USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 40
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While studying with Drs. Ball and Wendell he became acquainted and was a fellow student with Dr. E. C. Cooper, youngest brother of Peter Cooper, the distin- guished and venerable philanthropist of New York. Dr. Cooper entered the office of Dr. Francis and graduated a year previous to Dr. Webb. It happened just after Dr. Webb was about to settle himself in business that Dr. Cooper had made arrangements to conimence practice in the village of Hempstead; but an unforeseen and unex- pected obstacle prevented him, and it was at his instance and by his advice that Dr. Webb first entertained a thought of locating in Hempstead. After visiting Hemp -. stead and delivering letters of introduction from his pre- ceptors and some of the professors of the college to sev- eral of the leading gentlemen of the village he was pre- vailed upon by the Rev. Seth Hart, Rev. Charles Web)- ster and others to make this village his place of residence, at least for a year or two. Here for over half a century has he constantly and almost incessantly attended to the duties of his profession, in which from the first he has enjoyed the confidence of a large circle of friends as a wise and skillful physician and surgeon.
At an early period of his residence in the town he be- came prominent, and at a large meeting of the inhabi- tants in the year 1831, to make preparations for celebrat- ing the 4th of July, he was selected as the orator for the occasion. In those times this national birthday was celebrated with a hearty good will, and it is said that Dr. Webb performed his part with great credit. He
was soon after this appointed physician to the county and town poor-houses and the county jail, and was chosen to other offices. From the history of the Queens County Medical Society we find that he was one of its original founders, of whom but few survive. He has held all the principal offices in that society, and was president four terms. As many as six of the largest life insurance companies in New York, Boston and Connect- icut appointed him medical examiner without any solici- tation on his part. He has been the medical preceptor of six students of medicine, all of whom received the de- gree of M. 1)., except one, who was compelled to aban- don his studies. Dr. Webb received the appointment of delegate to the convention of the American Medical As- sociation several times, and attended their meetings at New Haven, Conn., and Philadelphia, and became a per- manent member of the association in 1860. He was also appointed delegate to the New York State Medical Society's convention a number of times, and health offi- cer once for the village of Hempstead. He is now a warden of St. George's church, Hempstead, and has held that office as well as that of vestryman for many years.
Dr. Webb was married to Miss Anna E., daughter of Dr. Josiah Hornblower, of Bergen, New Jersey, in the year 1829. They had ten children, of whom the eldest, Caroline H., and the youngest, Anna E., now the wife of Herbert M. Moore, are the only survivors.
The oldest son, Edwin Webb, adopted the medical profession in 1856, and graduated from the Medical Uni- versity of New York in the year 1860. Immediately after passing his medical examination he was appointed assistant physician to the Raymond street hospital in Brooklyn, and shortly after (July 3d 1860) died suddenly of peritonitis, having but a short time previous suffered from a malignant attack of diphtheria. He was much beloved by all who knew him, and gave rare promise of being an ornament to his profession.
The youngest son, John S. Webb, chose the same pro- fession as his brother, and studied under his father's care, residing in the city of New York in the winter, near his preceptor, Dr. H. Sands, professor of anatomy in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, with whom he con- tinued two years. He graduated from his father's alma mater February 28th 1872. It was but a week or two after this that he again resumed his studies, to acquire a more perfect knowledge of relative anatomy, by dissec- tions in the college, alone, to enable him to become pro- ficient as a surgeon. Unfortunately during this time he was poisoned, through a slight wound in a finger, while examining a partially decomposed body. This injury proved to be extremely severe, and dangerous. Before he fully recovered from it he was tendered, and accepted, the appointment of assistant physician to the Kings County Hospital. His life, like that of his brother, came to an early end. On the 5th of March 1872, in the twenty-third year of his age, he died of a malignant fever, excited and aggravated by his arduous duties in the hospital. Thus these young and promising dis-
189
EDWIN WEBB, M. D .- GARDEN CITY.
ciples of the healing art were cut down in the bloom of life, with every prospect of honor and success, by their ambition to be useful. It was some consolation, how- ever, to know that they were not unprepared, for they were both active members of St. George's church, in which they received their religious instruction.
The commissioners and medical staff of the Kings County Hospital rendered every attention and respect to the young physician during his short illness, and soon after his death the commissioners of charities of Kings county passed the following resolutions, a copy of which was engrossed, elegantly framed, and sent to the family:
" W'hereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His mys- terious providence, to take from our midst John S. Webb, M. D., by a sudden and unexpected death, from disease contracted while in the discharge of his duties at the Kings County Hospital, therefore
" Resolved, That we heartily deplore the great misfor- tune that has thus cut short the career of one who had already given promise of great future usefulness, and by his talents, energy, and strict attention to duty had proven that his professional career could not be other- wise than eminently successful.
" Resolved, That in our mourning for the departed we recognize and appreciate the deeper grief of those united to our deceased friend by the tenderest ties; and, while we would not intrude upon the privacy of their over- whelming sorrow, yet we would respectfully tender to them our most heartfelt sympathy in their bereave. ment, with the assurance that time shall not impair the memory of his manly virtues.
" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be en- grossed and forwarded to the family of the deceased."
Dr. Webb has written and read several articles on medical subjects, one of which was published in the United States Medical and Surgical Journal, reporting an extraordinary case of hemorrhage, produced by the administration of ergot and arrested by injections of a solution of muriate of soda, thrown into the placental vein. He took a very active part in the proceedings of the Queens County Medical Society, and attended the meetings of other medical societies as frequently as he could. After a long and extensive practice, over a large field, with more than he could attend to, he now seeks more rest, and devotes his attention to the less arduous task of medical consultations, with which he is frequent- ly favored as a result of his wide-spread reputation.
GARDEN CITY.
Hempstead and the agent of Mr. Stewart, surveys were made, roads were laid out and made, lots were laid out and fences were built around each block. Contracts were soon awarded for eleven fine houses, which were erected at a cost of nearly $17,000 each. The streets and roads were graded to the width of 80 feet, lines of trees were set out, and many improvements inaugurated. Mr. Kellum died July 24th 1871, and the work was de- layed for some time. April ist 1874 W. R. Hinsdale was installed as manager, and he immediately commenced the work of improvement. In a short time nearly 5,000 acres of land were under cultivation. Garden City prop- er comprises 500 acres of land, divided into blocks. At the present time there are over two hundred houses erected, besides the large hotel, the cathedral, several stores, a barn and stable 118 feet long, with accommoda- tions for 40 horses, a depot and a freight house 100 by 55, a large building in the rear of the depot for the of- fices of superintendent and surveyor D. S. Denton, and a water works building; and there are in progress of construction the Stewart memorial cathedral schools, St. Paul's school building, and a house for the bishop.
The hotel is a five-story brick building, ornamented with marble, with imposing entrances, and spacious piaz- zas running its entire length. The interior of the build- ing, which is capable of accommodating So guests, is magnificently finished, everything being substantial. Each room contains hot and cold water, and the whole hotel is heated by steam furnished by pipes from the water works. The house is managed by F. E. Nicholson.
Garden City is supplied with water from a large well or reservoir nearly a mile north of the hotel. The well is 50 feet in diameter and 30 feet deep, and the water is forced through pipes to all parts of the city by the Holly system, which was established in 1876. In the large brick building erected for that purpose are the pumping machines and three 37 horse power boilers, which also furnish the steam for heating purposes. The machine, which is capable of pumping 2,500,000 gallons of water daily, at the time of writing pumped about 500,000 gallons every 24 hours. There are about seven miles of mains. It is in charge of three engineers, Messrs. H. Myers, J. Myers and John C. Miller. The gas used is made by the "maxim process," and is confined in fire-proof vaults under ground. The steam for heating the hotel, church and many other buildings is carried in wrought iron pipes wrapped with asbestos paper and other nonconducting material, to prevent condensation. The pipes are in- serted in logs of wood and contrived so that there is no accumulation of water in any part of the main line. The steam passes into service pipes from the streets to build- ulated.
One of the numerous villages of Hempstead, or rather the laid out city of the town, and what will undoubtedly "in time become the center of attraction on Long Island, is Garden City, situated in the northern portion of llemp- [ings, and by means of valves the heat is properly reg- stead, on Hempstead Plains. On the 13th of September 1869 the town deeded to the millionaire A. T. Stewart To show on what magnitude the superintendent is farming, we give a few figures prepared for a New York paper during the winter of 1880-1: " Of oats were raised 14,000 bushels, of shelled corn 45,000 bushels, of hay 300 tons. He keeps 80 head of horses, and in the summer employs 450 men and eight steam engines. All of the 7,170 acres of land, for which he paid $55 per acre ($394.350). By an act of the Legislature this money was invested for the support of the public schools and the poor of the town. Under the direction of John Kellum, the celebrated architect (now deceased), a resident of
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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
grain is trundled in tanks on wheels, and elevated by steam and distributed by gravity. He has more than 8,000 acres of soil, all of which will be speedily placed under cultivation."
THE CATHEDRAL OF THE INCARNATION.
On the 28th of June 1877 Bishop Littlejohn laid the corner stone of this cathedral, one of the finest ecclesi- astical edifices in America, although not as large as some, and for architectural perfection comparing favorably with the best cathedrals in Europe.
It is a gift to the diocese of Long Island by Mrs. A. T. Stewart, as a memorial of her deceased husband; to- gether with the see house, St. Paul's school for boys and St. Mary's for girls, and other institutions which are to be established on the cathedral foundation. With a suitable permanent fund provided for the maintenance of the cathedral, the services will always be free and the building and grounds kept in perfect order.
The plan of the edifice is cruciform, with tower and spire, baptistery, organ apse, crypt and mausoleum. The style employed is decorated gothic of the thirteenth cen- tury, but the architect has given freshness and independ- ence to the treatment by adopting the foliage and flowers of this country, and following nature rather than the old and stiff conventional forms. Unusual beauty and grace are attained in this manner in all the carved work of the triforium, capitals, bosses and corbels, which fur- nish everywhere varied and pleasing subjects for study. The exterior is constructed of Bellville (New Jersey) stone, and the interior of Berlin (Ohio) stone, with the use of native and foreign marbles in the pavenient, chan- cel steps, baptistery and mausoleum. The proportions of the building are admirable, the extreme length meas- uring 190 feet, the width of the transept including the porches 109 feet, and of the nave and aisles 52 feet. The choir and chancel are sixty feet deep, separated by marble steps, with the bishop's throne on the north side and the dean's on the south. The tower, which is mon - umental in character, with bold buttresses, ornate gab- lets and pinnacles, is 124 feet high; and the delicately tapering spire, crocketed and surmounted by a large il- luminated cross of colored gems, is 97 feet, making the whole height 221 feet. In the upper stage of the tower is hung the chime of bells, 13 in number, exhibited at the Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia, from the noted McShane foundry in Baltimore. The spiret of the bap- tistery is beautiful in design and workmanship, with its flying buttresses and pierced belfry; and from the aisle walls also spring flying buttresses to the nave, giving lightness and elegance to the general effect of the exter- ior, while the cornices are enriched with gargoyles and pinnacles. The roof is slated, and finished at the apex with a bronze crest, bearing a crown at the junction of the nave and transepts, and a cross over the chancel.
In the interior the work is equally elaborate and care- fully finished. The baptistery is connected with the choir and transept by large arches, filled with elegant stone tracery, and is finished with columns of variegated
foreign marbles, with capitals of statuary marble exquis- itely carved, supporting the gothic groining of the dome above. Around the walls runs a wainscoting of statuary marble with panels of vert antique. In the center of the inlaid marble pavement stands the white marble font, adorned with appropriate symbols and figures, and cov- ered by a rich canopy. The seats of the bishop and dean as well as the stalls of the clergy in the ante-chan- cel are of mahogany, with elaborately carved canopies; and in the sanctuary the stalls and canopies are of carved stone, as well as the piscina and credence. On a plat- form of raised steps stands the altar, constructed of the purest statuary marble, with panels presenting in bold re- lief the chief events of our Lord's incarnate life, with their prophetical types in the old dispensation. The pavement of this portion of the edifice is a rich mosaic of colored marbles. In the choir and transepts are large niches for appropriate figures, executed in marble.
The crypt is connected with the choir and nave by staircases, and contains a large chapel, with a spacious hall and vestibules of carved oak filled with panels of stained glass. At the west end under the choir is another smaller chapel, and adjoining it the mausoleum, which is polygonal in form, having 14 bays, wrought in the most elegant manner in statuary marble, with clustered col- umns of the costliest European marbles at cach angle of the walls, supporting the vaulting and its pendent crown. The symmetry and variety of the columnar treatment, the exquisite finish of the floriated capitals, corbels and mullions, all of which are separate studies, the stained glass presenting the story of our Lord's passion, death and resurrection, the graceful statuary and the massive sarcophagus all combine to render this mortuary temple a triumph of architectural genius.
The architect is Henry G. Harrison, of No. 67 William street, New York, and the contractor James H. L'Hommedieu, of Great Neck, Long Island. The stained glass of the crypt is from the manufactory of Colgate, New York; and that of the mausoleum and the cathedral itself from the celebrated London firms of Hea- ton, Butler & Bayne, and Clayton & Bell. When com- pleted the edifice will have cost $1,000,000.
The organ, built by H. L. Roosevelt of New York, ranks among the largest, and in several respects is one of the most remarkable in the world. It has four manual keyboards and one pedal keyboard, and comprises one hundred and twenty speaking stops and about eight thousand pipes. Though placed in different parts of the cathedral, it is all played from one key box, situated in the choir, the remote portions being connected by cables of electric wire, over twenty miles of which are used for this purpose. The main body of the instrument is in an octagonal chamber built or. the north side of the choir for this purpose. The next largest portion is at the other end of the building, in the stage of the tower imme- diately below the chimes and separated from the church by a stained glass window, which is opened and shut from one of the swell pedals in the choir by means of electricity. A third part is in the chapel under the nave,
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CHURCH INSTITUTIONS AT GARDEN CITY.
and can be played there from its own keyboard for chap- el services. A fourth, above the ceiling, is called the Echo organ, and is played also from the choir. Two other portions are on either side of the choir. The chimes are also played from the solo manual by electricity, or from a separate keyboard in the tower. The combi- nation pedals are so arranged that the organist can change any combination to suit himself, small knobs being placed above the drawstops for this purpose. Three steam engines, located in different parts of the building, are employed to work the bellows. The cost of the instrument, which was not completed at the time of writing, was over $60,000, and the ornately carved mahogany cases cost about $30,000 additional.
Relative to the site of the cathedral a writer in the Sanitarian remarks:
" The setting of this gem of the pure gothic order of architecture, instead of being in arid metropolitan streets, is in a locality which will yet have a world-wide reputa- tion for all that is most attractive to the eye and grateful to refined taste in landscape and architectural beauty, and all the luxury that wealth can accumulate in its sur- roundings. Approached by any of the various lines of railway, or by the substantial and well kept carriage roads, worthy of the appellation sometimes given them of " Roman roads," the cathedral seems firnily planted upon an elevated plateau, with gently rolling surface, here and there broken by valleys sweeping in graceful curves, robed in green, and enlivened by flowers and crystal fountains, shaded with trees luxuriant in growth and of every variety known to the climate, fanned by delicious breezes, invigorating and exhilarating to both body and brain, and elevating to the soul."
We may appropriately close our sketch of this noble edifice with the following eloquent passage from the ad- dress of the Rev. Dr. Snively at the laying of the corner stone:
" From this home of reverent worship and this center of earnest work there shall go constantly the messengers of peace on earth and good-will to men, and in the Mas- ter's name and work shall kindle upon unseen altars the flame that shall illumine the world. And this cathedral, which at once enshrines the memory of the departed and gives untold efficiency to the missionary capabilities of the church, shall be both the instrumentality and the prototype of that sublime spiritual temple erected of hu- man souls and cemented by a living faith-a temple which gathers its stones from many quarries, and hews its timber from the forests of many lands, and which, without the noise of axe or hammer or saw, is rising through the centuries to its glorious consummation in Jesus Christ, its chief Head and Corner-stone.
" The cathedral idea is an element in the organic life of the visible church. It has been well said that its em- bryo was in the upper room in Jerusalem, where solemn conferences were held while waiting the coming of the Comforter. From then until now the necessity of a cen- tral rendezvous and rallying-point for the church, a com- mon altar and common conference ground in devotion
and debate, has been profoundly felt, and this necessity has been relieved by the cathedral. We rejoice, then, not so much over the architectural cathedral, whose walls rise and beautify this broad-bosomed plain; nor again over the memorial cathedral, which shall in silent elo- quence move the present and coming ages with the story of human love sublimed in Christ, honoring and soul- helping; but chiefly we rejoice over the great spiritual edifice, whose corner stone we have laid in the Master's name, whose walls shall be salvation, and whose gates praise through a far-reaching gospel future.
"The cathedral, in its whole idea, its theory and inethod, is designed to fuse into a holy harmony the whole evangelical work and devotional life of the diocese. To build a cathedral, equip it, and endow it, and then give it to God for the worship of his people, is something without precedent in the annals of Christian charity. And then how beautiful the blending of the wifely affec- tion and the Christly devotion, making a mausoleum for the loved and lost of earth, and vaulting it over with a temple for the worship of the King of heaven."
THE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL OF ST. PAUL.
This magnificent building, which has been erected by Mrs. A. T. Stewart, occupies a sightly position about a quarter of a mile northwest of the cathedral. It is in style an adaptation of English gothic, and is massively constructed of brick, made at the brick works of the es- tate, with brown stone and Dorchester yellow stone for windows, doorways, porches and other ornamental fea- tures.
The edifice consists of an imposing facade, which with the portecochere is 290 feet long, and three wings 170 feet deep, forming a ground plan something like the let- ter E; and is four stories in height, with additional stories in the center and at the angles, which have high mansard roofs. Besides these projections the exterior is diversified with ornate porches of carved stone, a clock and bell tower and a broach spire in copper for the ven- tilation of the laboratory. Over the main entrance is in- scribed: " IN MEMORIAM ALEX. TURNEY STEWART," with the name of the school beneath, and over the east and west doorways, "Historia et Scientia," and "Ars et Philosophia.'
The interior arrangements have been carefully planned, and appear to successfully combine the best features of modern collegiate edifices, whether in this country or abroad. The whole building is fire-proof, admirably ventilated, and supplied with gas and hot and cold water in every room, with abundant bathing facilities, and steam heating apparatus after the Holly system. The different stories are connected by two elevators, and several com- modious stairways, constructed of iron and stone. The first floor comprises the main hall, 270 feet long and 10 wide, and lateral corridors 170 feet long, wainscoted with tiles and marble, and paved with Minton tiles of beanti- ful designs; reception rooms on either side of the central entrance, connecting with a library and parlor, each 21 by 50 feet; the head master's and matron's apartments,
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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
dormitories in the east wing; the dining hall in the cen- The corner stone was laid on the 18th of June 1879, by the Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., LL.D., assisted by the clergy of the diocese, and in the presence of a large con- course of people. Since that time the work has rapidly progressed, under the direction of the architect, Edward D. Harris, of New York, and with the efficient co-opera- tion of the Hon. Henry Hilton, whose well directed en- ergy and discriminating taste have been of untold value in the development of the cathedral plan, with its affil- iated educational institutions. It is expected that the new edifice will be ready for occupancy in the autumn of the present year (1882 . St. Paul's school, organized on the 19th of September 1877 and hitherto temporarily lodged tral wing, 43 by 62 feet, with serving rooms; and the two assembly rooms in the west wing tor the higher and lower school, about 50 feet square, with several recita- tion and lecture rooms, each 20 by 24 feet. The second story is devoted to teachers' and pupils' rooms, varying in size from 9 by 20 feet to 18 by 25 feet; and in the center, occupying two stories, is the chapel, 42 by 65 feet, which is arranged with longitudinal sittings for some four or five hundred pupils, and has at the north end a chancel, organ and sacristy. On the third floor are sit- uated in front the music rooms, the art gallery, 25 by 62 feet; the infirmary, 25 by 40 feet, with apartments for nurses, and in the corridors a large number of dormitor- in several houses in the place, will then be transferred to ies. The fourth story contains, besides dormitories, the its new and permanent quarters. With its increased laboratory, 20 by 44 feet, studios for art pupils, and the faculty, its enlarged accommodations, and thorough gymnasium, 37 by 62 feet, with dressing rooms, in the equipment in library, philosophical and chemical appar- central mansard. In the basement are play rooms in the atus, and gymnasium for physical culture, its spacious school wing, the armory, the laundry and drying room, park and playing fields, its beautiful lake and healthful the steward's room and the servants' hall, the store surroundings, this school can scarcely fail to become at an early day a large and important one, furnishing all the advantages of an Eton or a Rugby; and with its outward and material prosperity it is not too much to expect that during the coming centuries it will yield a wide and ben- eficent influence, and realize the noble promise of its rooms, butcher's shop, refrigerators, dairy, engine room, ovens, kitchen, scullery, etc .; and in the east wing the servants' dormitories. Throughout the building the wood work is of ash, black walnut, oak and mahogany, finished in the most elegant and substantial manner, with solid and appropriate furniture specially manufactured for the adopted motto, inscribed upon its corner stone, "Pro school after the most approved designs. Christo, et Ecclesia, et Literis Humanis."
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