USA > New York > Columbia County > Hudson > History of the city of Hudson, New York : with biographical sketches of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton > Part 16
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Doctor Benham removed to Hudson in 1847, and made it his permanent home, pursuing his profession here dur- ing the remainder of his long life. He was a man of high character, and generous, not only of his means, but of his time and skill, in his ministrations to the poor. A noble Christian gentleman.
Doctor John P. Wheeler, who was a contemporary of Doctor Benham, naturally next recurs to memory.
Doctor Wheeler was a native of Red Hook, New York, and was born in 1817. He studied medicine with his father, and commenced practice in this city, becoming a member of the County Medical Society in 1843.
Doctor Wheeler was eminently successful as a prac- titioner, and was also a man of wide reading, and fine culture. He died in Hudson on June 28, 1901.
Doctor William H. Pitcher, although a resident of this city for only seventeen years, greatly endeared himself to all who knew him.
He was born in 1825, and was graduated from the
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Woodstock, Vermont, Medical Academy, in 1853. Three years later he commenced the practice of medicine in Hudson, and resided here until his death in June, 1872.
Doctor Pitcher was active in both the State and County Medical Societies, and was highly esteemed as a physician, and as a man. The citizens of this city erected a monu- ment to his memory, as an evidence of love and esteem.
Doctor Henry Lyle Smith was born in New York City in 1843, was prepared for college at Williston, Mass., and pursued his medical studies with Doctor John P. . Wheeler, in this city.
Doctor Smith was graduated from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1867 and after two years' practice at Bellevue and Blackwell's Island, he took up his residence in Hudson, and acquired a large practice. Doctor Smith was an unusually versatile man possessing a variety of talents.
He wrote on both musical and medical topics and also a humerous account of a European trip, the manuscript of which he donated to the local chapter of the D. A. R., proceeds of publication to be used toward a building fund.
Doctor Smith passed away on February 11, 1904, sin- cerely mourned by a host of friends.
The whole community was also deeply moved by the death of Doctor Crawford Ellsworth Fritts, at so early an age-when in only his 46th year. Doctor Fritts was born in the Town of Livingston in 1850, and after his graduation from the Hudson Academy, he became a stu- dent with Doctor H. Lyle Smith in this city. He was graduated from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1875, and became resident physician of the Kings County Hospital. In 1877, Doctor Fritts located in Hudson, and soon acquired an immense practice. His office was one of the best equipped for his profession . in the state, and it was daily thronged with patients.
Doctor Fritts was a member of both the County and
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State Medical Societies, and also of The New York State Medical Association.
He was consulting physician and surgeon of the New York Central, and Albany and Hudson railroads, and also consulting physician of the Girls' Training School.
He held many local offices beside those immediately connected with his practice, including a directorship in the Hudson River Bank, the Vice Presidency of a Knitting Company and Surgeon of Company F., Tenth Regiment.
Doctor Fritts was especially interested in the Hudson City Hospital, and was not only an active factor in its establishment, but was enthusiastic in its support. He donated to the institution the best obtainable operating outfit, and personally directed the proper preparation of the surgery for its use.
A summer which the Doctor spent in Europe, might have given him the sorely needed rest and change, had he not combined with it, a course of study with an eye specialist, which while it greatly increased his efficiency in that branch of his profession, prevented his obtaining the recuperation which ought to have been his first and only consideration.
Dr. Fritts had an extended acquaintance throughout this and adjoining counties, who with a large circle of more intimate friends united to grieve over his untimely death, which occurred on April 6, 1904. Tireless energy and unresting toil, undermined his naturally strong consti- tution and left him powerless to resist the encroachments of disease. A fund of between five and six thousand dollars was collected from the citizens of Hudson in 1906, which was used for the purchase of the Crawford E. Fritts Memorial Home for Nurses, No. 888 Columbia street.
Certain improvements were made which added greatly to its value, and in July, 1908, the property was conveyed
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to the Trustees of the Hudson City Hospital, for their permanent use.
The house has accommodations for from fifteen to twenty nurses and furnishes them the comforts their ardu- ous vocation requires.
The consideration of the Charitable institutions of Hud- son, follows quite accidentally but with great appropriate- ness upon that of the medical profession.
No one who has not been engaged in the work of these institutions, can imagine the continual call made by them upon the time and strength of the physicians of our city, nor the willing cheerfulness of their response.
The Hudson Orphan and Relief Association is the old- est and one of the most beneficent of our charities.
It was founded by Mrs. Robert Mckinstry, who sheltered little waifs at first in her own home. In 1841, she rented a few rooms at a cost of 100 dollars per year, but soon after her father, Mr. Abner Hammond, become- ing interested gave her a suitable site on which by per- sistent effort an asylum was built, at a cost of 6,000 dollars. Small, timely bequests and constant solicitation supported the venture, until a larger legacy in 1879 en- abled the Trustees to purchase their present fine building with its ample grounds, which was fitted expressly for their requirements, and forms an ideal home for the little unfortunates.
Mrs. Mckinstry was President of the institution until her death, which occurred quite suddenly on June 22, 1862, and its prosperity, if not its very existence, was the direct result of her unselfish devotion to its interests. The asylum has accommodations for fifty children, and in 1904, a well furnished Kindergarten was installed, for the use of the younger ones. It is liberally endowed, and bears the name of "The Lucius Moore Memorial Kinder- garten."
The Home for the Aged was the next Charitable insti-
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tution established in Hudson. It was incorporated on May 5, 1883, and was opened on October 23rd, of the same year, in a rented building on the southeast corner of Fifth and Union streets.
In 1895, a suitable place with grounds on the corner of South Seventh and Union streets was purchased. This with judicious alterations and improvements, was con- verted into a convenient and capacious "Home," which was ready for occupancy in April, 1896.
Being enabled by the generous remembrance of its friends to assume the support of a larger number, and desiring to extend its benefits to as many as possible, a wing containing twelve additional rooms was erected in 1906.
Although the accommodations are by this means en- larged to twenty-eight it has retained the same attractive features of a private home which differentiates it from the ordinary institution of the kind.
The Hudson City Hospital was incorporated on Decem- ber 17, 1887, as the result of an earnest effort on the part of a few of our citizens, and at the urgent request of Mr. Alfred Van Deusen, who wished to leave to such an institution, preferably located in this city, a legacy of 5,000 dollars. Further action was deferred until June 1, 1893, when a building on the northeast corner of Washington and Fifth streets was rented, properly pre- pared, and used for hospital purposes until July, 1897.
A legacy of upwards of 30,000 dollars which was left to them by Miss Sarah Bayley, then became available, and a desirable site on Prospect avenue and Columbia street, was purchased. On this was erected the present hospital building, which was ready for occupancy in 1900, the first patient having been received on June 6, of that year. It has thirty beds and all the appliances and fur-
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nishings that are to be found in well appointed institu- tions of the kind.
The surgery has been mentioned as being particularly ·complete in its special requirements, and a diet kitchen has been presented to the hospital by a friend, who knew the importance of that department, in caring for the sick.
A Nurses' Training School is conducted in connection with the Hospital, and the "Crawford E. Fritts Memorial Home" provides for the wants of the whole body of nurses required. An ambulance was the very essential contribution of the ladies of the city, at an early date. A Hospital Auxiliary composed of the gentler sex, adds not a little to the funds and fittings of the work, by the various means employed.
Patients are received at the usual rates, but a large proportion of its service is charity, pure and simple, it having been an especial boon to the poorer classes.
The New York State Training School for Girls is lo- cated in one of the suburbs of Hudson.
This institution was opened on April 15, 1887, as a "House of Refuge for Women," but was not successful. Notwithstanding the most faithful effort, extending over a period of fifteen years, only five per cent gave satis- factory proof of reformation.
It was thought that more encouraging results might be obtained from girls of an impressionable age, conse- quently the institution was re-organized, and re-opened as a "Training School for Girls," on June 1, 1904.
The age limit is from ten to sixteen years, and they are taught all branches of housework and the nursery, together with nursing, and other industries.
All the girls have regular instruction in gymnastics and chorus singing. The Institution is most admirably man- aged and the reports show that it is meeting with abun- dant success. The total number of inmates in May, 1908,
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was two hundred and twenty-eight, and sixty-five em- ployees, thirteen of whom were teachers.
The Volunteer Firemen's Home located just north of the city proper, completes our list of public charities. The corner stone of the main building was laid on June 28, 1892, and the Institution was formally opened on June 5, 1895.
The last addition costing 35,000 dollars has just been completed, making about 50,000 dollars spent for improve- ments during the past two years. Number of inmates at present is sixty-eight, and the Home has accommodations for at least fifty more worthy guests.
This most excellent charitable institution is supported by a tax on foreign insurance companies doing business in this state. The tax is two per cent, and the State Firemen's Association receives ten per cent of the money.
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CHAPTER XXVI.
Distinguished Men.
Among the men whose names and fame adorn the annals of Hudson, the Hon. John Stanton Gould stands. prominently forth.
John Stanton Gould was born in Newport, Rhode Is- land, on March 14, 1812. He was of Quaker parentage and his most cherished heritage was the memory of the brave steadfastness of his ancestors, under their cruel and wicked persecution.
After finishing his course at the Friends' School in Providence, he was given his choice of a profession, and deliberately decided to enter the print works of his rela- tive, Benjamin Marshall of Stockport, Columbia county, as a chemist.
Mr. Gould was elected a Member of the Assembly in 1846, but he was never in any sense a politician, and. early became interested in matters of a humanitarian order. He was instrumental in forming the State Prison Association, of which he was subsequently made Vice- President.
Here Mr. Gould's broad philanthropic views found full scope in devising means for the amelioration of the con- dition of the prisoners, and many measures for the ref- ormation of the dangerous classes emanated from his fertile brain.
The science of Agriculture greatly appealed to Mr. Gould and his writings on this and kindred subjects are among the most valuable contributions to this topic, lead- ing to his appointment as President of the New York State Agricultural Society. Mr. Gould's lecture on "Grasses" before that body, illustrated by the exhaustive
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collection of these products of the soil, which is still pre- served in the State Museum at Albany, was one of the most masterly ever presented before that society.
But perhaps the crowning work of his studious life was that in connection with founding the chair of Agri- culture in Cornell University, on the opening of which Mr. Gould was chosen to lecture on Agriculture and the Mechanical Arts. This position he filled for twelve years, and was one of the most popular professors at Cornell until his death, on the 8th of August, 1874.
Mr. Gould removed to Hudson in the year 1852, hav- ing purchased the fine old colonial dwelling No. 115 Warren street. Here he passed the remainder of his life, drawing around him a few choice friends, amid an atmosphere of genial hospitality, which under the benig- nant sway of his excellent wife has been well preserved to the present day. May it be long ere her cordial wel- come shall be missed by her large circle of loving friends.
Mr. Gould had a happy gift of imparting knowledge which, with his command of language made him a valu- able acquisition both to the public platform and to so- ciety. Without a trace of ostentation or self-consciousness he would devote his encyclopedic learning to the enlight- enment of a school girl, as willingly as he would converse with a more congenial pedant.
Another whose distinguished attainments reflect credit upon this city is Doctor Frederick Belding Power, Ph. D., LL. D., F. C. S., who ranks as one of the four great chemists of the world. Doctor Power, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Hudson, his great grandfather having been prominent in its affairs before 1787, was born in this city on March 4, 1853. Under the tuition of William P. Snyder he pursued his studies at the Hudson Academy, at the conclusion of which he entered the College of Phar- macy in Philadelphia. He was graduated in the spring
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of 1874, with the highest honors, receiving the prize in chemistry.
After thus demonstrating his talents in this direction Doctor Power was strongly urged by professional friends to devote himself to the science of Chemistry, and in pursuance of this purpose, he took his departure for Ger- many in 1876.
Here he became matriculated as a student in the Kaiser Wilhelm University of Strasburg, and spent four years in the study of Chemistry and Natural science. During the last three of these, Doctor Power served as Assistant to Professor Phickiger, one of the faculty, which was in those days a rare distinction for an American, it being a salaried position and a Government appointment. In 1880, Doctor Power received his degree of Doctor of Philosophy and soon after returned to America, where he was at once tendered a position in the Chemical Labora- tory, of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, his old alma mater.
This he accepted and retained for about three years, during which he published in connection with his late lamented friend, Doctor Frederick Hoffman, of New York, "A Manual of Chemical Analysis," a large work which then appeared in three editions. As a means of relaxa- tion from other duties and for further culture, Doctor Power attended evening classes at the National School of Elocution and Oratory, receiving the diploma of the school.
In 1883, Doctor Power received a call from the State University of Wisconsin at Madison, which he gladly ac- cepted, as in the work of organizing and conducting a Department of Pharmacy in that institution, a wide field of usefulness was opened to him amid most congenial surroundings. During the nine years Doctor Power occu- pied this position, he not only formed many cherished friendships, but in addition to his regular duties, found
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time for research, and for the translation of German scientific works, and also served on the Committee of Revision of the United States Pharmacopoeia.
In the meantime an invitation was extended to him to assume the directorship of some newly established chem- ical laboratories in the East, and after spending four years in Passaic, New Jersey, Doctor Power acceded to the urgent request of a former classmate at Philadelphia, Mr. Henry F. Wellcome, and joined him in London. Spec- ial laboratories were established in the central part of the city in 1896, to be known as the "Wellcome Chem- ical Research Laboratories," and of these Doctor Power is the scientific director. With the assistance of a staff of highly trained chemists, a large amount of scientific research has been accomplished, which is embodied in nearly one hundred publications. Products representing the results of their labors have been shown at numerous exhibitions, both in this country and in Europe, receiving the highest awards-and gold medals, a "grand prize," and diploma of honor, are a few of the distinctions be- stowed upon Doctor Power and his collaborators.
Limited space forbids the enumeration of the honors that have been showered upon Doctor Power both at home and abroad, only a few of which appear in the alphabetical adornments of his name.
We rejoice to be able to add that although he has be- come a resident of London for a time, England can claim no more. Doctor Power values too highly the honor of American citizenship ever to surrender it, and Hudsonians may still continue to follow his career with unabated pride and pleasure.
Of equal, although quite different distinction, are the two well-known bankers who by right of birth, come with- in the purview of these little sketches.
William A. Nash, who is one of the accredited author- ities on finance, was born in this city in 1841.
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When he was seven years of age, his family removed to Brooklyn where Mr. Nash spent all his boyhood years, attending the public schools, and graduating at No. 13 De Graw street, at the early age of fourteen.
He immediately entered the Corn Exchange Bank as a messenger boy, remaining five years and rising to a clerkship.
Mr. Nash then entered the Oriental Bank where he spent three years, returning to the Corn Exchange Bank at the expiration of that time as receiving teller; he was soon promoted to be paying teller, and in 1872 was made cashier.
Eleven years later, in 1883, Mr. Nash was elected President of the Corn Exchange Bank, and on the 25th anniversary of his occupancy of that position, a handsome loving cup was presented to him, as a mark of apprecia- tion and esteem.
Mr. Nash is a tireless worker and possesses a genius for figures, and a penchant for books.
Since 1893, he has been one of the controlling spirits of the New York Clearing House, and its President in 1895-6. He was also a member of the committee who bought the land and directed the construction of the new Clearing House.
During the panic of 1893, Mr. Nash was one of the five men who, as the executive committee of the Clearing House, had that financial disturbance in charge. At that time he showed a breadth of view, backed by a fear- lessness combined with conservatism, that placed him in the front rank of the able bankers of the country.
Mr. Nash has ever retained his interest in the city of his birth, and although his visits are infrequent he will respond to occasional inducements.
Valentine Perry Snyder, the distinguished banker, was born in Hudson on March 10, 1850. He is the son of the Rev. William P. Snyder, who was for many years
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Principal of the Hudson Academy and Superintendent of the Public Schools. His mother was descended from Francis Cook of the "Mayflower."
Mr. Snyder was educated at the Hudson Academy, and declining to enter college, much to his father's chagrin, he began his wonderfully successful business career at the age of fifteen, as an accountant in the Hudson River Bank. From there he went to the Chatham National Bank of New York, subsequently forming connections with the First National Bank of Fishkill, and Third Na- tional Bank of New York.
Upon the appointment of Hon. Daniel Manning as Secretary of the Treasury, under the first Cleveland ad- ministration, Mr. Snyder was selected for his private secretary, and later he held various positions in the Treasury Department, the last being that of Deputy Con- troller of the Currency, which office he filled until 1887, when he was appointed National Bank Examiner for the City of New York.
On January 1st, 1889, Mr. Snyder became Assistant Cashier of the First National Bank of New York, and soon after was elected Vice President, and later President of the Western National Bank of that city. On its con- solidation with the Bank of Commerce of New York, Mr. Snyder was elected President of the combined institutions, a position which he fills with great credit, together with directorships in many of the most important corporations in the country.
At the close of the Russo-Japanese war, Mr. Snyder was decorated by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the "Rising Sun," for his assistance to the Japanese government, in placing its war loans in this country and Europe, and for other valuable services rendered.
The Order is one of truly Asiatic gorgeousness, con- sisting of a magnificent ruby, set in a star, surrounded by golden rays.
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The fact that Mr. Snyder has near relatives in Hudson, will insure his continued interest in her welfare, an in- terest that is most cordially reciprocated by her citizens.
Henry A. Smith, who is one of the Vice Presidents of the National Bank of Commerce in New York, was a resident of Hudson for a number of years.
His education was conducted by the Rev. William P. Snyder at the Hudson Academy, after which he entered the Farmers' Bank in this city, where he received his training in the banking business.
In the meantime his father's occupation led to the removal of the family to New York whither Mr. Smith followed, and in the course of time became a member of the official board of the Bank of Commerce with his congenial friend, Mr. Valentine P. Snyder.
The portraits of our forefathers were painted, appar- ently to a great extent, by Mr. Prime, whose handiwork appears in the ancestral halls of many of our citizens. These are said to have been good likenesses, but in pose and expression they seem somewhat stiff and wooden, to us of a later generation.
Mr. Henry Ary, an artist of unquestioned merit, next occupied the field, the most important of his portraits being that of Washington, which is owned by the city, and adorns the chamber of the Common Council.
He also painted landscapes which exhibit real artistic feeling, some of which may yet be seen in the homes of his admirers.
Mr. Ary is recalled as possessing a rare artistic sense, and an intense love of nature. He was also a charming personality, and greatly respected.
The picturesque scenery of Hudson proved an inspira- tion to the talented Parton brothers, Arthur and Ernest, both of whom are natives of this city. Soon after reach- ing his majoriy, Mr. Arthur Parton entered the studio of
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William T. Richards of Philadelphia, where he obtained a thorough, and conscientious training in the technicalities of his art, after which he opened a studio in New York, which has since been his place of work. His residence being at Yonkers and his summer home in the Catskills.
In 1869, Mr. Parton went to Europe, and during a year spent in study and travel, obtained a knowledge of the works of the Barbizon school, which has been of in- estimable advantage to him in later years.
He was elected an Associate of the National Academy in 1872, and twelve years later was made an Acade- mician, and is also a member of the American Water Color Society.
Mr. Parton has been a most industrious painter, and his works have received the highest awards of merit both in Europe and in his native land, some portion at least of which we would desire to enumerate, did space permit.
Mr. Parton has a daughter who has inherited much of his artistic talent, and Miss Hilda Parton's portraits al- ready attract most favorable attention.
Mr. Arthur Parton is essentially an American artist, finding his subjects in American scenery, and is to be highly esteemed as such-his brother Ernest early became a resident of London, England, a fact of which we cannot think otherwise than regretfully.
Mr. Ernest Parton went direct to nature for his teacher and she repaid his devotion, by kindly unfolding to him her choicest secrets.
Not long after locating in London, Mr. Parton sent to The Royal Academy Exhibition of 1879, a picture called "The Waning of the Year," a November scene. The Presi- dent and Council of the Academy hung the picture in the place of honor, in one of the Galleries and purchased it under the terms of the Chantrey bequest. It hangs in the collection of "The Tate Gallery," with the other Chantrey
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