USA > New York > Orange County > Newburgh > Newburgh; her institutions, industries and leading citizens, historical, descriptive and biographical > Part 18
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SMITH ELY, M. D., is the son of Moses and Eliza (Coleman) Ely, and has been a resident of Newburgh since he was nine years old, at which time his parents moved from Washingtonville, Orange County, where he was born. After having graduated at the ordinary establishments of intermediate education, he entered the French institute of Prof. Alzamora, and afterwards studied medicine first in the office of Dr. Charles Drake, and subsequently at the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, and at the Ver- mont Medical College. After graduating he became one of the resi- dent physicians at the Emigrants' Hospital, Ward's Island, N. Y., and afterward made several voyages as surgeon on the steamer Franklin between New York and Havre. In further pursuance of his studies he passed two winters in the schools and hospitals of London and Paris. Thus equipped he finally settled in partnership with his former preceptor, Dr. Drake, of Newburgh, and ever since he has had a large and most successful practice. He is devoted to his pro- fession, and is recognized as skillful in the diagnosis and treatment
M-N-Co.
PHOTO. BY ATKINSON.
SMITH ELY, M. D.
of diseases and as a surgeon of high standing. Dr. Ely was a mem- ber of the Board of Education from 1876 to 1880. He is now a mem- ber of the New York State Medical Society and of the Orange County Medical Society. He married Gertrude, daughter of Charles W. . body in the capitol Hardy, of Portsmouth, N. H., in 1870.
JOHN JAMES MITCHELL, M. D., is the son of the Rev. John Sheffield Mitchell, D. D., of Block Island, R. I., and Alice Trask, of Exeter, N. Y. He was born at Cortlandville, N. Y., July 8, 1834. The family is of Puritan ancestry. His father was a direct descendant of Thomas Mitchell, who settled in Block Island, R. I., and bought one-fourth of one original share of the Island in 1677. This
Thomas Mitchell was the eldest son of Experience Mitchell, who came to America in 1623 in the ship Ann, which was the second boat to arrive at the Plymouth Colony after the Mayflower, which came in 1620. His grandmother, Ruth Sheffield, was di- rectly related to John Sheffield, Duke of Bucking- ham and Earl of Mulgrave, of Eng- land, whose tomb occupies a promi- nent position in Westminster Ab- bey. Dr. John J. Mitchell spent eight years of his early life in Baltimore, Md. Had his pre- liminary education there, and in New York and New Haven, Conn. Be- gan the study of medicine with Dr. C. C. Foote, of New Haven. En- tered the New York Medical Col- lege in 1854, and JAMES GORDON, M. D. PHOTO. BY MAPES was there under the instruction of Drs. Fordyce Barker, E. R. Peaslee, J. Murray Carnochan, Ogden Doremus and others, and graduated in 1857. Received the appointment of city physician for the Eastern District of Brooklyn after his graduation, which he re- tained until his removal to New York City in 1859. Settled in 50th Street near Beekman Hill. He married, in June, 1863, Philena B., daughter of Nor- man Rose, Esq., of Schuyler's Lake, six miles from Richfield Springs, N. Y. Dr. Mitchell occupied the chair of chemistry in the New York Hom- œopathic Medical College for several years, until his re- moval to New- burgh in 1869. In 1883 he was elect- ed President of the · Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York, and deliver- ed the annual ad- dress before that
at Albany, Febru- ary 13, 1883. He has two children, Edgar Ormsby, born in New York J. D. MALONE, M. D. PHOTO. BY MAPES. City, educated at Phillips (Exeter) Academy and Harvard University, and a graduate of Harvard Medical College in 1891; and Marion Mitchell, who was born in Newburgh.
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NEWBURGH.
DR. JAMES GORDON, who has faithfully served our city in the capacity of Health Officer for about fifteen years, was born in the North of Ireland, in the Town of Hillsborough, within ten miles of Belfast. He came to this city in 1857, before he had reached his ma- jority, for the purpose of visiting friends; but he afterwards con- cluded to remain here. For a time he attended the Newburgh Academy, and subsequently pursued a course of study at Fort Ed- ward Institute, in this State. After completing this course he taught in public schools in New Jersey for two years. During the second year he took up the study of medicine, under Dr. Chattles, at Long Branch, New Jersey. He attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, and graduated from that institution in 1866. After graduation he located in Newburgh in 1867, and has been en- gaged in the practice of his profession in this city ever since, except for a period of about six months during the Winter of 1867 and Spring of 1868, while on a tour in the Old World spent mostly in visiting celebrated hospitals.
Dr. Gordon was brought up in the established or English Church, and from childhood was associated with the Sunday schools and church work in his native land. When he came to Newburgh he was received into membership in St. George's Church by letter. His mem- bership with St. George's continued until St. Paul's Parish was found- ed, when he transferred his membership to that church, where he still belongs. He has been a member of the Vestry of this church, serving continuously since 1873.
Dr. Gordon was one of the organizers of the Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias in this city, and has also been a member of the Masonic fraternity for about twenty years. He has been an ex- amining surgeon for pensions for the United States Government since
1868, and still holds that position. In 1872 he was appointed Health Officer for this city, and served till 1877. He was appointed again in 1882, and has served until the present time. As Health Officer he has always heen deeply interested in every measure that would result in the sanitary well-being of the city and in the suppression of nuisances of every kind. Particularly has he taken an active interest in the building of sewers, and the abolishing of vaults and introducing of sanitary closets in the houses.
He married Nettie W. Johnston, of Washington, New Jersey, in 1872, and has one son and three daughters.
JOHN DUHIG MALONE, M. D., was born at Limerick, Ireland, November 8, 1841. At the age of ten he entered St. Munchin's College, Limerick, where he received his literary and classical edu- cation, and was graduated at the age of seventeen. His medical education was received at the Queen's University, Ireland, and at the hospitals in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. In the early part of 1863 he came to the United States, and shortly after was appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon in the United States Navy. He served in the At- lantic and Gulf fleets, and was in special service on the Canadian coast. In 1867, while on a leave of absence, he received the diploma of M. D. from Dartmouth College. In 1868 he was honorably dis- charged from the navy, and commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in Newburgh. In 1872 he married the daughter of the late Thomas Ryan. She died the following year, leaving a daughter. The doctor continues faithfully and skillfully to discharge the duties of a large practice, but occasionally, in the Summer months, finds rest and recreation in a trip to Europe.
CT
RESIDENCE OF R. J KINGSTON, M. D .- 185 Grand Street.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HE citizens of Newburgh are an exceedingly orderly and law-abiding people. The Palatines and their suc- cessors left us a heritage of morality and decorum that have been characteristic of the city till this day. The sentiment of the community frowns upon all un- seemly conduct - drunkenness, disorder, blasphemy and lawlessness; we respect life and property and re- member the Sabbath day. The normal tone of the municipality is on a high moral standard. Crime is not unknown here, but it is ex- ceptional; usually peace and decency reign.
Order is preserved by a model police force. The same prudence, prescience and liberality manifested in other departments of municipal government are exemplified here. The force consists of twenty-two ath- letic men-a marshal, two sergeants, two roundsmen, sixteen patrolmen and a janitor. The headquarters are in First Street, in a three-story building apportioned into a court room, sitting room, office, sleeping rooms and cells. The force is divided into two reliefs, which are alternately six hours off and six hours on duty during the twenty-four. In reality a policeman is al- ways on duty, for when not patrolling his beat he is at Headquarters, ready to re- spond to any call. They are liberally paid, neatly uniformed, and strict discipline is enforced. The company is thoroughly drill- ed, and when at the head of a procession no line of military can march better than our policemen. They are brave, courteous and faithful, the terrors of evil-doers and ad- miration of peaceable citizens. Besides guarding our homes and persons, by day and by night, they perform many other public services. A considerable number of night watchmen, regularly commissioned, and, though not all uniformed, possessing the powers of regular po- licemen, are also a great protection to property and help to the de- partment.
The department is now constituted as follows:
MARSHAL. JAMES H. SARVIS.
SERGEANTS.
James Maher,
ROUNDSMEN.
William F. Hannan.
Sergeant Maher's Relief.
Sergeant Moore's Relief. John Koch,
John Powers,
Thomas R. Depuy,
John McCracken, Rensselaer Ward,
Thomas W. McEntyre,
Charles Barton,
William J. Henderson, John Conyngham,
Patrick J. Glynn,
Michael J. Oulton,
William Rhynders.
Alanson O. Topping,
Watson Jerome, John J. Darragh.
Clark B. Galatian, Special Police, Washington's Headquarters.
Janitor-George Robinson.
MARSHALS.
Morgan, Alexander .1866-69 Forsyth, John W. . . . 1874
Goodrich, Alfred .. .1870-71 Bancroft, Robert C. . 1875-86
Chase, James T. .1872-73 Sarvis, James H. .1887-91
JAMES H. SARVIS, Chief of Police, came of a family long settled in the Town of Newburgh. His grandfather, John Sarvis, came from New Jersey before the present century and cleared up a farm at Fostertown; he lived 94 years. William Sarvis, the father of the Chief, was born and reared on the farm, and there also James H. was born May 4, 1840. His parents moved to New- burgh when he was about three years old. When he came of proper age he was sent to the Clinton Street school and afterwards to the High School. In 1855 he shipped on a sailing vessel that plied between Newburgh and Albany, and afterwards was on various sea-going vessels in the coasting trade. He became an expert seaman and navigator and was promoted to first mate and captain. In 1862 he was captain of the John R. Brick, a Hudson River sailing vessel, which position he relinquished in July of that year, and volunteered to go to the war with the Nineteenth Regiment. He served with it during its three months' ser- vice. He went out as a private but af- terward was elected corporal. In 1863 he engaged with Benjamin B. Odell in the ice business, and continued with him as Superintendent till the Spring of 1887, when he was appointed by PHOTO. BY MAPES. Mayor Odell to the command of the department of police. When the Seven- teenth Battalion of the National Guard was organized he became a member of Company E, and was elected corporal. He won the prize for the best marksman in the battalion, and was a mem- ber of the battalion team of marksmen which won the cham- pionship of the brigade. An ardent Republican, he was for many years an efficient worker in behalf of the local party, and for about twenty years a member of ward committees. He was com- plimented with the nomination for Supervisor of the First Ward, and in 1885 elected to the Board of Alms House Commissioners. On taking command of the police force he at once took measures to increase its efficiency; and during his administration it has been strengthened in numbers, and its discipline and system greatly improved. In 1889, by act of the Legislature, the salaries were increased. Marshal Sarvis is a good officer, prompt in de- tecting criminals, and rigid in enforcing law and order. He has been married twice; his first wife was Susan, daughter of Levi Vredenburgh, of Newburgh, who died in 1864, leaving four children; his present wife is Flora M., daughter of Samuel Bennett, of West Virginia, who has had three children.
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Christopher Miles,
Eugene Moore.
Samuel Lozier,
PATROLMEN.
JAMES H. SARVIS-Chief of Police.
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BREWSTER HOOK AND LADDER CO., NO. 1 .- Broadway near Grand St.
RINGGOLD HOSE COMPANY, NO. 1,-63 Colden Street.
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CHAPMAN HOSE COMPANY, NO. 4 .- 138 South Street.
COLUMBIAN HOSE CO., NO. 2, and LAWSON HOSE CO., NO. 5. Montgomery Street, corner of Second Street.
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THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
HE Newburgh volunteer fire department is one of the oldest in the State of New York. It has ever been conspicuous because of its efficiency. Its unrewarded service has been performed with skill and heroism, that have been of inestimable benefit to the city, as well as having brought honor to the members. From its earliest days, nearly one hundred years ago, and all through the years until now, the registry of the department has had enrolled on its pages men who have obtained honored places in busi- ness, the professions and in official service. Being composed of men of good character, in love with the service, prompt in answering duty's call, and careful in their government, the department has right- ly won the admiration of the community.
The record of the department speaks for itself. It is not only one of the oldest, but it has not its superior among the volunteer depart- ments of the State. The confidence born of this efficient service is manifested in the attitude of the insurance companies, and the low rates on which risks are taken on property within the limits of the city.
The present department consists of three steam fire engine com- panies, five hose companies and one hook and ladder company, namely: Brewster Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, C. M. Leonard Steamer Company No. 2, Highland Steamer Company No. 3, Wash- ington Steamer Company No. 4, Ringgold Hose Company No. I, Columbian Hose Company No. 2, Washington Heights Hose Com- pany No. 3, Chapman Hose Company No. 4, Lawson Hose Company No. 5.
STARTING FOR A FIRE.
The membership of the department consists of one chief engineer, three assistant chief engineers; seventy-five members of each engine company, seventy-five members of the hook and ladder company,
and fifty of each hose company, making a total force of five hundred and fifty.
The engines are drawn by horses and have hose carts attached. The alarms are sounded by means of the Gamewell electric system, and are struck on the Union Church bell, the First Presbyterian
RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD TIMES .- Holding a Hydrant until the Boys Arrive.
Church bell, in the houses of the companies, at police headquarters and at the residence of the chief engineer. The boxes are located in all sections of the city. The system was adopted in 1889. The tele- phone has also been of service to the department. There are 276 fire plugs. The force of water, as has been stated, is sufficient for fire protection in most parts of the city without the intervention of the engines. The engine houses are all fine structures, and complete in their appointments. Each company has its parlors handsomely fur- nished. They are scenes of many social gatherings.
The Fire Department Fund is managed by representatives from the fire companies. The fund is derived from the receipts of foreign insurance companies for the benefit of local fire departments, and from the interest of such portion of the fund as may be invested. It is appropriated for the relief of disabled firemen and their families. It amounts to about $20,000.
The Legislative act providing for the organization of a fire depart- ment in the Village of Newburgh was passed March 24, 1797, three years before the village was incorporated. The Newburgh Packet -the first newspaper printed in the village-in its issue of February 20, 1795, gives an account of a fire in the store of John McAuley and urges the necessity of having an " engine in town." This suggestion was probably soon after followed, for before the passage of the act, the citizens had already purchased an engine. The act specified two classes of firemen, " one to have the care, management, working and
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NEWBURGH.
using of the engine now provided;" the other class the bucket bri- gade, of which every house-holder was a member. The engine was probably purchased in 1796. The act defined the fire limits and directed the election of five trustees, " to be called the Trustees of the Fire Company in the Village of Newburgh," the freeholders in which
A FIRE DEPARTMENT OF YE OLDEN TIME.
were empowered to elect annually not more than five trustees, who should have the appointment of firemen and the control and manage- ment of the fire department. The Board of Trustees of the Fire De- partment was therefore the first form of government in the village.
The first engine was not a suction machine, and it was the duty of the bucket brigade to keep its tank full of water. All house-owners were required by law to keep on hand for use at a fire a certain number of fire buckets, with their names, or initials, painted thereon. When the fire alarm was sounded, the men hurried with the buckets to the fire; if the men were not at home, the women set the buckets out on the sidewalks, and firemen'ran through the streets, gathered them up and carried them to the fire. Engine Company No. I was limited to twenty members, but the trustees had power to command the assist- ance of all able-bodied inhabitants; there was seldom a lack of helpers. Arrived at the fire, the men formed in bucket lines often extending to the river, and passed water to the engine. It was not uncommon to see women working in the lines.
The act of 1797 was superseded by the act incorporating the village, and the powers which it conferred were thereafter vested in the Village Trustees. Another engine was purchased (pre- vious to 1802) and designated No. 2. In 1805 an organization designated " Bagmen " was formed, the members of which were required to attend all fires for the purpose of taking charge of goods. Each member furnished himself with a bag, and wore a hat with a crown painted white and the rim black, and having the letter B paint- ed in black on the front of the crown. John McAuley was the foreman of the company, which consisted of eight members.
The first engine house was probably erected about the time of the purchase of the first engine, and was " near the house of Robt. W. Jones, on Eight-Rod Street," now called Broadway. Subsequent- ly a house was built for Company No. 2 on the " northeast corner of the Presbyterian Church lot," where Union Church now is. The buildings were of wood and very rude structures. In 1806 the com- panies were composed of the following members :
No. 1 .- William L. Smith, Enoch E. Tilton, Walter Burling, Henry Tudor, Ward M. Gazlay, Gilbert N. Clement, Minard Harris, John Carskaden, Caleb Sutton, George E. Hulse, John Coleman, John Hoagland, William Adee, Andrew Preston, Nicholas Wright, John Forsyth, Walter Case.
No. 2 .- John Harris, Jonathan Fisk, John Anderson, jr., Leonard Carpenter, Selah Reeve, James Hamilton, Samuel I. Gregory, William Gardiner, Nathaniel Burling, Solo- mon Sleight, Jonathan Carter, Hiram Weller, Samuel Wright, Hugh Spier, Thomas Powell, Cornelius De Witt, Joseph Hoffman, Cadwallader Roe, Daniel Niven, jr., Benoni H. Howell, Sylvanus Jessup, Joseph Reeve, John Richardson.
On March 3, 1810, the Trustees passed a resolution providing for an addition of eight men to the two fire companies, " which eight men shall be under a foreman, and vice fore- man, and it shall be their duty to take in charge the fire hooks and ladders and exer- cise with them each and every day that the fire company No. 2 exercises."
In January, 1824, the Trustees, in com- pliance with a petition passed at a mass meeting of citizens, contracted with E. Force, of New York, for a new engine, at a cost of $750. In the same month they purchased a lot on the northeast corner of Montgomery and Second Streets for $92, and laid a tax of $1,200 to pay for the engine and build an engine house. The insurance companies contributed a total of $250 in addition. The new engine arrived in March, and was assigned to Company No. 1, which immediately re-organized as Company No. 3, and a new com- pany was formed to man engine No. 1. All the companies took up their quarters in the new engine house.
On August 5, 1828, the hook and ladder company was made a dis- tinct and separate organization. The original engine house did not occupy the full lot, and a long, narrow shed was built in the rear for the implements of the hook and ladder company. The truck was a two-wheeled vehicle, and never was painted. The meetings of the
AN OLD-FASHIONED HAND ENGINE.
company were held on the sidewalk. On May 6, 1835, on the peti- tion of citizens, Washington Engine Company, No. 4 was or- ganized, and an engine ordered. A lot was purchased on Western Avenue (Broadway) for $300, and an engine house erect- ed thereon. On July 4, 1837, Niagara Engine Company, No. 5 was organized. A house was erected for the company on the north side of South Street, between Smith and Water, and it is still standing. This house and that of Washington Engine Company were alike in every respect. Niagara engine was also the duplicate
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NEWBURGH.
of Washington engine. A new engine was also purchased for No. I company, and No. 3 became known as Cataract Engine Company.
Some of our old citizens relate interesting reminiscences of the fire department about this period. In 1835 there were very few houses above Montgomery Street, except at Old Town. The river was the principal source of water supply, but wells and cisterns were often drawn upon. A village ordinance required that during the time the river was frozen over holes should be cut in the ice at the foot of every street extending to the river, and that the persons whose duty it was should cut away the ice that had formed the previous night, so that in case of fire, water could be drawn up through these holes without delay.
Engine No. I was a small machine, but an extraordinarily good one for its size, and peculiarly useful. The tank was less than five feet long, and the firemen were accustomed to lifting the machine bodily and carrying it where they wished. Ex-Chief Engineer Chap- man remembers seeing Mr. Spaulding, then the editor of the Journal, a tall and powerful man, aided by but one other fireman, pick up No. I and carry it into a yard back of Matthew Duke's row of houses (cor- ner of Smith and Third Streets) when they once were on fire. That was done for the purpose of reaching a cistern and many a cistern did the old machine pump dry. The engine was sold to a theatrical troupe in New York, and was exhibited on the stage in a play.
After the purchase of engines Nos. 4 and 5, No. 2 was not used as often as before, but was useful at fires at a distance from the river. Another engine would pump water from the river and force it into the tank of No. 2, which, being stationed near the burning building, could then throw a stream on the flames. Engine Company No. 2 was disbanded in 1849. William Hilton was the last foreman.
The suction engines overcame the necessity for the bucket lines, except at fires inconvenient to water supply. After a time reservoirs were built. There was one under each of the engine houses; one at the corner of Liberty and Third Streets; one at the corner of First and Grand Streets; another in Third Street at the crown of the hill between Montgomery and Grand Streets, one at the head of Fifth Street, one in North Water Street, and another in Old Town.
In 1844 a meeting of citizens authorized the purchase of a new engine for No. 3 company. It was the first "piano" machine. In 1849 a new one was purchased for No. 4, and the following year one for No. 5. These engines were the best that could be obtained in their time. Nos. 4 and 5 were very similar. No. 5 was slightly the better engine, but the members of No. 4 company were lively and athletic fellows, and not only held their own against No. 5, but fre- quently " washed her." It was customary to exercise the engine companies and the hook and ladder company once a month, and the contests that ensued excited intense rivalry among the firemen. The members of No. 5 wore red hats as a distinguishing feature.
In 1840 the membership of the companies exceeded the limit fixed by the trustees (twenty for each company), and it was proposed that the surplus should be permitted to act as volunteers. The trustees referred the matter to a committee who reported against the plan, with the result that the volunteers of No. 5 company made an "in- dignation parade." But the cause of complaint was removed by the passage of a resolution by the trustees (September 14), permitting each company to have a membership of fifty.
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