USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I > Part 127
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"The disabled heroes, who were seated in carriages, were the objects of much care and attention from officers, soldiery, and citizens. On arriving at the staging, they were seized by brigadier generals, civic officials, citizens, and militia, and lifted over the heads of the crowd, and seated on the platform; and at the termination of the ceremonies were driven to their homes, in, to them, unprecedented style."
503
CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1867.
THE WAR FUND COMMITTEE grew, in part, out of the appointment, in the summer of 1862, by the State Executive of New York, of two committees in the See- ond and Third Senatorial Distriets, for the purpose of raising each a regiment of volunteers, to serve for three years, or during the war. The Board of Supervisors of this county appointed, almost simultaneously, a large committee to aid in all measures for the inerease of the Army and the Navy. These several committees appear to have united in the conviction that a large Central Committee was indispensable to the work devolved on them; and, at their suggestion and request, the " War Fund Committee " was organized September 11, 1862, to take such measures as they should deem expedient for developing and concentrating the means and ener- gies of the people in behalf of the national eanse. A meeting was held at the office of Hon. Henry C. Mur- phy, at 13 Court street, and the following-named gen- tlemen appointed to serve as said War Fund Commit- tee, viz. : J. S. T. Stranahan, A. A. Low, Hon. John A. Lott, H. E. Pierrepont, I. H. Frothingham, Cyrus P. Smith, William Marshall, J. D. Sparkman, Nathaniel Briggs, Martin Kalbfleisch, John A. Cross, Walter S. Griffith, Conklin Brush, Seymour L. Husted, Abram B. Baylis, S. B. Chittenden, John H. Prentice and Alex- ander MeCue. These gentlemen were afterwards con- firmed in office at an immense public meeting of the citizens. The following extracts from the Committee's resolutions define the "conditions and principles on which they consent to act, and by which they pledge themselves to the publie to be governed, in the dis- charge of the highly responsible duties thus devolved upon them " :
" Whereas, it seems requisite that a responsible central or- ganization shall exist, through which the patriotism and re- sources of the citizens shall be called out systematically and applied wisely to the great object to be accomplished; there- fore,
" Resolved, That we hereby consent to act for the purpose specified, under the name of the War Fund Committee of Brooklyn and Kings County ; that we will receive all such funds as may be contributed to our treasury by citizens, in- stitutions or public authorities, and hold ourselves responsi- ble to disburse the same, for all purposes connected with the creation and support of a sufficient force to put down the re- bellion, and restore peace to our bleeding country.
" Resolved, That all appropriations of money shall be made by vote of the Committee at regular meetings; and that this Committee will gladly co-operate with all county, Senatorial or ward committees, and all public bodies, military or naval officers or private persons, in promoting enlistments or im- parting efficiency to any properly authorized efforts to strengthen the military or naval power of our nation."
The plan was approved by the committees of the Second and Third Senatorial Distriets. J. S. T. Stran- ahan was chosen President of the War Fund Commit- tee, Walter S. Griffith Secretary, and Isaac II. Froth- ingham Treasurer. This committee rendered mnost effi- cient service through the war. It assisted in raising
several regiments, in paying bounties and furnishing supplies, in sending forward nurses and comforts for the wounded, in providing for the families of soldiers, establishing postal communication between the troops at the front and their friends at home, in helping wid- ows and orphans to obtain pensions and back pay, and in whatever way patriotie hearts could devise to help in their country's need.
For some three years after the close of the war, the War Fund Committee continued to assist soldiers to obtain their pensions, &c., keeping open an office for that purpose at the Home Insurance Company's place, in Brooklyn.
The Great Sanitary Fair, in 1864, was originated and carried through, in great measure, by the War Fund Committee; and its work was fitly closed by donating to the city the bronze statue of Abraham Lin- coln, which adorns the plaza before Prospect Park. The committee deserves the everlasting gratitude of our people for its arduous labors, performed entirely with- out pay, and oftentimes at a serious sacrifice of time and private interests. Where all were so earnest, it is difficult to divide the honors; but, besides the officers, Messrs. Walter S. Griffith, S. B. Chittenden, A. A. Low and James P. Wallace were especially active. It was at the meeting of this committee that the project of starting the Brooklyn Union was mooted and per- feeted. At the elose of the war, many of the gentle- men who had been so long and pleasantly associated desired to continue their social relations, by instituting an association similar to the Union League Club, of New York (which sprang from a similar committee organization); but the matter finally took shape as the Brooklyn Club.
1867. January 23d. The East river between Brooklyn and New York was bridged over by iee so firmly that people crossed it, to the number, as was estimated, of five thousand.
This was the third time within fifteen years that the East river had been similarly bridged. The previous occasions were January 19th, 1852, and February 9th, 1856. It is said never to happen except when a thaw occurring causes the North river to send down fields of heavy iee; followed by a south-west wind, which blows these heavy eakes into the East river, where they oscil- late from Governor's to Blackwell's island and block up navigation. A eold spell succeeding this makes the iee sufficiently firm to bear up the weight of those who choose to eross.
April 8th. By the efforts, mainly, of A. E. Mudie, a Brooklyn Branch of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was organized.
May 9th. By act of the legislature, the Inebriates Home for Kings County was duly incorporated.
May 10th. The legislature passed an act, providing for the improvement, by dredging and docking, of the Gowanus Canal, and placing the control of said work in
504
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
the hands of a commission; and May 11th, another commission was appointed for the so-called Wallabout Improvement, at the foot of Washington avenue.
August. A few cases of yellow fever occurred in Brooklyn, further mention of which will be found in the Chapter on the Medical Profession of Kings County in another portion of this work.
1868. January 1st. The duties of the mayoralty were this day assumed, for the second time, by Martin Kalbfleisch, who had been elected in the fall of the preceding year.
MARTIN KALBFLEISCH, born in Flushing, Netherlands, on the 8th of February, 1804, received a thorough education at the excellent schools of his native town. That place, how- ever, offering but little opportunity for advancement or suc- cess in commercial or other pursuits, he determined to seek his fortunes elsewhere ; and, with that view, took passage, in 1822, for Padang, on the coast of Sumatra, in an American vessel, the Ellen Douglass, of Salem, Mass. On arriving at Padang, he found the Asiatic cholera raging fearfully, and therefore re-embarked for Antwerp, where the vessel was sold ; and, at the request of the Captain, an American, ac- companied him to France, where they were engaged in com- mercial operations together, for four years. During this period, his inclinations led him to look upon the United States as his future home; and, accordingly, in 1826, he carried that project into execution. With few acquaintances or friends, and but little means, upon his arrival, he found himself obliged to accept of any employment that offered ; until, in 1835, when he had accumulated sufficient means, he was enabled to establish a color manufactory at Harlem, on New York Island, where he then resided. The high prices at that time paid for property, induced him to sell his place and locate in Connecticut. This move, however, proving unsuccessful, he was induced to return to the en- virons of New York, and finally determined to locate at Greenpoint, as offering the best facilities for the prosecution of his business, and there he settled, in 1842. His family being somewhat numerous, he found the want of a school- house to be a serious drawback, and immediately applied himself to remedying the want. He organized the district (comprising all of Greenpoint up to line of Remsen street) ; got the use of the dilapidated old school-house near the Bushwick church, repaired it, and obtained the services of a teacher, Mr. Norman Andrews, still living. By perseverance he soon had the satisfaction of seeing a new school-house erected at Greenpoint ; and this has been followed up until that section of our city, at this day, has no less than four large and admirably equipped edifices devoted to the in- struction of its youth. As Mr. Kalbfleisch's business ex- panded, the want of room compelled him, about twenty years since, to remove his factory to its present location, be- tween Metropolitan and Grand avenues. For many years he made the manufacture of acids a specialty, and continually increased the extent of his works until they now embrace several acres, and are the most extensive in the country. The business (conducted for some years under the firm style of M. Kalbfleisch & Sons), afterward passed into the hands of the latter (under the firm style of M. Kalbfleisch's Sons), M. Kalbfleisch having amassed sufficient means to enable him to retire.
Mr. Kalbfleisch always took a lively interest in politics ; and, although for many years a hard worker in the demo- cratic ranks, did not aspire to office. Circumstances, how- ever, made him, in 1851, a candidate for supervisorship of
the old town of Bushwick, to which office he was elected, and which he held until the town was consolidated with the cities of Brooklyn and Williamsburgh. In 1853, he was ap- pointed one of the commissioners to draw up a charter, for the proposed consolidation of the cities of Brooklyn and Williamsburgh, and acted as president of the board.
HON. MARTIN KALBFLEISCH.
In 1854 he became the democratic candidate for mayor of the consolidated city, but was defeated by George Hall. In 1855, he was elected Alderman of the 18th Ward, and served in that capacity until May, 1861, when he became mayor of the city. He served three years as President of the Board of Aldermen, and, the last time he was elected [Alderman, re- ceived all the votes but one cast in his ward for that office. In 1862, he was elected a representative to Congress from his district, and, in 1867, re-elected mayor of the city.
Mayor Kalbfleisch was a director in two banks, insurance companies, the Trust company, etc., and president of the Prospect Park Fair Ground Association. He was an excel- lent linguist, speaking four languages fluently ; had a ripe experience in public matters ; managed his official trusts with prudence, energy and business tact ; thought for him- self ; had clear ideas upon all matters submitted to his judg- ment or approval ; and was never afraid to use his veto pre- rogative.
April 16th. A Board of Estimate and Disburse- ments of the fire department was appointed by legisla- tive enactment.
May 6th. A Department for the Survey and Inspec- tion of Buildings, in the Western District of the city, was appointed by act of legislature.
May 31st. Sabbath. The graves of soldiers, at Cy- press hills, were this day strewn with wreaths and flowers by the ladies, citizens, and their surviving com- rades in arms. Addresses were delivered by several of the clergy, and appropriate music was performed. The whole affair was under the auspices of the veterans; and "Decoration Day" has since become one of the recognized National holidays.
June 21st. The corner-stone of the great Roman Catholic Cathedral was laid, with much ceremony. This edifice, however, is still unfinished.
505
CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1868.
July 8th. The old Howard estate, at East New York, was this day sold at auction. The historic tavern known as Howard's, or the Half-way House, on the East New York and Jamaica road, the Broadway plank road and Howard Place, together with about four acres of land, was sold for $21,000 to Mr. Henry R. Pierson, president of the Brooklyn City Railroad Com- pany.
November 12th. The Brooklyn Academy of De- sign had its first opening on the evening of this day.
November 14th. A terrible collision occurred on the New York side of the Fulton ferry, between two of the Union Ferry Company's boats, in which twenty persons were injured, one of whom, a boy named George Brower, was instantly killed ; while others re- ceived serious fractures, contusions, etc. The accident had no inconsiderable effect in forming the public mind towards the building of a bridge across the East river.
December 1st. Fort Lafayette, opposite Fort Ham- ilton, destroyed by fire.
December 21st. The Common Council, by a vote of 15 to 4, authorized a loan of $3,000,000 to the New York Bridge Company's proposed East River Bridge, on condition that the sum of $2,000,000 be first sub- scribed to the capital stock by other parties ; and that the company's charter be so amended, that the city's interests be represented in the board of directors by three city officers comprising the commissioners of the Sinking Fund of the city of Brooklyn for the time being.
Some idea of the wonderful growth of Brooklyn during this year (1868), may be gained from the fol- lowing abstract of an article in the Brooklyn Eagle of February 16, 1869:
"Later residents can hardly conceive the rapid growth of Brooklyn during the past quarter of a century. Twenty-five years ago corn grew on Montague street-Court street had no existence, and the fashionable locality of South Brooklyn was but a dreary sand-hill. Twenty-five years ago the aris- tocracy gathered in the neighborhood of the Navy Yard, for the gold lace and gilt buttons had much the same attraction then as now. Later, the principal business portion of the city was in the neighborhood of Fulton ferry. All the banks, insurance companies, and newspaper offices were gathered in the immediate neighborhood, the lawyers congregated about the corner of Front and Fulton streets ; and, in fact, the first block of Fulton street was the exchange of Brook- lyn, where the prominent men of the city were most apt to be found during business hours. The building of the City Hall altered this, for all the lawyers and most of the incor- porated institutions moved to that place, and it became the business centre, However, there is another change, and the lower part of Fulton street is resuming its former bustle and activity, and, as a business centre, is rivaling the Hall. The business is hardly the same, for there is an infusion of the wholesale trade, and many large manufactories are within easy distance of the street, so that the moneyed institutions have found that they did wisely in remaining in their old spots.
Brooklyn is no longer a village, but supports several
business centres ; and, as it spreads farther towards what is now its outskirts, other centres will spring up without inter- fering with the old ones. During the past twenty-five years, the increase of population and of buildings has been enormous. Forty thousand was about the population twenty- five years ago, and to-day it is nearly three hundred thous- and. Buildings and dwellings have sprung up as if by magic. Long rows of brown stone and brick buildings have risen, seemingly, in the space of a single night. The past year has seen no diminution, and, in fact, the new buildings of 1868 exceed in value those of any previous year. More elegant and costly public buildings have been erected since the 1st of January, 1868, than in any one previous year, and, although the number of buildings is not as large as in 1867, yet, as was stated above, the value far exceeds it. In 1867, 3,539 buildings were erected, and, in 1868, but 3,307 were put up. Of these, 375 were brown-stone fronts ; 775, brick ; and 1,915, frame dwellings ; 3 stone, 7 brick, and 9 frame church edifices ; 1 brick school-house ; 41 brick and 24 frame build- ings for manufacturing purposes ; 7 brick, 10 frame stores, and 140 buildings of a miscellaneous character. The greatest number of these buildings were erected in the 7th, 9th, 10th, 17th, 18th, 21st and 22d Wards, the 21st taking the lead, principally, however, in the frame structures.
This only includes those buildings which were completed within the year, and not those which were commenced. The increase in value, however, is not as great in the dwell- ings as in the public buildings, which are to become an orna- ment to the city. Notwithstanding the great number of dwelling houses that have been erected, the demand has been greater than the supply. Even at this time of the year vacant houses upon the Heights, that portion of the city called the Hill, and that portion of South Brooklyn lying in the neighborhood of Carroll Park, are eagerly snapped up, and it is very rarely the case that a house in any of these neighborhoods lies vacant or unengaged for the space of a week. It is a singular fact that almost, without exception, the great number of dwelling-houses have been erected by builders who have amassed a sufficient sum and embarked it all in this enterprise ; in short, the vast improvement in the real estate of Brooklyn has been due more to the enterprise of the builders and speculators than to the capitalists and large landholders.
Among the public buildings completed and commenced during the year 1868, may be especially mentioned the iron structure of the Long Island Safe Deposit Company, on the corner of Front and Fulton streets, costing $150,000; the large building of the Union Association, on the opposite corner, costing $33,000; Burnham's Gymnasia, corner of Smith and Schermerhorn streets, costing $90,000; the elegant Mercantile Library building, in Montague street, costing, with the two adjoining buildings, $181,000; the new St. Ann's Protestant Episcopal church, on corner of Clinton and Livingston, costing about $200,000 ; Rev. Dr. Duryea's new church in Classon avenue, costing about $100,000; the Skating Rink, costing $30,000; a riding school in Pacific street, between Nevins and Powers, cost $12,000 ; two large buildings on corner of Court and Livingston streets, in the French style of architecture, costing $60,000; Messrs. Horton, Son & Co.'s splendid store on Fulton avenue, above Gallatin place, costing $45,000; Armstrong & Blacklin's, 213 Fulton ; the Adelphi Academy, on Lafayette avenue, $18,800; the church of the North Reformed congregation in Twelfth street, costing nearly $60,000 ; that of the Carlton avenue Methodist Episcopal church, corner of Clermont and Willoughby avenues, $75,000; the Roman Catholic Church of our Lady of Mcrey, in Debevoise street, $70,000 ; the new church edifice of
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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
St. Charles Borromeo (Roman Catholic), costing, with land, $75,000 ; frame churches for St. James' and for St. Stephen's congregations ; several large warehouses : and the superb building of the Kings County Savings Bank, corner of Fourth street and Broadway, E. D., costing $195,000.
In State, Pacific and Dean streets, and in Fourth avenue, a large number of houses of brown-stone, brick and mastic fronts are going up. In fact, this is heard from all parts of the city. In the 20th and 7th Wards, many are going up in long rows, and the same may be said of the 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 21st and 22d Wards. In the 9th and 21st Wards, out- side of the fire limits, it is estimated in round numbers, that there are over two hundred frame buildings, in course of erection, which will be held at $8,500. A greater number of better stores have been erected during the past year, to be rented, than in any previous year, a hopeful sign for the business interests of Brooklyn. Upon Fulton, Myrtle and Atlantic avenues, a number of fine stores have been, and now are, in course of erection.
From the foregoing, it may be seen that the increase in the value of real estate to the city must be very considerable. In the year 1864, the value of new buildings added to the city was $1,631,250 ; in 1865, $1,838,500 ; in 1866, $2,531,000 ; and in 1867, $3,562,600. It has been impossible for us at this time of the year to get at the exact number of buildings that have been erected in 1868, or their exact value. In fact, we have but a very small portion, yet we are enabled to figure a value nearly as much as in any previous year- $3,315,200.
In Williamsburglı, the value of property has increased at an astonishing rate, owing no doubt to the widening of South Sixth and South Seventh streets. Many of the property holders along the line of the streets named were against the improvement. Since then these very men have been made rich by the movement. It appeared that the widening of the streets cost $400,000, while real estate has increased in value over $500,000. The Williamsburgh Savings Bank has just pur- chased a piece of property on the corner of Broadway and Fifth street, 112 feet front on Broadway by 100 feet on Fifth street, for $110,000, on which to erect a banking-house. This is said to be the largest sum ever paid for building-lots in the Eastern District. The property could have been bought prior to the widening of the street for $20,000, and the houses gave the value to the estate. Now the property is sold for $110,000, and the houses are torn down as worthless.
The number of houses built during the year 1868, is, how- ever, only one of the evidences that may be adduced of the rapid growth of Brooklyn. During the year an enormous and unprecedented amount of street improvement was effected, in the matter of grading, paving, and laying down water and sewer pipes. Twenty-three miles of improved streets were added to the city, rendering about seven or eight thousand city lots available for building purposes, which previously were not so available. It will be seen, therefore, that, great as the increase of buildings, the Street Department doubly kept pace with the progress of house- building, and furnished twice as much new street frontage as the 3,200 newly erected buildings occupied. After all the thousands of new houses Brooklyn built in 1863, she offered, to the builder, at the close of the year, street approaches to three or four thousand more lots than were approachable for building at the beginning.
While the Street Department thus furnished means of get- ting access to unoccupied lots, the Water and Sewerage De- partment was not idle in rendering house property more valuable, by adding to the first necessity of streets, the scarcely less necessary elements of a water supply and
drainage. In the year 1867, sixteen miles of water pipes were laid, and fourteen miles of sewers. At the commence- ment of 1868, therefore, there existed in the city 210 miles of water-pipe, and 134 miles of sewers. The total street length of Brooklyn is about 500 miles. Of this only about one-half is at all occupied as yet by houses and population. Much of it exists in the form of water and swamp lots, which will probably for many years yet remain unbuilt upon. In 1868, there were fourteen miles of water-pipe laid and sixteen of sewers-a reversal of the figures of the former year. On the 1st of January, 1869, there were 150 miles of sewer and 224 of water-pipes lying beneath the street surface of Brooklyn. Especially in the 16th Ward has the sewerage been largely and efficiently prosecuted."
1869-January 4. Mayor Kalbfleisch's message re- ports a total of 3,307 buildings ereeted in 1868 ; the amount of eity bonds outstanding, $18,559,250. The Street Commissioner's report shows that, in 1868, four- teen miles of water pipe were laid, and sixteen of sew- ers; twenty-three miles of streets were added to pre- vious improvements. The poliee reeords show that 21,272 arrests were made during the year.
January 18. New building of the Mercantile Library, on Montague street, opened.
May 22. Final meeting of the Board of Estimate of the Volunteer Fire Department, and organization of the new Board of the Paid Fire Department.
July 9. Superintendent Bulkley reports the value of the sehool-house sites in the eity at $276,386; of the buildings, $709,727. The whole number of pupils at- tending public day sehools, 70,000 ; night sehools, 10,- 000; number in private sehools, 22,142.
July 22. Death of JOHN AUGUSTUS ROEBLING, the eminent engineer, aged 63 years, resulting from an in- jury received June 28, at Fulton Ferry. See page 448.
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