven members; Present membership, fifty. James T. Burdick, M. D., Pres .; Walter Edmistone, See .; W. W. Silver, Vice-Pres .; Prof. J. C. Ryan, Treas.

The Carleton Club was organized on the 24th of March, 1881, with the following gentlemen as Dircetors : George D. Mackay, J. H. Lyles, F. A. Parsons, W. J. D. Campbell, W. B. Hewett, R. H. Thomas, J. G. Atwood, M. J. Bailey, C. J. McKay, J. F. Tapscott, F. H. Herrick, D. S. Willard, and F. Saunders.

Its object is the promotion of social intercourse among its members, who numbered originally 65 and have now in- creased to 125.

The first OFFICERS were as follows : George D. Mackey, Pres .; James H. Lyles, Vice-Pres .; F. A. Parsons, Trcas .; W. J. D. Campbell, Ree. Sec .; W. B. Hewett, Cor. Sec. The Club secured a handsome house, No. 74 St. Marks ave., which they purchased in Oct., 1883.

The present Board of OFFICERS: Hon. M. II. Clement, Pres .; Col. E. O. 'Hotchkiss, Vice-Pres .; C. J. McKay, Treas .; W. J. D. Campbell, Rec. See .; H. Greenman, Cor. Sec.

The Union Club was organized in Brooklyn, E. D., April 2d, 1881, and incorporated under the laws of New York State. The object of the club is the promotion of social intercourse among its members, who numbered at first but 63. Member- ship at present, 110. The original OFFICERS were: John C. Rapp, Pres .; John Moller, Vice-Pres .; J. Henry Dick, Treas .; E. W. Van Vranken, Sec. The club house is pleasantly lo- cated on South Eighth street, near Fourth, and is possessed of ample accommodations for the members. Present OFFI- CERS: HI. H. Robertson, Pres .; E. W. Van Vranken, Vice- Pres .; Samuel Guthrie, Treas .: William W. Boyd, See.

The Empire Club was org. at No. 45 Broadway, February 8th, 1881, and was incorp. shortly afterward with 25 members. The object of the club is social and recreative. The first and present OFFICERS arc : W. E. Andariese, Pres .; James W. Smith, Vice-Pres .; A. C. Hockmeyer, See .; and James Rod- well, Treos. The present membership is 50, including the more prominent social lights of the Eastern Distriet. An an- nual dinner is given in March to the members exclusively; and, in February of each year, the club hokls a reception in honor of the ladies of Williamsburgh. These social efforts rank among the most elegantly appointed entertainments given in Brooklyn.

Windsor Club .- The amenities of club life in the Eastern section of the city are in no instance more agreeably illus- trated than in the Windsor ('lub, an organization with a lim- ited membership, in which are numbered some of the first business and professional men of the Nineteenth Ward. The club practically had its beginning in the Aeme Club, organ- ized in February, 1881, with the following OFFICERS: Pres., Jno. H. SImlts; Treas., A. P. Day; Sec., W. W. Hanna. A reor- ganization took place in 1883, when the name of the Windsor

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LITERATURE AND SCIENCE.

Club was adopted. The OFFICERS are as follows: Pres., Jas. A. Taylor; Vice-Pres., F. H. Evans; Sec., William C. Bryant; Treas., A. P. Day. Among the other members may be named: Assemblyman Alfred Hodges, John H. Shults, Dr. W. M. L. Fiske, Dr. G. W. Baker, F. W. Wurster, W. M. Hayes, J. C. Onbert, H. N. Fiske, James A. Sperry, E. A. Parker, Fred. Malleson, ex-Alderman Andrew D. Baird, Daniel Richards, Matthew Dean, Russell Johnson, and M. B. Smith. The rooms of the club are pleasantly situated at the junction of Lee and Division avenues, and are fitted up with liberal taste and with ideal comfort. To the decorations the lady friends of the club have contributed with very happy results. Nothing, indeed, is wanting to make the Windsor a first-class club in all that should be implied by the term.

The Eclectic Club was org. April 10th, 1882, at the resi- dence of F. G. Pierra, No. 188 St. John's Place, where the monthly meetings are still beld. This club is distinctively literary, and its chief object is free discussion, without fear of giving offence, upon the greater issues of the day and topics of general interest. OFFICERS: F. G. Pierra, Pres .; Charles H. Requa, Sec.

The Constitution Club was org. at 371 Fulton street, Sep- tember 5th, 1883. Its object, "to unite independent citizens, without regard to party, to uphold economical, pure, and wise government in city, State and Nation, as originally con- templated by the Constitution." The members in each ward annually elect one member of the General Comuittee, which in turn elects the officers of the club, " which is, in short, a corps of independent minute men who defend at the polls the principles for which their fathers fought on the battle-field;" the ordinary privileges of a social club are furnished at a moderate cost, and a reading-room and lyceum maintained. OFFICERS: Thomas H. Rodman, Pres .; Ambrose Snow, Henry Hentz, and D. H. Houghtaling, Vice-Pres'ts .; John Gibb, Treas .; Wm. H. Cromwell, Sec.

The Twilight Club .- In the early part of 1883, a number of gentlemen in New York and Brooklyn determined to or- ganize a club, which should have for its object "to cultivate good-fellowship and practice the new gospel of relaxation;" the requirements of membership to be "a clubable fellow with one dollar in his pocket." The club has no formal or- ganization, no dues, no assessments, no by-laws, no officers, except an executive committee and a secretary to attend to the details of the dinners. The first executive committee con- sisted of E. V. Smalley, Chas. F. Wiugate (Scc.), Henry Hall, W. G. McDowell, and Col. W. P. Fogg. The first meeting was held at Mouquin's restaurant, Fulton street, N. Y., January 4, 1883, which was attended by twenty-one geu- tlemen. Shortly after, the club took permanent head- quarters in the Mills building. At each of its weekly meet- ings, a different chairman is selected. The membership has expanded to two hundred, and includes every profession and nearly every occupation. The topics of the day are dis- cussed in a profound and interesting manner. The Club has entertained many eminent guests, and has dined at Green- wood Lake, Coney Island, and other summer resorts. The experience of the Twilight Club has demonstrated the truth that Herbert Spencer noted-the overworked condition of American professional and business inen, and that they need and enjoy such relaxation as this club affords.

The Brooklyn Art Guild was organized in the studio of J. B. Whittaker, in December, 1880, for the purpose of main- taining a school offering the best advantages for the profes- sional study of art at rates within the reach of all. The original membership was eleven ; the first OFFICERS: J. (". Beard, Pres .; J. B. Whittaker, Vice-Pres .; F. Sheffield, Sec., and J. S. Hodgson, Treas. Its success proved that it has met

a want in the community. Its day and evening classes have outgrown the rooms first used, and larger rooms have been secured at No. 191 Montague st. The first instructor was John Sartain, who has been succeeded by Thomas Eakins, of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. In November, 1853, this organization recognized the wisdom of uniting with the Brooklyu Art Association, and are now known as the

Student's Guild, of the Brooklyn Art Association. The present membership is nearly 100, officered by Wm. Potts, Pres .; F. Sheffield, Vice-Pres .; M. E. Robinson, Sec., and Chas. Sickels, Treas. This Society is not incorporated, is governed by a constitutiou, aud is beneficent.

The Durer Club was organized on Monday evening, Dec. 12, 1881, in the parlors of Tredwell's publishing house, No. 14 Red Hook Lane, of this city. The first BOARD OF OFFICERS were, viz .: J. H. Platt, Pres .; R. L. Dickinson, Vice-Pres .; W. C. Tubby, Sec .; E. O. Kindberg, Treus .; F. Tredwell. Curator. The object of the Club is to disseminate art inat- ters, and art thought generally; and to that end etchings are published occasionally, pamphlets of recognized merit issued and distributed, lectures given, essays read, and discussiou on art, or kindred subjects, courted. The membership is limited to fifty members; the meetings are irregular, subject to the call of the secretary; the attitude of the Club is social and informal.

The Rembrandt Club was org. in the fall of 1880, through the efforts of several well-known residents of Brooklyn. The first meeting was held in the library of Mr. Henry T. Cox, where a Club was informally formed, whose object should be to meet socially, on the first Monday of each month at the houses of the members, and discuss art in all its bearings. One year later, the membership having increased to 24, it was cousidered advisable to formulate a constitutiou and by- laws, which was done by Mr. Geo. V. Brower; thus was the Rembrandt Club organized. The first OFFICERS were: Henry T. Cox, Pres .; Dan'l M. Tredwell, Vice-Pres .; J. B. Stearns, Treas., and L. D. Masou, Scc. The original plan of this Club was adhered to strictly until the fall of 1883, when a light collation at the Club's expense was added to enhance the evening's pleasure. The present membership of the Rem- brandt is 70, officered by D. M. Olcott, Pres .; J. E. Hill, Vice- Pres .; J. B. Stearns, Treas .; J. B. Ladd, Sec. Three well- kuown resident gentlemen, whose art galleries are con- spicuous for excellence, are members of this Club : Aaron Healy, No. 198 Columbia Heights ; Henry T. Cox, No. 236 Heury street, and David Lyall, No. 19 Presideut street.

The Faust Club .- At au accidental meeting, early iu 1872, at which were present Messrs. William Hudson, Jolm Car- roll, Ed. Laub, Gabriel Harrison, James McCloskey, and Dr. Henderson, all gentlemen well-known in theatrical circles, it was suggested that a social club be organized in Brooklyn that should be represented, if not entirely, at least chiefly, by the various professions, and whose primary object should be to promote social intercourse of a high intellectual char- acter among its members. In response to some fifty notices sent to prominent artists, journalists, musicians, dramatists, lawyers and physicians, an inaugural meeting was held at the Lyceum on Washington street, and the Faust Club was almost immediately organized. Rooms were secured at No. 177 Remsen street, at an annual rental of $2,000. Thomas Kiusella, of the Brooklyn Daily Bugle, recently deceased. was elected President, a position which he hekl for two years. The uames of many of Brooklyn's representative professional men were soou on the membership roll. The Club was essentially a Bohemian organization, owing to the character of the majority of its members, who were artists, actors, journalists and musicians. Its tone was elevating,

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

its general tastes luxurious and extravagant ; and, while rich in genius, talent and wit, it lacked the necessary funds to carry out to successful fruition the plans and schemes that were suggested by generous hearts backed by seanty purses. Owing to this fact, together with the unfor- tunate introduction of a mereantile element into their midst, the Faust Club was foreed to dissolution in the winter of 1875, after an existence of varying fortunes covering about three years.

In Prospect Park, in the picturesque vicinity of the Rustie Farm House, the Faust Club erected its own monument. This was done thoughtlessly perhaps, though none the less really. The untiring zeal and well direeted efforts of Mr. Gabriel Har- rison, the active spirit of the club, succeeded, with the aid of the votaries of the professions which John Howard Payne adorned, in raising sufficient money to perpetuate in bronze the memory of the author of " Home, Sweet Home." This bust of the poet, dramatist and statesman, was executed by the well-known seulptor, Henry J. Baerer, and is conceded by crities to be a work of rare excellence. It rests upon a granite shaft, eleven feet in height, occupying a prominent position in the park, where it was unveiled and formally pre- sented to the city of Brooklyn, by the Faust Club, on the 27th day of September, 1873. Thirty thousand spectators were present; 600 children sang in ehorus " Home, Sweet Home," and our national anthem, "America." John G. Saxe read an original poem, eulogistie of the man and commemorative of the event of the day. Mr. Thos. Kinsella, in behalf of the Club, formally made the presentation to the Park Commis- sioners for the people of Brooklyn, to which address Hon. J. S. T. Stranahan replied eloquently.

The Apollo Club. - At the residence of Chauncey Ives, Jr., on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 1. 1877, sixteen gentlemen inet for the purpose of organizing a musical society that should eventually equal the Mendelssohn Society of New York; one week later the Apollo Chib was informally organized, and officered by Silas Nettle, Pres .; J. C. Meacham, Vice-Pres .; Win. Payne, Sec'y; E. M. Jewell, Treas .; Dudley Buck, Diree- tor and Leader. The first rehearsal of the elub was held in Evans' music room, at 177 Montagne street, on the evening of November 28th, at which place they were continued until March 27, 1878, when a reception concert was given by the club, which at this time numbered twenty gentlemen, in the Academy Assembly Rooms. This concert was quite as great a social as musieal success; a reputation of musical excellence in male chorus singing was established, and the untiring efforts of Mr. Buek, as organizer, leader and director of the club, rewarded by appreciative comments and criticisms front all quarters. At this time the question of reorganization on a less exclusive basis was discussed, the finances of the society were on the ebb, and money was necessary to carry out the ambitious schemes born of recent sneeess. To further this end, a meeting was held at the residence of Dr. A. E. Sumner, June 5, 1878, when the reorganization was effected by the election of Wm. B. Leonard, Pres .: W. W. Sherman, Vice- Pres .; HI. S. Brown, Secretary; W. B. Kendall, Treas. A sub- scribing membership, whose limit should be 300, was insti- tnted, which, together with an active membership of 60, should constitute the chib. Its snecess since that time, has been phe- nomenal, and is due to the unity of purpose which has ever characterized the society as a whole. Three concerts are given during the season at the Academy of Music, at a cost of $1,000 each; these entertainments are recognized social events in Brooklyn, the interior decorations, floral and otherwise, being especially noteworthy. The Apollo to-day is m the front rank of musical societies; it stands related in Brooklyn to vocal, as does the Philharmonic to instrumental

musie; and is a powerful organization musically, socially and financially. It begins its seventh season with a full compli- ment of subscribing and active members; a library of more than 150 part songs and choruses; a balance of $7,000 in the treasury, and the most brilliant record of uninterrupted sue- cesses that has ever been won by any musical club of similar character in this country.

The Brooklyn Woman's Club .- There is no aspeet in modern society that more strongly shows the tendency of civilization, than the movement for the elevation of woman. The improvement in her condition is in large measure due to the banding together of the more thoughtful among them, into associations of various kinds, and for various purposes. These coteries or elubs are a marked feature in society of the present day.

To the women of Brooklyn belongs the honor of founding the third Woman's Club in the country. In the spring of 1869, at the house of Mrs. Anna C. Field, The Brooklyn Woman's Club was organized.

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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 168

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