USA > New York > Orange County > Newburgh > Newburgh; her institutions, industries and leading citizens, historical, descriptive and biographical > Part 19
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The first hose company was organized in 1841 through the efforts of J. H. H. Chapman, Abel W. Belknap, William Scott and John K. Lawson. The company was at first known as Matrimony Hose Company, because of the unusual number of its members who within a short period were married. Excelsior was a more lasting name, being retained till 1852, when a new carriage was purchased. This machine came from Utica, and was known as Columbian Hose No. 2, the name being inscribed on the carriage. The company adopted the name, and has ever since been so designated.
Not till 1852 was a suitable honse erected for the hook and ladder company. For years it had withstood many discouragements. With only a shed for its ladders and implements, and nothing but the side- walk for a meeting-place, it continned to do efficient duty, and at length impressed the authorities with its importance. A house, now the police station, was erected in First Street, and new ladders and
implements provided. "Clinton " was the first name of the company. In 1861 the name of " Brewster " was adopted, in honor of Hiram S. Brewster, for several years its foreman.
The construction of the water works was begun in 1853. At that time there were three engine companies, one hose company and one hook and ladder company in the department. With the natural force of water that could be obtained from fire hydrants, the value of hose companies became apparent. The engine companies had light hose carts, or " spiders," as they were called, with which they ran to fires, and in most cases fires could be subdued without the aid of the en- gines. In the course of a few years three new hose companies were formed. In 1861 a new engine was built by James Smith for Wash- ington No. 4, and Cataract Engine was rebuilt in 1867 by Charles Hartshorn. Niagara Engine Company No. 5 disbanded Sept. 8, 1865,
CM LEONARD CO.
C. M. LEONARD STEAMER COMPANY, NO. 2. Water Street, near Garner Street.
because of the refusal of the village trustees to erect a new engine house for them. The engine was given to Highland Engine Com- pany when it was organized the following year. Cataract engine was sold in 1871, and the company was reorganized as Lawson Hose Company No. 5.
On February 1, 1854, a new hose company called Muchattoes, was sanctioned by the Trustees. The meeting for the organization of this company was held in Joseph Cornish's shoe shop. Alexander Cauld- well was elected foreman; John Proudfoot, assistant foreman; Joseph Cornish, treasurer; Alex. Patterson, steward. Muchattoes had a two- wheeled jumper, made by Corwin, Halsey & Co., and housed in First Street. In May, 1855, the Village of Newburgh bought from the City of New York the carriage used by Ringgold Hose, and when passed over to Muchattoes Hose, that company resolved to be thereafter known as Ringgold Hose Company No. I. The house occupied by Ringgold Hose, in Colden Street, was erected in 1862. The lot (which then extended to South Water Street), cost $950 ; John D. Kelly was the architect, and Little & Kelly the contractors for $2,835. The company erected the brown stone front at its own expense. The house has since been enlarged. A new parade carriage was built in 1883.
96
NEWBURGH.
The annual parade of 1857 was a fair example of the parades of hand-engine days. John D. Kelly was the chief engineer. The guests were Ringgold Hose Company No. 7, of New York (guest of Ringgold Hose Company of Newburgh), Washington Engine Com- pany No. 3, of Kingston, Engine Company No. 2, of Peekskill, Lack-
M
WASHINGTON STEAMER CO., NO. 4-Broadway, opposite High Street.
awanna Engine Company No. 1, of Rondout, Engine Company No. 3, of Port Jervis, and Phonix Hose Company No. 1, of Poughkeepsie. The Cataracts of Newburgh, wore red shirts, blne hats, white fronts; Clinton Hook and Ladder Company of Newburgh, blne shirts, white fronts, black hats; all the other Newburgh companies wore the regu- lation uniform. After dinner the procession was reformed and marched to the corner of Grand and First Streets, where the trial of engines took place. The first trial was made by No. 3, but unfortun- ately the hose burst twice, after the engine had forced the stream 149 feet. No. 4 next played, bursting its hose on the first trial, but throw- ing 156 feet. No. 5 threw 160 feet. After the regular trial No. 3 again took its place at the reservoir, and threw 171 feet. One of the most exciting performances of the day was the race between Ringgold Hose and Columbian Hose. Starting from Catherine Street they ran to First, Columbian going down Liberty and Ringgold down Grand. Columbian succeeded in attaching their hose and "getting water" first. E. P. Taylor, of Poughkeepsie, E. H. Rheutan, of Peekskill, George H. Sharpe, of Kingston, and C. A. Gardiner, of Newburgh, were the judges.
The first steam fire engine was ordered by the Common Council in September, 1871, from the Amoskeag Company, the cost being about $4,500. The steamer arrived, and on Monday afternoon, Jan- uary 1, 1872, was tested by Chief Engineer Leonard in the presence of the city authorities and a large number of citizens. On the follow- ing day the steamer threw a stream through a 14 inch nozzle and 100 feet of hose over the top of the cross on the spire of St. Patrick's Church, 161 feet high. With a nozzle of the same size she forced a stream through 100 feet of hose to a distance of 193 feet on the level. 'This was measuring the length of the solid stream and not the spray.
In 1858 a hose company was organized in North Water Street and designated Neptune. A brick building was erected for them on the west side of the street, north of Broad, iu 1859. Their hose carriage formerly belonged to Mazeppa Hose of New York. A steamer was purchased for this company in 1873, and thereupon the company changed its name to C. M. Leonard Steamer Company No. 2, in honor of the chief engineer. In 1878 their present engine house was erected.
Chapman Hose Company was organized in September, 1859, at the store of John P. Toohey, then on the corner of Clinton and Liberty Streets. Mr. Toohey was elected the first Foreman and Hugh Hamil- ton Assistant Foreman. The company was at first quartered in a shed on the east side of Liberty Street, north of Gidney Avenne, and in 1863 a suitable house was erected in South Street, from plans made by John D. Kelly.
New houses were built for Lawson and Columbian Hose Compan- ies iu 1875, on the site of the old engine house (corner of Montgomery and Second Streets), at a cost of $5,494. E. K. Shaw was the archi- tect and William McMeekin the contractor. The lot was enlarged by the purchase of adjoining property for $1,600. In 1889 the house of Columbian Hose Company was enlarged and otherwise improved at an expense of about two thousand dollars. The carriage of Law- son Hose was purchased in 1875, and has several times been re- modeled and otherwise improved. The carriage of Columbian Hose was purchased in 1860.
The house now occupied by Brewster Hook and Ladder Company was erected in 1862; the architect was John D. Kelly, and the con- tractors Little & Kelly. The truck was purchased in 1860 from the City of New York, and was once in charge of Chelsea Hook and
US ENETCOM
HIGHLAND STEAMER CO., NO. 3-Broadway, near West Street.
Ladder Company. It is sometimes called " the White Swan," he- cause of its color and peculiarly graceful appearance.
The house of Washington Steamer Company was enlarged in 1868, under contract with John D. Kelly. The brown stone front was erected at the expense of the company.
97
NEWBURGH.
Highland Engine Company was organized in L. G. Ostrander's store on July 12, 1866. On that occasion Henry Ross was the chair- man, and J. J. E. Harrison, now president of the company, the secre- trary. The following were elected the first officers: Moses H. Sager, foreman ; S. Lawson, assistant; J. J. E. Harrison, secretary ; H. Ross, treasurer; Charles L. Brown, steward. Committee on by-laws- -Moses H. Sager, James Hobbs, C. L. Brown. The engine house was erected in 1867, under contract with Brown & McMeekin, for $2,990. In 1882 the city appropriated $5,000 for the purchase of a steamer for the company. The contractors were the La France Company, of Elmira, and the engine arrived Tuesday, September 6. It weighs 5,400 pounds; the other steam fire engines weigh 4,000 pounds each. The hand engine of the Highland Company was sold to the Village of Florida.
In 1891 the Washington Heights Hose Company was organized, with Colonel W. D. Dickey as president; John Sansbury, foreman; Louis H. Van Tassell, assistant foreman; Edward A. Bush, secretary.
Parade of 1889.
Platoon of sixteen members of the Newburgh Police Department, Marshal James H. Sarvis commanding.
Cappa's Band. New York Veteran Firemen's Association of New York,
Union Hill Cornet Band.
Columbian Hose Company No. 2, of Union Hill, N. J.
Middletown Cornet Band.
Phoenix Engine Company No. 4, of Middletown.
Goshen Cornet Band.
Cataract Engine Company No. 4, of Goshen.
Goeller's Cornet Band, of Kingston. Rapid Hose Company No. I, of Rondout.
West Point U. S. M. A. Band. Visiting Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs.
Chief Engineer and Assistants of Newburgh Department.
Brewster Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1.
Voss' First Regiment Band, Newark, N. J. Ringgold Hose Company, No. 1.
Brennan's Band, of Wappinger's Falls. C. M. Leonard Steamer Company, No. 2. Conway's Cornet Band, of Fishkill. Columbian Hose Company, No. 2.
Collins' City Band, of Newburgh. Highland Steamer Company, No. 3.
Ketcham Post Band, of Marlborough. Chapman Hose Company, No. 4. St. Joseph's Band, of Yonkers.
Washington Steamer Company, No. 4.
Albany City Band. Lawson Hose Company No. 5.
Chief Engineers and Assistants.
Benoni H. Howell, Chief.
James Belknap, Chief.
Benjamin F. Buckingham, Chief.
1850-William Lisle, Chief.
ant.
18;1-Cicero A. Gardiner, Chief. Isaac Wood, jr., First Assist- John W. Thomas, Second Assistant.
1852-Isaac Wood, jr., Chief. John W. Thomas, First Assistant. Joseph A. McCartney, Second Assistant.
0853-54-Benjamin F. Buckingham, Chief. Aikman Speir, First Assistant. James T. Hamilton, Second Assistant.
1855-56-John K. Lawson, Chief. Joseph A. McCartney, First Assistant. John Proudfoot, Second Assistant.
1857-58-John D. Kelly, Chief. Joseph H. H. Chapman, First Assistant. John J. S. McCroskery, Second Assistant.
1859-60-Joseph H. H. Chapman, Chief. John J. S. McCroskery, First Assistant. Hugh McMccutcheon, Second Assistant.
1861-62-Chancey M. Leonard, Chief. Hiram S. Brewster, First Assistant. James C. Taggart, Second Assistant.
1863-64-Chancey M. Leonard, Chief. John B. Stanbrough, First Assistant. John W. Forsyth, Second Assistant.
1865-Chancey M. Leonard, Chief. John DeLancy, First Assist- ant. James C. Farrell, Second Assistant.
1866-68-Chancey M. Leonard, Chief. James T. Van Dalfsen, First Assistant. Archibald Hays, Second Assistant.
1869-72-Chancey M. Leonard, Chief. Archibald Hays, First As- sistant. Patrick Herbert, Second Assistant.
1873-Chancey M. Leonard, Chief. Archibald Hays, First Assist- ant. John Fitchey, Second Assistant.
1874-Archibald Hays, Chief. John Fitchey, First Assistant. Odell S. Hathaway, jr., Second Assistant.
1875-77-William Nixon, Chief. Elkanah K. Shaw, Michael Barry, Robert W. Hamilton, Assistants.
1878-80-William Nixon, Chief. Samuel J. Hewitt, jr., Robert W. Hamilton, Hugh M. Hays, Assistants.
1881-83-Nicholas Powell, Chief. Samuel J. Hewitt, jr., Norman
B. Buchanan,* Charles A. Miller,+ Hugh M. Hays, Assistants.
1884-86-James Cunningham, Chief. Charles A. Miller, Thomas H. Burke, Henry M. Leonard, Assistants.
1887-89-James Cunningham, Chief. J. Henry Chapman, De Witt C. Cameron, Henry C. Mellor, Assistants.
1890-James Cunningham, Chief. DeWitt C. Cameron, James Driscoll, Nicholas F. Fitzpatrick, Assistants.
CHANCEY M. LEONARD was born in Newburgh in the year 1825, and in a house that occupied the site of the Bigler building at the corner of Third and Smith Streets. He resided here until six- teen years of age, receiving his education at the Newburgh Academy. Then he went to New York City and learned the trade of painting. In early manhood he became a member of the old volunteer fire department of the metropolis, first as one of Hose Company No. 8, and subsequently of Engine Company No. 5, which had its quarters in Ann Street, near the spot now occupied by the Herald building. He was elected Assistant Foreman of the engine company. At the age of nineteen he married Miss Rebecca Smith, of New York City, who died two years afterward, leaving a daughter, who married Thomas K. Rheutan. In 1848 he married Miss Hope Smith, a sister of his first wife, and had several children.
In 1850 he returned to his native city and continued to reside here till his death. He was employed as a painter by E. T. Comstock, and on Mr. Comstock's death in 1859, the firm of Ward & Leonard (Peter Ward and Chancey M. Leonard) was formed. James J. Logan afterward being received into the partnership, the firm became Ward, Leonard & Co. The business reached large proportions and was then, as it is to-day, one of the most important in the trade in the Hudson River Valley.
Mr. Leonard joined Ringgold Hose Company, No. 1, in 1853. He was elected Assistant Foreman, but his ability and experience as a fireman were such that he was called to fill a position of greater prom- inence. In 1861 he was elected Chief Engineer of the Newburgh Fire Department, and at each successive election thereafter was re-elected to the same office, till March, 1874, when he was called to take the higher position of Mayor of the city.
In 1873 he was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention, and was an honorary member of the national Association of Chief Engi- neers. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and well advanced in the degrees of the order. He died at his residence, 62 Ann Street, Thursday, December 3, 1874.
Few men who have lived in Newburgh have won the unqualified esteem and warm friendship of his fellow-townsmen to so great a de- gree as did Chancey M. Leonard. Coupled with his acknowledged ability as a business man and exceptional qualifications as a fireman, were qualities of manhood that endeared him to many. He was gen- ial and companionable, and a frank and honorable man. His mem- ory will long be cherished and reminiscences of his deeds related by the firemen of the city. It was natural, then, that the an-
* Resigned Sept., 1882.
+ Elected to vacancy caused by resignation of Norman B. Buchanan.
98
NEWBURGH.
nouncement of his death should be received with extraordinary evi- dences of sorrow. The services in connection with his burial
were held on the Saturday after- noon following. Places of business were generally closed, and many buildings were draped in white and black. The funeral procession was composed of the Police Depart- ment, Masonic Lodges, the Fire Department, the Common Council and ex-Aldermen, the Board of Edu- cation, the Board of Water Commis- sioners, the Board of Alms House Commissioners, the clergy and physi- cians of the city. The hearse was es- corted by fifty CHANCEY M. LEONARD. Knights Templar. JOSEPH H. H. CHAPMAN. PHOTO BY WHIDDIT. The funeral dis- course was delivered at Union Church by the Rev. Wendell Prime, D. D., and prayer was offered by the Rev. John Forsyth, D. D. and . the wife of Robert Whitehill. His second wife was Mrs. Alexander the Rev. W. H. Gleason. A chorus of fifty voices led the singing. Thompson, daughter of Josiah Conger, of Montgomery. She died in 1888. The interment was in St. George's Cemetery. Henry M. Leonard, at present City Collector, and James J. Leonard, are sons.
JOSEPH H. H. CHAPMAN was born March 12, 1823. In 1846 he was taken into partnership by his father, Paddock Chap- man, in the bakery and grocery business established by Joseph Hoffman in 1793. On the death of his father in 1867 he became sole proprietor. After conducting the busi- ness a number of years he sold out to James S. Buchanan. He was afterward in the grocery business at the northeast corner of Water and Second Streets, and more recent- ly at the corner of Liberty and Third Streets. He retired from business in 1890. Mr. Chap- man has been prominently identified with many interests in his native city, and has been a very useful member of the community.
1n 1841 he joined the Fire Department as a member of Excelsior Hose Company, and for ten years he was Foreman of the Com- pany. He was First Assistant Chief Engi- neer in 1857-58, and Chief Engineer in 1859-60. There were then three hand-engine companies, four hose companies and one hook and ladder company. Chapman Hose Company was organized during his term as Chief and named in his honor. While not performing active duty, he is still asso- ciated with the department and is often an honored guest at their festive gatherings. He was a member of the Board of Village Trustees from 1859 to 1863 inclusive. He has been a Trustee of the Savings Bank almost since its organization, and since 1874 a Trustee of Washington's Headquarters. He has been a Vestryman
JAMES CUNNINGHAM, Chief Engineer of the Fire Department.
of St. George's Church thirty-five years, and in its time a Trustee of the Mechanics' Library Association. He joined Newburgh Lodge, F. & A. M. in 1853, was a charter member of Hudson River Lodge, F. & A. M., and has been its Treasurer for twenty-five years. He was also a char- ter member of Highland Chapter, Hudson River Commandery, and King Solomon's Council of Royal and Select Masters. In Odd Fellowship he has been a mem- ber of Highland Lodge and Mount Carmel Encamp- ment. He was a member of the Board of Water Commissioners in 1875-80. In 1848 Mr. Chapman mar- ried Lydia W. Sanxay, daughter of Edmund Sanxay She died in 1876 leaving three sons and one daughter. the latter being
JAMES CUNNINGHAM, the present Chief Engineer of the Newburgh Fire De- partment, was born in County Tyrone Ire- land, in 1843. He was brought here during his infancy by his parents, who first settled at West Troy, where James attended school. When the lad was ten or twelve years old the parents moved to New York City, where James pursued his studies till he was appren- ticed in a wall-paper factory to learn the trade of a stainer, or printer. He early acquired a liking for the duties of volunteer firemen, and as a boy it was his wont to run with Chelsea Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, which then lay in Twenty-fourth Street. When the volunteer department of New York City was disbanded Chelsea truck was sold to the City of Newburgh, and has been in service here ever since with Brewster Hook and Ladder Company. In 1869 Mr. Cunning- ham purchased the wholesale root beer busi- ness of Michael Corkins in this city and moved here. Soon afterward he joined Brewster Hook and Ladder Company, and has been an active member ever since. He was once Assistant Foreman and afterward Foreman of that company. During his long and faithful service he acquired a reputation in the department as one who thoroughly understood the business of fighting fire. In April, 1884, he was elected to the office of Chief Engineer for the term of three years, and re-elect- ed in 1887 and 1890. The introduction of the Gamewell electric fire alarm system, resulting in the greatly increased efficiency of the de- partment, has been the most important event of his administration.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
The Public Schools-The Free Library-The Board of Education-Mount St. Mary's Academy-Siglar's Preparatory School.
N no portion of its development has Newburgh achieved a greater success than in that of education. The public schools have always kept abreast of the times, both as regards accommodation and instruction. They are free in every meaning of the word. No tuition whatever is charged to resident pupils, and the text books are furnished them free of cost. Therefore, a child of five years may enter the public schools, pass through all the grades, and those courses which he may elect, and be grad- uated from the academy with a superior education without a dollar's expense to his parents.
In making choice of a residence people generally consider the op- portunities afforded for the education of their children. That New- burgh from its earliest settlement has been fully awake to the im- portance of popular education we have ample proof; that it is not niggardly in its expenditures we have the fullest evidence in the character of its school buildings, especially the new academy.
There are seven public school buildings and one public library building. The number of children over five and under twenty-one years of age on June 30, 1891, was 7,066. On July 26, 1891, the number of children attending the schools was 3,531. In the primary depart- ments the whole number of pupils enrolled was 2,724; grammar depart- ment, 572; academy, 235. The number of teachers employed was 79, and their aggregate salaries $39,200. The total expenditures for the year was $74,482.51. The total number of private schools in the city was 11, and the number of pupils attending them was 1,384.
The public schools are under the charge of the Board of Educa- tion, which is, within certain limits, independent of all other govern- ing bodies. The Board is assisted by a superintendent, who has general supervision. Under the fostering care and executive wisdoni of the Board, and the able administration of the superintendent, en- couraged and supported by a cultured people, the city school system has reached an advanced state of perfection, and does not fear com- parison with that of any other city. Clearly recognizing that New- burgh is a rapidly-growing manufacturing and commercial center, it has been the earnest aim of the school authorities so to adapt the course of study in all departments as best to meet the needs of such a population, while at the same time offering the most liberal facilities for acquiring the higher education.
The fact that the great majority of the pupils never reach the academy has led to continuous and persistent efforts, and with the most pleasing results, so to perfect the primary and grammar schools as to secure to the pupils therein the best and most practical educa- tion possible.
So, too, the courses of study in the academy are arranged with special reference to the needs of students who complete their studies here, while at the same time providing studies adapted to those pre- paring to enter college. The regular course in the academy is three years, with another added for those who wish to continue the study of the languages and solid geometry .*
The English course includes grammar, history, arithmetic, alge- bra, geometry, trigonometry, book-keeping, drawing, natural philos- ophy, astronomy, chemistry, physiology, botany, geology, English literature, rhetoric and science of government. For the study of the natural sciences special facilities are offered by a laboratory and ap- pliances necessary to the experimental method.
The Latin-English course is the same as the English course through- out the three years, except that Latin grammar and lessons are sub- stituted for English grammar and composition the first year, Cæsar's Commentaries (four books) for English grammar and astronomy the second year, and Virgil's Æneid (four books) for rhetoric and general history in the third year.
The Classical course is the same as the Latin-English course dur- ing the first year. In the second year Greek grammar and lessons are substituted for natural philosophy and book-keeping, and in the third year Xenophon's Anabasis (four books) for chemistry and Eng- lish literature. In other respects the course is the same as the Latin- English course. In the last two years of the course French may be substituted for book-keeping in the B Class, and for rhetoric in the A Class.
In the higher grades special subjects are taught by special teach- ers. For instance, in the academical department there are certain teachers for mathematics, another for sciences, another for drawing, another for languages, and so on, who teach these subjects in all the grades of the department in which they are studied, changing from room to room at fixed periods each day, and not being confined to any particular class, so far as those studies are concerned, if they are taught in more than one class.
Drawing is taught in all grades, from the D primary to the A academic. As soon as the child is old enough he is also taught music, and in the academy he has the benefit of a special teacher. The ex- perience of years has fully demonstrated that music, in addition to the benefits usually admitted, also exerts a beneficial moral influence, and, strengthening, softening and modulating the voice, is likewise a great aid in making good readers; while drawing, educating as it does the eye and hand, lays a solid basis for the rapid mastery of any vocation requiring mechanical or artistic skill, for it is the educated eye and the trained, deft hand that makes the chief difference between the skilled workman and the " botch." Physiology is taught in all the grades from C primary to A academic. The instruction in English grammar is also very thorough. In the primary department, where the study of grammar is not pursued, the pupils are held responsible only for the correct use of the word; but the teachers are expected to correct grammatical errors when they occur, so as to familiarize their scholars with the proper form.
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