USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 13
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After the division, the Rev. Dr. Deutsch, a highly cultured and promi- inent divine, was put in charge of the spiritual interest of the congregation.
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NEW BETH ISRAEL.
On Mr. Falker's retirement from office men of equally advanced ideas were successfully elected to the presidency, namely : Simon and Isaac Lowenthal, Lazar Leiter, David Hamburger, and Moritz Marx, the latter gentleman having served the congregation for fifteen consecutive years. Mr. William Henocksburg, the present President, has followed worthily in the same path of progress and reform, and has acquitted himself very creditably.
For the past eight years the Rev. Dr. A. Guttman has had the spiritual interests of the congregation in his keeping. With his advent a new and vigorous spirit has been infused into the congregation, and under his guid- ance it has prospered wonderfully. There are few Jewish ministers in America who have gained such an influence in their congregations and have such a firm hold upon the hearts and sympathies of their members, as has Dr. Guttman. He has proven himself a warm supporter of every humane and charitable movement, and he is recognized as one of the prominent leaders of Reform Judaism in America.
The present officers of the congregation are, President William Henocks- burg ; Vice-President, August Falker ; Treasurer, Aaron Lesser ; Trustees, David Danziger, Herman Leiter, Leopold Schoener, George Freeman ; Sec- retary, S. Lowenthal ; Sexton, J. Glazier.
The Society has at present sixty-five members and forty-two pew-holders, altogether about 500 souls.
This sketch would, however, be incomplete were we to overlook the philanthropic work carried on by the Society of Concord. This congrega- tion has not merely narrowed itself down to Creed, but it emphasizes Deed. It has a noble record for its liberality and for its active participation in the cause of charity. With this Society the following institutions are connected :
I. A Sabbath School, in which eighty-two boys and girls, the children of the members, receive religious instruction.
2. A Mission School, which is divided into two branches :
(a) A religious school in which girls and boys of indigent parents are taught Biblical history.
(b) A sewing school where fifty-eight girls, between the ages of seven and fourteen, are taught plain sewing.
3. Ladies' Auxiliary Society, whose aim is to help the Congregation.
4. Ladies' Aid Society. This organization has for its object the allevia- tion of suffering caused by poverty or sickness.
5. Sewing Circle. Ladies meet weekly at the residences of the mem- bers for the purpose of making garments for general distribution.
6. Young Men's Hebrew Association, whose aims are to elevate the youth morally, impart religious enthusiasm, and refine them socially and intellectually.
New Beth Israel .- This congregation was organized August 7, 1854. The first services were held at the house of Moses Hart, on Adams street,
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
between Mulberry and Montgomery. The following were the first officers of the society ; Joshua Jacobs, President ; Henry Lazarus, Vice-President ; M. Bendetsen, treasurer ; P. Lee, Secretary ; Moses Hart, J. Samson, E. Labischinsky, N. Marks. After holding services a short time on Adams street, the congregation met at Myers' Hall, corner of Montgomery and Gen- esee streets. The present synagogue was built in 1856 and remodelled in 1887. The basement has also been remodelled, making the structure com-
plete and convenient. The cemetery owned by the congregation lies in the southern part of the city. There are now about forty members and one hundred seat holders, who with their families comprise a membership of about four hundred. The present officers of this society are as follows : M. Rashkower, President ; Levi Solomon, vice-President; L. Manson, Treasurer ; Abe Levi, Secretary : Trustees, M. Bloom, E. Goldstein, H. Ferguson, M. Myer. Minister, S. Cantor. The Synagogue contains seven rolls of Holy Scripture.
Congregational Poiley Zedeck .- In the fore part of the year 1888 Joseph Wallen, Marks Baliban, Moses Kline, David L. Cohen, Abraham Moses, and others, became interested in the organization of a new Jewish Church in Syracuse. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of Congregation Poiley Zedeck. Its charter is dated September 23, 1888, and bears the names of the following Trustees : Herman Wolfson, Ruben Rubenstein, Samuel Berman, Isaac Heitner, and Philip Kaufman. First President, Alexander Cohn ; Secretary, Joseph Honig. The first meeting was held in Sugar- man's Hall, corner of Grape and Harrison streets, at which twenty-six mem- bers joined and paid five dollars each. The church now numbers thirty-six members who pay six dollars per year each. Services are held every morn- ing and evening in the year for prayer. The minister preaches Friday eve- ning and Saturday morning and afternoon, and also on other days of special religious observances. Rev. M. Finberg has been the only minister.
In 1889 the congregation rented of Marcus Joel a building on Mulberry street, where they now worship. Three rolls of Holy Scripture belong to the society and they intend to increase that number. In February, 1891, this church bought a piece of ground at Oakwood for a cemetery, costing $350. The present officers are Moses Kline, President ; G. B. Gordon, Vice-President ; Joseph Honig, Secretary ; Trustees. B. Kaufman, Solomon Port, M. Baliban, B. Daunsfsky, Levi Oppenheimer, M. Schuman, Treas- urer.
Adath Jeshurun (which signifies gathering of religious people) was organ- ized June 6, 1864, and received its charter March 3, 1866, Joseph Swartz was the first President ; Joseph Wiseman, vice-President, and Moses Bron- ner, Treasurer. The first place of worship was a one-story building on Har- rison street, between Mulberry and Montgomery. In 1874 a hall which was
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ADATII ISRAEL.
built for this society in the Reidy building, corner of Mulberry and Madison streets, was rented by them and occupied until the present church was erected. In 1887 Solomon Rosenbloom purchased a lot on Orange street, between Madison and Harrison streets, and insisted on the society having a home of its own. Largely by his efforts and contributions and the effi- cient management of the building committee, composed of Solomon Rosen- bloom, Morris Thalheimer, Daniel Rosenbloom, and K. A. Wolf, the present beautiful Gothic wooden edifice was erected at a cost of about $9,000. At that time there were but nineteen members, which in Jewish churches means about nineteen families, as none but male adults are eligible to membership. The new edifice was dedicated in August, 1887. About 1871 Solomon Rosenbloom was elected President and Joseph Wiseman vice-President. From that time to the present Mr. Rosenbloom has hield that office, with the exception of two years, when Morris Thalheimer and Abraham Light served one year each. The first leader of religious services was Rev. W. B. Newcity, who officiated until 1875 ; he was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Levi, who still officiates. The present officers are Solomon Rosenbloom, President ; Morris Thalheimer was vice-President at the time of his death in October, 1890, which office he filled about fifteen years. His successor has not been elected. David Oberdorfer has been the Treas- urer for fourteen years. The Trustees are K. A. Wolf, Moses Labschinsky. Philip Zenner, and David Stolz, Secretary, M. J. Altman. The member- ship of this active, growing society has increased to 41, and connected there- with is a large Sabbath school doing good work for the children. Each Jewish society owns a separate cemetery, in which each member is entitled to requisite space without any individual purchase. Rural Cemetery, south of Oakwood Cemetery, belongs to this society.
Adath Israel .- This congregation was organized at the house of Jacob Groginsky, June 1, 1882. The first President was James B. Harrison ; Nathan Levi, vice-President ; Philip Kaufman, Secretary ; Moses Jacobs, Treasurer. The society met in the Wolf block, corner of Mulberry and Adams streets. Desiring a more suitable place of worship, Jacob Groginsky, Nathan Levi, and Morris Jacobson were appointed a building committee. These gentlemen contracted at once with Marks Rashkower, to rent of him for a term of years a building which he agreed to construct according to plans submitted and accepted. The work was vigorously pushed . by Mr. Rashkower, and in a few months the society was pleasantly located in their present Synagogue, a brick structure which seats two-hundred and fifty. So well pleased were the people with the services of their building com- mittee that it was voted to present Jacob Groginsky with a gold niedal, which bears date of September 16, ISS2. A silver medal was also presented to Samuel Elsner.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
The present officers are: Jacob Groginsky, President ; James B. Har- rison, vice-President ; David Groginsky, Secretary; Nathan Levin, Treas- urer. Benjamin Yaffa was the first minister, and was succeeded by David Argin, the present pastor. Daily meetings for prayer are held morning and evening, with special services Friday night and Saturday.
Adath Yeshurun .- In 1870, thirty-five young men seat-holders of New Beth of Israel, left that society and began holding meetings in Tabor's hall. Their first minister was Marcus Radin, and Elias Labeschinsky was Presi- dent.
In 1872, they organized under co-State charter with the corporate name, Adath Yeshurun. Solomon Harrison was President ; Jacob Tumim, vice- President ; Samuel Solomon, Secretary. The next year the society bought a house and lot, No. 75 Mulberry street, for $3,000, on which they built the present church in 1877, at a cost of $6,000. Two years later $2,000 more were raised and expended in completing and furnishing the structure. The building committee was J. L. Shevelson, chairman ; Jacob Tumim, C. Fre- lander, Sol. Harrison, S. A. Harrison, Isaac Solomon. In 1887, a cemetery was purchased on the plank road for $1,300. Elias Labischinsky was the first President, since which the following men have served in that office : Solomon Harrison, I. L. Shevelson, Jacob Tumim, Abraham Rosenson, Levi Pakelinschky, Levi L. Silverman.
Rev. Marcus Radin was succeeded by Rev. J. Leavison, and Revs. C. Caplin, Fisher, M. L. Grossman, J. Switzer, and E. Rosenzweig have since officiated. M. L. Grossman is the present pastor. The trustees of the church are as follows : Levi Pakelinscky, President ; Levi Harris, vice-President ; Harris Rossman, M. Abelson, A. J. Strasburg, M. C. Roths- child, Samuel A. Harrison. Membership, forty-four. A flourishing Sun- day school is connected with the church.
Rescue Mission .- In the early part of 1887 a number of christian people became impressed with a desire to accomplish something for the cause of christianity in certain districts in Syracuse. An article which appeared about this time in a New York religious journal attracted attention. The author was Mr. H. B. Gibbud, of the Florence Night Mission of New York city. An invitation was extended to Mr. Gibbud to come to Syracuse for consultation in the matter, and in June, 1887, he arrived, accompanied by his wife. After a careful study of the situation the experienced missionary declared that the thing to do was to establish in the very midst of the dis- trict where information was most needed, a place to which the people would be constrained to come and in which they would be met by sympathetic hearts. This suggestion was acted upon. A place was selected on East Washington street, near Mulberry. Here, with drinking saloons, gambling dens, and houses of ill repute within a stone's throw in every direction, the
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RESCUE MISSION.
Rescue Mission was established ; and on the night of Sunday, September 4, 1887, began its work among the non-church-going masses. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbud were placed in charge as superintendents, and Mr. John E. Hend- sey was their assistant.
Many people became friendly to the Mission at once. They flocked to the meetings and seemed to feel at home in the half-way house to the church and to be grateful for the interest manifested in them.
Every night since that first night, a meeting has been held. Thus far more than 1, 300 consecutive meetings have been held, at which the total attendance has been about 125,000.
From the very first the rooms of the Mission were inadequate. This was especially so during the last year in the old quarters (May 1889 to May 1890). It became more and more evident that a larger hall was a necessity. At this juncture H. B. Andrews, a prominent business man of the city, purchased the building and site at 115 Mulberry street, near Railroad. He altered, enlarged and repaired the building and grounds and leased them to the Mission for a merely nominal rental, and on May 1, 1890, the Mission took possession of its new quarters. The present rooms are spacious and attractive, well lighted and adorned. They seat 500 people. The work of the Mission is not restricted to its evening meetings. Bible instruction is provided during the Winter and Spring on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Monthly gatherings have been instituted to bring the converts together in a social way. Then there are the song services conducted by the Mission- workers at the hospitals and like places. Missionary visits are made to sa- loons and from house to house, along the canal tow-path and on canal boats. Missionary work, including distribution of tracts and other gospel literature is done at fairs, circus shows, street processions, conventions, etc. An unique way of preaching the gospel to the masses, instituted by Mr. Gibbud, is the "Gospel Wagon " service. A carryall fitted with signboards, bearing gospel inscriptions, is employed by some twenty members of the Mission, on Sunday afternoons in summer, who take with them a small cab- inet organ. They drive about the streets, stopping at different points where people congregate. At every stopping place the music of the organ and the singing of the hymns soon attract an assemblage. Then Mr. Gibbud and liis assistant preach the gospel to the people thus gathered, and ex- hort them to accept it.
The government of the Mission is in the hands of a board of managers consisting of representatives from the various evangelical churches. The following named ladies and gentlemen constitute the board for 1891 : E. W. Parmelee, Edward S. Gaylord, Harlow B. Andrews, Henry Babcock, Ras- selas A. Bonta, Frank T. Kent, Charles A. Horton, David Milne, Prof. H. H. Sandford, James M. Rose, Prof. W. A. Brownell, Mrs. Justus Eddy, Mrs. H1. 11. Gurley, Mrs. F. T. Davis, Mrs. W. O. Hewitt, Miss Olive Wood. 67
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
President, Prof. W. A. Brownell ; Secretary, F. T. Kent ; Treasurer, Har- low B. Andrews; Executive Committee, R. A. Bonta, E. Burt Beckwith, F. T. Kent, Henry Babcock, Mrs. Justus Eddy.
In March, 1891, The Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse was duly in- corporated.
CHAPTER XXX.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
The early History of the Schools of Syracuse-The Foundation laid for the Present Superior System-Language, Art and Science Taught-Syracuse Academy Chartered-Public Schools Before the City Organization-Public Schools Under the City Government.
"THE early history of the schools of Syracuse is somewhat involved in T obscurity. Those engaged in educational pursuits in the earlier times, failed to preserve records that would now be intensely interesting.
The pioneers did not neglect education ; but the best work was done in the early days by private schools, and the lessons inculcated in them by faithful teachers had no doubt much to do with founding the splendid pub- lic school system of which the city of Syracuse is now so justly proud.
The first school within the present city limits was kept by Mr. Conner in a salt block at Salina. He divided his time between teaching and boiling salt. We have no means of knowing which occupation proved the most remunerative ; but it was probably the latter.
Welthia Ann Lathrop, widow of the late Edward Allen, Esq., of Auburn, taught a select school in a building furnished by Captain Joel Cody, in the rear of the present First Baptist Church for many years, beginning in 1826. In 1830 Miss Guthrie taught a private school in a building called "The Wheeler House," on the corner of Salina and Center streets, in what is now the First ward.
During six months of the year 1835, Hon. Geo. F. Comstock taught a select school in the upper story of a yellow building which stood on the present site of the Bastable block. He was elected Inspector of Schools for the town of Salina in 1837.
At different times D. C. Leroy and Dr. James Foran were connected as teachers with a school known as the "Salina Institute." The building occupied by this school stood on Turtle street between Park and Salina streets.
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531
SYRACUSE ACADEMY.
A select school for girls was organized by the Misses Chamberlain. Dr. Mather Williams erected a temporary frame building for this school on Water street near the corner of Clinton. It was neither ceiled nor plastered and on the approach of cold weather the school was removed to a room fitted up by Captain Putnam, over his wood house on Montgomery street. The school became known as " Montgomery Institute." The schools of those days seem to have made up in names what they lacked in other respects. Among the teachers in "Montgomery Institute" were Miss Richardson, Miss Alexander, the Misses Newton, from Massachusetts; Miss Fitch, from Trumansburg; Miss Collins, Miss Laurie, from Whitesboro, and Miss Gould, from South Carolina.
At this period the standard of education was well advanced, the higher mathematics, French, Latin, drawing, painting and music being taught in Miss Collins' school. The study of sciences to any extent was at a later day introduced by Miss Amelia Bradbury, who numbered among her pupils many heads of prominent families now living in the city, who cherish gratefully and affectionately the memory of her conscientious, tender coun- sels, and who owe to her advanced views of education the stimulus towards that higher culture which has fitted them to adorn responsible positions in life, and to become useful, reliable, and intelligent women. The school of Miss Bradbury was located on Montgomery street.
Miss Emily Chubbuck, afterwards Mrs. Adoniram Judson, wife of the famous missionary to Burmah, taught a select school at one time in a small building which stood where McCarthy, Sons & Co.'s wholesale store now stands, on the corner of Washington and Clinton streets.
From September, 1847, to June, 1861, the late Madame A. J. Raoul, one of the old inhabitants, taught a select school in this city. She was an ac- complished teacher of music and French, the last of which she continued to give to a few pupils till 1872 (she died in 1875), when growing infirmities brought to a close a longer term of years consecutively devoted to teaching than, probably, has been given by many teachers in Syracuse.
Syracuse Academy .- Through the exertions of Aaron Burt, Harvey Bald- win, and Oliver Teall, who owned a large tract of land in the locality, a charter was obtained for the Syracuse Academy in 1835. A lot was donated by Mr. Baldwin and, under many discouragements, a building was erected and completed for the Academy, situated on "Lodi Hill," East Fayette street, which was supplied with competent teachers and supported by the benefactions of its founders. The first Principal was a Mr. Kellogg, of New York, who was succeeded by Orrin Root, for many years later a pro- fessor in Hamilton College. At one period the late A. G. Salisbury, who became the first Clerk of the Board of Education of the city of Syracuse, was its Principal. At a later day in the existence of the Academy it was
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
conducted by Joseph A. Allen and Oliver T. Burt, part of which period was after its removal to a more central location.
But the Academy did not prosper. After it went into operation, jeal- ousies in reference to it were awakened, interest in regard to public schools was aroused and district school houses sprang up and soon attracted the sympathy and patronage of the public. The cause of education profited by the efforts of the founders of the Academy, but they were, and continued to be, the losers, so that the Academy was finally abandoned and the house designed by its originators to subserve the cause of education, providentially became the home of the helpless orphan and the abode of charity-the Onondaga County Orphan Asylum.
Mention cannot be made of all the numerous select or private schools which have done efficient work in the educational cause. They wonld con- stitute a chapter.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEFORE THE CITY ORGANIZATION.
The public schools existing prior to the city organization were all formed and maintained as district schools of the town of Salina under the general school law. Neither the charter of the village of Salina, adopted in 1824, nor that of the village of Syracuse, in 1825, made any change in the status of the schools within their limits ; they were from the first and continued to be until 1848, common schoois of the town of Salina.
The first public school within the present limits of Syracuse was District No. 1, Salina, situated in the First ward, near the present site of Jefferson school. The school house was built in 1805 and was commonly known as the " Old Red School House." It stood on what was afterward the south- east corner of Washington Park. It was at this school house that elections, many times very spirited, were held for many years. Isaac Van Tassel was among the first teachers ; he was at the time fitting himself for the Presby- terian ministry. He afterwards became a successful missionary, and died among the Maumee Indians about the year 1847.
As the town became more widely and thickly settled, other districts were formed in numerical order. At the time of the city organization the schools existing within its limits were as follows : In the First ward, Nos. 1, 8, 15 and 16. In what is now the Second ward there was none. In the Third ward was No. 4, occupying the building now used by Mr. Young as a stable, on Church street. There was one in the Fourth ward, the old Prescott School on Lock street, near St. John's church. The Fifth ward contained one, which occupied a little, old wooden building, since removed. No. 6 was in the Sixth ward, on the north side of Fayette street near Franklin street. In the Seventh ward was the old Putnam school, on the corner of
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533
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Montgomery and Jefferson streets, now used as a temporary city hall. No. Io was in the Eighth ward on East Fayette street. *
On the 10th of February, 1848, a public meeting was held in Market Hall, presided over by Alex. Mckinstry, to devise a system of common schools for the city of Syracuse. A series of resolutions prepared by the Rev. Samuel J. May, referring to the formation of the city and the great need of taking early and efficient steps to provide for educating the young of the place was passed. The fourth resolution read as follows :
4. That it is fitting and proper that a complete system of schools, free to all the children of the city, should be amply sustained at the public expense, as that our city government, or fire depart- nient, or highways should be so supported.
Resolved, That the noble example set by many cities in our State and country in respect to com- mon schools, should be generously emulated by the city of Syracuse.
Resolved, That a committee of five from eachi ward be appointed to consider the plan of public instruction originally proposed by those who drafted the Charter of our city and compare it with the plan in operation in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, l'rovidence, Rochester and Buffalo, and report to an adjourned meeting, in detail, such a plan of public schools as they shall deem best adapted to the circumstances and wants of Syracuse.
Mr. Salisbury then read the following statistics :
" The following number of pupils can be accommodated in each of the four central schools in the city: No. 4, with its three rooms, seats 170; No. 5, with its four rooms, seats 275 ; No. 6, with its two rooms, seats 100 ; No. 7, with its five rooms, seats 340; making an aggregate of 885.
"In the last annual report of the Trustees of District No. 7, 947 children were reported as between the ages of 5 and 16-making an excess in that single district alone of 62 over and above the entire accommodations of these four public school buildings.
"The whole number reported from the fourth district (and between the ages above named) is 2, 124, or nearly three times the number provided for, showing that of the whole number of children in the central portion of the city, and of a suitable age to be placed in school, less than one-third are in attendance upon the public schools, and by a somewhat careful investiga- tion it has been ascertained that less than one-half of the remainder are in attendance upon the private schools of this same portion of the city. So that if the above statements may be relied upon, more than one-third of the whole number are in no school.
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