USA > New York > Niagara County > Souvenir history of Niagara County, New York : commemorative of the 25th anniversary of the Pioneer Association of Niagara County > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
WILLIAM B. RANKINE.
[The author of this article asked Peter A. Porter, (who is a personal friend of the phenomenally successful, yet mod- est, business man, whose portrait appears herewith) to write a brief sketch of him and, in response he penned the followe ing.]
The really great business man, the one whose ability builds up vast enterprises and who yet does so in a way that does not oppress his less fortunate neighbor, is the one who "makes" his locality, and is the kind of man that every community needs. To a large extent such business men are rare. Niagara County, in fact this whole Frontier, owes much of its prosperity today to the various enterprises in which William B. Rankine and the capitalists with whom he is associated, and whom he represents, are interested. Of these enterprises he has supervised the growth of inany and is prominent in the administration of all. The principal one is the Niagara Falls Power Company, which supplies electric
power to many factories near the plant and transmits it to many others at Lockport, the Tonawandas and Buffalo; also supplies this power for the lighting of all the cities on the Frontier and for the operation of 350 miles of electric rail- ways hereabouts. The others include the Natural Food Company, of Niagara Falls; the International Railway Com- pany, of which he was one of the principal organizers, and the several subsidiary companies of the Power Company, of all of which latter company as well as of the great Power Company itself, he is the resident executive officer.
He was born in Owego, New York, 1858, and is the son of an eminent Divine of the Episcopal Church ; a gradu- ate of Union College and a lawyer, who practiced his pro- fession successfully for ten years in New York City. For the past twelve years his attention has been solely devoted to the legal and executive work of the many great com- mercial enterprises, whose interests are largely centered at Niagara Falls, where he now resides. A longer biography is unnecessary. In the words inscribed on the great tablet
199
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
to Sir Christopher Wren, in St. Paul's Cathedral, London : Si Monumentum requiris circumspice.
VILLAGES ATTAIN CITYHOOD.
During the several years previous to this the Gazette, the paper then owned by Hon. Peter A. Porter, had ad- vocated cityhood, but the idea had failed to find favor. How- ever, the breaking of ground for the tunnel developed brighter prospects, and the semi-weekly of Saturday, No- vember 15, 1890, again advocated cityhood. The manner in which the subject was taken up again at that time is worthy of record, for it brings into prominence with the movement a man who was born in Niagara Falls, Janu- ary 25, 1855, and who has always held the esteem of the public, having been Clerk of the Town of Niagara from 1882 to 1891. This is James F. Murphy, the well known and popular insurance agent. One day Mr. Murphy inquired of the editor of the paper referred to, "Why don't you pick up the question of making the two villages a city?" The suggestion was acted upon, and the editorial above mentioned written. The tunnel was in process of construc- tion. Both villages knew it was destined to be of vast benefit. Everybody was hopeful to a greater degree than in many years before. Interviews with prominent men in both of the former villages followed the editorial in suc- ceeding issues of the paper, and on December 6, 1890, Hon. W. Caryl Ely offered a resolution at a meeting of the Busi- ness Men's Association that the executive committee be authorized to take steps for the preparation of a city charter. Thomas V. Welch, Charles E. Cromley, James Davy, W. H. Woolworth and others discussed the resolution, and it was carried unanimously. From that time on the question was a very live one, and on March 17, 1892, the two villages and a portion of the Town of Niagara became the City of Ni- agara Falls, Governor Rosewell P. Flower signing the bill incorporating them as such.
A WINTER WEDDING.
Up to this time this has been a tale of two villages. Now the story of that winter wedding will begin. Governor Flower signed the bill about 6 p. m. About 10 o'clock that night fire broke out in the Spencer House, corner of Falls and Second Streets, and when the City of Niagara Falls was ushered in the sky all about was red with flames, and thus was the city of Niagara Falls and St. Patrick's Day, 1902, born. The com- mittee on city charter commenced work Thursday. Febru- ary 19, 1891. James Low was chairman and George W. Wright, Secretary. Their labor was completed on Tuesday evening, January 26, 1892, and on Wednesday. Februarv 3, the charter went to Albany, where it was introduced Feb- ruary 5. In accordance with the provisions of the city charter Henry W. Cornell, the last President of the Village of Suspension Bridge, gave notice that a joint meeting of the Boards of Trustees of the two villages would be held Tues- day, March 22, 1892, at 8 p. m. At that meeting there were present, officially, Henry W. Cornell, President ; John C. Stricker, John E. Noblett. Walter P. Horne and Philip Rosendale, Trustees of the Village of Suspension Bridge ; John C. Jenny, Clerk of the Village Board; George W. Wright, President; A. F. Allen, G. M. Harrington, Frank E. Smith, William Campbell, Trustees of the Village of Ni- agara Falls. G. M. Harrington acted as Clerk. The first election was set for Tuesday, April 19, 1892. On Tuesday afternoon, March 29, the Democratic city convention nom- inated George W. Wright for Mayor ; Charles H. Piper, Jr., for Police Justice and C. T. Canavan for City Treasurer. That evening the Republicans held their convention and
nominated Benjamin Flagler for Mayor; Frank E. Brad- ford for City Treasurer, and endorsed Piper for Police Justice. These were the first city conventions held in Ni- agara Falls. Henry W. Cornell was prevailed upon by his friends to head a third ticket for Mayor. George W. Wright defeated both Flagler and Cornell, and thus became the first Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls.
It was the advent of cityhood that inspired O. W. Cutler to establish a daily newspaper April 27, 1892. On March 17, 1893, The Gazette was also established as a daily by Hon. Peter A. Porter. On September 14, 1895, Mr. Porter disposed of the paper to a company organized to purchase it.
MAYORS, PAST AND PRESENT.
From the incorporation of the city to the present time the Mayors have been as follows: George W. Wright, 1892-93; Mighells B. Butler, 1893-94; David Phillips, 1894- 95; O. W. Cutler, 1895-96; Arthur Schoellkopf, 1896-97; Arthur C. Hastings, 1897-98-99-1900; Mighells B. Butler, 1900-01-02; John M. Hancock, 1902-03-04.
POWER DEVELOPMENT WAS OF GREAT BENEFIT.
Every business interest appeared to boom with the starting of the new power development. Land values in- creased to a considerable extent. Many made fortunes, only to lose them in further speculation. Men were made and unmade. Perhaps the growth was somewhat slower than many had hoped for, but the best of all was that it was substantial. Niagara Falls never stepped backward after the influence of the Schoellkopfs was felt and later that of the Niagara Falls Power Company. The influence of the electrical development was tremendous. Captain John M. Brinker had for years planned an electric line through the Niagara gorge, along the water's edge, from Niagara Falls to Lewiston, and on Thursday, July 18, 1895, he had the pleasure of seeing his big undertaking successfully opened. However, since the opening, the company has been reor- ganized. Bert L. Jones is Manager and Eldred E. Nicklis. Superintendent.
W. CARYL ELY.
Although today a resident of Buffalo, his sojourn of ten years at Niagara Falls, and his present business relations in and with this city, especially in the electric railway and bridges controlled and operated by the International Rail- way Company, of which he is the President, makes the in- clusion of a notice of W. Caryl Ely appropriate here.
Born in Middlefield, Otsego County, in 1856, he was graduated at Cornell University, and in 1882 began his career as a lawyer. He represented his district in the Assembly for this State for three years, the last year being the Democratic (minority) leader. In 1885 he removed to Niagara Falls and for ten years was one of its leading lawyers. In 1894 he organized and built the Niagara Falls & Buffalo Electric Railway, becoming its President, and in 1896 he engineered the acquisition of the branch of the Erie Railroad from North Tonawanda to Lockport and its re- construction into an electric railway. In 1898, partly through his suggestions and efforts, occurred the great merger of all the trolley lines in Buffalo. Niagara Falls and Lockport and between those three cities. two bridges over the river at Niagara Falls and one at Lewiston and the electric railway on the Canada Frontier, and he became, and is today, President of that corporation. Soon after the trolley was extended from Lockport to Olcott the grove at that place was purchased and great improvement made there. His attention since the merger has been drawn en-
200
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
tirely from his profession as a lawyer and devoted to the duties of a railway magnate.
Naturally his interest in Niagara Falls has not been lost and that city still is pleased to class him as one of its own people. He has been prominent in local and State politics, serving at one time as Treasurer of the Democratic State Committee, when that party was in power. As a business man, as a lawyer, as the promoter and developer
W. CARYL ELY.
of a great trolley system, and as the administrative officer of a most important corporation his name is closely and honorably connected with this Frontier.
WISH OF YEARS GRATIFED.
Up to 1902 the majority of the new manufacturing in- dustries that came to Niagara Falls located in the territory formerly known as the Village of Niagara Falls. It had al- ways been the wish and hope of the residents of the Sus- pension Bridge section that desirable manufacturing plants locate on some of the broad acres surrounding that business section. Several small plants found prosperity in that sec- tion, but in the summer of 1902 it was announced that the Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power & Manufacturing Company had purchased a large block of land on the northeast side of the city and was about to establish a new manufacturing center. Simultaneously, Thomas McDowell, Manager of the Carter-Crume plant, announced that his company would at once proceed to the erection of a large factory in that part of the city.
BIRTH OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY.
Many are given to associating the opening of the elec- trical era at Niagara Falls with the coming of the developers of large amounts of power, but it was some years before this that Niagara Falls enjoyed its first electrical illumina- tion. Among those who came to Niagara Falls in 1874 was Benjamin Rhodes, a civil engineer of ability and a man with progressive ideas. In being the pioneer in public electric lighting he lost money where others have since grown rich. In 1879 the Prospect Park Company, of which the venerable and respected Hans Nielson was President, installed a forty light brush arc machine in the incline rail- way building in Prospect Park. Its main object was the il- lumination of the falls, and this was quite successfully ac- complished by lamps placed at various points. The park company installed an electric fountain, and all who saw
it in its palmy days will agree that it was beautiful. This electrical illumination of the falls served to draw very large crowds to Niagara each day and evening, the day crowd remaining to view the falls by night under the new and wonderful light, the colors being changed by means of colored glass. The results afforded pleasing evening en- tertainment for visitors. In 1881 Benjamin Rhodes, Jacob F. Schoellkopf, Arthur Schoellkopf and Mr. Mathews in- stalled a sixteen light arc machine in the Oneida Community, Limited, plant, and this machine was operated by steam. The machine in the inclined railway building in the park was operated by water power. In the fall of the year, after the excursion season, arc lamps were placed on the streets and in several business places of Niagara Falls. The lamps were of eight-horse capacity, but Harry Huntley, who was a pioneer electrician, of Niagara Falls, suc- ceeded in turning them into twenty-four hour lamps by the use of half-inch carbons. All the lamps then in use were of the single carbon variety. Mr. Huntley aided to establish the original public lighting plant, and was with Mr. Rhodes for about ten years, and the ups and downs of the early illumination formed many of his pleasures and sorrows. The first incandescent lighting plant was installed and oper- ated in the Hill & Murray pulp mill that stood on what was then Cascade Street, near the park. The first incandescent lamps used in public lighting in Niagara Falls were operated from an arc circuit in series multiple. This then was the opening of the electrical era at Niagara. Benjamin Rhodes, who was a prime mover in it, and who spent his money to assist the development, simply blazed the way and made traveling easier for those who followed him. Mr. Rhodes surveved the original street railway, and in a professional way aided several projects. He was Postmaster at one time.
NIAGARA'S BANKS.
The banking history of the former villages and present city is interesting because it shows splendid development. Some few misfortunes have been attached to this feature of Niagara's growth, but in the main they have been adjusted without great loss. In the early sixties John D. Hamlin, a brother of George and Samuel Hamlin, had a small banking house in the Village of Niagara Falls. In the days of the Civil War people found it very difficult to make change, and it was at that time that T. G. Hulett came to the rescue. He was superintendent of the Niagara Falls Gas Company, and he issued $1,400 worth of checks in denominations of five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, fifty and seventy-five cents. These bore date July 1, 1862. Each one bore the signature of Mr. Hulett. There were two issues. A different en- graving appears to have been selected for each denomina- tion. The wording on the checks was as follows: "J. D. Hamlin's banking house, pay the bearer Ten Cents in Cur- rent Bank Notes, when presented in Sums of One or more Dollars." All but $150 worth of these checks were re- deemed, and the amount not presented for redemption served to meet the expense of the issue. In 1869 A. M. Chesbrough opened a private bank in an office in the Inter- national Hotel, and was succeeded in 1871 by N. K. Van Husen, of Buffalo. At one time Hollis White had a pri- vate bank on Main Street. In 1873 F. R. Delano became a partner of Van Husen's, the firm being Van Husen & Delano. In November. 1874, Van Husen retired, the business being continued by F. R. Delano & Company. the members of the firm being Dr. B. L. and F. R. Delano. father and son. On July 9, 1877. the Cataract Bank was incorporated, capital $50,000. The Cataract Bank failed
201
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
July 23, 1893. Along in the seventies Witmer Brothers did a banking business in their mill located near the lower sus- pension bridge. The banking business grew until they saw the advisability of erecting a banking house on Spring Street, where they carried on a banking business for years until they suspended on August 2, 1884. The Bank of Suspension Bridge was incorporated August 10, 1886, and started business August 16, 1886. The Bank of Niagara started December 12, 1882. The Niagara County Savings Bank began business January 2, 1891. The Frontier Bank of Niagara was incorporated May 23, 1892, and did busi- ness at the corner of Main and Niagara Avenues until May I, 1901, when it went into voluntary liquidation. The First National Bank started May 31, 1893, and did business at the southeast corner of Falls and First Streets until it failed, December 11, 1896. The Power City Bank started June 19, 1893, and the Electric City Bank on December 6, 1895.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
It is said that the Niagara Falls Public Library can trace its history back to 1814, when a few citizens started the Grand Niagara Library with forty books. There were libraries connected with the public schools and these formed the nucleus for the public library that opened February I, 1895, Mrs. Adele B. Barnum being selected as librarian. James F. Trott was President of the Board until his death, October 26, 1898. Hon. Peter A. Porter succeeded to the Presidency November 25, 1898. Hon. Thomas V. Welch was elected President in January, 1900. The library has 11,636 books on its shelves. In May, 1900, a branch library was opened with Miss Emma J. Kraemer in charge. In 1901 a site was purchased at the corner of Main Street and Ashland Avenue, and plans are now being pre- pared for a fine new library building, the gift of Andrew Carnegie, who donated $50,000 for that purpose.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
A sketch of the public schools of Niagara Falls will be found in Mr. Atwater's article in this book, at page 48.
Sketches of the churches of Niagara Falls will be found in the series of papers in this book, beginning at page 31, written by pastors of the various denominations.
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
Up to October 28, 1897, Niagara Falls had been ad- vancing wholly along lines that had to do with the industrial growth of the city, but on the date above mentioned the Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital was opened. This insti- tution is in care of Miss Margaret W. Martin as Superin- tendent, and is doing magnificent work. At the time the hospitai was conceived the heirs of Albert H. Porter, and the family of Mrs. A. Augustus Porter donated a lot and a half and the hospital association purchased another lot. The Memorial Hospital building was erected by Mrs. Jane H. Wheeler, deceased; Miss Elizabeth J. Townsend and Mrs. Lavinia P. T. Pettebone, in memory of their mother, Mrs. Jane S. Townsend. The Louise Memorial Maternity Hos- pital, adjoining the Emergency Memorial Hospital, is a gift of Benjamin F. Thurston to the city. It was complete in its equipment and furnishings when presented. The wards and rooms in the Emergency Hospital were furnished by various persons and organizations.
POSTMASTERS, PAST AND PRESENT.
When the City of Niagara Falls was incorporated on March 17, 1892, Ensign M. Clark was Postmaster of the Village of Niagara Falls, and John C. Lammerts was Post- master of the Village of Suspension Bridge. In May, 1893,
Hon. Walter P. Horne succeeded John C. Lammerts as Postmaster at Suspension Bridge, but the Federal Govern- ment did not consolidate the two postoffices until July 15, 1894, when Hon. Walter P. Horne became the first Post- master of the City of Niagara Falls. Mr. Horne held office until July 16, 1898, when Francis H. Salt was ap- pointed, and Mr. Salt is now serving his second term. John C. Jenny is Deputy Postmaster. The city has sixteen mail carriers.
WELCOME PRESIDENT M'KINLEY.
Friday, September 6, 1901, was a day of happiness and extreme sorrow at Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls was the last municipality to entertain President McKinley, and he received the assassin's bullet in Buffalo, when his mind was still impressed by the sublimity of Niagara.
POPULATION.
The census of 1900 gave Niagara Falls a population of 19,457, making it the largest center of population in Ni- agara County. The two years that have passed since the census was taken have been periods of marvelous growth at Niagara. In this time the city has secured the largest of its manufacturing establishments. These years have brought pleasing prosperity, and it is reasonable to assume that the present population is about 25,000, possibly a little more.
WHEN HENRY D. PERKY CAME.
The coming of Henry D. Perky to Niagara Falls was an incident in the life of the city that had much to do for the good of the municipality and its people. His plans startled
HENRY D. PERKY.
the residents, and there was much amazement expressed that the finest residence section of the city was to feel the advance of the foot of industry. On the banks of the beautiful river the finest factory building in the world was erected. With- in its walls an experiment in sociology is going on that is viewed with interest by hundreds of our citizens, especially those who are located within a radius of a few miles of the plant of the Natural Food Company.
In a number of the factories of the country an exemplifi- cation of the Golden Rule, and specific arrangements for the well-being of their working people have been instituted, and with results, say the proprietors, of direct benefit to the business, because of the increased interest and energy of the
202
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIA GARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
workers. This is notably the case with the Natural Food Company of Niagara Falls. Its conservatory is 463x66 feet in size, with 844 windows, and in a factory structure of great natural beauty. It is devoted entirely to the pro- duction of shredded wheat biscuit. The arrangements for turning out the product are of the most complete des- cription, but it is to describe the study in sociology that is progressing that this sketch is primarily written.
All the improvements that have been projected have not yet been installed, because there has not been time to per- fect all the details. Ground was broken for the building
NATURAL FOOD COMPANY'S CONSERVATORY.
December 24, 1900, and the company began operations in September, 1901-less than a year.
The great dining hall on the fifth floor is being made ready and will be furnished in contrast to the light effects of the woodwork of the building. Here all the employees will be the guests of the company at the daily midday meal.
The cooking will be done by electricity in one of the largest electrical kitchens in the world. The dining room overlooks the upper Niagara rapids and will be an ideal apartment for the purpose designed.
On each floor there are two elaborate toilet rooms, one at each end. They are fitted in mosaic marble, with nickel plated trimmings, and are furnished with shower and needle baths, individual lavatories and other conveniences, includ- ing hot and cold water. In the women's rooms, in place of the shower and needle baths, there are bath tubs and shoulder showers. The company grant an hour each week, during working hours, to every employee in which to bathe, most of them dividing this period and enjoying themselves thus twice each week for half an hour.
The girls have four rest periods during the day when they can relieve the monotony of their work by a brief time of healthful recreation. Excellent results are obtained from these periods of relaxation, for the workers return to their tasks with renewed interest and energy.
The ground in front of the conservatory is occupied by the children's playground. This space has facilities for a variety of amusements for the children of the city. There is a baseball field, running track, croquet ground, see-saw, sand pile, swing, etc. The company is a strong advocate of public playgrounds and this juvenile paradise is open to all the children of the city, whether their parents are connected with the factory or not.
There is a fine lecture hall in the building where lec- tures and entertainments are given and where conventions may be held. This hall may be used free of charge by any organization that desires to meet in Niagara Falls.
From the grand foyer and reception room on the first floor guides leave every hour to show visitors through the building. This building is a favorite point of attraction for people from all over the country and for visitors to the Falls from all sections of the world. In this foyer are con- veniences of every kind for visitors, reading and writing rooms, stationery, etc. The company issue souvenir postal cards that may be used by the visitors. This fall the com- pany will establish a branch of the Tabard Inn at the factory for the free use of the employees, all who desire being made life members of that institution.
There is also a fine roof garden that has been fitted up for the benefit of the employees and public.
The President of the institution is Henry D. Perky, who for years has made a study of cereal foods and who is President of the Oread Institute, of Worcester, Mass- achusetts, where some fifty young women are graduated every year. This is an institution in which domestic science is taught in all its branches. The school was founded by Eli Thayer for the higher education of women. It was abandoned in the stirring times of the war. Some years ago it was reorganized by Mr. Perky, who secured the buildings and put the institute on a solid basis. The instruction given is entirely free.
Outside of the development of the electric power of Niagara, there is no industry in the city possessing more unique and significant features in line with industrial better- ment than that of the Natural Food Company.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.