Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 81

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

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BENJAMIN W. WEST, Commission Merchant, of No. 1 Ful ton Fish Market, New York city, was born at Long Branch

FISH CULTURE ON LONG ISLAND.

969

...... ..

ALITTLE-PHILA.

Bujamin. Dr. West

Monmouth county, N. J., Sept. 15th, 1835. Mr. West's father, Elisha, as well as his paternal grandparents, were residents of the same county, his father for many years keeping a hotel there. During the early period of his life ne received a common school education, and when thirteen years old came to New York to help his father, who, with his partner, Mr. Wooley, had a fish stand in Fulton Market. Benjamin made the trip in a charcoal schooner, and landed at the foot of Gouverneur street. His pay was twenty shil- ings a week, out of which sixteen shillings went for board. The young man worked hard, sleeping in the office the fore- art of the night, the latter part of which was always de- voted to work; and his wages gradually increased, until in 1853, he was earning seven dollars per week. Then only eighteen years old, he resolved to consummate the most im- portant event in the history of any man or woman-to take a partner for life in the great struggle for a place in the anks of successful men; so, in November, 1853, he ınar- 'ied Sarah W. Conk, whose age, by a striking coincidence, corresponds exactly with his own.

The following spring, Mr. West formed a partnership with J. Pearsall, the firm name being J. Pearsall & Co. This ar- rangement lasted but one year, when Mr. Pearsall sold his nterest to Madison Benjamin, at which time (1855), the resent firm name of Benjamin & West was established. fr. Madison Benjamin died in 1876, when his brother, Pulaski, took his place in the firm.

Mr. West was a charter member of the Fulton Fish- Mongers' Association, organized in 1869 ; and, with the ex- eption of the first two years of its existence, has been its Secre- ary. The business of this firm has had a remarkable growth.

They have purchasing agents in Portland, Oregon; Boston, Mass .; Richabncto, British Provinces, and other fishi centres, and own many vessels besides those that hail to them. The statistics showing the bulk handled in this world-renowned market are astonishing, and to Mr. West we are indebted for the following statement of facts: From March 1st, 1878, to March 1st, 1879, there was handled under the roof of Fulton Market, as follows: 33,529,960 pounds of weighed fish; 2,317,763 mackerel, sold by the piece; 661,594 shad, sold by the piece, and 46,451 gallons of scallops; and for March 1st, 1879, to March, 1st, 1880, 35,278,186 pounds weighed fish; 3,827,324 mackerel sold by the piece; 953,439 shad, sold by the piece, and 36,445 gallons of scallops. One-fourth the fish sold in the market are cod-fish.

There is not only a greater variety of fish handled than in any other market in the world, but more pounds are sold, and money received therefor, than any other in the United States.

The cities of New York, Brooklyn, Jersey, Newark, Phila- delphia, all draw their supplies from this focal point. A daily fish-train, under the supervision of this market, runs from Boston to New York via the New England Railroad, for the transportation of its supplies.

There are one thousand sail of vessels off the coasts of Maine, Massachusetts and the Provinces, each employing ten to fifteen men, engaged in the fisheries, and seventy-one vessels are now being constructed.

There are seventy vessels owned and run exclusively by this market. Fish are not so plentiful as thirty years ago, and it is Mr. West's theory that the fish, being of a shy nature, are, by the many steamers, constantly plying our

970

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

waters, frightened from their olden haunts; but any alarming diminution of the supply is a problematical question of the future.

Three-quarters of the globe is inhabited by the finmy tribe, and onr fast-increasing railroad facilities solve the question of transportation from hitherto inaccessible points; even now, salmon from Oregon are offered for sale in Fulton Market, only seven days after shipping.

Benjamin W. West has been successful. Gifted natur- ally with a body capable of much strain; a mind acute, resolute and comprehensive, and with clear judgment, his selection of his calling was particularly fortunate, illustrating well the famous apothegm of Napoleon:

"The tools to the man that can use them."

In business life he has but one idea-the completion of a well-done day's work. In private life none more than he enters with zest into healthy enjoyments. Either at his finc home, No. 128 St. Mark's avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., or his cottage, "West Lawn," Long Branch, life presents to him and his estimable wife, only its happy side. Their married life has been blessed with the advent of two chiklren, Sarah Lillian, born July 24th, 1854, and Frank M., born July 3d, 1859. The former was married June 5th, 1872, to Albert M. Rogers, and the latter was married April 16th, 1879, to Ada M. Funk.

SAMUEL LEON STORER was born 19th February, 1843, on Prospect street, Brooklyn, N. Y., and, during the early years of his life, attended the public schools of that city. When 16, he came to Fultou Market, aud began work for $6 per week, his duties being to sweep the office and run errands ; being thins employed by the firms of Kingsland & Comstock, H. C. Rogers & Co., and Geo. F. Rogers. In 1867, Mr. Storer started in the fish business for himself, occupying quarters on the old Fulton Fish Market grounds, where he staid until 1869, when the present market was erected by the Fulton Fish-Mongers' Association, of which he became a charter member. He has from that time occupied Stand No. 16.

Mr. Storer's father, William B., was from 1821 to 1863, the year of his death, a well known oysterman of Fulton Market; and his mother, née Annie Rankin, is now living in Brook- lyn. In 1863, Mr. Storer was married to Miss Carrie E. De- lano, who was a worthy helpmate during their years of wedded life. In March, 1882, he suffered the great bereave- ment of her death. Mr. Storer's two sons, Willie B. and Alba C., aged respectively 16 and 14, bright and active lads, are now attending Dr. Holbrook's Military Academy, at Sing Sing. In addition to the Fulton Market stand, Mr. Storer owns the North River Fish and Game Co., Pier 24, North River, and is a partner of the firm of Geo. B. Weaver & Co., Stand Nos. 310 and 311, Washington Market-doing, with his different places, the largest fish business in the city. His houses for cold storage are at No. 226 Front street, New York city. For 13 years he has been a member of the Board of Direct- ors of the Fulton Market Fish-Mongers' Association, and is now its Vice-President and its licaviest stockholder. He also owns a dozen fishing smacks, which are constantly engaged plying the waters to supply the increasing demands of his customers; and is the President of the East River Chemical company.

Mr. Storer is made on a generous scale, physically and inentally. His physique is unusually fine, being 6 feet 1} inches in height, and weighing 232 lbs., with not an ounce of superfinons flesh. His brain is active, and his judgment quick m maturing, and remarkably accurate. Ilis eminent success, with these endowments, could but be expected. His love for hunting and fishing does not lessen with increasing years and added business interests ; but he enters into these ennobling sports with as much zest as a quarter of a century

ago. His impulses are all generous, which, with his genial manners, make him a most companionable of men.

SAMUEL B. MILLER, wholesale commission fish dealer, No. 7 Fulton Market, New York city, was born at Hempstead. Queens county, Long Island. March 13th, 1820. His fa- ther was a weaver; but, in 1827, came to Fulton Market and from then until 1851, the year of his death, was engaged in the fish trade. When but 13 years of age, Mr. Miller came to this market and began work for his father, with whom he staid two years. At the expiration of this time, the ambitious lad made oath " nover to work for wage again for a man on the land," and boldly struck out for himself as a dealer in fish.

This occupation he has followed ever since; and, April 1st, 1884, completed his fifty-first year as a fish merchant. In 1851, his brother Charles-a prominent citizen of Brooklyn. who, at the time of his decease, in October, 1873, was an Al- derman of that city, representing the First Ward-became a partner, remaining in the firm until his death. In that year Mr. Miller gave an interest in his business to his two sons. Ernest M. aud Clarence T., which they still retain; though the original firm name-S. B. Miller-remains unchanged.

Mr. Miller was married in 1841 to Miss Mary Ann Van Mater, by whom he had seven children, five of them-three daughters and two sons-now living. Mr. Miller is, in a cer- tain sense, the Father of the Fulton Fish Market, being the oldest dealer there, and has seen the commencement of the business career of every other member. He is rich in redni- niscences connected with this famous market. From him we learn that, while now there are about one hundred and fifty varieties of eatable fish soll in this Market, fifty years ago there were but six or eight. Oysters were then a staple article. Prices averaged about as now. The old market was merely a platform, and the marketmen were forced to trans- act their dealings, in all weather, without covering. In 1869, the fish dealers of the market secured a charter from the state of New York, empowering the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of New York city to lease the bulkhead and one-half the slip to the "Fulton Market Fish-Mongers' Associa- tion," for the purpose of building and sustaining a public market. A stock company was formed with a capital of $200,000-Mr. Miller being a charter member-and the bulk- head leased for ten years, paying therefor $5,000 annually. The cost of the present ten-year lease being $6,500 yearly, the present building, at a cost of $135,000, was erected. The building is 193x64 feet, with 193 feet water front, and is en- tirely over water, beiug supported by 274 spiles, and is one of the strongest framc edifices in the state. Annual rentals are paid by all members; 250,000 lbs, fish are daily handled there.

Mr. Miller is a wan possessing many necessary qualifica- tions to success. Ilis ability to endure long physical strain is remarkable; while, coupled with this is a keen, far-seeing mind and strict integrity. He expects the same of his fellow - men ; and, while positive and quick in his business life, he is a most genial man. He has the rare faculty of inspiring both affection and respect in all with whom he comes in contact; and we are glad to note that liis financial success has been commensurate with his intrinsic worth. Ile has for 13 years been President of the Fish-Mongers' Association.

In polities, Mr. Miller acted with the Whigs until the breaking out of our late war, from which time he has been a member of the Democratic party. In voting for city officers, it is the man he seeks to honor, not the party. Mr. Miller, while still a hard worker, is not unmindful of the ple ures of those near and dear to him, and a few years since creeted a fine summer villa at Essex, Conn., at which luis family pass the summer months.

A.LITTLE

Samuel L. Stores

971

BROOKLYN MARKETS.

"From time immemorial," as will be seen by reference to STILES' History of Brooklyn, the lower end of old Ferry (now Fulton) street was largely occupied by the butchers who slaughtered and dressed their beeves, and transported them to New York in row-boats or " peria- guas." For the first quarter of the present century, the old publie market stood here near the middle of the street, as described on pages, 107 to 110 of this History.

Prior to 1826, there was no publie market for the sale of meats, fish or vegetables in Brooklyn. Those pur- chasing, bought direet from the farmers, who, with their immense earts, gathered on the commons, near what is now York street. In 1826, the village fathers caused the erection of a building, suitable for the sale of these necessities ; and, in 1827, it was completed. It was located, with frontage, on York street, and bounded by James, Mereein and Garrison streets, and was generally known as the James Street Market. 27 butchers, 2 fishermen and 10 women hueksters were engaged there. Of the former, the names of such old citizens as Jas. Titus, Jno. F. Garrison, Jno. Furnley, Jno. Doughty, Samuel Talbert, David Reynolds, Edward Crummey, Henry Crummey and Leonard Klein are familiar. Of these, Henry Crummey and Mr. Klein are alone living. Mr. Crummey still follows the same business, and is the oldest butcher in the county. The oeeu- pants of the stands leased them of the village, and also paid a nominal sum for a license. It was illegal for meat to be sold at any other place in the village. The meat consumption, as shown by the following state- ment, was light :

Average weekly slaughter, beeves 40

hogs. . 35

sheep and lambs 90

veal, in season. 20

The market-men used to buy their supplies at the Bull's Head, on the Bowery, near Bayard street, New York city; the cattle mainly coming from Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester counties. In 1873, the market was torn down to make way for the Bridge.

Thirty years ago an average of 50 wagon loads of vegetables, during the season, came daily to the York street market. When the farmers were driven to find new quarters, the lower end of Fulton street proved to be the most eentral location, and still is. Last year (1883), over a hundred loads found sale daily in this and the contiguous streets. In early times a charge of 10 cents for each wagon was collected by elerks ap- pointed for that purpose. Among these were Pat Ward and Mr. Herron. In 1882, this charge was in- creased to 25 cents. Matt Malloy was appointed, and

still continues to be, the eollcetor for the district em- braeed in the Second Ward, and the matter seems to be in charge of the alderman of that Ward.

(COPY OF MARKET TICKET.)

3 4 5

MARKET REVENUE RECEIPT.

Paid 25c., 1554.

Fulton Street, York Street, and the adjoining corners, Brooklyn.

16 17

KEEP IN SIGHT UNTIL LEAVING THE MARKET.

The crowd in Fulton street is getting so great that market wagons are not allowed there during the busy hours; and the owners cannot understand why they are not allowed to use the space under the arches of the bridge, where ample accommodations could easily be made.

The Atlantic Market, built about 1830, was at the foot of Atlantie avenue, the water coming under the building. In 1846, this was sold to the Union Ferry Co., and is now used by them as an Engine House. In 1848, premises, north-west corner of Atlantic avenue and Hieks street, were rented, the dimensions being 25 fect wide by 150 feet deep, and eight meat and two vegetable stands were opened.

The two vegetable stands were kept by Mrs. MeCar- roll and Mrs. Watson, the latter of whom is now alive, aged 81 years. There was also one fish stand, run by Luke MeLaughlin, who was sneceeded by Hngli MeLaugh- lin, ex-Register. In 1849-'50, the present market, soutli- east corner of Atlantie avenue and Hicks street, was ereeted by Jacob Frost, and, March 8th, 1850, was opened. Richard Dunn, of this eity, bought the first pair of cattle killed for this market, and sold the first pound of beef retailed there. The weight of the cattle was 1,500 pounds and the eost, $108. There were 32 stands, occupied in part by Messrs. Dorset, Lowery, MeIntyre, MeMannis, Bennett, Curry, Nevins, Fisher, Weeks, Oswald, Bumpford, Hawes, Dwyer, Maekie, Martin and Dunn. The completion of the L. I. R. R., from Greenpoint to the foot of the avenue, in 1844, made it the central point for sale and purchasing of meats and farm products.

In 1859, the property-owners concerned, by purchase, got steam removed from the street, and the railroad was changed, in 1862, to Hunter's Point. The sales at this market, owing to the opening of so many private ones, as the city grew, are not so large as formerly. There was

972

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

no change in the mode of conducting business until 1883, when one-half of the market was leased to the Brooklyn Beef Company.

The Brooklyn Beef Company, Commission Mer- chants in Chicago Dressed Beef, Atlantic Market, Nos. 74 and 76 Atlantic street, received its first invoice of beef, and opened to the public, August 13th, 1883. The cattle are slaughtered at Chicago, by G. F. & E. C. Swift, whose daily business is 1,500 head. Their manager in this city is W. H. Noyes, to whom we are indebted for those facts. Hc reports the results satisfactory in all respects. After allowing for escape of animal heat, the carcases are shipped in refrigerator cars to this city, the trip taking three days. The first week they engaged in business here, they sold 100 head of cattle; the second, 200 head; and are now selling 300 head weekly. In February, 1884, they opened a branch at Williamsburg, which now has a trade of 200 head weekly.

There are killed in Brooklyn, weekly: 1,150 head of cattle, average weight, 750 lbs .; 3,500 head of sheep and lambs; 600 calves, from March to July: 200 calves, from July to December; 75 calves, from December to March. A large portion of the city's consumption is purchased in the New York city markets. No hogs to any amount are slaughtered in Kings county.

Brooklyn has long felt the need of a public market, where its retail trade can be furnished with those sup- plies of provisions for which it is yet so largely depend- ent upon the city of New York. The great bulk of the Long Island produce is to-day, as it has been for ycars, passing directly past the doors of the Brooklyn re- tailers and consumers, and over the ferries to New York, simply because it finds no suitable place here, where it can be received and held for distribution among our own community. Brooklyn desires to be, and naturally is, the depot for the sale of large and valuable island products; and its population could probably dispose of it all, with the proper management. Yet it goes over to New York, passing by the very doors of those for whom it is really designed, and who are obliged to follow it and theu purchase it in a very deteriorated condition, and at a largely enhanced price. Brooklyn's citizens thus lose, also, the benefits of the trade which would naturally result, if the farmers had the op- portunity of spending among them the money received from the sales of this produce. The Prospect Park Commissioners, in 1869, urgently recommended that the City Park, in the Wallabout, bonnded by Park and Flushing avenues, and Navy and Park streets (always a desolate, unattractive place, and eminently nusuitable for the purposes of publie recreation), be converted into a public market.

Within the past year, there has been a renewed agi- tation by marketinen, retailers and others, and in the public press of Brooklyn, in regard to the establishment of a public market in this locality, which shall be com-

mensurate with the wants of this great city. In an article discussing the project, the Eagle says:

" If the city is to have a market it becomes important to know what Long Island farmers are likely to bring there to sell. The dairies would send 3,000,000 quarts of milk, 1,000,- 000 pounds of butter, and only a small quantity of cheese. The articles could be greatly increased. Suffolk county's dairy interests are hardly worth mentioning, but they could be made to exceed these of Queens without much efforts in the preparation of pasture lands. There are in Queens 7,500 cows, and 15,000 acres of pasture. Suffolk, on the other hand, has 50,000 acres of pasture land and only 9,000 cows. That is at the rate of five and a half acres to each cow. It needs but the addition of stock in Suffolk to increase the milk supply to 6,000,000 quarts and the butter supply in a corresponding ratio. In the vegetable line, these two counties market an- nually 5,000 bushels of peas, 2,000 bushels of beans, and Kings county produces about as much more. Potatoes form the staple crop. The yield of Kings county farms is about 600,000 bushels: of Queens, 800,000, and Suffolk 475,000 bush- els. The orchards yield 338,000 busliels of apples, and 20,000 gallons of cider are manufactured. The grapes sent to mar- ket weigh 200,000 pounds. Kings county farmers do not en- gage extensively in poultry breeding, but this is an extensive industry in the other connties. Queens markets $75,000 worth, sending 800 lambs and 3,500 poultry and $60,000 worth of eggs; Suffolk, $85,000 worth of poultry and $10,000 worth of eggs. The quantity of dressed meat sent from farms to market is, in Suffolk, 1,000 lambs and 11,000 swine. A good many more are slaughtered for home consumption. To these crops are to be added such other products as cabbage, par- snips, carrots, celery, beets, spinach, rhubarb, asparagus, cauliflower, tomatoes, turnips and corn. A great hay mar- ket would be an important feature of the Wallabout system. The city could secure honest weight; for consumers are being swindled at the rate of three hundred pounds to every ton. Stablemen insist on being feed, and the speculator takes double the sum out of the pocket of the purchaser. There does not appear to be any secret about it. Kings county does not produce half as much hay as is consumed. Queens has 50,000 tons of hay to spare every year, and Suffolk, 65,- 000 tons. Suffolk is more essentially a hay-growing district. It costs less to produce hay and market it than any other crop. Brooklyn gets nearly the entire crop. King shas 9,110 acres in farms; Queens has 117,686 acres; and Suffolk, 156,760 acres, with 250,000 acres waiting to be tilled. The gross sales annually are: Kings, $1,000,000; Queens, $3,125,000; Suffolk, $1,600,000. It will be seen that those three agricultural conn- ties ean furnish the products of a market business represent- ing $5,825,000 annually. It is claimed that the present yield can be increased six-fold. The above synopsis does not include the fisheries. The product of the ocean and bay, not including oysters, is estimated at half a million dollars an- unally. A great part of these products would find their way to the Wallabout. The oyster industry represents a million dollars a year, but only a small part of the oyster crop wonkl go to the Wallabout. During the winter season the cod-fish catch amounts to hundreds of tons, but taking the busi- ness the year round, and calculating the various species, it is safe to say that the fish market is equal to 250 tous a week.

The market fee in New York is 25 cents per day for each wagon, and the farmers of Long Island pay into the muni- cipal treasury over $100,000 each year. A business of $10,000,- 000 could be carried on in a market at the Wallabout, within two years from the date of its establishment."

THE

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS

KINGS COUNTY AND BROOKLYN.

Brooklyn Orphan Asylum .- In the summer of 1832, the ty was visited by the cholera; and, among the disastrous nsequences to be laid to its account, was the homeless con- tion of a number of children whose parents died of the idemic. Their forlorn state excited the sympathy of some od people, who, after consultation, proceeded to act in the atter by organizing, on the 17th of May, 1833, the Brooklyn rphan Asylum, the first institution of its kind in the city. mong the ladies engaged in the work were Mrs. Charles ichards, Mrs. Elizabeth Davison, Mrs. Phœbe Butler and rs. P. W. Radcliffe. ney were aided by the ev. Dr. Cutler, who had hat year taken charge St. Ann's Church, idge Radcliffe, Adrian an Sinderen, Esq., idge Lefferts, and other entlemen. The first sidence of the Society as the old Jackson use, on the Heights. stood on the bank, a the north of the line of ierrepont street, and as entered from Willow reet by a lane bordered ith Lombardy poplars, at-passing by a vege- .ble garden, lying here the roadway of olumbia Heights runs led around to the west de of the house. It as a Dutch mansion, e lower part of stone, le upper of scalloped ooden shingles, low-pitched and some 60 feet in length, and as of ante-Revolutionary War date. The front, with its ree entrance doors, was toward the river, and of the terior there are still relics in some blue and white tiles rom the fire-places, preserved by a family in the neighbor- bod.

The affairs of the Asylum at this time were in charge of a bard of thirty-five ladies, who superintended domestic mat- ers, while seven well-known gentlemen acted in the capacity E Advisory Board. Fourteen boys and twelve girls consti-

tuted the family during the first year ; $837.69 paid the bills, and one cow supplied milk for the household. It seems as if the managers of fifty years ago had an easy task, but there are more to bear the lieavier burden of to-day. The Asylum has now a host of friends, who give to it systematically. The boys, objects of solicitude in this generation, were gener- ally so in that. It was as difficult to keep them busy, when tempted to roll down the bank to get at the river (Furman street not then being opened), as it is to keep their success- ors from scaling the wall, to reach the ponds near by. "Times are changed," but neither boys, nor other of the chief prob- lems in managing, are changed with them.

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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 81

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