USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 60
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JOURNALISMI.
The first journalistic venture within the limits of Long Island City was the Astorga Gasette, started in 1853 by William S. Harrison, and continued about eighteen months. Mrs. Ritchie began the publication of the Astoria Herald in 1864. It was a short-lived concern.
October 20th 1865 the first number of the Star ap- peared on Central (now Vernon) avenue, Hunter's Point. At that time Hunter's Point had assumed considerable business importance, and was rapidly growing. The
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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
place had an air of thrift and promise that led the pub- lisher, Thomas H. Todd, to hope that an excellent field for journalism was opening there. The Star from the outset slowly but steadily grew, and at the time of the in- corporation of Long Island City it was numbered among the best managed and most successful newspapers on the island. So remarkable and satisfactory had been the growth of the Weekly Star that in the spring of 1876 the publisher was induced to establish the Long Island City Daily Star, which has from that time been regularly is- sued, and is now classed among the most valued and solid enterprises of the city. Like all other ventures in daily journalism the first few years of its existence were trying in the extreme, entailing heavy expense and in- cessant labor, but persistent effort finally carried the day and its projector at the close of the fourth year was rewarded by seeing his scheme upon a paying basis.
To-day the Daily and Weekly Star has one of the best appointed offices to be found in the vicinity of New York. It occupies two extensive floors in the building at 71 Borden avenue, with steam presses, and every necessary appliance for the prompt and thorough transaction of a printing and publishing business.
THE LONG ISLAND COURIER.
The Courier was first organized June 10th 1875, as the organ of the democracy in Long Island City and Queens county. Unfortunately the democracy in Long Island City were divided into two factions, one opposed to the Administration and the other identified with it. The Courier espoused the cause of the Administration, and despite the reverses of the political whirligig it has always been recognized as the fittest advocate of the democracy throughout the county. Since its organization it has been the official paper of Long Island City, and for three years of its existence it has been recognized as the official paper of the county, despite the fact that there are fifteen Democratic news- papers in the county. Two years ago the ownership of the paper was merged into the Courier Publishing Com- pany, and has continued as such ever since. Its business prospects are most flattering and it commends itself to the community.
The Review, a daily paper, was published by H. W. Love from 1872 to 1875. In 1874 J. R. Botts published the Long Island City News, a paper which did not long exist. The Long Island City Press was issued in 1875 or 1876 by J. J. Rice, and its publication was continued about three years. In 1876 B. G. Davis began the pub- lication of a small paper which had an existence of only a few months.
The Long Island Beobachter, Charles Keruitz editor and proprietor, was established at Astoria in 1876, and is printed entirely in German. .
The Astoria Chronicle was issued in 1880 and published a few months by Johnson & Nichols. It was non-parti- san at the outset, but during the ensuing campaign be- came strongly Democratic.
FLORISTS AND SEEDSMEN.
The first florist and seedsman in Long Island City was Grant Thorburn, who was in the business many years at Astoria. It is probable that the next was W. C. Wilson, on Flushing avenue, who is yet extensively engaged in the business. Gabriel Marc, now at Woodside, was for- merly in this business on Grand street, making the culti- vation of roses a specialty. Adjoining the gardens of Mr. Wilson are those of Mr. Leach. Mr. Witham is lo- cated in the Ravenswood portion of the city. Those mentioned have been the principal florists and seedsmen of the past and present, though at various times several persons, mostly Germans, have engaged in the business in different parts of the city.
THE LONG ISLAND CITY SAVINGS BANK.
This, which is the first and only monetary institution in Long Island City, was incorporated in the early part of 1876. It was organized April 18th 1876 with the fol- lowing officers: Sylvester Gray, president; John Apple- ton, first vice-president; H. S. Anable, second vice-pres- ident; J. Harvey Smedley, secretary. The trustees were Sylvester Gray, William Krumbeck, John Bodine, Jona- than Peck, James Corwith, Hugh M. Thomas, William H. Bowron, Francis Pidgeon, H. S. Anable, William Bridge, Henry R. White, J. A. Smith, Alfred L. New, Lewis Graves, Richard Bragaw, John Horan, John Appleton, George Petry, Charles H. Rogers, John B. Woodruff, Isaac Van Riper, J. Harvey Smedley, John Claven and William T. Wardwell. The bank was organized by the leading capitalists and business men of Long Island City with a view to retaining for home investment the large amount of capital which had formerly been deposited in various New York banks. Most of the deposits are loan- ed out to parties in Long Island City and do their part in aiding the advancement of the place. The officers elected at the date of organization have served continu- ously to the present time. There have, however, been some changes in the board of trustees. The present members are as follows: Sylvester Gray, John Appleton, H. S. Anable, J. Andrew Smith, James Corwith, Isaac Van Riper, Lewis Graves, John Claven, John Horan, William Bridge, J. Harvey Smedley, Charles H. Rogers, George Petry, Henry R. White, John B. Woodruff, Alfred L. New, H. M. Thomas, Francis Pidgeon, D. F. Atkins, Francis McGee, D. S. Jones, C. J. Dillon and John Green. The bank is located at the corner of Jackson avenue and Third street.
LODGES.
Astoria 'Lodge, No. 155, I. O. O. F., was instituted at the rooms of William Green, in Astoria, October 10th 1850, with the following first officers and charter mem bers: John L. Boyd, N. G .; Nathaniel Tilbey, V. G .; William P. Bowden, secretary; James Campbell, treas- urer; John Brackley, William Williamson and H. Curth- berson.
The successive noble grands prior to 1863 were: John
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LODGES IN LONG ISLAND CITY.
Brackley, William P. Bowden, James Crosley, William Crouthers, Charles Diestel, Thomas Duncan, Nathaniel Tilbey, William H. Green, Theodore Hollenberg, Joseph E. Hollingsworth, John Korfman, C. R. Morris, John R. Moons, Charles Risdale, William Williamson, John J. Whitehead, James M. Whitcomb and M. Willis. George Maskull and Julius J. Umshlag served in 1863; John H. Comfort and John Mackie in 1864; James A. Matlack and William Underdown in 1865; John L. Morris and E. A. Cadwell in 1866; John M. Snyder and John Simp- son in 1867; James Campbell and D. M. Munger in 1868; James Smith and John Peterson in 1869; James O'Rourke and Chris. Maskull in 1870; Daniel Patten and James Hempstead in 1871; Thomas Gillespie and Thomas Snediker in 1872; Emanuel Pascal and James Campbell in 1873; Chris. Carr and Charles W. Hallett in 1874; John A. Mittz and John H. Phillips in 1875; James Camp- bell and Frank A. Rutsler in 1877; Theodore Drake and James Henderson in 1878; Ed. E. Schurrer and George Vanderhoff in 1879: Henry T. Banks and Clark E. E. Smith in 1880.
The present officers (July 1881) are: Hugh A. Smyth, N. G .; Charles R. Suckings, V. G .; Clark E. Smith, R. S .; John Korfman, treasurer; John L. Morris, permanent secretary; Charles W. Hallett, James Campbell and Clark E. Smith, trustees.
Anchor Lodge, No. 324, I. O. O. F. was instituted June IIth 1872, and chartered August 22nd following. The officers in 1881 were as follows: Charles D. Crawley, N. G .; Martin Blessenger, V. G., Frank Shinkle, secretary; John B. Patterson, permanent secretary; John T. Brown, treasurer.
Long Island City Lodge, No. 395, I. O. O. F .- This lodge was instituted June 11th 1874. It works in the German language and assembles every Tuesday evening at Odd Fellows' Hall, Long Island City. The charter members were: Charles F. Weitzel, John Koch, John Kron, Wilhelm Waugenstein, Herrmann Wuesthoff, Frede- rick Gemp, John Theobald, Charles Reichert, Jacob Kirchner, Frederick Gubler, Frederick Breling, Heinrich Smith, Louis Joneck, Ernst Heinsohn, Ernst Gochring, Justus Wolf, Henry Hilbers, Ferdinand Reichert, Thomas Hornung and Adolph Kuhn.
The first officers were: Charles F. Weitzel, N. G .; John Koch, V. G .; John Kron, recording secretary; Herr- mann Wuesthoff, permanent secretary; Wilhelm Waugen- stein, treasurer.
The successive noble grands have been as follows: Charles F. Weitzel, John Koch, John Kron, Herrmann Wuesthoff, John Theobald, Henry Hilbers, Charles Reichert, Henry Rudolph, Oscar Ohning, Henry Schmidt, Christian Craemer, Robert Wolf and Charles Lueth.
The officers in July 1881 were: John Conrad, N. G .; Ernst Mertin, V. G .; George Foche, recording secretary; Robert Wolf, permanent secretary; Charles Frangott Springer, treasurer.
Island City Lodge, No. 586, F. and A. M. (Hunter's Point) .- Island City Lodge was organized under dispen- sation August 22nd 1865, and instituted June 18th 1866, with the following named charter members: James Cor- with, Jacob Rockwell, Henry Rudolph, John P. Gilbert, Willet Ryder, Benjamin C. Lockwood, William Hindley, John Gregory, William Hirst, Henry R. Williams, William Ogbourne, Jess Jackson, John Soltan, Neil Nelson, Ad- drew P. Sander, Thomas Fry, Charles W. Lawrence, John R. De Witt.
The first officers were: James Corwith, Master; Jacob Rockwell, S. W .; Henry Rudolph, J. W .; John P. Gil- bert, treasurer; Willet Ryder, secretary; Benjamin G. Lockwood, Sr. D .; William Hindley, Jr. D .; John Soltan and William Ogbourne, M. C .; John Gregory, tiler; John Gregory and William Hindley, trustees.
James Corwith, Jacob Rockwell, James N. Bartlett, Sylvester Gray, Alfred L. New, Henry D. Newcomb, John Rockwell, William Dickson and William W. Mei- ners have been the successive masters.
The officers in July 1881 were: William W. Meiners, Master; John J. Turner, Sr. W .; Charles E. Stockford, Jr. W .; Sylvester Gray, treasurer; J. Robert Laws, sec- retary; A. H. Kemble, Sr. D .; George W. Pierce, Jr. D .; John T. Brown and Charles R. Stevenson, M. of C .; Theodore Hildebrand and D. S. Jones, stewards; Rich- ard Armstrong, marshal; Rev. William A. Granger, chap- lain; F. B. Barrett, organist; William Hirst, tiler.
Island City Lodge meets Monday evenings at Smith- sonian Hall, at the corner of Vernon avenue and Third street.
Advance Lodge, No. 635; F. and A. M. (Astoria) .- Advance Lodge was organized February 22nd 1867, with the following charter members: John R. Clark, John E. Oloff, Edwin A. Cadwell, James E. Torrey, Caleb J. Frances, Charles Cranfield, James M. Whitcomb, Wil- liam M. Berger, Charles Risdale, Edward C. Graham, Cornelius R. Morris, Robert T. Wild, Charles C. Howell, E. T. Jenkins, Martin Willis, William B. Wilson, John L. Morris, -. Unishlag, Benjamin Malliefert, Charles L. Mann and Joseph Curtis.
The successive masters of the lodge have been John R. Clark, John E. Oloff, John Fahnestock, Edwin A. Cadwell, R. M. C. Graham, F. Rutsler, W. M. Berger, C. Cranfield and C. W. Hallett.
The officers in July 1881 were: C. W. Hallett, Master; W. K. Moore, senior warden; John E. Oloff, junior warden; George W. Clark, secretary.
Meetings are held in the hall of the lodge on Fulton street, Astoria, every Tuesday evening.
Division No. 2 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians was organized early in 1873, with five charter members. The membership is now large.
The officers of the division in July 1881 were as fol- lows: Andrew McGarry, president; Thomas Scully, vice- president; Andrew Gaffney, recording secretary; Charles Cameron, treasurer.
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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
CHURCHES OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
ST. GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL, ASTORIA.
Riker states in his "Annals of Newtown " that "an Episcopal church was erected at Hallett's Cove in 1828, and incorporated a few years later " as St. George's Church. From another very reliable source we learn that the house of worship of this church was built in 1832. However this may be, the church is an old one and has long been prominently known.
The first to preach in the building is said to have been Rev. George A. Shelton. He was followed by Rev. Sam- uel Seabury, who did not long remain and was, a good many years later, rector of the Church of the Annuncia- tion, New York. The church being too poor to sustain a rector at that time, Riker is our authority for the state- ment that Mr. Shelton, of Newtown, consented in 1832 to devote to it a portion of his labors, and officiated for be- tween four and five years; when, the membership having increased, the church was enabled to call Rev. John- Walker Brown, of Schenectady, N. Y., a graduate of Union College, who was probably the first regular rec- tor of the parish. A man of high intellectual attain- ments, he was greatly beloved by his congregation for Rev. A. H. Bishop commenced preaching as a stated supply to the new organization October 20th 1839. The church was regularly received under the care of the classis of Long Island January 7th 1840. November 11th 1840 Rev. A. H. Bishop was ordained as pastor of the church and he officiated as such until April 20th 1853, when the pastoral relation was dissolved owing to Mr. Bishop's ill health. July 17th 1853, Rev. William H. Ten Eyck was installed pastor of the church, Rev. E. S. Porter, of Williamsburgh, preaching on that occasion. Mr. Ten Eyck remained until 1874. May 27th, that year, Rev. M. L. Haines was installed as pastor by the north classis his fervent and unobtrusive piety. His health failed and, in the hope of recovering it by a change of climate, he left home in November 1848 on a voyage to the Mediter- ranean. At Malta his illness increased, and he died April 9th 1849. In his memory a tablet bearing the fol- lowing inscription was placed in the church: " This tab- let is erected as an affectionate tribute to the memory of Rev. John Walker Brown, who for many years, re- plenished with the truth of God's doctrine and adorned with innocency of life, both by word and good example, faithfully served his Master as rector of this parish. He was born August 23d 1814, and died in the island of of Long Island and he has continued to fill that office to Malta on the 9th of April 1849, in the 35th year of his the present time (1881). age. He sleeps in Jesus."
Mr. Brown was succeeded by Rev. T. Reeves Chip- man, of LeRoy, N. Y., who died at White Plains, N. Y., January Ist 1865, in his 54th year, after he had resigned the rectorship of the parish. Rev. Robert Wil- liam Harris, D. D., was his successor and is the present rector.
The above sketch embraces all of the data concerning the history of this church which the writer has been able to obtain from various sources after diligent inquiry. If the sketch is not as complete as may to some appear de- sirable it is only because he failed to secure the aid of certain persons whose co operation would have been in- valuable in such an undertaking.
PROTESTANT REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, ASTORIA.
Rev. G. J. Garretson, pastor of the churches of New. town and Jamaica, preached on the occasion of the or- ganization, at which time Abraham Polhemus was elected elder and John S. Bussing deacon.
The church edifice was originally built by persons be- longing to the Reformed and Presbyterian churches. Pre- vious to July 1839 an occasional service was held in it, conducted by the pastors of the Reformed and Presbyter- ian churches of Newtown. In the summer of 1839 meas- ures were taken to secure regular worship in the village for such as were not attached to the Episcopal church. It was therefore proposed that the edifice should become the property of the Presbyterians or of the Reformed church. The proposition was made to the Presbyterians in the village and neighborhood that they should take the building and organize the church-paying the debt of $3,000 which had been incurred in the erection of the building. The proposition was declined. Persons in connection with the Reformed church then took the building, with the full consent of all who were in con- nection with the Presbyterian church, and paid its debt. Half of the amount was paid by a gift of $1,500 from the Collegiate Reformed church of New York.
The church has 100 families connected with it and 220 members. The Sunday-school has had as sup- erintendents Messrs. Robert Benner, Frederick Whitte- more and T. A. Lancashire. It has more than 300 schol- ars and a library of 300 volumes.
A new Sunday-school building containing infant class room and church parlors was built in the summer of 1880, and dedicated November 28th 1880.
CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL, ASTORIA.'
The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was or- ganized August 20th 1840, by Rev. Michael Curran. At that time he resided in Harlem and attended semi-month- ly the missions at Astoria, Flushing, Jamaica and Rocka- way.
Two lots of ground were originally donated to the parish for church purposes, one by James O'Shea, of New York, and one by Mr. Anderson, a prominent Episco- palian, also of New York. Another lot was subsequent-
This church was organized July 11th 1839, by a com- mittee of the classis of Long Island, consisting of Revs. Strong, Campbell and Garretson. The original members were Abraham Polhemus and wife, Mrs. Sylvanus Mor- ly procured for burial purposes and it is yet in use. ris, John S. Bussing and wife, Grant Thorburn and wife, and William Shaw.
At the formation of the parish 118 persons, of whom sixteen were not Catholics, contributed $819.25 toward
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CHURCHES-PRESBYTERIAN, ASTORIA-ST. THOMAS'S, RAVENSWOOD.
the erection of a church. The building then erected was a frame structure, to which an addition was subse- quently built by Father Phelan, doubling its size. It is now used as a Sunday-school room and has a capacity for accommodating 500 children. It stands on the corner of Van Alst and Trowbridge streets. The first secretary of the church was James O'Donnell, who after a short time was succeeded by Michael Tuomey, who is still living in Astoria. He states that the first collection amounted to $2.31; the second, owing to the severity of the weather, to sixty-nine cents. At that time the sys- tem of pew rents had not been introduced and the pastor's salary came from what was termed "quarter dues." Michael Tuomey was succeded in the secretary- ship by Owen Deane, who was succeeded in May 1849 by Hugh Shiels, now living on Flushing avenue. Ex- alderman John Mitchell was afterward secretary, and upon his resignation was followed by John Arnold.
Among the records of the church appear the names of Rev. Messrs. Wheeler, McGovern, Conlin and McClery as having administered the sacraments of baptism and matrimony during the pastorate of Rev. Michael Curran, who died in October 1856. Rev. John Brady was the next pastor. He remained in Astoria until some time in 1858, when he was transferred to Greenpoint. Rev. James Phelan then assumed the duties of the pastorate.
During Mr. Phelan's pastorate the present church edifice was built. It is of brick and is located at the corner of Newtown and Crescent avenues. The corner stone was laid September 9th 1871 and the church was dedicated August 7th 1873. Its total cost was about $30,000. The organ which it contains was manufactured to order and is worth about $3,000.
Early in March 1880, after a pastorate of twenty-three years. Rev. Mr. Phelan died of pneumonia. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. P. F. Sheridan, who was appointed to the pastorate April 25th 1880, and who died in July 1881. His successor, the present pastor, is Rev. William McGinniss.
May Ist 1881 an acre of land adjoining the church property, on which was a dwelling, was purchased for a parochial residence. The church property now com- prises two acres of land extending from Newtown avenue to Flushing avenue. The total value of these lots with the old church, the new church, the parsonage and other improvements is not far from $50,000, upon which is a mortgage of $10,000.
The congregation numbers about 1,200, and has a Vincent de Paul Society to look after the poor, and a Sodality of the Blessed Virgin for young ladies, of whom fifty are members.
PRESBYTERIAN, ASTORIA.
The Presbyterian church, Astoria, is finely located, be- ing built on the brow of the hill on Franklin street, fac- ing the west. The church was organized May 11th 1846 by the Presbytery of New York, with the following named members, 17 in number :. Bayard and Mariette Boyd, Andrew and Julia Maria Comstock, Albert S. and Eliza Clement Cone, Thomas B. and Almira Miner, Henry S.
and Sarah C. Mulligan, James S. and Ann Eliza Polhemus, Henry and Sarah Smith, John H. and Sarah A. Smith and Sally Smith.
The congregation first niet for worship in the old dis- trict school house that stood on the hill on Main street east of St. George's Episcopal church. The corner-stone of the first church edifice, which is still standing, was laid November 30th 1846, and the building was dedicated June 11th 1848.
The first pastor was the Rev. Frederick G. Clark, chosen in August 1846, who entered upon his labors on the third Sunday of October 1846, and was installed May 28th 1847. He remained as pastor five years, when he resigned to accept a call from New York city.
The second pastor, Rev. Benjamin F. Stead, was called in 1852 and installed July 4th of that year, Rev. J. Gold- smith, D. D., of Newtown, and Rev. J. C. Lowrie, of New York, taking part in the services. His first sermon in this church was from the text "Behold I stand at the door and knock," etc. He continued his pastorate till his death, February 15th 1879, just one week before his sixty-fourth birthday.
The third and present pastor, Rev. W. A. Barr, was installed June 19th 1879.
The church and lecture room were enlarged during the year 1857. There is a fine Meneely bell in the tower weighing 927 pounds. The organ is a very sweet-toned instrument, built by Beach. The cost of the original church building was $10,000. In two and a half years from the time of organization the number of members had grown from 17 to 87.
The Sabbath-school has ever been prosperous. At one time there were two Sabbath-schools connected with the church, numbering in the aggregate some 300 scholars.
ST. THOMAS'S (EPISCOPAL) CHURCH, RAVENSWOOD,
was organized October 29th 1849, being set off by con- sent from the parish of St. George's, Astoria. The war- dens were William Nelson and Samuel J. Beebe, and the vestrymen John H. Williams, George Brooks, Charles H. Seymour, Warren Kimball, Henry J. Brooks, Samuel Brown, Horatio Nelson and Edward H. Jacot.
In 1850 Rev. E. R. T. Cook was called as rector. He resigned in the following November and Rev. J. M. Waite was called as rector in February 185 1.
In May 1853 the church edifice was enlarged.
Mr. Waite resigned the rectorship in June 1856 and in October following Rev. S. W. Sayres was called. He resigned in June 1864, and Rev. John Cornell was rector from August 1864 to April 1867.
In December 1867 the church building and all its con- tents were destroyed by fire. In July 1868 the corner stone of a new church was laid by Rev. W. F. Morgan.
Rev. W. W. Batteshall was rector from September 1867 to December 1868; Rev. Charles H. Vandyne from March 1869 to June 1870; Rev. S. B. Newby from No- vember 1870 to January 1873; Dr. Osgood was tempor- arily in charge of the parish in 1873. Rev. William S.
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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
Adamson was rector from August 1874 to Septeniber 1879, and Rev. J. O. Drumnm from November 1879 to July 1880. In April 1881 Bishop Horatio Southgate as- sumed temporary charge.
At present (January 1882), St. Thomas's church is without a rector, services being conducted by temporary supply.
The present vestry consists of wardens-Alfred Nelson and Andrew Findlay. Vestrymen-John G. Free- man, Orison B. Smith, Edwin Aspinall, Solomon B. Noble, D. S. Jones, A. C. Frey, Horace Barnes, Jay I .. Smith.
The number of communicants is about 25. In the Sunday-school there are 50 children and 10 teachers.
GERMAN SECOND REFORMED PROTESTANT, ASTORIA.
The attention of the north classis of Long Island was called to the wants of the German population residing in the town of Newtown at an extra meeting of the classis, held in the lecture room of the Reformed Dutch Church of Williamsburgh, January 19th 1854. The classis ap- pointed Rev. Messrs. Thomas C. Strong and William H. Ten Eyck a committee to take the oversight of the Ger- man population in the town of Newtown, and authorized them to present this field to the board of domestic mis- sions as fully recommended by the classis as a most im- portant opening calling for immediate action. This the committee did and a commission was made out for Mr. John Boehrer to labor as a missionary in this field for six months. He very soon entered upon his work.
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