History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 56

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 56

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HENRY R. SEARL, son of Ilenry Scarl, who for eight years (from the year 1857 to 1865) was engaged with his father as an architect. removed from here to Washington, D. C., in the year 1865, and established himself there as a profes- sional architect. He has acquired in his new home an enviable reputation in his profession. He was recently commissioned to make drawings and plans for the improvement and culargement of our Rochester Savings Bank, of which his father was the original architect, which plans were adopted, and in which he has succeeded admirably in preserving aud carrying out the original exquisite Gro- . cian designs of the original. The plans nearly double the original height, adding about sixty feet, also enlarge the building on the grounds.

JOHN R. THOMAS, one of our most enterprising young architects. commenced the practice of his profession here in the year 1866, and now ranks with the lead- ing architects of the country. Mr. Thomas has during the past ten years accom- plished a very large amount of work. He introduced the Mansard roof. which was first applied to private dwellings. MIr. Thomas has made a specialty of the study of Gothic art, believing it will be the architecture of the future in this country. Ile has also designed largely for private dwellings in the city and adjoining country, among which is the residence of H. A. De Land, of Fairport, one of the most elegant and costly private residences in western New York. He also designed Rochester Theological Seminary buildings, Sibley Hall, on the University grounds, the Opera House, the Monroe County almshouse, the University of Virginia, at Charlottesville, Virginia, and the New York State Reformatory buildings, at Elmira In the year 1874, Mr. Thomas received a very honorable appointment from Gov- ernor Dix as one of the State architects, and was assigned at once to the charge of the Reformatory at Elmira, which position he now holds.

In Gothic architecture we bave two fine churches, designed by the celebrated architect of Trinity church, New York, Mr. Upjohn. These buil lings are worthy of mention in this article as creditable alike to the parties who caused thein to be erected and to our city. The Third Presbyterian church, on Temple street, in the pure pointed Gothic style, is an exceedingly handsome editice in its propor- tions and style. Saint Peter's church, on Gibbs street, which is in the Roman- esque Gothic, presents another very handsome ceclesiastical building.

ENORAVINOS ON WOOD AND COPPER.

The carliest wood-cut engraver here was MARTIN CABLE. He made a few coarse wood-cuts of our early newspaper-offices. for show-billa, ecc. He has left no record by which his fame could be perpetuated.

V. R. JACKSON commenced engraving here about the year 1833. He engraved on enpper and wood; also the first copper-plate map of the city was mule by him almut the year 1840. He did a large amount of work on wood, and way a man of dreided talent in his profession.

In the year 1846 JOHN MILLER practiced wood-engraving at his rooms in the Amale. He was quite noted as a card-cugraver, and executed a large number of w ...- ruts very finely.

About 1945, CHARLES MIX came here and formed a enpartnership with Miller, "tuber the firm name of Miller & Mix. This firmu for a number of years were the only engravers here. They executed first-class work on steel, copper, and

wood, and acquired a good reputation as artists. Miller moved away. and Mix continued the business for a time, when he was succeeded by GEURok FRAUry- BERGER, in the year 1850. Me. Frauenberger as an cugraver on word or copper, as a draughtsman in mechanical drawing, and as a horticultural draughtstu.mu from nature, has acquired an enviable reputation.

LITHOGRAPHIY.

The first attempt at lithography was made by JOHN T. YouNa, whose name is mentioned by Mr. O'Reilly in the Sketches of Painters, and who made the draw- ings for his history of Rochester. Young was a teacher of drawing, and au excellent draughtsman. Ile wade drawings of the upper and lower falls, which were sent to New York to be lithographed. Ile had other fine drawings which he thought he could lithograph here, and for that purpose purchasel a litho- graphic press and the material for lithographing, which was established in a room in the Arcade. He obtained the services of a New York lithographer, and com- menced business. His health failed soon after, and he died. In the year 1865 the business was established again by ADOLPH NOLTE. in the Talman block, in the Evening Express building. Mr. Nolte employed four hand-presses and the requisite number of men to keep them running by hand. The business went off with varied success until the year IS71, when it passed into the hands of C. F. MUNTZ & Co. and was removed to the building now occupied by their successors on Market street. This firm greatly enlarged the business, introduced modern steam-presses as well as all the modern improvements in the art. obtained the best artists in the country and from Europe, and soon began to produce lithography, plain and in colors, equal in every respect to anything seen in this country. The firm name was changed in 1875 to MENSING. RAHN & STECHER, and the hu-i- ness is now done under the title of " The Lithographie and Chromo Company of Rochester, New York." Other establishments are Ennecker & Karle, 35 State street, and Dodoe & Boyd.

PHOTOGRAPHY.

Daguerreotypes were made here as early as the year 1841 by EUGENE SINTZE- NICH. He was followed in the year 1842 by THOMAS MERCER, who opened the first daguerreotype-gallery. It was situated in the Arcade. During the few suc- ceeding years quite a number of daguerreotype-galleries were started, until the photographie process was invented, when an extensive photograph establishment was opened in the room now occupied by J. W. BACON, in Odd-Fellows' Hall building, corner of Main and Saint Paul streets. Mr. POWELSON about this time opened the photograph-gallery on State street, corner of Market. He was suc- ceeded by WM. ROBERTS, and subsequently by J. H. KENT, who may be said to have done more than any other artist in that line to establish the artistic character of the photograph.

Mr. JACOB BARUYDT commenced the business of photography about the year 1870. He associated with him Mr. S. GREGO. At the annual meeting of the United States Photographie Society, these parties received the prize offered for the best collection of photographs,-an honor conferred upon Rochester art through their skillful operations. A number of photograph-galleries have been opened here of which it would be proper to speak, but for want of suthcient data their names only can be mentioned. Among the most skillful artists who may be named among the carly men were Mr. APPLEBY, CHAUNCEY PERRY ; of the later ones, TAY- . LOR & BACON. This firm was succeeded by Mr. BACON, an estimable artist. who still continues the business. Fox & GATES, KEMPE & GATES, M. MON- ROE, J. W. GODFREY, B. F. HALL, BAKER, L. SHERMAN, and others. all of whom produced creditable work. One of the later firmns established here is that of A. E. DUMBLE & Co. Mr. Dumble is au artist not only as a photographer but as a water-colorist. The " Co." is Mr. B. F. MIXER, wbo is also an artist as well as a painter in water-colors.

MUSIC.

The fullowing extracts are taken from my address cotitled " Musical Remin- iscences of Rochester," delivered at the opening of the Rochester Academy of Music in 1863:

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, -The occasion which has called us together seems a fitting one on which to review the past musical history of our city. From this evening we may date a new era. It is proper that while we are looking forward with fondly cherished hopes and anticipations in the future progress of the art, we should take a retrospective view, and pay the tribute at least of a cherished memory to those who have preceded us in their effort to elevate the standard of musical excellence in our city. I have found it almost impossible to procure the exact dates in all cases, but in the main my statements will be found correct.

"The carlier village history. so far as it relates to music, must. for want of an historian, retain shrouded in mystery. I may say, however, that before any

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

churches or church bells were seen or heard here, on Sundays the villagers were called together at the school house for public worship by the music of an old- fashioned tin dioner-horn. I begin with the first introduction of a church organ here, in the year 1825, at Saint Luke's church. I believe that Daniel Clark was the first organist bere. He was employed to play the organ and lead the choir at Saint Luke's church until a regular organist would be employed. The earliest organist sud composer of note was the Rev. Williamn Staunton, Ductor of Divinity and Musical Doctor, now of the city of New York i this title of Musical Doctor has only been conferred upon some three or four Americans). Mr. Staunton, theo recently from Boston, while preparing for the ministry, had charge of the choir and organ at Saint Luke's. He possessed rare musical abilities as an organ- ist and compo-er.

"The Inte Benjamin Hill was among our earliest and best teachers of the piano- forte, and practiced his profi- - jun from about the year 1830 to 1858. He was ormo- ist at Saint Paul's church for many years, and was highly esteemed. not only as an accomplished teacher, but as a perfect specimen of . the tine old English gentlewan.'

"The earliest effort to establish a musical society opon a grand scalo wus made about the year 1833. It resulted in the organization of a society called the 'Rochester Academy of Music.' Its principal officers were Hon. Addison Gardiner, president; Janw+ M. Fish. secretary; and General L. B. Swan, treas- arer. The society immediately engaged the celebrated ballad-singer and com- poser, Henry Russell, as leader and conductor. Mr. Russell possessed rare quali- fications as a vocalist. The great secret of his wonderful succe + is a ballad-singer lay in his clear and distinct enunciation of words, together with a peculiarly clear and musical voice. The society fitted op rooms in the Child block, opposite the old Rochester House, on Exchange street, which for several years was used for musical purposes, under the name of Concert Hall.

" About the year 1839 some eight young ladies and gentlemen, former tem- bera of the Academy, organized a mustval ciub. for the practice of giees and light music. This club had for its conductor Mr. Lucius Bell, and for pianist Mi-s Marian MeGregor. The first soprano was the late Mrs. Dalzelle, of Wheeling, Virginia, theo Miss Harriet Williams. The elub give several amateur concerts, the proceeds of which were given to the female charitable and local societies. The last concert given was for the purpose of raising a fund with which to erect a monu- ment to the late Prof. Samuel Cooper. The monument was erected in Mount Hope, and was the first erected on these grounds.

" About the year 1840 and '41 the Rocbester Goion Grays gave a series of in- visible concerts at the National Hotel, -the singers being placed behind a screen. Knoup, one of the most wonderful players in the world upon the violoncello, accont- panied by Madame De Gone on the guitar, gave a concert at the National Hotel. The Rainer family of Tyrolese Minstrels sing in the same hall. Braham, the great English tenor, also sang in this hall. The first negro-minstrel concert was giveo by the renowned Christy. at the Eagle Hotel.

"The first public hall designed for concert purpo-es was erected by Anson House, vo the corner of St. Paul and Maio streets. It was called Minerva Hall, and was opened by Mr. Dempster in one of his ballad concerts. About the year 1840 Leopold De Meyer, the lion pianist, gave his wondertul performance in that ball. Henry Herz, the Parisian pianist, and Sivori. the renowned violinist and direct successor of Paganini, al-o gave their performances at this hall.

"Several musical societies have been organized since that time. . An attempt way made about 1843 to reorganize the Academy of Music. Mr. Robert Barron was selected as leader, and rehearsals were had at the session-room of the First Presby- terian church. It, however, proved short-lived.

"The next, effort in the way of a society was the organization of what was called ' The Rochester Harmonie Society.' under the leadership of the Lite I'ruf. Charles Wilsoo, a deservedly popular and well-known music teacher. Mr. Robert Barron also assisted as musical conductor. It's principal first suprano way Me. Hattie Brown Miller, whose umusical talent is too well known and appreciated by most of you to need any praise from me. This society was for a while quite ene- cessful, and gave several popular concerts. It, however, had its day, and passed off the stage about the time the Jenny Lind furor and rage for converts by foreign artists commenced.

" Mr. Perkins, the father of the present band-leader Perkins, was among our earliest unsicians, and a band-master of more than onlinary talent, and for mans years furnished our hand-music. Captain Cheshire, a well-known buske-player, for many years occupied wo prominent a position that he should not be forgotten. About the year 1810, Captain Adluns organized his celebrated brass hand. Cap- tain Alexander Scott succeeded him. These two bands were so celebrated at home and abroad as to be worthy of notice.

" The first regular music store, for the tale of sheet-music and musical instru- menta, was opened about the year 1834 by Mr. B. C. Brown, who carried it un for a few years. Mr. Harvey Warren, about the year 18:37, opened an extensive musie

store for the sale of' musio, piano-fortes, and musical instruments generally. Ile was a vocalist, and a good choir-leader, and had charge for a year or two of the music of St. Luke's church. He finally sold his business to the late Rev. George Dutton, who carried it un for several years, when he closed the establishment iu the year 1853.

"The late Mr. Jaines Murray, a vocalist and choir-leader, practiced his profe ... sion for over thirty years in Rochester and western New York The late B. W. Durfee was for many years an acceptable teacher of vocal outsic, and a eboir- leader here, and for some time had charge of' the music io our public school. About the year 1800 the late Prof. Fred. Miller took up his residence here. 11 .; possessed fine musical talent and culture, and played well upon most musical instruments.

" In the year 1848, Mr. Wmn. A. Reynolds erveted his Corinthian Hall buildl. ing. The success of this hall, and the benefit it has conferred upon the omusical community, are well known. Completed at a time when concerts by first-class art- ists had become popular, it has for sixteen years been the popular place for music of all kinds. This hall is remarkable for being the most perfectly constructed for acoustic effects of any in this country, and it has been visited by architects from Boston and other cities especially to get its proportions for perfect sound.

" In the year 1839, Prof. J. S. Black took up his residence here, and cotu- menced the practice of his profession as a teacher of vocal minsie, his specialty being the culture of the voice. In the course of a year he had gathered around him many pupils and admirers. Ile conceived the idea of a new musical society for the practice of a higher order of music. A class was readily formed, and the practice entered upon with all that zeal which usually characterizes new soci- eties. The board of directors of the Rochester Savings Bank. in the construction of their noble edifice for a banking-house, and in a spirit of devotion to art, wi-h- ing to confer upon the community a munificent gift which should reflect erelit alike upon the city and the institution they represent. had designed and constructa! this magnificent hall as a perpetual gallery for purposes of art and art-culture. Already had a grant of incorporation been obtained from the legislature, and an organization been perfected under the title of . The Rochester Academy of Music and Art.' To perfect and carry out the plaus of this institution. it remained only to organize the society under these officers and take possession of these rooms."

The Rochester Academy of Music went on successfully for two or three year -. when Professor Blake removed from the city to Indianapolis. Indiaas, and Pro- fessor Henri Appy was called from New York as musical director of the institu- tion. Mr. Appy came to this country with the Jenny Lind troupe brought over by P. T. Barnum, of which he was the leading violin soloist. The academy prospered under his administration for a time, but was finally given up, when Mr. Appy concluded to establish his permanent residence here.

John Kalbfleisch, an accomplished teacher, organist, and pianist, has Joue much to elevata the standard of music here. He organized the l'hilharmonie Society, and has been prominent in musient cireles for many years.

Mr. Herve D. Wilkins has been a successful teacher here on the organ and piano for several years past. Ile is regarded as an accomplished organist as well au pianist. He has had charge of the organs of several of our leading churche- for years. He has spent some time in European schools of music, e-pecially in Leipsic, in fitting himself as a teacher. and now rauks among our tweet artists.

Mrs. C. S. P. Cary, a lady pi nist and music-teacher, who for wout few years past has been connected with the Philharmonie Society as pianist, is justly re- garded as one of our best musicians.

R. F. C. Ellis has acquired a fine reputation as music-teacher on the piano a- well as orgau. He for many years had the organ in Saint Luke's church, and composed some music for the chants, etc.

The Rochester Philharmonie Society, organized about ten years ago, has met with varied financial success, the public patronage not being at any time what it should be. The gentlemen composing the society have labored hard to keep it in existence. It has done much to elevate the character of our instrument.il musie, as well as to coltivate the public taste. by giving each winter a series of concerts, under the dirvetion of Professor Henri Appy as leader.

The Mannerchor, a most successful German our-ical society, has Wwen in evi-t- ence bere for ten years or more. It has given many concerts, and afforded great satisfaction to all lovers of German chorals aud songs. Tlwe areciety derve- the highest commendation for its labors in promoting the cause of music.

There is a considerable nuciber of brass bands. singing and other musical encieties, as well as profes-ional musicians, all of' wlun should be mentioned in there sketches, some deserving special attention ; but, as the space allowed for this article has already been exceeded, they must wait for a foture historian."

" Docsuse of late receipt anil for want of space. Mr. Dewey's article had been cuazulerally abndg*d.

PLATE XXVI.

MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY, 1838.

MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY, 1877.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

SOME OF THE PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS OF ROCHESTER.

COLONEL NATHANIEL ROCHESTER.

Identified with the pioneer history of the city of Rochester far more than in name was the late Colonel Rochester. He was the acting resident co-proprietor of the "ove-hundred-acre tract," the principal germ of the village and city, and may jus:'y be considered the patron and founder of the prosperous city of the Genesee valley. Thus prominently associated with the inception of the city, a biography of him demands a place in this history. He was one of the founders of an em- pire of freemen,- our glorious Union,-as well as the founder of settlement io one of its most prosperous localities.

Colonel Rochester was a native of Westmoreland, Virginia, where he was horn February 21, 1752. He was a son of John Rochester, whose father emigrated from the county of Kent in England. When thirteen years of age his family removed to North Carolina. Soon after the breaking out of the Revolution, Colonel Rochester was appointed u metuher of the committee of safety for Orange county,-the duty of the committee being, to use his own language, "to promote the revolutionary spirit among the people, procure arms and ammunition, make collections for the city of Boston. whose harbor was blocked up by a British fleet, anl to prevent the sale and use of East India teas." In August, 1775, he at- tended, as a member, the first provincial convention in North Carolina During the session of the convention he received a major's commission and was appointed * justice of the peace. At the meeting of the convention 'in May, he was ap- Jointed commissary-general of military stores and clothing for the North Carolina line. As a member of the convention, he participated in the organization of a State government for North Carolina. He was obliged to resign his office of com- misary-general, in consequence of disease brought on by exposure. He was not

destined to remain idle in these stirring times. Returning to Hillsboro', he found that he had been elected a member of the legislature, in which he soon took his seat, thus becoming a member of ons of the earliest legislative bodies organized and assembled in defiance of British claims to dominion.

About this period. Colonel Rochester was appointed a lieutenant-colonel of. militia and clerk of Orange county. He was next appointed one of the board of anditors of public accounts. In 1778 he engaged in business with Colonel Thomas Hart, the father-in-law of Henry Clay, and James Brown, who was afterwards minister to France. After the war, and the resignation of the office of clerk of the court, Colonel Rochester again embarked in mercantile pursuits, first in Philadelphia, but permanently in Hagerstown, Maryland. He filled successively the offices of a member of assembly of Maryland, postmaster at Hagerstown, a judge of the county court, sheriff of the county, elector of president and vice- president in 1808, and president of the Hagerstown bank, which position he re- signed when he removed to the Genesee country. Io 1800 he first visited west- ern New York, in company with Colonel W. Fitzhugh and Major Charles Carroll. Before they left the country, Messrs. Carroll and Fitzhingh made large purchases near Mount Morris, and Colonel Rochester purchased the mills, water-power, aod a portion of the lands upon which he afterwards resided at Dansville. In 1802 the three revisited the Genesee country, and while here purchased the "une- hundred-acre or Allen mill tract" in what is now Rochester, then called " Falls Towo." In 1810 he removed to Dansville and occupied his purchase, erecting a paper-mill, the first in all the Genesee country, and making other improvements. Soon after settling at Dan wville he had taken some initiatory steps for the commence- ment of operations upon the one-hundred-acre traet, and in lall had surveyed a few lots and was offering them for sale. He usually had an agent upon or near

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

the property, making frequent visits himself. In ISIG, Colonel Rochester Was for the second time an elector of' president and vice-president. In 1817 he at- tended the legislature at Albany as an agent of the petitioners for the erection of what is now Monroe County, which consummation was delayed until 1821. when it had the benefit of his active personal exertions. He was the first clerk of the new county, and its first representative in the legislature, in 1821-22. In 1824 he was one of the commissioners for taking subscriptions and distributing the capital stock of the bank of Rochester, and, upon the organization of the institu- tion, was unanimously clected its president, which office was accepted upon a con- dition (dictated by a sense of the increasing infirmities of age and an impaired physical constitution ) that he should resign the place as soon as the institution was in successful operation. Ile resigned in December following. This was the last of the numerous public and corporate trusts of his protracted and active life. The remainder of his days were rather those of a retired patriarch, aiding, by his counsels and matured judgment, in all matters of local concern, manifesting a deep interest in the prosperity of the then thriving and prosperous village, in worky of charity and benevolence. Sustained by an implicit religions faith,-that of the Episcopid church of which he had been a liberil patron, and at whose altar he knelt "an humhle recipient of its holy symbol."-he bore with patience and fortitude protracted and painful disease, which terminated in his death on the 17th day of May, 1831, in the eightieth year of bis age.

Almost constantly filling important public stations, he was at the same time the founder of business establishments, the promoter of local prosperity, and after having in advanced life sought and secured a quiet rural life, he broke out from it and became the patron of new settlements .- the founder of a city! There are few examples of a life so varied and active.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 56

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