USA > New York > Oneida County > Rome > Our city and its people : a descriptive work on the city of Rome, New York > Part 13
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It seems that although Rev. Mr. Perry was at first engaged for only one year, his services were continued here until some time in 1832, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. George Fiske. In 1833 the Rome Lodge, the lower story of which had been in use as a chapel, was purchased, the building enlarged and fitted up for a church, and opened for divine services on Sunday, July 25, 1833, with a sermon by Rev. Parker Adams, of New Hartford. The church was consecrated the 15th of the following August, by Bishop Benjamin T. Onderdonk, successor to Bishop Hobart. The rectors at this time preached under a missionary stipend, and in September, 1834, Rev. William W. Niles was accepted by the society to share the stipend with Mr. Fisk, and alternate with him in holding services at Rome and Oriskany. Mr. Fiske resigned in the following December, and Mr. Niles assumed sole charge. The rectors since have been the Rev. Nathan B. Burgess, from November, 1836, to November, 1839; Rev. Hobart Williams, deacon ; Rev. Henry Lockwood, from November, 1840, to May 10, 1842; Rev. Stephen Battin, June, 1842, and ordained priest December 19, 1843 ; Rev. Seth Davis, April 1, 1845, resigned October 4, 1845, to establish a school at Buffalo; succeeded by Rev. Almon Gregory, who remained till November, 1849; Rev. Henry B. Whipple, December 2, 1849, to
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1857 ; he was a portion of the time in Florida, on account of ill health, and during his absence his place was supplied by Rev. Gordon M. Bradley. Mr. Whipple resigned March 10, 1857, to accept a call from Chicago. He was succeeded by Rev. N. Barrows, who resigned March 5, 1864. The next pastor was Rev. Hugh L. M. Clarke, who assumed charge May 1, 1864, and continued until the pastorate was assumed by Rev. John H. Egar, D. D., on February 1, 1881.
During the rectorship of Mr. Whipple the lot on the corner of Liberty and Washington streets was purchased, and the corner-stone of the present stone church laid September 5, 1850. The new edifice was opened for service on Sunday, August 16, 1851, and consecrated by Bishop De Lancey, September 25, of the same year. During the sum- mer of 1867 the church was enlarged to its present dimensions, at a cost of nearly $10,000.
In 1885 a beautiful memorial hall was erected of stone at a cost in- cluding site of $11,000 in memory of Rev. Mr. Clarke. A beautiful memorial pulpit was built in 1892, in memory of the late John Stryker and his wife, Elizabeth. A new organ was placed in the church in 1893. The membership of the church is now about 400.
St. Peter's ( Catholic) Church .- This church was organized through the influence of Rev. Father William Beecham, who came to Utica in December, 1836, as assistant to Father Walter J. Quarter. In about nine months afterwards he was sent to administer to the spiritual wants of the Catholics living in the northern and southern portions of Oneida county and surrounding territory. He selected Rome as being easy of access from the different points of his large mission. As one result of his labors he began the erection of the old St. Peter's church in 1838. When he took charge of this mission there were not ten Catholic families in what is now the city of Rome. The church edifice was completed in 1840. Father Beecham's pastorate extended over a period of forty years and until his death, March 10, 1876. He was
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succeeded by Rev. Father A. Murphy, the present pastor, in April, 1876. For twenty years past he has faithfully ministered to the church and his labors have been crowned with success. Three years ago, in 1893, the building of the new and magnificent stone edifice on James street was begun. It is nearly completed and will cost about $150,- 000. In connection with this church the Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus teach a select school, and St. Peter's school for boys is also con- nected with this society, the old church being used for the purpose.
St. Mary's Catholic Church .- The first missionary priests of the German Catholics visited this section in 1845. During the year 1847 the first steps were taken towards providing a house of worship and in 1848 the humble wooden structure on the corner of James and Depeyster streets was ready for service. The first resident pastor was Rev. Florian Schwenninger. In 1871 the premises occupied by the present church on the north side of Liberty street were secured and the corner stone was laid on the 18th of May, 1871. The edifice cost over $20,000. In the following year a peel of three bells was blessed for the church. The pastor is Rev. Michael Rieger, who succeeded Rev. P. J. Smith in 1896. Mr. Smith had been with the church about twenty years. There are about 130 families in the congregation and a school is maintained by the Sisters of Mercy.
The First Methodist Church .- The First Methodist society or class in the town of Rome was formed in 1799 on the Turin road about three miles north of Rome village. To Jonathan Newman belongs the honor of being the first Methodist preacher to labor in Rome; he probably preached here as early as 1791. Ronic was undoubtedly a part of the Mohawk Circuit until that disappeared, when it became part of the Western Circuit. Among the names of preachers who trav- eled and preached occasionally in this and adjoining towns are found those of Bishop Whatcoat, Lorenzo Dow, Charles Giles, Eben - ezer White, Bishop Asbury, Peter Vanness Benjamin G. Paddock. In
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the year 1812 Rome, Western, Floyd, Lee and Steuben were made into a two weeks circuit and Charles Giles was the preacher. In 1814 Mr. Giles was made presiding elder of the Oneida district, em . bracing the counties of Oneida, Otsego, Herkimer, Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence. From 1814 onward twelve or fourteen years the following preachers labored in this and adjoining towns: Joseph Wil- lis, George Harmon, B. G. Paddock, William Chase, Zachariah Pad- dock, Ephraim Hall, Asa Cummins, John Arnold and John E. Ken- brack. The first Methodist house of worship has been described as " a little building " on the Turin road ; it may have been a barn or de- serted dwelling. In 1803 the society moved to the Ridge and all the Methodists joined there in worship. In the village of Rome a class was formed some time before 1820, its headquarters in a school room upstairs two doors from the American block. In 1828 Lyman Beach was appointed to the circuit which included Rome, and in 1829 Rome was made a station with Mr. Beach in charge. In the meam time in 1824 a church edifice had been begun, located near the court house ; this edifice was dedicated on New Year's day, 1829, its completion having been effected only after great effort. There the society wor- shiped forty years, though it was enlarged in 1850. When in the course of time and following upon some remarkable revivals, the old church became inadequate, the present brick edifice was planned, erected and dedicated September 24, 1869. It cost about $45,000 and more than $17,000 were subscribed on the day of its dedication. Since the pastorate of Rev. Lyman Beach before mentioned, the following pastors have served this church successively : Andrew Peck, Charles Giles, Isaac Stone, Calvin Danforth, Albert D. Peck, Nathaniel Salis- bury, V. M. Coryette; E. W. R. Allen, Aaron Adams, Isaac L. Hunt, W. W. Ninde, John Alley, Hiram Matteson, George Lawyer, F. H. Stanton, James Irwin, L. D. Stebbins, Burenus Holmes, J. P. Jennings, T. Spicer, I. S. Bingham, B. S. Wright, W. X. Ninde, J. B. Foote, Wes-
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ley Mason, S. R. Fuller, C. P. Hard, M. D. Kinney, William Searles, F. H. Hemmenway, F. Widmer, William H. Reese, Geo. M. Mead, C. W Parsons, Thomos B. Shepard, M. R. Webster, and David S. Pierce, who came in 1892.
Upon the formal organization of this society, which took place Janu - ary 15, 1821, the following were elected trustees : Oliver Greenwood, Preston H. Grover, Joshua Hathaway, Stephen White, George Wals- worth, Jeremiah Steves, and William Penfield. The second election of trustees did not take place until 1824. The building committee in charge of the erection of the present edifice were N. B. Foot, chairman ; A. Sandford, secretary ; A. H. Brainerd, superintendent ; L. E. Elmer, treasurer ; Rev. M. D. Kinney, J. D. Ely, W. Dennison, W. A. Cas- well, R. M. Bingham, A. Spencer and C. W. Elmer.
Liberty Street Methodist Church (formerly Court Street Church) .- A mission of the Methodist church was organized in 1863, which was formed into a society in the following year. The first pastor was Rev. P. H Wilds. He was succeeded down to 1878 by Rev. F. H. Beck, R. Redhead, William Jerome, Daniel O. Edgerton, J. Zimmerman, Rob- ert Flint, Joseph H. Lamb. For reasons that cannot be detailed here, this society in 1879, made a change of its church property on Court street, which had been built in 1870, with the society of the Welsh Con- gregationalist society, whose church was situated on Liberty street, be- tween George and Madison.
Free Methodist Church .- This church was organized about 1870, and occupies a building which was erected by the Embargo Street M. E. society, organized in 1855 and disbanded. The society also owns a parsonage. The present pastor is O. N. Frink.
The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Rome was organized about ten years ago and built a frame church three years later. The society has prospered since. There is also the Grace Union A. M. E. Church for colored persons which maintains regular services.
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The Welsh Calvanistic Methodist Church was organized in 1847 and formerly occupied a frame building used still earlier by the Second Congregational society. A few years since a new brick edifice was erected on North Washington street. Rev. R. Williams is pastor
St. Joseph's German Protestant Episcopal Church .- Prior to 1848 the twenty or more German Catholic families living in Canal Village met once in two weeks in a room in the old Mansion House for worship in their faith. Some time in 1840 these families effected an organiza- tion under the name, "St. Mary's Church," purchased a lot on the corner of South James and De Peyster streets and built a church costing $900. Owing to internal differences over a site for a new church in 1870-71, a large part of the congregation formed a new society called St. Joseph's Church, consisting of about 130 families. The site for the church on Ridge street was purchased April 22, 1871, for $7.500, and the corner stone of the new edifice was laid July 27, 1871, by the pas- tor, Rev. Bernhardt Werner. On St John's day, December 27, 1876, the congregation transferred their allegiance from the Roman Catholic to the Anglican, or the Protestant Episcopal Church. Services are held in both German and English, and the congregation is prospering under the ministrations of Rev. A. L. Byron-Curtiss, who began his labor here in 1895.
Trinity Church, (German Lutheran) .- This society was organized in 1848. The church edifice was erected in 1853, in which year the so- ciety was incorporated. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Wetzel. The pastors since 1878 have been Rev. H. Veith, Rev. A. Thiele, 1879; Rev. J. Schaefer, 1880-84 ; Rev. P. A. Moelling, 1884-87 ; Rev. O. T. Ebert, 1887-90; Rev. J. C. Nestel, 1890-93 ; G. Meisenhelder, pres- ent incumbent. There are about eighty- five voting members. In the spring of 1893 the church was rebuilt at a cost of about $3,400. In 1891 the congregation became a member of the German Evangelical Synod of North America.
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St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This society was organ- ized in 1869, and soon afterward the present frame church was erected on North Madison street. Rev. Charles A. Wiegel has been pastor of the church for the past twenty years.
Welsh Congregational Church .- This church has been alluded to in the description of the Court Street M. E. church. . The members met originally with the Welsh Methodists, but an organization was effected in this faith and in 1879 the exchange for the Court street church prop- erty was consummated. Services are held in both the Welsh and Eng- lish languages. Rev. D. E. Pritchard was pastor many years and was . succeeded by Rev. M. M. Hughes, the present incumbent.
A Seventh Day Advent society was organized in 1876, and the church was built in the next year. The membership is about eighty and Elder A. E. Place is pastor.
The First Universalist Church .- This society was organized about 1837 and held its meetings a number of years in the court house. The Masonic Hall building, which was refitted for an Episcopal church, was purchased by the Universalists in 1851. At about that time the first settled pastor, Rev. Richard Eddy, was installed over the congre- gation. Among the early members of the congregation were E. B. Armstrong, Samuel B. Stevens, Mr. Yale, B. B. Hyde, Shubael Smith and wife, Charles Leffingwell, Woodman Kimball and family, John P. Allen, and others. During a part of the later years the society has not had regular preaching, and at the present time the pulpit is oc- cupied by Rev. Lorenzo D. Case, a student who will become the settled pastor at the close of his studies.
Young Men's Christian Association .- This association was founded and incorporated in June, 1872, Edward Huntington being chosen president of the provisional organization. After some delay rooms were opened on the corner of Washington and Dominick streets, and in July, 1872, HI. S. Ninde was chosen secretary. From that year until 21
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1892, a period of twenty years, he gave his best efforts to the prosper- ity of the association, and was successful in the work At first two rooms were sufficient for the association, but later a gymnasium was added and two or three rooms on the third floor for class rooms. Seven years later when more commodious apartments were necessary they were found in the Arlington block, on the third floor, and included a hall seating 200. These rooms were used three years, when the pres- ent building on James street was purchased for $10,500, and about $4,000 in finishing the building, and adding the fourth story. The as- sociation is now enjoying an excellent degree of prosperity. When Mr. Ninde retired as secretary he was succeeded by S. B. Kingsley, and the latter by O. S. Twist, both of whom served only short terms. On March 1, 1893, H. E. Huie succeeded to the office, with John H. Irons, assistant.
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CHAPTER XVI.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Rome Water Works .- After long discussion and a sharp contest a special election was held in Rome in the summer of 1871 to decide the question for or against the building of a system of water works. The vote was in favor of the project by a considerable majority. The plans decided upon were to take the water from the Mohawk River at the Ridge, about two miles from the center of the city, properly filter it and pump it into a reservoir. The machinery adopted was built by the Watertown Steam Engine Company and comprised two double action horizontal pumps with a capacity of eighty-four gallons per revolution. They were propelled by two six feet wheels of ninety horse power made by S. Adams & Son, of Rome. These wheels were used for about five years, when they were displaced by the present Helmer wheels. The first pumps continued in use thirteen years and were displaced by the present ones. No change in the capacity of either wheels or pumps was made. William N. Mott is the engineer in charge of the works, and has occupied the position from the first.
The water at the dam is forty feet higher than the surface of the ground at the corner of James and Dominick streets and it was cal . culated that the pressure at the city would be sixty pounds to the square inch. The water is elevated sixty-five feet into a circular reser- voir twenty-one feet in depth and 297 in diameter with a capacity of 9,000,000 gallons. The original cost of these works for which bonds were issued was $160,000; this amount was afterwards increased to $172,000. The water was originally carried through cement pipe, but more than one-half of this has been taken out and iron pipes laid in
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its place. A fourteen inch main was laid through George street and about three years ago a twenty-inch iron main was laid in James street. At the present time about 2,000 consumers use the water and the system as a whole is very effective. The superintendents of the water works have been Cyrus Hayden, C. T. Hayden, Theodore S. Comstock. and the present superintendent, H. S. Wetherbee. The water works are in charge of what is now the Water and Sewerage Commission, which at the present time consists of W. J. P. Kingsley, ex officio, chairman, John S. Baker, Harvey S. Bedell, Albert R. Kessinger, and Jonathan S. Haselton.
H. S. Wetherbee, present superintendent of the water works, is a native of Oneida county, and was formerly in the grocery business in Rome, serving afterwards in the army in the 15th Engineers. After spending five years in Wisconsin he returned to this county and was in active business until 1892, when he sold out. He was elected to the Common Council in 1891 and was appointed to his present position in April, 1895.
Fire Department .- Rome is in the fortunate possession of ample fa- cilities for extinguishing fires and an excellent system of water works. It is not now known just how early the first fire engine was purchased, but it was early in the century, for the second one was bought in 1825 at a cost of about $900 inclusive of some apparatus ordered at the same time. On the 6th of June, 1825, the trustees appointed a fire company of twenty members. Fire company No. 2 was formed in May, 1827, and consisted of fourteen members, to which twelve more were added in August .. The Rome fire department was incorporated by the Leg- islature April 12, 1855. In 1866 a steam fire engine was purchased which with a large supply of hose and other apparatus cost over $8,000. In 1867 a second steamer was purchased.
The first of these was transferred to the Rome Locomotive Works and in May, 1884, a new Silsby steamer was purchased at a cost of
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$3,400. In April, 1896, the other old engine was traded for a new Clapp & Jones steamer, and a difference paid of $650. The present acting chief of the fire department is Leonard Briggs ; assistant, A. F. Chase. The foreman of No. I engine is P. H. Grogan ; of No. 2. Rob- ert Oldfield ; of Washington Hose Company, George Bowers; of the Hook and Ladder Company, Ceorge Clyde. Henry Powell is foreman of the engine house. The salary of the chief is $600; assistant, $100; foreman of the house and driver of the hose cart, $420; driver of the hook and ladder truck. $480; engine drivers, $420; engineers, $100.
Police .- Previous to the organization of the city there was no regular ~ established police force in the place. Such officers as were from time to time selected to preserve the public peace were known as watch- men, and their duties were not very clearly defined and probably not very efficiently performed. Upon the organization of the city a police force of five members was established with David Healt as chief. He was succeeded in that office by J. G. Orcutt, George Minzer, Thomas Wilds, John Farquharson, Thomas Burns, and the present incumbent, Michael Hagerty, who has held the office since June 1, 1890. His assistant is Richard J. Smith, who succeeded William T. Binks in 1893. The remainder of the force consists of five roundsmen and two station keepers. The salary of the chief is $65 per month; assistant, $55 ; roundsmen, $50; driver, $40.
City Hall .-- For some years prior to 1895 the Common Council met in the rooms in the opera house, where were also the offices of the city chamberlain and the recorder. In 1894 steps were taken to remedy this unsatisfactory condition by the erection of a new city hall. The city was in possession of a considerable fund, arising from 218 shares in the Rome and Clinton Railroad, amounting to about $55,000. The sites of the old G. W. Pope dwelling and two other lots were pur- chased and plans were drawn for a building to cost, with the site, about $76,000. The issue of bonds was authorized for a sum which,
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with the fund on hand would reach this amount. The corner stone of the new city hall was laid October 4. 1894. It is a handsome brick and stone building and is in every way admirably adapted to its purposes
Sewer System .- The first sewer system in Rome is now in process of establishment under a law passed March 23, 1893. That law created a Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the City of Rome, con- sisting of four members, residents of the corporation tax district, and the mayor as an ex officio member. The law also authorized the issue of bonds to an amount not exceeding $240,000. The Stanwix Engi- neering Company of Rome was engaged to make a survey and map of a complete sewer system and the map has recently been completed. Contracts have been let for about $150,000 to George S. Miller, of Ot- tawa, Ill. It is the purpose of the city authorities to proceed with the construction of the system as rapidly as consistent, with a view to its ultimate completion.
Street Railways -The Rome City Street Railroad company was organized in 1887 with a capital of $50,000. Rowland F. Hill was president ; Charles W. Dayton, vice-president, and William Moores, secretary and treasurer. John S. Wardwell was chosen to the office of president in 1893. The road was opened in 1887 and comprises about six and three- fourths miles of track. It is still operated by horse power.
Cemetery .- In the year 1823 Dominick Lynch deeded to the trustees of the village of Rome a cemetery tract bounded on the east by James street, north by Bloomfield, west by Washington street, and south by an alley. In the course of years this became unfitted for its original purpose, both from the number that had been buried therein and through its location. To remedy this condition, the Rome Cemetery Association was organized August 7, 1851.
In the following year a site was selected comprising twenty-five
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acres of land, which was purchased from the farm of Thomas Williams, at a cost of $2, 313.50, and Howard Daniels of New York city was em- ployed to lay out the cemetery. On July 19, 1853, the grounds were dedicated with appropriate ceremony, since which time elaborate im provements have been made. The grounds with the addition made in recent years now comprise about forty acres. The officers of the association are W. R. Huntington, president ; W. J. P. Kingsley, vice- president ; H. H. Converse, secretary ; S. Wardwell, treasurer; L Cole, superintendent
Rome Gas Light Company .- This company was organized in 1852 with the following officers: Rowland S. Doty, president; Dwight E. Ray, secretary ; Derrick L. Boardman, treasurer, who were also direct- ors with Calvert Comstock, Gordon N. Bissell, E. B. Armstrong, Alva Mudge, David Utley, Robert B. Doxtater, Edward Huntington, and John Stryker. The second president of the company was E. B. Arm- strong, who held the office until 1882, when he was succeeded by G. N. Bissell. Upon the death of Mr. Bissell Thomas H. Stryker was elected and is the incumbent. John G. Bissell is vice-president, and William R. Huntington, secretary and treasurer. In the year 1885 measures were adopted to introduce electricity by this company, and the city is now thus supplied. All street lamps are now electric, of which there are 158. John D. Higgins is superintendent for the company and has efficiently performed the duties of the position since 1867.
Oncida County Home .- The final report of the building committee of this institution, which committee was appointed by the Board of Super- visors March 21, 1894, contains the following paragraphs, which consti- tute a sufficient history of that institution since the sale of the old county alms house property, now the Custodial Asylum, to the State. The first sale of a part of that property was made in 1893 for about $104,000 ; the second sale took place on May 8, 1894, for about $105,000. The history of the old county almshouse is given in volume one of this work. We quote from the report as follows :
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"Our first instructions from the Board were to secure an option on the property known as the Bell site and report at once. In compliance with said order the committee, after organizing, visited the site and secured contract of same, which was ratified by the Board on the fol- lowing day, March 22.
" The purchase consists of 100 acres: 77 acres of clear, and 25 acres of woodland. The site is centrally located, being on the east bank of the Mohawk River, in the city of Rome ; easy of access from all parts of the county. On the west is a beautiful grove extending the entire length of the west line, which serves as a protection from the winter winds, also is a pleasant retreat for the inmates during the summer. The action of the Board in selecting this beautiful site for the Oneida County Home will never be regretted. State Commissioner Hon. W. Pryor Letchworth says that institutions of this nature should be situ- ated so as to be convenient to the public, in order that they may be more frequently visited by the benevolent and those especially inter- ested in the care of the unfortunate. Where such visitations are fre- quent a faithful and intelligent official comes sooner to be appreci- ated ; a stronger public interest is maintained in the institution, its needs are better understood, and appropriations to meet them are more likely to be granted by the Board.
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