USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Memorial history of Utica, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 58
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The Skenandoa Cotton Company, Broad street, foot of Milgate .- This enterprise was started in 1882, with a capital stock of $200,000, which has since been increased to $300,000, and with J. B. Wells as president. The manufacturing plant comprises a brick mill at the above location, two floors in height, 537 x 100 feet in size. It is equipped with 22,000 spindles and other necessary machinery, and run by two engines, one condensing and one compound, of 600 horse-power. There are 480 male and female operatives employed. The products of the company are fine hosiery yarns, furnished on cops, skeins, and cones ready for use by manufacturers ; also yarns of common American cot- ton, Egyptian and Peeler cotton. The present directors are : President, George H. Wiley; J. K. Chamberlayne, M.D., J. H. Williams, P. V. Rogers, N. E. Kernan, D. N. Crouse, John B. Wild. The products from this mill are sold direct to manufacturers of underware and hosiery.
The Eureka Mower Company had been located in Towanda, Pa. The company, after determining to change its location, was per- suaded to come to Utica by the offer of eight acres of land from the Hamilton farm, and the consent of several Utica capitalists to take a portion of stock. The land was bought with money raised for that purpose by subscription of the citizens of Utica. The secretary of the company, S. Rendell, being unable to leave other interests at Towanda, was succeeded by Edward Norris, of Utica. The property is bounded by Hickory, Schuyler, Linden and Hicks streets, upon which are erec- ted several buildings, at a cost of $40,000. There are thirteen directors; James H. Williams is president. Their machines meet with a ready sale.
A flouring mill was established in 1887, by Messrs. Graff, Young & McElroy, at the corner of Main and Second streets. The plant con- sists of a brick mill, equipped upon what is known as the full roller and
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centrifugal system, by which system all the nutritious gluten and albu- men contained in the wheat is saved. January 13, 1891, the firm be- came Young, McElroy & White.
As yet no mention has been made of the brewing of malt, which was one of the earliest industries established in Utica. Not to speak of the place where Matthew Codd " brewed his peck of maut " for the use of Utica's early villagers, the breweries known as the Gulf and the Oneida were put in operation as early as 1830-32. For ten years at least they sufficed to satisfy the needs of the community. About 1840 one was started for the making of lager beer, the delight of the German population. Breweries have since become numerous, so that eight of them have now a place in the city. To recount the history of each with an enumeration of their various proprietors, to describe the build- ings in use or relate the amount of their products, would far transcend the limits at our command. Those latest established were begun in 1888 and 1890.
The Utica Burial Case Company was incorporated in April, 1890, with a capital stock of $90,000, and with the following trustees: Nich- olas E. Kernan, president; Henry Martin, vice-president; Joseph B. Nelbach, secretary and treasurer ; Joseph Faass, Matthew Turnock, Peter J. Nelbach, Patrick F. Bulger, George Windheim, and Jacob Agne, jr. A building was completed and occupied in June, 1890, front- ing on Hickory street, corner of Wheeler avenue, the property extend- ing to Chenango and Sunset avenues. The company employs sixty men in the manufacture of all kinds of burial cases. The trade extends throughout the Eastern and Middle States.
The foundation of the city gas making was laid in 1848 by the Utica Gas Light Company. As manufacturers of gas they lighted the city for forty years. The present company succeeded to the ownership of the plant in 1888, organizing under the name of the Equitable Gas and Electric Company, with the following officers: R. M. C. Graham, pres- ident ; H. Keene, vice- president and treasurer; Harold Graham. secre- tary and manager. The capital stock with bonds outstanding is $600,- 000. An electric light plant, added to the works just previous to its transfer to the present company, operates six dynamos which are sup- plied with power from three engines of 225 horse-power. The plant of
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EQUITABLE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY.
the company is located on Water street, at the foot of Seneca, and cov- ers about two acres of land, upon which are erected various brick build- ings and two holders. The company also owns a block bounded by Noyes, Francis, Mulberry streets and Sunset avenue, upon which an- other large holder has been erected for regulating gas pressure in that section. The company makes gas by three processes, coal gas, water gas by the Granger process, and water gas by the celebrated Jerzman . owski process, the latter yielding light of high candle power. The com- pany furnishes 75,000,000 cubic feet of gas yearly, and 100 electric lights of sixty-five candle power, besides electricity and gas for power. The present officers are: Casimir Tag, president; H. Keene, vice-president; and E. A. Pinkney, superintendent. The construction of the plant shows on the part of its builders expectation of a large city, either one of the three processes being equipped and of sufficient capacity to fur- nish all the gas consumed at the present time. The capacity of the plant is 800,000 cubic feet per day.
As new fields have been disclosed for the employment of capital, and our people have seen the good which its earnings have brought to the city, a home feeling has arisen in lieu of the languid interest in the place of their residence so many had heretofore shown. This home feeling, this pride in the ventures which have proved a success, and the desire to do more to enlarge and build up the city, has had no small share in the creation of some of the establishments recently started. Especially have its effects been manifest in the formation of a society purposely designed to promote such advancement. It is known as the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Association. By its aid parties proposing to found some branch of industry that requires peculiar facilities, or ready for the sake of a better location to relinquish the one where they were pre- viously settled, have been sought out and their aims and resources made the subject of careful inquiry ; if approved, such projectors have been encouraged to locate in Utica and have been aided by the proffer of money or of land. The fostering care of this association has already accomplished much, and it is hoped will accomplish yet more in the future.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHARITIES.
S O abounding are the charities of Utica as to have given it an hon- ored reputation in other parts of the country. To fail of describ- ing the most conspicuous of these institutions would be to omit one of the chief characteristics of the place. Leaving out of notice such as pertain to the county at large, and in which the people of Utica have borne only a share, as likewise those within its limits which enlist the sympa- thies and form a part of the work of each religious society or benevolent order, I propose to describe such as are sustained by the efforts of our people in common. Of the benevolent operations of wider embrace that have existed in the past, bare mention must suffice. Such was the Female Charitable Society of Whitestown created in 1806, and known after 1814 as the Female Missionary Society of Oneida. Such too was the Bible Society of Oneida which has received support from all over its bounds; founded six years before the American Bible So- ciety it has now observed its eightieth anniversary; it has many times canvassed the county and furnished with Bibles every person in want of them. Such were the similar society for supplying Welsh-speaking readers, and the Bible and Prayer-Book Society cared for by a special denomination. Originating in Utica these latter have had their head- quarters and most of their officers here.
Let us turn to review the history and work of the institutions wholly local, the asylums, the homes, the hospitals that are maintained by the city's united benevolence.
The history of the Utica Orphan Asylum begins properly with the establishment of the Female Society of Industry in October, 1826. This society was composed of seventy members who paid in $6 each annu- ally, either in cash or needle- work, and in January, 1828, began to raise a fund for the founding of an orphan asylum. The officers were Mrs. Sophia Bagg, president and treasurer, and Mrs. Ann Breese, secretary. By the end of the following year the investments of the society reached
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UTICA ORPHAN ASYLUM.
$600, and by the fall of 1833 had increased to $3,000. The circum - stance which gave direction to the purposes of the society, and opened a channel for the flow of its charity, was briefly this: Three children of Thomas Arthur and wife were suddenly left by the death of their par- ents, without means of support. One of the managers of the affairs of the society was well acquainted with the parents of these children and knew of their bereavement. After making the matter known to her associates it was determined at her suggestion, that their first object should be the maintenance of these destitute orphans, and not only so, but that an asylum should be founded which, in the words of the sub- sequent act of incorporation, "Shall be for the support and education of orphans." A charter was drawn and a public meeting held in Wash- ington Hall, January 7, 1830. A constitution was adopted and officers were chosen, all of them being ladies, with the exception of three gen- tlemen who were to act as an advisory committee. A meeting of sub- scribers was held in September, when a few changes were made in the Board of Managers, and from this time forward the meetings were fre- quent. Committees were appointed to obtain subscriptions, and others to ascertain what orphans there were in the village who were proper subjects for charity. At first such were boarded in the houses of others, and Mrs. Philomela A. Brown, of Litchfield, Oneida County, was en- gaged to care for them and direct their education. Housekeeping was begun in November of this year, in a building that stood on the north- east corner of John and Catharine streets. In May, 1833, the family was removed to a house near the southeast corner of Chancellor Square.
The financial panic of 1837, and the stringency of the few succeeding years, had a marked effect on the asylum and came very near to closing its doors. During the year 1840 there is no record of any meeting, but the annual meeting and election of officers occurred in September. In December, 1842, another general assemblage occurred of the members and of those who were interested in the asylum, to take measures to re- commence the institution. The old constitution was approved, and it was determined to apply for an extension of the charter and for such an alteration of it as would admit, without charge, half orphans, as well as those deprived of both parents; also conferring the privilege of hold- ing a larger amount of property than $10,000. Six additional mana-
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
gers were created. Deferring the question of a building which had been discussed, the asylum was reopened on Broadway, east side, a few doors above the canal, in May, 1845, with Mrs. Cooley as matron. In 1846 lot No. 312 Genesee street, was purchased with the proceeds of two fairs, and in June, 1847, ground was broken for a new building which was finished in May, 1848. Its cost was $5,550, the society having at interest $7,611.31 when it was begun. In this commodious structure, and with increasing revenue, the means of good were greatly enhanced. Among the important accessions to the funds were the re- ceipt from the Comptroller of the State, of the apportioned share of the appropriation of $5,000 made by the legislature to the orphan asylums of the State ; another gift of $800 from the State, being a part of an estate that had come into the treasury ; the donation by T. S. Faxton, of 100 shares of water stock of Utica ($2,500); the legacy of a like amount from Dr. Healey, of Syracuse ; $485 from the Fulton Fire En- gine Company, the avails of an engine sold by them; besides various smaller donations. But the most munificent gift of that epoch, and the one which prepared the way for the erection of the present commodious home, was the legacy of $34,000 left them by the will of Alfred Mun- son. To this gift were attached certain conditions; the citizens must raise, within five years after his decease, $10,000 for the purchase of suitable grounds not less than three acres in extent, and any balance re- maining after the purchase of the grounds must be applied toward the erection of a building. This provision was accomplished in the year 1855. While these matters were in progress, Benjamin F. Jewett tendered the society a gift of three acres of land on the corner of Gene- see and Pleasant streets, a beautiful and convenient site. The offer was accepted and an additional acre was purchased of him.
It was not until 1860 that the details of payment of the legacy of Mr. Munson were arranged so that the erection of the building could pro- gress ; but they were finally adjusted, a subscription of $5,000 additional to the $10,000 already pledged was raised, and on the 30th of May the corner-stone of the new building was laid. An able address was de- livered by Prof. Anson J. Upson, and on the evening of the same day Mrs. Macready gave a dramatic reading in the city and donated the proceeds ($175) to the asylum. By the middle of the summer of 1861
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UTICA ORPHAN ASYLUM.
the structure was completed and furnished, $25,628 having then been ex- pended upon it. There was considerable indebtedness left, but a legacy of $9,000 left by Augustus White, and the funds received from the sale of the abandoned house, materially reduced the obligation, and by the fall of 1863 the cost of the building was paid and the receipts made ade- quate for the current expenses. Since that time the career of the soci- ety has been one of continuous prosperity and increasing usefulness. Conspicuous among the endowments of subsequent years was the munifi- cent bequest of $25,000 from Silas D. Childs. This was followed a few years later by a similar gift from his widow, and which was increased by a residuary interest in her estate to the generous amount of $51,000. Francis Ramsdell left the asylum $17,000 and B. F. Shaw, $4,850. Mrs. Alfred Churchill gave it $5,000 for the construction of a laundry, and Jonathan R. Warner $10,000, the income of which must be used for the payment of insurance and repairs and improvements on the premises. Nicholas F. Vedder gave $5,000, and smaller sums were given by others.
The successive matrons of the asylum since the departure of Mrs. Brown, have been Miss Thomas, Mrs. Cooley, Mrs. Sarah Beard, Mrs. Harriet W. Jones, Miss M. J. Foster, Mrs. Catharine Pease, Mrs. Tuffts, Miss Hinsdale, Mrs. Jane M. Talcott, and Mrs. Julia E. Stevens.
Some idea of the great usefulness of this institution may be gained from a few figures. The number of children housed and cared for pre- vious to 1880, was 1,578 ; and since that date, 880, making a total of 2,458. None but orphans are taken absolutely free of charge ; half- orphans being charged for at a low rate, according to the circumstances of the parent. Children are admitted from the age of two years, are enabled to acquire a good English education, and are kept, boys until twelve, girls until they are fourteen, when they are put out at service, the person taking them giving bonds for their care and maintenance. The system of internal management has not been changed from the be- ginning, the constitution being the guide which is strictly followed. It is Protestant, Evangelical and Catholic. It is governed by women elected from all the churches of faith thus described, and governed in a spirit of harmony that has never been broken. They visit the asylum frequently and in turn, and through their committees perform all the . service that is required.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
In 1834 the late John C. and Nicholas Devereux made application to the Sisters of Charity to conduct a Catholic asylum and day school in Utica. Accordingly, three Sisters were sent from the Mother House at Emmettsburg, Md. The asylum was opened in December, with three children, in a small frame dwelling-house a story and a half in height, in the center of the lot now occupied. A day school was opened after a time in an adjoining building on Burnet street. The institution, St. John's Female Orphan Asylum, was incorporated March 18, 1848. The grounds and early buildings were the gift of the Messrs. Devereux, who were the chief support of the institution until its incorporation. The number of children increased rapidly, and the building used for the asy- lum became crowded. The work of the Sisters, aided by their friends, has made the building what it now is. The area of land now occupied is 29,000 square feet, the asylum fronting 140 feet on John street and 200 feet deep, and the entire building is four stories high. The origi- nal building was the central part of the present building, which was two stories high It was increased to three when the addition was put on the north side, and afterward to four when the south addition was put on. These enlargements were made as money was obtained by the Sisters to do the work. There are at present 140 children in the asy- lum, and they are cared for by seven Sisters. The support comes mainly from the county, which pays $200 a week for those it sends there. Half orphans are partially supported by the remaining parent, and all attend the day school, but in a separate room from the day scholars. The asylum has room for about 200 children. The day school is open forty weeks each year, has 250 scholars in attendance, and five Sisters are occupied as teachers. This building is in the rear of the asylum building and fronts on Burnet street. It was re modeled in 1886, and made one-third larger to provide for the in- creased number of pupils. It has five grades of study, extending through the academic course. It is supported by St. John's parish and is free to all children from this church. Sister Stanislaus is Superioress of the combined institutions.
A Catholic Asylum for boys was founded March 25, 1862, by Rev. Thomas Daley, of St. John's Church, and was called St. Vincent Male Orphan Asylum. It was incorporated April 21 of the same year. It
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ST. VINCENT INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
had its beginning in the rooms of the Assumption Academy, but soon enough children were gathered to warrant the erection of a building for its purpose. During this period the institution was mainly supported by St. Vincent De Paul Society and the congregation of St. John's Church. Its affairs were directed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and its finances were controlled by a board of managers. The Brothers resigned April 12, 1876, and the board then assumed entire charge of the school. It was at this period that the institution was in- corporated under the title of "St. Vincent Protectorate and Reforma tory for destitute children in Oneida and adjacent counties." At the end of the year the property was sold at public auction. Rt. Rev. Bishop McNierny purchased it and recalled the Christian Brothers Jan- uary 19, 1877. In this way the school was continued until August, 1885, when the Christian Brothers purchased the property of Bishop McNierny, and re incorporated it under the name of "St. Vincent In- dustrial School." Improvements to the amount of $8,000 were now made upon the building which is built of brick, three stories and base- ment, and 140 x 70 feet in size, located in the center of seven acres of land, on Rutger street between Taylor avenue and Third street. Ma- chinery consisting of thirty-six small knitting machines, four ripping machines, a steam press, a tailor shop (where the children make and re- pair their own clothing), and a wood carving shop had been put in at a cost of $6,000. There are at present 160 boys in the institution, which is conducted by nine Brothers under the management of Brother Adel- berian. Not all of these come from Central New York; some are from the metropolis, by whose funds they are supported. Boys are taken ordinarily between the ages of six and fourteen, and instructed in the ordinary branches of study and in religion, and spend three hours each day in some one of the workshops.
The first steps towards the founding of an institution for infirm and destitute children under the direction of the Episcopal denomination were taken in the winter of 1872-73. A meeting was called at Trinity Rectory, at which Bishop F. D. Huntington presided, where ways and means were fully discussed and decided upon. Soon after, in May, 1873, a small tenement on Blandina street was rented, through the gen- erosity of the late Mrs. Charlotte B. Crouse, and the House of the Good
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
Shepherd went into practical operation. It opened with two children as inmates, but before the week closed this number was increased to twelve, filling the little house to its utmost capacity and proving imme- diately the great need of the charity. Eleven trustees and six mana- gers were given the control of it.
Soon after the opening of the small house subscription papers were put in active circulation, and as a gratifying result there occurred on the 8th of June, 1875, the formal opening of the present commodious house on the corner of Bleecker and East streets. Interesting addresses were made on this occasion by Bishop Huntington, the city clergy, and by several distinguished laymen. The house was thus fully launched on its career of usefulness. Its articles of associations set forth that "the par- ticular business and objects of this society shall be the care, mainte- nance, and instruction of friendless, neglected, or destitute children of the Diocese of Central New York, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and shall be carried on in Utica, Oneida County." The constitution says with equal brevity, but with great comprehensiveness, that "the business of the society shall be the permanent care of infirm children, and the temporary care of friendless, neglected, and destitute children, without requiring their surrender." The children in charge are not or- phans (except in exceptional cases). Very few of the parents, however, owing to illness or other disabilities, are able to pay anything toward the support of their children, who would be homeless and destitute but for this kindly home. There are always many more applications for admission than can be granted, and many and heart-rending are the tales of sorrow and destitution which reach the ears of the managers.
This is the only institution in the city where children under two years of age are admitted, but here the nursery has always fourteen or fifteen inmates, requiring great care and entailing much expense for nurses and attendants. But two deaths (both infants) have occurred in more than three years.
The house, as has been seen from its articles of association, is under the care of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the religious instruc- tion of the children is guided by that church ; but in this connection it should be stated that the question of the special creed, or absence of creed, of any child asking for admission is never taken into account, and
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HOME FOR THE HOMELESS.
children of every Protestant denomination, and many Roman Catholics, have from time to time found shelter in the house. Prayers are read once every day in the chapel, and on Sundays the children attend morn- ing service and Sunday-school at the church of the Holy Cross, on Bleecker street; but Roman Catholic children are allowed to attend their own church.
Since the present house was built it has been enlarged and improved by the building of an infirmary, school-room and chapel, and several lots have been added to the grounds, three by gift, the rest by purchase. It is hoped that in the future a house for boys can be built on a part of this land. The present capacity of the house is about forty-five, and it is always filled to overflowing. The names of nearly 600 children are to be found upon its books since they were opened. The house main- tains a regular day school for the older inmates and they are well and carefully taught. The girls are also thoroughly instructed in sewing. Great care is taken of their religious training, manners and general be- havior, and in these respects they compare most favorably with children blessed by a home atmosphere.
The total value of the present house and grounds is about $17,000. The institution is supported mainly by the charity of its many kind friends, though it has received since its incorporation several legacies which have been invested and yield a moderate income. To this is added annually a considerable sum received from the supervisors of sev- eral counties who have committed children to the house. Over and above these sources of revenue it is dependent upon the gifts of its friends, and as its annual expenses amount to nearly $5,000, it is appa- rent that these are constant and generous. Following are the officers of the institution as shown by the report of 1890: President ex officio, Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, S. T. D .; Chaplain, Rev. J. J Burd ; house- mother, Mrs. Mary F. J. Frisbie. Of the board of managers, Miss L. C. Watson, is president. Of the board of trustees Thomas R. Proctor is president.
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