History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 89

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 89

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Mr. O'Neil was twice married, and was the father of eight children. Five sons and one daughter are deceased, 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 branchee, estab- lighed by his father some sixty years ago. He is known as an honorable, enterprising, and popular business man.

UTH BY LHEVERTS & CO, PHILA, PA

FAXTON HOSPITAL, UTICA, NEW YORK

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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 McIncrow, 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 acres 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 Gothic 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 edifice 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 Utica; but the city fathers not deem- 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 Dec. 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 Franciscan Fathers, rent free, for the purpose. Through the generosity of Mr. Thos. B. Deve- roux, 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 Oct. 15, 1869.

The design of the institution is to provide for the medi- cal 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 public 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 strict religious toleration must be closely adhered to by all who enter the building. Any clergynian whom any patient desires to see is immediately notified. Most of the clergy- men in the city have visited the hospital on errands of mercy, and it is earnestly desired that they will call 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

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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 cases 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, Utica, N. Y., was the conception of the rector 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., bad been favorably impressed with the suggestion ; but as little or no encouragement was given by other members of the parish, lie 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 erection 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 eighteen 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 in 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 subscrip- tions from the parishioners of Grace 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 success 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, iu order to accommodate the increasing congregations and the new accessions 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 bis interest by giving to the rector in trust the large lot on which the church now stands, valued at $3000, and as soon as arrangements could be made and plans sceured, the corner-stone was laid, and the edifice was carried to a successful completion.

Whilst it was in progress the rector 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

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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 circle, 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 nid as could be obtained from time to time, by donations and yearly subscriptions from the citi- 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 ou 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.

Its present officers are : First Directress, Mrs. Cornelia Graham ; Second Directress, Mrs. Annie C. Northrup; Third Directress, Miss Cornelia Meeker; Treasurer, Mrs. Emm Mann; Recording Secretary, Miss F. E. Bacon; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Sarah W. Wood; Managers, Mrs. Eliza P. Foster, Mrs. Cornelia H. Bagg, Mrs. Annie C. Churchill, Mrs. Cornelia D. Curran, Mrs. Grace Evans, Mrs. Sarah B. Foster, Mrs. Mary B. Gray, Mrs. Annette T. Hunt, Mrs. Margaret A. Hurd, Mrs. Cornelia F. Jack- son, Mrs. Sarah Owens, Miss Elizabeth S. Potter, Mrs.

Emma M. Swann, Mrs. Elizabeth H. Tourtellot, Mrs. Mary B. Waterman, Mrs. Mary Goodwin.

ST. JOHN'S FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.

The object of this institution is to maintain and educate female orphan and destitute children. It was organized in 1834, and incorporated March 18, 1848.

Central New York, in 1834, affording no protection, no home for poor little orphan and destitute girls, whose num- bers were daily increasing, the late Messrs. J. C. and N. Devereux made application for the Sisters of Charity to conduct a Catholic asylum and day school in Utica.

This application was favorably received. In the spring of 1834 three Sisters of Charity, from Emmettsburg, Md., arrived in Utica to take charge of said works. The con- dition of the city and its surroundings at that time may easily be imagined, from the fact that the only means of conveyance between Albany and Utica was by canal.

The asylum opened with three children, in a small, in- convenient dwelling-house, the day school being conducted in an adjoining building, now replaced by a fine brick school-house. Both house and grounds were the free gift of Messrs. J. C. and N. Devereux, who also were the chief support of the institution for a number of years,-in fact, until its incorporation.

In the mean time, the city had grown in wealth and im- portance, enlarging the sphere of usefulness for the institu- tion. The Sisters perceiving this, spared no efforts to increase the facilities of the house, and to make it equal to the requirements of the times. To effect this they had recourse to the interest and sympathy of their families and personal friends, residents of the different States, many of whom were persons of influence and position, and from whom they received large sums of money, which enabled them to purchase adjoining property, to erect additions, and make necessary improvements from time to time, until the asylumi reached its present truly fine proportions, contrast- ing favorably with the little story-and-a-half house of 1834.

Its area of land is now about 29,000 square feet ; build- ing 140 feet front on John Street, south side 200 feet, in- cluding wash-house, separate from principal building, cow- barn, etc. All the buildings are about four stories high ; two covered porches extend the entire length of the rear building. The house is lighted by gas throughout, and is heated by three furnaces.

The last-erected building (1864) contains a spacious, well-ventilated dormitory, infirmary, chapel, fine class-room, sewing-room, bathing- and wash-rooms, and an extensive play-room, well heated, affording protection and amusement in inclement weather.

Thousands of helpless, destitute females, from the ten- derest years to eighteen or twenty, have been sheltered and supported within the walls of the Asylum, receiving solid moral, religious, and industrial education from the Sisters in charge, who endeavor to bring these parentless ones to habits of industry and virtue, to become good and useful members of society.

ASSUMPTION ACADEMY.

The Assumption Academy, located on John Street, Utica, N. Y., is, as well as St. John's Female Orphan Asylum, a

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

part of the parish of St. John's Church. It is under the direction of the Christian Brothers, and was founded by the present Bishop McFarland, then pastor of St. John's Church. The academy has 400 boys in constant attendance.

ST. VINCENT'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.

St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum is an asylum for boys, and is also a part of St. John's parish. It is under the control of the Christian Brothers, and is partly supported by the State. 200 boys enjoy its protecting care.

HOME FOR THE HOMELESS.

The Hame for the Homeless is an institution for the pro- tection, assistance, and support wholly or in part of respect- able aged indigent or infirm women who are unable to sup- port themselves. The chief benefactor of this institution is Theodore S. Faxton, who gave very liberally towards the fund for its erection. Other gentlemen at the time and since have been munificent donors for its support. It is under the direction of a board of lady managers, who make an annual report of the condition of the institution.

The building, which is located on Faxton Street, is both commodious and weil arranged, and affords a pleasant and comfortable home for its beneficiaries.

HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

The House of the Good Shepherd is a charity for the maintenance of friendless children, its labors being chiefly directed to young children and the rearing of them to a life of usefulness. The average number who annually enjoy its protecting care is fifty, and the enterprise has appealed so strongly to the hearts of the ladies of Utica that donations come to it freely and willingly. It is entirely supported by weekly contributions. The Supply Basket is a convenient means of providing provisions for the inmates of the House. A number of ladies and gentlemen each fill the basket once during the year. Every week the managers in charge of the House make out a list of such articles as are required, and send the list and basket in rotation to the subscribers, who fill it with the articles called for, and return it to the matron. This method has thus far worked well, and only a few more subscriptions to the basket are needed to make the system entirely satisfactory. The building is admirably planned and located, thoroughly ventilated and warmed, and in all its appointments well adapted to restore and preserve the health of its inmates.

BANKING INSTITUTIONS. THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF UTICA.

The Bank of Utica was incorporated by an act of Leg- islature passed June 1, 1812, and the charter was renewed in 1832. The first directors were James S. Kip, Thomas Walker, Samuel Stocking, David W. Childs, Marens Hitch- cock, Apollos Cooper, Henry Huntington, Nathan Smith, Solomon Wolcott, Jedediah Sanger, John Bellinger, Fran- cis A. Bloodgood, and John Stewart, Jr. Its first presi- dent was James S. Kip. Montgomery Hunt was its first cashier. He filled the position until December 30, 1834, when he was succeeded by Wmn. B. Welles. Henry Hunt-

ington having been its president since 1813, in 1845 de- clined a re-election, and Thomas Walker was elected in his place. Mr. Wells having resigned the position of cashier in July, 1863, P. V. Rogers succeeded him. In June, 1863, Benjamin N. Huntington was elected president in place of Thomas Walker, deceased. The Bank of Utica, Sept. 1, 1865, organized under the national system, and was converted into the " First National Bank of Utica." In 1876, P. V. Rogers, its cashier, was elected president, and John A. Goodale made cashier. Its present directors are P. V. Rogers, Edward Huntington, E. T. Throop, Martin Edward Curran, John G. Brown, John C. Hoyt, Thomas R. Walker, M. C. Comstock, Thomas Hopper, E. Z. Wright, D. N. Crouse, J. C. Duff, and John A. Goodale.

ONEIDA NATIONAL BANK.

This bank was incorporated May 13, 1836, with a capi- tal of $400,000. Its first directors were Charles A. Mann, Horatio Seymour, John HI. Ostrom, John D. Leland, Van Vechten Livingston, A. G. Dauby, Ezra S. Barnum, Henry Wager, Jesse W. Doolittle, Israel Stoddard, Charlemagne Tower, Hiram Shays, and Jonathan R. Warner. Augustine Dauby was its first president, and Kellogg Hurlburt first cashier. On the organization of the bank the stock was much sought after, and the distribution of its shares forms an interesting episode in its history. On Sunday, the 20th of November, 1836, a calamity befell the institution in the abstraction from its vaults of $108,000, besides $8500 in drafts, and thus was its stock reduced about thirty per cent. by this daring robbery. One of the robbers was finally convicted of the crime, and the bank secured about $40,000 in real and personal property.

On July 1, 1865, the bank went into the national system, and is now known as the Oneida National Bank. Its present organization is as follows : President, A. J. Williams; Viec- President, E. Chamberlain ; Cashier, Robert S. Williams ; Directors, E. A. Graham, W. D. Walcott, L. H. Lawrence, Timothy Parker, C. E. Barnard, S. Sicard, E. Terry, G. W. Chadwick, A. J. Williams, E. Chamberlain, Charles H. Sayre.

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 89

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920