History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 72

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co.
Number of Pages: 703

USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 72

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372

HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

try was maintained at St. Mary's church. This promoted an influx of Catholics from the neighboring cities, as well as of newly arrived immigrants. The number of families that originally gathered in St. Mary's did not much ex- ceed 30; but from this small beginning the congregation continued for many years to increase so rapidly that not only St. Mary's church obtained a fair membership, but five branch churches had to be established to accommo- date all its members. These were chiefly Irish and Ger- man, with some Frenchmen and a few others. The first pastor, Father Brunemann, did not stay long at the newly founded mission, but was promoted to St. Anthony's ed the school-house.

church at Greenpoint. His successor, Rev. Ignatius T. Goetz, labored with unwearied zeal from 1853 until the latter part of 1868. To him we have to look as the real organizer of St. Mary's church. He increased its real estate, established a parochial school and built a school- house and the pastor's residence. He was untiring in soliciting means from his own people as well as from outsiders to accomplish all his undertakings.

But it would be enumerating but a fraction of his labors to mention only what he did for St. Mary's. In his time the influx of population above referred to took place. The Catholics of Middle Village, who were at that time a portion of his mission, needed a chapel and it was built. Not long afterward he built a chapel for those who lived at Hicksville, whom he visited from time to time. Toward the close of his pastorate at St. Mary's he collected the Catholics in Laurel Hill-also a portion of St. Mary's congregation-and built for them a church north of Calvary Cemetery, known as St. Raphael's. On the completion of this new church the bishop transferred Father Goetz to this mission. While here he built a church for the Catholics at Dutch Kills. His labors at St. Mary's may as a whole be called successful, because all those churches which he built under the bishop's su- pervision are to-day self-supporting and flourishing, hav- ing their own ininisters and schools. When he came to St. Mary's he found the church in debt about $3,250. When he left it, with the many improvements added, it owed about $6,750.

His successor was the Rev. Ignatius H. Zeller, for- merly a Lutheran minister at Middle Village. His pas- torate, which lasted from 1868 to 1875, was a flourishing period for St. Mary's church. It was a time of greater spiritual activity and prosperity, and the circumstances of the times, which provided labor at good wages for the members of the church, conduced to its financial pros- perity. Father Zeller introduced the Sisters of the Order of St. Dominick to give greater stability and efficacy to the parochial schools, improved the real estate by filling up the low lots, and added the new imposing front to- gether with 24 feet to the body of the church. He also built for the Catholics of Maspeth a separate church, and | term "Woodside."

soon after another for those of Corona. These two new missions gave during the prosperous times all indications of vitality and were soon placed under two ministers; but the succeeding hard times somewhat crippled them and they had to be united in one mission. After Fa-

ther Zeller Bishop Loughlin sent Rev. P. Dauffenbach to St. Mary's church. He had a previous experience in missionary labors of five years at one of the largest churches in Brooklyn. He arrived early in January 1875, and is still in charge of the parish. There has been a great falling off in the revenues of the church, from causes that worked their depressing effects through- out the whole country. In spite of this St. Mary's de- creased its indebtedness, kept in repair its many build- ings, enlarged the pastoral residence, effected many im- provements within the walls of the church, and remodel-

During 1877 and 1878 St. Joseph's church was built for those members who lived in Astoria, which at present is self- sustaining and in charge of its own pastor. This is the youngest and probably the last branch of St. Mary's. St. Mary's church has about 150 families of regular attendants, and fifty others that call upon it whenever they feel the want of ministrations of religion.

The parochial schools conducted by the Sisters of St. Dominick have an average attendance of nearly 100 scholars. From their own means and earnings the sis- ters have built up their beautiful residence, and now labor unceasingly in the interest of the church.

Lutheran Evangelical Church .- This church, located at Locust Grove, adjacent to the village of Winfield, was organized in May 1867, with George Meinhardt, A. Deangler, C. H. R. Wolfmiller, J. Lehr and C. Fischer as trustees. During that year a small church building was put up, costing about $3,000. The society is now building a parsonage in the vicinity of the church. A school has always been maintained in connection with this church. The following pastors have served the con- gregation: A. F. U. Ernst, from a German university; Rev. Messrs. Koerner, C. Frincke, A. Geyer, M. Heyer, and the present pastor, G. A. Henkel, all of whom except Mr. Ernst were graduates of the St. Louis university.

Hope Chapel .- The Dutch Reformed church of New- town established a mission at Winfield several years since, and has recently erected a neat house of worship between Winfield and Woodside. Here Sunday-schools and religious services are maintained by the parent church.

WOODSIDE.

This pleasantly situated country village is on the North Side Railroad in Newtown, adjoining Long Island City, and twenty minutes from New York. The name was first applied to the place by John A. F. Kelly, who dated a series of newspaper articles from his home here, and in allusion to the forest adjoining his residence used the

The village may never be noted for the extent of its manufactures, but will probably remain, as it now is and has been for some time past, the favorite place of resi- dence of many New York merchants. As early as 1849 it was conspicuous for the beauty of its villas. One of

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THE VILLAGE OF WOODSIDE.

the first to take advantage of its retirement, pure atmos- phere and delightful scenery was John Andrew Kelly. He had been a resident of Charleston, S. C., but had be- come part owner of the Independent Press of Williamns- burgh. He removed here and purchased a place from Captain Sackett in 1827. Another gentleman from Charleston, William Schroeder, on a friendly visit to Mr. Kelly was so favorably impressed that he also purchased a summer residence, and occupied it each year thereafter until the breaking out of the war in 1861. His son-in- law, Hugh Percy Cameron, then occupied the farm until his death, when his widow divided the farm into town lots.

In 1872 A. P. Riker, who has been largely interested in real estate here, bought the Duryea farm and laid it out as Riker's addition to Woodside.

Adjoining Woodside on the north was a farm owned by Nathaniel Moore, which, passing through several hands, came finally into the possession of Henry G. Schmidt & Co., who laid it out in building lots, and gave it the name of Charlotteville.

The first store at Woodside was opened in 1870 by Thomas Way, and in 1873 Narcisse Pigeon began the manufacture of wine and vinegar here.

A floral establishment started here in 1864 by Gabriel Marc has grown to considerable proportions. He · pur- chased thirteen acres, and has some twenty thousand feet of ground covered with glass. A specialty is made here of China azaleas, camelias, japonicas, and roses.

A landmark near this place is a chestnut tree said to be three hundred years old; it is on what is known as the Hell Gate road. This road was first an embankment thrown up by the industrious beavers. Another old land- mark is a stone house on the place now owned by H. S. Carpenter, built in 1732, and which served as the head- quarters of the English general during the Revolutionary war. A number of soldiers' bodies were found on this farm while excavating was recently going on for the Woodside and Flushing Railroad. Another historic spot is the site of the Leverich house, which has been burned. It was occupied by William Sackett until 1836, when he built what is known as the John J. Hicks house.

A post-office was established at Woodside in 1864, in the depot of the Long Island Railroad; John Fargo post- master. In 1873 Thomas Way was appointed postmas- ter. He died in 1875, and was succeeded in the office by his widow, with Samuel Clark as deputy.

The Woodside School District. No. 10, was organized in 1872, and the school was held in a private house, re- fitted for the purpose, until July 1878, when a school building was completed and occupied. It is a neat wooden structure containing rooms for two teachers on the lower floor, the second floor being used for public amusements until the growth of the school may require its use. The first teacher was W. H. Lamson, who need- ed no assistant; neither did Miss Moody, who succeeded him. Mrs. Harriet A. Ketchum taught alone for about a year, when she called to her assistance Miss Emma Rice. Professor Samuel Twaddell, the present principal,

has been in charge since October 1876. He is assisted by his wife, formerly Miss Emma Rice. The first trustees, elected in October 1875, were A. P. Riker, Joseph Rice and Robert J. Duff. The present board consists of John S. Powers, Gabriel Marc and James M. Post. The attendance this year has averaged ninety.

CHURCHES AT WOODSIDE.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church was organized May 5th 1873. Some three years previously an Episcopal Sunday- school had been held at the residence of G. A. Susdorf, the ladies of whose family organized it and remained in charge until the school was formally transferred to the church, when John S. Powers was appointed superinten- dent. At the organization of the church Rev. Samuel Cox, D. D., presided; Lester Dudley Hibbard and John D. Smedley being elected wardens, and Augustus Rapelye, A. P. Riker, John A. F. Kelly, Edward L. Fargo, John J. Hicks, Louis Windmuller and Clarence G. Mitchell, vestrymen. The chapel was opened March 19th 1874. Rev. Samuel Cox, D. D., was elected rector, John J. Hicks treasurer, and E. L. Fargo clerk. Four lots had been donated and the building, which is of wood, cost $5,000. The congregation numbered from twenty to fifty. April 5th the first communion was ad- ministered, to some 20 members. The pupils in the Sunday-school numbered about 50. Dr. Cox served as rector until March 1880, when he resigned and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Southard Compton, D. D., who has served the parish ever since. The Sunday-school now numbers some seventy-five scholars, and has a library containing some three hundred volumes. The school is self-sup- porting, and even more, through its system of officers and teachers' association, which holds a regular semi.monthly meeting.

Baptist .- The strenuous efforts of James M. Post were rewarded by the organization of the Baptist Sunday- school February 22nd 1874. Three ladies were the first to lend their aid, and the children were gathered in a room used for a private weekday school on First street. For two years the meeting was held in some private house, but in 1876 a building erected by Mr. Post was rented by the school for five years. Then it was rented by the church. The first superintendent was Mr. Denure, who was succeeded by W. T. Dunsby. He was followed by the present superintendent, S. Smith, who is assisted by Mr. Dunsby. James H. Post has always been secretary. The attendance now is from seventy-five to eighty, and there is a very good library.

The deacons of the church are James M. Post, W. T. Dunsby, and S. Smith. The trustees are Mr. Jackson, Mr. Dennison, and Oliver Chapell.

RIKER BROS. & WOODWARD.

The fruit canning business, although of such promi- nence and importance in every fruit exporting State in the Union, is of recent origin as an industry. The first establishment which made it a success was one at Oceanic, N. J., in 1860. Riker & Hudson began at Woodside in

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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

1876, and were succeeded some time after by Riker Bros. & Woodward, the brothers being J. N. and A. I .. Riker jr. During three months of the year they employ eighty-five hands, and twelve or fifteen during the rest of the season. The winter is the time for the manufacture of their air tight cans, which is done on the premises, and an immense number are required, as shown by the business done last year, when 50,000 cans of squash, 10,- ooo of beans, and 30,000 of peas were put upon the inar- ket. This is not inclusive of their canned meats. The total business done last season must have equaled $100,- ooo at least. The business commences with the first ap- pearance of asparagus in the spring, and only ends when frost stops all further growth of vegetables. The busi- ness is so important as to have largely increased the farm- ing industry of the vicinity, as the firm furnishes seed and contracts with the farmers for acres of tomatoes.

ASSOCIATIONS.

Hook and Ladder Company No. 3, organized in May 1878. has a fine outfit, which cost $650. The original officers were: H. T. Cameron, foreman; David Leahy, assistant foreman; Samuel Twaddell, recording secretary; Morton Wise, treasurer; Frank Jordan, financial secretary. The present officers are: J. Judson Post, foreman; Henry Borges, assistant; Samuel Twaddell, recording secretary; Morton Wise, treasurer; Robert C. Smitli, financial sec- retary.

The Philharmonic Society of Woodside was organized in January 1878, by some young men of the village; its object being mutual improvement and the cultivation of a taste for music. It numbers eighteen members, ten performing on string and eight on wind instruments. Its present officers are: Henry J. Brown, conductor; John N. Riker, president; H. N. Terrett, vice-president; Wil- liam Ingliss, secretary; John C. Kelly, treasurer. The society meets in the public school hall.

LAUREL HILL.

This village is located in the extreme northwestern cor- ner of the town of Newtown and is separated from Brooklyn by Newtown Creek, which is spanned at this point by the old "Penny Bridge " built in 1836.

A large portion of the land included in the village plan was formerly a part of the Alsop property. Here was the home of the Alsop family-a family now extinct in Newtown, although for more than two centuries they were among the most prominent residents of the town. of about 600 carboys of oil of vitrol, besides muriatic and Edward Waters once owned a farm here of a hundred acres, which he sold in 1852 to Jacob Rapelye. Augus- tus Rapelye, his son, became owner of seven or eight hundred acres of land here, and in 1853 laid out the first village lots. His map is known as "the four hundred lots."

George W. Edwards in 1845 bought a portion of the Alsop property, and subsequently that was laid out into building lots.

The laboring people, who compose a large part of the population of the village, are principally employed in Calvary Cemetery, located here, and in the marble works in the immediate vicinity.

In 1853 Henry Schafer established his cabinet manu- factory here, and for several years nianufactured a gene- ral line of cabinet ware; but for the last ten or twelve years he has made a specialty of children's cribs and cradles; in which he and his sons are doing a business of considerable proportions.

The shirt manufactory of Edward H. Inglis furnishes employment for twenty or thirty female operators.

A post-office was established here in the summer of 1881, with James Duffy as postmaster.

THE LAUREL HILL. CHEMICAL WORKS.

These works were established in 1866, by C. W. Walter and A. Baumgarten, but remained comparatively small for several years. In 1871 G. H. Nichols and W. H. Nichols entered the firm, and A. Baumgarten retired. In 1872 their first oil of vitriol works were erected. The acid gave such satisfaction that increased manufacturing facilities were required, and one factory after another was erected, until now the works comprise the largest plant for the manufacture of oil of vitriol in the United States.

Muriatic, nitric and other acids are made in quantity, as well as Paris white and whiting.

The proprietors have recently purchased a copper py- rites mine in Canada, and intend taking the ores to Laurel Hill, extracting the sulphur in the manufacture of oil of vitriol, and smelting the copper in works about to be erected.

In May 1875 Mr. Walter and his family were lost on the "Schiller," and the works have since been the ex- clusive property of G. H. Nichols & Co., and are only one of several enterprises in which they are engaged.

The superintendent of the chemical works is J. B. F. Herreshoff; of the whiting works, E. V. Crandall. The analyist is Lucius Pitkin.

The buildings shown in the illustration, where the business is now conducted, have all been erected by the present proprietors, the first plant erected by Walter & Baumgarten having been entirely removed. The pres- ent buildings cover one block, 200 by 300 feet on one side of the railroad and on the other side 200 by 240 feet, with a dock frontage on the creek of about 400 feet. The capacity of the works at present is the production daily nitric acid made from sulphuric acid as a base. The whiting works produce about 10,000 bbls. annually. Forty thousand pounds of sulphur is burned daily in cold weather, but less during the summer months. The business employs from sixty to seventy-five men steadily. The manufacturers are redeeming several lots now under water, and contemplate a new dock on the creek, to cost from $5,000 to $6,000, on which they are to erect copper furnaces for smelting ore.

Laan

VIEW FROM LAUREL HILL.

LAUREL HILL CHEMICAL WORKS 1881, G.H.NICHOLS & CO.PROPRIETORS Office -41 Cedar St.cor. William St.NewYork.

379

CALVARY CEMETERY-THE VILLAGE OF MASPETH.

CALVARY CEMETERY.

This cemetery, which is located at Laurel Hill, was set apart and consecrated in 1848. It is one of the most accessible rural cemeteries near New York, and it would be difficult to select a lovelier or fitter spot as a place of sepulture. The old ground comprised one hundred and ten acres, but in 1853 a charter was obtained from the State by the trustees of St. Patrick's cathedral, New York city, for 250 acres; 165 acres of this are now enclosed. The artesian well in that part of the enclosure called New Calvary was sunk in 1879. It is 606 feet deep and 634 inches in diameter, and was bored in white granite for a large part of its depth. Last year 32,000 persons died in the city of New York, and of this number 15,500 were buried in Calvary. The cemetery keeps one hun- dred and fifty men regularly employed, and two hundred more are kept at work by the relatives and friends of the deceased. Here may be found some of the choicest of materials and the finest models in monumental structure; and here we may mention as worthy of note the vault and chapel built by John Johnston, at a cost of $75,000, and regarded as one of the finest to be found in any ground. This cemetery is to the Catholics of New York what Greenwood is to the Protestant population. Since 1872 Hugh Moore has been the general superintendent, and to his ability much of the beauty and attractiveness of the place is due; he has been assisted by Michael Rowen. The mortuary chapel, of fine architectural de- sign and finish, was built in 1856. The present chaplain is Rev. M. J. Brennan.

MASPETH.

Of this village, situated in the western part of New- town, the name is about all that is left to remind the present inhabitants of the former existence of the Mez- pat tribe of red men, whose camping ground was near its site; and even the name has been modernized so it is but an allusion to the original word. The village is located on three plots of land on the north side of the street rail- road leading from Brooklyn to Newtown village. The map of the first plot was filed by Joseph H. Van Mater jr., in August 1852.

Maspeth has been in times gone by the nursery of poetry and the home of genius. Here was produced that clever pastoral poem "Rural Hours," and here in the home of his father-in-law, Walter Franklin, Hon. De Witt Clinton composed a line of prose connecting Lake Erie with the Hudson. Once Maspeth was a community of Quakers, but now scarce a representative of the sect remains. The old meeting-house has gone to decay, the cemetery has gone to the commons, the faithful minister has gone to his reward long ago.

MANUFACTURES, ETC.

The principal business interest here is the oil cloth manufactory owned by Alden Sampson's sons. It is the largest factory of the kind in the world.

In 1836 Alden Sampson started an oil[cloth business in a pleasant hamlet then a part of Hallowell-now Man- chester-Maine. He successfully carried on the busi- ness alone, manufacturing floor oil cloth only, until De- cember 1860, when he admitted two of his sons as part- ners in the business. Two years later a third son was admitted into the firm, and in 1867 a fourth. The senior partner retained the actual management until 1868, from which time it gradually came under the control of his sons. In 1860 a new factory was built in the city of Hallowell, and two years later the original works, distant about four miles, were destroyed by fire. The firm, not deeming it desirable to rebuild on the old site, secured a desirable location in Maspeth, and July 2nd 1862 Henry C. Sampson commenced the construction of extensive works here. In 1863 the house began a business which has increased and prospered. The senior partner died in 1878. The superintendent, Thomas Freeman, died Įn 1879 and was succeeded by his son Ansel L. Freeman, who had been in the business nine years. One hundred and twenty-five men are constantly em- ployed here.

Cord Meyer established in 1852, on Newtown Creek, between Maspeth avenue and Grand street, a manufac- tory of animal carbon. It is used chiefly in the filtration of sugar. His business has grown to very large propor- tions, and beside manufacturing carbon he prepares a large proportion of the ivory black used by carriage painters in New York city. A large part of the bones used comes from South America and Texas. The prod- uct of this manufactory amounts to about 200,000 pounds of carbon a month. The refuse is made into " drop black," used extensively as carriage paint.

Adjoining Maspeth on the southwest is the village plot called Melvina. The principal business man here is Frederick Hellrigle, an enterprising grocer who came here in 1860. His large double store on Maspeth ave- nue was built in 1876.

Columbusville is a plot adjoining Maspeth on the east. The name was given it by F. Monteverde, who built a hotel here. Cristadoro, the famous hair-dye man, has his country seat here.

The manufacture of twines and small cordage has been an important industry at Maspeth for several years. John Murch was one of the pioneers in this business and carried it on successfully at Newtown village as early as 1842. Several parties are now engaged in the business in the vicinity of Maspeth. The late William Burcham was the principal manufacturer for several years. James Inglis came from Glasgow in 1851 and worked for Mr. Burcham for a time, and in 1854 begun business for himself. James Cating and Gus. Haflinger are also quite largely engaged in the same line of busi- ness.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL. OF MASPETHI

is number 5 of the town. The present school building is a large and well arranged structure erected about ten years since. The original school-house in this vicinity

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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

stood in the northwest corner of the district and was known as the "Creek school-house." The school popu- lation of the district is 435. The registered pupils numn- ber 290, of whom from 109 to 150 are usually in attend- ance. Prof. H. C. Hervey has been principal of the school since 1876, and is assisted by Eugenie Barberie and Josephine Barberie. The board of trustees in 1881 consisted of Washington Pullis, James H. Smith and Wil- liam Burcham.

THE REPUBLICAN ASSOCIATION

of Maspeth was incorporated in December 1880, under the general act of 1875. The directors are William Burcham (president), Charles M. Chamberlain (treas- urer), Stephen H. Joseph (secretary), James Cating, Jo. seph Hewins, Edward C. Davis and Ansel L. Freeman.

MASPETH CHURCHIES.

St. Saviour's Church is situated near the junction of Maspeth and Flushing avenues. Religious services after the order of the Protestant Episcopal Church were held in this locality in 1846, mainly through the influence of Hon. David S. Jones, then occupying the homestead of his father in-law, Gov. De Witt Clinton. In May 1847 a parish was duly organized, with Mr. Jones and John R. Maurice as wardens, and steps were at once taken by the vestry for the erection of a church; Mr. Jones and James Maurice having been appointed a committee to carry out the project. A wooden structure capable of accom- modating about three hundred persons was erected dur- ing the year at a cost of $3.500; the corner stone having been laid November Ist 1847, by Bishop Potter, and the edifice consecrated June 28th 1848 by Bishop DeLancey. According to the parish record there were but four per- sons identified with the project at the beginning, namely, Mr. Jones, Mr. Maurice, Garrit Furman and John Van Cott, all of whom were liberal contributors to the work. A Sunday-school was early commenced and faithfully maintained, mainly through the exertions of the Misses Maurice, who still keep an excellent library in perfect order. The first rector of the parish was the Rev. Wil- liam Walsh, who occupied the cure for over six years. The Rev. Edmund Embury was rector from March 1854 to July 1855; Rev. Beverley R. Betts from November 1855 to December 1868; Rev. William C. Cooley from June 1869 to October of the same year; and the present incumbent, Rev. C. B. Ellsworth, from November 1870. In 1878 Hon. James Maurice conveyed some land lying about the original church ground, with a dwelling thereon (making in all a block of two acres), to the diocese of Long Island, to be held in trust for the use and benefit of the rector of the parish for the time being as a par- sonage.

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History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 72

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co. Number of Pages: 703

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co.
Number of Pages: 703