Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 77

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

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THE PROFESSION OF DENTISTRY.

949

TUTTLE

Dand Parmes

various school works; and Professor Sedgwick, the eminent astronomer; and the attention lie then gave to his studies has been of great value ever since, for his culture and refinement, joined to most genial manners, have always been the " Open Sesame" to the friendship and admission of the charmed circles of the best society. At the breaking out of the Rebel- lion, although a comparatively young man, he took an active interest in all military affairs, and was for a short time asso- ciated with the lamented Ellsworth. He assisted in raising a company for the New York Legion, U. S. V., and then served in the Quartermaster's Department in the Shenandoah Valley for a short time. Dr. Skinner joined the famous Seventh Regiment, N. G., S. N. Y., in 1863, and served with them in the Draft, Election and Orange Riots, being complimented by a letter from his company for his services in the last-named and most bloody encounter with the mob. He was elected a life member of the Veteran Association, and still takes a deep interest in all the public and private affairs of the active regi- ment.

When 21 years old he joined the order of Free and Accepted Masons, and has, with characteristic thoroughness, attained the highest rank, but lately entering the thirty-third degree; and in a few months will be elected to life membership in his lodge, as he will then be a veteran in that institution. The confidence reposed in his integrity and good judgment has been manifested by his election to various high offices, at dif- ferent times, by companies and associations with which he was connected; and, although proffered nominations for polit-

ical offices, he has always declined the honor, preferring to re- main in private life, and give that attention to the profession of dentistry that his large and influential practice requires. The Doctor, at an early age, evinced decided journalistic abil- ity, and for many years has edited the society and dramatic departments of some of our leading papers, his articles being notable for their crispness, pungency and analytical acumen. As a dentist, he takes the highest rank, it being his constant effort to do the best work in his profession; and his patrons, among our most cultured and wealthy people, have secured to him a fine competence.

In private life, he is truly an enjoyable man, fond of all re- fining enjoyments; a steady patron of the music and arts, and one with whom conversation is both a pleasure and profit.

Among the prominent dentists of Brooklyn we may mention the following:

Charles W. Harreys, 108 4th street, E. D.

Established 1867, 86 4th street. In 1877, removed to present address, 110 4th street.

C. A. Marvin, D.D.S., 169 Clinton street.

Established 1853 ; president of various local Dental Societies ; was Member District Board of Censors ; Pres. State Dental Society; Professor of Mechanical Dentistry in New York College of Dentists, four years ; and con- nected with N. Y. Odontological Society from its organ- ization.

THE HISTORY

HIGHER EDUCATION, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, ETC. IN

BROOKLYN.

E ARLIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN KINGS COUNTY .- The earlier begin- nings of Education, both in its public and pri- vate form, in Brooklyn and Williamsburgh, have been already sufficiently stated in our chapter on the History of Education in Kings County (pages 409 to 418), and in the History of the Department of Public Education, by Hon. T. G. BERGEN, Esq. (pages 609 to 618); as well as in the histories of the several county towns presented in this volume.

In dealing, however, with the private schools which, sinee the beginning of the present eentury, have flour- ished within the limits of the present eity of Brooklyn, we have a larger subject than we are able to compass within the space allowed to us. Their number has been extraordinary; their merits and demerits we do not feel competent to discuss.

A few names stand clearly out in the memories and approval of the oldest inhabitants. Foremost among them was JOHN BEYNON, whose school was located on Nassau street, near the northwest corner of that street and Washington street-thien a pleasant tree- shaded neighborhood of dwellings. Beynon is ehar- acterized as " a freethinker, a great admirer of Thomas Paine, but an excellent scholar and good teacher, al- though he possessed a hot temper and not much suavity of manner." He was considered as an estimable citizen; was a member of the Society for the Prevention and Suppression of Vice in the town of Brooklyn, formed in 1815; and it was at his school-house that the meeting was called by Messrs. Snow, Mercein, Herbert and others, in 1816, which resulted in the establishment of the Brooklyn Sunday School Union ; so that, despite his " freethinking " tendencies, we must consider Beynon to have been one of the solid, law-abiding citizens, and respected by the best men of the village.

He was succeeded, at his death, by the Rev. SAMUEL SEABURY, formerly his assistant, and who patched up an off meeting-house (which originally belonged to the "Independents," afterwards to the Episcopa-

lians), which adjoined the northerly side of the burial ground of St. Ann's Episcopal Church (and which is now covered by the block of stores ealled "St. Ann's Buildings), and used it as a school-room. Here he kept a classical and English school of great excellence, in which many of our oldest citizens received their edu- cation. Mr. Seabury was a fine seholar, a strict dis- ciplinarian, and a thorough teacher. He was widely esteemed for his scholastic, theological and editorial abilities. JOIN SWINBURNE, his assistant, was also a conseientions, methodical teacher, and an excellent dis- eiplinarian. He afterwards condueted a elassical sem- inary of high reputation, at White Plains, N. Y.

Of a later date (1840-60 ?) was Mr. B. W. DWIGHT, who kept a school on the south side of Livingston street, between Sidney place and Clinton street. About 1846, it was the principal school of the city, and Mr. D. is characterized by Gen. A. C. Barnes "as well remem- bered for his brisk ways, his lectures to the boys on the practical subjects of life, and for his long, lithe bamboo stiek, tipped with a button, for thumping the erania of inattentive or mischievous pupils in the remote corners of the school-room. He had, also, a triek of seizing of- fending youth by the hair, gently twitching it at first, and inquiring if the process hurt. Repeating the act with gradually increasing force, until tears of agony stood in the victim's eyes, he would assure him that the teacher was a still greater sufferer from the high crimes committed by those under his charge. Prof. Dwight made classieal study a prominent feature of his curri- culum. Prof. D. P. Holbrook was his first assistant, and greatly endeared himself to the boys by his gentle manners and patient faithfulness as a teacher."

JULIUS R. POMEROY for several years kept a private school for boys, at 65 Henry street. He was succeeded by his brother Daniel, and the school was removed to a small building in Willow street, near Pierrepont. A. B. MOREHOUSE's school for young ladies in Clin- ton street, near Sackett, was very popular for many years in South Brooklyn.

951

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

Among other private schools, which will occur to the minds of many Brooklynites of recent generations, were the Lawrence Institute for young ladies in John- son street, kept by the Misses LAWRENCE; and Prof. J. C. OVERHISER's school, in the Hamilton Building, which was chiefly a fitting school for college for young men.

The Packer Collegiate Institute .- The first en- dowed institution for female education, in the State of New York, was the Albany Female Academy. It was founded by Chancellor Kent, John V. Henry, Gideon Hawley and others, in 1811, and incorporated in 1821. A similar institution was subsequently founded in the metropolis, under the name of Rutgers Female Insti- tute-now Rutgers College.

attendance of pupils six hundred. On January 1st of that year the school building, with its library, chemi- cal and astronomical apparatus, natural history collec- tions, etc., was destroyed by fire. Before the flames were extinguished, the use of rooms in the Brooklyn Institute was tendered and accepted, and the school was not interrupted for an hour. Within three days, and while the smoke from the ruins was still ascending, Mrs. Harriet L. Packer addressed a communication to the trustees, stating that her late husband, William S. Packer, had desired to found an educational institu- tion, and that she, as his representative, proposed to carry out his wishes. She therefore offered to re-estab- lish the institution on a more permanent and solid basis; and dedicate it for all time to the advancement of fe-

PACKER COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, JORALEMON STREET, BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N. Y.

In 1844 the Brooklyn; Female Academy was founded by a number of the citizens of this city, and incorpo- rated by an Act of the Legislature during the same year. It was modelled on a plan similar to the others; and A. Crittenden, A. M., who had been during twenty years at the head of the Albany Female Academy, became its first principal.

Two brick buildings were erected on Joralemon street, between Court and Clinton; the main one, in which were all the school apartments, was 75 by 100 feet and four stories in height; the other, a boarding house, was 50 feet square and also four stories high. The Acad- emy was formally opened May 4th, 1846. Its career was prosperous until 1853, when its revenue from tui- tion alone had reached $20,000 per annum, and its daily

male education in the higher branches of Art and Sci- ence, on condition that the stockholders would transfer their ownership in the Brooklyn Female Academy, to found a similar institution for the education of young men. She wrote: "What I contemplate in this is to apply $65,000 of Mr. Packer's property to the erection of an institution for the education of my own sex in the higher branches of literature, in lieu of that now known as the Brooklyn Female Academy." The condition which she imposed was accepted by the trustees; and the corporators consented to transfer their interest to a school for boys, under the title of the Brooklyn Col- legiate and Polytechnic Institute.

The Institution was chartered by the Legislature, under the name of the Pucker Collegiate Institute. In

952

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

a subsequent letter, Mrs. Packer expressed her thanks for the honor conferred on the memory of her husband, in giving his name to the institution, and proposed to add $20,000 to her former donation, to further aid the trustees in the erection of a building which should be a token of the refined and elevated influences to be found within its walls. This sum of $20,000 was never ealled for.

The erection of the present building, on the site of the one destroyed, was at once commenced; and it was formally opened on the 9th of November, 1854. It exceeds the former one in size by one-third, and, with the grounds, has an estimated value of $200,000. This edifice, in the beauty of its architectural design, and in the convenience of its arrangements, is not surpassed by any college edifice in the country. It has a tower for the support of a telescope, resting on a deep foun- dation, and surmounted by a revolving dome. Its chapel is of the early English style of Gothie architec- ture, and has a seating capacity of 1,000. It has a lec- ture room, laboratory, cabinet, library, gymnasium, ete., etc.

The endowment of this school by its liberal patron was made on the express condition that all profits aris- ing therefrom should be faithfully applied to its further improvement, and for enlarging and improving its facil- ities for instruction.

There are ten Paeker scholarships, determined by the faculty; eight endowed scholarships, and ten grammar- school scholarships, the incumbents of which are se- lected, by competitive examination, from among the graduates of the Central Grammar School of Brooklyn. In 1882, gratuitous instruction was given, which, at regular tuition rates, would have amounted to more than $3,000.

Aid has been received by this institution, from the State of New York, to the amount of more than $30,000. The present endowment is about $42,500.

The Presidents of the Board of Trustees have been: John Skillman, George Wood, Seth Low, G. G. Van Wagener, and the present President, A. A. Low, who has held the position since 1858.

ALONZO CRITTENDEN, A. M., Ph. D., was President of the Institute from its beginning until his death, January 23, 1883. He was born in Richmond, Berk- shire county, Mass., April 7, 1801. At an early age he entered Union College, and was noted for the assid- uity and devotion with which he pursued his studies. He graduated in the class of 1824, and went to fill a responsible position in the Albany Female Academy. Subsequently appointed principal of that institution, lie remained until 1845, when he took charge of the Brooklyn Female Academy, which was burned Jann- ary 1, 1850. Through Prof. Crittenden's promptness the school was re-established almost immediately. The growth, prosperity and advancement of "Packer " engrossed Prof. Crittenden's time and attention, and

was the principal study of his life. Nearly twenty thousand pupils from all parts of the Union have there been educated. Some idea may be formed of the vast influence of such an institution and such a man. He attained the highest rank and distinc- tion as an upright, skillful edueator and adminis- trator. Alert, punctual, judicious and firm in his headship, he directed numerous and accomplished teachers, kindled the studious zeal, and won the affec- tionate confidence and regard of his pupils. He also found time to assist struggling genius and to eneour- age talent. Many a young man owes to his thought- fulness and generosity the word which has helped him on to sueeess. Prof. Crittenden was a member of the Church of the Pilgrims, and as an educator, eitizen and man, was respected and esteemed wherever known.

Professor DARWIN G. EATON was chosen Presi- dent of the Faculty in place of Professor Alonzo Crittenden, deceased, but was compelled to decline be- eause of poor health. Prof. Eaton has been connected with the Packer Institute since 1851, or a period of thirty-one years, and has oceupied the chair of higher mathematies and natural sciences with peculiar ability. His ripe scholarship and excellent finaneial knowledge, as well as his reputation as a seientist and chenist, are known all over the Union; and his laboratory is said to be one of the most complete in existence. His lectures and researches in astronomy have also been delightful contributions to both scientifie and general knowledge, and have won the commendation of the most eminent specialists.

Prof. TRUMAN J. BACKUS, LL. D., the present Pres- ident, was graduated from Rochester University in 1864, and held the chair of English Literature and Belles-lettres in Vassar College for the first sixteen years of its existence. He also re-wrote Shaw's Man- ual of English Literature, the well-known text-book. Hle is one of the leading educators of the day, and prominent in the lecture field.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 1883 .- A. A. Low, Peter C. Cornell, Arthur W. Benson, Joshua M. Van Cott, R. P. Buek, S. B. Chittenden, Henry P. Morgan, Bryan H. Smith, Tasker H. Marvin, William S. Paeker, A. S. Barnes, Ripley Ropes, Henry Sanger, A. B. Baylis; the Mayor of the City of Brooklyn, ex-officio; Pres- ident, A. A. Low; Treasurer, Abram B. Baylis, Jr .; Secretary, Henry P. Morgan.

WILLIAM S. PACKER was born in Albany county, in the year 1800. He was left at an early age entirely de- pendent on himself, but this was only a stimulus to ex- ertion, and he was noted, even in boyhood, for his energy, self-relianee and perseverance. In early man- hood, he established himself in the fur-trade in Albany, and founded the house of Packer, Prentice & Co., after- wards removed to New York. His rare sagacity, his

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EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

strict integrity and his readiness to help younger men, who, like himself, had their own way to make, gave him an enviable reputation among men.

On retiring from business in 1840, he came to Brook- lyn to reside, and from that time thoroughly identified himself with this city, entering heartily into all plans for public improvement. A man of broad views, he believed in the future of Brooklyn, and devoted time, influence and money, to aid in establishing institutions for the good of the people. He was one of the founders of the Brooklyn City Hospital and of the Brooklyn Female Academy, and contributed liberally to the building of various churches. The population of Brooklyn at that time was less than 40,000. The vil- lage character still belonged to it, though it had been organized under the form of a city government a few years before.

All the important institutions and public works, which have since been commenced or accomplished here, were then still in the future, and the residence in the place of a man like Mr. Packer, who, though modest and unobtrusive, had foresight, courage, en- terprise, and influence with men, and who used his means with intelligent liberality, was therefore a matter of public importance. It opened before him a quite unusual opportunity of uscfulness, which hc gladly improved, and his energetic public spirit, with that of others with whom he was associated, has had its worthy and splendid memorial in the subsequent development of the city. He died at the close of 1850, and the Packer Collegiate Institute opened in 1854, was built by his widow with the desire of associating his name with some permanent public good.

Brooklyn Heights Seminary, 136, 138 and 140 Montague Place .- This institution for the education of young ladies was established by Prof. Alonzo Gray, LL. D., in 1851; and, nine years later, passed, on his death, into the hands of the present principal and pro- prietor, Charles E. West, M. D., LL. D., formerly the Principal of the well-known Rutgers Female College, in New York city, during its palmiest days.

Dr. West has devoted himself for some forty years to the important subject of female education, studying the matter in all its branches and bearings, and ascer- taining, by a comparison of the systems of instruction employed in America and Europe, the most suitable methods to be adopted in carrying out his aim. By close application, and by giving himself over altogether to his subject with commendable zeal, he has succeeded in accomplishing his purposes.

The seminary is situated in one of the most eligible streets in Brooklyn, near the East River, and within a few minutes of New York. The edifice is seventy- five feet front, sixty-three in depth, and five stories in height. The school-rooms are large and well ven- tilated. The remainder of the building is occupied as

a residence for the principal and for the accommoda- tion of young ladies from abroad.

The seminary is divided into two departments, junior and senior, each of which is subject to subdi- vision. The course of study comprises mathematics, science, and English, ancient and modern languages; and the pupils also enjoy the benefit of the excellent library, and choice art-collections accumulated by Prof. West [whose modesty alone has placed an insuperable bar in the way of our speaking of him, and of his works, in the manner which we desire .- EDITOR. ]

The Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic In- stitute,-After the burning of the Brooklyn Female Academy in 1853, and the generous desire of Mrs. Packer to found and endow an institution in its stead, for the higher education of women, the insurance received on the burned building, and the sale of its site, con- stituted a fund to be returned to the stockholders, or, with their consent, to be transferred to an institution for the higher education of boys and young men. A few days after the fire, Messrs. James How, Dr. J. S. Thorne, Edward Anthony, Cyrus P. Smith, Luther B. Wyman and John H. Prentice, held a meeting at the house of the latter and selected the first Board of Trustees of the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute.

At a subsequent meeting, held April 3, 1853, Messrs. L. B. Wyman, George S. Howland, R. S. Tucker, J. E. Southworth, Isaac H. Frothingham, John T. Mar- tin, H. R. Worthington, D. S. Landon, C. S. Baylis, J. C. Brevoort, J. S. T. Stranahan, S. B. Chittenden, James How, and J. O. Low, were chosen Trustees, to which Board, H. B. Claflin, J. L. Putnam, and Chas. R. Marvin, were shortly afterwards added. January 20th, 1854, Isaac H. Frothingham was chosen Presi- dent of the Board; Josiah O. Low, its Secretary ; John T. Martin having been previously chosen Treasurer.

January 31st, 1854, the present site of the institute on Livingston street, 103 feet wide by 150 feet deep, was purchased, and soon the erection of a suitable building was commenced.

About the middle of September following the insti- tute was opened, with the following Faculty:

John H. Raymond, D. D., LL. D., President; Geo. W. Collord, Latin and Greek; Richard S. Smith, Mathematics; Chas. S. Stone, Natural Sciences ; Jean Gustave Kcetels, French and German ; R. R. Raymond, Rhetoric and English; E. C. Seymour, Principal of Acad. Department; John C. Overhiser and Nathan Ballard, Instructors.

Dr. RAYMOND, who left the Polytechnic to accept the Presidency of Vassar College (which position he held till the time of his deatlı), was succeeded by DAVID H. COCHRAN, Ph. D., one of the most thorough teachers and accomplished scientists of the day.

Brooklyn Juvenile High School .- This school was organized in May, 1854, by Misses A. S. Dobbin

954

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

and S. E. Rogers, at 189 Washington street, opposite the Brooklyn Institute. It slowly but steadily increased in numbers, until its accommodations became entirely too small, and the principals, in 1865, purchased three lots of ground on Livingston street, near Court, and at onee commeneed the erection of a large and commodious building, forty-six feet front by seventy-eight feet deep. and three stories high. This building was opened for the reception of pupils, in April, 1866; and one year afterward, finding their play-ground too limited, they purchased two lots of ground running through to Schermerhorn street. The entire cost of the grounds and building was $48,600. The school was designed, especially, for the thorough instruction of boys under

T. J. Ellinwood became a partner with Mr. Lockwood, and the new edifice was opened for use, February 4th, 1868; the old quarters being kept as a preparatory de- partment.

The academy progressed rapidly; and, its importance being appreciated by the citizens of the neighborhood where it was located, a movement was inaugurated by Mr. Lockwood to place it upon the firm and enduring basis of a public endowment and incorporation. In June, 1869, therefore, the property was sold to Messrs. William S. Woodward, Buckley T. Benton, Alfred S. Barnes and others, for the sum of $100,000, and in Angust following the property was dedicated to the nse and benefit of the public. The institution was duly

ADELPHI ACADEMY.

twelve years of age, in the rudiments of an English education.

The Adelphi Academy, Lafayette avenne, corner of Ilall street, was started at 336 (okl number) Adelphi street, in February, 1863, by Aaron Chadwick and Edward S. Bunker, both of whom had been long connected with the Polytechnic Institute. They sold out, shortly after, to Mr. J. Lockwood, who opened in September, 1863, with eleven pupils; and so rapid was the growth of the school that larger quarters were found at Nos. 338 and 340 Adelphi street, and, on the 23d of July, 1867 (the pupils at that time being over three hundred), the corner-stone of a large and elegant school building was laid at the corner of Lafayette ave- nue and St. James place. During the same summer, Mr.

incorporated, with a Board of twenty-four Trustees, Dr. Budington, President. Disagreements with the new Board of Trustees led to the resignation of Mr. Lock- wood, who was succeeded by Col. Ilomer B. Sprague as Principal, from October 10, 1870 to 1875, followed by Prof. Stephen G. Taylor, Ph. D., to 1883. The school has collegiate, academic, preparatory, art and music de- partments, with a spacious room for physical exercise.

The building consists of the main edifice and two wings. The western wing was created in 1871, at an expense of $40,000, which was donated for the purpose. The eastern wing was built in 1879, through the liberality of Messrs. Charles Pratt and H. W. Wheeler. The basement is fitted up as a calistheninm and gymnasium.

955

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

The curriculum of study embraces the branches usually taught in primary, preparatory, academic, and collegiate institutions; and both sexes are admitted to all the grades of instruction.

The Principals of this academy have been: John Lockwood, till May, 1870; Col. Homer B. Sprague, from September, 1870, to June, 1875; Stephen G. Taylor, from September, 1875, to June, 1883, and A. C. Perkins, Ph.D., the present principal. The average attendance has come to be 730.

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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 77

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