USA > New York > Queens County > Long Island City > History of Long Island City, New York. A record of its early settlement and corporate progress. Sketches of the villages that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality. Its business, finance, manufactures, and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 13
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The suburb of Steinway which had grown up demanded better church privileges, and in the year 1879 it was decided to erect a church building "for the purpose of founding ST. RAPHAEL'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. and continuing a free church in the Fifth or Bowery Bay Ward of Long Island City in Queens County and State of New York." The church was incorporated with the following trustees: William Steinway, Henry W. T Steinway, William H. Williams, Henry P. Titus, Luke Kouwenhoven, Francis D. Kouwenhoven and Daniel S. Riker. The only changes in the Board have been the resignation of Henry W. T. Steinway and the death of Daniel S. Riker, their places having been filled by the election of George H. Smith and William Brodie.
In the rapid growth of Steinway, better church accommodation was needed than the Union Church afforded. With commendable zeal and liberality, the people heartily entered upon the work of erecting a new church building. During the past year a neat frame church has been completed. beautifully furnished, with solid oak pews, and capable of seating about five hundred persons, The total cost was nearly $20,000, and the church was dedicated, free from debt. Mr. William Steinway, who has been one of the leaders in the enterprise, presented the handsome pipe organ from Setinway Hall, removing it at his own expense, putting it in thorough repair, and placing it in a
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
recess back of the pulpit. This gives a church property, including the ground, worth at least $30, 000.
The new church was dedicated on Sunday, May 31, 1891. The sermon was preached in the morning by Rev. U. D. Gulick. In the afternoon addresses were delivered by the neighboring ministers, and the entire day was one of unusual interest in the community. Up to this time there had been no real ehureh organization. Members of different churches had been gathered, and a flourishing Sunday School was in existence.
But there was no organized church as a spiritual center. At a meeting of the congregation, held at the close of the morning service on the 26th of July, it was unanimously resolved to petition the North Classis of Long Island for a church organization, to be known as " The Reformed Church of Steinway." This organization was effected on the 27th of November, by a committee of Classis, ap- pointed for that purpose. The sermon was preached by the Rev. James Demarest, D. D., who, with the Rev. John Baumeister, received the members and ordained the elders and deacons. Twenty-two members were received by certifieate and twenty-one on confession of faith. The first communion was held on the first Sunday in January, 1892, when five were received on confession, making the total mem- bership forty-eight. The Sunday School numbers three hundred and fifty-one, and a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor has just been organ- ized. There is also a Church Improvement Society, composed of the women of the congregation, which has been an exceedingly valuable auxiliary in the . accomplishment of the results attained.
On the first Sunday in November-Missionary Sunday-the statement was made from the pulpit that, although the church had not yet been organized, an opportunity was offered for any who wished to contribute to the cause of Foreign Missions. A collection of eighty dollars was taken, to which was added five dollars by a class of little girls in the Sunday School, at their own suggestion. The pews have been supplied with the new "Church Hymnary," which gives great satisfaction.
The church began its work with unity, enthusiasm and consecrated purpose. It is financially strong, TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. spiritually alive, actively aggressive. It is free to all, sustaining itself by voluntary contributions. It came into the sisterhood of churches, rejoicing in the manifest presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and ready for its full share of responsibility and work.
TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ASTORIA.
This is the oldest church of this denomination in the city. Its organization dates back as far as 1844. At that time Astoria itself was assuming new life and rapidly increasing in all the agencies which contribute to the progress of a community. The first pastor was the Rev. George Taylor, while the leading spirits in the history of the early church and for many subsequent years were Roe H. Smith and John E. Tier. At that time the church building was located at the junction of Main street and Fulton avenue, where it remained until 1886, when four lots were purchased at the corner of the Crescent and Temple street, where the present commodious chapel, eosting $15,000, was erected. This change occurred during the ministry of the Rev. A. H. Goodenough. The present pastor is the Rev. James A. Macmillan, who is also president of the North Brooklyn District of the Epworth League. Mr. Macmillan's spirited activity in movements which relate, not only to the imme- diate welfare of his ehureh, but that of the community as well, is mueh valued by an appreciative public. A Pastor's Aid Society, Epworth League organization and a Boys' Brigade are useful adjuncts to the work and influence of the church. It is one of the leading churches of the city.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
THE BAR OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
America honors the legal profession. From it prineipally eome those who are chosen to civil preferment and distinction. Under normal social conditions it is the profession also which reflects baek the highest dignity upon the commonwealth. Though " in the corrupted currents of the world the wicked prize itself oft buys out the law," as is cynically said by the great dramatist, yet the per- fected character of the lawyer, as graphically portrayed by Chief Justice Story, has contributed in a superior degree to the formation of that solid basis upon which civil society rests. The bar of this city in past and present has been, and is, worthily representative of this favored profession. In attempting an historical sketch we speak first of those who were identi- fied with professional practice within the present territorial limits of the city before its incorporation.
HION. GARRETT J. GARRETSON.
SAMUEL STEVENS was a lawyer whose active practice covered the period extending from about 1830 to 1844. He accumulated wealth and acquired a large amount of real estate. In his time, as is evidenced by the official records, he made an impress upon the community and showed that he, more than any other, was the lawyer who was consulted about estates and landed affairs. He died in 1844, leaving a large estate and numerous descendants. His sons, Byrum K. and Alexander, were his executors, and the last of the property has only been distributed among the heirs since the incorporation of the city. He was the father of A. Gallatin Stevens, who participated in governmental affairs as Police Commissioner under Mayor Ditmars.
The Rikers were the legitimate successors of Samuel Stevens to his practice in business. John L. Riker studied law with his brother Richard, who was District Attorney of New York, and for twenty years afterward the Recorder of that city. Entering He was noted for his uprightness and
upon active practice he continued in the profession till 1861. urbanity of address. He was succeeded by his sons, John H. and Samuel Riker, who were distin- guished, particularly the latter, for their profound knowledge of the law of real property.
Prior to 1870, Robert Benner and Abram D. Ditmars had, by reason of residence here, built up considerable practice in the community and shared with the Rikers the advantages of the profession.
While Astoria had been for many years a pleasant and prosperous village, and Ravenswood had long been lined with elegant residences and many evidenees of improvement, Hunter's Point began to be built up only within six or eight years prior to incorporation. There was, therefore, no past to that section and no lawyers to give prominence to the records of their day. There had been living, how- ever, in what is now known as the First Ward, a typical Irish gentleman, Edward Browne, whose son, Edward, was recently Judge of the City Court of New York. He enjoyed a good practice, stood well in the community, and was especially noted for his affability and those kindly forms of politeness which are characteristic of a warm Irish heart.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
There was also then living Robert T. Wild who had been in practice in Astoria for some years. He had a good clientage, was interested in politics, and held office under the first administration.
In 1867 Alvan T. Payne commenced his practice in this city. He had moved from Steuben County and was engaged with his profession in New York. He foresaw, however, the future growth of Long Island City and especially of the First Ward, and for that reason concluded to establish him- self in this city. He immediately won the pioneers of advancing affairs together with their friendship and patronage. Politics were then rife in the lower section and the lawyers of that part of the city were foremost in the field. Mr. Payne was then a young man and wisely confided his chief interests and attention to his business. He never belonged to either of the contending factions of the democ- racy and for that reason, in 1875, was selected as a candidate for the Assembly from the Second District and was elected without either faction claiming him as their special representative. From that period on, however, he took a deep interest in the welfare of the city and was identified with the reform wing of the party. In 1880 he was nomi- nated for District Attorney and endorsed by the Republicans as against Benjamin W. Downing who had held the office for eighteen years previously and came within about 500 votes of winning when the regular Democratic ticket was vieto- rious by over 2000 majority. Pre- viously, in 1870, Mr. Payne had been a candidate for another county office, that of Surrogate, and was defeated by one vote in the convention, by Daniel R. Lyddy, a carpet bagger- who was vanquished by about 3000 majority in favor of Alexander Hagner, the Republican candidate. Upon the accession of Mr. Petry to the Mayoralty, Mr. Payne, upon the solicitation of Mr. Petry, became corporation counsel of the city and held office during that and the snc- ceeding official term.
Mr. Payne now has the leading practice in the city. He has won distinction both as an advocate and as a safe and conservative consulting HON. A. T. PAYNE. lawyer. By his uprightness and conscientious sense of professional duty, as well as by his profound knowledge of the law, he enjoys the confidence of his fellowmen to a rare degree.
About the time that the subject of incorporation was being publicly agitated, Solomon B. Noble moved over from New York and took up his residence in Ravenswood and also opened offices in the First Ward. Mr. Noble was then in the prime of life, being about fifty years of age. As a young man he had shown an adventurous spirit, having been the Secretary of General Walker, who in 1856 under- took to revolutionize Nicaragua, was captured and taken aboard the United States vessel at Greytown. He was now an affable, scholarly gentleman, possessing an unusually large experience in human affairs. His wife, Agnes, as an authoress and as one of the founders of Sorosis, had attracted con- siderable attention in the literary world. By his genial and cordial address Mr. Noble speedily became known to, and popular with, all classes of people. By his temperament and taste he was well
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
adapted to polities and it is probable that it was a kind of instinctive foresight that prompted his coming to a field which received him with much favor.
About this time William E. Pearse, who had been admitted to the bar, but had engaged in the manufacture of oil in this city, resumed the practice of law in partnership with Mr. Noble. He too was given to politics, and the amended charter of 1871 having provided for the election of City Judge, the ambitions of both Mr. Noble and Mr. Pearse centered in the office. Curiously enough also, each received the nomination from the contending parties.
Mr. Pearse was elected by a small plurality, and the partnership ceased upon his accession to the bench. Upon the abolition of the City Court Mr. Pearse resumed his practice and became counsel to the Improvement Commission for the improvement of the First and Second Wards, devoting his whole time in that direction. In 1878
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he was elected to the Legislature, and died shortly after one term of official service.
Mr. Noble held various offices under the city administration, having been at one time Corporation Counsel under Mayor Ditmars. He was always identified, more or less, with the interests of public life until his death in 1895. His son, Daniel Noble, had been associated with him several years prior to his death and had shown special qualifications for professional life. Having been elected District Attorney, his official course has won popular approbation, while his accomplished address, which is his by inheritance, has been the source of many friendships and widespread esteem.
Early in the city's history Walter J. Foster removed to the upper part of the city and since that time has been more or less identified with the politics of the city, having been Corporation Counsel during the first term of Mayor Gleason His practice has at the same time been well maintained in association with his two sons, Walter C. and Edgar P., who also are fair representatives of the class of junior lawyers of the city. SOLOMON B. NOBLE, ESQ. Of those who have located in the city since its incorporation, and won promise and distinction in their practice, are L. N. Manley, who is a prominent Republican and one of the leaders of his party, having been honored on more than one occasion by election to office. In 1894 he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention.
We mention also Frank E. Blackwell and his brothers, Arthur and George. Arthur died at an age when he evinced promise of a bright career, and was succeeded in the partnership by George, who merits the success he has won from his practice.
Numbers of other lawyers have come and gone. Among those who have grown up and proved themselves worthy members of the bar, and been identified with the best interests of the city, are: T. C. Kadien, Charles T. Duffy, F. N. Smith, James T. Olwell, John R. Manley, Charles A. Wadley, Ira G. Darrin, E. J. Knauer, George A. Gregg, Matthew J. Smith and E. N. Anable. Also may be mentioned W. E. Stewart, who came to this city by appointment as Corporation Counsel under Mayor
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Sanford, and Thomas P. Burke, the present Corporation Counsel. And other later acquisitions including William Lynam, son of the prominent politician who resided here many years ago; Win- throp Turney ; A. T. Payne, Jr., who is associated with his father, and Harry T. Weeks, all of whom arc worthy representatives of the junior class of lawyers.
IMPORTANT LITIGATION.
The litigation which has grown out of, or been incidental to, the city affairs would fill volumes. Beginning with the adjustment of the affairs of Newtown, of which Long Island City formed a part, to the present time, the difficulties have seemed almost interminable, and litigation in respect to taxes and assessments have been continuous, occupying the attention of the courts to a large extent.
The first case of importance, however, was the suit brought in the name of the Attorney General to oust Henry S. Debevoise, who had received the certificate of the second election for mayor. Mr. Ditmars had been renominated for the office, and Mr. Debevoise, who was the candidate of the politicians, was his opponent. At the time of the election he was City Clerk, and
CHARLES A. WADLEY, ESQ.
LUCIUS N. MANLEY, ESQ.
as such controlled the legal machinery of the election, and was the final canvasser of the votes. The prominent citizens of the Astoria section of the city raised a fund to litigate his right to the office, and proceedings were commenced as already mentioned. An extraordinary circuit was appointed by Governor John A. Dix for the trial of the case.
The committee of citizens, who inaugurated the movement, placed the matter in charge of A. T. Payne, who secured, as associate counsel, Joshua M. Van Cott, the distinguished jurist, who recently died at an advanced age in Brooklyn. Mr. Debevoise employed several lawyers, eminent in their profes- sion, to deferd him. Those who are now recalled are Aaron J. Vanderpoel, Mr. Buckley, of Girard, Platt & Buckley; Judge Samuel D. Morris, of Brooklyn, and Benjamin W. Downing, of Queens County. The trial lasted two weeks, and several hundred witnesses were called. The case ended in a disagreement of the jury, a new trial never having been brought on account of the great expense involved.
Upon the election in which Mr. Debevoise and Mr. Petry were candidates, the former having again succeeded in obtaining the official certificate of his election, quo warranto proceedings were commenced on behalf of Mr. Petry for the office of Mayor, Mr. Payne being again counsel for the
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contestant. After many vexatious delays the court declared that the election of Mr. Debevoise was obtained by fraud, and Mr. Petry was awarded the office.
Immediately afterward, the action, which had been commenced by the Attorney-General against Mr. Debevoise for misappropriation of the city's money, was tried and resulted in a verdict against Mr. Debevoise of over $100, 000.
COURT
QUEENS COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
(The above cut was taken from an excellent photograph kindly furnished for the engraver's use by Mr. Thomas Cusack, of 192 Twelfth street, Long Island City.)
Tablets, of which the following are copies, and which are prominently set up in the main corridor of the Court House, briefly give the facts connected with the erection of the sightly and handsome building :
QUEENS COUNTY COURT HOUSE
Building erected and enclosed by Edward A. Lawrence, Carmen Cornelius, Robert Burroughs. Isaac Coles, Isaac H. Cocks, George II. Hunter, James Nostrand.
Building finished under direction of Edward A. Lawrence, Robert Burroughs, John H. Brinckerhoff, George S. Downing, James Bradley, Samuel Willets, Ebenezer Kellum.
QUEENS COUNTY COURT HOUSE
Architect, GEORGE HATHORNE.
Contractors under Commissioners, D. C. WEEKS & SON.
Commissioners Appointed by Legislature, 1872.
Board of Supervisors of Queens County, 1876.
Contractor under Board of Supervisors, B. GALLAGHER.
In connection with thesc trials there followed criminal prosecutions of minor officers for malfea- sance, which resulted in convictions in many instances. But no actions of that character again arose
until the contest over the election of 1892, by mandamus proceedings, which resulted in Mr. Sanford's obtaining the certificate of election through the courts, after Mr. Gleason had received his certificate from the canvassing officer, who was his own appointee.
Almost every election was characterized by great factional bitterness, which was made more bitter by these litigations.
Various suits have grown out of bonding the city for the erection of schoolhouses and other improvements, until probably no city of its size within the limits of the State has been burdened with such litigation. As has been aforesaid, the suits relating to taxes and assessments, and in respect to the construction of legal enactments affecting the city, have been voluminous. Hardly, however, have all these various questions been settled by the courts and legal processes begun to terminate in final adjustments, when the absorption of the city into Greater New York would seem to make vain the previous labors of litigation. Yet the city will have been better prepared for the union, which will lead it on to larger and better schemes of municipal development.
THE COURT HOUSE.
Long Island City is the county seat of Queens County. In being awarded this distinction gco- graphical considerations were subordinated to the superior transportation facilities which make this city the most accessible point in the county. In 1874, largely through the instrumentality of the ELIPHALET N. ANABLE, ESQ. members of the bar in Long Island City, and more particularly through the persistency and energy displayed by Judge Pearse, the county seat, which had been in the geographical center of the county, was removed to this city. The Court House, standing upon the Square at the junction of Thomson and Jackson avenues, is the most imposing structure in the city. It was erected and enclosed by the following Commissioners, who were appointed for the purpose by the Legislature in 1872: Edward A. Lawrence, Carmen Cornelius, Robert Burroughs, Isaac Coles, Isaac H. Cocks, George H. Hunter and James Nostrand. The building was carried to completion in 1876 by the Board of Supervisors of Queens County, which consisted of Edward A. Lawrence, Robert Burroughs, John H. Brinckerhoff, George S. Downing, James Bradley, Samuel Willets and Ebenezer Kellum. The first term of court was held by Judge Dykeman in 1874, and among the trials was a suit growing out of the construction of the Court House. Through no fault of the Commissioners the building has never provided adequate accom- modations for the purposes contemplated in its erection. The demands of the vast increase of business are not met by its interior construction.
Since its completion in 1876 the lawyers of the County have JUDGE CHARLES T. DUFFY. organized the Queens County Bar Association, which has proven of incalculable advantage and value to all members of the bar, by reason of the library resulting from their united effort and of the strengthening of a fraternal bond by professional association.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
It is quite difficult to trace the early medical history of Long Island City, as in colonial times what is now known by that name was included in the " Ont Plantations," which did not have distinct corporate existence, but was dependent for laws and customs on either New Amsterdam, Flushing or Newtown.
The task is rendered more difficult inasmuch as the " Ont Plantations " were frequently in dispute as regards boundary lines, and even the question as "to whom they actually owed allegiance " was deter- mined according to fluctuating polit- ical conditions having their origin in European countries.
While the legal, social and reli- gious customs and regulations, pre- vailing in those times, have been fairly well preserved, medical events figure briefly, when at all, bringing to mind very forcibly a fact often commented upon, that, primary and most essential conditions which con- tribute to our happiness, morality and comfort, are the last to receive exact attention and consideration at the hands of the people concerned.
Despite these facts and contrary to the generally accepted opinions entertained, it is probable that at all times, even from the earliest settle- ment, this region, as well as the most of Queens County, possessed some of the best medical and surgical talent that the times afforded, and that those men were as carnest and pro- ficient relatively as the physicians and surgeons of to-day. Not only did they possess medical men of ability to attend to their ailments, but they also produced men from among their families, who not only contributed to the adornment of
HON. DANIEL NOBLE.
medical science in their own country, but rose to positions of eminence in the medical history of the country, settling in larger cities and subsequently rising to the highest distinction in their chosen profession.
While the lives of these early pioneers in medicine cannot be traced in historical detail, yet it becomes necessary in following ont the early medical history of the city to set forth such information concerning them as has been accessible.
As early as 1645 there was a record of James Clark, Surgeon, at Maspeth Kills, but unfortunately no record remains of the person or the work of this medical pioneer. It is probable that he was one of the party who came originally from Massachusetts with the Rev. Francis Doughty, settling at Maspeth Kills.
FOOT NOTE .- About 1645 a record was made of a conveyance of land to Philip Gerady by Doctor Ditmars, of Hallett's Cove (Annals of Newtown, by Riker), but it is doubtful whether one of the original Ditmars was a qualified physician or whether the language of the historian is to be considered ambiguous. One of the most eminent and respected of the early settlers was Adrian Van der Donck, a son-in-law of the Rev. Francis Doughty and who was known as the "Doctor of Foreign Laws." He formulated the petition of the English settlers to the Dutch Government and was one of the delegates who carried their grievances to Holland, in which country he died about 1655. These men may have been qualified physicians who had followed farming, as did most others of the early settlers, no matter what their previous training.
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