USA > New York > Dutchess County > History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 84
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discovered that he was a Methodist, the Lutherans withdrew and secured the basement of the Re- formed church, where they were served by Rev. Gustavus H. J. Derkston, a licentiate of the New York Ministerium. His license was not renewed and he disappeared. Feb. 14, 1850, Rev. E. H. Schluster became the pastor and remained until 1852. Rev. Aug. Schmidt succeeded him and re- mained until 1856. Up to this time the congrega- tion worshipped in the lecture room of the Re- formed church, but on the destruction of that edi- fice by fire the lecture room of the Episcopal church was secured. Their pastor was succeeded by Rev. J. Hoffman, of Rome, who organized them under the name of The First Evangelical Lutheran German Church of Poughkeepsie. They then hired the Universalist church for services, and an effort was made to secure a church property of their own, but it failed. Mr. Hoffman resigned the pastorate in May, 1857, when a Mr. Wilkin- son offered his services as pastor. In 1858, Rev. G. Manz, a licentiate of the New York Ministerium, became the pastor. A large stone house was pur- chased and the lower part fitted up for church pur- poses, at an expense of $1,500. In April, 1860, Mr. Manz resigned and was succeeded by Rev. Aug. A. H. Schubert, who resigned the next year. In October, 1861, Rev. C. H. Siebke, of Rondout, accepted a call. The society abandoned the pur- chased property, which proved burdensome, and again rented the Universalist church.
In 1864, a lot seventy-six by one hundred and six feet on Grand street was purchased, and on the 13th of June the corner-stone of a church edifice was laid thereon. Nov. 14th, the Rev. H. N. Pohlman, President of the New York Ministerium, dedicated a fine brick church, which was erected at a cost of $8,000, with but $2,500 of debt re- maining.
In December, 1865, Rev. Mr. Siebke resigned the pastorate. In January, 1866, 'Rev. Frederick Von Rosenberg accepted a call. He terminated his ministry in April, 1869, and was succeeded by Rev. W. Busse, who remained until September, 1874, when he was followed by Rev. Mr. Hoeck, who resigned in July, 1878.
During the ministry of Rev. Mr. Hoeck many of the members felt the necessity of English preaching, and with the consent of their pastor Rev. Geo. Neff, who had moved from Wurttenberg to Pough- keepsie, preached for them in the English language every Sunday evening for nearly a year, ending September, 1877, when, on account of difficulties
between the pastor and people, English preaching was discontinued.
A month after the termination of Mr. Hoeck's pastorate he was succeeded by Rev. G. C. Berke- mier, who had then just returned from Europe, where he finished his studies. Mr. Berkemier is now successfully working among this people, who number 130 members.
The Second Reformed Dutch Church of Pough- keepsie .- Nov. 2, 1847, the Classis of Poughkeep- sie met and approved in form of the application for a second church, and the following were ordained as officers : Tunis Brinkerhoff, Charles P. Ad- riance, Abraham G. Storm, Joseph H. Jackson, elders ; James W. Bogardus, Casper D. Smith, Albert Brett and John P. Flagler, deacons.
The corner stone of the church edifice was laid May 22, 1848, and the church was dedicated Feb. 22, 1849.
Rev. Charles Whitehead, the first pastor, entered upon his labors with this church Sept. 1, 1849, and was installed Oct. 7, 1849. Mr. Whitehead re- signed the pastoral charge July 19, 1852, and Nov. 16, 1852, Rev. Charles S. Hageman, of Nyack, was called to the pastorate. He was installed Jan. 15, 1853. He was succeeded by Rev. Joachim El- mendorf, D. D., the present pastor, who received a call to the pastorate Oct. 1, 1872, and was in- stalled Nov. 20, 1872.
In 1875, the church was altered and repaired and a new chapel built and furnished, at a cost of $12,459.12. The chapel was dedicated in Octo- ber of that year.
The original number of members was fifty-two. The number of members on the church roll in 1881, was 331, while the number actually resident in the parish was 229. The church is valued at $24,000 ; and the chapel, at $7,500 ; and the parsonage, erected in 1853, at $6,000.
The Children of Israel, (Jewish Synagogue,) organized in 1848, worshipped for many years in Pine Hall. They now occupy the building erected by the Second Presbyterian church, on Mill and Vassar streets. The present rabbi is Rev. Adolph Ettinger, who has officiated for some six years. The mem- bership numbers only eighteen.
Hedding M. E. Church .- In the winter of 1852-'3, the overcrowded condition of the Wash- ington Street, or First M. E. Church, necessitated the formation of a new society, to which at the May Conference of 1853, a pastor was appointed. The German M. E. Church in Bridge street was rented. A Sunday school was organized May 22d,
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and a society on the 30th of the same month. The corner stone was laid late in July. The church was dedicated April 5, 1854, by Bishop Janes. The cost of the church and grounds was about $13,000. This church is now the largest numeri- cally of any Protestant denomination in the city. It reported 600 members in the spring of 1881, and an attendance at Sabbath school of 225.
The following is the list of pastors : W. H. Fer- ris, S. Fitch, W. C. Smith, J. B. Wakeley, L. H. King, B. M. Adams, D. Buck, W. C. Smith, G. H. Gregory, A. L. Culver, W. H. Evans, Edmund Lewis and F. Hamlin.
Church of the Holy Comforter .- The establish- ment of a "free church" in that part of the city in which this church is located, had at different times been mentioned as a desirable object, and efforts were made to conduct services in that part of the town in the winter of 1854-'5, but were un- successful. The object, however, was not forgot- ten. The project was revived, and in December, 1858, a room was procured by the exertions and contributions of members of Christ Church, and conveniently fitted up for divine service. Services were conducted in this room by Rev. S. Buel, on the evening of Jan. 9, 1859, and were continued on successive Sabbath evenings until Jan. 26th, when they were suspended. Decided interest was manifested in them, and the prospect of establish- ing a free church, whose services would be appre- ciated and well attended, was encouraging.
Wm. A. Davies determined to erect a church which should be the realization of this object. An organization by the above name was effected May 10, 1860, and by deed and gift of May 20, 1859, Thomas L. Davies and Wm. A. Davies * conveyed to this corporation a plot of land 125 feet square, eligibly and beautifully located in Davies' Place, on which Wm. A. Davies reserved the right to build a church. The corner stone of that edifice, was laid July 14, 1859, by Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, D. D., LL. D., provisional bishop.
In November, 1859, services were resumed in Shaw's Hall, on Sunday evenings, and continued till March 25, 1860, when they were finally sus- pended in that place, to be resumed in the same
part of the town in the church of the Holy Com- forter after its opening. Rev. John Scarborough was chosen rector March 3, 1860. The church was consecrated Oct. 25, 1860, by Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter. Regular services were be- gun in the newly consecrated church Oct. 28, 1860. Rev. Mr. Scarborough continued rector of the parish until the fall of 1867; and was succeeded in October of that year by Rev. Robert Fulton Crary, the present rector, who is a grandson of Robert Fulton, of steamboat faine, from whom he received his given name. The present number of communicants is two hundred and ninety-seven.
St. Mary's Church (Roman Catholic) was or- ganized July 20, 1873, by Rev. Edward McSweeny, who came here from New York for that purpose at the instance of Cardinal McCloskey. Mr. Mc- Sweeny has retained the pastoral charge to the present time, assisted since Jan. 1, 1881, by Rev. John B. Creedon.
St. Mary's Church is an offshoot from St. Peter's Church * of this city, and worships in the building on Cannon street, which was erected in 1826, by the First Presbyterian Society. This edifice was purchased of the Universalists by Rev. P. F. Mc- Sweeny, D. D., then pastor of St. Peter's Church in this city, but now of New York, and in 1873. was purchased by St. Mary's Church for $ 10,000. It was renovated and beautified, and dedicated by Cardinal McCloskey July 20, 1873. In 1876 the chapel was enlarged, and the church frescoed and painted inside and out. The congregation now numbers 1,200.
Connected with this church is a parochial school, occupying a large four story brick building on South Hamilton street, near Main street, which was erected in 1880, at a cost of $5,000. The attendance is one hundred and forty. It is a pay school, but it is conducted by the Sisters of Chari- ty in the interest of the church. The attendance at Sunday school is two hundred and forty scholars.
The Sabbath school which has been supported from the organization of the church, and has always been under the supervision of the rector, numbers about 300 scholars. In 1871 an industrial school for girls was established by the parish, and weekly meetings have since been held under the supervi- sion of the lady teachers of the Sunday school. Here instruction is given in sewing. The average attendance is about seventy-five.
* Thomas L. and Wm. A. Davies are sons of Wm. Davies, to whose memory a tablet of Caen Stone, with carved and cupsed gablet, and sup- ported by shafts and capitals of black and white marble, is inserted in the nave wall, north of the chancelarch. They are grandsons of Rev. Thomas Davies, a missionary of the Society for the propagation of the Gospel, in Litchfield County, Conn., before the Revolutionary war, whose ancestors were firm adhierents of the church, and zealous in the work of church building, and in promoting the welfare and the establishment of the church.
* Of this church, of which Rev. James Nilan, D. D .. is pastor, as well as the Church of the Nativity-of the same denomination- of which Rev. G. Bruder is pastor, we have been unable to get a history.
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CHAPTER XXXVII.
AUXILIARY RELIGIOUS, BENEVOLENT AND CHAR- ITABLE INSTITUTIONS-YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION-HUDSON RIVER STATE HOSPITAL - OLD LADIES' HOME - VASSAR BROTHERS' HOME FOR AGED MEN -- ST. BARNABAS' HOSPI- TAL-HOUSE OF INDUSTRY-CHARITY ORGANI- ZATION SOCIETY-POUGHKEEPSIE ORPHAN HOUSE AND HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS.
Y OUNG Men's Christian Association of Poughkeepsie, was formed Aug. 21, 1863. The library, which was established when the present building was first occupied, in 1872, contains thirteen hundred volumes of a miscellaneous char- acter, mostly contributed by citizens. The reading- room is supplied with sixty-eight papers, of a mis- cellaneous character, and six of the leading magazines of this country. The gymnasium, which was established on a small scale when the building was fitted up, was enlarged in 1880, and supplied with all the modern appliances, at an expense of $1,000. The association numbered two hundred and forty-seven active, seventy-four associate, and twenty-one honorary members, as per report of Dec. 5, 1880. The successive presidents have been: John H. Mathews, 1864-'68; Leonard C. Winslow, 1869 ; John I. Platt, 1869-'70 ; Mitchell Downing, 1871-'74 ; E. P. Platt, 1875-'78; Benson Van Vliet, 1879-'81.
The Hudson River State Hospital for the In- sane .- In 1866, the Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint commissioners " to receive by gift or contract for the purchase of a suitable site, on or near the Hudson River, below the city of Albany, upon which to erect the Hudson River Asylum for the Insane." The commissioners ap- pointed under this act were : Hon. A. W. Palmer, of Amenia, Hon. W. S. Kenyon, of Kingston, Dr. J. M. Cleaveland, of Utica, John Falconer, of New York City, and Hon. D. M. Madden, of Middle- town. Jan. 9, 1867, the commissioners reported that they had received " by gift, from the citizens of Duchess County, a site consisting of 206 acres of land," situated a mile north of the limits of the city of Poughkeepsie, a "location geographically central, easily accessible by river and railway, and distinguished for its salubrity and commanding beauty." The same year (1867) the Legislature appropriated $5,000, for the purchase of an addi- tional and adjoining eighty-four acres, which "was required to secure the privacy of the exercise
grounds of the patients, and to ensure the control of the stream rising within its limits." But the tract when surveyed was found to contain 333 acres, instead of 290, owing to the fact that the first deeds were based on old and inaccurate surveys.
Dr. Joseph M. Cleaveland, who had been pro- fessionally connected with the State Lunatic Asy- lum at Utica some nine years, and previously with the New York Hospital for three years, has been Medical Superintendent from its establish- ment. The building was commenced in 1868 and finished and opened for patients in October, 1871, at an entire cost of $1,215,000.
The Old Ladies' Home in the City of Pough- keepsie was incorporated Dec. 1, 1870, for "the support of respectable, aged and indigent Protestant women who are unable to support themselves, and have been actual residents of the city of Pougli- keepsie (as it is now or as it may be hereafter en- larged) for at least five years next preceding their application for such support." The applicants for the charter were Henry L. Young, George Van- Kleeck and Charles W. Swift, of the Reformed church ; Lewis F. Streit and John Thompson, of the Presbyterian church ; James H. Dudley and Abraham Wiltsie, of the Congregational church ; Matthew Vassar, Jr., and John F. Hull, of the Baptist church ; Stephen M. Buckingham and Ed- gar M. VanKleeck, of the Episcopal church ; Wm. W. Reynolds and Albert B. Harvey, of the Metho- dist church ; and Joseph Flagler and George Corlies, of the Friends' Society. These gentlemen, with the exception of Mr. Young, for whom Jonathan R. Warner is substituted, are named as the first trustees.
This institution was founded by Jonathan R. Warner, who purchased the three story Ionic brick building on the corner of South Hamilton and Montgomery streets, formerly the Duchess County Academy, and fitted it for its present purpose at a cost of nearly $30,000. Mr. Warner likewise contributed toward an endowment fund $10,000, on condition that a like sum should be contributed by the citizens of Poughkeepsie. The latter amount was sccured through the exertions of Mrs. Alice Fowler, and the fund has since been increased by legacies and gifts to $27,000. The income from this fund, which in 1880 amounted to $1,954.01, together with entrance fees, annual subscriptions and contributions, supports the institution, the ag- gregate expense incurred for which in 1880, was $3,548.70.
Vassar Brothers' Home for Aged Men in the
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City of Poughkeepsie was incorporated Oct. 18, 1880, for "the support of respectable aged in- digent Protestant men who are unable to support themselves, and who have been actual residents of the city of Poughkeepsie for at least five years next preceding the application for such support." The first trustees, twenty-one in number, were: Matthew Vassar, Jr., John G. Vassar, Adam Caire, Benson Van Vliet, Homer A. Nelson, John F. Hull, George H. Tompkins, Edward VanKleeck, Robert E. Taylor, LeGrand Dodge, Albert Tower, Luther Elting, Wm. W. Smith, Jacob Corlies, Wm. C. Smilie, Wm. J. Carpenter, John P. H. Tallman, Wm. T. Reynolds, Frederick W. Davis, Alson Ward and James H. Weeks.
This institution was founded by Matthew Vas- sar, Jr. and John Guy Vassar. The building was begun in July, 1879, and finished in August, 1880. It is a large, commodious and imposing brick structure, designed for the accommodation of fifty inmates, and occupies nearly an acre of ground on the corner of Main and Vassar streets, extend- ing to LaFayette Place, which was the site of the home of the late Matthew Vassar, the founder of Vassar College. The arrangements for the com- fort of its aged inmates are complete and well con- sidered, and all its appointments are of the best, most comfortable and substantial character.
St. Barnabas Hospital .- In the winter of 1870 -'71, Dr. Edward H. Parker, of Poughkeepsie, in- vited the rectors of three Episcopal parishes in the city to meet at his house to take into consideration the project of establishing a hospital which should be free to all in need of its benefits. The project was discussed and deemed feasible, and the num- ber of trustees determined on-nine. At a second meeting held soon after, the rectors came prepared to nominate trustees-three from each parish-the rector of each parish being one. A charter was obtained under the general act March 16, 1871, and states its object to be "to maintain and sup- port a hospital for the care and treatment of sick and disabled indigent patients." The first trustees were Revs. P. K. Cady, R. F. Crary and S. H. Synnott, W. A. Davies, S. M. Buckingham, R. Sanford, Dr. E. H. Parker, Benjamin VanLoan and Winthrop Atwill; and the first officers: W. A. Davies, President ; Rev. Dr. P. K. Cady, Vice- President ; Rev. S. H. Synnott, Secretary ; S. M. Buckingham, Treasurer. The only change which has occurred in the officers is in the office of Vice- President, to which Rev. R. F. Crary was elected in place of Rev. Dr. Cady, Jan. 3, 1876.
A building was hired in Garden street from May I, 1871. It was open for inspection and the first services were held therein May 17, 1871. In 1873, the present building, a small brick structure, located at 108 North Clinton street, and formerly occupied as a dwelling house, was purchased for $5,200, and was occupied in October of that year. It is situ- ated in a healthful, pleasant and quiet locality.
House of Industry,* No. 16, Liberty street .- This institution was incorporated April 24, 1871. The charter names eleven ladies as trustees, and states its objects as being "to aid poor women in the city of Poughkeepsie by providing them with sewing and other like employment." Its origin, however, dates back to 1864, in which year a nur- sery was provided wherein children of soldiers' wives could be cared for while the mothers were out at work. This mode of relief was soon changed and the mothers given partial employment at their homes. In June, 1865. the House of Industry was organized, and from its commencement has been productive of good.
It is supported by "voluntary subscriptions " and the sales of garments made by the workwomen. Orders for sewing are given, after examination, to old ladies, cripples, widows and respectable women, who, having resided in the city of Poughkeepsie six months, are confined at home by sickness or the care of young children, and have neither husband nor children able to support them. The value of orders given is proportioned to the need of the ap- plicant ; being at the rate of fifty cents or one dol- lar per week. It is not intended to give full em- ployment, to pay unusual prices, or in any way to offer inducements which might draw from other fields of labor.
In 1867, a contingent fund was put aside for the relief of sick women unable to work. The fund now amounts to $1,000, and is deposited in the savings bank ; the interest only is drawn upon. In 1873, the moderate sized brick building now occu- pied was purchased, at a cost of $6,000, with money collected in the city, and the title vested in trustees.
Connected with the house, and controlled by it, is a training or sewing school, which was organized in 1874, and is in charge of Miss Kate Smith and other volunteer teachers. Weekly sessions are held during the winter.
Poughkeepsie Charity Organization Society was
* The materials for this sketch are drawn from an Extract from the Fourteenth Annual Report of the State Board of Charities, Relating to the Charities of the Second Judicial District, by Miss Sarah M. Carpenter, Commissioner.
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organized June 9, 1879, by the election of the fol- lowing officers : Stephen M. Buckingham, President ; Dr. E. H. Parker, Vice-President ; John H. Mat- thews, Secretary ; Alison Ward, Treasurer. A board of twenty inanagers was likewise chosen. Preliminary meetings had been previously held. The objects of the society are "to prevent the im- position by beggars, indiscriminate and duplicate almsgiving, and pauperization of the poor, by char- ity," and "to secure relief for the needy, employment for laborers, information for all, and a permanent improvement in the condition of the poor." It is not the aim of the society to give direct relief, but to secure help for the needy through the aid of existing institutions or of private individuals, and to systemize and facilitate the method of affording such aid. It maintains a bureau of application and investigation, with a secretary in attendance, at 27 Garden street, where, also, it has in practi- cal operation a kitchen garden, in which girls are trained in household duties by its members.
Poughkeepsie Orphan House and Home for the Friendless was organized June 21, 1847, as the Poughkeepsie Female Guardian Society, and was incorporated in 1852. The charter was amended in 1868, and again in 1872. Its object is to pro- vide a home for the destitute and friendless chil- dren of the county until they can be " committed to the guardianship of foster parents, or worthy families, who will train them to respectability and usefulness." It was originally designed also to furnish a temporary home and employment for unprotected and friendless females. It occupies a substantial brick building, sixty by forty-five feet, three stories high, with basement and cellar, fur- nishing accommodations for sixty inmates. The building was finished in 1857, and was opened for the reception of inmates on Feb. 22d of that year. It is situated on a lot three hundred and sixty-four by one hundred and sixty feet, on the corner of South Hamilton and Franklin streets.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CITY WATER WORKS - FIRE DEPARTMENT - FRATERNITIES-POUGHKEEPSIE GAS LIGHT CO. -CITIZENS GAS CO .- CITY RAILROAD CO .- HOTELS AND TAVERNS.
P REVIOUS to the construction of the present water works there was no public provision for the supply of water for domestic purposes in
Poughkeepsie. The earliest dependence for such supply were springs, which were to be found in almost all parts of the city. Many of them still exist in cellars, and are never-failing. Before Main street was graded, at least a dozen steadily flowing springs were to be seen between the old Red Mill and the river. Fine springs were also to be seen on Market, Cannon and Union streets. In the progress of improvement these were all cover- ed up, and the sinking of wells followed. The first well sunk in Poughkeepsie was that in the yard of the Northern Hotel; and the second, that on the grounds of Riverview Institute on Pine street .*
But the causes which produced springs so abundantly were the source of annoyances which were only obviated by the system of sewerage adopted since 1870. At an average depth of ten feet below the surface of the table-land on which a portion of the city is built, lies an impervious stratum of blue clay. Immediately above this is a layer of gravel, then yellow clay and clayey loam. Above this again is sand or gravel, and then the surface soil-vegetable mold ; while a ridge of rock runs along the brow of the hill, varying from a foot or two to ten or fifteen feet below the surface. Consequently, upon this formation after heavy rains and in the early spring, the water-table in the soil is raised, and the water set back by the ridge, forced its way into cellar and basement, causing yearly much inconvenience and expense.
Water for fire purposes had, however, been sup- plied from a comparatively early day. As early as 1819 a system of cisterns was established in differ- ent parts of the village, and these were used until the construction of the old reservoir. Water from the Fallkill was stored in a small reservoir at the head of Cannon street, and was used for that purpose until the present system came into use. That res- ervoir was granted by John P. Adriance to George P. Oakley, then president of the village, May 25, 1835.
The village trustees had previously contracted with Joseph Harris for a lot of land 200 feet square, on the hill then occupied by Rufus Potter, immediately east of the land of Jared Smith, on which to build a reservoir; also a lot of land forty feet on the north-east side of Mill street, extending parallel with the channel of the Fallkill and the mill pond of said Harris, contiguous to his Red Mills, "to lay down and maintain pipes for water works from said water lot to said hill lot," paying for the hill lot $1,000, and for the water lot $200. After the * The Sunday Courier, April 20, 1873.
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reservoir was built it was found necessary to fill it with water from the Fallkill, and the trustees nego- tiated with the mill owners for water for that pur- pose. These water works were transferred tempo- rarily to the board of water commissioners in August, 1871. "In their day," says the Pough- keepsie Eagle of Nov. 2, 1872, "the old water works were considered very valuable and the pretty little reservoir was a popular place of resort for all classes. In the spring it will be leveled to the earth, and what is now a high eminence will then be made into a handsome park with fountain, shade trees, &c." Much of this improvement, however, remains to be done.
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