USA > New York > Comley's history of the state of New York, embracing a general review of her agricultural and mineralogical resources, her manufacturing industries, trade and commerce, together with a description of her great metropolis, from its settlement by the Dutch, in 1609 > Part 26
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tific manner. The laboratory is neat and cleanly, and its appurtenances are arranged in the most perfect order. The drug-mills, stills, percolating and filtering apparatus, are all of the latest and most approved kind. In the department for the special examination and treatment of the patients (soon to be re- moved to the Invalids' Hotel), the same thorough and systematic organization pre- vails.
Dr. Pierce's Medical and Surgical Faculty, at present embracing nine physicians and sur- geons, is thoroughly organized according to the several departments of medical and surgi- cal practice --- each member being an expert specialist. Commenting on Dr. Pierce's Medical Faculty, the Buffalo Express says : " By associating with himself only those phy- sicians and surgeons who possess the most thorough qualifications and varied, extensive experience, Dr. Pierce is entitled to the utmost confidence of his patients, whose best inter- ests he seems ever anxious to subserve."
The medical and surgical practice may be considered under three general divisions.
Pierce in medical science is worthy of his genius, and has made his name justly cele- brated.
2. The second division embraces those more complicated cases which require a per- sonal examination, after which they are al- lowed to return to their homes to pursue the prescribed treatment.
3. In a practice so extensive there would necessarily be many obstinate and compli- cated cases, as well as those requiring surgical operations and careful nursing, which would demand the immediate and personal attention of the physician. To provide a real home for this class of patients, Dr. Pierce has erect- ed that magnificent edifice known as the Invalids' Hotel, at a cost of nearly a quarter of a million dollars. The same energetic spirit that prompted him to lay so substantial a foundation for his professional life, and sub- sequently to preface every undertaking by careful preparation for its thorough and de- tailed execution, he has manifested in the construction of this elegant and commodious hotel. Note its architectural features, its un- usually strong and massive walls, its graceful and lofty towers and pavilions, and its spa- cious verandas. Observe, too, its substan- tially-constructed passenger elevator, its ex- quisitely-wrought furniture, especially de- signed and adapted to the architecture.
I. The first division includes all cases treated without personal consultation. The original and ingenious system of diagnosis devised by Dr. Pierce to determine the char- acter and extent of disease in these cases, is fully explained in his popular work, entitled " The People's Common Sense Medical Ad- Walk upon the tiled floors, or luxuriate in its health-giving baths, which rival in elegance of construction the far-famed baths of the Orient. In each and every detail, the thoughtful observer sees the reflection of the founder's dominant characteristic trait, viz., thoroughness. In the conduct of the hotel, the same systematic organization is observed as at the Dispensary. viser." He perceived that in each of the natural sciences the investigator proceeds ac- cording to a system of signs. The geologist in his cabinet accurately determines and de- scribes the cleft of rock, which he has never seen, from the minute specimen on his table, and the chemist in his laboratory notes the constituents of the sun with the same preci- sion that he analyzes a crystal of rock salt. For effective execution, the general divides The analogous system developed by Dr. I his army into corps, subdividing the corps
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into divisions, the divisions into brigades, the brigades into regiments, and the regiments into companies, each order and sub- order having its responsible leader. In a similar manner has Dr. Pierce subdivided his large corps of professional and other assistants, thus obtaining thorough efficiency in each department. His original methods of prac- tice are fully explicated in his work on Domestic Medicine, which we have already mentioned. It well deserves the popularity it has won, by its terse, practical explanations and illustrations of physiological and hygienic laws. As a manual of Domestic Medicine, it is pronounced by professional critics to be the best work which has ever appeared. A volume of over nine hundred pages, hand- somely bound in cloth, and selling at $1.50, obviously its compilation was no labor for self-interest, the proceeds barely defraying the expense of publication alone. We can there- fore well believe the author's prefatory asser- tion that it was a work undertaken solely in the interests of humanity. His labor, how- ever, has not been unrewarded. The day' has passed when the benefactors of humanity were allowed to live in ignominious poverty, their sacrifices, their labors unrecompensed. To-day, the benefactors of the people -- the men who devote their lives and energies to the interests of humanity --- these are the men whom the world delights to honor, and whom it rewards with princely fortunes. As an earnest worker for the welfare of his fellow- men, Dr. Pierce has won their warmest sym- pathy and esteem. While seeking to be their servant only, he has become a prince among them. Yet the immense fortune lavished upon him by a generous people he hoards not, but invests in the erection and establishment of institutions directly con- tributive to the public good, the people thus
realizing, in their liberal patronage, a new meaning of that beautiful Oriental custom of casting bread upon the waters. Noted in both public and private life for his unswery- ing integrity, and all those sterling virtues which ennoble manhood, Dr. Pierce ranks high among those few men whose names the Empire State is justly proud to inscribe upon her roll of honor. Ambitious, yet moved by an ambition strictly amenable to the most discriminating and well-balanced judgment, his future career promises to be one of un- paralleled activity and usefulness, ably sup- plementing the work he has already accom- plished by a life at once noble in effort, envi- able in its grand results.
Powers, D. W .- The subject of this sketch was born at Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., June 14th, 1818; his parents being among the early settlers of that county. Mr. Powers was of an aspiring disposition, and at the age of twenty he determined to leave the precincts of his old home to seek his for- tunes in a clime where the business current was not so stagnant and his efforts for future distinction more certain of accomplishment. So he moved to Rochester, N. Y., and ac- cepted a humble position in a hardware store, where he remained twelve years, during which time he received marked promotion. Having formed a taste for banking, he in 1850 issued the following card :
" NEW EXCHANGE OFFICE.
" The subscriber has located himself in the Eagle Block, Rochester, one door west of the Monroe Bank, on Buffalo street, for the purpose of doing the Exchange Business in all its branches. 27 Uncurrent monies bought and sold. Exchange on New York and the eastern cities, bought and sold. Certificates of
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Deposits in banks, and notes payable at dis- tant points collected. Canada and western bank notes discounted at the lowest rates. Drafts on Buffalo can be had at all times. Foreign and American gold and silver coins, bought and sold. Deposits received and interest allowed. Monies remitted to England, Ireland, and Scotland, and other portions of the old world.
" By prompt attention to business I hope to merit a share of public patronage.
"I am authorized to refer to Ebenezer Watts, Esq .; George R. Clark, Esq., Cashier ; Ralph Lester, Esq., Cashier; Thomas H. Rochester. President ; C. T. Amsden, Cashier; Everard Peck, Esq., President ; Isaac Hills, Esq. DANIEL W. POWERS.
" ROCHESTER, Monroe Co., N. Y., March 1, 1850."
and started in business on a small scale. The very place that Mr. Powers commenced business he does his business now, but the aspect of the concern is quite different. The small office is replaced by the most elegant business block west of New York City, hav- ing a frontage of 176 feet on State, and 175 feet on Main street with 150 on Pindell alley. The main centre is faced with Ohio freestone elaborately carved, the blocks being alternately vermiculated and cut in panel, and is seven stories in height exclusive . of the basement, which is of New Hamp- shire granite. The great wings present uni- form fronts. The ground floor contains one bank and fifteen stores; the upper stories. 220 rooms, all of them occupied for almost every conceivable kind of business, which are communicated with from the ground floor by means of elegant stairways and two elevators which are continually in operation. The whole is absolutely fire-proof, and con-
tains one of the finest art collections in America, the property of Mr. Powers. Among them are to be found the best copies extant from such of the old masters as Giotto, Michael Angelo, Raphael, Correggio, Paul Veronese, Murillo, Titian, Carlo Dolci, Sas- soferrato, Bassano, Annibali Caracci, and others, made especially for Mr. Powers, by art- ists of international reputation, each selected for his special aptitude to copy from certain masters, who, in many cases, rival the origi- nals in excellence, and perhaps surpass them in freshness and beauty of coloring. In the main room of this department of art, can be see !! and heard the most perfect orchestrion ever made in America, and which is a con- tinual source of delight to all visitors. In addition, there has been made lately a con- tribution of the highest value, viz., an exten- sive series of double photographic views ex- hibited by means of stereoscopic apparatus, representing scenes and localities from all sections of the universe. The whole collec- tion proves Mr. Powers to be one of the great art connoisseurs of our country, and who has spared no pains to lavish his princely fortune for his taste in art. Mr. D. W. Powers has been ever adverse to the turbu- lent currents incident to political life. He has amassed a fortune that would content the extravagant requirements of royalty, by attending wholly to one business, until he has become honored for his integrity and known as one of the most influential citizens of Rochester.
Pratt, Daniel, was born in Greenwich, Washington County, N. Y., in 1866. In 1833, he graduated at Union College, and in the same year moved to Onondaga County, where he read law with David D. Hillis at Camillus. In the fall of 1836, he
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moved to Syracuse, where he has since re- sided. He was admitted to the bar in July, 1837, with Judge George F. Comstock and Hon. Charles B. Sedgwick, and commenced the practice of his profession with David D. Hillis, Esq. In February, 1843, he was appointed by Governor Bouck First Judge of Onondaga County. Four years later he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, and re-elected in 1851. At the close of the term for which he had been re-elected, he returned from the bench enjoying the unreserved confidence of the people he had so long served, both as to his unquestioned integrity, and his great judicial ability. While upon the bench, both Hamilton and Union Colleges conferred upon him the degree of LI .. D., a fitting tribute to his private and public worth. He resumed the practice of law January ist, 1866, forming a partnership with the late lamented David J. Mitchell, an advocate of surpassing per- suasive power. Two years later, Mr. Wil- bur M. Brown was admitted to the partner- ship, and the firm, as thus constituted, for fifteen years ranked among the first in the State, having an unusually lucrative and successful practice. Judge Pratt was elected as one of the counsel to prosecute Judge Barnard in the impeachment trial, and the same year received the appoint- ment from Governor Hoffman as one of the Commissioners to revise the Constitution. In 1873, he was elected Attorney-General, a position he filled with distinction and honor. It is often asserted, but without reasonable support, that if a man have- genius and talent he will become eminent in the sphere in which he moves, even if he has not the advantage of proper previ- ous training. Examples are not often given of men who, by the mere force of intellect,
without its being strengthened by proper training and preparation, become lights in the various avocations and professions of life. Fortunately for Judge Pratt, he had received all the adventitious assistance of thorough training in mental exercise previ- ous to commencing the study of the law, and when he had mastered his profession he possessed an untold advantage over those who had been deprived of a suitable preparatory education. His genial disposi- tion, his strong intellectuality, his direct and positive argumentative power, strengthened and enforced by a fund of knowledge which he could draw from a thousand sources, soon won for him hosts of friends, and made him eminent in the community. It was not to be supposed that a man of Judge Pratt's ability and popularity should not receive some demonstration of confidence and esteem, hence his appointment and elec- tion to the positions above-mentioned.
Pratt, Samuel F., was born May 28th, 1807, in Windham County, Vt. He was the son of Samuel Pratt, Jr., who was the son of Captain Pratt.
In iSor, Captain Samuel Pratt made a long expedition into the almost savage wilderness of the far West, returning by the way of Buffalo, then but a cluster of log cabins. Comprehending the advantages of this little village, and his observations in his explorations on the lakes west, con- vinced him that this was to be the future outlet of a large commerce. He therefore determined to cast his lot here ; this was in ISO3.
In 1804, the following year, he closed up his affairs in Westminster, and set out with his family on their tedious journey for
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Buffalo, which he reached in September of the same year.
Captain Pratt, eldest son of Samuel, and father of Samuel F. Pratt, did not em- igrate with his parents, but joined them in August, 1807, bringing with him his wife and Samuel F. Pratt, who was then about three months old.
Hle led an active life, and was closely engaged in business or public duties until the time of the burning of the village. This severe blow so embarrassed him that he soon found himself without the means to carry on his business, but an unforeseen source was near at hand, Meeting a former friend, William Bigelow, who chanced to be passing through Buffalo, and knowing of his embarrassed condition, proposed to Mr. Pratt that he should assume manage- ment of his business interests at St. Thomas, Canada, and he left for that place in May, 1818, leaving Samuel F. Pratt, who was then only eleven years old, in charge of his mother. In about one year Samuel F. joined his father, where he remained about one year and a half, when he returned to Buffalo, his health being so poor, and he died in August, 1822.
Samuel F. Pratt remained in Canada in the employ of the same firm his father had been connected with three years. On the death of his father, he returned to Buffalo, when he entered the employ of G. & T. Weed in 1822, who conducted a hardware business. In 1826, a small interest was allowed him in the business, although he was then but nineteen years old. In 1828, a partnership was formed which included Samuel F. Pratt. In 1836, he bought out the entire Weed interest. and the firm be- came S. F. Pratt. In 1842, his brother, Pascal P. Pratt, who had formerly clerked
for him, became a partner, and in 18446, Ed- ward P. Beals became a general partner in the firm of Pratt & Co., which has since re- mained unchanged. In 1852, Messrs. Pratt & Co., finding the space which they had occupied entirely inadequate to accommo- date their largely-increasing business, re- moved to the Terrace, where they had built commodious warehouses. The firm of
Pratt & Seitchworth was established in 1848. Few partnerships ever existed with so uniformly pleasant relations, says one of his partners. There seemed to be a well- spring of kindness and charity in his breast sufficient to sweeten all the cares of busi- ness life. He was inclined to look hopefully into the future ; any thing unpleasant and an- noying he put aside. At the age of twenty- eight, in the fall of 1835, he married Miss Mary Jane Strong. The marriage was the consequence of a long acquaintance and mu- tual attachment, and resulted in a well-order- ed home, their offspring being two daughters. From the time Samuel F. Pratt entered the Weed hardware store upon a salary of eight dollars a month, he made it a conscientious duty to contribute according to his means to all works of benevolence that came to his notice, and after joining the church (which he did at the age of eighteen), he gave liberally, not only to the church itself, but to all the various objects under its fos- tering care. He always recognized in a liberal degree the claims society advanced for its well-being and protection, and gave with no stinted hand.
Samuel F. Pratt died on the 28th of April, 1872, after a very successful career, and was most deeply mourned, not only by his immediate family, but by all who knew him. His life was an eventful one. He was successful in all of his business pur-
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suits from a rare combination of industry and judgment, and at all times exhibiting a rectitude of character which never wavered from the proper direction.
Redfield, Lewis H .- The subject of this sketch was born at Farmington, Ct., in 1793, and has therefore lived under the administrations of all our Presidents, and is nearly as aged as the government itself.
The nineteenth century has been emi- nently an era of invention and progress. Mr. R. remembers when steamboats were a novelty and a fireside wonder, when rail- roads were unknown, and the electric telegraph was not dreamed of. The cotton gin, the mowing and threshing machines, are all the product of this cen- tury, and have been brought into use under the observation of Mr. R. In 1799, drop- ping into the tide of emigration then largely setting westward, the family moved to the "Genesee Country," where they began pioneer life in the primeval forests by clear- ing away the timber and making a farm. When fifteen, with no educational advantages except those obtained from reading and study at evening by the light of the winter's fire, he entered the office of the Ontario Repository, edited by James D. Bemis, at Canandaigua, as printer's apprentice. Here he was engaged six years, first as office boy, then compositor, pressman, and editor. Be- sides mastering his trade, he learned indus- try, frugality, and self-reliance --- three lessons of inestimable value to the architect of for- tune. When Mr. R. was scarcely twenty- one, Mr. Bemis loaned him $roo with which to start business, and on the 27th of Sep- tember, ISI4, the first number of the On- ondaga Register made its appearance un- der his proprietorship, and at once sprung
into favor. During this period, the sub- ject of building the Erie Canal engaged public attention very largely, and the Reg- ister took a leading position in favor of that important State enterprise. In 1828, Mr. R. concluded to move his home and business to Syracuse, that place having become the foremost business town of the county. In the following year, having pre- viously purchased Mr. Durnford's paper, the Gazette, he united the two under the name of the Onondaga Register and Syra- cuse Gazette. Here a greater measure of prosperity than before followed his labors. In 1832, owing to ill-health, he was forced to abandon the journalistic work to which he was strongly attached, and to which he had devoted the best years of his life. There were then, as now, strong men con- nected with the newspaper press of New York, and among his contemporaries were William Coleman, Colonel Stone, M. M. Noah, A. C. Flagg, Solomon Southwick, Thurlow Weed, Edwin Croswell, William HI. Maynard, II. and E. Phinney, J. D. Bemis, A. G. Dauby, V. W. Smith, E. Mack, Orrin Follett, and S. H. Salisbury.
After this period, he spent several years mostly in travel, seeking health, which, when obtained, he settled down again with just work enough to render life enjoyable, giving attention to his private affairs. Mr. R. is the oldest representative of the press in N. Y. State now living, he having entered the field sixty-three years ago. He is, therefore, entitled to the appellation of " Father of the Press of New York." In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and has served his party manfully through many a heated cam- paign ; but he never sought office or aspired to public distinction. In 1872, however, he was prevailed upon to accept the nomination
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for Presidential Elector on the ticket of his party. He also held for many years the office of postmaster at Onondaga Valley, and likewise filled important offices in the village government of Syracuse, having been one year the President of its Board of Trustees. He was also one of the pro- jectors of the Bank of Salina, and always a director in that institution. He is now, and for many years has been, a director in the Salt Springs Bank, and is connected with several of the street railway compa- nies of Syracuse. Although Mr. R. long since passed the age allotted to man, he is still vigorous and active, attending to busi- ness affairs with as much regularity and strictness as ever, and, from all indications, is not unlikely to be able to do so for many years to come. While mindful of the obli- gation to devote what time may be necessary to the management of his pecuniary affairs, he finds frequent occasions for relief from business engagements, for travel and relax- ation, and no one relishes more keenly the companionship of nature. Generous and ever ready to aid the deserving, he is pass- ing the evening of his days in such activi- ties as tend to the promotion of physical and mental enjoyment, and prolong the years of a useful and well-spent life.
Ricard, George, was born in the city of New York, December 25th, 1798, and was the son of John and Catharine Ricard. His father went to New Orleans from Bordeaux, France, in 1792. And, on ac- count of the proclamation issued by the Spanish goverment that all Frenchmen who would not swear allegiance to their government must leave the country in twenty-four hours, he took passage to Phila- delphia ; but before the ship had fairly got
to sea, they were captured by a Spanish pri- vateer, plundered of every thing they pos- sessed, put aboard of a cartel, and taken to where the French fleet were lying off San Domingo, and there exchanged as prisoners of war. While aboard the fleet, Mr. R offered his services, which were accepted, the fleet coming to New York for repairs and supplies in 1794. While lying in the har- ber, the British frigate Boston made her appearance, and sent a challenge to the officers of the French fleet, which was ac- cepted. The Ambuscade whipped the Bos- ton, but could not catch her, on account of the shattered condition of her masts and rigging. When the fleet were again ready for sea, Mr. R. decided to leave the service, and so remained in New York.
The subject of this sketch received a lim- ited education only, attending the minor schools only till his thirteenth year, when he was engaged with the house of Fisher & Sethbridge, with whom he remained eighteen months. He then worked in a cotton factory for six months. In ISmq, he became a substitute for one Joseph Conk- ling in the N. Y. Militia, and, after three months of active service, he volunteered for six months longer, and was stationed at Harlem Heights until the following March (peace having been declared in February). He then received his discharge, was for a few months after a clerk, and was then ap- prenticed to Christian Bergh, the ship- builder, for whom he worked three years. He continued at his trade till 1819, when he went to Ossabaw Island, Ga., and commenced cutting live-oak timber for the U. S. Government under Lieut. Thomas Newell, of the Navy. After six months, he .turned to New York, and worked at his rade, and in the winter of I820-1 he
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was employed in Savannah, Ga. In July, 1820, he lost his father, who died from yel- low fever in Savannah. In the spring of 1822, he worked in New York for a few months, when he shipped as carpenter on the Superior, Captain George R. Dowdal, engaged in the East India (Canton) trade. In this capacity he made two voyages, which occupied about two years. On his return to New York, with his hard-earned sav- ings he opened a small retail grocery store on the corner of Chrystie and Bayard streets ; here he remained seven years. In 1827, he engaged in the cooperage business, and continued the grocery business until 1832. In 1833, the failure of Hinton & Moore, white lead manufacturers, caused him considerable loss, they owing him for work done. In 1834, he was given a posi- tion in the Custom House as inspector of the customs ; he remained in the Govern- ment employ until 1841, part of which time he held the position of U. S. Boarding Officer. In 1842, he moved to Williamsburg, now part of Brooklyn, where he has ever since resided as a private citizen. In I851, he was called upon for the use of his name in getting up a savings bank, which re- sulted in the formation of the Williamsburg Savings Bank in April of that year. He was elected its first vice-president, and held the position" thirteen years, when, at the resignation of William Wall, the president, he was elected to fill the executive, a posi- tion he still holds. The building they now occupy was finished at an expense of $500,- ooo, and first entered by them May 31st, 1875. Mr. Ricard is a man of great intelli- gence, his reputation for honor and in- tegrity is unimpeachable, and be is one of those men of whom it is safe to say, he never wronged a man out of a cent, and his
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