History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 44

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976

USA > New York > Monroe County > History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences > Part 44

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In 1855 the common council proposed to place in the hands of the hospital committee the suni of seven thousand dollars. to aid in the erection of a city hos- pital, provided the charity society would mise the additional sut of five thousand dollars. This they accomplished ; and as a monument of the enterprise and benevolence of these public-spirited ladies stands the City hospital, one of the finest in the State.

The society is now in a flourishing condition, and officered as follows :

Trustees-Mr. Levi A. Ward, Mr. James S. Andrews. Dr. Maltby Stroog, Mr. William N. Sage, Mr. Frederick A. Whittlesey, Mr. George J. Whitney.

Officers .- Mrs. Maltby Strong, president; Mrs. Freeman Clarke. first vice- president ; Mrs. Adolphus Morse, second vice-president ; Mrs. W. C. Rowley, third vice-president ; Mrs. Oscar Craig. secretary ; Miss R. B. Long, treasurer.

Directresses (ofice expires 1877) .- Mrs. W. Baron Williams, Mrs. William Pitkin, Mrs. Samuel Hamilton, Mrs. D. M. Dewey, Mrs. S. G. Andrews, Mrs. L. B. Satterlee, Mrs. J. H. Martindale, Mrs. A MeVean, Mr. G. W. Parsons.

(Office expires 1578) .- Miss C. L. Rochester, Mira. G. E. Jennings, Mrs. Edger Holmes, Mrs. Henry Thayer, Mrs. W. F. Cogswell, Mrs. George J. Whitney, Hrs. M. C. Mordoff, Mrs. Mortimer F. Reynolds, Mrs. S. H. Terry.

Honorary Directresses .- Mrs. Silas O. Smith, Mrs. Thomas H. Rochester .* Mrs. James K. Livingston," Mrs. Samuel L. Seiden, " Mrs. Harvey Ely, " Mrs. Selab Mathews," Mrs. E. D. Smith, * Mrs. Chester Dewey, Mrs. Charles M. Lee, Mrs. F. Whittlesey, Mrs. D. Darwin Smith.

Collectors .- Miss Annie Williams. Miss Elizabeth P. Hall, Miss Carrie Brew- ster, Miss Hawks, Miss Jennie Dewey, Miss Emma Lampert. Miss Julia Baker, Miss Quinby, Miss Morgan, Miss M. Stone, Miss J. Wilson, Miss Katie Hinds, Miss Alta Mordoff, Miss Emma Haywood, Miss R. B. Loog. Miss Dagge, Miss Jennie Southgate, Miss Jennie Whitbeck.

Hospital Executive Committee .- Mrs. Maltby Strong, Mrs. W. H. Perkins, Mrs. M. M. Mathews, Mrs. A. D. Smith, Mrs. George G. Whitney.

Hospital Visiting Committee .- Mrs. W. W. Carr. Mrs. N. T. Rochester, Mrs. G. F. Danforth, Mrs. W. B. Williams. Mrs. E. T. Smith, Mrs. J. H. Brewster, Mrs. D. B. Beach, Mrs. Henry H. Morse, MIrs. Clark Johnston. Miss A. Mum- ford, Mra. G. E. Mumford, Mrs. F. Clarke, Mrs. James Brackett:

HOME FOR IDLE AND TRUANT CHILDREN.

;Prominent among the charitable institutions for which Rochester is proverbial, in the "Children's Home." It was incorporated in 1854. The main building was erected four years ago, and is a fine brick structure four stories in height. There are two other buildings, une used for a store-room and one for a workshop and school.

The Home is designed for the education and training of children who would otherwise be exposed to the vicious aud corrupting intlucners of the atreete of a Inrge city, and who would otherwise, as they grow up, be found in the ranks of those who fill the jail and the poor-lwu-e. Its inmates are in part orphan children of children having but father or muther, or the children of parents ao degraded and intemperste that they will not support and take care of them. Some of the inmates have been placed there to reclaim them from a life of idleness, truancy, and viciousness, already early entered ujwn. Besides the wholesome home and mural influences by which the children are surroundedl, they are ench given a good common education, and it is sought to train them to become, instead uf puupers sod criminals, men and women who shall be worthy and useful members of the community.

No other institution of the city could tike its place. The House of Refuge obviously is not designed solely for criminals.

The various orphan asylumus of the city are sectarian. and the doors of most of

them are closed to children who have reached an age at which they are not easily manageable, and thus from them a large and proper class of the inmates uf the Home fur Idle and Truant Children would be excluded.

There are ninety-eight children in the home. They receive daily instruction in the rudiments of education, and present the appearance of a neat and orderly body of boys and girls. The influences which surround them are praiseworthy, and there seems to be nothing sectarian eennected with the workingy of the insti- tution.

The various departments are kept scrupulously neat, and an air of content seems to pervade the entire institution. The average number of children in at- tendance for the years since 1870 have been as follows: For 1871, seventy-one; 1872. sixty-three ; 1573, fifty-one; 1874, fifty-three ; IST5, seventy-scveo ; 1876, ninety-eight.

The home is ander the control of a board of managers, composed of the fol- lowiog persons : Christian Meyer, F. N. Skuse, George Herzberger, F. H. Smith. D. M. Anthony, Moses Hays, A. H. Cushinan, MI H. Green, De L. Crittenden. George Herzberger is president, und .A. H. Cushman secretary. The interior management of the home is under the supervision of E. W. Bryan, superintend- ent : Mrs. E. W. Bryan, matron; Marion K. Green and Emma J. Smith, teachers. Other assistants are E. C. Mallury and Michael Diemer. The institution is in successful operation, and Mr. and Mrs. Bryan are entitled to much credit for their indefatigable efforts in instructing and rendering comfortable the inmates of this hamane institution.

HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS.

This institution was founded in 1843, and incorporated by act of the legislature June 4, 1855. It is designed to furnish a temporary home for destitute females. and a permanent abode for the aged and infirm. Here. young girls out of em- ployment are kindly cared for until places ure secured for them. It is under the control of a body of benevolent ladies, who use every endeavor to render it pleasant and attractive to those unfortunate ones who have not the checriog influences of a bome. It is supported by individual and church contributions, and also by the county, city, and State. It is under the control of a matron of ability, and one well qualified to discharge the duties of this responsible position.

The following persons constitute the official board for 1876: President, Mrs. D. R. Barton ; Vice-President, Mrs. Adolphus Morse ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. C. F. Pood; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. D. B. Beach ; Treasurer, Mrs. S. Porter ; Matron. Mrs. L. W. Wallace.

The home is located on the corner of East avenue and Alexander street.

WESTERN NEW YORK DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE.

In 1875 sundry articles appeared in the city press advocating the establish- ment of an institution of this kind, and giving figures showing the number uf deaf mutes in this section with no advantages of education. Tuese articles aroused a charitable and bumane sentiment which, finally, in October, 18.6. culminated in the establishment of this institute.

. The school is located on St. Paul street, near the centre of the city, and the buildings aod yards are large, and well adapted for its wants. Professor Z. F. Westervelt is the principal, assisted by Mrs. Louisa Peet, widow of the Late principal of the New York institution, and for sixteen years its matron. Miss Hattie Hamilton, teacher by the articulation method, likewise of the New York institution, and Mr. E. P. Hart, are also associated in ita managetoent.

CHURCH HOME.

This charitable institution was founded by the Protestant Episcopal church of Rochester. It was organized June 10, 1868, and incorporated September 10, 1869. It is designed for the support of orphans and aged persons of this church, although it receives applicants from other Protestant churches. The building is of Medina stone, and is a fine and commodious structure. It is located on MIt. Hope avenne.

The oficers of the home fur 1876 are: President, Mrs. D. M. Dewer ; Vice- President, Mrs. II. Sibley ; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. M. M. Mathews ; Re- cording Secretary, Mrs. Wm. C. Rowley ; Treasurer, Miss C. L. Rochester.

MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY.

No portion of the history of Rochester will be perused with greater interest than that one relating to Mount Hupe Cemetery. Thousands people this city of the dead, and scarce a faunly in Rochester but is linked to this sured spot, where repose the remains of kindred and friends.

· DeesasEL

112

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Mount Hope is of modern origin. For twenty-four years after the settlement of this city, the dead were interred in the old Buffalo street burying-ground, and other places; and not until 1836 was a movement made for the purchase of cemetery landa, to meet the requirements of a rapidly-growing city.

On the 24th day of August, 1836, Alderman David Scoville, of the fifth ward, offered a resolution in the common council of this city, " That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of purchasing Silas .Andrews' lot on the east side of the river, or any other lot in the city, for a burial-ground, and report at a future meeting of the board. Mayor Schermerhorn appointed Alder- man David Scoville, Manley 6. Woodbury, and Warham Whitney as such committee. Soon after the action of the common council a meeting of the citizens was held, which recommended the purchase of lands suitable for burial purposes. The committee appointed by the mayor also reported in accordance with publie sentiment, and, on the 20th day of the following December, Alder- man Jobn Haywood, after referring to the foregoing action of the citizens and report of the committee, moved that the common council approve of the recom- mendation both of citizens and committee, and that the city porchnse the ground of Silas Andrews. This resolution was adopted ; and, on December 27, pro- vision was made for liquidating the indebtednes- incurred in purchasing the land by anthorizing an issue of city bonds, amounting to eight thousand dollars, pay- able in ten years. This loan was negotiated at par by the mayor, Abraham M. Schermerhoro.

January 10, 1837, John McConnell was directed to devise a plan for laying ont the grounds. June 22, 1838, Elisha Johnson, mayor. Joseph Strong, Elias l'ond, and Isane F. Mack, aldermen, and Silas Cornell, city surveyor, were ap- pointed s committee to submit plans for such purpose. The report of the com- mittee was adopted on the 3d day of the following July, and William G. Russell appointed sexton. Great interest was manifested in the enterprise, and, in October following. Mount Hope was dedicated with proper public ceremonies, the ad dress being delivered by Rev. Pbarcellus Church, D.D., third pastor of the First Baptist church of this city.

The following is an extract from the address, and may not be uninteresting to the citizens of to-day, who see Mount Hope transformed from its primitive con- dition to one of the most enchanting burial-place- in the country.

Mr. Church said, " At few points on the surface of the globe has nature been more liberal in its provisions for giving scope to these principles than in the neighborhood of our own city. Rural scenery, undulating surface, inviting features, both of beauty and sublimity, ponds that may be easily cleared and niade .to present a smooth and shining expause as of molten silver, a dry and light soil, peculiarly favorable alike to the opening of graves and the preservation of them from the intrusion of water, and a location retired, and yet sufficiently con- tignous to our city, are soule of the advantages which conspire to make Mount Hope one of the most inviting cemeteries in the world. Good judges, who have visited both, pronounce its scenery even more bold and picturesque than that of the celebrated Mount Auburn. in the neighborhood of Boston. In the small improvements which have been made ou these grounds, how many interesting features have been developed ! As we slowly wind round the mount, gradually rising to its summit like life in its advancing stages, we meet abrupt declivities, deeply-shaded valleys. natural arbers. towering heights, with their superincumbent weight of primeval forest, narrow ridges, on which you seem to noise between the deep descent on either hand, while your eye searches in vain for the bottom lands below.

" And when you stand on the summit itself, how enchanting is the prospect ! The smooth current of the Genesee meandering round the base, and stealing its now obvious and now concealed way to the distant lake, like the passing uf life through shade and sunshine to the ocean of eternity. Around you see, spread out in ample view, the rich fields of one of the richest conuiries in the world, sending their loaded harvests to the marts of trade and supplying the staff of life to millions of people. Before yun lies the througed city, with its spires and minarets pointing to heaven, while the elatter of machinery, or the deep-toned bell, or the voices of living multitudes, united to the rour of the neighboring cas- cades, all send! up to heaven a voice as deafening and discordant as the cries of factions clans io the world's tumultuous theatre. l'ar off beyond the city, the broad blue Ontario skirts the undetinedl distance. as if to remind you of the boundless fields of existence which eternity will unfall. and to make you feel how few and meagre are the objects subjected to our present inspection compared with those in the distance which a future world will disclose."

After continuing at some length, and repeating the words. " The hour is coming when all that are in tlwir graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God and shall come forth ; they that have done good goto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of' damnation," he formally dedicated the cemetery with the following remarks:

" By the order and in behalf of our municipal board, I de now formally declare this wild retreat dedicated to the repose of the dead, henceforth and forever. In the bighest scose in which a transfer can be marle, Mount Hope by this act passes from the hand of the living to the hand of the dead. It is an inviolable and out- ending trust. Nevermore shall the dwellings er occupations of the living obtrude within these sacred precinets. Whatever is here transacted shall be done in fur- therance of the ends of this our solemn dedication.

"Let this place henceforth be visited to revive the memory of departed friends wod to anticipate the exalted scenes of eternity. Here let the lover find a retreat of quiet, weeping over the untimely fate of his betrothed, and to deck her grave with flowers. Here let the father erect his monument to the memory of his noble son, who from the threshold of a promising manhood dropped into eternity. Here let the profligate son catch the inspirations of repentance and virtue as he gaze~ en the last memorials of his pions parents. Here let the daughter revive a mother's image and endearments,

'While this place of weeping still Its tooe memorial keeps, Whilet on her onme, 'midst woods and billa, The quiet wonshine steepa.'

" [Iere let maternal love find a calm resort to awaken associations of its infant charge, and to dwell with thankful interest upon Him who has said, 'In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my father who is in heaven.' Here let a grateful public pay their tribute to talent, learning, and industry, devoted to the best interests of mankind. . And oh, that coming generations may receive, amid these wild and impressive scenes, the inspiring lessons of truth, of piety, and Fr- ligious hope ! May the eye that from this point looks mourofully upon the sur- rounding landscape be favored, like Moses from the summit of Pisgah, with bright visions of the promised rest in heaven! May the tears which fall upon these consecrated gronods water a harvest of religious fruits. which shall be gathered unto life everlasting! From this mount of vision may 'prayer ardent open heaven !

.Let down a stream of sacred glory On the consecrated bour

Of man in audience with the Deity."

" From these graves may levity be forever banished, to give place to the aw ful emotions awakened by the conscious presence of cthereal spirits! Let the step be slow and reverential ; let the voice he pitched to tones of seriousness and truth ; let the bosom brave with tenderness aud love; and let the whole soul buw in devont adoration of Ilim who holds the keys of life and of death."

The earliest recorded sale of these lands, as a distinct tract, bears date April 30, 1817, in a conveyance from Elijab Northrup to Eli Stillson, father of the present efficient superintendent, for the magnificent sum of three hundred and sixty-seven dollars. July 12, 1821, Mr. Stillson zold it to Juhu Mastick for two hundred and sixty-two dollars, who disposed of it to Silas Andrews, January 1, 1822, for two hundred and eighty-seven dollars. Mr. Andrews remained the owner until January 2, 1837, fifteen years afterwards, when he sold it to the city for the sum of five thousand three hundred and eighty-six dollars.

The first interment at Mount Hope was made August 18, 1838. In 1859 an entrance was constructed, ait a cost of ten thousand one hundred and thirty dollars and seventeen cents. This building was removed in 1874, and was replaced by the present handsome and commidious edifice. It is built of gray stone, and is complete in all its appointments. A handsome marble tablet placed in the wall bears the following inscription :

ERECTED IN 1874-1475.

Commissioners.

JAMES tt. KELLY. Ww. S. SMITH, JONATHAN LI. CHILD, NEWELL A. STONK. Superintendent. GEORGE D. STILI.SON. Asst. Superintendents.

G. F. STILLSON, JOSEPH L. STONE. A. J. WARYER, Architert. JORY MATDER. MitInn Work. M. BRIGA & SON, Iron Work.\ H. S. HERARD. Marble Work.

The chapel and vault were erected in 1860, at a cost of ten thousand four hundred and eighty-seven dollars and ninety-rhirre cents.

The improvements have ever been of a character to render it a beautiful rural cemetery. The limited means of the self- sustaining organization have rendered the erection of' elaborate artificial structures impossible, and the managers have never sought to compete with those whose wealth and taste stimulated them to the erection of impming and costly memori ils, but have beautified and adorned the grounds with natural decorations of trees and flowers.

113

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Mouut Hope has always been managed without expense to the city: neitber is there any enforced taxation upon its lot-owners. Its theaus have been supplied by that portion of the community who voluntarily make use of it, and it has be- sides afforded, without cost, interments for more than two thousand persons whose misfortune it was to be deprived of earthly means. The cemetery is owned and controlled by the city corporation, and is under the management of a board of commissioners appointed by the common council, and assisted by a resident super- intendent. The present commissioners are Newell A. Stone, James H. Kelly, and William S. Smith. Superintendent, George D. Stillson.

The peculiar beauty of the situation of Mount Hope is so proverbini, far and wide, that a minute description is hardly necessary. It consists of ridges and ra- vines, most beautifully adapted by nature to the purposes for which it is used. while the continuons outlay of artistic skill has brought it to a state of improve- ment that reuders it a charming retreat; and the people of Rochester have reason to be proud of Mount Hope. one of the most picturesque and beautiful cemeteries in the United States.

MOUNT HOPE NURSERIES,

Ellwanger & Barry, proprietors. In 1840. George Ellwanger and Patrick Barry established this industry, and at that time it occupied but a few arres. They were young and energetic, devotedly attached to their business, and froin the beginning success seemed to attend every effort. At that time the nursery busi- Dess was a comparatively new enterprise, and many predicted the financial ruin of the proprietors. They, however, saw that a great agricultural progress must soon be made in this country, and that there would necessarily be a large demand for nursery stock. The grounds were steadily enlarged, and in 1849 embraced eighty acres of land. Io this year was issued the first edition of their Catalogue of . Fruits in its present form. Three years later, in 1852, the nurserics occupied two buudred acres, and in 1857 covered four hundred acres. Its area rapidly io- creased, and in 1860 had reached five hundred acres. In the Catalogue of Fruits for that year it was stated that during the year 1859 they had fruited four hun- dred varieties of pears, three hundred of apples, eighty of plums, seventy of cherries, besides large collections of small fruits. In 1871 the area of land cov- ered by these nurseries reached six hundred and fifty acres, and is occupied as followa : four hundred and fifty are devoted to fruit trees; twenty to ornamental trees, shrubs, and other plants ; twenty-five acres to specimen trees, both fruit and ornamental ; thirty acres are in vineyards for testing fruits, etc., and about twenty- five acres are included in the lawn and ornamental grounds around the office aud plant houses.

An important feature of the nursery is the specimen fruit trees, containing ocarly two thousand varieties, exclusive of grapes and small fruits. The specimen ornamental ground is also extensive, and contains the most complete collection in this country. The plant houses are sixteen in number, constructed of glass, with an average length of about seventy-five feet each. These buildings cover an area of thirty thousand square feet, and if extended in one continuous line would be half a mile long, with a width of twelve feet. Thirteen of these are strictly green- and hot-houses, and the remaining three are devoted to the purposes of propagation, which is performed in pots and frumes, covering over an acre. These houses are so situated that a tour of the whole series may be made without going out of doors.

The carpenter shops, box factory, horse barns, and packing gronnda, with their necessary appurtenances, occupy a separate plot of ground, separated from the office and main grounds by Mount Hope avenue, and are furnished with every convenience to lesseo the labor and facilitate the work. A vast amount of labor is required for carrying ou this extensive business, and in ordinary times the working forve consists of about two hundred and fifty men for eight months, fifty fur four months, exclusive of the office, together with a large number of traveling Agenty. At times as many as four hundred persons have been employed. Thirty horses are regularly used, with a large additional hired force at certain seasons. The management of this immense business is systematized and simplified, and the various operations are conducted with the most perfect regularity. A general "it-door foreman receives immediate orders from the proprietors, with the follow- ing assistants: one for the fruit trees ; ouc for grapes and small fruits; one with the general charge of the ornamental department ; one with the special charge of NY; one on evergreens: one on herbaccony perennials and bulbs ; one with the . harge of the teams and work ; and que who oversees the laborers in large gangs. The office business is under the management of' a head clerk, with a book-keeper at nther assistants. The greater number of these foretuen have been in the rtablishment over twenty years, and have acquired great proficiency in their w.verd departments.

Meses. Ellwanger & Barry have given much attention to the subject of under-

draining, and hinve laid out not less than seveuty miles of tile io drains. Huder- draining and a thorough preparation of the soil before plauting is one of the principal elements of their success. The following is given as proof of the excel- lence of their soil : They raised this year, 1876, three thousand bushels of pota- toca on twenty-five acres of ground vacant uf trees, and the yield would have been much larger but for the ravages of the Colorado beetle. The drouth in many places nearly destroyed the crop, but scarcely affected these in their deep, mellow soil.

Their ornamental grounds for neatness and artistic beauty are among the finest in the country. We give below oames of some of the fine specimen ornamental trees growing ou these grounds out of the many hundreds which are to be seen there. A beautiful tree of Abies Nordmanniana, fourteen feet high (one of the finest of all evergreens); a Cut-leaved Alous, twenty-five feet high; a Willow- leaved Ash, twenty feet high ; a Weeping Birch, thirty feet high, wide and spreading; Purple Beech, twenty fect high : Cut-leaved Weeping Birch, fifty feet high; a Salisburia, thirty feet high ; Oak-leaved Mountain-ash, the original tree brought to this country, twenty feet high, and the same in diameter of the head; and also a fine display of magnolias.

In the management of the business Messrs. Ellwanger & Barry give their persoon supervision, and are assisted by their sons, who are well qualified for the more arduous duties and the responsible positions in which they are placed. Honesty and fair dealing have ever been characteristic of this firm, securing theni a large trade and the confidence of the public, while by close application, com- bioed with energy and enterprise. they have steadily enlarged their operations until the Mount Hope nurseries are known throughout the civilized world, and rank among the foremost in our land.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 44

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts Number of Pages: 976

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976