USA > New York > Orange County > Newburgh > Newburgh; her institutions, industries and leading citizens, historical, descriptive and biographical > Part 37
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EDWARD M. RUTTENBER was born in the Town of Benning- ton, Vt., of Holland-English New England ancestry dating back to the early part of the 17th century. He entered the printing business in the office of The Vermont Gazette, at Bennington, in 1837; removed to Newburgh in the Fall of 1838, and was an indentured apprentice to Charles U. Cushman, in the office of The Newburgh Telegraph; was transferred to The Newburgh Gazette in 1839, and returned to The Telegraph as its foreman in 1845; purchased the establishment in 1850; added to it in 1852 the office of The Newburgh Excelsior, and subsequently, by consolidation, the office of The New- burgh Gazette and Daily News, and remained in the business of print- ing, with the ex- ception of the years 1864-65 (when he was connected with the Bureau of Military Statistics, at Albany), until 1887, when he ac- cepted the appoint- ment of Superin- tendent of the Folding Depart- ment of the Gov- ernment Printing Office at Washing- ton, in which capacity he served until the Spring of 1889, when he re- signed.
PHOTO, BY ATKINSON.
EDWARD M. RUTTENBER.
In addition to editorial and me-
chanical labors, Mr. Ruttenber was the writer and publisher of a "History of Newburgh," in 1859; of a "History of the Flags of New York's Regiments," in 1865, published by the State; a " His- tory of the Obstructions to the Navigation of Hudson's River," in 1866, published by Joel D. Munsell, at Albany; a " History of the Indian Tribes of Hudson's River," in 1872, published by Mun- sell, and a " History of Orange County," in 1881, published by Evarts & Peck, of Philadelphia-works which are regarded as authority upon the subjects treated, and which bear with them the evidence of ex- haustive research and ability as a writer. In these and in many other ways he has rendered invaluable services to Newburgh. The compiler of this book acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr. Rutten- ber's writings for many historical facts embodied herein.
For sixteen years he served as a member of the Board of Educa- tion, and for about eighteen months he was Superintendent of the Schools. With this exception he never held elective official position. His life has indeed been a busy one, nearly all of his literary labors having been performed in hours that are usually set apart for rest and recreation. During his connection with the press of Newburgh he added the first cylinder press and the first steam engine employed in printing in Newhurgh, and was connected with the first daily news- paper which was published here. He married, in 1847, Matilda A.,
daughter of Mark McIntyre, and has two sons, Charles B., an organ- ist and teacher of music in New York, and James W. F., publisher of The Newburgh Sunday Telegram.
Mr. Ruttenber has always done what he could for the honor and prosperity of the community. Without detracting from the credit due to others, he may justly entertain feelings of pride in the con- tribution of effort which he has made to many business undertakings; to the establishment of our system of public schools; to the success- ful founding of the free library, sustained by public tax-the first of its character in the State, and which is literally a child of his own; to the development of an interest in the Headquarters of Washington, resulting in advantages which the public would not now relinquish; to the permanent investment of the revennes from that ancient and useful trust, the Glebe, in a memorial educational structure which shall make its impress on generations. It was fitting, therefore, that a number of the representative citizens of Newburgh, desirous of testifying in a public manner not only their esteem for him as a citi- zen, but especially their high appreciation of his valuable labors in tracing out and preserving the history of their own city and also all this region of country from its earliest settlement, which has aided largely in securing for our locality a wider and higher recognition in every portion of our land, should most cordially invite him (February, 1891) to be their guest at a social dinner. In a letter declining this distinguished honor, Mr. Ruttenber said:
"The invitation which it conveys is itself a priceless testimonial of the good- will of many with whom I have walked in relations of personal regard from youth to the present time, and of others who have come upon the stage of action in later years, with whom my intercourse has not been less pleasant. Accept- ing it in the spirit in which it is offered, and with the most sincere thanks, I must, in respect to my own feelings, decline the more formal acknowledgment which it proposes. A toiler in the ranks from my youth up, and largely with- drawn from the walks of leisure in the prosecution of studies to which an ir- resistible natural impulse led me, I have had my reward in the satisfaction which those studies afforded in rescuing from oblivion and preserving the services which others have performed for God and country and fellow-men."
WILLIAM SCHRAM for thirty-one years was a journalist. His first experience as a printer was in the office of The Utica Observer, in 1824; and he had been there only two years when he was made foreman of the office. In 1834 Mr. Schram removed to Poughkeepsie, where he se- cured a half-interest in the publication of The Pough- keepsie Journal, which, un- der the firm name of W. Schram & Co., he continued to publish for ten years. On
January 1, 1844, The Jour- nal was consolidated with The Weekly Eagle, then published by Isaac Platt, and the firm of Platt & Schram continued until April 1, 1865, when Mr. Schram sold his interest to John I. Platt, a son of Isaac. Mr. Schram removed to Newburgh in 1868, but did not immediately enter into active business. Later he started the job printing busi- ness, which he now carries on at the northeast corner of Water and Third Streets.
MINCA
WILLIAM SCHRAM
Mr. Schram was born in Schuyler, Herkimer County, N. Y., April 18, 1807. His wife was Sarah H., daughter of Nicholas Hallock, a widely-known preacher of the Hicksite persuasion, residing at Mil- ton, Ulster County, N. Y. Mr. Schram's family consisted of four sons and one daughter, who, together with his wife, are now dead.
THE POST OFFICE.
HE Newburgh Post Office has occupied its present rent- ed quarters in the basement of the Bigler Building, corner of Smith and Third Streets, since May 1, 1866, with the exception of the period from January 1, 1888, till October, 1889, when the office was in the building on the northwest corner of Front and Second Streets. Previously the office was on the south side of Second Street, between Water and Front, and at a still earlier period in Third Street, between Water and Smith.
During the last session of Congress the sum of $100,000 was ap- propriated for a building for the Post Office and other government offices in this city, and a site has been purchased on the southeast corner of Montgomery and Second Streets.
The following is a list of postmasters up to the present time, with the date of their appointment:
Ebenezer Foote, December, 1795.
Samuel W. Eager, August 6, 1849.
Henry Caldwell.
Joseph Casterline, jr., May 4, 1853. Eźra Farrington, May 22, 1861.
Daniel Birdsall.
Chester Clark.
James H. Reeve, November 1, 1866. Henry Major, May 7, 1867 .*
Aaron Belknap, March 26, 1812.
Tooker Wygant, Nov. 26, 1830.
Joseph Lomas, August 22, 1867. Ezra Farrington, July 19, 1869.
Benjamin H. Mace, Nov. 23, 1836. John C. Adams, April 1, 1875.
Oliver Davis, June 17, 1841. Joseph M. Dickey, March 21, 1883.
James Belknap, May 18, 1843.
William R. Brown, April 8, 1887.
William G. Taggart, April 2, 1891.
The present deputy postmaster is William C. Chambers. During Mr. Dickey's administration the business of the office and the popu- lation of the city had increased to such an extent that in 1884 a corps of letter-carriers was authorized. Since then the number of carriers has been increased from six to twelve. Mail matter is not only delivered and collected in all parts of the city, but in the suburbs as well.
The following is a brief summary of what has been done at the Newburgh office since April 1, 1883:
POSTAL RECEIPTS.
MONEY ORDERS (Issued and paid.)
1884.
$24,057 04.
$ 76,414 36
1885.
24:403 21
77,900 39
1886 ..
26,441 82
78,366 42
1887.
27,959 91
82,090 44
1888.
31,433 14. 88,229 65
I889.
34,387 66. 110,515 60
1890.
35, 114 24.
103,097 35
1891
34,541 42.
102,418 98
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1891.
Number of Letter Carriers.
12
=
" Clerks in Office.
6
" Letter Boxes in City 68
44
..
Outside of City.
4
" Newspaper and Package Boxes in City.
6
Sales of Stamps, Stamped Envelopes, Postal Cards, etc.,
for year ending March 31, 1891.
$34,54I 42
Excess over 1888.
3, 108 28
Excess over 1889.
153 76
Decrease in year 1890
572 82
DELIVERIES BY CARRIERS.
Registered Pieces Delivered
2,652
Letters Delivered.
1,015,510
Postal Cards Delivered
183,832
Newspapers Delivered
755,592
Total Delivered by Carriers
1,957,586
* A special officer of the Post Office Department, who held the place in con- sequence of the refusal of the Senate to confirm the appointments of President Johnston.
Total Deliveries of Mail by Carriers and from Post Of- fice (Estimated). 2,500,000
Daily Average of Mail Delivered by Carriers and From Post Office (Estimated) 6,850
COLLECTIONS BY CARRIERS.
Letters Collected 817,714
Postal Cards Collected
142,722
Newspapers
123,355
Total Collected by Carriers 1,083,79I
Total Pieces Delivered and Collected by Carriers. 3,041,377
Number of Daily Collections by Carriers 40
- Deliveries 34
=
" Mails Received Per Day
52
Dispatched "
46
WILLIAM G. TAGGART, Postmaster, was born in Newburgh, November 20, 1856. He is a son of Archibald Taggart, who has been an active business man here for many years. Mr. Taggart attended the public schools of this city, passing successfully through
PHOTO, BY WHIDDIT.
WILLIAM G. TAGGART.
the various departments, and being graduated with the class of '73 at the Newburgh Academy. After leaving school he interested himself in his father's meat business. For fourteen years he has been an active fireman, and is now Foreman of Ringgold Hose Company. For several years he was Clerk of the Board of Excise. He is a member of Newburgh Lodge, F. & A. M., Highland Chapter, and of
[185]
A. C. Mulliner, May 23, 1833.
186
NEWBURGH.
Hudson River Commandery, K. T., and a Trustee of the Masonic Hall Association. He is also a Director of the Muchattoes Lake Ice Company.
At an early age he became active in local politics, and for years past has been one of the most efficient supporters and a most watch- ful care-taker of his local party. For a number of years he was Inspector of Elections in the Second Ward, the only elective political office he has held. He has also been for a number of years a mem- ber of the Republican County Committee. In 1888 he was the unanimous choice of his party for the nomination for County Clerk, an honor, considering his long and faithful service to the party, most fittingly bestowed. His popularity in his native city was such that his majority in Newburgh was 1,030. In his candidacy for the post office he received the endorsement of the party organization as well as that of a large number of prominent citizens.
WILLIAM R. BROWN was born in the Town of Newburgh, Oc- tober 2, 1841, at the family homestead, now occupied by his sister, Mrs. Anna E. Higginson, and near the home of his brother, Hon. C. F. Brown, Judge of the Court of Appeals. His father, Judge John W. Brown, one of the most eminent jurists of his day, early designed
PHOTO. SY ATKINSON.
WILLIAM R. BROWN.
him for the profession of the law, but being of very active tempera- ment William preferred to cast his lines in the busy marts of com- merce, and at the early age of fifteen he accepted a position in the of- fice of a large commission house in New York City. Afterwards for some years he was engaged in an extensive lumber business at Toledo, Ohio. On his return to Newburgh he engaged in a wholesale grain and flour business, and in 1868 founded the Newburgh Plaster Works.
He started this business in a small way against powerful competi- tion. He leased rich gypsum beds in Nova Scotia and was able to undersell his competitors in the market. During those years he traveled extensively throughout the American continent, from Syd- ney, Cape Breton, to San Francisco, and from the Rio Grande to Winnipeg, Manitoba. There is hardly a city of any importance on this continent which he has not visited and where he is not personally known. He relinquished the plaster works in 1876 and went to Texas, remaining till 1881, when he returned to Newburgh and again entered the wholesale grain trade. Several years ago he organized a syndicate to build a large grain elevator here, but the plan was never carried out. He recently retired from the grain trade altogether. Mr. Brown was part owner of the famous yacht W. R. Brown, which competed in several exciting regattas in Newburgh Bay and else- where during the existence of the Newburgh Yacht Club.
He was appointed Postmaster April 8, 1887. Summoned before the President the preceding day he was asked if he would accept the office. Mr. Brown replied that he was a business man and not a pol- itician; that he had not sought the position, but if appointed he would conduct the office on the same principles he used in the management of his own business, and that if it were desired he should take the of- fice upon that condition, he would accept. Congress was not in ses- sion, but the appointment was confirmed by the Senate December 21.
When Mr. Brown entered the office there were only six letter car- riers, but soon afterward he increased the force by one footman, and succeeded in securing permission to employ also a mounted postman to deliver mail in the Balmville district. Shortly after that he secured the appointment of a second mounted postman to deliver in the Town of New Windsor. When the eight-hour law went into effect he se- cured an increase to the force of three additional foot carriers. On the first of July, 1890, he extended the delivery into the Western sub- urbs.
This is said to be the only city in the United States where the mounted-carrier service prevails outside of the city limits.
The service has been also increased in the dispatching of mail. so that almost every train arriving at and departing from Newburgh now either brings or takes away mail matter.
Mr. Brown has been one of our most enterprising and wide-awake citizens, and one of the most useful members of the Board of Trade. He was probably the greatest factor in the long campaign to secure the public building. Although efforts had been made to obtain an appropriation several years prior to his taking office, to success was arrived at, because the Post Office Department declined to consider an appropriation for a building in a city of this size, where the whole expense of maintenance, the outlay and the interest thereon must be chargeable to only one department, namely, the Post Office. It was through Mr. Brown's demonstration to the government that New- burgh was made a port of delivery, and a permanent customs officer and a United States Commissioner appointed, thus making four Gov- ernment departments, viz .: Post Office, Customs, Internal Revenue and United States Commissioner, to occupy the public building and share the expense. Thus the way was opened by which the passage of the public building appropriation was secured the past Winter, through the efforts of Congressman Stivers and our Senators, and the personal appeals of a Board of Trade Committee, of which Mr. Brown was chairman.
Mr. Brown was appointed Warden of Sing Sing Prison March 23, 1891. He married Mary Alice Townsend, of Canterbury, Orange County, who died in January, 1891, leaving one son and three daughters.
REAL ESTATE.
EWBURGH being a city with permanent and diversified manufacturing interests, and having the command of a wide trade territory, it has in consequence a steady growth, and the values of real estate show a steady increase. Property bought with reasonable judgment is certain to increase in value. Fortunes have been and are being made in real estate in Newburgh, and large investments will be rewarded by liberal returns. The market is a healthful one. Purchasers of vacant property rarely leave it long unoccupied. Prices are not based on speculative prospects, and con- sequently are not subject to violent fluctuations.
Compactness is a characteristic of the city. We have a large pop- ulation within narrow bounds. With the river as its eastern limit, and while the wide and deep chasm of the Quassaick Creek is the southern boundary, the growth of Newburgh must be restricted to certain directions. Concentration has been the invariable rule in the growth of the place. It is not a sprawling, over-grown village, with " here a little and there a little" over a wide territory; but a solid, substantial city, with metropolitan characteristics and conveniences.
Not till almost every foot of available frontage on Water, Front, Smith, Colden and High Streets was occupied did the builders of the city begin to go west. Previous to 1850 the village, with a population of more than seven thousand, was mainly included in the district bounded by Liberty Street on the West, Washington Street on the South, and Clinton Street on the north. A few years later Lander, Chambers, Johnston and Dubois Streets were opened. In 1868, after the incorporation of the city, many new streets were laid out in the western part, and old ones extended. In recent years the growth has been toward the south, and has reached the Quassaick, the limit of extension in that direction.
Land has been economized to a remarkable degree, and except in the northern part comparatively little of it is used for ornamental pur- poses. A city lot here usually means a plot having a frontage of 25 feet and a depth of 100 feet. Within the fire limits buildings are con- structed of brick and stone. The streets are generally tightly built, and in the central part of the city vacant lots are rare. Flats and apartment houses have become a feature of Newburgh realty.
BUSINESS PROPERTY.
Front Street is nearest the river, and gives access to all the steam- boat landings and railroads. The two principal hotels, wholesale houses, factories, coal and lumber yards, the telegraph office, etc., are situated on this street. There are few, if any, unoccupied sites. The east side is generally dock property that has not changed hands in generations. The West Shore Railroad cut off the rear of lots on the west side. Two pieces of property, occupied by old rookeries, were recently sold for $200 per foot.
Business property of the first rank lies on Water Street, between First and Fourth, and is worth from $800 to $1,200 per foot, on the basis of recent sales. North of Fourth Street prices are considerably lower. In Colden Street there is a marked difference between values on different parts of the street, property on the west side being gen- erally more valuable than on the east, and locations near First Street better than those near Broadway, so that prices vary all the way from $200 to $550 per foot.
Holders of first-class business property are reluctant to sell. Nor is this surprising when the rapid appreciation of values and rentals is considered. Stores, large and small, in good locations for retail trade will average $100 a month rental. Water Street is over-
crowded; business is concentrated in too small a space. We have long felt the need of a popular business street up-town, near the cen- ter of population. Broadway has relieved Water Street in some de- gree, and on the north side it is lined for a long distance with small retail shops, principally groceries, markets, drugstores and saloons. It is the main highway from the western country, and there are many who believe it will in time be the principal thoroughfare. Property on the north side of the street is held at high prices. Some very fine buildings have recently been erected there, and in other cases valuable sites are occupied by antiquated structures, so that there is a wide range in values. On the north side, east of Dubois Street, property is valued at from $350 to $550 a foot.
Liberty Street, between Broadway and Renwick, has become a busy street since the building of the Heights, and portions of Second, Third and Smith Streets are valued highly for business purposes.
RESIDENCE PROPERTY.
The highest-priced land for residential purposes is in Grand Street. Recent sales have fixed the price of building sites between First and Clinton Streets at $200 per foot; north of Clinton Street from $100 to $150 per foot. Liberty Street, which is next west of Grand Street, has a few unoccupied sites, valued at $125 to $175 per foot, between First and South. Hudson Terrace is another favorite residence street. On the east side, which affords a view of the river, land is worth $150 per foot, and on the west side about $100 per foot. There are a few lots in Chambers Street, between South and Campbell Streets-a very desirable neighborhood-valued at from $60 to $80 per foot; and others in Johnston Street, between South and Farrington Streets, at $40 per foot. There are a few lots remaining in South Street, west of Johnston Street, held at from $40 to $50 a foot. Dubois Street, between Broadway and First Street, is one of the finest blocks in the city. Lots in that street from First Street to Gidney Avenue range from $40 to $25 per foot. Lots on Prospect, Stone and Carter Streets are selling at from $200 to $400 each.
One of the most delightful residence sections is Washington Heights, opened up five years ago. It now contains a large popula- tion of the better class, and some of the handsomest dwellings in the city. East of Lander Street lots with a frontage of 25 feet are selling for $550 to $1,500, according to location, Bay View Terrace and Lib- erty Street sites being preferred. Lots west of Liberty Street are valued at from $250 to $500 each. But in the present condition of the city's progress it is not likely that these prices will long remain as quoted, as the demand is causing a steady appreciation in values.
SUBURBAN PROPERTY.
A wealthy population occupies the broad avenues just beyond the city limits. Beautiful parks surround spacious mansions. Grand Avenue begins at the northern city line, and runs northward along the crown of the hill which slopes down to the river. It affords a view of the Hudson for miles. Land is worth from $2,000 to $2,500 per acre, with very little to be had at any price. Powelton Avenue runs in the same direction as Grand Avenue, but is farther west. Land is valued from $500 to $700 per acre. Quassaick Avenue extends from Quassaick Creek southward. Land for suburban residences is quoted at from $600 to $800 per acre within a mile of the city limits, but there is very little for sale, as it is mostly held by wealthy people who do not care to sell. In the western suburbs, within a short dis- tance of the city, land is held at from $200 to $300 per acre.
188
NEWBURGH.
RENTS.
The rental value of a first class house with all modern improve- ments, in Grand, Liberty or Hudson Terrace is $500 or $600 per an- num, and such houses are few in number. Houses of the second
" THE ARNO "-286 Grand Street.
class, or rather those in less fashionable localities, bring from $20 to $30 a month. Flats rent from $15 to $25, according to location. There are many handsome flat houses, with hot and cold water, range, stationary tubs, elevators, baths, cellar, etc. But the average family in rented rooms pays from $8 to $12 per month and lives com- fortably and respectably.
We believe there is no city in the Eastern States that would return better profits on large investments than Newburgh. We need a large number of cottages costing from $800 to $1,200 each, built, not in solid blocks, but on thirty or thirty-five-foot lots, with breathing places between, for families of laboring men. Houses of this class are few in Newburgh. We need a large number of cottages costing from $1,- 400 to $1, Soo, on lots 50x150, for the families of clerks, mechanics and small tradesmen. There is a general desire for the opening of a new street, corresponding to Grand or Liberty, with lots restricted to a width of not less than fifty feet, so as to afford people of means op- portunity to have residences of architectural beauty, and room for stables. Land for these purposes can be found in the western and northern part of town. It needs to be sewered, curbed and flagged. Capitalists must lead the way; the people will do the rest.
INSURANCE RATES.
The rates for fire insurance in Newburgh are close to those in New York City, which are the lowest in the world. The reason for this is, first, the excellent protection against fire assured by a model fire department, equipped with the best apparatus obtainable; second, the complete water works system, which has fire hydrants all over the city, and, in the larger portion, supplies a head of water sufficient to cope with any ordinary fire without the aid of the steam fire en- gines; third, the great competition in insurance rates, owing to our nearness to the Metropolis. Another reason for the low rates is that the buildings are mainly built of brick, and the city is so compact that the firemen can reach a fire very quickly, so that it has little chance to spread. In fact, there has not been a fire of any consequence in the main portion of the city in many years. In the few cases where build- ings have been totally destroyed, they were situated either outside of the corporation limits, or in the western outskirts. The rate for brick dwellings is 40 cents per $too for three years, an average of 131/3 cents per year. Mercantile rates average from 50 to 75 cents per
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