History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 89

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878 > Part 89

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The formal ceremony of opening the cemetery took place on the 14th of June, 1850, and was attended by a very large concourse of people, including a delegation of about 150 Indians of the Oneida and Onondaga nations. A procession was formed at the entrance, headed by the Utica Band, and followed by the school-children of the city, the clergy, officers of the association, visitors, and citizens, which marehed to the music of the Portuguese Hymn, along the main avenue to the glen below the bridge, where a platform had been arranged for the speakers and seats for the audience. A dirge was played by the band, a prayer offered by Rev. Charles Wiley, D.D., and an ode sung by the children of the common schools, after which William Tracy, Esq., delivered a most appropriate and interesting ad- dress, following which a hymn was sung and the benediction pronounced by Rev. Oliver Wetmore. Upon the conclusion of these ceremonics the Indians present assembled around their sacred stone, and addresses were made in their own tongue by Ono-neo-gon, head chief of the Oneidas, and Duo-dwa-ga-neo-neo, head chief of the Onondagas, which were interpreted to the assemblage by To-wut-sun-kus, who had been for thirty years the chief interpreter of the Onei- das. In these addresses the Indians gave their consent to this final disposition of the altar of their fathers.

The grounds have been steadily improved from the first, and now present one of the most beautiful and tastefully arranged rural cemeteries in the Union. By a rule of the association all fences, of whatever description, are forbidden,

and the grading and preparation of the grounds are in the hands of the trustees, to the end that nniformity may be preserved throughout.

For several years the work of improvement was managed principally by an executive committee ; the only salaried person being a lodge-keeper, who also performed the duties of sexton. Conspicuous among the earnest workers of the board of trustees were Messrs. Thomas R. Walker, Williamr Tracy, and Julius A. Spencer, two of whom subsequently removed from the city.

At length the necessity of employing a superintendent began to appear, and in 1857 A. G. Howard, a florist of mnch taste and skill, was appointed as superintendent upon a salary sufficient to justify him in employing one-half lis time in a general supervision of the cemetery. Mr. How- ard occupied this position until about the year 1870, when Mr. Egbert Bagg, a civil engineer of some celebrity, was appointed to the position made vacant by his resignation.

The financial condition of the association has always been satisfactory, the income being ample for all purposes. The average annual income from 1867 to 1872 was something over $5200. The income from all sources for the year 1877 was $17,551.23, and the expenditure $13,008.63.

In 1865 a farm of 65 acres was purchased at a cost of $9000, and added to the grounds, making the present area about 105 acres, of which about 60 acres are laid out and improved.

A beautiful mortuary chapel, built of sandstone and in the Gothic style, at a total cost of $16,000, was presented to the association, as a free gift, by Mrs. Roxana Parker Childs, widow of the late Silas Dickinson Childs, the sole condition being that it should be for " free and common use. forever." It is a combination of chapel and receiving-vault, the tombs (140 in number) being built into the sides of the chapel. The arrangement is found to be an exceedingly convenient one for winter use. The chapel is beautifully finished, and frescoed in appropriate colors, and contains two very elegant stained-glass windows, with rich memorial groupings. The architect of the building was Mr. Hotch- kiss, superintendent of the Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis. The windows were manufactured by H. W. Lewis & Co., of Utica. A fine memorial tablet in recognition of the munificent gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Childs is erected in the chapel .*

Another ornament to the grounds is the conservatory, erccted in 1874. It stands near the main entrance, and is in the form of a Latin cross. Here is a vast collection of plants and flowers, both indigenous and exotic, the gera- niums alone numbering 20,000. A fine specimen of the cabbage- palın of Florida, commonly called the palmetto- tree, is in the east wing, growing amid a group of tropical plants. The total cost of the conservatory, including plants and flowers, has been about $20,000.

A vast number of native forest-trees, deciduous and evergreen, adorns the grounds, and especially that portion located on the northwestern slope. Several fine ponds and running streams add variety and picturesqueness to the

# John F. Seymour, Esq., was chairman of the building committee, and contributed in a great degree to the erection of this fine edifice.

Quin Onie

OWEN O'NEIL.

OWEN O'NEIL, the son of an Irish farmer, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1798. The early death of his father devolved the care of three children upon his mother. An older brother of the deceased emigrated to America and died. Owen served for some years as a clerk in a store in Dublin, and having acquired some knowledge of business, he made his way to the United States in 1816 and settled in Oneida county. After a short stay in Rome he removed to Utica, where, with the exception of two years spent at Nor- fork, Virginia, he has ever since resided. He apprenticed himself to James Devlin, from whom he learned the trade of coppersmith and acquired a general knowledge of the hard- ware business. His industry and skill won the favor of his employer, who remitted a year from the term of his apprentice- ship and made him a substantial present. He formed a part- nership with Robert Disney, and conducted business for a time on Liberty street. Those who remember him in that day speak of him as a quiet, industrious, faithful worker, who won the respect of all who had occasion to employ him. A larger store was subsequently rented, and after six years' devotion to business the firm was enabled to purchase the establishment of Mr. Devlin. Mr. O'Neil then associated himself with John Martin, and the firm of O'Neil & Martin purchased the property on which the store of O'Neil & Co. now stands. Mr. Martin abandoned the business for the legal profession and removed to Illinois, where he gained distinction, and died while holding a judgeship. John Carton, who served his apprenticeship under Owen O'Neil, subsequently became his partner, and continued with him until 1847, when he estab- lished the house which now bears his name. Of late Mr. O'Neil has been known as the senior member of the firm of O'Neil, Son & Co., the associate partner being Francis X. Manahan, his brother-in-law.

Owen O'Neil fairly represented a class of the mercantile community which unfortunately is wellnigh extinct. He was never in haste to be rich. The dazzling stories of enormous fortunes to be made by rash speculations had no charm for his ear. He knew of only one road which led to success. Hon- esty guarded the entrance to that road, and industry was the only guide that traveled therein. He rose from poverty to affluence, but the simple tastes and frugal habits of his earlier days exerted their beneficent influence over his life to the last.

He was a devout communicant of the Catholic church. In

the numerous charitable enterprises with which that church is associated he worked zealously and contributed freely. He took the pledge of total abstinence from the hands of the ven- erated Father Mathew, and kept it unbroken to the end. His health was remarkably sound until he was attacked by pleurisy. His vigorous constitution enabled him to battle so manfully with the disease that he afterward rose from his bed, and with the aid of a nurse dressed himself and walked across his room. Then weakness overtook him, and his fluttering pulse foretold his doom. He met his death as he had met all the joys and sorrows of life-calmly and manfully. Resting in the arms of his eldest surviving son, and enjoying the consolation which abiding faith affords, he passed peacefully through the shadow of death and into the light of immortality, July 29, 1875.

The character of Owen O'Neil is one which would with- stand successfully the most severe analysis. He was devoted to business, but he always found time to cultivate the gentler amenities of life. He used wisely, discreetly, and well the ample fortune which he honorably accumulated. In his social intercourse he was cheerful, instructive, and happy. His knowledge of men and events, particularly those pertaining to our local history, was full and accurate. He accepted the privileges of citizenship with a comprehensive idea of the duties which they involved. He was an old-time Whig, and after the dissolution of the Whig party he became a Democrat. He refused to accept political preferment, but always exercised the right of suffrage with discrimination. He lived a useful and blameless life, and dying ripe in years his memory will be tenderly cherished by all who honor purity, truth, and honesty, for these were the broad foundations on which his life was built.

Mr. O'Neil was twice married, and was the father of eight children. Five sons and one daughter are deccased, viz. : John, Joseph, Charles, Frank M., and Father Ambrose O'Neil (the latter was a highly educated and eloquent priest, and died in Albany on Easter morning in 1870), and Mrs. Quin, of New York. Of those surviving are Mrs. Bryan, of New York, and Thomas B. O'Neil. The latter, after being associated with the business for twenty years, purchased the entire business, buildings, and manufactory of the firm, and now also carries on the business, with all its branches, estab- lished by his father some sixty years ago. He is known as an honorable, enterprising, and popular business man.

WITH BY LH. EVERTS B.CO., PHILA, PA

FAXTON HOSPITAL, UTICA, NEW YORK

335

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

place, and the beautiful dells, overshadowed by the dark- green foliage of the hemlock, are a feature of the landscape.

The trust funds held by the association amount to about $12,000. The number of interments reaches 6000, and the number of lot-owners is about 1300. The present officers of the association are as follows :

President, William J. Bacon ; Vice-President, Lewis Lawrence; Secretary and Treasurer, William P. Carpenter; Superintendent, Roderick Campbell; Trustees, William J. Bacon, Lewis Lawrence, Edward S. Brayton, Addison C. Miller, Charles E. Barnard, John F. Seymour, William P. Carpenter, Charles S. Symonds, Thomas Hopper, Frank G. Wood, John C. Hoyt, and Robert S. Williams; Executive Committee, William Bacon, Thomas Hopper, E. S. Bray- ton, Lewis Lawrence, and John F. Seymour; Committee on Trust Funds and Auditing Accounts, Addison C. Miller, John C. Hoyt, and Frank G. Wood.

The superintendent and treasurer are the only salaried officers, the former receiving $1000 and the latter $500.

SAINT AGNES CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.

This association was organized and incorporated in 1869. The original trustees were John C. Devereux, S. A. War- nick, John Carton. Thomas Bergan, James Merriman, Thomas McInerow, James F. Hone, Edward M. Ryan, and William Kernan. The original and present officers are : President, John C. Devereux ; Treasurer, John Carton ; Secretary, William Kernan.

Upon the organization of the society the trustees took charge of the old cemetery on Mohawk Street, and pur- chased about five aeres additional, which, with the old ground, makes a total inclosure of about fifteen acres. The new grounds were laid off to correspond with the old, which were originally occupied for burial purposes about 1842.

An elegant and appropriate mortuary chapel, in the pointed Gothie style, was erected in 1869 and presented to the association by Mrs. Daniel Mitchell, widow of. the late Daniel Mitchell, at a cost of about $8000. It is constructed of dark-colored stone, and is an ornament to the grounds and an honor to the donor. This cemetery is located on the corner of Mohawk and Eagle Streets, in the south- eastern suburbs of the city. There are a large number of fine monuments, and the grounds are neatly arranged and nicely kept.

In addition to the cemeteries mentioned, there is a small one located between Elm and Steuben Streets, near Elm Grove.

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.

FAXTON HOSPITAL.

The Faxton Hospital, as the name indicates, was built by one of Utica's oldest citizens, Hon. Theodore S. Fax- ton, and is one of the most complete and perfectly-con- structed institutions of a benevolent character in the State. It was erected in the year 1874, and the building was formally dedicated June 23, 1875. All the arrangements of this spacious edifiee are well adapted to the purposes for which it is intended, particularly the various suites of rooms, comprising bed-room, private dining-room, nurse's apart-

ment, bath-room, and lavatories, containing hot and cold water. The kitchen department is also very perfect in its appointments, with laundry- and ironing-room adjoining. The location is especially to be commended for its splendid view and the fresh, bracing air which the patients enjoy.

It was the intention of the founder to donate the insti- tution to the city of Utiea; but the city fathers not deein- ing it wise to accept the trust, Mr. Faxton has determined to commit its care to a board of lady managers, to be chosen by the trustees, who shall make an annual report of their doings to the trustees on the first day of February of each year. The cost of the institution was $50,000, and its benefactor still contributes an annual sum to its support.

With the contemplated change in its management, it is confidently expected that Faxton Hospital will accomplish the end for which it was intended by its founder.

ST. ELIZABETH'S HOSPITAL AND HOME.

St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Home was organized Dee. 12, 1866, by Mother Bernardina, a member of the charita- ble order of St. Francis. The first patient was received in a small wooden building on Columbia Street, which was kindly given by the Francisean Fathers, rent free, for the purpose. Through the generosity of Mr. Thos. B. Deve- reux, of this city. another building was added to the insti- tution, and, soon afterwards, still another. Provision was thus made for the accommodation of old men and old women, and also for the sick of both sexes. In 1868 the old buildings had to be removed to make room for the new St. Joseph's Church, and a purchase was made of a house a few doors west of the former location. This building was repaired and put in perfect order for the comfort of the sick, and was finally opened for patients Oet. 15, 1869.

The design of the institution is to provide for the medi- eal and surgical care of all persons who may apply for relief, without regard to age, sex, color, nativity, creed, or ability to pay, and to furnish a home for the aged and infirm of both sexes. Those who are able are expected to pay the cost of their support, and others what they can afford. By this plan the money of the charitable is applied directly to the benefit of the destitute poor.

The hospital is under the supervision of Sisters of the order of St. Francis, an order six hundred years old, and which is under no other control than that of its own officers. The Sisters have a chapel for their own use, but no publie religious services are held. Clergymen of all denomina- tions are cordially invited to visit the sick, to comfort them in their sufferings, and cheer them with religious consolation when they are lying dangerously ill. The rule of striet religious toleration must be closely adhered to by all who enter the building. Any elergyman whom any patient desires to see is immediately notified. Most of the elergy- men in the city have visited the hospital on errands of merey, and it is earnestly desired that they will eall as frequently as possible.

Medical and surgical services are rendered gratuitously to the poor, but private patients are expected to pay for such attention.

Several years ago a dispensary was opened for the out- door poor. Since its establishment nearly four thousand

336

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

have received aid, most of whom were eye cases. The poor continue to come every day, and great good is done at very little cost.

A room has been provided with a covered bed, such as is used in asylums, for those unfortunates who, having poisoned themselves with liquor, are dangerous to them- selves and to others. Very many inebriates have been received in a condition bordering on delirium tremens, and after a short stay have been sent home restored to health.

The hospital will only accommodate about thirty very sick patients. Every inch of room is economized in order to do good to the greatest number. The success that has attended the treatment of the eases admitted depends in great measure on the perfection of the ventilating and heating apparatus. When a new building is erected it is hoped that the arrangements for comfort, cleanliness, fresh air, and warmth may be even more perfect than are now found in this temporary hospital.

The institution is far from having the capacity sufficient to meet the demands made upon it, and the time is near when a new building will be required, preparations now being made for its construction.

The hospital is under the immediate direction of Mother Dominica as Mother Superior. The surgical staff is com- posed of Alonzo Churchill, M.D .; Edwin Hutchinson, M.D. ; Joseph E. West, M.D .; Thos. J. Bergen, M.D .; George Seymour, M.D.

ST. LUKE'S HOME AND HOSPITAL.

St. Luke's Home, Utiea, N. Y., was the conception of the reetor of Grace Church, Utica, the Rev. E. M. Van Deusen, D.D. ; and was first suggested by him in a sermon, preached in Grace Church on the morning of Oct. 6, 1867, from the text, Galatians vi. 10. This was before the es- tablishment of Faxton Home, and when the only institution of the kind was (the R. C.) St. Elizabeth's Home, on Columbia Street, and he felt that if a mission could be as- sociated with the Home the combined work would be greatly strengthened, and each parish afford valued aid to the other. Another parishioner, Truman K. Butler, Esq., had been favorably impressed with the suggestion; but as little or no encouragement was given by other members of the parish, he offered no aid until the spring of 1869, when, finding that his rector was looking for a location where to begin the work in a small and inexpensive way, he tendered the use of an unfinished building, in course of ereetion for a fac- tory boarding-house, which is now the Home, for eighteen months free of rent, with the condition that, if the estab- lishment of such an institution could be proven practicable, after he had completed it, he would, at the expiration of that period, give a deed of the property. The offer was accepted by Dr. Van Deusen, and as he desired to take the name of the beloved physician, the Evangelist St. Luke, for the home and mission, an appropriate service was held on St. Luke's day, Oct. 18, 1869, in the unfinished edifice ; and thus was begun an enterprise which for nine years has been a fountain of such inestimable blessing.

The charter was obtained Nov. 28, 1869, and on the first Sunday in Advent in the same year the first public regular service was held in the afternoon, followed immedi-

ately afterwards by the opening of a Sunday-school, parish day school, industrial school, and night school, with matron and one inmate in the Home; and in five months the single friend, who had pledged his aid, was so well satisfied with the results that he gave the corporation a deed of the building and lot, without waiting for the expiration of the period of cighteen months, which he had originally named as the time for the testing the practicability of the experi- ment.

This one edifice at once became the scene of varied labors and duties ; other aged and infirm persons were added to the one inmate with whom the work began. Money, pro- visions, and furniture were freely offered, and a small chapel in the first story was conveniently and appropriately arranged for religious services and the administration of the sacraments. An assistant to the rector was secured, lodging in the Home. An interested though small con- gregation was gathered ; all the schools were greatly pros- pered, opposition was disarmed, indifference removed, and the rector soon found himself surrounded with a company of devoted assistants who seemed near to him in the good cause. This state of growth and prosperity continued from month to month, till it became evident that so many enter- prises could not be carried on much longer successfully iu the same building, where provision could not be made for the increasing numbers in the congregation and the schools. Therefore the double two-story dwelling next to the Home was purchased of the liberal benefactor of the work for $6000, with a large gift from him of about $2000; the balance of $4000 being secured by the rector in subserip- tions from the parishioners of Graee Church What is now known as the Clergy House was subsequently pur- chased from Mr. Butler for $4000, he contributing $1000; the balance of $3000 having been obtained by the rector from the State Legislature as an appropriation for the Home.

In view of the continued sueecss which a kind Provi- dence bestowed upon the faithful labors of the earnest friends, the rector regarded the erection of a chapel or church at a period not very remote as a necessity, in order to accommodate the inereasing congregations and the new aceessions to the schools. The proposal was at once cor- dially accepted : $6000 was contributed, followed by a lib- eral offer of $1200 by a friend and former parishioner of the rector, residing in Rochester, with which to secure memorials of her household, which now form the windows of the west end of the church ; thus realizing more than $7000, about one-half the cost of the church. Again Mr. Butler evidenced his interest by giving to the reetor in trust the large lot on which the church now stands, valued at $3000, and as soon as arrangements could be made and plans secured, the corner-stone was laid, and the edifice was carried to a successful completion.

Whilst it was in progress the reetor obtained other memorial offerings from kind friends of $200, $150, $100, and less, till the aggregate was more than $4000, making the entire sum contributed more than $11,000. To this amount, after the completion of the edifice, two parishioners gave to him one $2000, and the other, on her death-bed, $500, which, with the donations, amounting to several

337

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

hundred dollars, from parishioners connected with the mis- sion, made more than $14,000, the entire cost of the church. The edifice was soon after consecrated, and has witnessed the growth of the enterprise far beyond the ex- pectations of its most sanguine friends.

UTICA ORPHAN ASYLUM.

The act of incorporation of the Utica Orphan Asylum bears date April 19, 1830, making it one of the oldest charities in the city.

The helpless condition of three orphaned children sug- gested to the members of a sewing cirele, then existing in the village of Utica, the idea of devoting the avails of their industry to the support of these destitute little ones.

For several years the children maintained by the Asylum were few in number, and a small rented house was sufficient for the accommodation of the orphan family. It was sup- ported during this period by the ladies of the " Society of Industry," and such aid as could be obtained from time to time, by donations and yearly subscriptions from the eiti- zens of Utica. As the means of the society increased and the family enlarged, it was deemed expedient to arrange for more comfortable accommodations. The trustees accord- ingly purchased the lot 312 on Genesee Street, and erected a building thereon in 1848, at a cost to the society of $5550.47.

The funds for this building were the avails of the industry of the sewing society through many years and a legacy from the late Moses Bagg, which amounted, with the interest on it, to $1215, and was left for this special purpose.

In 1854, Mr. Alfred Munson left, by his will, $34,000 to this institution, on condition that the citizens of Utica should raise and apply the sum of $10,000 towards the pur- chase of ground within the city limits, and towards the erec- tion of a new and still larger building for its use. The conditioned sum was raised, and a plot of ground containing three acres was presented by B. F. Jewett. This, with an additional acre, purchased by the trustees, is the plat on the corner of Genesee and Pleasant Streets, the beautiful site of the present asylum. The corner-stone of the new building was laid May 30, 1860. In August, 1861, the new building was completed, and the family removed to their new home. From the secretary's report, 104 children had been received during that year, 31 having been sent from the county house. Since that period the asylum has con- tinued to receive and care for orphans as applications have been made from various parts of the county, and occasion- ally from adjoining counties. From the organization to the present date more than 1500 children have, at vari- ous times, received the protecting care of this asylum.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 89

Author: Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 932

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932